"Therapy"
Written By - Caldwell's 2IC, SEW Crew Member
IOA.
Elizabeth detested those three letters. After their last "inspection" in Atlantis, the IOA overseers had criticized everything and everyone. Dr. Zelenka and Dr. Mc Kay were working too much. Katie Brown and the botanists were working too little. Colonel Sheppard's haircut was way overdue and the same was the case with Major Lorne. Not to mention Ronon´s hairstyle.
Did the Atlantis expedition really need that much coffee? And they considered Dr. Beckett´s supplies requisition was outrageous. She could almost hear Carson's outburst about that: "I'm a doctor, not a bloody wizard! Do they want me to treat my patients with chicken soup?"
Great. Fine. Whatever.
She had more important things to think about. John could let his hair grow like Rapunzel's if he wanted to…
"Forget about that, Elizabeth."
Kate Heightmeyer's voice brought her back to reality. She and Teyla were sharing a table with Elizabeth at the commissary. Sitting at a table right next to them, Colonel Caldwell and his weapons officer, Captain Dave Kleinman, were playing dominoes with Colonel Sheppard and Dr. Beckett.
"Don't let that people affect you" Teyla said.
"I know this shouldn't bother me, but it does"
"I'm going to give you the best anti-depressant I have" Kate pushed a chocolate bar across the table.
Elizabeth smiled. "That's powerful stuff, Dr.Heightmeyer".
"Retail Therapy would work better, you know, but chocolate works wonders too."
Teyla looked confused. "What is Retail Therapy ?"
"We Earth women like to go shopping when we are depressed and that makes us feel a lot better" They had explained to Teyla how "buying", "shopping" and "trading" were similar concepts when she first came to Atlantis.
"Oh, I see".
Kate was now looking at John Sheppard, who bowed his head to hide a smile when he was caught eavesdropping.
"But manly men also go shopping to feel better" Kate went on "Isn't that so, gentlemen?
The hand smacking the bone down suddenly stopped in mid-air. Carson's face turned bright red. Caldwell shook his head and shrugged. Kleinman stammered "well, I.. well…I mean…" Sheppard laughed out loud.
"What are the things you buy to feel better? Teyla insisted.
"Books" Caldwell confessed. "I'm a voracious reader…"
Kleinman followed suit. " Er…video games…computer games"
"Carson?"
"Well…things for my garden…I bought some turtles…. and some plants, garden stones…"
"Carson, please don't tell me you have one of those long-bearded gnomes with big red cone-shaped hats…" John smirked.
The domino players, Carson included, laughed out loud. Elizabeth and Kate joined the happy chorus, but Teyla had never seen one of the infamous garden gnomes. "So…. how do YOU spend your money Colonel Sheppard?" she asked.
"Me ?" Sheppard feigned an innocent look "Other than beer, you mean?"
The men laughed again. Elizabeth and Kate looked at each other; that beer reference was an all-time boys' club favorite. Teyla frowned.
"I like to buy country music CDs" John admitted at last. "And movies. Old movies and Football DVDs"
"What about you, Teyla?" Elizabeth wanted to know. "Have you ever traded for anything other than basic supplies?"
"Certainly. There's a planet where you can get beautiful shimmering fabrics and necklaces made of carved stones…. And they also have training and fighting sticks made of carved hard wood…"
"I think I'd love to visit that planet" Elizabeth said, the IOA inspection forgotten.
"I can take you there anytime."
Kleinman shuffled the bones and soon a new game was under way. At the table next to them, Elizabeth, Kate and Teyla started to make plans for their trading expedition.