Chapter 5 – Cinnamon rolls

Hoping whoever is out there, reading this story, will keep on doing so. I only mean to please ;)

I know my character is complex and might seem frustrating and awkward at times. I hope you'll like her nonetheless.

She is early the next morning for the meeting and very nervous. She's awoken even earlier than usual to cook breakfast before heading to the conference room. She's never been there before. Only important people do, she reflects. It's gonna be so awkward. I wonder if I give them a precise list, maybe they'll allow me to stay here.

"Good morning, Ms Léger." She should have known. The leader of the expedition is reknown for always being very punctual, setting a strict example for the rest of the expedition.

"Good morning, Ma'am," she replies politely, her hands fidgeting at her sides. She doesn't like to leave her work area. Even the mess hall doesn't make her comfortable except at night when no one is there anymore. She's impressed to meet Elizabeth. Of course, she's seen her before but always from a distance.

Elizabeth motions for her to come and sit at the table. She joins her but sits a reasonable distance away. She figures the seats next to her are reserved for the permanent members of the team. Elizabeth smiles but respects her choice. "I'm glad you could come in early. I wanted to thank you for agreeing to join John's team on this expedition," she tells her. Louise nods quietly. "I also wanted to thank you for feeding me so well." She grins at her.

Louise blushes ever so slightly and hides her hands under the table. "It's OK, Ma'am. Actually, it was Major Sheppard's idea. I only carried out his orders." Her voice trails off and Elizabeth can see this was a mistake. She seems to be embarrassed by the attention. Nice change from Rodney's behavior though, she reflects, smirking inwardly.

She nods her understanding and folds her hands on the table as the members of the team start filing in the room. John is last and sits next to Dr Weir. He has brought a mug of coffee and a cinnamon roll for her whose aroma is filling the room, making people's heads turn toward their leader who thanks him with a smile.

"Hey", Rodney protests. "Where did you get that?"

John shrugs. "Mess hall," he says, rolling his eyes.

"There wasn't any this morning when I dropped by for my breakfast," Rodney protests indignantly.

"I'm sorry, Rodney, my fault," Louise answers him sheepishly. "I prepared them last night but I needed them fresh so I cooked them this morning before leaving. They were probably still cooling on the racks when you dropped by. I'll get you one," she says, standing. Rodney beams at her.

Elizabeth looks at her pointedly. "Ms Léger, please sit down. Rodney is not a child. He can wait until the meeting is over to get one himself," she orders. "And no whining, Dr McKay," she adds, seeing him ready to protest. He clamps his mouth shut relunctantly, making Lieutenant Ford snigger. Louise sits down cautiously. Teyla smiles at her reassuringly. Dr Weir might be curt when needed but she's a gentle woman and Louise has nothing to fear from her. She'll need to explain that as she sees her new friend is peeved by the whole thing. The mission will be a good time to have a little chat.

"Now, people, if you don't mind, I'd like to start the reunion," Elizabeth says. "Teyla has already sent you memos of what Hallin and herself have done while on recon. Maybe if they want to add something or if you have questions?" she offers, her eyes sweeping the people present in the room.

"Yes, Elizabeth," Dr Beckett answers. "If I may?" She nods. Louise has never met Dr Beckett before in person. She avoids hospitals like the devil and has not had to drop by there yet. She keeps a small medical kit in the pantry that allows her to fix cuts and bruises as well as her headaches though they've been so recurrent since she's arrived, she might have to go and see him soon. She winces but tries to concentrate on what is being said. "I'd like to know how we're going to work with the new addition to our team," he says, smiling gently at her, making her blush. She could slap herself for being so awkward. She didn't use to be that way but she can't kid herself – she'll probably never be again the person she used to be.

"Actually, Carson," Dr Weir replies, "Teyla and I talked about it and we think that, since this mission revolves almost exclusively around the pressing issue our food supplies, we agreed that Ms Léger should be the one to make the decisions – except for the military part, of course," she adds, nodding at John who nods back.

"Stop gaping," John teases Louise who looks befundled. "Told ya'. Food is the lifeblood of the expedition."

"I agree," says Rodney, surprising everyone.

"You agree with what? That food is indeed the most important thing in your life?" John jokes, laughing out loud. "We all know that around this table and Louise probably more than anyone else!"

Rodney rolls his eyes, exasperated by his teammate's antics. "I agree with Louise making the decisions. She's smart, she's ressourceful and she knows what she wants, right?" he says, turning towards her.

"I... I, yes, Dr McKay, yes, I know what I want," she answers, avoiding pointedly the rest of his tirade.

"Well then, it's settled," Dr Weir announces. "You'll share decisions with Teyla and John. Hallin will come as backup for the negociations, Dr Beckett will work on samples from the food Ms Léger chooses to make sure they're safe, healthy and nutritious and Lieutenant Ford will come along as well. Dr Beckett, Dr McKay, did you find anything that might be of help to the population of Elisia that would mean we have something to trade for the food they'll agree to supply?"

"We need to be there to assess the situation but Teyla and Hallin have already given us a few ideas," Rodney replies, looking at Carson for confirmation.

The latter nods vehemently. "Yes, I think we can be of great help to those people."

"Well then, people," Dr Weir says, her eyes sweeping the room one last time, giving a look of encouragement to her team, "you have a go. Teyla," she adds as the latter raises from her chair, "you're in charge of helping Ms Léger gear up for the mission."

Teyla nods and smiles at the leader. "Come on," she tells her new friend who stands slowly. This is it. She's going off-world and is scared as hell. The mission rests on her shoulders and expertise and she doesn't even know half of the people she's going to work with.

"We'll see you in thirty minutes in the gate room," John calls after them before they leave.

Rodney stands too but a look from his leader tells him the meeting is not over. "Just a word, Rodney. I cannot emphasize enough how important – vital, I should say – this mission is. This being said, I also entrust you with Ms Léger. Teyla and John have recently pointed out how reserved and lonely our cook seems to be. She doesn't have many friends..." She lifts an eyebrow at Rodney who's getting ready to cut her in, "I'm not finished, Rodney and I do know that you have befriended her somehow," she says, making him flinch as he realizes that he's never encountered Louise outside her kitchen. "I also know from Hallin that she has been extremely kind to the Athosian people when they first arrived here, being one of the very few to never question their integrity. Yet, she's remained apart from the rest of the expedition. I would very much like you all to take the opportunity of this mission to make her feel at ease. Help her connect with the Elisians as well. She might be scared to talk to them, let alone lead the negotiations with them. Help her in that without ever making her think you're taking over." They all nod. "And John," she adds, turning to him, "don't you dare let her out of your sight if Teyla or another member of the team doesn't take over. I want her to feel protected at all times."

"Yes, Ma'am," he replies. "You can trust me with that."

"I know I can," she replies with a grin. "Now go gear up, you all!"

TBC