"Secrets and Challenges"

Ch. 31

(Atlantis, Gym)

Stacey and Teyla circled around the middle of the room. John and Daniel leaned against the wall, watching the two women. The women outstretched their weapons and began fighting one another. As they spared, the men began to talk.

"So, how's Stacey doing? Since she can't heal during her pregnancy, it must be driving her nuts," Daniel said to John.

"In the beginning of the pregnancy she couldn't stand not using her abilities. But, according to Carson, the baby will have the ability to heal as well," John said.

"Like Allison," Daniel nodded.

"What?" John blinked. "Allison has the healing thing?"

"Yeah, and the ATA gene, too," Daniel informed him. There was a light pause before Daniel asked, "Stacey can heal now; with the baby?"

"Yup,"

They went silent as they turned their heads to watch the woman spare.

(Prometheus, Bridge)

John and Stacey stepped onto the bridge of the Prometheus.

"Welcome aboard, Major Sheppard to the Prometheus," General Hammond greeted.

"Thank you, sir," John said.

"We've come to rescue you from the dullness of the night shift, General," Stacey said.

General Hammond got out of his chair and went to meet them.

"It's greatly appreciated, Dr. Grayson," Hammond said.

John and Hammond extended one of their arms. Stacey wrapped both of her arms around each man's extended arms. With Stacey in the middle, the three stepped out of the bridge.

"So, where are we going?" General Hammond asked.

"To a little Athosian Welcoming Party," John answered.

(Mainland, Athosian Village)

There was large bomb fire set on the sands of one of the beaches. Half a mile from the sand, there were a series of smaller fires made for cooking the food. General Hammond, Stacey, and John met up with Teyla and Halling.

"Thank you, Halling for this warm reception," General Hammond gave a slight bow.

"It is my pleasure, General Hammond," Halling said, returning him a polite bow.

"Where is Dr. Jackson?" Teyla asked.

"Be damned if I know," Stacey answered, shrugging.

"Since we've arrived here, a week ago, Dr. Jackson hasn't taken his attention away from any of the technology the Atlantis Expedition has found," Hammond told Teyla.

"It's good to know some things don't change," Stacey said to him, smiling. She turned her attention back on Halling and asked, "Where's the food? I'm starving!"

John rolled his eyes. Hammond caught a glance at him.

"Pregnant women," John sighing, as Halling and Teyla led the way to the food.

"It only gets worse, Major," Hammond muttered as they walked. "Hang in there." He patted John on the shoulder.

"I'm doing the best I can, General," John muttered as Hammond walked ahead of him to meet up with Teyla.

Stacey went over to her husband and clung on his arm.

"I heard that, you know?" she whispered.

"You and that damned feral hearing," he whispered back.

Stacey looked up at him and smirked.

"Daniel and Jack can't stand that either," she said.

"Jack?" John asked. "As in General O' Neill?"

"Of course," she said. "Daniel and I are civilian. We get to call him by his first name."

"Lucky you," the tone in John's voice was sarcastic.

"What's up with you?" Stacey asked him, letting go of his arm. "Ever since the Prometheus arrived, you've gotten attitude."

"I have not. It's just that if you're not on shift or sparing with Teyla, you're with Dr. Jackson all the time," John said.

"Because I haven't seen my best friend in over a year!" Stacey busted out.

The other's turned around and watched the argument unfold.

"Are you sure he's more than a best friend to you?" John stopped walking.

"What! Oh, my god, John !" Stacey shouted. "I don't believe this!"

"The rumors that Dr. Jackson mentioned last week, were there any truth to them, at all?" John asked, clearly and firmly.

"No," she answered, firmly.

General Hammond motioned Teyla and Halling.

"We'll meet you there, Major," he said to Sheppard and added to Stacey, "Take your time, Doctor," Hammond turned to the two Athosians, "Let's leave them to their business."

Sheppard and Stacey looked at one another. Stacey began to calm down. All this arguing was not could for the baby.

"Daniel was the one at the SGC who helped me. When I was assigned, his wife had just died," Stacey said. "That was also around when our marriage began to quake."

"What are you getting at?" John asked.

"We both helped one another out during our hard times," She explained. "Daniel was the one who talked me out of filling for a Divorce."

With that, she left to catch up with the General. While she left John to his thoughts.

To be continued . . .