Authors Note:

This one is in answer to the ladygris and DaniWilder What If? challenge and is set early in season 2, AU in the sense that Lorne has been on Atlantis a few months. In case it's not obvious, my what if is What if there were no such thing as fraternisation rules? In Word this is 500 words exactly (minus this note of course!) ... thanks for the new inspiration ladies!

Fraternisation

The first time Lorne saw her he knew he was in trouble. Long red hair, slim muscled body, short enough that he'd feel ... 'protective'. Had kick ass attitude written all over her.

"Who's that, Sir?" Evan asked Sheppard as the two men walked down the steps to greet the new arrivals.

John ran an assessing eye over the gathered personnel, picked the most likely candidate, and grinned.

"You don't want to go messing with her Lorne," he cautioned ... his manner challenging Evan to do the opposite.

"Who is she, Sir?" Lorne raised a brow at his CO, insistent and purposeful in that way of his.

"Lieutenant Laura Cadman. Marine. Explosives expert."

"Sounds ... interesting," Evan commented blandly.

"Thinking about living on the edge there Major?" Sheppard queried as they hit the last step.

"No Sir," Lorne returned. "Right ... who are you kidding?" he thought sarcastically.

Sheppard smirked, strolling over to their waiting audience for the usual 'first minutes on Atlantis' spiel.

"And this is Major Evan Lorne, my 2IC." John was amused to see Lorne take his usual small step forward and give his standard serious nod.

Evan was practically famous for creating an unbreakable military facade. Asking about Cadman was unique, because Lorne had never so much as looked at a woman 'the wrong way'. In a city that too often felt like a popular day time soap opera that was saying something. Sometimes Sheppard wished there were rules to stop his personnel from hooking up ... unhooking was usually messy and the aftermath awkward, making his and Lorne's jobs a hell of a lot more difficult.

"I'll leave it to Major Lorne to show you around," John concluded, gesturing for Lorne to take over.

"Thank you Sir," Lorne let his eyes wander the group, lingering on Cadman a little too long. When she blushed he had to suppress his 'hunter scenting the prey' grin.

After that one slip he got down to business, completing the tour efficiently. Dismissing everyone to get settled into quarters he turned to head for his office.

"Major?"

Evan stopped. He knew that voice already ... schooling his features he turned. "Yes Lieutenant?"

"I ah ... I was wondering if you'd be free to join me for dinner in the Mess later, Sir."

"That sounds very much like you're asking me out on a date Lieutenant," he commented. "Are you?"

"If you want me to be, yes Sir," Cadman replied firmly.

Her eyes were reflectors for her thoughts ... Evan saw hope, interest, challenge ... and mischief. Leaning closer he was gratified to see her swallow nervously, her skin taking on that red flush. God, she was so ... hot!

"Oh, I want you to be," he murmured, letting her see intent in his eyes too.

"Great!" Laura grinned. "1930 hours. I'll see you there!"

And then she practically skipped away, leaving him staring after her. Yeah, he'd been right ... two minutes in the city and Laura was already trouble!

Authors Note:

Yes I know - totally implausible ... but fun to consider, since this is a what if?

I promise I will read and review the other challenge responses as well as do things like a new chapter for Forlorn Hope and review replies tomorrow - had to work LOTS of extra hours this week and I'm too tired to do any of this justice.