A/N: Yeah, so I'm not sneaky about which ships I prefer…still, bear with me! Thanks to all reviewers. Hey, just 2 days till we get to meet the new Atlantis character, Ronan Dex (at least for us Yankees). Can't wait! although I am positively counting the days until the notorious "Kissing Bandit" episode:) Anyways, on to the story…
The next morning John was up early to scout a good location in the mess where he could watch the goings-on with relative ease and anonymity.
Slowly, people began to trickle in, first individuals, looking for their morning jolt of caffeine, then groups, interested as much in sustenance as in catching up on the latest news.
Several people greeted him but he didn't invite any to join him; he was too interested in getting the lay of the land first. John also found himself watching the men and trying to recollect which had significant others.
It was in the middle of this tally that Teyla sat down at his table.
"Colonel Sheppard," she greeted him with a nod.
It was a polite greeting, but John didn't miss the ice in it. It had slowly been revealed to him that if she used his title these days it meant that she was annoyed with him. She had been distantly proper for nearly a week now but he'd be damned if he knew why. That seemed to happen a lot...
Well, two could play that game.
He inclined his head slowly and said in a stately voice, "Miss Emmagen."
Teyla gave him a curiously bemused look in return.
Or maybe not…
Giving up the ruse, he sipped his coffee and asked, "Do you know if Dr. Morris is seeing anyone?"
"I believe so," she replied.
John stared at her expectantly until she got the hint and added, "I believe it is one of the nurses."
"My, those nurses do get around," he muttered. "Well, scratch that one from the list."
Teyla glanced up from her toast. "And which list would that be?"
"Oh, never mind," John said quickly.
Seeing Teyla's raised eyebrows, he said, just above a whisper, "Have you noticed anything different about Dr. Weir lately?"
"Different how?"
"I dunno, anything not in her normal scheme of things."
Teyla puzzled over it for a moment before replying, "I did notice that she was late to one of the briefings last week and she is normally never late."
"Good. And?"
The Athosian glanced about. "I have yet to see her this morning. Usually she is leaving the commissary as I arrive."
John pointed at her, grinning triumphantly. "See?"
"No. John, what is this all about?"
"You don't think her recent behavior is odd?"
"No more than yours."
"Funny. But no," here he lowered his voice again and leaned forward conspiratorially, causing her to do the same, "I think Elizabeth is seeing someone on the base and keeping it from us."
Teyla sat back. "Then should we not respect her wishes? If what you say is true then she must have her reasons."
"Oh, Teyla, Teyla, Teyla," John admonished, shaking his head sadly. "As the commanding military officer here in Atlantis, it is my duty to sniff out the truth." He paused, then said,"Okay, maybe not but for argument's sake, let's say it is."
"But Dr. Weir's personal life has nothing to do with the military."
"We don't know that," John replied, the very picture of innocence. "This could be a matter of not just national security, but galactic security. The very fate of Atlantis could be at stake!"
Teyla gave him a look that he recognized all too well—the one that clearly said, I'm not buying this for a minute. "John, if you are so curious, why not just ask her?"
He grinned. "Where's the sport in that?"
Teyla still looked doubtful. "I don't want Dr. Weir to be angry with us over this."
He smiled. "And the truth shall set them free."
"Pardon?"
"A little truth is good for the soul. It'll probably be a relief not to hide it anymore."
"Whatever it is."
"Exactly."
"Though you have no proof one way or another that there is an 'it'."
"Hey, you were the one that admitted that she's been acting strangely."
Teyla sighed long-suffering and John knew he had won. "I will help you, Colonel, but only to keep you out of trouble."
John leaned over the table and kissed her, ignoring the whistles and cheers from their fellow diners. As he broke the kiss he grinned cheekily, and said, "I'm off to see Beckett." With a jaunty wave, he left the commissary, leaving a very flustered Teyla in his wake.