Fred Burkle (doctorsheppard) wrote in wherehomeis, @ 2008-05-17 10:31:00 |
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Current mood: | worried |
Continued from here due to IJ being down.
Once Alex was down for her nap, John untied his boots and kicked them off before taking his headset off as well. He then crawled onto the bed with Fred and wrapped his arms around her, holding her close as she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep. As he lay there with her, he closed his eyes as well, but he didn't fall asleep. Instead, he just let his mind wander. His connection to Fred felt different when she was asleep - instead of the constant rushing stream of thoughts and feelings, it was more like a gentle brook now.
Then suddenly, images popped into his mind of his family's home in Virginia. He opened his eyes in surprise - he hadn't thought about home since Fred had mentioned dreaming about it when she had been sick - and realized that he was still seeing the images. What was...? He looked down at Fred as a realization hit him. Fred was dreaming, and he was seeing it.
He wasn't sure whether to wake her, so he found himself watching as the dream unfolded. He didn't know how, but Fred was dreaming of his brother talking on the phone, and he heard him as clear as day. Was he trying to reach...him? Then he watched Dave walk upstairs where his father was waiting, looking more frail than he could ever remember him being.
What was going on? Was this a dream or a vision? Was his father dying?
Suddenly, Fred woke up, calling his name. He wrapped his arms more tightly around her. "It's all right, hon. I'm here. I...I think I just saw your dream. Were you...were you dreaming of my father and brother?"
***
Fred didn't know how to answer John's questions. Her mind was going a mile a minute with the dream and the fact John had seen it too. Plus, there was the issue of all his emotions flooding into her, which seemed to be making her anxious. "I don't know," she said. She rubbed her face and let out a frustrated sigh. "I don't know if it was a father and brother. I've never seen their pictures. I just know it was your house!"
Taking a deep breath, Fred pulled herself away from John and sat up. She hated not being able to understand all of this. John was now seeing her dreams and it would seem her dreams were showing them things they needed to know. Fred looked to the side and shook her head. "I don't know what's going on. I wish that stupid room would've told us more," she said. "And I'm sorry I can't answer your questions but I just don't know. But I feel like something horrible is going on or is going to happen."
Fred wanted to help more but before she could think of anything to say, someone rang the chimes to their door. Without saying a word, she slipped off the bed and went to the door. When she opened it, Sam was standing there. "Something wrong?" Fred asked.
"I need to speak to John, if he's here," Sam said with a frown.
John? It's Sam. She needs to speak to you.
***
When Fred became frustrated from his questions, John cursed softly. He hadn't meant to make her feel that way - he had been surprised when it seemed that not only did Fred seem to be dreaming of his childhood but also his father and brother. He sat up with she pulled away from him and put his hand on her back, rubbing it gently.
"It's all right, hon," he tried to reassure her. "I just..."
Before he could say anything more, the door chimes went off, and Fred went to answer it. John sighed and ran his hand across his face. He could feel her worry and anxiety, and truth be told, he was feeling the same way, not just because of their connection. What if something was happening to his father?
He was just getting up from the bed, having felt a jolt from his wife, when she told him that Sam was there. He padded out into the main living area of their quarters in his bare feet, seeing the look on Sam's face. In that moment, it hit him. Fred's dream was true.
"My dad's sick," he said.
Sam's eyes widened as she looked at both of them. "Yes. How did you know?"
John glanced at Fred. "We...I'm not sure."
"Your brother called the Pentagon, and his message got relayed to Stargate Command. They want you to come home."
Nodding, John took a deep breath as he ran his hand through his hair before walking over to Fred and putting his hand on her arm. Part of him didn't want to go back, not after what had happened when he had left, but after what he had seen in Fred's dream, he knew he couldn't stay away. I...I think I should, he told her softly. There has to be a reason why you had that dream.
***
Fred stood there and listened as Sam confirmed what they'd seen in her dream. John's father was sick She could feel the uncertain feelings coming from him and she looked up at him. Fred nodded as his words washed over her. I think we should all go. I'm not going to let you do this on your own, John. Alex and I are going to be there for you.
Looking at Sam, Fred sighed. "Could you contact SGC and tell them John, Alex and I are coming through and we'll need transportation to Williamsburg?" she asked. "We should be ready within the hour. Also, could you tell Major Lorne what's going on? I'm sure he'll know what to do."
"Of course," Sam said before she reached out and squeezed John's arm. "Take as much time as you need."
After Sam had walked out, Fred turned and looked at John. "It'll be all right," she whispered before pulling him into a tight hug. When she pulled back, she cupped his face. "I'll get Alex ready to go. Just concentrate on getting your things together."
She gave him a soft kiss and walked into their daughter's room, and started to pack some clothes and toys for her. Once she was finished there, she took off her clothes and put a new set on, knowing she couldn't go back to Earth wearing her expedition clothes.
After all of them were packed, Ronon, who had heard from Carson that John's father was sick, came over and helped them carry their things down to the Gate room.
"Colonel Landry has secured transport to Williamsburg and there'll be a car waiting for you. He also took the liberty of booking a hotel room for you to stay in, if you need it," Sam told them as the rest of them stood next to her. "We'll be here when you get back."
Fred nodded and reached down to take John's hand. She squeezed it and waited for the Gate to be dialed.
***
When Fred said she was going with him, John nodded, grateful for that. He hadn't wanted to speak for her and say she was going with him, but he wasn't sure he could face his father and brother without her. His wife was his rock in so many ways, and he didn't want to be away from her since she was his family.
Thank you, he told her after she made her requests of Sam for their trip to Williamsburg. He held Fred tightly for several moments, almost certain that if she hadn't done all that, he still would have been standing there, trying to figure out what to do. It was kind of pathetic really. He could face down wraith, genii and Rodney McKay on his worst day, but put his father and brother into the equation and he suddenly became uncertain about everything.
While Fred went to get Alex ready, John went into their bedroom. He looked down at himself and realized that it would probably be a good idea to change into civvies, so he did, putting on a pair of jeans, a black t-shirt and his leather jacket. He then packed several days worth of clothes, not sure how long they were going to be there. He looked at his uniform blues sitting in the closet but decided to leave it behind - he hadn't spoken to his dad or brother in years because of it, so he decided it would be better not to acerbate things by bringing it along.
Soon, John was heading through the Gate back to Earth with his wife and daughter. When they arrived, General Landry greeted them before having them escorted to Peterson, where they were flown to Langley Air Force Base. There, they were given a car - it was about a forty minute drive to Williamsburg, and John decided to head straight to his father's since they were given the hotel keys when they had landed.
When they reached his family's ranch outside the Williamsburg city limits, John stopped at the end of the driveway, looking toward the house. He then looked over to Fred, reaching out to take her hand for a moment.
I'm glad you're here, he told her. I love you.
***
Getting to Williamsburg had been a bit of an adventure. The moment Alex saw the airplane, she started to clap her hands and giggle. She had never been on one before she seemed excited. Thankfully, Fred had packed a bottle of juice for the little girl so she could suck on the nipple while they were taking off and landing. The last thing Fred wanted was for Alex's eardrums to pop and cause her pain.
During the flight to the Air Force base and drive to Williamsburg, Fred could feel the emotions rolling off her husband. She tried her best to stay calm, hoping he'd pick up on it and stay calm himself. Fred hated seeing him like this but she knew it was to be expected. After all, John had told her a few times before he hadn't spoken to his family in years. It had to be hard on him but she promised herself she would be there every step of the way.
"I'm always going to be here, John," she whispered before reaching out to softly touch his face. "And I love you too."
After John had moved the car to the front of the house, Fred got out so she could get Alex out of her car seat and grab her diaper bag. As she did, Alex noticed the horse. "That?" she asked as she pointed at it.
"It's a horse, sweetie," Fred said as she lifted Alex out of the car and rested the toddler on her hip.
"Hose!" Alex said.
Just then the front door opened and the man Fred had seen in her dream stepped out.
"John?" he said as he walked down a few steps. "I didn't think you would come."
***
When John got out of the car after parking it in front of the house, he found himself looking at again. The whole place was immaculate on the outside. It always had been. After all, his dad was a untilities mogul. He'd always had the money to make sure the place could be painted once a year whether it needed it or not.
When he heard Alex talking to Fred about the horse, John looked over at them, smiling. He reached out and ran his hand over his daughter's hair, causing her to look up at him with her big blue eyes. He had just leaned over to kiss her temple when David came out of the house. Turning, John took a few steps toward him.
"I got your message," he told him. "How...how's he doing?"
"Not good. But he'll be glad to see you - he was the one who wanted you home." David looked over at Fred and Alex. "Obviously more's been going on in your life than just classified military assignments."
John nodded as he wrapped his arm around Fred. "Dave, this is Fred, my wife, and our daughter Alex. Fred, this is my older brother David."
Dave came down the last few steps to shake Fred's hand. "It's nice to meet you, Fred. We had no idea John had married again." He then looked at Alex and gave her a smile. "Hey there, kiddo. Boy, you look just like your dad. Why don't you come on inside. Dad's napping, but he should be up soon. He's definitely going to want to see you. All of you."
***
Fred gave David a smile and shook his hand. "It's nice to meet you too," she said before she releasing his hand. She looked at Alex and smiled at her as the little girl smiled at her uncle. Reaching down, she took John's hand and walked into the house. It was strange being there and Fred felt like she was experiencing deja vu.
"I have some tea brewing. Dad likes to drink a cup once he's finished with his nap," David explained as they walked into the kitchen. "Would the two of you like a cup or I have a few bottle of beer."
Fred sat down at the table and shifted Alex to her lap. "Water will be fine. I can't drink. We just found out last night I'm pregnant again so..." she said with a smile.
"Oh. Well, congrats!" David said as he went over and poured Fred a glass of water. While he was doing that, Fred pulled out a bottle of juice and Alex's sippy cup. She poured some juice for Alex and handed the cup over.
"Hose dada!" Alex said as she pointed to a small statue of a horse in the window sill. She turned and looked at John, and tugged on the sleeve of his shirt. "Want hose dada!"
Fred was about to tell Alex the horse probably wasn't to play with when David put the glass of water in front of her. "Thank you," she said.
"Are you in the military too?" he asked before sitting across from them.
"No. I'm a physicist. We met while I was doing a project for the Air Force," Fred said. She was about to say more but stopped when John's father was wheeled in by whom she assumed was a nurse.
"I thought I heard a child's voice in here," he said before he looked at John. "It's good to see you again, son."