Author's notes: Thanks for all the kind words! This part is much more lighter than the first part! Enjoy:D
The following month, John couldn't help but to see Teyla in a changed light. Things that he had been familiar with for years, such as her beauty, her compassion and her humor, had taken on a different meaning. Her smile caused him to stutter; her touch made him flushed. Whenever she was around, John was almost…smitten. The change was puzzling and teased his subconscious.
Finally, as he approached the mess hall, he realized what had changed: he was in love with Teyla.
"Aw crap," he muttered. Falling in love with his best friend was not on his agenda. Going on auto-pilot, Sheppard continued towards the mess hall and loaded a plate full of food. He found a table in the corner of the room, hoping to have some time alone with his epiphany.
The slow peeling of his orange showed nothing of the turmoil in his mind. When had things changed for him? How had he not noticed the transformation of his feelings for Teyla? Unfortunately he didn't get a chance to answer any of his questions because Rodney and Ronon suddenly sat in the seats across from him.
"How long are you planning on mutilating that orange, Sheppard?" asked Rodney with a smirk.
John looked at his hand which was covered in juice and pulp. He set the mangled fruit on his plate. Without thinking he blurted out, "How would you classify my relationship with Teyla?"
Rodney studied him for a second before answering. "Um, annoying? I mean, the way the two of you are 'friends' would have a lot of people thinking otherwise. Why?"
John shifted uncomfortably. "Nothing."
"You finally kissed her," suggested Ronon.
"No!" John leaned forward, lowering his voice. "But, I--"
"Want to?" offered Rodney.
John didn't answer, not wanting to reveal more than he had.
"It's about time," Rodney said. "I mean, I thought after Gatan was born things between you two would, you know, move to the next level. But, obviously my acute perception was off considering the kid is already three."
John was snoring lightly when his door chime sounded. With a grumble, he hopped out of his bed. There was a reason why he turned off his radio, he thought as he ran his hand through his hair, he needed sleep. After being awake for over eighteen hours, he felt a minimum of eight hours of sleep was due to him.
As the door chimed again he couldn't help but to think there were some who disagreed with him. He stomped over and waved his hand in front of the crystal. He was startled by what he saw: Teyla keeled over in pain.
Suddenly his exhaustion fled his mind. "Teyla, what's wrong?" he asked worriedly.
For several seconds her only answer was panting. Just as John was about to get his radio to get some medical help, she looked up. "It is time."
His eyes widened as he processed her words. "For the baby? Why are you here? We need to get you down to the infirmary. The doc needs to look at you." Without thinking, he grabbed her to try to lead her out of his quarters.
"Perhaps it would be wise to get dressed before we go out to the corridors," she suggested with a small smile.
He looked down and saw he was only wearing his running shorts. He would have been mortified at his state of undress had he not been panicking about Teyla. "Hold on," he instructed, holding up a finger. Quickly, John grabbed his clothes off his dresser and walked into the bathroom.
Moments later, he came out fully dressed, ready to drag Teyla to the infirmary. Before he could reach her, she spoke. "I have already contacted Dr. Keller. She said to go down to the infirmary once my contractions are five minutes apart. She suggested that walking might speed along the process." She frowned. "I did not want to be alone."
Conflicting emotions bombarded John. Sorrow that in many ways she was alone, that there was no other Athosian to help her during her labor, but there was also the sense of overwhelming joy that she desired his company. "Well," he said with a slight grin, "let's take that walk."
He let her lead the way, admiring how well she was handling the situation. "So, when did you feel your first contraction?" he asked after she began walking.
She looked at her watch on her wrist. "Nearly five hours ago."
"And you didn't come get me then?" John asked, not believing her.
A small smile passed over Teyla's lips. "Usually the first child takes a long time to be born. I suspect this one will be no different. I used the time to meditate and rest. Only recently have the contractions become more intense," she explained.
Instantly, John felt better that she hadn't been excluding him. "Yeah, I remember my mom telling me that she thought I was happier in the womb. Her labor lasted thirty hours."
Teyla winced. "I hope my son does not behave in the same manner."
John smiled as they continued their walk.
Two hours later, John's legs were beginning to tire. He could hardly imagine how Teyla was feeling, but she was determined to keep walking as long as she could. Slowly, her contractions were coming closer together.
Teyla leaned against the wall and nodded to John. He checked his watch. "Five and a half minutes. We need to get you down to the infirmary."
Wordlessly, Teyla nodded. They were at the far end of the northern tower, nearly a mile from the infirmary. John was tempted to offer his hand to her, but decided against it.
Under normal conditions, it would have taken them fifteen minutes to get back to the mail tower, but with Teyla's contractions, it took nearly triple the time. When they finally made it into the infirmary, her contractions were less than five minutes apart.
When Keller saw them, she rushed to Teyla's side. "I was beginning to get worried. How are you feeling?"
Teyla grimaced. "The contractions are becoming more forceful."
"Well, let's get you changed. You certainly aren't going to have a baby in that," Keller said. The two women walked away from John.
Even though he was there, it was difficult for him to believe that it was finally happening. Months ago, he had made a vow to Teyla that this child would always be a part of the Atlantis family. Now, with the fate of the Athosians known, he understood how much more meaning his words held.
A few minutes later, they came back with Teyla in a hospital gown. He saw her discomfort as she attempted to adjust the uncomfortable piece of clothing. Carefully, she lay on the bed Keller had waiting for her as the doctor pulled the curtain, the thin fabric acting as a barrier.
John took that as his cue to leave. Though he was disappointed that he wasn't going to be invited to stay through her entire labor, he was pleased she requested his presence earlier. It was more than he expected, that was certain.
As he turned to exit, he heard Teyla. "John?" she called hesitantly.
He walked to the curtain and carefully pulled it back enough to see Teyla's face.
"Were you not going to stay?" she asked with a slight sadness in her voice.
John was about to admit that he wasn't, but then he remembered her earlier words. She didn't want to be alone. "There isn't anywhere else I would rather be," he answered truthfully.
When Teyla's water broke two hours later, he was beginning to reconsider his words.
Sweat was dripping down her face, her teeth were gritted together. In fact, John thought, she was snarling. After the contraction passed, she looked at Keller. "This is unbearable."
Keller frowned. "I offered you an epidural and you said no." She shrugged. "It's too late now. You're going to have to be able to push."
Seeing Teyla was not happy with the doctor's response, John offered, "What about your meditation? It might help you focus on something else other than the pain."
The look that she gave him made him grateful she was not armed with her banto rods. Despite being in labor, she would have caused him harm. "That would be a good idea, Colonel, if I could calm my mind enough to get to that state of mind. But with the constant pain and fatigue I am experiencing, I find the idea of meditating absurd and unthinkable."
He winced, telling himself the next time he had a "good idea" to keep his mouth closed. The snapping of latex gloves pulled his attention away from Teyla's glare.
"All right, let's check you out," Keller said.
John learned after her first progress check to look anywhere else other than where Keller was. Though he couldn't see what she was doing, the pain on Teyla's face was enough for his imagination to fill in the gaps.
John watched her hand grip the sheets as Keller continued her exam. "Sorry," the doctor said, noticing her discomfort. John waited, watching a droplet of sweat trail down her temple to the edge of her jaw before disappearing. Finally, Keller finished and took off her gloves. "Good news! You're completely effaced and dilated."
"May I begin pushing?" Teyla asked hopefully.
Keller nodded. "During your contractions bear down and push. Rest between each contraction. You'll be happy that you did." She stood up and started to walk away.
"Um, where are you going? Shouldn't you be here, you know, in case the baby…" he trailed off as he made a motion to the floor, indicating where the child would fall.
Keller smiled at his concern. "Don't worry, Colonel. I'll be back in plenty of time. Teyla still has some work to do. Besides, if I'm not back in time, you're here."
John hoped she was joking as she left the two of them. He glanced at Teyla. "Try not to push too hard, ok?"
True to her word, when Keller came back a few minutes later in scrubs and with a couple of members of her staff, the baby had not popped out. Several more contractions passed, before Keller finally said, "All right, Teyla. You're almost done. Here comes the next contraction now push!"
Teyla complied, groaning the entire time.
"That's great. Do that the next time and we should see the little guy," encouraged Keller.
Labor took a lot longer than what they showed on TV, John thought as Teyla pushed through another contraction. Suddenly Keller was smiling. "Here he comes," she announced.
Seconds later, the baby was in Keller's hands. Moments after that, a loud wail filled the room and a slimy baby was held up for Teyla and John to see. "Want to cut the cord, Colonel?" Keller asked with a friendly smile.
Panic crosses his face. Did he? He glanced at Teyla who, despite his exhaustion, was watching him intently. No, he thought, that was the job of a father. Out of respect for Kanaan, he shook his head. "Go ahead, Doc."
Teyla smiled gratefully at the colonel, appreciating the decision. "He is beautiful," she whispered, looking at the baby.
Bloody and slimy, John couldn't see any beauty. Only in a mother's eyes could such be seen, he supposed. He watched as Keller handed the baby to a nurse to weigh and clean him. Turning to Teyla, he asked, "Did you finally decide on a name?"
"Yes. Gatan. It is the name of my father's father. I want the traditions of my people to be alive in my son," she answered, never taking her eyes away from the screaming child across the room.
Now that the labor was over, so was Teyla's need to have him remain by her side. "Well, I'd better go tell others about the little bundle of joy. You know how McKay gets if he doesn't know everything right away," he said, standing up.
"John," she said, finally looking away from the baby. "Thank you," she said simply, but sincerely.
He smiled. "No, thank you."