NOTES: This is a Stargate AU based on the concept of the LJ community jackbuilt. The characters of the Stargate Universe are living in an apartment building of which Jack O'Neill is the manager. It gets a little crazy after that, though!
Welcome To The Madhouse
The kitchen was small and very neat. Glasses and dishes sat on the rack - many more than Teyla expected one woman to use. But, no, someone else lived here, too - a child's sippy mug sat on the counter, the bright primary colours vivid against the washed creams and beiges of the apartment.
Vaguely, she recalled Janet Fraiser's mention of a child - a daughter? Yes, a daughter who stayed with her every second week. Privately, Teyla did not think Janet looked old enough to have a child. But these days, that could be deceiving - many women had children young.
"Do you have kitchen things? I'll make room for them, of course..."
"I do not have kitchen utensils," Teyla admitted as she surveyed the space. She did not admit why she possessed no kitchen equipment - it was still a sore spot for her after last week. The kitchen was neat and open and clean, with a fridge and microwave already installed.
The microwave was very important.
"Well, there'll be room for them when you buy them," Janet said with a shrug. "I'm not a big cook myself - usually only when Cassie's over. Ham and cheese sandwiches are my usual fare."
"And apples," said Teyla with a grin, indicating the fruit basket full of fruit.
"And apples," Janet said, walking past and into the more-cluttered common area. "Yes, I know the saying, and yes, I'm studying medicine." She seemed more amused than acid, for which Teyla was relieved. "This is the common room. The lounge is mine - I don't have a dining room table--"
"I can provide one," Teyla said immediately, thinking of the workshop out the back of the house with its wide windows that let the light pour over the workbenches and the slabs of golden pine. "And chairs. I also have a wall unit, but it is mostly for my books."
"Oh? What do you read?"
"Science fiction and fantasy, several romances, some thrillers... Fiction, mostly, although there are autobiographies--" Teyla broke off with a smile. "It is unwise to get me started on my reading habits. I have spent many years defending myself from my siblings on that matter."
Janet grinned. "I'm beginning to be glad I haven't got brothers or sisters. Do you watch any TV?"
"Only a little and usually with other people," she admitted. "But I will be happy to follow any shows you care to watch."
"Well," Janet began, "the only television that almost everyone around here watches religiously is Sci-Fi Friday: Wormhole X-Treme, The Poisedon Wormhole, and Battlestar Galactica. You're welcome to join us at our Friday night screening parties." At Teyla's lifted eyebrow, the other woman grinned. "Yes, I know. The geek is strong in these ones."
Teyla grinned back, amused and delighted by Janet's phrasing. "I have not watched Sci-Fi Friday in some time, but will be very glad to update my viewing practises. My geek-fu is not the best, but I claim a little knowledge."
"Well, from the sound of it, I think you'll do better than I did when I moved in." Janet made a face. "Just don't let Rodney intimidate you. The geeks get the 'go away and stop bothering me' signals, but Rodney doesn't." Her roll of the eyes said all that she didn't voice about 'Rodney'. "Anyway, social life aside, as far as moving in goes, there's space for whatever you need to put in - unless it's an entire house of stuff, of course."
"It is not. If there are pieces of furniture we need here, then I am able to provide them. My foster-brother runs a carpentry shop."
"Neat. Well, whatever you think we need, bring along. As long as we're not packed to the rafters with furniture and boxes..."
Teyla took a look around the room Janet had advertised for her.
It was next to the bathroom, yes, but it was also at least as large as the common area, with a built in-wardrobe that had a full-length mirror stuck to the back of the door. The window overlooked the side street and did not seem to have any neon lights that might keep her awake at night.
Then again, Teyla reflected that she would not be living in an area of town that featured flashing neon lights. Sharon would never permit it, for starters.
She surveyed the cream-coloured expanse of the walls with some trepidation. They were suspiciously empty and smelled a little of new paint. At least it was not wallpaper. "Are we allowed to put up picture frames?"
"You're best off discussing that with Mr. O'Neill," said Janet, throwing up the window sash to let some air into the room. It was late autumn and the air was dry and cool, with a fresh breeze blowing in from the distant sea shore. "You won't be subletting from me, either. I discussed this with Mr. O'Neill and he's putting you directly on the rental contract."
"I would prefer it that way. It means I have recourse to redress if circumstances require it."
Teyla knew that she'd used the 'wrong' words almost as soon as Janet leaned her hip against the wall by the window, folded her arms, and eyed her suspiciously. "What's your major again?"
"I am studying Law."
"Oh, God." Janet clutched at her chest in dramatic agony. "I'm going to be living with a lawyer!"
"You will be living with someone studying to be a lawyer," Teyla pointed out, amused. "And I promise not to sue you. Besides, it could be worse."
"How?"
"I could be an accountant."
Janet grinned. "Well, I'll promise not to talk about the bodies I dismembered over the dinner table, and you'll promise not to sue me."
"That seems like a fair bargain." Teyla mimed wiping off her brow in relief.
"So, are you still interested?"
"Yes."
"Good." Janet pulled back the doors to the 'laundry space' with its utilities and the washer and dryer. "I only have one rule when it comes to television in this house: no medical dramas."
"Inaccurate?"
"You have no idea."
"I feel the same way when watching Boston Legal."
"I should modify that, actually," Janet said thoughtfully. Teyla was startled for a moment before the other woman continued. "No medical dramas except for House. Mostly because, however atrocious his behaviour might be or how questionable the medical verdicts, the sarcasm is worth it."
Teyla's mouth twitched, but she kept a solemn expression. "I have no objections to that. You mentioned your daughter would be staying with us some weeks?"
"Every second week. She's seven and pretty well-behaved. Usually, she'll be at school most of the time, and when she's not, we're home..." Janet grimaced. "I hope you don't have too much objection to Dora the Explorer."
In spite of herself, Teyla laughed. "I can do better than that, Janet! My foster-brother - the one with the carpentry shop - has a son of eight. I know all the songs of the Wiggles - and Barney the Purple Dinosaur also."
"I bet that makes you a popular aunt."
"It does." She felt fondness rise at the thought of her nephew. "It also provides leverage for making promises: if Aunt Teyla is left alone to do her work now, there will be time to watch Dora later."
Janet grinned. "I like the way you think. Definitely use that on Cassie!"
There was a commotion outside, the sound of voices raised echoed through the central atrium of the building, and after a moment or two, Teyla caught one person's frank listing of the questionable ancestry of another.
"Excuse me." Janet excused herself, padded across the uncarpeted floor - Teyla would have to speak with Tricia about a rug, she did not like the feel of bare wood beneath her bare toes, especially in winter - and opened the door. "Gentlemen!" Silence fell. "If you don't mind, take it inside, okay?"
"But Radek started it with--"
"Rodney, do I look like your mom?"
The unseen Rodney muttered something that Teyla did not quite hear. "Exactly," Janet said. For all that she had decried the role of Rodney's mom, she did sound much like a mother establishing order over rowdy children. Teyla bit back most of a smile. "Keep it down, boys."
Janet came back and surveyed Teyla with an apology in her eyes. "We're mostly pretty quiet around here. It's just every now and then that things get out of hand." Janet jerked a shoulder at the door. "Besides, that's Rodney and Radek. They're like that. Think Seinfeld and Neuman."
Teyla choked back a cough. "I believe that living here will be interesting."
"You know what they say about an interesting life."
"Quiet can be a blessing, indeed," Teyla conceded. "But I have found that 'interesting' is rather more enjoyable."
A sweetly-mischievous expression grew on Janet's face. "So you'll take it?"
It felt like the right thing to do - a new stage in her life and her studies, as an adult, away from her family. Teyla took the plunge. "Yes."
"Well, then..." Janet's dark eyes sparkled with pleasure. "Welcome to the madhouse, Teyla!"
- fin -
