Author's Note: Alrighty, for those of you over 18(like me, lol. not...) I have a, umm, extended version of this chapter over at fosff dot net just in case anyone might want to read it. I'd love to know what you people who read that one think, as it's my first attempt at that ahem side of fanfiction. Anyways, for the more innocent ones, I give you:

Chapter Twelve - Jaton! or Zey are Unclozink!

Brigon - BREYE-gon

jaton - zha-TOH(n)

"Gonna take it slow, babe. Do it my way. Keep your eyes on me. Your reaction to my action is what I want to see. Rhythmic motion, raw emotion infiltrating through. Sweet sensations, hot temptations coming over you." - Jem, "Come on Closer"

Evie was ripped from an amusing dream involving the Muppets, Johnny Depp, and Colonel Sheppard by someone pounding on her door. She groaned and yanked the pillow over her head. "Go away!" she called. "It's my freakin' day off for crying out loud." When she heard the door whoosh open, she peeked out from under the pillow. She saw Summer approaching the bed. "What part of 'go away' do you not understand?" she mumbled.

"You gotta get up!" Summer said excitedly, sitting on her friend's bed and bouncing up and down. Evie pushed Summer off the edge with her feet. "Don't make me sit on you, Roo," Summer threatened.

Evie let out a loud groan of frustration. "What do you want?" She removed the pillow and blinked sleepily at her friend.

"A bunch of us are going to Venalia for our day off," Summer said, bouncing on the bed again, "and Colonel Sheppard says to tell you he thinks it's as good a place as any to get hitched."

Evie sat bolt upright in bed. "Wait, like seriously?" she asked, now fully awake.

"Yes!" Summer exclaimed. "Now, go get dressed, we're leaving in half an hour."

"Yes, ma'am!" Evie attempted to hop out of bed, but as she was tangled up in her sheets, she fell to the floor. Summer just laughed. "I meant to do that," Evie muttered. She ran over to her closet and grabbed her regulation garments.

"Key words are 'day off,'" Summer said as Evie raced for the bathroom.

"Right." Evie spun a 180 and returned to her closet, searching through the few personal garments that she owned. "You know I have no fashion sense," she sighed. "Come find me something cute."

After sifting through the clothes for a moment, Summer said, "Ugh. Do you have no blouses, woman?"

"Not really," Evie said shaking her head.

"Aha!" Summer grabbed an item off the hanger. "Well this sure is cute," she said, tossing the light blue halter top to Evie. "'Sexy' even." She grinned.

"Just so long as it's not 'slutty'" Evie replied, snagging a pair of jeans and a belt and then heading for the bathroom. "Think I have time for a shower?" she called from behind the closed door.

"Not an Evie shower," Summer said with a chuckle. "A quick one."

"Yes, yes," Evie said, turning on the water.

XXXXXX

After snatching a donut each from the mess hall, Summer and Evie made it to the Control Room. "Morning, Lieutenant. Captain," said Sheppard in greeting. "I almost didn't recognize you ladies in street clothes." He particularly liked Evie's blouse. As Evie wasn't the most buxom of women, the top didn't show as much cleavage as it was designed to, but the garment was still very flattering on her.

"You look very different yourself. I don't think I've ever seen you in jeans," Evie observed, admiring the way his long legs fit into the denim.

"It's a rare phenomenon," he joked. It was then that he noticed the item that Evie was carrying. It was a long, slender, fabric case with a lime green stripe down the middle. "What's that?" he asked, pointing to the object in question.

"Stunt kite," Evie answered with a grin. "It's way fun. You have to tr--"

"Colonel Sheppard." The three of them turned to see Lorne approaching them. "Is this everybody that's going?" he asked, surveying the small group of people which included Rodney, Teyla, Kate and Mary Heightmeyer, and Evan McKenzie, one of the men from Lorne's team.

"We're just waiting on Michael, sir," Summer said with a sigh, looking at her watch.

"Hey, it's our day off. You don't have to 'sir' me, Summer," Lorne offered.

"Alright then, Marcus," she said with a smile.

"The fun has arrived!" Michael announced jokingly as he entered the Control Room. "Let's get this party started. Sorry I'm late, babe," Michael said, slipping his arm around his wife's waist.

"Dial it up," Lorne called to the technician.

Once they reached Venalia, the Atlanteans dispersed to enjoy themselves however they desired, with the instructions to return to the Gate at 1800, when it would begin to grow dark.

Sheppard, Rodney, Evie, and Summer formed a posse and traversed to a field where they flew Evie's kite for a little over an hour. Or rather, Rodney, Evie, and Summer flew the kite. Sheppard just crashed it. After eating the sandwiches they had brought, they began searching for a priest. With the aid of several villagers, they were able to locate Brigon, the religious leader of the city.

Brigon was an older gentleman, at least in his seventies. He had short, gray hair and a snowy little beard. Gentle brown eyes shone out from his wrinkled face. Upon hearing Sheppard and Evie's request, he smiled. "Yes, my children, I will help you. Come," he said, gesturing for them to exit the temple. "Let us go to where no one will overhear us." He led them several hundred yards away from the temple, which was already quite a ways off the from the rest of the village. Satisfied that they were quite alone, out of sight and hearing distance, in the grassy area, he began the ceremony.

"John, I want you to hold Evie's hands, please," Brigon instructed. Sheppard turned to his fiancé e and gently took her hands in his, taking a deep breath. Evie tried to give him a reassuring smile, but she was just as nervous as he was. "I will now sing the marriage blessing over you both," Brigon said, then began to croon a hauntingly beautiful song in another tongue. Whether from the decision she was making or the song itself, Evie got goose-bumps all over her skin.

When he finished a moment later, Brigon began the vows. "Evie, will you take John to be your life mate, your one and only, forever unto death, no matter what may come?"

"I will," Evie promised shakily. It sounded different compared to the customary "I do", but Evie didn't care; she would and she did take John Sheppard to be hers forever.

"And, John, will you take Evie to be your life mate, your one and only, forever unto death, no matter what may come?"

"I will," he vowed with a gentle smile to his beloved. His smile eased some of her anxiety and she managed to give him an adoring one in return.

"Very good, then. I now declare you one," he said with a grin. "Jaton!" Evie and Sheppard looked at Brigon quizzically. The man gestured from Sheppard to Evie. "Jaton!"

"Oh!" Sheppard grinned and leaned in to kiss his bride.

Brigon smiled and Rodney and Summer applauded. "Thank you, sir," Sheppard said, shaking Brigon's hand.

"You are quite welcome, my son," Brigon replied warmly with a sweet smile. "I wish you both much happiness."

"Let's hope," Evie said, winking at her new husband. Summer approached Evie and took her hand, leading her several feet away where the two women engaged in a hushed discussion.

"Well, congratulations, Sheppard," Rodney said, giving the Colonel one of his McKay-sign-of-affection shoulder pats.

Sheppard nodded. "Thanks. So, remember, if anyone asks, we're still out flying her kite."

"Yes, yes," Rodney assured him, looking around nervously. "I'll be nearby in case anyone else comes, and when it's time to go, I'll come and get you. Good luck. Have fun."

Sheppard grinned boyishly, and Rodney rolled his eyes. Sheppard turned to see what was keeping his wife. He saw Summer hand Evie the small bag that she had been toting. Evie opened it and grinned when she saw its contents. She glanced over at Sheppard, back to the bag, then looked up at Summer and giggled. Sheppard cocked his head to the side, intrigued. Evie hugged Summer tightly, then returned to Sheppard's side. "What's in the bag, baby?"

Evie looked up at him, her eyes glinting almost - surely it couldn't be! Not coming from chaste little Evie - seductively. "You'll find out soon enough," she murmured.

Sheppard raised an eyebrow and Evie merely grinned in response. "Well," he said, taking her hand and turning to Rodney and Summer, "we will see you two this evening." Their comrades waved as they watched Sheppard and Evie walk toward the inn in which Brigon had said they could stay and…consummate the marriage.

After arguing with Sheppard for a few minutes, the innkeeper agreed that they could have a room for the day if Sheppard would help him chop wood for the coming winter. He gave Evie permission to go upstairs to the room while he took Sheppard outside to begin his payment. She gave her husband a teasing kiss, and then left him hanging, retreating up the stairs with a mischievous grin. Determined to exact vengeance, Sheppard quickly followed the man, intent on finishing his task in as little time as possible.

Inside the comfortable room, Evie had been scrutinizing herself in the mirror for nearly five minutes; she was worried that Sheppard wouldn't be pleased with her. She attempted to adjust her lingerie for the thousandth time when she heard a knock on the door. She jumped as Sheppard opened the door and entered the room, shutting it behind him. "Little nervous, beautiful?" he asked with an easy smile. Evie nodded and felt herself begin to blush slightly when she saw his eyes slowly take in her figure. He let out a low growl as he slowly approached her. Damn, just his presence was enough to set her to breathing funny. "Where did you get this?" he murmured, his fingers straying to the sheer, scarlet fabric of the "teddy" that Summer had graciously given to Evie.

"Summer gave it to me," Evie answered, glad that he appeared to be pleased.

"Remind me to thank her…" He let his eyes roam freely over her curves before returning to her hazel gaze. "You're so beautiful," he breathed.

Evie smiled. "Well, thank you. You're not bad yourself. But," she said, as she took a step towards him and grabbed the hem of his shirt, "that's gotta go." Sheppard was only too happy to allow her to pull his shirt over his head, the garment being quickly tossed aside. "Much better," she murmured, eyeing his toned chest muscles. He pulled her into his strong arms and enveloped all her senses in a fervent kiss. Her hands started out tangling through his hair, but she soon slid them to his neck and then began working her way down his chest. Sheppard's skin jerked under her gentle touch and he swallowed visibly as she continued memorizing the feel of his body.

When Sheppard broke the kiss for air, Evie immediately began trailing sensuous kisses down his neck. "Anxious, Vixen?" he crooned, slipping his shoes off and sliding his hands down her sides to rest on her hips.

"Want you," she murmured into his neck and began sucking on the sensitive skin.

"Well, then," he said softly, his voice low with desire. "What do you say we take this somewhere more comfortable?" He scooped up her legs and carried her over to the bed, gently laying her on the cushy mattress. "You're mine now, beautiful," he grinned, his lips descending upon her neck. "All mine…"

XXXXXX

Six hours later, Evie was pulled from her semi-awake state by the annoying voice of Rodney McKay. "Sheppard!" he called. "Evie!"

Evie groaned and muttered, "Go away, Rodney," as she snuggled deeper into Sheppard's embrace.

"Come on, you two," Rodney called, knocking on the door. "We're leaving. Lorne's already radioed me twice."

"Time to go, dear," Sheppard murmured, stretching.

"No… Let's just forget Atlantis and stay here," she whispered, toying with the dark curls that covered his chest.

Sheppard chuckled. "That'd be fun…" He started to get up, but Evie grabbed his wrist, pulling him back into her arms. She gave him her best puppy-dog eyes. He slowly grinned. "Hey, McKay…think you could give us fifteen minutes?"

"No," Rodney answered, obviously annoyed. "You've had plenty of time to…to… You've had plenty of time."

Sheppard sighed. "We really do need to go, Mrs. Sheppard," he said with a grin.

"Mmm…" Evie smiled. "'Mrs. Sheppard,'" she repeated. "I like the sound of that."

"Do you now, Mrs. Sheppard?" he asked, gently brushing his lips against her forehead. "I like it, too." He placed several light kisses on her face, murmuring, "Mrs. Sheppard," each time.

"Any day now," Rodney called from outside the room.

"Hold your horses," Evie called with a frown.

Sheppard grinned and gave her one last toe-curling kiss before getting out of bed and attempting to find his clothes.

When the newlyweds stepped outside the room, Rodney rolled his eyes at their pleased grins. "I take it you two enjoyed yourselves?" he asked sarcastically as they walked down the stairs. Sheppard opened his mouth to comment, but Rodney cut him off. "If you are going to continue this back in Atlantis, I suggest you try to keep it down," he said, smirking.

"Huh?" Evie asked as they stepped out of the inn and into the sunlight.

Rodney cleared his throat and then began in a falsetto, "John…ohh, John!"

Evie couldn't stop her cheeks from flushing. She turned to her husband. "Can I hit him?"

"Oh, don't mind him. He's just jealous," he said with a grin, slipping his arm around Evie's waist.

"'He's just jealous,'" Rodney mimicked, crossing his arms and smiling wryly. "Puh-leeze. And wipe that grin off your face, Colonel. Honestly, you look like the Chesire cat."

Sheppard fought for a moment with the smirk that was plastered on his face and finally succeeded in suppressing it. "Better?" he asked.

"Yes. Now let's go," Rodney said, turning to depart for the Stargate. Sheppard reluctantly removed his arm from Evie's waist and put some separation between them.

Halfway back to the Gate, the trio met up with Lorne, who, tired of hearing "Yes, we'll be there in just a minute" from McKay, had gone to get them. "What took you guys so long?" he asked.

"We set a new record," Evie said, waving the kite. Sheppard bit back a laugh at the double entendre.

"Glad you guys had fun," Lorne said with a smile. Noticing something amiss, he asked, "What happened to your neck, Evie?"

Sheppard looked over at Evie and saw the small reddish mark near the base of her neck. 'Oops.'

Evie reached a hand up to feel the skin in question. She realized what it was, but quickly covered with, "When I launched the kite for Colonel Sheppard, I got whiplashed by the tail."

Lorne accepted this answer without question and said, "Well, let's go home."