**** I'd like to take a moment and thank anyone and everyone who is reading my story. I know it's slow paced. I know nothing really exciting happens (SOON TO CHANGE! WHUMP WHUMP!) and since I have no beta, I know there are typos galore...and I update at a snail's pace leaving things for weeks at a time. So, thanks.

***Also, send me ideas! Gimme a review! Feedback, comments always loved.

As Ronan walked into the mess hall, he noticed that it was mostly empty and that Sheppard, McKay and Rowan were already seated in a far corner table. No one had food or trays yet, so he went to join them. It sounded like Sheppard was in the middle of telling McKay how Rowan's training session went.

Great.

McKay was leaning forward on his elbows smiling gleefully and nodding his head as Ronan approached the table. McKay turned his head and opened his mouth, "Hey Ro-" he started-

"Shut up McKay" Ronan said cutting him off.

Rodney just turned and held his hand up to Rowan for a high five, who obliged.

It seemed to Ronan that everyone at the table was enjoying the fact that Rowan held her own against him way too much. He just grunted and said, "Whatever. We'll see how she does when I put her in with the rest of the new recruits."

"Oh please," said Rodney "those kids are still so wet behind the ears, she's gonna wipe the floor with them!"

Ronan locked eyes with her, "Yeah. She is, and this time I get to laugh too."

Teyla entered the mess hall and saw her friends. She went to join them,

"Hey Teyla, shouldn't you be on a hot date right now?" asked Rodney.

"Yes, I should be. But it turns out that Major Lorne and his team are stuck on PX-567 at this moment waiting out a storm and as I was going to reschedule anyway because of the lesson- it is of no matter." she replied.

Rowan signed, [OK then. We're all here, let's get started.]...

The lesson lasted for two hours again, and this time McKay did much better. Everyone had a lot of fun, and it was nice having John join them. It essentially turned into one-on-one sessions with his extra guidance. By the end of the evening they had learned a lot more vocabulary and were getting used to using the leaning in and out body postures, facial expressions, and shoulder shrugs and what not that a deaf person could see and use to help convey the tone of a conversation.

It was hardest for Ronan, who was used to projecting a stoic facial expression, but he was trying. It was fun for his friends to see his face open up. It made him look years younger. Or really, it made him look how young he actually was.

Teyla looked back and forth from Ronan and Rowan, who were slowly having a sign conversation about how good or bad their day was, if they here hungry or not, and what foods and drink they would like. Pretty limited topic, but for two lessons, not bad at all.

She smiled fondly at Ronan with a twinkle in her eye. She bade goodnight to her teacher and to Rodney and went in search of Dr. Keller for some "girl talk" as she heard other Earth women say.

5 minutes later, Teyla found Dr. Keller in the lab adjacent to the medical main bay hunched over a microscope.

She knocked on the door frame so as not to startle the young doctor.

"Oh Hi Teyla!" Jennifer said beaming. "I heard about your ASL lessons with Rowan! That's amazing of you guys to do that."

"I am actually enjoying it very much. Ms. Sheppard is an excellent teacher and tonight John was present as well to help."

Jennifer stood up from her lab desk and stretched. She cast a knowing sidelong glance at Teyla and said, "Oh, by the way, my nurses could NOT stop talking about the Major asking out out in the hallway yesterday...so...? Tell me about this! He's like the MOST eligible bachelor on base."

Teyla grinned shyly, "That is precisely why I am here. I need some advice."

Jennifer squealed, "OMG YAY! GIRL TALK! It is ABOUT TIME I got to get in on some of the action around here!"

Teyla laughed, holding up both her hands in surrender "Calm down Jennifer, but yes, I do need some help. It has been...some time...since I went on a...date? Much less with someone from Earth. I'm not sure of your customs."

Jennifer grabbed her things and was dragging Teyla by the hand out the door and into the halls, "Don't worry girlfriend, I got this."

Jennifer and Teyla were sitting on some cushions in Teyla's quarters. The door to the balcony was open and the ocean's sounds and breezes were wafting in.

"OK, so tell me about this date!" said Jennifer after they both settled down with their mugs of tea.

"Honestly Jennifer, there is not much to tell. Major Lorne approached me yesterday, outside of the infirmary, and asked if I would join him for dinner. Tonight. However, he has been offworld since this morning, and still stuck there right now as far as I know. Apparently a very large rain storm is making it dangerous to walk back to the gate." Teyla continued, "I don't think he planned the 'date' through very much, he seemed quite nervous when he asked."

"Well, "started Jennifer, "I hear that he hasn't dated anyone in the 5 years we've been on Atlantis! 5 years! You scored major points with the MOST eligible bachelor asking you out Teyla!"

Teyla simply smiled. "I do like him already, I hope that our first date goes well. You must tell me what to expect."

"Well," said Jennifer looking thoughtfully, "There isn't much for couples to do on Atlantis- there's dinner on a balcony, of course. Then walks outside along one of the piers, or stargazing (wink) (wink) (Teyla just rolled her eyes), then of course there is the movie in the commons." Most nights a movie played in one of the larger rooms on Atlantis, called the commons, which had comfy seating and a big screen.

"I suggest you and the Major pick a night out on a day that you'll both be off active duty. That way it's less likely something like tonight would happen, and you can both have plenty of time to get ready."

"Get ready" Teyla asked with a quirk of her eyebrow.

"Duh Teyla, we have to make sure your hair is done, make sure you have the right clothes, and OH- we should get him a little token as a gift."

"Really?"

"Yes, really! I want to help make sure your first date is special! He sees and works with you everyday! This has to stand out! Its a date!" Jennifer said with delight.

Teyla sighed, she supposed the young doctor was right. It would be nice to look and feel special for their first official date.

Jennifer was looking over her mug speculatively at Teyla...

"What are you up to Jennifer?" asked Teyla cautiously.

"Let's go leave a note on his door!" she whispered loudly.

"What? Why? Jennifer, I am sure I can just speak to him tomorrow!" exclaimed Teyla.

"Yeah, but this'll be more fun!" she replied with a laugh.

Teyla decided to let Jennifer have her fun so over the next fifteen minuted they crafted a note:

Dear Evan (Jennifer insisted on using his first name), I hope this note finds you well. I understand you have had a miserable and wet day. I am sorry that we were not able to have our first date tonight, but look forward to rescheduling for a better time- I suggest next Sunday as we are both off active duty that day. Please try this Asthosian tea, it is what I drink when I am chilled from a storm, I hope it brings you some comfort after your trying mission (You are sure this isn't too forward? - No. He'll like it!). See you soon- Teyla.

Teyla decided she liked the note and was having a surprisingly fun time with Jennifer, such times were few and far between for the members of the expedition. So a few minutes later she and Jennifer were running barefoot and in their pajamas through the halls of Atlantis making a game of not letting anyone see them making their way to the Major's quarters. Once there Jennifer, who was hiding behind a ficus, pushed Teyla forward, who slipped the note and tea under his door. They both ran away laughing.

As it happens, they never get that first date. The next Sunday comes and goes instead with all of John Sheppard's friends and family in and around the infirmary praying for his life but preparing for his death.