Author's Note:

Yes, finally I am back with the rest of this story! Writing is finished - it's only a few chapters so even with editing time won't take long to post - and yes, it's pretty much all fluff with little plot. For anyone reading my fluffy Lorne/Keller christmas story, sorry for the repetition of theme/scene at the end of this with a recent chapter of that - when I read back over this to post it the similarities struck me (finished it a while back and saved it to post for Valentine's day and then had internet issues ruin those plans). Thank you to those who showed a particular interest in seeing this one completed ... hope you enjoy it.

Chapter 2: Grace Lorne

He found Prue still with Daniel, her expression assessing him as soon as he appeared in the Commissary doorway. When he smiled and nodded slightly her answering grin was reward enough for all the hours of talk they'd endured.

"Good news?" Daniel asked when Lorne approached.

"We're cleared to get out of here," Lorne returned, resting a hand on Prue's shoulder as he remained standing. "That is, if you're ready for your first personal view of Earth."

"I am," Prue glanced up at Evan, frowning slightly when she picked up on the caveat in his mood. "You never said where we were going first," she commented, leaving questioning him for when they were alone.

"San Francisco," Evan replied.

"What's in San Francisco?" Daniel asked curiously.

"I grew up there," Lorne shared casually.

"Ah," Daniel grinned. "The past ... a good place to start." He looked from Evan to Prue and then back. "Go on, get out of here. Enjoy your vacation."

"Thanks Daniel," Lorne took the hand Prue offered and pulled her to her feet. "Maybe we'll catch up with you before we head back to Atlantis," he added, holding out a hand. Daniel shook it, nodding.

They took a few minutes detour to grab their bags and then headed for the surface.

"You're showing me where you grew up?" Prue queried as she walked beside Evan across the parking lot.

Guiding her towards the car he'd borrowed he smiled. "I thought you'd appreciate what little history I have to share," he explained. "Plus my Mom still lives there."

Prue stopped abruptly, her hold on his hand tugging him to a stop too.

"We're visiting your Mom?" Her expression was blank as she looked at him.

"Ah ... yeah," Evan returned. "There's no way Elaine didn't talk to her after my last visit. She'll be worried. Besides, it's been a while since I saw her and ..,"

"And you really want to see her now," Prue finished. Taking a deep breath she forced a smile. "Okay, I can do this."

"She'll welcome you," Evan said simply. Prue glanced at him as they started walking again, a faint smile playing over her face.

Travelling with someone who was literally new to everything made the common place interesting for Lorne. Prue tried to keep the wide eyed 'walk into things' interest to a minimum. Airports and planes weren't really all that impressive for a woman who'd grown up in a culture equivalent to Atlantis. It was more the people – the sheer numbers, along with how they dressed and acted that seemed to draw the most interest.

When their cab finally pulled up outside his childhood home it suddenly hit Evan – he'd introduced friends to his Mom before but never a woman he was involved with, never someone as important to him as Prue. He wasn't nervous, his trust in Grace Lorne to understand the significance as well as accurately judge Prue's character was implicit. If he had one overriding emotion it would be excitement. He was actually looking forward to his Mom's reactions, to that moment when she realised what Prue was to him.

"This is it," he told Prue, paying the driver and then hurrying around the cab to open her door.

"It's nice," she commented, her eyes tracking over the large timber house.

"Come on," he grabbed her hand, pulling her up the walk. At the front door he rang the door bell, smiling at Prue as he waited for his Mom to answer.

"Maybe we should have advised your mother that we were coming," Prue said.

"Nah, she's used to me just turning up," Evan countered just as the door opened.

"I am," Grace Lorne agreed, "but that doesn't mean a little warning wouldn't be appreciated."

"Mom," Evan said simply as she opened the door.

"Evan," Grace's expression was intent as she looked her son over, seemingly searching for something concerning. When she didn't find it a look of relief crossed her face, her eyes drifting to where Prue stood uncertainly beside Evan. "Oh, I'm sorry! Here I am keeping you waiting on the door step. Evan," she admonished. "Bring your friend inside."

Evan exchanged an amused glance with Prue but did what he was told. Once they were inside he retook Prue's hand. "Mom, this is Doctor Prudence Darnell. Prue, this is my Mom, Grace Lorne."

"It's lovely to meet you," Grace smiled, welcoming. Even without the long phone call she'd shared with her daughter after Evan's last visit home she would have known that this woman was special to her son. It was there, in the way he positioned himself as though ready to protect her, in the light in his eyes when he looked at her, in the way they seemed to instinctively move in sync with each other.

"And you as well," Prue replied. "It probably sounds clichéd but Evan talks about you often."

"More than he writes to me," Grace teased, chuckling when Evan's face took on a familiar 'naughty boy' expression.

"The base gets ... busy," he said defensively. "Sometimes it's hard to find time for correspondence."

"I'm not complaining dear," Grace returned. "Especially not with your latest surprise visit. How long can you stay?"

"We're kind of playing it by ear," Evan replied. "After last time I should go and see Elaine too."

"Oh, you won't have to do that." Grace smiled when Evan looked confused. "She and the boys are coming for their own visit. They'll be here tomorrow."

"Really? That's great!" Evan grinned. "If we don't have to waste time on travelling to Canada we'll be able to fit a quick stopover with Piper in as well."

"That's good," Prue said weakly, looking a little overwhelmed at the thought of meeting more of the Lorne family and Evan's assorted friends.

"You look a little tired dear," Grace said kindly. "Evan, show Prue around down here while I go up and prepare the guest room for her."

Falling easily into that 'do what your Mom tells you mode', Evan nodded. "You okay?" he asked as soon as his Mom had disappeared up the stairs.

"Of course," Prue said too quickly. Smiling, she shook her head. "It's a little overwhelming," she admitted. "This is just a different side of you ... and maybe I'm feeling even more nervous knowing your sister will be joining us."

"That one might require a little more explanation up front," Evan admitted, "but Elaine's been after me for years to find someone to you know, settle down with," he quickly glossed over what that would mean to his sister. "Once I've had a chance to wipe out the impression from last time, she'll be happy to meet you."

"She knows I hurt you," Prue turned away, glancing around as though looking for a diversion.

"I guess," Evan admitted, honesty compelling him not to cushion that, "but she'll also know that you're the one making me happy now."

"That's so nice," Prue said distractedly, her eyes on a large painting that dominated one wall in the living room. Moving forward, she fell silent, her expression intent.

"Nice?" Evan mouthed with a grimace as he watched her. "It's the Bay – the view from up on the roof," he explained, moving to stand behind her.

"It's wonderful," Prue breathed. "I don't know how it's possible, but it reminds me of my home."

Evan reassessed the painting, his brow rising as he realised Prue was right. There was a feeling of Occulus to the piece, in the way the sun reflected off the water, the windows. From the vision Fidesia had shown him, Occulus had been a place where light reflected freely.

"You like my Bay," Grace returned on silent feet.

"You did this?" Prue asked incredulously.

Evan shifted from foot to foot uncomfortably as his Mom smiled proudly. "Not me. Evan. That was the last painting he finished before going off to join the air force."

"Is that why there's a plane here?" Prue pointed to the small shape, more a suggestion than an actual detailed air craft, caught cruising high in the sunlit sky.

"Something like that," Evan shrugged, uncomfortable with the attention.

"Don't be so modest dear," Grace moved to stand beside Prue, her eyes on the painting as well. A wistful smile touched her face. "When Evan gave me that he told me his father – my Jonathon – was in that plane, protecting me. I think he was worried going away – he'd already been the man of the house for seven years by then."

"That sounds like something Evan would say," Prue seemed enchanted by the glimpse into the younger Evan Lorne. Her eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "He's back in the air – your Jonathon – only here he doesn't need to land," she murmured. "He can't come back to his family but he can stay up there and watch over them forever."

Grace shot Prue a surprised and intent look before turning her glance to Evan. He was looking at Prue too – absorbed in watching her - and didn't notice his Mom's regard. He'd told his girl about his past, the full story if her insightful comment was anything to go on. If there was one thing Grace needed to be convinced her son had finally found the right 'someone', that would be it. The feeling of love she had for him swept over her, intensified, and she had to look away rather than let him see the misty sheen in her eyes.

"Okay, enough talking about me like I'm not standing right here," Evan protested. "Mom can give you the Evan Lorne historic art tour another day, when I don't have to listen in."

"You're embarrassed!" Prue laughed, threading her arm through his and clinging to his elbow. "That's so sweet."

"Hey, air force pilot, remember," Evan grumbled. "We don't do sweet."

"Of course not," Prue exchanged an amused glance with Grace.

Grace chuckled, enjoying seeing her son in a different light. His complaints were playful and he was looking at Prue like she was the light, like he wouldn't be able to see without her. Grace remembered that feeling ... she'd experienced it herself almost from the first moment she'd met Jonathon Lorne. "Prue, the guest room is ready if you'd like to freshen up."

"Thank you, that would be nice," Prue agreed, glancing uncertainly at Evan.

"Mom keeps my room pretty much as I left it," he explained. "Come on, I'll show you where everything is."

Grace watched him take Prue's hand, watched him smile as he urged her up the stairs until the two had disappeared from sight. With a contented sigh she let the part of her she'd been holding tense for weeks relax. Her son was home again and he was all right ... more than all right. Where she'd feared for his future happiness and almost given up hoping that he'd ever truly fall in love, after only a few minutes of meeting Prue she knew she no longer had anything to fear.

She'd always wished for Evan to find someone to share his life with but now that he had a part of her was just a tiny bit sad. He was her baby, her first born, the one who reminded her the most of Jonathon ... but he was no longer hers. Smiling at her whimsy, Grace shook her head. Evan hadn't been hers in any real way since he'd joined the air force. And if things with Prue went where they looked to be heading she might actually end up seeing more of her son than she had in years!

"I like your Mom," Prue murmured, following Evan down a corridor and into a sunlit room. It was cosy, the bed looking so inviting she was tempted to lie down for a few moments.

"She liked you too," Evan returned. Putting Prue's bag on the bed he turned, taking her shoulders into his hands and squeezing bracingly. "See – I told you, you had nothing to worry about."

"That's easy for you to say – you'll never have to worry about impressing my parents."

"I'd do it in a heartbeat, if it were possible," Evan touched a hand to her hair. "I'm sorry it's not."

"So am I," Prue leaned up and kissed his cheek tenderly. "It's been so long ... and it always helped imagining the lives they would have led with the Atlantians."

"They made it through the gate that day?" Evan realised abruptly that he should have asked Prue about her family long before now.

"In the first group," Prue chuckled. "Fidesia and I were insistent in that being our motivation – if our program could break the hold the Wraith had on the gate then they all had to leave. Her parents were just as reluctant as mine but they agreed. I wondered later if that was because they really didn't imagine that we could do it."

"But you did."

"We did," Prue agreed simply. "Lucky for us they all honoured their promiseto leave." Taking a calming breath she smiled. "And I think that's enough maudlin reminiscing for one day. Show me your room."

"Ah sure, okay," Evan agreed. It had been a while since he'd been home and he couldn't recall what condition he'd left it in. Leading the way to the room next to hers he opened the door almost cautiously, peering inside and relaxing when he saw nothing out of place.

"This was your childhood room?" Prue asked, looking around curiously.

Evan glanced around too, seeing what was probably a pretty standard room for an adolescent boy. Pictures of various aircraft, an air force promotional poster, high school flag, and art works decorated the walls. He had a bookcase packed with the kind of books that matched what was on his walls – that, a desk and chair, and the single bed made up the entirety of the room. He hadn't lived there beyond visits since he was seventeen and had never bothered to redecorate. There were a surprisingly large number of sketches, paintings and various other samples of his artwork displayed throughout the room. For a time he'd pinned up anything he'd produced – memory had dulled how taken he'd been with his art until all that remained was his love of flight and his ambitions to join the NASA space program, but as he looked around he was reminded again of the delight he'd taken in losing himself in a landscape until he'd gotten it down on canvas.

"Until I left for the academy," he shrugged. "It hasn't changed much since then."

"I like it," Prue smiled. Sitting down on the bed she patted the space beside her. "So, how come you never told me you were an artist?"

"I did tell you," Evan countered, frowning as he sat beside her.

"No, you told me you used to paint," Prue disagreed. "You made it sound like you dabbled a little – from what I saw downstairs and here," she gestured around the room," it's a lot more than that. You're good – really good."

"Thank you," Evan shrugged again, natural modesty urging him to make light of his talents. "Art was just something we did – my Mom's been putting a paintbrush in my hand for as long as I can remember."

"She wanted you to do that, instead of the air force?"

"If I'd wanted it too, hell yes," he returned. "But I didn't ... and for a long time we carefully avoided talking about my career. She's okay with it now but never misses the chance to remind me I should be doing more with my art."

"You should," Prue agreed. "Maybe when we go home you could paint something for me."

"I think I could manage that," Evan said simply. In sharing Devia's thoughts with him, in showing him her past, Fidesia had all but burned that imagine of Occulus into his brain. He was sure, with the time and the supplies, that he could reproduce something of Prue's original home world. It wasn't the same as being able to go back there, but maybe it would help.

Being back in his old bed usually had Evan dropping to sleep easily, but not that night. He couldn't switch his mind off - thinking about what General Landry told him, his warning and what it implied. With a sigh he sat up, deciding if he was going to be awake he might as well go down and get a drink.

Padding silently past Prue's door he continued on down the stairs to the kitchen. He was standing with the fridge door open when his Mom spoke, startling him.

"Surely it's not hot enough that you need to stand there with that door open," she admonished him.

"Mom!" Spinning he frowned at her. "Don't sneak up on me like that."

"I didn't sneak," Grace replied, "and besides, aren't you some kind of military 'expert'? I would have thought no one could get close enough to surprise you."

"Yeah, well, at home I like to relax a little," Evan muttered, flushing a little that his Mom had gotten the jump on him. His mind really was somewhere else! "What are you doing up so late?"

"The same thing as you I imagine," Grace gave him a pointed look. "Come and sit down and talk to your mother."

Evan smiled, happy to do what he was told. At first he asked the questions, getting her to fill him in on her own life since he'd last seen her. Eventually that topic of conversation ran out and he fell silent.

"Do you want to tell me what's on your mind?" Grace asked gently.

"Ah ...," Evan sighed, "not really. It's just ... nothing is ever as simple as it should be."

"Are you happy?" Grace queried.

"Of course," he smiled suddenly. "I wish I could tell you the full story because then you'd appreciate how much."

"Elaine told me how you were last time," Grace admitted. "She was worried - not about your injuries, although she said it was obvious you'd been through a lot. She was much more concerned about your mental state, and convinced the only thing that could have brought you that low was if something had happened to Prue."

"Something did happen," Evan ran a hand through his hair, frustrated by not being able to tell his Mom everything. "At the time I was convinced I'd lost her. It was a miracle that she was able to come back."

"She works with you, where you're stationed?" Grace asked.

"Yeah, one of the civilian contractors," he revealed.

"Are you worried you'll lose her again? Is that why you're not sleeping?"

"I don't think I'll ever get over worrying about something happening to Prue," Evan admitted, "but I can't let it stop her from doing her job. We'll handle it."

Grace regarded her son for a moment, thinking about what he wasn't telling her. "It's lucky for you that Prue has a job where you're stationed," she commented. "What would happen if that wasn't the case anymore, if they reassigned one of you?"

"That could be a problem," Evan took a deep breath, meeting his Mom's eyes. "There's a chance they'll assign me back to the States. Prue's contracted to stay where she is - as it stands now I don't have a say in that." It was skirting the true as much as he was willing to do for the chance to see what his Mom thought about his situation.

"Is there any way you could have a say?" Grace didn't want to say it herself even though the solution was obvious to her.

Evan laughed, shaking his head. "You never give up, do you?" he said fondly. "Sure, there's a way I could force the issue - if Prue and I were married we'd be legally entitled to considerations we can't claim at the moment. There are a few complicating factors so it wouldn't be as simple as that but it'd be a start. I'm just not sure either of us is ready for that particular conversation. I think we need to just enjoy where we are right now, for a while at least."

Grace didn't let herself get excited - but he'd mentioned marriage so casually, like he was comfortable with the idea where in the past he'd slammed the door shut before anyone could even say the word. "Do you see yourself with Prue, years into the future?" she asked gently.

"I do," Evan replied, not having to think about it. It was true, he couldn't imagine a day that didn't have Prue in it, not anymore.

"Then you know what you need to do," Grace said simply, putting a hand over one of his. "And you'll know when it's the right time to do it."

Evan nodded, patting her hand. "Thanks Mom."

"Don't thank me," Grace returned, smiling. "Just marry that girl and give me more grandchildren to spoil - before I get too old to enjoy them."

"Mom!" Evan laughed even as he protested.

"You think that's bad - wait until Elaine sees you and Prue tomorrow," Grace said pointedly. "She'll have your wedding planned out before you can say much more than hello."

Evan groaned, knowing she was right. "I'll talk to Drew," he decided, still frowning. "Maybe he can head her off."

"If you think it will help dear," Grace replied, amused.

He nodded, knowing she was right – there was little chance he'd be able to stop Elaine from pushing her own agenda, once she'd forgiven Prue for how he'd been on his last visit. He sat with his Mom, enjoying the silence of her company for a time before he spoke. "You don't have regrets, do you?"

She knew what he was talking about immediately. "I could never regret any of the days I had with your father. I only regret that there weren't more of them." She looked at her son closely, her heart full when she realised just how much progress he'd made if they were sitting there discussing Jonathon Lorne so openly. "He gave me so much Evan … I think you can understand that better now. And he gave me you and Elaine … if he'd told me up front that we wouldn't get to grow old together I'd still have chosen him. Having you and your sister all these years isn't something I could ever give back. I wish he could be here to be as proud of you both as I am but it wasn't meant to be." She put a hand over Evan's, her touch motherly and loving. "He's not gone Evan, because I see him in you … I still miss him, every day, and I'll carry him in my heart until we're reunited again."

"I think he'd be proud of you too," Evan said softly. "I am. I don't thank you enough Mom, for everything you've done for me over the years. Thank you … for that and for how you've welcomed Prue. It means a lot."

"I won't deny to feeling a twinge of reluctance," Grace admitted. "You're my baby – my first born. I've always wanted you to find someone to spend your life with but now that you have it's harder let go than I expected. I couldn't do it for just anyone, but Prue … she's special, anyone can see that."

"You're not letting me go Mom," Evan admonished with exasperated humour. "Face it – you're stuck with me for the long haul. You might as well resign yourself to that."

"I'll try dear," Grace Lorne gave a long suffering sigh, ruining the mock sombre mood by laughing when Evan did.

"Love you," Evan said when they'd calmed down.

"I love you too dear," Grace returned.

Evan rose very early the next morning. knocking on Prue's door quietly and then going in when she didn't answer. "Prue," he said quietly, touching her shoulder.

"Uh," Prue opened her eyes, squinting in the dimness to see Evan squatting beside her bed. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," he smiled, ruffling her already messy hair. "I wanted to show you something," he said, standing up. "Put on something comfortable for walking." Not waiting for her to protest - she'd never openly converted to enjoying getting up early like he did - he left to wait in the hall.

"Where are we going?" Prue asked when she finally joined him.

"To see the sunrise," he said, leading her out into the pre-dawn light, closing the front door quietly behind them. Breaking into a light jog, he grinned when Prue rolled her eyes before falling into pace beside him.

Breathing in the air, a faint tang of sea carried from the nearby beach, he grinned. This was more like it – the physical exertion and being outdoors, with Prue was just what he'd needed to clear away the last of the cobwebs. When they got close to the shore he slowed, falling to walking pace when they broke from the side streets to see the ocean laid out before them.

"Oh," Prue breathed, taking his hand absently, her eyes on the water. "It's different from being in the city," she murmured, captivated by the waves breaking over the sand.

"Yeah," Evan tugged her forward, heading for the nearest ramp. "You didn't have beaches on Occulus?"

"Of course, but not like this. We had high cliffs – it was hard to get down to the water," she explained. "And it was a long way to travel just to get that much."

"I thought of this as my beach when I was growing up," Evan commented, "so now, it's yours too."

"I like that."

Putting his arm around her shoulders, Evan drew her close. "Stop talking now ... it's almost time."

Prue narrowed her eyes at him, ready to protest until she noticed the twinkle of teasing in his eyes. Smiling she nodded, turning her attention to the horizon. Evan did too, both of them silent and still as the barest hint of burning orange grew bigger, streaking the atmosphere with every imaginable shade on the spectrum between yellow and red. The sky lightened as the sun rose until day arrived to the Bay.

"Are you going to tell me what General Landry said that has you worried?" Prue broke the silence to ask.

"Okay," Evan sighed, taking her hand and starting to walk along the shore. "It's nothing concrete Prue – more of a warning for the future. The I.O.A are very interested in the gene."

"Which means they're interested in you." Prue frowned. "What does that mean?"

"For the moment, nothing really," Evan explained. "The General did mention a research team they're setting up – said they might request I undertake various tasks for them and report back. With Atlantis being so restricted it won't encroach on my role."

"Then why are you worried?"

Evan hesitated, not sure how to express his concerns. Prue watched him for a moment before speaking. "It's not now you're worried about," she said. "It's the future."

"Nothing is certain," Evan stopped, turning her to face him. "We, more than most people, know that. There's a risk at some point in the future someone up the chain of command will decide I'm more useful here than I am on Atlantis. Unless I resign my commission I'll have no choice but to follow orders and go where they tell me – do what they tell me. Either way my time in Pegasus would be over."

"Then so would mine," Prue said simply.

"You're sure?" Evan didn't want to assume the kind of commitment she was suggesting with her declaration meant the same thing to her as it did to him ... and despite or maybe even because of the upheaval of the past few weeks he wasn't ready to broach the subject with her. As he'd said to his Mom the previous night, they needed time to get used to each other again. Prue needed time to adjust to her new life as well. Hell, he didn't even know what the customs were on Occulus, or how much Prue knew about the way people from Earth went about committing to a life together.

"I'm sure," Prue returned. Clutching his arm she laid her head against his shoulder, her eyes back on the ocean. "This is beautiful," she murmured, as though she hadn't just promised to leave an entire galaxy behind for him if the need arose.

"It is," he agreed, eyes on her instead of the view. She'd already given up ascension for him ... the fact that she'd give up even more humbled him.