A/N: Hey guys welcome to my story. I hope that you enjoy it! *Revised Chapter
Chapter One
"Offworld activation" Chuck's voice rang out through the gate room.
"So whose this new scientist?" John asked Rodney as they walked down the steps to the gate.
"She's an amazing person as well as being a great scientist. Seriously you should read some of her work. It's amazing!"
"You sound like you're in love Rodney."
"I'm telling you , she's my kinda girl so stay away Sheppard."
"What? You know I don't really go for girls who I can't understand what they're saying half the time."
"Oh but I think you might be tempted with this one. She is really hot, I mean smoking."
"Thank you for that assessment, Dr. McKay is it?"
Both John and Rodney turned to see a beautiful woman standing there.
"Uh, oh, I mean no problem." Rodney stammered.
The woman turned to John, "Hello John, long time no see."
"Uh do I know you? Cause I'm pretty sure I would remember if I did."
"Yes of course you've met me before...John its me, Rachael."
"Rachael?!"
"Whoa whoa wait. You two have met before?"
"Yes we have. I grew up with her." John said shocked.
"Oh, there goes my luck out the window! How come you always are friends with the hot girls?"
"We're not friends, Dr. McKay." Rachael said, "In fact you could say-"
"We're friends" John interjected. "Uh Rae? Can I talk to you for a minute?"
"You're talking to me now."
"I mean in private."
"Sure you could escort me to my quarters."
"Sure! Uh Rodney-"
"She's on the same level as you. Its the only empty room on your level."
"Uh thanks. This way Rae." John walked away with Rachael close behind him.
"Yep no problem." Rodney sighed as they walked away. "This is so not fair."
"So what did you want to talk to me about?" Rachael asked as soon as they were out of hearing range.
"Uh just ya know, two old friends catching up and that kinda stuff."
"If I remember correctly, last time I saw you, you said you wanted to never see me again. Why the sudden change of heart?"
"Well my friends here don't really know anything about my past."
"Well you were always kind of private."
"And uh, we didn't exactly end on the best of terms."
"No kidding."
John sighed, "I'm commanding military officer of this base and I need to at least be on speaking terms with everybody. So...let bygones be bygones?"
"Is this an apology John?"
"NO! I have no need to apologize!"
"Yes you do! Do you have any idea of what you did to me?!"
"You overreacted! You know, I am allowed to have friends besides you!"
"I didn't have a problem with you having other friends! I really didn't! I had other friends beside you too! I just had a problem with you ditching me just because your girlfriend didn't like me!"
"She had a darn good reason not to like you! All those things you said to her! You were a jerk to her Rae!"
"She was lying! I never said any of those things! And it just kills me that you believed her and not me! We've know each other our whole lives John!"
"You were just jealous!"
"Yes I was jealous! I didn't like her taking up so much of your time that you didn't have any for me. But I wouldn't say any of those things to her. I thought you knew me better than that!" Rachael's voice began cracking and tears threatened to spill. "You were my best friend and I didn't want to lose you."
"Rae I don't want-"
"Save it John. You didn't care then and you apparently don't care now. Just show me where my quarters are."
They walked in silence for a while until John stopped in front of a door.
"Here's your quarters." John said.
"Thanks."
"Need any help?"
"Nah I got it."
"Okay." John turned to walk away,
"Jo-uh Col. Sheppard"
He turned around. "What?"
Rachael's eyes were red from crying. "What time do I report for duty tomorrow?"
"You're coming with my team for a mission, briefing is at 0800."
"Okay"
***The next day***
"Dr. Rachael Blake, I have read through your file and am pleased that you asked to be transferred here." Mr. Woolsey said, "You seem to be a very bright women. Welcome aboard doctor."
"Thank you Mr. Woolsey, and please, just call me Rachael."
"Well, Rachael, are you ready for your first briefing on Atlantis?"
"That I am sir." Rachael gave him a bright smile and settled into her chair as he began to talk.
Rachael looked around at the people around the table. There was Dr. Rodney McKay, the head scientist and from what she'd been told, a bit on the arrogant side. Then there was Teyla, the beautiful Athosian women who had asked her to lunch someday, Ronon, the strong, silent member of the team who seemed to take everything in with a warrior's mindset. And finally there was John, the leader of the team and, in her mind, still one of her best friends. She had to admit that whoever made the decision to make him CMO, had chosen wisely. John was fiercely loyal and made sure they never left a man behind. He had been like that his whole life. Rae gave a small smile at the memories she had of growing up. She remembered swimming in the small lake behind their houses, running races, playing hide and seek in the woods. She remembered just opening her arms and letting him fall into them at his mom's funeral. She remembered his girlfriend's smug smile as John confronted her about what she had supposedly said. She remembered yelling and crying at John as they fought, both of them saying mean things. John had yelled at her to
"Get out of my life!" and
"Stop trying to keep me for yourself!"
So she had left, she graduated early and went to an out of state college, never looking back...until now.