A/N: Sincere thanks to theicemenace for speedy beta skills! Any mistakes still there are solely the author's.

Credit for this chapter goes to JodyMarie, who asked me if I was going to do something on Teyla. Hope you like it!

Disclaimer: I own nothing affiliated with the Stargate franchise, aside from some action figures, patches and photos. If I did own them, Stargate Atlantis would still be entertaining us with new adventures every week!

Thanks for reading~ Lady Pandora

First Impressions

Chapter 1: Teyla

Teyla Emmagan discussed the coming day with some fellow Athosians as they broke their fast. The early morning air was brisk and she was glad to be inside the warm tent. She poured hot water over the tea to steep, looking forward to the daily brew. The hunters would head out shortly, as would those who grew the few crops they could sustain in between cullings. As she set the pot down she caught the sounds of several people approaching. Halling's voice announced the presence of visitors and she granted entrance to him and to those who had traveled through the Ring of the Ancestors.

The trio who entered were definitely military of some sort, although she had not seen that style before. Definitely not Satedan. As she greeted them, she quickly ran through a list of those worlds she knew to have militias, but none seemed to fit.

The oldest of the three, Sumner, had the same look she'd seen on military men from other worlds, as if she were of no consequence due to either her gender, height, or lack of military bearing. He gave the impression of caring only about what he might obtain from her, and not about getting to know her or her people at all.

Ford reminded her of Toran, one of the young hunters she was working with, eager but still learning. He glanced towards Sumner as if looking for reassurance that he was following proper protocol, and she stifled a smile at the familiar look. Definitely similar to Toran.

The last one, Sheppard… he intrigued her. He had a cocky attitude she'd seen many times before, and his frank appraisal of her appearance hadn't gone unnoticed, but he was gracious enough to not take offense at her words and to make a genuine effort towards getting to know one another. His words were strange, but his willingness to make the effort was oddly endearing.

The face Sheppard made when he took that first sip of tea confirmed her suspicion that he had only agreed to join her in drinking it for politeness' sake, but his reaction was hidden so quickly that she would not have seen it if she hadn't been looking at him. The others seated at the table looked askance at her, as if they couldn't quite figure out why she was so willing to talk with this stranger when it was apparent that his leader had nothing but contempt for them.

Teyla wondered where they could possibly have come from that the word 'Wraith' meant nothing. The concept of living without the constant threat was so foreign to her that she couldn't quite wrap her mind around it. Given the amount of arms these men bore, she wondered what other threats they faced that required them to go about in such a manner. Her impulsive decision to take Major Sheppard to see the pictorial history of her people was unlike her; she saw Toran hide his surprise at her decision. She knew that, as leader of her people, no one would question her right to do so, and she hoped that she would not regret her decision.

Meet & greet party on Atlantis

Never did Teyla think to be rescued from a Wraith hive ship, nor did she ever imagine setting foot inside the home of the Ancestors. Atlantis. The very name was sacred to her people. The city was breathtaking, its beauty reflected in the water it floated upon. The willingness of these strangers to take in her people, in spite of the very real dangers they themselves faced, merely affirmed her decision to take a chance and become friends with them.

Teyla overheard Major Sheppard and Dr. Weir discussing what had happened with Colonel Sumner, and felt compelled to add her thoughts on the matter. She felt sorrow over the death of her fellow Athosian and that of Colonel Sumner, and knew that they weighed heavily on Major Sheppard. She gently reminded him that he now had friends in the Pegasus galaxy, starting with herself and her people.

As she looked out over the city late that night, Teyla vowed to support her newfound friends to the best of her abilities. After all, she knew from personal experience what a difficult and challenging job it was to be a leader. She looked forward to introducing her new friends to the wonders of the Pegasus galaxy while at the same time learning more about them and about the city of the Ancients.