Amy thanks! You make it readable.

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Chapter Two

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TAG to Sunday

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Time's up

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Teyla lay in her bed her head buried in her pillow. Though she was supposed to return to the infirmary she just couldn't. She needed time. Time in private.

She felt unbearably lonely; all her friends had gone to Earth and would not return for a while. Lying in her room and silently crying into her pillow she remembered what her friend had said to her about Earth customs and relationships and her answer. That it was customary for the men to take the first step.

Now her friend was dead as well as Carson.

She turned on her back looking at the ceiling. Her side throbbed from her movement.

Her thoughts came to John and the time spent together. She loved him and it was getting harder and harder to deny that feeling. Could she really risk their friendship?

For all she knew, he might think of her like he did of most of his adventures, a sexy alien throwing herself at him. Because no matter how often Rodney claimed John was a Kirk he usually wasn't the one to initiate the flirting.

She started to go through the years and her interactions with John. Her thoughts came to a particularly awkward conversation they once shared.

"I'm not good …actually I'm… terrible at expressing… my …"

"feelings?"

Teyla's thoughts came to an abrupt halt.

Whenever real feelings were involved John hid behind a mask. He just could not bring himself to admit them. Could it be that he felt more for her?

She had gotten to know John pretty well these past years and they had spent a lot of time together.

John was a man of many layers. He was dedicated, caring and confident; when necessary he was cold and ruthless or downright frightening. But most of all he was self-sacrificing and sometimes insecure. He never believed in himself.

That realization brought on a new wave of pain and her eyes stung with fresh tears.

John could not take the first step, he never would. He would never see the great person he was. She had to swallow her pride and do the right thing or they never would have a chance.

Teyla turned on her side, sending another stab through her guts.

She wished John were here.

She turned her head back in her pillow, crying herself into exhaustion. Without realizing it she fell asleep.

XOXOXOXOXO

"Unscheduled off world activation," Chuck announced.

Elisabeth got up groaning; that was exactly what she didn't need right now, another problem. She slowly made her way over the short walkway.

Chuck looked up confused "it's Midway station."

Elisabeth returned the confused look.

"Lower the shield," she commanded as hurried past the control center.

She was halfway down the stairs when the pool rippled and a single person stepped out.

"John? What happened?"

"Uh, nothing I just …" he smirked, not really in the mood to explain to her why he was back already.

Elisabeth lifted her hand to stop whatever he wanted to stammer.

"It's alright, as long as everything is fine."

"Yes, everything is fine," John said, while his face said something else entirely. "If you don't mind I want to see if Teyla is alright?"

"I don't," Elisabeth answered barely able to hide her smile. For a long time she had been wondering if the two would ever manage to finally realize what everyone else had realized for as long as the two had known each other.

John gave a curt nod and quickly left the control room. His first stop was to his quarters to get out of his dress blues.

He knew he had acted impulsively, when he had asked Landry to be allowed to return to Atlantis immediately. He had even managed to forgo the twenty four hour quarantine on Midway.

He had thrown a flimsy excuse at Ronon and Rodney who had both looked understanding and then had turned around and been back on Atlantis within fifteen minutes after leaving.

Now he stood in his quarters feeling stupid. As soon as he had stepped into the event horizon he had felt lost and hollow. Like the last time when he had left Teyla behind. That moment he had realized just how much he loved Teyla. Now he had a problem.

Teyla was on his team and even if she was not in the military she was under his command. Voluntarily a voice in the back of his head supplied. He wondered if there was some form of precedent case. Could he really do it? Could he tell her how he really felt?

He took a deep breath, what if she didn't feel the same? What if she felt the same? Could he risk their friendship? So many questions unanswered. As always the doubts started to nag at his conscience. He was a failure when it came to relationships. His ex-wife had told him without a doubt what she thought about his ability to have a working relationship.

He sighed and shook his head. He couldn't concentrate on this right now. He needed to know if Teyla was alright. So he left his musings in his quarters.

XOXOXOXOXO

"I was just about to call you, Colonel," Dr Cole welcomed him as soon as he had stepped into the infirmary. He looked up to see a deep scowl on her face. Before he could ask what was going on, she jumped into chiding mode.

"I allowed Teyla to leave the infirmary, because you promised that she would return as soon as the ceremony was over. That was thirty minutes ago!" she looked behind John. "Where is she?"

"What?" John asked blinking in confusion. He had no clue what Cole was talking about. "I'm here to see if Teyla got back alright. I just returned from Earth!"

"Teyla is not with you?"

John shook his head. "She didn't come back?" he asked, worry clear in his voice.

Now it was Cole's turn to look worried. She lifted her hand to make the call.

"Don't," John interrupted. "I think I know where she is. I'll bring her back, just give me some time."

"If you have the feeling she is not well, I want you to bring her back immediately."

"Understood," John said turning around; there was just one place Teyla could be.

XOXOXOXOXO

"Teyla?" John called, once more knocking against the door. He had tried the chimes several times already.

He looked around and when he was sure he wasn't being watched, he turned to the sensor and quickly fumbled with the crystals. After the third try the door slipped open. He quickly returned everything to its place and took a step in Teyla's quarters.

Suddenly he felt anything but confident.

Teyla's still form lay on the bed, her back to the door. He carefully moved over to the bed, not wanting to disturb her. When he came closer he heard soft sobs. He managed the last few steps to the bed in a matter of seconds. This was so not his world.

"Teyla?" he asked softly, not getting a reaction. He moved around the bed and found Teyla's eyes closed. She was asleep, though he saw tears streaming down her face.

He moved close and sat down next to her. She was shaking slightly and John started to worry. Maybe it would be better to call a med team. But as soon as the thought crossed his mind he also knew that Teyla would be devastated if everyone saw her like this. She was a proud and strong warrior, something that John admired on her.

"Teyla?" he asked once more.

He hesitantly put his hand on Teyla's shoulder, realizing he needed the contact as much as she probably did. It took a moment, but finally her eyes blinked open.

"John?" she asked her voice breaking.

"You okay?"

"Please don't leave me," she said, starting to sob harder.

John was stunned. What was he supposed to do? He decided for once to let his heart rule and not his mind. He settled down next to Teyla and carefully pulled her into his embrace.

"It's okay, I'm here now," he said soothingly, his hand rubbing her back.

Teyla relaxed, burying her face in John's neck. "Please never go away again," she pleaded in a small voice. He wasn't sure, but he thought he felt her lips ghost over his neck.

"Teyla," he started trying to ease back. He didn't want to use her like that.

Teyla's watery eyes locked with his.

"You don't really want this," he reasoned.

Teyla shook her head slightly. "I want," she insisted.

"Teyla," John sighed his heart screaming at him to accept her offer. He swallowed hard.

Teyla's face fell.

"You do not feel the same." She stated; her voice full of hurt.

"What?"

Teyla shook her head. "I am sorry I was mistaken," Teyla said, suddenly composed.

"Teyla?" John's voice held a warning, but Teyla chose to ignore it and tried to ease herself from his grasp. He did not feel the same. She had made a fool out of herself. He had offered her consolation and she had misunderstood.

To her surprise he didn't let go, but tightened his hold.

Nevertheless she kept her gaze fixed on his chest, not willing to see the understanding in his face.

"Teyla?" he asked once more. "What do you mean I don't feel the same?"

John could barely ask the question without his heart going into overdrive. Did she have feelings for him? Her face was still blocked from his view. He knew there was no turning back, no out. They either made it as a couple or their friendship would take a serious blow. One John wasn't sure it would survive.

Teyla froze. John sounded at the same time hopeful and unsure. Was she wrong - did John feel the same? She decided to look up and gasped, instead of the unreadable mask she had expected to see, his face was open, a mix of hope and fear in his eyes.

There was a softness around his eyes she had never seen before. This gave her the courage to say the next words.

"I love you."

She felt it as John froze and his breathing stopped. If it wasn't for her hand pressed on his chest feeling his heart beat she would think he had died. There was a long moment of silence and Teyla was starting to doubt it had been the right decision.

John had never thought he would hear Teyla say those words so openly. He knew it was a rash decision. They hadn't even been on a date yet, but he also knew he felt the same. He had passed the stage of just falling in love months ago. He knew Teyla better than he had known Nancy when they had married.

"I love you, too," the words rushed out of his mouth and the look on his face changed from stunned disbelieve to smug realization.

"I love you, too," he said again, a smile breaking out on his face. He had done it!

Teyla's face glowed. Their eyes meet and all caution was gone. There would be no more hiding.

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