The fluffiest bunny of all...Sparky, of course.

[southernred2]

I'm not sure where this fic came from. The only correct description would be fluffy crack with a bit of smut. It's set in some unnamed time probably in S3 and seems to have come from a universe in which Elizabeth is actually allowed off world. Chapter 2 will be in a separate post.

“You told them what?” Elizabeth Weir’s voice carried past the door to her office, where Rodney McKay stood shuffling his feet, and out into the command center. Several technicians bent closer over their consoles, trying desperately to appear uninterested.

“That you and Sheppard were...um...married.” Rodney’s voice dropped to a whisper on the last word.

Elizabeth stood up and leaned forward, placing both hands firmly on her desktop. “That’s what I was afraid you said.” She straightened abruptly and came around from behind the desk.

Rodney took a step backwards.

“Rodney, by all that is holy, why would you find it necessary to tell the people of Kletavl such an outright lie?”

Rodney’s hands fluttered in a few seemingly helpless gestures until he finally clasped them tightly in front of him and took a deep breath. “Well, in my defense,” he began in a rush of words, “I wasn’t supposed to be the one meeting with them, but you and Sheppard were on New Athos for the morning, and the Kletavlians or Kletavls or whatever arrived a day early, and the leader of the group wanted to know why you weren’t here to greet them, and when I told him our leader was a woman, he seemed to get really pissed off and demanded to speak to her husband, whom he assumed was the ‘real leader’.” Rodney paused to make little air quotes and take another deep breath before plunging on even more rapidly. “He was really big, Elizabeth. And then when I mentioned Sheppard, he just jumped to the conclusion that...you know... and I was reluctant to correct him, valuing my life as I do and all, so...ergo.”

“He thinks John and I are married.”

“And that you rule the city together.” Rodney nodded and took another step back.

Eyeing Rodney closely, Elizabeth touched the tiny radio in her ear. “Colonel Sheppard, please come to my office ASAP.”

“On my way,” a faint voice replied.

Rodney turned, evidently searching for a clear route of escape.

“Don’t even think about it,” Elizabeth said, gesturing for him to move out of the doorway and further into the office.

“Really, Elizabeth, what’s the harm?” Rodney appeared to be trying a new method of persuasion. “I mean, how long do they plan to stay, a day or two? Then we go back to normal, no harm no foul.”

“You think it’s just that easy? That we can spend several days with these people and they won’t become suspicious of the little things, like living arrangements and the fact that we...I mean... how everyone...”

Rodney winced and waved a hand for her to stop. “You can send a memo telling everyone what happened so they won’t blow your cover, and then when they leave, everything goes back to normal.”

“And it hasn’t crossed your mind that we may have further dealings with these people? They came here to negotiate a possible alliance. This could be the beginning of years of back and forth.” Exasperated, Elizabeth wound down and turned her back.

“Well, I guess, in that case, you and Sheppard will just have to...”

“Just have to what?” John had walked up unnoticed just in time to catch Rodney’s comment.

Rodney clamped his lips tightly together and moved further into the room. Elizabeth whirled around and stood with arms folded, glaring.

“And I repeat, just have to what?” John looked back and forth between them.

“The Kletavlians came a day early,” Elizabeth began. “It seems they don’t like female leaders and insisted that I must have a husband to help me. Rodney helpfully provided me with one.”

Rodney looked down at his shoes when John pointed to himself.

“You got it,” Elizabeth said.

“Hmm.”

“Hmm? That’s all you have to say? Hmm.”

“Well,” John said with a shrug, “it could have been worse.”

“I can’t possibly see how.” Elizabeth turned her gaze on John, and Rodney looked a little more relaxed.

“Do we have kids?”

“John!”

“Colonel Sheppard, Doctor Weir, sorry to interrupt.” Sergeant Campbell’s sudden appearance in the doorway caught his bosses’ attention.

“Yes, Sergeant,” Sheppard said.

“The Kletavl delegation is on their way up.”

--/--

Rodney had been right. The leader of the delegation, who introduced himself as K’Raxan, was indeed very tall. He towered over John, whom he graced with a quick nod of his head before flicking his eyes once over Elizabeth and seeming to dismiss her. John returned the nod and allowed his eyes to linger on his ‘wife’.

“Welcome to Atlantis,” he said, gesturing for their guests to take seats around the conference table. “I regret that my wife and I were not here to greet you. We were visiting a group of close allies.”

Elizabeth slid into the chair which John had pulled out for her, giving him a quick look and a gracious smile.

“We hope that everything in the guest quarters is to your satisfaction,” she added.

“Indeed, we find it very comfortable,” K’Raxan replied. The other two Kletavlians, who had been introduced as K’Biron and K’Setir took their places, nodding and smiling.

The Kletavlians seemed to favor rich fabrics in jewel bright colors that shimmered in the bright lights of the conference room. John noted the absence of weapons with relief and was able to relax a bit and concentrate on the negotiations.

He could sense Elizabeth’s impatience as she sat quietly next to him, waiting for him to steer the conversation in her direction, as they had hastily discussed before entering the room.

“Now that we are all assembled,” John began, “I will ask my wife to explain how we might be able to form a mutually beneficial alliance.” That was easy. Sounded natural.

Once John had given his approval, the strangers seemed to be very willing to accept Elizabeth’s ideas, and the meeting went quickly and ended with plans for the ‘Lanteans to visit Kletavl in the near future. Plans were made to meet for an evening meal, and, satisfied, they all rose to leave the room.

John stood at Elizabeth’s side, slid his hand around her waist and gestured for the others to precede them from the room. Elizabeth grabbed the hand in question and held it still, giving his pinkie finger a twist in the process.

John winced and gave her a squeeze in return, “We’ll be looking forward to dinner, won’t we dear?” he said, hiding any discomfort with a slight cough.

“Yes, we shall.” Elizabeth smiled at their guests and slid out from under John’s hand as they walked into the corridor. “My husband and I will see you in the dining room.”

If she doesn’t kill me first.

K’Raxan returned her smile. “Thank you, Doctor Weir. I must say it has been a pleasure meeting a ruling couple who obviously have so much shared affection.”

John grinned at Elizabeth, who moved closer and stepped on his foot. “The honeymoon never ends,” he said, giving one of her curls a little tweak.

--/--

“What do you think you are doing?”

After their guests had been escorted back to their quarters, John and Elizabeth wandered out onto the balcony for a much needed breath of fresh air.

Startled, John raised his eyebrows at her question. “What do you mean? I’m just playing along. Isn’t that what you want me to do, Elizabeth?”

For once the serene ocean view didn’t seem to soothe her, and she turned toward him, scowling. “Playing along with Rodney’s stupid mistake does not mean you have to take this husband thing so seriously.”

John went for his best innocent look but it fell short. “Would you believe I was making the best of a bad situation?” Taking advantage of a moment.

“No.”

“Okay, would you believe I was doing what was best for the city?” Fulfilling a fantasy.

“Again, no.”

“Then allow me to apologize and inquire, if I might, just how you expect a husband of yours to act?” John was beginning to lose his sense of humor, and the fact that he could still remember the sensation of having her soft body leaning against his for just a moment wasn’t helping his mood.

“That’s just the problem, isn’t it? You’re not my husband. I don’t have, want or need a husband. But Rodney, in his infinite wisdom, has not only assigned me one but has effectively destroyed my authority and my dignity all in one fell swoop.” Winding down, she turned suddenly and made a hasty exit back inside, leaving John with his hands on his hips and a lot to say but no one to say it to.

“Whatever you say, dear,” he mumbled to her departing back.

--/--

While their leaders were meeting with the Kletavl delegation, the other expedition members had been busy with various plans for the rest of their stay. The early arrival had forced everyone involved to move up their assigned duties for the visit, and somehow, Elizabeth had found time to send out a hastily worded memo informing everyone that she and Colonel Sheppard were now ‘married’ until further notice. Used to odd occurrences when Pegasus natives were around, the inhabitants of the city took it in stride, and even though the betting pools and gossip mills were running in high gear, nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

The dining room staff had outdone themselves with an assortment of their best dishes, and the Kletavlians seemed to thoroughly enjoy their meal. A long table had been set up out on one of the balconies off the cafeteria, and the warm evening breeze added to the ambiance. Since they were seated at opposite ends of the table with their guests and most of the command staff and higher ranking officers in between, there was no further opportunity for the ‘marriage’ of the city’s leaders to come into play. In fact, the only interaction between them came just before dessert was served when John, catching Elizabeth’s eye, raised his wine glass and winked at her. She ducked her head, pretending not to notice, but K’Raxan saw the gesture and chuckled.

“Your husband honors you, Doctor.”

“My husband is a great tease.” For which he will pay dearly.

“It is such as this that keeps a marriage interesting, my dear.”

There was one last awkward moment when the party was breaking up and everyone was saying their goodbyes and preparing to depart for their quarters, when K’Biron shyly took Elizabeth’s hand and glanced over at John.

“Doctor, may I say it has been a pleasure meeting you and your husband?” A portly man, whose deep topaz coat barely met around his middle, the Kletavlian had spoken little during dinner and the earlier meeting. “Hopefully,” he continued, “when next we visit your beautiful city, we might meet the rest of your family.”

Elizabeth looked puzzled. “The rest of my family?”

“Yes,” K’Biron said, moving aside to make room for John, who had walked over to join them, “your children. Surely, you must have several.”

John grinned and Elizabeth’s cheeks turned red. “Oh, well...I’m sorry, but my husband and I have not been blessed with children.” Will this day never end?

K’Biron gave John an odd look and a sympathetic smile.

“Hey,” John said, “it’s not my fault.”

“Not anybody’s fault,” Elizabeth quickly added with a hand on John’s arm. “It’s just the way things turned out.” She managed to look a bit sad, and K’Biron shook his head in obvious regret before moving away to join his friends.

“Should I have told him it’s not from lack of trying?” John whispered.

“Do it and die,” Elizabeth hissed before plastering on her biggest smile and walking toward their guests.

Rodney and Major Lorne had walked up and caught the last part of the exchange.

“Digging quite a hole for yourself there, Sir,” the Major said.

“Better you, than me,” Rodney added. “She’s really going to hurt you when this is over.”

“Oh yeah, but it may be worth it.”

Elizabeth looked back over her shoulder to indicate that she had heard and was rewarded with the sight of all three of the men standing in a row looking like schoolboys waiting to see the Principal.

--/--

Elizabeth managed to keep the smile plastered on her face until the gate shut down behind the departing Kletavlians. Then she turned without a word and headed for her office, leaving John standing alone.

Their guests had enjoyed an abundant breakfast, being particularly fond of the bacon and French toast that the dining staff had prepared for them. John and Elizabeth once again put in an appearance and played the happily married couple, managing to ignore the slightly impertinent looks coming their way from everyone in the dining hall.

Elizabeth sat down at her desk and opened her computer but found herself unable to concentrate on the symbols that appeared on the monitor. She hated the roiling emotions that were vying for attention in her brain and hated even more the lingering sensations that John’s touch had provoked as he once again stood closely beside her and rested his hand possessively on her hip while they waved goodbye. Have his hands always been that big?

And then there was earlier, when just as she had shrugged on her jacket and prepared to leave her quarters, the bell had sounded and there he stood at her door, grinning.

“Good morning, dear,” he had drawled, “wouldn’t do for us to be seen coming from two different directions, now would it?”

“Good morning, and stop calling me ‘dear’.” She had brushed past him and headed in the direction of a transporter.

“Just practicing.” He had caught up with her just as she had reached out to open the transporter. “By the way, in case someone asks, how long have we been enjoying connubial bliss?”

“Connubial?” She had stopped and furrowed her brow at him. “Don’t ever say that word again.” Damn the man. “In case anyone asks, we married at the end of our first year here. The IOA allowed us to stay because they think we are doing an excellent job and would work better together than apart. We would love to have children, dozens and dozens of children, but it hasn’t happened, which is just as well because monsters and bad men are always trying to kill us.”

“Whoa!” John had stopped for a second in the transporter door, blocking her way. “Thought this through much?”

“That’s what I do. Think things through and anticipate questions. Now get out of my way and act like a blissfully happy husband.” Double damn.

“Yes, ma’am,” John had chuckled and placed his hand in the small of her back to allow her to precede him.

Elizabeth pulled up another report on her computer and tried to concentrate, but once again, the events of the day intruded.

With breakfast finally over, there had been nothing left to do but escort the Kletavl delegation to the gate and see them off. It had gone relatively quickly and everyone was in a relaxed and jovial mood. K’Raxan had managed to get Elizabeth to promise that she and John would visit his planet the following week. She would have promised anything if it meant the charade would end and there would no longer be a reason for John to constantly touch her arm or place his hand on her shoulder. What did I just agree to?

But it was far from over. Now they had to visit their planet, and who knew what they would be required to do once there. She knew she was being unusually cranky and lacking a sense of humor, but somehow she couldn’t seem to stop herself. She felt like she was back in high school and forced to be in a situation with the boy she had a crush on who didn’t know she was alive. As long as her relationship with John had remained casually friendly, these feelings had stayed in the background, but now his flirting and teasing and constant touching were starting to take a toll. But it was better to be thought to be in a bad mood than have everyone know just how she was affected by...

“Elizabeth?”

Elizabeth’s head snapped up. Teyla was standing at her door and must have had to repeat her name several times to get her attention because her face was crinkled with uncertainty.

“Teyla, come in. I do apologize. I...there’s been a lot going on.”

Teyla came inside with a smile. “It’s quite all right. I heard you had visitors while Ronon and I were away.”

Elizabeth laughed and indicated that Teyla should take a seat. “Our friends from Kletavl showed up a day early.”

Teyla nodded. “And Rodney told them you and John were...”

“Married, yes.” Elizabeth frowned and rearranged a few items on her desk.

“I am afraid Ronon was quite amused and has gone to find John to ‘congratulate’ him.” Teyla seemed to be having a hard time keeping her own smile under control.

“Great, I’m sure they will all have a good laugh and then go off somewhere to pummel each other by way of celebrating their manliness.”

Teyla must have sensed that this was not a good time to make light of the situation because she leaned forward and offered, “Perhaps you would like me to speak with them. I have found that I can sometimes persuade the...ah...”

“Boys?”

“Yes, the boys, to behave more as gentlemen.”

Elizabeth smiled for the first time and relaxed a bit. “Thank you, Teyla, but that won’t be necessary. Hopefully, our trip to Kletavl will be short, and then I can turn any further negotiations over to your team.”

--/--

“We need pet names.”

“Excuse me?” Elizabeth settled her backpack more firmly and turned her head toward John.

“You know, like honey or darling or...”

“Pookie,” Rodney offered.

Elizabeth plus John’s team were geared up and waiting for the gate to activate in preparation for the dreaded trip to Kletavl. The week had passed with incredible speed, and now there was nothing left to do but walk through the gate and begin another never-ending couple of days as Mrs. John Sheppard.

Luckily for John and Rodney, the gate activated just at that moment, and Elizabeth walked through without another word.

Kletavl was a beautiful, well-populated planet with an abundance of landscaped areas and prosperous looking buildings constructed mostly of tan brick and stucco. The gate was in a small park in the center of the town, which was nestled in a valley surrounded by low mountains and rolling hills.

“It looks like Tuscany,” Elizabeth said in wonder, as they emerged from the gate and stood looking around.

“Most beautiful,” Teyla agreed.

John and Ronon declared themselves to be more interested in the security aspects of the area, but after a quick look around, reported no immediate cause for concern. The appetizing aroma of roasting meat coming from a nearby building seemed to be attracting Rodney’s attention, but before he could investigate further, Elizabeth motioned for him to keep still.

“Ah, my friends from Atlantis.” K’Raxan came toward them with his hands outstretched, followed closely by K’Biron, K’Setir and two women.

Elizabeth was intrigued by her first look at the Kletavlian females. They were quite beautiful and richly dressed in grey gowns trimmed with the same jewel colors that made up the clothing of the men. Their hair was artfully arranged with twisted ropes of what looked to be precious gems and some sort of pearls.

John stepped forward quickly and made short work of introducing Ronon and Teyla. The Kletavlians welcomed them warmly and greeted both Rodney and Elizabeth by name.

“Allow me to present, my own true wife, Avera,” K’Raxan said, indicating the woman who had been standing silently at his side.

She bowed her head, first to John and then in turn to the other men before giving Elizabeth and Teyla a nod of greeting.

The second woman turned out to be the sister of K’Biron, a much younger blonde named Tolone, who gave John a broad smile and a quick once-over before flicking a glance at the others.

“Come,” K’Raxan said with a wave of his hand, “it is but a short walk to our guest house.”

The group started out in a sort of ragged line following K’Raxan and Avera, who had moved to take her husband’s arm. Elizabeth did the same, giving John a sweet smile in the process.

“Thank you, sweetie,” she purred, “your strong arm is always nearby to assist me.”

John seemed a little taken aback, but recovered quickly. “As it ever will be, my love,” he said, turning to her with a look that she had seldom seen unless he was attempting to charm some unsuspecting female.

Elizabeth stumbled for a step and was rewarded with his arm slipping around her waist to steady her. Realizing that two could play this game, she leaned against him for a moment and looked up at him with adoring eyes.

It had not crossed Elizabeth’s mind to wonder about the sleeping arrangements until they entered the spacious guest house that had been assigned to them. Everyone was given their own room, and she and John were shown to the main suite, a sumptuous area that included sitting room, bathroom and one large bed. Crap.

They had been left to get settled in, and now that she and John were alone, Elizabeth stood with her hands on her hips looking around. For once, John remained silent as he found a place for their backpacks and checked the security of the ground floor windows.

The sitting area included a sofa, if you could call it that. It was backless with high arms and wasn’t nearly long enough for either of them to stretch out on. There were two armchairs with cushioned seats and wooden arms also, but neither of them would be a comfortable place for anyone to sleep. The floor was hardwood with a few small area rugs, which were also not big enough for sleeping.

Somehow their tour of the suite ended up with both of them standing side by side, facing the big bed.

“It’s pretty big,” Elizabeth said, finally.

“Yeah, practically king size.”

“Practically.”

“And, we’re both adults.”

“It has to be done.” Elizabeth nodded assertively. “We need our rest so we can...”

“Negotiate?”

“Negotiate.”

--/--

For most of the afternoon, John sat silently watching Elizabeth work her magic on the Kletavl council, negotiating a trade agreement that would satisfy both groups and provide the ‘Lanteans with much needed fresh produce and fruit in exchange for medical assistance and security. Knowing that they were not used to dealing with a woman made him even prouder of her. She’s pretty amazing sometimes. Hell, she’s pretty amazing all the time.

Knowing that Ronon and Teyla were standing guard outside and that Rodney was occupied meeting with the Kletavl scientists allowed John to relax and play the part of supportive husband. He was almost sorry when the meeting broke up, and the Kletavl women came to escort them back to their guest quarters.

Several other women had joined Avera and Tolone in doing everything possible to make the team comfortable. A light snack of cheese and fruit was provided in the living room of the guest house, complete with carafes of both red and white wine in addition to some sort of fruit juice. Rodney, immediately upon his arrival, took a plate and loaded it up with everything available and grabbed a glass of the cool white wine to wash it down.

John stood back and watched as Ronon moved to join his teammate, filling his own plate with his share of the food and seating himself across from Rodney at the dining table.

Teyla and Elizabeth had been whisked away to another room by a group of women, which made John a bit nervous, but he figured they were probably just taking them somewhere to freshen up. Standing by the window, trying to relax, John barely heard the soft voice at his elbow.

“I’m sorry?” He noticed that the beautiful blonde woman, he believed had been introduced as Tolone, was waiting expectantly by his side.

She smiled and placed a soft hand on his bicep. “It is I who am sorry, Colonel. I didn’t mean to disturb you, but I was wondering if I can fix you a plate and bring you a glass of our special wine to refresh you?”

John looked down at the small white hand with its pale pink nails and blinked a couple of times. “Thank you.” He dipped his head to acknowledge her, but withdrew his arm and took a step back. “That won’t be necessary. I’ll wait for my wife...ah...here she comes now.”

Tolone lowered her eyes and moved away as Elizabeth and Teyla, accompanied by the other women, entered the room.

“Thank you most kindly,” Teyla was saying as she took leave of the others. “I am very pleased to have been able to take a quiet moment to myself.”

“Please help yourself to refreshments,” Avera said, “and let us know if we can further assist you.”

Seeing that Elizabeth had bypassed the food and was headed his way, John closed the distance between them. Married only a week and already in the doghouse.

“I was...ah...”

“Waiting to have lunch with your loving wife?”

Is that a hint of a grin on her face?

“Come dear, let’s eat before Rodney and Ronon clean up the last crumb.” John held out his arm and Elizabeth placed her hand in exactly the same spot Tolone’s had been just a few moments earlier.

Doghouse, no doubt about it.

--/--

By the end of an afternoon spent touring various Kletavlian facilities, from the power plant, which was early industrial revolution according to Rodney, to the hospital, which Teyla said reminded her of their visit to Hoff and the horrible things that happened there, to the gardens and a local farm where a lot of the city’s food was grown, the ‘Lanteans were tired and ready for a break. Unfortunately, they got very little time to relax and talk among themselves before the women once more appeared to help them get ready for the evening’s festivities.

“We are holding a banquet in your honor,” Avera explained with a shy smile, looking first at John and then letting her gaze linger on Elizabeth.

Avera had always seemed to defer to whatever man was around, especially John, since he was the assumed leader, but obviously felt more comfortable talking to Elizabeth.

John looked at Elizabeth, not sure if she wanted him to respond.

“We would be honored,” Elizabeth replied,stepping closer to John, “but I’m afraid we didn’t bring appropriate clothing...”

“Oh, that has been taken care of,” Avera said. “While you were busy, we placed some garments in your rooms for you to wear, if you so desire. Tolone and the others will be happy to assist you.”

The men exchanged apprehensive glances, and Ronon, in particular, looked ready to bolt from the room. John gave him a stern look

Elizabeth nodded and thanked her. “We appreciate the clothing, and the assistance...”

“The ladies, I’m sure, will take advantage of your kind offer,” John interrupted, much to Rodney and Ronon’s relief. “But we..”

“What my husband means,” Elizabeth said loudly, meeting John’s eyes and darting a warning glare at the other two men, “is that they do not require assistance in donning the garments you have provided. We all wish to honor you by adopting the proper mode of dress for the occasion.”

John’s lips thinned, but he kept silent and gave Ronon and Rodney his own glare of warning.

Teyla followed Tolone into her assigned room, and Avera stood waiting patiently for Elizabeth.

“This better not involve tights,” John hissed into Elizabeth’s ear before turning and giving Rodney a shove in the direction of his room.

John saw Elizabeth hiding a smile as the men stood in the open door peering into Rodney’s room like they were expecting a wild animal to attack. Ronon had disappeared into his room, leaving the door ajar. When no immediate sound of distress emerged, and Rodney had moved into his room, leaving John to peer in from the doorway, John turned at the sound of his name.

“I won’t be long, and then you can get dressed,” Elizabeth said.

“Take your time, darling.” John looked around for a comfortable chair. “But hang around when you’re finished. I might need help with buttons or zippers or whatever.”

Elizabeth’s eyes narrowed and her brows rose higher than John thought possible.

“What? Too much?”

But he was talking to a closed door.

“You are so going to get it when we get back to Atlantis.”

Rodney’s voice startled John, who whirled around, ready to give the scientist a piece of his mind, but he choked and started to laugh instead.

Rodney’s outfit was red. Not a deep maroon or even a rich ruby, but a startling bright Santa Claus suit red. It even looked like velvet and had black trim with gold-colored buttons running down the front of a long jacket. A snow-white shirt with a wide lace collar completed the look.

John wiped the tears from his eyes and searched for the perfect comment that wouldn’t make Rodney turn and run.

“At least it doesn’t come with a hat.”

Rodney’s face almost matched his suit, but, to his credit, he straightened his shoulders and smoothed down the sides of his coat. “We have yet to see what you will be wearing, so I wouldn’t get too mouthy just yet.”

John blanched and rubbed the back of his neck, a sure sign of distress.

“Have you seen any sign of the big guy?” Rodney looked toward Ronon’s room with interest.

“Not yet, and considering what you look like, it’s starting to worry me.”

Cautiously, the two men walked over to Ronon’s door and eased it open. The Satedan was preening in front of a full length mirror. Not unexpectedly, he had adapted the garments he had been given to his own use. The pants had proven to be hopelessly too short, so he had discarded them and stuck just with the soft sapphire-colored coat that had been provided. It must have been the largest the Kletavlians could find because it fit him remarkably well, even if it was a bit too short and the sleeves ended well above his wrists. His own brown leather pants softened the look and gave it a more masculine twist. The lace jabot had proven to be detachable, so Ronon had removed it from the shirt and buttoned it around his neck. It nearly filled the opening in his coat, leaving a bit of tanned chest showing on either side. The coat had a silver trim and silver buttons that were polished to a shine.

“How do I look?” Ronon turned to the others with a grin.

“Uh, impressive.” John looked him up and down and nodded vigorously.

“Like Prince Charming ready for the ball,” Rodney added.

“Oh, John?” Elizabeth’s voice traveled across the room.

“The little woman wants you,” Rodney teased.

“This oughta be good,” Ronon added as they all came out into the living room.

“Coming, dear,” John replied and headed towards their suite.