Warning: Rated M for sexual content in later chapters.

Chapter: 1 of 10

Disclaimer: I don't own these characters.

Planting Seeds

"Rodney, just eat your power bar and stop complaining," John ordered. "If it were up to you, we'd bring a full catering team on every mission."

"Well, considering all we go through, it wouldn't be a bad idea. We deserve a few amenities," whined Rodney from under the Ancient console. John rolled his eyes at Ronon and Ronon grinned back at him.

"Okay, Teyla and I are gonna go check out the lower levels; Ronon, stay here with Rodney while he fiddles with this lab and make sure he doesn't starve to death."

Deep underground, he and Teyla paced the darkened corridors of the newly discovered Ancient research station, moving through deserted rooms and echoing hallways. The corridors were filled with silt and dust from flooding, but the air was so still and quiet that it was kind of peaceful and John liked it. They strolled in companionable silence for awhile, P-90s at rest, and John figured it was as good a time as any to make good on his resolution. He'd decided that after months of disregarding Kanaan's very existence, he was going to make a greater effort to acknowledge the man. Certainly not for Kanaan's benefit. John had started to feel badly that he'd basically ignored one of his closest friend's choice of partner. He wasn't sure he was ready to be friends with Kanaan, but he had resolved to let Teyla know that he knew Kanaan was important to her. It still turned his stomach a little think about them being a couple, but he figured he'd better get used to it, as they showed no signs of their relationship ending anytime soon.

"So... how's things?" he started a little awkwardly.

Teyla looked mildly surprised at his sudden question but smiled over at him. "Things are fine. And how are you?"

"Good, good. Things good with Kanaan?" He swallowed hard after he said it, but was pretty proud he'd managed to say the man's name aloud.

The look of shock on Teyla's face and her raised eyebrows let John know how unprecedented his question was, and he felt badly that for so long he'd pretended that a huge part of Teyla's life didn't even exist. Torren was a big part of John's life since he saw him everyday and babysat him frequently, but he hadn't spent more than a moment in Kanaan's presence in the year since he'd joined Teyla in the city.

"Yes, things are good with Kanaan." Teyla recovered from her surprise but looked at him with curiosity.

"You guys seem pretty happy." John wasn't really sure of that, since he didn't spend any time with the two of them together, but he didn't really know what else to say.

"Yes, we are happy." Teyla looked straight ahead and said nothing more and John wondered if he was imagining the lack of enthusiasm in her tone. Had she hesitated for just a moment before she replied? Don't go looking for things that aren't there, he told himself. You've spent enough time doing that already.

TBC