Disclaimer: All characters of StarGate and StarGate Atlantis belong to their respective writers and MGM. This is a work of fan fiction. I just want to play with them for awhile.

Sheppard On Top

Chapter 24

“Now this is not that bad.” John sighed as he slipped down into the warm water and rested his head back against Susan's soft breasts and draped his arms over her thighs. The water flowed in and out, swirling around them and he was starting to feel like they were in a huge hot tub and someone had just turned on the jets. “Hmm...” he sighed. “I think I could get used to this.”

The place reminded him of a Roman bath and though it was a little more out in the open then he liked, the enclosure was pretty secluded by some strategically placed bushes and trees. The tub, if that's what they called it, looked more like a pool and the wide ledge they were stretched out on could have easily seated at least five more people. Steam rose up from the water and though he couldn't see any obvious heat source, he assumed that there was some underground thermal that the Ancients had tapped into to create it.

Later he was going to have to ask Teyla how this place worked but he doubted if she or even Jaiya knew. It had to be something created by the Ancients because he doubted that the Athosians could have come up with such a complex design as this. He eased back, getting more comfortable as the heated water gently massaged his sore muscles.

“I told you that you'd like it.” She was sitting behind him, gently rubbing his shoulders. His skin tingled when she ran her hands over the taunt muscles in his arms and he lightly kissed the inside of her arm.

“Feeling comfy now, Sheppard?” She moved her hands and he heard something rustle. Opening one eye, he saw her reaching for a cloth and something that looked like a bar of soap.

“You're not planning on making me smell all girly, are you?” He tilted his head back so that he could look up at her.

“No.” She laughed and dug her fingers into his hair, pulling him back a little farther and dipping the back of his head under the water. “You'll still have that manly scent I love so much.”

“Hmm...you must mean the sex.” He purred when she lathered her hands with the soap and went to work washing his hair. Her fingers felt so good scratching across his scalp. Then to his disappointment, she stopped scratching and pulled his head back to rinse the soap out of his hair. He sighed when she picked up a towel and started to rub it over him. “Maybe I'll just make you into my slave instead of my wife.”

“With you, wouldn't that be the same thing?” She laughed and smacked him across the chest with the now wet towel.

“Ow!' He jumped at the sting and then turned over in the water so that he was facing her. Leaning into her, he rested his hands on the smooth back of the tub. “That collar and leash is starting to sound better and better-”

She arched her back and he felt her hands slide over him, tracing down the length of his back. She dug her fingers into his hips and pulled him to her, letting her legs fall open wider. He was practically laying on top of her but the water helped keep enough of his weight off of her so that he wasn't crushing her. Yawning, he made a soft sound of satisfaction and settled into her so that he could rest his head against the spot where her neck and shoulder met.

Her breasts pressed against his chest when she laughed and rested her arm over his shoulders. “Go to sleep and I just might let you drown.”

“Do that and who's going to do this for you?” Cupping a breast in the palm of his hand, he pulled at the nipple with his fingers then he let her go and lazily ran his hand over her silky smooth skin. He tilted his head back and rasped his tongue over the line of her jaw.

Her fingers threaded through his hair and her head rolled back as his fingers continued to explore over her. Reaching out, she picked up the abandoned cloth and soap. With one hand she managed to soap it up and he sighed with contentment when she started to rub it over his back.

“Stand up.” She pushed at his shoulder. He opened one eye and looked up at her.

“What? Why?” He settled back down and closed his eyes. “I'm warm. I'm comfortable and you make a damn good pillow. I am not moving.”

“How do you think I'm going to reach all of you if you're on top of me? Now stand up.” She pushed at him again.

He groaned and raised up. “This had better be worth it.” He let his legs slide over the edge of the ledge until he felt his feet touch the bottom of the tub.

Her breasts brushed against his arm as she slid down beside him. Putting one hand on his hip she moved around until she was standing behind him. He felt a tingle down his spine when her hands slid over his arms. “What are you doing?”

“Cleaning you up.” Her breath felt cool against his warm skin and then he felt her fingers wrap around his wrists. “Put your hands right there and hold on.”

The edge of the ledge where they'd been sitting had been worn smooth and he wondered just how many Athosians or even Ancients had done this exact same thing. Shaking his head at the thought, he chuckled and did as she asked. His cock twitched when she started to rub the cloth over his shoulders and down his back and he had to brace his legs to keep from falling over.

The feel of the water swirling around them and the feel of her hands rubbing over him had his eyes drifting closed. He leaned a little more on the ledge while her hands ran up and down his spine, caressing down the curve of his ass and down the length of his legs. God, this felt good. Why had he kicked up such a fuss in the first place?

Finished with his back, she eased around him and bobbed up between his arms. He looked down at her flushed face and grinned. He was about to kiss her when a look of alarm came over her face and she pressed her hands against his chest.

“John, don't move.” Her eyes were wide and she was staring at something over his shoulder.

“What is it?” Instantly on the alert, he whipped his head around trying to see what she was looking at.

“We're being watched.” Her hands slipped on his skin as she tried to pull him to the side. “Shit!”

He let out a groan of pain when something sharp scraped against the inside of his thigh. That something clattered against the side of the tub and when he looked down he saw that the water was tinged with red. He winced even more when the inside of his thigh began to tingle and sting.

Slipping her arm under his shoulders, she helped him up on the ledge and he flinched when he eased up to sit on the upper part of the tub. He shivered when the cool air touched his skin and he tried not to gasp when he felt her fingers on him.

“Close. But it's only a scratch.” She reached for the cloth she'd been using and dabbed at the blood running down his leg. “I don't think anything vital-”

“Sheppard! I am so sorry-”

John jumped when the bushes rustled and a small body rushed out. “Oh, crap.”

Jinto was staring at them, his eyes wide then his face turned white and he turned and ran, pushing through the bushes like a startled deer. Susan started to smirk and when she looked up at him she really started to laugh. She dipped down under the water and picked up the rock that had landed on the bottom of the tub.

Pushing her wet hair out of her face she pulled herself up on the ledge beside him and put it in his hand. “I think he was only trying to get your attention.”

“Well, he got it.” John eased back. The scratch on his leg was long, running almost from down under his balls to just above his knee. “Little higher and...” He shook his head. He didn't even want to think about it.

“I just hope you didn't scar the kid for life.” Susan laughed as she stood up and headed for a basket set near the edge of the enclosure. She reached in, pulled out a couple of the towel looking wraps and a longer one that she tore a strip out of. She sat back down next to him and handed him one of the towels.

He rubbed it over his face, inhaling the soft herbal scent and tried not to wince when she ran her fingers over him again. “Ouch! Do you have to keep doing that?”

“Just checking.” She grinned. “I just wanted to make sure you didn't need a bandage or anything.”

“Sure.” He rolled his eyes and then grinned himself. “I think you were just trying to feel me up.” Then he frowned slightly. “And what do you mean 'scar him for life'?”

She smiled slightly and looked down at his semi-hard erection. “Its a good thing Junior wasn't at full alert status. The kid probably would have been blinded by his magnificence.”

“Oh, you're just loving this aren't you?” He smacked at her with the towel, laughing when she grabbed it and yanked it out of his hands. She got to her feet and moved behind him. Quickly, she dried the water off his back and then dropped the towel on his head.

“Not all of it.” Turning away from him, she reached for the clothes they'd left laying on one of the stone benches. “Come on, Sheppard. You made a promise to that kid. I think its about time that you kept it.”

The rest of the day passed without incident and though she knew that he was anxious to get back to the city, John did keep his promise to Jinto by actually spending some time with the boy. Susan and Teyla spent most of their time with Jaiya and Halling, gathering herbs and plants and a few soil samples that she planned to test once she was back in her lab. Vaden was there as well but he kept a respectful distance and soon Susan allowed herself to relax a little.

Before they knew it, it was evening and Jaiya had persuaded them to share in the evening meal before they boarded the Jumper and headed back to the city. John had been reluctant at first but Jaiya and Halling had seemed a little disappointed and he'd changed his mind.

“What's up with Jaiya?” Susan asked as she settled down on the mat beside Teyla. “She's been giving me little looks all day. Makes me think she's up to something.”

“I have no idea.” Teyla smiled slightly, then she motioned with her head. “But perhaps you are about to find out.”

Susan looked up and saw Jaiya bearing down on her.

“Come.” The older woman smiled. She reached down, grabbed Susan's hands and pulled her to her feet. “We must talk before you leave our company.”

“But, I-”

“Leave the men to their talk.” Jaiya tugged on her hands, pulling her along with her. “Teyla, you come too.”

Susan looked across the fire to where John sat between Halling and Jinto. He had his back to her and couldn't see what was going on. For a second, she had the urge to pick up a pebble and pop him in the back of the head with it just to get his attention. Teyla noticed and she laughed softly. Wrapping her hand around Susan's wrist, she helped steer her away from the fire and back toward Jaiya's hut.

Susan opened her mouth to protest and then snapped it shut. Jaiya was giving her a 'be quiet' look. She glanced at Teyla and frowned slightly. What the hell was all the secrecy about? Oh, shit. Maybe something else had happened and Jaiya was going to change her mind about letting them use the land. Crap! She was Vaden's mother. Maybe John had been right after all. Damn it.

Way to go, Walker. She told herself. Do all that hard work and then screw it up because of your big mouth.

Oh, well. What was done, was done and she wouldn't take back a word of it. She'd meant what she'd said and even though she was very fond of the older woman, it didn't mean that she had to feel the same way about her son.

Jaiya was quiet until they reached her doorway then she turned to Susan and waved her hand. “Please. Inside. There is something I must give you.”

What? Maybe Jaiya wasn't going to give her a swift kick in the rear. Confused, Susan shook her head. “Jaiya, you've been kind enough already. You don't have to give me anything else.”

Jaiya glanced back toward the fire. She looked thoughtful and then she smiled. “Lovers, yes?”

Like the woman didn't already know. Susan felt her face getting read and she didn't dare look at Teyla. Slowly, she nodded. “Yes.”

“Teyla tells me that this a symbol. That you belong to him.” Jaiya touched a finger to the glittering diamond on her hand. “The handsome man is to be your partner, yes?”

Susan nodded and a warm, bright smile lit up the older woman's face. She pushed back the curtain over her doorway and stepped inside. Turning, she pulled Susan in behind her and left Teyla to guard the door.

“Sit.” She led Susan to the narrow table and pushed her down on the bench. Resting her hands on Susan's shoulders, she looked down at her. “From what Teyla has told me there is some ceremony involved?”

Susan nodded. “We haven't really talked about it though-”

“Then you will have your ceremony here.” Her tone was no non-sense and Susan got the feeling that it was better not to argue. “And if you are to be joined then you must have something proper to wear.”

Jaiya turned away and went to kneel in front of something that looked like a trunk. She opened it and pulled out a brightly colored shawl, brought it back to the table and set it down in front of Susan. Slowly, she opened it and Susan gasped.

“You like?” Jaiya held the thing up. It was a dress. Aqua blue silk with a paisley print of greens, reds and golds. It was the color of the ocean at sunset and one of the most beautiful things that Susan had ever seen. “I made this long ago for the daughter that I lost to fever.” She laid the dress in Susan's hands. “I would be honored if you would wear this on your joining day.”

“Jaiya, it's beautiful.” She ran her hand over the silky material. “But I can't-”

“We would both be honored.”

Susan's head whipped around and she nearly dropped the dress. Vaden was standing in the doorway of the sleeping area. He glanced at his mother and they shared a look before he stepped fully into the room.

“Vaden.” Teyla was at her back in an instant. “What are you doing here?”

“I only wanted to offer my apologies to Doctor Walker.” He rubbed his hands together nervously. “I do not mean to cause any harm...”

Susan stood up from the table. Hell, if Sheppard walked in right now...damn, but she didn't even want to think about that. Quickly, she dropped the dress back down and wrapped the edges of the shawl around it. “Jaiya, this is beautiful. Thank you.” She glanced at Vaden. “But I don't think that this is a very good idea.”

Vaden smiled slightly. “I understand your reluctance to believe what ever I may say, Doctor Walker. But I do wish to apologize to you and to Colonel Sheppard.” He looked down and then back up at her with pleading eyes. “What I said...the way that I acted. It was less than honorable. You were a guest in my mother's house and I had no right to behave as I did. I can only hope that you will forgive me.”

Susan took a deep breath. He did seem sincere but she wasn't stupid enough to fall for the charm in his big brown eyes. She took another step back and felt Teyla's hand on her elbow.

“Susan, I think that it is time for us to leave.” Teyla nodded to Jaiya and started to herd her toward the doorway. “We have been gone too long. John will no doubt be looking for us.”

Jaiya looked disappointed but she didn't try to follow them. “I understand.”

But Susan could tell from the look on her face that she didn't. She glanced at Teyla then went to the older woman and gently took hold of her hands. There had been enough trouble in her life as it was. Maybe she could keep one little bridge from breaking beyond repair.

“Jaiya, thank you. You've been more than to kind to both of us.” She nodded to the wrapped bundle on the table. “I would be honored to accept your gift.”

“I believe your man will as well.” The older woman's eyes lit up with pleasure. She pulled Susan too her in a motherly hug before she let her go and bent to pick the bundle up from the table. “Please.” She pressed the shawl into Susan's hands. “Do not think of me as being too forward when I say that I consider you a daughter of my heart.”

Susan couldn't help but smile at that. She tucked the shawl under her arm, gave the woman another hug and then with one last glance at Vaden, she followed Teyla back out into the night. John was headed toward the hut and he looked up when he saw them headed toward him.

“I wondered where you two went.” John raised an eyebrow when he saw the shawl under her arm. He reached for it and she pulled it out of his reach. “Keeping something from me?”

“You don't have to know everything, Sheppard.” She smirked and handed the thing to Teyla. “Would you mind keeping this for me? Until I'm ready for it anyway?”

“I'll find out sooner or later.” He frowned slightly when Teyla took the shawl and tucked it under her arm. Then he settled an arm around her shoulders as they started the short walk back to the Jumper. “I always do.”

Susan smiled and slipped an arm around his waist. “Not this time, you won't.”

John breathed a sigh of relief as he brought the Jumper through the gate and they began the rise to the upper level of the docking bay. He was so glad to be back. Back to the safety and security of the place he called home and his friends.

But most of all he was glad to be back because of the woman sitting in the seat behind him. He could get her all to himself now and he didn't have to worry about anyone walking in and ruining his fun. And with what he had planned? A wicked grin curled up the corners of his mouth when he turned his head and looked at her. She was talking with Teyla and when she sensed that he was watching, she turned her head and looked at him.

“You can carry your own stuff.” She smiled slightly at the look on his face. Lightly, she poked him in the shoulder and then pointed to the pile of bags and the surf board leaning against them. “Teyla and I have enough to handle without having to tote all of your crap.”

“Crap?” When the Jumper came to a full stop, he slid out of the chair and followed them to the back. “What about all of your junk?”

“My soil samples and these herbs are not junk.” She hefted her pack over her shoulder and gave him a teasing grin. She smacked at him when he reached past her to push the button that lowered the Jumper's ramp.

“Oh yeah?” He moved out of her way and hefted a box full of plants and leaf cuttings. “What about this?”

“Were the two of you married and I missed the ceremony?” Teyla laughed at the way they were acting. “Already you sound as if you have been married for years.”

Susan shrugged, her lips tilting into a grin. “You know how aggravating he is, Teyla.” She looked at John and winked. “I just wish someone had told me that before I asked the jackass to marry me.”

“He can always back out.”

Susan turned at the sound of a new voice. She smiled when she saw Rodney standing there but John noticed that the smile didn't quite reach her eyes when she looked at him. Sensing a tenseness between the two, he glanced at Teyla. She had told him once that Rodney wasn't exactly happy with his relationship with Susan. He'd thought she'd only been kidding but from the look on Rodney's face, maybe she hadn't.

“Nope.” He plastered a grin on his face and shoved the box into Rodney's hands, almost making him drop his note pad. Grabbing Susan's hand he showed him the ring. “The deal is sealed and nothing...” he gave Rodney a determined look. “Is going to change my mind now.”

Teyla frowned when Rodney didn't say anything. “Aren't you going to congratulate them, Rodney?”

Red faced, Rodney ignored her and looked down at the box. “What the hell am I? Your pack horse?” He shoved the box back at John and shot Susan a sardonic look.

“You're here.” John said. “You can at least help carry some of this stuff.”

“Sorry,” When John wouldn't take the box, Rodney set it down on the floor and took a step back. “Farming is not my deal.”

“No,” John drawled softly. “But eating is.” He pushed the box with the toe of his boot. “Like I said. You're here. You can help carry some of this back to the lab.”

“Sorry,” Rodney backed away. “I'd love to help but I'm pretty busy right now. Things to do, a city to save.”

“Then what the hell are you doing here?” His eyes darkening, John took a step toward him. “Shouldn't you be off in the lab terrorizing Radek?”

“Funny.” Rodney shifted the notepad he was carrying to his other hand. “I was hoping that with you and Teyla back from your little...” He gave Susan a snide look. “Vacation. You'd have time to sit down for a team meeting. I've got some things I need to talk to you about.”

“Fine.” John bent down, picked up the box and shoved it back at him. “We'll get this stuff to the lab and as soon as I get this other stuff back to our quarters, Teyla, Susan and I will join you.”

“I said the team.” This time he didn't try to hide the sneering look he gave Susan.

“She is on the team.” John's voice deepened with anger. He could a step toward Rodney and stopped when Susan put her hand on his arm.

“John, don't. Just let it go.” She tried to step in front of him.

“Stay out of it, farmer girl.” Rodney sniped. “I'm talking to Sheppard, not you.”

“Rodney!” Teyla's voice sounded shocked and angry.

John's lips thinned with fury and the tips of his ears went red. “Apologize, Rodney.”

The look he gave Susan was cold and full of contempt. “No.”

“I said, apologize.” John's voice was even colder.

Susan looked down and saw his fingers curl into a fist. Quickly, she stepped in front of him and put her hand on his chest. “John, let it go. You don't have to defend me.”

'You think that I'm going to stand here and let him talk to you like that?” He was so mad he was practically shaking. “He might get away with spitting his venom at me but I'll be damned if I'll let him do it you.”

“John, stop it.” She jerked the box out of his hands and turned to look at Rodney. “And you're right, Doctor McKay. I'm not a part of 'your' team.”

“The hell you're not.” John put his hand on her shoulder and tried to pull her back. “And I mean it, apologize, Rodney. Now!”

“John!” Her face was getting hot and she turned on him angrily. “Please, just stop it.”

“Susan-”

She just shook her head and stepped away from him. She looked at Teyla, smiled tightly and then walked away. John stared after her and when she was gone he looked down and gave Rodney a hateful look.

“I don't know what your god damn problem is, Mckay. But you can bet that we're going to discuss this later. ” He shoved past Rodney and took out after her.

“Damn.” Rodney snarled. “She's got him so whipped-”

“Rodney, that was cruel.” Teyla gave him an angry look.

“So?” He said. “You've all been tip toeing around it.” He shook a finger at her. “And don't think that I haven't noticed.”

“You have not noticed anything except for what you have wanted to notice. You of all people should be thankful that John has finally found someone that he cares for. Unless of course you are jealous that that someone is not you.”

Angrily, Teyla slung her own pack over her shoulder and turned away, leaving Rodney to stand alone on the Jumper's ramp.

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