Chapter 5
A/N at the end
As an SO escorted Natasha back to the transport, John ducked into Elizabeth's office and settled comfortably in the chair in front of her desk. "So?"
Biting back a sigh as she set down the tablet she had just picked up to jot down notes from her meeting with the 'assassin', Elizabeth met her friend's eyes, and opted to make him work for his answers, if only for a moment. "So."
The corner of his lip quirked in a familiar smirk because he recognized what she was doing, and nodded slightly so that they'd both be on the same page here. "So - what do you think of her?"
"Honestly? I like her."
"Good, so do I. I was thinking -" he started to say, but Weir's raised hand, palm facing forward, forced him to pause.
"I like her, but we have no real way of verifying anything she's told us. We don't know if we can trust her, and frankly I'm a little surprised that you're so willing to, when she hasn't been here all that long."
"My gut says we can trust her - but - that's fair." When Elizabeth's eyebrows shot up slightly at the admission, John straightened in his chair just a little. They both knew that a year ago, he wouldn't be admitting that quite so easily, and it was a matter of both personal and professional respect between the two of them that he had been able to grow to the point he was at now. "You're right. And I can admit that you're right. And that's why I've been thinking. Obviously we can't give her free run of the city, but what if we ask Teyla to accompany her, including in the field?"
"Are you so sure that taking her into the field is a good idea? What if she really is working for the Wraith?" It was a question she didn't ever want to have to ask, especially when it came to humans, but it was part of her job. "I know that Rodney doesn't trust her."
"Rodney doesn't trust anyone who isn't blonde scientist when he first meets them," John pointed out, and Elizabeth conceded the point with another nod. "But that's why Teyla might be the best one to do this. She's good at reading people, she's one hell of a fighter, and she's observant. Romanoff doesn't seem the type to open up, but Teyla might be able to get her to."
"And there's the added bonus of Teyla being able to sense nearby Wraith if our guest does manage to slip off by herself to contact them," Elizabeth said thoughtfully.
"Exactly."
"Have you talked to Teyla about this yet?" Before he could answer, his face gave him away, and it was Weir's turn to smile as she shook her head a bit. "I see. Well, I'll leave that to you, and let Romanoff join your team - on a very probationary status, and probably a temporary one," she added.
"Right. I'm pretty sure Lorne is already on the verge of trying to call dibs for her to be on his team." Before Weir could change her mind, John stood. "Don't worry, Elizabeth. I've got this - and if I'm wrong, Teyla does." Giving her a sharp nod, he turned and quickly left her office to track down the Athosian, and hoped only that this next conversation would go just as well.
Author Note: I know this one is a short chapter, but I'm coming off a multi-year hiatus, so I figured I'd post what I wrote this week. I'm still trying to decide on where to go with the story, but will try not to take so much time in the future. I hope y'all enjoy!