A Change of Perspective (The Making New Friends Remix)
Title: A Change of Perspective (The Making New Friends Remix)
Fandom: SGA
Character/Pairing: Elizabeth&Teyla
Time Frame: season one
Spoilers: none
Synopsis: Elizabeth really has been dismissive of Teyla, and for not very good reasons. For contradictory reasons, now that she thinks about it.
Word Count: 583
Rating: G
Disclaimer: Stargate: Atlantis and the characters and settings therein are the property of MGM and Sci-Fi, and are used here entirely without permission but entirely with respect. This is for love, not for money.
Acknowledgments: Some of the dialogue in this fic is taken directly from the original
Author's Notes: Remix of Of Friendship Evolving by sugargroupie, written for Round 5 of remixthedrabble
The first time Teyla invites her to tea, Elizabeth's distracted and says no before she really knows why she's saying no. She says it with an apologetic smile that she hopes conveys how overworked she feels - but not overwhelmed. A good leader must not look overwhelmed, especially not to a new and mostly untried ally.
The second time, Elizabeth allows herself time to consider, and carefully weigh the pros and cons, before saying no. A good leader doesn't fraternize with subordinates. There are lines that shouldn't be crossed.
The third time, Elizabeth says no before thinking about it; it's become instinctual. She doesn't think about it any further until the next day when Teyla comes to her office and asks "Have I said something, or acted in any way that has offended you?"
"No!" Elizabeth blurts, taken aback enough that her first response is expressed aloud. "Not at all, Teyla," she adds smoothly, and allows her features to slide into concern. "Why do you ask?"
Teyla looks askance, an expression Elizabeth has come to associate with the other woman taking careful consideration before she speaks. She wonders what her own face looks like when she does the same.
"Sit down, if you like," Elizabeth says, and Teyla does so, giving her a grateful smile before returning to her internal debate.
After a moment, Teyla sighs slightly, as if coming to a difficult decision, looks Elizabeth straight in the eyes and says "I get the sense that you are uncomfortable around me."
Elizabeth opens her mouth to respond and ends up sucking air through her teeth as the guilt hits her. She really has been dismissive of Teyla, and for not very good reasons. For contradictory reasons, now that she thinks about it. It's impossible to hold someone as a negotiating partner and a subordinate at the same time - or at least dangerous. Someone is either in your chain of command or out of it. But nothing in the way they've arranged themselves in this little outpost of humanity in a far-off galaxy is the way it's supposed to be in the manual. It's long past time they start writing manuals of their own.
She's explaining and apologizing for all this to Teyla when she sees sympathy and understanding on the other woman's face.
"You are correct," Teyla says. "I only came here to tell you that you do not have to cross these lines you have imposed, to seek companionship." Then she smile, rises from her seat, and offers her hand across the desk. "You must simply learn to bend those lines to your will."
It's then Elizabeth realizes that they really in similar position, to the point of having more in common than anyone else in Atlantis. She wonders why she never saw Teyla for what she truly was - a leader of her people, doing the best she can in demanding circumstances - before. She decides not to think about it too hard; she's not sure she'll like the answer. Instead she smiles, and grasps Teyla's hand warmly.
"Thank you, Teyla." Elizabeth says with satisfaction. It feels something akin to the successful conclusion of a particularly thorny negotiation, except this feels not like an ending, but a beginning.
"You know," Elizabeth adds, closing the folder on her desk, "I think I'd like to join you for tea." It would be nice to talk to someone on an equal footing for a change. Not from across the negotiation table, but on the same side.
I love Elizabeth, and I love that I've finally written something with her. I'm rather fond of Teyla, too. I hope I did them both justice.
Fandom: SGA
Character/Pairing: Elizabeth&Teyla
Time Frame: season one
Spoilers: none
Synopsis: Elizabeth really has been dismissive of Teyla, and for not very good reasons. For contradictory reasons, now that she thinks about it.
Word Count: 583
Rating: G
Disclaimer: Stargate: Atlantis and the characters and settings therein are the property of MGM and Sci-Fi, and are used here entirely without permission but entirely with respect. This is for love, not for money.
Acknowledgments: Some of the dialogue in this fic is taken directly from the original
Author's Notes: Remix of Of Friendship Evolving by sugargroupie, written for Round 5 of remixthedrabble
The first time Teyla invites her to tea, Elizabeth's distracted and says no before she really knows why she's saying no. She says it with an apologetic smile that she hopes conveys how overworked she feels - but not overwhelmed. A good leader must not look overwhelmed, especially not to a new and mostly untried ally.
The second time, Elizabeth allows herself time to consider, and carefully weigh the pros and cons, before saying no. A good leader doesn't fraternize with subordinates. There are lines that shouldn't be crossed.
The third time, Elizabeth says no before thinking about it; it's become instinctual. She doesn't think about it any further until the next day when Teyla comes to her office and asks "Have I said something, or acted in any way that has offended you?"
"No!" Elizabeth blurts, taken aback enough that her first response is expressed aloud. "Not at all, Teyla," she adds smoothly, and allows her features to slide into concern. "Why do you ask?"
Teyla looks askance, an expression Elizabeth has come to associate with the other woman taking careful consideration before she speaks. She wonders what her own face looks like when she does the same.
"Sit down, if you like," Elizabeth says, and Teyla does so, giving her a grateful smile before returning to her internal debate.
After a moment, Teyla sighs slightly, as if coming to a difficult decision, looks Elizabeth straight in the eyes and says "I get the sense that you are uncomfortable around me."
Elizabeth opens her mouth to respond and ends up sucking air through her teeth as the guilt hits her. She really has been dismissive of Teyla, and for not very good reasons. For contradictory reasons, now that she thinks about it. It's impossible to hold someone as a negotiating partner and a subordinate at the same time - or at least dangerous. Someone is either in your chain of command or out of it. But nothing in the way they've arranged themselves in this little outpost of humanity in a far-off galaxy is the way it's supposed to be in the manual. It's long past time they start writing manuals of their own.
She's explaining and apologizing for all this to Teyla when she sees sympathy and understanding on the other woman's face.
"You are correct," Teyla says. "I only came here to tell you that you do not have to cross these lines you have imposed, to seek companionship." Then she smile, rises from her seat, and offers her hand across the desk. "You must simply learn to bend those lines to your will."
It's then Elizabeth realizes that they really in similar position, to the point of having more in common than anyone else in Atlantis. She wonders why she never saw Teyla for what she truly was - a leader of her people, doing the best she can in demanding circumstances - before. She decides not to think about it too hard; she's not sure she'll like the answer. Instead she smiles, and grasps Teyla's hand warmly.
"Thank you, Teyla." Elizabeth says with satisfaction. It feels something akin to the successful conclusion of a particularly thorny negotiation, except this feels not like an ending, but a beginning.
"You know," Elizabeth adds, closing the folder on her desk, "I think I'd like to join you for tea." It would be nice to talk to someone on an equal footing for a change. Not from across the negotiation table, but on the same side.
I love Elizabeth, and I love that I've finally written something with her. I'm rather fond of Teyla, too. I hope I did them both justice.