"Yes, yes, Sheppard," Rodney said. "We all know who your favorite is: Captain Kir--"

"Sisko," John interrupted. "My favorite is Sisko. He's a complicated man."

"You make him sound like Shaft instead of a Starfleet captain," Rodney scoffed.

John rolled his eyes. "You can be pretty dense for an egghead, McKay. Sisko walked a fine line. He honored his duty to Starfleet, but not at the expense of the Bajorans. Sisko always managed to do what was best for them, without compromising his position within the Federation."

Rodney blinked. "I can't decide which is more surprising. The fact that you make such an eloquent point, or that you actually know what the Federation is."

John leaned back in his chair, a smug look plastered on his face. "I bet I know Elizabeth's favorite."

Elizabeth's eyebrow quirked and a bemused smirk tugged at her lips. "Oh? Do tell, Major."

"Captain Janeway. Has to be Janeway. The two of you have a lot in common," John said triumphantly.

"Not even close. I have very little in common with Captain Janeway," Elizabeth replied.

"Oh come on! You have to see the similarities!" Rodney flailed. "Sheppard, help me out here."

John smirked. "He's right, Elizabeth, you're the Janeway type."

She shook her head. "Oh since I'm female, then the female Captain has to be my favorite right?"

"Uh no, not exactly." John, backpedaled his brow furrowing with the effort. "I'm just saying you have more in common. Like being in charge of a group that's cut off from civilization, having to be more self reliant, making allies with alien cultures." He gestured toward Teyla who cocked her eyebrow but said nothing. "That sort of thing."

Elizabeth considered this. "True, but Janeway's style differs tremendously from mine. She's got an itchy trigger finger. Besides, I'd look awful with my hair in a bun."

Rodney snorted loudly. John shrugged. "Okay then, who's your favorite Captain?"

"Picard." Elizabeth said. "I admire his style, his eloquence, his ability to reach resolutions through negotiations as opposed to bloodshed."

John nodded slowly, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied Elizabeth for a long moment. "Yes, but have you considered you'd look even lousier bald?" He ducked just in time to avoid the apple slice homing in on his forehead. "Hey!" he protested.

Elizabeth gave him an innocent smile. "What?"

As they bantered, Rodney couldn't help but think to himself that there was definitely a Janeway/Chakotay vibe between Weir and Sheppard. Not so much like Janeway and Chakotay onscreen, (well except in that episode where they were stranded on the planet playing house together and there was this weird monkey thing following Janeway around)…but the stuff he just knew happened between scenes and episodes. Suddenly Rodney felt very warm. "Okay guys—gotta go---work to do."

John frowned thoughtfully as Rodney scurried away. "What the hell's gotten into him?"

Elizabeth shrugged. "Maybe he's worried you would out-nerd him so he left before you could get the upper hand."

"Hey, who are you calling a nerd?" John asked indignantly.

"You were—what is the correct Earth phrase? Oh yes—geeking out a bit," Teyla added brightly.

"Was not!" he said. He scowled as the two women exchanged amused looks. "Looks like the environment has suddenly become hostile, so I'm gonna beam out of here. Later, ladies."

"Beam out?" Teyla asked perplexed, her eyes following John as he walked away. "I do not see any sort of beam. And who is this Janeway he was comparing you to? Is she a colleague of yours?"

"I'll explain later, when we have more time. It's—complicated," Elizabeth said with a light laugh.

Teyla nodded. "Very well, I look forward to your explanation."