Know Your Audience

Know Your Audience

Know Your Audience #1

The explosion had been small. Well, small-ish, and they were far enough away when the bomb detonated that the extent of their damage was a pelting of very small rocks and a thin layer of dust.

"I don't see why we had to do this," Rodney whined as he started dusting himself off. Don't we have people who are skilled in controlled demolitions?"

Ronon gave a vigorous headshake that peppered Rodney with dust and pebbles for the second time. Teyla looked away, knowing that laughing at Rodney was not the polite thing to do.

John crossed himself. The others stared at him, confused.

"When did you find religion?" Rodney asked.

"I do not understand." Teyla's eyes flicked between John and Rodney, looking for clarification. Rodney opened his mouth to speak; John cut him off.

"I haven't found religion. I was just taking post-explosion inventory. See?" He crossed himself again. "Spectacles, testicles, wallet, and watch." He grinned, waiting for them to laugh.

"You do not wear glasses," said Teyla.

Ronon pointed. "Isn't that your watch on your left wrist?"

"Do you even own a wallet?" Rodney sighed and turned toward the blast site. "Come on. We should see if that was enough to unblock the passage, or if it just made more rocks fall."

The three started walking, leaving John staring dejectedly at their backs. As if the joke failing hadn't been embarrassing enough, Teyla's next comment totally did him in.

"Do men often misplace their testicles, or is that something special that happens only to Colonel Sheppard?"