Disclaimer: I'm only going to say this once: I don't own any of the characters and I'm not making money off of doing this. This is simply for fun.
Present Day (February 15, 2009, Viceroy, Palm Springs):
Jamie, Evan's sister had already checked everyone in while all their bags weir being dealt with. She hands the room keys in their little packets with each of the guests' names and a list. "So I was wondering," Jamie starts "why are you putting John, Ronon and Rodney in the same villa as Jennifer and Laura? I'm surprised you didn't add Teyla and Torren in there too. I mean, six people can fit in that villa comfortably." She adds with a devilish grin.
"First of all, I know how difficult it is to have a baby in the same room, especially if it's with other people who aren't used to kids. Second, I want to cut down on costs." Marie answers with a wink.
"Yeah right! Like Nick and Peter couldn't share the villa with the boys anyway." She says.
"Nick and Peter are playboys. Naturally, they need to have their own rooms." Marie Replies and then says "Rodney, is a lost cause. Besides, I think Laura has her eye on him."
Jamie lets out a not so sexy snort. "Laura?! Ha ha ha! Are you serious? Sometimes I just don't get that girl."
"You're telling me." Marie says as she shakes her head. And then turning to the group she announces their rooms. "Okay everyone, attention please, I'm giving you your room keys, these gentlemen to my left will show you to your rooms. Like I said before, some of you will share rooms." Handing a key to Teyla, she says "Teyla and Torren, you have your own room. You've got the Regency." And then turning to Elizabeth, Mike, Carson and Katie, handing each of them a key. "Dorringtons for you couples. Separate of course. And Radek and Patty, you guys and the kids are staying at the Sovereign." Handing them two keys. And then turning to the rest she finally says "The other Sovereign is for you guys." Jennifer's eyes widen at this, while Laura smirks. "There are two bedrooms and a sleeper sofa. So the five of you will fit. Sleeping arrangements are up to you guys." She adds naughtily.
"W-what…" Jennifer begins, stuttering.
"It'll be okay, sweetie." Marie tells her with a wink and then turning to Ronon with a smile. Ronon has an unreadable expression on his face as he stares at the back of Jennifer's head.
Jennifer turns to look for Evan for help. Evan shrugs, a helpless look evident on his face. "Sorry, baby girl. She's the one who took care of everything." He tells her as he pulls along an extra bag behind him.
Jennifer looks around her. Unfortunately Teyla isn't around anymore since she already left to unpack her things in her room.
X
Walking ahead of the three men, Laura has her arm hooked through Jennifers. "Well this is going to be really interesting."
"Sssh!" Jennifer shushes her.
"What?" Laura asks with a giggle.
"I don't know what Marie is up to. But I know it's not good."
"Oh come on, Jen!" Laura says as she tugs on her arm. "It's been so long. Look at him." Laura tells her, looking over her shoulder to look at Ronon, giving all three men a naughty smile. "He's hot! The dreads are gone, but he's still hot. Just looking at him, makes me uh!" Letting out a sexy moan and putting the back of her hand on her forehead for dramatic effect. Jennifer finally laughs at this.
X
"What do you think they're talking about?" Rodney asks, not looking at John or Ronon as he asks this. The three of them are watching the girls' exchange. Laura's giggling piques their interest.
"Girl stuff." John mutters. His head turns to the left when he sees Teyla by her room door, tipping the hotel porter. Through the window he sees her son jumping up and down on the bed. Obviously havign fun.
Ronon's forehead creases when he sees Laura look over to them, and specifically him, and then turn back to Jennifer, whispering. Making her laugh.
Flashback to Graduation (June 6, 2000):
Ronon can't seem to stop looking behind him. Jennifer hasn't arrived yet. He keeps tapping his foot. Finally, by the 20th time he turns around he sees her making her way to her seat. As she sits down, he tries to catch her eye. She doesn't turn his way. She probably didn't see him.
Before everyone has been called to stage to get their diploma Jennifer, as the salutatorian, makes her speech. He keeps taking photographs of her up on the podium, but she's still not making eye contact with Ronon. She's probably nervous. After everyone has gotten their diplomas and special honors, Dean Woolsey calls Rodney, as the valedictorian, to give his parting speech. It's a 30 minute long speech, making the ceremony 4 hours long. Ronon actually falls asleep. The person sitting next to him nudges him awake every five minutes.
Nearing the end of the ceremony, caps are thrown in the air, cheers and applause drown out the school song that's playing. Jennifer quickly makes her way towards her father to leave. Ronon can't seem to reach her, he keeps calling her name but she doesn't turn around to look. She doesn't seem to hear. And everytime he gets nearer, somebody is always there to block his path. Either a teacher to congratulate him or another classmate to give him a hug or a handshake.
From where he stands he can see her talking to Professor Carter and Commandant O' Neil. Good, he can catch up. But Teyla's dad, Torren, is already ushering him to their side to have their photos taken. Teyla's mom, Tagan, is pulling away so the photographer can take a picture of him and Teyla. He slings his arm over her shoulders as the shot is taken. Looking to where Jennifer's standing. She has a weid expression on her face. Something that almost looks like hurt. She turns away suddenly, pulling her dad with him to head towards the parking lot. Ronon, excuses himself and runs after her. John intercepts him.
"Hey buddy, where you off to?" John asks him.
"Jennifer…"
"Didn't you say she's having dinner with her dad and might not make it to the party tonight?"
"Yeah, but…"
"Dude, you're whipped." He tells him with a laugh. "You'll see her tomorrow. Her dad probably wants her all to himself, at least for one day. You guys have been inseparable since you got together, you both have all summer, not to mention, going o the same uni." John tells him with a laugh as he claps him on the back.
With one last look towards the parking lot, Ronon nods and slings his arm around John's shoulders. "Yeah maybe you're right."
"Of course I'm right. I'm your best friend. I only give good advice." And then adds "Girls like it when you play hard to get. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, man."
"Yeah, keep telling yourself that, buddy." Ronon replies with a smirk.
X
That night Jennifer didn't answer any of Ronon's calls. Unbeknownst to him, Jennifer had already packed right before the ceremony, hence, being late. Her father drove her to the airport right after they left Atlantis. He tried asking her what was wrong. But she just kept quiet the whole time. She hugged her father at the airport and said goodbye. That was all Jonathan could tell Ronon after his second visit since she left that day.
Back to the Present day:
The porter leaves their luggage by the hallway in their villa. The girls have already picked out their room. The men however are deciding with rock paper scissors who has to sleep on the sleeper sofa. Rodney loses. "You guys cheated."
"Give it up Rodney." John says, "Besides, we both snore, so you won't really be able to sleep with either of us sharing a room with you." Rodney decides he's right so, he plops down on the couch and props his feet up on the coffee table. "Well, then since this is going to be my bed, you guys can't sit on it."
Laura saunters over to him and sits really close to Rodney, puts a hand on his thigh and says "But what about me Rodney?" Laura says with a pretty pout. Rodney blushes, his words caught in his throat. Then John starts laughing, and Laura giggles, her eyes twinkling. Rodney purses his lips angrily and then gets up. Unzipping his garment bag, he pulls out his clothes and hangs them all up in the hallway closet.
"My closet." He snaps. Then opens the door to leave the room. Teyla is already outside the door, ready to knock. Rodney storms out, John's laughter that was filling the room moments ago stop suddenly as Teyla moves aside to avoid Rodney.
She steps inside and says to no one in particular "Is Ronon here?"
Ronon sticks out his head from one of the bedrooms "Hey Teyla." Teyla walks towards him, and then smiles at Jennifer who's in the other room unpacking, the door wide open. Jennifer smiles half-heartedly at her. Teyla sidesteps John as she enters the boys' bedroom. John unlocks the door to the patio and breathes in the fresh air, while Laura, still giggling walks back to the other room to chat with Jennifer. Teyla helps Ronon unpack his stuff. "Where's Torren?" He asks her.
"With the nanny Evan's sister hired for all the kids. There's a tiny library near the restaurant. They set it up for all the kids." She refolds a wrinkled shirt. "Ronon," She begins in a hushed voice "Jennifer and I talked a great deal in the car on our way here. She seems hurt by something."
"And I'm guessing that you still don't know."
"Well I'm not sure I'm the right person to hear it. I think you should… well, no, I mean don't do anything to scare her away. She seems so private." Teyla tells him. "And unsure. Just be careful around her. Don't rush into anything that might push her any further. I think in her own time, she'll tell you what made her run." Teyla sits on the bed and tugs on Ronon's arm. "Look, from what we've talked about in the car, it seems like she's decided to be 'okay' about the whole thing. Don't go asking questions right away. Try being friends with her." And then as if remembering something, Teyla's eyes light up. "Do what you did when you first started hanging out with her. You did it slowly right? You got her to tutor you, when you really didn't need tutoring – well, you did need tutoring in math." Ronon gives her an exasperated look. "All I'm saying is that you should move slow. It think it'll work out great. Trust me."
After listening to everything Teyla said he looks at her and then says "You're right. I'll do what I did back in school. Just make friends first, right?" Teyla nods at this. "Yeah, I can definitely do that."
"Good! You can start tonight!"
"Aaaah!" A very girlish scream splits the air. They all rush out of the bedrooms, and John rushes in from the patio as Rodney slams the door behind him, leaning against it. His face red, and his clothes soaking. "Those little hellraisers!" he yells.
TBC.
Note: Peter and Nick are original characters. They're buddies of Evan fom the F.B.I.