Clam up
By Sealie
Culture Clash Challenge/Buildings
and Food
SGA_flashfic Challenge (Amnesty)
Pairing: Genfic
Rating: PG
Beta: LKY
Spoilers: none/first season
Based on a true story
SGA-1 and Dr. Beckett looked out across the tidal
mud flat that stretched as far as the eye could see. Dotted at regular
intervals were fist-sized shellfish. They were shaped like scallops with paired
ridged shells. As they sat in the shallow water, pairs of globular protrusions
extruded between the shells, pulsating gently.
“Do you think they’re edible?” McKay bent over to
peer closely.
“What are they?” Sheppard asked.
“Fanny clams,” Ford supplied.
Sheppard and McKay turned to the doctor, who was
blushing brightly.
“Well, they are.” Ford pointed. “Fanny clams.”
“You cannot call them fanny clams.” At the words,
he blushed redder.
“Why?” Ford asked.
Red enough to fry an egg on, Beckett turned away.
Ford held his hands out. “Is someone going to tell
me what the problem is?”
McKay smiled his twisted smile. “Probably
not a good name, given the international flavour of our expedition.”
“So?” Ford said through gritted teeth.
Taking pity on the painfully young lieutenant,
Sheppard leaned in closely. “Just call them ‘ass clams’ and everyone will be
happy.”
“But?” Ford asked, glancing at Teyla.
The Athosian shrugged.
Still smiling, McKay trailed after the shy doctor
and splashed him.
Sheppard moved towards them, either to stop them or
join in.
“Isn’t anyone going to tell me what I said wrong?”
Ford demanded. “I don’t understand.”
Teyla moved up next to him.
“Welcome to my world.”
fin