Hi guys!

So sorry really wanted to update yesterday, but we had guest yesterday and on top I acquired the worst cold I've had in years.

Thank you so much for your reviews.

To make it up you'll get two chapters tonight. Just need to tweak a little in the second and then I'll post it.

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Chapter Ten

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Inappropriate Interest

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Nancy sighed, looking around as she settled on the balcony, finally alone. For the past few hours, Teyla had shown her around and helped her find her way. It was so much to take in.

They had talked of many things, but to her chagrin, John hadn't been included.

She was glad she had decided to take a break after lunch and spent some time in her quarters. Her mind was full and she needed some time to sort through her feelings and thoughts.

She couldn't really grasp the other woman yet. Though she was very nice, she also seemed distant. She was an impressive and strong woman, but also a real diplomat. It hadn't escaped Nancy's attention that every time she had asked personal questions about Teyla's relationship, the answers had been evasive. The only straight answers she received were about Teyla's people and her son.

But then, she'd also changed the topic when it had come to her marriage. Her answer had been 'kind of'; which was true. Officially, she was married. In reality, she didn't know.

Grant was everything she had wanted John to be. The only problem was he wasn't John.

The trouble had started after John had contacted her to help him. As a director, she had started to understand what it meant to have to keep things secret. She had started to understand John and that had been the problem. The more she had started to understand, the more she had started to miss him.

She had started feeling guilty about her confused feelings for her ex. The worst was she had taken out her anger at herself on Grant.

"I can't help you. I love you, but you have to figure out what you really want!" Grant had told her. "Why don't we take a break and see what happens?"

Nancy had been shocked and relieved at the same time. Time would help her to understand and, just maybe, she could find John and talk to him, too.

Of course, Nancy hadn't been able to locate John at first. He hadn't answered her calls either, but then she had been invited to meet with the President.

She vividly remembered the day she had been at the White House. She had had no clue what they wanted from her, and when they started to explain to her about the Stargate, she had thought at first it was some sort of game. But then, they had showed her the Gate and explained what they wanted her to do.

"You want me to evaluate the relationships?" she had asked in disbelief, blinking from O'Neill to the President, both nodding back.

"We want someone who is objective and unlikely to try and put politics into this. These people deserve to be together. Just make sure they aren't going to get each other killed in the meantime."

Nancy had nodded and looked at the list.

"Talk to them. See if they might need counseling."

"That's a long list," she had said, looking down again.

O'Neill shrugged. "They live far away from here," he said. "You don't have to evaluate all the names on the list, just the ones with the E's next to the names. Those couples are working together on regular basis."

"You alright with this?" the President asked and then, it was Nancy's turn to shrug.

"Another Galaxy is just fine with me," she had said, glad to have a reason to run away.

"Good."

She had been stunned to learn that John was there too, the military CO. She would be able see him and see what was possible.

Nancy sighed again. She needed to find out more about John. She would try at dinner to get some answers regarding him.

She wondered how well Teyla really knew him. John had always managed to find friends easily. His inability to open up to people had made most of the friendships short-lived, though. At least, the ones outside the military.

Even though they had been married a few years, Nancy barely knew anything about John's military friends, other than most were dead. He had never wanted to talk about that.

Her thoughts came back to Teyla and she wondered about her husband. She had studied her list, but Teyla hadn't been on it. None of John's teammates were. Her husband had to be from Earth, though. They had talked quite a bit about the Athosian culture and, even though they had something similar to an Earth wedding, rings were not part of that tradition and the ring Teyla wore was definitely Earth design.

She pondered about what to ask Teyla, should she tell her that she was John's ex-wife or should she just say that she knew John from before?

XOXOXOXOXO

"Good evening Teyla, Torren," Nancy greeted, stepping out of the door.

"I hope you enjoyed your free time," Teyla said and the three walked to the mess.

"Yes, I took the time to get comfortable. I have to say that the quarters are very nice and the view is breathtaking."

Teyla chuckled. "Atlantis never ceases to amaze me. Even after living here for over five years, there are many things to explore."

"I can imagine. It seems like an awesome place to raise children."

"You do not have children?" Teyla asked, suddenly interested.

"No," Nancy chuckled. "My husband and I never had the time."

Teyla smiled, not sure if Nancy really was as unaffected as she seemed. "You are still young," Teyla offered.

Nancy chuckled again. "I'm forty-six. My time for children has passed. But thanks."

"Oh," Teyla breath, surprised. She had never thought about how old Nancy was.

"How old are you?" Nancy asked.

Teyla looked confused for a moment.

"Oh, I forgot that you probably have another measurement of time."

"We do, but Dr. Beckett made the calculations and, according to him, I'm thirty-five."

"How old is your husband?" Nancy couldn't help, but ask.

Now Teyla chuckled "He just turned thirty-nine."

Nancy paused for a moment; John had just turned thirty-nine, too, what a coincident.

"How is it working on a gate team?" Nancy asked, changing the topic. "I mean, with just men?"

Teyla chuckled again. "I would not trade it. I love working with my team."

"And your husband doesn't mind?"

"He does not."

"How are your teammates?"

"They are my brothers and best friend. They protect me if necessary and I protect them. At times, they are like big children and I would like to knock them down. We fight together and sometimes each other. We hurt together and we watch out for the other. We are a family and I would not trade any of them."

They walked on in silence and Nancy wondered how to asked Teyla about John directly without making her suspicious. Suddenly she got an idea. They were just entering the mess, so she decided to wait until they were seated and, hopefully, alone.

To her chagrin, they were soon joined by Teyla's friends and obviously John's, too. They had already started to eat by the time everyone settled. During the meal, questions about John and his team as well as the worry for their safe return were the main topics. Also plans for the next movie nights were made. Though Nancy couldn't asked the questions she had intended, she still learned a bit about John.

"I hope you don't mind, but I was wondering. You're on a team with Colonel Sheppard, Dr. McKay, and Mr. Dex," Nancy asked when she and Teyla were finally on the way back to Nancy's quarters. Torren was fast asleep in Teyla's arms.

Teyla nodded, watching Nancy curiously.

"You said that you are like a family?"

"Yes."

"Even with the Colonel?" Nancy asked carefully. "Don't get me wrong, but my first husband was military too. I know the type."

To Nancy's relief, Teyla smiled softly and didn't seem offended. "I do not know what type you talk about, but Colonel Sheppard is my family."

Nancy got the feeling that there was more to it, but couldn't pinpoint it. "Isn't it hard with him being the big boss and all?"

Teyla's eyes tightened some. "I follow Colonel Sheppard of my own free will. We are equals."

"Really?" Nancy asked surprised.

"Colonel Sheppard's way of leading is unique. We trust each other and our teamwork is based on this trust. He is a great leader and trust is a very big part of our lives here."

"I heard a lot of rumors on the spaceship."

"What did you hear?"

"That he is a hero."

"You could call him that."

"And that he was willing to sacrifice himself more than once."

"He is very passionate in protecting those under his command."

Nancy acknowledged Teyla's answer, but moved on. "That he is closed off and has a lot of affairs."

Teyla tilted her head. Nancy seemed extremely interested in the last part.

"Someone even called him 'Captain Kirk'." Though Nancy seemed amused, Teyla could tell that she really wanted to know. It seemed like the woman wanted to know if John was available.

"Colonel Sheppard is my best friend and he is no Kirk. We are his family, though he might seem closed off with others, with us he is not. But he does not trust easily."

"So, he is available."

Teyla's head snapped to Nancy, but the woman's head was turned away, obviously embarrassed at her slip.

"No," Teyla said more forcefully than she had intended to. Fighting to keep her voice even, she added, "he is not 'available'."

Nancy's head snapped to Teyla. "Sorry, I know it is none of my business."

"No, it is not," Teyla said, counting to ten silently. "I am sure that Mr. Woolsey made it clear that the relationships of the senior staff were not part of your evaluation."

"They are not and I'm sorry. My curiosity got the best of me."

Teyla nodded once, secretly glad that they had reached Nancy's quarters.

"I wish you a good night. There will be a guard in front of your quarters. If you need anything or have a question, just ask him. Mr. Woolsey will be here at 0830 hours for breakfast."

"Thank you, Teyla. I'm sorry for my behavior."

"Do not think about it further," Teyla said out of politeness.

John was her husband and she would make sure the woman kept away from him. He didn't like being the center of attention and he didn't like overly enthusiastic women. Teyla was surprised by the force of her own feelings, but John had been very uncomfortable when the woman had forced herself upon him in Hawaii and he had been too polite to push her away. Teyla had sworn to herself not to let him be subjected to unwanted attention again and she would protect him.

"Thank you."

"Good night," Teyla added, turning on her heels.

The door closed behind Nancy and she was glad to be with someone else tomorrow. She had been surprised at Teyla's claim that John had a relationship. Was it really true or had she just said it?

She had met most of the people that were John's friends here. She had been impressed at the sheer number of people claiming to be John's friends, but none of the people had been introduced as Teyla's husband or John's supposed girlfriend.

That convinced Nancy that Teyla had lied, but she would find out as soon as John was back and she could talk to him without Teyla or anyone around.

She couldn't wait to see John in private.

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