John and Teyla appeared on the bridge of the Deadalus, arms wrapped around each other in a passionate kiss. Neither seemed to notice that they were no longer alone on a deserted planet. They continued to kiss unknowing of the audience they had just acquired.

The entire crew stared at them in shock. Major Lorne was on the far side near the door next to Carson Beckett. He stared with a smile on his face. He had a bet in the Atlantis pool on when the two would get together. Despite Dr. Weir's disapproval, the members of the expedition sill held the ongoing bet.

Carson stood mouth gaping, looking at the scene in front of him. He blinked a few times as if he were seeing things and then promptly closed his mouth. On several occasions he had witnessed that John and Teyla cared deeply for one another. During the time that Teyla was testing her ability to communicate with the Wraith, John had not left her bedside. And during many occasions when John had been injured or sick Teyla would not leave his side either.

On the other side of the bridge was Ronan Dex. He was neither displeased nor amused, but has his usual non-descriptive expression. When he first met John and Teyla he had noticed John was always concerned for Teyla. The more he got to know them, the more he noticed their caring for one another.

Colonel Caldwell on the other hand, was not amused. He cleared his throat loudly. John and Teyla immediately jumped apart.

"I see your both safe," he said, anger in his voice.

"A few minor injures, but other than that I think we're fine." John said turning. His face turned a faint shade of red as he did so.

"From the looks of it you have a nasty gash on your head Col. and Teyla's leg looks broken. Why don't we get you two to the infirmary?" Dr. Beckett said with a broad smile.

"Colonel Sheppard, I'd like to have a word with you later," Caldwell said.

"Yes sir," John said uneasily. He knew he was in deep trouble this time.

XXX

Two days later they were back in Atlantis. John sat in Colonel Caldwell's office waiting for him to get back from his meeting with Dr. Weir. Teyla hadn't spoken to John since they were rescued. He figured she was just as embarrassed as he was at what happened. Colonel Caldwell entered the room and John stood to show respect for the higher-ranking officer. The man sat and John followed.

"Colonel, I don't care about what happened between you and Ms. Emmagen on that planet. But bringing it aboard my ship is another story," Caldwell began.

"I need to know if you love her or not?" he asked John.

John gave a shocked expression. This was not what he was expecting at all.

"I'm not sure, sir. I've never felt about anyone they way I feel about her," he answered a little uncomfortably. Colonel Caldwell nodded.

"In that case I won't report this, and I will instruct my crew that you have been warned. As long as you two don't let your relationship get in the way of doing your job, I won't say anything. But the minute it does. I will. Is that understood?" Caldwell told John sternly.

"Yes sir," John said stunned.

"Good, dismissed," Caldwell finished.

John left and quickly headed to Dr. Beckett's office. He had already spoken to Ronan, who immediately agreed not to say anything, and Major Lorne. Although the Major voiced some concerns over not telling the complete truth to their superiors, he agreed that it wasn't something they needed to know about.

A few personnel were just leaving the infirmary after their post-mission check up when Colonel Sheppard arrived. Dr. Beckett sat at his desk filling out medical files. John approached the office slowly and knocked on the doorframe.

"Colonel Sheppard, is their something I can do for you?" the doctor asked as he looked up.

"Um, yeah. I was wondering if you could not mention that little kiss you saw between Teyla and I in your report?" John asked him a little sheepishly. "Or to anyone else."

"Of course John. It's not my place to say anything anyway," the good doctor told him. John nodded a thank you and turned to leave.

"Oh Colonel," John turned back to Beckett, "Good luck with her."

"Thanks Carson."

XXX

John waited outside Teyla's room for her to arrive. She had gone to the mainland to handle some affairs among her people.

As soon as she turned the corner and began to hobble down the hall with her crutches John straightened up and smiled at her. She smiled in return.

"Colonel, what are you doing here?" she asked.

"I was waiting for you."

"Why is that Colonel?" she asked shyly.

"I, ah, wanted to apologize for my behavior earlier. I didn't mean to embarrass you," he rushed to say.

"You have nothing to apologize for. It…was not embarrassing. To my people such an act is something sacred, shared between two people. It is not done in public, that is what embarrassed me," Teyla said as she took a few wobbly steps forward.

"Oh," John said as he looked down at her.

"I hoped that it would be the start of a new relationship between us. For years I have focused on my people and their survival and denied myself any happiness the world has to offer. Now that we have become allies with your people, we no longer live in fear of what the next day will bring to us," Teyla said before taking a deep breath and placing one of her slender hands on his chest.

"Teyla, I'm not…"

She immediately cut him off, "My feelings for you are strong John, I no longer want to avoid the way I feel about you. It's time I allowed myself happiness. Charin's recent death has taught me that life is short, no matter how one dies. I do not want to live the rest of my life with out ever being with you," she finished and looked up into his eyes. John smiled back down at her.

"Well, how can a guy argue with that?" he asked with his trademark sarcasm. With that he leaned down and kissed her.