1.

“Damn it! Slow down!”

Hearing Sheppard behind her, Susan slowed her steps but not by much. She probably could have out run him but not with the heavy stuff that she carried. She would have only had to face him later anyway and it was better to get it over with now. She whipped around, making him have to grab onto the wall and skid to a stop before he knocked her down.

“John, I do not want to talk about this right now.” She turned back around and stalked off again but this time going slow enough for him to keep up with her. “I have too much to do so don't even start it.”

She knew that people were watching them and she kept her gaze straight ahead, not looking at them and definitely not looking at John. She expected him to say something but he didn't, he just walked along beside her until they reached the door of her office. He still didn't say anything when the door closed behind them. He just sat down on the edge of her desk and crossed his arms over his chest, watching her as she sat the box down and started to unload it.

After a few minutes of his stony silence, she turned around and glared at him. “If you're going to say it, then say it.”

“Say what?” He replied calmly. “You're the one that doesn't want to talk about it.”

“I don't know!” She knew she was waving her arms around like a crazy woman but she didn't care. Who the hell else was going to see her? “Damn it!” She stopped and rubbed a hand across her forehead. Why was she suddenly feeling so frustrated? She turned around, looking for her chair but found herself being wrapped up in John's arms and pulled back against his chest.

“Having a melt down?” He laughed softly and nuzzled her neck. “Or do you want to go back and slap the hell out of Rodney?”

“What do you think?” She leaned against him, drawing on his warmth and his strength. “I know he's your friend-”

“But it doesn't give him the right to talk to you like that.” He rubbed his hands over her arms. “And don't think that I'm going to let him get away with it either.”

She nestled closer, leaning her head back against his chest. “You don't have to defend me to everyone, John.”

“No.” He tightened his hold. “I don't...and I won't.” He rested his head against her shoulder. “Rodney McKay is going to find out that one the hard way.”

“John-”

“No.” He eased back, turned her around to face him and gripped her chin, making her look at him. “I will take care of this.”

“I know you will.” She rested her hands on his chest. “But right now...I think its best if you did spend more time with your team.” He started to protest and she stopped him by pressing a finger to his lips. “Look, we've been through so much already. Let's just chalk this one up to Rodney being jealous and let it go.”

“Jealous? Of you?” John looked stunned. “Why the hell would he be jealous of you?”

“What? You couldn't tell?” She stepped back so that she could better see his face. “He's been your friend for years. Its only natural that he'd be a little jealous of all the time you spend with me.” She shrugged. “I'm just surprised that the others have been so accepting.”

“They'd better be.” He rested his hands on her hips. “Because I don't ever intend on giving you up.”

“Thats sweet.” She gave him a light kiss and rested her hands over his. “But right now, I think you can afford to give me up for a few hours in the morning.”

“Like hell.” He dug his fingers into her. “If I'm going to spend my mornings with anyone, its going to be you.”

“John, come on. I don't want to fight about this.” She rubbed her hands over his chest, trying to soothe his anger. “Just...just let it go for now. We'll just try this and see if it works. If not...I'll let you handle it.” He started to protest but stopped when she eased between his thighs and rubbed against him. “They can have you in the morning as long as I've got you at night.”

“Alright.” He sighed, squirmed slightly and then leaned into her, resting his chin on her shoulder. “But you know that I don't like this.”

“Me either.” She said softly. “But if it keeps the peace then I'm ready to do it.”

2.

Me and my big mouth.

Susan settled down at a table near the railing and looked at the food on her tray. She really didn't want it but she forced herself to eat and not stare at the man sitting a couple of tables away from her. For the last few days she'd been able to handle McKay's constant sniping by just tuning him out of her head. Even John had been able to pretty much ignore him but if she told the truth but it was really starting to wear on her nerves.

Every few minutes she would look up and catch John watching her. It was making her nuts and more than once she'd had to stop herself from going over to him and just plopping her big behind right down on his lap. She sighed and took a sip of her tea, not really tasting it at all. Maybe after today, she would just take her tray back to their quarters so that she could eat in peace. Anything would be better than putting herself through this torture.

“Hmm...excuse me. Susan?”

A shadow fell over her table and she looked up to see Elizabeth Weir standing there. She plastered a smile on her face and looked up at the woman. “Good morning, Doctor Weir.”

“Good morning to you too.” Elizabeth smiled and then hesitated a second, casting a glance toward the table where Sheppard, Ronan and Teyla sat. “But why are you sitting over here? Shouldn't you be over there?”

Before she could reply, another shadow darkened her table and suddenly the tea she'd just swallowed tasted sour in her mouth. Susan's eyes narrowed slightly when Rodney stopped beside her table and touched Elizabeth lightly on the arm. The two of them shared a scathing look that Elizabeth didn't fail to notice. She glanced at Sheppard, who was watching the little scene intently, and then back to Susan and a frown creased her forehead. It didn't take a genius to figure out that there was tension between the two Doctors.

“Excuse me, Elizabeth? Unless you're looking for this morning's farm report...the real meeting is over there.”

Elizabeth smiled, reached down and took Susan by the elbow. “Which I think Doctor Walker has every right to be a part of.” Tugging her to her feet, Elizabeth steered her toward the other table and gave her a little push toward Sheppard. “I for one, am anxious to hear how things are going on the mainland.”

“Yippee...” Rodney sniped. “Just what I'm sure we're all anxious to hear.”

Susan ignored him and took the seat that Sheppard pulled out for her. With a sly smile at Rodney, she settled against him, crossed her legs and rested her hands in her lap. John put a hand on her shoulder and when he gave her a little squeeze, Rodney made a spitting noise and rolled his eyes as he set his tray down and took the seat next to Ronan.

Turning her head, she gave him a cool look. “I'm sorry, Doctor McKay. I didn't catch that. Was there something that you wanted to say?”

When Rodney didn't say anything, she turned her attention back to Elizabeth. “I would assume that you've read my report?”

“Whoa, bet that was a snooze.” Rodney muttered into his coffee cup.

Susan ignored him. She kept her eyes on Elizabeth, digging her nails into her thigh in an effort not to reach across the table and shove McKay's face into his plate.

“Yes,” Elizabeth shot Rodney a warning look. “It was fascinating. Have you started any of your testing yet?”

Susan nodded and looked at Teyla. “In fact, Teyla has been helping me quite a bit with it. Some of the plants and herbs I've been able to test bear a remarkable resemble to quite a few-” She stopped when Rodney began to make a snoring noise. “I'm sorry, Doctor McKay. Am I boring you?”

Rodney jerked his head up and blinked at her sleepily. “I'm sorry, it was your voice.” He looked at John and smirked. “I swear, Sheppard. You should make a tape of her talking. It's better than a sleeping pill.”

“Well, Doctor McKay. I'm flattered that you would think so.” Susan straightened in her chair, smiling tightly as her fingers curled into a fist. “I was under the impression that you were the most dull and wearisome person in Atlantis.”

“Maybe we can share the title.” He sniped back at her.

“No, Doctor McKay. I think that I will leave that title solely up to you.” Lightly, she rested her hand on Sheppard's thigh. “Apparently, there are others that don't share your opinion of me.”

Rodney's face didn't just turn red, he was turning the color of a deep ripe plum. “I think we all know what Sheppard's opinion of you is, Doctor Walker.”

“Rodney, shut up.” Sheppard growled and then he turned to Susan and reached for her hand but she jerked away from him. “Susan, let me handle this.”

“Sure, Sheppard.” Rodney's voice was smooth, silky and full of contempt. “You handle your girlfriend, since we all know how good you are at that.”

“What did you say?” John started up out of his chair and it was only Ronan's hand on his arm that stopped him.

“Rodney!” Teyla and Elizabeth burst out at the same time. Angrily, Elizabeth pointed at McKay. “That is enough from you.”

“I'm sorry, Doctor Weir. But apparently, this conversation is starting to get out of hand.” Before Elizabeth could say anything, Susan pushed away from Sheppard and got up from the table.

“Stay.” John grabbed for her arm but she moved out of his reach. His eyes narrowed slightly. “Susan, I said stay.”

“No.” She moved out of his reach and managed to keep her voice surprisingly calm. “You said that you wanted to handle this so I am going to let you handle it.” She turned to Elizabeth and nodded slightly. “If you will all excuse me, I need to get back to my lab. I'm sorry to have caused you any trouble.”

“Yes,” Rodney smirked. “Lots of things to fertilize I bet.”

“Maybe you should go with me then, Doctor McKay.” Susan turned back and gave him a look that was as cold as ice. “Since you so obviously seem to be full of shit this morning.”

Elizabeth's eyes widened slightly and she stared as the other woman turned on her heel and stalked angrily away. When she was gone she turned and gave Rodney a fierce look. “And just what the hell was that all about?”

“What?” Rodney shrugged as if he hadn't noticed a thing. Taking a bite of the bacon on his plate he looked up at Sheppard. “Maybe you need to talk to your girlfriend about her attitude problem, Colonel.”

“Her attitude problem?” Elizabeth was furious. “Rodney, that was completely rude and uncalled for.”

“What's wrong with you guys?” Rodney looked around the table at the stern faces staring back at him. He shrugged and tried to look innocent. “What? Its not my fault she can't take a little teasing.”

“Teasing?” John snorted and looked away from him. His hand tightened around his coffee cup and he had to fight with himself not to dump the stuff on the other man's head. “That sounded like a full out attack to me.”

“It wasn't an attack.” Rodney shrugged. “I was only trying to-.”

“Make her feel unwelcome, Rodney?” Teyla cut in. “It did not seem that you were only teasing to me.”

“And another shout out from the Susan Walker cheering section.” Rodney rolled his eyes. “You're as bad as Sheppard.”

“McKay...” Ronan's voice was a warning rumble.

“Rodney that is quite enough.” Elizabeth broke in. She turned to John with an apologetic smile. “John, I'm sorry.”

John waved his hand at all of them and when he turned to Rodney, his eyes were cold and angry. “If you know what's good for you, McKay...you'll shut your big yap right now.”

“Look, I'm just trying to...”

“I don't give a damn what you're trying to do.” John stopped and looked down at his hand. Reaching out, he grabbed Rodney's wrist and practically jerked him up from the table. “We talk. Now.”

“Hey, watch it there, Sheppard.” Rodney pulled out of his grasp. “You're creasing the sleeve.”

“You'd better be glad its your sleeve and not my foot that you're pulling out of your ass.” John rounded on him and poked his finger in the other man's chest.

“Gentlemen!” Elizabeth's voice stopped whatever John was about to say next. He lowered his hand and turned to look at her. “My office. Now.”

Shoving his chair back so hard that it toppled over, John followed her as she got up from the table. He didn't look back to see if McKay was following but after a few minutes he heard the other man's footsteps dragging behind. When she stood by the door and waited for them to step inside, he glanced back to see that Ronan and Teyla had followed as well but at a respectable distance.

Elizabeth had to force herself not to slam the door when they were both inside. Calmly, she walked to her desk and sat down. She motioned for both of them to sit in the chairs on the opposite ends of her desk but they ignored her and just stood there staring at each other.

Lacing her fingers together, she took a deep breath. “John-”

“No.” John held up a hand to stop her. “Just let me say something, Elizabeth.” Not waiting for her to give him an answer either way, he turned on Rodney. “Rodney, I've had it with you.”

“Me?” Rodney had the nerve to look shocked. “What about your girlfriend?”

“As far as I'm concerned, she hasn't done anything wrong.” John took a menacing step toward him. “But one thing I don't understand is this sudden hatred you seem to have toward her.”

“I never said I hated her.” Rodney shot back. “I was just...come on, John. You know how I am.”

“Yeah, I do. That's the problem.” John rested his hands on his hips. “:And that's why I don't buy the 'I was just teasing' routine. In fact, if I didn't know better I'd say that you were jealous.”

“I'm not jealous.” Rodney spat out. “I'm just not as blind as all the rest of you seem to be.”

“Oh, now the truth comes out.” John's voice was rising with anger and his hand itched to smack that condescending look off McKay's face. “And just what the hell is it that we're all supposed to be blind to? Do you think she's some kind of Wraith? A replicator? Some evil creature sent here by Michael?”

“No-”

John cut in before he could finish. “Then I'd suggest you drop this, Rodney. If you know what's good for you you'll just let it go.”

“Sheppard, will you just listen to me?”

He reached out and Sheppard stepped away from him and headed for the door. He stopped when it slid open and he gave Rodney one last grim smile.

“Don't push her, Rodney. ” He said. “You'll regret it if you do.”

3.

“Susan?” John set the trays he'd brought back from the mess hall on the table and looked around. “Where are you?”

“Out here.”

He turned his head slightly and saw her silhouetted against the glass of the door leading out onto the balcony. Stepping to the door, he pushed it open and leaned against the frame. He crossed his arms over his chest as a slight smile touched his lips. She was sitting on the small platform with her legs crossed and her eyes closed. Her hands rested lightly on her knees and if she hadn't spoken, he would have thought that she was asleep.

“What the hell are you doing?”

“What does it look like?” She opened one eye, looked at him and then closed it again.

“Well, either you're trying to turn yourself into a pretzel or you're meditating.” He crossed the platform and sat down on the bench behind her. Lightly, he nudged her with his knee. “I missed you at lunch.”

“I was working.”

Sure, he thought to himself. Fuming is more like it. But he didn't push it. Lightly, he nudged her again. “I...ah...grabbed us a couple of trays from the mess hall if you're hungry.”

“As long as it's not that nasty crap they try to call soup.” Eyes still closed, she made a face.

“Nope,” He smiled. “I think its Chinese. Looks like it anyway.”

“Then what are you sitting on your ass for? Go get it.” She did open her eyes then and he was surprised at the smile on her face when she looked up at him. “We'll eat it out here.”

Not wanting to ruin her obvious good mood, he got up and went to do as she asked, grabbing a couple of beers out of the mini-fridge while he was at it. When he came back, she was sitting on the bench with her legs curled under her. She took the tray he handed her and set the lid aside, wrinkling her nose slightly at the tangy aroma rising up from the rice and vegetables.

She poked at it with the fork he handed her. “Looks edible anyway.” She took a bite and narrowed her eyes at him. “Did you forget the beer again?”

“What do you mean, again?” He popped the top off of one of the bottles and handed it to her. “You think I'm going to miss the chance to get you drunk?”

“Pervert.” She took a swallow of the beer and set the bottle on the floor beside her.

“Getting you drunk makes me a pervert?” He settled down next to her and dug into his own food. He hadn't had any lunch either and he was starving.

“Its what you do to me after you get me drunk that makes you a pervert, Sheppard.” She poked his arm with her fork and then cuddled up next to him. “And if you know what's good for you, you'll get me good and damn drunk tonight.”

She rested her head against his arm and when she looked up at him, he felt a tingle down his spine. The look in her eyes was positively wicked. He swallowed hard, the rice he'd been chewing sticking in his throat like a hard lump. He took a swallow of his beer and settled back, letting the warmth of her sink into him.

They sat in comfortable silence and when they were finished and the last of the beer had been swallowed, John took the tray out of her hands, stacked it with his and set them both on the floor. He turned toward her and grinned at the the way her eyes were glazed over. Gently, he rested his hands on hers, tracing his thumbs lightly over her wrists. He could feel her heartbeat and it seemed to speed up a bit it with every brush of his skin over hers.

“You're a wimp, Susan Walker.” He leaned toward her and pressed his mouth against hers. She tasted both tangy and sweet and he trailed his tongue over her lips, licking up the bit of sauce that lingered at the corner of her mouth. “You can't even handle one beer.”

“Like you're complaining.” She returned his kiss and then pulled from his mouth with a hiss. Pulling away from his touch, she slid her hands over the front of his shirt, fingers tugging at the buttons until she had it open. “Mmm...” she murmured and buried her face in his neck as her fingers raked through the dark curls on his chest. “And to think I used to hate hairy men.”

“Changed your mind, huh?” He tugged at the tie on the loose pants she wore and tried not to jump when she squeezed his nipples between her forefingers and thumbs. He finally got the damn things untied and she moaned against his neck when he tugged them down enough to expose the light curling hairs at the tip of her slit.

He felt her nibbling at him and then she bit down harder when he slid one long finger into her slick folds. She was still wearing the little clamp he'd given her and he flicked his nail over her clit before he pressed down hard and rubbed the tiny stone over the quickly swelling nub.

“Holy hell...” Her breath was hot on his skin and she arched her back, pressing into him. Soft fingers, the tips just starting to grow calloused, wrapped around his wrist. Slowly, she started to pull his hand back and forth over her. Wrapping her arm around his neck, she pulled his head down so that his forehead rested against the soft curve of her breast.

Purring a sexy little growl, he tugged down the top of the thin tank top she was wearing. Captured by the tiny silver ring, the nipple was hard and he lapped at her before he tugged the taunt rosy bud into his mouth. She tugged on his hand harder and he increased his rhythm, matching the rasping of his tongue over her breast with the rough slide of his finger over her clit.

Suddenly, she tangled her fingers in his hair and a low animal moan escaped her lips. Her sex was drenched with dew and he edged his finger lower, thrusting first one and then another finger into her until she was withering and twisting against him. He knew that she wasn't going to last much longer and he pumped in and out of her faster, biting down hard on her tender nipple as a wave of liquid heat gushed out of her and coated his hand.

The trials of the day were forgotten as he slid his arms around her and pulled her up from the bench. Capturing her mouth in a hungry kiss, he picked her up, fingers digging hard and rough into the firm cheeks of her ass when she wrapped her legs around his waist. Being careful not to trip as he turned back toward the door, he carried her down the short wall. He didn't even try to take his mouth off of hers as he pushed the door open with his foot and carried her into the dim coolness of their bedroom.

Setting her down on the bed, he pushed her back and lay fully on top of her, nudging her thighs apart so that he could rest his weight on her. Still kissing her, he let his hands roam over her soft curves, every low moan making his kiss go deeper and harder until she was whimpering against his mouth. She started to protest when he pulled away from her, her fingers digging into his shoulders as she tried to pull him back down on top of her.

Grasping her wrists, he pushed her hands down until her fingers curled into the soft down of the comforter. She looked up at him and he took a shaky breath when he saw the look of wanton desire glowing hot in her eyes. He almost dropped back down on top of her but he made himself wait. He wanted her but he wanted her naked. Naked and gloriously wet from the attention he intended to lave on her with his mouth and tongue.

He bent his head, tracing his tongue over her belly button before he slipped his fingers under the waist band of her pants and rocked back on his heels, peeling the cloth off of her to reveal the soft swollen folds that he was so hungry for. Roughly, he jerked the pants down her legs, raising up just enough to pull them down over her feet so that he could drop them on the floor. Sliding his hands behind her knees, he yanked her legs apart and fell between her creamy thighs, making her scream out his name when his tongue darted out and arrowed in straight to the sweetness part of her that drove him out of his mind.

He curled his arms around her, pressing his hands flat against her belly and burying his face into her. He lapped at her until she cried out and he increased the rough thrust of his tongue into her slick channel when she dug her fingers into his hair. She tried to raise up only to fall back on the bed, twisting and groaning. He knew he was torturing her, knew he was driving her over the edge but he wasn't going to be satisfied until he'd tasted every slick inch of her. He wanted her to come on his tongue, wanted to taste her salty sweetness on his lips and mouth. Then and only then would he strip and sink himself into her tight heat.

And he didn't have long to wait.

Under his hands, he felt her belly tighten and he began to stroke his fingers over her, reaching up to grasp her breasts in his hands, pulling and tugging at her until her back arched and she tried to tighten her legs around his head. But John wasn't about to show her any mercy. His hands tightened on her breasts, his thumbs rasping rough and hard over her nipples as he continued to torture her with his tongue. He could hear her breathing and the sound of her short, sharp gasps only made him want to torture her more until her body tightened and a wild primal scream was ripped out of her throat.

John held onto her as the force of her orgasm made her body arch up off the bed. Trying to hold her steady, he clamped his lips around her. He sucked hard on her clit before he dived back down to drive his tongue into her again and again, lapping at her like a hungry cat with a bowl full of cream.

Only when she stopped shaking did he pull away from her and rise up. Tugging his sweat soaked shirt off his arms, he gripped the lacy edge of her tank top and pulled, ripping the thing open. Her body glistened with sweat and he lay down on top of her, resting his arms on either side of her head. Her eyes were half closed and she didn't try to resist him when he kissed her again, nipping sharply at her lips.

She moved her leg, her knee easing between his legs and he groaned when his rock hard erection pressed against her inner thigh. Easing up off of her, he slid back to the end of the bed. Kicking out of his boots and socks, he unsnapped his pants. She raised her head, her lips curling into a smile at the sound his zipper made when he tugged it down. A wicked grin touched his lips when he stopped and reached down to tug something from underneath the bed before he whipped off his pants and shorts and climbed back up beside her.

“Raise your hips.” He slid his hand over her, helping her tilt up so that he could slip the round bolster pillow under the small of her back. Hanging onto her, he slipped the other one behind his own knees. He saw the fear in her eyes and she grabbed at his hands, obviously thinking that he was going to roll her off the bed. But when he pulled her to him and she felt the head of him press against her tight entrance, her eyes fluttered close. A soft sigh escaped her lips when he sank his length into her and she grasped his wrists and braced her feet against the one behind him, rolling into the motion as he began to move in and out of her.