AN: Nope, it's not the big event yet...we've got a few more things to throw Shep's way, and Traitor needs to bake a bit more.
NOT THE DADDY...part 26
Pregnancy clock: 8 months, 2 weeks
He was finally, blissfully, pain free. But only after a few days of pain-blurred hell. Days that John did not remember clearly and he was okay with that. He had vague and fragmented memories of Rodney and Weir and Dreya talking to him. Of people holding his hand and telling him everything would be okay. He remembered not caring or believing them at the time because there was nothing but pain. Wave after wave of excruciating pain.
"Colonel?"
He jumped, one hand falling to his stomach when Traitor kicked him, his eyes lifting to see Teyla standing next to his bed. He was finally back in his room. Five days after the contractions from hell were stopped he had convinced Beckett to release him from the infirmary. The glitch being he was back on bed rest, possibly right up until the baby was born. John was feeling a bit too apathetic at this point, and too damn scared at losing Traitor, to be all that upset about it. For now. So he smiled at Teyla, welcoming her presence. "You here to check on me?" John knew that Beckett had it arranged that someone visit him at two hour intervals. With med techs, nurses, or Beckett himself coming in to check him every four hours for vitals and the like.
Teyla nodded. "I am. How are you feeling?"
"Better." John knew that said it all.
"Can I bring you anything?" Teyla asked, as she moved to sit on the side of the bed.
John shook his head. "Can I ask you something?" After his talk with Dreya, even though he felt sure they had reached an understanding, John was still worried about her and their relationship. Even though when she visited with him, she seemed content and happy.
Teyla nodded. "You may ask me anything," she allowed.
"Do you and Dreya talk?" John blurted out.
"Sometimes."
John sighed and stared at his hands lying over his flat stomach. Still too weird to see that when his mind was telling him his belly was huge and swollen. He shook away his meandering thoughts and asked, "Did you say anything about me? Us?"
Teyla looked hesitant, but then she looked at John and nodded. "She did. She was upset at first, but she realizes that she shares something unique and special with you and that your friendship is important to her." It was obvious that Teyla was choosing her words carefully.
Relief surged over John. "Good. I...I really do care about her as more than a friend, but not in that way."
"She knows." Teyla reached out and patted John's hand. "Are you hungry? I can get you some muffins."
"Nah...I'll eat later." John didn't want her to go. "Just keep me company for a while. Unless you're busy."
Teyla grinned. "I have time."
John grinned back. "Great. So...fill me in on all the gossip," he requested. Then he settled back against the pillows as Teyla spoke.
OoO
John was drifting off into sleep when he heard the door open and the sound of heavy footsteps. He recognized those footfalls and opened his eyes to see Rodney leaning over him, looking pissed. "What'd I do?" John mumbled, trying to rub the sleep from his eyes.
"Nothing, yet." Rodney thrust a laptop towards him. "There are equations on there. Do them and call me when you're done."
"What?" John wasn't sure he'd heard correctly. He took the laptop though, cursing himself when he remembered he could set it on his lap because there was no belly to get in the way. Then he looked at the equations. Complicated ones. Even as John glanced over them his mind started calculating. But he caught himself and looked up to glare at Rodney. "Why are you giving them to me?"
Rodney rolled his eyes. "Can you do them or not?" he countered.
John scowled at him. "Probably, but you still didn't answer my question. Don't you have people on your team to do this stuff?"
"I do." Rodney was rocking on his heels, looking smug. "But I stumped them and I have a running bet that you can do them." He shook a finger at John. "So don't let me down. Consider this a test. I'm working on something with Zelenka and we need someone who can figure out these equations and figure them out quick and correctly. So get to work." Rodney was already turning for the door. "Don't forget...call me." With that he was gone.
"Weird," John grumbled, shifting the laptop to press a hand to his belly when Traitor kicked him. "Yes...that was Rodney. How could you tell?" John laughed at himself then sighed and studied the equations again. They were, indeed, complicated, but he had always loved a challenge. And John realized that Rodney was trying to help him with his boredom by occupying his mind. As John went to work on the first equation, he made a mental note to thank Rodney. With chocolate.
OoO
John found himself eyeing the med tech with suspicion. He was a big guy and vaguely familiar to John. With all his time in the infirmary, he realized he must have seen the guy without really paying attention to him. Until now. Something about the man made John's spidey sense all tingly. He just couldn't figure out why. Still...he kept a sharp eye on him as the tech took his vitals. "So...we good?" John asked, as his temp was recorded. BP and pulse and heartsounds were already done.
"Just need a blood sample," med tech guy said, turning around with syringe in hand.
"Beckett didn't mention that," John said, even as he held out his arm. He knew Beckett seldom warned him in advance about procedures of any kind any more. Less chance for John to complain about them. So he watched the guy wrap the tie around his bicep, tap a vein, then slide the needle in. Barely a pinch. John had to give the guy credit, his technique was good. Once a vial was drawn John was staring at the Band-Aid on his arm. "Now are we done?" he asked.
The med guy nodded. "We're done."
John stared at him a moment. "What's your name?"
"Brodie."
"You're kinda new, aren't you?" John queried, because he really couldn't shake the feeling that something was off with this guy.
Brodie shrugged. "Came with the second wave so I've been here for a while." He packed up his things and headed for the door.
John let him go without saying anything else, he was too busy rubbing his belly, trying to get Traitor to chill out. "You can't wait to be born, can you?" John whispered. "Truth be told, I'm pretty anxious for that day myself." He let himself be distracted by thoughts of what the future would bring, until a knock on his door sounded. "Come in!" John called out.
Dreya stepped inside. "Good afternoon, John," she offered in greeting.
"Hi, Dreya...good to see you." John was glad she there. "How are you feeling?" She looked like she was glowing.
"I am well." Dreya was smiling as she moved to sit in the chair next to his bed. "More importantly...how are you feeling, John?"
He shrugged. "I'm bored out of my mind and Traitor is kicking up a storm, but that's about it."
Dreya looked pleased. She reached out for John's hand then hesitated.
He grabbed her hand and held on tight. He wanted her to know that things were good between them. That they could still be close and that physical contact was welcome. "So how are things in engineering? Rodney tells me you're still putting in full days. Should you be doing that, by the way?"
"Dr. Beckett said that as long as you are doing well and I don't let myself get too tired, that I may work for as long as I feel up to it," Dreya replied. "I enjoy the work. Atlantis is an amazing place."
"Yes, it is." John would be the first to admit to that. "I'm glad you're here, Dreya." John felt the need for another interlude of honesty between them. Especially after Rodney's confession about almost fatherhood. "I never expected to experience anything like this. Hell...I figured I'd never even be a dad. After coming to Atlantis I was pretty sure that would never happen, just because of the way things are and my position here. But you've given me a chance to experience parenthood on both sides of coin and that's an amazing gift to give someone."
Dreya's eyes went wide and they shimmered with unshed tears. "You say that even though I forced this upon you?"
John squeezed her hand again. "Hey...we've moved past that, remember? Way past. My whole life has been lived under the belief that you accept that which you can't change. Of course, in my case, I like to believe that you can change things so I usually do try..." Here John broke off to laugh along with Dreya, then he sobered. "But sometimes it's a good thing to learn to accept the inevitable. And...whoa...I'm getting way too deep here." John was starting to feel embarrassed.
"I think I know what you're trying to say," Dreya interjected as she pushed her way out of the chair and moved to lean over him. Brushing a kiss against John's cheek she whispered, "You're welcome."
"Cool." John felt the swollen weight of Dreya's belly pressing against him and he pressed his free palm against it, knowing there would be a kick to match the one in his own belly. He locked eyes with Dreya as it happened and it finally sunk in to John what a miracle this truly was.
OoO
John watched as Ronon prowled about his room. The big guy looked tense and John could sense that he wanted to talk to him about something. "What's up?" he finally prompted.
Ronon stopped pacing. "Will this change things?" he blurted out.
"Change things?" John echoed, feeling confused. "What do you mean?"
"The team," Ronon explained. "Will this change the team? Will you still be our leader?"
John frowned at that. "Why wouldn't I be? The moment Dreya has the baby I'll be back out in the field." In fact he was counting the seconds to that day.
Ronon did not look convinced. "Fatherhood is not to be taken lightly."
"Technically...I'm not the father," John felt inclined to point out. But he knew what Ronon was saying. "Look...Dreya is going to stay on Atlantis after the baby is born. That kid will have a lot of parental units watching over it. I'm sure I won't be missed while I'm out doing my job."
"But will you be able to accept being away from the child?" Ronon countered.
John was surprised by the question. "Look...I know I'm connected to the baby in a way no man should ever be connected, but that doesn't change who I am, Ronon. Which is the head of the military contingent on Atlantis. Unless you're the one having doubts about me being able to do my job?" And that thought was ruffling John's feathers a bit.
Ronon looked amused. "You do your job well, Sheppard," he stated. "I miss the old days."
"Yeah...so do I." John realized he sounded wistful, then he gasped as Traitor gave him a sharp kick. "Hey...knock it off in there," John admonished, but with a laugh. "Don't take everything so personally." He realized that was pretty good advice overall. Then John realized that Ronon was staring at him and he couldn't quite read the expression on the other man's face. Still, John found himself waving Ronon over. "Want to feel it?" He figured everyone else had copped a feel, so why not Ronon?"
"I...uh..." Ronon looked embarrassed and uncertain.
John rolled his eyes at him. "It doesn't hurt, well...it won't hurt you."
Ronon moved closer.
John pointed to his flat stomach. "Just put your hand on it, I promise not to slug you." He grinned, because they both knew it was an empty threat.
Expelling a nervous breath, Ronon touched John's stomach, then he jumped and nearly yelped when Traitor gave a giant kick.
"Pretty cool, huh?" John commented, trying not to dissolve into giggles at the look on Ronon's face.
"Yeah...pretty cool," Ronon echoed, a look of amazement replacing his surprise. Then he shook himself and said, "I have to go. I'm training some of your men in hand to hand."
John nodded. "Kick their asses good. And when this baby is finally born, I expect you to do the same to me."
Ronon grinned. "Deal," he said, then he was gone.
OoO
John's new routine included having breakfast with Elizabeth. She would bring her daily reports and kept him updated. She also would ask for his input, thus allowing John to feel like he was still able to do his job. At least in some fashion. This morning there wasn't all that much going on other than the fact that John's team was going offworld without him. Which he hated. "When are they due back?" John asked, glancing at his watch.
Elizabeth arched an eyebrow at him. "They're due to report in about three hours. Relax, John, it's just a simple in and out."
"Yeah...right," John muttered, pushing his scrambled eggs around his plate.
"You'd better eat that or Carson will give you hell," Elizabeth chided. "You know he's still not happy about your weight."
John sighed, considered taking a bite, then he pushed the plate away. He just wasn't hungry. "It's not fair," He complained. "Why couldn't I have gained at least a bit of Dreya's baby weight? Then Beckett would stop bugging me."
Elizabeth chuckled. "That's your own fault for having good metabolism."
"Don't start with me, skinny," John shot back, teasingly. And it felt good to laugh, even though Elizabeth was glaring at him a bit.
"Listen you --" Elizabeth began, only to break off when her radio beeped. "Weir here."
A tech's voice filled the room. "Sorry to bother you, Doctor, but Major' Lorne's team is coming in hot. They've asked for a med team to meet them. It would appear Dr. McKay was injured."
Elizabeth went pale. "I'll be right there."
John was shoving back the covers, knowing he was as pale as Elizabeth was. But she stopped him.
"You're not going anywhere, Colonel and you know it!"
"The hell I'm not!" John glared at her. "They're my team and Rodney was injured. I sure as hell am going to be there!" He tried to shake her off only to grunt as pain flared in his lower abdomen.
Elizabeth crouched down so they were eye level. "You have to focus on the baby first and foremost. Beckett will take care of Rodney and I'll keep you updated."
John knew she was right and let her push him back against the pillows and cover him up again. "Go!" he told her, waving a hand at the door.
Elizabeth left.
John cursed then reached over to grab his radio out of the drawer in the nightstand. He put it on and settled in to wait.
THE END...of part 26