Hi there! This story is by Mysra and Amycat8733 and we are part of the group known collectively as Stargatefriends. This is our first collaboration. We hope you enjoy it and please let us know what you think.
Part 1
"I'm not sure if Colonel Sumner's parents are still alive. Um, I'm not sure he even has a family back there - not all of us do. But if he does have a family, they should know that he died with honor and courage in the performance of his duty. He carried the burden of a leader, and he carried it well. I didn't get the chance to know him well, but I know this: considering the type of man he was, and what we're up against, well, I wish he was still here."
Major John Sheppard blew out a breath and thought how much he wished to not be in command right now. He briefly closed his eyes, his fingers pressed to the bridge of his nose hoping to keep the ever growing headache at bay. After a moment he looked up again. He took the few steps to the camera and pressed the stop button. He rewound the few seconds showing his weakness. For a moment he studied the camera in his hand.
"I have allowed this nonsense long enough." John Sheppard cringed; sure his father's angry voice was loud enough to be heard in the stables. His own defiance rose. He was not fourteen anymore. He was an adult, for God's sake, and a Captain in the Air Force. John couldn't help crossing his arms over his chest, knowing that would push his father's buttons even more.
"You will go to Nancy, tell her how sorry you are and that of course you will leave the Army."
"Air Force," John corrected calmly, knowing his father was doing this on purpose to piss him off. "And it's too late. I already signed the papers." He kept from pointing out that he not only meant the papers for remaining in the Air Force, but also his divorce papers.
"Don't be ridiculous. It's never too late. I'll hire a lawyer and with some well-placed donations we'll have you out in a few days and your marriage back on track."
"No."
"No?" Patrick Sheppard yelled his face turning from red to purple. "I am your father and I order you to quit hunting that stupid childhood dream of flying. Be a real man and face your responsibilities."
"My responsibilities?" John asked almost amused. How much more responsible could he be? He was serving his country.
"You are my son and you'll do as I say." John blinked at his father. He always resorted to authority if he was at a loss for arguments. But this hadn't impressed John as a child - why should it as an adult?
"I took an Oath, Dad, and I'm not backing out." John turned and slowly walked towards the door.
"John Sheppard, if you walk out that door right now, you will no longer benefit from our family money."
John froze, anger shooting sky high and he so had promised himself to remain calm. He whirled around to witness his father smiling smugly at him.
"I don't need your money." Patrick's face remained stoic. "I haven't in a long time."
"No, you haven't," Patrick agreed. "But you will one day when you come to your senses and stop fooling around."
John shook his head. "I don't need or want your money." His voice came out more subdued than he wanted it to sound. Why did everything always come back to money? John's eyes showed his feelings of dejection as his mind screamed, 'I need and want your love, understanding and support.' As always his father was deaf to John's silent plea.
"If you leave now, John, you don't ever need to come back." John felt a stab. It wasn't the first time his father had said this, but John finally was done with it. This time he would take him at his word. Until now, John had always come back and his father had always welcomed him back. Or better said had taken John's return as his admission of being wrong. Patrick didn't know that it had been Dave who had made sure John had come back.
John studied his father for a moment. "If that's an order," he said, giving a picture perfect salute before turning around and leaving his father standing in his office still spluttering.
"Don't you dare leave like that! Come back right now."
This time Dave was nowhere in sight to stop John leaving. He walked straight to the front door; nothing in this house belonged to him anymore anyway. Everything he needed he had in the small apartment he'd been assigned on base. He heard his brother hurrying down the stairs, but he pulled the door closed before he could hear him call for him. The taxi was already waiting anyway. John climbed in and gave the driver the address. He didn't look back once.
John shook his head. He didn't even remember what they had truly fought about that day. It had always been the same. It had always started with something small and then had ended up with Patrick telling John to grow up and stop being childish. He had never understood that John loved what he was doing. Had never understood how much it meant to him.
John closed his eyes again as his feelings started to overwhelm him. He usually had an iron control, but he was exhausted. His mother would have understood. He sighed and opened his eyes again. Their chances to ever return home were slim to nonexistence. He should send a message to Dave at least.
He placed the camera on the holder again and pressed the record button. He took a few steps back.
"Hi Dave," he said unsure. "By now, you probably don't expect to hear from me ever again and, to be honest, if you see this you won't. I know I should have responded to your letters, but I thought it best not to. This was my life. I know you didn't understand that I couldn't just stop, but what I do - or did - matters to me."
John stopped and shook his head. Again he stepped forward and pressed the stop button. He didn't want his last words to his brother sound like another argument. He rewound and stood back again.
"Hi Dave," he said again. He tried to smile. "By now you should be married and have children. At least I hope you do. I know you probably didn't expect to ever hear from me again and if you're seeing this it means you never will. The enemy is right at our doorstep and there is very little we can do about it. I can't tell you where I am or who this enemy is. I just wanted to let you know that I'm doing good and that the past year, despite the circumstances, has been the best of my life. I'm sorry that I just left like that, but I'm sure you understand. I hope you have a good life. I have to go now so take care."
John stepped forward. He couldn't help but smile, feeling a little lighter. He pressed the stop button and sat the camera on the table. He yawned. He knew he should tape something for his dad too, but right now he was too tired. He would sleep a bit and maybe he'd have more of an idea come the next day.
