"An Acceptable Arrangement" by daisycm83

[miera-c.livejournal.com]

Rec Category: John Sheppard / Elizabeth Weir
Pairing: John/Elizabeth, Elizabeth/Simon (background mentions of various SG-1 pairings including Sam/Jack, Cameron/Vala)
Category: friendship, romance, AU
Warning: None
Author on LJ: daisycm83
Author's Website: http://literatiwannabe.the-family-archives.com/
Link: http://daisycm83.livejournal.com/104340.html

Why This Must Be Read: There are only certain people who can manage to write in a Jane Austen style without making historical errors that would make actual Austen fans scream, not to mention getting a handle on the language. This is one of those stories that manages to succeed with both. It is a UST story and it ends that way, and since it was last updated in 2007, I suspect that's not going to change.

Home was still a strange concept for John Sheppard, so he found himself grinning somewhat inanely. “Thank you. How did you fare in our absence?”

“Oh, well enough,” she assured him. “Although next time, I would appreciate some notice that I am to have a meeting with the representative for the local tradesmen.”

They began to make their way down the dock, arms linked easily, but he frowned at her chastisement. “Did your meeting with Miss Emmagan not go well?”

“Oh, it was lovely, but it would have been even more pleasant if I had been able to order tea in advance.”

“Ah,” he said, wondering why he had never thought to order tea for his meeting with Miss Emmagan. “Yes. Well, now you see why we needed you here. I never think of things like advance tea service.”

She laughed and the sound made him smile. “A very serious fault indeed. However did you manage without me?”

“To be honest, I haven’t the slightest idea,” John admitted.

“How flattering, though you’ll likely want to retract that sentiment once I make my next proposal to you.”

“That sounds ominous. I’m not certain I want to hear it.”

“You likely don’t, but I think it’s necessary. You see, I’ve been considering it carefully, and I have come to the conclusion that with the first trade run back successfully, this might be a perfect opportunity to have a formal launch of the company.”

John narrowed his eyes. “That sounds suspiciously like you want to throw an event of some sort.”

Undeterred by his undoubtedly sour expression, Elizabeth forged ahead. “A ball.”

He had feared that exact response, and without conscious thought, John quickly recoiled against the idea. “Must we? Really?”