Timeline: SGA: either season 4 or 5, and BtVS: post-Chosen,
Disclaimer: Nothing copyrighted belongs to yours truly.
Author's Note: Written for Day 29 of the 2024 August Fic-A-Day.
After showering and changing clothes she met AR-1 in the mess hall. She had forgotten her blowdryer back on Earth so her hair was still a little wet when she arrived. Dr. McKay, Teyla, and Ronon were already there and eating, but Colonel Sheppard didn't get there until Buffy had sat down.
Sheppard strode in with a fellow officer by his side. This one was a little shorter and more compact, and when he noticed her watching them he smiled and nudged his CO. He gave a small nod in her direction and an even smaller smile. The two headed for the chow line and got their food, but then split with Sheppard heading towards his team, and the other man headed toward a table with a female officer and two other men.
While she had been watching the military commander, Teyla began asking questions. "What was or is your occupation on Earth?"
"I'm in private security, but I also regularly teach martial arts and fighting techniques using medieval weaponry."
To her right, Ronon perked up. "You can fight with swords and knives?"
Grinning, Buffy responded, "I love anything sharp and shiny! General O'Neill even permitted me to bring some of my swords to Atlantis, and I can bring them off-word when we go on missions."
General Landry had not been as accepting. He had thrown an unbecoming fit when he had been informed and refused to believe she knew how to use them effectively. Or that it was necessary. General O'Neill had been given an overview of Slayers, demons, and what their organization did for the protection of the human population on Earth. Landry had merely been informed it was a political issue and that she was joining Colonel Sheppard's team.
"Is it common for people on your homeworld to use swords? I was under the impression this was considered... Outdated. The Marines and other military carry a knife, but these appear to be of a more practical application and not as a weapon."
"It is considered outdated," Buffy confirmed. "People who have bladed weaponry have them more as a special interest, and not because it's used in war efforts. It's also used as a ceremonial tool. Carrying a knife is, like you said, for more practical use, but also as a last-ditch effort in case your gun is out of bullets or you abruptly find yourself in close combat."
"It is an odd choice of weapon," Sheppard interjected as he sat down across from her. "And not something I can see being useful in your profession."
"You'd be surprised. Carrying a gun or rifle is easily detected and you'll become a suspect if something happens, but if you show up with a sword people assume you're on your way to a ceremony of some kind or that you're just the courier. Or that you're cosplaying. Particularly if the person carrying the sword is female."
She gave all of them a look, "Hardly anyone would look at me and think 'she's dangerous! She could kill us all with that blade'."
He nodded. "That's true. You look harmless, but you just proved you can fight. So I'm just going to assume you know how to use those additional weapons."
"You're just going to take my word for it?"
He swallowed the food he'd just chewed and gave a light shrug. "Teyla kicks my ass regularly, so until proven otherwise, yes. General O'Neill has also given his blessing, so..."
"Huh. General Landry called you impertinent and kept saying you always argue and break the rules." She gave him a slightly suspicious look. "And here you are, just rolling over?"
That got small smiles from all three of them, and a snort from Dr. McKay, but the latter was more interested in his dinner than their conversation. He also had a tablet with him he kept working on.
"I'm not rolling over, and no, I'm not happy about getting an additional member on my team. Especially since I didn't get to be part of the wetting process, but I highly respect General O'Neill, and unless you prove yourself to be unsuitable we're going to have to get along. I will keep a close eye on you to make sure you'll work with the team and not cause problems.
"As for General Landry. He doesn't like me, both for real and imaginary reasons. I don't always follow orders well, so he does have his reasons. But, he's on Earth and I'm on Atlantis, so I don't let it bother me."
"It doesn't bother you on Earth either," McKay snarked as he looked up for a moment before going back to whatever he was working on.
"The point is, we have to work together, at least for now. So, like you asked in my office; I'm playing nice."
Buffy gave a small smile. Hopefully, this would work out, and not end in a disaster.