Disclaimer: I don't own Stargate Atlantis, its characters, or anything plot lines. This is a purely fan-made fic I am not profiting off of. Please don't sue.

Summary: What happens when a Wraith and a human fall in love? Well, it's not a walk in the park. They have to fight for what is theirs and the family they desperately want.

OC X OC

If hell had its own day, this was the day. She feared the same day every year. The day that reminded her brothers that they needed to dote on their sister every damn minute and her twin paid for it dearly. Yes, she had a twin. His name was Jacob and yes, he was born first. That still made Jesse the youngest.

"Happy Birthday!" John appeared out of nowhere as Jesse was trying to enjoy her morning oatmeal.

The mushy, saturated flakes fell of her spoon and onto her lap as she flailed. "Damn it John! There goes breakfast." She threw down her spoon and grabbed a napkin in order to clean herself up.

"Just wanted to be the first to wish you another year older." He smiled and handed her another napkin. "Where's Eddie?"

Jesse glared. "Edward…" She emphasized his correct name. "is helping Rodney with some translations on the Dart." After cleaning herself up, she began to pile her trash on her tray. "Why?"

"Well, you know, it's your birthday!" He stated happily.

"So?"

"Aren't you two gonna celebrate?"

"One, he's a Wraith and I highly doubt they celebrate birthdays. Two, I don't even like celebrating my own birthday so drop that idea and three, he doesn't know it's my birthday."

John let this information absorb. "What?!"

"Just drop it John!"

"It's your birthday!"

"I know!" She stated sarcastically and left the table with her tray in tow.

Trailing after her like a lost puppy, he really wasn't going to let this go. Jesse dropped off her tray and headed toward her quarters. After a few seconds of silence John decided it was time to attack. "What if we threw you the best party ever?" He smiled but Jesse ignored him. "Come on! It gives us a reason to party."

"No."

"Please!"

"No way."

"Pleeeeease?!"

"Ohh!" By the time they had reached her quarters she was so stick and tried of his whining that she could have punched him. "So long as it's small and simple then, fine." Giving in felt like defeat.

"Great, you won't regret this!" He looked way too happy and ran off to plot.

"Crap." She thought as she closed the door. Letting John have his way was dangerous, like giving a kid a bottle rocket and setting him loose in a glass warehouse. Bad for business.

As Jesse sat I her room and brooded, John checked on food, then music and finally the decorations. He knew is was just a matter of getting Jesse so sick and tired that she had to give in. The party was in full swing but having her approval made it that much sweeter.

Satisfied that everything was coming together nicely, John took a stroll down to see Rodney and Eddie. The Wraith and doctor were deep in conversation over a tablet full of information about the Dart. Looks like everyone is friends. Well, almost everyone.

Ronan still wasn't talking to anyone. Though he still went on missions and trained with John, he didn't talk to anyone except maybe Lorne. Keeping his anger going all this time was really pointless in John's opinion. Eddie had more then proved to everyone that he meant the people of Atlantis no harm but Ronan still wouldn't budge. John could see the way this buddy looked at Jesse sometimes. Longing, he still cared about her even though she had made her choice. Talk about carrying a torch.

Rodney spotted John first and gave him a wave. "You wouldn't believe the stuff we're getting from this thing." He proudly patted the tablet.

"Super Rodney." He teased. "How about later. Put it in a memo."

"Right…" He looked slightly depressed. "So how are the plans coming?"

"Good. I got permission." John proudly puffed out his chest.

"Plans?" Edward finally took the bait. John was hoping he would ask.

"Oh, just a little thing really. I mean birthdays are a big deal to humans."

"I do not understand this concept." His puzzled appearance made John smile.

"It's Jesse's birthday today and were gonna throw her a little get together in celebration. Nothing to big." He patted Edward on the shoulder.

"The annual observance of her birth?"

"Yep."

"And this is normal for humans to celebrate?"

"Yep."

Edward played with the notion for a moment. One day out of the year where humans commemorate the moment of their birth. No such thing was ever done in the life of the Wraith. Their lives were so much longer that it would mean absolutely nothing. He could see the appeal from a humans point of view. Such short lives they led. One day of celebration would stay with them for the rest of their lifetime.

Perhaps this celebration would be beneficial to Jesse's overall happiness. "These turn of events are quite acceptable. What does one do at a birthday party?"

"Well, there's food, cake, music, socializing, and presents."

"Gifts?"

"Yeah, you give the birthday person a present to let them know how much they mean to you." John explained.

A gift for the birthday girl. He had nothing to give his Jesse in celebration of her birth. What could he possibly pull together in such short time? What could his Jesse possibly need?