Left Behind
Chapter 3: Arrival

When the Daedalus arrived at Atlantis, the crew wasn't beamed down, but instead the space craft had landed on one of the City's docks. Supplies were unloaded; food, weapons and ammo, extra uniforms, equipment and medical supplies.

Kevin had lost sights with Michael as he exited the deck, but knew that if he wanted, Michael would be the one to find him, not the other way around. He still couldn't grasp what it was about the man, but it had only been nine days since they had met—hopefully, the 'civilian' had only the one way trip. Kevin shook himself, he couldn't believe that he was already getting attached.

He had helped unload the supplies, even though he knew that it wasn't really expected of him. He didn't have to talk to anyone at the moment, but at least it helped him get his bearings in this new environment. He had just picked up his bag and threw the strap over his shoulder when a Sergeant appeared in front of him. This time, Kevin wasn't surprised like he had been before on the Daedalus; he was now sure to expect this.

"Captain," the Sergeant greeted. "I'm Sergeant Bates; I'll be showing you around Atlantis and get you situated before taking you to Colonel Carter."

"It's nice to meat you, Sergeant." Kevin nodded his head, and fallowed when Bates gestured for him to do so.

So Bates gave Kevin a general tour; where the quarters were (and dropping his bag off in his), the infirmary, the mess hall, the armory, the gym, the gate room and lastly, Colonel Carter's office—doing a tour of the whole place would take way more time than what it took to go through those seven locations. Bates left Kevin outside Carter's office and Kevin knocked on the glass window.

Carter was at her desk, her blond head bent over a PADD; she looked up and waved him in.

Kevin opened the door and slipped inside, reaching across the desk to shake Carter's hand as she stood.

"It's nice to meet you, Captain."

"You too, Colonel."

"Please, have a seat." she gestured to one of the chairs adjacent to the front of her desk.

Kevin did, sitting on the edge of the seat, his spine straight and his hands clasped in his lap.

"First off, Welcome to Atlantis." Carter said with a nod. "You were chosen to come to Atlantis because you have the Atlantian Gene." she continued as she glanced down at the PADD, "It's very rare to have it naturally, and is very needed around here. Your combat and artillery skills are excellent, with not even a smudge on your record. I'm going to place you on Atlantis' infiltration team, Captain."

Kevin nodded. "May I ask who it is that I report to?"

Carter nodded. "Michael Westen; he was on the Daedalus also."

Kevin blinked in surprise, his heart making a fluttery beat for a moment. He wasn't sure why though; Michael was just an acquaintance after all—but how could he have anticipated this? He did know one thing as a result though; this was a one-way trip for Michael too.

Kevin nodded his head. "I met him on the ship," he told her. "Can I ask what rank he is?"

Kevin couldn't help himself; he would just allow himself this one inquiry and that was it—he was going to eventually find out any ways, so why not at the very start?

"He's a civilian of a sort," Carter said, almost just like how Michael had answered. "But you will answer to him, Captain. Is that understood?"

Kevin nodded his head. "Of course, Colonel."

"Good." Carter nodded, satisfied with the answer as she folded her hands on top of the desk. "Do you have any family here, Captain Lorne?" she asked him suddenly, her expression business with just a spark of curiousness in her blue eyes.

Kevin was silent for a moment, a nervousness coming over him. Why would she ask such a thing? He blinked, forcing the emotion away—but not before he swallowed silently. "No ma'am, no family." he wasn't lying either, he didn't have family—not here and not anywhere.

Carter nodded her head, though a calculating look stayed in her eyes as she watched him.

"Why do you ask?"

"I make it a point to know if any of the people under my command have family members in the City; it's just easier to manage with that kind of knowledge." she told him, leaning back slightly in her chair. "I trust that Sergeant Bates gave you the appropriate tour?" she asked.

"Yes, ma'am." Kevin nodded.

"What do you think of Atlantis?"

"I believe that She is beautiful, ma'am."

Carter nodded in agreement. "She is at that."

They sat in silence for a moment, Kevin not knowing what to do and starting to feel awkward.

"You can rest easy for today," Carter finally told him. "Tomorrow there will be a briefing at 0800 that you will attend."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Dismissed, Captain."

Kevin stood and gave her a salute before he left her office. He paused outside for a second as the door closed behind him, not quite knowing where to go. But he figured anywhere was better than just standing here, so he descended down the steps that let to the gate room floor and turned towards where he was sure that the mess hall was.

"Hey, Lorne." a female voice came from a little ways away.

Kevin heard it as he was about to turn the corner, he paused as he looked behind him, his brows furrowed. He just caught sight to officers rounding the corner; one was a female and the other was a dark haired man.

"What's up, Jen?" the man answered, both disappearing from sight.

Kevin was sure that his heart had stopped for a moment before it started to beat again. He must have heard the wrong; they were far away and their voices were faint. It was only because Colonel Carter had mentioned family, and the picture in his breast pocket seemed to be weighing heavy.

He let out a slow breath, forcing the thoughts that the word family always seemed to dredge up. He had just heard the name wrong was all, he told himself as he turned back around and continued to walk, everything was fine.