Coup d'Etat

John walked into the cafeteria as Helena was coming out of the kitchen. She stopped and greeted him with her usual smile.

"Hello, John. Welcome back."

He smiled back. "Thank you. Wrapping up for the night?"

Helena tilted her head. "I can wait for you. What can I get for one of the Genii's most wanted?"

John grinned. "Do you have anymore that cheesecake you served yesterday?"

Helena shook her head. "You weren't the only one who liked it. The two slices that were left over, I gave to Evan Lorne."

"Both slices?"

Helena raised her eyebrows. "Hey, he's joined the ranks of 'back from the dead' around here. I think that deserves extra dessert, don't you?"

John set his mouth to the side and nodded, reluctantly. "I guess so."

Helena grinned. "Don't pout, John. It's not at all attractive."

"Really, I thought the puppy-dog look was cute."

She narrowed her eyes and shook her index finger at him. "Do you really want to start that up again?"

It was his turn to grin. "Maybe not."

Helena nodded with a smile. "I didn't think so. So," she motioned toward the kitchen. "Is there anything else I could get you?"

"I suppose Ronon's still got the corner on the brownies."

She nodded.

"What else do you have?"

"I have oatmeal-raisin cookies."

He smiled. "That'll do."

She moved into the kitchen and retrieved the cookies. As she handed them to him, she said. "Walk me home, John."

He opened the wax-paper wrapping on the two cookies and nodded. "Sure. It's on my way."

As they walked, she asked. "Wouldn't you have walked me if it wasn't on your way?"

He chewed thoughtfully. "I suppose."

"Wow, are we non-committal tonight, or what?"

He smiled at her.

"You really know how to make a girl feel special."

He wiggled his eyebrows. "You know, I do try."

She rolled her eyes and shook her head. "So this whole staring death in the face thing must be pretty run of the mill now, huh?"

Looking at her as if she'd lost her mind, he shook his head. "No. Somehow it always feels just like the first time. Why is it becoming old to you?"

She looked down the corridor. "It's getting so that I feel I should be starting a tray for the infirmary every time you, Rodney, Teyla or Ronon step through the gate. True, it didn't happen this time, but odds are that it will the next."

He stopped her by taking her by the shoulder. "Hey. What is this? Feeling rather maudlin today?"

She shook her head. "I'm sorry, John. I guess I'm just glad nobody got hurt on this trip."

"Doesn't sound like it."

She rolled her eyes. "Of course I am, John. I'm sorry."

They arrived at her quarters and she opened the door. John frowned down at her as they stood at there. Finally, she reached out and hugged him, knowing he would feel awkward by it, but not caring at this point.

"I am glad you aren't hurt, John. Sorry I was being morose. Maybe I'm coming down with something."

"You have flowers in your room."

She let go of him and frowned. Her eyes followed his to the vase of flowers sitting on the table next to the couch by the window inside her room. "Yes?"

He began to grin. "You don't usually have flowers in your room."

"So?"

"So…who're they from?"

She put her hands to her hips. "And what makes you think they're from anyone? I have contacts on the mainland, why could I have just gotten them for myself?"

John looked as if he didn't believe her. "Right."

She threw her hands up in the air. "I will have you know that I have always been the kind who will buy or pick or order flowers for myself if I want flowers and no one else is sending them. Every once in a while, a body likes to see something alive in one's room."

John shrugged. "Okay. I believe you. But who gave you those?"

She grinned. "Get out of here."

"Come on, 'Lena. Your secret's safe with me."

"Only because we don't have a newspaper in this city."

John laughed. "Ouch! You wound me."

"I'm gonna wound you if you don't stop. Good night, John."

"Good night, 'Lena. I'm watching you."

She rolled her eyes and shook her head with a smile as she walked into her quarters and allowed the door to close behind her. John stood there for a moment, mentally compiling a list of likely suspects. Then he went off to think about evidence that might support a theory.