I'm a huge Evan Lorne fan, and he'll feature in some of my stories. Hope you like.
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~ WEEK THREE ~
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"Well that wasn't too bad, was it?"
"Suppose not. Sometimes it feels like I'm dealing with 10 year olds. Reminds me of my old job." I hate meetings!
Reilly laughed. "Hey, you up for a team night? We're thinking of going bowling tonight."
"Yeah, sure, sounds good."
"Excellent, we're leaving an hour early." He paused. "You wanna invite Matthews?"
I laugh. Of the whole 'team', I seemed to relate better to the reclusive man.
"Sure, no problems."
I didn't see Matthews until an hour or so after, then I got him cornered. "Hey, Matty. Can you do me a favour?"
He looked at me. "Of course."
"Excellent, meet us here at five."
He blinked. "What?"
"Well, the favour is to go bowling tonight with us, and you just agreed. We're knocking off an hour early, and leaving at five." I turn to walk away. "Don't be late!" I call over my shoulder, not waiting for him to protest.
"Matthews should be in," I report to Reilly. "But I kinda suckered him, so he may just not show up."
"Suckered him?"
I shrug. "Was the best option. Didn't give him a chance to say no."
He chuckled. "Well, we'll see. Hey, do you wanna invite that Captain Lance, or Major Ranklin?"
I pause. "Maybe." I head back to my office, and pull the door closed, ready to get into some heavy reading.
Before I can even get comfortable on the couch someone knocks on my door.
"Jell-O?"
Matthews enters, looking entirely out of his comfort zone. I ditch my cigarette, and smile at him angelically. "Yes, Matthews?"
"I do not know how to bowl."
I look at him. Is he joking? "Well that's okay. We can help you out." I think of something. "You know, I don't even know your first name."
He looked uncomfortable. "Michael."
"Cool, okay, Mike. Well you know we're just going for fun, right? Bit of a group night, get to know each other a bit before we head to Atlantis?"
He nodded. "I understand."
"Come here, sit down for a sec."
He moved slowly to sit next to me on the couch.
"I get it, really. You're not good in social situations. Is that why you joined the military?"
"No, ma'am."
"Okay, so why did you join?"
"To serve my country." He stood abruptly. "I should leave, I have work to complete."
I smile. "Sure, no probs. You gonna show up?"
"Yes."
"Good. Hey," he paused before leaving. "It'll be fun, okay?"
He nodded, and closed the door behind him.
Food for thought…
…
The night really as fun. Until we headed back to Reilly's place for 'a few drinks'. That turned into a bit of a drunken night, and I'm not used to that. Before I left my old job I'd started going out some Fridays to a workmate's place, and they were fun, but I still wasn't used to people just accepting me the way I am.
I thought I handled it pretty well, until I woke up the next morning and it all came back to me. I'd told them everything. My touch phobia, my depressive tendencies, the fear that grips me when I'm in a 'negative' environment.
I felt like a tool. I lay in Reilly's spare bed, staring at the ceiling, running through everything that had been said.
"I want this to be a good team! The best logistics team!" Reilly swayed a little, and regained his balance. "We gotta be honest with each other." He looked at me pointedly. "If we're gonna get to Atlantis and survive, we need to know we have each other's backs. So I think we should make a pact. If anyone has any issues, inside or out of work, you're to see me, or another team member. We need to get through this together. That means if you're scared of making mistakes," he looked at 'Nick' Hopwell, "or if you're uncomfortable for any reason," Mike, "or if you're feeling depressed, or freaked out about stuff." That one was for me. "We need to count on each other, and trust each other. That starts now!"
We'd all drunkenly agreed, clinking glasses to seal the deal. Shortly after, I'd dropped my glass, and we decided it was time to crash. Reilly had a large place, and he showed us all to our short-term rooms.
He'd graced me with the only spare with a ensuite, so I got up and washed my face. I used the toilet, and dressed, apprehensive about facing my team mates.
I glanced at the clock, and blanched. Eight.
When I got out to the main lounge, I grimaced at the mess we'd left.
"Guys?" There was no answer.
I quietly opened one of the bedroom doors, and grinned. I checked the others, and turns out they were all still asleep.
As quietly as I could I tidied up the lounge and kitchen. I picked up the large pieces of glass on the floor from my mishap, and ran some hot water into the mop bucket. Before long the lounge was clean again, and the dishes were done. I sat outside and lit a smoke, waiting for the boys.
"Erin?" Reilly looked as bad as I felt. He was shirtless, which I quietly appreciated, and he had a pretty awful case of bed-head.
"What's up, boss?"
"We're a little late for work," he deadpanned.
"Yeah, just a tad. You're not gonna get into shit for it, are ya?"
He laughed. "Nah, it's all good. Did you clean up?"
"Yeah, just a little."
He collapsed into the chair next to me. "That was nice of you." His eyes were closed, and I used the chance to really look at him. He was nice-looking, about mid-thirties, and had a small scar in his eyebrow, making it look crooked. He opened one eye, and I blushed.
"You don't always have to be so nice, Er."
I frowned. "It's what I do."
"I get that. I've seen you work. You work twice as hard as everyone else, because you're so scared to fail. It's okay to let go every once and a while."
We sat in silence for a while, and the other two joined us.
"Well that was interesting," Michael said, and I saw a hint of a smile.
I grinned. "Oh, come on. Our company wasn't that bad, was it?"
"No. It was a fun night."
"Good. That was the plan. Now, speaking of plans, what are we doing today?"
"Well you're all late for work, but seeing as how it's your bosses fault, I guess I'll overlook it this time. I'm hitting the shower, you guys hang around for a few minutes. We'll head to the base and you can all wash up and get changed, we'll aim to start work at 10."
…
We arrived on the base, and got quite a few double-takes as we walked through the hallways. I'm guessing we looked like we'd had a hard night, which wasn't far from the truth. I headed to my quarters, and showered quickly, putting extra makeup on, in a failed attempt to look less hung over.
I stopped by the mess and collected pastries and coffee for all of us, and headed to the warehouse. Reilly was in his office, staring at his screen, and I handed him a coffee and Danish, he muttered thanks, and I backed out, knowing he probably felt as bad as he looked. The other men weren't there yet, so I left two coffees and the bag of Danishes on a bench, before grabbing one for myself.
Retreating to my office, I pulled my door closed behind me. I turned my music up slightly, lying on the couch with that same file on the Ancients.
It really was mind-blowing. I wish I'd been involved with this from the start. I may not have joined the military, but civilian contractor would have been nice a few years ago.
"Atlantis Logistics Team to the briefing room! Atlantis Logistics Team to the briefing room!"
I jerked awake, not even aware I'd drifted off, and put the file aside. I yawned as I walked out to meet the rest of the team, and I'm sure I looked as confused as they did. "What's up, sir?"
"No idea, Erin. Let's go."
We walked quickly to the briefing room, to find Teal'c and another cute guy waiting. What's with this place and only hiring models?
"Please, have a seat," the young Major said. "I'm Major Evan Lorne, and I'm sure you all know Teal'c."
We nod, and sit down around the large table.
"So we've got just under two weeks now before you ship out to Atlantis. We have decided that it would be best if you all had some experience in going off-world before heading out. To that end, we have scheduled you to go on an overnight mission."
My jaw drops open, and I struggle to think straight. ZOMG! Holy shit.
He passes around another file. "Read this. We ship out tomorrow 0800. Don't be late, the train won't wait for you." His eyes twinkle, and I swear he knows what we're all thinking.
At least the other guys have been off-world before, but this was totally new to me. I like camping, which goes in my favour for an over night trip, but I'm nervous as all hell. OMG I'm going through the gate!
I focus on Lorne again, but he just dismisses us and leaves. I walk back to the warehouse in a bit of a daze, but I was aware of Reilly trying not to laugh, probably at the expression on my face.
"Wow."
The guys laughed.
"Seriously, wow! I'm going off-world. Ho-oly shit!"
"You are aware that to get to Atlantis you were going to have to go through the gate, yes?"
"Well yeah, but this is… this is tomorrow! Crap! What should I take…" I start muttering, mainly to myself, certainly incoherently.
We get back to the warehouse, and Reilly takes charge.
"Alright guys, we've still got work ahead of us, but I'm being nice, so take your time to read through the briefing Major Lorne gave you."
We went our separate ways, and I went back to my trusty couch, lighting a smoke as I say down.
It was a simple 'mission'. Go to the planet, hike a few clicks, set up camp and get some soil, flora and water samples. Lorne would be accompanying us, but Reilly was the lead. It sounded like fun.
…
Lights on the gate started to glow, and the inner ring started to spin.
I heard my favourite sergeant's voice call the chevrons over the PA system, and what looked like a wave of water ka-wooshed, leaving a vertical puddle behind.
"SGAL, you have a go."
I wasn't a fan of our team name, bit too much like SLAG for a dyslexic, but my suggestion of "Team Awesome" was turned down by the higher-ups. Shame that.
We picked up our gear, and walked to the event horizon. I think my heart was beating a million times per minute as we approached. Matthews walked straight into it, and with a nod from Reilly, Hopwell and Lorne followed.
"You ready for this?"
I paused for a second, then grinned. "Hell yeah!"
We walked through together, and it was a rush like nothing else. It felt like I had been pulled apart and put back together again by the time I got to the other side, but it didn't hurt. Was just… weird. I laughed, euphoric, and the men smiled at my reaction. "Wow, that was in-fuckin'-tense! Can I go back and do it again?"
"Not now, but we do want you to get more experience, just like other people who have only just been exposed to the program, so you'll get more time to do it later, Miss Anderson." Lorne was friendly, but what I'd started to call "military-nice". Respectful, polite and always happy to help anyone, but he had a diplomat's mind, not that that is a bad thing, and the smile wasn't fake, just a well-used one around people he didn't know. So I had better change that.
"Erin, Major, my name is Erin." I give my trademark mock-salute.
"Of course, ma'am," he replies, and I sigh.
Reilly seems amused by our short exchange, but he lets it pass, and guides us from the gate. He takes the lead, with Lorne on our six, and we start hiking through a forest. We pass a stream, and Reilly instructs Matthews to collect some water samples. I give him a hand, and before long we're on our way again. We reach the campsite in good time, with about four hours of light left, and we set up camp.
Hopwell was struggling with his tent, so Reilly helped him, showing him patently how to put it up.
"Thanks, sir. They're a little different from basic training, too many guy-lines." He blushed, aware of Lorne's presence.
"Dude, chill. You got it now, and we're sweet. Come on, I may have brought some recreational gear."
Before we got into recreation, Reilly had Matthews and Hopwell collect soil samples from multiple areas, and Lorne and I collect some tree and fern samples.
I found out that Lorne was quiet, and our short time together re-enforced my "military-nice" assessment. I sighed while cutting a twig from a tree, and he looked at me.
"You okay, ma'am?"
I smile. "Of course, Lorne. I'd much rather you call me Erin, though. So what's your position at the SGC?"
"I'm a pilot, however I'm grounded until I get medically cleared. I'm cleared for regular off-world missions, just not flying."
"Why are you grounded?" I ask, curious.
He grinned sheepishly. "Broke my arm off-duty. It's virtually healed, the Air Force is just cautious with it's pilots."
I nod. "Well I'm glad you're here, if not pleased of why."
We finish up and head back to camp.
"Okay, you boys know how to play cricket?"
Three blank stares and a smile.
"It's easy, I'm sure you'll manage." I set up the wicket, and hand the bat to Matthews. "You're up. Now, we're not playing real cricket or anything, for two reasons. Reason one: the rules are too complicated. Reason two: I have no idea what the rules are. All you gotta do is hit the ball, and don't let it hit the wicket. The bowler aims for the wicket. We'll do one hand one bounce, can't go out first bowl."
More blank faces. I sigh. "Matthews, stand here and hit the ball when I throw it. Lorne, stand behind the wicket and catch the ball if he misses. You two go stand over there," I point to where Matthews might hit, "and I'll bowl. Try to catch the ball before it hits the ground, but if it bounces once, catch it one handed to get him out. We're just having fun, not playing for sheep-stations."
The split up and I 'bowl' the ball. I'm no good at bowling… or cricket, so I just throw over arm. I turn around, and Matthews looks a little scared.
I grin, and bowl carefully. And hit the stumps.
Matthews looks dejected, and starts handing the bat to Lorne.
"Nah, come on. Bit of practice, eh?" I call out, and Lorne throws the ball to me.
After a while we've all had a turn batting and bowling. Lorne had an aptitude I was surprised at, while Matthews, less surprisingly, was the worst.
It got dark quickly, and we abandoned the game to sit around a makeshift fire and eat dinner.
"It's been fun!"
The boys agreed, and we turned in for the night.
…
We finish the 'mission' with no incident, and the debrief takes about fifteen minutes. Reilly gives us the remainder of the morning off, and we agree to meet back at the warehouse at 12.30.
I was dressed and had eaten lunch by 11am, and had also caught up with James. I felt like I hadn't seen him in ages, even though it was only four days. I picked up an apple from my fruit bowl and headed back to the warehouse.
Still grinning from the cricket 'game' yesterday, I sit behind my desk, with my feet on it, and pull my laptop onto my legs.
…
The rest of the week was a blur again, we did one more off-world 'mission', and I was stoked, because a group of engineers came too, including Jake, which was great. We were promised at least one more off-world before the big day, and I fell asleep Friday night happy.
