CHAPTER 49 – BABYSITTING DUTIES
He was feeling more than just a little grumpy by the time he made it back to Elizabeth's office. She looked at him reprovingly when he walked in and flopped somewhat crankily in the chair in front of her desk.
"Colonel - I thought I made it quite clear that I wanted no one in that room, at least until we had some firm understanding of what it actually was. And without Rodney here... let's just say that it may be a long term decision. I don't know that there is anyone else here qualified enough to poke around in unknowns such as that rift. And who knows what else might be in that room? I don't even think Rodney was qualified enough to deal with those black theories. Please don't tell me that Gina was down there again..."
"I could tell you that, but I'd only be lying..."
"Damn it John. I need you to keep her reined in for now. Until she gets her sea legs so to speak. Not only has she undergone a traumatic experience, she's got to find her feet in this galaxy before she tackles any of Rodney's half touched work. I insist on that John, and expect you to enforce it."
"You want me to play the heavy with her? Tried that this morning, and it didn't go down so well. She thinks Rodney needs her to finish something. Far be it from me to interfere between whatever little arrangement that they sorted out between them, I totally agree with you. She does need to start off slow, but she's headstrong and determined. And I don't have as much say in the matter as I'd like. I don't think the heavy handed approach is the best one with her. She needs a little more discreet managing... if you get my drift."
"You have a plan I take it Colonel? I want her to fit in here, and I don't think leaping head on into Rodney's brain waves is the way to do it. She'll overload and crash and burn."
"A plan in progress. With Ronon and Teyla's help. We'll keep her too busy to have any spare time to fit any of Rodney's work into her routine. For now anyway. But I'm certainly not going to let her into my little plan. She's got more than just steel in her spine. She's got one fiery little temper on her, and I kinda want to stay on her good side - at least as much as I can, right now. If you know what I mean..."
Elizabeth gave a small smile. "Copy that John. Let me know if you need me to 'guide' her into anything particular. I agree about the heavy handed approach - works with some, kid gloves and subtley have a better effect with others. Good luck. Before you go... have you noticed anything different or unusual since Rodney left? Nothing that appears to have changed? I need everyone to be vigilant about possible ripples - anything suspicious I need reported to me immediately. Sam Carter has taken this little project under her wing - she took Rodney's leaving quite hard and will fill some of the gap he left behind. She's keen to work with Gina also, but I have stressed to her the need to let her ease in slowly and Sam agrees. Sam wants to hear about anything that seems off in the slightest way, so let your security people know especially - they get around the city more than most and I need all eyes for this one."
Elizabeth paused, as though to give weight to her words. "Be very careful John - subterfuge and dishonesty is not the way to start out with a new relationship, certainly not what I would recommend. But I don't want her getting in too deep either. If you find you can't deal with it let me know. I have some distance from this and as base commander perhaps coming from me will add more weight. Remember that she's an intelligent woman and sees more than most. She'll see through you pretty quickly if you play games with her."
"Ok, so if we're done with the counselling session, perhaps I could go and get some work done."
His voice had hardened and she saw that she had angered him but that couldn't be helped. These people in Atlantis were her responsibility, under her rule and guidance and she would ensure that rules were kept as she saw fit. John chose sometimes to flout them, and she gave him more leeway than most, as she had done with Rodney who more than often had his own agenda. Gina was still an unknown quality and needed to be handled with kid gloves until they knew exactly how she would fit in here. John seemed on board with that, but Elizabeth would have preferred a more honest approach - sit her down and tell her exactly what she could and couldn't do in the city. But perhaps John knew her better than she did. His call for now, but she would certainly step in if she saw the need.
"Go Colonel, but remember what I told you. Subterfuge will only come back to bite you where it hurts. Sam wants to have a talk to her anyway - she wants to explore the family connection - her father Jacob being Gina's first cousin. I know she would like to hear about Jacob's childhood and no boundaries will be crossed in talking about the past at least. I'll make sure Sam keeps things simple with her for now and I know she will agree. They are family as well as soon to be colleagues, so Sam can teach her more than just a few simple tricks. Sam is keen to come and spend some time here in Atlantis, to take over from me for a while."
At this news John's face registered shock. "You're leaving Atlantis Elizabeth?"
"I've been thinking about it for some time now, I need to go back to earth for a while, personal business. I've had a chat with General O'Neill and it was he who suggested Sam take my place here and it will fit in quite nicely with Rodney leaving. I know Rodney had plans for Gina, but we need someone with his level of experience and he would have known that we would never rely on an unproven scientist, especially not on a base like this where decisions made often affect other planets and can have a flow on effect into our own galaxy. The IOA would never have gone for it, and while I follow Rodney's thought processes, as much as anyone is ever able to follow them, they will only accept her here in a scientific capacity if she was under the supervision of an approved scientist. Sam fits the bill for both roles. Take over as base commander and chief scientist."
"Talk about hit into left field Elizabeth! I had no idea. When will this happen?" John was stunned. He imagined that Elizabeth would be here for the duration, after all it was her doing that got them here in the first place. She was the one with the drive and determination to cut through all the red tape to make it here. It seemed wrong that she abandon it now just when things were getting interesting.
"Sam will be here next week John, and the official handover will take place then. So far, I've kept it all under wraps. Better that way, then I'll do a city annoucement before Sam comes, to smooth the way for her. She's a good commander and she'll run this place well. She might even succeed in keeping you in line."
"Good luck to her with that one Elizabeth. I do try to toe the line sometimes... but other times, I just have to go with my gut, those spidey senses that keep me in check. I trust them, and have to let them take the lead. Not so much flouting the rules as simple arrogance that my way is the best."
"Well John, with Sam being military trained, perhaps things will run a little differently. You're excused for now. Go find that lady of yours and start getting her settled into life here in Atlantis. We'll talk again.. later."
He found Ronon in the mess, seated in front of a tray piled with food, contentedly munching through the stack while engaged in a good natured debate with Major Lorne. Ronon found it hard to let his guard down enough to trust and enjoy the company of many of the Atlantis personnel, and it was good to see that he appeared to be getting on with Lorne. Rather than scaring the crap out of him. Face it, most of the personnel here were terrified of Ronon. He walked around with a brooding angry face most of the time and towered head and shoulders above the majority of personnel therefore didn't exactly open the channels of friendship.
"Ronon. Lorne. Hope what's on your plate is more edible than it looks. Seriously. I need to have a word with Elizabeth about the food here. It has gone from bad to worse." He paused, waiting for the two men to acknowledge him and asked. "Has anyone seen Gina around?"
"Thought we were tag teaming her for now..." Ronon spoke around a mouthful of green jello, the earth expression rolling off his tongue a little awkwardly and John found himself fascinated as the large spoonful wobbled precariously on the way to his mouth. But held.
Lorne raised an eyebrow at the two men. "Tag teaming her? Is there a security risk I need to know about?"
"Nah Lorne. Babysitting duties. Sheppard here wants her to stay out of trouble – at least out of Rodney's work for now – so we're tag teaming her. Keeping her busy training her and stuff." Ronon finished the jello, and after lifting an eyebrown at Lorne's one and receiving a nod, he reached across and was quickly working his way through a second one. John shuddered, wondering just where the man managed to put all that food.
"Want me to help Colonel Sheppard? I could run some weapons training, fitness testing, other basis boot camp activities. She'll be so exhausted at the end of the day that bed will be the only thing she'll manage." He too watched in fascination as Ronon worked his way through the jello.
"I don't want her too tired at night... if you know what I mean!" Ronon gave a bark of laughter and Lorne coloured slightly – not having been privy to such conversations with the Colonel before, it felt a little strange.
"I'm sure I could manage to conserve a little bit of energy. But I can certainly keep her occupied. I'm guessing this is on the sly? The lady in question is not to know what we're up to?"
"Copy that Lorne – but remember, she's certainly a smart one, so keep it on the down low. Or we're busted. Or more appropriately, I'm busted and that could likely mean pain to a certain part of my anatomy. And I'd rather like to avoid that."
"Roger that Colonel – I'll keep tabs on her and step in when I need to. Gentlemen. I'm off to finish off some much needed mission reports." Lorne left the mess and John turned to Ronon.
"So big guy – where is she?"
"The mainland. Teyla took her there."
John spat out the sip of coffee he had just taken. "The Mainland? Damn it, I wanted her to stay here in Atlantis for now."
"You didn't say anything about not leaving Atlantis. She's safe Sheppard – relax. Teyla is introducing her to the Athosians and will show her around over there. Nice and easy. They'll be back later this afternoon, then it's my turn with hand to hand training. My way."
John groaned to himself. Gina was going to be exhausted, Carson was going to be furious, and Gina if she found out what he was doing – his life would be a failed football play.
Better not get caught then John – and if you do? Plead ignorance and smile. Generals, women, little old ladies and... dogs.