In the Blood, Ch 13

[whytewytch]

Title: In the Blood, ch 13
Author: Whytewytch4
Fandom: Stargate Atlantis
Characters/Pairings: Evan Lorne/OFC
Word count: 1,556
Rating: PG
Spoilers/Warnings: None
Summary: The mission's a success. Evan's team remains on Gaemera to celebrate.
A/N: Thanks tojagnikjen for all her help!

She wished…but wishing was for fools.  The memory of that almost-kiss would have to last her a lifetime.   There was no future for her with a major in the Air Force whose family tree was made up of normal, everyday people.  No matter that he was a natural gene carrier; her parents would never accept someone of such modest means.

 

Chapter 13

“It has been a pleasure dealing with you, Colonel Carter. Please won’t you stay? My people have prepared a feast in anticipation of the agreement.”  Wallik held Colonel Carter’s hand in a fatherly way, one hand underneath, one on top as he smiled at her.

Sam shook her head. “I’m afraid I can’t stay, Wallik. I have pressing matters to attend to back in Atlantis. But I would be honored if you would allow Major Lorne’s team to stay in my stead.

“We would never think of celebrating without them. We will see you again soon?”

Samantha smiled at the old man’s persistence. “You can count on it. Go in peace,” she added, giving him the Gaemerons’ own farewell.

“Return in peace,” Wallik answered, bowing low over her hand before releasing it.

She nodded to Major Lorne, who stood off to the side with his men. As she and Lorne headed into the forest with Reed at their six, Sam heard Morgan call out to her.

“Colonel Carter! Where are you going?”

Sam turned and smiled. “I’m going back to Atlantis, Doctor.”

“I’d like to come, too, if I may.”

Sam smiled. “You may not. Your place is here with your team, Doctor. But will you walk with us to the Gate?”

Morgan frowned but nodded, falling into step beside Sam. Sam glanced out of the corner of her eye to see Morgan worrying her lower lip with her teeth. A few minutes later, they arrived at the clearing that housed the Gate. Lorne dialed Atlantis while Reed stayed near the path on guard. Sam walked to the base of the steps with Morgan and then turned to place a friendly hand on the woman’s arm.

“It’ll be all right, Doctor. I know this is your first full mission here in the Pegasus Galaxy, but this is supposed to be the fun part. Major Lorne’s men are all good, decent men. Relax and enjoy yourself.” Sam noted the strain around Morgan’s mouth and eyes. “That’s an order,” she added with a grin before turning to climb the steps and disappear through the Stargate.

A moment after the wormhole closed, she heard him clear his throat behind her.
 
Major Lorne.  Evan.  She had worked closely by his side for the last two weeks and he had never even mentioned the almost-kiss, let alone made any move to repeat it.  Justinia was starting to think that she had imagined the desire in his eyes that night.

She turned to see him looking at her, his face inscrutable.  He glanced up at the sky.  “We should be getting back to the village.”

They walked in silence for a while along the path, Evan slightly in front of Justinia, Reed a few paces behind them.  Dusk was quickly turning to darkness in the forest. Almost in unison, the trio reached for their flashlights and clicked them on.

“You did good, Doc.”  His voice, coming out of the silence and the darkness, startled her.  She jumped, nearly crashing into a bush.  Evan’s hand reached out to steady her and she could almost hear the laugh in his voice as he apologized.  “Sorry, Doc.  Didn’t mean to startle you.  I was just thinking.  This was your first trip with the team and it was a success.  You did good.  Real good.”

Justinia felt the heat of the blush rising up her neck.  “Really, Major, I don’t know why everyone keeps saying that.”

“Because it’s true.  You know what happened on my first mission in Pegasus?  I was playing bodyguard to a botanist, Doctor Parrish.  We found a dead Wraith, so I brought Parrish back to Atlantis.  Sheppard and I came back with our teams.  Turns out, the Wraith had been killed by Sheppard’s former XO, who was crazy hopped-up on some kinda Wraith juice.  This guy, Ford, got the jump on me when I was looking for him with McKay.  He could’ve killed McKay and it would’ve been my fault.  We lost Ford when he allowed himself to be picked up by a Wraith dart.  That same mission is when Ronon came to Atlantis.”

Justinia pursed her lips thoughtfully before framing her answer.  “It’s a shame about the XO, Major, but from what I hear, Ronon’s been quite an asset to Atlantis.”

“Yeah, he has, but I had nothing to do with his coming.  This trade agreement only happened because of you.”

“Thank you, Major.”  His praise embarrassed her but also made her feel good.  She wished…but wishing was for fools.  The memory of that almost-kiss would have to last her a lifetime.   There was no future for her with a major in the Air Force whose family tree was made up of normal, everyday people.  No matter that he was a natural gene carrier; her parents would never accept someone of such modest means.  She wanted to give in to the urge to cry, but they were coming into sight of the village and Wallik would be waiting for them. 

***

Dinner was over.  Evan walked outside with Wallik, leaving Morgan inside with Wallik’s wife, Jesabeau.  The night was cool and clear, and through the canopy, Evan could see the stars shining brightly.  A light breeze rustled the leaves, bringing the smell of pine needles with it.  Evan kept his pace slow so as not to tax Wallik’s injured leg.
 
“How did you hurt your leg, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“An old injury, many years ago.  Your wife’s…I mean Doctor Morgan’s…herbals have helped, as has the pressing on my feet.”

Evan looked at the older man quizzically.  “Why do you keep thinking Morgan’s my wife?”

“Jesabeau.  She said your lives were linked.  She is rarely incorrect.”  Wallik paused to say good night to one of the villagers; he spoke only when they began walking again.  “Morgan is an amazing woman.”

Evan snorted, thinking of the doctor’s hot and cold personality.  He had been so tempted to kiss her that night after their first contact with the Gaemerons.  It seemed like her icy demeanor was melting a bit around him, but on the other hand, he was still afraid of frostbite.  “Mmm.  Amazing.  That’s one way to describe her.” 

Sheppard now laughingly called her the “Frost Princess,” apparently one grade warmer on his scale than “Ice Princess.”

Wallik stopped, bending down until he could sit on a thick log near the stream.  He patted a spot next to him and Evan sat.  Leaning his head back, Wallik seemed to be studying the stars; Evan followed his gaze, watching the stars twinkle through the canopy of leaves.  Idly, he wondered if one of those stars was shining on Atlantis at the moment. The sound of the water in the stream shushing by as it ran its course over rocks and roots and mud was mesmerizing. Evan’s eyelids began to droop.

“Jesabeau is my second wife.”  Wallik spoke into the silence, startling Evan, who nearly fell back into the water that had been so soothing to him a moment before. He caught himself on the trunk, then glared over at the old man, almost sure he caught the hint of a smile on Wallik’s lips.

“What happened to your first wife?”

“My first wife died in a Wraith culling.” Wallik’s voice was rough.

Evan frowned. “I’m sorry about your wife.”

Wallik waved a dismissive hand. “That was many years ago, almost a lifetime. You were likely just a boy wondering why your voice kept croaking when I lost Shiandra. I watched her from afar for many years, never speaking to her.  Finally, I worked up the courage to approach her.  She was carrying our first child when the Wraith came.” Wallik paused, clearing his throat.

Evan looked over at the old man as a shadow passed overhead. “It’s all right, Wallik. You don’t have to tell me any more.”

Wallik shook his great, shaggy head. “No, I do. I can finish this. By the time I found her, there was no life left in her. My Shiandra was dead and our child with her. I mourned them from the harvest to the planting and then Jesabeau found me. Jes made me realize that I could love again. And I learned something important from Shiandra’s loss. I learned not to waste time. What I am trying to say to you, Major, is that the Pegasus Galaxy is dangerous.  You never know when you will lose someone dear to you.  Do not waste time.”

Evan dipped his head, frowning thoughtfully as a breeze tickled his back of his neck.  He remembered the deaths of so many, some he had been more friendly with than others.  What Wallik said made sense, but he was tired of Morgan biting his head off every time he tried to approach her. 

Although, as he thought about it, she had looked quite receptive when he had nearly kissed her on their initial return from meeting the Gaemerons.  Evan frowned, staring at his hands where they rested on his knees. Long moments passed in silence until a sudden crack of lightning, followed almost immediately by the boom of thunder shook him from his reverie. Just as he and Wallik rose to return to Wallik’s house the rain came down, a deluge that made it difficult to see or hear anything.