Chapter 36
She remains cooped up in her kitchen the next week or so, shying away from any activity that would require her to appear in public – including their Friday night.
Teyla comes round to see her and is the only one allowed in her den. The rest of the team is made of men and right now, she really doesn't need to be in the same room with them. Beckett is mothering her – insisting she should come every day to check her vitals. Rodney can't help gushing about younger she looks every time he sees her and as for Ronon, he's got that goofy smile that seems permanently plastered on his face. Only Elizabeth gives her some space, understanding she still needs to process what's happened to her.
"I hope you don't mind my foray into your realm, Louise," Teyla tells her. "I was wondering if you needed to maybe talk about what happened..."
Louise is currently kneading dough for her pies as if her life depended on it. She needs to vent off her frustration and cannot even go to the gym or shooting range to do so. She shakes her head but keeps kneading. "Not at all. Have a seat and feel free to make yourself some tea. There are sesame and poppy seed cookies on the top shelf in the pantry begging to be eaten," she tells her friend with a smile, knowing Teyla is partial to those. Teyla sets to work in silence. "Has John sent you here?" Louise asks.
Teyla gives her her trademark grin. "He could have... But no, he did not. I was just wondering when you would finally join us. We all miss you," she points out.
Louise snorts. "Yeah, sure, you betcha!" Then she adds: "Not you girls, of course," referring to Teyla, Elizabeth and Katie.
Teyla nods in understanding. "You don't like the way the boys treat you these days."
"You bet!" Louise pouts.
"They're just being admirative. Not in a discreet way, I agree, but still. You should maybe consider taking it as a compliment." She sees Louise frown.
"I don't see why I should. Suddenly, everyone is looking at me as if I were some kind of monster. I don't like it, Teyla."
"Have you experienced unpleasant remarks?" her friend worries.
"No, not at all! At least not from men. That's the thing, see. Some guys who only treated me as just the caterer suddenly decide to come and talk to me. Why not ask me on a date, while they're at it!" she grumbles.
Teyla winces. "Well, actually..."
Louise lifts her hands with dough still clinging to them and huffs. "Don't tell me it's true!"
Teyla laughs at the horrified look her friend is giving her. "What is so awful about that? Yes, I have heard a few men talking about it. It's not the end of the world, Louise. Michael did do something right after all. Take it as a chance and enjoy the gift."
Louise suddenly looks murderous. "I want names, Teyla. They're gonna regret even thinking it!"
Teyla laughs out loud. "You know what? That is exactly what John said when I mentioned it in passing this morning."
Louise sits on the bench next to her friend, looking dejected. "Oh God, that's all I needed!"
"Speaking of John," Teyla says as she finishes her tea, "are you angry at him once more?"
Louise looks up, nonplussed. "No. I mean, no more than usual..."
He's summoned her to the conference room the next day after her disastrous first mission, just to nail it he's the boss. The interview didn't go well, as she had anticipated.
"Sit, Léger. We need to talk this out," he's ordered her as soon as she arrived.
"No hello, no did you sleep well?" she mocks him.
He glares at her. "It's the subordinate I've summoned here, not the friend. So no hugs and kisses for the moment. You and I both know why you're here."
"Bring it on!" she sniggers. She knows she is in for a major talking-to. Not that she doesn't exactly deserve it but it was so not her fault the universe had decided to be against her that day. She's decided to suck it up.
He tells her about how angry he is at her for breaking the rules and putting her life in danger. She doesn't counter his arguments and waits for them to drain off then she looks at him. "Are you done yet?"
He growls. "You haven't heard a thing of what I just said! You just tuned me out, like every time I say something you don't like! Damn it, Léger! It was your life out there you were risking!"
She sighs. "I heard you. I have nothing to say except I agree to take the blame. Just be honest with yourself though, Colonel, I haven't done anything you wouldn't have done yourself – protect the others instead of my own life. If you didn't want me to do so, maybe you shouldn't set that kind of example," she points out.
He huffs in exasperation then decides he's heard enough. He points to the door. "Get out, Léger. Just get out."
She pouts. "What about my trading mission with the village?"
He glares at her. "For now, chef, Elizabeth and I have agreed you should remain in your kitchen. The deal is off."
She stands and glares at him then stomps towards the door without a word. He lets her leave and remains seated at the table, needing to regroup his thoughts. He combs his hands through his hair tiredly.
She's got a way of angering him and pushing him to his limits no woman has achieved until now – not even Elizabeth when they first started working together. And the issue of her youthful looks isn't helping. Young and reckless! A deadly combination, he sniggers inwardly. If he doesn't keep her on a tighter leash, she'll soon think she's unstoppable and will inevitably get hurt in the process. And that's something he cannot allow to happen.
"John doesn't come round anymore," Louise tells her friend. "Not ever since we had that talk in the conference room."
"Maybe he does not know how to act around you..." Teyla suggests.
"He called me Léger. It says it all. He's pissed and treats me like I have the pox."
"He says you call him Colonel," Teyla points out with a raised eyebrow.
Louise sighs. "That may be true but he started it."
Teyla huffs. "Rodney says you two have to stop bickering. That it is giving him a headache. He is not far from the truth, you know."
"He's one to talk! He and John bicker all the time and no one tells them off!"
"Because it's fun to watch, Louise. Everyone knows it's just for the show. When you two fight, we all worry this time it is for good." Tyela pouts and looks at her hopefully.
"I don't see why I should be the one making amends, Teyla. I only tried to protect people."
"And he only tries to protect you. Do you not see the pattern here?"
"But that's the thing, Teyla. I don't want him to protect me. I've always taken care of myself. And I certainly don't need him bullying men on base to protect my virtue!" she groans, feeling embarrassed at the idea he might have just done so already.
"Well then, you know what you have to do! Get out of your kitchen and ignore the stares. Soon enough, people will forget you were once older."
She walks into the TV room with plates of red and yellow pepper bruchetta balanced precariously on one hand. She's holding a huge bowl of popcorn under her other arm. She's decided to hold her head high, as Teyla has suggested, and not pay attention to what people have to say. She's put on bronze powder and eyeshadow and has even used some perfume for the first time in months. Instead of the uniform she usually wears even when she's not on duty, she's dressed in jeans, boots and a long-sleeved dark blue t-shirt that is hugging her in all the right places. Give them something to stare at, she sniggers inwardly. Maybe they'll talk about her clothes and make-up and not the gift she's been granted by the enemy.
Joh stares and forgets to move to help her, too stunned by her sudden appearance. Teyla elbows him so he finally snaps out of it and walks to Louise and takes the bowl from her hands. "Good evening," she greets everyone. "Thank you, John." He gives her an embarrassed smile. They haven't really talked to each other since that talking-to, just barked at each other occasionally. Her smile mirrors his own.
Ronon stands and takes the plates from her hands. "Thank you, chef," he grins. "For the food and for joining us. We've missed you."
She goes to sit with the others on the sofa. "What are we watching tonight?"
"We haven't chosen yet," Elizabeth tells her. "Why don't you see if you find something to your liking?" She sees John hover next to them, not daring to come closer. She smirks. "Why don't you come and help her, Colonel?" she offers. He eyes his friend cautiously waiting for a rebuttal.
She pats the seat next to her. "There's plenty of room for you too, John. That's your seat, anyway," she says gently.
They're half way through the movie when both finally relax and sit back in the couch. He's settled the bowl of popcorn on his knees and at one point, she swats his hand playfully because he's eating too much of it. He glances at her with raised eyebrows. "Ready for more bickering?" he whispers in her ear, smirking, throwing her a popcorn.
Rodney reacts on cue. "I swear!" he says threateningly.
Louise dissolves into laughter and throws the popcorn back at John. He wraps one of his hands around hers to keep her from doing anything sneaky and smirks. He keeps them there, between them, on the seat, until the credits roll.
He walks Elizabeth back to the transporter. "I'm glad you've settled this disagreement, John. For eveyone's sanity," she adds sarcastically.
He chuckles but sobers up quickly. "She always keeps me on my toes, 'Lizabeth. It's getting old, ya' know."
She smiles at him leniently. "Because you don't keep her on her toes?" she counters.
He shrugs. "I guess I do. Sometimes."
"You two will find your balance. We have," she points out with a fond smile. "Good night, John."
He walks back to the TV room. She's still there, talking to that new guy she had on her short-lived team – Johansen. He's in his early thirties. A marine doubling as a paramedic. Bright blue eyes and chiseled features that make women turn round and smile.
They're animatedly discussing something as he's helping her clean the coffee table. She rewards him with a smile. Ronon is still standing in the doorway, his shoulder leaning against the frame, his arms crossed on his chest, a sneer on his face. "What's going on?" John asks with a frown, seeing there's obviously something Ronon doesn't approve of there.
"He's walked to her as soon as you left the room. To compliment her on her food. He's asked to come round sometime. His mom apparently runs a small diner."
John lifts his eyebrows. "And so?"
Ronon shakes his head. "I don't like where this is going."
John turns his attention to Louise and the marine. "And where would that be?"
"South!" Ronon mutters and leaves.
John bites his lower lip then joins them. "Sweetie," he says purposefully. "You're ready to hit the sack? I'll walk you to your quarters if you want and drop that in the kitchen," he offers, motioning to the empty dishes.
He sees Johansen wince. He had obviously intended to do just so. "Well, Louise, if Colonel Sheppard is available to help you, I'll leave him to it and will see you tomorrow," he says with a bright smile. He turns to John and nods respectfully. "Goodnight, Sir. Louise," he adds, giving her a smile that could light up the whole City.
She smiles back. "Goodnight, Chris."
John waits for him to leave the room. They're alone now. "You're calling him Chris," he remarks. She sees he's not too happy about it. She refrains from smirking.
"Jealous much?" she sniggers.
"Nah," he drawls. "I can call him Chris too if I want."
Rodney comes to him the next morning. "I need to see you in private, Sheppard." He looks worried.
"Close the door," John says. He waits for him to sit. "So, what gives?"
Rodney pouts. "It's not about work."
"Katie?" John tries to guess.
"No. Thanks God, we're good."
Rodney looks smug so John prods some more. "Second or third?" Rodney frowns, not getting it. "Base!" John elaborates, making Rodney turn beet red.
"None of your business, Sheppard!" he protests.
John laughs out loud. "So, if it's not your love life, whose is it?"
Rodney looks embarrassed. "Louise's."
John bites his bottom lip. "Rodney..."
"Don't tell me you're not worried because I know it's a lie. Look, John, I don't like the new guy. He's sneaky."
John laughs. "Don't you think you're exaggerating a bit?"
Rodney tilts his head. "Don't know, Sheppard. What do you think of a guy who has his breakfast with our cook in her kitchen?"
John frowns. "How do you know that?"
"I might have dropped by early this morning to get my own breakfast... He was already there, sitting at the table with her and obviously having a real good time."
He sees the muscle in his friend's jaw twitch characteristically. "She can date whoever she wants, McKay. She's a grown woman," John replies curtly.
"And it doesn't bother you? Or the fact he's much younger than her?" Rodney asks wickedly.
"What bothers me is not relevant in the matter, Rodney, and as for her age, she's now barely a few years older than him, as many men have noticed on base," he sneers. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have work to do as I'm sure you do too," he adds dismissively.
TBC
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