Authors Note:

WARNING! This chapter contains sexual situations probably creeping up towards an M rating (although personally I think it's still a T+). It also contains FLUFF ... lots and lots of FLUFF!

Chapter 28: It was a great party

Evan guided me out to the dance floor to a spot nicely inconspicuous in the middle of the other dancers. I'd decided on music couples could actually dance to as opposed to music where you just jumped around in front of each other. It had been a nice idea because I thought some people might appreciate the excuse to get a bit closer but now that I was participating personally I discovered it was actually a bit awkward. Major Lorne obviously knew a bit about dancing though because he had us arranged in the appropriate posture before I could blink.

"This is ... odd," I admitted, looking down to him even more than usual because my heels added another inch on top of the height that already had me slightly taller than Evan.

"How so?" Evan guided me quite expertly within the inherent space allotted to each set of dancers on the dance floor.

"Dancing's not really my thing," I admitted. "Probably because I haven't done much of it. You on the other hand seem to be revealing hidden talents here."

"My Mom wanted us to be well rounded," Evan said with an easy smile. "I've done a couple of best man gigs over the years too so having the skill came in handy. Haven't you and Colonel Sheppard danced before?"

"Um ...," I thought hard, trying to remember if we had. "To be honest I can't recall ... which probably means no," I admitted in surprise. "I probably should have danced with him first huh?"

"Maybe," Evan said with a laugh as he led us on a loop that took us close to the edge of the dance floor.

"So who else are you planning on dancing with tonight?" I smiled hopefully, wondering if just this once he might reward me with some inside information of his own.

"Not Teyla if that's what you're asking," Evan didn't give anything away with his tone. "And before you ask, yes I did know she's seeing someone from New Athos and no I'm not heartbroken about it."

"She told you she was seeing someone?" I was actually feeling a bit hurt about that – I thought we were friends and yet Teyla hadn't shared that piece of information with me yet.

"Of course not," Evan reproached. "But she talks about this one guy, Kanaan, an awful lot – not like anyone else she's mentioned amongst her people. Pretty obvious conclusion to be made from that." Evan looked across to me intently, raising an eyebrow as I glanced around the room with a calculated look. Spinning me quickly back to the middle of the dance floor he shook his head ruefully. "Please tell me you weren't casing the room looking for someone else to hook me up with!"

"I would never be that crass," I retorted indignantly. "I was just ... thinking about the possibilities."

"I'm happy the way I am," Evan said with complete seriousness. "You're gonna have to trust me on that."

"Okay," I agreed with a frown. "Just promise me you'll keep yourself open to whatever might come your way."

"Fine," Evan grumbled. "Just don't be 'manufacturing' anything for me and we'll continue to get along."

"So," I looked at him expectantly. "How much did you win?"

"Never you mind," Evan laughed at my disgruntled look, leaning away like he expected some kind of physical retaliation.

"Don't worry Major," I returned loftily. "You just keep your ill gotten profits." I tried to maintain the air of offence but spoiled it when I caught sight of the twinkle of mirth in his eyes and immediately burst out laughing. "John's right," I said once I'd calmed down. "Better you than someone else on base. You realise I'm gonna chalk this one up in the 'you owe me' column right?"

"Because I knew you well enough to know you wouldn't go in for the big planned in advance wedding?" Evan returned with a frown. "That hardly seems fair."

"Tough," I laughed again. "That's just the way it is."

We danced in silence for the rest of the song and then began our walk back to where I'd left John. "Thanks for the dance Evan," I glanced over at him with a smile.

"You're welcome," he smiled at me in return. "I don't think I ever genuinely said congratulations – not properly at least. You and Colonel Sheppard are a good match ... it's pretty obvious he makes you happy. I know what that means to you and I know you'd never take it for granted. And ah ... it's good for everyone to see the two of you so happy."

"Wow," I stopped us just short of the edge of the dance floor and turned to look at the Major. "That's incredibly sweet Evan. Thank you." Before he could move away I leaned in and kissed him on the cheek, laughing when I realised he was almost blushing.

"Are you flirting with my wife Major?" John asked sternly, managing to sneak up on us unexpectedly.

"Um – no Sir," Evan said quickly, stepping back with an uncomfortable look.

"Relax Major," I shook my head at John reproachfully. "He was just joking."

"I was," John agreed in amusement. "I only came over because I decided it was time I danced with my wife ... before anyone else gets the bright idea and beats me to it."

"Let's go then," I grabbed John's hand and moved us both back onto the dance floor, raising a hand to wave at Evan before he was obscured by the other dancers. "I hope you know how to do this because I've just discovered that I have no idea."

"I've got it covered,' John promised. Sweeping me into his arms he turned us quickly in time with the music. I'd thought Major Lorne was a good dancer but John showed him up – he was graceful (in a masculine way of course!), confident and sure, and he made me feel like I was a good dancer too. I lost myself in the music and the pleasure of being with him ... hardly aware as the first song ended and another began. I had a nice little anticipatory buzz going when John abruptly stopped.

"I'm sure you won't mind if I steal your wife away," Jack O'Neill stood behind John, obviously having just tapped him on the shoulder.

"Of course not Sir," John answered respectfully, running a hand down my back before reluctantly stepping aside.

"Don't worry Colonel," Jack promised. "You can have her back soon."

"I wasn't worried Sir," John grinned before turning to look around. "I think I'll go and ask Colonel Carter if she'd like to dance ... just until you get finished here."

I smiled when Jack frowned at that, waiting until John had walked away and we'd started dancing before speaking. "Enjoying the party?"

"It's had its moments," Jack replied, still frowning. "Did he just try to manipulate me?"

"John would never do that," I said serenely. "Why? Do you have something to worry about?"

"Don't you start," Jack warned, his expression unreadable.

"Okay," I agreed in all seriousness, meeting his eyes intently. "Can I just say that Air force regulations entirely suck?"

"You could," Jack agreed, "but I'd have to point out that that in no way applies to me."

"Of course not," I nodded sagely, deciding it would be best to change the subject. "Does Air Force training include dance lessons? Because so far I've been surprised at the skill level on display here."

General O'Neill replied by spinning me around a few times ... I was smiling delightedly as I tried to work out whether that was a yes or a no response. Our dance ended a few moments later and I walked with Jack back to his table. Daniel was sitting in deep conversation with General Landry. John and I had stopped by the 'Earth' table early in the evening of course but it was still as good a place as any to take a break.

"Nice dancing Jack," General Landry teased once we'd sat down.

"You can always get out there and show us your moves Hank," Jack replied complacently.

"Where's Mr Woolsey?" I asked curiously, noticing for the first time that he'd disappeared sometime since my last visit to their table.

"Said he had a headache and retired to his quarters," Daniel replied. "I think he was a little uncomfortable with the social element."

"Sabina," Jack's warning tone stopped me as soon as I opened my mouth to comment.

"What?" I asked innocently. "I was just going to say that I'd have a headache too if I had to put up with the IOA as much as he does."

"I'm sure you were," Jack agreed.

I had my back to the dance floor but I knew as soon as John and Colonel Carter returned just from the expression in Jack's eyes. "Hey," I turned to look up at John with a smile.

"Hey yourself," John slumped down into the seat next to mine with a grin. "Are we almost done here?"

"What about speeches?" Daniel asked with a tone that suggested we'd be breaking some kind of rule if we didn't have any.

"I ah ... we don't need them and I'm sure everyone will thank us for not boring them," I looked to John for support but found him looking at Daniel thoughtfully instead. "John?"

"Daniel's right," John offered. "At the very least we should thank everyone for coming."

"That sounds like you're volunteering," I quipped with a smile. "Off you go then."

"You don't get off that easily," John denied my retreat, reaching down and pulling me to my feet.

Leaning into him I whispered a cheeky rejoinder into his ear. "Maybe not now ... but I hope to later."

John's eyes shot to mine before a faintly sexy grin appearing on his face. "I'll see what I can do," he promised.

There wasn't really a good place to stand for delivering a speech so John headed over to the table where the cake I'd promised General O'Neill had just been placed. Motioning for our resident DJ to cut the music John waited until attention naturally settled on us.

"Don't worry," John quipped once silence reigned. "This isn't the start of a long round of speeches. We do need to hand out a few thank you's though ... and I apologise up front if I forget anyone." John then ran through the people who'd helped us organise and run the reception, including his team and everyone visiting from Earth, finishing with a blanket thank you to everyone for coming. "I have one final personal thank you to deliver," John said, turning slightly so he was facing me. "Thank you to my wife for putting in the effort to organise this party, not an easy task even without her 'love' of parties in general." Several people chuckled at that comment. I thought that'd be it but John continued. "I also have to take this opportunity to publicly thank Sabina for putting up with me ... I'm pretty sure everyone here would appreciate how ... difficult that can be at times, particularly when things don't go according to plan. Although she has paid me back for that on more than one occasion." More laughter resulted while I blushed at the very public declaration John was making. "I appreciate the respect and support our relationship has been given by each and every one of you ... I have absolutely no doubt that I wouldn't be standing here talking to you tonight, and so well adjusted at that, were it not for Sabina."

My eyes actually misted over as John concluded his speech, rounding it off with an exuberant kiss – the bend me over his arm kind – that had everyone cheering. Pulling myself back together I held up a hand until everyone had calmed down enough to hear me.

"I know these days it's usual for both parties to say something," I began. "But after John's very articulate words the only thing that comes to mind is 'what he said' followed closely by 'back at you'," I smiled at John as I said the second one. "I don't want to bring the mood down but ... someone once said to me that it is only in remembering that we truly honour those we have lost. So I'd ask everyone to share a drink, a dance, or a story with our losses in mind ... in that way we can honour the people absent tonight who really should be here." There were smiles and nods at my words which hopefully meant everyone agreed.

"Sabina and I are going to enjoy a piece of this excellent cake and then disappear without a formal goodbye," John finished up for us. "Please stay and enjoy the party as long as you like ... those of you not on duty tomorrow morning of course."

We stepped down to good natured cheering and laughter, making our way back to our own table where desert awaited. The cake was sublime which hopefully meant I'd lived up to my promise with General O'Neill. John and I took a moment, holding up our glasses to toast.

"To Carson, Elizabeth, Kate, Caritas and the other Ancients," I said softly, clinking my glass to his.

"To Sumner, Ford, Grodin, and every lost service man," John replied, clinking his glass to mine.

We each sipped once, looking around the room and seeing other people doing the same.

"Are you ready to call it a night Mrs Sheppard?" John asked with a twinkle in his eyes.

"Yes I am Mr Sheppard," I held out a hand, letting John pull me into his side, an arm placed firmly around my shoulders.

oOo

"It was a great party," John complimented once we'd made our way back to our quarters.

"I thought so too," I sank down to sit on our bed with a relieved sigh. "Don't get me wrong, it was great and necessary and exactly what I wanted in the end but ... I'm glad it's over."

"Me too," John knelt on the floor and lifted my dress slightly so he could take off my shoes. "I've spent the whole night drinking in the sight of you in this dress and now I feel completely intoxicated." John smoothed his hands up my legs under my dress until he could span his hands around my waist. Pulling me into him sharply he pressed his face into my midsection, breathing hotly through the dress fabric until I shivered at the sensation. "Did I mention how much I love this dress?"

"Ye -es," I drew out the word until it sounded like it had multiple syllables. "I wore it just for you."

"I know," John smiled a wild sexy grin up at me, "and I really appreciate it." And then he proceeded to show me how much, making good on his promise by taking me over the edge almost before I could get in a proper breath. As always, his every move spoke to me at the deepest level – in his arms I truly did feel beautiful and special beyond anything I'd ever known. I could only hope that I gave him something approximating that in return.

John paused once he'd gotten us to the point of the most intimate of connections. Looking into my eyes he practically shook with the effort of keeping himself in check. "Sabina ...,"

"Now," I urged him, pulling him firmly down and into me. "Let go John ... give me everything."

It was hard and wild and wonderful ... and over in who knows how long ... I'd completely lost track of everything but John and the way he made me feel so I couldn't have told you if it was a minute or an hour. John never let himself lose control outside of the bedroom; he couldn't and do his job properly. I had control issues of my own of course and it occurred to me that that was part of what we gave each other. A safe place and a person we could feel completely comfortable giving up our control to.

We'd been quietly snuggling together for some time afterwards before I spoke. "Thank you ... for what you said at the party," I said softly into the darkness.

"Well, I would have told everyone I love you madly if I didn't think it would have embarrassed you too much," John admitted, squeezing me tight.

"I love you too," I whispered without hesitation. Curling into John's side with a sleepy yawn, I felt at once happy and content ... and exactly where I belonged.

oOo

Our guests stayed for a few hours the next day before heading back home via Midway. I'd had a chance to catch up with Daniel a bit more ... he was close to finding the Alteran Ark and frustrated that Earth continued to grapple with the Ori with little defence against their ships. No matter when he found it, it wouldn't be soon enough to satisfy him.

When their departure time rolled around, I stood with John and watched Sam farewell her friends. It had been hard for us to accept a new leader but for the first time I appreciated how difficult it had been for her too. Coming here and leaving behind everything and everyone she was familiar with, going from being the 'senior' person who knew the entire game back to the start ... having to earn that place back again. It was a tough ask and Sam had been doing it without even a hint of complaint or stress.

Jack was the last to step through the gate, turning to glance at Sam with a serious, unreadable expression before he disappeared and the wormhole closed behind him. John had to return to duty so he took his leave with a wave thrown my way as he exited the Gateroom. I stayed with Sam as she stood for a few moments in front of the empty Stargate.

"It must be hard," I said softly.

"Mmm?" Sam looked at me with a questioning look.

"Being separated from the people you care about," I clarified simply. "Makes me realise over and over again how lucky I am to be stationed here with John."

"The team dynamic changed when we finally defeated the Goa'uld," Sam commented sadly.

"When Jack got promoted," I thought but didn't say aloud.

"Teal'c spends a lot of time on Jaffa council matters these days," Sam continued. "He would have been here this time if not for his responsibilities to them."

"And General O'Neill's in Washington," I offered when she fell silent. She looked at me and I looked calmly back, letting her know I was aware of her feelings in that direction, that I appreciated how difficult it must be for her ... that I understood. And then she smiled.

"There is that," she said it lightly, still smiling. "Thanks for turning your reception into a full scale intergalatic Atlantis event Sabina. I think everyone benefited from the chance to socialise and relax."

"You're welcome Sam," I returned with a smile of my own.

Author's Note:

Next Up? The Other Side of the Story Chapter 6