.025 – Strangers
"That looks awful."
Cassie's eyes widen as she realises she's said the words aloud. A blush moves swiftly across her freckled cheeks, but she tilts her chin up defiantly as the tall man swings back around. She clutches the stack of books she borrowed – ok, stole – from Daniel's office, and ferverently hopes that he's not as terrifying as his height and stature make her think.
"What?" He almost barks the word out, his stance rigid and wary.
"Um," Cassie manages to say, gulping slightly. "You're going with Colonel Sheppard, right?" The man gives her a wary nod, and she finds the courage to offer a slight smile. "Well, no offence, but Hawaiian shirts don't generally go over well at wakes."
"I found this in a closet," The man looks down with a frown, and Cassie relaxes as his tone is more confused than hostile. He doesn't look like any definition of military by Earth standards, but Cassie knows that doesn't mean he isn't. The Hawaiian shirt actually reminds her of Teal'c and his attempts to blend in as 'Uncle Murray'. Unlike Teal'c, this man has long dreads held back by a band, with black tattoos in various locations. "What should I be wearing to a … wake?"
"Black. Not like, all black; that's depressing," Cassie tilts her head, and narrows her gaze at the tall man before her. "Something simple. A black shirt, some jeans… that would do it."
"Who are you?" The question comes out of no where, and Cassie blinks for a moment.
"Cassandra, Cassandra Fraiser," she shifts the books in her arms a bit. "Call me Cassie, everyone does."
Before she can ask his name, a page comes over the intercom.
"Dr. Fraiser to the conference room, repeat, Dr. Fraiser to the conference room."
"Shoot," hisses Cassie, "I completely forgot about SG – 12's debrief. I gotta go – don't forget to change! Black shirt, jeans; you can't go wrong!" She turns and sets off at a run down the corridor, leaving the tall man behind as he frowns down at the brightly coloured shirt.
Later, Cassie is hustling down the corridor while trying not to drop the jello that is precariously balanced with a letter and a video tape. She is too busy looking down at her load to see the dark shape that steps out in front of her.
"Whoa," The man she barrelled into grips her gently by the arms as she sways from the impact. She looks up into the tall man's eyes and stammers an apology. It seems that he took her advice, as he's quite smartly attired in a simple black button down dress shirt and jeans.
"Hey," She says, with a smile. "Actually, I was hoping to run into you. I was wondering if you could give something to Sam – Colonel Carter for me. It's nothing too important – just a letter from Mark, a video from me and – "
"What," asks the man incredulously, "is that?" He frowns as he takes the items from Cassie; the wobbling blue mass in the container captivating his attention. He waves the container back and forth, giving a childlike smile when it jiggles in time to the movement.
"It's called Jello. It's Sam's favourite. Her last letter mentioned that your galaxy doesn't serve it, so I made a small batch up," Cassie feels a blush moving over her face again, and clears her throat. "Well, that's all really. I have to run – some poor rookie picked up a rock and now he gives off an electromagnetic field. Since I'm the only one on base who can read that strain of ancient while Dr. Jackson is off-world, I have the dubious honour of figuring out the off switch. Say hi to Sam for me!" Cassie hurries away as she can.
It occurs to her only after he's left the base that she doesn't even know his name, and she entrusted the precious blue jello to him. She shakes her head with a smile before focusing on the ancient tablet in front of her.
So much for not talking to strangers.