Chapter 37: That must have been a sight
I'd checked out Rodney's very pretty human form Replicator ... he insisted he'd had nothing to do with her looks ... and was finishing up an exercise session in the gym late in the evening when I found out John was back. It was John himself who announced his return when he strode into the gym about two hours after I'd spoken with Sam.
"You're back," I smiled in relief. John swiped the door closed without even saying hello and then turned to me with an expression of intent seriousness.
"Did you know Teyla was pregnant?" he asked in a low, even tone. My insides lurched in reaction ... he was angry ... I'd known he would be but I hadn't made the connection that it wouldn't just be at Teyla - that it would extend to me as well.
"Yes," I went for stark honesty, getting up and moving towards him - only stopping when I was a step away. "Not because she told me though, and only for sure since this morning."
"And you let me take her on such a dangerous mission?!" John glared at me angrily. "She was stunned by the Wraith today! Who knows what that could do to a baby?!"
"I thought about telling you," I admitted, "but I'd promised I wouldn't because I thought Teyla should tell you herself. I urged her to do it when I spoke to her this morning because I knew you'd be upset."
"You should have said something," John insisted irritably.
"I only had suspicions until today," I countered earnestly, trying not to get upset at John's continued annoyance.
"You still could have warned me!" John replied, turning away and running an agitated hand through his hair.
"Could I?" I started to get annoyed myself. "Would you break a confidence like that?"
"I needed to know Teyla's situation," John frowned at my question as he tried to explain his reasoning.
"Yes you did," I agreed calmly. "But not from me. Look, people tell me stuff sometimes and they have to trust that I'll listen without fearing that I'll pass on what I hear to you. I know most people just come to you or Sam when they need something but for everyone else I'm the only voice they have."
"I'm sorry - you're right," John's expression lightened suddenly as he registered what I'd said. "I guess I'm angry that Teyla's known for two months and never said anything. I took her off active duty," John walked over to one of the benches and slumped down on it, rubbing a hand over his face tiredly. "When I think about all the missions we've been on during that time ... all the times she could have been hurt. I can't be responsible for something happening to her or the baby and clearly she hasn't been thinking about the risks."
"She wants to find her people," I sat on the floor next to him and leaned my back against his seat.
"I know that," John insisted. "We all want to find the Athosians, but putting herself at risk right now isn't the way to do it."
"I agree with your decision," I looked up at him calmly. "I know Teyla will be upset but she hasn't had the chance to appreciate what she's been given because she's been so consumed with her concern for her people. This way maybe you won't have to protect her so much because she'll want to do it for herself. It's not like you're saying she can't leave the city at all."
"Just promise me one thing," John put a hand on my shoulder, his eyes intent on mine. "If you ever suspect, if there's even just a hint that you're pregnant, you tell me immediately. No waiting until you're sure, or until the timing's right, nothing like that. Okay?"
"Of course," I agreed easily. John nodded wordlessly, squeezing my shoulder firmly before dragging himself back to his feet.
"I have to fill Colonel Carter in on our mission," he explained. I was surprised he'd come to me first ... he really must have been angry with Teyla to put that ahead of the current plan. "I'll fill you in later too."
"Okay, see you in the Mess for dinner?" I asked.
"I'll find you when I can," John replied, raising a hand before heading out the door.
I watched him go, thinking about change. Things would be different for his team with Teyla inactive. I wasn't sure how they'd handle it, especially given her calming influence and her knack with the people they encountered on their missions. Only time would tell.
oOo
I didn't find out until later that night at dinner that John had come in contact with our old friend Larrin while he'd been out there, that she was the reason they'd been late.
"I can't believe you neglected to mention that before!" I said irritably, keeping my voice low so the few remaining people in the Mess Hall wouldn't overhear.
"I was distracted," John gave that lame excuse. "Besides, it wasn't like last time. Although she did tie me up again." Seeing my incredulous expression John quickly backpedalled. "But only for a little while and she didn't have any goons this time."
"Well that makes it all better then," I said snidely. "How come she can't just say hello like a normal person?!"
"Trust isn't their strong suit," John acknowledged. "Look, we got more ships so it was worth the less than friendly reception."
"I suppose," I shook my head at where we found ourselves – allies to the Wraith and the Travellers. No wonder everyone was walking around in a perpetual state of worry!
"She'll be here in a few days," John added, holding up a hand before I could make any remarks about revealing our location to another less than trustworthy person. "I had to give her that in order to get those ships. Larrin won't give away our position – they don't share information with anyone, no matter what the reason."
"I hope you're right," I returned grimly.
oOo
The next few days were a welcome respite from the busy time we'd had beforehand. Now that the Replicator ships were all in the one place all the missions to move settlements weren't needed and we'd decided to hold off on returning people to their homes until we'd succeeded in destroying the Replicators.
I'd gotten John to agree that I could meet Larrin when she arrived and escort her to the Conference Room. The meeting was going to be Colonel's only, plus the Wraith and Rodney of course. I was waiting in the Gateroom when the Daedalus beamed Larrin down, and I couldn't help but smile when her face dropped as she caught sight of me.
"Mrs Sheppard," Larrin said snidely.
"Now that we're allies you can call me Sabina," I invited, not missing her look of distaste.
"We're not allies," Larrin denied. "We're just helping out this time because getting rid of these Replicators will benefit everyone."
"That's really generous," I motioned for her to follow me as I led the way up the stairs to the Conference Room.
"Yeah, well don't get used to it," Larrin returned. She might have got that disdainful facade down but I could tell from the way she was glancing around that she was impressed with what she could see. They had an Ancient ship of course but it was nothing compared to the scale of Atlantis.
"John told me what happened when you met up," my words drew her attention back to me. "Did you have to tie him up?"
"Didn't want him getting any ideas," Larrin retorted. "He wasn't exactly cooperative last time."
"Be thankful we don't operate that way," I said seriously. I don't know what she would have said in reply because we arrived at our destination. "John and the others are waiting for you," I said, motioning her through one of the gaps in the open panels. Acknowledging Sam's thanks, I threw a quick wave at John and then headed back down the stairs.
All the high level meetings were starting to get to me – even with John telling me most of what happened later. I could only imagine how much worse it was for everyone else witnessing the goings on and waiting in vain for something formal to be announced.
That's why it was such a relief to everyone when Sam made an all city announcement before our ships headed out.
"May I have your attention," Colonel Carter began. "In just a few hours the Daedalus and Apollo will be joined by seven Hive and six Traveller ships, including an Ancient Aurora class vessel. Our armada will travel to the Replicator planet to hold off the Replicator ships while Doctor McKay activates the changes to their programming which will hopefully see them all destroyed. I will be on the Daedalus. Colonel Sheppard will be operating the Ancient weapons platform on the Traveller ship. In our absence Major Lorne will be in charge of the military and Teyla all other aspects of the city. Thank you."
oOo
"Did I mention how much I hate waiting?" I asked John. Everything was set so we were taking the opportunity for some alone time in our quarters before he had to leave.
"I've lost count," John quipped, pulling me back down to lie beside him. "It'll be fine."
"I wish I was going with you," I said weakly. I'd tried to come up with a reason why I needed to be on the mission because it was essential personnel only but in the end I just didn't have anything. It was unlikely they'd need something translated and Rodney had taken the Replicator programming to a different place than where my expertise lay. "I really want to see the Replicators turn into one big blob."
"I'll take a picture," John joked, wincing when I punched his arm lightly in retaliation. "Look, I'm not denying this is a dangerous endeavour. That's why I'm not disappointed you're staying here this time, much as I know you'd rather be with me."
"It's not that I don't understand all that," I explained, sitting up next to him with crossed legs. "I know how important this is for everyone. It's big ... too big to be sitting around here wondering how it's all going. Hence my first statement – I hate waiting."
"You'll just have to be brave," John replied with a shrug. "I've only got a couple of hours until I have to head out ... I'm sure this isn't how you'd like to be spending them."
Throwing myself down on top of him was all the answer he needed. I wouldn't say that our efforts were any difference since our conversation about babies, but leaving something so enormous up to chance made me feel just a tiny bit reckless. It was quite a shift in psychology to go from doing everything possible to avoid an event to crossing my fingers hoping for it. And wasn't that an embarrassment in itself because of course Doctor Keller knew all about who had what prescriptions so I'd had to admit when I didn't go back to fill mine the reason for that.
Our two hours were up too quickly. I watched from the bed as John got dressed, deciding I'd say my goodbye there instead of in the Gateroom where he'd be beaming up from. Once they got to the first rendezvous point he'd be beamed over to Larrin's ship to travel through hyperspace to the Replicator home world.
"We'll send word as soon as it's all done," John promised. "I know it'll be hard to just go about your business here but that's what I need you to do."
"Business as usual," I agreed with a deliberate smile. "You be careful ... and make sure Larrin knows up front that she doesn't get to keep you for her ship."
"I think she already knows that," John said with a laugh. Coming over to the bed he leant down cupped my face with one hand, kissing me lightly, and then again more firmly. "I love you," he ran his thumb softly down my cheek before kissing me a third time. Retreating reluctantly he headed for the door.
"John," I called to him before he could open the door. When he turned back with a raised brow I smiled. "I love you too."
And then he was gone. I did what he said, went about my usual daily routine, knowing it would take the fleet a day to get into position, however long it took to enact the plan, and then another day to get back to Atlantis.
The waiting was intolerable but it's not like any of us had any choice. I spent more time than usual with Teyla, both of us used to being part of the action.
"Are you angry with John?" I asked her the first time I saw her after the fleet had left.
"About what?" Teyla asked serenely.
"About taking you off the team," I clarified. "From the way he described it, he wasn't exactly gracious about it. He probably never even congratulated you."
"He was angry and rightfully so," Teyla replied. "I should not have left it so long to tell them I was carrying a child. It is only in the past few days that I have come to appreciate the risks I have taken without thought to my baby."
"I can understand why you wouldn't have thought about it though," I told her. "It was unexpected news in the middle of a difficult time."
"Having this child will force many changes," Teyla admitted.
"Yeah, but some of them only in the short term," I pointed out. "I can't see why you wouldn't rejoin John's team after the baby's born – once you feel ready. He said you were off the active duty list, not off the team."
"To be honest I have no idea how I will feel when the time comes," Teyla replied.
"You should start thinking about the things you'll need for the baby," I said with a smile. "Plus on Earth it's kinda traditional to have some sort of baby party before the baby arrives. I don't know much about it though." I paused to think and then grinned. "I know – let's go see Jennifer. She should know all about it."
Jennifer proved to be a font of information about babies in general but knew nothing about baby showers. Amongst the nurses though there was plenty of experience and we soon had a plan for when we'd have the shower and an idea of what to do. Teyla seemed amused by my enthusiasm but touched as well that everyone was so excited for her.
oOo
When we received the subspace communication telling us the Replicator's had been destroyed and all our people were safe an atmosphere of relief fed down through the city. And then we all really were going about our usual routines instead of just pretending we could.
It was almost evening before the Daedalus arrived back first from the rendezvous point, quickly beaming down our people including Colonel Carter and Rodney.
Sam immediately disappeared into her office with Major Lorne and Teyla for an update on what had been happening while she'd been away. Rodney was back at work in the Control Room almost the minute after he beamed down.
"So your plan worked just as you thought it would?" I asked, sitting at the console next to him as he tapped away.
"Not exactly," Rodney admitted. "Fran worked like a charm but the mass took out the power grid before we could overload the ZPMs. Instead we had to dial up the connectivity and take advantage of the high concentration of neutronium in the planets crust. The combined mass sank all the way to the core and imploded. We didn't hang around to check but it should have destroyed the entire planet."
"So that's like ten planets you've destroyed now?" I teased.
"This time completely necessary," Rodney returned without taking offense, still glowing with the success of his genius.
"You did good," I told him simply. "Any idea when John will get here?"
"They've made orbit," Rodney replied. "The Apollo should be beaming him down any second now."
It was more like five seconds later when the glowy light of an incoming beam appeared on the balcony across from us.
"John!" I jumped up excitedly, hurrying over for a heartfelt welcome home hug. John grinned, happy to see me and pleased because he could see how happy I was he was back.
"Hey," he squeezed me hard enough to lift my feet of the ground before putting me down and turning to Rodney.
"Welcome back," Rodney said simply.
"Good to be back," John returned, keeping one arm around me. "Didn't you get back a few minutes ago yourself? What are you working on already?
"Well, you'd be surprised to hear that removing a planet from the database is actually a lot of work," Rodney explained.
"I thought you'd be pretty good at that by now," John suggested teasingly.
"You really just can't resist bringing up the fact that I once accidentally destroyed a couple of planets, can you?" Rodney asked irritably, unable to ignore John's teasing like he'd ignored mine.
"It was an entire solar system," John persisted while I struggled not to laugh openly.
Rodney shook his head, resigned to never hearing the end of that one. Glancing back at his work he waved a hand at his laptop. "You wanna do the honours?"
"No, go ahead," John replied.
"All right," Rodney looked at the big view screen where he had the Replicator planet on display. "M7R-227, you were a constant pain in the ass. It's good to see you go."
Rodney pressed the Enter key on his laptop. We all watched as on the screen the dot that had been M7R-227 beeped. The planet designation disappeared one letter at a time and then the dot flashed out of existence.
"If only it was that easy in real life," John quipped.
"Mmm. Area 51's working on it," Rodney returned. "You guys wanna get a late dinner?"
"Absolutely," John returned.
"Then you can tell me all the details that won't make it into the reports," I added with a mischievous grin.
oOo
I waited until John and I were alone in our quarters before trying to find out how he really felt about the mission.
"Should we be worried that the Wraith never went to the rendezvous point?" I asked.
"I don't know," John frowned. "They had plenty of time to get clear before the explosion. Maybe our Wraith friend decided they'd had enough of being our allies."
"What about the Travellers - how'd it go on Larrin's ship?" I asked curiously, throwing myself down to sit on our bed.
"I was really only there for the battle," John replied. "Spent the whole time using the weapons platform. It was pretty crazy there before the Replicator mass got big enough to start sucking individual cells from space."
"That must have been a sight," I said, regretful that I'd missed it even more now the whole thing had been a success.
"It was," John agreed. "Larrin didn't want to give me a way for us to contact them if we need help in the future but she did agree to keep in touch. How'd it go back here?"
"Very ... very ... slowly," I said semi sarcastically. "I spent a bit of time with Teyla, planned a baby shower for a few months time. Spent a heap of hours in the Ancient library too. Found reference to something interesting I'll tell you about later."
"How's Teyla taking not being on the team for a while?" John asked reluctantly.
"Divided but I think she understands why you did it, even if she doesn't completely agree," I reassured him. "You should probably congratulate her at some stage though. She's feeling pretty uncertain about the future right now and I know she could use the reassurance."
"I'll talk to her tomorrow," John promised, walking slowly over to me. "Now I think you should welcome me home again ... more personally."
"Well, since I did miss you so much ...," I left that sentence unfinished, sliding my hands around his neck and pulling him down to me.
"I missed you too," John returned before we left coherent speech behind and threw ourselves into the most intimate of welcome backs.
A short while later I was still awake when the thought occurred to me. "You know we missed an opportunity here?" I said aloud.
"Mmm?" John murmured drowsily.
"On the Replicator planet," I clarified. "There would have been a few seconds there when space was full of deserted Aurora class vessels just waiting for someone to fly them. We should have rounded up anyone with a strong enough Ancient gene – could have beamed them over and scored ourselves an armada."
"You're right," John agreed, suddenly more awake. "We could have done that ... although I don't think we have anyone apart from yourself and Major Lorne who could have pulled that off."
"So maybe not an armada," I allowed, "but even one ship would have been good."
"Missions where we split our focus in the past, tried to do too many things, always ended badly," John pointed out seriously, probably thinking mostly about the last mission to Asuras ... with Elizabeth. "So maybe it was an opportunity ... but maybe it was another way the mission could have ended badly."
"True," I agreed somewhat dejectedly.
"Hey, the Replicators are gone," John pointed out. "I'll take that – lock it in – and worry about the rest another day."
"Agreed," I settled back against him in the dark, thinking about what we'd gained instead of what could have been.
Authors Note:
I couldn't make sense of the ending for this one on the episode. John arrives back obviously some time after Rodney having travelled on Larrin's ship and asks about the Wraith. But didn't Larrin go to the rendezvous point just like everyone else? He should have known the Wraith didn't turn up. And why was Larrin's ship so slow getting him back to Atlantis? They all managed to arrive at the Replicator planet together. Plus why would John travel all the way back on that ship when he could be beamed back to one of the Earth ships just as easily, saving Larrin a trip to Atlantis? So I changed all of that to make more sense.
Next Up? Fortunate Journey Season 4 Chapter 38