Chapter 41: Yes I named him
My next visitor was Teyla and I could see after only a few moments of conversation that something was troubling her.
"Sabina," she greeted me with her usual grace as she took the seat next to my bed.
"Teyla, how are you feeling?" I asked, hoping everything was all right with her pregnancy. She was about four months along, now with a baby bump visible no matter what she was wearing and that radiance they say all pregnant women exhibit that I'd never noticed before her.
"I am well," Teyla replied firmly. "The sickness is long gone as has the need for additional sleep ... in fact I am feeling just a strong as I always do."
"Ah ... okay," I looked at her in concern, not used to such a vehement response from her. "Is something bothering you?"
"The mission," Teyla admitted reluctantly. "I asked Colonel Sheppard to be included and he refused."
"Did he say why?" I carefully didn't comment on whether I thought John had made the right call or not.
"He believes that my desire to continue off world missions has more to do with finding my people, with finding Kanaan, than it does with continuing to work now that I am expecting a child," Teyla revealed.
"And what do you think?" I looked at her curiously, wondering what she'd admit to.
"Perhaps there is some truth in his opinion," Teyla said with a sigh. "But Athosian women in general do remain very active throughout their pregnancies. It would not be unusual for us to use the ring of the Ancestors even in the days leading up to giving birth."
"I don't think John's concerns stem from the risks of Gate travel," I said mildly. "Going on a trading mission to people you know is just a little different from heading out to what could be a Wraith trap, don't you think?"
"The risk of contact with the Wraith was always there," Teyla reminded me of the cloud her people had always lived under.
"Still ... this is a lot different," I insisted. "I'm not defending John's actions here because he could have talked to you about everything instead of just ordering you be taken off the active duty list. But if you'd asked for my opinion I would have agreed with the sentiment. Going out seeking the Wraith is dangerous at the best of times and I can't believe you'd willingly put your child at risk like that."
"Of course not," Teyla insisted. "But not every mission will carry that same risk." Before I could say more Teyla leant forward and put a hand on my arm apologetically. "I should not be burdening you with my concerns."
"You're not burdening me," I returned insistently. "I know it's hard to see the emotion behind some of John's actions at times but ... your friendship is very important to him Teyla. You're important to him."
"I know Sabina," Teyla smiled at my attempts to reassure her. "Do not be concerned ... John and I will resolve these issues in time and our friendship be as it was." Changing the subject she looked at me closely before continuing. "You are looking much better than the last time I sat with you. It is good to see you doing so well."
"Sorry I can't remember your last visit," I said with a self deprecating smile. "Apart from today the whole thing is just a little fuzzy."
"You do not recall what happened before you awoke?" Teyla asked in surprise.
"Everything up to the point the Wraith beam swept over us is crystal clear," I explained. "It's whatever's been happening since then that's not all there – I might have had moments of consciousness but it's all a blank to me."
"Perhaps that is for the best," Teyla said with a smile.
"I guess," I agreed reluctantly. "Tell me what else has been going on around here the past couple of days."
Teyla stayed with me chatting amicably until we heard that John had returned to Atlantis ahead of schedule and alone. Teyla headed up to the control room to find out more without having to ask John directly – a blatant avoidance strategy I didn't call her up on. I sat back and waited for John to stop by and tell me what was going on.
It didn't take long ... he must have gone straight from reporting in with Sam to the infirmary with no stops in between to get to me so fast.
"You look good," John greeted me with a pleased smile, putting a hand behind my head so he could raise me up for a kiss hello.
"And you look somewhat pained," I said when he sat back and looked at me. "How come you're back so early and where's Rodney and the others?"
"The Hive ship was completely deserted," John explained. "It's damaged – they had a battle with another Hive ship, reason unknown. Needs a good cleaning too – don't ask why – but with a little bit of work it looks like we've scored ourselves a new ship."
"This is just typical!" the frustration kicked in immediately as I worked out all the implications at lightning speed. "You pick now – when I'm out of action big time – to find a Wraith ship? I could have flown it and helped fix it but instead I'm stuck here!"
"I knew you were gonna react like this which is why I came back instead of sending Lorne," John replied, putting a hand over mine and squeezing firmly. "I know you want to be the one to do this but there is no way you can so you're just gonna have to deal with it."
"You'll have to ask Teyla," I commented, frowning in concern. "Is that such a good idea? It takes a lot out of you to control Wraith technology ... what does Jennifer say?"
"Yes I'll be asking Teyla and no it's probably not a good idea but we don't have another one," John returned. "I haven't had a chance to ask Jennifer for an opinion yet and I'm not sure I want to, given she has nothing to go on."
"I'm gonna feel so guilty if this has any kind of negative impact on Teyla," I warned him. "Plus I think she's still mad at you for not letting her go on the mission in the first place. Asking her to do this is gonna hurt just a little."
"I know that too," John sighed reluctantly before getting up again. "No point in putting it off. Listen ... we might be out there a while. I don't know how long it'll take to get the ship flight worthy enough to make it back here. Just ... do what Keller says, okay?"
"Of course I will," I promised. "Please be careful."
"Always am," John bent and kissed me once, leaning his forehead against mine with a sigh before reluctantly straightening again. "I'll make this a quick as I can," he promised, nodding to a returning Jennifer on his way out.
"He's heading out again already?" Jennifer asked in surprise.
"After he talks to Teyla," I replied. "Do you think there's likely to be a problem if Teyla operates Wraith technology while she's pregnant?"
"Ah ... I don't have anything concrete to back this up but I'd guess no," Jennifer replied thoughtfully. "The neural aspect of Wraith technology is based on a similar concept to Ancient technology. You couldn't have lived here in the past without making use of the ATA gene and I haven't seen any evidence to suggest they restricted pregnant women in any way."
"That makes sense," I said in relief.
"Is Teyla going somewhere with Wraith technology?" Jennifer asked curiously.
"They found an abandoned Hive ship," I revealed. "Rodney and the others are back there getting it ready to fly. I'm stuck here and the only other person who can operate it is Teyla."
"Yes you are stuck here," Jennifer said sternly. "And I think it's about time you had another rest. Don't forget this is your first day back from unconsciousness.
"Fine," I shifted back down in the bed with a sigh. "Only this time don't give me the drugs okay – they make me loopy and I can rest without them."
"See that you do or I'll come back with the big needle," Jennifer returned with a smile. "If you're good I'll move you to a private room first thing tomorrow."
Lying back with my eyes to the ceiling I thought about John talking with Teyla, about them all being on a Hive ship for who knew how long. Somewhere in the midst of those thoughts I drifted into sleep.
oOo
The next day passed without contact from John's team ... we were half way through the following day before I got word that they had returned. Impatient to see him I had my legs half out of bed to go find him when John finally arrived at the doorway of my private room.
"Where do you think you're going?" he scolded. "Back into bed!"
"You're okay," I let him fuss with tucking me back in as I cast a glance over him, happy to find no new injuries. "What happened? Where's the Hive ship?"
"Good to see the gossip machine is working nicely," John quipped. "We crashed the ship into a Wraith facility we stumbled across in their database ... huge Wraith cloning facility which explains how they were able to win the war with the Ancients through sheer force of numbers. Todd stayed back at the Replicator home world and picked up three ZPM's – enough to power the facility for the first time in 10,000 years. We had no choice but to use the Hive ship as a bomb before they could produce a new mega army. Todd escaped or got captured, we don't know which."
"Todd?" I queried with a frown.
"Our Wraith friend," John explained.
"Todd?" I said again, looking at him expectantly.
"Yes I named him," John admitted. "I knew a Todd in college – he was very pale."
"Well it's a step up from calling him 'our Wraith friend'," I commented. "I never liked that."
John sat down then and gave me a run down on the entire mission, including the fact that Teyla had baby enhanced Wraith tech control and that she'd taken over the mind of the Queen with apparent ease to rescue them.
"It's lucky I wasn't there then," I admitted thoughtfully. "I don't know if I could have done that as easily even under the best of circumstances, meaning ..."
"Meaning Rodney would have been Wraith food already," John finished. "The whole thing was a little creepy. Lucky for Teyla I shot the Queen just in time. Teyla said just a moments hesitation and that Queen would have killed her baby."
"Oh my God," I exclaimed in horrified disbelief. "They can do that?"
"Apparently," John agreed. "Teyla was pretty upset but Jennifer's already checked her out and everything is fine. She was lucky ... this time."
"Sounds like you were all lucky," I pointed out.
"Yeah, well the end result is Teyla said she understands why I took her off the team now," John concluded. "Not the way I would have chosen to get to that position but I'll take it. We agreed I would have the final say on what missions she goes on and in return she gets some chances to be out there gathering intel on her people."
"I can't believe we missed out on yet another chance to acquire new technology," I added. "Anyone would think there's some kind of conspiracy to prevent us from advancing too much."
"Maybe," John allowed, humouring me. He was silent for a few moments before speaking again. "It's a boy."
"Teyla's having a boy?" I smiled at the idea, knowing how pleased she would be. "I thought she didn't want to find that out until the birth."
"He told her," John revealed.
"Okay now I'm officially freaked out," I said incredulously. "I can't see how that's possible! Not that I think Teyla would mislead us or anything."
"She seemed pretty certain," John replied, "so I think we have to take it at face value. Enough of that - tell me how you're doing."
I settled back, happy to humour him.
Author's Note:
And now we see part of the reason I had to injure Sabina ... I really wanted Teyla to be the one to fly that Wraith ship but there's no way Sabina would have allowed it ... unless she couldn't do it herself! We're getting close to Outcast now - one of my favourites. Hope you're all still enjoying this VERY long story ... there is still LOTS to go!
Next Up? Fortunate Journey Season 4 Chapter 42