Note: As it is a particular someone's birthday today within the SGA/JT fan community (*cough Camy cough*), I am posting up two very significant chapters that I know she not only desperately wants to read, but has been waiting a long time to see. I shared this part of the story with her a long time ago (year and a half ago maybe?), and though it has been refined since, I took some very important advice from her regarding it. So, this if for you Camy. Thank you for your support, nudges to continue, and also for you having kept this part of the story arc a secret for me :) Love ya.
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Chapter 8 – To See Her Again
"Ahh, another lovely sunny trip to Athos," Woolsey exclaimed loudly with surprising pleasure. John glanced at the man who was adjusting his ever present tie, ensuring it was wrinkle-free and properly knotted at his throat as they waited for the Gate to activate.
John glanced around at the Gate Room, aware that the bright sunny day outside was shining in through the large coloured glass beyonnd the Gate and down over them from the tall windows overlooking the main staircase. John wondered if Woolsey thought that meant it would be just as sunny on Athos.
It didn't matter though, because John was feeling just as cheerful today. Finally they were going to Athos again. Finally he had a chance to see her again.
"Sure, whatever you say," he agreed with Woolsey, exchanging a look with Ford as they took their positions on either side of the politician.
"Should I have brought some sunscreen?" Lieutenant Cadman joked from the far side of Ford as the Gate began to activate. This would be her first visit to Athos, the visits so regular now, and so far mostly uneventful, that only two accompanied John and Woolsey to their twice weekly trips to visit with Torren.
Yeah, because seeing Torren was what was lifting John's spirit.
"Might be just as sunny there," he suggested to Cadman, amused at her apparent excitement at what would actually be a rather boring assignment for her.
"Sounds like it's going to be fun, Sir," she replied.
"It nearly always is," John told her and Ford laughed, thinking John was sarcastically referring to the boring guard duty the two would enjoy.
"You'll like Athos, Lieutenant," Woolsey said to Cadman. "It's a lovely planet and their people are very pleasant and welcoming."
"I look forward to it," she responded as from above them Colonel Carter nodded down to them. Woolsey moved away to exchange some words up to the Colonel, so John moved to Ford's aside.
"Just don't lift your hands above your waist, okay?" John told Cadman. "Athosians take that kind of gesture as a threat. So, hands down."
Cadman frowned at him. "I don't remember that mentioned in any of the reports I read."
"It's something we picked up, it really should go in the reports," John replied looking at Ford next to him with a conspiratorial glance.
"I'll make sure it's definitely in my next report," Ford added, playing along.
"Not above the waist?" Cadman checked.
"You got it," John replied, controlling his smile as he mimicked the correct level to hold her hands – elbows tucked right in and hands held out at hip height. Cadman frowned a little worriedly as Woolsey returned to them.
The wormhole exploded to life and snapped back with its usual rushing swishing sound, which made John's heart jump with excitement.
Would Teyla be there?
He hadn't seen her for a week, hadn't touched her for days.
She had haunted his dreams though.
"Let's go," Woolsey announced, striding forward, feeling confident in his repeated visits to Athos.
John, Cadman, and Ford followed. Just as John followed Woolsey into the event horizon, he saw Ford mimicking to Cadman again the appropriate height to hold her hands.
Smiling, John stepped through the horizon and was spat back out into the fresh air of Athos.
The very damp fresh air of Athos.
"Guess they didn't get your weather forecast," John told Woolsey through the drizzling rain.
John heard the ripple of the wormhole behind him as Cadman and Ford arrived. Ahead, on cue as always, Abas scurried out of the small guard station. The guard assign to them waved eagerly, the bad weather apparently not curbing his enthusiasm.
"Hey, Abas," John greeted the guy as he hurried up.
"My apologies for the weather today, the rain season is soon to start and these early light showers have been plaguing us these past days," Abas informed them.
"Don't worry about it," John reassured the guy. "Abas, this is Lieutenant Cadman, she's a new member of my team. Cadman this is Abas."
"I am honoured to meet you, Lieutenant," Abas replied excitedly. "It is always enjoyable to meet another member of Atlantis. I hope you will enjoy your first visit to Athos and Tjaru."
It occurred to John that there was a lot of activity along the long road up the hill towards Tjaru. Carts were rolling in both directions, but more moving up towards the city. There were fewer people than normal were on foot as well, though probably because of the weather.
"Busy day," John asked Abas as they moved away from the Gate, allowing the long waiting line of carts to use the Gate. As he and Abas led the others towards the road, John noticed two guards fall into step behind them, as was usual. John was almost certain he recognised their faces now, and it was clear from their relaxed, yet still alert, postures that they didn't see their duty watching John and his people as anything stressful.
"Um," Abas was uttering to John's question. "Yes, yes. There is to be a large festival, well festivities," he corrected.
"Another big Athosian party?" John asked as they began the walk up the side of the busy road, carts quietly rumbling past on their right.
"Um, yes," Abas readily agreed. "There will be a party. Leader Torren will tell you about it," he confirmed again, seeming more certain now. "Lieutenant Cadman," the guard asked looking round to the Lieutenant walking behind them, "What do you think of your first sight of Tjaru?"
John didn't mind the misdirection onto Cadman. Abas liked new people, as it gave him a chance to get all Tour Guide again. John had heard Abas' speech about the basic history of the city a ton of times now. So, as Abas launched into it now, John quickened his step a little and focused on taking in the sight of Athos around him.
A spritely elderly Athosian was coming towards him along the roadside, so John moved further to the side to give her room to pass. The lady smiled at him, revealing several gaps where she had lost some teeth from her smile. He smiled back as she passed. As she did, he was able to see a young girl was walking right behind her, one little hand clutching a long ribbon hanging from the back of the elder woman's coat.
The little girl let go of the ribbon and stopped to look up at John, her little lashes coated in rain.
"Hi," John grinned down at her. She giggled and hurried on after the older lady again, smiling back at him over her shoulder with another grin. Smiling at the moment, John watched as Cadman waved to the little girl as well as she passed. Which was when John realised that he was a good few metres ahead of the rest of the group and was the one leading them all towards Tjaru. He might be looking a little too eager.
He waited a few beats for the others to catch up, and aware that the guards at the back didn't appear bothered by him leading the way, he continued on ahead.
The drizzle was lifting slightly and he took a deep breath of the good Athosian air. To the right side of the road the usual fields stretched out, the flowers along the borders looking a little wilted now. He guessed summer was almost over on Athos.
Nearing the top of the hill, he led the group across the road to take the right fork to the road that lead them directly up towards the towering Ancient Gateway into Tjaru.
He made sure not to hurry, checking over his shoulder every now and then to make sure the others were keeping up. Besides, they were fast approaching the Gateway and the City Guards probably wouldn't take too kindly to him entering the city without Abas at his side.
There was a longer line than usual queuing to enter Tjaru today – presumably because of the upcoming big party. Honestly, the Athosians had to party harder than any other alien race he had met so far. Not that he had seen any overt drunkenness. Athosians might know how to celebrate, but they seemed always polite and well behaved.
He was really starting to like Teyla's people.
Almost at the entrance to Tjaru, John held back for Abas, who fell into step with him. However, ahead the City Guards had already noticed their approach and were waving them through, past the checkpoints that all the other visitors and carts had to stop at. As always, John felt faintly embarrassed at jumping the queue, so he smiled politely to those he passed by.
The City Guards glanced over him and the others as they entered, but John was more interesting in the Gateway. As happened every time he walked through the gap between the strangely shaped towers, he felt the waiting tingle of active Ancient tech. The Gateway towers looked like an elongated egg that had been split apart to make way for the entrance space between them, however, between them still hovered the sense of Ancient tech. A feeling which extended below John's feet as well, confirming to him once again that he was almost certain that the Gateway extended far deeper underground that it appeared.
"Guess they need a lot supplies for the festivities," Cadman commented to Abas as they made their way around the cart traffic jam just inside the city. John knew the route though, he had walked it enough times now, so he once again took the lead.
The streets were damp from the drizzle, and away from the routes the carts took, there were hardly any pedestrians around in the drizzle. The store owners of the small shops that lined the streets were out though, many of which were becoming familiar faces. Many of them nodded towards John with equal growing familiarity. He really liked it here, they were good people.
Not for the first time was John grateful that Athos was the first world that they had visited in the Alliance. If it hadn't been for his initial run in with Teyla, he had to wonder if things would have gone so well with the Alliance.
His growing nervous excitement bubbled up as finally the Governing Complex of Tjaru came into view ahead.
Was Teyla in there?
Despite being even more eager now, John held back, letting Abas once again take the lead into the complex. As the Athosian moved ahead, Cadman at his side, John couldn't help but notice that the Lieutenant was keeping her arms close to her sides and her hands tucked in.
It was a relief to get inside away from the drizzle, not that it had sunk all that deeply into his clothes, but John was glad. The usual entrance lobby looked as it always did, apart from a large stack of boxes to one side, two Athosians arranging some of them onto a trolley. More supplies for the festivities.
John wondered if he and Woolsey would get an invite.
Ahead of them the main doors off the lobby opened and Hakon, Torren's personal assistant, appeared through. Beyond him, John caught a glimpse of the main long corridor behind the doors. There was a ton of activity down it, people moving back and forth with plates, pots, and furniture. It was certainly going to be a big party whatever it was going to be.
Maybe Teyla would definitely be here if there was some big important party.
"Greetings," Hakon smiled, but it was never as wide and honest a smile as Torren gave them, but then Hakon always looked like you had interrupted his other vitally important work.
"Hakon," Woolsey greeted him in turn. "Thank you for allowing us another visit." John didn't know why Woolsey had to keep saying that, the visits were twice every week, on the same days each week and at the same time.
"You are most welcome. Leader Torren is just finishing an important meeting. He asked that I lead you straight through to the Tea Room," he said, indicating the corridor to the right that John knew well now.
"Of course," Woolsey replied with a smile as he and Hakon moved towards the corridor.
Cadman stepped up close to John as he followed. "Couldn't help noticing, Sir," she said quietly, "that he held his hands well above his waist."
John controlled his smile. "It's his place, of course he can."
Cadman narrowed her eyes up at him. "You wouldn't be pulling my leg would you, Sir?" She asked.
"Me?" John asked her. "I'm your team leader, I would never do such a thing," he added, looking forward and only slightly controlling his smile.
Cadman made a doubtful sound at his side, but didn't say anything else.
The corridor took them around the usual small courtyard which held a wide variety of growing tea plants and trees, over which the large sliding glass doors of the Tea Room looked out. As they arrived into the room, John saw that the usual tea had just been set out, steam still freshly rising from the three teapots.
And sat at the far side of the low table, now rising to her feet, was Teyla's sister, Zabetha. She smiled widely as she approached.
"Greetings again," she smiled to them. "It is good to see you all well."
"Thank you, Lady Zabetha," Woolsey said quickly as he extended his hand to her. He was always quick to flatter Teyla's sister. "May I introduce a new member to Major Sheppard's team, Lieutenant Cadman of Earth," Woolsey continued.
Woolsey knew the drill now to leave John till last, because John now always got the special Athosian greeting. It was an honour, but nearly always made him feel uncomfortable.
"Lieutenant, welcome to Athos and Tjaru," Zabetha greeted Cadman, extending out her hand. Cadman took it low and shook it gently.
"Lieutenant Ford, you already know," Woolsey added.
"Of course, it is always good to see you, Lieutenant Ford," Zabetha greeted him, shaking his hand.
"Lady Zabetha," Ford replied, copying Woolsey's unofficial title for Torren's younger daughter. They might be enamoured with her, but John kept all his appreciation for Teyla.
He liked Zabetha though, in fact with each visit she seemed more open and friendly.
She turned to him now, her expression growing more serious, as it always did for this greeting.
"Major Sheppard," she said softly, "as always, I greet you last in honour. Thank you always for your assistance in saving my Father's life, my own life, and former High Councillor Charin. You are always welcome in this home." She reached up and put her hands on his shoulders and he returned the gesture, leaning the top of his forehead down against hers.
Each time he went through this ritual with Zabetha he couldn't help comparing her to Teyla. Zabetha's shoulders under his touch were far slender compared to Teyla's. Though always elegant and feminine, Teyla understandably carried far more muscle, which was sculpted and toned with proper daily use. Zabetha felt far more delicate under John's hands as he lifted them and his forehead away and smiled at her.
"You don't have to do this every time," he said very quietly to her.
"Yes, I do," she replied immediately. "For you saved my beloved family. How could I not extend honour to you this day and all others?"
He smiled uncomfortably at her, but found that he couldn't quite pull his eyes from her. There was something different in the way she was looking at him, like she had something else to say.
And she hadn't taken her hands from his shoulders yet either.
"Do know," she continued unusually, "that whatever may happen in the future, that you are always welcome here."
He nodded again to the offer, though it seemed as if Zabetha wanted him to appreciate it even more today.
She lifted her hands from his shoulders and turned to the others. "Shall we sit and enjoy some tea while we wait for my father?"
"Thank you," Woolsey replied for the group.
John turned to join them, only Zabetha's hand gently touched his arm.
"Major Sheppard, I believe you have your own meeting with my sister, Honoured Elite Emmagan," she said, drawing all of John's attention back on her.
Teyla was here. The relief and excitement almost made him twitch under Zabetha's gentle touch.
"Abas," Zabetha called across the room, looking away from John. "Would you guide Major Sheppard to wherever my Honoured Sister is currently located?"
Teyla was close by and he would see her soon. Touch her soon.
Abas hurried forward. "Of course," he replied with a bow.
"Thank you," John bowed slightly to Zabetha, only she didn't quite make eye contact with him this time as she quickly turned her attention to sitting down at the table with the others.
John didn't worry about it though – let them all focus on politics and saying the right thing over the right type of tea. He instead walked with Abas, as they so often did, towards the far door, which was opened for them by the two guards.
His heart lifting and his heart rate increasing, John walked out of the Tea Room, his mind already turning to recalling the touch of her skin, the remembered scent of her hair.
Only, stood in the middle of the corridor outside, apparently having been waiting there, was Torren.
The Athosian leader looked round sharply and smiled with surprise, only John got the strangest feeling that the surprise wasn't real.
"Major Sheppard, it is good to see you," Torren smiled as he approached them. "I timed my arrival well." He glanced at Abas. "You may return to the Tea Room, Abas, I will walk Major Sheppard to my Honoured daughter, otherwise I may not have the chance to talk with him later."
Abas nodded and left, but something heavy settled in John's stomach. Something was up.
"Major," Torren smiled as he stepped up closer, lifting his hands, initiating the Athosian greeting that he too gave John every time now. John quickly set his hands on the man's shoulders and pressed the top of her forehead to Torren's. "I am pleased to run into you before your meeting with my daughter," Torren began before he pulled his forehead back.
"It's always good to see you too," John replied cautiously as he lowered his hands from Torren's shoulders.
He had a terrible sense of dread that he was about to get a Dad Talk. Did Torren know about him and Teyla?
"I believe my daughter is taking a late mid meal in the family's dining area, I am sure she would be happy for you to join her there," Torren smiled pleasantly as he turned towards the corridor behind him as an invitation for John to follow him.
"Great, thanks," John replied, trying to sound normal and casual.
"I trust all is well in Atlantis?" Torren asked as they walked together.
John was almost certain that Torren was walking slower than usual, and he made himself slow down to keep pace with the man. Torren didn't seem to be limping or in any pain or anything, which left the disconcerting conclusion that he was prolonging the walk to talk longer.
"It's gotten a little easier now the treaty has been signed," John replied honestly. Maybe Torren wanted to talk about the treaty. He had been a major player in planning it and organising support within the Alliance. "Thank you for all your help with that," John added.
"I was more than happy to assist in what has, and will, clearly benefit both our peoples."
John nodded, hoping that would turn out to be as true.
"I hope that you know, Major Sheppard, that regardless of the non-aggression treaty, Athos will hold tight to our personal treaty with Atlantis. I hope that the same will hold true for Atlantis," Torren said, sounding like he was choosing his words carefully, "regardless as to what might happen in the future."
"Of course," John replied immediately, only to pause – should he agree to that, not being in charge himself? "I'm sure my people will do everything to keep to our treaty." That sounded more like something Woolsey would say.
"To those in the Alliance, treaties are the lifeblood of cooperation and unity. The Military is vital and does amazing work, but it is only as strong as it is because of the mutual trade and cooperation that brings together the vast resources of metals, workers, designers, engineers and such that build and maintain the Fleet and all the military's weapons. All need to be fed, and that only happens with cooperation of everyone working together towards the greater good. At times that truth is forgotten by some, but it is still true nonetheless. Trade, treaties and friendships hold the strongest of bonds."
John nodded, glancing at Torren to find the man frowning seriously at him. "I understand," John agreed readily.
"For our worlds, treaties go beyond the personal people involved, the personal interactions, as well. My people will always hold to our promises to all across the Alliance and beyond. Only together can we ensure a positive future for all our existences."
John began to worry that Torren was trying to tell him something very specific. He wasn't sick was he?
"Is everything okay, Torren?" John asked carefully, not sure if he should ask something like that of the Athosian leader. But, Torren had always seemed pretty laid back about that kind of protocol, although the man always appeared regal and in control. John wondered if Teyla had gotten that from him or from her mother too.
"All is well," Torren replied with an apparently honest smile. "I just wish to impress upon you our commitment to the treaty, not just between the Alliance and Atlantis and Earth, but between Athos and yourselves as well. We will hold to it regardless of any changes through time."
John nodded, wondering if he was missing something obvious in the man's subtext. He ran through what Torren had said, but it all just seemed to be about promising to keep to the treaties. Why Torren thought something might threaten that...
"How are things in the Alliance?" John asked carefully.
"All is as usual," Torren replied. "Bickering, lives saved, treaties formed, contracts made and stretched. Life continues as it always does since the Wraith were swept from our local stars." He was smiling. Okay, that didn't seem to back up John's theory that Torren might be warning him about something bad about to happen in the Alliance.
"Sounds great," John replied weakly. "If you're worried that the trade is not going both ways," he tried instead, "I know Mr Woolsey has some ideas on some new trade items we could offer to Athos."
"Any trade is welcome," Torren replied with another smile. "I had in no way thought your people's part of our treaty lacking." Okay, it wasn't that. That was good.
"Our peoples have so much to offer each other, in both culture as well as trade," Torren continued.
"On that note," John added, remembering his promise to Rodney, "some of our scientists really would value meeting some of your scientists, talk about your Ancestor technology, and we could let them see Atlantis in return," John suggested trying to phrase it how he imagined Woolsey might.
"I am sure that at some point such trade can occur," Torren replied, which was another one of those carefully worded replies.
Woolsey would nod and agree.
"So, not right now," John said instead.
Torren glanced briefly at him, maybe surprised at John's translation, but Torren smiled before looking ahead. They were now heading down the short corridor to the entrance to the family part of the complex.
She was close.
"Hopefully such an exchange can occur soon," Torren offered.
John nodded. "Okay," he replied, though not entirely sure how he was going to translate that to Rodney. Rodney certainly wouldn't be happy with it, but then when was the guy ever happy with anything unless he had just personally solved some critical puzzle that saved everybody.
"I very much look forward to the day when I can visit Atlantis myself," Torren added.
John smiled, but they were fast approaching the door at the end of the corridor. She wasn't very far away now, only a few metres behind that door.
A single guard stood on duty at the door in question, who John was pretty sure he recognised. The guy didn't blink an eyelid at John's presence alongside Torren, so maybe he was a usual guard. John wasn't usually paying all that much attention to the guards when he got to join Teyla in this part of the complex.
He should probably work on that.
Sumner would say he wasn't paying full attention to his surroundings, but hey, Tjaru was becoming very familiar surroundings, and in particular this part of the city.
"You're always welcome to visit Atlantis," John told Torren honestly. "I know Colonel Carter would be pleased, as I would," he added hurriedly as they reached the door.
Torren stopped at the entrance to the family part of the complex as the guard triggered open the door, but Torren didn't move forward to go through.
John turned to face Torren.
"Thank you," Torren replied to the offer. "I hope to one day take up that offer." There was a pause. "I believe you know the way inside," Torren added.
John studied Torren's expression as subtly but as thoroughly as he could. Did Torren know about him and Teyla? The problem was that Torren had one of those politician poker faces, albeit a smiling polite one.
Plus John still got the feeling that Torren had been trying to tell him something during this conversation, but he wasn't all that sure what it was.
Unsure what to say or do about any of that though, John decided that a silent nod would be the safest response.
The sweet scent of incense drifted to John through the open doorway to his right. It brought with it a wealth of sensual memories and a strange sense of home.
"I hope to speak with you again after your meeting with my honoured daughter," Torren added.
"Okay, great," John replied. "Thanks."
Torren nodded and then abruptly walked away.
It was a rather sudden move from the usually calm man, but truthfully John was happy enough to turn all his attention to stepping through the doorway into the incense and softly lit interior of Teyla's Athosian home.
The door slid shut behind him, leaving him alone in the small lobby. The deep colours to the walls and lush thick rug under his boots added a soft luxury, and ahead to the left he saw soft golden candlelight dancing through the archway that led to the family's dining area.
Which was where Teyla would be.
He moved towards the inviting light, his heart racing in his chest, he felt like he was burning with anticipation. Alone now, knowing there wouldn't be any guards around here, he let the feelings rise up, embracing the pulsing excitement and the plain need to see her again.
He stepped around the frame of the archway, craning his neck ahead of him to be able to see her as soon as was possible.
She was by herself, sat at the side of the large dark wooden dining table, her attention directed down on an electronic pad in front of her.
He knew she would have heard the door open and close when he had entered the lobby, but maybe she was used to the sound and thought it was one of her family.
Or maybe it was one of her little teasing games where she pretended disinterest.
Either way, it gave him a few seconds to drink in the sight of her – alive and well, the candlelight that always seemed to glow in this room, dancing over her beautiful golden skin.
Each time he saw her, he was struck anew by just how beautiful she was, how pretty the turn of her cheek and throat were running down her neck to the feminine strength of her shoulders and arms. The dark length of her eyelashes, the roundness of her lips...
She looked round at him, her wide deep eyes coming into view, the candlelight creating stunning emphasising shadows across her beautiful features.
He watched her recognise it was him, her eyes widening slightly, her lips parting softly in a smile.
"Hey," he said with a smile, though it might have been a grin, but he didn't care, he just drank in her presence, his body singing with desire.
He felt a tension ease away inside, as if he had been holding his breath since the last time he had seen her. He realised how worried he had been that something had happened to her and just how desperate he had been to see her after what had happened to Elite Kari.
But seeing wasn't enough.
He moved towards her, keeping his eyes locked with hers, letting the need rise up without restraint as she rose up from her seat.
He registered that no one else was in sight, not even Ketra at her mistress' feet, but even if there had been a hundred people in here, he would still only have eyes for Teyla.
In two strides he reached her, slid his hands around her beautiful cheeks, and lowered his mouth down against her familiar, full and opening lips.
He felt her soft intake of breath as their mouths met, felt her hands touch against his bare forearms, and it all crashed together into roaring satisfaction as he pressed his mouth fully to hers, sliding his tongue into her mouth.
She reacted instantly to his kiss, as she always did, with arousing, equal passion, her hands tightening against his skin, her tongue tangling with his.
He drew in a deep breath through his nose, drawing in the indescribable scent of her as he pressed his chest to hers, and everything fell away but the touch of her against him.
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TBC