Author's notes: Thanks again for your continuing feedback! It means so much:)
"Only you, Conan, would think that whole ordeal would constitute an act of love," grumbled Rodney.
Ronon shrugged. "He respected her enough to let Teyla avenge her people. I'd say that's saying something."
"I'd call that preservation of self. No one was going to stop Teyla," argued Rodney.
From across the room, John saw Carson walking towards their table. "Do you mind if I join you?" he asked with his usual smile.
Still, after a year and a half, John couldn't believe how well the doctor had recovered from his captivity. Lots of counseling was required, along with his refusal to give up, but Carson had managed to overcome the odds and move past that horrific part of his life. Now, he and Keller were co-chief medical officers of the base.
Rodney shook his head. "Not at all. We were just discussing Sheppard's sorry excuse of a relationship with Teyla."
"Ah, so he's finally willing to admit that is something there. It's about bloody time," he commented with a smile.
"So when did you, you know, think there was something between the two of them?" asked Rodney.
"You mean outside the blatant flirting that was going on between the two of them for the first couple of years we were here? That's easy. A couple of weeks before last Christmas," Carson answered.
John cringed. He had a feeling the good doctor would bring that up.
Teyla was sitting across the table from John in the mess hall. Gatan was in John's lap, popping grapes in his mouth happily.
"I have a favor to ask of you." That itself should have alerted John that something was awry; Teyla rarely asked for help, even when she needed it.
"Sure, what's up?" he asked.
"I was wondering if you could watch Gatan this evening. It should not take long," she said.
He looked down at the boy and grinned. "Sure, I'll play him 'Superstars of the Super Bowl'."
"With popcorn?" Gatan asked hopefully.
"We'll see," John said, recalling the last time Gatan ate popcorn, most of it ended up on the floor. "So, what's going on tonight?" he asked, focusing back on Teyla.
"Carson asked if I could join him for dinner this evening," she said, offering no further details.
"And you said yes?" he couldn't help but to ask.
A look of confusion passed over her face. "Of course. Unless I could not find someone to tend to Gatan."
John suppressed a frown. Teyla was going on a date with Carson? He knew they were friends, both having an easy temperament and willingness to help others, but how had he missed them moving to the next level? More importantly, why was he having such a hard time with it?
Suddenly he wished he hadn't agreed to watch her son. Not when he wanted to do nothing except to see how their dinner went.
At six o'clock, the door chimed as expected. Gatan ran inside as soon as the doors slid apart while Teyla refrained from coming inside. "You aren't coming in?" John asked, hoping he could stall her.
She shook her head. "I am afraid I do not have time. I got behind taking care of some things for Gatan. I still have to get changed," she answered.
He looked at her clothes and noticed there was something that looked suspiciously like paint on the front of her pants. "I think you look fine," he responded.
She laughed softly. "That is why you are not a woman." She looked at Gatan. "Please be good for the colonel."
The boy nodded. "I will."
After about two minutes, John couldn't take it anymore. He needed to know what Teyla was doing with Carson. Gatan was contently watching the DVD, with popcorn, when John tapped his earpiece. "McKay, get down to my quarters."
Quicker than John expected, McKay showed up. When he opened the door, John ushered the scientist inside. "Good, you're here. I need you to watch Gatan for a few minutes. I'm got a few reports I need to turn into Woolsey," he lied.
Rodney eyed Gatan wearily. Though he was a good kid, Rodney still maintained his dislike for children. "Ok, but make it quick."
Three minutes later, John was standing outside of Teyla's quarters. It had been a while since John had been on any covert operations. For some reason, this one seemed more important than any others in his career did. Carefully, he hid behind a pillar as Teyla exited her quarters.
She looked stunning, as usual, but John noticed she didn't look anymore dressed up than usual. She had simply changed out of her soiled clothes into something clean. Maybe because they had known each other for so long, she didn't feel the need to impress Carson with what she wore.
He tracked her path cautiously, always ready to hide if she turned around. John had no doubt that if she caught him, she would feel no remorse in causing him bodily harm. He was surprised when she walked into the mess hall.
Come on, Carson, he thought, you could do better than that.
John followed her inside, knowing she would probably take a seat facing the entrance. She was there before the Scot and picked a table on the far side of the room. He knew it was risky, but the only place he could think to hide was behind the buffet counter.
Hopefully, he thought as he crouched down, no one would look there.
Moments later, Carson walked inside looking rather nervous. When he saw Teyla, a large grin blossomed on his face. John, on the other hand, frowned.
Fortunately, the mess hall was rather empty so eavesdropping on them wasn't going to be a problem. "I can't thank you enough for coming. I know it must be rather difficult getting out with the wee one waiting for you," said Carson.
John made a face. He hadn't heard this much buttering up since his brother wanted a new car for his sixteenth birthday.
Teyla, however, didn't seemed put off by his words. "I have told you, it is my honor to be here. I am flattered that you think of me this highly," admitted Teyla.
"Just tell me what you think and be honest," Carson replied.
"I can do that."
Even from the distance, John could hear the smile in her voice. He was more uncomfortable than he was before. How serious was their relationship?
Teyla seemed almost…giddy.
Carson seemed to notice her mood as well. "You excited, my dear?"
"I have been looking forward to this since you have invited me here."
Ok, John thought, this was getting to be too much for him to hear.
"Well, then, I won't keep you in suspense much longer." John looked around the side and saw Carson reach inside his front pocket and pull out a small box. John's heart stopped as Carson opened it up and revealed a ring, but it wasn't any kind of ring.
It was an engagement ring.
The pulse in John's ears was racing so loud he missed what Teyla said. He watched as she took the ring out and examined it. Even from where he was, he could see the diamonds glistening in the light.
"It's my ma's," he said. "Or at least it was."
Finally, John couldn't take any more; he had to leave. As he was making his way back to his quarters, he tried to understand his behavior. He wasn't jealous, he told himself for the tenth time. After all, he and Teyla were the best of friends. Nothing more.
Maybe he was just being protective. He never wanted to see Teyla hurt.
Yeah, he thought, that's it, I'm just being protective.
He opened the door to his quarters, revealing Rodney giving Gatan a piggyback ride. "Oh!" said the scientist, letting the boy slide to the floor. "The DVD was finished and he got a little bored. Did you give Woolsey those reports?"
John nodded, too annoyed at what he had just seen to answer any further. "Thanks again."
Rodney let himself out, leaving Gatan staring at John expectantly. "I want to play." Fortunately for John, Gatan managed to keep him so preoccupied that he didn't think of what happened between Teyla and Carson.
When the door chime sounded, the events from earlier came crashing back to him. Angrily, he swiped his hand in front of the crystal.
As he expected, Teyla stood on the other side. A quick glance at her hand revealed no ring. Odd, he thought, as she walked passed him with a smile to her son. "Thank you again, John. I appreciate it."
He suppressed the urge to ask why she wasn't wearing her gift from Carson and instead asked, "How is the good ol' doc doing?" Inwardly, he winced. That didn't come out very smoothly at all.
The wide smile on her face was not the answer he was looking for. "He is doing wonderfully."
"Well, with your company, I wouldn't expect any less," he said with a forced smile.
She eyed him suspiciously, but decided not to make a comment. "Come, Gatan, it is time to eat."
For once, John was glad to see her leave. "You guys have fun," he said too enthusiastically. Gatan seemed to enjoy John's overly cheerful mood while Teyla seemed to do everything to ignore his behavior.
Now that she left, John didn't know what to think about the whole situation. His relief at seeing her bare finger was short-lived after hearing her happy voice speak about the doctor. Since she wasn't being especially forthcoming with the details, John decided to talk to Carson himself.
Not wanting to run into Teyla accidentally, John took the back way to the infirmary. As expected, the Scot was sitting at his desk in his office. As he approached, John heard Carson humming a tune.
"Hey Doc," John said, interrupting him.
"Colonel!" he said, obviously surprised. "What can I do for you today?"
John took a seat from the other desk and pulled it next to Carson. "So what happened today with Teyla and the ring?" he asked, taking a seat.
Carson's eyes widened for a second before fluttering closed. "I told her not to say anything."
John felt guilty for misleading his friend. Almost. "It was kind of obvious. Anyone she sees if sure to figure out what is going on."
Carson sighed. "I didn't want her to mislead you. It's just if she tells one person, then they'll tell a few others and by the time Laura gets here, the surprise is ruined," explained Carson.
"Laura?" Now John was totally confused.
Carson nodded slowly. "Aye, Laura Cadman." He narrowed his eyes. "But I thought Teyla told you…"
Great, John thought, busted. "Well, she didn't give me exact details."
"She didn't tell you anything, did she?" Carson asked, getting upset.
"Well, no, actually, but--"
"Then how did you know about the ring?" demanded Carson.
Realizing he should have never gone there, John stood up. "Good luck with Cadman. I'll see you around."
"You bloody spied on us!" exclaimed Carson. Realization dawned on him. "You are jealous! You thought I was taking Teyla out, didn't you?"
Flee, John, flee, were the only words running through his mind. If Teyla found out, she would kill him.
To his shock, the doctor began laughing. "I always knew you were a bit protective of the lass, but I had no idea how much." He winked. "But don't worry, Colonel, your secret is safe with me."