A/N: This is my first attempt at fanfiction. Please review and let me know how the story is doing. Any type of criticism is helpful. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Stargate Atlantis or it's wonderful characters.

Spoilers: Through Season 4 - Quarantine.

1 – The Foxhole

Major Lorne looked at his watch and let out a sigh, wondering how much longer they were going to wait at this position. With the looks Ronon kept giving him he was starting to get a little uncomfortable. He wished the guy would just spit out whatever was on his mind. Ronon was a man of few words and he obviously wasn't sure yet if he was going to waste any on Lorne.

They had been in position at the gate now for well over an hour. He and Ronon were to the right of the gate, behind the cover of some boulders. He knew that Colonel Shepperd and Teyla were across from them, behind some tree cover on the other side of the gate. There were also several Marines spread out watching the area, waiting for the men at the gate to do something that would indicate why they were there.

Lorne could feel Ronon looking his way again. "What?"

"Nothin."

"Listen Ronon, we could be sitting here awhile. Why don't you just say whatever it is that has you twitchin' over there."

"I just hate sittin."

"OK, whatever…"

About 15 minutes later Lorne had had about as many furtive glances from Ronon as he could take. "You know, it might help the time go by faster if you just spit it out already."

Ronon grunted his disagreement as he looked away. Just when Lorne thought Ronon truly wasn't going to spill, he heard him clear his throat.

"Just wondered somethin. Thought you'd know the answer."

Lorne waited, knowing that Ronon would get to it in his own time, although at this point his curiosity was piqued. Ronon spoke again quietly. "There is a woman that I have found… intriguing, but she's from Earth, and I'm not sure what to do about it."

Lorne tried not to smile, but in the end had to quirk his eyebrows. Ronon gave him a hard look before looking away. When he looked back he continued. "I … are… would a woman from Earth be interested in a man… not from Earth?"

Lorne had to look away to keep from laughing out loud. Once he had gathered his composure he looked back at Ronon. "Man Ronon, you're kidding right?" As Ronon gave him the death glare, Lorne quickly continued. "Granted you frighten many, well most, of the personnel on Atlantis, I can't begin to think you haven't noticed the looks you get from most of the women. Some of them don't even wait until you aren't looking."

"Maybe a few." Ronon conceded, "but they scare me."

Now Lorne did chuckle, although quietly. They were still watching the gate and didn't want the bad guys to know they were there.

"So I take it this woman you find intriguing is not one of those women."

"No."

"So, you wanna know if a woman from Earth would be interested in a man not from Earth? And my answer to that would be if you're talking about you, then yes. I don't think that the question is Earth vs. non-Earth though. The question will probably be 'is this woman attracted to you.'" Lorne paused for a moment then shaking his head began again. "Why didn't you go to Sheppard with this? You two are friends."

"I can't ask Sheppard, he would never let it go. He can be… relentless."

"Like a dog with a bone," Lorne agreed.

"Like what?"

"Never mind, but I get your point."

The two sat in silence for a moment then Ronon spoke up. "So how do I find out if she has any interest in me?"

"Well, there are several different ways; it kind of depends on the gal." Lorne peeked over at Ronon before continuing. "How did you do it on Sateda?"

"Grew up with the girl, never really had to think about it. Never really thought I'd think about it again… but lately…" Ronon just growled a bit as he looked away.

Lorne shook his head, Ronon had it bad. He hoped the girl was ready because Lorne had seen Ronon on many missions, and once in action he usually got his way.

"You could just ask her if she's interested."

Ronon looked at him like he was talking crazy.

"Ok then… how about just find ways to be were she is as often as possible. For instance the mess hall, movie nights, the PX, that kind of thing. You know, situations where you can interact with her." Lorne thought for a moment, "but don't become a stalker."

"A stalker?"

"Yeah, um…" At that moment Lorne was saved from this awkward conversation by his CO.

"Major, Ronon, heads up, looks like there is some movement at the gate. Everyone stay alert."

There was a low growl over their ear pieces. "Don't know why we can't just stun 'em and get out of here. I'm hungry."

"Hang on big guy; we just need to see why they're here. This planet is suppose to be uninhabited remember. These guys weren't there when we came through this morning, let's make sure we're not the reason they're loitering there now."

Within a minute they saw more men come into the clearing packing what looked like a deer strung up on a pole being carried by a man on each end. With a quick look around one man began dialing the gate while two more deer-like things were carried into the clearing and then they all went through the gate.

There was nothing but silence for a few seconds after the gate closed. The silence was only broken when a growl was heard over the ear-piece.

"Did I mention I was hungry?"