Warning: Rated M for sexual content in later chapters.

Chapter: 4 of 10

Disclaimer: I don't own these characters.

You Are My Sunshine

"See, that's where you're wrong about Woolsey. Dr. Dorrin is way too spontaneous for him. He needs somebody more predictable, like Captain Aaronson. You gotta get better at this matchmaker thing." John looked back at her, superior smile on his face.

"That is exactly why I suggested her—it would be a case of opposites attracting," Teyla maintained. "And you are the one that asked me for my opinion on this 'matchmaking,'" she insisted, chuckling at his arrogance. She quickened her stride to come abreast of him, glancing over at him and noticing that he was chewing on a weed, a habit she found odd but endearing. The sun was hot on her shoulders as they crossed the open field and she lifted her face to let it warm her through. She had been cooped up in Atlantis for too long and the knot that she had felt in her stomach for weeks was finally relaxing.

"All right, I'll give you another chance. Who would you put with Radek?" John grinned down at her conspiratorially and she laughed again.

She thought for a moment, then confidently replied, "Anna Bender."

"Bender!" John hooted in amusement. "That serious chick that works in the kitchen? Radek would drive her crazy with his nervousness! You really should get better at this, Teyla," he said smugly.

"You do not seem to understand matchmaking, John Sheppard. Anna and Radek would make a wonderful couple." She was not going to let him take over this little game. "Now it is your turn. Who would you put with Major Lorne?"

"Lorne, huh? Lorne..." he pondered it for a moment. "For Lorne, I would say Colonel Ellis."

Teyla's jaw dropped and she looked over at him in amazement. She had no idea that John was aware enough of the social undercurrents in the city to suggest this match. He grinned at her sideways, proud of himself for surprising her with his perceptiveness. But he had been surprising her frequently lately with his sensitivity and insight. In the weeks since Kanaan had left, Teyla had mourned the end of her relationship, but really, it had been more the illusion of a relationship that she had lost, and John had been there to support her. Truthfully, she was a little ashamed that she had recovered as quickly as she had. She did not miss Kanaan and was grateful that she no longer had to constantly shuttle back and forth between Atlantis and New Athos for him. The loss of a father figure for Torren had been her greatest worry, but Halling and the men of her team had already stepped into that position and Torren had no lack of doting male role models.

She dropped a step behind John again and found herself studying him. She had learned so much about him in the last months and had come to understand more of what drove him and mattered to him. She had never thought of John in a romantic way—well, except for that first day on Athos, when their mutual attraction had been clear. But very quickly she had perceived that he was too passionate about his military career to be interested in romantic relationships. Teyla had not considered him again in that way, although lately she was wondering if his attentiveness was driven by more than friendship. She gazed sidelong at him now, noticing the breadth of his shoulders and his narrow hips and her breath hitched in her chest. Over the last weeks, she had begun to realize that she now had feelings of more than friendship for him, but she would not bring herself to voice them first; she feared that he saw her as merely friend and mother of the boy he loved.

John glanced back at her. "You can't get out of the game that easy. It's your turn."

Teyla smiled and caught up with him again. "Very well, who would you like me to match?"

He grinned wickedly over at her and pointed to his chest. "Me."

Her heart sank and sang at the same time. Was that flirtatiousness... or was it just his way of teasing her? She pretended to ponder for a moment, but she already knew her response.

"Larrin," she said, trying to keep her voice casual.

He turned to her in surprise. "Larrin? There's a name I haven't heard in awhile." He chomped his blade of grass for a moment, looking thoughtful. "I don't think so," he said at last. "Too crazy."

Teyla raised an eyebrow at him. "You do not prefer strong women?" she inquired, once again proud of herself for keeping her voice light.

"No, strong women are great. But there's a difference between strong and border-line insane. I would be afraid to turn my back to her for a second." He smiled over at her. "Besides, I prefer women who beat me up with bantos sticks, not fists."

"Are you guys done with the slumber party girl talk yet? Pick up the pace," yelled Rodney over his shoulder from ahead. "I want to get back in time for dinner."

Teyla quickened her stride and smiled. The bright sun beat down on her shoulders and it felt wonderful.

TBC