The Siege, Part 3
Teyla was sitting at the first table in the mess hall when Helena walked in. The Athosian woman smiled, tiredly, at the Earth woman, who tried to smile back, but could only muster a half-grin.
Helena instructed the Marines carrying supplies into the kitchen, then went to Teyla. "How are you?" she asked without preamble.
"I am well. Tired." Teyla acknowledged. "How are you?"
Helena sat down heavily. She let out a deep sigh. "I feel like I've been run over by a bus."
Teyla frowned. "A bus?"
Helena smiled. "Sorry. It's a large, heavy wheeled vehicle. Getting run over by one is not a good thing."
Teyla nodded, sympathetically. After a long moment, she asked. "The Daedalus brought supplies?"
Helena perked up a little. "Oh, yeah! I need to find Major Sheppard."
Teyla's eyebrows rose. "I believe he's out on the West Pier. It seems to be his retreat. May I ask…?"
Helena shook her head and stood. "No, Teyla, sorry. This is something I have to tell him first." She leaned forward and whispered conspiratorially. "I haven't even told Elizabeth yet." Helena moved over to the counter a grabbed a white cubed container with a handle.
Teyla nodded. "I understand."
Helena nodded. "I have to go find him."
Teyla smiled as Helena left. After the Chief left, Teyla stood. Then Helena reappeared.
"Teyla! I'm so sorry, my dear!" She grabbed her friend in a quick hug. "You were waiting for me. Can I get you something?"
Teyla looked surprised. "Actually, I was finishing a meal. I am glad to have seen you, but if you need to find Major Sheppard, go ahead."
Helena smiled again. "'Kay. I'll be back in a bit."
oOo
John Sheppard sat on the West Pier, staring out over the city and on to the ocean. He'd run his hands through his hair enough to make its usual disheveled appearance to look decidedly messy.
Helena entered the balcony slowly, without a word. She walked up to him and sat, placing the container on the opposite side.
He looked over at her.
She looked out to the ocean.
He started to feel choked up and ran his hands through his hair again. He stood and walked to the balcony.
Helena felt her tamped down emotions start to rise as well, but fought to keep them contained. "John."
He grasped the rail a little tighter. "I'm sorry, Chief."
She frowned and moved, quickly, to his side. "For what?"
He frowned and looked at her, confused. "Lieutenant Gonzalez."
Tears sprang to her eyes, but, blinking hard, she looked away and managed to keep them from falling. "He's not the only one we lost, John."
He nodded. "I'm sorry about them, too."
She nodded and swallowed. "You know that none of it is your fault."
He looked pissed suddenly. "It doesn't make me feel any better."
Helena frowned. "I don't expect it to. You'd be no better than those Wraith if you didn't feel like shit that our friends are gone." Her voice cracked. She looked at her hands, sadly.
He turned away, looking again at the sea. "I never wanted this, you know. I'm the insubordinate one. Not the CO."
She sighed. "I know." She thought for a moment. "But you know, great leaders seldom ask for the responsibilities they are given."
He stared at her.
She looked back at him.
"Bullshit." He pronounced, clearly, then turned back toward the ocean.
Shocked, she smiled, despite herself and looked back out at the water as well. Slowly, her smile faded.
They stood for a long while. Finally, Helena moved away from him.
Part of John was relieved she was gone. He was still wrestling with his emotions. A noise, however, made him turn around with a frown.
Helena was holding two smallish brown bottles. Wordlessly, she handed one to him and resumed her place by the balcony.
John frowned and sniffed the bottle. His eyes widened and he looked at her. She took a swig without looking at him. Cautiously, he took a sip of the contents and smiled, despite himself.
"Beer?"
Helena smiled, crookedly. "General O'Neill got my message."
John looked incredulous. "You requested beer?"
She nodded. "And steak. And pie. He sent some of all three."
John shook his head in disbelief. "Of all the things…"
She smiled. "I'm actually surprised that Ford didn't tell you. He was there when I recorded my message." Her smile faded. "Is there any word on Aiden?"
He shook his head. "Nah. He did exactly what I expected." He took a drink from his beer.
She looked at her beer. "You'll find him."
He nodded. "Yes." His tone was determined. "I will."
She bit her lip. She looked like she was going to say something, then stopped and turned back to the rail, grasping it tightly with her free hand.
He moved to her side again. Wordlessly, he placed a hand on hers.
She looked down at his hand covering hers, then look up at him to find him looking out to the sea. She smiled, gently, and looked back out to the sea.
After a long time, he cleared his throat. "Did you say there's steak?"
She nodded. "And pie."
"Does McKay know?"
She smiled. "No. From what I understand, he's taken a sandwich and headed off to bed for the next 24 hours. Though, I don't doubt his stomach will wake him at about the 8 hour mark."
He turned around to face the door and grinned. "We don't have much time, then. If we don't go now, he might wake up before we can get the steak cooked."
She laughed. "And, as hungry as he is in the mornings, he'd probably eat them raw."
"Is there another way to eat it?"
She frowned. "Medium-rare to medium, my friend, is the best way to eat steak, though I prefer mine a little more on the well side."
He looked thoughtful. "I'll try your medium, if it makes you happy."
She smiled. "Thank you, ever-so-much, sir."
"Sure." He finished off the beer and looked at the empty bottle. "Anymore of these?"
"In the cooler."
He reached for the cooler and picked it up. "We'd better get going."
She nodded. "Let's."
He stopped before they reached the door. "Helena."
She looked up at him. "Yes?"
He looked immensely uncomfortable. "I'm sorry I snapped at you."
She frowned and raised an eyebrow. "Yes, my poor virgin ears are burning and will never recover."
His eyebrows rose and, after a moment, a grin touched his face. "Yes, well," he tried to frown but failed. "I'll, uh, try to make it up to you."
She rolled her eyes. "Oh, let's just go eat steak."