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'm sorry that I took so long to update. I've been pretty busy with the holidays and all. So now I'm back on the saddle again. This chapter happens on the same time as chapter 31, just to be clear.
Present Day (February 16, 2009, The Riviera):
"Wow! This place is beautiful." Teyla says as their rented stretched Hummer pulls up to the driveway of the Riviera. All the women get out of the vehicle and step onto the pavement. A very long line of people stand along the glass wall of the building all dressed to the hilt.
"The line is sooo long!" Laura complains. "How the hell are we gonna get in?"
"I think I just heard them say that the cover charge is fifty bucks." Patty says.
"Don't worry ladies. We don't need to get in line." Jennifer says. "Made arrangements with the manager a few weeks ago."
"What kind of arrangement?" Laura asks.
"I gave him season tickets to the chargers' game." She replies. "So we are on the list."
"I knew there was a reason for me not to accept the Maid of Honour's position." Laura says excitedly as they walk up to the front of the line. Jennifer gives their names to the bouncer and he let's them walk through the double glass doors.
"Jesus Christ!" Laura exclaims. "Is that chandelier made of bones?"
"No. I don't think so." Marie says. "It looks like it though."
"How awesome is that?" Laura says, still looking up at the white chandelier.
"Okay, so where to?" Teyla says.
"I met two of the bartenders here when I made arrangements." Jennifer says. "They suggested that we go to the bikini bar by the poolside."
They all walk towards the back of the building, looking at all the surroundings. "Holy shit!" Laura says. "Now this I love." Pointing at a red chandelier located at the exit leading to the pool area. "I would love to put that in my bedroom."
"Sexy!" Marie exclaims. And they all giggle.
"Now this is a place I could get used to." Laura says over the loud music. As they walk around the pool area to head over to the open bar. Cabanas with comfortable looking couches line up the side. Lounges all around the swimming pool. And ottomans scattered around the open bar.
"All the cabanas are full-" Teyla says.
"There are two tables right there!" Katie says, pointing at two round tables and just a few chairs. Laura quickly walks over to grab them.
As they all settle in and drop their purses on the tables, Jennifer says "I'll get the drinks, Laura, want to help me?" turning to the redhead.
"Yeah, sure."
"I'll help, too." Teyla volunteers.
"Marie, are you having Vodka Cran?"
'Yes, please. Also a round of shots."
"What kind?" Laura asks.
"Oh, I dunno. You decide."
"Patty?" Jennifer asks.
"I'll have a cosmo." Patty answers.
"Oh, make that two." Katie says.
"Three." Jamie, Evan's sister says.
"Three cosmos, a Vodka Cran and Liz, water? Soda?" Jennifer asks.
"Just water, thanks!" Elizabeth answers.
"And seven shots." Laura says to finish off.
"Make it eight." Marie says uncomfortably.
"Eight?" Teyla repeats questioningly while Jennifer silently does a headcount and skips Elizabeth, still coming up with seven.
"Getting pre-wedding jitters already, sweetie?" Laura asks mischievously.
"It's not for me."
"Then who?" Laura asks.
"Um, it's for someone else." Looking warily at Teyla. Teyla notices this and quirks one of her eyebrows. Jennifer widens her eyes knowingly then just pulls her away and walks towards the bar.
"What was that all about?" Laura asks.
"Um-" Jennifer begins. Trying to find the words to say. "I never really knew about… well, okay, I guess I should give you a heads up." She says to Teyla. "I only found out from Evan about, well what happened a few years ago-"
"What happened?" Teyla asks, stilll unsure of what she's talking about.
"Long story short, Kate Heightmeyer is coming to the wedding and tonight's party." Jennifer says in one breath as Teyla keeps silent as she absorbs the information. Laura is looking from Jennifer and Teyla as they stand behind a group of girls grabbing their drinks at the bar.
Teyla clears her throat. "It's not my wedding anyway, and besides, it's been years. Kanaan's gone and we've all made our mistakes, right?" Teyla says. Both girls nod their head yes. She turns to the bar and turns around again to face Jennifer and Laura. "I really don't want to be alone with her or talk to her." She looks at them pleadingly.
"Don't worry. We've got your back." Laura says.
"Hey if it gets too uncomfortable, um, just pat the top of your head." Jennifer says. "A signal. And then we'll rescue you and leave or something."
"Okay, thanks so much." Teyla says.
They turn back to the bar and Laura orders a rum and coke, while Jennifer gets a Midori sour and Teyla asks for a chocolate martini. Then Jennifer proceeds to order the other drinks and shots.
They walk back to their table and see that Kate has already arrived, talking to Elizabeth and congratulating her. Marie looks at Teyla apologetically. She gets up and whispers to Teyla. "I am so sorry. Evan and Kate's family have been friends since they were little. If it were up to me, I would not have invited her."
"It's okay. Really." Teyla says. "It's not your fault. It isn't anyone's fault actually."
Kate finally looks up from talking to Elizabeth and freezes when she sees Teyla. A blush forming on her cheeks. Teyla just looks away, hiding the hurt and anger in her eyes.
Flashback to November 9, 2006 (The day after Torren was born):
From her hospital bed, cradling her newborn son, she hears her mother talking to someone.
"I'm sorry sweetie. She just doesn't want to see anyone right now. She's tired. She lost a lot of blood yesterday and the doctor said that she needs to rest." Tagan Emmagan says.
"Well, can you at least give her these? Please?" The voice says desperately. "I'm so sorry to hear that she had such a difficult time with the labor."
"Well I'll be sure to tell her that."
"Thanks."
Tagan enters her room with a bouquet of flowers and diapers encased in a giant baby's bottle. "That was Kate."
"I know." Teyla says without emotion.
"I think you should talk to her."
"Well I don't think so."
"You need friends right now."
"I have you and daddy."
"Yes, but it's also different." Tagan says as she sets the presents down on a long console on the opposite side of the bed. She lightly brushes the top of Torrens head as she walks past them. Gently closing the door to the room as she leaves Teyla and the baby in privacy.
Teyla looks down at her son and whispers softly to him. "It's just you and me now. Torren… John."
Back to the Present:
As they finish downing all their shots, Teyla is surprised to see Kate standing behind her when she taps her lightly on her shoulder. "Can we talk? Please." Saying please a little louder.
With everyone at their tables looking at them plus some more spectators from the nearby tables, Teyla nods yes, not wanting to cause a scene. She looks from Jennifer to Laura. Jennifer pats her own head to remind her of the signal. Teyla nods in recognition and then walks towards the path leading to the men's restroom, which is more secluded but still visible to Jennifer and Laura.
Before Teyla can say anything, Kate jumps right in and says "I'm really sorry. I should have told you."
"Yes you should have." Teyla says icily.
Struck by the iciness in Teyla's voice, Kate retorts "It's not like you didn't make a mistake either.
Teyla's eyebrows drew together at that, Kate suddenly realizes her mistake and tries to immediately take it back, but not before Teyla holds up her hand and says "Yes, I made a mistake, too. But not before you did."
"How d-" Kate begins, but is cut off.
"I had a feeling. Halloween, right? Before we graduated." Kate nods. "Somebody told me that they saw you making out in one of the guestrooms in John's house. Said that they walked in on you."
"Why didn't you say anything?" Kate asks her.
"Because you were my bestfriend. And I would've taken your side any time of day." Teyla tells her with a hitch in her throat.
"I'm so sorry." Kate says as she turns her head away.
"You know, I wasn't really upset that Kanaan cheated on me. I was more upset at the fact that YOU were the one he cheated with. You always knew that I never loved him. And that should have given you enough reason to tell me what had happened between you two. If you had told me, then maybe none of this would have happened." Teyla continues to say. "And maybe, just maybe, John and I would have worked things out."
Quietly, Kate adds. "And maybe, Kanaan would be alive today."
Teyla sees a few tears streaming down Kate's cheeks so she gently says. "I'm sorry he's gone. I really am. And It's too bad that we couldn't be honest with each other from the very beginning."
And then looking at Teyla once again. "Kanaan's parents told me about what happened when you visited them. Can you ever forgive me? Can we still fix our friendship?"
"I can forgive you. Actually, I've already forgiven you." And then sighing heavily. "But I don't think that we can ever be friends again. At least not like the way we were before." Teyla says as she turns to leave.
Walking back to the group, she takes a seat beside Jennifer. Jennifer looks at her and asks "You okay?" Laura leans over Jennifer to hear Teyla's reply.
"Yes. I am fine." She says with a small smile.
"Good." Laura says. Then plopping down a shot of Jaeger bomb in front of Teyla she says mischievously "So down this mother fucker!"
TBC.
Note: I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I will update as soon as I can. I haven't seen the last episode yet. It's in my DVR. And it makes me sad everytime I look at my DVR list. I feel like if I watch it, it's gonna be the end of it all, inspite of the movies that will be coming out. It just makes it seem so final. On a lighter note: I saw that they have advertised Stargate Universe on SciFi already. I got so excited when I first saw it. I can't wait for it!