Chapter 2 – Fairly Manly

Damn.

Carson managed an attractive gaping mouth while Ronan just stared hungrily. Teyla and Elizabeth watched the woman walk down the ramp in a black, pencil-skirt suit with a white blouse, fashionably unbuttoned with a long silver necklace approaching her navel. The suit accentuated the curves perfectly whilst succeeding in informing onlookers that she was a woman of business, much like the expression on her face. Her green eyes watched the group expectantly. Her blonde hair was just longer than shoulder length with ringlets and waves bouncing around her as she moved forward.

John started from the top and let his eyes slowly study her. He stopped at her feet, her long legs still fresh in his mind, he frowned. She was wearing stilettos. What on Earth…?

'Nice foot wear.' He said pleasantly. 'Wouldn't have been overly helpful if the Daedalus had been attacked.' He commented.

The group stared at him, his cheek making them frown disapprovingly. The woman stepped off the ramp and approached them, her face showing no sign of a response to the comment. She merely strode toward them, heels hitting the ground swiftly.

'I assure you, Colonel, I can run, skip, jump and salsa in these shoes.' She said confidently, stopping just short of him. Her eyes ran over his face, his torso, and then quickly swept up to his hair. Her expression was unreadable. John raised an eyebrow. Is she checking me out or sizing me up?

'Oh, well, perhaps you can give us a demonstration.' He said challengingly.

'And perhaps you can teach your hair the laws of gravity.' She replied, coolly.

Ronan and Carson began to chuckle until John glanced back at them with a venomous expression. Elizabeth cast Teyla a warm smile before stepping forward.

'Doctor Chase? I'm Doctor Weir.' She extended her hand and Chase immediately took it with a large smile. 'I take it you've already met Colonel Sheppard?'

'No, no. I've only heard from rough description.' She glanced at his hair again. 'Very rough.'

John narrowed his eyes at her and Elizabeth put a hand on her arm and guided her forward to the rest of the group. 'This is Teyla Emmagan.' Teyla nodded and smiled. 'Doctor Carson Beckett.' Carson stepped forward and extended his hand with a welcoming smile.

'Hello.' His blue eyes shone animatedly. Chase nodded and smiled warmly.

'And this is-' Elizabeth began.

'Ronan Dex.' Chase interrupted, looking the Satedan up and down with a mischievous glint in her eye. She nodded her hello and Ronan did the same, a slight grin on his face. 'Again, through rough description.' She added to Elizabeth.

Elizabeth smiled, her eyes moving to Sheppard at the back with his arms folded. His expression was less than amused. 'I trust your trip here was interesting?' She asked politely. Chase gave her her full attention.

'Absolutely. It's something about the first time on an intergalactic space ship that gets the blood pumping, especially for a scientist.' She explained.

The group were startled by a loud groan coming from Sheppard who had promptly slapped a hand over his eyes the moment she had finished speaking.

'You're a scientist?' He moaned. God no, that's just…not fair…

'Yes, the worst kind of woman, I'm sure.' She said coldly, and John did a double take. She then searched the group with her eyes. 'I have met all of the department heads, except one – mine. I suppose Doctor McKay is frightfully busy.' She began walking to the city with an expression of excitement and awe. 'A city such as this must require much attention.' Elizabeth walked on one side of her and Carson the other. Teyla and Ronan glanced back at John before falling in line.

'Oh aye, it does. We've not even searched some parts of the city yet.' Carson told her.

'Really?' She asked excitedly, her eyes lighting up with the promise of adventure. 'I can't wait to get started.'

Elizabeth warmed to her immediately. These were the type of people she needed. Maybe the DOA has sent an ally and not an assassin…

'Well as soon as you are briefed and assigned quarters, not to mention taken on the grand tour, you can get stuck in, so to speak.' Elizabeth informed her. Chase smiled and picked up the pace, her heels hitting the ground with an eagerness.

Teyla glanced at Ronan and saw the mans eyes firmly contemplating Chase's derriere. She elbowed him in the ribs and his eyes turned to her with an innocent, boyish grin. Teyla smiled and shook her head. John, who had taken to following all of them from behind, shook his head with disgust. Oh please, what's with the childish behaviour? It's not like she's that… He paused, craning his neck to look over Teyla's shoulder at Chase's back. Okay, maybe she is, but there's no need to get all high school about it.

Teyla drew closer to Ronan and said in a whisper, 'Perhaps we should take Doctor Chase to meet Rodney, I think he would enjoy her company.' She suggested.

Ronan frowned. 'Why?'

'Does Rodney not like blonde scientists?' She asked simply. 'I believe it would give him a lift.'

'Yeah, until the moment he realises that she's got bigger man parts than he does.' Ronan replied with a half serious expression. Teyla laughed jovially at his crudeness and slapped his arm.

The group strode into the Gate room where the buzz of excited chatter filled the space like a hive of bees. Chase stood in the front with Carson while Elizabeth continued forward to the centre of the room directly in front of the Gate.

Major Lorne who had been chatting with two of the new military personnel had honed in on Chase with his jaw hitting the floor. What in the…? There is a God, and his name is extremely hot blonde in…stilettos? He realised what he must have looked like and straightened up quickly, the two newbie's smiling at each other.

'Don't worry about it, that's what we've been doing all week.' One of them muttered. A few of the men around him chuckled and smiled at each other. Lorne nodded, his eyes never leaving her. 'It's the worst when she walks in a room or round a corner unexpectedly. Every guy, and even a few girls in the vicinity get a case of the goldfish mouth.' Lorne frowned and looked at him; Sheppard who had over heard the conversation looked also. The soldier opened his mouth wide like a panting dog, his friends patting him on the back in approval. John clenched his teeth and made a mental note to learn their names and give them a hard time. Idiots. He glanced ahead and saw several of the personnel tapping each other on the shoulder and pointing at Chase's back, whispering with wide grins.

It was her own fault for dressing like that. She obviously likes the attention, Sheppard decided.

'Alright! Welcome to Atlantis.' Elizabeth greeted the group. 'Your department heads will shortly escort you personally to your living quarters before giving you the basic tour of Atlantis, at which point Chef will be serving dinner. I'm sure you're all eager to get started.' She looked at them, her new people, people she would get to know over the next couple of months. 'If Colonel Sheppard, Doctor Beckett and Doctor McKay would step forward and organise your groups.' She relinquished the floor to her piers.

Carson squeezed Chase's arm and walked to his small group with a warm smile, introducing himself and offering them an arm to show them their quarters. Sheppard leant against the wall moodily barking orders at the military to follow him. Elizabeth paused as the Gate room began to empty. It wasn't until she saw the Scientists looking around the room with frowns that she realised Rodney still hadn't shown up. The Scientists turned to her. She smiled sheepishly.

'Rodney can get a little wrapped up in some of his projects, I'm sure you'll experience the same very soon.' The Scientists liked the sound of that. Chase watched her as Elizabeth turned her back on them and clicked her head set. 'Rodney this is Weir, your people are waiting for you in the Gate room.' She said firmly. Where in Gods name is he? It was a few moments until he replied.

'I'm busy.'

Elizabeth could handle his rudeness, but at times the man was unbelievable. 'Rodney, put down what you're doing and come to greet the people you will be working with.' She ordered under her breath so the newcomers would not hear.

'You mean the people who will be working under me?' He corrected her.

'Rodney…' She warned.

'Yes, yes, I'm coming!'

She turned to the scientists with another sheepish grin. A few minutes later, Radik strode into the Gate Room with an Ancient Pad. Elizabeth glared at him. The Scientists turned to look at the man they thought would be their boss.

'Radik…Where's Rodney?' She asked.

Radik hurried over and smiled at the newcomers. 'He is refusing to come, apparently the work cannot wait. He has asked me to do it.' He looked over the scientists again and his eyes rested on Chase. 'Oh my.' He muttered.

'Radik.' Elizabeth scorned.

'Sorry.' He said quickly, averting his eyes. 'Are we allowed to dress like that?'

'Radik, if you want to wear a skirt and some heels, I wouldn't say no but I'd be worried.' Elizabeth said firmly. She sighed. 'Rodney is starting to seriously bug me, I know he didn't agree to this experiment, but…well, have you noticed anything different about him lately?' She folded her arms.

Radik took a moment to think about it and nodded once. 'He's been a little more grouchy than usual; he's averaging maybe four scientists a week instead of two in reducing them to tears.' Radik informed her. Elizabeth raised an eyebrow.

'Right. Well, if you wouldn't mind…' She turned to the group. 'This is Doctor Zalenka, he will escort you to your quarters, it seems Doctor McKay has been detained.' She stated icily, nodding at Zalenka before walking up the stairs to her office. Radik stepped forward and started a little welcoming speech before offering a hand to take them to their rooms.

Chase lingered, her eyes staring up at the Stargate. Ronan, who had been leaning against the wall, moved soundlessly to her side. Chase did not turn to look at him but her eyes moved to acknowledge his presence.

'Ronan Dex, of Sateda, I believe?' She turned to face him. Ronan cocked his head at her. 'You're quite the celebrity at the SGC, only by hearsay of course, I don't believe you've actually travelled to Earth yet.'

'No.' He stated.

'Why not? You must have heard much about it from the people around you, it doesn't intrigue you?' She asked, her eyes studying him with a smile. There's a word I think of every time I look at him - what's the word…intense. Oh yeah, intense is right on the mark.

'Just another planet. There's no difference.' He shoved his hands in his pockets and smiled slightly. He was playing the game and she knew it.

'I see.' She started walking. 'Has Sheppard and McKay not informed you of its wonders?' She glanced at him. 'Different cultures, countries, interesting languages and landmarks, promising technology…' She paused, giving him a darker look. 'But then I suppose you're into more active things – martial arts, perhaps?'

Ronan frowned. 'Martial arts.' He echoed. Chase nodded with a grin.

'Fighting with specific techniques.' She explained.

Ronan smiled faintly. 'I fight my own way.'

'So I've heard.' She said quietly.

'And you?' He asked.

'And me what?'

'Rock climbing?' He queried with a slight sceptic tone.

'Mh, something about climbing a mountain in the Alps or a cliff in Bolivia, it gets the blood pumping.' She grinned.

'A mountain?' He echoed slightly impressed.

'A few.' She informed him. 'I tend to be very active as well.'

Ronan smiled at the seductive look she gave him, and stopped as Radik came back around the corner, spotted Chase and blew a sigh of relief.

'Doctor Chase, I was concerned when you were not with the group…' He smiled awkwardly.

Chase nodded. 'I apologise Doctor Zalenka, I was…distracted.' She smiled at Ronan.

'I was talking to her.' Ronan stated, giving Radik a slightly icy glare having been interrupted.

Radik smiled sheepishly. 'Well, would you like me to escort you to your quarters?'

'Absolutely. Ronan, we'll continue this conversation later?' She raised her eyebrows and Ronan nodded.

Radik allowed her a moment to look out on the city before they began walking down the corridor.

'Over dinner.' Ronan called, Chase looked back and smiled warmly, nodding, before turning back to Zalenka.

Ronan watched them go feeling a sense of pride and confidence surge through him. It had been a while since he had romanced a woman of any world, and apparently, he still had it. Not bad. Little rusty. He grinned to himself and walked away.

An hour later, the scientists were being escorted around Atlantis by Radik who was giving them the grand tour. They had paused at the first of the labs as Carson's small group of Doctors emerged, some of them looking either highly embarrassed or close to tears. Carson stalked out of the room and saw Radik, and then Doctor Chase at his side, both of them looking rather taken back by his moody expression. He tried his best to force a believable smile, but to no avail.

'I'm afraid Rodney doesn't seem to be in the best of moods this afternoon, you might want to leave the introductions until later, when he's got some food into him…or the stuffing knocked out of him.'

Chase giggled, flashing Carson a warm smile as he walked past. She could have sworn that he gave her one in return.

Radik hesitated at the door, pausing to whisper in Chase's ear. 'It might be best if we move on, Rodney can get into a temper at times and I'm certain that's not what everyone here wants to see the first time they meet their boss.' He smiled and called for the group to move on to the next lab. The scientists glanced in nervously as they passed. Chase lingered. As the group moved on, she stood in the doorway of the lab, looking over the room.

It was large, probably one of the main ones, she figured. The machines and laptops dotted around the room intrigued her. She didn't know about the tour and the settling in business, give her a case and some equipment and she'd be away. The three people in the room were working busily, probably not wanting to be disturbed. Two were standing on the far side whispering to each other and glancing at the third who was sitting in the middle, typing furiously and glaring at the computer screen. He was handsome in a geeky way with short brown hair and intense brown eyes. His features were pointed in a way that made her think that he was a serious man – a serious scientist – one that she could work with, and also one that she would become annoyed at. This man had to be McKay. The man stopped suddenly, his jaw clenched. He threw the two scientists on the other side a dirty look and stood.

'What is this? Does it look like there's a water cooler to chat around?' He paused as they stared at him. 'Get back to work!' He yelled.

The two departed immediately, practically flying through the door. Chase side stepped them and watched them scoot around the corner. The man sat at his computer and once again glared at the screen. Definitely McKay…she thought.

Chase folded her arms. He hadn't come to greet them; he hadn't given them the tour. He had been foul to Carson and his group, not to mention two of his own people, and then there were the rumours she had been hearing…not only with the group she had come with, but the people on the Daedalus and on Earth. She waited in the door way, knowing that this man was going to be a problem.

Carson stepped into the room and looked at Chase with a frown before looking at Rodney. He gave her a curious smile and she raised an eyebrow. He stepped forward and grabbed a pen from the table where McKay sat. He looked up at Carson with a smugness.

'Ah, Carson, come to apologise, have you?' He folded his arms and waited.

'No, I haven't you great pansy, I forgot my pen.' He held it up for McKay to see and watched as his face contorted into fury.

'Pansy? I am not a pansy, who says that-' He paused as his eyes fell on the figure over his shoulder. He side stepped to get a better view, his mouth falling open. His eyes popping from his head, he stared at her from head to toe. Carson watched him incredulously. The man had no finesse.

'Rodney!' He complained.

'Yeah.' He answered, not taking his eyes off of her.

'Stop gawking at her, she's not a zoo animal.' He looked back at her, smiling apologetically.

Rodney didn't hear, he turned his head to face Carson but his eyes were glued to Chase. 'Pen? Sure, take one.'

'What?' Carson growled, the colour rising in his cheeks. When Rodney's staring didn't let up, he stepped in front of the view. Rodney leaned side ways to peek over his shoulder. Carson slapped a hand to his forehead and groaned.

Chase walked forward and laid a hand on Carson's shoulder. 'It's alright, Carson, I have a feeling he's suffering from some sort of seizure that most idiots experience.' Rodney's eyes suddenly flew to her face, the illusion broken. 'It's called imbeciles-with-sight-and-no-mind.' She narrowed her eyes at him as his mouth snapped shut. Carson stared.

'Excuse me?' He asked tensely, the colour in his cheeks draining.

'Oh that's quite alright, most second rate scientists can't handle it.' She explained kindly. Carson stifled a laugh.

Rodney's pupils narrowed as white hot anger set into his features. 'Look here, little missy, I don't think you have any idea who you're talking to-' He yelled.

'I know exactly who I am talking to, Doctor McKay, even though you didn't have the decency to introduce yourself and greet the new staff.' She said coolly.

'I was busy!' He snapped. 'And it is not your place to question me seeing as you just work for me.'

'I didn't come here to work for you, I came here to better the expedition by doing my part in defeating the Wraith and exploring the galaxy, McKay.' She said stiffly.

'It is Doctor McKay, you little ingrate, and if you ever-' His voice rose to a shout and Carson cut in.

'That's enough Rodney! You've been a nasty little bugger for long enough today, how about you give it a rest?' He snapped.

Rodney rounded on him. 'She is my inferior and the first thing she does is come in here and call me an idiot! That's a sure way to get promoted-'

'Well maybe if you had been a gentleman and introduced yourself instead of drooling over her like she was a piece of meat-' Carson argued.

'She is a piece of meat, Carson! And that is exactly how we are supposed to see her; why else would she dress that way-?' He snapped, looking at her curvaceous figure lined by the suit.

'Dress what way?' She asked angrily.

'That way!' He pointed at her chest and the room exploded. Carson was defending her honour whilst Rodney was insisting that she didn't have any, meanwhile Chase was explaining that her outfit was perfectly decent. The sound was not unlike that of a building being demolished – the foundations of their first meeting cracking and shattering with the force of a hurricane.

'Hey!' A voice roared from the door way. 'What's going on in here?'

Sheppard stood glaring at them each in turn, his gaze falling on Chase, his group of new soldiers standing behind looking on.

'I was explaining to the newbie that calling the boss an idiot was not the best way to start out – and also that she needed to dress more appropriately.' He rushed. Chase threw him a dirty glare.

'Rodney was being an ass, as per usual.' Carson said heatedly.

'McKay, the Jackass from the Milky way – has poetry worth your narrow minded idiocies.' Chase said confidently. The soldiers chuckled and Rodney glared at them.

John folded his arms and watched the woman with interest. Chase raised an eyebrow at him.

'Would you rather fetch a camera Colonel and take a photo, because I can tell you right now, I won't stand for you looking at me like that.' She said angrily at his hungry stare.

'Well maybe Rodney has a point.' John stated.

'He does?' Carson asked.

'I do?' Rodney asked, equally as surprised.

'Don't mince your words Colonel, just speak plainly.' Chase put her hands on her hips, readying herself for whatever he might say.

'I intend to.' He said firmly. 'What you're wearing isn't suitable for Atlantis operations. It's distracting.' He stated. It's a lot more than that, but I can't think of a better word right now – I'm too distracted to think of a word that is synonymous with distracted. Chase narrowed her eyes at him as Rodney gave a noise of triumph.

'And you suggest that I adorn the uniform of the others?' She looked down at Rodney's clothes.

'It would be a good start, Doctor Chase.' He insisted coldly.

Chase stepped forward, one long leg slowly stepping in front of the other, her green eyes never leaving his face. She stopped just short of him, arms folded.

'I'm afraid that I'm not into that whole "let's look exactly the same as the other guy" sort of thing. And I'm sure that the black T-shirt is fine for you with your fairly manly arms, but I'm a woman of style, Sheppard, and that is something you will have to get use to.' The soldiers behind looked at each other, some amused and some apprehensive. Sheppard clenched his teeth angrily. She paused, examining his face for a moment before brushing past.

'Who the hell are you?' Rodney asked nastily, she paused in the doorway and turned.

'Doctor Chase. It was very nice to make your acquaintance, Doctor McKay.' She said icily, and left. Carson gave Rodney a disdainful look and ignored Sheppard, following Chase out of the door.

John took a moment to gather the shreds of his dignity with a fury rushing through him, and glanced at Rodney. He paused. The scientist looked sick, aghast, as though he had seen a Wraith. His face quickly changed to one of a hurt child and he sat at his computer typing slowly. John raised an eyebrow and said nothing. Oh come on, she wasn't all that tough. The last thing he needed right now was to hear Rodney's tale of woe. He turned and barked at the soldiers to get moving, then paused. Fairly manly…? John glanced at his arms with a questioning eyebrow, and left the lab in a sulk.