Soooooo hi.

I have no idea where this idea came from but it seems to be growing. I have the first 8 chapters written and the skeletons for the last 3 written up so this will be my first fanfic of any decent length (I'm super nervous). I aim to have my chapters around 1500 words but there are a couple that are double that because I couldn't find a good spot to break it

These have been betaed for which I would like to thank Lady Xari

And last but not least – I don't own any of these characters of this universe I'm working with and since I'm not making money off it I'm pretty sure they couldn't care less about what I'm doing.

Have a nice read!

Chapter 1

Dr Keller barely heard the shuffling sound her feet made as they dragged slowly down the corridor to her quarters, her eyes half closed with one hand trailing along the wall to in an attempt to keep her balance while fighting exhaustion. She had just pulled a triple shift in the infirmary trying to patch up half of SGA-4 who had been caught in a village in the middle of a culling to which the wraith had taken exception to. All she wanted to do was drag her poor abused body to her bed for a good - she looked at her watch and groaned - 6 hours rest before attending her meeting with Woolsey and the other heads of departments. Food, which she would have recommended to anyone else having just had the day she had, would have to wait as would the training Teyla had scheduled with her

"Teyla, this is Keller" she said tapping her earpiece

"Dr Keller, is there something wrong?"

Yes, Jen thought, I don't foresee coffee in my near future "no, I just can't do the training we were meant to do at 0700, do you mind if we reschedule?"

"Of course not" came Teyla's instant reply "how about the same time tomorrow?"

"thanks, I'll see you then" Jennifer took a few more shuffling steps before furrowing her brow briefly as she replayed the conversation to make sure she hadn't slurred her words, however it seemed her memory had already gone to bed and it quickly slipped her mind. Making it to the transporter she stood for a few moments and stared at the panel of lights and symbols as she tried to remember what to do with it, pushing a button she was pretty certain was the right one she closed her eyes and leant against the wall. When she opened them again she was a little startled to see a chest where she was about to walk. Straightening and blinking sandy eyes she gave the science officer (whose name completely eluded her at that moment) a tired smile and managed to make it the rest of the way to her doors without getting any more funny looks. She was quite proud of herself.

Getting up when her alarm sounded was a challenge she wasn't entirely sure she would have conquered if she hadn't kept the thought of a steaming hot shower in the forefront of her mind which was why, when Rodney showed up at her door she was dressed in a towel "This had better be good" she growled at him trying not to notice his wide eyed stare

"I-I-I was going… breakfast?" Rodney's eye's flicked quickly from her legs to her face to her legs and back again "No" he said wisely reading her expression and beating a hasty retreat. Her shower, which was perfect in every way, took longer than expected and meant she didn't have a chance to eat before rushing to make the meeting.

After the usual thorough report of the past few days, Dr Keller's report on the two teams who had been under her watch one of the many routine reports that showed nothing out of the ordinary, the group was dismissed but Woolsey called her back "I've had a request from SGA-8's leader Lieutenant Barker for you, six of the village members from the settlement they are trying to have trade talks with have been sick for a few days and now two of their team are displaying possible symptoms" Dr Keller frowned in thought, her mind already thinking about what she would need "the trip from the village to the stargate is too difficult for them in their condition and there is no space nearby for a puddle jumper. The lieutenant will have two of her men at the gate to escort whoever you decide on to the village at 10 00"

"I'll go" she said slowly, still in thought "I'll go pack what I need now - if there's nothing else sir?" Woolsey waved her off. It took all of 2 minutes for her to be halted by Ronon who planted himself directly in front of her, breaking her train of thought "Yes?" she asked, trying to hide her exasperation. Ronon was good with the nonverbal communication but it was never particularly detailed, like now, she could tell he wanted to speak to her but the details were usually a little slow in coming. Ronon's eyed her intently and she tried not to squirm. She was pretty sure what was about to come.

"Are you on your way to the mess hall?" he asked

Jennifer exhaled loudly "Ronon, the mess hall is in the other direction" it had come to her attention a couple of weeks ago that some of the males on Atlantis were conspiring together to make sure she ate at regular times. She did not appreciate the special attention.

"And when was the last time you ate?" he asked as if he knew what her answer would be. Jennifer, who mumbled under her breath something about the fate of noses that get put in places they don't belong, just turned around and headed to the mess hall.

With a tray full of food she made her way over to the table already occupied by Teyla and Sheppard "Ah Chewie, you found her" Sheppard said with a smile at the man behind her. Teyla gave her usual smile of welcome and managed to portray both sympathy for what she was dealing with and agreement with what the Neanderthals were doing. Jennifer huffed as she sat down and started on her bagel, admitting to herself that after smelling food her stomach had cramped with hunger. Something the boys were not allowed to know.

Conversation around the table remained light, idle discussion about what peoples plans were for the upcoming week but when Jen mentioned her off world excursion scheduled in a couple of hours she saw the boys stiffen "what?" she asked confused "is there something I don't know about?"

Sheppard exchanged a look with Ronon who was scowling, "want some company off world?" he asked trying to make it sound light "I hear that most of the planets covered in forest, we could treat it like a holiday and let Rodney decide on the food. I'm pretty sure the whole teams free, in fact I'll ask Woolsey now" Sheppard made to stand but Jennifer grabbed him by his belt and yanked him back down with a thud.

"What's going on? I don't need babysitting" her eyes narrowed as silence reigned "I don't!" she said indignantly.

Sheppard looked at her with an arched brow and she hated him just that little bit more for being able to do that "you're record for getting in trouble rivals Rodney's, the team made a promise to never let you off world without at least one of us, especially after the incident on PX-459" Jennifer winced as she remembered the time she visited a village who decided they wanted to keep her for her medical skills, guns were present for most of that trip, and they were usually aimed at her head, but she had made it out alive.

With narrowed eyes she looked at the all "No" she stated having had enough of the big brother act.

Ronon's eyes narrowed to match and his voice was hard as he growled out his Yes.

In hindsight her reaction wasn't quite as appreciative as it could have been, they were after all just concerned for her wellbeing. It started with her voice rising in volume until she was yelling at them about her not being a child and their behaviour being archaic, about then she stood up so she could tower over them as she told them about how she was an adult now, had in fact saved their lives more times than she could count and that if she had wanted to be treated like a china doll she would have stayed on earth with Greg or Fred or whatever his name had been. She had then told them that she would be going on this mission without any of them there to hold her hand and when she came back unscathed they would apologise. Turning on her heels she had made a hasty exit, only just realising that the room was silent and all eyes were turned on her.

The remaining three at the table looked at each other stunned for a second "I don't care what she says" Ronon said "we should still ask Woolsey-"

"No" Teyla cut in "she is right, we are not treating her as an equal. We must leave her to prove herself, it would be insulting to do otherwise"

John sighed "sorry Chewie, she's right, and besides, I'm not sure I'm brave enough to face her if she finds us waiting at the gate"

Ronon and Teyla left a few minutes later leaving John to have his last minute doubts over his decision, the Doc should be fine but if she wasn't, he glanced at Ronon as he disappeared around the corner... the guilt would be the least of his problems.

I have yet to decide how obvious I am going to be about certain people having fuzzy feelings for other certain people.

Any ideas for pairings?

Any as always reviews are nice!