Major Evan Lorne was still in awe of his surroundings. He'd been in Atlantis almost a week now and hadn't even had a chance to actually speak with his commanding officer. Supposedly this newly promoted Lieutenant Colonel was the hero of the city in more ways than one. It didn't take long for a newcomer to hear of the glories of Colonel John Sheppard. Major Lorne didn't have anything personal against the hero-types, but he was starting to wonder if the man had forgotten him. Or, perhaps, this was his punishment. Instead of shipping him off to some frozen, hellish wasteland, they sent him all the way to another galaxy to get rid of him. And, of course, the Colonel was just oh so thrilled about this that he was avoiding the man that had been appointed as his second in command. It had probably been forced on him and out of his hands. Damned IOA.

Yep, that would be about right, Lorne thought to himself. Fourteen years in the Air Force and I get to just disappear.

From his position on this otherwise unoccupied balcony he had an amazing view of one of the most spectacular sunsets he'd ever witnessed on any world. Half the Ancient city sprawled below with an unblemished view of the ocean horizon and sunset beyond. For a moment, Evan thought about seeing what he could do to get some art supplies around here.

Well, if this is where they're going to make me disappear, there are worse places, he admitted to himself, thinking about what he'd heard of McMurdo.

For a while he gave up his thoughts and just enjoyed the view. But enough was enough. If his commanding officer didn't have time to seek him out, then he was just going to have to corner the man. At the very least, Lorne wanted to know what he was in for. He'd served under quite a few people in his career. So far, catching the man in his office proved damn-near impossible. Lorne grudgingly gave him that much credit. He never did like working for the by-the-book pencil pushers and desk jockeys.

Giving up his view, Major Lorne decided to prowl the city for a while in search of his CO.

~o~o~o~

An hour later he found his target. The man was sitting with the two remaining members of his team. He seemed to be lost in thought while Teyla Emmagen and Doctor Rodney McKay were discussing something animatedly. Whatever it was that was going on in the Colonel's head, he didn't seem to be paying much attention to the conversation. But, when McKay's body language and speech turned to frustrated jerkiness and hand gestures, the Colonel seemed to refocus his attention for a minute. Lorne was too far away to hear whatever had been said; but, whatever it was, had a rather profound impact on the astrophysicist. The man actually shut up. This was enough to make the Major smile. Anyone who had been in Atlantis five minutes knew about the great Doctor Rodney McKay and the mouth that wouldn't quit. No, he wasn't about to interrupt the Colonel when he was having dinner with his teammates. But just seeing how he handled the scientist was worth a look.

Grabbing a cup of coffee, Lorne made himself scarce again for a while.

~o~o~o~

Finally! Lorne thought, thinking he was going to die of a heart attack at the shock of seeing the great hero Lieutenant Colonel John Sheppard in his office. Not bothering to knock, he opened the glass door. Standing smartly before the desk, he saluted.

The Colonel's expression was not what the Major had expected. Irritation at the interruption, annoyance at being cornered, anything but the clear amusement dancing in those green eyes. And that knowing smirk. Lorne struggled not to frown in confusion. Then the Colonel's face got serious.

"Drop the bow, Major. I haven't earned that yet."

For a moment Lorne blinked in surprise not sure what to make of this. Dropping his hand to his side at attention, he watched as Sheppard sat back in his chair contemplating his new executive officer.

"I really hope you're not one of those," Sheppard commented waving to a chair. "Sit down, Major. Relax."

"Not one of what? If I may ask, sir," Lorne queried, struggling to remain neutral despite the implication in Sheppard's comment.

"For one thing I'm not going to go around Atlantis telling you to relax all the time. You're just going to have to get used to things around here. Secondly, around here, the salute is reserved for, shall we say 'special occasions'. We haven't worked together, yet. Other than my rank, I've not earned that salute. If you feel it necessary at a later time, I'll accept it."

Lorne struggled to keep his expression neutral and not grin. So, he's one of those, he thought. Could be worse. "Understood, sir."

Again Sheppard sat contemplating Lorne as if amused to no small degree. "So, how are you settling in? Enjoy the grand tour?"

"It's a lot more comfortable than my last post, sir. And yes, sir."

Again Sheppard made a face, still not too fond of the formality; but given what he'd seen so far, he wasn't going to push the Major to a total breakdown of authority, yet.

"So, were you wanting something, or did you just come to introduce yourself?"

"I'd like to speak with you, sir."

"Not happy with the hours? Or was it the coffee? The coffee not being its usual standard of military sludge does tend to throw people off when they first get here. But with all the scientists, the city runs on coffee. So it has to be good, or we all suffer. Trust me, Major, cold showers, no electricity, and other city issues are not worth having a stronger cup of coffee in the morning."

Lorne couldn't help but quirk a smile at that one. "I can imagine, sir. But no complaints. Just a couple of questions, sir."

Not sure he really liked where this was going, Sheppard tried to force himself to be serious for a moment. Seeing the grin on the Major's face and how he'd loosened up was worth it, though. But did the man really have to look so….young?

It's the dimples. It's gotta be the damn dimples, Sheppard thought to himself, nodding for the Major to continue.

"Why am I here, sir?"

"Because you've been assigned to the Atlantis Expedition."

Lorne was not amused. "I see. May I ask who gave the order, sir?"

"I did."

Lorne's eyebrows shot up.

Sheppard considered this for a moment with a lopsided grin. "Why so surprised?"

"Permission to speak freely, sir?"

"Always, Major."

"Because I was fairly certain my career had tanked, and they were going to either put me on a planet as far from human civilization as possible, or stick me in McMurdo's frozen hell to keep an eye on me."

"McMurdo's not that bad. But what would make you think your career was in the toilet?"

Lorne gave Sheppard wary look that visibly asked why the Colonel was playing this game, and decided to call him on it. "You know why, sir."

"I read the reports. But I want to hear it from you, Major. What really happened on P three S seven seven five?"

For a moment Lorne looked like he was going to refuse. Then he nodded to himself as if coming to a decision. Those blue eyes were hard with his next words; almost as if he was challenging the Colonel. "I disobeyed a direct order from General Hammond, sir."

"And what order was that?"

"To return to Earth with the remaining members of my team, sir."

"Now why would you go and do something like that?" the Colonel shot back, not bothering to hide his amusement.

"I sent the rest of my team through the gate, sir. Then I went back to locate and rescue Lieutenant Surnilla," Lorne replied, clearly not liking this line of questioning.

"Successfully, if the reports are correct."

"Yes, sir."

"And did you know she was the daughter of one of the IOA members?"

"No, sir. And that is irrelevant, sir."

"Then what is relevant, Major?" Sheppard asked, his expression utterly neutral now.

"She was a member of my team. I had no idea where she was, or in what condition. I wasn't going to leave her behind, sir."

"Let me get this straight," Sheppard said, his expression visibly and deliberately hardening as the commanding officer came out. "You sent your remaining team through gate, as ordered. Then you went back through a battle zone to find your missing team member; who, by the way, was unconscious with a broken leg and bleeding from a head wound. You carried her back to the gate. And then what? You expected a medal?"

"No, sir," Lorne growled, his eyes screaming how furious he was, even if his expression did not. "She was a member of my team. I won't leave anyone behind until I have proof there's nothing to save, sir."

"So, what? You were hot on her or something?" Sheppard pushed.

"No." It was a sign of how angry the Major was in the fact that he left off the honorific.

Sheppard struggled not to grin as he continued to push. "Then explain to me, Major, why you thought it was a good idea to disobey a direct order, risk your life, and the lives of everyone at the SGC to go back for her."

"You've obviously read my record, sir," Lorne replied, struggling to get himself back under control. "I lost Lieutenant Ritter a couple years before. It may not have been my command, but he should never have been out there alone. Lieutenant Surnilla…" He paused to take a breath and continue more calmly. "I wouldn't have endangered the SGC, Colonel. If we had no safe way back, at least she wouldn't have died alone in that cave."

"And that's it? Throw away your life and career for the life of another under your command so you can make up for the loss of another?"

"No, sir. I don't need to tell you that nothing I do will bring back the dead. But I won't make the same mistake twice."

"If you were in the same situation all over again tomorrow, would you do it again?"

"Yes, sir."

Sheppard smiled as he sat back in his chair. "And that's why you're here."

For a moment, Lorne seemed utterly confused. Sheppard let that sink in as understanding donned on the man's face softening his expression.

"We don't leave our people, behind, Major. I could not think of a more qualified person to be my Second in Command."

The Major's expression hardened again. "And if I do it again? To you this time, sir?"

"Depends on the situation. But out here in the Pegasus Galaxy, we operate a little differently. We'll deal with disciplinary actions if it ever comes to that. For now, welcome to Atlantis."

Now Lorne did smile, "Thank you, sir."

"Oh, and in case you didn't notice, I hate paperwork. That's all yours. I recommend getting it done early, because Doctor Weir is usually up and about by seven o'clock. And you've got the duty rosters."

"I'm usually up by five, sir. I like the morning shift."

"Thank God," Sheppard said sincerely. "I hate mornings."

"Anything else I should know about, sir?"

Sheppard seemed to think for a moment. "You've got the ATA gene, right?"

"So they say, sir."

Sheppard smiled wickedly. "I'll just let the rest be a surprise, then, Major."

That part Lorne didn't like the sound of. But, in light of what he'd learned of his CO so far, he thought he could definitely learn to like the guy. Maybe his stay in Atlantis wouldn't be so bad after all.