Life, with a little spice 11
"So, McKay," he asks his chief scientist the next morning over breakfast. "What have we got?"
He takes a gulp at his coffee and makes a face. "Wow, man! Who's made breakfast this morning?" he protests.
McKay scoffs. "Obviously not Louise."
His friend sighs. "I let her sleep. She needs it, McKay," he adds, seeing his friend pout.
"I'm not saying she doesn't. Just that we're in for difficult times whenever she's not manning the kitchens. Those guys she chose to fill in for Bailey – they're really not up to it," he points out.
"We'll have to make do for the time being," John tells him. "So, what have you got?"
"Look, Sheppard, "McKay scowls, "we can't work wonders in no time. I only have a handful of people left and I'm rotating them round the clock. I've got hours of footage and tons of data to search. Needle in the haystack, ya' know. Big, intergalactic haystack."
"How long?" John insists stubbornly.
Rodney rolls his eyes. "Days at the most and that's only if we concentrate on that and that alone."
John huffs. "Look. I know you'd much prefer deal with that time machine or the wormhole drive but they'll have to wait. We need to know if we're safe, first and foremost."
Rodney nods. "I know," he replies despondently. "Any news from the SGC?"
John shakes his head. "No. Not since last night but we can't expect them to make progress that fast either." He stands. "I'll leave you to it. In the meantime, I'm resuming our search of the City. Ceremony's at 13:00. I'll see you then."
He's finally woken her so she may have the time to get ready and have something to eat. The ceremony is simple and very short but everyone still on board is there to attend it. The bearers take the coffin to the SGC and return almost immediately. One of them walks to Sheppard and hands him a piece of paper as the wormhole whooshes closed. "General Landry has asked me to give you this, Sir."
John eyes him cautiously and sees Ronon is doing the same. "Something's the matter, Lieutenant?"
The other man shakes his head and winces. "Don't know, Sir. We were not even allowed outside the gateroom. General Landry ordered us to return to Atlantis immediately. Said the note will explain why."
John nods. "Dismissed. Everyone's headed to the mess hall. Join them. I'll be there shortly."
He waits for everyone to leave before he unfolds the piece of paper. Rodney and Ronon have lagged behind and are waiting for him. He motions for them to join him. "Coded message," he tells them briefly. He walks to the consoles and grabs a pencil then writes on the back of the paper and hands it to them. It reads: "All prisoners murdered. No leads. Will contact you later."
Rodney hangs his head. "It runs even deeper than we thought, Sheppard. What are we gonna do?"
"Seal more sections, put the City on a complete lock-down, resume the interviews. Whatever it takes," Ronon answers for his friend and eyes him for approval.
John nods quietly and sighs. "I need to see Louise. She has a right to know." He walks up the stairs to the tech manning the consoles at the moment. "Go get yourself some food. I'll fill in while you do."
The guy nods. "Thank you, Sir. I'll be right back."
"Take your time. We've got work to do here anyway," John replies. He waits for the tech to leave and taps his headset. "Louise, report to the Control Room, please." His voice holds enough strain that she doesn't need to ask to know something is awfully wrong. She puts one of her temporary under-cooks in charge and leaves at a run, shadowed by Shep who's not left her side ever since she woke up.
John then calls his wing-man and asks him to bring Zelenka with him. He turns to his two friends. "We need to discuss what's next," he winces. "I know a certain lady who's not gonna like our new security protocols."
"You got to be kidding me, right?" she yells, slapping her hands on the conference room where they've moved the meeting. He can't help smirking. She's so very different from the shy little lady who'd sat in that very room for her first briefing more than five years ago. She points at him accusingly. "And don't you dare smirk, Mister!"
She hears Lorne snort and turns to him, glaring. "Evan," she warns him. He presses his lips together and glances at his CO. He sees his lips turn up just a tad and knows he'd better look away before they both snort again.
"I wish I were, sweetie," John tells her, sobering up. "Look. It's neither our fault nor the SGC's," he tries to explain patiently.
She huffs. "I had promised these people they would be safe and now not a single one is alive to tell us what the hell is happening."
"Language, Léger," he growls.
She rolls her eyes but plods on. "I say our only chance is to go back to that planet and maybe find more clues and you say you want to isolate us from the whole world, including the SGC? What's wrong with you?" she demands.
"General Landry's orders, Louise," Lorne points out. "Colonel Sheppard is only following orders here."
She scoffs, looking royally pissed. "We need answers, Evan! And we won't get any holing up here."
John stands and stares her down. "You're not this City's leader, sweetie, so heed my words. You do as you're told. Period. I'm issuing new orders as of now and they're good enough for anyone on base, including the leader's girlfriend," he points out, his eyes boring into hers.
She looks away, blushing. She knows he's referring to her tendency to always try and bend things to her will. She rolls her eyes and stands. "Are you done already?" she huffs.
He pouts. She's acting like a damn teenager again. He waves her towards the door. "Yes, Louise. You may return to your beloved kitchen but stay there until I come and get you."
She huffs and stomps to the door without so much as a goodbye.
Lorne raises his eyebrows. "She's even more feisty than usual, Sir," he remarks to his CO.
"Yep," Sheppard scoffs and gets himself looks of sympathy. He huffs. "I'm good, you guys. She'll come round... Soon enough," he adds despondently.
She doesn't see him much in the days that follow. He's assembled teams of military and scientists alike he feels he can trust and they're working on painstakingly sealing whole sections of the City. He mostly sleeps in his office and has ordered her back in her former quarters where he can keep an eye on her. She's begged to help but he's adamantly refused to let her, contending she's more useful minding her own staff. Shep now stays with her at all times as does her P14 she carries with her everywhere – Colonel Sheppard's orders.
He has conference calls with the SGC every day but they haven't made progress so far and he hardly has any good news to send their way either. They've endeavored to interview more people and she has too – devoting most of her free time to scouring the files of her own staff and summoning them one by one. So far, she hasn't made progress.
"Would you like me to prepare something for you, Ma'am?" her current under-cook asks her. She realizes she's zoned out again, her hand poised over her tablet.
She looks up at him and smiles tiredly. "No, thank you, I'm good, Bill."
He bites his bottom lip. "Ma'am, with all due respect, you've been sitting at that table for three hours straight and it's way past lunchtime," he tells her. He winces. She's in charge and he doesn't want to sound like he's chiding her.
She waves at him dismissively. "I'm OK, Sergeant. If I need food, I can cook it myself, you know," she points out, a little too curtly.
He snorts, making her grin involuntarily. Her job is sometimes a lonely one. She's technically in charge of everyone working in the kitchen and was cautioned a long time ago by Major Lawrence against treating any of them as equals.
Ever since Kyle was murdered, almost a fortnight ago, she's tried to decide how to treat her new under-cooks. With Kyle it was easy. She'd known him for a long while and had chosen him. The new ones have been assigned by default, including Bill Cox because he seemed resourceful. She has to admit all three have worked their asses off to make sure things would run as smoothly as possible.
She smiles at him. "Sorry. I'm a bundle of nerves. And that was nice of you to ask." She stands and walks to the pantry. "You're right. I should eat."
When she returns after having her shot and walks to the walk-in cooler, she sees he's still standing next to the table, seemingly waiting for her. "Do you wish to discuss something, Sergeant?" she asks him kindly.
He shakes his head. "No, Ma'am. I was just awaiting your orders."
She briefly smiles. "My order is for you to get yourself a cup of that coffee you've just made and join me at the table."
An hour later, they're still sitting at said table and conversing quietly, both their tablets propped in front of them, when John ambles into the room. It's almost three and it's the first time she sees him that day. She turns to him and feels all the tensions of the day suddenly leave her. She walks up to him but stops when she realizes they're not alone in the room.
Sergeant Cox takes the hint and stands at attention. "Sir?" he says, awaiting orders. John nods for him to feel free to leave.
Cox nods and turns to Louise. "Would you like me to take up stock for you, Ma'am?"
She giggles. "Yes, do that, Sergeant," she says and points at her clipboard on the table. "I need to know when I'll have to inform Colonel Sheppard we need to implement food restrictions," she banters, eying the latter mischievously.
Cox's lips turn up. "Yes, Ma'am," he says before heading to the transporter.
"Made a new friend, sweetie?" John baits her.
She rolls her eyes. "Don't tell me you're gonna pull that jealousy stunt on me again!" she sniggers.
He wraps her in his arms now they're alone and breathes her in. "Nope, Ma'am. I know you're all mine," he answers cockily, trailing kisses down her neck, making her sigh with content.
"Found the way to my kitchen again, flyboy?" she teases him, kissing him too.
He pulls her flush to him and sighs. "Sorry about that. Don't have much time these days."
She cuddles in his arms, too happy to have a few minutes of his time. "Don't apologize, John. I know you're doing the best you can." He rewards her with a kiss that makes her grow weak. "Will I see you tonight?" she asks hopefully. He pouts and she knows she'll probably sleep alone tonight once more. She tries not to look too disappointed. They haven't spent a single moment together since he came to see her that day they fought in the conference room.
"Do I need to yell at you to get some more angry sex?" she whispers in his ear, reminding him of the yet too short time they'd spent together that afternoon.
He groans and pulls her even closer. She feels him harden and smirks. "I wish I could, Louise," he tells her, crushing her hopes.
She sighs and wraps her arms around his waist, not wanting to let him go just yet. "I need you, John. So much," she confesses. She trails kisses on his chest and he closes his eyes, schooling himself.
"Louise, I can't. And we need to cool down. Shall I remind you there are cameras everywhere?" he chides her.
She huffs and pushes away from him. "Damn, John. You do know how to spoil the fun!" she scoffs.
He sighs. "Louise. I didn't come down here to fight. I simply don't have the time," he huffs, aggravated she won't understand.
She looks ashamed. "Sorry. It's just I miss you. Surely, you need to sleep. I promise to let you. Please, sleep with me tonight," she begs with pleading eyes.
She wakes up in the wee small hours of the morning. John is not in bed with her and she can hear him talking on his headset in the bathroom. She sits in bed as he walks back into the room. They've barely had a few hours sleep – not close enough to make up for their lack of it. He's fully clad and sits on the side of the bed to lace his boots. "SGC's called. They're sending someone," he informs her before heading for the door.
"You were never one for long speeches, John," she banters.
He passes his hand over the sensor, opening the door of their quarters, and turns to her briefly. His eyes crinkle. "Sorry. I would love to sit and chat over a cup of tea," he banters back, making her snort, "but it so happens I need to be in the Control Room when he arrives."
Her eyebrows shoot to her hairline. "So soon?" she wonders.
He shrugs. "They say he's an expert and they trust him. He's agreed to come and help us find any remaining spies on board."
"Who's "he", John?" she insists, seeing his look of worry.
"You wouldn't know his name," he counters. She looks at him expectantly so he elaborates. "Odai Ventrell."
She gasps and it's his turn to look surprised. "I do know that name. Cam told me about him. Worked with him. He's a bounty hunter, John!" she protests. "How can they trust him?"
He pouts. "IOA and Homeworld Security's decision. We have no say in the matter."
"But..." she protests but he cuts her off.
"Louise, I know what you're thinking but my hands are tied. They've finally arrested the assassin that had infiltrated the SGC and it so appears it was thanks to Ventrell's expertise." He walks to the door. "I'll keep you posted. I need to go."
"Wait!" she calls after him. "I'm coming with you."
He shakes his head. "No, you're not. No need for you to come barging in when he arrives," he points out, knowing she'll do just that.
She stands and puts her hands on her hips, royally pissed, and glares at him. "John..." she warns him.
He snorts and his eyes twinkle with mirth. "You're so beautiful when you're angry," he says, looking her up and down appreciatively.
She pouts. "I think I've heard that somewhere already," she retorts.
He waggles his eyebrows playfully. "And it's really a bummer I don't have time for this right now because I love that tiny little thing you call pjs," he adds wickedly.
She feels her temperature rise on cue. "Not fair," she pouts.
"Not fair to me either, sweetie," he reminds her. "I need to concentrate and you're not helping."
She smirks and he shakes his head before heading for the door. "And don't get fooled. When I have a minute, you need to tell me all about how you know Colonel Mitchell to begin with," he says as he leaves the room.
She rolls her eyes and heads for the bathroom. His jealousy is all an act to keep her on her toes now but it does feel good to know he listened. She takes a quick shower and gets ready for her day even though it's much too early.
Harry Blakeley, her third under-cook, is already onto it when she arrives in the kitchen, making coffee. She hides her disappointment at her arriving too late. The guy knows how to do many things but coffee is definitely not part of those. She's already had enough complains in her inbox to make her ponder coming clean about it but he's so eager to help, she's been reluctant until now.
She tsks and walks up to him. "Morning, Sergeant," she greets him. "I'd like to have a word..."
By the time the staff has arrived, she's made him prepare several pots that have ended up in the sink. The fourth one is finally acceptable and she decides to leave it at it for the moment. She nods at him and directs her attention to the rest of the staff though her mind wanders at moments to John's office and the newcomer.
She hated the whole idea of having Atlantis cut off from the rest of the world but she hates it even more to know they're bringing in a stranger amongst them. Who knows what trouble he can get them into? She smirks thinking it's exactly what she'd thought about John at first but she also remembers Cam's words about Ventrell and bounty hunters in general.
"No matter how hard you try not to be judgmental and condescending with them, Louise, those people will never change. Deep down, they can't be trusted. It's in their deepest nature to betray, even those they call their friends," he'd told her.
It's only later during the morning shift that John drops by with a tall, muscular man who seems to be sporting a permanent frown on his face. She looks at them from afar, pondering getting nearer but not daring, in case she'd get on John's wrong side again. He looks up and smiles at her briefly then steers the newcomer towards the buffet. He introduces him to Louise. The other man nods quietly at her, watching her, but not uttering a word. He could make a duet with Ronon, she sniggers inwardly. "Can I serve you anything, people?" she offers.
John pouts. "Did you make coffee?" he asks hopefully.
"Blakeley did," she counters him and sees him scowl. She giggles. "Under my supervision," she adds. "Would you like some?" They both nod. She adds a couple of blueberry scones on their trays, not asking. Ventrell lifts his eyebrows at it. She rolls her eyes. "Breakfast is the most important meal of the day," she tells him. Ventrell snorts.
"Wait till you taste her food," John advises him and winks at her. "Thanks, sweetie," he adds, surprising her. They're almost always "Colonel" and "Chef" when in public. She sees Ventrell smirk knowingly. She makes a face. She really doesn't need to be seen as John's fragile girlfriend.
"Welcome, Colonel," she replies. He nods and heads for a table with Ventrell in toe.
She comes round some time later to offer them more coffee. John draws a chair for her. She pouts, embarrassed. "Sit, Léger. Ventrell here knows about you. No need to keep up pretense. Besides, there are things we'd like to discuss," he adds.
She smiles briefly and sits next to him. She folds her hands on her lap and waits, observing the man on the other side of the table. He's looking at her intently. "What?" she finally demands, feeling awkward.
He sneers. "Nothing. Am I making you nervous?" he asks pointedly.
She winces. The guy does have something in him she doesn't like. She knows she might be too quick to judge, especially as Mitchell had warned her against his kind, but she can feel that fear creeping up her spine again. "I guess. Mitchell told me about you," she tells him truthfully.
He lifts his eyebrows. "And he told you I was a bad guy, never to be trusted, right?"
She shrugs. "Might have. Why did they send you here?" She asks him.
"You're not one to beat about the bush," he remarks.
She shrugs again. "It saves time. And I'm not very patient. So?" she demands.
"Louise," John chides her.
She turns to him, exasperated. "You guys wanted to talk to me, so talk! I don't have all day."
"You're the key to this whole thing, obviously, Ma'am," the bounty hunter tells her. "I agree with Colonel Sheppard that for the moment it would be unwise to gate back to the planet where you were to be abducted..." She rolls her eyes. "But I'm sure there's plenty of information we can find right here and I need you to help me. Colonel Sheppard has agreed to lend you to me," he adds, making her eyebrows shoot to her hairline, so he adds, sniggering, "So to speak..."
TBC
Extract from Louise's Cookbook:
For 8 scones:
2 cups flour, sifted
1/2 cup sugar
2 and 1/2 tsp baking powder
2 pinches baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter, frozen then shredded with a fork
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 egg
1/2 cup blueberries or dried cranberries with a Tbsp orange juice
Mix the first 5 ingredients. Add the butter and beat with the flat hook of the kitchenaid then add the cream and egg. Do not overwork the dough.
Add the fruit.
Make a ball then press into a disk on a dusted surface. Cut in 8 and separate.
If you want different fillings and glazings, make individual scones at once and shape them with a knife into triangles.
Put on a baking sheet and sprinkle with light brown sugar.
Bake for 20 mn or until golden and cooked through.
Cool then glaze by drizzling the glazing on the scones with a tablespoon.
Basic glazing:
1 cup confectioners' sugar
3 Tbsp cream or half-and-half
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
Whisk and add 1 Tbsp orange juice and 1/2 tsp orange zest for the cranberry/orange version or 1/2 Tbsp lemon juice and 1/2 tsp lemon zest for the blueberry version.
These scones can be frozen very easily in ziploc bags and thawed overnight in the fridge. Warm them 15s in the microwave oven before eating.