Title:Her Cup of Tea

Author: Sophie

Date:October 02nd, 2005

Part:3/1

Rating:PG-13

Characters:Sheppard/Teyla

Spoilers:'Conversion'…. 'Rising'

Disclaimer:I don't own either the characters or the show…so don't sue me!….

A/N: Part 3 in the First Moments series… Teyla's POV of their first meeting….…

Cpt. Ritter- who is it indeed…Read on to find out…I would never leave you in suspense…I can't write suspense…lol

EclecticTrekker- thanks for the great reviews…Now here's the next read…hope you get a giggle out of it….

Strawberry Cupcake- Are you looking over my shoulder as I write this story?…LoL…Here's some Teyla…Hope you like….

JSgal24JAG- Thanks…Glad you liked it…Going on with it….Enjoy this chapter….

08ClassicRockChicky08- Thank you…Continued hope you enjoy it….

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Teyla left Ronon, Zelenka, Beckett, and Rodney playing with the Frisbee, all having a wonderful time, and as usual at Rodney's expense. Looking up on the cliff she saw John sitting there, a solitary soul, if she'd ever seen one. So much had changed since that faithful day.

In the weeks since he'd apologized she'd all but avoided him. Even now she didn't know what to think or say. No one knew what had happened, he was once again normal and she was glad for small favors. From the first stick strikes Teyla knew there had been a change. She hadn't realized until the moment she was holding the gun on him how much she didn't want this to be happening. She could still feel the dread in her of having to even fire on him.

Why him? How could this have happened to him? she had thought. But it had happened, and had touched her greatly.

Later, after they had failed to recover the eggs she had been beside herself with fear and was desolate. After all this time, fighting side by side, she couldn't possibly lose him. It was as if the world was working against her.

Glancing up at him on the cliff again Teyla walked to the food table and took out her own, then continued over to another one of the tables Rodney had insisted they erect to eat on.

Mindlessly eating Teyla didn't see Rodney sit across from her, nor did she notice that the others had also stopped the game and was beginning to gather at the table.

It wasn't until Carson asked if she could move over that she looked around, and saw them all looking at her.

Smiling nervously Teyla took her now empty plate, and left the table after saying, ' I'm finished' then hurried on her way.

Walking to the puddle jumper Teyla looked around for the bag she'd brought along with her.

Moving the many training gear she finally found it under the vest she knew belonged to John. Finding it flung onto the pile was not his normal behavior, and meant he had not been happy when he'd taken it off. She hoped he wasn't upset by the Frisbee she had thrown that had hit him. She almost winched remembering the tumble he'd taken, but then again unforeseen things happened all the time, and it's necessary that he be ready.

Folding the vest she carefully placed it on the pilot seat where he would find it easily, upon his arrive to pilot the jumper back to Atlantis.

Taking her bag with her she walked a short distance to where they had also constructed a changing area.

Changing out of her normal pants and top, she got into the suit Dr. Weir, had told her was more of a day at the beach outfit. Finally dressed in the outfit Teyla wasn't sure if she could wear it out. It fitted properly she was sure, for it fitted as Dr. Weir's did, and reminded her very much of her sparring outfit but without the additional skirt part.

Just then she heard Dr. Weir call out her name, stepping out she saw that she wasn't alone and Halling was walking at the side of her. Debating stepping back into the tent, she was about to retreat when they spotted her.

'Halling came by the picnic in search of you. I thought I saw you come this way,' Dr. Weir said, who wore a similar outfit, but had a wrap tied around her waist. Looking at Teyla she also said 'You look great, thought you were going to change, and couldn't help seeing how you looked before the guys did'.

'Thank you,' Teyla replied, then turned to Halling and said, 'Greetings Halling' as they slowly bowed heads in the traditional Athosian greeting.

Knowing they would like privacy Dr. Weir imparted her farewell, and turned retracing her path to the picnic area leaving them to speak freely.

'How are you?' Teyla asked, as she grabbed the wrap, that she'd also received, and tied it around her waist.

'I am well. I have come to ask you to attend a joining ceremony in the village' he replied.

Smiling Teyla asked whose joining ceremony it was to be. It gave her a great deal of joy to know that her people were so comfortable they were beginning to truly live again.

'Serene and Mikhail's' Halling answered as they walked to the picnic.

Teyla had known them since childhood, once they had all been great friends, but since the move to Atlantis they hadn't seen much of each other. As they ambled along the shore the spoke of their people and the plans to beginning constructing permanent dwellings on the mainland. It was decided that after the ceremony, tomorrow, Teyla would meet with the elders to discuss rebuilding.

Reaching the site Teyla asked Halling to stay, but was told that there were still many things to be finished before the ceremony the next day.

Leaving her at the outer boundary of the picnic, he followed a path leading through the forest. Saddened by his departure Teyla continued on her way.

It didn't take long for all the male attendees to see Teyla and start talking. Completely unaware of the attention she drew, Teyla continued on to join the others.

Finding the team sitting at the picnic table she told them of the ceremony, and invited them all to attend.

'Joining ceremony?' Rodney asked distractedly, first watching Teyla then averting his eyes to watch beyond her.

'A wedding' Carson answered as he too seemed distracted, doing the same thing Rodney had done.

Realizing they were not actually just watching the ocean waves Teyla turned around, and saw Cadman, Kate, and Dr. Weir, assembling some sort of net on the sand.

Leaving the group Cadman walked over and asked who would like to play.

Unsure of what exactly they would be playing, Teyla asked 'How do you play this game?'

Turning to her Cadman said, 'It's called beach Volleyball. Basically you hit the ball back and forth over the net, we're setting up. The goal is to hit the ball so the opposing team misses it and it lands within the boundaries. So you score points. Team with the most points wins.' Addressing the whole group she once again inquired who would like to play.

As it turned out they all were very excited to play, except Ronon who was happy to watch.

Also declining to play Teyla took a seat near Ronon and settled in to watch.

'You won the race against Col. Sheppard?' Teyla asked slowly looking at Ronon.

'How could I not' Ronon asked smugly. Turning to her he leaned back and slowly looked her up and down. 'Nice outfit' he said, then turned to continue watching the game.

Smiling slightly Teyla stood, said 'I will return in a moment' then walked away.

Ronon loved winning, it would never cease to amaze her how much he reminded her of her childhood friends. He had this childlike nature about him that she was surprised had survived all the years of running from the wraith. Though he did have a equally aggressive side.

Putting Ronon's behavior from her mind Teyla continued walking. She couldn't understand why John was currently alone at the top of the cliff. He usually would have been the first to participate in whatever game they were playing. Stopping a distance away she thought back to the first moments of his entrance into her life and the first time he'd touched her.

Halling had said he'd brought visitors, wishing to trade. But what kind of traders came armed to negotiate.

She had tried cutting them off, not wanting to expose her people to these strangers who might bring with them more trouble to add to their already heavy burden. She couldn't do that to them, they already had to move constantly to avoid the wraith.

Just then he had smiled, said he liked Ferris wheels, college football, and anything that goes 200 miles per hour. She hadn't understood any of it then, and still had trouble understanding at times. He had then said he also liked tea, and had stepped forward, she had been amused. But it had been his smile that had been her undoing. And so on a smile alone she'd placed her trust. It was a smile that had never let her down, in all the months they'd known each other.

John had been a friend through everyone's uncertainty of her loyalty, through her own fears, and she hoped he would continue to be there in the future.

Slowing she thought of when she had taken him to the caves when daylight had come that morning in the hope of education him of the wraith to somehow protect himself and his people, so that no sadness would touch him. There, he had found the necklace she had lost so long ago. And when he'd placed it around her neck she'd looked up at into his face, and had become lost knowing in that instant she would never forget him, and when he went back to his world he would be leaving with a part of her.

Since that day John Sheppard had held a place in Teyla Emmagan's heart. No one knew and she hadn't told anyone. Just as no one knew about the kiss they'd shared. A kiss they had both agreed to think nothing of.

Emerging from her thoughts she realized that she had almost reached John. Slumped forward he didn't look like the confidant, ever courageous Lt. Col. Sheppard. Mesmerized Teyla watched a she hand slowly rose as if of its own accord, and touched him on the shoulder.

TBC….

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A/N: Now click the little button and review…..I'd love to hear you thoughts….good….bad…what you liked…disliked…share plz…..appreciate it a lot…;-)