disclaimer: Atlantis is not mine, boo hoo!

A/N: This was written for the very lovely and talented Wedjatqi for the Elf Exchange on the LJ Beya site. I hope it lives up to her standards and expectations.

There are seven chapters and they get progressively steamier as they advance. Just like in real dating, tehe!

Rating: This chapter is K+ but later ones will be more.

Thanks: For Camy who got me writing quite a bit this Christmas season.

feedback: That would be a lovely present for me, thanks!

Dating 101

by kariesue

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"The mating rituals of your people are quite intriguing," Teyla commented as the team finished watching a movie on their scheduled movie night.

John fidgeted on the couch next to her and snorted. "I'm not sure you can call what those people did typical of most people from Earth."

Rodney also made a face. "Yeah, the people who made that movie were definitely from another planet."

"I kind of liked it," Ronon threw in his two cents.

"You would, Conan," Rodney scoffed. "They were acting rather like Neanderthals."

"Then what is typical of your mating ritual?" Teyla inquired.

"Actually our people call it dating," John informed her.

"And Sheppard's the right one to ask," Rodney smirked. "Since he probably did more of it than anyone else here." Rodney flashed John a little grin then added snidely, "Kirk."

John just rolled his eyes and shook his head. Ronon, though, thought this was the perfect opportunity to perhaps get Teyla and Sheppard actually heading in the right direction in their relationship; the one he really felt they should be having considering how they felt about each other.

"You should take her out on a date," Ronon suggested and when the others looked at him puzzled continued, "Sheppard should take Teyla out on a typical Earth date to teach her what it's like. Unless you feel you're better equipped to do the job, McKay."

"Well, I uh … I'm not that bad … well, I can …okay maybe … Who am I kidding?" McKay looked resigned. "Sure, Sheppard, go ahead and show Teyla what dating's like on Earth."

John seemed a bit uncomfortable but when Teyla glanced up at him with a grateful smile on her face and her eyes eager, he couldn't resist. It would just be one date, right? How much harm was there in that?

He took a deep breath and his smile turned crooked. "Okay, … Teyla, I … um was wondering if you'd like to … go out with me sometime … on a date?"

"Real suave, Sheppard," Rodney mumbled but Teyla simply glared at him. Then she turned her beautiful brown eyes back to John and they lit up excitedly. Would she perhaps have the opportunity to show John that they could actually have a relationship that went beyond friendship? She dearly hoped so.

"I would love to John, thank you. When will we go?"

John looked thoughtful realizing he hadn't actually been out on a real date in far too many years. "Um, first date, I'm thinking … dinner and a movie is usually good. Out in public, half of the night covered so you don't have to talk too much. Movie night in the rec room is Thursday and they're playing a chick flick. I wouldn't normally go but as a gentleman I'd want to take my date to something she'd want to see. Does that sound okay, Teyla?"

"It sounds lovely, John. I look forward to it."

Rodney narrowed his eyes at the new couple. "And what restaurant will you be dining at Romeo?"

John looked thoughtful then grinned. "It'll have to be in the mess hall but I'll make arrangements for a private table and we won't be eating with you two slobs."

Ronon figured he should be offended but instead he just chuckled. This could get very interesting. He'd have to encourage them in any way he could. First thing was to get out of here and give them a minute to arrange things.

He stood up, threw his beer can away in Sheppard's trash and grabbed Rodney by the back of his collar. "Hey, McKay, come on, you promised to show me how that new thing works, remember?"

Rodney's face grew confused. "What thing? I'm pretty sure you never wanted to see how anything I have works."

Ronon continued ushering him out of the room saying, "You know that thing I really wanted to see. Let's go to your lab and I'll show you. See ya, Sheppard, Teyla."

Rodney threw a quick good bye after him as he hastily followed Ronon, intrigued that the caveman wanted to actually learn something.

John chuckled at Ronon's antics then just stood awkwardly staring at his feet. He could never understand why Rodney always accused him of being such a Romeo. He had totally sucked at asking girls out and doing the whole dating thing. He and Nancy had double dated with her roommate for a few times before he felt comfortable enough with her to do it solo.

Now here he was with Teyla glancing shyly at him, her eyes filled with wonder but also concern.

"Do you not wish to do this, John? I will understand if you would like to back out."

John's eyes popped up and he shook his head quickly. "No, no it's fine, Teyla. I'm just not the … suave romantic that Rodney seems to think I am. But I probably have enough familiarity that I can help you have a typical experience."

He looked at her with mischief in his eyes and asked, "But I need to know what kind of a girl you are so I'll know how to act on the date."

"I do not understand."

John squinted and his mouth twisted wryly. "Girls are different in their degree of … innocence and experience. There's the virgin, who's never been kissed. Then there's the slut, she's been with every guy around in all sorts of ways. And then you have somewhere in between. Which one would you like to be? That will change the way I treat you."

John was almost hoping she'd say the slut because then he'd have an excuse for getting her in bed the first date but he'd known Teyla for over three years and he'd never seen her going out with anyone. And he wasn't sure he could actually follow through on that kind of date with Teyla especially as it was just a prank that Ronon was playing.

"Well, I hope you would know I am not one who sleeps around promiscuously." Her tone was a bit harsh at that statement but then it softened as she confessed, "However neither am I virginal. So the one in between is the type of girl I am. Is that acceptable?"

John reached out bravely and lifted her hand and pulled her a little closer. "That's just the kind of girl I like. How about I pick you up at your quarters around nineteen hundred hours on Thursday? That will give us at least an hour to eat and enjoy each other's company and then see the movie that starts at twenty hundred." He was also thinking the mess hall might be a little less crowded at that later hour.

Teyla smiled genuinely at him as she squeezed his hand in assurance. "That sounds wonderful. I look forward to it."

She slipped her hand out of his and moved toward the door. She went through with a small backward glance and John let out his breath once the door closed behind her.

A date with Teyla! What the heck had he been thinking to agree to this? But he knew he hadn't really been thinking. Ronon had suggested it and when he had looked at Teyla's willing face, he had happily jumped on the bandwagon. He just hoped he wouldn't regret it.

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