Sorry for the delay! I normally update more quickly. This one's pretty short too - I'm exhausted! :/ (I'll try to get another chapter up early tomorrow.)

"Come in," she called quietly, looking up from her book to the doorway, "Ronon," she said with surprise, smiling.

"It's late," he stated in his low, rough voice, walking over to her desk.

"I know," she smiled serenely, blinking slowly, "I just…I couldn't sleep, so I figured I'd catch up on some research."

He nodded.

"What's your excuse?" she asked, closing her book.

"Don't have one," he replied shortly.

She squinted and cocked her head to one side.

He looked back at her, studying her face. "Have you…um have you always had those?" he asked, gesturing to her face.

"What? My glasses?" she questioned, taking them off and looking at the dark plastic frames. "Yes, I mean…no. During the day I wear my contacts and then put these on when I take them out," she laughed nervously, slipping them back on.

"Contacts?" he repeated, his severe brow furrowed.

"Yes. Oh yes," she muttered, reminded that she wasn't talking to someone from her own planet, "Well they're small corrective lenses that you can put directly onto your eye. They work just like glasses…" she stopped herself, "Anyway, I won't bore you with all of that. What brings you here?" she inquired, trying to change the subject.

"I was thinking…" he said slowly, "You can talk to anyone on this base without any problems. And I figured it's about time for me to learn a useful skill...other than fighting, I mean. I was just thinking…"

She narrowed her eyes at him. "Are you saying that you want me to teach you another language?" she filled in for him, excitement bubbling up in her.

"Yeah," he shrugged, crossing his arms.

"Well…which one?" she asked.

"I don't know. I was kinda hoping you could tell me," he said, taking a seat on her bed across the desk from her.

"Well, I could teach you Ancient," she offered. "It would be useful whenever you go on missions."

"The language of the Ancestors?" he clarified.

She nodded.

He squinted at her. "Can you really picture me speaking the language of the Ancestors?" he questioned, his voice full of suspicion.

She laughed quietly to herself. "No," she said lowly, "I suppose not."

"No," he also laughed, shaking his head.

"And I assume Wraith is out of the question," she continued.

"Definitely," he grumbled.

"Then a language from Earth, maybe?" she suggested.

"What's the language you speak to the people who wear the red and yellow flags?" he asked her, thinking back to the group of people she had played cards with at lunch.

She looked curiously over to him, then stood up and pulled a book off her bookshelf. "The horizontal gold and red stripes?" she confirmed, opening the book to a specific page with the flag he was describing on it. "That one?" she asked, pointing to the picture.

He nodded, scratching his neck.

"Oh, they're from Spain," she smiled, sitting back in her desk chair, "That's Spanish."

"That one, then," he said decisively.

She raised an eyebrow and pursed her lips. "Can I ask why that one?" she finally asked.

"I like the way it sounds," he responded, shaking his head.

She nodded. "Ok," she breathed, reaching for her day planner, "Have you ever learned another language?" she asked him.

"No," he answered, "I mean, I used to know key phrases in a few languages from other planets. Mostly for trade."

"It's something that can be particularly hard for adults to do, especially for the first time," she started slowly, looking him in the eyes, "and involves a lot of practice, so we'll have to meet almost three or four times a week…provided you're on base. Is that…okay with you? I realize it's quite a bit of a time commitment."

He nodded. "I can cut down on my sparring matches," he suggested, smiling a little.

"Wow, okay," she said, somewhat taken aback, "How does…seven at night sound to you? I know it's a little late but—"

"Perfect," he replied.

She smiled at him, studying his features. "I must say I'm –"

"Surprised?" he offered.

"No," she calmly contradicted and smiled, "flattered. I'm very flattered you would come to me."

He got up to leave without another word. When he got to the doorframe, he turned around and spoke. "I like the glasses on you," he smirked.

She felt the blood rush to her cheeks.

"See you tomorrow at seven," he said, and then left.

Please read and review! :) Thanks, everyone!