A/N - Just before we get started, I've always imagined what would have happened if there had been a more romantic sub-plot for Sheppard, but also if there had been a prominent Samantha Carter type character on Sheppard's team to give him a run for his money. So this story is the result of these thoughts.
As you can imagine the chapter's take a while to write, and whilst i will try to stick as close to the original Atlantic timeline and story as much as possible, there will always be some slight deviations in order to make Riley more relevant and test her relationships with her other team members.
Disclaimer: I don't own any characters or storylines from Stargate Atlantis, other than Alice Riley.
Stargate Command, Cheyenne Mountain
Lieutenant Alice Riley stood in the briefing room of the SGC, she had been scheduled to go out with SG4 before General Hammond had pulled her off the mission with no explanation. Silently she paced up and down the room occasionally glancing out of the window at the Stargate, she was starting to feel nervous, being pulled off missions generally didn't bode well. She dragged her hands through her golden-brown hair, pulling strands loose from her bun. Alice Riley was - in her mind at least - a pretty ordinary girl. She was 24, petite and very tone. It usually gave her an advantage when sparring as people generally underestimated her strength. As she paced she caught site of her reflection in the window, she had very pretty features with bright green eyes, but she'd decided to pay little attention to her appearance when she'd joined the military.
At the moment a dozen different missions were flashing through her mind, anything that might have caused her to be reprimanded. Her head snapped up and she stood at attention as she heard the door open, General Hammond walked in followed by General O'Neill, who gestured to take a seat "please Captain sit down."
Nodding, Alice pulled out the closest chair and took a seat. She couldn't stop her knee from shaking up and down as she waited for either General to speak.
"Lieutenant Riley" General Hammond looked directly at Alice, "we have been reviewing your recent mission files, as well as your recent review from your team leader." Hammond paused for a second, Alice didn't realise she had been holding her breath.
"Yes" General O'Neill jumped in at this point after Hammond gave him a pointed look "um… we would like to talk to you about re-assingment." Alice's hands were clammy at this point. "As you know we recently discovered the gate address to the lost city of the Ancients, and we would like to offer you a position on the team."
Alice's jaw dropped, O'Neill looked between her and Hammond "Oh… and we are also promoting you to the rank of Captain. Y'know if you decide to take the job."
Alice shook her head slightly "I…um…Tha…Thank you Generals for the offer, but can i ask why this is an offer and you haven't just re-assigned me?"
O'Neill coughed uncomfortably, "good question" turning to Hammond he not so quietly whispered "see i told you she was good"
Hammond gave O'Neill a disapproving look, "Lieutenant, because this is highly likely a one-way mission we are offering all personnel recommended for the mission the opportunity to decline."
Alice nodded, Hammond continued "We know this isn't a decision to take lightly, so take some time to cons-"
"I would be honoured to be a part of the Atlantis mission" Hammond looked slightly taken back, but O'Neill was smirking.
"Welcome aboard Captain Riley, you'll be under the command of Colonel Sumner and the expedition is departing in one week. Please make any necessary arrangements and report back to the SGC in 4 days for pre-mission briefing. O'Neill stood up and offered his hand across the table to Alice, Hammond still looked shell shocked at what was happening.
Alice stood up quickly and accepted his hand. Then stepped back and saluted, before exiting the room. As soon as she made it out the door she lent back against the wall and grinned.
One week later
Alice looked around the gate room, people were moving about everywhere, checking equipment and talking to each other. Alice could hear a variety of different languages being spoken. Her attention focused on a man in a yellow uniform - each division had been given their own color, yellow was for medical personnel - he was arguing with one of the military personnel. Before she could intervene the two broke apart and things calmed down.
"Colonel" a man's voice sounded just to Alice's left, turning she saw a new soldier walk in and address Sumner. He was a typical build - tall, muscular with slightly disheveled brown hair. Sumner gave him a disapproving look before turning his attention away. Alice had been in all the military personnel briefings for the last few days, but she didn't recognise the new arrival. She noticed his rank next, major. This wasn't unexpected, although Alice had only recently been made Captain on this expedition most of the military personnel were made up of enlisted, there were very few officers. Before the Major walked in Alice had been the 4th highest ranking military officer.
The man looked around the gate room, and caught Alice's eye and slowly made his way over to her. "Hello Major, you look like this is your first time seeing the Stargate." Alice nodded politely at him. Before he could respond, expedition leader Dr. Weir stepped through the doorway and called everyone to attention.
Standing up on the ramp she began addressing the group, "Alright, here we go. We are about to try to make a connection. We have been unable to predict exactly how much power this is gonna take and we may only get the one chance at this, so if we are able to achieve a stable wormhole, we're not gonna risk shutting the Gate down. We'll send in the M.A.L.P robot probe, check for viability and go. Everything in one shot. Now, every one of you volunteered for this mission and you represent over a dozen countries. You are the world's best and brightest; and in light of the adventure we are about to embark on, you are also the bravest. I hope we all return one day having discovered a whole new realm for humanity to explore, but as all of you know, we may never be able to return home. I'd like to offer you all one last chance to withdraw your participation."
Alice looked around the room and saw the Major doing the same, no one moved. Weir smiled and directed her gaze up to the control room "Begin the dialing sequence."
Alarms started ringing and Weir headed back to the control room. The Major turned to Alice "Major John Sheppard, and this is actually my first time seeing the gate"
Alice's face twitched in slight shock, "really?" approaching footsteps alerted Alice to the arrival of Colonel Sumner, he acknowledged her with a nod of his head and turned his body to face Sheppard.
"Let me make myself clear, Major …" His tone was dark and low. Feeling uncomfortable Alice took a few steps back, in the process accidentally knocking into someone.
Slightly flustered Alice spun around and looked at the person "Sorry Lieutenant, i wasn't looking where i was going."
The young man looked up and had a goofy smile on his face "no worries Cap, no damage done."
Alice smiled "Nice to see you Ford", Lt Ford was one of the men that Alice had been doing briefings with, "you ready?"
Ford shook his head "are you?"
Alice knew what he meant, they'd all agreed to this but the prospect that in the next few minutes they could be travelling to another galaxy with the prospect of never coming home was slightly daunting.
The whoosh of the Stargate made Alice turn away from Ford, no matter how many times she'd been through the gate it still never managed to just leave her awe inspired. The MALP moved through the gate, Alice gave Ford a grin as she bounced on the spot in excitement. She saw the Colonel touch his ear and nod "Let's go, people. We don't know how much time we've got." Sumner and a few marines headed up the ramp. "Security teams one and two, you're up first. All other personnel will follow on our signal. Once on the other side, keep moving, clear the debarkation area. On my lead."
Alice checked her equipment quickly, she saw Major Sheppard move towards her slightly.
"Hold on, Colonel." Weir walked up the ramp behind Sumner. "We go through together."
Sumner nodded, then walked to the top of the ramp with a couple of other marines, walking into the wormhole. The security teams followed after him, and then Weir stepped through.
Alice, Sheppard and Ford all stepped up and began to walk up the gate. Sheppard looked at the wormhole with a concerned face "what's it feel like?"
Ford's face took on a serious face "Hurts like hell, sir." A second later he grinned and jumped back into the gate.
"Don't worry sir, just remember to exhale before you step through" Alice gave him a slightly sympathetic look, before she stepped through the gate.
Atlantis, Pegasus Galaxy
Alice looked out the window at the submerged city, "Colonel Sumner, this is Captain Riley, i need you to come down and see this, I'm three levels below the control room." They'd arrived through the gate and began exploring the area around the gateroom.
The radio crackled in her ear "on my way Captain." Alice and the marines behind her shifted their weight uneasily as they waited for Sumner to join them. Sumner had the same look on his face as Alice and the marines, he reached down and pushed the button on his radio "Doctor Weir. Colonel Sumner. Can you come down and meet me, please? We're three levels down from you."
It didn't take long till Dr. Weir and Major Sheppard appeared and walked up to them. Sheppard stood beside Alice and gave her a small smile.
"Oh my God." Alice looked away from him as Weir approached the window, Sheppard stepping up to look for himself. "We're under water."
"I'd say we're under several hundred feet of ocean. If we can't dial out, this could be a problem. Riley, Fawkes take your teams and report to Bates in the control room."
Alice nodded and began walking back towards the gateroom, stepping out of the way as a man she recognised as Dr. Mckay ran past her.
Back in the control room
Alice was checking in with the various teams around the city, Sumner had just given the order to fall back to the gateroom. Alice's radio crackled to life in her ear "Captain Riley, Lieutenant Ford, gather security teams one and two. Everyone gear up."
"Yes sir, we'll be ready to move out in 5." Alice nodded to Ford and gathered her teams as Sumner and Sheppard ran down the stairs to meet them.
Alien planet
"Sheppard, you, Ford and Riley take positions on the left" Alice nodded and fell into step behind the Major. After running into a few local children, the team followed their father who had introduced himself as Halling back to his village.
"So, Riley is it?" Sheppard appeared beside Alice as the group moved in the dark.
"Yes sir, Captain Alice Riley" Alice looked over to him and smiled.
"Well, it's very nice to meet you Riley, any idea what we might be looking at here" he gestured with his P90 to Halling.
Alice shook her head "sorry Major, your guess is as good as mine. I'm used to things being a bit more ancient egypt-y."
Sheppard gave her a confused look, "so, how long you been doing this?"
"As in, exploring other worlds?" Alice was amused, Sheppard seemed to be a very different kind of officer to the ones she was used to. Although, he was starting to remind her slightly of General O'Neill. "About 2 years now, though I was originally assigned to the research attaché before being promoted and joining SG4."
Sheppard nodded and before he could say anything else was distracted by one of the kids, Jinto, asking about his night vision goggles. She couldn't help but snicker at his Star Wars reference, Sheppard narrowed his eyes at her, her giggle then turned into a cough.
Once they'd arrived at the village, Alice was put on guard position outside. She paced around her position and listened for any signs of movement. It had been a couple of hours and the sun had started rising. She'd seen Sumner and Bates looking out over at an Ancient moment sticking out from the ground, before heading out over in that direction. Alice kicked a stone nearby and watched as it flew down the small hill.
Ford had headed back to the gate and Sheppard had gone off with the leader Teyla. "Perimeter teams check in" Alice called into her radio, listening to the various teams report no updates.
The sun had began setting, when Colonel Sumner announced he was heading back to the village. Although her radio was on, she had tuned out the chatter that was happening, Ford was updating Sumner about Sheppard. That was until she heard Ford's voice shouting into her ear "Colonel. Three bandits on your way."
Alice reacted instantly "perimeter teams go to defense positions, prepare for incoming hostiles." Moving quickly she headed towards the village entrance, just as she heard a feint buzzing noise.
That's when everything went to chaos. People started screaming and disappearing, "Fawkes, Bates, report." She could only hear screaming coming through the radios. She managed to make out a marine telling them the Colonel had been taken, cursing to her self she'd open fire on the aircraft above.
She saw one of the aircraft crash down on the other side of the village, then as soon as they came, they were gone.
Atlantis
Alice, followed Sheppard and survivors from the village through the gate. "Riley, get these people out of the way and standby for further orders." Alice nodded and began ushering people over to the side of the gateroom. She could hear shouting happening above in the control room, then everything started shaking.
"Everyone grab onto something!" Alice yelled down at the civilians. Gear and equipment was falling around them. Alice braced herself, sunlight began streaming through what she now realised was windows. Gasping, she slowly stood up as the shaking subdued.
"Riley! Everyone down there alright?" Shepherd's voice rang out from the control area.
"Yes sir, we're all good" She stepped around the corner to see him moving towards the stairs just as a door opened up next to him to what looked like a balcony. Weir and Sheppard headed out there, her expression was serious. It seemed like Sheppard was about to get an earful.
Alice was glad she wasn't in his position. She shook her head to clear her thoughts and decided on a plan of action. Grabbing her gear from the floor, she radioed for the security teams to check for any structural damages and to get any injured personnel to the medical teams.
Just as she was satisfied her teams were getting to work, she started to look around the gateroom to see if anyone here needed assistance. Sheppard was walking down the steps towards her "Major, I've tasked security teams with damage control and getting any injured to the medical teams."
Sheppard seemed distracted, but gave her a curt nod "Good work Riley," he started to walk past her, but then stopped and turned back to her. "Can i ask you something Captain?"
"Sure thing, what's on your mind?" Alice tilted her head, looking into Sheppard's eyes.
"How well did you know Colonel Sumner?" Alice shook her head slightly, and turned her gaze to the floor.
"Sorry sir, this is the first time i've worked with him." Sheppard huffed and as Alice looked back up to his face, just nodded. "Sir, I would like to ask if you are planning a rescue mission that i could come along?" Alice knew that's what Sheppard was planning, with or without Weir's permission.
"Sorry Riles, you're now one of the senior military officers on the base, I need you here to manage the set up." Alice raised her eyebrows at the new nickname he had given her.
"But sir…" Sheppard's look was enough to stop her "understood Major."
Sheppard smiled and began heading over to Lt. Ford and telling him to gear up. Alice huffed silently, she didn't like being left out, especially when people's lives depended on it.
"Dr. Beckett?" Alice walked up to one of the men in yellow jackets. Although she knew most of the military personnel, she'd only read the civilian manifest. The man shook his head but pointed towards another man with dark brown hair a short distance down the hall.
"Excuse me, are you Dr. Beckett?" The man was bandaging up one of the scientists.
"Aye, who's asking?" His eyes didn't leave his patient
"Captain Alice Riley, I've been put in charge of getting the base sorted." Alice glanced around her, everywhere people were rushing past with heavy equipment.
"Nice to meet you lass, what can i do for you?" Beckett finished his bandaging "This is all wrapped up, try not to let anything else fall on you now." The scientist mumbled a quick thanks and started moving away. Alice stepped aside to let him past, Beckett now directed his attention to her "well you're not exactly what i was expecting…" He looked slightly taken back and looked her up and down, realising what he said he started stuttering a bit "i mean, sorry, you're just so young"
"No worries doc, i get it a lot" Alice smiled and brushed a strand of her brown hair that had gotten loose from her bun off her face. "One of the security teams found what he thinks is an infirmary, it's been cleared and i thought you might want to check it out and see if it's suitable."
"Sounds good lass, I'll grab my team and check it out. We need to start examining that thing you brought back from the planet too." Beckett touched his radio and began moving towards another cluster of yellow jackets.
Alice shuddered at the memory of the severed hand, Sheppard had found next to the crashed dart. Everything had started coming together, Alice had her teams continuing their security sweeps, whilst other personnel were starting to set up communal and research stations. Alice started heading back to the control room to see if there was any update from Shepherd's team.
"Dr McKay" Alice acknowledged the scientist sitting at one of the primary consoles.
"Ah Captain Riley right?" McKay looked up and pointed towards the console next to him. "If i remember correctly you have a degree in astrophysics, right?"
Alice nodded "Only a BSC though sir, but i am quite familiar with the ancient language" she had a feeling this was McKay's way of validating the ability of people.
"That'll do, can you sit there and see if you can find anything relating to the wraith" McKay returned to what he was working on.
"No problem sir" Alice unzipped her flak jacket and took a seat by the console "While i'm thinking about it sir, has there been any word from Major Sheppard's team?"
McKay didn't even acknowledge her question. "No Captain, no word yet." Dr Weir had just walked across from her office to the control centre. "How's the set up going?"
"So far so good ma'am, we've got teams scouting for some more living space and most of the civilian scientists are finding areas to set up their basic labs." Alice looked down at the controls in front of her. "How long until their scheduled check in ma'am?"
"Elizabeth is fine, and they're now overdue." Elizabeth turned towards the gate, Alice could tell she was feeling nervous as well.
Alice had her head down in the console, as far as she could tell from what she'd translated this station controlled the basic internal city functions. So far she'd managed to let Dr McKay and Dr Weir that'd she gotten internal comms up and running - this made it a lot easier to keep in touch with all her teams exploring the city.
Suddenly the gate began to dial. "Raise the shield" Elizabeth came jogging our of her office "do we have an identification code yet?"
McKay checked his computer screen "nothing yet."
Alice stepped up and tapped the internal comms system "security teams to the gateroom." Moving quickly she began heading to the stairs.
"Wait, I'm reading Lieutenant Ford's I.D.C." McKay shouted
"Let em in" Dr Weir nodded at Alice as she gathered her teams.
"Make sure you leave enough room for the jump-" before she could finish the sentence energy blasts erupted from the Stargate. "Take cover!"
Alice watched everyone duck for cover as explosions started sounding around them, then suddenly the jumped appeared through the gate and the shield immediately flew up. Through the window she could see Major Sheppard and his team smiling triumphantly. Shaking her head, she told her teams to stand down.
Later that night
Alice stood looking out over the city, since Sheppard's team returned they'd decided to hold a welcome to Atlantis party. Currently she was holding a small mug of champagne, as the various expedition members chatted behind her.
"Nice view" Sheppard appeared next to her, leaning against the railing.
"It's more amazing then i'd even dreamt it could be" Looking out over the city, the buildings lights created a soft glowing halo effect in the water. "I'm glad that you and most of our people made it back safely, though i still wish i had been included in the mission."
"You know as well as I do Riley that we couldn't have all senior military personnel off site. You'll have to get used to taking on more responsibilities now that you're one of my top commanding officers." Alice looked up in shock, Sheppard took a swig of his drink and continued to look out at the city.
"But sir, you don't even know me" Alice was dumbstruck, one week ago she was just a Lieutenant, the lowest ranked member of SG4.
"I read your file, and your commander's recommendations. And Elizabeth agrees with me, she said you handled the settling in like a champ." Alice couldn't stop the grin from spreading across her face.
"Thank you Major." She stepped back and started to salute him.
Sheppard waved her off, "stop it, we're at a party. By the way, i was going to ask you..."
"So, i guess this is home now" Ford walked over and slapped his arm across Alice's shoulders, interrupting Sheppard's sentence.
"I guess so." Sheppard stiffened a little and turned back to look out at the city.
With his arm still draped over Alice's shoulder, he waved his hand towards the city "I'm thinking of a little place with an ocean view. Out of the way."
Alice pushed his arm off her, and just laughed, as she saw Weir approaching "Major. Captain. Lieutenant." She held up some mugs for them to take. "I thought the occasion merited opening this. Compliments of General O'Neill."
Sheppard was the first to take a mug "Cheers." Alice thanked Elizabeth and they all raised their mugs up and took a drink.
"You did good, John." Elizabeth turned towards Sheppard.
Sheppard sighed "I don't know about that." Alice felt like she was intruding on their conversation, she'd heard the details of Sheppard's rescue mission.
"Hey, there was no way you could have saved Colonel Sumner." Alice turned to Ford, who was looking just as uncomfortable, subtly she nodded her head to the side and silently shuffled away from the two senior staff members.
She noticed Drs McKay and Beckett looking over at her, quietly she walked over to join them. "How come I never make friends like that?" Becket's voice was wistful as he stared past her. Looking over her shoulder she saw Sheppard and Teyla touching forehead's.
With his mouth full of food, McKay scoffed "You need to get out more."
"We're in another galaxy - how much more out can you get?!" Alice laughed at the Scottish doctor, who was just shaking his head at her.
McKay looked up suddenly staring suspiciously at his kebab "Is there lemon in this?!" then hurried off without another word.
"well… that was strange, is he always like this?" Alice motioned towards McKay's retreating form.
"Rodney is certainly a unique man my dear" Beckett smiled softly at Alice "thank you again for your help with the infirmary Captain."
Alice waved a hand at him "ah it's no problem, just doing my job. And you can call me Alice doc."
"Well then it's Carson to you too. Oh looks like you might have some admirers." Beckett nodded behind Alice, turning she saw a small group of young boys from the planet staring at her, and then running off to speak towards the hallways. As she began to turn back, she also noticed Major Sheppard had turned to look at her, it looked like Dr Weir had just finished saying something. He raised his glass and smiled at her.
Alice returned the gestured and then turned back to Carson. "Well, it's been a long and tiring day. I hope you enjoy the rest of the party Carson" Alice placed her mug down on the nearest table and began to head towards her quarters.
A/N Hope you enjoyed the first chapter, please R&R.
Also i am looking for someone to proof my stuff before i publish, so give me a shout if you'd have the time :)