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

Just a short story to celebrate New Year's Eve with the gang, continues on after Christmas on Atlantis.

This story is four chapters. I will try and upload one a day until New Year's Eve.

Chapter1: New Year's Eve.

John sat on his bedroom balcony watching the sun rise, the morning rays were reflecting of the ocean and he couldn't be happier, it had been almost a week since Christmas day and Teyla had told him that she was expecting twins, and things had been relatively quiet in that time.

He was still recovering from the concussion and fever he'd suffered a few days before Christmas, not the mention his fall from a tree on the forested world of Gaffer. The memory of the incident in Rodney's lab that led to his concussion was still missing and Carson had told him that he may never regain that memory. He certainly remembered Christmas day, in particular Teyla's news on Christmas night.

The headaches were still intense at times, but he suffered from them less often and Carson believed that they would disappear in time as well, which he was thankful for, because if he had on going headaches, the air force would probably make him leave Atlantis, put him on desk duty and never allow him to fly again. But that didn't even bare thinking about right now since tonight was New Year's Eve and Woolsey had arranged for a celebration in the mess hall. They were going to have a meal together and then the celebration would continue until midnight, when the clock ticked over to another year.

A celebration sounded like a great idea, but right now he was of two minds as to whether he would go or not, he was still in a wheelchair waiting to see if he would need surgery on his severely twisted knee and his arm was still in plaster, so he wasn't sure he felt like celebrating. Teyla had expressed interest in going though, so he would make an appearance for her sake. Torren would probably enjoy it for a while as well, that is before he fell asleep.

He barely noticed a pair of arms around his shoulders until the voice of an angel spoke to him, "good morning, honey, how are you feeling this morning?"

"I'm feeling a little melancholy today sweetie and I was wondering whether I felt up to going tonight or not. How are you feeling this morning, any nausea?"

"I haven't felt sick for the last few days and for that I'm relieved, because maybe I can get on with my life for a while."

The thought of having twins terrified him, but he hadn't stopped to think about how it was going to affect Teyla's life. "In that case, I think we'll definitely have to go tonight and enjoy ourselves."

"Are you sure John, if you want stay home, I am happy to stay here with you?"

"No, we're definitely going, but today I need to go and help Rodney in his lab. Until now Carson hasn't let me go near Rodney's lab, or do anything else for that matter and I have been bored out of my brain."

"I believe that I will have a rest today, so that I feel refreshed for tonight. Amelia and Ronon have offered to look after Torren today."

John smirked at the thought of his big friend looking after Torren, "I wonder when those two are going to get married and have kids?"

"I wonder when we are going to get married John?" Teyla answered facetiously.

"How about we set a date now, when are the babies due?"

"They are due on the 31st of July, according to your earth calendar."

John scratched his head with his non-casted arm, trying to think of a good date for a wedding, "how about we get married on the 28th of March then?"

"That sounds like a wonderful idea, when will we inform everyone?"

"We can tell people as soon as you want too and after New Year's Day, I will contact Landry to ask him if I can get clearance for Dave to attend as well."

"Have you told Dave that you are getting married?"

"Yes, I have told him, the ring I gave you was my mother's ring and I collected it from him when Atlantis was on earth."

He turned to look at his gorgeous fiancée, who was now sitting beside of him and he was amazed, by the way her eyes lit up, "well in that case we shall set the date."

Looking out at the ocean again, he was astounded to find that the sun had risen above the horizon and looking at his watch, he was surprised to find that it was already 0800 hours. He wondered what Torren was up to, as they hadn't heard him get up yet.

The question was answered a few minutes later when Torren came toddling onto their balcony, "Momma, Daddy, "he squealed, like he did every morning when he first saw them.

Torrens speech had gone backward for a while and to date they hadn't figured out why. If it had continued, they would have had some tests conducted on him, but for now things seemed to be heading in the right direction.

"Hey pal, are you ready for some breakfast? Daddy's still not up to making much, so maybe we'll just have some cereal and toast this morning."

"Froot loops," the little boy asked him hopefully.

"I'm sure that can be arranged, but first why don't you go and get dressed, I'll do the same and I'll meet you out in the kitchen in fifteen minutes."

"Otay Daddy." Torren said, before he toddled out of their room again.

"And what about you sweetie would you like to join us for breakfast, or would you like to stay in bed a bit longer?"

"How about I have a shower and see you out in the kitchen in half an hour?" She replied in a teasing tone.

"Sounds good to me," he said, as she walked off of the balcony, swinging her hips along the way.

An hour later after finishing a leisurely breakfast with his family, he wheeled himself into the kitchen and started to tidy up. It was difficult for him at the moment, because he still had his right arm in plaster, but at least he was able to use his fingertips to push himself around now.

He had barely started, when his com activated, tapping his earpiece, he was annoyed to find that it was McKay at the other end of it, "what do you want McKay?"

"I'm just heading to my lab now and I was wondering when you were going to be ready to join me?"

"Give me twenty minutes to tidy up and then I'll be there."

"You'd better be Sheppard, McKay out."

Sighing he turned back to the mess in the kitchen and started to clean up; he didn't really care how long it took him to get to Rodney's lab. The main thing was making life easier on Teyla now that she was pregnant with his babies.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Rodney watched as Jennifer walked out of their apartment, she was due in the infirmary in about ten minutes time. Looking at his watch he soon realised that it was time to head to his lab, but then knowing Sheppard and his punctuality lately, he'd waiting a while for his friend to turn up.

He and Jennifer had had a lazy morning discussing their plans for the future and although it terrified him to be engaged, he knew that Jennifer was the perfect woman for him. She understood his genius, because she was a genius herself and it was exceedingly rare for him to come across any one as smart as he was. He had conceded at times that Radek and Sheppard were almost as smart as him, but not quite.

They had actually set a date for their wedding in October next year and he couldn't wait to tell everyone about it. They had left it until later in the year after the bombshell that Sheppard and Teyla had dropped on them a few days ago. Apparently Teyla was pregnant with twins. He wondered now when Sheppard and Teyla would tie the knot, now that she was pregnant.

Just thinking about Sheppard and Teyla becoming parents freaked him out a little, but then he sometimes forgot that they were already parents to Torren and although he wouldn't admit it to them, they were doing an excellent job.

He and Jennifer hadn't discussed having children as yet, but he suspected that she would like some one day, so he knew that if he didn't want children now would be the time to talk to her. Children were something that had never factored into his plans, but now that he had met such a wonderful woman, maybe it was time for him to think about it.

His musings were interrupted a few minutes later when his com activated, tapping the earpiece, he wondered who would be contacting him at this time of morning, "McKay here,"

"Hey Rodney where the hell are you, I'm at your lab and you're not here!?"

"Great now Sheppard decides to turn up on time," he muttered to himself, before answering him, "give me five minutes and I'll be there."

"Yeah, well hurry up because I haven't got all day, "Sheppard grumbled.

"Yes, yes, I'll be there soon, McKay out!"

Taking one last look around his apartment he headed to his lab to see Colonel Cranky pants.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

The minute John arrived in Rodney's lab; he was annoyed. How could Rodney lecture him about being on time, when he couldn't even do it himself, as far as he was concerned the man was a hypocrite? Then he'd contacted him, and Rodney hadn't even left his apartment yet. He thought back to the one time recently when he had been late, and it had been when he wasn't feeling well, so in his opinion that was a good enough excuse.

In the end he decided to be nice to Rodney when he finally arrived, there was no point in being angry with his friend, because who knows what kind of morning that he'd had.

He sat in the middle of the lab looking around to see if anything had changed since he'd been there a little over a week ago, not that he actually remembered being there, the Christmas tree was still in the corner and it looked as if it were half dead, but then the tree in his apartment was beginning to look the same way. Taking it down was the first thing on his agenda, when he finally got out of bed in the morning.

Sighing he closed his eyes and decided that if Rodney wasn't there it was about time he went back to sleep, he still felt tired a lot of the time, but then Carson suggested that once he was on his feet again and he could build his fitness up again, he would probably feel much better.

Since he'd suffered from the Red Spot and been kidnapped by the giant's things had gone pretty smoothly for him in the second part of the year, other than the incident at Easter and of course what had happened to him at Christmas, but there was certainly about seven months where he had been on full active duty and not ended up in the infirmary once, a record that he was immensely proud of.

Before he could contemplate further Rodney walked into the lab and was very apologetic, which was weird for him, "Sorry Sheppard, but Jenn and I were enjoying a lazy morning and setting a date for our wedding."

"That's fantastic McKay, Teyla and I have set a date as well and I would like to ask you to be one of my groomsmen?"

Rodney gave him a suspicious glare, "why only a groomsman, I would have thought that I'm your best friend, surely that means I should be your best man?"

He rolled his eyes at his friend, "I'm going to ask my brother, despite the fact that we didn't speak for a long time, he is still my brother and we were best friends as kids."

"Ah…, but what if Dave can't come to Atlantis can I be your best man then?"

He was really thinking of asking Ronon to do it if Dave couldn't do it, but there was no way he was going to tell Rodney that, "I haven't made up my mind yet, so how about we get to work testing these devices, so that I don't have to be here all day?"

"We have set our date for October the 19th, when are you getting married?" Rodney asked and it was obvious to John that they weren't going to get to work anytime soon.

John was really beginning to become frustrated by Rodney's incessant questioning, "We are getting married on March 28th. Now that you know that can we please get to work, as I want to get back home and have a rest before the party this evening?"

"Really, why do you need a rest?

Taking a deep breath, he tried to remain as calm as possible, "because I suffered a concussion and a high fever a week ago and I still feel tired at times, so can we hurry up and get to work. Please?"

For a moment Rodney was speechless, but Sheppard knew that wouldn't last long, "Oh…okay, let's get to it then?"

After an hour of turning devices on and off, Sheppard was really beginning to feel tired not to mention annoyed, "Okay, Rodney one last one and then I want to go home and have a rest before lunch."

"Really, are you sure you don't want to stay a bit longer?"

"Not really, like I said I am tired, and I have a headache coming on."

"Pleeeeassse?" Rodney begged.

"No Rodney, one more and then I'm going home, besides don't you have a fiancée to go home to?"

"Yeah, I suppose I could go home and meet Jenn for lunch."

"Okay good man, so give me a device and then let's get out of here."

Rodney placed a cylindrical device in his hand, and he thought on and for a start nothing happened, which was nothing unusual, because all of the devices that they had tested so far had done the same thing.

Suddenly it started to hum and emit a blue light, "Umm…McKay is that supposed to happen?"

"How the hell should I know, I've never tested this device before!"

The device continued to hum, and the blue light became more intense, to the point where it began to hurt his eyes, he tried to turn it off, but he couldn't, "Ummm…McKay I can't turn this thing off."

"Drop it Sheppard! Rodney yelled.

Trying as hard as he could manage, he imagined it dropping out of his hand, but nothing happened, and the light continued to become brighter and then the hum turned into a screech. Screaming at the piercing pain that shot through his head, he managed to drop the device before he fell out of his wheelchair and hit the floor in agony.

Suddenly the device went dead, and Sheppard's headache seemed to dissipate a little, but all he could do was lie on the floor and moan.

He was in so much pain that he barely heard Rodney talking to him, "Sheppard, are you alright, do I need to call a medical team to come to my lab?"

"Umm…Rodney, I have a wheelchair, maybe you can push me to the infirmary, because apart from a blinding headache, I think I've burnt my hand."

Five minutes and two transporters later they arrived in the infirmary to find that Carson was there, he took one look at him and he could see that the Doctor wasn't impressed, "what the hell have you done to yourself this time Colonel!?"

John cringed when Rodney started to rant, "we were testing devices and well one of them seemed to activate and I think he's burnt his hand and he seems to have a headache as well, although I don't know whether that is from last week's concussion, or not!"

The look on Carson's face was incredulous as he grabbed John's hand and started to poke and prod it, "what the hell are you talking about Rodney, Colonel Sheppard hasn't suffered a concussion, the last time he was in the infirmary he'd fallen out of a tree while picking up his Christmas tree from Gaffer, breaking his arm and twisting his knee, which he injured further after he fell of a ladder while decorating the tree."

John looked at his friend with concern, "Umm… Carson, are you feeling alright?"

"I've never been better." Carson said sarcastically, "now, does anything else hurt other than your hand?"

"Yeah, I kind of have a headache."

Carson's voice was soft and the lilt in his voice seemed to soothe John's head the next time he spoke, "okay then son, let's get you into a bed and see what we're dealing with."

He lay still while Carson waved a strange device over his head and it was something that he'd never seen before, maybe they found it while I've been out of action, the thought strained his already aching head, so he chose to keep his mouth quiet, so he didn't look like an idiot.

Obviously, Rodney couldn't keep his mouth shut though, because it didn't take him long to ask the question that he hadn't, "where did you get that from Carson and what is it?"

He watched as Carson looked up from what he was doing, "what are you talking about Rodney, are you sure you didn't hit your head? You found this device about a year ago in one of the ancient labs and it scans a person's brain and skull to make sure there is no injury, but you should already know that, so why don't you lay down and let me scan your head as well."

"No Carson, I'm fine. How is Sheppard?" Rodney asked and John suspected that he was trying to get Carson's attention off of him.

"I would like to keep him here for the next twenty-four hours, but for now can you call his lovely fiancée and let her know what's going on?"

John looked up at him with a sense of worry, "but what about the New Year's Eve celebration tonight, Teyla really wanted to go."

The look on Carson's face would have been comical if he weren't feeling so lousy, "what are you talking about? There is no celebration tonight and even if there was, it is no concern of yours whether Teyla goes or not."

Before John even had a chance to register what was going on Jennifer came rushing into the room and leant down and stroked his forehead, before kissing him on the lips, "John, what has happened now? Can I not even leave you alone for five minutes?" She turned to look at Rodney, "and Dr McKay, Teyla is looking for you. She needs you to look after Torren for a while. The twins are making her feel nauseous again."

John opened his mouth, not quite sure what to say, "Ummm…." Was all that came out, as his addled brain tried to comprehend what was going on.

Rodney shrugged his shoulders, "we are so screwed, "he muttered, before leaving the room, leaving John in the clutches of one Jennifer Keller.

TBC…