Conversations

Teyla sat on the bed in the infirmary. Her foot rested on Dr. Beckett's thigh, while he examined her ankle.

"Everything looks good. You should be back up and running in no time."

"Does this mean that I can return to duty?" Teyla asked eagerly.

"No lass. It means you'll be well soon, but for now take it easy. That's all for today, stop by to see me in about a week."

"Thank you Dr. Beckett."

He smiled, "You're Welcome." Beckett walked to his desk jotting notes in her medical records.


Sheppard slipped into his flak vest. He checked the pockets for ammo, his I.D.C. and snacks. He looked around searching for his ear communicator and saw Teyla sitting on his bed. She was pouting; well as close as she would ever get to one. Sheppard walked over and sat down beside her.

"Teyla, would you stop looking so dejected, it depressing."

She looked up, eyes glittering, "I do not look dejected."

"Yes you do."

"I do not."

Sheppard nodded, "Um huh."

"Major She-."

He stopped her with a kiss and whispered, "John."

Teyla smiled, she knew what he was doing, but it wouldn't work. He was still leaving in thirty minutes and she could not go.

"What did Dr. Beckett say?"

"He said that I could return to work soon, but not yet."

"Tell you what? When I get back I'll take you swimming. I promise."

Teyla looked into his eyes. "How long will you be gone?"

Sheppard sighed, "I'm not sure. McKay has found some kind of energy stone that he wants to check out."

"I know the Hurdine. I have traded with them on many occasions. I should be going on this mission."

"For what? To watch us, watching Rodney? I'm sure you can think of something better to do. Besides, that's why we're taking Halling with us. Relax. Enjoy your break while you can. Okay?"

Teyla nodded, "Okay."

"Now," Sheppard smiled, "are we going to spend the next few minutes talking about some silly mission? Or are you going to kiss me goodbye?"


Teyla stood at the top of the stairwell as the wormhole deactivated. She turned to leave but was stopped by Dr. Weir.

"Teyla, do you have a moment?"

"Yes, Dr. Weir."

"Please call me Elizabeth." Teyla nodded.

"How about a short walk, if we go to my office we'd never get to finish our conversation?"

"That is fine." Teyla turned and walked down the corridor, Elizabeth to her left.

"How's your ankle? I see you're getting around pretty well."

"Yes, Dr. Beckett says I will be well soon."

"What have you been doing to stay busy?"

"I try to spend my time evenly between here and the mainland."

"And how are things there?"

"Overall everyone is fine. We are currently building new shelters to store extra food and supplies."

"If you'd like, I could send some people over to assist you."

"That would be greatly appreciated."

Elizabeth smiled. "Have you had lunch yet?"

"No."

"Would you like to join me?"

"Sure."


Sheppard yawned. He'd been sitting in his chair for the last two hours, while Rodney and Halling discussed the origins of the energy stone and read notes from other scientists' research. Sheppard stood. That's it, I'm outta here.

"Hey, can the two of you handle this on your own? Lt. Ford and I were thinking of taking a walk into town."

Rodney continued to pour over some notes in a journal; he had not heard Major Sheppard. Halling smiled his acknowledgement and turned back to peer over Rodney's shoulder.

Sheppard turned to Ford. He was stretched out on two chairs lightly dozing; his head occasionally rolled from side to side. Sheppard kicked one of the chairs.

"Wake up sleeping beauty, lets go."

Ford jumped up instantly alert, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong. We're going to the local market."

Ford looked skeptical. "Did you say market, sir?"

Sheppard gestured back towards the table. "You wanna stay here?"

"Market's fine."

Ford and Sheppard strolled down the main road of the village. Venders had set up stands on each side of the lane. You could buy or trade just about anything you wanted. It was amazing to see. Sheppard headed towards the end of the lane. He could hear the steady rhythm of a hammer on metal and went to see where it came from. The noise was coming from a building slightly off the main road. The sign above the door above the door was of two hammers crossed; a blacksmith. Sheppard led Ford inside. They had to wait for their eyes to adjust the dimness of the room. It was warmer inside, mainly due to the small fire in the middle of the room. The hammer stopped as the blacksmith gave them a once over.

"Can I help you?"

"Would you happen to have any ready made items?"

Ford glanced at Sheppard questioningly. The blacksmith jerked his head to the table along the wall. They walked over to look at the wide array of tools, weapons, and trinkets on display. Not seeing anything that caught his eye, Sheppard turned to leave. He paused when he saw a box partially covered by cloth and leaned in for a closer look.

"Did you design these?"

The blacksmith paused, "No, my son does that. I keep telling him it's was waste of time."

"Would you be willing to trade for them?"

The blacksmith grinned, "What have you got?"


Elizabeth giggled into her cup.

"Major Sheppard was hopping on one foot, bumps into Dr. McKay, who fell on Lt. Ford, and they all fall into a big pile of mud." Teyla smiled. "They chased the Anton for nearly fifteen minutes before Shanna walked up to whistle for her pet. It trotted up and licked her hand as if nothing had happened. You should have seen the look on their faces."

Elizabeth laughed, she could just imagine. She shook her head, "How is it that you can be around those three for hours at a time and not choke one of them to death?"

Teyla sighed. "It is difficult. Dr. McKay and Major Sheppard do tend to argue, and Lt Ford and Major Sheppard can get a bit silly at times. And…."

They both chimed in. "Major Sheppard."

Elizabeth shook her head. That man could be a pain.

She and Teyla both burst out laughing. It had been sometime since they had a chance to sit down talk and both remembered how nice it was.

"Oh, I remember what I wanted to ask you. Are you coming to the birthday celebration?"

"I did not plan to."

"But isn't your birthday the day after the party?"

"Yes."

"Come on Teyla, you have to go. It's going to be extra nice. Everyone is excited. It's been so long since we've had a chance to celebrate anything. You must come."

"I will consider it."

"Please do, it will give you a reason to dress up."

"You will be dressing up as well?"

"As soon as I can find a nice dress. Maybe we could search together?"

"Are you dressing up for anyone in particular?"

"No." Elizabeth looked at her watch, "I'm sorry, but I have to get back. Thank you, for having lunch with me."

"It was my pleasure."


Dr. McKay and Halling were gathering up their samples and notes, when Sheppard and Ford returned.

"You guys about ready to go?"

McKay nodded, "We've got enough stuff here to keep me busy for a while."

"Well, before you get all set to gate out of here, I suggest you take a stroll down to the market."

"Why?" McKay asked, "What's down there?"

"Presents. Remember McKay, the quarterly birthday celebration?"

Sheppard received a blank look.

"It's next week?"

Still blank.

Ford inquired, "Isn't Zelenka's birthday coming up?"

"And Teyla's." Halling added.

McKay knotted his brow.

Sheppard dropped a not so subtle hint. "And Elizabeth's."

Understanding dawned. "Aw yes, I almost forgot."

Sheppard shook his head in exasperation, "There were a few nice things at the market. I thought you might want to check them out."

McKay turned and picked up his carrying case. "Lead the way."


Are you dressing up for anyone in particular?

That was a good question, one that gave Elizabeth pause. If she was, she hadn't been consciously aware of it, or at least until now. Elizabeth searched her heart. She still had lingering feelings for Simon, but Simon was on Earth. She'd made the choice to leave him and could no longer use those old feelings as a crutch. She was here on Atlantis, she was alone, and she cared very deeply for Rodney. Elizabeth wasn't sure how or when it happened. She just knew that she could feel it to the marrow of her bones. She didn't think it was love, not yet, but it was something. She smirked. Guess those hands have more magic than I realized. She was getting dressed up for someone after all.