A/N: This is actually the third Shep/Teyla fic I started. But due to it being shorter than the first one, having a more definite ending than the second one, and the time of year offering ample inspiration for this story…this one was finished first. I would like to dedicate this story to my Shepmagen friends. Who are so prolific I am now almost constantly reminded of how bad I am at finishing things:) I would also like to thank Capt. Ritter. Who read the very brief scene that began this fic and told me I should make more out of it. Well, here ya'are.

Warnings:

-Spoilers for season 2 up to The Tower

-Brief mild language

The Jumper shuddered as another blast hit.

"McKay" Sheppard warned.

"I'm trying" McKay yelped.

"Pull up McKay!" the ground seemed to move up toward the ship.

"I can't" McKay shrieked.

"I knew I shouldn't have let you drive" were the last words out of Sheppard's mouth before the surface seemed to swallow them and everything went black.

When Sheppard awoke the jumper was pitch dark.

"McKay" he received no reply. "McKay" he repeated, his voice all the more urgent because he couldn't see the seat beside him or tell if McKay was still in it.

"What?" McKay's voice finally answered from somewhere behind him.

"Where are you?" Sheppard stood, but the compact, easy to navigate 'Puddle Jumpers' as he'd so aptly named them seemed much larger when you couldn't see anything.

"On the floor, thought I'd find place to sleep, if possible"

"Well turn on your flashlight" Sheppard waited where he was and listened to the sound of Velcro as McKay searched for the flashlight attached in his vest. Finally the man found it and the smalllight lit up the back of the jumper. Sheppard followed the beam and found McKay lying on the floor with his eyes closed. Sheppard slowly lowered himself into a sitting position against the opposite wall from McKay. "We should probably stay awake." Sheppard told him. "If your head hit as hard as mine did we could both have concussions."

"I checked my watch" McKay said not bothering to sit up. "We were both unconscious for about an hour I think if we were going to die in our sleep we wouldn't have woke up."

"I don't think it works that way." Sheppard disagreed.

"Well judging by the fact that we'll run out of food, water, and life-support we might be better off." Rodney was customarily pessimistic.

"Is that a subtle hint for me to die from a head injury to increase you're chances of surviving until we're rescued?"

"Actually that thought never crossed my mind. Although if you feel the need to repay me for all the times I've saved your life…"

"Rodney"

"Sorry, bad joke"

"As long as you were joking" Sheppard grumbled and stretched his legs out.

"Of course if you keep your feet that close to my face I may take it back."

"Why don't you sit up?" Sheppard advised. "It'll make it easier to stay awake."

"Whatever you say Dr. Sheppard" McKay said sarcastically as he sat up.

"Hey all I know is I've been conked on the head more than once, had at least one concussion, and every doctor I've ever had's told me it's dangerous to sleep after a head injury. So why don't you stop complaining and tell me if you can fix this thing."

"If I could fix this thing do you think I'd be sitting on the floor arguing with you about whether or not I can sleep?" McKay snapped.

"So it's…"

"Dead" McKay finished. "Like we will be in a few hours."

"Now you're just being pessimistic" Sheppard leaned his head back against the wall. "We need to think of something to keep us awake."

"It's not like we have anything in common. Anything you talk about will put me to sleep and with your limited interests…"

"I get the idea" Sheppard interrupted. "There's always Truth or Dare" he joked darkly.

"Like I would trust you not to cheat" McKay retorted. "Of course, since there is a chance we're going to die out here there is one question I wouldn't mind having answered."

"What's that?"

"How many alien women have you been involved with exactly?"

"You know McKay your fascination with my social life is starting to creep me out."

"Consider it a side-effect of my not having one."

"Actually that doesn't make me feel any better."

"Okay, you want the truth? The truth is that some of the scientists have a pool going on you okay?"

"On me?" Sheppard repeated.

"Yeah the whole Kirk thing" McKay explained.

"I see"

"So?"

"So what?" Sheppard played dumb.

"So how many?"

Sheppard was thoughtful "If I tell you, and you win, I want half."

"You can't be serious"

"Or I could just wait until we get back and make a deal with Zelenka" John bargained.

"If we get back"

"Right." Sheppard smiled smugly like a man with the upper-hand and nothing to lose.

"Ten percent" McKay offered.

"Fifty" Sheppard held firm.

"Twenty-five"

"Fourty"

"Thirty"

"Thirty-five"

"Agreed" McKay said grudgingly "How many?"

"Two" Sheppard told him.

"Two?"

"Yeah. There was Chaya, who doubtless you'll remember. I guess you could say we had a relationship of sorts. And then there was that princess…"

"The princess?"

"Well things didn't exactly work out between us but she made a pass at me so I figure…"

"That counts" McKay affirmed.

"I thought so"

"Wasn't there another one?" McKay asked looking perplexed.

"I don't think so. I mean there was that little spy the Wraith threw at me but I don't think that counts."

"Well if she made a pass at you…"

"I don't think it was exactly a pass…"

"It still might count though if…"

Sheppard shook his head. "I'd really rather not think about that."

"All right. She wasn't the one I was thinking of anyway."

"Well I don't know who you are thinking of because I sure can't remember anybody."

"I know! That glowy chick who ascended and asked you to come along."

"Ah I don't know McKay. I mean she took my clothes off when I was unconscious. That's like a classic cliché, I mean its Gidget."

"Actually I think that was Tammy."

"Was it?"

"Yes"

"Okay Tammy then. That still doesn't constitute…."

"But asking you to another plane of existence sounds a little more serious than a bad date and a plate of spaghetti."

"Maybe they wanted me in case they needed afearless warriorin the next plane of existence." Sheppard suggested.

McKay snorted but let it slide. "I'm just saying that sounds at least as serious as the little blonde princess…"

"Okay," Sheppard agreed. "We can count her. But only if it helps us win the pool."

"She cinches it"

"Well why didn't you say so in the first place? I'd have counted her right away"

"I was trying to be as honest as possible"

Sheppard shook his head "So you had three?"

"Three to five actually. Nobody wanted to be nailed down to just one number."

"Did anyone else take three to five?"

"It's not the lottery. But to answer your question no, I don't think so."

"Good."

"Now we just need to live long enough to collect the money." McKay observed.

Sheppard checked his watch "I was thinking if nobody comes for us in an hour I might go to sleep."

McKay looked startled. "That's a little soon to give up hope"

Sheppard rolled his eyes. "I meant a nap McKay. I thought maybe you could wake me in half an hour and we couldalternate sleeping half-hours. I think that'd be safer than staying awake so long we both totally pass out."

"You're probably right" McKay agreed.

"Now" Sheppard sighed loudly. "What the hell are we going to talk about for another hour?"