Sins of the Father

John sat on a blanket watching his family splash around in the shallow water of the beach. Teyla's eyes shined and cheeks glowed as she played with the children. The twins, John and Jared, giggled with delight as they flung water on each other. Teyla quickly lifted the hem of her dress and sprinted out of the way when the boys came too close. She was laughing so hard that she rested a hand on her swollen belly for support. In a matter of minutes the toddlers were soaked. Taking each one by the hand, she guided them back to the picnic blanket. John stood to meet them and smiled as the boys hurried to his side. He lifted one in each arm and spun them around before settling the squealing boys on the blanket. He turned back to Teyla as she walked into his arms and wrapped hers around his neck.

"Hello."

John smiled.

"Hi yourself."

They touched foreheads.

"Are you ready to go home?"

She nodded.

"Yes."

He brushed his lips across hers before capturing them in a heated kiss. Teyla sighed, melting into his embrace and John deepened the kiss further. It was a cold, wet, gritty little hand on his ankle that made him pull back. He glanced down at Jared, who proudly displayed his two bottom teeth and a face newly covered with sand. John sighed.

"Time to go."

Teyla let out a low giggle. Together they gathered up their things and made the slow journey back to Atlantis.

Later that evening Teyla and Elizabeth conversed over dinner. Teyla watched as her friend squint her eyes against the brightness of the light and rub her temple.

"Are you having another headache?"

Elizabeth sighed.

"Yes. I've been up late with Rebecca the last few days. She has a new tooth coming in."

"Would you like for me to keep her for a while?"

Elizabeth smiled.

"Thank you, but Rodney says he'll stop working a little early today so that I can catch up on my reading and finish a few reports. I just hope he doesn't forget."

Teyla titled her head.

"Rodney is still working in lab four on the Clanthos device?"

Elizabeth nodded.

"He's been obsessed with that thing every since they found it on the dig. I went to visit him the other day and found out that he'd skipped dinner."

Teyla's brows rose.

"Rodney, miss a meal?"

"Yes, I know. I couldn't believe it. Later he admitted to eating a couple of snack bars, but still…… I've been taking him his dinner to make sure he doesn't skip it again."

"Have you done so today?"

"No, I was late getting here due to the arrival of the Daedelus. I was just about to grab his plate now."

Teyla rose from the table.

"I will take Rodney his dinner. Go take some medication for your headache and rest for a few minutes. John has the boys, so it is no trouble and a walk after such a heavy meal will be good for me."

Elizabeth rose as well.

"I'm actually in too much pain to argue with you. So, I'll just say thank you and be on my way."

They shared a smile.

"You are welcome."

Teyla strolled down the corridor humming an old Athosian melody. She paused by a door, waved her hand across the sensor, and waited as the panels slid open. Teyla found Rodney sitting at a table, typing on a laptop. He glanced up as she entered the room.

"Teyla?"

She stared back.

"Rodney."

He shook his head.

" I was expecting Elizabeth."

Teyla approached the table and sat down his tray.

"Elizabeth has a headache, so I volunteered to bring you your dinner. And I wanted to remind you to leave early tonight. You told Elizabeth you would so that she could catch up on her work."

Rodney frowned.

"I did?"

Teyla leaned against the table.

"Yes, you did."

He shrugged.

"Okay, it's just that I've finally figured out how the Clanthos device works and I want to get it all typed out before I go."

"Have you turned on the device?"

"No."

Teyla frowned.

"Then how can you be sure that it works?"

Rodney smirked.

"Because I know it does."

Teyla stared.

"I've worked it all out. I just need to type out the instructions so that others can turn it on and off."

Teyla continued to stare. Rodney sighed.

"Look, I'll show you."

He walked over to the small square device and began pressing a sequence of buttons. When he finished the device began to glow. He glanced up at Teyla and smirked.

"See, I told you I could do it."

They both watched as it grew brighter. Each was taken by surprise as a wave of light emitted from the device and rippled throughout the room. Rodney dually so by Teyla's scream. He saw her slumped, unconscious, against the far wall. Rodney quickly shut down the device and hurried to Teyla's side. He lifted her as gently as he could before activating his ear piece.

"Daedelus, this is McKay. I have a medical emergency. Lock onto my signal and beam me into the infirmary now!"

John was already on his way to the infirmary when he received the call about Teyla. He'd been typing up a mission report when the boys both suddenly doubled over and screamed out in pain. It had nearly scared him to death. No one liked to see others in pain, especially their own children and now Teyla too. He arrived at the infirmary along with Elizabeth, Aiden, Ronon and Caldwell. Before he could get a word out two female nurses came to take the children for examinations. John found Carson and a near delirious Rodney both hovering over Teyla's bed. The others followed close on his heels.

"What happened?"

Hearing John's voice, Rodney nearly jumped out of his skin. He held up his hands in self defense.

"I didn't know! We didn't know!"

He shook his head.

"There was nothing to tell us that the device would harm Wraiths specifically!"

He glanced down at Teyla.

"Or anyone with Wraith genealogy. I'm sorry."

Elizabeth frowned.

"The Clanthos device?"

Rodney nodded.

"Yes, it works."

Ronon stepped forward.

"You turned it on with a pregnant woman in the room?"

Rodney stepped back.

"I didn't know!"

John sighed.

"Calm down Rodney. It's okay."

He glanced at Ronon.

"The boys were affected as well and they were far away from the device. It wouldn't have mattered if she was in the same room or on the south pier. She still would have felt the affects."

Carson turned to the small group.

"I need you guys to take this discussion elsewhere."

He glanced at John.

"There's bruising and a nasty bump on her head that I don't like, not to mention the baby. I'll run some tests, but there's not much I can give her for the pain."

John nodded.

"Do what you can."

An hour later Carson returned to give his prognosis. John sat on the infirmary bed next to Teyla's, a sleeping child in each arm. Their reaction to the device had only been that of brief pain and had been given a good bill of health, but as a precaution Carson was keeping them in the infirmary overnight. The doctor took Jared and placed him in the playpen that had been setup for the twins' sleepover, while John put his namesake down for bed as well. They joined Elizabeth, Rodney, Aiden, and Ronon on the far side of the room. Carson glanced around at the tense faces and decided to start with the most reassuring news.

"The baby is fine, but Teyla has a concussion and swelling and bruising from her shoulder blades to her lower legs. Her impact with the wall was severe. She seems to be resting comfortably, but it may be a while before she regains consciousness. Right now, all we can do is wait. I suggest you all go get some rest and come back tomorrow."

Carson gently squeezed John's shoulder before heading to his desk.

"Do you need anything from your quarters, sir?"

John glanced at Aiden.

"I think I'm good. I have the boys' baby bag. That should last me until morning, but thanks."

Elizabeth sighed.

"I have to go and get Rebecca. Please let me know the moment Teyla awakes. Col. Caldwell and Major Lorne will keep an eye on the city tonight. If you need anything, just call."

John let out a long sigh.

"Thank you and try to get some rest Rodney."

He watched as the McKays left the infirmary and then turned to Ronon and Aiden.

"I'll give you guys a call when she wakes up. You don't have to stay."

"If it's all right with you, we'd like to."

John looked from Aiden to Ronon and grinned.

"Okay."

John could feel a hand caressing the hair at the nape of his neck. He sighed and slowly opened his eyes. John lifted his head from the side of the bed and glanced up at Teyla. She smiled.

"Good morning."

Leaning forward, he cupped the sides of her face and kissed her deeply. John ended the kiss and rested his forehead against hers.

"I love you."

Teyla giggled.

"I love you too."

"And just so you know, you've been banned from all labs during pregnancy."

She sat up in the bed.

"What!"

Teyla's raised voice jolted Aiden and Ronon from their sleep.

"Be careful honey, I don't want you to hurt yourself."

"Hurt myself? What are you talking about, I am fine."

"You have a head injury and bruises on your back."

"Head injury?"

Carson came around the corner, having heard the commotion.

"What in the bloody hell is going on?"

Ronon unfolded himself from a chair and stretched.

"They're fighting."

Carson rolled his eyes. Aiden stood as well.

"Teyla says she's not injured."

"What?"

Carson turned to his patient.

"Do you feel any pain in your head or back, any dizziness?"

Teyla shook her head.

"No."

"Can you tell me what happened yesterday in the lab?"

She took a deep breath.

"I took Rodney his dinner, he turned on the Clanthos device, there was a bright light and I felt a sharp pain in my head. I guess I passed out until a few moments ago and then I woke up in here."

Carson frowned.

"I'll need to run some more tests."

John's brow knotted in confusion.

"That fast of a recovery is impossible."

Carson glanced at him.

"I've learned never to say never around this place. First the tests, then we'll see what's going on."

Carson walked into the infirmary just as Rodney was apologizing to Teyla. She placed her hand on his and squeezed gently.

"You did not know that the device would harm us. No one did. There is no need to apologize Rodney."

He sighed.

"I'm just glad that everyone is okay."

Teyla grinned.

"Thank you."

John, Elizabeth, and Col. Caldwell turned at the sound of the infirmary doors closing.

"We were starting to think that you'd gated back to Earth, Doc."

Carson smirked.

"I feel like I have."

He walked over to Teyla.

"Are you feeling any better?"

"Actually yes, I feel even better than I did this morning."

Carson nodded before glancing at her charts.

"Well, I studied your test results and you, lassie, have made a full recovery."

Col. Caldwell frowned.

"How is that possible?"

John watched Carson. He could tell that the doctor had more news, but wasn't sure how to say it. So, he decided to help him along.

"What is it?"

Carson met his eyes before glancing at Teyla. She in turn looked at John, who clutched her hand in comfort. Teyla turned back to Carson.

"What is wrong?"

"There's nothing wrong lass, nothing at all. It's just that this may be a little difficult to get your head around."

Rodney sighed.

"Would you spit it out already?"

Carson placed the medical chart on a nearby bed and crossed his arms.

"Okay, fine. What's the first thing that comes to your mind when I say mutant?"

Rodney smirked.

"Ninja Turtles."

Carson glanced at the ceiling and sighed.

"Okay, how about mutation?"

"The X-Men."

Elizabeth frowned.

"Rodney."

"Hey, he asked."

Carson continued.

"Let's try another approach. What do we know about the Wraith?"

Ronon's brow knotted.

"The Wraith? Why are we talking abo-."

Carson held up a hand.

"Just humor me on this."

"We know that they feed off of humans, are quick healers, strong, fast, telepathic, and can live for a very long time."

Carson nodded.

"Thank you Elizabeth. Now, what do we know about Ancients?"

"They were the first evolution of man, had incredible healing abilities, long life spans, and were highly advanced in techology."

Carson smiled at Aiden.

"So, what would happen if an Ancient and a Wraith had a child?"

John shifted his wieght.

"They would have strong, healthy children, some with gifts, such as, the gift of healing."

Carson's smile grew.

"Exactly! I've run and re-run tests, reviewed notes, researched DNA samples and they all come to the same conclusion."

Col. Caldwell leaned against a desk.

"Are you saying the baby healed Teyla?"

"I'm saying that the baby healed it's self and in doing so healed his mother. I'm also saying that John and Jared were hurt just as Teyla, but they healed more rapidly."

Elizabeth stared in amazement.

"Is this their only ability?"

The doctor shrugged.

"I'm not sure. With their genealogy there's no telling what they will be able to do."

Carson turned to John and Teyla.

"Have you two noticed anything?"

The couple shared a look, before turning back to their friends. John let out a long sigh.

"We believe that they have some telepathic ability."

"And you're just telling us this now, Colonel?"

John stared at Caldwell.

"They're just children. I didn't think that an occasional flash of Tweety Bird or Mickey Mouse as something that needed to be reported up the chain."

"Gentlemen, please."

Elizabeth turned to Carson.

"What should we expect?"

"It's basically what John said, they are children. Actually, they're babies. They are not aware of their abilities and will only use them instinctively. They felt pain and did what was necessary to make it go away. It's as simple as that. As they get older we may see more gifts develop. It's usually, when children hit puberty that significant changes occur in the body, so I wouldn't expect much before than. But for now, we just keep an eye out and love them as they are."

Elizabeth looked at John and Teyla, they didn't seem to be surprised by any of the information that Carson had shared. In fact, they'd just confirmed that they were with holding information about the children. She couldn't blame them. They didn't want to see their children become lab rats anymore than she did.

"Let's just keep a close eye on the children's progress. John, Teyla, if you see any new developments with the boys, please notify Carson immediately. Now, I have a meeting in ten minutes so please excuse me."

The others slowly filed out of the room as well. Carson stood at the foot of the bed.

"Well lass, you are free to go back to your quarters whenever you like, but I would ask that you take it easy for the next few days. If you have any problems or concerns, you know where to find me."

Teyla smiled.

"Thank you Carson."

He smiled.

"You're welcome love."

Teyla stood in the nursery, watching that children sleep. One on the boys yawned, stretched and rubbed his tired little eyes. She leaned forward and planted a kiss on each of their chubby cheeks before turned down the lights and returned to the bedroom. Teyla walked out onto the balcony, where John stood gazing out at the night sky. She hugged him from behind and rested her forehead in the center of his back.

"Do not worry, Sidi. At least now we do not have to hide the children's abilities from our friends."

John sighed.

"It was never our friends knowing that bothered me. It's the people that they, that I, work for knowing that causes my concern."

"For now, they do not know. We will deal with that when the time comes."

"And when the children are older?"

"There is no way of knowing whether or not the children will gain new gifts, but if or when they do we will deal with that as well. Here."

Teyla reached around for John's hand and placed it on her stomach. He felt the baby kick and smiled. She cupped his cheek with her other hand.

"Think of this. Think of those two beautiful boys sleeping in the nursery. Think of me. Do not waste time worrying about what may or may not be."

They shared a brief kiss.

"Now," Teyla grinned slowly. "Come to bed."

John followed her into the bedroom, closing the balcony door behind them. He decided to take Teyla's advice. First thing tomorrow, he'd stop worrying about the children's future. Right after he sent a little message to his father.