Chapter 7

After several hours of grueling surgery, Keller showered pulling on a clean uniform to be presentable before going to talk with Col. Sheppard and his team. She walked down the hallway pondering what she should say to the team. She slowly entered the mess hall scanning the area for Sheppard. She saw Sheppard walking back and forth around the table where Ronon and Rodney sat. Rodney had a large plate of food stuffing his face asking Ronon if he would like some. Ronon just glared at him, which caused Rodney to be quiet and continue eating.

Sheppard's head turned quickly and he immediately stopped pacing when he saw the doctor enter the room. He waited impatiently for her to approach him.

"How is she?" John questioned.

Keller replied, "The surgery went well. I was able to relieve the pressure on her brain, but…" Keller paused averting her gaze away from John and had begun staring at the wall.

John frowned, "Doc, please tell us."

Keller looked at Sheppard continuing, "She is in a coma. I don't know if she will ever completely recover from it."

John's eyes widen as he responded, "Can we see her?"

Keller nodded her head and replied, "Talk to her…it may help her to hear the voices of people she knows well."

Sheppard shook his head in agreement quickly leaving the mess hall in search of the infirmary.

Ronon stared at Rodney while he continued to eat.

"WHAT?" Rodney asked with food in his mouth.

"We should go see her too," Ronon growled.

Rodney whined, "But she can't hear us…do we have to?"

Ronon gave him a threatening glare which caused Rodney's eyes to enlarge.

"Ok…ok…can I…" Rodney started to ask but stopped when Ronon clenched his fists together. He stood up leaving the plate of food on the table. "Let's go, " he grumbled.

Ronon walked out of the mess hall toward the infirmary with Rodney in tow.

Ronon and Rodney entered the infirmary walking toward Teyla's bed. Before they reached her, Ronon grabbed Rodney by his shirt to stop him.

"What?" Rodney asked.

Ronon placed one finger to his lips and then pointed toward where Sheppard sat on the side of Teyla's bed. Ronon looked around the room realizing nobody else was present. They both stood back watching as Sheppard spoke to Teyla.

Sheppard caressed Teyla's hand as she lay unmoving on the bed. He said, "We've all been worried about you. You need to get well really soon so we can get back to what we do best…killing Wraith." He smirked at her as he thought about when he first met her. "Do you remember when we first met? I know you did not like me until you led me to that cave and I almost made an ass of myself tripping down that hill." John closed his eyes tightly allowing the tears that had been forming in his eyes for quite some time to slide down his cheeks. With his eyes still closed, he continued, "Please Teyla wake up…for me."

Ronon quietly dragged Rodney out of the infirmary so they would not disturb Sheppard. When they were in the hallway, Rodney replied, "I thought we were going to see Teyla."

Ronon growled, "We'll go later." Ronon turned away from Rodney quickly walking toward his quarters. Rodney shrugged his shoulders then walked off toward his lab to finish up some work.

Sheppard remained by Teyla's bed holding her hand with his eyes closed when he felt her fingers move. John's eyes shot open as he called, "Teyla? Teyla, are you awake?"

Teyla stirred slowly opening her eyes to the voice calling her name. Everything was blurry at first as her eyes readjusted to the bright lights of the infirmary. As she realized she could see, she cried out, "John! I can see."

Sheppard's lips curved upward as he replied, "That's great! " He squeezed her hand tightly and without thinking he raised her hand to his lips lightly kissing it.

Teyla giggled quietly carefully pulling her hand away from his grasp. "It's not that I didn't like you when we met. I just didn't trust you until after you rescued me from the Wraith."

Sheppard raised one of his eyebrows in surprise. "You heard everything I said?" he surmised.

Teyla chuckled softly, "Yes, John. Thank you."

John frowned, "For what?"

Teyla reached for his hand and clasped it gently. "For always being here when I needed you."

John gazed into her eyes replying, "I would do anything for you."

Teyla nodded her head, "I know. And I would do the same for you."

John sighed, "Teyla, I thought I had lost you forever."

Teyla started to interrupt, "John…"

"Let me finish," he said, "When Kanaan was killed because of me, I thought you would never forgive me. Luckily for me, you are a forgiving person…"

Teyla tried again to stop him, "John…"

Sheppard continued, "No, Teyla. I have a lot to say to you." He released her hand letting it drop on her bed and ran his fingers through his hair. "I will never forget the day I told you the news of his death. You were so angry with me…"

Teyla replied, "I'm ashamed of the way I behaved."

"You had every right to be mad," John said. "I knew you cared for him. But now…"

Teyla interrupted, "I cared for you more than him."

John's eyes widen as he replied, "But I thought you loved him."

Teyla nodded, "I did. After all, he was the father of my child. But you are my soul mate…"

John beamed at her and spoke, "As you are mine."

Sheppard slowly leaned toward her turning his head as his face inched closer to hers. His lips met hers in a soft, gentle kiss lasting for a few seconds before…

"How's the patient?" Rodney asked grinning from ear to ear.

Sheppard quickly pulled back from the kiss with his cheeks turning blood red. Teyla laughed at John's embarrassment and replied, "I am well. Thank you, Rodney."

Rodney placed his fingers to his lips, "Ooops…did I interrupt something?"

Sheppard shook his head rapidly answering, "Now, I think it's time for the patient to rest."

Rodney protested, "But I just got here!"

John glared at him, "Now, Rodney."

Rodney answered, "Ok, Mr. Grumpy Pants." He patted Teyla's hand and said, "Get well soon." He turned away snickering as he left the infirmary.

Teyla couldn't help herself anymore and busted out laughing. John started to get angry but then chuckled quietly under his breath.

Sheppard stopped laughing and gazed into her eyes intensely. He tenderly took her hand in his and said, "You really should rest. I'll be back later so we can finish our talk."

Teyla nodded her head in agreement and answered, "Bring Torren when you return."

Sheppard spoke, "Of course…" He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it lovingly, "my Teyla."

THE END