A/N: Alright, here's the next chapter. It's a long one (but a lot of the "meat" of the story), so I hope you enjoy!
Chapter 3 - Brothers Not By Blood
When Daniel turned the corner after leaving John's quarters to head to his own guest quarters for the night, he pulled up short, seeing Ronon — arms crossed and staring hard — blocking his path. "Hi," Daniel greeted slowly. "Ronon, right?"
"So, you're Sheppard's brother?" the former Runner asked bluntly.
Daniel let out a small sigh, but nodded. "That's right."
"Why's everybody freakin' out over it?"
The urge to laugh was strong. Daniel thought it was amusing — and very John — that the pilot had put this man on his team. He hadn't had much interaction with Ronon the last time he was here, but he knew he was a man of action rather than words. Yet, here he was, bluntly starting a conversation everyone else was too polite to have, despite their intense curiosity. He got straight to the point, and Daniel respected that. Though Daniel also suspected part of the reason Ronon was confronting him was more out of loyalty to John.
Smiling, Daniel told him, "Because, other than General O'Neill, no one knew."
"Why not?" Again, Ronon got straight to the point.
Taking a deep breath, Daniel admitted, "It's kinda complicated." When Ronon narrowed his eyes, the archaeologist added, "If you really wanna know, I'd suggest you ask John."
Ronon nodded, seemingly understanding what Daniel was trying to say — that it wasn't his place to disclose that information.
"But yes, I am his brother." Daniel met the former Runner's eyes as he said it, and when Ronon nodded again, uncrossing his arms, Daniel knew they were on the same page; they both wanted to help John. Then a thought hit Daniel. "Actually," he started, holding up a finger, and causing Ronon to furrow his brows at the distracted man. "You might be able to help me."
Ronon raised his eyebrows, but followed the archaeologist nonetheless.
When they reached Daniel's guest quarters, Ronon watched in half amusement, half concern as the archaeologist dug through his bag for a notebook, seemingly unaware that he'd had Ronon come with him.
As the other man began flipping through his notebook with brows furrowed in a level of concentration Ronon hadn't seen on any of the other scientists — McKay was too loud and high-strung — Ronon asked, "How can I help?"
Daniel looked up at him and blinked — like it was taking him a moment to process what he'd been asked, or even that the other man was there. After a moment, he took a deep breath and nodded, motioning for Ronon to come closer. "I looked at the information on the planet and the readings Rodney took. While I don't think the statue caused John's memory loss, I do think it may have played a part. I was hoping you could help fill me in on exactly what happened."
0
"Daniel," Jack drawled with as much patience as he could muster when he opened his door to find the practically vibrating archaeologist who'd woken him up. "You do know what time it is, right?" he half sighed, half snapped as he rubbed a hand over his face.
"I think I know why John lost his memory," Daniel said without preamble, ignoring his friend's grumpiness.
The general stared at the other man for a long moment, before letting out a heavy sigh and waving him in. "Let's hear it."
0
"So… You think this statue — that's Ancient, or whatever — caused my amnesia?" John's voice held a healthy dose of skepticism.
"Not exactly," Daniel corrected, holding up a finger. "I think it did something, and then when you got hit on the head, that caused the amnesia. Not just one thing, but multiple contributing factors, that — by themselves — wouldn't have caused you to lose your memory."
John just stared at him for a minute. Then looked over at Jack and Cam. "Do you guys understand what he's saying?"
"Nope," Cam answered easily, mumbling around the bite of eggs in his mouth.
"Sheppard, I don't wanna hear it," Jack groused. "You get to listen to him ramble after you've had coffee."
"You had coffee," Daniel argued.
"It hadn't kicked in yet," Jack shot back.
"And now?" Daniel asked pointedly.
Jack shrugged, taking another sip of his current cup of coffee. "I still have no idea what you're talking about, but I don't wanna kill you as bad now."
John and Cam purposefully avoided each other's eyes, as they were both barely managing not to laugh, and weren't completely successful at keeping their expressions neutral — if the general's glare was anything to go by.
Taking a drink of his own coffee, John regained his composure, and looked back at Daniel with furrowed brows. "Ok, so if this statue thing or whatever is part of what caused my amnesia… How does that help me remember everything?"
"Would there be a way to reverse whatever effect it had?" Cam wondered.
Daniel sighed heavily, and gave John an apologetic look. "I'm not sure. I don't know that knowing how you lost your memory will help you get it back," he told him honestly. "I'm not even really sure what the statue did. I'm going off the information in the Ancients' database — which isn't a lot — and Ronon's account of what happened during the mission. It sounds like your gene — possibly inadvertently — activated the statue, and there was some kind of feedback. Ronon said it seemed like your head was bothering you before you got hit."
John glared at the big man sitting at the end of the table.
The former Runner shrugged. "You seemed off. And you kept rubbing your head." He was completely nonchalant, and unfazed by John's glare.
"But you don't tell him that," John retorted, waving a hand at Daniel, who rolled his eyes.
Cam shared a smirk with Jack. John claimed to still not remember his team, but Ronon's presence didn't make him uneasy; in fact, it seemed to help keep him calm.
Ronon just raised his eyebrows. "Thought he was your brother?"
"Exactly!" John retorted, again waving his hand to punctuate his point.
Cam almost choked on his toast, as he'd just taken a bite when John's reply caused him to laugh.
Both John and Daniel glared at him, which only made him laugh harder.
Jack rolled his eyes, and told Ronon, "Daniel can be a bit of a mother hen sometimes."
"Hey!" Daniel turned his glare onto the general.
John just nodded his agreement.
Ronon smirked, and shoveled another bite of food into his mouth.
"Ok, so what are you saying Jackson?" Cam asked after regaining his composure. "You didn't do all that research, and try explaining it to us for nothing."
Cam's knowing look, and his words, had the rest of the men shooting questioning glances at Daniel as well.
Daniel took a deep breath, and met all their eyes before finally settling on Jack's. "I want to go back to the planet." The general started to sigh, but the archaeologist continued before he could argue. "I think I can figure out exactly what the statue did, what it's purpose is. It might not help John get his memories back, but I think it would be helpful to know what effects are from the statue, and if they're reversible."
Jack didn't say anything for a moment, just held Daniel's gaze. Finally he sighed, rubbing a hand over his face, and took another sip of coffee.
"Worth a shot Sir," Cam threw in, earning himself a frown from the older man.
"Weir won't like it," Ronon added, but Jack's 'no kidding' expression said he already knew that.
John didn't say anything, but he shared a long look with Daniel, who could see the conflict in the younger man's eyes. Finally, John shrugged, and said, "I'm in."
Jack rolled his eyes. "Sheppard, I'm already gonna have to fight Weir for this mission, don't make me have to fight Beckett too."
"But if it was my gene that activated the statue in the first place, don't you kinda need me there?" John pointed out.
Setting his jaw, the general turned to narrow his eyes the smirking archaeologist. "Oh yeah… You two are definitely related," Jack grumbled.
Cam covered his mouth to hide his grin. Ronon didn't even try to hide his. John just raised his eyebrows, but there was a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.
Rolling his eyes with a sigh, Jack gave in. "Fine. I'll talk to Weir. Maybe I can get her to deal with Beckett."
0
"General, you can't be serious!"
"Sure I can." Jack smiled at the incredulous expedition leader. "I just prefer it when I don't have to be."
Elizabeth frowned at his attempt at humor.
Jack sighed. "Dr. Weir, listen… Daniel thinks the statue did something, and that he can figure out what. I'm inclined to believe him." He met her eyes when he added, "I know you want Sheppard back. Now, while this may not get his memories back… it still may help."
There was a long pause before Elizabeth took a deep breath, and dropped down into her chair. Leaning forward on her desk, she spoke softly, but her worry was clear. "And you think John can handle this?"
The general took a breath as well, and dropped down into one of the chairs in front of her desk. "Elizabeth… Sheppard wants to go, and frankly, I can't think of a good enough reason to keep him back." Jack gave her a reassuring smile when he added, "He isn't going alone. We'll keep an eye on him."
Elizabeth looked up and raised an eyebrow at him. "'We'?" The corners of her eyes crinkled as a smile tugged at her mouth.
Jack shrugged, smirking. "Can't let the kids have all the fun."
Shaking her head, the expedition leader sighed. "This is insane," she mumbled, dropping her head into her hands.
"Oh please. I've read the mission reports, I know crazier shit happens around here all the time," Jack retorted, waving a hand.
Raising an eyebrow as she gave him a hard stare, Elizabeth shot back, "Crazier than finding out my military commander wasn't possessed by some alien lifeform, and really is the brother of the man that helped start the Stargate Program?"
The general had a light expression when he raised his eyebrows and returned, "You saying space vampires that actually suck the life out of people isn't as crazy as Daniel and Sheppard being brothers?"
Giving a 'touché' nod, Elizabeth shrugged in concession. "Maybe I'm just used to the Wraith."
Nodding slowly, Jack agreed, "Fair enough." However, he smirked when he added, "But it is in both of their files."
Elizabeth narrowed her eyes at the older man. "General, I've read John's file front to back more than once. The only mention of a brother was Dave Sheppard."
Jack's smirk widened. "Look closer."
She furrowed her brows when he didn't elaborate.
Standing, the general threw in, "And I put Daniel down as Sheppard's next of kin." He started walking toward the door, but when he got there, turned and smiled when he asked, "So, I take it the mission is a go?"
The expedition leader just stared at him in astonishment for a long moment, before finally rolling her eyes. Shaking her head, she sighed and gave in. "Yes, you have a go."
0
"How is it that you don't remember us, but you remember how to do that?" Rodney griped, rolling his eyes as he watched John easily gear up and check over his weapons.
"It's called muscle memory, McKay," Jack retorted as he finished checking over his own weapons.
Cam and Ronon shared a smirk, while Daniel just rolled his eyes as he finished gearing up as well.
John just shrugged, then smirked when he looked at Rodney and asked, "Didn't I shoot you?"
Everyone looked at him in surprise.
Then Rodney rolled his eyes. "Of course you remember that," he grumbled. Then complained, "And it was more than once!"
John just grinned back.
Jack shook his head. "You had a shield the first time McKay. Doesn't count."
"He shot me too, McKay," Ronon added with a shrug. "Get over it."
Speaking up over Rodney's spluttering, Cam announced, "Alright boys — and girl," he added with a smile to Teyla, who gave him a serene smile and nod back. "Let's get this show on the road." He returned Daniel's nod of gratitude — he'd seen the look in John's eyes too — before heading out of the locker room.
The others began trickling out as well, until it was just Jack and John left.
The general was purposefully being slow, and not looking directly at the younger man as John checked over all of his gear for the third time. "Something on your mind kid?" Jack asked lightly.
John looked up quickly, eyes widened as if he was a kid who'd gotten caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Swallowing, he shook his head. "No Sir."
Jack raised his eyebrows. "You good?" He kept his voice light, but the question was serious.
The younger man nodded. "Yes Sir."
"Then what's up?" Jack asked bluntly, turning to face the other man.
John froze for a moment, holding the general's gaze. Whatever he saw must have convinced him to drop the act, and he let out a long breath before looking down. "Just wondering how safe it is for people to be around me, I guess."
"Hey," Jack snapped at the mumbled answer, getting the younger man to look up at him. "Those were extenuating circumstances, and you know it. You read the reports." He spoke firmly, but then added in a softer tone, "McKay can't keep his mouth shut, but — for all his annoying traits — he just wants his best friend back." When John raised his eyebrows, Jack shook his head. "Don't ask me. I don't get it." Then he paused, a thoughtful expression passing over his face before he shrugged. "Then again… Daniel somehow ended up being mine, so who knows how it happens."
The corner of John's mouth turned upward slightly. "He trusts you."
"And McKay trusts you," Jack returned easily. When the beginnings of the smile fell and the younger man's eyes turned down again, Jack prompted gently, "What is it?"
"He shouldn't." John looked up and met the general's eyes when he elaborated, "They shouldn't trust me."
Jack's voice had a hard edge when he replied, "You earned it."
John didn't look a way, and kept his voice steady. "I killed Colonel Sumner."
He had started to turn away, but Jack grabbed his arm and turned him back so they were face to face. "You did him a favor." Though he spoke quietly, the general's tone was both firm and somber. "It was a tough call, and you made it." Jack gave John credit; even though he swallowed hard, he didn't look away. "I knew Sumner. He didn't like you, that's true. But I guarantee you had his respect for that."
The two men stared hard at each other for a long moment, before John finally nodded his understanding, and Jack let go of his arm.
"You good?" Jack asked seriously. He didn't want to take John on the mission — no matter how much they may need him — if he couldn't get his head in the game. But when John nodded, and said, "I'm good.", Jack believed him. So, the general nodded, smiled, and said, "Alright. Let's go."
By the time they made their way to the gate room, the others were already there, and had just ordered Chuck to start dialing the Gate.
"Good luck," Elizabeth told them from her perch on the balcony above.
"We're gonna need it," Rodney mumbled, causing Teyla to frown at him and everyone else except John to roll their eyes.
"Why's that McKay?" John drawled.
Rolling his eyes, the scientist retorted, "Oh, please. You're a trouble magnet."
Before John's head had even completely turned toward him, Daniel was already holding up a finger and warning, "Don't say it."
Smirking belied the innocent expression John had. "Say what?"
Scowling at him, Daniel opened his mouth, but was cut off by Jack.
"Then let me make some clarifications," the general started, staring pointedly at the archaeologist. "No dying. No glowing. — "
"No getting kidnapped," Cam threw in.
Jack pointed in agreement. "That too."
Daniel rolled his eyes. But Ronon was smirking, and Teyla had raised her eyebrows as she watched the exchange.
Rodney's eyes were wide. "Oh god… We're all gonna die."
"McKay!" everyone else snapped as the event horizon kawooshed into life.
"Well, it's true!" Rodney argued. "I hadn't thought of it before, but we have all of the people with the worst luck in the history of the Stargate Program on this mission! How is that not an omen of death?!"
While John, Ronon, and Teyla had all furrowed their brows in confusion, Jack and Daniel scowled at the scientist.
Cam shrugged. "He's got a point." When everyone's eyes turned to him, he grinned. "But that's the fun part."
Daniel rolled his eyes and started toward the Gate, but Jack chuckled.
As the others started following them through the wormhole, John just looked at Cam and smirked.
"What?" Cam shrugged back.
John shook his head and started toward the Gate. "Big puppy," he muttered.
Cam laughed as he followed. "I'll take that as a compliment!"
Rodney sighed, looking toward the ceiling. "I'm doomed." But he followed nonetheless.
0
Daniel had been studying the statue and its engravings for about an hour. Teyla was politely answering any questions he had, while Rodney was injecting himself into the research and — if Daniel's face was anything to go by — about to get punched.
No one had missed the tension running through John since they'd arrived on the planet — with the way he kept tightening his grip on his P-90, the set of his jaw, and the way his eyes never stopped scanning his surroundings — but none of them commented on it.
Jack and Cam had started a debate about the upcoming baseball season. They were mostly ignoring — or at least pretending to — the scientists, and John's pacing.
After a little while, Ronon had fallen into step with John, who — though he gave him a sideways glance — didn't comment on it.
When their perimeter sweep took them a fair distance away from the others, Ronon finally spoke — though he did keep his voice low to reduce the chances of one of the others overhearing. "So why didn't anyone know Jackson was your brother?"
John's eyes shot over to the former Runner so quick the other man raised his eyebrows in surprise. "What are you talking about?" John had tried to keep his voice casual, but Ronon heard the wariness.
Shrugging, he said, "When I asked Jackson, he said it was complicated, and that I should ask you."
Staring at the other man for a long moment, John finally took a deep breath and returned his eyes to their sweep of the surrounding forest. "Why does it matter?" he retorted.
Again, Ronon shrugged. "Doesn't. I was just curious why everyone was freaking out about it."
John shot him a sideways glance, but then chuckled lightly. Shrugging as well, he said, "It's complicated."
"Why?"
Sighing at the other man's persistence, John stared out at the forest for a minute before he replied. Scrunching his face up in indecision, he finally took a deep breath and glanced at Ronon before asking, "On your planet — Sateda, right?" Ronon nodded, and John continued, "What happened to the kids whose parents died or got taken by the Wraith, or whatever?"
Furrowing his brow, the former Runner shrugged. "They got put in a place with other orphaned kids. Or other people took them in."
Nodding slowly, John swallowed before he spoke again. "It's pretty much the same on Earth. Kids without parents get put in orphanages, or foster homes — basically, strangers take in these kids with nowhere else to go."
"Ok," Ronon nodded. He didn't continue, just waited for John to.
"Danny — Daniel… His parents died when he was a kid."
"Yours too?" Ronon asked quietly.
John glanced at him and shrugged. "My mom did."
Ronon saw the way the other man's eyes had glazed over slightly. "What about your dad?"
Shaking himself, John looked back out to the forest before taking a deep breath. "We didn't exactly see eye to eye," he admitted in a mumble. Shrugging, he tried to project nonchalance as he added, "So… I left."
Raising his eyebrows, Ronon questioned, "You ran away?"
Furrowing his brows for a second, John looked pensive for a moment before giving a half nod, half shrug. "Yeah. Pretty much." Shaking his head, he continued, "Anyway, the authorities didn't know who I was when they found me. I wouldn't tell them." He ignored Ronon's smirk. His own smirked formed when he informed the former Runner, "So, they labeled me a 'John Doe' — basically what people on Earth call a guy when they don't know who he is."
Ronon grinned as well, recognizing the joke.
John shrugged before he finished, "So, they put me with this couple who took in kids who didn't have families. But they already had a couple other kids living there too."
"Jackson?" Ronon guessed.
Nodding, John confirmed, "Yeah. He was the oldest. The other was a two-year old girl."
The glazed over look returned, but Ronon was patient, and didn't say anything while he waited for John to start talking again.
"Anyway, the house wasn't very big. Me and Danny had a bunk bed in this tiny bedroom." He was shaking his head, but there was a fond smile on his face. But it drained away, replaced by a sorrowful expression as John's eyes turned down and he finished quietly, "I lived there until after school started up that fall, and one of the teachers wanted me to take the MENSA test. When I passed, it drew attention… Including people who knew my father… Once the authorities figured out who I was… They sent me back to him."
John didn't say anything else, and Ronon didn't push; he'd learned enough. They just continued walking.
They arrived back to the statue to join the others just in time to hear Daniel mutter, "Oh boy…"
Immediately, Jack, Cam, and John's eyes were on the archaeologist. Even Rodney had paused long enough to snark, "What? What did you do now?"
Teyla and Ronon were both frowning.
When Daniel didn't say anything else, just double checking something from the statue against his notes, and again muttering, "Oh boy…" then Rodney frowned as well, and actually looked at the other scientist.
"Jackson?" Cam prompted, worry creeping into his voice.
"Daniel!" Jack snapped, getting the man's attention when nothing else had.
The archaeologist finally looked up at the rest of them and took a deep breath. "I know what happened."
Time seemed to freeze as everyone stared at him.
"Well? What?!" Jack barked, breaking the silence.
Daniel met and held John's apprehensive gaze as he explained. "This statue… It's not just a monument. It's history."
Rolling his eyes, Rodney scoffed, "We already knew that! The village whoever told us all this. Ancestor blah blah — blah blah heritage — etc. etc."
The archaeologist rolled his eyes with his whole body. "Rodney! This isn't just some statue to remind people of their history! It literally is their history!" Daniel snapped, glaring at the scientist.
Rodney jerked back with wide eyes, but everyone else was looking at Daniel with furrowed brows.
"Jackson… What are you talking about?" Cam questioned evenly.
Heaving a sigh, Daniel turned back to the others. "I mean, I was wrong. The statue did cause John's amnesia." He looked at John when he added softly, "You would've lost your memory either way. Getting hit on the head just sped up the clock."
"How so?" Teyla asked calmly. Out of the whole group, she seemed to be the least fazed — or at least was hiding it better.
Daniel took a deep breath before explaining, "It's used as a way to pass down history." His face scrunched up in deliberation for a moment before he continued, "Think of it like how the elders of a village tell stories to the children, so they know the history of their people, and the cycle continues so it's never forgotten." There were nods all around. "But it's not always accurate," Daniel added carefully. "Things get lost over time."
"Like that game — telephone," Cam said, causing the others to look at him — those from Earth giving him smirks, while Ronon and Teyla gave him looks of confusion.
However, Daniel nodded. "Exactly!" Looking back at the statue with a frown, he continued, "This was a way to store people's memories. From the carvings, it seems like when the elders were close to death, they would come and give it their memories."
"'Give it their memories'?" Jack repeated skeptically.
Shrugging, Daniel elaborated, "Only those who were deemed worthy."
"People with the gene," Rodney guessed, eyes brightening as he realized where Daniel was going with this.
"Yes," the archaeologist nodded.
"Ok, but if it's a way to store their history, that means there's gotta be a way to get the memories out, right?" John interjected.
This time, everyone's eyes were on John.
Daniel let out a long breath, but slowly began to nod. "Yes," he started hesitantly. "According to these — " He waved at the carvings on the statue. "Yes. That's how they choose their elders. Whoever can 'learn' their history, can lead."
At this point, Rodney had already begun double checking Daniel's work and was nodding and talking to himself. But now, he looked up and smiled. "He's right. You should just be able to reactivate it, and it will give you back your memories!"
Teyla was giving Rodney a patient look, but Ronon looked at Daniel and asked bluntly, "Will it work?"
Taking off his glasses to rub his face, Daniel sighed. "I don't know. We don't know exactly what happened in John's case. From what I understand, you guys weren't here long enough for the statue to take all his memories."
"That's why he still remembered who he was — just missing a bunch of years?" Cam wondered.
Daniel nodded. "That's my guess." Looking back at his notes, he shrugged. "It seems like normally it's a longer process, and those 'giving' their memories stay here until they've all be absorbed by the statue."
"But Sheppard didn't do that," Jack pointed out.
Shaking his head, Daniel agreed, "No. And I'm guessing the symptoms Ronon noticed when they were on the way back to the Gate was the statue still trying to take the memories."
"And then when I got hit on the head, I wasn't fighting it?" John guessed in a resigned tone.
Looking at John, Daniel smirked — but it had a hint of sadness. "Pretty much. Except they got you back through the Gate before the statue could take them all."
"Lucky," Jack commented wryly.
Rodney rolled his eyes. "Right. So, now, get over here, put your hand on the thing, and get your memories back so we can get off this planet before we run into anyone else passing through that wants to bash your head in," he told John, snapping his fingers impatiently.
The others gave the scientist varying expressions of annoyance and disbelief. But John was ignoring him and looking at Daniel.
"You think this will work?" he asked directly.
Daniel took a deep breath and shrugged. "I think it's the best option we have," he answered honestly.
Nodding, John started over to the statue.
"Are we sure about this?" Cam sounded uncertain.
Jack rolled his eyes at the colonel. "Are we ever sure about anything?"
Cam canted his head at the retort. "Touché."
They all watched with bated breath as John closed his eyes and took a deep breath — reminding Daniel of when he watched John step through the Stargate the first time — before he put his hand in the designated spot Rodney was pointing to on the statue.
0
The groan from the bed had Daniel looking up from his notebook. He smiled when he saw John opening his eyes. "Hey. You're awake."
Blinking slowly as his eyes took in his surroundings, John finally settled his gaze on the archaeologist. "What happened?" He coughed, his voice raspy, and took a drink of the water Daniel handed him. He swallowed, and when he spoke again his voice was clearer. "Thanks."
Daniel nodded. Then turned sober. "How are you feeling?" he asked gently, not prying, but still requiring an answer.
John furrowed his brows. "Who are you?"
For a moment, Daniel froze. But then he saw the twinkle in John's eyes and heaved a breath that was some kind of cross between a sigh and a growl. "You little — " Pausing and rolling his eyes at John — who was now full on smirking — he shook his head and couldn't stop the smile that escaped. "I'm glad you're feeling better," he said seriously.
The smirk turned into a genuine smile when John replied, "I'm glad you wanted to go back to that planet."
Watching the younger man for a moment, Daniel phrased his question carefully. "Does that mean you remember? Everything?"
There was a quick moment where John averted his eyes, but he returned them to Daniel's and nodded slowly. "Everything," he confirmed quietly.
Daniel's expression was understanding.
Silence took over for a minute, while John readjusted himself so he was sitting up in the bed better and took another few sips of the water.
"Sorry I haven't been in touch lately," Daniel told him, his tone dry.
John just looked at him for a moment before smirking. "Well, I was the one who left first." He shrugged when he added, "Again."
The archaeologist rolled his eyes at the self-deprecating addition, but replied lightly, "Jack filled me in on what happened with the Replicators." He shrugged and added, "I meant to send an email."
"General O'Neill told me you got kidnapped by the Ori… and turned into a Prior." John shrugged. "It happens."
Daniel nodded with raised eyebrows. "Yeah…" he muttered. "It does."
Smirking, John said, "We both suck at this whole communication thing."
Rolling his eyes at having his words thrown back at him, Daniel shook his head with a small chuckle. But when he looked at John, his eyes were firm and serious. "I hope you remember the rest of that conversation too."
John nodded, but it was his eyes that said everything. "Always," he agreed quietly, holding out his hand.
Daniel smiled as he clasped the younger man's hand. "Always."
They could hear Rodney down the hall, but it was Ronon who was the first to enter the infirmary. He gave a nod to both men, who nodded back as they released each other's hand.
Glancing at John, Daniel spoke before the former Runner made his way over. "I'm glad you found another one." He smiled, then paused and rolled his eyes when they heard Rodney again, and amended reluctantly, "Or two."
Chuckling, John turned serious when he replied, "Right back at ya." He smiled when Daniel furrowed his brows, and nodded over the archaeologist's shoulder.
Following his line of sight, Daniel smiled when he saw Jack and Cam coming in with Elizabeth and Teyla. Turning back to John, they shared a knowing smile, and Daniel commented, "I guess we both got pretty lucky."
John nodded. "I guess we did," he agreed.
"Well, are you back?" Rodney demanded when the group reached the bed.
This brought Carson out of his office, barking, "Rodney! Stop harassin' my patients before I've had a chance to exam 'em."
But John was looking at Rodney with furrowed brows. "Who are you?"
Rodney started spluttering, but when the others saw Daniel roll his eyes, their reactions varied.
Jack and Ronon chuckled, while Cam smirked, "Told ya!"
Carson and Elizabeth both rolled their eyes.
"John…" Teyla chastised.
John laughed. Grinning, he shrugged. "Sorry. Couldn't resist."
A/N: Hope you liked this chapter! Originally, I wanted to include Teyla and Rodney more than I did, but this was mainly about John and Daniel. And of course, I couldn't not have Jack and John having a talk (that wasn't planned, it just happened lol) :) But I felt like Ronon was the more important one to include after John and Daniel, hopefully you understand why. Anyway, I'll try to post the rest later on today, but I have errands to run and other stuff to get done so it might be a while. As always, reviews are greatly appreciated!