SGA/ Teyla Emmagan/Carson Beckett/Rodney McKay/Attraction
Title: Equal
Author: ladyjax
Theme: Attraction
Rating: G
Disclaimer: all characters owned by their respective copyright holders. Original situations belong to me. For fan entertainment only.


"Are you sure?"

"Quite sure."

Disbelief colored his tone. "I don't know. I'd like to think he'd be interested but he's..."

"Highly strung?"

A short laugh greeted her amused observation. "Actually, I was going to say shy. He'd never come to us on his own. Especially if he thought it would interfere with what we have."

She slipped her arms around his waist, leaning into his comforting embrace. "Then I suppose we must gather more information. Never let it be said that we were not thorough in our...research."

"Aye, you're quite right about that."

**

They found him in the mess hall with Ronon and John discussing the finer points that night's dinner (or something that was supposed to be dinner). As they walked towards the table, Ronon's head came up, his eyes flicked over them and a slow grin slid across his face. "Dr. Beckett. Teyla."

John and Rodney both looked up and John swept out his arm in welcome. "Pull up a chair, guys. Have you eaten?"

Carson nodded as Teyla slid into one of the chairs nearest to Rodney, who was uncharacteristically quiet. "Earlier, but it seems we're in time for dessert." He leaned down towards Teyla and said, "Would you like anything, my dear?"

"A piece of pie. Corporal Stevens was bragging about what he could do with some of the fruits that were found on the mainland and I would like to taste what he has to offer." She smiled serenely at Carson before turning her attention back to the others. The light brush of his fingertips over the back of her neck sent a shiver down her spine and for a moment she closed her eyes to savor the rush. When she opened them, her gaze met those of her teammates. John's was curious, Ronon's amused.

If she hadn't been watching, Teyla would have missed the brief flare of simmering desire that shone from Rodney's eyes before the scientist quickly locked it away. He pushed from the table, muttered something about the lab and work and walked away with a barely audible goodbye just as Carson returned with Teyla's pie. Carson slid the plate on the table and watched Rodney go until Teyla caught at his hand and tugged him down beside her.

"Is Rodney alright?" he asked, worry tingeing his tone.

"You know Rodney," John quipped as he got up from the table himself. "He just seems to have a lot on his mind lately." He checked his watch and grimaced. "I have to go myself. Duty calls."

As he strode away, Ronon looked at the couple across from him for long moments. "I hope you both know what you're up against," he rumbled. "He won't come easy."

"No," Carson sighed. "He won't."

"But he is worth the effort," Teyla said firmly and dug into her pie.