Wow another one posted completely. Thank you all for following, favoring and reviewing.

I'm honored and grateful for your support and happy to be able to entertain you.

I'm also grateful for the support and dedication of my two very talented and awesome beats Em and Amy.

I also wanted to thank Jeyla for giving me a chance and providing the perfect environment with her SGA Beya community on LJ. If you love John and Teyla as much as I do take a look.

Hoped you enjoyed the last chapter, for you who are currently waiting for the next part of Building a New life. There is a little surprise at the bottom.

Let me know ;).

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Chapter Twenty

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An old friend said hello

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They were in the middle of eating when Nancy returned. John almost choked on the bite he had just taken.

He couldn't help being nervous. He and Teyla had discussed what to say and what not. In the end, they had agreed that Nancy knew enough. They had no obligation towards her.

"Nance," he greeted, not moving from his place. Leaving the tray with his food in front of him as a shield, there was no need for her to touch him. He remembered the wake and Nancy's need to hug him. Teyla was the only woman he wanted that close.

"Hi, John," Nancy greeted in return, taking him in. Something in the way she looked at him made John uncomfortable. He was glad that there was no space on the couch as Torren had shifted and was currently occupying most of the space next to John.

"Why don't you sit down?" John offered, pointing at the chairs in front of him.

"Thank you."

An awkward silence settled upon the group.

John cleared his throat and opened his mouth. After a moment he closed it again, looking at his food.

"Don't stop eating. I'm sure you need it."

"Uhm … thanks," John returned, looking up again. "You like it here?" he asked and waited for Teyla to sit down again before resuming eating.

"It's an awesome place," Nancy began. "I can understand why you like being here."

"Yeah, I love it," John said between two bites. "How long are you staying?"

"I was planning on needing four weeks, but I might be done in two."

"Everything is working alright?" John fired the next question, not giving Nancy the time to ask anything. He kept strictly to business.

Suddenly, Nancy felt misplaced. This wasn't her place. She had come to get some answers, but John was as closed off as ever. There was nothing left of the man she had seen yesterday.

"Yeah, everything's good. Listen John, I just came by …."

Nancy was interrupted when Torren suddenly startled and then wailed, sitting up and blinking around furiously. His eyes fell on John and, in front of her, John transformed again.

His careful mask bled into a tender, open smile when Torren crawled over to John and climbed onto his lap, leaning against him. John's arm quickly sneaked around Torren and his lips settled against his son's forehead. This was the John Nancy would only get to see when he was concentrating on his family.

He would not be this open with her. He didn't trust her and, from his point of view, she was the enemy. She was here to evaluate his people. While watching him, realization struck. Torren was over a year old. That meant Teyla had been pregnant when John had come to Earth for his father's wake. He had been married to Teyla then, too.

He had started this new life a long time ago, and there would be no explanation for her. There was no need to; she had been the one to leave. They had been friendly so far, but this was where John drew the line. His family was his business.

When Torren was settled against John and happily munching on his hand, John looked back at her. Teyla had stayed ready, but had waited to see if she was needed. Nancy was sure that if John hadn't been hurt, she wouldn't have bothered to do anything at all.

"Sorry," John excused his attention back on Nancy.

"Don't worry. I understand. I just wanted to see how you were doing and tell you that you have a great family. I'm glad you found someone, too," Nancy rambled. She tried to sound genuine, but from the frown on John's face, she could tell she wasn't very convincing.

"Thank you," he said after a moment. "How's Grant?"

"He's doing well."

"What did you tell him?"

"That I had to go somewhere and that it was classified."

"Oh."

"He's busy with a case at the moment, so my being gone for some time wasn't that much of a problem. On the contrary, it gives him time to concentrate on what he's supposed to achieve."

John frowned again, but true to his character didn't ask further.

"I'm glad you're doing better," she started. "But I can see that you are still in need of rest. Maybe we'll able to meet again before I leave." Nancy got up, once more studying John. "Bye, John, Teyla. Have a good night."

Teyla stood up and accompanied Nancy to the door.

They exchanged a few more words and then Nancy was gone.

John leaned his head back and closed his eyes, glad Nancy was gone. He felt drained. Even though he had just woken, he was ready to nod off again. He felt the couch shift and Teyla settle next to him.

"I called Carson. He will be here soon. Do you wish to get ready for bed?"

"Nah," John said, opening his eyes and looking down at Torren who was looking back wide eyed. "You wanna play?"

Torren nodded and Teyla help him slip down to the floor again.

XOXOXOXOXO

Nancy took a deep breath. Her thoughts turned inward for a moment. This was her last night on Atlantis. She was both relieved and saddened. Atlantis really grew on you. She was stilled stunned that her evaluations had gone so smoothly and that she could return with the good feeling of reporting that none of the relationships in question posed any danger to the expedition.

Going home was so much more meaningful though. She had written an email to Grant after leaving John's quarters that first time they had talked. That night, she had finally understood herself.

She had always kept a door open in her heart for John, in case he ever realized the mistake he had made. The truth, however, had been that she had been the one to make a mistake, the mistake of thinking she was the only woman for John. He hadn't needed her while they had been married and he didn't need her now. The people he needed and wanted in his life were here.

On the other hand, Grant wanted her and needed her. He would pick her up and the two would sort out all the problems that had come up. Nancy now knew what she wanted, and she was glad that Grant was open to discussing it. Nancy wanted a family and children, but she honestly felt too old for a small child. Maybe they could adopt.

Her thoughts came back to John and his family. They had spent only a few meals together over the past two weeks and Nancy had been okay with that. Just once she had managed to catch John alone and had talked to him. He had been mostly silent and uncomfortable. His last words, however, had showed her how far he had come.

"I'm sorry, Nance. I don't know what to say," he had shrugged. "I won't lie. I hope you can work this out, but I can't help you. Teyla and Torren are my life."

It had been all he had said, but it had said it all. Nancy no longer hugged John or invaded his personal space. He had never liked it and she had forced it upon him, but not anymore.

She had been surprised the first time she had seen Teyla and John in public together. If she hadn't known the two were a couple, she would never have guessed it. They were very professional, barely touching, never kissing or holding hands.

Nancy had no idea how Teyla could live that way, but she obviously didn't mind. But then, she had seen the two in private. Teyla probably didn't need the public reassurance, secure in knowing how John truly felt. Torren was the only one who came into the delight of public cuddling and kissing from his dad.

Nancy smiled, walking further into the room. Soon her trip would be over and she would close the John Sheppard chapter once and for all.

XOXOXOXOXO

"Teyla, I'm home," John called happily. Carson had just cleared him for light duty and, this morning, he had watched Nancy return to Earth. When he didn't get an answer, he walked into the room and put the food he had brought into the fridge. It was enough to last two days.

He was ready to enjoy some alone time with his wife and repay all she had done and endured during the visit of his ex-wife. He still couldn't believe what Nancy had done and was proud at how Teyla had reacted. She still didn't know that John knew what had happened, but he would tell her now.

He had arranged for Torren to have a sleepover with his favorite uncles and spend the next day with them. He had to chuckle at that as, about six months ago he had belonged in that category too.

He wondered where Teyla had gone, but found her meditating in their bedroom. Her posture was tense and she looked more than ready to burst.

Though they had found ways to ease the sexual tension the past few nights, John knew it was not enough. Teyla took a deep breath and let out a long and frustrated sigh.

…

Teyla tried to relax, but every end of her nerves stood at attention. Though John and she had found ways to satisfy their desire for the other, it wasn't enough. She longed to feel his naked body pressed against her, feel him move against her, within her. With her thoughts, arousal shot through her and finally pooled into her lower body.

She let out a long, frustrated sigh. This wasn't helping. No matter what Carson said, she would get her way with John tonight. She would find a way.

She jumped when she felt a hand settle on her back and start to massage. Her eyes flew open and she turned slightly, finding John sitting on the bed behind her.

"Sorry, just one hand to use," he said, holding up his now casted wrist while continuing to rub Teyla's back.

Teyla groaned when John hit a tender spot. He concentrated on the spot and Teyla closed her eyes again. Suddenly, his lips descended on her neck. Teyla leaned back into John.

His lips traveled to her ear and, from there, over her cheek to her nose before John captured her lips. Teyla was too desperate to feel John to think about the fact that it was not even 1500 hours in the afternoon or that Torren was probably in the living room.

She turned into his embrace. When they broke the kiss, all the reasons they had to stop took over and Teyla settled back, frustrated again.

John grabbed her arm and pulled her to him.

"John," she sighed.

John just smiled. "Carson cleared me for light duty," he announced.

Teyla smiled too, her eyes hopeful. "Tonight?"

"Yeah, but I thought about now, too, and maybe a little later," John said hopeful.

"Torren…"

"… is currently watched by Amelia and will have a sleepover with Ronon and Rodney."

"We are alone?" Teyla asked just to make sure.

"Alone and cleared for moderate activity. No running, though."

Teyla surged forward and John fell back on the bed, Teyla on top of him. She quickly searched his face for any signs of pain. All she could find was amusement mixed with arousal and love. Teyla didn't waste any time and quickly helped John undress before getting rid of her own clothes; she would not be getting out of this bed for the next little while.

…

Teyla sat next to John, admiring his bare back. The late afternoon sun bathed their room in warm light. Her fingertips traveled over the newest scar adorning his body.

The thin pink line stood out in stark contrast to his skin. Two weeks had passed and he had recovered well, though he still preferred to sleep on his stomach. Nancy was gone and Teyla was still stunned she had confessed to John what her intention of coming here had been.

His reaction, however, hadn't surprised her that much. She was sure they would not hear from her anytime soon, not that she minded. John stirred and pulled Teyla down to lie next to him. His hand started to travel up and down her body.

They shifted and soon Teyla was covered by John's body again, his weight pressing her comfortably in the mattress. His movement and lips making her forget everything, just leaving the exciting prospect of the future and their life together.

Nancy's visit became the memory of an old friend saying hello.

The End

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Under Control

After the events of Building a New Life the expedition returns to Pegasus and moves to their new and hopefully final home planet. While things settle, an old enemy infiltrates the city to finally reach his goal. But before he can complete his task, he has to kill the one man that could stop him, Colonel John Sheppard. The only hope for rescue comes from an unexpected source, but will he be heard before it's to late.

Hope you enjoyed the little summary.

Posting will start June, 29 th.