A/N: I love the feedback guys and girls, keep it coming, it keeps me writing. On a side note, do you like the new title? Or do you have a suggestion for a better one, summaries are also helpful. Feel free to contribute, I'll give you credit.

The jumper was silent, almost too much so. John tried not to fidget nervously at the controls. Once or twice he'd glanced over at Teyla and gave her a reassuring nod. He wanted her to know he was on her side. He'd also packed a wraith stunner in the back of the jumper as insurance.

"It is unfair." Teyla finally said, exasperated.

John took one had off the controls and looked directly at her, making eye contact. "I know it's not." He said in the softest voice possible.

Teyla rested her hands on her slightly expanded belly, now showing visible signs of being pregnant. "Our children deserve better."

"I want you to know that I'm on your side." He extended his free hand.

She grasped it. "Thank you John."

"Do we have anyone we can trust to be on our side in the village?"

Teyla thought for second. "I am sure many of the younger Athosians will support us, and I know Halling will side with you. Of the elders, I am unsure."

"And they're the ones that make the decisions, right?"

"Correct."

"Have they even taken into consideration that the children will be half Athosian, half Earthling?" John suppressed a laugh at referring to himself as an Earthling.

They sat in silence the remainder of the trip. Teyla knew she could confide in anything with John, that he only had her best interests in his heart. She knew he cared for her more than he had ever allowed himself to care about anyone else. In that she loved him.

"There's the village." John remarked, bringing the jumper in for a landing in a clearing just beyond the village fence.

Teyla stood. "Let us be done with this."

John nodded, shutting down the jumper and motioning for her to take the lead. As they stepped out of the jumper, he grabbed the handheld wraith stunner and placed it in his pistol holster. He followed Teyla into the village and to the largest log cabin in the center.

Teyla knocked.

The door was opened to reveal a large wooden amphitheater, with eight elderly Athosians sitting in the first row of seats at the very base of the incline. John was impressed; he hadn't expected the Athosians to make anything like this. It brought back memories of high school musicals and other fun times.

He followed Teyla down the side and onto the stage. It felt strangely like being on trial. He straightened his posture and stood side by side next to Teyla as they waited for one of the Athosian elders to say something.

A woman with long silver hair stood up from her seat. She regarded John with an expression of disgust. "Daughter of Tagan, we have asked you here to discuss the future of your coming children."

Teyla winced at the title, but didn't move an inch.

"Is it true that you carry twin children?" The man with a bald head asked.

"Yes." Teyla replied. "I carry a boy and girl."

The woman turned her gaze away from John and to Teyla. "Twins are rare daughter of Tagan. They must be raised in the Athosian ways."
"I am not disputing that," Teyla replied, "only that they must learn about both of their parents' culture."

"You cannot dispute tradition daughter of Tagan."

John was getting annoyed, but refrained from being rude and asked politely, "Why do you call Teyla daughter of Tagan?"

The woman fixed him with an incredulous glare. He was tempted to shoot her right then and there. "Our ways are none of your concern."

"I believe they are." John said. "I'm hoping to soon be married to an Athosian."

"We will decide that."

"And why is that?" Teyla spat.

"It is bad enough you are having twin children with a non-Athosian, but to consider marrying him. It is not proper for the daughter of Tagan."

"That is my business."

"As the daughter of Tagan you cannot do this. We forbid it."

Teyla fixed the woman with the coldest expression John had ever seen. "You cannot forbid me anything. I am the leader of the Athosians."

John hand dropped to the stunner in his pistol holster, things were getting way out of hand. He wouldn't be surprised if a group of Athosian hunters surrounded them any second now.

"STOP!" A voice rang out from the balcony.

John glanced up and smiled as Halling and several Athosians walked into the amphitheater. He allowed his hand to relax.

"This is wrong!" Halling said, fixing the woman with an incredulous stare.

"Return to your dwellings." The woman said, her voice commanding.

"No. The ancestors would not approve of this and you should respect the appointed leader of our people in the proper way."

"She doesn't follow the traditions, she has been absent from the village for months at a time. Do I need to remind you of that?"

"And do I need to remind you that while we sit here safe, Teyla continues to fight the wraith. She fights for us."

"Leave." Teyla's voice commanded. "I respect the opinions of the council, but I will not abide by them. Our children will be raised as both Athosians and Earthlings. There can be no other way."

John grinned. This was what he loved about Teyla. One by one, the council members stood and bowed respectfully, before stepping outside the building.

Halling took a step down to the stage. "Teyla, I wish you the best wishes on behalf of everyone in the village."

Teyla nodded respectfully. "Thank you Halling." She smiled, addressing the entire crowd. "Thank you all." Then she turned to John, and in a quiet voice said, "and most of all, thank you John."

He smiled, pulling her into his arms. "I'm glad that's over. Now what should we call them?"

A/N: Wow! That was way too long for a chapter of Together Forever, names for the babies? All entries welcome, I reserve the right to take the ones that I want, just as above you will get credit if I use something you suggest. Remember, it's a boy and a girl. (Twins)