The Ties That Bind by catescorner
They say a change is as good as a rest. I think the same applies to writing fanfiction! I'm taking a break from the one shots for a while, and this is my first attempt at a multi chapter story for SGA. I hope you'll enjoy it. I've certainly had a great time writing it!
The story is already complete, and it will be in five chapters, so I'll be posting each one through the next five days. It's rather unusual, too, because it isn't based on any episode at all. Instead, it's set before, during, and after, the events in the audio book Impressions, wonderfully told by Kavan Smith. If only TPTB had given us this as a proper episode for Lorne!
Ah well, enough of the might have beens - after all, that's what fanfic was invented for! So with some good old whumpage to start, here we go with chapter one. And as anyone who's heard this brilliant CD will know, our favourite Major is in a whole lot of trouble.
Enjoy!
The Ties That Bind
Chapter One - Repercussions
His senses still reeling, John Sheppard raised himself to his knees, squinting instinctively around him. Whatever had just hit him, and right now it felt like a damn bus, had flattened everyone else too. Everyone, that is, except the dishevelled figure who now stood, yet again, on a dangerously unstable balcony.
Oh, crap! Not again!
Every instinct he had was compelling him to yell his name. Pure dread persuaded him not to. If Evan Lorne reacted as irrationally as he'd done already today, as dangerously unpredictably, then – well, if he fell this time, without that entity's intervention to save him, there'd be no chance for his survival. Instead, John staggered back to his feet and made his way, as calmly as he could, to his XO's side – alarm overriding all trace of anger, and shock taking the place of both, at the state he was in.
Blood was caked in thick crusts across his face. Mad swathes of paint covered the gaps in between. It was his eyes, though, that pulled John Sheppard up short, and made him stare in horrified dismay. They were empty. All the mischievous brightness, that normally brought such life to them, was gone.
He was starting to sway now, staring at the gun in his hand, then just as blankly back at his CO. After seconds that felt like hours, he clicked on the safety, before holding it out in shaky surrender – mumbling something, just one word, over and over again, but one that still took John Sheppard several seconds to make out.
"S – S'rry…"
Then his legs buckled, and he dropped like a stone, deadweight and lifeless, into his CO's arms –
"Lorne! Damn it, Evan!"
– oblivious to the anxious yells of his name, and the flurry of activity, that now erupted around him. First to his side was Kate Heighmeyer, calling for the medical team who'd instinctively followed her.
"His vitals are through the roof, he's burning out. We need to get him to the Infirmary, now!"
Long before that order was finished, several pairs of hands had joined hers around Evan's body – moving in gentle, practised union to lift him from John Sheppard's arms onto the gurney alongside. A few vital seconds, while an oxygen mask was fitted, and IV ports inserted, then he was on his way – pulled at full speed towards the Infirmary, while John and Kate ran in protective escort beside him.
By the time they reached it, the doors were already open, Keller waiting to meet them – leading her team in, to seamlessly take over, as Evan's gurney swept past them into the treatment bay. And while it pained John Sheppard to do so, he knew he had no choice now, but to step away. This was her domain now, not his. His second in command's life rested, solely, in her hands.
Instead, he stood next to an equally shaken Carter, feeling as powerless to help him as she did. Not just on the medical side either, but from the other repercussions that would now surely follow.
The best XO he'd ever had, who covered his six better than anyone else he'd ever known, had gone off the deep end. Completely flipped. He'd disobeyed orders. Held a gun on his colleagues, his friends, and his commanding officer. However noble his intentions, he'd put Atlantis, and the whole expedition, at inexcusable risk.
From that alone, John knew that Evan Lorne's career now rested in as precarious a balance as his life. At best, he'd face a full enquiry into his conduct. At worst, he'd face the shame of a full court martial. And with so much evidence against him, that could not be held back, the results would be devastating. Years of service, the countless lives he'd saved, with no thought for his own, would count for nothing.
Just days ago, it was a thought that no one on Atlantis, certainly not his CO, had ever considered. Now, though, as he met Sam Carter's eyes and saw the sadness inside them, John Sheppard knew. She had no choice but to make that call to the SGC, and set that unthinkable scenario into motion.
More immediately, Jennifer Keller had now left her team, and was striding briskly back towards them – the relief on her face easing at least some of their concern, with the news they all needed to hear.
"We've managed to get him stabilised, and he's out of danger. He's going to be alright."
Even through her smile, though, Jennifer knew that last part only covered his medical status – two still grim faces, and the request that her patient had just made of her, causing it to sadly fade.
"I've given him a light sedative to help him sleep, but… Colonel Sheppard, he's asking for you."
Watching his surprise, Jennifer then sighed, confirming what all three of them already knew.
"He knows, Colonel. He's lucid again, and he knows."
Wincing even more, John glanced briefly back at Sam, before following Jennifer to Evan's bed, nodding his agreement to her final, gentle order as she moved some more screens towards it.
"Not too long, okay? He needs to rest."
Nodding once more, John took a deep breath, then stepped through them with a very heavy heart.