Chapter 15
THREE MONTHS LATER…
Elizabeth sits at her desk working on the data burst for the SGC as John wanders in and takes a seat across from her. He drapes an arm over the back, lazily. He's smirking as usual which tells her immediately that he's up to something. "What?" she asks, not bothering to meet his gaze.
"I believe congratulations are in order," he says slyly.
"For what?"
"For what! For saving the city from Hurricane D'Angelos."
Elizabeth looks up from her work and stares at him, unimpressed. "You want to take credit?"
"Well, it was my idea to put Ronon in charge of her. Have you seen those two? Crazy bunnies if you ask me."
Elizabeth sighs. "No one asked."
"Elizabeth, we haven't had an accident in months. McKay's brain hasn't been rattled since before Ronon took on the job. And since they got together, Ronon's been smiling non-stop…which is kind of scary when you think about it. Plus, no one is walking on eggshells whenever she comes around now. Not even Radner!" He laughs. "She's really settled in as part of the team."
"Helps that she got us that ZPM. Now everyone knows how valuable she is… besides me."
"I know, McKay actually thanked her. Can you believe that? And the teams… the guys she, well, injured. They put together the party for her."
"I do know what happens in the city, Colonel. What's your point?"
He pouts at her with puppy eyes and all, wrinkling his brows. "I just think that credit should go where it's due."
Elizabeth nods. "You know. You are absolutely correct. I should have done this earlier."
John smiles until Elizabeth clicks her headset. "Lt. Cadman, this is Weir, could you please come to my office."
"Cadman? What's—"
Elizabeth holds up a hand then reaches down to her bottom drawer and hauls out a large paper bag. Laura arrives moments later and Elizabeth hands her the bag. "I believe this is yours."
Laura's eyes widen as a huge smile spreads across her face. She opens it and pulls out a two pound bag of Hershey's kisses. "We all thought you forgot."
"I don't welsh," Elizabeth says firmly, but she can't hold back the smirk.
"What's going on?" John asks plaintively.
"Oh," Elizabeth starts. "You men aren't the only ones to have betting pools, Colonel."
"Yeah," Laura adds. "We women tend to go to the less extreme side of things though. Not wagering on when someone's gonna get killed and all."
"And what were you wagering on?"
Elizabeth clears her throat but Laura speaks up. "The cure for Alessa's… disorder… and who might have it." She grins, showing off the bag of chocolate. "I won."
John's brows furrow even more as he shakes his head. "What?"
Elizabeth tilts her head, talking to him as if he's a child. "Her klutziness, Colonel."
"There was a cure?"
Elizabeth and Laura exchange knowing glances and wicked smirks. "Of course," they say together.
"Well… spill!"
Laura looks to Elizabeth who she shakes her head. "Let him figure it out."
"I wager… two weeks."
Elizabeth points her pen at Laura. "I'm in for one. He's not that dense."
"What's going on?"
Laura and Elizabeth simply giggle, leaving John to slouch in his chair, drowning in confusion.
THE END