Chapter 2: A new home.
John and Teyla headed towards the south pier. Teyla had wanted to surprise John when he came home from earth, so she had moved into a new apartment while he was still recovering on earth.
Torren was walking alongside John and babbling away about everything that he saw. John and Teyla just smiled at each other. John and Torren had developed a good relationship and were genuinely like Father and son.
They came to the new apartment; well it was new to John anyway and Teyla waved her hand over the door panel and they stepped inside.
John had his breath taken away by what he saw. In the main area, there was a kitchen with a dining room, a large living space with a floor to ceiling window, leading to a balcony that overlooked the south pier. He stepped out on to the balcony and he was amazed by what he saw. The view was breathtaking and it would be a fantastic place to watch the sunset.
They wandered into one of the rooms on the left side of the living space. There were cupboards along an entire wall.
He looked inside and realised that Teyla had set it up as a home office, "wow this is an amazing office. We should be able to work from home more often."
"That is exactly what I thought," Teyla told him.
They left Torren in the office and headed down a passageway to the left of the room that was the home office. In the end, they came to a huge room with a balcony overlooking the ocean. There was an en-suite with a toilet, shower and bath. Next to that was a huge walk-in closet.
"This is our room," Teyla told John, with excitement in her eyes.
He exited the large room into the passageway again and noticed two rooms off one side and one on the other side. They all had cupboards set up along an entire wall. There was also a bathroom and a toilet on the side with only one room.
The décor of the apartment was off white and the tiles in the bathrooms and toilets were a pale blue. "We have to change to the colour scheme," John told her with a smirk.
"T.J," John called. "Come and show Daddy your room."
Torren came running into the second-largest bedroom. It was bigger than the room off the living area. It had been furnished with a small bed and a small table and chairs. A change table was in the corner of the room.
He stood in the middle and chanted. "My room, my room."
John and Teyla just laughed.
"What will we do with all these extra rooms?" Teyla asked
"There would certainly be room if we wanted to have more kids," John suggested, with a twinkle in his eye.
"Would you really consider having children with me?" Teyla asked him, blushing.
"Well, I can imagine us having a whole bunch. I never thought that I would ever want kids until I met you and became a father to Torren."
"I would love to have children with you one day as well," Teyla told him, blushing again.
John took one last look around the room before heading out to the kitchen again, it was probably time to start thinking about dinner, and it was obvious that there was nothing in the apartment to eat, but he needed to know what cooking facilities were there. Not that he would be doing any cooking any time soon and it was a known fact that Teyla couldn't cook to save her life, so he had no idea what they were supposed to do tonight.
"Do you like the apartment John?" Teyla asked coming up alongside him.
"I absolutely love it Sweetie and right now I'm going to sit in that lazy-boy recliner chair that's in the middle of our lounge room."
"Perhaps I will order some pizza for dinner and I will see if there is any beer in the fridge Honey."
"That sounds like a wonderful idea," John said, sitting down in the chair and trying to put the leg rest up.
He struggled for a few minutes, before Teyla took pity on him, "Would you like some help?"
"I think that would probably be a good idea. Thanks, Sweetie."
Once Teyla had helped him with reclining his chair, he closed his eyes and thought about having another nap, it had only been a few hours since he'd left the SGC, but he was totally exhausted again.
Before he had a chance to doze off Torren came running out of his room and jumped onto his lap, taking him by surprise. "Daddy, I glad you home."
"I'm glad to be home as well and I hope that I will never have to leave Atlantis again, not without you and Momma."
"You seep, Daddy, I here," Torren told him in a soothing tone.
John felt strangely comforted by his son's words and putting his arm around him, it wasn't long before he took his advice and fell asleep.
When he awoke again he heard a strange purring sound coming from his lap, why is Torren purring, his befuddled brain thought before he finally woke up. Once he was fully awake it didn't take him long to realise that it was Puss curled up on his lap and purring.
Looking around the room he realised that Teyla was sitting at the kitchen table reading a book, "is that one of those trashy romance novels your reading?"
"No John, it is not, it is a book on cooking that Claudia gave me before we left earth."
John had to bite his tongue because he was sure that if he made any comment which attested to her lack of cooking skills he would be in big trouble.
He suddenly realised that he was hungry and Torren was nowhere in the room, "where is Torren and when did Puss get here?"
"Rodney dropped puss off about an hour ago and Torren is in bed fast asleep." Teyla explained.
That had him a little confused. How could Torren be in bed already? "What time is it?"
"It is 1930 hours and I have just put Torren into bed."
"Is there any food to eat Sweetie," he asked using his best puppy dog eyes.
"I will heat some pizza in the microwave for you and you may have a beer. Jane gave me your favourite straw before we left Maui, so I assume that you will want to use that?" Teyla teased
He suddenly felt embarrassed, even though he had no reason to feel embarrassed in front of Teyla. "Umm… have you got any normal straws?" He asked her not really wanting to use a pink sparkly straw with a giraffe on the end of it. Even though Jane had thought it hilarious at the time she gave it to him, the joke had worn a bit thin.
Teyla must have sensed his embarrassment because when she answered she sounded more compassionate and less teasing. "I have some of those bendy straws they use in the infirmary if that is alright with you?"
He nodded his head before smiling, "that would be fine, now could you possibly get me some food without burning it?" He teased.
"I will get you some food, but I can't guarantee that I will not burn it," she told him with a twinkle in her eye.
Later that night when he was cuddled up to Teyla in their bed, he thought about how lucky he was, despite all that had gone on over the last eight or nine weeks. After dinner he and Teyla had talked for a long time about their future, he still hadn't proposed to her as yet but that was going to be the first thing he did when he was well again. There was no need to rush it, as they were living together as a couple after all.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Carson stood outside of Claudia's apartment, wondering whether he should knock or leave her and the kids to settle in. In the last two weeks, they had grown closer and even exchanged a kiss or two. He didn't want to rush things with her since she had only lost her husband eight months earlier. In the end, he decided that he would ring the door chime to see how she was going. He remembered when the original Carson Beckett had first come to Atlantis how overwhelming it was, so he thought that he would offer her and her children some support if he could.
He had spoken to Jennifer and Mr Woolsey that afternoon and they had assured him that if he wanted to pursue a relationship with her that it wouldn't be a problem, as she was employed as a physical therapist and not a nurse; even though if need be, she could fill in, in that roll.
Technically he and Jennifer were equals, so she wasn't his boss, but he thought out of respect he would run it past her anyway.
His thoughts were interrupted when the door opened to reveal Beth standing at the door. "Hello, Dr Beckett would you like to see mom?" She asked with a smile, her bright blue eyes beaming at him.
"Aye lassie is she up to a wee bit of company."
Beth rolled her eyes, "She'd sure love to see you."
Carson blushed and walked past her into a large living room, with a kitchen off to the side. Claudia was no-where to be seen, but Tyler was sitting at the table playing some kind of handheld video game, "hello Dr Beckett," he said politely when he saw him?
"Hello Lad, how are you settling into our beautiful city?"
"It's okay I suppose, but I've only been here a few hours, so it's hard to say," Tyler replied.
He was relieved when Claudia came out of a room off of the lounge, "Carson it's good to see you again so soon," She smirked.
"I just wondered if you would like to join me for dinner, I can have something sent up, if you'd like?"
"That would be great thanks Carson; I hadn't given much thought to what we might have for dinner."
That was what he wanted to hear, he wasn't on duty until later, so he could think of nothing better than enjoying some company for dinner. "I'm pretty sure that its pizza tonight and I think that there are beers and wine as well."
Claudia smiled at him and patted his arm, "Would you be able to order some, I'm still trying to put some of our things away."
"So, everything arrived then?" Carson asked knowing that the Daedalus had delivered everything a few days before.
"Yes, everything is here, now I just have to find a place to put it all and as usual we have too much stuff and not enough storage space."
Carson looked around the room wondering where the kids were, as he wanted to ask them some questions, "when do the children start school?"
"I think that Dave and Jane are due tomorrow, so they should be able to start school next week."
Carson shifted his eyes away from hers and looked at the floor, "anyway I'll head down to the mess and pick up some food for us all."
"Thanks, Carson."
Carson quickly left her apartment, as he was beginning to feel a little self-conscious. He really liked her and he got the impression that she liked him as well. I wonder what she'll think when she finds out that I'm a clone, he thought as he headed off to the mess hall to find something for dinner.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Rodney was sitting alone in his lab and it was about time too. As soon as he had arrived on Atlantis he had wanted to head to his lab and see what Zelenka and his minions had been up to while he was on earth. Along the way, he had been waylaid by having to look after Sheppard's cat. When he had finally made it to the lab he'd found that Zelenka was sitting at his computer and Zelenka had wanted to talk. He had wanted to know about everything that happened on earth and then Zelenka proceeded to tell him everything that had happened while he was on earth.
Zelenka had finally left a few minutes ago to go and have some dinner, leaving him sitting alone staring at his computer.
His minions had done plenty of work while he had been gone, so he had plenty of work to check over, as there was a good bet that someone had made a mistake somewhere that he would have to fix.
He had planned to meet Jennifer a bit later when she had finished her shift in the infirmary and they were planning on having a late dinner together, but seeing as if he had no idea what the time was, he had no idea when her shift would be finishing.
Looking up from his computer he looked around the room and realised that there was a pile of ancient artefacts sitting on the bench by the wall that needed to be tested. I must get Sheppard to help me as soon as he's able, was his last thought before someone entered the room. He wasn't sure who it was until they spoke.
"Rodney, have you finished working, as I would really like to go and have some dinner now?"
"Jenn is it that time already, it feels as if I have only just got here."
"Rodney you arrived back in Atlantis three hours ago. Have you been back to your quarters yet?"
"No, I haven't, I came straight here after I gave the Sheppard's their cat back and had to listen to Zelenka rambling on for ages about a wide variety of subjects that I don't really care about. When he finally left I started to read through the reports that the minions have been writing since I have been on earth and believe me they are full of errors. I'm surprised that no-one blew Atlantis up while I was gone." Rodney ranted barely taking a breath.
"That is very interesting Rodney, but don't you need something to eat? Surely your hypoglycaemia must be acting up by now?" Jennifer soothed.
"Yes, you're probably right; I think I'm beginning to feel a little dizzy."
He grabbed the hand that Jennifer offered him and slowly stood up. They then left his lab together and headed for the mess hall to have something to eat.
When they arrived at the mess hall a few minutes later, Rodney was happy to see that there was Pizza for dinner. Standing at the serving table he looked around for his friends and was a bit upset that the only people he could see were Ronon and Amelia.
He wondered where Sheppard and Teyla or Carson were, he'd even talk to Claudia if she was around, but he didn't really want to talk to her kids, so it was probably lucky that she wasn't.
His thoughts were interrupted by someone talking to him, "how are ya doing this evening Laddie?"
"Hey, Carson I was just looking for you?"
"I've just come to pick up a wee spot of dinner to share with Claudia and her children."
"Are you sure you don't want to have dinner with Jennifer and me?"
"No, I'll catch up with you another time Rodney. For now, I'd like to enjoy Claudia's company." Carson told him as he took a tray of food and left.
"I wonder where Sheppard and Teyla are, we could have a meal with them if they were here." Rodney told Jennifer; totally oblivious to what she might be feeling right now.
Jennifer looked at him and he could see that she wasn't really happy, "Rodney, don't you want to enjoy having a meal with me, we can get some food and take it back to my room if you'd like?"
"I guess that would be okay if that's what you really want Jenn."
"Yes, Rodney that is what I want. I haven't seen you in four weeks and believe it or not I have really missed you. I would have hoped that you missed me too!" She told him with emotion in her voice.
He finally realised that perhaps she wanted to be alone with him right now, which should have been obvious since they hadn't seen each other in the last four weeks.
"Yeah, I missed you too, so how about we head back to your quarters like you suggested and I'll even spend the night if you want me too."
She smiled at him and touched his hand, "I'd really like that Rodney."
Ten minutes later they arrived at her quarters with their trays laden with food. Rodney knew that he had a lot of work to catch up on, but for now, he would spend some quality time with his girlfriend, which was weird; Rodney McKay actually had a girlfriend.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
John stood in the middle of the gateroom ready to welcome Dave and Jane to Atlantis. He was still a bit apprehensive about his brother coming to Atlantis, but the decision had been made and if Dave was willing to give things a go then so was he.
He'd spent the morning in a meeting with Woolsey and then he'd had a physical therapy session on his shoulder and right leg and although things had gone well, he was now in agony; not that he would let anyone know about it.
Jennifer was pleased with the way his left wrist was healing, so she was going to take the cast off, in a week. Claudia had told him that his leg would be up to running within two weeks, but he'd have to wait at least another two after that for his shoulder to cope with him running. So basically he would have to wait at least another two months before he was even close to being ready to be reinstated as the military commander.
At least he was home, with his family and friends and despite his misgivings about Dave coming to Atlantis, Dave was the only blood family he had left, so it was probably a good thing that they could be together. They'd had a really good relationship as kids and things were heading that way again, so why would there be any problems.
His contemplation was interrupted when the chevrons on the stargate began to light up; he smiled and waited in anticipation for the wormhole to engage. Finally, the seventh chevron lit up and the wormhole sprang to life and a few seconds later, Dave and Jane walked through holding hands.
John rushed up to meet them; well as much as he could, given the pain he was experiencing in his leg. "Dave, Jane welcome to Atlantis."
Jane was looking around the gateroom with a look that John could only describe as amazement. "Wow this is totally awesome," she said with her mouth hanging open.
John smiled at his sister in law, "I'm glad you like it. Would you like a tour of the city, or would you like to see your apartment first and then Teyla has asked if you would like to join us for lunch?"
Dave spoke for the first time since they'd arrived, "how about we come and have lunch first, then you can show us to our apartment and show us around. That is if you don't have anything else to do this afternoon?"
"No, I'm still on medical leave so I have plenty of time on my hands. Teyla will have to go back to work this afternoon, so Torren will be with me, but I'm sure he won't mind seeing his Uncle Dave and Aunty Jane."
John looked around for one of the marines to carry Dave and Jane's bags. "Sgt Smith, can you please find somewhere to store these bags until after we have had lunch."
The sergeant gave him a crisp salute, "Yes sir, right away sir."
Once the bags had been taken care of, John turned and slowly walked towards his apartment, his pain levels were really beginning to notch up again, so he decided that as soon as he got home he would take some of the pain meds that Claudia had given him. She had told him that he may be in pain for a while after the physical therapy, but he never imagined that it would be this bad.
He could sense that Dave and Jane were looking at him with concern and worry, so he did his best not to let the pain show, but he knew that he wasn't fooling them. They had seen him at his worst after all.
It seemed like an eternity, but finally, they arrived at his apartment. Waving his hand over the control panel, he was relieved when it opened quickly and he was able to go and sit down in his recliner. Once he was sitting down he looked around the room and concluded that Teyla and Torren weren't home as yet.
"John are you feeling alright," Jane asked him from the couch where she had just sat down?
"I had my first physical therapy session on my shoulder and leg this morning, so I guess I'm in a bit of pain, so can you please get me my pain meds from the kitchen counter. Oh, and can you please bring me a glass of water and straw as well?"
"It didn't take Jane long to find the items he'd requested and he was happy when she helped him take them. He was relieved when the pain meds began to kick in a few minutes later. Dave and Jane remained quiet while the pain settled, so when Teyla and Torren walked into the apartment five minutes later there was total silence.
Torren immediately went to his father and tried to climb on his lap. John hissed at the pain it caused when Torren jostled his shoulder, "hey pal why don't you go and see Uncle Dave and Aunt Jane?"
"Otay daddy," Torren said and John was relieved when he did as he was asked and went over and climbed on Dave's lap. Once Torren was gone, Puss took the opportunity to jump up on his lap.
"Dave, Jane it is good to see you again, I am so glad that you have decided to join us for lunch."
"It is lovely of you to think of us Teyla, how about I come and help you in the kitchen and that will give Dave and John time to catch up."
Once the ladies had headed off the too the kitchen, John closed his eyes, ready to drift off to sleep again. It was only lunchtime and he was totally exhausted, he knew that he still had a long way to go until he was at peak fitness and health, so if possible he was going to have a sleep after lunch.
His musings were interrupted when heard his brother calling his name. "John."
"Huh, "John said, still unsure whether Dave had said anything to him or not.
"Would you like us to look after Torren this afternoon so that you can have a rest?"
"Are you sure Dave, you've only just got here, so wouldn't you like to settle in a bit and who would show you around?"
"It's alright. You can give us a tour tomorrow when you're feeling better."
"Thanks, Dave that would be great. I don't have therapy tomorrow, so I should be able to give you a tour."
Before they had a chance to say anything the ladies came over to join them and put a plate of sandwiches on the coffee table. John looked at Torren sitting on Dave's lap and he smiled, because Torren was fast asleep cuddled up to his Uncle.
"So are you guys going to have kids anytime soon?" John asked his brother with a smirk.
It was Jane that answered the question, "We want to start right away, maybe this afternoon."
John almost choked on the sandwich he was eating and Dave chuckled, "sorry darling, but we're looking after Torren this afternoon."
"If you have other plans I'll keep him with me," John suggested, with a glint in his eye.
He wasn't so happy a few minutes later though, when he dropped the sandwich he was eating.
"Do not worry, take another one," Teyla said soothingly.
"No, I'm not really hungry. I'll eat something later." He told her feeling a little frustrated.
They sat in silence for the next five minutes while Dave and Jane finished their sandwiches. When Jane had finished she stood up ready to go. Teyla took Torren off of Dave's lap and went to put him down for a short nap.
"How about I get, Sgt Smith to come and show you to your apartment," John suggested.
Teyla came out of Torren's room and handed John his earpiece and helped him activate it.
"Sheppard to Smith, come in please?"
"Yes sir."
"Can you please come to my apartment and show Mr and Mrs Sheppard to their quarters."
"I'll be right there sir, Smith out."
"He should be here in a minute," John told his brother, as he felt his eyelids drooping.
John eyes shot open when he heard his brother talking to him, "are you sure you don't want us to take Torren with us?"
"Do not worry Dave, I will bring Torren over to your apartment when he has had his nap, I will not go to work until then," Teyla said.
The door chimed at that moment and rather than get to his feet John thought the door open, to reveal Sgt Smith standing outside.
Dave and Jane quickly said their goodbyes and left with Sgt Smith, leaving John alone with Teyla and that was a great relief.
John felt his eyes drooping again, so he turned to Teyla and said, "I think that I will stay right here and have a nap."
"I will be in our home office doing some work for a while, when Torren wakes up I will take him to Dave and Jane's apartment and go to see Mr Woolsey, as I have some things to discuss with him.
John nodded and let his eyes close, it had been a long morning and although he had pain meds in his system, he was still in pain. He longed for things to get back to normal, but he knew that was a while off yet, so he might as well enjoy sleeping since that was all he'd be doing, for a good few weeks yet.
TBC…