InsaneJournal

SGA: Five Times Sam Spoke To Teyla
Title: Five Times Sam spoke to Teyla
Author: missstewart 
Recipient: thingswithwings 
Fandom: Stargate Atlantis
Pairing: Samantha Carter/Teyla Emmagan
Rating: PG-13
Word count: about 1400
Disclaimer: Stargate is owned by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. No money is being made from this fanfic, and no copyright infringement is intended.
Summary: Sam thinks Teyla should be following military protocols, even if she's an alien and not technically a part of the military.
Notes: This was beta read by fnordine.  Thanks!
It was originally posted in the femslash08 ficathon on LiveJournal. Link to it over there.

The first time Samantha Carter spoke to Teyla Emmagan, it was to remind her about the military regulations for hair and clothing.

John Sheppard, clearly, did not understand that military protocols applied to extremely attractive women as well as to men. Elizabeth Weir, Sam supposed, was a civilian and couldn't be expected to make sure the correct protocols were followed. Teyla needed to be taught a lesson. Sam headed down to teach it.

---
“You sure are lucky to have nice blonde hair like that,” said Sam's hairdresser, reluctant to cut it.
“Thanks, but I'm in the Air Force, so I have to cut it.”
“Aww, what a shame.”
“Well, not really,” said Sam, wishing her hairdresser would just cut her hair so she could get out of there. “It would otherwise get in the way.”
“But you look so pretty with it long.”
“That's... part of the point, too. I get enough leers as it is.”
---

Sam found Teyla in the sparring room, practising. She was wearing the inappropriate excercise gear Sam had come down to talk to her about.

“Hey, Teyla, I need to talk to you.”
Teyla dropped her sticks with a clatter. “Yes?”
“Teyla, you need to cut your hair. It's longer than regulations permit, and that can be dangerous.”
“I was not aware that the regulations applied to me. I am not from Earth.”
“Well, technically, they don't, but it can be dangerous,” justified Sam. “Your hair could get caught on something and that could be dangerous. There was a civilian on SG-1 with me, Daniel Jackson, and he ended up having to cut his hair too.”
“Would it be acceptable if I tied it back?” asked Teyla.
“That would be better, yeah. But you need to change what you wear to practise sparring.”
“Is my apparel inappropriate?”
“It can draw attention,” explained Sam.
“I am practicing by myself. And I have found the people on Atlantis to be quite respectful.”
“Just... watch out for yourself.”
“I will do that,” said Teyla, picking her sticks back up.

*****

The second time Sam spoke to Teyla, it was to discuss one particular military protocol.

She'd noticed Teyla watching Dr. Keller rather closely, which had nothing to do with the fact that she herself had been watching Teyla rather closely. Once she started paying closer attention to who Teyla was paying attention to, she realized that they were nearly all women and decided to make sure Teyla knew about Don't Ask, Don't Tell, just in case.

---
Sam, then a lieutenant, had been on leave visiting her family when her father had broken the news to her.

“Hey, Sam, did you hear?”
“What?”
“They've decided to go ahead with it!” Jacob had exclaimed, clearly pleased that something had happened.
“With what?”
“With Don't Ask, Don't... oh, I guess you wouldn't have heard about it yet, it's now okay for gays and lesbians to be in the Air Force – all three branches, actually – as long as you don't talk about it! So you're not actually breaking any rules any more!”
Sam had been surprised that the secret she'd hidden all her life was not actually a secret. “What? You knew?”
“Honey, I'm your father. Don't worry, I don't think anybody else knows.”

---

“Teyla, are you.... this is going to be an awkward conversation. Have you got a minute?”
“Have a seat,” said Teyla, smiling.
“Okay, Teyla, I need to ask... I promise I won't tell anyone, but do you... are you lesbian?”
“Sorry, I am not familiar with that-”
“Are you gay? More interested in having sex with other women than with men?”
“Yes. Why do you ask?”
“Well, there's ... uh, there's a policy in the military that being openly gay is not allowed.”
“Pardon?” asked Teyla, looking surprised.
“It's called Don't Ask, Don't Tell. If you're lesbian, that's fine, but you're not allowed to tell anybody, and nobody's allowed to ask.”
“I did not expect that type of policy from your people, who pride themselves on being more advanced than the rest of the galaxy.”
“Well, that's .... it's not our best policy. But it's what we've got.”
“So, is it possible that some of the other women on Atlantis are not heterosexual, but are only pretending?”
“No, I think they're all straight,” explained Sam, pretending.
“That is a shame.”
“Yeah.”

*****

The third time Sam spoke to Teyla, it was about fraternization with a superior officer. Sam had heard some incriminating rumours.

“Why are you even doing this?” demanded Sam. “You told me a few weeks ago that you aren't even straight.”
“John Sheppard is a very attractive man, and he is highly placed within Atlantis. Among my people, he would be considered a very suitable mate.”
“Well, yes, but I thought you didn't like men.”
“You suggested that I not tell anybody I am lesbian, so I tried to hide it.”

---
Jack O'Neill had been wearing his dress blues when Sam had first had a good look at him. He was safe – she'd never have to carry through on it, because he was her superior officer – and, in his dress blues, he looked both handsome and important. At the time, Sam did not realize that she was choosing him as an excuse not to have a boyfriend.
---

“Okay, but you're among my people. The Air Force would consider your superior officer to be a completely unsuitable mate, if you want to put it that way.”
“In that case, I will find another man.”

*****

The fourth time Sam spoke to Teyla, it was to discuss an Earth custom – maternity leave. John Sheppard had already spoken to Teyla about slowing down while pregnant, so Sam didn't try that.

Sam found Teyla in her quarters, meditating.

“Teyla, I know John has already spoken to you about... about taking it -”
“Yes, he has,” said Teyla, anticipating what Sam was going to say.
“Look, I want to treat you how I would want to be treated were I to be in your situation. I -”
“Among my people,” interrupted Teyla, still not looking her in the eye, “I would be expected to continue to contribute even while pregnant. I do not see-”
“Yeah, I talked to John. But-”
“Have you considered having a child?”
“Well, ... yes, I've thought about it, but... it would.... it wasn't something I decided to do.”
“Among my people you would not be given that luxury. Because of the frequent cullings by the wraith, it is important to have many offspring.” Teyla paused, then suddenly looked at Sam. “How is it among your people? Do most people have children.”
“Well, not in dangerous jobs like in the Air Force.”


---
“As your doctor,” said Janet Fraser, “I should remind you that your biological clock is ticking.”
“Oh, I don't plan on getting pregnant.”
That's not unusual in the military,” said Janet, nodding. “People don't want to bring a child into this world when they might be dying on the next mission.”
“Oh, I hadn't even thought of that. I just didn't want the hassle of raising a kid, having to go on maternity leave, probably missing out on a promotion... finding a father...”
“It's something you should think about. Hell, I was worried about raising Cassandra, and I have a nice safe job on the base.”
---

“You could die, Teyla,” said Sam, thinking of Janet. “And I know Colonel Sheppard has talked to you about that.”

*****

The fifth time Sam spoke to Teyla, it was not about a policy, a regulation, a procedure, or a custom.

“Teyla, can I talk to you for a minute?”
“Of course, Sam. Which regulation is this about?”
“It's... well, uh, see… would you like to… uh…”
“Yes, Sam?”
“Would you like to spend the night with me?”

Sam raised her head to look Teyla in the eye. Teyla was starting to smile.

“So when you said every woman on the base was hetersexual, you-”
“Yeah, I was in the closet. Don't Ask, Don't Tell, and all that. But nobody needs to know if we're, you know...”
“Your quarters are closer to here than mine.”

---

While they were cuddling together afterwards, Sam felt the need to apologize.

“Look, Teyla, it's fine if you don't want to take it easy while you're pregnant or after you give birth. And you don't actually have to follow Earth military customs, since you're not a member of the military. Oh, and-”
“I understand, Sam.”