STARGATE ATLANTIS

Star Man (Part two)

Chapter 1 - Romance

SGA SGA SGA

There was now a much needed high level of communication between those choosing to stay on the submerged Atlantis, and the trusted personnel and Generals' on Earth's SG Command.

John reckoned this was just as well.

Caldwell, and Carter, remained in space on the Daedalus, but at least they were due back to Earth within the next day or two. John was looking forward to it. He had grown used to the security of the extra fire power over the years, and, as Earth was at risk from powers they had no way of tracing, or even knowing their next move; the return of the big ship would be very welcome. The 'bad guys' had yet to be made manifest. It was neither his job, nor ability to ferret them out. He would leave that to the others. His command – and concern was for only for Atlantis and its residents.

Even though, John wanted to make sure he could leave his home planet with enough protection when they did eventually get the go ahead to leave. Unfortunately, the feeling of unease he had felt for the last two days that they had remained hidden was growing with every hour that they stayed submerged. He wanted home, and that was back to Pegasus, as strange as that might sound to anybody who lived on Earth. He also wanted to return his friends there – as promised.

"You never answered me, John."

John jerked at the poke in his side, and grimaced as his healing face was pulled into a frown.

"I…I never heard you. What is it, Teyla?"

Teyla put her hand on her hip and studied him keenly.

"Are you going to eat that soup and sandwich, or stare at it all day?" Impatience making her voice squeak with a heavy dose of worry thrown in for good measure.

John looked down at the table. Just when had the food arrived?

"Oh, sorry … um, yeah. Thanks. Did you make it?" John's face tried to remain neutral as he picked up his spoon and dipped it in the golden broth.

"No!" She replied, knowing he did not like her cooking. "Radek did…again." Clearly amazed at his abilities.

"Who'd have thought he'd have such a hidden talent." John smacked his lips and managed to rustle up a smile Teyla's way. "I didn't realise how hungry I was."

Teyla rolled her eyes. "I did. I had to chase you down here to eat something, remember!"

John took another swallow, gulped, and looked around him. "I'm not sure having the infirmary share its space with all this kitchen equipment is a good idea, really."

Teyla looked over to where John was watching Carson and Keller looking at something intently on Carson's computer. "…I mean, who wants to eat when there's someone lying there half dying…and what if you are the one that's half dying! Uh, the smell of all that food…"

"It was the best we could do to save power, remember? Lorne is still constructing dividing walls with his men. He will be finished later this afternoon, and I…"

John interrupted. "Stop. I remember now."

Teyla sighed, but acknowledged Ronon who had just arrived with a slight nod. "Ronon. I will leave you with John, I have other things to attend to."

Ronon turned in his seat and watched her leave their table with a brisk walk away.

John continued eating, but stilled his spoon half way to his mouth when he realised that Ronon was now watching him. "What?"

Ronon just shook his head. "You have been a bit of a …on Sateda, I would say a gispen…here kinda moody and distracted."

"I have a lot on, Ronon!"

Ronon clasped his good shoulder for a second. "I am aware of that, John. We all are. It's just, Teyla…well, she is missing her son, and …"

"…and I am working my hardiest to figure out how to get back to Pegasus to re-unite her with Torren…"

Ronon interrupted him, "John, listen to me. Teyla is well aware of all that you do for her…ALL of us, I might add. It's just, she…" Ronon threw up his hands. "Now is not the time."

This time John put down his spoon in exasperation. "…and what does that mean?"

Carson's approach gave Ronon the 'out' he needed. "Ronon, son. I need you to move more equipment for me."

"Ok, doc." He said too quickly. "Just show me." He almost ran towards Keller.

"John. I'll need to get some blood off you when you are finished eating." Carson's eyebrows met at his beleaguered glare. "What is it?"

"I don't know. You tell me. Seems Teyla has a problem with me that I haven't noticed, and Ronon seems to know about it. Hey, do you, you're smirking?"

Carson laughed which further riled John. "Son, Teyla…" He coughed, realising he wanted out of the conversation the same as Ronon. But the look of genuine ignorance on his friend's face made him bow down to his level and put his hand on the table beside his bowl to speak quietly to him.

"She…that is Teyla, um…you …"

Realisation hit John then and he leaned back in his seat. "Where did that come from?"

"Oh, five to six years ago I would hazard a guess." He said, and wimped out by also walking away before having to witness his friend's confused look any longer.

Carson reached Ronon's side quick time. "You tell him?" Ronon whispered.

"Aye, I did. It's about time these two sorted this out." Ronon had spun him around to see John's chair was now vacant. "That was fast!"

Carson and Ronon laughed wickedly as Keller came into view. They looked at each other and smiled, "Rodney!" in unison.

"What?" said Jennifer Keller.

SGA SGA SGA

Teyla was annoyed at herself. John had obviously a lot on his mind just now – more than normal, and she had had a weak moment when she wanted him all to herself.

How incredibly selfish she had just been. She shook her head in disbelief. The man had just survived an assassination attempt on his life; he was still weak from it – but, no…she just had to confuse him when he had obviously been thinking about something whilst finally eating – ahh! Teyla felt her face flush.

She thought she had lost him for good this time. He had been on the edge of it too many times in the past; but this time if Jennifer had not administered the antidote for the poison in him, he would have been dead in hours. Somehow; this time, Teyla was struggling with the fact she had nearly lost him.

Truth be known she loved him. Probably always had. But there was never a time to tell him – did he even realise she did. Did he feel the same for her? She didn't know if she could pretend otherwise anymore.

Teyla hoped John had feelings for her. They certainly seemed to have something special between them.

The problem with Atlantis just now was that it had been forced to shut down life support in 80 percent of the ship to save power: Rodney's advice. It made sense; but as Teyla had nowhere to particularly hide just now she was starting to feel very foolish for walking out on John like that.

Still, at least she left him eating.

Lost in her embarrassment, she had not heard footsteps approach from the balcony she now stood at, looking out at the water, and didn't feel a strong arm, clad in a black, snake its way around her shoulders to draw her back until she was settled against a broad chest. But she did know the musky masculine smell of him and felt her breath catch slightly. "John."

"Who else were you expecting?" He snickered into her ear.

She leaned heavily into his embrace, so very glad of the strength of it.

"I'm sorry."

"No. I should be. I have been so wrapped up in things I have not thought about what you must be going through…"

"Teyla reached up both hands and held onto his arm. "That is not true. You are trying to hurry things along so I can return to Torren."

"I am, there is that…" He turned her around, "… but, I have not…been there for you…specifically, since…"

Teyla put her forehead down for him to copy. John stilled his conversation and returned the Athosian gesture for a long time before pulling away. "Teyla. Back on Pegasus. Well, you and, me. I'd like for us to …it seems we have this connection that…"

Teyla reached up to hug him tight; glad to feel his arms go around her waist in return. "John. I love you. I think perhaps you may even love me back."

"I do." John whispered in her ear and her grown woman legs went to jelly. She held him tighter: "Once we are in Pegasus" she said.

"Once we are in Pegasus." He agreed, smiling against her cheek and even taking a moment to gently nibble on her ear lobe. Then he had to hold her fully up, lest she fall. "John!" she gasped.

John drew away from her but flashed her a deadly smile that spoke of many things. "Pegasus." He whispered as he walked back the way he came.

Teyla raised her eyebrows. Did that just happen? She smiled when she realised it had.

John turned the corner, relieved no-one else was there. He pushed his forehead into the wall and inwardly groaned. When his forehead had touched Teyla's it was almost his undoing. This last threat on his life had taught him one thing: he was not going to waste any more time regretting not doing what he wanted in his own free time.

Teyla.

That was his future. Her … and Torren. He would get all his family home and then start to build his own private one. That was his promise to himself – and he aimed to go through with it – now that he had been given a not so subtle hint that Teyla cared about him just as much as he cared about her.

Things were looking up!

SGA SGA SGA

As John started to walk back to see Carson, the sirens screamed and suddenly Colonel John Sheppard's private life was on hold again for the time being.

SGA SGA SGA

To be continued…..

A/N: This is just a bit of John/Teyla fluff that some thought was missing from 'Star Man'. Others have requested a sequel – I can confirm that I will be writing one. I have no date in mind, as rather busy at the moment, but watch this space…