A/N: I do not own SGA. Obviously. That'd be incredibly awesome if I did. Nope, I just write my own stories for it.

Okay! I need some ideas. They would be much appreciated! Even the smallest detail you would like to see worked into a chapter would be awesome! Please send me a PM or write a quick review. Thank you for reading!

Oh, and FYI: This is kind of like an AU. Most details are the same, but some have been changed. Weir doesn't die because of the Replicators, for one. And Carson doesn't die from an explosion. Just thought you should know a few details were different than the series.

Chapter 3

One week ago today, John Sheppard was promoted from Lt. Colonel to full Colonel. He was promoted based on his exemplary work with the Replicators and the Wraith. He was gone from Pegasus for almost 3 weeks because of the promotion. They had a dinner and ceremony in his name. And John hated just about every minute of both since everyone's attention was on him for most of the night.

He had taken a week off to spend with his brother while he was back on Earth. Since his father had died, he had tried to make a point of getting to know his brother again.

And now he was finally back home on Atlantis. All senior staff had accompanied him to Earth and they were all happy to be home finally. Since they had found an extra ZPM, they didn't have to take the Daedalus and be gone for even longer.

While they were gone, Major Evan Lorne had been in charge. He had stayed behind since Dr. Weir and Teyla were accompanying Sheppard.

John walked into the control room and eyed Lorne standing by one of the control panels. "Lorne! Anything happen while we were away?"

Evan looked up at his commanding officer. "Well, we've had a couple of bumps but nothing too bad. Stackhouse's team was kept captive for a few hours, but we managed to rescue them before any of them were seriously injured. There was a slight problem with one of the jumpers and it caused an away team to almost fly into a sun. But that's about it."

John smirked, "Oh. So the usual then." Evan chuckled and nodded. "Yeah, same ole same ole here in the Pegasus Galaxy. Oh, I heard about the promotion. Congratulations, sir!"

Sheppard looked away and blushed slightly. "Thanks, Lorne. I'm full bird now. Was Zalenka able to fix the problem on that jumper?"

Lorne grabbed the data pad that was sitting on the control panel he was standing by. He typed a few things and looked up at the Colonel. "Yes, sir. It looks like he got everything back to working order about an hour ago. He must still be up there running tests just to make sure."

John nodded and made his way to the jumper bay. "Keep me posted." "Will do, sir."

Sheppard walked into the jumper bay and found Radek and Nikki running a few tests on jumper one. He walked up the ramp and they turned their attention on him. "Colonel Sheppard! You're early. I thought you wouldn't be getting back until next week."

John looked at Nikki sitting in the cock pit. "Yeah, we were supposed to, but we got a little restless." Radek looked back down at his laptop. "You mean you got a little restless."

John smiled and put his hands on his hips. "Yeah, well, what can I say? Being away from this place for too long makes me restless. I wanted to get back home."

Nikki set down her laptop and walked to the rear compartment where Zalenka and Sheppard were. "So. What's it feel like to be a full bird?" Radek stopped typing and looked up at the two of them. "Full bird? What's that?" Sheppard chuckled and explained to him that that's what a full Colonel is called. "Ah. I see. Wait, you got promoted?"

He gave a half-grin and nodded. "Ceremony and everything. At least now I'm on the same level as Colonel Carter and Colonel Caldwell. I've never been the greatest at being under someone's command.

Nikki snorted and shook her head. "That's a shocker." She gave him a sassy grin and walked back into the cock pit to finish her test.

"So, Zalenka, how long until she's up and ready to take a test flight?"

"Well..let's see. Nikki, are you done with your tests?" There was a loud beep and then she turned to them and said, "Sure am. If you're done with yours, I'd be more than happy to take her out with the Colonel here. If something goes wrong, I should be able to fix it."

Radek nodded and started gathering his equipment. Nikki helped unload everything that wasn't necessary and then climbed in. John was already sitting in the pilot's seat when she walked into the cock pit. "I don't suppose there's any chance of you letting me fly her?"

John smirked. "Not a chance. I've been gone for three weeks. That's far too long. I need to..reacquaint myself with her. You understand."

She snorted and sat down in the co-pilot's chair and started running diagnostics that would run the entire time they were in the air. John radioed the control room and let them know they were taking her out on a test flight. "Have someone watching the sensors and keeping an eye on the jumper just to be sure. If you don't hear from us in twenty minutes, try to get ahold of you. Just to be on the safe side."

Lorne's voice came over the radio, "Copy that. You're good to go."

"See you in a little bit, Major. Be sure to keep the porch light on for us."

The bay doors opened and the jumped rose up and out of the jumper bay. John eased her up to a good altitude and held steady for a while just to make sure she wasn't going to suddenly drop out of the sky.

They didn't talk for a while. Neither knowing what to really say, but the silence was getting to Nikki.

"So..Colonel." She looked over at him and he turned to look at her. "Yes, Dr.?"

"Nikki." He almost smiled. "Nikki. Is there something on your mind?"

"Well, now that you mention it. I was wondering what it was like being a recluse."

That caught him off guard. "Excuse me? I'm not a recluse."

She flashed him a smile. "So, then you have a girlfriend I assume." He paused. What the hell was she getting at..?

"Well..no..but I'm not a recluse!" She snickered as he stammered to get out his sentence.

"Is there no one worthy enough to you on this base?" His eyes widened and he stared at her.

"That is definitely not the case. Why the hell are you asking me these questions?"

She turned and looked down at her controls, checking the diagnostics as she continued the conversation. "Well, the only time I see you out and around the city you're either with someone in the military, with your team, or alone. So, I figured the first was you doing your job, the second making sure your team doesn't trash talk you, and the third because you're a loner."

This conversation was getting very personal very quickly. Why the hell were they talking about his social and personal life?

"Yes, the first is me doing my job. The second is me spending time with my friends. They're not just my team. And I have other friends besides them. And I am not a loner, thank you very much."

She didn't say anything, but looked over at him when he spoke up a little quieter. "Besides. Not many people want to spend quality time with their commanding officer."

So that's why he's usually only with his team, she thought. "You know, you'd be surprised at how many people look up to you on the base. I bet a lot of girls would die at the chance of being with you."

He looked over at her confused. "Oh really? Is that so? And are you one of those girls who would just die at the chance?"

She gave him a small smile before she turned back to her controls. "I wouldn't say I'd die.."

sgasgasgasgasgasgasga

A couple of hours later, they were back in Atlantis and making their way to the mess hall. Lunch was almost over and they were both starving.

She was right at the end of telling one of her many stories that tended to make people laugh. They walked through the mess hall doors laughing and smiling as they made their way to get food.

Rodney looked up when he heard the familiar sound of Sheppard's laugh. He looked over in the direction he had heard it and watched as the Colonel and Nikki Teagan crossed the mess hall and got in line to get food. He looked over at Ronon and Teyla. "Is there something going on between those two? They're awfully..happy."

Ronon looked up from his food. "What are you talking about, McKay?"

He pointed over to the couple getting their food. John was recounting something and using big hand gestures. The look on his face was pure happiness. None of them had seen him that happy in a long time. Ronon and Teyle exchanged looks and smiled. Teyla leaned forward, "Do you not remember the conversation we had with John while on Earth before we came back?"

Rodney scoured his brain for a minute before looking back up at Teyla. "No. We had a conversation about Sheppard and Teagan?"

Ronon grunted and nodded.

They had all gone out to eat at a sit-down restaurant not too far from the base. They were celebrating in their own little way the Colonel's promotion. They had all been laughing and having a good time while waiting for their food. And then Ronon spoke up.

"So, Shep. What's going on between you and Nikki?" John looked up at his friend and raised his eyebrow. "What are you talking about?"

Teyla smiled and leaned towards him. "We all see the smiles you two share not so secretly. And you seem..happier than usual."

John shrugged and looked down at the table. "We're friends. That's all."

Ronon grunted and shook his head. "We all know you like her, Shep. Why don't you man up and tell her?" John almost choked on the beer he had just taken a sip of. "Excuse me? She doesn't like me, so there's nothing to man up about."

Ronon smiled, "So you do like her! I knew it." He turned to Teyla. "I told you he liked her."

Teyla's smile got bigger as she nodded. "I knew he did just by the glances they would throw each other when they thought the other wasn't looking. John, you may need a lesson in subtlety while we're on your..in your country." She almost slipped up and said on your planet while in a crowded restaurant. That wouldn't have been good.

John shook his head and looked away. "I don't know what you guys are talking about. She's just a flirt. She flirts with all the guys. And plus, I'm the CMO of..the base. I don't know how appropriate a relationship would be."

Teyla shook her head at him and leaned back in her seat. "She is a scientist, John. She is not in the military. I've become aware of the different rules and regulations of your military." Ronon nodded his head, "Yeah, same here. And she's not on the team."

Teyla continued what Ronon was getting at. "So therefore it isn't against any of your rules."

Sheppard nodded and looked up at both of them watching him. "I see you two have given this a lot of thought. You know, it's kind of creepy that you guys have been watching me."

Ronon grunted and Teyla smiled. "We are only trying to help, John." "You know she's right, Shep. We just want to see you happy for once. Now grow a set and tell her. Or I will."

Rodney looked up from his phone. "Hm? What are we talking about?"

"Oh. I was talking to Jennifer while we were there. That must have been during that conversation. I totally tuned it out. Are you sure they like each other?"

Ronon grunted again and Teyla rolled her eyes. "We are very certain. If you need more proof, just look at them." He turned and watched as they sat at a table by themselves where no one else was around. He was telling another story and watching as she couldn't contain her laughter. He had a huge smile on his face. "Huh, I guess you're right. So is he going to do anything about it?"

He turned and looked back at his teammates. Teyla shrugged and sighed. Ronon looked over at them and continued watching them. "We don't know. He played it off as nothing on Earth, but it's obvious it's not nothing."

Ronon got a mischievous look on his face and turned to Teyla. "I know that look, Ronon. What are you planning?"

He smiled and leaned in closer to the table and told Rodney and Teyla his plan, making sure no one around them could overhear.

Okay! What did you think? I didn't want to make the chapter too long by adding his plan to this chapter as well. I also didn't want to rush myself by putting soooo much into this one chapter. Tell me what you think!

And I need more ideas! Any ideas on what his plan might be? Any suggestions about anything? Anything you want to see in later chapters? My ears are open! I guess I should say my eyes..hah.

Review, please!