Author's Note: This kind of just appeared on my screen without much thought, lol. I just remember staring at my screen blankly then !BOOM! I had the start to another AU story :shrugs: I needed a break from Gangster's Paradise anyway...oh for anyone who is waiting for that update don't worry it's on its way. Anyway back to this one...

It's mainly Sparky and Spanky with some Carson/Laura thrown into the mix.

Summary:

The Captain of the Liberty, John Sheppard, and his crew, Laura Cadman and Marcus Lorne (I refuse to call him Evan), are placed in a difficult situation when they are forced to work for the Imperium under the watchful eye of Imperium Guard, Teyla Emmagan. The mission is made much more difficult when Sheppard's past comes back to haunt him and the Resistance stand in the way.

Liberty - Chapter 1

The floor became the ceiling.

John's dazed eyes snapped open only moments before his body, still tangled beneath the plainly coloured bed sheets, followed the ships movements, soaring through the air and connecting with the cool, solid surface of the rusty looking metal wall. The sound of the impact echoed mockingly around the room followed closely by a painful groan before the ship righted itself again and sent John sliding down the wall - head first - to the floor, his bedding floating serenely through the air and landing over his head.

"This is not happening," he groaned disbelievingly, scurrying out from beneath the suffocating quilt and pulling himself to his feet by grabbing onto the metal framework of his rack. His eyes reluctantly surveyed the damage the unsuspected tumble had caused to his cabin; drawers had opened, disrespectfully discarding all of his possessions onto to grated metal flooring, mementos and what he liked to call souvenirs lay scattered with them and his mattress seemed to have attached itself to the wall opposite his bunk.

He blinked once…twice then ran both hands through his naturally messy jet black hair, his brain still reluctant to leave its sleep fogged and adrenaline high state, which was helpful really considering that it was probably concealing the pain his close encounter with the wall produced. With a sigh he let his left arm drop to the side and lashed out at the comm panel just at the side of his rack.

"Um…Lorne," he began lightly, booting a pair of shoes from beneath his feet. "Why'd my ship just roll?"

"Good question," Lorne retorted, the sound of buttons being hit resounding in the background, as well as what sounded like a sparking console. "I think the internal stabilisers might have copped out."

"Really," John responded sarcastically, "I never would have guessed."

"I don't know why you're complaining, you wanted a wake up call, you got one," Lorne muttered, John rolled his eyes.

"I didn't want one that would break my ship," he hissed, pulling on a black, baggy t-shirt that he picked up from the floor, ignoring the creases clearly visible and fastening his jacket over them. He spotted his leather trousers peaking out from under his bunk and made a grab for them, immediately putting them on.

"She's not broken," Lorne replied defensively just as an explosion reverberated in the background. "Much," he added nervously. John shut the comm off and slammed his feet into the first pair of shoes he could find, running out of the doors as they parted for him automatically. His quick pace rattled the deck plating, the corridors whizzing passed him as he sprinted towards his destination.

Finally stairs appeared before him and he gripped the railing hauling himself upwards two steps at a time, the bridge came into view along with a cloud of blackened smoke trailing through and into the doorway. He waved his hand about trying to clear the air before finally entering the room.

Lorne sat in front of the central console - the pilots' chair - in front of the view screen that stretched from floor to ceiling, the expanse of stairs outside displayed on it. His fingers were rapidly tapping tattoo on the console. John stepped in front of the other console which was embedded within the wall, ripping off a panel and tossing it over his shoulder, metal against metal sounding around the room.

Lorne peered backwards, "Thought you'd be going to the engine room."

"And get my head ripped off for getting in the way…I think I'll pass," he said, pulling his bottom lip between his teeth as he reached beneath the console to the wires behind it. He felt around and finally found the one he was looking for, yanking it out and getting himself shocked in the process; he jumped backwards.

"Dammit!"

"That'll serve you right for messing with my baby," a female voice drawled, the sound of a hatch slamming open reaching his and Lorne's ears. John stood slowly and turned, his eyes falling onto his engineer as she pulled her self up from the access tunnel in the back corner. Half of her honey blonde hair had rebelliously pulled itself from her hair tie and was matted and tangled around her face; dirt streaked on her cheeks and coated her from head to toe. He smirked as Lorne chose that moment to swivel in his seat, choking on his guffaw as she leveled a glare at them both.

"Don't you dare," she growled, emphasizing each word with a stab of the spanner she held at John's head.

"Laura," John gulped, the blue fire burning in her eyes making him nervous. "Is my ship ok now?"

"Oh yeah, for now at least," she replied angrily.

"For now," he repeated with a sigh, this was all they needed. They had been coursing through space for five days heading towards the edge of the Pegasus sector hoping to get some clients, they were still weeks away and that was with the jump drive working.

She growled, "What'd I tell you about using Kav's parts? Do you remember that conversation?"

"Um…"

"Where I said they wouldn't last, he was a good for nothing cheating scumbag who wouldn't know what a hydro spanner was if it hit him in the face."

"I um…" he tried to answer but she jabbed his chest with the spanner. He looked over at Lorne who was casually leaning back in his chair -facing their direction - with his hands behind his head, watching the scene in obvious amusement.

He noticed John's pleading look and grinned evilly. "I remember." John glared and Laura spun in his direction, her eyes narrowing dangerously.

"Lorne," she breathed sweetly, "shut up!"

"Yes Ma'am," he laughed.

"Laura you know we didn't have a choice, it was his parts or we would have been grounded. Would you have preferred that?" John reasoned, pulling the spanner out of her hand and placing it out of reach. She sighed noisily in response and crossed her arms defensively. "I didn't think so."

"I didn't think so," she mocked, pulling a face in his direction causing Lorne to burst out laughing and John to smirk. "We need to make a pit stop. I fixed her as well as I could but were basically relying on good old fashioned luck…that and glue." She pulled the co-pilots seat out and threw herself into it.

"Yeah ok…wait, did you say glue?" John panicked.

"Don't. Even. Start." she warned not even looking at him. He nodded and turned to his pilot.

"Nearest planet?"

"Earth," he told him happily, his smile widening at John's groan. "Come on Sheppard, it isn't that bad; great sights, good food…great women." Laura hit him around the back of his head.

"Law enforcement everywhere," John added, watching as Lorne rubbed the back of his head.

"What was that for?" he cried incredulously, completely ignoring what John had said.

Laura shrugged, "For being a pig." Lorne spun around to face his friend. Laura's look dared him to start something.

"Now, now children, lets not get carried away," John intervened, knowing the start of an argument when he saw one. He ran a hand through his hair and stared at the back wall. Did they go to Earth and try and avoid authorities? Or did they carry on and probably end up dead in space.

His shoulders slumped, "Earth it is."

-----

"Ladies and Gentlemen, we are now arriving at Earth, if you look to the left and out of the view screen you will see what this planet is famous for," Lorne mocked as his fingers danced across the controls, "a giant orb of pollution."

Laura snorted, "Not to mention the biggest damn collection of Imperium guards you'll ever set eyes on. One false move and you'll find yourself enjoying the luxurious accommodations of detention." She looked over at Lorne as he burst out laughing and smirked. "I thought you liked this place," she accused, spinning around in her chair and jabbing a finger into his shoulder. He shooed away her hand and made a show of brushing his shoulder off as if it was dirty. Laura scowled.

"Nah not really," he explained as a holographic grid appeared in front of the view screen, he tapped the blip representing Earth setting the ship on auto pilot before he turned his chair to be face to face with Laura. "Too many rules for my liking; plus Sheppard hates it, which always makes him fantastic to be around."

"Is there a story there or something?" she asked curiously. John was usually charming and had a great sense of humor, yet ever since Earth was mentioned he had become eerily calm and closed if - it freaked her out. She had only known John and Lorne for about a year, ever since they saved her from a Wraith raiding party who had had their eyes set her little shuttle, she'd been a part of their crew ever since. She knew that Lorne would know more about John then she did - they'd been friends since childhood.

"Let's just say that his ego took a beating the last time we were here," he replied evasively, humor present in his eyes.

"His ego uh," Laura probed, absentmindedly chewing on her lip. "That means it involved a woman."

"You didn't get that from me," Lorne muttered, holding his fist up in a pretend threat.

"Oh come on," Laura whined, "You can't just tell me that. What happened?"

"I wasn't there you know," he complained, standing up and stretching. Laura narrowed her eyes at him and Lorne sighed in resignation retaking his seat. "Fine, but if you ever repeat a word of this to anyone, even your own reflection I'll space you."

"I swear I won't," Laura assured, pulling her knees to her chest and resting her chin on top of them, her curious eyes never leaving his face. Lorne leaned in closer, dropping his voice to a whisper.

"We were grounded here for three weeks, about five or so years ago. I ended up hunting for parts whilst he scouted out clients. Anyway he met this woman and fell for her…hard.

"In a few weeks?" Laura interrupted, her voice clearly expressing her disbelief.

"Yes. Like I said he fell for her, love at first sight and all that. Anyway they spent time together and were practically joined at the hip. I hardly even saw him."

"You mean you didn't meet her?!"

"No I didn't," Lorne growled in annoyance. "Now are you going to shut up and let me finish or don't you want to hear the rest?"

"Alright, alright," she soothed, holding her hands up in a placating gesture.

"Where was I…umm…yeah…so one day he woke up and she had just disappeared. No explanation, no goodbye, no nothing. He barely spoke for a week afterwards. I've never seen him like that before."

"Seen who like what?" John asked from the doorway. Laura and Lorne snapped around at his voice trying their hardest not to look guilty. Luckily for them Lorne's console beeped alerting them to the fact that they had arrived.

"They're hailing us," Lorne announced unnecessarily as Laura lowered her legs and straightened in her seat. John moved closer to them, placing his hands on the backs of the chairs and leaning towards the view screen.

"Well let's not keep them waiting," John drawled. The view screen shimmered and flickered, gradually forming the image of an attractive woman, wearing an off-white outfit and with shoulder length black hair. She stood regally against a plain, computer generated background with her arms folded gracefully in front of her.

"Welcome to Earth," her autonomic voice greeted, as emotionless as her indifferent face. "Please state the name of your ship, type and class for the records."

John sighed, "Liberty, cruiser, class four." The woman stiffly turned her head, reading information that was invisible to everyone but her before she turned her head back in their direction.

"John Sheppard, Captain. You may proceed to the following co-ordinates." The console Laura was sitting before sounded.

"Got em," the engineer chimed.

"Please ensure you abide by the laws of the Imperium. Enjoy your stay." The view screen flickered off, revealing the slowly turning, blue and green orb below them.

"Holograms," John muttered under his breath, electing a grin from Lorne whilst Laura still stared at the screen. John noticed her preoccupation and shook her chair. "What's up? Never seen a hologram before?" he teased.

"No," Laura told him absentmindedly. "She looked so - so real."

"Yeah, the tech around here is miles ahead of the outskirts," Lorne said as he began the landing procedure.

"Yeah I guess it is," Laura sighed in response, "but at least in the outskirts you have your freedom."

"Hear, hear, "John and Lorne agreed simultaneously as the Liberty entered Earth's atmosphere.

Five or so years ago - Earth…

Vibrations shuddered throughout the ship as the landing struts impacted the ground, signifying an almost perfect landing. John slapped Lorne on the back and grinned cheekily.

"Not bad."

"Not bad!" Lorne cried out. "We're lucky to be in one piece, so I'd say it's a lot more than not bad."

"Whoa, no need to get all defensive. I was only saying," he grinned as Lorne shut down the engines and spun in John's direction.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah whatever, I heard what you weren't saying," he grumbled teasingly, standing up from the chair and following John out of the doors and towards the hatch. The Liberty wasn't a big ship and could easily be run by just two people even though it was large enough to keep ten, not to mention had a great deal of storage space - some hidden and some not.

"I think you're imagining things Lorne. Space must be getting to ya, some fresh air will do you good."

"Fresh air…on Earth, yeah and the Wraith are really sensitive souls who care passionately about peace in the galaxy," he snorted in response. He punched the release mechanism for the hatch listening as the old door creaked open, revealing the hustle and bustle of the busy Earth landing bay. Market stalls and people were as far as the eye could see and the distinctive forms of Imperium guards stood out amongst the crowds, their black uniforms making them noticeable.

"Is it me, or do their numbers increase every time we come here," John questioned rhetorically, squinting his eyes a little as the natural sunlight hit them, causing a slight sting. Lorne was less patient and jumped off the side of the ramp, causing dirt to explode around his feet. When John had finally stepped onto Earth he closed the hatch and entered in his code, sealing the doors from intruders. It wasn't really necessary - no one was really stupid enough to do something illegal in front of Imperium guards.

"Right Boss, what are we doing?" Lorne questioned hurriedly, his eyes already scanning their surroundings and focusing on several of the female population. John rolled his eyes.

"I'm going to scout out some clients," John answered, "whilst you get us the parts we need." Lorne's face fell.

"Why do you get the good job?" He whined, staring longingly at the bars lining the port. John followed his gaze, his hazel-green eyes glinting in appreciation at the females that lined up the streets before he turned back to Lorne and mock scowled at him.

"Because the last time you went to find clients all you came back with was a comm number and a lipstick mark," John explained in amusement as his friend smiled fondly at the memory.

"I did didn't I," he stated proudly, almost falling on his face when John pushed him in the direction of the markets.

"Get out of here."

"Yes sir," he saluted, spinning on his heel and marching into the mass ocean of people, disappearing in its depths. John wordlessly shook his head as a slow smirk upturned his mouth.

"Hey, move it," came a shrill voice from behind him, the owner of the voice grabbing his shoulder and physically moving him out of the way. The podgy woman, covered in swirling, orange and yellow, baggy clothing pushed passed him and shot him a look that would have probably desecrated a lesser man. "Some of us don't have all day you know," she added before stomping off. John rolled his eyes - like he cared.

Weaving and dodging his way through the throng of people he finally reached the SGC bar. Its tall and sleek, metallic design made it stand out against the smaller businesses scattered along the make shift street , it was pretty much the only decent place on this side of Earth and the only one he would even consider scouting clients from. He approached the entrance, the silver doors gently hissing as they parted.

He quickly entered the club and strolled passed the occupied tables in the room, taking a seat on one of the many bar stools arranged near the bar. He had only just taken a seat when the barman appeared stealthily before him.

"Welcome to the SGC," his deep, steady voice greeted accompanied by a slow nod. The light of the bar glinted on the golden emblem on his forehead which stood out against his dark skin. Kind but wise eyes studied him, waiting expectantly for an answer.

"Thanks. So you're the barkeep I take it?"

"Indeed," he answered, removing his arms which had been behind his back and placing them at his side. "Can I get you a refreshment?"

"Um…sure. I'll just have whatever you suggest." With that said the muscular man serenely reached beneath the counter and pulled out a glass and a bottle, placing them before John. John placed a few credits into the big mans palm.

"Hey Teal'c, you better get back over here or you're gonna miss out," came a yell from the background.

"I am on my way, O'Neill," Teal'c responded, turning in John's direction. "Excuse me." John watched as the guy walked off and turned his attention back to surveying the bar; several customers sat around tables, drinks in front of them and chatting quietly. Suddenly the doors parted, bringing with it an unexpected gust of air that snapped John's attention in that direction.

A slim, womanly figure emerged from the outside world, her long legs quickly bringing her fully into the room as the doors re-closed. Her head was still turned in the direction of the door and she appeared to be breathing heavily, as if she had been running. The position of her body pulled the tight, plain black t-shirt she wore tighter around her curves, exposing the creamy expanse of skin of her lower back, as it pulled away from fitted black trousers that stretched down until they were covered by knee length, leather boots, with stiletto heels. The belt she wore, hung loosely around her hips. He had to resist the urge to whistle, others in the room didn't.

She seemed oblivious to the attention she had gained and casually threaded her fingers through her curly, chocolate brown hair that fell just past her shoulders pulling it behind her ears as she turned fully to face the bar, and in effect John. With a confident stride she gracefully glided to one of the stools next to his and sat down, leaning her elbows on the bars surface and flinging her hair over her shoulder as she leaned the side of her head against her palm, bringing her eye to eye with John.

Glittering emeralds stared vaguely at him before the corner of her mouth upturned, morphing into a full blown grin. John didn't know what she found so amusing until his senses seemed to come to life all at once.

"You've spilt your drink," she chuckled, glancing down at the darkened patch on his trouser leg. He rubbed at the spot pointlessly.

He sighed, "You don't say." How he had managed to spill his drink was beyond him. He muttered under his breath as he attempted to remove the evidence and felt a distinctive tingling in his cheeks, the embarrassment setting in. She seemed to notice and bit her lip to stifle the laugh that threatened to escape. She leaned into his personal space slightly and lowered her voice.

"Well it could have been worse." She let her chuckle escape and he couldn't help but join her.

"Yeah your right, it could have been. I'm John by the way," he offered. She pursed her lips thoughtfully for a moment before she leaned over the bar and snatched his bottle, bringing it to her lips. He stared at her incredulously and was about to comment but she beat him to it.

"You were going to buy me one anyway," she explained teasingly, taking another sip to emphasize her point; John couldn't argue and decided to stare at her until she gave him her name. She noticed his expectant look and smiled. "I'm Beth, nice to meet you John."

Tbc…

So...what do you think? Should I continue:grins: