John landed flat on his back, his breath exploding from him with a loud grunt. Sprawled painfully on one of the padded mats, he stared up at the vaulted ceiling of the training room in bemusement. He absently massaged the sore spot on his ribs where Teyla's bantos rod had caught him. The blood rushed in his ears as he laid there dazed and winded. He gazed upwards slightly mesmerized by the way the mid-morning sunlight streamed in through the high set windows and danced along the walls. Slowly the breath that had been knocked from him returned with a rasping gasp.

"John do you require some assistance?"

Sheppard's attention switched from the lazily swirling dust motes to Teyla's slightly concerned face. "Nah, I'm good. Just planning my next move, you know I think I am getting better at this."

"Why yes John, you are vastly improved. I believe it is now taking longer for me to knock you down." Teyla's tone and smile appeared to be sincere, but Sheppard had a vaguely uncomfortable feeling that she was just humouring him.

John's reply was cut off by the sound of a throat clearing from the doorway. Major Lorne stepped into the training room a barely concealed grin crossing his face as he held out two hardcover black books.

"Sir, these are the sketchbooks you requested."

John sat up with a groan trying to hide his reaction as he reached out for the books. Even though he now knew Lorne wasn't following Rodney and around sketching him because of a crush the sight of those books still inexplicably set Sheppard's teeth on edge. "Thank you. I thought your team was going off world this morning Major."

"We are, I'm on my way to drag Dr. Parrish out of the botany lab. I was going to leave these in your office, but saw you here first." The Major turned back towards the exit, clearly in a hurry to leave.

"Ah well don't let me keep you. I know how difficult it can be to lure a scientist from their lair. I usually have to bribe McKay with a treat or promise of something fun just to get him to go to bed." John stood slowly and limped to the side of the room. With a soft groan he leaned down and reluctantly tucked the sketchbooks into his sports bag. He really wanted to head immediately back to his quarters and examine the contents of the books in private, but he had to keep up appearances.

Lorne paused briefly in the doorway. As he looked back at Sheppard his expression became unreadable."Since you are pretty much the only one Doctor McKay will listen to, your treats must be really good Sir." With a quick nod at Teyla, the Major left to find his reluctant botanist.

John glanced at Teyla his eyebrows drawn together in confusion. What do you suppose he meant by that?"

"I believe Major Lorne simply meant that Doctor McKay must really like what you have to offer him." Teyla smiled enigmatically and raised her bantos sticks in challenge. She spun lithely away from Sheppard's answering attack.

Sheppard pursed his lips considering her reply before shrugging it off. Narrowing his eyes he crouched slightly and leaned to the left. He raised his sticks in a futile attempt to block Teyla's lightening fast strike. Pushing aside any thoughts of Lorne or the possible contents of the sketchbooks he concentrated on the movements of Teyla's graceful figure. John was determined to win this time or more realistically to at least last longer than his previous record of 10 minutes before being knocked down. He had barely completed that thought when with a lunge and a sweep of her foot Teyla had him flat on his back once again staring up at the ceiling.

With a sigh Teyla stepped back and watched as John struggled to his feet. "Perhaps we should continue this when you are less distracted."

Sheppard grinned at her as he raised his arm and swiped the sweat off his forehead. "But I m just getting warmed up. I think I might win this time."

Teyla inclined her head slightly, her lips twitching in amusement. "As you wish John."

John barely had a moment to register the apprehension settling in his stomach before Teyla pressed forward in attack. Huh maybe he should have taken the out she had offered him.

Sheppard winced as he limped into his quarters. Well that match had been a definite loss, but there was always the next time he mused. Groaning softly he tossed his bag onto the bed and headed to the washroom. A hot shower was just what he needed to work out the kinks and ease the stiffness caused by Teyla beating the hell out of him.
Fifteen minutes later he emerged from the steamy washroom a white towel slung low around his hips. Pausing in front of his dresser mirror John probed a red mark high over his ribs. Hissing quietly in pain he smirked a little at himself. Well that was going to be a particularly spectacular bruise. Snagging a pair of boxer briefs he dropped the towel and padded over to the bed. Hopping slightly to maintain his balance he stepped into the briefs and pulled them up into place.

John glanced at his watch, checking the time. Relaxing he ruffled a hand through his damp hair as he realized he had lots of time to examine the Major's art. Sitting on the bed he dragged his gym bag over and pulled out Lorne's sketchbooks. Propping a pillow behind him, he sprawled back against the headboard and began to page through the first heavy black book.

Lorne's sketching style was lose and quick creating an impression of energy and life. The first half of the book was filled with images that were recognizably earth based. John flipped quickly past those, oddly feeling as if he were invading the major's privacy. Towards the middle the drawings became images of Atlantis and the Pegasus Galaxy. The majority of the sketches were of Lorne's team; Doctor Parrish in particular. The botanist certainly had an expressive face, John thought as he examined one extremely detailed drawing of the Scientist obviously discovering some new plant species.

With a sigh Sheppard closed the book and set it on the floor beside his bed. What he was looking for wasn't in this one. John opened the other sketchbook and flipped past pages filled with drawings of Elizabeth. Yes this was more like it. He paused briefly in his search grimacing as he found his own face looking back at him. Huh, he was going to have to talk with Lorne about that picture, there was absolutely no way he looked that goofy.

Turning a few more pages he found the reason he had asked for the books. Finally, there in front of him were the sketches of Rodney, page after page of McKay being McKay. Quick sketches of Rodney in the mess hall, the lab, the infirmary and in the gate room, John smiled to himself as he examined each drawing carefully. The Major was good; each of the sketches had managed to capture part of McKay's quicksilver essence, his personality shining from the page.

Flipping to the next page eager to see the next picture John's soft smile froze then slid from his face. Sitting up tension filled his body as he glared at the sketch unable to believe his eyes. Fuck, he had been right all along, only from the looks of this drawing it seemed that Rodney hadn't been so oblivious to the Major's feelings after all. Staring down at the close up sketch of McKay's face John felt himself grow cold at the look of pure longing and yes lust filling Rodney's eyes.

Closing the sketchbook with a snap Sheppard stood and resisting the urge to fling it across the room he set it carefully on his bedside table. He absently noted a fine tremble in his hand as he rubbed his forehead. Well this, this would not do at all. Lorne was still off world and would be for the next several hours so he was beyond John's reach for now. But John knew exactly where he could find McKay and he fully intended to discuss this with the Scientist.