CHAPTER 73 – AFTERSHOCK

He managed to crack one eye open and was rewarded with the glare of sunlight as it cascaded through his window over his balcony. Another day in paradise. Then promptly shut it again, feeling the light breath of the woman beside him, her face tucked into his neck. Raising his head slightly he tried again – tactical vest off... but combat gear still on... both of them. Wiggling his feet slightly he felt his boots and groaned, realising that they had simply fallen into bed last night, clothes and all. And not even bothered to remove his boots.

Easing himself out from under her he stood in the centre of the room and stretched, groaning as he felt the crinks and creases that had long since settled into his long limbs, slowly begin to ease out. One longing look at the woman on the bed and he considered a shower the better of the two options, and spreading a trail of black combat gear between the bed and the bathroom, he entered the room naked, and turned on the shower – waiting patiently as steam filled the room.

A slight shift in the air had him smiling. The shower door eased open and a small warm body with sleepy blue eyes came up behind him, breasts rubbing seductively along his back, her hand reaching around to grasp his manhood, already pulsing with an excitement that he had no ability whatsoever to control.

"Morning..." Her voice was soft and breathy and he felt her lips ease over his skin, mixing with the warm water as it cascaded over his hair and down his back. He arched back into her, groaning a little at her ministrations and his own hand reached behind him, feeling her legs slightly parted and eagerly awaiting his hand. She pulled him backwards so that she was pressed hard against the shower wall and lifted one leg to wrap up and around him, allowing him easier access and he allowed his fingers to plunge into her moist heat.

She came quickly and gasping as the water ran rivers down her face and sighing, she leaned into him, and he turned so that he was facing her. Lifting both legs up and around his waist he was inside her heat instantly, thrust for thrust and supported them both by placing a hand either side of her head on the wall behind. Not finished yet, he picked her up, used one hand to flick off the shower and striding through the bathroom and into the bedroom, he gently lay down on the bed and began an assault with his tongue, licking up drops of water as he went, until she came again. Boneless, spineless and more alive than she had ever felt.

"Morning.." he echoed now, a satisfied smile on his face and was rewarded with her soft laughter and soft body as it curled around his, finding the perfect fit.

"I can't believe we fell into bed shoes and all..."

"You can't have any memory of going to bed... you were sound asleep against me in the gate room. Had to pick you up and carry you out – much to amusement of Sam and the gate technician. I don't think Sam had ever seen anyone fall asleep standing up before..." John was running a hand idly over her stomach, wondering how their baby was in the aftermath of it all.

"Just so glad to be home.. here. And thank you John – for showing them some leniency and giving me the chance to make this work."

"Ahh sweetheart. I learnt my lesson with the dimensional portal. No more burying my head in the same, no more doubt and distrust. If you have an idea, a plan – I'll listen and support – not find fault and excuses. I had some time to think about things, and we both kept things hidden in our own way... and no more. Agreed?"

Gina pushed herself up on one elbow and looked down at him, then at the hand that rested possessively on her stomach.

"Agreed John. So... while I've got you in this agreeable mood... my little plan may involve me going back to that dimension – there's something there I need to check. " She saw his objection about to voice itself and watched as he attempted, more or less successfully, to squash it down. "Not until after we have reached some sort of agreement with them of course... "

John's eyes sparkled now. "You are a manipulative minx, you know that? You are going to let me in on your little secret or do I have to get it out of you in other ways?" His hand began to explore further afield, and laughing she rolled away from him, presenting him with the view of her perfect backside.

"I saw something in that dimension John, and I didn't think anything of it – not until we were talking with Carson Two at the end – then it started to make me think... and you know what happens to those sorts of ideas? Usually out of left field... "

"Spill sweetheart... you'll not leave this bed until you do..."

"I talked to Carson Two – he asked me about the differences between this dimension and theirs and I asked the same questions... curious I guess as to what sort of person I would have been if I've lived there. Carson Two was the same, more or less. He had a harder streak in him definitely, but I think that had been put there through circumstance, more than anything. My take is this – essentially, the people in each dimension – us – start out the same, personality wise. But circumstance dictates the subtle changes that filter through. And you know the one person I didn't ask about – and didn't see? Rodney. Why? Why would that be?"

"Why so important Gina?" His hand still idly ran over her body and she shivered.

"Ive been trying to ask myself that same thing. Carson Two never mentioned him – and if he was a key player over there, he would have either popped up in person, or in conversation. But nothing."

"So he doesn't exist over there? Or did the same thing that our Rodney did – went back in time, as a result of you coming forward in time. You must have done the same thing in their dimension to even exist in the same timeline as me..."

"That's what I was thinking... except. I remembered something that I had seen. Stupid really, almost inocuous... I was drifting in and out of consciousness as a result of that sedative they had given me and I was watching the men in the room – someone named Gil and Lan. One of them was holding something that registered in my mind at the time, then I forgot..."

"Do I have to threaten you with physical torture... hmmm... finish your story!" John had pushed himself up on one elbow now, fascinated in spite of himself and frustrated at the way she was drawing it out.

"December 7th 1941... does that date ring a bell John?"

John didn't have to give it any thought. All American's knew this date. "Pearl Harbour..."

"So John, 7th December 1961, would be … what?"

"Twentieth anniversary. Where are you going with this?"

"That man Gil – he was turning over and over in his hand, a large comemorative coin. One that I recognised. They were minted especially for the twentieth anniversary of Pearl Harbour. December 1961."

Understanding dawned on John's face. "Oh... "

"Oh? Nothing more to say?"

"Thinking, babe... at least trying to follow your train of thought. You think that he's been back to 1962, or someone has come forward from 1962... perhaps you brought it back? Or myself?"

"Perhaps John, perhaps it is a simple explanation like that. But you know that niggly feeling you get...?"

"Spidey senses?"

She giggled, loving this particular analogy. "Yeah, those ones... anyway. I got 'spidey senses' when I looked at him rolling that coin in his hand. Like... it wasn't us that brought it back."

"Oh..."

"Eloquent this morning Colonel Sheppard?"

"Trying to process. And wanting to believe. Trust – and I do. So we'll take this to Sam and get her take on it. Ok? Among everything else."

"You, my delicious Colonel.. are amazing. Come here... I'm feeling very much awake now... "