Chapter 11
Disclaimer: Oh, I want to, but I don't own anything!
Author's note: Ahhhh! I'm sooo sorry! This has taken me absolutely ages to upload. I won't make excuses (although there are actual genuine reasons) but will instead just beg for your forgiveness. Please forgive me! Please! As part of forgiveness I give you the next chapter! Please enjoy and review!
Flash of light.
John peered around the corridor of Atlantis as personel walked past him. Or through him, to be more accurate.
"Hmm, what was it someone said about trying again?"
Jack O'Neill feigned innocence "What was that?"
"Jack! You'd said we'd be able to do this!"
"I did not."
John opened his mouth, but then just looked confused.
Jack raised an eyebrow.
"You said…"
"I never."
John sucked in a deep breth "Team put up with this all the time, huh?"
"Every day."
"I can see why they love you so much."
"I feel sorry for your team. Putting up with all this." Jack said, putting on a theatrical air.
"All what! You're the one causing the problem!"
"What problem?"
"Arrgh! Look around you! We cant talk to anyone."
"Well that's not my fault. This is your end Sheppard, come on now, pull your weight."
"I'm trying." John said, his voice tired.
"I know. Just try… try…" Jack gestured with his hand in the air, thinking.
"Try…?"
Jack continued waving his hand for inspiration.
"Waving? I should wave to communicate with them?" John asked.
"Jack glared "Thinking Sheppard."
"Done that."
"What?"
"Done the thinking thing. Didn't work."
"No I meant I'm thinking!"
"Oh."
Pause.
"Thought of anything yet?"
"N- aha! Breathing! Try that deep breathing stuff."
"Breathing?"
"Yeah. Teal'c does it all the time."
"Ok. Breathing."
The two mean stood there oblivious to the population of Atlantis whilst John took deep breaths and concentrated on his surroundings.
"Anything happen yet?" Jack asked.
"Nope. Nothing."
"Well maybe we're doing this all wrong."
"How d'you mean?"
"This whole thing's about communicating. Maybe we need people for it to work."
John stared at the corridor-filled people around them.
"Specific people!" Jack snapped.
"Like my team?" John said slowly.
"Yes."
"Ok, let's go find them." John turned as if to walk away but there was a flash of light and he stepped right through McKay.
"Er, what was that you said?" John asked.
Jack waved his arm through Ford "Yep no effect."
"I think its pretty clear there's no effect." John snapped.
"Aha, this must be Teyla." Jack said, walking over to where Teyla was standing, intently listing to the others.
"Yeah, that's her." John said, his voice and whole posture relaxing.
"She must be one hell of a chic." Jack muttered, noticing the change in his fellow officer.
"That she is." John whispered, staring at her.
Turning away after a moment, John raked his hand through his hair "I just don't get this."
"Maybe you're still doing it wrong." Jack said suddenly.
"How?"
"I touched Carter," Jack said "When we started talking to my lot, I had just touched Carter. Maybe we have to communicate with people we feel, um… well, y'know… like that about."
"So…"
"Touch Teyla, see what happens."
"Ok."
John moved slowly over to stand next to the Athosian leader, taking in everything about her. Her beautiful hair, her tanned skin, her strong posture. But something was wrong. She was paler then usual, her cheeks weren't as smooth, it kinda looked as if she'd been crying. Had she been crying over him? He knew they had a kinda thing, but it was just playful. He was the one who'd got too emotionally attached. Wasn't he?
"Anytime now." Jack said.
John waved a hand at him.
Taking in a deep breath, he slowly reached out and skimmed Teyla's smooth arm, looking directly into her eyes. For a split second it felt like nothing had happened, then two large brown eyes were staring into his.
The next thing he knew he had leaped forward to catch the fainted female.
"Well that worked." Jack said conversationally, smiling at the bewildered people around him.
Again, my sincerest apologies. I hope this goes a small way to forgiveness. I know its short but the next one's gonna be a biggie so please bear with me. And I promise that the next one will be up in a week's time (internet/computer permitting). I swear. Thanks for reading and please review!