This short story is set between episode 12 and 13 of season 2 and is written from the POV of Colonel Young. Please note that english isn't my native language so please forgive me my mistakes (but feel free to show them to me). If you are able to read german, look up the german version of my story.

Update: some minor and major grammar updates.

I don't own SG:U and the SG:U characters.

Trust

"... and I tell you, that was quite a mess ... and by far the most embarrassing thing I've ever experienced on a mission.", he heard Varro say. At these words TJ's bright, cheerful laugh followed. Young had kept hold on his way to the infirmary when he became aware that the Lucian was there. As so often lately ...
All of a sudden Everett wanted to return on the heel and rush back to the bridge. But he knew that this would be such childish behavior. Just as it was childish to stand in the hallway and listen to TJ and Varro, and yet it was clear that he did just that.

"But you know that you've commited yourself to me with this story?" he heard TJ say amused, "I've got you in my hands for now! If you don't want the whole Destiny to get to know about this story!", she continued, with played menacing voice, but again she ended with a short laugh.

Young bit hard - too hard - on his lower lip, then shook his head to himself, breathing in and out deeply for a moment, then stepped around the corner. He had a distant but polite smile even if he could swear that both TJ and Varro just had to see how fake it was.

But TJ turned to him with a surprised but friendly "Colonel Young, hi!". There it was again. Her radiant smile, which formally brought her eyes to light up. A lump sat firmly in Young's neck when he got the thought that this smile wasn't due to him.
Varro nodded with his usual restrained politeness, threw a fleeting glance at TJ and apologized on the pretext of wanting to pick up some boxes of medical supplies from the warehouse. TJ looked after him as he left the infirmary and then turned to Young.

"What's up?" she asked gently, still dominated by the serenity of the conversation with Varro.
"You two get along well?"Young said, trying to sound as unconcerned as possible. But TJ knew him well enough, so she pulled up a skeptical eyebrow.
"You mean Varro? He's a great help to me in the infirmary. Has a very solid basic knowledge of first aid and really knows many natural healing methods ... Herbs and so on!"
"And you trust him?" Young wanted to know. He avoided looking directly at TJ. Instead, he let his gaze wander over the establishment, as if to inspect .
The skepticism did not differ from TJ's gaze.
"Well I ... shouldn't I?"
"You don't answer a question with another question, TJ. He's a Lucian, after everything that's happened with Simeon, we can't be too careful."
"It was different with Simeon. Listen, I know that it is difficult to trust a man, who was involved in the almost loss of the ship and our lives, but ..."
"He was involved in the loss of your baby, TJ." he corrected her.

However, at the same moment Young regretted his words. His gaze flickered over her face and he could see how her features hardened. A sad shadow fell over her blue eyes and she gritted her teeth hard together.

"Did you come by to talk with me about Varro, Everett? Or about Carmen? As I recall, you had the opinion that there was nothing to talk about." TJ replied with a modified pitch. Young had expected that she would sound reproachful - instead he was surprised by the almost emotionless coldness of her voice. It made him shiver. Did they both got this far away from each other...?

"No." he said quickly, trying to sound conciliatory. Since he didn't know what to do with himself and his gaze, he took a pair of operation-scissors of a small table which stood not far from them. TJ crossed her arms defensive over her chest and looked at him expectantly.

"We've found a suitable planet to which we'll soon send a team to increase our inventories. I wanted to know if you need anything." he said and put the scissors away.

TJ was silent for some time, in which she simply continued to stare at Young, without batting corners of the mouth. "Yes in fact, I need a few things. I'll be at the gate in twenty minutes. And if possible I would like to have Dr. Park in the team. By now she knows very much about different kinds of plants." she said, but her eyes spoke of other words. Words about trust. Words of reproach. And a questioning 'Why, Everett? Why do you behave like that?'.
TJ finally looked him in the eyes again .
"And Varro. He also has a thorough knowledge of medicinal plants." she said. For a second, Young held his breath. Was this the answer to the question whether she trusted Varro? Young wondered feverishly if he should say anything, could say anything to defuse the tense atmosphere between them.

"Good. I will also instruct Greer to accompany you." was all he ended up saying. He turned on his heel and was about to leave the infirmary when he held for a moment and turned with a soft sigh to TJ again.
"I'm sorry, TJ. I didn't mean..."
".. I know Everett." Even TJ sighed briefly and then smiled at him helplessly. Young smiled and nodded curtly.
"Just... just be careful who you give your trust." he said before he finally left the infirmary.

Because I don't deserve your trust., he thought as he walked down the aisle alone .