The Greater Good by catescorner

Hello again, all, and welcome to my latest, multi chapter story. It isn't the follow up to Miles To Go Before I Sleep (that's turning into a miniature novel!) No, this is a rather shorter story, following on from The Prodigal. It takes place before its final scene, where Teyla watches John and Rodney racing their cars.

I'm sure I wasn't the only one who cheered when she sent Michael off that ledge, especially for the whumpage he caused to a certain Major! But watching that scene, it occurred to me how much she's changed, from the gentle, spiritual person we saw at the start of the series, to the mother who will do whatever's necessary to protect her child. Then the plot bunnies got to work, and - well here's the result.

This story also deals with a life-changing event in Evan's childhood. I've already mentioned his father in previous stories, but this time, the spotlight falls on his mother. We all know that she was an art teacher, and he appears to be very close to her - closer than to his father, who never gets mentioned. But from there, nothing else is known about her - a fanfic writer's dream!

So, with that little bit of background to whet your appetite, here we go with chapter one - enjoy !

The Greater Good

Chapter One - Family Ties

Hearing the familiar sound of racing cars, and bickering voices, Teyla sighed and shook her head, smiling at Torren, with the same patience that dealing with two of his uncles had raised to an art form.

"I wonder sometimes, Torren, if you are the adult here, and they are the children."

Right on cue, uncle number three appeared in the corridor ahead of her. He'd clearly heard the commotion too, and now answered her, as only he could.

"Where those two are concerned, I wonder that all the time."

There was a mischievous glint in Evan Lorne's eyes, to match the grin that had always charmed her. For once, though, she couldn't fully enjoy its humour. And while she'd tried to quickly return it – no, to the all seeing eyes of Evan Lorne, the strain beyond was too raw, too deep, to be disguised. So the grin promptly disappeared, letting big brotherly concern take its place.

"Hey, are you okay? You seem kinda… down."

His concern, as always, came from the heart. She just wished she could return it so truthfully.

"I am fine, Evan. I am only sorry that you, and so many others, were hurt in trying to protect us."

"Yeah, I'd better walk more slowly up stairs from now on," Evan agreed through a more rueful grin.

Even so, a raised eyebrow, and its familiar meaning, warned her that she hadn't quite told him the truth. And she thought too much of him, both as a colleague and a friend, to keep it from him any longer.

"I will admit that I am troubled, Evan. Or down, as you, or John might put it," she said at last, smiling her thanks, more genuinely this time, for the understanding that she could see in his eyes.

"Yeah, I thought as much, especially with what you've just been through," Evan nodded, rolling his eyes, at the sound of ongoing battle, and the brief enjoyment of childhood memories. Even if she didn't understand the joke he then made out of it, he still hoped it would make her smile.

"Come on, let's leave the Duke boys to it, while we enjoy some of my mom's camomile tea."

Knowing better than to argue, and faced with the offer she could never turn down, Teyla smiled up at him, in easier gratitude. Then, rather belatedly, the smile turned to a puzzled frown.

"Duke boys?"

Grinning again, Evan nodded while leading the way from the pier's hallway back into the city.

"Yeah, it's a TV show that… well, me, the Colonel, and Rodney grew up with," he explained, wondering how best to describe the unique quirks of Hazzard to a woman from another galaxy.

Given her current, unusually subdued mood, the answer was pretty obvious. Quickly and simply. Then he could concentrate on more serious priorities, and what he'd already guessed was troubling her.

"Basically, it was the good guys against the bad guys, but… well, with cars. Lots of cars," he said at last, frowning himself now, as a politely quizzical glance told him that had been a bit too quick and simple. Even Torren was staring at him, as if asking if his godfather had been zapped in the head. Again.

Pulling a suitable face in return, Evan thought for a moment while gently tickling Torren's feet – gaining at least one happily giggling listener, while he relived the adventures of his childhood heroes.

"Okay, the Duke boys were the good guys. They were cousins, and they had this amazing car…"

By the time they reached the level that housed his quarters, Teyla knew everything about them. Not just the Duke boys either, but the whole family that extended through most of Hazzard county. Parts of it still puzzled her, but she'd been happy just to listen to Evan bring it so charmingly to life – the laughter than had constantly broken through his voice contagious enough to lift her mood too.

It was a shame, though, that she would never meet the woman who'd smitten a whole generation. From the way Evan had wistfully described her, Daisy Duke had been an… impressive character.

More seriously, she'd found comfort from the subtly close, soothing calmness of his presence. She could feel his protective concern through the hand that had settled, so gallantly, against her back. Beneath the mantle of military command, Evan Lorne still had a soul of unbreakable gentleness.

Everything the Duke boys had been, she thought, glancing proudly into the face of a real, living hero. He'd always been a good friend to her, especially through these first daunting months of motherhood. And if anyone could understand what she was feeling right now… yes, for all the close friendships she had on Atlantis, that person could only be him.

Yet even when they reached the sanctuary of his quarters, he didn't speak, or push her into talking. Instead, he guided her to the chair that, from her regular visits here, had become almost her own – smiling gently back at her, a silent promise that he wouldn't be long, before he headed into the kitchen.

Settling back into its comfort, Teyla's eyes fell on the other inspiration that had brought her here. The photos that had bonded her, through the ups and downs of motherhood, to Evan Lorne's family. She just hoped they'd help her live with the choice that had cast such a dark shadow over its joys.