Chapter 25 – Clam chowders and crab cakes
Not spoiler, but hint at Grace under Pressure
They've fallen into a pattern again, though a different one. Elizabeth notices how intimate they seem to be, not minding the looks of people on the City as they're often seen together.
She runs with him twice a week when nothing comes up to disrupt their day and still practices in the armory with him too, joining him whenever he schedules a session. He drops by almost every night for milk and cookies before taking a tray to Elizabeth's office and spending the rest of the evening there, working on the next day's schedule or simply enjoying a quiet moment together with a game of chess on her tablet. They've resumed their Friday nights to Ronon's delight. Teyla notices that John is always careful to find a balance between his friend and his boss, sitting between the two of them, sharing his attention equally.
If Buckley could only leave her be, life would be as perfect as it could get. But he doesn't. He's furious she and John have made peace and she has subsequently resumed her social life. He had taken her self-imposed solitude for granted, which was perfect because she then was at his beck and call, suffering in silence, and always at his disposal to replace him in the kitchen, only too happy to have it to herself.
Now though, she's told him no several times when he's wanted to make her stay overtime to suit his own lazy schedule. She also ignores his snarky remarks about John's presence in the kitchen area at night. He's even suggested once that the cameras might pick up something interesting when the two stay alone there after the kitchen has been cleaned and everyone has left for the night. She shrugs in disdain at his insinuations but is worried he might one day choose to act upon his words and report her to whoever is in charge back on Earth.
She doesn't tell anyone about it, especially not John. He would feel the need to defend her, which is the last thing she wants.
He hasn't told her why the cameras were there in the first place. He doesn't tell her they're monitoring Buckley and it infuriates him they haven't been able to catch him yet. All they have is his very lenient schedule while he demands everyone else's dedication, as well as his tendency to yell at his staff. Louise brushes the subject off every time he tries to make her spill the beans. Buckley knows she'll only report him if he crosses the line with the staff, which he doesn't. Yelling at one's staff is not unheard of in their line of business. Being nasty to them either. She's just very cautious with the workload he imposes on them.
John tells Elizabeth one day about his fear she might be caught in this vicious circle forever. "I can't catch him red-handed because she doesn't help me there, 'Lizabeth!" he growls indignantly. "Damn! Why doesn't she let me help her?"
She smiles at him and shakes her head. "You're not the only one who has pride, John Sheppard. I think she's much attached to fending for herself. You don't have to defend every woman's honor on base, Colonel," she teases him cheekily.
He pouts and shrugs. "Why? I don't mind."
She laughs. "I know. And I also know you care a lot about our cook."
He gazes at her, looking for the underlying meaning, if any. "Are you telling me I shouldn't, 'Lizabeth?"
She raises her hands in mock surrender but he sees the almost imperceptible tinge on her cheeks. "I'm not. You have the right to see whoever you want on base and off-world alike, and Ms Léger is not directly under your command."
"I thought we had already settled this, 'Lizabeth," he points out, frowning. "I don't have that kind of feelings for Louise."
"I thought that might have changed, given your recent change of attitude toward each other. You seem... closer, more intimate. Which is fine," she adds hurriedly, seeing him frown.
"If this is what you're suggesting, Dr Weir," he replies a little too curtly, "Louise and I are not friends with benefits!"
She blushes. She doesn't want him to think she's being nosy or worse, jealous. "It's not what I suggested, John. It's just I want you to know, should you two ever feel like being more than friends, you won't get a slap on the wrist from me."
He shakes his head. "And I want you to know," he counters, "it's not how we feel about each other. We both believe in friendship between men and women and don't see the point of exploring other ways. I do love her – very much so – and yes, if you want me to be completely honest about it, I think she is quite attractive but that's it. Look, this is very awkward. I'm not good at that kind of conversations and you're my boss."
She winces. "I'm your friend too, John. I was just trying to make things easier, should you wish to want more than what you have now."
He smiles tersly and stands, making a hasty retreat as he doesn't know how to get out of that one without saying too much. "Yes, I wish I could have more, 'Lizabeth... If circumstances were different but they're not."
He tells Louise about his conversation with Elizabeth, making her laugh out loud. "You and I? I mean, really? What put that in her head?" He shrugs but looks offended. She scoots closer on the bench and taking hold of his hand, wraps his arm around her neck, lacing her fingers with his. They're sitting outside on the mess hall balcony, enjoying the cool evening air. He chuckles. "Well, that, for example!"
She pushes him away playfully. "Well, honey, if you don't like my cuddling anymore, just say it!" she teases him.
He sneaks his arm back around her shoulders and kisses her temple. Ever since he's returned from that time dillation field, she's noticed how closer he allows himself to get. For her, it was only a few hours and she wasn't even aware of it, being cooped up in the kitchen. For him, it was months before he could go home. It seems he's making up for lost time. "I didn't say that. I just hope people around base won't question our friendship."
"John. If you're uncomfortable with any of this, just say so. I know it may be unsettling and a far cry from what I was when we first met but this is who I am when I feel comfortable enough with someone. I trust you with my honor, see!" she teases him, trying to lighten the mood.
He shakes his head. "Even here, I guess we cannot escape the pressure of society. But I want you to know I'm content with what we have and I certainly don't want this to change. We'll manage, somehow." They fall silent, trying to keep the nagging feeling at bay that whatever can go wrong will go wrong, and simply try to enjoy their time together.
"Hey, there was something I wanted to tell you about," she says after a few minutes.
"Hum, hum," he says, distracted. It's been a long day and sitting here next to her tends to lull him into a comfortable slumber, watching the whale-like monsters swim in the distance. They often come closer to the City at night, as if the lights were beckoning to them.
"You did mention the cloaks on the jumpers can be turned into shields underwater, right?" She seems suddenly quite perky.
"Yeah... Why?" he asks suspiciously, knowing when Louise has something on her mind, she won't get deterred by anything and will pester him until he relents and let her have her way. She's woman all right and knows how to use his sense of chivalry to get what she wants.
"Just asking..." she answers innocently and falls silent again.
"Spill the beans, Louise. I know something is on your mind. And I know how it works. You're going to talk about anything and everything and when we're ready to head back inside, you'll finally muster the courage to ask. And, that, sweetie, really pisses me off," he growls.
She pouts but relents. "All right! No need to be so snarky. Got up on the wrong foot this morning?"
He makes a face. "Louise..." he warns her.
"Right!" she huffs, trying to find an enticing way to put it. "OK, so, you know I went to see the guys from NUMA the other day..."
He rolls his eyes. If he lets her do it, she'll tell him the whole story. "Argh! Stop that. To the point!"
She pouts again and rolls her eyes too. "OK, to cut a long story short," she insists on the last word to make him understand it really aggravates her, "they say there's plenty of seafood on the ocean floor. Clams and crabs and other stuff. They think it's the kind of stuff that's edible..." she adds, conspiratorially.
"Yeah? And what does it have to do with my jumpers?!" She's leading him into a wild-goose chase once more. She's done that several times already, making him go off-world for food they don't need though he has to admit, it brings flavor and variety to their diet.
She gives him a toothy smile. "Well, they're down too deep to be fished with nets. We can't dive that far down below either. It would be too dangerous. But if you take me with the jumper and use the cloak, it will be a walk in the park!"
Boy, is he in trouble! "A walk in the ocean, more like it!" he sniggers. She snorts, seemingly enjoying his quip. "It's not funny, Louise!" he chides her. She pouts. "You're reckless, you know that?" She smiles again goofily this time and he can't help laughing. When her spirits are high, she looks like a kid who's ready to trick her parents.
She looks pleadingly at him. Two can play that game. He might be Captain Handsome and knows well how to use his puppy looks on her but she once told him she wouldn't let him do it to her without retaliating.
"In the end, though," Rodney is saying, waving his crab cake in Ronon's face as he's trying to make his point, "it's not really how she got John to agree to it. More like how Elizabeth gave them both the go-ahead."
Carson shakes his head. "I have a pretty good idea, Rodney. Actually, we all do," he says, tucking in his clam chowder with delight. "He used the same trick on Elizabeth as Louise probably used on him... Guilt and a lot of those puppy looks they're so adept at. I'm telling you – he's rubbing off on her and not in a good way. She's getting way too sneaky for our own good."
They all chuckle at that. None of them mind it when it brings quality food their way. Buckley, though, couldn't agree less but keeps his mouth shut for once as he passes their table. He scowls, pissed that once again he hasn't had that brilliant idea and has to hear the compliments she once again receives while he is left with the scraps.
TBC
Extract from Louise's Cookbook
Crab Cakes
I whittled this recipe from a guy who served them in a small restaurant in Pacifica in exchange for a few of my own tricks. When I dropped by at that restaurant that day, I got much more than I'd bargained for. This recipe has been a staple ever since.
For the aioli, you'll need:
mayonnaise
lemon juice
cilantro
garlic powder
salt and pepper
For the cakes:
celery seeds or celery salk, diced
onion or chives, chopped
cilantro
crab meat
flour
breadcrumbs
one egg, beaten
optional: lemon wedges
Make the aioli.
Mix celery, onion, cilantro, crab meat, then add a part of the aioli. Scoop portions of the mixture in disks. Coat the cakes in flour, then egg and finally, breadcrumbs.
Cook in a pan with oil for 2 to 3 mn on each side.
Serve with aioli and lemon wedges.