Chapter 28

Dave had hired people to clean up the mess. They arrived early the next morning.

Dave went to wake his brother and found him awake.

"Morning." Dave greeted.

"Good morning." John smiled "was it a late night?"

"Not too late." Dave said. "Everyone had a great night and they all wished you well."

"That's nice." John smiled. "So how about you help me up. We have to get ready to leave."

"Sure." Dave replied with a smile. "But you won't be leaving until this evening. We have dinner planned for everyone and you'll go after that."

"And everyone has agreed to this?" John asked.

"Yes. Even Colonel Caldwell is staying and said he would beam you back to the SGC when ever you are ready."

"Ok so let's get some breakfast." John suggested.

"Yes Sir." Dave replied with a grin and helped John up.

They then went downstairs and joined the others for breakfast. Jack, Sam and the others had all joined them in the house so it was quite hectic. Torren loved the crowd and was being passed around to everyone. They eventually all managed to get some breakfast. They decided to go to the mall to get some last minute things to bring back.

Dave rang for some cabs and when they finally arrived the huge group headed off.

When they arrived at the mall they broke off into groups. The women headed for the clothes shops. Torren was being fussy and wanted to stay with John. So after Teyla had strapped them both into the chair, they headed to buy some DVDs with Cam pushing the chair. John had promised Teyla some DVDs that showed weddings so he picked out a few of those and also added a few kiddie ones for Torren.

"Ok so where to next." Rodney asked when they had finished.

"I need to go to a jewellery store." John said.

"For what." Rodney asked.

"A ring for Teyla." John answered quietly.

"You're going to ask her to marry you." Rodney gasped.

"Well not right away, but I'm not going to get the chance to get one at home." John replied.

"Well we can't all go with you." Rodney said.

"I'll go." Both Dave and Cam said at the same time.

"Ok both of you can come and we'll give Rodney a call when we're done." John said.

"Yeah ok." Rodney agreed and they went their separate ways.

"So do you know what kind of ring you want to get?" Cam asked.

"I have an idea yeah, it can't be too big or flashy, she doesn't like that." John replied. "I was thinking a platinum band with the diamonds embedded in the band."

"Sounds nice." Cam replied as they neared the store. "Ok you ready?"

"Yeah." John replied and they entered the store.

"Gentlemen, is there something I can help you with?" the sales man asked.

"Yes my brother here is looking for an engagement ring." Dave said indicating to John.

"Of course. What kind of band?" he asked.

"Platinum." John replied.

"I'll just get a selection of rings. If you'd like to move to that table over there it would be easier for you." He said

"Ok thank you." John replied and Cam pushed him over.

He returned a few minutes later carrying two trays of rings. "Now these are a selection of the ones we have." He said as he laid them down.

"Dave can you take Torren for a few minutes." John asked.

"Sure." Dave replied and started un-strapping Torren.

When Dave had Torren John moved in and started examining the rings.

"Do you have anything with the stones set into the band?" John asked after a few minutes and seeing none he liked.

"Yes of course." The sales man replied. "Those are a bit more expensive."

"That's fine." John replied.

He returned a few minutes later with more rings. Again John studied them trying to find the perfect one. His phone started ringing interrupting him.

"Sorry." John said pulling the phone out and checking the caller ID.

"This is Colonel Sheppard." He said into the phone.

He listened to the person talking for a few minutes.

"Yes they are all to be shipped back. Colonel Caldwell is aware of everything." John said and listened to the person again.

"Yes the box marked knives is to go with the personal shipments."

"Ok. Great." John continued and hung up.

"Sorry about that." He said and started looking at the rings again.

"I can't see any I like." John said after a while.

"We can try somewhere else." Dave suggested.

"I have others but they are quite expensive. I don't know if they are in your price range."

"We'll have a look at those." Dave replied. "And how about we worry if they are in his price range."

"Of course." He replied and ran off to get more rings

Torren started squirming in Dave's arms, trying to get to John and calling Dada.

"I'll take him back." John said and reached out.

"I'll put him on your lap." Dave said. "You're not supposed to be using your arm."

"Fine." John agreed.

Dave placed Torren back on John lap and strapped the baby in. Torren quickly settled down and snuggled against John.

A few minutes later the man returned accompanied by a woman. They were carrying two trays of rings. The second they put them down, John saw the ring he wanted.

He reached out and picked out the ring. It was a platinum band with a diamond slightly raised, with two small light green stones on either side. Each was surrounded by a cluster of diamonds. He tried the ring on his small finger and it only went half way.

"I'll take this one." John said.

"Are you sure." Dave asked.

"Yeah this is it." He replied

"What size do you need?" the woman asked.

"This size is perfect." John replied.

"How do you know that?" Cam asked.

"Teyla tried on one of Keller's rings and it fit her perfectly. I tried it on my little finger and it only went half way." John explained.

"I'll get it shinned and put in a box for you." The woman said.

"It's priced at $12,000." The man said. "We do payment plans if you want."

"No I'll pay for it now." John replied and pulled out his wallet. "Do you think mom will like it T.J.?"

Torren giggled into John's chest.

"Yeah me too." John agreed and handed over his credit card.

"Are you John Sheppard the Air Force pilot who done the emergency landing last week." The man asked when he saw the name on the card.

"Um yeah." John replied awkwardly.

"Oh wow, it's an honour to meet you." He said "My mother was on that flight. Thank you so much for what you did."

"It was no big deal." John replied.

"Yes it was." The man replied just as the women returned with the ring in its box.

"Do you know who this is." He said to her. "This is the Colonel Sheppard who landed the plane last week and saved all those people. The one you were ogling over."

"Oh my." She replied looking at John. "I wasn't ogling. You are looking much better now."

"Ah thanks." John replied his ears turning bright red.

"Can you enter your pin." The man asked and John complied.

"Here's the ring, your receipt and your card."

"Thanks." John replied stuffing them all in his pockets.

"It was lovely to meet you." the woman called as they left the store

"Yeah, you too." John replied.

"Ok how about we go find the others." Cam suggested.

"Yeah." John replied and pulled out his phone.

He rang Rodney and they met up outside a game shop.

After another few hours the guys were all getting bored so they rang the girls to meet them for lunch.

They met up in a restaurant and were seated at three tables, all beside each other.

They had a quick lunch and then headed back to the house where John and Torren went for a nap.

Cam brought John up and helped him get ready and into bed.

"So how are you holding up with all of this?" Cam asked when John was lying down.

"I'm doing ok." John replied. "It was terrible at first, I needed help doing everything. Ronon had to lift me everywhere. But I know it's only for another while so I'm ok."

"That's good to hear." Cam replied. "I'd have probably freaked out after a day of being in the chair."

"I've been back on my feet longer, so it's a bit easier for me." John replied.

"Yeah maybe." Cam said. "Anyway get some sleep, we'll talk later."

"Thanks." John replied as Cam left the room.

John woke a few hours later when he heard someone moving around the room. He opened his eyes to find Teyla packing his bags.

"Hey Teyla." He greeted.
"John I am sorry I did not mean to wake you." She said as she moved beside him.

"S'ok." John replied. "It's time to get up anyway. What are you doing?"

"I am just packing your things."

"You don't have to do that."

"It is ok I want to." Teyla replied. "Besides the others are not very good at packing and I needed something to do while Torren is sleeping."

"Thanks." John replied. "Torren seems to be sleep well these days."

"Yes he is and I am very thankful." Teyla replied. "I hope he continues to sleep as well when we return to Atlantis."

"I'm sure he will." John assured. "I was thinking that you should move into the family quarters with Torren."

"I did not know there were family quarters." Teyla replied.

"Yeah we've just never used them. We didn't find them until after the Athosians had left and we didn't have families to use them. But Torren will need his own room soon."

"Yes he is getting big." Teyla agreed. "Would you not be moving in with us?"

"I um, I would if you wanted me to." John replied. "I'd like to but I'm not sure what customs the Athosians have on moving in together."

"Normally we would wait until we are joined. But I think it would not matter now. I would like it very much if you were to move in with us."

"Really?" John asked. "I'd like that very much."

"Good." Teyla replied. "Now would you like to help me pack? I will hand you your clothes and you can put them in the bag."

"Sure." John agreed and the two of them set about the task.

When they had finished Teyla went to get Torren and she asked Ronon to help John.

They all brought their bags down stairs and left them in the sitting room ready to go.

After a while everyone was ready and they headed to a restaurant. Dave had booked a small room in one of the restaurants that he went to often. Again Dave called taxis and when they arrived they all went to the restaurant.

The meal was very enjoyable. They spent the meal talking about weddings and the plans they had but eventually it was time to go. They got taxis back to the house and they all went inside.

"Ok well thanks for everything Dave." John said as they all gathered near the bags.

"You don't need an excuse to visit. Call the next time you're back." Dave said.

"I'll try, but the next time we're back it'll for the wedding." John said.

"And try not to get hurt again."

"I'll try. No promises." John smirked.

"Just take care of yourself." Dave said pulling John into a hug.

"You too."

Everyone said their good byes and they were beamed up. Jeannie, Kaleb and Madison were beamed home, Jack was beamed to Washington, while Caldwell and Novak stayed on the Daedalus and the others were all beamed to the SGC for check ups before they went back. Vala used the healing device again on John to fix any remaining injuries. They stayed the night in the SGC, with John staying in the infirmary.

The following morning they were beamed up to the Daedalus, Carson included, to start the three week journey back to Atlantis. John spent the next three weeks doing the physical therapy to get him back on his feet. He was still very tired and spent a lot of time sleeping, but because he was no longer taking the pain medication, he wasn't nauseous anymore and was able to eat more. Ronon and Teyla were with him everyday while Rodney was off working on the ship. By the time they arrived in orbit above Atlantis John had put on a good bit of weight and was able to walk around on his own.

The Daedalus landed on the east pier and everyone started to disembark.

When the team finally walked off they were greeted by Mr. Woolsey, Dr. Keller and Major Lorne.

"Dr. McKay, Teyla, Ronon and Colonel Sheppard, welcome back." Woolsey said as they walked down the plank with John carrying Torren. "Colonel, how are you feeling?"

"I'm fine." John replied with a smile.

"Well you certainly look much better." Keller said looking him up and down. "Did you have a good vacation?"

"Yeah it was good." John replied with a smile. "How's the unloading going Major?"

"Fine Sir." Lorne replied. "I have been told you have a few crates of supplies you need brought to your quarters."

"No actually I'll be changing my quarters." John replied. "You can get them brought to the level below my quarters. They can be left in one of the empty rooms."

"Yes Sir." Lorne replied. "Is there anything else?"

"Anything marked for Teyla can be put in with my stuff." John replied. "There are a lot of things for Torren that he won't need just yet."

"Yes Sir. It's good to have you back Sir." Lorne said and left the group.

"Ok let's get you all to the infirmary and get you checked out." Keller said to the group.

"Of course Jennifer." Teyla replied and the group followed Dr. Keller to the infirmary.

"Ok guys, we are just going to give you all the usual scans." Keller said when they reached the infirmary. "Colonel I need to do a full exam on you I'm afraid. I'll need you to change into a gown."

"Yeah ok." John sighed and handed Torren to Teyla. "You be good for Mommy and I'll see you in a while."

Torren immediately started fussing and trying to squirm out of Teyla's arms. "Dada." He called and started crying.

"It's ok buddy." John assured the baby. "I'll see you in a little while."

"It is ok John, he will calm down soon." Teyla assured and moved away leaving John to get changed.

Keller, Ronon, Carson and Rodney followed Teyla. "So Torren is calling Colonel Sheppard dada." Keller said.

"Yes." Teyla replied with a smile.

"How has little Torren been? Has he been sleeping ok?" Jennifer asked.

"He has been fine. He is sleeping through the night now." Teyla replied. "He is getting more teeth, so is a bit cranky today."

"He seemed fine when he was with Colonel Sheppard." Jennifer commented.

"Yes, John has a very calming effect on him." Teyla agreed.

"Ok let's get all of you checked out." Keller said and led them each to a bed and then returned to Colonel Sheppard.

When she pulled back the curtain, John was sitting on the bed in just the gown.

"Ok Colonel, first things first. I'm going to run the scanner over you and then take blood and readings."

"Sure thing Doc." John replied climbing onto the bed and lying down.

Keller ran the scanner over him and recorded the results. When that was done she took his vitals and then some blood and urine samples.

"Ok Colonel now I'm just going to have a look at you to see how everything has healed."

"Sure Doc." He replied as she started examining his legs. When she was finished with his legs she covered him with a sheet and lowered the gown. She gently palpated his abdomen and then his ribs.

"Can you turn over for me." She asked and John complied. She gently traced the faint scars on his back, which had been angry looking cuts the last time she had seen them.

"These have healed brilliantly." She commented.

"Vala used the healing device to try and minimize the scaring." John replied. "They had already closed up by the time she was able to use the device, but she said it would make the scars fade quicker."

"Well that's good." Keller replied. "You can turn back over now. So how are you feeling?"

"I'm good Doc." He replied with a grin as he turned over. "I've been doing the P.T. for the last three weeks. Carson says I'm doing very well. I'm not in any pain so it's good."

"Have you been eating?"

"Yes I've put back on most of the weight I'd lost." John assured.

"How are your energy levels?" she asked.

"Ok mostly, I still get tired easier than before but if I do fall asleep during the day, it's only for an hour." John replied. "When we were on earth I slept for 3 or 4 hours a day as well as 10 hours at night."

"Well that's good." Keller replied. "Your body is still recovering from being starved. It should get better when you get back in a routine. Have you been sleeping well, any nightmares?"

"A few." John admitted "But they aren't as bad as what they were."

"That's good to hear." Keller replied. "Now you relax there for a few minutes while I go talk to Carson."

"Sure doc." John replied. "Can I get dressed?"

"Wait until after I speak to Carson then we'll see." Keller said.

"Fine." John sighed and relaxed back against the pillows.

No sooner had Keller gone than Teyla and Torren came through the curtain.

"Has Dr, Keller cleared you." Teyla asked John as she handed Torren to him.

"No not yet." John huffed. "She wants to speak to Carson first."

"I see." Teyla replied. "I am sure they will not keep you here."

"Hopefully not." John sighed. "I was thinking we could go look at the new room after Torrens nap."

"Yes I would like that very much." Teyla replied. "When you are cleared we will go for lunch and then you and Torren can sleep for a while."

"I'm fine" John assured.

"I know you did not sleep well last night John." Teyla said. "You should rest while you still can."

"Yeah ok." John agreed and started playing with Torren.

"Ok Colonel." Jennifer said as she came through the curtain. "Oh Teyla I didn't know you were still here."

"Yes we are waiting for John." Teyla replied.

"Oh ok." Jennifer replied. "Well Colonel I have spoken to Carson and we have agreed that you can go but on the condition you take a nap after lunch."

"I was planning on it Doc." John replied. "Teyla and I were just talking about it."

"Really." Jennifer replied in shock. "I thought I would have a much harder time getting you to agree."

"Yeah well." John replied with a smirk. "So can I go?"

"Yes I suppose." Keller replied as John handed Torren back to Teyla.

They left John to get dressed and he did so quickly and then joined Teyla and Torren.

"Lets go check out our new room." he said and the new family went in search of their new room.

The End

Ok that's the end of this story. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to review the story. I really appreciated all of the reviews. I hope you all enjoyed the story. I do hope to do a sequel to this at some stage. The story will centre around a wedding.

The follow up to this story 'Forced leave the weddings' will be published soon.