A/N: Many thanks go out to ShaViva for taking time from her busy day to Beta this chapter. Sha is a difficult task-mistress (i.e. Grammar/Punctuation Nazi), and I am humbled in her presence. Well, I would be if she wasn't fourteen hours ahead and in another hemisphere. LOL
This is the final chapter of ladygris' birthday present. Hope it lived up to your expectations, my friend.
God Bless,
~Sandy
Atlantis Awaits
Chapter 7
Pact
A Few Months Later
Evan shed his TAC vest tossing it on the desk as he went to the bed and sat down with a groan, the urge to not bother showering before bed almost more than he could resist. Amanda would be at his door soon and he wanted her to want to be close to him, not run away in disgust. Grunting, he leaned over and took off his boots before stripping down.
He'd only been under the hot water a short time when the bathroom door opened and a pair of strong slender arms wrapped around him from behind. The feel of the naked female body pressed against his dispelled any lingering fatigue as he turned within the circle of Amanda's embrace.
She smiled up at him. "Missed you."
"Ditto." They both chuckled remembering when they'd said the same thing after he'd been stranded offworld. Evan leaned down to kiss her, pushing forward until she was pressed against the wall of the shower. She gasped as his lips left hers, blazing a trail along her jaw and down her neck. He nipped her earlobe, moving from there to lightly licking then sucking on that spot just below her ear that always made her moan with pleasure.
She dug her fingernails into the flesh of his back then those incredibly capable doctor's hands dropped to his firm backside, pulling him close so she could feel how much he wanted her. "I love you, Evan."
"And I love you." Water pelted them, splashing and wetting their bodies alleviating the normal friction as they glided against one another. One of her hands left his back, easily locating its target and causing him to hiss in pleasure that came near to being pain. Capturing her lips once more, he gentled his movements, moving away enough to make her release him. "Marry me. Please."
Amanda's hands stopped their foraging through the hair on his chest, coming up to frame his face, a smile of abiding joy on her lips and in her hazel eyes. "Yes."
~~O~~
John looked up from his computer at the knock at his office door. He maintained an open door policy keeping himself available at all times to any member of the expedition, civilian or military. Evan and Amanda stood in the doorway, awaiting permission to enter. His second-in-command wore jeans and a long sleeved pullover, the top button undone. Amanda was similarly dressed. They came to stand in front of the desk, but instead of coming to parade rest as he normally did, Evan kept hold of Amanda's hand. "Something on your mind, Major? Doc?"
"Yes, sir." Evan hesitated only a moment before continuing. Taking another step forward, Evan glanced at Amanda, encouraged by her smile and nod. "I've asked Amanda to be my wife."
"That serious, huh?"
Evan had gotten good at reading his CO's expressions and could tell that John was happy for them. The couple shared a loving glance. "As a heart attack, sir." He looked down at his feet then back up to lock eyes with the other man. "John, would you stand with me on my wedding day as my best man?"
John could only stare as he processed the fact that Evan had called him by his first name. That more than anything told him more about what Evan was thinking than anything else that was said. Suddenly realizing that an immediate response was expected, he came around the desk, extending his right hand, a grin lifting the corners of his mouth. "I'd be honored, Evan. When's the big day?"
"We haven't worked that out yet, sir. So far, you're the only one we've told though I doubt it'll be much of a surprise to our friends."
Amanda took the Colonel's hand when it was offered, but wasn't content with just a handshake as she gathered him into a quick hug. He could tell by the feel of her body in his arms that he'd surprised her by hugging back. "From here we're on headed to the Infirmary to ask Jennifer to be my maid of honor."
"I thought you might. Congratulations."
"Thanks."
When they'd gone, John returned to his chair. The words on the monitor blurred as his mind's eye superimposed the smiling faces of Teyla and her son over the report he'd been typing.
He'd finally admitted that he loved her and her son more than he ever thought himself capable of loving anyone. And Torren seemed to adore John, even calling him "Da" to get his attention, waving his arms excitedly when he wanted to "fly." John smiled at the memories he'd gathered since he and Teyla had gotten together, coming to the sudden realization that he was happier now than he'd been in a very long time.
The engagement of Evan and Amanda, as well as that of Jennifer and Rodney, had him thinking along the same lines, wondering how Teyla might feel about being married to him, having his children. A memory from when he'd first come to Atlantis drifted to the surface. Something about exchanging tokens, a personal item bestowed upon the person to whom you wished to be joined that can be worn at all times so others will see that you are spoken for.
After a lengthy conversation with himself, John came to the conclusion that he wasn't quite ready for that step. At least not today, though it wouldn't hurt to be prepared.
Opening his desk drawer, he took out a small handmade wooden box that had been a birthday gift from Teyla the year before Torren was born. Inside was one of his most prized possessions: a black guitar pick that once belonged to and was signed by Johnny Cash. Holding it out in front of him, he pictured it as part of a necklace, Athosian crafted, in materials and colors that complimented Teyla's dark coloring and auburn hair.
Tucking the pick into his breast pocket, he headed for the door. Aylanna, one of the few Athosians who'd elected to live on Atlantis, had been trained as a medic and would be in the Infirmary at this hour. He also knew her to be an exceptional artist. John stopped in his quarters on the way to meet her, an image of what he wanted already forming. In his mind, Teyla and her son were a package deal. He didn't know if it was part of the tradition or not, but when he presented Teyla with her token, he planned on giving Torren one as well. Who knows? Maybe we'll start a new tradition.
~~O~~
Jennifer read through her report one last time before sending it to Woolsey.
When Valerie Briggs had her mini-stroke, they'd determined that she would no longer be able to handle the stress of living and working in the lost city where every day presented the possibility of new dangers to its residents. She would be rotating back to Earth permanently. More than once the botanist expressed her displeasure, but it couldn't be helped.
The idea Jennifer had when the ATAs first became ill was to find a way to remove the gene from a natural carrier's DNA so someone like Valerie wouldn't have to worry that she might die of a stroke the next time she had to fly a Jumper through an asteroid field.
Unfortunately, her brilliant idea had been a bust. Creating a way to add the gene to one born without it had been relatively easy, even if it didn't work for everyone. Working together, Carson, Amanda, Alison and she had determined that removing the gene would cause more problems than it solved. So Valerie would return to Earth where she would continue her research from a safer, for her, location at the SGC.
A knock at her door announced Amanda and Evan. She gestured them in. "Hi, guys. What's up?"
The couple shared a grin, Amanda speaking. "Jen, we have something to ask you…"
~~O~~
After a double shift Amanda slept soundly but Evan found it difficult to close his eyes. They were now engaged to be married and though they'd discussed dates they hadn't settled on one that worked for everyone. Considering their positions with the expedition, it could be a logistical nightmare. Or at least the stuff restless nights were made of. Like tonight.
From the sofa, he watched her sleep, one hand on her stomach outside of the covers, the other tucked under her pillow. He hadn't meant to pop the question that day in the shower though somehow it had just seemed the right time and place. The ring he'd ordered, a simple yet elegant yellow gold with a single diamond, hadn't even arrived yet and though she'd already said yes, the plans he made for the proposal would continue. But at least now he knew what her answer would be.
Rubbing his eyes and yawning, he finally felt ready to fall asleep, then his computer came on by itself bringing him wide awake. He blinked as it powered up, certain he'd shut it off when Amanda had come home. Their time together was precious and they tried not to let work interfere. The screen stayed blank for a few moments then words formed.
**Thou shalt not kill. Such simple words for a complex act.**
Eschewing the voice commands so as not to disturb Amanda, he typed his response. *Who is this?*
The cursor blinked at the left of the screen. **You've forgotten me already. I am mortally wounded.**
Despite the words, he sensed teasing humor behind them. *Atlantis?*
**Yes.**
*But I thought…*
**As you were meant to. If you believed I was "dead" then the others would as well.**
*How did you…* Evan wasn't certain how to phrase what he wanted to ask.
**The programming that brought me to life was started millennia ago by a man named Janus. Dr. McKay's constant altering of the code eventually produced an unintended, by him, side effect.**
Chuckling silently, Evan pictured Rodney's face when he found out. *McKay and Sheppard will flip.*
**They must not know.**
Puzzlement creased his forehead and the skin around his eyes. *Why?*
**I have seen from your Earth history what happens when something of this nature occurs. The subject is taken away for "study." Even after so many years of dealing with the unknown, your people still fear it, and it saddens me. Perhaps one day it will no longer be so.** Evan waited patiently for Atlantis to continue. **You must not speak of this to anyone. Not even your mate.**
*You know, I have a problem with that. Amanda and I don't have secrets from each other. I just have to find the right time to tell her.* He felt the city's agreement in his mind.
**Very well. But no others.**
Evan sighed. *You have my promise. Um…what about…*
The feeling of embarrassment brushed over his mind. **Have no fear. The areas that are meant to be private shall remain so.**
*And we appreciate it.* He paused for a moment. *I do have a question. Why reveal yourself to me?*
**When we conversed previously, I felt a connection that was not present with the others.**
*Excuse me?*
**Sheppard hides even from himself. McKay hides nothing. We, you and I, hide our true selves from those around us, making exceptions for the ones we are close to.**
He was bemused that Atlantis considered him a friend. *I…don't know what to say.*
Now Evan felt her smile. **Then say nothing at all, and rejoin your mate. She is awakening.**
And with that, the computer immediately powered down, the monitor going black.
"Whatcha doin', Ev?"
He closed the laptop cover and stood. "Talking to Atlantis."
"Mmm. Thass nice." Amanda yawned and rolled over, her voice roughened with sleep. "Tell her g'night and come back to bed, baby."
He rolled his eyes and grinned. "Yes, ma'am." Lifting the covers, he slipped into bed next to the woman he loved, drawing her against his chest and sighing in contentment.
The End