The process of gating to Midway flew by Jennifer. In passing, she felt the tension in her gradually disappear as she chatted with several members of the SGC in the process of their layover. Fortunately, due to problems, the normal mandatory layover was waved. They were set to depart the station within the hour after arriving.
She'd noticed Sheppard sticking close to Kennedy. Murmurs arose amongst many when they spotted him.
Jennifer admitted her curiosity peaked slightly, but she pushed it away and instead ignored the idle chatter.
Brendan refrained from pinching himself.
The past 12 hours transported him from being a prisoner in his own home to this amazing place.
He was in space. Brendan didn't exactly know where, but he was in space. He'd give anything to return back to his astronomy class in high school and pay closer attention to worm holes, galaxies, and all the stuff he'd thought he'd never use.
Sheppard briefed him as much as possible on the trip. He'd seen a few second glances from military men at Midway, but was pleased to see the men kept their distance and returned to their duties.
"Yeah, get used to that," Sheppard said, pulling an ear piece from a tray. "Much better. Anyway, your business back on Earth is impressive but small beans compared to what happens out here."
Brendan thought a moment. "I'm not sure whether to be relieved or not."
Sheppard grinned. "It'd take weeks to explain. Just go with the flow, Kennedy. You'll come to realize that the best thing you'll ever experience landed right into your lap."
"Are you going to say anything about how I got here?" Brendan questioned as Sheppard ushered him through a door.
Sheppard shook his head. "Nope. It's your choice. As far as I know, no one knows except me...Unless you said something to Keller. It'll be a good three months until a data burst comes in now, too."
Brendan felt relieved.
"A little anonymity is just what I think the doctor would order," he murmured.
"Kennedy, if you thought the SGC was impressive, you're going to be blown away by our floating city," Sheppard said with pride. "It's home for most of us now. If you behave, maybe they'll let you stay longer than the twelve month period Landry approved you for."
He couldn't think beyond the next few hours. It was hard enough to still believe that one invitation from the President caused a worldwide media attention directed at him. To go from that, to learning that there is life outside Earth and humans studying science and other races outside our galaxy, made him think he couldn't process much more for the day. To even think about possibly staying longer than the three month period was unbelievable in his mind at this point in time.
"Doc," Sheppard called over to her. "We have a go. Let's go home."
Brendan picked up on the lesser formality in the SGC between military officers. It was only slight, but it was there. Here, he could see it even more, especially with Sheppard's mannerisms.
"Aye, aye, Kirk," she grinned, obviously in a better mood. "Here's for not coming back for a long time. Unless it's for enjoyment. I'm giving up the IOA for Lent."
"I didn't know you were Catholic," Sheppard quipped as they walked to the gate.
"I'm not," she joked. "But I'm eager to adopt any form of religion that'd prevent me from going to another IOA meeting any time in the next year."
"Seriously, though, "Sheppard mumurred to her. "Shake it off. Don't let anything they said rattle you. None of them have ever been in combat- shoot, none of them have ever left the Milky Way."
Dr. Keller looked at him, taking a deep breath.
"Things don't roll off me as quickly as they do for you," she admitted. "But I'll try."
As they waited, Brendan watched their exchange, wondering if once back at Atlantis, it would be more professional. Somehow, he doubted it.
"Who are the IOA?" Brendan couldn't resist asking.
Dr. Keller snorted. "Now would be the time to come up with a smarty pants acronym for them. Shep, you have anything?"
"Nope," he shrugged. "Give me a few hours. To answer your question, they're the overseeing body of 'esteemed' individuals for the Stargate program. On and off world programs."
"I'd like that snotty Williams woman to come back with us and see if she can run an infirmary and go on off-world missions in her spare time, while perfectly making all decisions while Wraith are breathing down our necks," Dr. Keller suddenly smiled. "I'd love to see that one deal with one of those blood suckers."
"Wraith?" Brendan asked.
Dr. Keller and Sheppard began to walk through the gate.
"I'm going to use my doctor card and say he's had enough information for one day," Dr. Keller said. "Some things can be left for tomorrow."
"Agreed," Sheppard said, slapping Kennedy on the back.
As they walked through the gate, Brendan stood and took in his surroundings. It was definitely more inviting than the dark, concrete walls of the SGC. Muted colors and bright light gleamed in front of them as they began to walk forward into the spacious area.
"Sir," a man stepped forward. "It's good to have you back."
Sheppard grinned, obviously happy to return as well.
"Lorne, you always look relieved to see me return," Sheppard remarked. "Do I make you nervous by putting you in charge?"
The man stood tall but relaxed his stance a bit. "Colonel, I'd be more relaxed if you took Rodney with you next time. He's been on us for allowing him to open an unexplored area of the city for additional technology. You know what happens when we explore areas the Ancients probably meant to seal off for good."
Brendan watched Sheppard chuckle as they both turned to look at him.
"Major Lorne," Sheppard began the introduction. "We brought home another addition. Meet Major Brendan Kennedy. He had an impressive resume but is recovering from a recent injury."
Lorne nodded, not looking surprised to see a stranger. "Good to have you, Kennedy."
"Gentlemen," Keller cleared her throat. "The three of us need to get down to the infirmary. It's late and my staff needs rest. Who knows what tomorrow will bring?"
Sheppard and Keller led them as Lorne fell back with Brendan.
"Piece of advice," Lorne muttered next to him. "Stay away from the training room until you're 100 percent. We've got a guy in there that doesn't know the meaning of holding back."
Brendan nodded. "Good to know." Instinctively feeling that Lorne was a man you could trust, he decided he could use a little more inside tips. "Lorne, I'll take about any advice that comes my way."
As they walked, Lorne discovered Brendan had just found out about the Stargate program several hours ago. Brendan quickly summarized the events of the day, leaving out his connection with the president.
His voice must've carried minutes later.
"Don't forget the part where you and Sheppard came to my rescue," Dr. Keller spoke out, not turning. "It was classic, Evan. Sheppard has no faith in my safety anymore and led a two man mission to save me from a man who was scared of a needle."
Evan snorted.
"Really, sir?" Evan asked Sheppard, only to see Sheppard answer back with a roll of his eyes. "Well, you have to admit... always err on the side of caution with this one over here."
"Hey," Dr. Keller turned and swatted him, sending nurses glancing over at the group. "You're supposed to be the reasonable one out of the bunch."
Lorne grinned. "Which is my point- girl who gets kidnapped multiple times, gets nightmares from crystals, not to mention the Kirsan fever incident, falling into mining facilities, contracting that Wraith pathogen... you can't be too careful."
"Don't forget about the body swap," Sheppard cringed.
As nurses and doctors came to give each of them what he'd learn was one of many standard protocol post-gate check ups, Keller rolled her eyes.
"Sheppard, please," she answered, stilling her movements as someone began checking her. "We'd be here all day if I ran down the list of your 'incidents.'"
Lorne laughed, trying to disguise the sound as a cough.
"True," he admitted. "The Doc does have a point."
Sheppard steeled Lorne with a glance. "Sleepwalking."
Dr. Keller sent Sheppard a redeeming look while Lorne looked embarrassed.
"Hey, I have your back, Jen," Sheppard grinned. "And don't you forget it."
Brendan sat, somewhat amused, while the banter continued for a few minutes. As overwhelmed as he was at first, he was slowly beginning to realize that this place was exactly what he needed.
It took Brendan two full weeks to get acclimated with the city. In those weeks, he spent most of his time reading reports Lorne sent his way, watching video footage that Dr. McKay lent him on a borrowed lap top, and reported several times to the infirmary for check ups and additional therapy stretches to help improve the movements of his arm due to the damage done from the bullets.
Most of the time, he kept to himself. He quickly discovered how busy the expedition members were at all times. Especially those in charge. He never caught Sheppard, Lorne, or McKay lounging around on a weekend evening. He found the same to be true about Dr. Keller, who he ran in to occasionally in the infirmary.
He watched as people came and returned through the gate. Once, a team went through and didn't make their scheduled return time. Brendan observed the reactions from the people in Atlantis. Two teams, including SGA-1, went in search for the missing men. Tension mounted and worry increased until finally three days later, the team's code was put through and a celebratory cheer floated through the city again.
His experience with Dr. McKay amused him. The obvious genius seemed the most busy of them all, as he vigilantly kept track of the skies, day and night, of pending Wraith attacks through long range sensor devices. The Wraith- he'd learned, was a race he didn't want to encounter any time soon. It made the rebels of Afghanistan look like child's play. When he wasn't doing that, McKay was fiddling with any Atlantian gadget he could get his hands on.
Sheppard, as he observed from his earlier encounters, ran the military operation on Atlantis efficiently but with a flare of informality. After reading countless mission reports, he realized it was a smarter approach. The unique formation of the expedition, along with their long distant from Earth, showed that this outfit was rather untypical, calling for some lax in normal military mannerisms.
In his third week, he watched Ronon, who he learned was the man to avoid for the time being in the training room, step through the gate with SGA-1 as well as Dr. Keller and Lorne. Three days later, the group returned in chaos.
Medical personal were called as both Sheppard and Keller were physically helped through the gate. Sheppard was significantly bruised while Keller was attempting to call out orders to her medical team even though Lorne had to physically force her to sit down on the ground.
Lorne instructed most of the medical staff to Sheppard but gave two nurses specific orders to get Keller under scanners as well.
Woolsey marched down the stairs, zeroing in on Lorne.
"Major, report," he ordered.
"Sir, something needs to be done," Lorne shook his head, finally releasing Keller on to a gurney. "That's the third planet where we've heard or seen an attempt on Keller or another doctor out in the field."
Woolsey nodded. "They want our doctors."
Lorne nodded. "Specifically, her. They want someone they deem would be easier to kidnap and ultimately lower maintenance to keep hostage. They underestimated her this time, though. She fought back and made her way back to camp."
"What happened to Sheppard?" Woolsey asked, as a team wheeled him away.
Visibly wincing, Lorne drew in a breath. "Sheppard was angry. After we got her back, he took it upon himself to personally deliver a message to the leader of the tribe that our doctor was off limits."
"And..." Woolsey prompted him.
"Well," Lorne said. "Let's just say the leader had several guards who didn't take his threats lightly."
Woolsey shook his head. "Well, that's Sheppard for you. How bad of a beating did he take?"
Lorne shook his head. "Bad, but not so bad that he'll be off the duty roster for more than a few days. He passed out when someone tried a choking maneuver from behind. Ronon stunned the man and then we gathered them both and high tailed it for the gate."
Woolsey lowered his voice. "Was Dr. Keller harmed physically?"
Lorne shook his head, swiping his brow. "No, just a few bumps and bruises. She took a tumble into a tree, too. Enough to tick off Sheppard. But she had a ways to run away from the group that took her. She didn't seem steady and I wanted us to get out of there in a hurry."
Nodding, Woolsey thanked Lorne. "Full mission debriefing in two hours. Report to the infirmary for now."
Hours later, Lorne sat at a table with Ronon and McKay.
"She shouldn't leave the city," Ronon muttered, between bites, confirming that Lorne wasn't the only one bothered by today's events.
McKay nodded, sipping his water. "For once, I agree with Ronon."
Lorne disagreed.
"She's needed," he shook her head. "And she's not timid and helpless anymore like she was before. Keller fought her way back this time."
McKay gave a sardonic half-laugh. "Yeah. She's changed. We all have. If you would've told me ten years ago that I'd be comfortable with handling a gun, I would've laughed in your face."
Distracted, he watched as Brendan walked through the doors. McKay glanced in his direction.
"So what's his story?" McKay gestured in Brendan's direction. "Why did Sheppard return with someone who wasn't scheduled to transfer here?"
Lorne shrugged. "I didn't ask. I trust Sheppard's judgement. He just said his resume was impressive and that he'd be a good addition."
"Hey," Ronon called over to Brendan. "Sit over here."
"Well, that was friendly," McKay remarked.
"Hey, both of you want to know about him," Ronon growled. "Ask him to his face."
Brendan, looking like he'd rather eat by himself, set down the tray and greeted the men.
"So, these two want to know why you're here," Ronon said, straightforwardly. "Lorne's didn't want to ask Sheppard."
Lorne rolled his eyes. "I just said that Sheppard has the right to bring anyone back."
Brendan began eating, obviously avoiding the questions.
McKay rolled his eyes. "Okay, so what did you do before coming to Atlantis?"
Lorne watched as Brendan slowly formulated an answer.
"Special operations within the Army," he answered simply. "Training, extraction missions. A few times, protective duties for dignitaries visiting the middle east."
"Bodyguarding?" Lorne piped up, setting down his fork and leaning back in his chair. He looked at the other two men, grinning. "Huh."
Ronon chuckled, eyeing Brendan, obviously knowing where Lorne was going.
"I think we found an answer to our little problem," Ronon smirked.
Lorne gave a half laugh. "I doubt Jennifer would want to be referred to as a 'little problem.'"
"What?" Mckay asked, confused, missing half of the conversation. His tablet in front of him had blinking codes flashing up at him, giving the reason of his distraction.
"I think," Lorne said, swiping his mouth with a napkin. "We found a way to make everyone happy."
Brendan continued eating, eyeing the men as he digested some of the information. He wasn't an idiot. He overheard the men talking about Dr. Keller as he walked in to the room. Putting two and two together, he figured if the men had their way, he'd be reporting to active duty quicker than he thought. In a way, it made him relieved. Sitting for weeks, researching as much as possible of the expedition made his blood thirst to get outside the city- to see exactly what the reports detailed. That, and he'd never been one for sitting back, not holding his own.
If he guessed right, Lorne was aiming for him to be assigned specifically to Dr. Keller on missions - guarding her against whatever enemies wanted doctors for their people.
He may not know a lot about everyone in the city, but he'd place a bet that getting Keller to agree to the idea wouldn't be as easy as the men thought.