Disclaimer: I'm only going to say this once: I don't own any of the characters and I'm not making money off of doing this. This is simply for fun.
Samantha and Jennifer walk down the corridor leading to the mess hall, passing other personnel by and greeting them as they go.
"You must be tired, Jennifer, but I wanted to show you around Atlantis at a time when it's not so busy." Carter tells her.
"I'm not tired at all. Like I said, I had a room all to myself at the midway station." Jennifer says as she looks over the balcony, taking a deep breath. "I have to say that the prospect of joining this expedition is becoming more and more attractive to me. I have never seen anything so beautiful. It's like magic."
"Not to mention, the work you'll be doing – you'll be helping thousands of people if you decide to join our team."
"Speaking of teams, at the midway station, I heard people talking about Col. Sheppard's team." Jennifer asks, turning to face Samantha. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but his team is known to risk their lives almost every time they step through the wormhole."
"Actually, not to scare you or anything, But every team here on Atlantis risks their lives everytime they go through the wormhole. But you're not wrong about Sheppard's team." Carter says with a smirk. "Sheppard and his team are known as the SGA1 or the alpha team. Sort of like my team when I was still back at the SGC. And there's a reason we, like Sheppard and his team, are the number one team. You'll understand why if you stay." And then with a smile, she adds "In fact, I heard rumors that the others have an ongoing pool, as to what kind of trouble they get into whenever they go on a mission.
Jennifer shakes her head and laughs. "I also heard that two members are actually aliens."
"That is also true." Sam answers. "Both of them inhabitants of this galaxy. Teyla, the leader of the Athosians, had chosen to join our team for the sake of her people. John met her on their first trip through the wormhole in the Pegasus Galaxy. Actually, she is usually one of the first people you should have met when you first came early this evening. SGA1's presence is always requested in these things. But coincidentally, she's visiting her people." And then shrugging she adds. "It's unfortunate that you won't be able to meet her until your last days here. If you really needed convincing, I'm actually very confident that she'd be the best person to do that."
They walk away from the balcony and head to the lounge, and Samantha continues to tell her a little bit about the team. In the far corner of the balcony, almost hidden by huge potted plants, Jennifer spies a figure sitting all by himself.
"And then there's Ronon Dex. There isn't much that we know about him. His world was destroyed by the wraith many years ago. His people have scattered all over the galaxy, settling into other planets. And there's not much information to gather from his planet." And then sighing, she adds. "And it doesn't help that the man is very intimidating and closed off. John and Teyla are the only two people who can actually reach him. He feels a sort of kinship with Teyla. And with John, without Ronon admitting this of course, I believe, that he sees John as his savior. John gave him place here in Atlantis."
"What about with Rodney?" Jennifer asks.
"Actually, I don't really know what the relationship is between those two. I don't know how they can stand being in the same room together. They're complete opposites." Sam tells her. "In fact, Ronon, I think, likes Dr. Beckett more. But I think that's because Carson was the one who took out his tracking device. Twice."
"See, that's what I'm afraid of." Jennifer tells her quietly. "It's hard to step into a man like Dr Beckett's shoes."
"You'll carve out your own place, Jennifer." Samantha assures her. "Everyone does here in Atlantis."
X
"So how's the tour going?" John asks as he and Rodney run into Samantha and Jennifer in the hallway. "Liking what you see so far?" Showing his charming smile as he shoves his hands in his pockets.
"I do like the view. I've never seen anything so amazing." Jennifer says.
"Of course you haven't…" Rodney cuts her off.
Jennifer frowns and John grabs him by the neck and pushes him towards the mess hall. "Why don't we leave these lovely ladies to their tour. Let's grab us some sandwiches." And then turning his smile on again he bids them farewell and says "Ladies."
The girls leave and John says "Rodney, be a little more tactful. We're trying to convice the lady doctor to stay on, okay."
"Why? Beckett…"
"Hmph!" John cuts him off. "I don't want to hear it."
They grab some sandwiches on the buffet table and head over to where they know Ronon is seated. But before they reach him, Rodney asks "What's up the gorilla's butt? He's more grumpy than usual."
John whispers "While we were Earth, someone thought it would be a nice gesture to have all his clothes laundered and have them ready by the time he got back here." Shaking his head in amusement he continues to say "Unlike clothes back on earth, his stuff aren't pre-shrunk."
"Oh shit, really?" Rodney asks with a burst of laughter.
"Yeah, I suggested that he give them to Radek." John says evilly. "He almost bit my head off."
X
Ronon is completely unaware of John and Rodney as they approach him. He's still looking past the door where Col Carter and the young girl in the suit walked through. She looked young. But didn't dress young. He was going to make his presence know to them, but he really wasn't in the mood.
Suddenly, the chair he set his feet on is pulled from him, jerking him. That's never happened before.
"Hey buddy, you feeling better?" John asks as he sits down.
"Heard about your wardrobe malfunction." Rodney says as he bites down on his sandwich. "What are you complaining about? You still have the clothes on your back. And what about the others that that you brought back with you from earth?" He asks as he looks at Ronon who's wearing a black fitted long sleeved shirt and jeans. Still wearing a holster around his shoulders.
John leans slightly towards him and says warningly "He doesn't like earth clothes, remember?"
"See, I don't understand that." And then in resentment he adds "Ever heard of GQ?" Ronon just frowns in answer. "You look like one of those guys in those things. It's disgusting."
"Wow, McKay, that's a compliment." And then turning to Ronon, John adds "It's a compliment, trust me." And then as if remembering something he adds "Actually, you should ask one of the girls if they have a VOGUE magazine laying around."
"Vogue?" Ronon asks.
"It's the women's GQ version." John answers. "Look, this is actually a good thing."
"How's this a good thing?" Ronon asks, gesturing to his outfit.
"The IOA is here." John points out. "They've been observing Atlantis. They'll be gone by Wednesday, but in the meantime, they'll be impressed with the way you look." Taking a sip from his soda, he adds "Coz I have to be honest, buddy, physical presentation is a major part on their observation. If you dress and look the part, you're golden."
"Well, I wouldn't say golden..." rodney begins to say.
John kicks him under the table and then says, "Besides, you have more than half of the female population here drooling after you."
Gesturing to his face, Ronon asks "Does this face look like I care?"
"Who the hell taught you to say that?" John asks in amusement.
"I heard one of the nurses at the SGC say it to Walter at the mess hall." Ronon explains.
"Oooh." John cringes.
"So the IOA is here, huh?" Ronon asks no one in particular as he looks at the doorway again.
X
In her temporary quarters, Jennifer Keller is looking around the room and touching all sensors she's seeing. She smiles and murmurs to herself "I love buttons." She then takes a seat on her bed. Her stomach growls. Deciding that she needed to eat something before going to bed, she grabs her hoodie and heads out the door and traces her steps back to the mess hall.
When she finally gets to the mess hall she heads over to the kitchen and grabs something to eat. Thankfully, Samantha had told her earlier that she's more than welcome to help herself to anything in the kitchen. This is one more thing that's enticing her to stay. Food. And not having to cook it.
Unsure if she's allowed to bring food into her quarters, she heads out to the balcony and picks out a table right on the center, overlooking the city. She can't get enough of the city. She looks up at the dark sky. Nothing new. She was never good with constellations anyway. When she was little and her mom was still alive she had her join the girl scouts. On her first, and last , camping trip, the scout master had taught them about the north star and how it could guide you home. Something about the little dipper. But of course, she still got lost.
Jennifer feels the hair on the back of her neck stand up as if someone is watching her. She turns around to find the same person she saw earlier that evening sitting at the same place and staring intensely at her. She awkwardly waves at him and says hello. The man just keeps on staring, not reciprocating. Flushing from being ignored, she turns back around to face the amazing view, silently eating from the bowl of cereal she took from the kitchen, a bit unnerved from the lack of reaction from the other occupant.
A few minutes later she hears a chair scraping across the floor as if being pushed back. Unable to void looking back, she slightly turns to look at the stranger, not bothering to hide her interest, as he walks stealthily towards the double sliding doors His intense gaze not leaving her curious one until he's completely out of the room.
Not in an Atlantis uniform or military fatigue. IOA. Definitely IOA. Jennifer thinks to herself. Samantha had informed her that they would be here until the middle of the week. Thank God she doesn't have to go back with them at the same time. Apparently the rumors about them are true. Arrogant people. Although this particular member of the IOA was not what she had pictured. For one thing, when she thought about the IOA she imagined short, balding men with glasses. Not tall, dark and brooding men. Not to mention good-looking. The dreads is especially something else. Then again, she doesn't have the first clue as to what they're really like.
X
That was weird. She waved and stared. Normally the other members of the IOA would either ignore him and pretend that they didn't see him or run the other way. They always have to puff out their chests first before they try to start a conversation with him, staring at his neck and never looking into his eyes. This one threw him a bit off balance. It's best if he just steers clear of these people. Most especially the woman. It wouldn't do him any good if he lost his patience with any one of them.
I wonder where she's staying at? Ronon asks himself.
TBC.