AN: This is a short little Lorne story that I just had to write. Please review.

o0o

This was never a problem until I came to Atlantis.

I was perfectly fine at the SGC.

New noises didn't bother me.

I didn't run to the gate room every time there was an unscheduled activation.

Life was normal.

I first realized my problem while eating in the cafeteria. Lieutenant Cadman and her bevy of girlfriends kept glancing over at Colonel Sheppard and me, giggling behind their hands.

Sheppard was oblivious, of course. Or maybe he was just used to women giggling when he was around.

I got even more looks when I was in a briefing with Dr. Weir. My team kept making significant gestures, pointing at my clothes. Dr. Weir just rolled her eyes, and muttered something about a "new convert."

I had no idea what she was talking about.

No, it wasn't until my date with one of the scientist's that I realized what a stir I had caused.

When Jessica answered her door, she just stood there for a minute, trying desperately not to laugh.

I had had enough by that point, and I finally asked what was so funny.

"Umm…no offense, Marcus. But do you really need your sidearm everywhere you go?"

I looked down to see my hand firmly clasped around the butt of my 9 mil. Thinking back, I realized that I couldn't actually think of a moment when my hand had been more than a meter from the gun. Then I thought about Colonel Sheppard, and realized that his hand was never more than half a meter from his gun.

I smiled sheepishly. "Standard procedure, Jess. Standard procedure."