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Chapter 7: Episode 4x03

"Good morning, Teyla. May I sit?"

"Good morning, Dr. O'Neill. Please." The athosian nodded with a smile.

"Oh, please, call me Alexandra or Alex. Whatever suits you." Alexandra said as she sat down in front of the other woman. "I hope I'm not intruding… I'm new here and wasn't sure if you would like the company. And let's be honest and say the scientists table can be a bit… bland."

"Any friends of Col. Sheppard is a friend of mine." Teyla offered a softer and understanding smile.

"Great!" Alexandra smiled. "I've read his reports. John's. He has you and Ronon in high standards. Even McKay." The scientist started on her breakfast, rambling a little.

"We've survived many battles. But I heard the same from you." Teyla watched the other woman, curious.

"Oh, my galaxy doesn't come close to this one. Well, in a way…"

"I heard many things from there, yes. I hope to visit some day. But… May I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"What are you doing here, Dr. O'Neill?"

"Hum... I'm here to study the Ancients. I know McKay does that, but I'm here to study their language, costumes, rules, artifacts in a more deep way."

At some point, Ronon had appeared with his own breakfast and sat next to Teyla, listening to both, quietly.

"Perhaps you would like to visit the mainland. See how the Athosians live. We're still settling in but…"

"I would love that, Teyla. Thank you." Alexandra smiled, pleased and surprised.

"Now, can I ask you something, doc?" Ronon started, his dark eyes fully on the scientist.

"Of course, Ronon." She was curious now. The Satedan didn't talk much, she had noticed.

"What are you for Sheppard?" The Satedan gruffy voice sounded inquisitive.

"What am I… Oh! Oh..." She looked between the two. "Oh, are you and John together? Because I'm just a friend, Teyla. I promise."

Teyla rolled her eyes and chuckled.

"No, nothing of that. Me and John are just friends as well."

Alexandra nodded, relieved, but the thought didn't left her mind.

"What are you guys talking about?" John sat next to the scientist, looking between the three, curious at the sudden silence.

"About you." Ronon said, directly.

"About me?" The pilot looked towards Alexandra. "Have you been telling embarrassing stories about me?"

"Perhaps." She stood. "You should ask him about the time he tripped as he got into an X-302." She winked at Teyla. Both her and Ronon grinned. "I should get going to get things ready for Sam. See you guys later."

"Still mean!" John heard her chuckle. As he turned back to his breakfast, he saw his two friends stare back at him. "What?"

"Do we actually have to ask?" Teyla questioned.

"Ask what?" The pilot narrowed his eyes. "The X-302 story? That's… wait, what did you guys actually asked her?"

"Nothing."

"Why? Trying to look good in her eyes?" Ronon asked.

"No… It's not..."

"Ronon asked her what she was to you, Colonel."

"Hey!" Ronon bumped Teyla's shoulder.

"Alright, guys. Let's be clear. She's my friend. A good one." Then he saw the look his friends shared. He moved in his seat, suddenly sheepish. "Oh, oooh… Why would you ask her that? She has someone back on Earth."

"We are just looking out for you."

"I don't need that." John gave Ronon a look. "Okay, Alex… She's a little different. Not even I know the full story. And what I know is that she already went through a lot. Alright? So, leave her be, guys. No more questions. Weird questions, mostly."

"Well, you seemed friendlier than most when she arrived the other day." Teyla commented with a knowing look.

"She's my friend. She helped me get a track on this offworld thing… Friendly. Pfft! I'm friendly with you. With Keller." Ronon and Teyla looked at each other with a knowing smile. "So, no more questions. She's going to be your best friend by the end of the week. You'll see." John gave them a look, ending that conversation.

With Samantha Carter arrival, helping her get settled and with the boxes the Colonel had brought for her, Alexandra closed herself in her office and lost track of time, not even aware of what had happened with Ronon and his decision to stay in Atlantis.

After doing his security rounds, John found her sitting on the floor, going through piles of books and notebooks.

"Still working on those?" John saw the moment she came back down from wherever she was in her mind as he gave a quick glance to the boxes.

"Hey… I really spaced out." She looked up and gave him a smile, holding a hand up so he would take it to help her up.

"Apparently. What are you reading?" John took the book from her hands as she went around the office.

"A dissertation. By Daniel. I stole it. It's his early thoughts about the Ancients."

"Good reading?" His eyes followed her movements, putting things in their rightful place.

"It is. What are you doing here, Sheppard?"

"Finished my security rounds. No mission today."

"Poor baby."

"Actually..." He rolled his eyes at her teasing tone. "Would you like to have dinner?"

"Dinner?" Alexandra looked at her watch. "Geez! I didn't realize it was that late."

"So, care to join me?" He was hopeful. Had been all day, but had given her space to get settled.

Alexandra looked around.

"Gee! Cleaning or have dinner with a hot guy? Tough choice." She got her uniform jacket. "C'mon, Sheppard."

"I don't think I like you without your rank. You respected me more with it." He only got a snort from her as he followed her out of the office. "You actually think I'm hot?"

"See? I wouldn't be able to say it or answer that question if I had my rank."

"You would if I ordered you to."

Alexandra stopped and turned serious, looking up at him.

"Would you?"

"My ego would demand it." John said seriously, then smirked when she bumped his shoulder and chuckled. "You still haven't answered."

"Uuuh, not so much." She shrugged, going for the mess hall.

"You're just awful, O'Neill." He chuckled.

After they sat down with their own trays, John looked at her as they faced each other on the table.

"Have you ever thought much? About ascending, I mean." He didn't know why he was so curious all of a sudden. Perhaps it had to do with the notebooks she had in her office.

"No." She immediatly answered. "I mean, it's a very restrictive society if you think hard on it. Why?"

"I've met a few. Ancients."

"I know. I've read your reports. And Elizabeth's. I would like to visit some of those planets."

"I can arrange that." He agreed.

"Thank you." She offered a smile. "I did meet my fair share of Ancients. But I don't really care for them."

"Why not?" John noticed something in her tone. It was like she was uncomfortable about the topic.

"Like I said, restrictive society. Daniel ascended once and he enjoyed it. However, ended up hating it since he couldn't do anything to help when his friends or Earth was in danger. He remembers some of it now, but the knowledge they possess was removed from his mind."

John nodded, understanding.

"He tried to fight Anubis back on Abydos, but the Ancients stopped him and he decided to descend. There are very few Ancients that are truly helpful".

"Perhaps you should meet Chaya."

Alexandra looked up.

"The Ancient that stole your heart, Colonel?" She teased him.

"Hey… It was a one time thing."

"Mhmm…"

"It was!"

"How about Teer?"

"Oh, God…"

Alexandra chuckled, amused by their banter.

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Hope you enjoyed it!