Chapter 11
Title: The Night That Changed All Others
Chapter Title: Chapter 11 - Setting Things Right
Author: Nytel
Rating: PG-13, (maybe even only PG)
Spoilers: Up to 203 for sure, but very light spoilers, if any, after that.
Summary: Teyla and John spend one night together, and they could never have imagined the series of events that would unfold because of it. These events would change the lives and the future of everyone in Atlantis.
Disclaimer: I do not own Stargate Atlantis.
Prologue: http://nytel.livejournal.com/6539.html#cutid1
Chapter 1: http://nytel.livejournal.com/6715.html#cutid1
Chapter 2: http://nytel.livejournal.com/7290.html#cutid1
Chapter 3: http://nytel.livejournal.com/10722.html#cutid1
Chapter 4: http://nytel.livejournal.com/13158.html#cutid1
Chapter 5: http://nytel.livejournal.com/13707.html#cutid1
Chapter 6: http://nytel.livejournal.com/14574.html#cutid1
Chapter 7: http://nytel.livejournal.com/15691.html#cutid2
Chapter 8: http://nytel.livejournal.com/18066.html#cutid1
Chapter 9: http://nytel.livejournal.com/21770.html#cutid1
Chapter 10: http://nytel.livejournal.com/22280.html#cutid1
Previously:
When Carson, Elizabeth, Ford, Ronon and McKay entered the infirmary, John nearly jumped again. He tried to withdraw his hand inconspicuously from Teyla’s, but she tightened her grip leaving him unable to do so. Both Teyla and John stepped to the side of the beds as Carson approached.
He was holding a syringe in one hand. He carefully inserted it into Tagan’s IV tube and emptied it. Carson then pulled another identical syringe from the pocket of his coat and injected the contents of it into Abrianna’s IV tube.
Chapter 11 - Setting Things Right
They waited.
John didn’t know how many minutes they stood there, but it seemed like an eternity. Teyla was holding his hand so tight that it had gone numb, or maybe the numbness was due to how tight he was holding on to her. He wasn’t sure, but then it didn’t matter. The only thing that mattered was whether or not the twins would wake up as themselves. God, he needed them to wake up all right.
He found himself chanting in his head frantically, let them be ok, let them be ok. He had even begun to mouth the words, though no one noticed. Then he saw it, a slight movement of Abrianna’s hand. Teyla must have noticed too, because he heard her breath hitch in her throat.
Tagan started to shift also. At an excruciatingly slow pace the twins began to regain consciousness.
When Abrianna opened her eyes John saw pure innocence, not malicious intent. He knew that the wraith presence was gone, and he had never felt happier in his entire life.
Before John could even begin to contemplate what to do next, Tagan screamed, “Mom!” He had become aware of his bindings and was panicking. Not even one full second later Abrianna began to panic too. Both twins were in a full out struggle with their restraints and John knew that if they didn’t calm down soon they could seriously hurt themselves.
In a flurry of rapid movement he dropped Teyla’s hand and stepped towards Abrianna. From the corner of his eye he could see Teyla reaching for Tagan.
As fast as humanly possible John undid all of the restraints that had been binding Abrianna. Once she was free, Abrianna threw her arms around his neck in a vice like grip.
John felt his chest tighten with emotion as he picked her up and murmured comforting words into her hair. When she started to cry he rubbed his hand in soothing circles on her back.
Somewhere behind him John heard Carson speaking, “Elizabeth, I’m sorry but I need to check them out.”
“Can’t you give them a minute?”
“Aye, I can do that.” John didn’t turn around, but he did hear many sets of retreating footsteps.
When he lifted his head and looked off to his right he saw that Teyla was sitting on a hospital bed, cradling Tagan in her arms. He wasn’t crying, but he had his face buried in her neck, and he was holding on for dear life.
John carried Abrianna the short distance to where Teyla was sitting. He gently sat down beside her and Tagan on the bed.
Abrianna slowly lifted her head from where it had been resting on John’s shoulder. Then, with a movement that only a child could manage, she climbed over to sit on Teyla’s lap too. Without saying a word, Abrianna buried her tear stained face into the other side of her mother’s neck.
John watched as Teyla tightened her arms around both of the twins. He didn’t even consider saying anything; instead he moved a little closer to Teyla and wrapped his arm around her. It was time to set things right.
***
Teyla leaned into John’s embrace and closed her eyes. Relief was coursing through her veins. She had no idea what she would have done had the kids woken up still under wraith influence. Hopefully she would never have to experience that feeling. Teyla mentally berated herself; she would not let her thoughts stray down that path, not now when she was so happy.
She involuntarily held the twins a little closer, making sure that they were indeed there and all right. Tagan let out a small squeak of protest, but other than that, all was silent. Ever since the children had been possessed, silence had bothered Teyla. It had seemed so uncomfortable and foreboding, but now the silence was calm and relaxing.
When she let out a contented sigh, John pulled her a little closer. Teyla couldn’t stop thinking about how right this felt. Any further thoughts were escaping her. Teyla was merely living in the moment and couldn’t think or feel anything past the present.
The mood was disrupted when Tagan said, “I’m hungry. Can we have some more ugly bird sandwiches?”
Teyla abruptly opened her eyes and looked at her son questioningly. “Ugly bird sandwiches?”
John was laughing. “He means turkey.”
When Teyla looked over at John she said, “I’m not even going to ask.”
He grinned. “Good idea.”
“Can we?” Tagan repeated, this time looking at his father.
“Please,” added Abrianna as she turned her head to look at John too.
He smiled at them both charmingly, “We’ll have to see what Dr. Beckett says.”
It took a few seconds for his comment to register with Teyla. She had completely forgotten that Carson would need to check out the twins. Then, as if magically summoned, Dr. Beckett appeared.
Teyla barely registered Carson’s delighted look before John reluctantly withdrew his arm from around her. Standing up, he moved to stand at the foot of the hospital bed. She was instantly surprised by how she craved his presence, even though he was only a few feet away.
“Lass,” Carson said to Teyla. “I’ll need to have a look at the twins.”
She nodded and unwrapped Abrianna’s arms from around her neck. “Abrianna,” she said quietly, “Dr. Beckett needs to take a look at you and make sure that you’re all right.”
Abrianna responded by climbing off of her mother’s lap and sitting on the hospital bed. Carson crouched down beside the bed and began to examine her. After a few moments he declared that she was as healthy as could be expected.
Immediately after this, Abrianna hopped down from the bed and ran over to John. Teyla watched as he lifted her up into his arms. The sight of it warmed her heart.
Carson then quickly examined Tagan. As he was finishing up, the rest of the group re-entered the infirmary. Teyla stood up as Dr. Weir walked toward her. Once she was only a few feet away Dr. Weir said, “I’m glad to see that the twins are all right.”
When Teyla nodded, but didn’t say anything, Dr. Weir continued. “So long as Dr. Beckett says it’s all right, you can take the twins back to your rooms. I don’t think that there is any reason to keep them in here longer.”
“Thank you,” Teyla said.
Dr. Weir inhaled deeply. “Now as much as I wish I didn’t have to, I’ve assigned two marines to keep guard over the twins. No matter where the twins are, I want those guards posted outside of the room.”
Teyla nodded her acknowledgement. Even though she didn’t like the idea, she knew it was necessary.
Dr. Weir momentarily placed a comforting hand on Teyla’s shoulder. “I just don’t want to take any chances. If the wraith possessed the twins once, who’s to say they won’t do it again?”
“I understand.”
“Good,” said Dr. Weir. “Now there’s just one more thing. You need to talk to the twins about what happened, and try to help them find some way to resist the wraith if they do decide to try this again.”
Just then, John, who was still holding Abrianna, stepped up beside Teyla and joined into the conversation. “Later,” he said.
Dr. Weir turned to face him. “No, not later, now. As soon as possible.”
John forcefully shook his head. “Let it wait until tomorrow at least Elizabeth. The kids have already been through enough today.”
Teyla watched as Dr. Weir sighed and said, “All right, tomorrow.”
Just then Teyla felt a pair of small arms wrap around her leg. She reached down and hoisted Tagan up onto her hip. “Can we go eat now?”
She laughed and turned around to look at Dr. Beckett. When he nodded she said, “Yes, we can go eat now.”
***
John had walked with Teyla and the twins to their rooms before heading to the mess to grab their dinner. Now he was on his way back with a plateful of turkey sandwiches in hand.
As John turned the corner he saw the two marines that were posted outside of Teyla’s rooms, but even the sight of them couldn’t damper his spirits: the kids were ok, his kids were ok. John was elated.
When John reached Teyla’s door, he lifted his hand to knock, but then decided against it. When he entered the quarters he found Teyla sitting at the table watching the children as they played.
“Sandwiches anyone?” he asked as he set the plate down on the table.
Immediately the twins stopped whatever they had been doing and ran over to the table. Once they had hopped up onto some chairs they both grabbed a sandwich and started to eat.
John pulled up the last chair and sat beside Teyla. She gave him a warm smile before offering him a sandwich. He graciously accepted it. “Thank you,” he said, and Teyla nodded in response.
Things were still awkward between them, but John hoped that it wouldn’t remain that way for long. But first, they had to tell the kids about John being their father. He looked over at Teyla and she nodded. Neither of them had said anything, but John knew they were both on the same track. It was time to tell them. Suddenly he felt very nervous. It was one thing knowing that he was their father, but telling the twins about it was a whole other matter.
“Kids,” Teyla said softly. Both of the twins set down their sandwiches and looked up at their mom.
“Yes,” they said in unison.
John heard Teyla take a deep breath, but he didn’t turn to look at her. He was watching the kids. They looked like they knew that something important was about to happen.
“Kids, John is …”
“Our father,” Abrianna finished. John abruptly turned to look at Teyla, but she seemed just as surprised as him.
“How… how did you know that?” Teyla questioned as she stared at Abrianna.
Abrianna shrugged. “I just did.”
Then Tagan spoke, “He is?”
John watched as Abrianna turned to talk to her brother. “I told you.” Tagan stuck his tongue out at his sister in response.
“Tagan,” warned both John and Teyla. Then they quickly glanced to look at each other before turning back to face the kids.
“Tagan, you know better than that,” Teyla said.
Tagan sighed and dropped his head. “Yes Mom,” he muttered quietly.
For a few moments they all just sat at the table, not really knowing what to do. It was awkward to say the least. Then Tagan broke the silence, “Can we go play?”
Teyla smiled, “Yes, go ahead.”
The twins then quickly left the table, and resumed doing…well, whatever it was they had been doing. John watched the kids quietly for a moment before he turned and caught Teyla looking at him. She quickly turned away.
John waited a few more moments. Then he began to say Teyla’s name, just as she started to say his. They both laughed, a little self-consciously. Then she spoke.
“Please,” she said. “Go ahead.”
“Well,” John began. “I was just going to say, that could have gone a lot worse.”
“Yes, it could have.” Teyla paused. “But how did Abrianna know?” She turned to look at John questioningly.
He shook his head. “I have no idea. Maybe it was just intuition, or something.”
She nodded. “Yes, perhaps it was.”
Another bout of silence descended upon the two. Eventually John spoke again, “You were going to say something.”
“Yes,” Teyla said quietly. “All I wanted to say was that I want you… to be a part of the kids’ lives, no matter how awkward things are between us.”
John couldn’t help but notice her stumble over the words, but he didn’t mention it. “Really?” he asked.
“Really,” said Teyla firmly. “I was wrong to ever leave Atlantis John. I know now that my place is here, and that the twins belong with you.”
John didn’t know what to say, but it didn’t matter because Teyla wasn’t finished. “I don’t know how I could have been so selfish.” Her voice was angry. “I took my kids away from their father. I spent most of my life growing up without a father, and yet I condemned my children to the same fate.”
John laid his hand gently on Teyla’s shoulder and squeezed. Teyla looked at him as she continued. “We’ve been given a second chance John, a chance to make things right.”
John gazed deeply into Teyla’s eyes and said, “Yes, we have.” They stayed that way for a little while before John broke the gaze and removed his hand from Teyla’s shoulder.
Both parents watched as the twins played only a few feet away from them, completely oblivious to everything else. John couldn’t help but think that tomorrow would be tough. They would need to try and teach the kids how to defend themselves against wraith possession. John continued to watch them and wondered how much more complicated their lives could get.
Then John finally took a closer look at what the kids were doing. It looked like they were playing a board game. “Teyla, what are they playing?” he asked curiously.
She waited a moment before replying. “I believe Dr. Beckett called it Chutes and Ladders. He dropped it off a few minutes before you came back.”
“Ah,” John said. “Good ol’ Snakes and Ladders.” When Teyla looked at him inquisitively he explained. “There are two different names for the game. Some people call it Chutes and Ladders, but other people call it Snakes and Ladders.”
“Why?”
“Because if your player lands on a space with a ladder then you follow the ladder up to a higher square, but if you land on a space with a snake, or in this case a chute, your player slides back down to a lower square.”
“Right,” said Teyla.
John smiled; he loved trying to explain Earth stuff to Teyla.
“But John,” she asked. “Why do they use snakes?”
“I like snakes,” said Tagan unexpectedly.
“Yeah,” said John. “Snakes are cool.”
“Eww,” piped up Abrianna. “Snakes are icky.” John nearly laughed when she scrunched up her face in disgust.
“No, they’re not,” said Tagan.
“Yes, they are.”
“Kids,” said Teyla as she shook her head. The twins went back to playing their game.
Then John spoke, “Hey Teyla, do you remember that time when we found that huge snake off world?”
Teyla smiled. “Yes, and do you remember how scared Dr. McKay was?” And the conversation progressed from there as both adults took the time to reminisce.
***
Teyla lovingly tucked a strand of stray brown hair behind Abrianna’s ear. The twins were finally asleep. She and John had spent hours sitting there in the bedroom with them until they had dozed off.
She heard him stand up from his chair. Then she felt his hand on her shoulder. When she looked up at him she saw him mouthing the words, ‘I’m going to go now.’ Teyla nodded. She stood up and followed John out of the room, gently closing the door behind her.
Once they were out in the main room John quietly said, “I’m going to go now.”
“Ok.”
John looked at Teyla for a few moments as he fidgeted nervously. “So, I guess I’ll see ya…”
She nodded. “If you would like, and if you are not busy, you could come back in the morning.” Teyla then offered him a shy smile.
John returned the smile. “Yeah,” he said. “That’s sounds good.”
“Yes,” she said.
“Ok,” John paused. “I’ll just…go.” He took a few steps towards the door.
“All right.” Teyla said as she stepped towards the door too.
“So…I’ll see you tomorrow then,” John said.
“Yes,” Teyla said again.
Just as John was about to leave he turned around again. “Teyla, if anything happens…”
“Do not worry John, you will be the first to know.”
“Right,” he said. “Well…” He inclined his head towards the door and just as he was about to open it Teyla grabbed a hold of his arm.
When he turned around to face her once again she said, “Thank you John.”
Then she was hugging him, though she wasn’t one hundred percent sure why. But it was ok, because he was hugging her back, and it felt right.
Eventually John started to pull away slowly, but he planted his hands on Teyla’s shoulders. Then their gazes locked. Teyla knew that it was rumored that eyes were the gateway to the soul, but she had never believed it until that moment. She could see John: really see him.
Then they kissed.
Teyla didn’t know who had initiated it, but when John’s lips touched hers it didn’t matter and she reacted instinctively. She reached one hand up to tangle itself in his hair, and she wrapped her other arm around his back, pulling him closer.
John had moved his hands from Teyla’s shoulders, so that they were now cupping her face. When Teyla moved to deepen the kiss, John abruptly pulled away.
Teyla felt the tears beginning to form in her eyes; he was rejecting her again. “Maybe you should go,” she said, her voice very shaky.
“Teyla…”
“No John,” she said forcefully, fighting back tears. “Please go.”
But John didn’t heed her request; instead he took a small step back towards her and placed his hands on her shoulders again. “Teyla look at me.”
Teyla, who had been staring at the floor, looked up at John again. “I’m not sorry that this happened.” When she didn’t respond he continued. “I care about you Teyla…a lot… and I don’t want to screw things up again. If there is a chance for something between us, then I want to take it slow. And if not…I don’t want to do any more damage to our friendship.”
She quickly averted her gaze and she could feel the blush spreading across her face. “I’m sorry John.”
He squeezed her shoulders once. “Hey, it’s ok.” Then he dropped his hands to his side and walked to the door. “So tomorrow?”
Teyla glanced up at him and nodded. Then she watched as John quietly slipped out the door.
TBC
Chapter Title: Chapter 11 - Setting Things Right
Author: Nytel
Rating: PG-13, (maybe even only PG)
Spoilers: Up to 203 for sure, but very light spoilers, if any, after that.
Summary: Teyla and John spend one night together, and they could never have imagined the series of events that would unfold because of it. These events would change the lives and the future of everyone in Atlantis.
Disclaimer: I do not own Stargate Atlantis.
Prologue: http://nytel.livejournal.com/6539.html#cutid1
Chapter 1: http://nytel.livejournal.com/6715.html#cutid1
Chapter 2: http://nytel.livejournal.com/7290.html#cutid1
Chapter 3: http://nytel.livejournal.com/10722.html#cutid1
Chapter 4: http://nytel.livejournal.com/13158.html#cutid1
Chapter 5: http://nytel.livejournal.com/13707.html#cutid1
Chapter 6: http://nytel.livejournal.com/14574.html#cutid1
Chapter 7: http://nytel.livejournal.com/15691.html#cutid2
Chapter 8: http://nytel.livejournal.com/18066.html#cutid1
Chapter 9: http://nytel.livejournal.com/21770.html#cutid1
Chapter 10: http://nytel.livejournal.com/22280.html#cutid1
Previously:
When Carson, Elizabeth, Ford, Ronon and McKay entered the infirmary, John nearly jumped again. He tried to withdraw his hand inconspicuously from Teyla’s, but she tightened her grip leaving him unable to do so. Both Teyla and John stepped to the side of the beds as Carson approached.
He was holding a syringe in one hand. He carefully inserted it into Tagan’s IV tube and emptied it. Carson then pulled another identical syringe from the pocket of his coat and injected the contents of it into Abrianna’s IV tube.
Chapter 11 - Setting Things Right
They waited.
John didn’t know how many minutes they stood there, but it seemed like an eternity. Teyla was holding his hand so tight that it had gone numb, or maybe the numbness was due to how tight he was holding on to her. He wasn’t sure, but then it didn’t matter. The only thing that mattered was whether or not the twins would wake up as themselves. God, he needed them to wake up all right.
He found himself chanting in his head frantically, let them be ok, let them be ok. He had even begun to mouth the words, though no one noticed. Then he saw it, a slight movement of Abrianna’s hand. Teyla must have noticed too, because he heard her breath hitch in her throat.
Tagan started to shift also. At an excruciatingly slow pace the twins began to regain consciousness.
When Abrianna opened her eyes John saw pure innocence, not malicious intent. He knew that the wraith presence was gone, and he had never felt happier in his entire life.
Before John could even begin to contemplate what to do next, Tagan screamed, “Mom!” He had become aware of his bindings and was panicking. Not even one full second later Abrianna began to panic too. Both twins were in a full out struggle with their restraints and John knew that if they didn’t calm down soon they could seriously hurt themselves.
In a flurry of rapid movement he dropped Teyla’s hand and stepped towards Abrianna. From the corner of his eye he could see Teyla reaching for Tagan.
As fast as humanly possible John undid all of the restraints that had been binding Abrianna. Once she was free, Abrianna threw her arms around his neck in a vice like grip.
John felt his chest tighten with emotion as he picked her up and murmured comforting words into her hair. When she started to cry he rubbed his hand in soothing circles on her back.
Somewhere behind him John heard Carson speaking, “Elizabeth, I’m sorry but I need to check them out.”
“Can’t you give them a minute?”
“Aye, I can do that.” John didn’t turn around, but he did hear many sets of retreating footsteps.
When he lifted his head and looked off to his right he saw that Teyla was sitting on a hospital bed, cradling Tagan in her arms. He wasn’t crying, but he had his face buried in her neck, and he was holding on for dear life.
John carried Abrianna the short distance to where Teyla was sitting. He gently sat down beside her and Tagan on the bed.
Abrianna slowly lifted her head from where it had been resting on John’s shoulder. Then, with a movement that only a child could manage, she climbed over to sit on Teyla’s lap too. Without saying a word, Abrianna buried her tear stained face into the other side of her mother’s neck.
John watched as Teyla tightened her arms around both of the twins. He didn’t even consider saying anything; instead he moved a little closer to Teyla and wrapped his arm around her. It was time to set things right.
***
Teyla leaned into John’s embrace and closed her eyes. Relief was coursing through her veins. She had no idea what she would have done had the kids woken up still under wraith influence. Hopefully she would never have to experience that feeling. Teyla mentally berated herself; she would not let her thoughts stray down that path, not now when she was so happy.
She involuntarily held the twins a little closer, making sure that they were indeed there and all right. Tagan let out a small squeak of protest, but other than that, all was silent. Ever since the children had been possessed, silence had bothered Teyla. It had seemed so uncomfortable and foreboding, but now the silence was calm and relaxing.
When she let out a contented sigh, John pulled her a little closer. Teyla couldn’t stop thinking about how right this felt. Any further thoughts were escaping her. Teyla was merely living in the moment and couldn’t think or feel anything past the present.
The mood was disrupted when Tagan said, “I’m hungry. Can we have some more ugly bird sandwiches?”
Teyla abruptly opened her eyes and looked at her son questioningly. “Ugly bird sandwiches?”
John was laughing. “He means turkey.”
When Teyla looked over at John she said, “I’m not even going to ask.”
He grinned. “Good idea.”
“Can we?” Tagan repeated, this time looking at his father.
“Please,” added Abrianna as she turned her head to look at John too.
He smiled at them both charmingly, “We’ll have to see what Dr. Beckett says.”
It took a few seconds for his comment to register with Teyla. She had completely forgotten that Carson would need to check out the twins. Then, as if magically summoned, Dr. Beckett appeared.
Teyla barely registered Carson’s delighted look before John reluctantly withdrew his arm from around her. Standing up, he moved to stand at the foot of the hospital bed. She was instantly surprised by how she craved his presence, even though he was only a few feet away.
“Lass,” Carson said to Teyla. “I’ll need to have a look at the twins.”
She nodded and unwrapped Abrianna’s arms from around her neck. “Abrianna,” she said quietly, “Dr. Beckett needs to take a look at you and make sure that you’re all right.”
Abrianna responded by climbing off of her mother’s lap and sitting on the hospital bed. Carson crouched down beside the bed and began to examine her. After a few moments he declared that she was as healthy as could be expected.
Immediately after this, Abrianna hopped down from the bed and ran over to John. Teyla watched as he lifted her up into his arms. The sight of it warmed her heart.
Carson then quickly examined Tagan. As he was finishing up, the rest of the group re-entered the infirmary. Teyla stood up as Dr. Weir walked toward her. Once she was only a few feet away Dr. Weir said, “I’m glad to see that the twins are all right.”
When Teyla nodded, but didn’t say anything, Dr. Weir continued. “So long as Dr. Beckett says it’s all right, you can take the twins back to your rooms. I don’t think that there is any reason to keep them in here longer.”
“Thank you,” Teyla said.
Dr. Weir inhaled deeply. “Now as much as I wish I didn’t have to, I’ve assigned two marines to keep guard over the twins. No matter where the twins are, I want those guards posted outside of the room.”
Teyla nodded her acknowledgement. Even though she didn’t like the idea, she knew it was necessary.
Dr. Weir momentarily placed a comforting hand on Teyla’s shoulder. “I just don’t want to take any chances. If the wraith possessed the twins once, who’s to say they won’t do it again?”
“I understand.”
“Good,” said Dr. Weir. “Now there’s just one more thing. You need to talk to the twins about what happened, and try to help them find some way to resist the wraith if they do decide to try this again.”
Just then, John, who was still holding Abrianna, stepped up beside Teyla and joined into the conversation. “Later,” he said.
Dr. Weir turned to face him. “No, not later, now. As soon as possible.”
John forcefully shook his head. “Let it wait until tomorrow at least Elizabeth. The kids have already been through enough today.”
Teyla watched as Dr. Weir sighed and said, “All right, tomorrow.”
Just then Teyla felt a pair of small arms wrap around her leg. She reached down and hoisted Tagan up onto her hip. “Can we go eat now?”
She laughed and turned around to look at Dr. Beckett. When he nodded she said, “Yes, we can go eat now.”
***
John had walked with Teyla and the twins to their rooms before heading to the mess to grab their dinner. Now he was on his way back with a plateful of turkey sandwiches in hand.
As John turned the corner he saw the two marines that were posted outside of Teyla’s rooms, but even the sight of them couldn’t damper his spirits: the kids were ok, his kids were ok. John was elated.
When John reached Teyla’s door, he lifted his hand to knock, but then decided against it. When he entered the quarters he found Teyla sitting at the table watching the children as they played.
“Sandwiches anyone?” he asked as he set the plate down on the table.
Immediately the twins stopped whatever they had been doing and ran over to the table. Once they had hopped up onto some chairs they both grabbed a sandwich and started to eat.
John pulled up the last chair and sat beside Teyla. She gave him a warm smile before offering him a sandwich. He graciously accepted it. “Thank you,” he said, and Teyla nodded in response.
Things were still awkward between them, but John hoped that it wouldn’t remain that way for long. But first, they had to tell the kids about John being their father. He looked over at Teyla and she nodded. Neither of them had said anything, but John knew they were both on the same track. It was time to tell them. Suddenly he felt very nervous. It was one thing knowing that he was their father, but telling the twins about it was a whole other matter.
“Kids,” Teyla said softly. Both of the twins set down their sandwiches and looked up at their mom.
“Yes,” they said in unison.
John heard Teyla take a deep breath, but he didn’t turn to look at her. He was watching the kids. They looked like they knew that something important was about to happen.
“Kids, John is …”
“Our father,” Abrianna finished. John abruptly turned to look at Teyla, but she seemed just as surprised as him.
“How… how did you know that?” Teyla questioned as she stared at Abrianna.
Abrianna shrugged. “I just did.”
Then Tagan spoke, “He is?”
John watched as Abrianna turned to talk to her brother. “I told you.” Tagan stuck his tongue out at his sister in response.
“Tagan,” warned both John and Teyla. Then they quickly glanced to look at each other before turning back to face the kids.
“Tagan, you know better than that,” Teyla said.
Tagan sighed and dropped his head. “Yes Mom,” he muttered quietly.
For a few moments they all just sat at the table, not really knowing what to do. It was awkward to say the least. Then Tagan broke the silence, “Can we go play?”
Teyla smiled, “Yes, go ahead.”
The twins then quickly left the table, and resumed doing…well, whatever it was they had been doing. John watched the kids quietly for a moment before he turned and caught Teyla looking at him. She quickly turned away.
John waited a few more moments. Then he began to say Teyla’s name, just as she started to say his. They both laughed, a little self-consciously. Then she spoke.
“Please,” she said. “Go ahead.”
“Well,” John began. “I was just going to say, that could have gone a lot worse.”
“Yes, it could have.” Teyla paused. “But how did Abrianna know?” She turned to look at John questioningly.
He shook his head. “I have no idea. Maybe it was just intuition, or something.”
She nodded. “Yes, perhaps it was.”
Another bout of silence descended upon the two. Eventually John spoke again, “You were going to say something.”
“Yes,” Teyla said quietly. “All I wanted to say was that I want you… to be a part of the kids’ lives, no matter how awkward things are between us.”
John couldn’t help but notice her stumble over the words, but he didn’t mention it. “Really?” he asked.
“Really,” said Teyla firmly. “I was wrong to ever leave Atlantis John. I know now that my place is here, and that the twins belong with you.”
John didn’t know what to say, but it didn’t matter because Teyla wasn’t finished. “I don’t know how I could have been so selfish.” Her voice was angry. “I took my kids away from their father. I spent most of my life growing up without a father, and yet I condemned my children to the same fate.”
John laid his hand gently on Teyla’s shoulder and squeezed. Teyla looked at him as she continued. “We’ve been given a second chance John, a chance to make things right.”
John gazed deeply into Teyla’s eyes and said, “Yes, we have.” They stayed that way for a little while before John broke the gaze and removed his hand from Teyla’s shoulder.
Both parents watched as the twins played only a few feet away from them, completely oblivious to everything else. John couldn’t help but think that tomorrow would be tough. They would need to try and teach the kids how to defend themselves against wraith possession. John continued to watch them and wondered how much more complicated their lives could get.
Then John finally took a closer look at what the kids were doing. It looked like they were playing a board game. “Teyla, what are they playing?” he asked curiously.
She waited a moment before replying. “I believe Dr. Beckett called it Chutes and Ladders. He dropped it off a few minutes before you came back.”
“Ah,” John said. “Good ol’ Snakes and Ladders.” When Teyla looked at him inquisitively he explained. “There are two different names for the game. Some people call it Chutes and Ladders, but other people call it Snakes and Ladders.”
“Why?”
“Because if your player lands on a space with a ladder then you follow the ladder up to a higher square, but if you land on a space with a snake, or in this case a chute, your player slides back down to a lower square.”
“Right,” said Teyla.
John smiled; he loved trying to explain Earth stuff to Teyla.
“But John,” she asked. “Why do they use snakes?”
“I like snakes,” said Tagan unexpectedly.
“Yeah,” said John. “Snakes are cool.”
“Eww,” piped up Abrianna. “Snakes are icky.” John nearly laughed when she scrunched up her face in disgust.
“No, they’re not,” said Tagan.
“Yes, they are.”
“Kids,” said Teyla as she shook her head. The twins went back to playing their game.
Then John spoke, “Hey Teyla, do you remember that time when we found that huge snake off world?”
Teyla smiled. “Yes, and do you remember how scared Dr. McKay was?” And the conversation progressed from there as both adults took the time to reminisce.
***
Teyla lovingly tucked a strand of stray brown hair behind Abrianna’s ear. The twins were finally asleep. She and John had spent hours sitting there in the bedroom with them until they had dozed off.
She heard him stand up from his chair. Then she felt his hand on her shoulder. When she looked up at him she saw him mouthing the words, ‘I’m going to go now.’ Teyla nodded. She stood up and followed John out of the room, gently closing the door behind her.
Once they were out in the main room John quietly said, “I’m going to go now.”
“Ok.”
John looked at Teyla for a few moments as he fidgeted nervously. “So, I guess I’ll see ya…”
She nodded. “If you would like, and if you are not busy, you could come back in the morning.” Teyla then offered him a shy smile.
John returned the smile. “Yeah,” he said. “That’s sounds good.”
“Yes,” she said.
“Ok,” John paused. “I’ll just…go.” He took a few steps towards the door.
“All right.” Teyla said as she stepped towards the door too.
“So…I’ll see you tomorrow then,” John said.
“Yes,” Teyla said again.
Just as John was about to leave he turned around again. “Teyla, if anything happens…”
“Do not worry John, you will be the first to know.”
“Right,” he said. “Well…” He inclined his head towards the door and just as he was about to open it Teyla grabbed a hold of his arm.
When he turned around to face her once again she said, “Thank you John.”
Then she was hugging him, though she wasn’t one hundred percent sure why. But it was ok, because he was hugging her back, and it felt right.
Eventually John started to pull away slowly, but he planted his hands on Teyla’s shoulders. Then their gazes locked. Teyla knew that it was rumored that eyes were the gateway to the soul, but she had never believed it until that moment. She could see John: really see him.
Then they kissed.
Teyla didn’t know who had initiated it, but when John’s lips touched hers it didn’t matter and she reacted instinctively. She reached one hand up to tangle itself in his hair, and she wrapped her other arm around his back, pulling him closer.
John had moved his hands from Teyla’s shoulders, so that they were now cupping her face. When Teyla moved to deepen the kiss, John abruptly pulled away.
Teyla felt the tears beginning to form in her eyes; he was rejecting her again. “Maybe you should go,” she said, her voice very shaky.
“Teyla…”
“No John,” she said forcefully, fighting back tears. “Please go.”
But John didn’t heed her request; instead he took a small step back towards her and placed his hands on her shoulders again. “Teyla look at me.”
Teyla, who had been staring at the floor, looked up at John again. “I’m not sorry that this happened.” When she didn’t respond he continued. “I care about you Teyla…a lot… and I don’t want to screw things up again. If there is a chance for something between us, then I want to take it slow. And if not…I don’t want to do any more damage to our friendship.”
She quickly averted her gaze and she could feel the blush spreading across her face. “I’m sorry John.”
He squeezed her shoulders once. “Hey, it’s ok.” Then he dropped his hands to his side and walked to the door. “So tomorrow?”
Teyla glanced up at him and nodded. Then she watched as John quietly slipped out the door.
TBC