Disclaimer: I do not own Stargate or any of its characters. I do love to write about them though.

I will be finishing 'Boys' vacation', but this is another idea that came into my head and I thought that I needed to write it.

This story is set two weeks after the events of "Restoration", which is a sequel for "Intensity". If you haven't read "Intensity" and "Restoration', you may need to go back and read them first.

Chapter1: Going home.

Colonel John Sheppard sat in General Laundry's office waiting to talk to him. His presence had been requested by the General before he'd returned to Atlantis, he had no idea what needed to be discussed, but he hoped that he wasn't being relieved of his command.

It had been nine weeks since he'd last been on Atlantis since he had been forced to come back to earth to recover from horrific injuries inflicted on him by a group of ascended wraith and wraith worshipers. Then while he was on earth he'd been kidnapped by the trust, tortured, and then shot. After that, he had spent four weeks on Maui staying in his house there, along with Teyla and Torren, Rodney, Ronon, Carson, his brother Dave and his brother's fiancée Jane, as well as Claudia, his physical therapist and her kids.

Dave and Jane had decided to get married on Maui and stay there for their honeymoon before they came to Atlantis to live. It had been an absolute honour for him to be able to stand with his brother on his wedding day, which was something that he never would have thought possible, given the state of their relationship in the past. Dave had also needed to stay on earth to make sure that the business was in good hands. Dave had asked his colleague Eddie Bean to take over the day to day running of the business. Apparently, he would be able to keep in contact with Eddie regularly. He and Dave had over 70 percent of shares in the company between them, so it was still a Sheppard business after all. John had no idea what Dave had told Eddie as to where he was going, but he would ask Dave that question at another time.

The rest of the gang had returned to the SGC with him the day before and they were set to head back to Atlantis through the midway station this afternoon.

Thinking of his friends made him think of Teyla, the love of his life. He had every intention of asking her to marry him when he was 100 percent healed; his brother had given him his mother's ring to give to her before they had left Maui. But for now, he was happy to be moving in with her and Torren when they arrived back on Atlantis. And then there was Puss the giant ginger cat that had befriended him when he had been held prisoner by the trust, he hadn't told Woolsey about him yet, but he was definitely coming back to Atlantis with them.

They had celebrated Father's Day a few days before and it was a day of mixed blessings. Teyla and Torren were quite happy to celebrate the occasion, as they had a similar celebration on New Athos every year. He felt absolutely honoured that Teyla would consider him as Torren's father and Torren had made him a card; with lots of scribbles on it and bought him a big box of chocolates. The day was dampened by the fact that his own father wasn't there and although he hadn't gotten along with his father for many years before he died, he missed him and wished that he'd had a chance to make amends with him.

His injuries were healing well. His hands were back to 100 percent and both of his legs were healed, his right leg was still a little weak, so he would still need some physical therapy on that. Hs left wrist was still in a cast for another couple of weeks and his right shoulder where he was shot was still a problem. Halfway through his vacation in Maui, his shoulder had become infected, so he had spent a miserable week in bed and was unable to start physical therapy. That would wait until he was back on Atlantis now.

His thoughts were interrupted when a loud booming voice entered the room, "Colonel Sheppard it's good to see you back on your feet." General laundry announced before sitting down.

"Yes sir, thank you, sir," John said standing up to greet him.

"Sit down Colonel, this is an informal meeting."

He sat down and looked at the general waiting to hear what he had to say. It took Laundry a few minutes to open his mouth and he could have sworn that it was the longest few minutes of his life.

"The purpose of this meeting is to discuss, the leadership of Atlantis with you."

Great, he thought, he's going to throw me out and put someone like Caldwell or Ellis in charge, simply because I don't like them and that is what would annoy me the most.

He barely heard Laundry talking to him until he heard his name mentioned.

"I'm sorry general, but can you repeat that?"

"I said that for the moment Lorne will be left in charge of Atlantis, but when you are properly healed you will be taking over the command again, providing you meet the Air-force standards for, psychological health, fitness and endurance. I will have Dr Beckett send me a report before you are reinstated."

That was certainly a relief and one less thing that he had to worry about. He knew that passing the psychological, endurance and physical fitness tests would be a challenge given the amount of time that he had been off duty, but it certainly wasn't impossible.

"Thank you General, I really appreciate you having faith in me."

The General just smiled at him and turned to his computer and started to work. John wondered whether he had anything else to say, or whether he would be allowed to leave now. It was almost lunchtime and he'd promised Teyla and Torren that he would join them for lunch.

He sat there waiting for a few minutes until Laundry looked up from what he was doing, "what are you still doing here? You are free to go Colonel."

"Thank you, sir," he said relieved to be finally leaving the general's office.

Once he had left Laundry's office, he headed to the mess hall, since it was about time for him to meet Teyla and he had a spring in his step as he walked; at least he would have if his right leg didn't feel so weak. But Claudia had assured him with a few weeks of physical therapy, he should be able to start running again. That was the good news at his last check-up, the bad news was that his shoulder would be at least four weeks, possibly longer, before it was back to one hundred percent.

Putting those thoughts aside, he entered the mess hall to find that Teyla and Torren were already there. He walked over to the table that Teyla and Torren were sitting at and sat down, happy to see that Teyla had already selected him a turkey sandwich and a juice box for lunch. His right leg was aching by the time he sat down, but Claudia had told him that it may still ache from time to time, so there was nothing to worry about.

"How was your meeting with General Laundry?" Teyla asked him, as he sat down.

He smiled at her, he loved the concern that she had always shown him, but now that they were a couple, he appreciated it even more. "When I am healed I will still have to pass the Air-Force, psychological and endurance tests, but if I pass that I will be back in command."

"Daddy." Torren squealed before they had a chance to discuss the matter further.

"Hey pal, how are you?" John replied as he leant in to kiss Torren on the top of his head.

"Me good," Torren replied, before stuffing more of his sandwich in his mouth.

John looked down at his own sandwich, before trying to pick it up with his casted hand. His right arm was still in a sling and the range of movement in it was low, so he preferred to try and use his left hand. He tried to manage by himself these days since he'd told everyone to stop fussing about a week ago. Up until that point someone had almost always fed him, but now he couldn't think of anything worse.

He tried to pick up his sandwich and found himself having trouble, so when he dropped it again. Teyla looked at him with her stern look. From past experience, he knew that she really wanted to say something but was trying not to.

After another three attempts on his part, she finally said something, "are you sure you do not need some help with that?"

"I'm fine!" He answered forcefully and immediately regretted it when he saw the look of hurt in Teyla's eyes. That was a look he knew well, as he had seen it on occasion as well.

He sighed and looked her in the eye, "I'm sorry Teyla, it's just that I want to get back to normal as soon as possible and although I can't cut up my food myself, I should be able to eat a sandwich or drink a juice box by myself."

Teyla smiled at him, but the smile didn't quite reach her eyes like it normally did. "I understand John, but I only want to help you, if nothing else I can put the sandwich in your hand and then you can eat it by yourself."

Perhaps she was right, if he was ever going to eat today, she may need to help, "alright, maybe you can put it in my hand for me, but please be quick, because I don't want anyone to see."

Another voice entered the conversation and it was a voice which he quite often found irritating, "see what?" Rodney asked as he sat down.

"Nothing McKay!" He told him in a matter of fact tone.

"What's up with you Colonel Cranky pants?" Rodney asked totally oblivious to John's dilemma.

He wasn't really interested in hearing Rodney's teasing, so he got to his feet and left the table as fast as he could with a bum leg. He still had days where he felt depressed, or angry about the condition he was in. But Carson had told him that it was completely understandable given the trauma that he had suffered, he had actually spoken with a counsellor since he'd been on earth and it had even helped him a little. What he couldn't understand was that twenty minutes ago he'd been on top of the world, but once Rodney had opened his mouth, he suddenly seemed down in the dumps again.

The last nine weeks had been incredibly difficult for him and as much as he'd wanted to handle his thoughts and feelings alone, he knew that he couldn't, so he had begun to open up to his friends and family a bit more, but Rodney was the one person that he didn't really want to talk to. Although he had on one or two occasions when Rodney had forced him too.

In the end, he decided that the best option for him right now was to head to his quarters and go and have another sleep. That was something else that annoyed him, he still seemed to feel the need to sleep all of the time. Carson had told him that was also perfectly natural considering the amount of trauma that his body had been through recently.

When he arrived in his quarters, he was happy to see that the giant ginger cat that he'd named Puss was curled up on his bed. Laying down next to him and cuddling up to him, the cat started to purr. The sound started to soothe his troubled mind and it wasn't long before he drifted off to sleep.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Teyla watched as John left the room and she wasn't happy. Dr McKay was one of her closest friends, but unfortunately, he lacked tact at times; well pretty much all of the time. She sat and watched him shovelling food into his mouth and wondered what Jennifer saw in him. Perhaps there was a romantic side to him, but right now all she saw was an inconsiderate jerk.

"What?" he asked when he'd finally finished his mouthful of food.

"You're a real idiot McKay," Ronon said as he sat down at the table.

"Yes, he's a wee bit oblivious to the feelings of others, isn't he?" Carson said as he sat down beside Ronon.

"Where Daddy," Torren said looking up from his food.

"Why is everyone staring at me?" Rodney asked with a look of confusion on his face.

Teyla continued to stare at Rodney, he really has no idea, she thought, before talking to him, "Rodney John was having trouble picking up his food and he did not want anyone to see it. Then you called him Colonel Cranky pants, so I think that you must have upset him."

"Really he got upset because he couldn't eat his food and he didn't want me to see it. I've seen him being fed so many times over the last four weeks." Rodney stated, again with extraordinarily little tact.

Before Teyla had a chance to say anything to him, Torren spoke again, "Momma, where Daddy?"

Teyla look at her son and smiled, "Daddy is tired sweetheart, I think he has gone to our room for a rest."

"Otay, Momma," Torren said and picked up his sandwich again.

Teyla looked back at Rodney who was busy stuffing food in his mouth again and she wasn't really sure what to say to him. She was relieved when Carson spoke to Rodney.

"Rodney, I have told you this, many times before, but I'm going to tell you again. Colonel Sheppard has been injured for nearly ten weeks now and that's not including the time he spent in a coma. That has taken its toll on his body and his emotions, so if he seems a little upset or cranky at times, can you really blame him?"

Rodney looked at Teyla and then Carson sheepishly, "Yeah, I guess I remember you telling me that, but I just keep forgetting."

Teyla knew that she had to go and see John because, although he'd run off, it really wasn't good for him to be alone right now.

Turning to Ronon she asked, "can you please look after Torren for a while, I must go and see how John is and maybe I will take him his sandwich."

"Sure thing," Ronon replied.

"Torren Momma's going to find Daddy and give him his lunch, Uncle Ronon will look after you for a while."

"Unca Wonon up?" Torren asked putting his arms up so that Ronon could pick him up.

Teyla stood up and kissed her son on the cheek, before heading off to see John. She knew that he would probably be asleep, or at least trying to sleep and puss would probably be curled up beside him. She smiled and thought of the ginger cat that had befriended John, he had actually become a good friend for Torren as well. Teyla had no idea what Woolsey was going to think of Puss, but John or Torren weren't prepared to give him up, so Woolsey really didn't have a choice but to accept him.

Teyla left the mess hall and headed to the quarters that she was sharing with John and Torren while they were at the SGC. She had shared a bed with John ever since they had gone to Maui and she couldn't wait to get back to Atlantis where she and John would be living in the same apartment. In the future, she had every intention of asking him to undertake the bonding ceremony with her, but for now, she just wanted to know that he would be okay.

She arrived at their quarters and quietly opened the door in case John was sleeping and didn't want to be disturbed.

Her heart melted when she entered the room and found John and Puss cuddled up together fast asleep. Not wanting to wake him, she started to back out of the room. Just as she was about to leave the room John started to stir, so she stood still and waited to see what he would do, would he wake up or would he close his eyes again and go back to sleep? The question was answered a few seconds later when he opened his beautiful hazel eyes and looked straight at her.

"Teyla," he whispered and smiled.

"I have brought you the rest of your lunch if you are feeling up to it."

"Thanks, Teyla, I might need your help though."

She went over and put the food on the bedside table and sat beside him; careful not to disturb puss, "I am always happy to help you and if you would prefer that we eat in private until you have gained use of your arms again I am happy for us to do so."

"If you can help me put it in my casted hand, I should be alright to eat it myself."

She was relieved that John was willing to let her help him, she understood that it was incredibly difficult for him and he was probably sick and tired of it, but hopefully when they got back to Atlantis things would soon get back to normal.

John sat up and she placed the sandwich in his hand and while he ate, she lay back on the bed and cuddled puss. Although she hadn't really liked the cat at first, she had come to really enjoy having an animal to pet and cuddle and Puss was certainly happy for her to do so.

She lay back and cuddled the cat and eventually when John had finished eating, he curled up beside her and it wasn't long before John drifted off to sleep again. She knew that she probably shouldn't fall asleep, but once she was back on Atlantis she would be back to work straight away, so in the end, she gave in and fell into a deep contented sleep.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

John stood at the stargate with Teyla and Torren beside him and Puss was in Teyla's arms. Ronon and Rodney stood next to each other. Claudia and Carson were standing next to each other holding hands which was, totally new to him, and he had no idea that they were even interested in each other. But then he'd been pretty tied up with his own concerns in recent weeks, so why would he notice? Tyler and Beth Claudia's six-year-old twins were standing beside her holding hands with each other and they both looked a little fearful.

John smiled at them and felt that he needed to encourage them since Torren was still a little afraid and liked to be picked up when they went through the gate.

"Don't worry, kids it won't hurt at all."

Tyler looked at him with his bright blue eyes and smiled back and Beth just stood staring at the gate.

John was surprised when Torren walked over the Beth and took her hand, "don't be scared," Torren told her with a smile.

"I won't be afraid if you're with me Torren," Beth replied, as she flashed him a smile.

John stood observing the three children as the chevrons started to light up and both Beth and Tyler's eyes grew wider. He was proud of Torren when he held Beth's hand tighter and patted her arm using his other hand.

Once the wormhole had engaged John watched the others go through, Ronon and Rodney went first followed by Tyler, Torren and Beth, Claudia, and Carson, and then he finally stepped through with Teyla.

John was relieved when they reached the other side that the gate room was relatively empty.

Woolsey was busy talking to Claudia and her children, so Lorne walked up to greet him.

"It is good to see you on your feet, Sir."

"Thanks, Lorne, it's good to be back, how's my city?"

"She's doing well, but she's certainly missed you. It's been pretty quiet around here since you've been gone, and your paperwork is all up to date for the moment."

John held up his casted arm to show Lorne, "that's a relief, but I'm going to be out of action for a bit longer, so unfortunately you're going to have to do more of my paperwork." He smirked.

He looked over and saw Teyla, Puss and Torren standing off to the side. It was obvious that she was waiting to take him home, to the new apartment that she had picked out for them while he was back on earth.

"Lorne it's great to see you, but I'd really like to go home now."

"Not before you come to the infirmary for a check-up and before you complain, I've asked everyone to come down after they have settled in, but I thought that maybe you would like to come and see me first so that you can go home and stay home for the rest of the afternoon," Jennifer said walking up to him.

John just rolled his eyes, "I might have known that you'd want to see me Doc, but don't you want to spend some quality time with McKay first, as you haven't seen him for four weeks?"

"Nice try Colonel, but I'm still on duty, so infirmary now!" She said a little too forcefully.

Before Jennifer or John had a chance to say anything else Woolsey walked up to him with a frown on his face, "I see you've picked up a pet on earth."

He felt a little sheepish and looked at his feet, before answering, "Puss befriended me when I was being held hostage by the trust and I don't think I would have survived without him."

"I don't have a problem with him being here, but I don't want to see him. I actually prefer dogs to cats, so I'd rather not have to deal with him." Woolsey explained.

John looked at Puss in Teyla's arms and smiled. "We will keep him away from you Mr Woolsey, but you may actually like him. I never used to like cats either until I met Puss."

"Anyway, Colonel it's good to have you back, so why don't you head to the infirmary and then head to your quarters for the rest of the day. Tomorrow I would like to fill you in on what's happening around here." Woolsey suggested.

"Not unless I authorise it first," Jennifer stated.

John just rolled his eyes for what felt like the hundredth time since he had been back on Atlantis. He really had no choice but to follow Jennifer to the infirmary, as he knew that she could make his life hell if he didn't co-operate. He was happy when Teyla and Torren came up alongside him as well. He hadn't thought about what Jennifer might do when she realised that Teyla was still carrying a cat and she probably had every intention of bringing it into the infirmary with her.

"Teyla you can't bring a cat into my infirmary," Jennifer stated and it was obvious to John that she had only just realised what was going on.

"Well, I guess I will have to take Torren and puss back to our apartment then." Teyla suggested, with sarcasm in her voice.

John was relieved when Rodney rounded the corner since he didn't want Teyla and Torren deserting him right now.

"Hey Rodney, can you look after Puss for a while?" John asked using his best puppy dog eyes.

"Sure, why not? I love cats."

John watched while Rodney took the cat off of Teyla and then he walked into the infirmary and sat on an exam bed. This had been his life far too often over the last few months and he wished that it would end.

He sat still while Jennifer checked his shoulder and did the routine checks that needed to be done when anyone returned to Atlantis after being off-world, after what seemed like an eternity she announced that he was done and that she would see him in a week for his next check-up.

He was relieved when twenty minutes later, Jennifer had checked Teyla and Torren out, as well.

"Thanks, Doc, we'll see you later," John smirked, as he grabbed Teyla's hand with his casted arm and led her out of the room.

Kissing Teyla on the cheek, he let out a sigh, as he was looking forward to going home at last and what made it even better was that he was moving into a new home that he was going to be sharing with Teyla and Torren.

TBC…