Teyla could not get very far in the halls of Atlantis. As soon as John had left to run the soldier's training exercises and Josie had been fed, Teyla took her for a stroll around the city. It turned out to be a better idea in theory than practice. They could never get more than a few yards at a time without someone stopping them to coo at the baby. It was mostly scientists, although Teyla noticed the soldiers would make funny faces and tickle Josie under the chin when they thought no one was looking.

Teyla felt for the displaced Earthlings, millions of light years from their home world. She knew from experience that one did not undertake such an adventure unless one had little to keep them at home. These new Atlanteans (though Teyla had to admit they had been there a little too long to still be considered 'new') were not like her people—they had come to Atlantis not to escape or to survive but to learn and explore. And in doing so, they had foregone things like relationships, children, and homes of their own.

For the Atlanteans, Josie was a symbol of hope, that they too might find the same elusive happiness that Rodney and Elizabeth had found. Teyla did not blame them, then, for being drawn to Josie, but it made the simple act of walking difficult.

After finally extracting Josie (who, having grown bored with all the attention, had dozed off) from Drs. Chen and Miller, Teyla decided to take her down to the training rooms.

When she slipped in, John glanced at them and his smile widened. Teyla wasn't quite sure if it was because he was happy to see her or because her presence at the training sessions always made the soldiers 'pull out all the stops' as John called it. She figured it was probably a bit of both.

She rarely participated in their exercises unless she was drilling them on hand-to-hand techniques, but, on occasion, she liked to sit and watch. Especially, she found, when Ronon was involved. John always enjoyed running those training sessions. To him there was nothing quite as entertaining as seeing four Marines taken down by one man. She could never quite understand the rivalry that took place between the soldiers, but it was entertaining.

John plopped down on the bench next to Teyla and grinned at her. "First person to beat Ronon gets out of laundry duty for a month and gets to skip our dawn run tomorrow."

Teyla raised her eyebrows as another Marine hit the mat. "You think it is likely to happen?"

John smirked. "Nope."

Teyla shifted Josie slightly. The baby was still fast asleep. "That hardly seems fair."

John shrugged. "It's good practice, and they're getting better. Fitzgerald almost got the drop on him a little while ago."

Teyla smothered a laugh with a cough and a thoughtful frown. "We passed Lt. Fitzgerald being taken to the infirmary with a possible fractured ankle."

"I didn't say he succeeded."

"John, all your soldiers will be under the care of Dr. Beckett if they are not more careful."

"Oh, we're almost done here," said John with a dismissive wave. "At least half of them should be left standing...or at least conscious." He looked over to where one of the newer recruits was writhing on the mat and stood up with a clap. "Okay, guys! Take a water break. Back here in fifteen."

A universal groan went up from the soldiers. As they shuffled passed her, Teyla smiled encouragingly. They were lucky John only called these sort of training sessions once every few weeks.

Ronon stretched his long arms over his head with a satisfied smile. "Up for a round, Teyla?"

"I'm afraid I have a prior commitment," Teyla replied, rocking her charge gently.

Ronon grinned. "Sheppard?"

Teyla smiled sweetly at her companion. "You could use the practice."

"Funny," John drawled, but he grinned as well. He clapped his hands on his knees and stood up. "Okay, let's do this."

Ronon's grin slid into a happy smirk as he threw John a pair of fighting sticks. John caught them easily and twirled them in what he probably hoped was an impressive display. Ronon just shook his head and moved to the center of the training mat to square off.

Teyla watched with interest and, she had to admit, more than a little admiration, as the two men circled, occasionally striking out, testing each other.

John was the first to move, driving Ronon back a few steps. He turned into his next attack and managed to knock the Setedan soundly against the shoulder. Ronon acknowledged the hit with a feral smile and the two broke apart, circling one another again.

They had very different styles, Teyla thought as she watched them clash. John was fluid with an athletic sort of grace but his style was rough, undisciplined. He struck from the heart though, put his all into it.

The way he does with everything, Teyla thought with a fond smile.

Ronon was all power—crude and raw. He was unpredictable but well-skilled. When he fought, he had the look of a man who enjoyed the game, the hunt.

A few minutes into the match, as the Marines began to trickle back in, Teyla knew that this was a bad idea. Ronon's feral smile was a little too firmly in place and John was a little too distracted. She knew from experience that it was never wise to be distracted when sparring with Ronon. John knew it too if the look on his face was any indication. He made one last ditch effort, but Ronon ducked it and swept his feet from under him. John landed hard and very awkwardly.

"John?" Teyla said as she rushed over to him, trying not to jiggle her sleeping charge too much.

He pushed himself onto his back with a low groan.

Ronon and Teyla both leaned down to check on him.

"You okay?" Ronon asked.

"I think something popped," he replied slowly.

As he ponderously climbed to his feet, Teyla asked, "Is that a good idea?"

Pain flashed across his face and he said, "Nope", just as his knee buckled and he crashed to the floor again.

Teyla immediately handed Josie to an unsuspecting Ronon. She motioned to Sgt. McHale and the two helped John to stand, shouldering his weight between them.

"Ronon, please watch Josie while Sgt. McHale and I take Colonel Sheppard to the infirmary," Teyla said.

"And finish the training session," John called over his shoulder as he was helped out.

As the doors slid closed behind them, Teyla caught a last glimpse of a very bewildered Ronon surrounded by very amused Marines.


A/N: Thanks for all the lovely reviews! Next up: Ronon's turn! Hey, if y'all have any ideas or suggestions about who you'd like to see babysit, let me know!