The next morning I stood near Teyla watching the Athosians go to the Jumper Bay. My eyes were fixed on Jinto and Halling as they carried through their belongings. Weir walked to Teyla and they spoke quietly but I could still hear their words.

'I've never been separated from my people before' Teyla said quietly

'It must be hard, but you know you'll see them again' Weir replied gently

There was a slight pause and from the corner of my eye I saw Teyla turn to look at Weir.

'Do you doubt that you'll return to your home, Earth?' Teyla asked

'I can't afford to have doubts' Weir stated

'You mean you cannot afford to let them show?' Teyla stated

I saw Weir twitch slightly 'You're still a leader, Teyla. You're doing this for their future, they know that'

Weir patted her shoulder before leaving. I watched Teyla in my peripheral vision. She watched the Athosians, her face was blank but her eyes were full of despair. I couldn't help but feel pity towards the woman who wasn't all that much older than I was but certainly carried more responsibility than I did.

Deciding to throw caution to the wind I walked to her. She turned her head slightly to look at me and I stopped beside her.

'I thought you looked like you needed some company' I said quietly

She nodded; her face still deadpan but her eyes changed. She looked grateful so I simply stood beside her companionably. The Athosians finished going into the allocated jumpers and then the doors shut. I heard Teyla let out a deep sigh. The Jumpers took off through the roof hatch.

'Dr O'Neill? ' Teyla spoke suddenly

'Yes Teyla?' I asked

'What was your life on Earth like?'

I was surprised by the sudden personal question. I turned to look at her with one eyebrow raised and she had the good grace to look slightly shy which I immediately thought wasn't a very good look on her compared to the stony expression I was used to.

'It was alright I guess, I had my Dad and his colleagues who became kind of like an extended family'

'No mother?' Teyla asked

'No mother' I replied 'But what I had was more than enough'

'I too only had my Father and friends as family' Teyla revealed 'Why did you leave Earth?'

'I'm not sure really, new horizons I guess. I knew the risks and I accepted them, my family agreed I should go. I wouldn't have come if they weren't okay with it' I explained

'It seems you and I have learnt a lesson. Sometimes it is best to do what is right rather than what you wish' Teyla said 'I must prepare for an off-world mission'

I nodded and we both left the bay, going our separate ways. I went to the lab and sat working. Telling Teyla about my father had got me thinking about him. I wondered if he was happy and healthy, wondered if he was missing me as much as I was missing him and if he was eating enough. I snorted in amusement at the thought of him cooking something. That got me thinking about others, Sam, Daniel and Teal'c.

Zalenka came in and sat at his own laptop, he eyed me though and I ignored him.

'You know, for such a young woman you seem to be grumpy all the time' Zalenka said light heartedly

'Relax I was just thinking about home' I replied

'Ah, I too am beginning to miss Earth. I am fancying a rich meaty stew with a good wine' Zalenka smiled

'I'm wondering if my Dad has been eating. He can't cook to save his life' I replied with a small laugh

Zalenka looked at me in disbelief 'Something the great General O'Neill cannot do?'

'Oh please, he can't sing either unfortunately that doesn't stop him' I replied

Zalenka snorted 'He can't sing?'

I shook my head with a small giggle.

'Does that mean you cannot sing or cook?' Zalenka asked

'Psh, I can do both' I bragged earning a laugh from Zalenka

Throughout the day I learned that Major Sheppard's team had been attacked once again. Ford and Teyla were left behind and now missing. They got back after awhile though. I got on with my work uneasily but then my radio beeped.

'O'Neill'

'Hey, It's McKay. Sergeant Bates says he has a job for us, come to lab four please'

'Okay' I replied

I headed down and found McKay stood beside Sergeant Bates. He was carrying a bag. I looked at it curiously before standing beside McKay.

'This is the bag Teyla was carrying on your last trip. I want you to search it' Bates said

With that he tipped the bag inside out. McKay stared at the contents of the bag in horror while I looked at Bates in disgust.

'Don't you know it's rude to go through a woman's handbag?' I snarled

Bates ignored my own less than polite remark 'We're looking for weapons, transmitters, recording devices, anything that looks like it's beyond the Athosians level of technology'

'And if we don't find anything do we move onto a strip search?' McKay growled

I was surprised by the venom in his voice. Bates glared at him before turning his glare on me.

'Just do it' He ordered

He marched from the room. McKay and I looked at each other and I reached for the first item. As I inspected it McKay shifted uncomfortably.

'Don't give me all the dirty work' I said

'I don't feel right touching her stuff' McKay said

'And I do? Look if we can prove her innocence I'm sure she'll at least appreciate that' I replied

It seemed to convince McKay and he sat in a chair and picked up an item gingerly. We had gone through most of the stuff and by now I was starting to wonder if this would have completely shattered the hesitant truce I now had with her if we didn't find anything. I picked up a necklace and scanned it lazily. A signal came up and my mouth dropped open.

'McKay, think I've got something' I said hesitantly

His eyes flicked up and he eyed the necklace and the device I held in my hand. He took it from me and inspected the signal.

'It seems to be a transmitter' I said

'I'd best go and tell Bates' McKay said sadly

I sat there for a second before making up my mind 'Wait! Go and get Sheppard, I'll just have another poke around at this thing while you get him'

'Why?' McKay asked

'Neither of us thinks she's guilty and I'm sure you don't want to sell her out. Just go and fetch Sheppard, if we tell Bates he won't wait for us to figure out properly what this thing is' I said

McKay nodded 'Yeah...yeah you're right. I'll go and fetch Sheppard'

Upon investigation, I found the device was actually very clever. It was a short range transmitter, only capable of sending a signal probably a short range into space. Teyla would've had to know exactly what it was she had or she couldn't have known at all. The next thing I discovered was that the small device was ancient tech.

I touched the actual device in the necklace and immediately the signal dropped. I looked at it curiously before touching it again. The signal reappeared. Teyla couldn't have activated the device herself, as far as I knew she didn't happen to carry the ATA Gene.

McKay came back, followed by Sheppard who eyed Teyla's stuff littering the surface of the table. He looked between us both.

'What the hell is this?' He looked at me angrily 'I know you and Teyla don't exactly see eye to eye but really? I can't believe you'd stoop as low as to search through her stuff to throw her out!'

I sat there with my mouth open, I couldn't believe he'd just accused me of that. I'd taken notes on the necklace on the notepad sat next to me. I got up, went to McKay and handed him the notepad.

'I believe you'll find all the information you'll need to clear Teyla's name in this. Please return it to me once you're done with it' I said shortly before going to leave

'Where are you going?' McKay asked

'I'm going back to work. I'm not going to stand here and take false accusations' I hissed, shooting a glare at Sheppard.

I went back to my lab. I knew that normally I'd be angry at this kind of thing but I found myself feeling more hurt than anger.

'How the hell could he think that of me!' I shouted out suddenly

'Who thinks what?'

I jumped and turned. Ford was stood there, eyeing me with a mixture of curiosity and concern. I took a few deep breaths.

'Nothing. Just some personal issues' I stammered

Ford reached out and grabbed my arm. I faced him hesitantly. I'd discovered that once Ford thought of you as a friend, which I knew he did towards me from a few of my sleepless late nights in the mess hall, he squeezed information out very easily.

'Don't Ford, not now. It's been a trying day and I just want to be alone I think' I sighed

Ford looked at me a moment longer 'Not buying Marley, come on. I've got some free time. I'll come to your lab and you can talk to me while you do whatever it is you do'

I found I didn't have the strength to argue. I knew if I was angry I would've been very fired up and defensive by now. I found myself nodding meekly and letting Ford follow me to my lab.

A few cups of coffee and I found myself telling him about missing my Dad, missing Earth, finally making some sort of peace with Teyla, Bates getting me and McKay to search her stuff and the feelings I'd had over that before finally coming to Sheppard accusing me of stooping as low as to search her things to get her thrown out. I found my eyes watering up and I furiously blinked but one escaped. I swiped it away quickly but of course Ford had been watching me closely the whole time but he didn't comment.

'I have my grandparents and sister on Earth you know' Ford said quietly

'Ford, I know everyone's in the same boat but-'

'No no, hear me out. When I'm sad or I'm lonely I remember why I'm here. I'm here to protect the people on this mission so that they can keep doing the work they're doing and then we can find a way to get back home. Then we can protect Earth from the Wraith and that thought keeps me together'

'That even though we're far from home we're still doing our loved ones a service?' I asked

'Exactly, that and I get to kill a few aliens' Ford joked

I snorted despite myself before wiping away another escaped tear. Ford looked at me sympathetically.

'I know he's upset you. I'll be having a word with him about that!' Ford said

'Yeah, he's your Commanding Officer. Good luck with that' I replied

'So I won't deck him one. You're my friend Marley, and a good one. You saved my life too' Ford said

I shook my head and picked up the empty mugs 'I don't need you to defend my honour Ford. If I can deal with two months of death glares from Teyla, I can certainly deal with Sheppard sending one jumped up accusation my way'

'Whatever you say' Ford said with a grin.

His radio beeped and he answered it, his face matching his professional answer. It sounded like he was being called somewhere.

'McKay's called a briefing on the locket, he says you don't have to go, your notes are enough but do you want-'

'No, I think my attendance will only spell disaster for Sheppard's nose' I answered

Ford pulled a face 'Why his nose?'

'I know he's you're commanding officer and it's highly unprofessional of me to say this to you but I think I would punch him in the face' I said

'No you wouldn't' Ford said

I eyed him dangerously 'Oh yes I would'

About an hour after Ford left, McKay came in. He simply barged open the door. I sat up and looked at the door as it swung shut.

'Ever heard of knocking Dr McKay?' I asked sweetly

He gave me a blank look. I shook my head in exasperation before going back to my work.

'What do you want?' I asked

'I saw the look on your face when Sheppard said that stuff to you-'

'I'm surprised you noticed anything'

I don't pretend to be very perceptive of human emotion because I'm not-'

'I wouldn't have guessed'

'Stop being sarcastic and tell me straight. Are the rumours about you and Sheppard true?' McKay asked

I looked up. I took my glasses off and shut my laptop lid. I stood up and walked to McKay. I folded my arms across my chest and glared up at the older scientist. He actually shrank back slightly.

'And what if they are?' I asked

'If they were, he shouldn't have just accused you of that. If I know that you're too professional and too damn nice to do that to someone then he certainly should' McKay said

I actually felt slightly touched 'Are you going soft on me McKay?'

'No. I don't appreciate members of my staff taking abuse from someone other than me' He replied indignantly but he looked away

I chuckled softly 'Yeah okay Rodney. And for the record, the rumours are just rumours'

McKay nodded stiffly and made to leave 'Oh and er, we've figured out that device. I've briefed Weir and Bates and Weir says well done. You can finish up early if you want'

I cocked my head to the side but McKay had left before I could say anything. I ran my hand through my hair in disbelief. I went back to my quarters and had just gotten changed out of my uniform when the door chimed. I opened it up to see a hesitant looking Teyla. I blinked in surprise.

'May I come in?' She asked

I nodded, I was still in shock over McKay but this was really taking the biscuit. Teyla stepped past me and looked around my room. I was glad I was tidy by nature. She stopped and looked at the picture by my bedside table.

'Is this your family?' She asked

'Yeah' I went over and picked up the picture 'That's my Dad, He can't sing or cook. That's Sam, if I'm not around, she cooks for my Dad. That's Daniel, he's like my best friend in the whole world. That's Teal'c, he's kind of like a gruff uncle who's a big softie really'

Teyla actually smiled, I set the picture down again.

'I heard that you are the one who located the device?' Teyla said

'Yes I did' I replied

'You proved my innocence' Teyla said

'I helped'

'And I also heard that Sheppard falsely accused you of trying to get me thrown out because we previously did not see eye to eye' Teyla said

I tensed, not sure if I wanted Teyla knowing that much. Her expression was soft and actually apologetic. I decided to humour her.

'Just because we didn't get along doesn't mean I would have done that even if we hadn't happened to have established some sort of truce before. Sheppard should've known' I said

Teyla nodded, she turned away and looked around my room again before turning back to me.

'I think I owe you an apology' Teyla said

I frowned 'What?'

'You don't know but when Major Sheppard first came to Athos, his commanding officer was not very friendly and not very concerned with trying to be friendly. Major Sheppard was different, he was very friendly and also very charming. I must admit I thought it was because he might've been attracted to me and I was very flattered and I have to say I found him very attractive and he drew me in easily' She paused 'Then when he rescued us and brought me back. I saw the way you greeted each other and I could see the way he looked at you, I knew he had simply been over-friendly with me. I was wrong to treat you the way I have because I was jealous, I can promise you it won't happen again and I hope that we can one day become friends'

I stared at her, my mouth hanging open and she suddenly looked uneasy.

'You were jealous?' I asked

'Yes' She admitted easily

I blinked at her stupidly and she opened her mouth again.

'Also, I couldn't quite believe how quickly Jinto and Halling came to care for you, as if you were an Athosian'

I shook my head 'Listen Teyla, how about we just put all of this behind us? There is nothing between Sheppard and I. After his performance today I will certainly not be speaking to him anytime soon. You want him? Go for him' I said

Teyla shook her head with another smile 'No thank you. It is easy to move on once you see that he's just friendly. I shall speak to him though-'

I cut her off quickly 'No thanks. Seriously, I think I can make do without'

Teyla nodded slightly but then gave me a coy grin 'But who will bring you a sandwich when you miss lunch?'

I stared at her before I busted up laughing. She chuckled along with me and I reached out and touched her arm.

'You know what, I think I would like for us to be friends Teyla'

'I am glad Marlene. I take a run in the morning, if you like I could accompany you?' She offered

'I'd like that very much. And also if I don't turn up, it's nothing personal. I don't sleep very well at night'

XxXxX

The next two nights saw the sleeping pills Beckett had given me doing their job, leaving me able to go for a run with Teyla in the mornings and on the second day we met up at lunch to eat together. Dana quickly came around to Teyla once she ate with us too and the three of us made quite a good blend of personalities.

Then Weir and Sheppard planned a mission to draw Wraith in, using the transmitter on Teyla's necklace. She revealed it had been a gift from her father but after finding out what it had been doing she was reluctant to take it back. She was happy to go ahead with the plan so on our third morning run I wished her luck before heading back to my quarters for a shower and to head to the lab.

At least four hours later she was back, she looked a little messed up but all was good. I nodded to her and she came over.

'I am going to the Mainland to visit my people, would you like to come?' She asked

I smiled and looked up at McKay who came in, he also looked a little worse for wear but he also looked inharmed.

'McKay-'

'She already asked me, it's alright. Take a few scanners with you though; bring back some samples for the mud scientists, plants for the botany department. You know the drill' he said tiredly

I grinned and got the things together I needed. I followed Teyla down to the Jumper bay but stopped short in the doorway. Sheppard was stood leaning on a Jumper. Teyla nudged me with her arm to make me move again.

'You didn't say he was the pilot' I said

'You have to make friends at some point' Teyla whispered back

She nodded to him and entered the Jumper. I strode past him without even a glance, missing the guilty expression on his face.

I ended up having to sit next to him in the co-pilot's chair. I leaned back in my seat heavily. This was going to be awkward.