Disclaimer: I'm only going to say this once: I don't own any of the characters and I'm not making money off of doing this. This is simply for fun.
Note: I will be incommunicado for a couple of weeks so I won't be posting for a while. But here's another chapter! Enjoy!
Present Day (December 17th 2008)
After Evan and Elizabeth have left for the night, John and Ronon are sitting out on the balcony watching the San Francisco city lights. It has been a regular routine for them after poker night that Ronon spend the night at John's to avoid going home drunk. Drinking their beers and talking about upcoming wedding and some more.
Ronon asks John "Dude, did it ever crossed your mind that Torren is your son?"
John chokes at his question. "No. Why?"
"I dunno, just a thought." Ronon says as he throws a peanut shell over the railing.
"Nah. Can't be mine. Teyla had him in early November, That means he was conceived in February. I was in New York around that time." John explains.
Ronon just nods, then cautiously asks. "Knowing that Torren isn't your son," He clears his throat. "would you, I mean, would you ever consider…" He falters.
"What?" John presses "Spit it out."
"It's just that, when I had dinner with Teyla when I was in San Diego… well my point is that I think she's still in love with you, John." Ronon finally says.
"Did she tell you that?" John asks quietly.
"No. she didn't have to." Ronon tells him. "I could see it in her eyes, her voice. She regrets running away from you."
"I'll believe it when I see it." John says.
Flashback two weeks before Prom Night (Friday, April 28th 2000):
John, Ronon and Jennifer are walking towards the central fountain where, Rodney, Radek, Elizabeth, Carson, and Teyla are sitting. Ronon elbows John to make his move, going unnoticed by Jennifer. As they near the group, everyone moves a little to give some space. Jennifer sits on the fountain ledge while Ronon sits by her feet, unconsciously playing with the folds on her sock.
"Okay, so the reason why I called this meeting is because Radek here has made a suggestion a few weeks ago, which I talked about with you guys last week at the meeting." Elizabeth says. "Now I know that this is going to be a stretch for us. But I think that Radek made a good point. Dean Woolsey is actually considering it, and will be bringing it up at the next school board meeting."
"I seriously don't know where you come up with these things Radek." Rodney begins. "There's a reason why it's called the elite program."
"What are you scared of, Rodney? That a freshman could be smarter than you?" John interjects.
"No. Of course not." Rodney says defensively.
"Well, you've been out-voted Rodney." Elizabeth states. "It's now up to the school board."
"All this talk is boring me." Ronon says as he tilts his head back to lean on Jennifer's skirt-covered thigh as she plays with one of his dreads. "Let's talk about something else.
"Yeah, lets." John agrees. "You got a date yet, Liz?" He asks as he subtly steers the conversation towards dates at the prom.
"Yes, of course I do." Elizabeth answers with a smile.
"Oh, jeez, don't tell us it's that Simon guy from Asura High." Rodney mutters
"So what if it's him." Elizabeth asks, her eyes narrowed. "I don't see why you guys don't like him."
"He's from Asura." Rodney replies. "And we just don't see you guys together."
"Yeah, seems like there's something up his ass, like a sti - ow!" John yelps as Teyla backhands him.
"At least she has a date." Teyla comments. "Doesn't say much about you guys."
"And you have one?" John asks her as he silently prays she doesn't.
"Yes. Kanaan. He said he was coming down to visit just to take me to prom." She answers quietly.
"Oh." John says, and then looks at Ronon who's looking at him from the corner of his eyes while he pretends to listen to Jennifer's quiet tutoring. The group has gone quiet for a few minutes. Laura Cadman and Marie Ko walk by the group, completely engrossed in their conversation.
Carson stares after Laura's fiery hair then turns to look at Rodney. "So, why haven't ye asked her yet?" He hisses.
"I did. We did." Rodney exclaims, as he indicates both himself and Radek.
"And?" Carson asks.
"She's already going to the prom with Terrence Bates."
"What?" Carson asks incredulously.
"Hey, he asked first. It's not like I didn't try." Rodney says defensively.
"But if you had asked her as soon as I asked Katie…" Carson begins to say.
"Hey, what's going on?" Elizabeth asks them both.
"Rodney here…" Carson starts to reply as Rodney's trying to cover his mouth not to say a word. Carson just pushes him away. "Rodney here, thought that it would be a good idea for me to ask Katie to the prom, while he goes and asks Laura Cadman. I succeeded, and he didn't."
"Hahaha!" John laughs out loud. "Is that what you were doing with Radek out by the football field the last week?"
"Ye already asked her and she already told ye 'no' last week and ye didn't even bother telling me?" Carson yells at Rodney.
"I told you not to bring me into this. I don't want to go to prom in the first place!" Radek tells Rodney at the same time.
Rodney's covering his ears trying to block the sounds they're making. As they keep yelling at Rodney, Teyla and Elizabeth just shake their heads. Someone calls out to Teyla, when she turns around she sees that it's her best friend Kate. Waving at her, she says bye to her friends and runs towards her friend, linking their arms together, they walk in the direction of the dance studio. Elizabeth gets up from where she's sitting and then turns to look at Jennifer.
"Jennifer, there's something that I think you could help me with. Do you have time right now?" Elizabeth asks her.
Jennifer turns to Ronon and says "After class?" And he nods yes. Before standing up, she bends down to kiss him on the cheek. He smiles at her and squeezes her hand. Ronon watches her walk away with Elizabeth then looks at John.
"Hey buddy. You okay?" Ronon asks. John just nods as he's still watching the retreating forms of Teyla and Kate. "Ya know, Kanaan's a bit of a flake. He may not even be able to make it at prom."
"I'm not gonna hold my breath." John says.
Back to the present:
"I'm just saying, man. I think that it's about time you and Teyla fix this whole thing." Ronon says. "You're both my best friends and I'm just sick of having to watch what I say around both of you. It's just too hard to be best friends with you both when you can't even get along."
"I duuno, buddy. I wasn't the one who ran away. I didn't push her out of my life." John told him. "She's the one calling all the shots."
"Just think about it. The wedding is coming up. I suggest that you don't bring a date." Ronon says.
"I'm not gonna hold my breath." John replies.