Chapter 3 – Pride and Prejudice

For those of you who might think my Rodney is too kind and considerate with Louise and might be a little bit out of character, I have to say I've always had a soft spot for this character and I think even though he wears an almost constant scowl, I think it's just a front, like the outfit some people choose to impress their peers. In that, he's very much like Louise who keeps people at arms' length for reasons I'll disclose later and thus might be more at ease with her because they recognize in each other the same pattern.

A big thank you to the people who have reviewed, favorited or are following this story. It's a great incentive to post new chapters :)

No beta so all errors are mine.

Teyla has gone with Hallin to give a head-start to the negotiations and things are going smoothly. "In fact, John, Teyla is saying we might be able to move the missions ahead, which would suit me down to the ground," Elizabeth informs him while she's having breakfast with him in the mess hall. "The supplies are down and we really need to find viable solutions. The Athosian have helped us so far and I know that in the near future they'll be great allies but right now, they've just begun planting on the mainland and won't have a crop for long. I think I don't have to convince you about how vital it is for the expedition we find a steady stream of food supplies in the very near future." He nods briefly. "I sent a memo to the cook," she adds, "telling her to start making her shopping list." Her eyes twinkle at the pun and he smiles back. "She was thorough in her demands, very efficient too as I received her list within the hour." She shows him the document on her tablet. "Teyla has told me that her allies are quite healthy and have a balanced diet. They do not seem to have any dietary deficiency. They even have a sweet tooth – her words, not mine," she chuckles.

"It seems everything is going smoothly," he notices, his eyes twinkling. "I'm sure you don't even need me there, Dr Weir. May I take a few days off to go surfing?" he banters.

She rolls her eyes at his antics. "I do hope, Major, that indeed, for a change, things will go smoothly, as you say, but I don't want to be taking any risks. I need you there with your team, plus Dr Beckett and Louise Léger."

He sighs. "Can I leave Rodney here, Dr Weir. He's really a pain in the ass these days," he pouts.

She crosses her arms on the table and leans toward him. "What did you do to him, John?"

He lifts his arms in mock surrender. "Now, that takes the cake! Come on, you know Rodney!" He fumbles with his tray, avoiding her piercing gaze.

"No puppy look, Major, will get you out of it this time," she playfully warns him. "Rodney told me." She raises an eyebrow and waits for his reply.

He brushes his hand through his ever unruly hair. "You do?" he asks sheepishly. She nods slowly. "Well, what can I say. You know me. Two left feet," he apologizes.

"Well, Major," she chides him, standing, "it's no reason not to fix things. We need Louise down there and we need her to focus. I don't want her feeling uncomfortable around you while she picks and chooses and negotiates."

"Won't you be coming along?" he asks, hopefully.

She shakes her head. "Too much to do here. Besides, one of us needs to stay, in case, and Louise knows what she's doing. Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got a pile of reports that need to be read by lunchtime." She walks briskly to the counter and drops her tray there then as she leaves, looks over her shoulder. "Fix it, Major. Asap."

He hangs his head. "Yes, Ma'am."

He has a debriefing with Teyla and Hallin as they return from the preliminary negotiations. "I assure you, Major, that everything went more than well," she informs him with a smile. Hallin looks pleased too. "Actually, they have thrived since the last time we went there. It was right before we met you. They are keeping their population number under tight control and haven't been culled for a very long time, as was the case for ourselves. And yet, they have developed quite a few techniques that have allowed for much better crop yields. They were thrilled to learn that Dr McKay as well as Dr Beckett would come along to help them both improve them further and provide more efficient remedies for their population." She nods, obviously pleased with the result of their work so far.

"They were also very interested in meeting your head cook. They said they could teach her how to cook their vegetables and in return acquire recipes of her own, if she's willing to share her secrets. I assured them she was a very nice lady and would certainly be impatient to meet them," Hallin adds with a smile.

"Ya know Louise?" John blurts out, befundled.

Hallin regards him in dismay. "Of course, I do, Major. She took care of all of us when we first arrived, making us feel at home, sharing her kitchen and recipes with us. The children love her and I have to say I have taken a strong liking to her fudge brownies."

John turns to Teyla. "Do you know her too?"

She shakes her head. "I only met her twice while bringing the children to her but never stayed. She seems like a nice lady, though."

It gets John thinking. "Teyla. As you know, Dr Weir has asked me to include Ms Léger in our team's mission to Elisia. Would you very much mind briefing her on what to expect?" he tentatively asks.

She nods. "Not at all, John. Do you want me to go now?"

He thinks about it then shakes his head. "No. Could you wait until they've finished for the day. She's usually more available at night. And if you do, could you ask her to send a tray to Dr Weir's office. She usually doesn't get down for dinner and has skipped too many meals lately."

She nods her approval. "Very well, John."

She drops by at his quarters in the evening, after her errand. He lets her in, surprised that she has gone to such length instead of calling him on his communicator. He wonders if anything is the matter. He asks her. "I wanted to tell you in person, Major. Our interview went quite well, actually. No need to worry about it. She's a very nice person, albeit quite reserved. She was still training one of her prep cooks when I came in and I have to say I had quite a good time. She let me participate. We made cookies," she says, beaming, and hands him a brown bag she's been holding by her side. "This is for you," she says with a smile. "Louise said I did well and didn't have to blush of the result. I asked her if she would allow me to bring you some and she said she was sure you'd be pleased."

"She did?" he replies, wincing.

"Well, yes," she replies, surprised. "She also said to tell you you needn't drop by in the evening if it makes you uncomfortable. She has given orders to have a tray sent to Dr Weir's office every evening and will make sure she is kept on a healthy diet."

"She said so?" he replies, embarrassed.

"She did, yes. If I may be bold enough to ask, Major, what happened between you two? She seemed as embarrassed as you are right now. You seem to be relunctant to be in contact with her and I don't see why. She's a nice person, really," she tells him.

"She is, yes. It's just that I don't know how to act around her," he confesses, making Teyla laugh.

"You sure don't have that problem with women, normally," she points out.

He winces. "I don't know about that, Teyla. I don't plan it. It just happens. But Louise, she's different. There's something about her that makes me uneasy and I can't put my finger to it."

"Have you inquired about her? What do you know? Is there something in her past that makes you uncomfortable?" she prods, worried.

"No, not at all. I did discuss her file with Dr Weir. There's really nothing there. That's the whole point. I think there's something in her past she's hiding from us," he explains, wincing again.

"Well, would your General O'Neill know about it?"

"I think he does. Actually, I think he's the one who has allowed for the file to only give vague details about her life the last year and a half or so in Canada and nothing prior to her arrival there," he explains then adds, knowing countries and continents on Earth are still a difficult idea for her to grasp: "She lived on a different continent and in a different country before that."

"Hence the different flag on her jacket," she adds. He nods. "Is this country at war with yours?"

He shakes his head, laughing at the concept. "No, not at all. It's not that. But there's definitely something that's not adding up, like her ability to speak my language with barely a trace of her own accent. I also wonder why she'd want to change lives at her age, whatever life she had before."

"Why don't you ask her?" she offers. He looks at her, amazed. "Yes, John. Maybe she's a little shy and didn't want everyone to know about her past. Maybe all it takes is asking her politely and promising you'll keep it to yourself if she doesn't want word to spread about it. Come on, it can't be that bad, can it?"

He thinks about it for a long moment. "Ever the voice of wisdom, Ms Emmagan," he finally says and she nods her thanks. "But see, I made a blunder the last time I saw her. I don't know how to repair the damage."

"Sometimes, all it takes, John Sheppard, is a sincere apology to set things right," she says before leaving his room.

TBC