Coming Home

Spoilers: Not intentionally, but references to both seasons may slip in on occasion.

Rating: T for some mild language and potentially disturbing images in later chapters.

Disclaimer: I do not own Stargate Atlantis or any of the characters associated with it. However, if TPTB ever stumble across my drabble and decide to use any of it, please invite me to watch the episode filming! Better yet, let me play a silent extra! I come complete with my own Air Force uniform! Yeah, that'd be nice!

Prologue

The ancient lost city of Atlantis slowly roused to wakefulness from 10,000 years of deep slumber. Her old bones creaked with disuse, yet remained strong enough to protect the ones who woke her. She sensed among them the one who'd remained behind for all those years, changing out the power source and keeping them both alive. She also sensed the special one who is the key to her survival. She watched over him, tenderly stroking his mind with her quiet whispers while slowly revealing her great mysteries. Aching with the joy his mere presence aroused within her, a longing so profound she shuddered and burst forth from her hiding place in the great depths of the cold, dark sea. Her child, the first of the first, home at last. She would bide her time, let him absorb and learn all he must in order to fulfill his destiny. Ah! Her old heart sang with love. She missed the others who'd left so long ago, but knew the future lay with the one here now. With a sigh, she set about protecting him as best as she could, which proved more difficult than she'd imagined. The man had an uncanny knack for trouble. In time, he would take his rightful place as ruler of the wondrous city. Until then, she watched over him and those with whom he made his life. She even managed to enjoy the interesting dynamics of human relationships.

Chapter One

The no longer lost city of Atlantis observed her two favorite charges with wry enjoyment. The term 'lost' still amused her. She knew right where she'd been for all these years. It seemed to her the inhabitants who'd abandoned their city were really the lost ones.

Lieutenant Colonel John Sheppard walked with his friend and teammate, Dr. Rodney McKay, their footsteps echoing down the unusually empty corridor. They had just returned from a scientific mission and McKay had pushed himself beyond his natural endurance. Sheppard watched McKay closely for signs of fatigue. For a genius, the scientist had no idea how to monitor his own health.

"All I'm saying is, you have to take better care of yourself, McKay! With your hypoglycemia, you need to pay more attention to your food intake. You almost fainted on that last mission. We don't need that kind of trouble!" Sheppard watched McKay's face redden as he began to splutter. The man wore buttons that screamed 'push me' and he was happy to comply in the name of friendship.

"I do not faint; I pass out! Besides, 'Colonel McTrouble', you seem to have forgotten our roles in this little drama." McKay's arms began to gesticulate, a sure sign he was gearing up for a full-on rant. "You play the cavalier hero who leads us head first into trouble, and my understated, yet much more important, role is that of the rarely appreciated genius left to save the day, and with never enough time or resources, I might add."

"What? I don't lead us 'into trouble'!" Sheppard halted in mid-stride and turned an affronted gaze toward the smug scientist. "Do we really want to have this argument, McKay?"

McKay, who'd stopped to square off with Sheppard, gave his friend a long, assessing look before rolling his eyes and tossing his hands up in frustration.

"Oh all right! I concede that sometimes, on occasion, I might get us into small 'situations', but I get us right back out again…usually." McKay's stomach spoke up with a loud rumble. He hated it when Sheppard was right, and the man was right more often than he was wrong. "Can we eat now, or would you rather lead me into trouble by starving me into the very hyperglycemic shock you keep harping on me to prevent? I really don't want to visit Carson's infirmary again today!"

"Don't tempt me, Rodney!" Sheppard said, his twitching lips giving away his enjoyment of the verbal duel. "Let's go feed your beast."

McKay grunted, but hurried to keep up with Sheppard's long strides as the colonel set off once again for the cafeteria.

When the two men entered the bustling cafeteria, they spotted their teammates, Teyla Emmagan and Ronon Dex, already seated. Sheppard acknowledged them with a quick nod and received a wave and nod in return. Sheppard and McKay grabbed trays and worked their way through the lunch line in a record-setting ten minutes before joining Teyla and Ronon.

"Daedalus docked while we were off world," McKay mumbled around a mouthful of something gooey.

Sheppard watched with a look bordering between amazement and disgust as McKay furiously stuffed food down his gullet. How the man managed not to choke was beyond him.

"Yeah, Elizabeth mentioned that when I saw her earlier. She said you have a new woman on the payroll, but she didn't give me a name. She did say the lady asked for me. I don't know many scientists, so I'm not sure what that's all about."

"First, she's not a scientist. Second, I'm not sure why she's coming to my staff. I had no say-so in the matter, which bothers me to no end. General Landry sent along a cryptic message saying she should be a welcome addition to my staff. I just hope she's more competent than the rest of my idiots!" McKay said, loudly smacking his food. Although unwarranted, his distain for his fellow scientists, or for that matter anyone else who dared voice an opinion, was legendary.

"Your 'idiots' have saved each of us many times, Dr. McKay. I do not think you need to worry about them as much as you do." Teyla reminded the lead scientist with a deadpan look and laughing eyes.

"Huh, I feel sorry for anyone who has to deal with him all day long! They must have the patience of Kevi to put up with the sound of his voice," Ronon growled low enough for Teyla's ears.

The young Athosian woman choked on her water and quickly raised a hand to cover her mouth.

"What?" McKay asked, suspiciously eyeing the pair. He suspected they were teasing him good-naturedly behind his back. Having never let people get close to the 'real' Rodney, he wasn't quite sure how to take their easy banter without getting upset and defensive.

Teyla kept her eyes focused on the occupants of a table across the room while Dex innocently shook his head and raised his shoulders. "Nothing."

"That's what I thought," McKay said imperiously.

"Maybe she is your new staff member." Teyla indicated a pretty, young blonde woman standing beside the table at which she'd been staring a moment ago.

McKay craned his neck to get a look, and his jaw dropped. "She's stunning! I hope she is my new assistant. Maybe there is a God!"

Sheppard turned in his seat to check her out. "Okay, where is she, McKay. Oh, I see her…wait a minute! It can't be…" Sheppard's hazel eyes narrowed and his mouth compressed into a displeased line. He shoved up and away from the table.

"She's hot, isn't she? Just remember, I saw her first Colonel!" He doesn't have to get every girl, does he, McKay thought to himself.

"Back off, McKay! That's my sister you're thinking about sexually harassing!"

"What? No, no, no, no…wait…did you say sister?" stammered McKay, but he was talking to Sheppard's rapidly retreating back.

Sheppard strode purposefully toward the petite woman who stood talking with Major Lorne. When he was close enough, he reached out and grabbed her arm, spinning her around to face him.

"Jesilyn, what the Hell are you doing here?"

Jesi's surprised face tumbled into delight, and she jumped into Sheppard's arms. She latched onto him with her arms and legs and let loose a deep delighted laugh.

"John-John! Aren't you glad to see me?" She plastered his face with loud, sloppy kisses that had him dodging and scrunching his face in protest. He looked and felt too thin, which meant he wasn't eating properly or getting enough rest. She'd have to put a stop to that! Maybe coming to Atlantis would prove to be a good decision, for both of them.

Her sparkling hazel eyes eventually melted his resolve, and he hugged her close. "You know I'm always glad to see you, kiddo! You surprised me, that's all." Sheppard's mind reeled. How had his sister ended up on Atlantis when she didn't even know about the Stargate program? Shouldn't he have been informed of her impending arrival?

Jesi laughed again. "I think I've scared your friends."

Sheppard looked around and was shocked to see they'd drawn a group of gawkers. Lorne and Sheppard's team stood at the head of the crowd, grinning and enjoying the show. Great, this is just what he needed--rumors flying about his sister all ready!

"Get back to your food… Now!"

Sheppard's command had the desired result, and people scrambled to get out of his way as he tried to disentangle himself from his sister's grasp.

Taking pity, Jesi let go and stood on her own two feet.

"Ahh, Colonel, aren't you going to introduce us?" McKay practically begged.

Sheppard shot him an annoyed look, then sighed deeply.

"Jesi, these are my teammates, Teyla Emmagan, Ronon Dex, and Dr. Rodney McKay. Everyone, this is my little sister, Jesilyn Gibbs."

"I'd prefer Jesi Gibbs, thank you very much!" Jesi clarified with a laugh. Turning to McKay, she added, "I'm here to join your staff, Dr. McKay."

McKay smiled and murmured under his breath, "Thank you, God!" He glanced at Jesi's empty ring finger with a questioning look. "Gibbs…not Sheppard?"

"Gibbs is my married name. I'm a widow. My husband, Tony, died in Afghanistan four years ago." Jesi looked down at the pale band of empty skin around her ring finger. She'd removed her wedding set two days before coming to Atlantis. She had traversed a minefield of emotions getting to a comfortable place where she felt she could be free from the past. Atlantis represented a fresh start and she wasn't about to slide backwards!

"Oh, I'm sorry! You must be… well… very alone." McKay stammered, his cheeks turning pale. I'm such an idiot, he thought. Why can't I ever say the right thing to a pretty woman? Why?

"I was for a long time, but that should change now that I'm here with my big brother!" Jesi gave Sheppard another squeeze.

"So, when did you get here, or, more importantly, why are you here?" Sheppard asked with calculated casualness.

Jesi studied her brother's face. On the surface, he seemed happy enough to see her, but she'd bet if she dug deep enough, down to the artesian well of emotions he kept buried beneath rock-hard layers of his perceived guilt, she'd find discord dredged up by her arrival. She'd expected as much, even though he was the reason she was here. For now, she played ignorant and took his questions at face value.

"I arrived on the Daedalus a couple of days ago. As to why, General Landry received your message suggesting I be tested for the ATA gene. When the results came back as a strong carrier, he explained the stargate program and your involvement and asked me to come join the Atlantis expedition."

"Only one problem, I didn't send him a message," Sheppard said, his internal radar pinging off the meter. "I'll have to talk to Elizabeth, see if she sent it."

Jesi smiled and rested a comforting hand on Sheppard's tense shoulder. "General Landry said something about providing a back-up plan, since you seem to get hurt, trapped, or kidnapped on a regular basis!"

"Ha ha, so damn funny!" Sheppard stuck his thumbs in his belt loops and tried to relax.

Jesi grinned at the snickers from McKay, Teyla and Ronon.

"Don't you people have things to do?" Sheppard shot a pointed look at his team.

"Yes, I must go to the mainland to check in with Halling," Teyla replied diplomatically. As leader of the Athosian people, Teyla liked to check in frequently with Halling, who acted as her pro-tem.

"Do you need any help?" Ronon asked hopefully. As amusing as the verbal tug-o-war between McKay and Sheppard was, Ronon needed a trip to the mainland, to open spaces and wind-swept trees where he could run, lose himself in the forest and set free his inner warrior. Holding back and being polite wore on a man used to living alone. Teyla understood that, understood him.

"I can always use the company. We should be back on Atlantis by late evening." Teyla had been expecting Ronon's request. His rigidly contained tension when they sparred in the gym gave away his need for release.

"I'll grab my gear and meet you in the jumper bay in…" Ronon raised a questioning brow.

"One hour. Major Lorne has agreed to be my pilot and that is our scheduled departure time." With a slight smile and a tilt of her head, Teyla added, "It was very nice to meet you, Jesi. I look forward to furthering our acquaintance in the days to come." The Athosian departed with Ronon on her heels.

"Wow, they seem nice…a bit different, but…nice." Jesi looked toward McKay.

"Dr., I'm to start work on Monday. Dr. Weir has given me until then to pick out my quarters and get acclimated."

"Please, call me Rodney. Monday, yes, that would be…fine. And, ah, if you need any, ah, help getting 'acclimated' or whatnot, please consider me at your disposal."

"McKay, still my sister!" Sheppard warned under his breath.

"Still hot!" McKay whispered in return.

"Rodney…" Sheppard ground out between clenched teeth.

"That would be lovely. I'll keep your offer in mind." Jesi smiled and turned to Sheppard. "Any suggestions as to real estate? You know what they say…location, location, location!" She was dying to get settled in.

"Around here, there is no bad real estate. It's all ocean view, all the time. Come on, I'll help get you settled. See you later, McKay!"

Sheppard led Jesi out of the cafeteria with a sharp look over the shoulder at McKay. McKay scowled, but quickly smiled when Jesi turned and shot him a grin and a wave.

TBC