I do not own Stargate, Stargate SG-1, Stargate Atlantis, nor do I own any of its characters. I make no profit off this story excepting in my own personal pleasure of writing it. This is set AU after the end of Season Five of Stargate Atlantis. It completely disregards the Legacy book series, so please no flames that it's ignoring those. Also a few characters may go a bit OOC, because I feel like it. If you don't like it, don't read it.
AN: Also, this is going to be a LONG story with a Todd/John relationship that spawns up as it goes, so be forewarned. It also may be a while between updates, because I jump from story to story I work on but I have the first few chapters of this one written already, so they will be posted weekly until I run out of already finished ones and then it will be whenever a chapter is finished.
Chapter 1: Catalyst
Atlantis had been on Earth for two weeks after defeating the Super Wraith Hive ship that had attempted to attack. After some political shuffling, it was decided that John, McKay, Teyla, and Woolsey would be flying to D.C. to present the formal argument for making some serious changes and upgrades to Atlantis before sending it back to the Pegasus Galaxy. The primary argument for this was that it was militarily much sounder to keep Atlantis and the fight with the Wraith in Pegasus and thus they needed more troops. Or at least, that was John's part of the meetings. He also had a few personal plans for his free time while in D.C.
John checked his e-mail one last time and smirked. Nancy had responded to the information that he would be in town rather quickly. Not that he cared about Nancy in particular, but her tone about the custody arrangements of their daughter had changed dramatically recently and John was seriously hoping to press for at the very least two two-week long visitations, so that he had a valid reason for traveling all the way back from Pegasus and taking the three week long trip back.
Nancy's most recent e-mail informed him that she wanted a meeting with him and his lawyer about altering the custody arrangements. John was surprised that Nancy was the one to bring it up, but he certainly wasn't going to argue with the possibility of getting to see his daughter more than he currently could which was barely anytime at all. John was limited to e-mailing her for the most part. He sent Nancy an e-mail of times when he would be avalible and that he would see about contacting a lawyer. He then sent an e-mail off to his brother Dave, asking to borrow the family lawyer for possibly altering the custody arrangements.
Once the e-mails were sent, John grabbed his duffle bag and headed down to the gate room. He congregated with the others and smiled at Teyla, who was wearing a neat little pants-suit that Woolsey had arranged for her, among other clothing, "Sorry about the delay. I got an e-mail about some personal business that I need to attend to while we're in D.C." John stated.
"Anything we should be concerned about, Colonel?" Woolsey asked.
John smiled, "I can't say for sure, Woolsey. It depends on what my ex-wife wants to meet me about."
"Oh, please tell me she didn't send you a booty call," McKay whined just before they were beamed onto the Dedalus.
John chuckled, "No. That ship sailed when I learnt that she was cheating on me, Rodney."
Rodney gave a silent oh and nodded, "Then it's about your father? Something about your family inheritance or something?"
John hesitated about responding, but if things went the way he genuinely hoped they would, there was a high probability that they would find out eventually anyways, "Actually, it's about our daughter… My daughter… Rebecca."
He cringed at the silence that followed as they were beamed down into the gate room of the SGC. Rodney predictably exploded and then badgered John for information about how he had a daughter that he told no one about for five years. John had even outright lied about having kids before, on more than one of their missions, which Rodney was quick to point out. This lasted all the way to the airport, where Woolsey told Rodney to shut up. John just let it wash over him up until then. It was better to let Rodney just get it all out rather than keep it in and let it fester. It was always worse when he festered. Once they were all through security at the airport, an accelerated process because of their government IDs, John leaned in and quietly said what he needed to say.
"It wasn't personal, my not sharing it, Rodney. I didn't tell anyone. At first it was because I thought it was a one-way trip and I didn't want people asking questions and rubbing salt in a still very fresh wound at the time. Then, I didn't want to risk it getting out to the Wraith. If it got around Atlantis, and it would get around Atlantis what with how much people gossip, if one of our people were questioned and they learnt that I had a weakness like that? Sure, Rikki's safe as possible here on Earth, but if they actually got to Earth, she would be a prime target," John finished. "Believe me, I wish I had been able to open up to you guys about it sooner, it's just…"
"It was too painful to speak of. Why did you accept going to Atlantis if you had a daughter here?" Teyla asked, keeping her voice just as quiet. Thankfully, their group was being given space by the other people sitting down to wait for boarding.
John groaned, "Because I had recently been denied, for the third time, any custody rights, all within a few months of my divorce to Nancy being finalized. All I got when Nancy and I divorced was two weekends a year. It drove me nuts because the judge was clearly bias against military parents. He said that 'You can't provide a stable home environment for a child when you have a history of extensive exposure to extreme violence'. That's what I got all three times I petitioned for shared custody. I wasn't even asking for primary or full custody, and Rikki hates Nancy, she's never gotten along with her mother, but there's nothing I could do about it because the courts wouldn't listen. It was agonizing not being able to see my little girl as much as I wanted." He admitted, keeping a close eye on the gathering numbers of people.
"And you're hoping the situation has changed? Are you going to petition for greater custody rights? I can call in a few favors in family court. The world does owe you a great deal," Woolsey remarked thoughtfully.
"Well, that's the thing. Nancy's the one who's requesting the meeting with lawyers and a judge and her tone about the whole visitation thing has changed recently. I get the feeling that now that Rikki is almost thirteen and just got her doctorate in theoretical physics, Nancy's getting a bit frustrated. She and Rikki have never really understood each other because Rikki's a certifiable genius and Nancy only cares about what furthers her own political career," John stated. "I wouldn't mind you pulling strings about leave if it looks like I'm getting a few weeks a year though. I want as much time with Rikki as I can get."
"Your thirteen-year-old daughter just got a PhD in Theoretical Physics?" Rodney looked stunned by the notion then suddenly pleased. "You know, they say that at that age, there's so much potential for learning still that they absorb things like a sponge. See if you can push for full custody. I would love being a mentor to a kid that smart."
John and Teyla looked at Rodney in shock at the complete 180 he had done on the topic, "You don't like kids. You hate that world with all the kids on it." John shot at his friend.
"I hate stupid kids that ask stupid questions. A thirteen-year-old Physics prodigy is a whole different cup of tea, that's someone useful. Plus, if she's got as strong an expression of the ATA gene as you do… well the possibilities are damned near limitless," McKay stated looking excited.
"Yeah, well don't get too excited, I still don't know what Nancy wants. She's been pretty damned vague about the whole thing," John responded. He glanced at Woolsey. "Hey, you used to be a lawyer, right?"
"Yes, but I never practiced family law," Woolsey warned.
"No, but you probably know a few good lawyers who do, don't you? Money's not a problem. My dad split the inheritance shockingly fairly between Dave and myself," John stated. "Just in case my brother's lawyer isn't avalible."
"Well, it's always best to have someone who specializes in the field anyways. I'll put in a few calls when we land if its needed. It looks like we're about to begin boarding now," Woolsey pointed out.
He was right too. The flight was a six hour, red-eye from Colorado Springs to D.C. Rodney tried badgering John for more information on Rikki's dissertation, but Woolsey and Teyla quickly shut him up, reminding him that they were going straight from the airport, to the hotel for check-in, and then to back to back meetings and needed to sleep while they could. John forced himself to get as comfortable as possible and sleep. One of the few advantages to being military was that he had learnt to sleep wherever, whenever he could.
John was woken by Teyla shaking his shoulder. She looked like she hadn't slept at all. John smiled, "I forgot this was your first time on a plane. Didn't agree with you?" The two of them had been seated next to each other for the flight.
"I had a great many things on my mind. We appear to be descending, I wished to speak with you before the others awoke. I can understand why you chose not to confide in Mr. Woolsey, and Rodney has difficulties keeping out of other people's business and is unable to keep a secret, but why did you really not share that you had a daughter with me? Was I not worthy of your trust?" Teyla looked less than pleased with him. TJ had been left back on Atlantis with Jennifer too, so John was convinced that also had kept her up.
"At first, I needed time to get to know you. After that, it was painful, Teyla. Rikki's my only kid, and Nancy, well, she didn't exactly force me to stay away, but she's made it damned difficult to stay close with my daughter. Rikki and I've managed. We've sent e-mails as often as possible. She knows about as much as I can tell her about you guys, so if you meet her, don't be surprised if she recognizes you. It's just… it hurts talking about her when I basically had her ripped away from me when Nancy and I ended things," John admitted. "Like I said before, it isn't personal. I just… I guess I didn't know how to talk about it with anyone, you know?"
"I do not. I could not imagine keeping something like that quiet, though you have always been someone who has kept their private life very private, so I suppose I should not be surprised. You are hoping to see your daughter while we are here though?" Teyla asked.
John nodded, shifting and stretching a little, "Yeah, that's the hope. Nancy did say that Rikki would be present, so there's that."
Teyla nodded, "Well, I hope things turn out well, whatever the situation is." That seemed to be all she had to say on the matter.
Teyla reached across the aisle and gently shook Woolsey's arm to wake him as well. The flight attendants started going around and making people put their seats up in preparation for the landing and John noticed Teyla clutching her armrest.
"Not a fan of flying?" He asked slightly teasing. "You never had any problems in the Puddle Jumpers."
"The Puddle Jumpers rarely experience turbulence, as we have a great deal on this flight. Also, knowing one's pilot personally is a great inspirer of confidence," Teyla pointed out, to John's amusement.
"Yeah, maybe we can take the short way home, eh?" John suggested, sympathetically. "O'Neill may be willing to lend us his office for it."
"If he does, I would be extremely grateful. I dislike this mode of transportation intensely," Teyla stated firmly.
John smiled as they truly began their descent. Once the plane was on the ground, Teyla finally relaxed. Woolsey took in Teyla's frazzled appearance and smiled, "You know, we won't need you for the first half of the day, if you want to get some sleep in the hotel room. I take it you dislike flying?"
"Not flying in general, just… this mode of flying," Teyla responded. "I would not object to John's suggestion of taking alternative means of returning back to… base."
"I'll see what I can do," Woolsey stated as they pulled their carry-ons out from the overhead bins.
They were in first-class, upgraded curtsey of John's uniform, so they got off the plane rather quickly. Then it was a matter of navigating their way through the throngs to the doors. They were just past the security when John heard a shrieked, "Daddy!" He managed to turn toward the origin in time to catch the girl that practically threw herself in his arms. She looked like a miniature female version of John, with his vibrant blue eyes, wild, wavy black hair, though hers was halfway down her back, and even the same facial structure, just slightly softened by her younger age and gender. There was no doubt for the others that this was, without a doubt, John Sheppard's daughter.
John was surprised to see his daughter just after landing and utterly confused when he saw his brother not far away, "Dave? What's going on? Why are you here? Don't get me wrong, thrilled to see you both, just very confused."
"Well, your e-mail said what time you were landing, and I figured you would want a heads up of what you're walking into and to see Rikki asap," Dave responded. "So, I played best brother and uncle ever and came to pick you up."
"That's great, but we kind of already got a ride, curtsey of the U.S. tax dollars. What am I walking into with Nancy?" John asked with concern now, still having his daughter's arms clinging to him like she was four and not nearly a teenager.
"Mom found an asshole for a boyfriend," Rikki whined, literally whined, into his uniform coat. Rikki didn't normally behave this way as she had a similar personality to John, thus concerning him further.
"Nancy's current boyfriend just proposed, but he wants to focus on building a 'real' family with Nancy and has requested that Nancy give you Rikki so she can focus on their future together," Dave stated as he took John's suitcase and they started walking again. Teyla and Rodney were each eyeing Rikki for their own reasons. "Apparently, he feels that since Rikki has just defended her dissertation on harnessing quantum energy or whatever it is, she should be old enough to get a job and even live on her own if she wants and he thinks that Nancy should focus on 'their children' in the future."
"That doesn't sound like Nancy. She was always tried her best to be a good mom to Rikki, even if they didn't see eye to eye. She's never let some guy she's dating come between her and our daughter," John stated looking down at Rikki who shook her head.
"Not this time. This time she's 'in love like she's never felt before,'" Rikki made a gagging motion and then clung to him again.
"Listen, I don't know the full story. What I do know is that Nancy packed Rikki off to my place with all her stuff to 'make room' for Jerry, that's the guy's name, by the way. I was pissed beyond all belief and told her that if she wasn't going to be a mom to Rikki anymore, she needed to sign full custody over to you and she said that as soon as you were avalible, that's exactly what she planned on doing," Dave looked as disgusted by the whole thing as John felt. "That was a couple of months ago."
"Well, I guess I will have to pull a few strings for you after all. However, since she already has a PhD, I believe it's not going to be a problem accommodating your daughter on base, Colonel. We all know we need you enough that the IOA will make more than a few exceptions in your case," Woolsey stated.
John nodded, relieved that Woolsey would go to bat for him on the matter. Rodney had perked up at the information and was eying Rikki, "I've been wanting an assistant for a while. I'd want to look at her dissertation, but given her… lineage, I think it's safe to say she should be perfect as an assistant."
John rolled his eyes, "Let's get the paperwork figured out first, McKay. Dave, why don't I ride with you guys to the hotel. You said you have all of Rikki's stuff at your house?"
"Yeah. I also brought a duffle of Rikki's stuff if you want her to stay with you in the hotel. Or you could come stay at the house?" Dave looked like he wanted John to say yes.
John sighed, "We're in back to back meetings for the next two days and then we will be buried in negotiations. I'm only in some of them though. Teyla, you're staying at the hotel for the morning, right? Do you mind if Rikki stays with you? I'm not in the afternoon meetings and was planning on meeting with Nancy if she was avalible then."
"She called me this morning saying to bring the family lawyer and meet her at the courthouse. She already has a family judge booked for a quick transfer of custody meeting. It's not going to be in court, since she's just transferring full custody to you and there isn't going to be any fighting this time around," Dave stated as they collected the guy holding up the sign with 'Woolsey, Sheppard' on it.
John nodded, "Alright. So, I'm guessing she responded to that e-mail I sent her last night while we were in flight. Mr. Woolsey, do you mind?"
"Not at all. I understand that sometimes family matters take precedence. As you said, you are only needed for our morning meeting today. Mr. Sheppard, I can arrange for someone to come and collect Dr. Sheppard's belongings and have them transported back to our base this afternoon, after the paperwork has been signed, if that's alright with you?" Woolsey stated, being rather accommodating. John had to admit the man was odd in how he operated, but he had grown on him. Of course, the man didn't really have any other options. They needed John on Atlantis, and now John came with his daughter, so Rikki was going too, end of story.
"Yeah, that's no problem. So, John, you're riding with us?" Dave asked to make sure, even though John had just stated it.
"Yeah, just stay right behind the government car, and you should be good. They've put us up in a pretty nice hotel," John responded. He let the guy who was picking them up take his carry-on and then broke off and followed his brother to his car.
Once they were settled, John and Rikki both sitting in the back, John turned to Rikki, "How long has this situation been going on?"
"Pretty much since Mom started dating Jerry. Jerry loves Mom but he isn't interested in being dad to someone else's kid. That was just fine with me because I've always made it clear that you're my dad, not whatever guy Mom's dating this month. Only, he didn't leave after a few months like the other guys normally do. He stuck around, and now he's proposed. Personally, I'm glad Mom's accepted and is letting me live with you. She's always focused more on her career than me. I mean, you've been all over the place and you still know me better than Mom does. Besides, she has become a lot more distant lately," Rikki finished with a huff.
John smiled, "That's because you got your brains and personality from me, kid. You're Mom just has a hard time following you when you start spouting off about equations and string theory and all that."
"Well, that's not my fault, now is it?" Rikki stated with a pout before perking up. "So, you always mentioned in your e-mails that your base is really far away and that it's on the ocean. How far away is it? Mom already arranged for me to get a passport because she said it's probably overseas and she didn't want any delays with the custody transfer."
"Yeah, she mentioned getting you a passport a while back. I had to sign the paperwork for it. I guess she's been planning this for a while. Well, I can't tell you much about it other than what I already have, because Uncle Dave doesn't have clearance and I still need to get bringing you with me cleared with my chain of command. I don't think that there will be any major problems, but I need to get it cleared first before I start sharing. Tell you what though, Teyla is going to nap for a few hours in the morning and you'll have to stick with her in the hotel, but this afternoon, after we do the whole custody thing, I am going to introduce you to someone that I happen to know will be staying at the hotel with us and you're going to lose your mind getting to meet and he can tell you all about the base I work on," John smirked.
Dr. Jackson didn't know it, but his book had been something that a friend had given Rikki as a gag gift when she was four and already devouring chapter books like she was starved for knowledge. It had ended up beginning his daughter's obsession with the sciences and particularly with space travel and quantum physics, which is how she figured the 'ancient aliens' traveled to Earth and built the pyramids. The fact that she would soon be learning that Dr. Jackson had been right and seeing evidence of exactly that made John chuckle.
"Who is it?" Rikki asked, her eyes lighting up. His little girl always loved surprises and her curiosity had always made them nearly impossible to maintain. "Who am I going to meet?"
"Well, I won't say who. That would ruin the surprise and give you too much information at once. However, I can tell you that this person is a personal hero of yours," John stated, knowing that that was safe, as Rikki had a lot of personal heroes. They pulled into the parking garage of the hotel they were staying in just then.
When they climbed out, John grabbed Rikki's duffle bag and they headed over to the government car to join the others. Dave shouted to him, "Good luck with the Hell Bitch! The family lawyer will meet you at the courthouse. Make sure you and Rikki come around for dinner with us before you disappear to wherever your base is." Before getting back in his car and driving off.
"Hell bitch?" Rodney asked as they headed into the hotel lobby.
"Mom is a hell bitch. She's selfish and only ever cared about me as far as it made her look good to be mom to a genius," Rikki stated stiffly.
"Rikki, you know that's not true. Your mother loves you… she just… Nancy's never been good with expressing her feelings. She holds what she's feeling in until she can't anymore and then it comes out all at once," John stated, trying to be reasonable. He didn't want to be one of those parents that fought over their children. Yes, he loved his daughter and wanted custody of her, but he wasn't going to tear his ex-wife down to get it. That wasn't the right way to raise a child, especially not one as perceptive as Rikki was.
"And by that Dad means that Mom lets her rage build and then unleashes it on everyone in her path. Of course, if she made any effort to communicate the problem when it was small, it would never get to flood gates opening proportions, but heaven forbid you tell her that. Dad, I know you mean well, but Mom has always been a shit parent. The judges were stupid not to give you full custody of me to begin with," Rikki stated promptly.
Woolsey was checking them in and handed over a two key cards to John when he finished, "I had them change Teyla's room to a double, so Rikki could stay with her."
John nodded, "Good thing that the hotel isn't over booked."
"More like good thing I'm in the good books with the owner of the hotel. It's why we can afford to stay here. Let's just say that I ran litigation for him on a sticky legal situation in my early years as a lawyer and he is eternally grateful for my work," Woolsey stated with an unimpressed sniff.
"I'm not going to ask," John stated as they entered the elevator with the bell boy checking to make sure they didn't want help with their luggage.
"It's not legal for me to share," Woolsey responded as he pressed the button for the floor that they were on. "Dr. Sheppard, the concierge did say that there is a lounge with books, and a pool, if you get bored while waiting for your father while he's in the meetings."
Rikki smiled, "I'll be fine. I brought a few notebooks with ideas I want to work on when I find a job."
"Consider yourself employed, kid. I need an assistant and you have the necessary degree for it," Rodney stated. "I still want to see the dissertation though."
John rolled his eyes and nudged his daughter, "He's been like that since he learnt that you aren't thirteen yet and just got a doctorate. He seems to be eager to train you to be the perfect scientist."
Rikki shrugged, "Can the government employ a minor?"
"Technically, no. But you would be working for me, not the government," Rodney stated.
"The rules are a little… blurry where we work, Rikki. You'll understand when you see the place. Woolsey, Jackson got here ahead of us, right?" John wanted to make sure that his daughter did get it all explained by her personal hero and the last name was common enough that Rikki wasn't likely to realize immediately.
"Yes, he should be there in the morning meetings and free this afternoon, why?" Woolsey asked.
"Just checking," John stated with a smirk.
It took them all of fifteen minutes or so to get everyone settled in their rooms and cleaned up before they really had to get going. John gave his daughter another hug and switched from his BDUs to dress blues for the meeting. He forced himself to pay attention throughout the meeting and participate, giving statistics and numbers. Todd had become a shockingly useful resource once they learnt that Steve had just been a picky eater and that Wraith could feed on pigs if there was no other avalible food sources. Todd admitted that it wasn't as effective, but if Keller was happy to finish the retrovirus, he would and could survive on pig until then.
This information was shared, along with their success rates against the Wraith, the fact that they currently had three mostly charged ZPMs, things like that. He did emphasize the need for more scientists and military personnel on Atlantis and even said that he didn't care what country they came from, as long as they were capable of fighting the Wraith and willing to follow his orders. This excited several of the IOA members as Woolsey had said it would, but John knew that if they were going to truly defeat the Wraith, they couldn't make the Ancients' mistake and underestimate them. That meant they needed more men, better armed, and better trained and making the battle a truly global effort would help with keeping the other governments involved happier.
They also needed a lot more fire power. As much as he hated to admit it, John knew that his daughter was going to be perfect for coming up with that firepower. He was personally convinced that his kid was smart enough to manage galactic domination if she put her mind to it. Fortunately, all she cared about was science for science sake. That meant that they could give her ideas and she would just run with them, not caring what they were being used for long term.
He knew he got a little distracted toward the end of the morning meeting and was relieved when they were dismissed. John grabbed his things and headed over to Woolsey, "Hey, I'm gonna head back to the hotel, grab Rikki, and get lunch before we need to meet with Nancy."
Woolsey gave a nod, "I called and arranged for a second car for you, so you can deal with your business. Once you're done with your custody meeting, I've had them send some personnel over to Gen. O'Neil's office to go with you to collect your daughter's things and get them back to Atlantis."
"Thanks. I appreciate that," John stated. Before he could say anything further, they were interrupted by the Russian and UK Representatives. Russel Chapman represented the UK and the new Russian representative was Konstantin Nechayev.
"Col. Sheppard, during the meeting, you said that you have no objections to overseeing military personnel from other countries, provided they obey your orders. Do you truly mean that?" Nechayev asked, his expression serious.
"Of course, I do. We need all the help we can get with fighting the Wraith. If Russia or the UK are capable of sparing the men and those men are willing to follow my orders, I have no problems with them being on Atlantis. Atlantis is primarily an international effort. If we have scientists from all parts of the world, I don't see why we shouldn't have military from all parts of the world as well. I mean, it's not like the Wraith will give a damn about borders if they get to Earth. If you do want to send people from your countries though, try DNA testing them for the ATA gene. If they have it at full strength or recessive, that will help massively since we need as many people with the gene as possible for things like flying Puddle Jumpers. A lot of the Ancient technology doesn't work unless you have the gene," John stated.
"And Gen. O'Neil and Gen. Laundry have no objection to Atlantis becoming a joint military operation?" Chapman asked, his expression just as serious.
"They agree with me in the assessment that Atlantis's place is in the Pegasus Galaxy fighting the Wraith and that if other countries are willing to contribute to the fight, we shouldn't have issues as long as they can follow my command," John stated firmly. He wasn't bluffing either. The past two weeks had been filled with involved discussions with the two generals going over the need to get the necessary resources wherever they could.
"Are you avalible to discuss this further this afternoon? I believe it is some science and social meetings after this. You aren't needed for those, correct?" Chapman asked.
"Unfortunately, I have personal matters to deal with this afternoon. I have tomorrow afternoon off from the meetings though. I'm sure I can get Gen. O'Neil in on them for further discussions. Now, if you don't mind, I do need to get going," John smiled.
"That sounds like an excellent plan. I hope your personal matters are resolved to your liking," Chapman stated, being rather friendly.
"Oh, I expect them to be. Good day, gentlemen," John gave them both nods before exiting quickly.
The trip back to the hotel was otherwise uneventful, and John found Teyla and Rikki talking when he got back to the hotel. Teyla was now dressed as formally as Woolsey could hope and Rikki was eying her with suspicion, "Dad, did you know Teyla's never been on a plane before she flew here from Colorado?"
"I did. Come on, let's get some lunch before we meet with your mother and the lawyers," John stated. "Teyla's got a lunch meeting with some very important people who want to know a bit more about her."
Rikki eyed the woman again, "Her or her weird culture that's apparently advanced enough to know a good deal about our culture, like TVs, and computers, but has no idea what Facebook or American Idol are?"
John chuckled, "What she knows about our culture, she learnt from me and Dr. McKay, and the people we work with. I will explain later, once you're legally mine."
Rikki broke into a big smile at that, "Thank god Mom finally came to her senses. She… I know she does technically love me… she's just super distant because she doesn't understand. She thinks I should have gotten a doctorate in Linguistics just because I'm good with languages and get a job working for the UN. Just because I speak thirteen languages, doesn't mean I want to spend my life translating for some foreign ambassador who can't tell the difference between Mandarin and Cantonese."
John chuckled. Rodney had no idea what he was getting into, "Hey, but you already have an excellent job prospect. Dr. Rodney McKay is the chief of sciences for my base and he's saying he wants you as his assistant. Believe me, you will be on the cutting edge working with him. I guarantee you won't be getting bored."
Rikki perked up as they got into the government car and John ordered the driver to take them to a fast food joint. They didn't have time for a sit-down lunch and John hadn't had fast food in ages. Rikki eyed him as she asked her next question, "I've never heard of Dr. Rodney McKay. If he's at the cutting edge of sciences, why have I never read his work published in scientific journals?"
"Because most of his work is highly classified, and what he can publish, he does under a false name these days. You can quiz him all you like once you start working for him. Trust me, once you are in the know, you would literally kill a dozen people if it meant you got to work as his assistant," John stated, knowingly. It was true to, Rikki wasn't an inherently violent person, but nothing got between his daughter and her science. They pulled up to the drive-thru, gave their orders to the driver who placed them, and John handed the Sergeant a twenty to pay with.
Once they got their food, the pair ate in silence as they were driven to the courthouse. Before they got out, John paused, "Listen Rikki, don't mention Teyla or how 'odd' she seemed to you while we're in there. There's nothing wrong with her, but her presence in the U.S. is technically classified, so…"
"Mum's the word. Got it," Rikki stated. They got out of the car and headed into the courthouse. John told the sergeant that it probably wouldn't take longer than a half hour.
Dave was waiting with the family lawyer just inside and quickly explained that he decided to come as backup, just in case. John shook his hand, "Well, this is Rebecca's father, Col. John Sheppard, you remember him, Edward."
"I do. This case should be straight forward enough. I've already looked over the paperwork that your ex-wife sent ahead to review. She's requesting that you take full custody and she will pay $1000 a month in child support, but she doesn't want any further contact with you or your daughter. The child support will be transferred from her lawyer to myself and myself to you," Edward Sullivan was their long-time family lawyer and a good one at that. He had done his best to get John joint custody when he had originally divorced Nancy, but the judge had been extremely biased.
"She wants zero contact with Rebecca and me, not even weekends twice a year?" John asked in concern.
"That's what the papers said. I'm a bit baffled by it myself. She is even giving up all legal rights to Ms. Sheppard. It's highly unusual. However, it does give you your daughter and you don't have to share, so I wouldn't complain if I were you," Mr. Sullivan stated with a shrug. The man clearly remembered John's anger at not getting his daughter before and was happy that his client would finally be getting what he wanted.
"Yeah, I just don't want her to come regretting it later and demanding I give Rikki back," John grumbled.
Sullivan chuckled, "Not likely that she would win that one. Your brother says you're the base commander for your current posting which means you aren't getting bounced around, your daughter has fully completed her education, and your ex is willingly giving up custody of her child to you with these kinds of stipulations? Judges tend to frown on that kind of behavior. I doubt even if she did try reneging down the line that she would get your daughter back."
John nodded, "Alright, how soon is the meeting?"
"We should head over now," Sullivan responded. "It's in ten minutes, so we don't want to be late and found in contempt."
John snorted. They all followed the lawyer and were allowed into the judge's chambers quickly. Nancy stood stiffly and barely glanced at Rikki. John frowned at how indifferent his ex-wife was being towards their daughter, given that she had originally fought tooth and nail for custody of Rikki, just like he had. Still, it was a quick meeting. The Judge frowned at Nancy's request for no contact but approved it provided she paid the appropriate child support and the paperwork was signed. As soon as they were out of the chamber's, John stopped Nancy.
"Nancy, what's going on, really? You're acting as if you never wanted Rikki to begin with when we both did, we both fought for custody fiercely and you won and I was never happy about it, so what's the problem now that you want nothing to do with her?" John asked, his tone almost too harsh. Rikki stood with her uncle and Mr. Sullivan a small distance away.
"You want to know what my problem is? My problem is that your daughter doesn't respect me. She doesn't listen to me. She acts as if she knows better than me. Rebecca has spent the past six years since our divorce making me feel like a villain for one mistake. She isn't my daughter at all, she's yours. Somehow, despite you never being there, she is your little girl and doesn't give a damn about me, that's what's wrong. So, fine. You win. You take your daughter and be happy with her because I have someone now who will give me normal children who will treat me like a child should treat their parents," Nancy lashed out viciously.
John groaned. It was classic Nancy after all. She had pent up her feelings about Rikki being an independent child and now their daughter felt the backlash, "If that's how you really feel, then fine. We'll leave you be, Nancy. Just don't bother with demanding visitation later. Rikki doesn't need you yanking her around on a chain like she's supposed to be a trained dog on a leash. I know you never wanted to accept it, but Rikki was never going to be a normal child with simply good grades and socializing like normal kids do.
"She was born a prodigy, and yes, I know that you blame me for that, even though I really don't see the problem with her being as smart as she is, and I'll even accept the blame. But you need to realize something. It's damned hard to respect a woman who only looks at her daughter as a means of raising her own image and standing socially. It is damned hard for a little girl to feel loved when all her mother cares about is her political career, so no, she probably didn't have respect for you, but that's probably because you tried molding her into a little puppet princess while failing to understand a damned thing about Rebecca. So, yeah, I'm more than happy to take custody of Rikki, but don't come begging to see her later when you regret it, because you just burnt that bridge and there is no repairing it," John's contempt was clear as he finished.
John turned on his heel at this and walked away. He wasn't going to let Nancy make his kid feel like she wasn't good enough and immediately directed Rikki out of the building. He gave Rikki a tight hug and made the call to have the airmen who were supposed to meet him at Dave's house head out. Once that was finished, he looked at his daughter firmly, "How long has your mother been hostile towards you?"
"The past couple of years when it really hit her that I wasn't going to just obey her blindly without asking questions," Rikki admitted softly without looking John in the eye. "Pretty much since grandpa's funeral."
He pulled her into another hug, "I'm sorry kid. Listen, this is not your fault. You are very special. You are so damned brilliant and your mom, she just doesn't understand that that brilliance, it can't and shouldn't be hidden. Where I work now, where you're going to live with me, you will never have to hide your brains. People will encourage you to learn everything you can. You hear me? Where I work and live, you're gonna be the coolest kid on the block. Your mother has always been terrified of rejection and she is likely rejecting you so that you can't reject her. It's not your fault, you hear me?"
Rikki finally looked at him and smiled, "I know you're just trying to make me feel better, but thanks anyways. Now, you promised to let me in on what you've been doing lately?" She looked hopefully at that.
"Let's get your things from Uncle Dave's first," John stated with a chuckle.
Rikki pouted before deciding it was as good a time as any to catch up on her life with her mother. John ended up hearing every detail about his ex-wife's past four boyfriends, whom apparently all treated Rikki like a little girl who was incapable of thinking for herself. The conversation lasted all the way to Dave's mansion and halfway through seeing Rikki's things being loaded into a box truck. It was interrupted by the sergeant who had been driving them around.
"Excuse me, sir. I just received a call from White House and the President wants you there asap," The sergeant, that John hadn't learnt the name of, stated while standing at parade rest.
John bit back a groan, glanced at his brother, the airmen packing Rikki's things into the box truck and then his daughter, "Right, well, come on then Rikki, let's go talk to the President." The sergeant looked taken back by the decision, but John couldn't just leave his daughter with his brother to drop off later, given he didn't know when he or the others would be back at the hotel and he couldn't leave her with the airmen who were under strict orders to get his daughter's things to Atlantis immediately.