"Secrets and Challenges"

Ch. 22

(Secret Lab)

"Oh, great!" Stacey said. "Now what?"

"You're the scientist, you tell me," John said.

Stacey threw him an angry look.

"Would it kill you to say your sorry every once and a while?" she asked.

"Probably," he said. "Besides, why should I be the one to apologize? You're the one who keeps wanting to beat the crap out of me. Or worse."

Stacey took a deep breathe and bit her tongue to keep her from throwing back and insult. "You know I have no control over my anger when I'm like that," she told him, trying to stay calm.

"Okay, look, if we're going to get out of this lab, we need to talk like adults and settle the most recent fight," John said. "Which, by the way, I have no idea what it's about."

"It's about you being completely oblivious of my feelings toward having some psychotic Ancient in my head," Stacey said.

"Oh, come on, Stace!" he said. "You know I'm not very good at feelings!"

Stacey folded her arms. "Well, you could, at least, try."

"Fine then. Let's hear your feelings," he said.

John sat down at one of the chairs in the lab. Stacey did the same. She took in a deep breathe and her shoulders relaxed. The couple were finally ready to act like adults.

"When Nemesia was first in my head: it was weird. When she spoke; my mouth was moving, but I wasn't saying the words. And when Nemesia had pushed Carson up against the wall, I couldn't stop her," she said and then added softly, "I felt helpless and violated and weak."

John said softly to her, "I'm sorry for the way I acted. I should have taken your feelings into account," he paused and said slowly, "But, you need to remember that I'm military. And I will always think of the military way."

Stacey nodded. "You know, I'm surprised that we don't know any of this. I mean we've been married for so long now."

"You'd think we'd know each other inside and out by now," he nodded in agreement. "So, let's try and make up for all those years we've been apart for our work and get to know one another again."

"Agreed,"

She and John embraced. Once they broke apart the door slide open. John kissed Stacey sweetly and then the two left the lab.

(Ext. Stacey's Quarters)

Stacey stood outside on her balcony drinking some tea that Carson had given her for the queasiness. She closed her eyes and breathed in the nightly sea air deeply. Stacey used her feral sense of smell. She could smell the fires of the Athosians at the Mainland miles and miles away; and the aroma from dinner had filtered through the kitchens and seeped through every room in Atlantis. Stacey took one last drink of her tea and headed inside.

(Int. Stacey's Quarter's)

Stacey would be sleeping alone tonight. John was off-world with Ford and Teyla. She slipped into bed and fell asleep.

During the course of the night, Stacey began to toss back and forth. She was having nightmares again. This was the forth time this week that she's had them. Stacey woke up abruptly in a cols sweat. Breathing heavily she ripped off her covers, put her shoes on and left her quarter's.

To be continued . . .