Chapter 22 - Crepes
Couple of questions before we start. Been wondering about two things.
One, does anyone still read this, apart from my very faithful reviewer – Guest 64. You always make my day. Thank you :)
And two, is anyone interested in the recipes I publish?
Anyway, I hope you'll have fun with this new chapter. I had!
He observes her from afar, his shoulder leaning on the doorway. She's making piles of crepes for breakfast, sprinkling some with melted butter, sugar and cinnamon while filling others with jam or chocolate hazelnut spread she's made from scratch.
He refused to taste it at first, contending it looked gross but seeing how everyone liked it, came round some days ago and now has to admit he's addicted. She's explained to him it's a staple back on Earth but she prefers to make it herself – child's play and much healthier as she put it. He's shrugged and informed her, his mouth full, making her cringe a little, whatever she thinks is OK with him. No complaint about her food – ever.
She looks happy out there, doing what she probably loves the most – apart from her reading, that is. These past weeks, ever since the incident as they've all learnt to call it behind their backs, she's been spotted doing any one of these – cooking and reading – and nothing else. She's declined coming to their Friday night, contending she had too much work to do with testing new recipes. John has been more than snarky with everyone including Elizabeth, finally leaving at the end of the meal and not staying for their usual after-dinner games.
He sees she's spotted him at last so he leaves his spot by the door and heads her way. She graces him with a smile. "Thought you already had breakfast, Ronon... Coming for seconds," she teases him, offering him a plate full of steaming crepes.
He shakes his head. "No, thanks, Louise. I'm full." She looks at him expectantly. "Actually, I'm here for you. I'm supposed to escort you to the armory."
Her eyebrows shoot to her hairline. "And why is that? There's no off-world mission today, as I recon."
He shakes his head. "Nope, Ma'am. You're next in line for the training program we've set for non-military personnel."
She rolls her eyes, exasperated. What has John invented already? "I can't leave my workstation, as I'm sure you can see," she replies, motioning to the searing hot frying pans in front of her with her spatula.
"It's OK, Ma'am, I'll fill in for you," Private Wilson tells her. The tall and lanky blond is already ladling food on plates for the early birds waiting in line to be served breakfast.
"No, you won't. I refuse to be bullied into shifting my schedule at a moment's notice just to suit Colonel Sheppard's own agenda," she adds indignantly, glaring at Ronon.
He lifts his hands in mock surrender, knowing these days she's a bundle of nerves. "Don't kill the messenger," he banters, grinning.
"Actually, Ma'am, it was planned in yesterday's meeting. Dr Weir's orders," Wilson elaborates, seeing the other woman is fuming. "She figured this morning was as good as any for you and since you're planning another off-world mission soon, it was best to do it as soon as possible."
"And when was she going to tell me?" Louise says through clenched teeth, not wanting to make a scene in front of everyone.
"She's telling you now," Ronon says matter-of-fact. "Now, come on. We're already late."
She relunctantly discards her apron and follows him to the nearest transporter. "I don't see why I have to do this. I went off-world before. Had no military training. Came back alive," she states, trying to keep her temper at bay.
"Oh because, as I was told, you did so well back then!" he replies sarcastically.
She clenches her fists, fuming. "Well, yeah, most of the times!"
"You're a pretty little liar, Ms Léger. You were lucky people were watching your back." He sees her flinch then her eyes light up and he stops her before she has the time to use her trump card. "Oh, no, lady! No way you're telling me how you killed a Wraith single-handedly."
"But I did!" she replies smugly.
"Sure. Next time you encounter a big bad wolf at the corner of a dark off-world forest, be sure to tell him to wait until you've boiled pots of oil," he mocks her.
She sneers at him. "Ah! Very funny, big guy! You can make fun of me all you want, I still finished him with a knife to his chest."
He reaches for his belt and grabs his own knife, flipping it in his hand to hand it to her, hilt first. "That's a knife, lady," he informs her smugly. "You're soon going to learn how to use one of these, since you seem to have a taste for hand to hand combat. Come on, take it," he adds, seeing her hesitate. She shakes her head and leaves the transporter in a hurry as its doors whoosh open. He laughs out loud. "I thought so. Barks a lot, never bites. Sheppard was right!" he mocks her, making her flinch.
She bites her bottom lip. Is it how her former friend sees her?
They reach the armory and are welcomed by Atlantis' 2IC. His arms are crossed on his chest. He gives her a once-over. "You're late," he chides her.
She feels like tucking her tongue at him. She sneers. "Well, excuse me, Sir, if I have other fish to fry!"
"Well, Ms Léger, sorry if I contradict you on that, but no, you don't. This morning, and until I say otherwise, you're all mine," he informs her coolly.
The snarky exchange is not lost on any of the marines who've been training with their commander. A couple of them snort, making Louise cringe and John turn to them abruptly. "Anything interesting to share here, people?" His eyes sweep the room. Louise feels like the room's temperature has been turned down low. "I thought so," he says. "Session's over. Get going."
They all file out of the room quietly.
"No need to be nasty to your subordinates. You sound like Buckley," Louise adds viciously.
He trains his eyes on her. "It was not for their benefit but yours, sweetie. You need to know who's in charge here and right now, it's not you so, gear up," he says motioning towards the locker room. "Wear something comfortable and light. I'm going to teach you how things are done on the field."
She glances at Ronon who's sat on one of the benches lining the room. He indicates for her with a look towards the changing room to do what she's told. She trudges towards it and to her locker.
"You can leave now if you want, Dex," Sheppard offers. "I only needed you to get the little minx onto my territory. I'll handle it from here."
"Oh, no," Ronon replies. "You're not staying alone with her. I know you're tempted to kick her ass so I'll just stay around. Besides," he laughs at seeing the sneer forming on John's lips, "I'm having way too much fun seeing you try to scare her."
The first part of her morning is dedicated to learning how to use weapons. She's joined by a few other non-military personnel who, like her, have never touched a gun in their lives. Safety instruction is boring and she gets distracted by the close proximity of the 2IC who walks back and forth behind them, correcting postures, giving advice, barking orders when they forget the basic safety rules. Ronon helps too but she's got the impression John spends more time behind her than anybody else.
By the end of the practice session, she's able to both use a P-90 as well as a P-14 though never succeeding in hitting the bull, only the side of the target. All scientists training with her barely do better but she's the one getting all the snarky remarks. She shuts up about it and waits until the session is over and all the other trainees have exited the room in a hurry, not wanting to lag behind, seeing how the 2IC is moody these days. "Why did I have to take the blame when they did no better than me?" she accuses him, hands on her hips, fuming.
He gets into her personal space, looming over her. "Because, my dear, they don't often go off-world and you do. As cute as it is, I don't want to have to constantly watch your six," he replies nastily.
Ronon clears his throat. "Sheppard, careful there. Remember Dr Weir's orders..." he warns him.
"Oh yeah, right. Sorry, I forgot! For a sec' I was mistaken into thinking the little pesky lady here was my friend and I could tease all I want without being threatened with accusations of sexual harrassment!" he sniggers. He bows to her mockingly. "I apologize, my lady."
She rolls her eyes but doesn't want him to have the upper hand. "Actually, that's rather a compliment. Didn't know you found my butt to your liking," she sneers and turns to leave the room.
Before she has the time to do so, he's grabbed a fighting stick and hits her lower back with it, making her lose her balance and fall flat on her belly. She scrambles to her feet. "What was that for?" she cries indignantly. "Have you lost your mind?"
Ronon laughs out loud. "You have to admit, chef, he got you there all right!"
She puts her hands on her hips and glares at them both. "Not funny and not fair either!"
John nods. "You're right. I apologize. Grab a couple of those," he says as he gets hold of another stick.
She looks non-plussed. "You didn't think your training session was over, did you?" he deadpans. "It's barely 10:00. We've still got plenty of time."
"And I don't!" she replies, refusing to budge. "I have lunch to prepare."
"Not today, sweetie. Dr Weir has ordered the chef to get his butt to the kitchen to do his job for once."
"Oh great!" she huffs. "All I needed to make this day even brighter. He's going to kill me for that."
"Actually, he's not," John mocks her. "He's looking forward to hearing from your first session of hand to hand combat! Now, come on, baby," he says, motioning for her to get closer.
She crosses her arms on her chest. "Certainly not!"
He narrows his eyes at her and circles her, getting into a fighting stance. "Suit yourself, sweetie. If you want to have your ass kicked, I'll be most happy to comply!" Which he does, hitting her on her lower back again and behind her knees before she has the time to see it coming. She falls to the floor again and yells. "Are you crazy? What gives you the right to hurt me, you jerk?!"
"Elizabeth, myself and the fact you won't survive one second in the open without your knight in shining armor by your side." He makes a show of thinking hard about it, as he walks to her side but doesn't give her a hand. "Let me see, who would that be? Oh yes, me! The guy you keep at arms' length! So next time you head off-world, babe, think about it. I won't be by your side because you simply won't let me. So now, you have to learn to fend for yourself. Get up," he yells, his hands already flipping the sticks, ready to strike.
Ronon warns him. "Go easy on her, man. It's only her first session."
Sheppard grins at him. "You're right, buddy! Plenty of others before I allow her back off-world. Ain't we gonna have fun in the meantime!" he sneers.
She finally gets up and grabs her sticks, knowing it's to no avail. He won't let her go down easy. Knowing how stubborn he is, he's going to kick her ass until she relents and fights back. She sighs and sets her feet firmly on the mat. "Good girl," he says with a smirk before striking again.
He's scheduled a session for the next morning. When she gets up, she can barely walk. She trudges to the infirmary to see if Carson can give her something so she won't feel so stiff. His expression turns from sympathetic to indignant when he sees the bruises on her arms and legs. "Colonel Sheppard, please report to the infirmary." He glares at his friend when he arrives. "What have you done to her? Is that payback for refusing to talk to you? I swear, Sheppard, if you hurt her to satisfy your wounded feelings, I'll have Elizabeth transfer you to the infirmary for an indefinite amount of time. I might not have sticks but I've got needles – long, painful ones..." he warns him.
John shrugs. "It's part of the training. And I don't have wounded feelings. How could I? I'd need a friend who's pushed me away. Does that look like me?" he sniggers, glancing at Louise from the corner of his eye. She flushes and looks away. He walks to her, not letting go. "You ratted on me, you minx," he accuses her. "Can't take a little roughing up?"
"Don't talk to her like that! Either you two make peace or so help me God, I'll call Elizabeth," Carson warns him, his hand ready to hit his communicator.
John rolls his eyes. "OK. Tell you what. Give me your miracle ointment for bruises. I'll apply it myself." He impatiently motions for him to pass it on but Beckett hesitates, seeing Louise's pleading look. "I swear I won't hurt her. Here. Peace offering. No physical training today. We'll just do a little bit of target practice. OK?" he asks Louise, raising his eyebrows.
She silently nods and hangs her head. It's gonna be a long day. It's five in the morning. She's cried herself to sleep last night, only to be woken up by muscle tightness and nightmares. She hasn't started breakfast yet and the chef has sniggered all he could at her last night. Yeah, it's gonna be a great day!
She walks out of the infirmary with him by her side, the proximity making her awkward. "I need to get breakfast ready, Colonel. When do you need me in the armory?" Her voice is strained. She doesn't dare look at him.
"Louise, I will never hurt you, you know that, right?" he says, stopping her with a hand on her arm, making her flinch as she feels the bruise underneath his thumb. He drops his hand, wincing when he sees her look of pain.
"You just have, Sir," she counters, refusing to call him by his name.
"Listen, you need to apply this gel on your bruises asap. Let's drop in the locker room. I'll do it for you and then walk you to the kitchens," he offers.
"I can't. I'm already late. I'll do it when I can," she answers before leaving hurriedly.
He comes by with Ronon and Teyla around six to get breakfast. Teyla tries to lure her to their table but she refuses, being late in her schedule. Teyla chides him. "You didn't have to be so hard on her. She's not military."
"But she still needs to learn to fend for herself. It might prove very useful in the future," he replies stubbornly.
"Truth is, Sheppard, you're not treating her fair," Ronon insists. "If you can't accept she doesn't want you around anymore then let someone else train her." John glares at him.
"Are you by any chance trying to find ways to be with her even though she was clear about wanting you to leave her alone, John Sheppard?" Teyla says suspiciously. "Because if you do, that's plain harrassment..."
John looks at her sheepishly. "She's my friend, damn it! How can I let her wall herself up alive and not do anything about it? It's just not me she's pushing away, Teyla. It's everyone. Rodney told me she doesn't go and have tea with Katie anymore, doesn't drop by at his lab to chat with him and Zelenka... Ask anyone! She's shutting us out. I won't let her. You can decide to respect her wishes and let her slip away from you but I sure won't!" He stands abruptly and heads toward Louise, handing her the tray he's barely touched.
She looks surprised. "You've barely eaten, Colonel. Can I get you something else?"
He shakes his head, his jaw set, looking hurt. "No, Ma'am. I think I've lost my appetite. I expect you in the armory as soon as you can. Call me when you're ready. I'll join you there."
She dallies until she can't anymore, having done everything she could for the preparation of the midday meal. The chef is more than happy to kick her out, reminding her Sheppard has already called him twice to let her join him.
She drops by at the locker room first to change then heads for the armory. He's sitting on a bench, reading his book. No one else is around. "Where's everyone?" she asks, feeling awkward. She doesn't like being cornered and it feels like it.
"It's just you and me today. I know you hurt and I'm sorry about that. We're going to take it slow. I promise I won't bark orders or feel the need to be snarky. Is that OK, Louise?" He hasn't moved and he's spoken in that subdued way he usually uses for her. She feels tears welling up. Come to think about it, she'd much prefer the yelling. She doesn't know how long she's gonna be able to bear his constant mood swings.
She nods. "OK, Colonel."
"John. My name is John, Louise." She nods again. "Say it, Louise," he insists, standing to walk to her.
"Alright, John," she relents. No need to be at odds when he's obviously trying to make peace offerings.
"Sit here," he says, pointing at a bench. "I'm going to put ointment on your bruises." She doesn't dare say no, seeing he's making efforts. He starts by applying it to her arms then rolls up the legs of her yoga pants to put some more on her calves. He winces. "Damn it, Louise. I didn't know you could bruise that easily." He carefully massages the ointment onto her skin. It's cold and immediately does wonders to her muscle ache. She sighs. "Better?" he asks when finished.
She nods her thanks. "Do you feel up to a little session of safety rules and target practice?" he offers.
"Do I have the choice?" she wonders, looking up at him as he stands and offers his hand.
"Not if you want to go back off-world for our next mission." The words are final but the tone at least is gentle.
She tentatively puts her hand in his. She realizes she needs it. Her leg muscles are still stiff in spite of the massage. "Thank you," she says before removing her hand cautiously. Truth be told, she misses the touch immediately. You don't know what you had until you've lost it, her granny used to say.
He motions for her to follow him. "Since you need to be operational earlier than most, I think you should have private lessons, so to speak. Ronon and Teyla will help train you, depending on your schedule, if that's OK with you." She nods her agreement. He checks a P-14, hands it to her and circles her to stand right behind her, wrapping his hands on hers to correct her posture. "John," she pleads. "I don't feel comfortable with you doing that."
He takes the gun from her hands and sits it on the stand in front of them then steps back. "Sorry. Habits die hard. We didn't have problems with being close recently. I got used to it. I shouldn't have. I'll instruct you from a respectable distance," he promises, wincing at the rebuttal.
She turns to him and pouts, embarrassed. "Sorry. It's not you. It's just me..."
He bites his lower lip. "I said no problem, Louise. It won't happen again."
She trains hard for a couple of weeks, trying her hand at everything she's being told could be of use. The chef has let her off the hook, seeing how tired she is. This is his sweet revenge, even though he has to work harder in the kitchens than he probably ever had to before.
John has learnt his lesson a little bit too well and is hardly ever there when she trains, letting Ronon do most of the job. She discovers the Satedan is very much like McKay in some ways that suit her down to the ground. He doesn't push her limits, except on the shooting range or mat, doesn't ask her embarrassing questions, only taking what she gives and no more. Soon enough John discovers they're best buddies, hanging out at the mess hall or taking walks through the City, gently steering her back towards the team, making her sit with them at night, walking with her to Rodney's lab whom he likes to pester or even to Katie's greenhouse. John watches them from afar but never joins in.
She hasn't returned to their Friday nights though. Elizabeth mentions it in passing as they're having lunch together. He falls silent for so long she thinks he's never going to answer her. He finally looks at her, wincing. "I think I screwed up, 'Lizabeth. I thought she was punishing me for being an ass and she'd come round somehow but she doesn't need me anymore. She's got Ronon and Mc Kay..."
"She's always had McKay," she corrects him. "From the start. He met her before you did. And if the Athosians had stayed, I bet she'd spend lots of time with Halling as well. She doesn't want to admit it, John, but she has a lot of people who care about her in the City."
"Yeah... She doesn't need me anymore," he says, peering into his mug of now cold coffee.
She chuckles. "John Sheppard, are you going to have a depression?" she banters.
"I already have a depression, 'Lizabeth," he banters back.
"Should I ask Dr Heightmeyer to schedule a few sessions?" Her eyes crinkle but he sees she's worried as well.
"Nah. I'll survive." He falls silent again. "Where have all those great moments gone? Come on! We had such a great time and now, everyone is tiptoeing around us. It's like we're having a divorce, for Christ's sake, and we were not even a couple!"
She chuckles. "An odd couple, perhaps, John. There are very different types of love in this world, I believe. Friends are a kind of couple. They have their own very special way of functioning and sometimes it takes time and patience to make it work."
He shakes his head in disbelief at her own patience with him. "I'm a basket case, 'Lizabeth. Forget about it. It will never work."
"What will never work?" Ronon is standing next to their table with a tray laden with food, as usual.
"John thinks he's lost Louise's friendship," Elizabeth elaborates.
Ronon shakes his head and sits next to her. "That's ridiculous. She loves you, stupid. You two are just too stubborn to realize all it takes is a laid-back conversation and a hug to get you back on track."
"Argh, I don't know Ronon. I made the wrong choices. I pushed her to her limits. And I didn't achieve anything except scare her off a little more." He sighs. This conversation should not even be happening. He hates talking about his feelings. And what on Earth is Elizabeth going to think about all this? "I'm sorry about all this," he tells her. "Louise was like the sister I never had. I thought I could have a friendship with a girl without the awkwardness that often goes with it. I guess I was in for a big disappointment from the start."
She lifts her eyebrows at him. "Well, thank you, John for the insight. It will spare me the trouble of thinking you might consider me as a friend too!"
They hear Ronon snigger but ignore him. "Wow, hey, what?" John sputters. "I never said that!"
"Yes, you did," she counters.
He lifts his finger to shush her. "That's something totally different, 'Lizabeth. You're... you! The rule doesn't apply when it comes to you. God, human relationships are too complicated," he says, standing. "I'll head for Rodney's lab." She follows him with her eyes, letting the underlying meaning of his words sink in and sighs with longing.
They wait for him to leave before they start chuckling. "Pretty complicated people, those two," Ronon remarks. "I think they just need a push in the right direction and the sooner the better."
"Why is that, Mr Dex?" She looks surprised he might even consider intervening.
"Well, for one," he elaborates, pointing at his food with his fork, "I'm tired of eating tasteless stuff and burned meat and I'm not the only one. We need Sheppard to let her off the hook and back on missions and in her kitchens and to do so, they need to be on speaking terms again. And secondly, I miss our Friday nights. It's not the same without her and him sitting side by side."
"May I remind you the food service issue won't be entirely solved even if they become friends again. There's still one tiny little problem called Buckley who's still not reached our expectations," she counters.
He tastes his meat and makes a face. "If you ask me, he never will. But Ma'am, one problem at a time. We'll find a way to get rid of him one way or another."
"Haven't caught him red-handed yet, I gather," she pouts.
"Nope. He's pretty sneaky. He's seen the cameras, knows we're watching him. I think Louise is pretty resilient as well. She doesn't want to talk about it but, apart from these last two weeks of intensive training, he abuses his powers. We'll find a way, Ma'am, and if bad comes to worse, you still have the option of leaving me for five minutes alone with him. Five minutes is all I ask. Think about it," he says, winking.
TBC
Extract from Louise's Cookbook
We need to be self-sufficient here on Atlantis so though Nutella comes in jars on Earth, I make my own here.
For 1 ½ cup for hazelnut chocolate spread:
2/3 cup roasted, unsalted hazelnuts finely grounded
¾ cup sweetened condensed milk
½ cup unsweetened chocolate, chopped
3 tbsp honey or agave
In the food processor, ground the hazelnuts until they turn into butter for about 5 mn.
Melt the chocolate with the milk.
Add the hazelnut butter and mix no more than 2 mn.
Taste then add honey or agave to your liking.