Homecoming Heroes by catescorner

Well, here we are, at what was originally the final chapter. But as I mentioned in a previous A/N, I wasn't happy with the original ending. So this is now the penultimate chapter, and I'll get the rewritten ending posted tomorrow.

Oh, and if you're thinking this earthquake situation is a lot like the one in Search And Rescue, you'd be right. Time for our favourite Major to face a few demons.

Enjoy!

Homecoming Heroes

Chapter Ten - Phoenix Rising

Growing up in the city that it famously threatened, Evan Lorne had learned to live with 'the big one'. He'd prepared his family for it too, as thoroughly as his frequent absences from his hometown allowed. Drawn on everything he'd learned to keep them safe, from the career that had taught him to close his mind to its terrors. And while this wasn't the hellish situation that he'd always dreaded… yeah, it still came pretty close.

It had looked bad from the air, as Doug had flown them into Ohlone Park's temporary airfield. But from the ground, those scenes of devastation were up close, shockingly real. And, for him, deeply personal.

Hit by a 5.9 magnitude 'quake, much of downtown Berkeley lay in a chaos of small fires, and ruined buildings. And that brought it all back. Released a flood of memories that, right now, he just didn't want to face.

Choking dust, piles of rubble, blood stinging his eyes, his leg in spasms of unbearable pain, and –

"Evan? Hey, you okay?"

– and if he was trapped down here with McKay, where the hell had John Sheppard come from?

Shaking his head to clear it, Evan blinked into his CO's puzzled, openly concerned eyes – knowing, from the shadows he could see beyond them, that John had been remembering it too. Suffered the same flashback - that he was going to die, trapped and helpless, in piles of burning rubble.

So the firm hand on his shoulder came as welcome contact, bringing both of them back to reality. They'd come through it. Survived. Now others were relying on them, to save their lives in return. It was just the incentive that Evan needed to smile back at his friend, and push those memories aside.

"Yeah, John, I'm fine. I'm fine, let's get to work."

Smiling too, John squeezed his shoulder again, proudly watching Jennifer Keller do the same. Yes, she tended to speak before she thought sometimes, but she was still a damn good doctor. And from the brother/sister relationship that had formed between them, she was an even better friend.

So was Carson, of course. And he knew how hard this was going to be for them, especially for Evan. Still, if there was one thing he was good at, beyond that legendary charm, it was the art of small talk – keeping up a steady stream of questions, and observations, as they headed into their assigned building.

Where he'd gone to school. Which sports he preferred, football or rugby. His love of geology. The equal love he had for painting, and the amazing gift he had as an artist. And while Evan knew, exactly, what he was doing, he appreciated the gesture too much to object – taking strength from its silent support, and drawing on its through the traumatic hours that followed.

For the rest of that night, they worked through every building that they could safely enter. Every survivor they found was a victory. Every fatality a tragedy they'd gradually come to accept. By the time dawn broke the next morning, all four were exhausted. Physically, and mentally, drained. Even the medical rescue team, who'd backed up Carson and Jennifer, looked dead on their feet.

But as they started to leave their final building, Evan froze, raising his right hand into a clenched fist. Whether in the military, or civilian rescue, its meaning was the same. The universal sign for quiet.

Its significance, and an urgent whisper, now brought the movement around him to an instant standstill.

"Shhhh! Everyone, stop moving! Listen!"

Even in complete silence, it took several moments to register. But within seconds, everyone heard it.

"Help! Someone, please… I – I can't move! Please, help me!"

The voice was faint, barely audible, and ragged with terrified pain. Yet its effect was incredible. Tiredness lifted from aching shoulders. Fresh hope and strength coursed through exhausted bodies. Fifteen hours after the 'quake had hit, they'd found a survivor. Now, they just had to get them out.

And if they were trapped by fallen debris, someone had to risk their life to go in and remove it – that volunteer stepping forward, before three of his closest friends could even think to argue.

"That gap's pretty narrow, but I'm the smallest one here. I can get through it."

John's reaction was equally instinctive, but he knew better than to try and talk Evan out of it. He knew, and understood, more than anyone else, that his friend had to make this rescue. So instead, he smiled and nodded, patting Evan's shoulder while he attached his safety line – keeping anxious watch through that tiny gap of light as Evan dropped onto all fours, and crawled into the tangled debris beyond.

Within seconds, they could hear it being slowly, and gingerly cleared – along with the occasional, muffled curse.

"Ow! Damn it! Yeah, Major… zigged there, when you shoulda zagged."

Then, at last, John felt the safety line tug against his hands. Heard the words they'd all prayed to hear.

"Okay, I've got her. Guide me out."

A few more crashes and curses later, a dusty, now slightly bloodied face reappeared through the rubble – the grin on it returned, even more broadly, as five pairs of hands coaxed two precious lives to safety.

Through the cheering applause that followed, his CO's broad grin was the proudest one of all. And despite the deep gash across his temple, that had Carson and Jennifer fussing over him, Evan was still smiling. He knew the best way to beat your demons was to face them. And this one was well and truly dusted.