A/N: Thank you so much to bailey1ak for all your help and encouragement.
Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Stargate Atlantis or it's wonderful characters.
Spoilers: Reunion season 4
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Chapter 8
It'd been months since Jennifer left but Ronon still couldn't forgive himself for pushing her away. He knew he'd never get involved with anyone again … he'd already given his heart away and there was nothing left for anyone else. Not that several women hadn't tried to console him and help him forget her. Hell, every time a new batch of recruits showed up off the Daedalus he had 3-4 new ones to growl at and send running. Maybe he should just tattoo 'not interested' on his forehead and be done with it. He was always in a foul mood when the Daedalus was docked.
Lorne sat by himself at a table in the mess hall thinking about the email he'd just received from Jennifer. A baby … wow… hard to believe. He just couldn't wrap his head around the idea of Jennifer being a mom. He knew she'd make a wonderful mother but the thought of her being a 'single' mom was hard for him to accept. Hopefully the people at SGC would continue to fill in as a surrogate family until she returned home. Evan would never give up on the idea of her coming home no matter how hopeless it all seemed at the moment. He needed to email Laura tonight and make sure she'd be there for Jennifer. Too bad he couldn't change his leave time and go now. Unfortunately, once the assignments were out there was no changing it. At least he'd be able to see her next month.
Sheppard and Ronon walked into the mess hall joining Lorne for breakfast.
"Morning Major." Sheppard greeted his 2IC as he set his tray down. "Have you got those training sessions worked out for the new recruits?"
"Still working on the schedules now that we're a man down," Lorne reported knowing Ronon would be off world tracking down a lead on a couple of Satedan soldiers.
"I'll be here," Ronon stated. "Put me back in the rotation."
"I thought you were going off world with Teyla. Didn't Solen give you a good lead on some of your people?" Sheppard said questioning.
" You're my people," Ronon grumbled. If he'd just understood the truth several months ago he wouldn't have lost Jennifer. He finally realized Satedans were his people… his roots, but Atlantis was his home and these people were his family.
"Tired of chasing rainbows?" Sheppard asked.
"What?" Ronon sneered.
"Never mind, buddy. Glad to have you home," Sheppard answered sincerely. "Let's begin training sessions tomorrow," Sheppard ordered nodding at Lorne.
Jennifer went into labor in the middle of the night with Laura still 2 days away. After several hours, Jennifer finally resigned herself to the fact she'd be delivering this baby without her. Carolyn encouraged her to rest as much as she could in the early part of her labor. As with most Satedan children, this baby was big and Dr. Lam guessed they were all in for a long delivery.
"Unauthorized off world activation," Chuck announced as Colonel Carter walked over to stand beside him.
"What've we got, Chuck?" Carter asked the tech as the wormhole stabilized.
"Looks like a video feed from Stargate Command," Chuck replied looking to Colonel Carter for direction.
"Please patch it into my monitor," Carter instructed as she headed toward her office.
Colonel Carter situated herself in front of her screen waiting for the feed.
"Hey, Sam, how are things in Atlantis?" Daniel asked from the Milky Way galaxy.
"It's good to see your face, Daniel," Sam smiled at her dear friend and former team member. "What's up?"
"I'm not sure where to start so I guess I'll start by saying this whole conversation is very confidential," Daniel said knowing Sam would keep this to herself.
"Our conversation won't leave my office, Daniel. So what can I do for you?" Sam asked as she moved to close her door.
"I'm not sure if you're aware but Jennifer Keller arrived here at the SGC pregnant. Actually, she wasn't even aware of it herself until her physical."
"Wow! I don't know what to say. No, I didn't know that. I'm not sure if anyone here in Atlantis knows," Samantha replied shocked.
"Sam, Jennifer is in labor as we speak and I want to ask a favor. This is all cleared here on our end so it'll just depend on your situation in Atlantis," he stated.
Daniel went on to explain everything and Sam said she'd get back to him within the hour.
Colonel Carter opened a channel on her radio.
"Major Lorne, this is Colonel Carter."
"This is Lorne, go ahead Colonel," Evan answered.
"Major, I need you to come to my office as soon as possible," Carter ordered.
"I'll be right there, Lorne out.
Major Lorne entered Colonel Carter's office looking a bit confused and frazzled.
"Please close the door, Major and take a seat."
Colonel Carter proceeded to explain what was going on with Jennifer and Daniel's plan. Things were fairly quiet right now on Atlantis so Samantha was inclined to grant Daniel's request if Lorne was willing.
"So Major, I'd like to send you through the gate for 2 days until Laura arrives. I'll write it in my report that you're returning to Earth on a family emergency. Is this something you're willing to do?" Carter inquired.
"Yes. Thank you Colonel, I'm very grateful," Evan replied stunned.
"How long will it take you to get ready?" Carter asked.
"Maybe 20 minutes," Evan answered knowing all he'd do is throw a change of clothes in a duffle and grab a toothbrush.
"Good, we can't leave Jennifer waiting. Please give her a hug for me, Major." Sam wished she could go herself but was thankful that Laura and Lorne could be there for her.
Thirty minutes later Colonel Carter nodded to the Major from the balcony as she instructed Chuck to dial the SGC.
A Marine greeted Major Lorne as he walked down the ramp at Stargate Command.
"Welcome back to Earth, Major Lorne, please follow me," the escort instructed as Lorne followed him from the gate room.
As Dr. Lam saw Evan enter the labor room, she leaned down and whispered in Jennifer's ear, "See, we take care of our own."
Jennifer embraced the last several hours of labor with Evan at her side. Lilly Grace arrived to the shouts and cheers of a roomful of friends and colleagues all insisting on having a turn holding the newest member of Stargate Command. At least for the moment, all seemed right with the world.
Evan stayed at Jennifer's bedside tending to her every need whilst maintaining an uncontrollable grin. Laura arrived a day early giving her and Evan a few precious hours together before his return to Atlantis. Jennifer continued to thank Carolyn and Daniel every chance she got for making it possible to have Evan with her for the delivery. It wasn't Ronon but it was the next best thing. She'd be forever grateful.
The months rolled by so quickly Jennifer couldn't keep up. She found suitable housing close to base and even found a wonderful nanny for Lilly. She knew she should be counting her blessings but with every milestone in Lilly's life she mourned the fact that her daddy was in another galaxy unaware of what a perfect daughter he had on Earth. Jennifer hadn't figured out how to compartmentalize the sadness she carried just under the surface. With every month and each year she became more and more homesick for Atlantis and the Pegasus galaxy.
Shortly after her birth, Colonel Carter returned to the SGC to resume her duties having been replaced by Richard Woolsey of the IOA. Jennifer was saddened that she lost her post but enjoyed having her around again. The two women spend many hours talking together about the City of the Ancients and their shared missions.
On Lilly's first birthday Evan presented her with a sweet little photo album complete with many pictures of her Atlantis family. Of course the first picture in the book was of him holding Lilly just minutes after her birth grinning from ear to ear. Lilly loved her picture book and played with it constantly. Jennifer made a point of showing it to her all the time and telling her about all the special people who loved her even if she didn't know all of them. It was important to Jennifer to keep that link with her Lantian family so even if Lilly had no idea what she was talking about, she continued to tell her stories of all her family in a distant galaxy.
Carolyn and Jennifer took a few minutes grabbing a light lunch together as they waited for SG-1 to return from their mission.
"How's Lilly doing?" Carolyn asked.
"She's growing right before my eyes. Honestly, I can't seem to keep enough books in the apartment to satisfy her. I think I might start taking her to the library once a week, it'll be easier on my checkbook."
"She does seem very eager to learn," Carolyn added.
"Is that a nice way to say she's very precocious?" Jennifer said laughing knowing her daughter was more adult than child.
"Carolyn, have you noticed a lot of new faces lately?" Jennifer asked as she looked around the lunchroom.
"I think Mr. Woolsey and General Landry might be conducting job interviews for Atlantis," Carolyn said venturing a guess. "At least that's what the rumor mill is saying."
"I guess that makes sense," Jennifer replied wondering what positions were being filled.
Dr. Lam's radio came to life with the news that SG-1 was back through the gate and on their way to the infirmary.
"Lunch break's over," Carolyn declared as both women left the dining hall.
Jennifer spotted Colonel Carter as she entered the infirmary. Catching Dr. Lam's eye she nodded toward Sam indicating she'd do her physical.
"Hey, Sam, how was your mission?" Jennifer asked as she took her blood pressure.
"Uneventful, which is just the way I like 'em." Sam replied.
"How've you been?" Sam asked sensing Jennifer had something on her mind. "Lilly doing okay?"
"We're both doing well. Lilly is about to turn three but acts like a teenager at times," Jennifer said rolling her eyes.
"Sam, I know you sometimes help out with personnel interviews and I was wondering what positions they were filling right now?" Jennifer asked trying to sound nonchalant.
"Actually, I'm sitting in on the interviews this afternoon for the medical staff positions on Atlantis," Sam replied watching Jennifer for any sign of interest.
"Just out of curiosity, are they still accepting applications?" Jennifer asked.
"I'm sorry, Jennifer. Position openings closed a couple of weeks ago," Samantha said wondering if Jennifer was ready to go home.
"Not a problem," Jennifer replied quickly, "I'm not even sure why I asked – just curious I guess."
Colonel Carter sat through another afternoon of boring interviews hoping to find a few promising candidates for Atlantis but no one jumped out as qualified. They'd filled a few nursing positions and picked up two qualified doctors last week but the more important position of CMO was still to be decided.
"Mr. Woolsey, do you have a few minutes?" Colonel Carter asked as their last interview ended.
"Yes, Colonel, what can I do for you?" Mr. Woolsey asked as he sighed, exasperated at the lack of progress in the interviews.
"I'd like to discuss something that might just be an answer to your needs," Carter explained hoping she wasn't overstepping her bounds.