Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to SGA besides what happens in my imagination!
Author's Note: My response to Shadows-of-Realm and icemenace's Downtime, Atlantis Style challenge. Comes in at 293 words on my word processor. Enjoy! ~lg
oOo
"You paint!"
The statement brought back so many memories, and Lorne turned toward the voice. "Hey, Doc. Yeah, I paint."
"And you're good, too."
For a moment, Lorne traveled back in time and stood on a similar balcony, painting a similar picture, talking to a similar person. But this wasn't Carson Beckett. At least, this wasn't the Carson Beckett who originally said those words.
Beckett clearly sensed something in the way the major shook his head. "I've said that before, haven't I?"
"Yeah, and in about the same tone, as well." Lorne shrugged. "Sorry, Doc. It just brought up the memories."
"Oh, no, I'm sorry." Beckett motioned to the painting. "You've done this for a while."
"Yeah, I have." Lorne refused to complete the thought, to explain why he stopped painting for so long. It reminded him of two years ago, when the original Carson Beckett asked about his art. "What's on your mind, Doc?"
"Oh, well, I was looking for someone to go fishing with me, and I didn't ask anyone until today." Beckett shrugged. "I know how Rodney feels about fishing."
Lorne stared at the canvas. He wanted to finish it. However, the last time he chose painting over fishing, he lived to regret that decision. Instead, he nodded. "Yeah, you know what, Doc? I think I'd like to do that. Give me just a few minutes, and I'll fly us to the mainland."
Hours later, smelling like fish and ocean, Evan Lorne retired to his room and stared at the unfinished painting. It wasn't often life gave him a second chance. He shrugged and realized he might never finish that painting. In the long run, that wouldn't matter. He'd spent the afternoon with a friend. That was all that mattered.