Chapter 20 – Earth
Dear readers, we're reaching Chapter 20 with about forty more to go. The story is drafted and almost completely written but I'm open to requests. If you want to see an episode from the show in particular or a scene that you would like me to write, just ask and if it can be included in the storyline, then it will :)
And, of course, as usual, I need feedback so don't hesitate to correct mistakes and tell me what you think.
Also, I'm gonna have to up the rating soon.
"Do you have a minute, Dr Weir?" Elizabeth looks up from the file she's currently perusing. Dr Heightmeyer is standing in her doorway, a couple of files under her arm.
Elizabeth puts her pen down and motions for her to come in. "Did I... miss an appointment, Dr Heightmeyer?" she wonders.
The other woman closes the door and sits on the other side of the desk. She looks worried too. "No, Ma'am, absolutely not! I was just wondering if you could spare me a few minutes to talk about two members of the expedition."
Elizabeth watches her intently. "I thought files were upclose and confidential..."
Kate laughs. "Of course, they are. I do not intend to disclose anything private. Don't you worry. I just wanted to talk to you about Dr Beckett and also Louise Léger. I need a second opinion and also need your help." Elizabeth nods. "I've been rewieving the files of all the staff as well as conducted interviews with each and every one of them."
Elizabeth nods again. "I'm aware of that. I'm glad this first evaluation is finally over and I'm sure you're too. It was quite a challenge to have everyone agree to it, believe me, especially for some..." Her voice trails off.
Kate knows Elizabeth had to use all her talents as a diplomat to gently bend people to her will and have them come to Kate's office. John Sheppard was one of them but surprisingly not the worst. She's particularly glad Elizabeth was on her side when it came to forcing Ronon and Louise to accept to enter her office, lest talk to her. She sighs. "I do agree, Ma'am."
Elizabeth sees something is bugging the psychiatrist. "What is it, Dr Heightmeyer? Anything I can do to help you further, I'll do it. You know that, right?"
"Well, Dr Weir. There's one thing. As I was reviewing all the files, I singled out two of them – Dr Beckett's and Ms Léger's. See, they're the only ones on the city who haven't had a semblance of a leave ever since they came here."
"I beg to differ for Dr Beckett. He went home with us. He even had time to drop by and see his mother."
Kate nods. "Yes, yes, I do agree but... see, Dr Beckett only spent a day home. It's far from being enough to reconnect with his family and friends. I wouldn't mind so much if he didn't work so hard. Now, I happened to drop by at the infirmary only yesterday for a vaccine and we struck a conversation. He told me about his wish to spend a little more time with his mother. She's not getting any younger, as I gathered, and he was worried about her. He will never say it, but I think he's homesick. I'm not asking for a long vacation. Just for a few days..." she offers.
Elizabeth has reclined in her chair and is twindling her fingers, much like John Sheppard does sometimes when he's deep in thought, Kate sees. She smiles inwardly. It's funny to see how people's endearing twirks tend to rub off on each other when they spend time together. "It would mean eighteen days on the Daedalus, a few days on Earth – say a week or a little less, depending on the Daedalus' schedule – and eighteen more days for the trip back, right?" Kate nods silently. "It's a lot of time just to spend a few days with his mother..."
"But so worth it! Look, Dr Weir. Dr Beckett has worked very hard on a lot of projects. He spends most of his time in the infirmary. I know he sometimes tries to take days off but there's always something coming up before he can leave. This would be a welcomed reprieve. He could rest on the trip back and forth and see his loved ones into the bargain. The Daedalus is bound to leave Earth in a couple of days and I know you're scheduled for the weekly communication this afternoon. Why not ask for a replacement for him just for the time of his leave?"
Elizabeth wets her lips and trains her eyes on her. "I need to talk to Dr Beckett about it."
Kate sighs with frustration. "Sorry to disagree, Ma'am, but it's not his call. If you ask him, he'll say no, even if he's dying to see his mother. You need to put your foot down, for his sake."
"Alright. Let me think about it while you tell me why you've brought up the subject of our under-cook as well." Elizabeth narrows her eyes at her. She wasn't comfortable with sending Louise see Kate and she's not comfortable now with the idea Kate might have more to come her way. Louise needs to be left alone for the time being. She's got enough on her plate.
Kate raises her hands in mock surrender. "Ma'am, I'm on her side here. I happen to know she's the only one on this expedition who's never made the trip back home. This is not healthy and I need you to send her back."
"Dr Heightmeyer, I have to disagree here. Ms Léger is under a lot of stress right now. She doesn't need to be ordered back to Earth. You have to understand that home, as you say, is here for her. She feels comfortable around here. It's her comfort zone and I certainly don't intend to disrupt it." Elizabeth's tone is final.
Kate winces. "You misinterpreted my intentions, Ma'am. I just want to help, not cause more harm. I'm aware of Ms Léger's issue with Mr Buckley. She didn't have to say anything about it. Body language hardly ever lies, you know. It's in plain sight for everyone who observes them to see he's one more thorn in her side. I think it would do them both good to be apart for some time. Mr Buckley will certainly dearly miss Ms Léger's help and expertise while she's gone. It might teach him a lesson in humility. As for Ms Léger, she'll get a breath of fresh air, away from her current worries." She falls silent and awaits her boss's decision.
Elizabeth taps her communicator. "Colonel Sheppard, Dr Beckett, please report to my office." She trains her eyes on Kate. "Sold! I think you have a point. You're a shrewd negociator, Dr Heightmeyer," she adds, tilting her head.
"I'll take that as a compliment, Dr Weir," Kate replies with a smile. "I just wonder how you're going to sell my project to Dr Beckett."
Elizaebth raises her hand. "Let me do it! I know exactly which buttons to push when it comes to our good doctor..." she says with a smile as John and Carson enter her office.
"I can't believe you guys bullied me into this!" Louise is fuming as she's packing a few clothes and toiletries in her travel bag.
Rodney hands her a couple of sweaters that she impatiently puts away. "Come on, Louise. You know what John said. Carson wouldn't have gone back if it hadn't been for you. We needed someone who'd make it look like they were the one needing the break. You know he worries about his mother. Besides, he never rests. Elizabeth is trusting you on that. She needs you to keep an eye on him – make sure he sleeps and eats well. No word about it though, OK? He thinks he's doing it for you." Rodney winks at her. Inwardly, he feels like doing a little dance. Elizabeth was brilliant, as usual. She tricked them both and killed two birds with one stone.
"I still don't see why I have to go back to Earth!" She's had nightmares ever since they've told her. The Daedalus is to arrive shortly and will only stay a day before it heads back to Earth. "Having to go back was never in the job description."
"Listen, honey. We discussed this a million times already." Rodney sighs. "You don't have to go back to France if you don't want to. No one has to know you're there. You and Beckett will head straight for Scotland. According to him, his mother is a great cook and a sweet lady. I'm sure you two will have a great time."
"It's not that, Rodney..." Ever since they've told her she had to go back, she's felt as if she had a wad of cotton stuck in her throat. "What if they don't let me come back? You heard Buckley! His dream is to have me return to Earth indefinitely so he can have the kitchens and staff to himself." She looks miserable and scared.
Rodney grabs her arms and forces her to look at him. "We've made sure this won't happen, Louise. We've made a deal, John and me and Carson. If bad comes to worse and we realize they've tricked us, we'll all hand out our resignations. Let them try! Believe me! They don't want to run this place without us. It would be a beautiful disaster if I'm suddenly not around anymore," he adds, smugly, making her snort at his antics.
"Rodney, you're unique, you know that?" she says and kisses his cheek. He beams at her but coughs, feeling embarrassed by the gesture of affection. "I don't want any one of you to jeopardize their positions for me, though."
"It won't come to that, believe me. Besides, I'm pretty sure after a week or two, Buckley will beg for you to return asap. It will teach the prick a lesson." He waggles his eyebrows playfully, making her giggle. "That's my girl. Now, chop chop, lady, finish preparing your luggage. We have a Friday night to go to."
They try to distract her from the imminent departure by binge watching John's favorite western movies and eating popcorn. Beckett has allowed her to loosen up on the junk food for once though when offered, she refuses to take a sip at the moonshine Teyla has brought back from the mainland to celebrate their last night together. It doesn't prevent her from having a blinding migraine by the end of the evening. She hasn't told anyone but it's been building up steadily ever since the Daedalus was spotted on the radar.
She ends up cooped up in her cabin for the first couple of days. Everyone has tried to be cheerful so she knew she had to keep a brave front. Deep inside, she's scared to death.
She's holding on to the thought she'll be coming back very soon with plenty of gifts for everyone. Beckett has tried to talk her into taking a little trip somewhere – anywhere she likes – but she's refused adamantly and has shut herself away. He's finally let her have her way, treated her migraine and left her alone.
She spends the rest of the trip reading and taking walks through the allowed sections of the ship. She's got cabin fever, which is quite new, given she's spent most of her first year on Atlantis holed up in her kitchen and storage area, barely going outside. She realizes that a few off-world missions and trips to the mainland have changed her perspective drastically. She makes a mental note of spending more time outside when – if – she gets back to Atlantis.
Soon enough, as Beckett had expected, she ends up spending most of her time in the cramped kitchen of the Daedalus. Colonel Caldwell is all too happy to know that she at least won't roam around freely in the corridors of his beloved ship. He's not really comfortable with the idea of a civilian with too much time on her hands snooping around and mingling with the crew.
She has to admit – spending time with the ship's cook does wonders to her wounded feelings. The guy is a civilian, like Buckley, but this is where the similarities end. He's a decent man who understands she needs to keep her mind and hands busy. "My mom always said idle hands were the hands of the devil," he remarks in passing as he lets her help with the evening meal.
She beams at him. "My granny used to say the exact same thing." They exchange memories of their youth. She tells him about being raised by her grandmother and being taught how to make apple pie when she was barely out of kindergarten. "She was the one who showed me how not to waste food. It was too precious when she was growing up. She taught me how to first try recipes for one instead of wasting a whole batch. I guess it's ingrained now. I can't bear the sight of restaurants and canteens wasting so much food. I've tried to teach my own staff but now we have a new chef, I guess it was a waste of time."
"I take it you're unhappy about the new situation," he tentatively asks. She's keeping it all inside but the meaning is clear.
"I'm not unhappy. I'm furious! We have worked so hard to replenish the stocks and now he's squandering food. He's kicked me out of the storage rooms as well and I have no say on what we cook. It's insane. He just plays it by ear when he should plan it ahead and make sure no food goes to waste." She shakes her head. "I'm sorry. I've kept it all inside these last few weeks but I guess I'm not the forgiving type after all."
He laughs out loud. "Better out than in, dear," he points out. "I can't do anything to help you, unfortunately, but if you want my advice, you should come clean about it. This whole program costs a fortune. It might interest some of the big brass to know someone is throwing tax money down the drain..." He tilts his head at her knowingly.
She nods. "I will if I have to. Right now, I'm just biding my time and hoping we'll find a way to make him see the light!" she banters.
As days go by on the ship, she finds her pace and is able to sleep full nights without having nightmares – at least, most of the time. She feels rested when they arrive and hates to leave the comfort of her small cabin. Beckett is overexcited to finally get to see his mother so she tries to keep a brave front and look cheerful.
They're first beamed down at the SGC, going first to the infirmary to see Dr Lam then General Landry and General O'Neill before being allowed to go to Scotland. She and General O'Neill have a quiet conversation in the mess hall where she's dropped by to pay her respect to the chef who's trained her. The three of them sit in a quiet corner of the commissary.
"I've received a transmission from Colonel Sheppard asking to tell you they all miss you. I see you have made friends there, against all hopes..." O'Neill points out, peering at her over his steaming mug of coffee. She blushes, remembering how adamant she'd been about not ever wanting to connect to people in the City. That was more than a year ago and things have changed so much since that time. "I'd told you so!" he adds, winking at her.
She pouts. "It's not that simple, Sir."
"No, it's not, Ms Léger. You don't plan these things and I'm sure glad you did connect after all. Aren't you?"
"Depends, Sir," she replies cockily, anger flaring. "Am I allowed to go back?"
O'Neill and the chef exchange a look. "Of course, you are. It was part of the deal. We're glad to see you here and witness with our own eyes how good you're doing. We don't see why we wouldn't let you return home." He insists on the last word and she blanches. Thinking about being away from the City is too painful to take. "Hey," he adds, patting her hand, "it's OK. You will go back. I promise. I might not have been able to prevent Buckley from securing your former position but I will not let anyone prevent you from going back where you belong." She breathes out in relief.
"How's Buckley, Louise?" Major Lawrence asks tentatively. He hates the guy but has always chosen to believe people can change, given the right amount of time. The guy was awfully young when he tried to steal his own position. He must not have seen how wrong it was.
"Same old Buckley, Major!" she replies sarcastically. On Atlantis, she just shuts up about it because she's afraid he might overhear her or the conversation might be reported back to him. Here, with only Major Lawrence and General O'Neill around, she can finally let go and say what's been eating at her ever since he kicked her out of her kitchen.
"Colonel Sheppard sent me a written note through Dr Beckett saying he believes he's bullying you..." General O'Neill mentions. She turns beet red and stands abruptly. "Ms Léger, sit down. We've not finished this conversation!" he orders her, his finger pointing at the chair she's just vacated. At the moment, he's not the laid back person who's chosen to trust her when no other big brass would have. He exudes authority so she sits back carefully, her eyes burning with unshed tears.
"Louise, I don't get it. Why would you refuse to talk about something that is not your fault?" Major Lawrence intervenes. "Why do you seem so ashamed of something that is beyond your control?"
"Because it's not beyond my control, damn it!" she replies angrily. "I should suck it up, that's all! I'm in no position to ask for any favors. I'm a nobody in this program. I was lucky to get the position in the first place. And I should be thankful for not getting the sack. Dr Weir still trusts me with the food negociations. That should be enough!" The more she talks, the more she sees where this is going. She was raised to be polite and say thank you and be content with what she already had. She was taught to count her blessings, not reach out for more. If she doesn't shut up, she'll blame herself for everything – for Buckley hating her and bullying her. She always chooses to take the blame and be nice to unkind and envious people because she believes, deep down, they're very unhappy. She's done it so many times, she's learnt to recognize the pattern.
General O'Neill falls silent and twiddles with his empty pack of sugar. He looks up and right in her eyes. "Do you believe yourself unworthy of that position but worthy of Buckley's abuse, Ms Léger?" She gasps at the way he's seen right through her. She glances at Major Lawrence who is looking at her expectantly. Of course, those two have ganged up on her to make sure she'll spit it out.
"Not fair," she mumbles, looking away.
"Look at me, Ms Léger, and anwer the damn question! Because it sure as hell is going to be the question you'll be asked by the IOA rep should Colonel Sheppard manage to prove Buckley is bullying you..."
"He wouldn't!" she replies indignantly. "I told him I could take care of myself!"
"Can you?" Major Lawrence asks, lifting an eyebrow.
She sighs. "You want the truth?" O'Neill nods. "Well, truth is, Dr Weir and Colonel Sheppard's management of the city is already under the scrutiny of the IOA. I would very much appreciate no one came nosing around in the kitchens and discovered they're spending way too much time figuring out how to get rid of that douch bag of Buckley! That's the truth, General." Her lips turn down in disgust. "He's trying to wreak havoc in our already very messy lives and I won't allow for that to happen. Now, if all it takes is me being bullied, so be it! As long as I'm allowed to stay on Atlantis, I'll suck it up. I've met quite a few of those people in my life so don't patronize me. It's not my first rodeo. I told John more than once – I know how to take care of myself. And you, General, know better than anybody else that what doesn't kill me will make me stronger. So stop worrying about Buckley and let me handle it my way."
He nods once, a smile forming at the corner of his lips. "Anything I can do for you, then? Or do you already have it all covered?" he prods sarcastically.
She thinks about it. "Yeah, there's something. Tell Colonel Sheppard to mind his own business too, Sir."
He looks at her coolly for a minute then winks at Lawrence. "She's a tough cookie! We need her back there. With her quick tongue and bullheadedness, whatever ugly thing is lurking in the shadows of the galaxy had better run for cover!"
Both men chuckle at the thought, making her growl in frustration. "I'm serious here, ya know!" O'Neill chuckles some more than adds: "Stubborn as you are, sweetheart, you have to understand I'm a tough cookie myself. I won't let you have your way for nothing..."
She eyes him suspiciously. "What do you want, General?"
He makes a show of pondering it. "Well, now you mention it, I was thinking about a whole batch of those French-style sugar pies you made for me once..."
She hands out her hand for him to shake. "Deal!"
TBC
Extract from Louise's Cookbook
French-Style Sugar Pie
My grandmother taught me how to make these when I was just a little girl along with her apple tart. Those sugar were meant to use the leftover dough and test the temperature of the oven. General O'Neill seems partial to them as I still am.
So, all you need is
dough that you'll roll and fit in an individual tart shell,
sugar (you can use either white or brown sugar and you'll need a couple of tsp for each pie) and butter (a tsp for each small pie). I prefer the semi-salted one.
Leave in the oven (350°F) until light brown and caramelized.