Conditioned Association11

Moira sat in the biology lab at her console. Typing. Pausing to eat. Typing again. "I've almost got this section collated."

"Excellent." Peter Harrison sat across from her. "I'm cross-referencing the known data. Ready to turn the prehistoric world on its head?"

She smiled. "Absolutely!" They laughed. "We need to gather more samples. Maybe in a few months..."

"Why can't you request a mission now?"

"Um," Moira hedged, "I can't. It won't have high priority. Best to wait until things settle down a bit, you know." She was loath to mention the real reason. Knew it would be obvious soon enough.

"I'm sure you ask Colonel Sheppard, probably even persuade him, Moira. If not for the scientific importance than at least for the–"

"I said no, Peter. I'm sorry. It will have to wait a few months," she insisted.

"If you just asked Colonel Sheppard–"

"Ask Colonel Sheppard what?" John interrupted, entering the room.

"Nothing," Moira quickly answered. Turned away to eat. John watched, puzzled expression on his face. Seeing her dip a French fry into a carton of vanilla ice cream.

"Colonel, I merely wanted to request a mission to–"

"I said no, Peter! I can't go now!"

"Go where?" John asked, heading for her.

"To what we've been erroneously calling Pleistocene Park," Peter informed, perplexed at Moira's obstinate refusals. "Colonel, I know this is low on your list of priorities and no doubt you do not see the scientific importance of our work here, apart from the Wraith studies, but this is groundbreaking! Factual evidence of living prehistoric life! I'm sure Moira has told you."

"Repeatedly," John quipped, glancing at her. He watched her dip another fry into the ice cream. Eat it. When she met his gaze he raised a brow. She shrugged, resumed her work.

"Well, we need more. More samples, more data, more observations to draw up a highly detailed classification of each ancient species and their evolutionary branches. I don't see why you couldn't authorize Moira's team to return to Pleistocene Park on a evidentiary mission to retrieve vital–"

"No. At least not for two months." He snatched a fry off her plate, ate it.

"Colonel, I don't see why not. Granted it's a low priority mission but our–"

"That's not the issue," John stated curtly. "Hasn't Moira told you?"

"Told me?" Peter glanced at her, becoming more confused by the second.

"John, please," Moira whispered. Frowning.

John plunged ahead, ignoring her. "Moira's pregnant. So she won't be going through the 'Gate any time soon."

"Moira's..." Peter smiled. "Congratulations! That's wonderful news! Moira, why didn't you tell me? I wouldn't have complained about all those mid-morning disappearances, and late arrivals, and early departures if I had known! God I feel like such a fool for berating you! I'm sorry!"

"Damn it, John!" Moira flared. Stood, shoving her food aside. "I didn't want anyone else to know yet! Not yet! Anything could happen! I don't want to be treated differently!"

"It's all right, Moira, you–" Peter tried to soothe.

She whirled, tears in her eyes. "No! It's not all right!" She turned back to John. "Why don't you ever listen to me?" She grabbed her laptop and stormed out of the lab. Furious.

John sighed. Shrugged. "Seems I can't put a foot right today." He eyed the biologist. "Berating her?"

His tone made Peter inwardly wince. "Yes. I...she was late most mornings and every day at eleven would disappear, make some excuse to leave. Return late in the afternoon. I'm sorry. I didn't know she was–"

"Now you do. Adjust accordingly." John snatched the food, strode out of the room.

Moira stood in the Wraith lab, setting her laptop on the desk. Trying to stem the tears, the anger. The embarrassment. She heard footsteps behind her. Knew. "Go away!"

"No." John approached her slowly. Set the food on the desk. "Is this some new craving of yours? French fries in ice cream?"

"Yes." She turned away from him. "Go away," she repeated. "It's these damn hormones, John! I'll be fine in a minute!"

"Okay. I can wait a minute." He watched her trying to control her emotions. He touched her shoulder. "Moy–"

"Don't!" She stepped away from him. Hands over her face now, trying to stifle the sobs.

"I'm sorry? Moira? You should have told him. I don't see why we can't tell everyone now," John reasoned, baffled by her mood swings.

"Fine! Go on the fucking PA and make your fucking announcement!"

"Don't push me, Moira, or I just might," he warned. "It's all right, sweetheart."

"Is it? So no one will treat me differently?"

"No. They will treat you differently. But isn't that to be expected? Since you're expecting? Moira, I thought you were all right with this now."

"I am! It's...it's the damn hormones, that's all! All this emotional...it's worse than my, my usual melodramatic extremes. I get so pissed, or so upset or I can't stop crying or I want to eat certain foods or I want to spend all day having wild sex with you or I want to shove you through the 'Gate so you will stop fussing over me like a mother hen! It's just a biological adjustment to the hormonal surges and physiological changes because of the, the baby!"

"Oh. You want to spend all day having wild sex with me? I'm fine with that."

She smiled, wiped her eyes. "Yeah, I bet you are," she caustically noted.

"Seriously, Moira. If that's what you need. Wasn't it to be at two o'clock?" He stepped closer. "I will be more than happy to oblige your every, every need. Every craving."

"Okay, John. Thank you."

"Hey, I do what I have to do to keep the pregnant woman happy."

She turned to him finally. He was smiling fondly, love in his brilliant green eyes. Concern. "John." She moved into his arms. Held on tightly. "I'm sorry! I just...there's so much to do and I don't have time and I don't know what to do first and I–"

"No." He kissed her, held her close. "It's all right, Moira. It will be fine, I promise. You don't have to do everything at once, okay? Focus on one project, not five. Haven't I been telling you that over and over?" He kissed her brow, stroking her back, her hair. "Is it any wonder I don't want to leave the city? At this rate with your superpowers you might implode the city if someone looks at you the wrong way."

She laughed softly. "True." She sighed. Met his gaze, pulling back a little. "Sorry. I don't mean to be such a basket case."

"So what else is new? Ow!" he protested as she hit his arm. Smiled. Kissed her. "My Moira." Tenderly ran his thumb over her bruised lip, her cut cheek. "Better now?"

"Yes. Um..." A blush surfaced.

His smile broadened. "Craving? Please, please say it is the sex one. I could really use it."

"You? What else is new?" She tried to move away but he drew her back to his arms.

"I, um, had to tell Weir. You know. About John junior."

"Oh." She wondered at his tone. His use of her last name. Not her first. "It didn't go well?"

"Um, no. Don't you worry, baby. I'll handle it. Nothing's going to touch you."

"Sweetie...do you need a beer?"

He shrugged. "Yeah."

"That bad?"

"Yeah." He kissed her. Checked his watch. "Are we still on schedule? Because if we are we have ten minutes before Sheppard's delight."

She smiled. "Okay, John. I should go apologize to–"

"No. I took care of it. If he berates you again he will answer to me."

"What? Now who is going to implode the city? John! He had every right to complain since I was negligent and kept–"

"It's sorted, Moy. Hush." He kissed her. "See you in ten. Ours. And if that pert little ass of yours is late I will announce John junior on the PA loud and clear."

"Okay, okay, I won't be late!" she agreed, shaking her head.

He smiled. Snatched a handful of fries. "I'll get that beer. You want a lemonade?"

"Yes, please."

"Pink?"

"As always."

"All right." He checked his watch again. "Eight." He snatched some more, smiled at her playful frown. Left quickly.

Moira sighed. Staring fondly after him. Wondered what Elizabeth had said to him. She grabbed the ice cream, the laptop, and headed for her room.