Strange Bedfellows

Chapter 2: Gloating and Jealousy

Elizabeth Weir was pleased with herself. Not only had she agreed to a deal with the Klaans that would ensure the Atlantis crew food for months, she had also yielded only some superfluous medical supplies to the locals. It was a steal of a deal. She couldn't wait to rub it in to John. And he didn't even want me on this mission. Ha! Maybe I should forbid him from eating any of the food we just traded for, and then we'll see how he feels, she thought jokingly to herself.

All in all, it had been a successful past few days on Klaan. The head of the civilization, a tall, well-built man in his mid-forties with a chiseled face named Hergon, proved to be a tough -- but fair -- negotiator, as Teyla had promised. He had insisted that both she and Teyla adhere to the trading customs of the Klaan people, which included an entire day of just introductions. During this time, the Klaan had learned little more than their names and their current situation. They didn't even know she was the leader of their group and had instead assumed she was merely a diplomat. Elizabeth was reluctant to tell them more until she got to know them better. She did learn that the Klaan were a mostly peaceful people, only fighting when attacked by neighboring civilizations. They were simple farmers, not very technologically advanced at all. What truly amazed, though, was the size of the civilization. Hadn't the Wraith been here recently? Rodney had said something about ancient text in the ruins that described many visits from Wraith ships. Surely, then, these people must have found a primitive way of combating the Wraith. Elizabeth made a mental note to ask Hergon about it, but not now… she didn't want to push her luck with him.

She could tell John didn't like him. When they were introduced nearly four days ago, she noticed there was some friction between them. They had shook hands, both men trying to squeeze the other's hand harder. She had had to roll her eyes at that one. Men. Doesn't matter what galaxy they're from, they're always trying to be macho. After the two had separated, John had stuck close to Elizabeth, always keeping a watchful eye on Hergon. She had found it amusing, especially now that negotiations were over. Hergon was ever the gentleman the entire time and had never forgotten his role of host.

Dr. Weir spotted Major Sheppard, Lt. Ford, and Dr. McKay approaching her and Teyla. My chance to gloat… She just wanted to have a little fun with him, that's all. She noticed his eyes were sweeping the town square in which they were standing, looking for anything suspicious. Ever since they had arrived on the planet, she noticed that he had been acting strange, wary even, but he hadn't said anything.

"How'd it go, ma'am?" Ford was the one to ask.

"Excellent." She couldn't keep a smile from her face. "We traded some medical supplies for enough food to last us through December." She looked at Sheppard's face to gauge his reaction. Nothing. Damn.

"Hergon proved to be a steadfast leader and trader, but Dr. Weir was able to better him," Teyla added with a smile of her own.

Elizabeth continued. "With Teyla's help, we were able to express a basic knowledge of local customs, which are luckily similar to that of the Athosians. This seemed to impress the Klaan people, and from there…. Major Sheppard? Major Sheppard, are you even listening?"

"Hmmm? What?" Dammit. He had been scanning the square again. I have to stop doing that… everything is fine. See? The trades are over and that means we can all get out of here. "Sorry, Elizabeth. I was distracted." What a lame excuse. She's going to think I'm paranoid…. Am I paranoid?

A smile slowly spread across her features as it dawned on her. "You were looking for Hergon, weren't you?" This earned smiles from the rest of the group as well, and Ford tried unsuccessfully to hide his. The entire team knew about his dislike for the Klaan leader; it was obvious.

"What? No! Of course not. I was just…."

"Looking for Hergon?" Teyla helped out.

"Yes, exactly. I mean no!" John sighed. He was digging himself a hole. "I just don't trust the guy, okay?" He spotted Ford. "What are you smirking at?" he asked defensively, at which Ford immediately wiped the grin from his face.

"Don't trust the guy? John, Teyla and I just spent the past four days brokering a more than fair deal with him. He was pleasant and fair the entire time. How can you not trust him?"

"I don't know, alright? It's just a feeling…." John had learned years ago during his days in flight school in the Air Force to trust his instincts. They can save your ass in a tight spot.

Elizabeth scoffed at him. She couldn't believe what he was hearing. First, he didn't even want her on this mission, and now, after she had just pulled off the biggest steal in the history of human kind, instead of congratulating her he was doubting her?

Sheppard pulled her aside, away from the group. He hunched over and whispered, careful to not let any wandering Klaan overhear. "Elizabeth. Listen. There's something not right about this place, not just about Hergon. I don't like it, and I want my team our of here ASAP, so if you've finished with the details--"

"No, we're not finished," replied Elizabeth strongly. "Hergon has invited us to a celebratory feast tonight to conclude the negotiations. So I suggest you get over you childish jealousy of the man and at least pretend to enjoy tonight's festivities," advised Dr. Weir as she looked Sheppard straight in the eye. She may have been a few inches shorter than he, but she refused to be intimidated. She honestly couldn't believe what had just happened. Sheppard was pea-green with envy that someone might possibly be more macho than him, and so he wanted to pull his team out and go sulk.

"Jealousy? Liz, open your eyes! There's something definitely wrong with the guy. I just don't like you being alone." A pause. "With him." Another pause. "Without me there," was the last part, spoken quietly and quickly under his breath. He inwardly cringed. That didn't come out quite like I planned it. God, this is embarrassing. I feel like a goddamn fool.

Elizabeth crossed her arms in front of her. "I'm sorry, what was that last part? I didn't quite catch it."

John sighed. He guessed that she probably knew exactly what he had just said, but wanted to see him squirm. "I said, I don't want you being with Hellion--"

"Hergon," an unamused Elizabeth corrected.

"-- without me being there," finished Sheppard, a little louder this time.

Dr. Weir, arms still crossed and eyes narrowed, adopted a defensive posture. "So that's what this is about? You being jealous that I am showing more attention to him than to you? What are you, a two-year-old?"

"What? No, Liz--"

"Major Sheppard," interrupted Elizabeth, using his formal title to indicated she was the one with the authority. "This is an extremely important trading mission, so unless you want to starve, I suggest you grow up. When we return to Atlantis, I advise that you get you priorities straight. If you do not, meaning if you do not learn to put the priorities of your team and of Atlantis before your own, I will be forced to prohibit you from Gate travel. Is that clear?"

She was met with a frosty stare. When he opened his mouth to say something, she cut him off once more. "Now, if we're quite finished?" Her tone indicated that they were, and she stormed off to rejoin the group.

He stared after her as she continued to walk away. He was too shocked to move. Here he was looking out for the safety of his team, for her own goddamn safety, and she calls him jealous? Son of a bitch! he thought. Fine. We'll get through tonight's little feast, which will go off without a hitch, and which I am going to, he decided, and then we can all go home. She can call me a paranoid ass for all I care. If it means getting home in one piece, she can call me whatever the hell she wants to. He tried to convince himself everything was going to be fine, that they would be home in a few hours, but he couldn't shake the occasional chill that ran up his spine.

TBC


Another set-up chapter. There will be one more, and then the action is going to start. Review please!