'So Major, you going to tell me about those candles?' asked a voice Evan wasn't expecting to hear.
Evan shifted guiltily in his chair. He hadn't been avoiding Sheppard exactly, it was just that he always had something that needed doing. The one time the two of them had spoken, Sheppard had been distracted and Evan had a meeting with his team to attend. He was planning on heading to bed as soon as his report was finished and hadn't expected to run into Sheppard this late. He really wasn't prepared to answer his question either.
'I only ask because you've never struck me as a scented candles kinda guy. My memories from when that thing was in my head may not be the best, but I do remember you acting weird when we came in and I remember the candles you had smelling... different,' said Sheppard.
Evan ducked his head, he was just going to have to confess and hope he still had a job in the morning, 'close the door?'
Sheppard closed the door and sat in the chair on the other side of the desk, leaning on it, giving Evan his full attention.
'So, um,' stuttered Evan.
'Major, I don't think I've ever seen you this lost for words,' Sheppard teased.
Evan fought the urge to hide under his desk, 'I guess it started after you went missing. With only one of us here, the paperwork sort of started pilling up. It wasn't so bad at first, but then we found you and I got distracted and the most ridiculous requests were included! I don't remember ever having to deal with this much bs when you were away before!'
'Major, I'm not sure I'm following,' said Sheppard, frowning a little.
'It was supposed to be symbolic, cathartic, whatever you want to call it, it was just supposed to be the rejects I swear I didn't know something important got mixed in! It's just that the candles didn't cover the smell as well as I hoped, and then you guys came in, and I panicked an...' Evan trailed off, burying his face into his hands, elbows resting on the desk.
Evan didn't dare look up, even when Sheppard started laughing, 'Major, are, are you trying to tell me that you burned the paperwork?'
Evan nodded, still refusing to look Sheppard in the face, 'Am I fired?'
'Nah,' said Sheppard, 'I'd be lying if I said I'd never felt the urge to do the same. Besides, I believe that you didn't intend to burn anything important. Now I'm going to bed, since I'm sure Oom will find something to offend tomorrow.'
Evan snorted as Sheppard left, somehow he didn't doubt it.
THE END
Was it worth it?