Chapter 5: Prudence Darnell

After a few days spent at the O'Hara stables Evan regretfully informed his friends that he and Prue had to get back to work. "Our transport heads out in a couple of days," he told Piper the last morning of their stay. The Daedalus had been delayed a few extra days for some irregular maintenance but was now ready for the return trip to Atlantis. Prue was packing her bag and Rob had Shannon off helping him with the horses so for the moment it was just he and Piper.

"It's been wonderful having you and Prue here," Piper said softly. "She's perfect for you Evan. Don't mess it up."

"Hey, since when do I mess things up?" Evan complained.

"True, it's usually not you directly," Piper conceded. "Besides, I'd like to think you're finally old enough and smart enough to know a good thing when you see it and hold on to it tight."

"Well, thank you very much," Evan said sarcastically. "Not the most inspiring compliment I've received lately but I'll take it."

"Stay in touch this time," Piper ordered.

"Yes Ma'am," Evan shot back. Relenting he let out a sigh. "I really am sorry I worried you Piper. I just … I didn't have any words. I couldn't talk about what happened."

"Because it was classified?"

"That and because it just cut too close," Evan admitted. "I can't tell you the specifics but I don't have to imagine what it would be like to lose Prue to appreciate what I have. I already know … and I don't want to ever feel like that again."

"There are no guarantees," Piper reminded him gently.

"I know. More than anyone I know that," Evan replied. "But for the first time I understand that cliché – 'it is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all'. I don't want to lose but I know I'm better for having Prue, regardless of what happens in the future."

"Then you truly have come a long way," Piper put her arm around his shoulders and squeezed fondly.

"I had to have the message burned into my brain but yeah, I have," he agreed, giving her a rueful kind of smile.

"We'll miss you," Piper said it bluntly, to hide how close to tears she was. She hated saying goodbye, always had.

"We'll come back next time we're in the States," Evan promised.

"You better," she warned.

"You know ... technically we still have most of today left. I don't have to report back for duty until tomorrow," Evan commented as they sat in Lincoln airport waiting for their flight back to Colorado to be called for boarding.

"Sounds like you already have a plan," Prue commented, a faint smile just touching her lips.

"Indeed," Evan grinned. "It occurred to me last night that I've never taken you out – on a real date I mean."

"A date?" Prue queried.

"Yes, a date," Evan repeated. "It's usually the first step in a relationship, when a man and a woman go out together, for dinner or a movie, to give themselves a chance to see if there's potential."

"We already know our potential," Prue pointed out.

"True, but still, I'd like to take you out tonight – see you dressed up just for me," Evan shrugged, flushing a little. "That sounded a lot more 'me male, you female' than I intended."

"It's okay, I get it," Prue put a hand over his. "I'd like to do that – dress up for you, have you take me somewhere special."

"Then consider it a date," Evan replied intently.

Their flight arrived just after lunch. Although it carried some risk, Evan didn't like the idea of Prue heading out alone even though she'd insisted that if she was going to dress up for their date he couldn't take her shopping - it had to be a surprise, just like a real date. He'd called Daniel instead, asking the other man for advice on whether Vala was available to escort Prue around the Springs, assuring the other man that he'd foot the bill for anything Prue wanted. Daniel had laughed initially but then relented and told him Vala was well suited for and would welcome the mission.

And so it was that he found himself at just shy of nineteen hundred hours, sitting at a table in the nicest of the restaurants local to the SGC, waiting for Prue to arrive.

He felt her presence before he spotted her, his eyes going to the entrance just as she stepped through the doors. She took his breath away, with her simple strapless, figure hugging dress, her hair arranged to cascade down her neck and over her bare shoulders. He noticed how the light colour complemented her complexion, how the trail of flowers over the bodice suited her delicate, feminine frame, but that was in the background. The forefront of his mind was too occupied with how the evening would end, and on how much he was already anticipating undressing the beautiful package she presented to him.

"Hi," she smiled, stopping hesitantly beside their table for two.

"You look … amazing," he said, standing quickly and moving to pull out the other chair so she could sit down.

"Thank you," her smile was pure delight, with his compliment and with the novelty of his gentlemanly act. There were few chances to have chairs pulled out or doors opened for you on Atlantis.

"So … I see shopping with Vala went well," Evan commented once he was seated again.

"It did," Prue agreed. "She's so full of enthusiasm for everything I ended up buying some things to take back to Atlantis as well," she admitted. "I hope that was okay."

"More than okay," Evan said simply. "I'm glad you enjoyed yourself."

"We bartered … on Occulus," Prue's voice lowered as she mentioned her first home. "We prided ourselves on the beauty of our mechandise … meaningless trinkets left behind for the Wraith to destroy."

"I'm sure that some of those things had great value," Evan countered, "sentimental if not monetary." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box, handing it to her, the expression in his eyes telling her that it's contents fell into the sentimental category.

"What's this?" Prue took the box, her expression curious. Not being from Earth, of course she wouldn't recognise that it was the kind of box that usually signified a significant event. For some reason that fact relaxed Evan – without the anticipation of already knowing what question he was about to ask, the asking itself took on even more meaning for him.

"Open it," he invited. He watched her raise the lid, her eyes going soft as she saw the delicate ring nestled inside, the small diamond twinkling in the lamplight.

"Evan," Prue looked up at him, "it's beautiful."

"It's my Mom's," he explained, taking the box and carefully lifting the ring free. "My Dad gave it to her the night he asked her to marry him. Just before we left she gave it to me … for you."

"Oh," Prue pressed her trembling lips together, her expression both hopeful and guarded.

"It's traditional to offer a ring as a symbol of the promise a couple makes when they decide to get married," he continued. "Nothing would please me more Prue than for you to agree to wear this ring, to make that promise to be my wife."

Prue was speechless for more than a few seconds, her eyes locked to his. "But you said we shouldn't get married because it was expedient," she eventually reminded him.

"I'm not asking you because it's expedient," he replied softly. "I'm asking you because I can't imagine ever wanting anything more than I want you beside me. I know I said we should do this when we're ready, but it occurred to me that being ready to actually be married is different from being ready to make a mutual promise. I already know how this story ends Prue … with you and I, together, no matter where the universe takes us. I'm more than ready to promise you my future. Are you ready to do the same?"

"Yes," Prue began to smile as she looked at him. "Yes Evan, I'm ready for that too."

"So you'll marry me … when the time is right?" he clarified.

"Yes, I'll marry you when the time is right," she confirmed.

"Wow," he was suddenly glad he was sitting down, his legs feeling weak with the adrenalin rush. Holding out his hand he took her left hand in his, carefully placing the ring on her finger. "It looks good," he commented, adjusting it and then rubbing his thumb lightly down to her knuckle.

Instead of answering Prue jumped up abruptly, rounding the table and all but throwing herself into his arms. Laughing, he shifted back just in time to make room for her on his lap, not caring who might be watching as he kissed her. "You've come a long way Captain 'Love' Lorne," he thought to himself ruefully, holding his new fiancé close. A long, necessary way, to be the man he was meant to be.

Pulling away he looked at Prue intently, not sure how she'd take what he wanted to say next. "How hard would it be for us to do those challenges you talked about – the ones you'd have to do if we were following the customs on Occulus?"

Prue blinked, not expecting the question. "Ah," she thought, her brows raised as she considered her answer. "There are few records still in existence but there may be something in the Ancient database. I never looked because …," she shrugged, her eyes misting as they always did when her home was mentioned.

"Maybe Occulus was gone when you were ascended," Evan said gently, "but now that you're here, there is one Occulan to carry on the traditions of a proud, distinguished race."

"I'll look in the database," Prue decided abruptly. "Even if there's nothing there I remember enough joinings to be able to create something close. We'd have to ask someone to administer the requirements for us – if we're doing this it has to be more than just a pretence – it has to be as real as it would be if Occulus was still as it was in the past."

"Agreed," Evan returned. "We'll ask Colonel Sheppard and Teyla – I'm sure they'll both agree to assist."

"Yes," Prue smiled, pleased with his suggestions. "Teyla knows much of the customs of many Pegasus races to officiate and John has sufficient rank to represent the authority of a family elder." Prue let out a sigh but it was a wistful, hopeful one with only a small measure of sadness. She pressed close to Evan again, resting her head against his chest. "I love you," she murmured, the words expressing so much of her feelings and her thanks for what he was giving her.

"I love you too," he said, the words coming so easy he wondered how he could have ever hesitated to let them out.

Their return to the SGC came quickly, only when he was inside the grey corridors did Evan admit that he was glad to be going back … going home, because that's what Atlantis was to him.

"The Daedalus is ready to leave on schedule tomorrow morning Major," Walter Harriman informed Evan and Prue when Evan reported his return to duty.

"Thank you," Lorne returned. "Anything interesting happen while we were away?"

"Just the usual Sir," Walter replied. "General Landry would like to have a word with you before you go sir – just routine."

"Is he in now?" Evan asked.

"Yes Sir," Walter moved to inform the General that Major Lorne was there. "He'll see you now," he announced once the call was finished.

"Great," Evan moved towards the General's office and then stopped. "Prue has some paperwork to do – for her placement on Atlantis. Can you help her with that?" They'd talked about the General's offer on the way home and quickly agreed that it made sense for Prue to sign on as a permanent, albeit alien member of the Atlantis expedition. Evan hadn't told her that he intended to amend his own records to show Prue as his next of kin and the benefactor of any entitlements should the worse happen. He'd tell her about that when he needed to – for now it settled something within him to have her openly acknowledged inside the framework of the United States air force.

"Of course," Walter agreed.

"Great. I'll be back soon," he told Prue, getting a nod and smile from her before he left her in Harriman's capable hands.

"General," he said, stopping respectfully in the other man's doorway.

"Major, come in," General Landry replied. "Have a seat."

Evan sat, back straight, waiting to hear what was next.

"I wanted to update you on that matter with the I.O.A we discussed before you left," Hank began. "As expected, they did move fast. We now have an official I.O.A liaison for ATA gene research. The good news is that they agreed the most qualified person to run things from your end was Doctor Darnell herself. I trust it won't be a problem for you to work with the good doctor?"

"Ah, no Sir," Evan kept his expression blank. The I.O.A trusted Prue enough to give her the running on their newest area of interest? That was a turnaround he wasn't sure he could trust. Not that it mattered – it was a long way between Earth and Atlantis and Prue was smart enough to manage the relationship with the I.O.A to their benefit. The committee had underestimated her if they thought she'd be a pawn for them – or maybe they'd missed the part about Prue and Evan's relationship. Speaking of which ... "I ah … can I assume the regs aren't a problem if Doctor Darnell and I continue to work on the research together?"

"Yes you can Major," Landry seemed amused that Evan was uncomfortable asking about the personal stuff. "Doctor Darnell will continue to report to Colonel Sheppard – all reports for the I.O.A. will go through Doctor Weir."

"That's good Sir," Evan said somewhat lamely. He felt even more awkward as he continued. "You should probably know sir that Doctor Darnell and I are newly engaged. We're not intending to marry for some time yet but I'm guessing there'll be some new rules that will need to be set in place to cover this kind of thing."

"Congratulations son," Hank seemed genuinely delighted with the news. "I'll set the wheels in motion in Washington but for now I don't think the I.O.A. need to be apprised. You let me know when you decide on a date and we'll make sure there'll be no red tape standing in your way."

"Thank you Sir," Evan said sincerely.

"Keep your eye out for trouble Major," Landry warned more seriously. His unspoken message was clear – the motives of the I.O.A., regardless of the fact that they were supposed to be working with the SGC, could never be counted on.

"I will Sir," he promised.

"Very good," Landry nodded. "Dismissed."

Standing, Evan nodded instead of saluting and then made his way from the General's office. It had been interesting and the inclusion of the I.O.A. into their lives wasn't ideal, but clearly the powers that be – the ones that counted – were on his and Prue's side.

The trip back to Atlantis passed without incident. Being beamed down to the city reminded Evan of the first time he'd arrived – with little fanfare externally but an overwhelming mental welcome from the city itself internally. Of course now Evan understood what he was hearing and after a brief moment to reassure himself that everything 'sounded' right, he turned to find Prue watching him with amusement.

"The city missed you," she commented with a half-smile.

"I guess," he shrugged self-deprecatingly.

"Major, welcome back," Sheppard jogged down the steps from the control room to greet his 2IC.

"Thank you Sir," Evan returned. He and Prue had agreed to settle back in to life in the city before sharing their news. He'd insisted she wear the ring openly though – if someone noticed and asked then the news would go through the city like wildfire, saving him the effort of having to announce anything. Prue quickly worked out his plan, agreeing to it only after he promised he'd speak to John and Teyla as soon as practicable, before chance found them out.

"Prue," John turned his attention to Evan's companion, smiling when she gave him a small wave. "I hope Evan showed you the sights while you were on Earth."

"It was wonderful," Prue replied earnestly. "You have a beautiful home John."

"We do," John agreed. "So, ready to get straight back into work?" he asked too hopefully.

"What reports are you dodging this time Sir?" Evan asked pointedly.

"Why would you …," Sheppard stopped, giving Lorne a rueful look. "Good to have you back Major," he said.

"It's good to be back Sir."

Evan grunted as Prue pushed him down until his back met the mattress with a thud. They were in his quarters, their first day back to work done. Prue had missed having him around during the day, if her uncharacteristic aggression was anything to go on. "Wh-" he began before her lips on his stopped him. She kissed him until his breathing was ragged and his mind full of only her before she lifted up.

"I want to see you," she murmured, running her hands down his chest before slowly rising again as she undid each button. When she folded the shirt away to reveal his bare chest she smiled.

"Ah … you have seen me before," he pointed out, squirming just a little when her fingers just barely brushed his skin, leaving a tingling, almost tickling sensation behind.

"Not like this," Prue insisted. Her fingers continued their journey from his abdomen upwards until she stopped. "Where did you get this?"

Evan craned his neck to see her fingers resting over a long thin scar that ran diagonally across his chest. He'd never been one to give much thought to his appearance but had wished from time to time that his chest wasn't quite so smooth and hair free. Every mark on him stood out in stark relief, nothing to hide behind. "Afghanistan," he replied. "Got into a little … dispute with a terrorist leader who took offence to my blowing up his weapons facility."

"And these?" Prue moved to the streaks of silvery skin tracking from the centre of his chest outwards.

Grabbing her hands he held firm when she tried to pull them free. "You don't want to do this Prue," he told her quietly.

"Yes, I do," Prue insisted. "Every scar is a part of your story Evan … a part of our story. I want to know you."

"You do know me!" he returned impatiently. "Better than anyone."

"Maybe, but it's not enough," Prue met his eyes, her expression hard to read. "Unless you don't want to tell me?"

"It's not that," he began. "Some of it isn't pleasant Prue."

"All the more reason to tell me," she said simply. "We're going to be together for a long time Evan … I'm just going to keep asking so you might as well tell me now."

Evan hesitated for a moment and then let out a sigh. "Fine," he said, letting her hands go as he slumped back into the mattress, giving his grudging permission for her to continue.

Prue smiled, returning her fingers to brush over those silvery scars. "These?" she asked again.

"Burns … from the shield device," he admitted. She'd known about his injuries – she knew he'd bear physical evidence of that day, so this was about more than just his battle scars. He raised his right arm and swivelled it until the light illuminated similar, much fainter marks on his forearm and both wrists. "Here too."

"I'm sorry," Prue rested her palm over his chest, the warmth of her skin seeping below the surface to warm him.

"This is why I didn't want to do this," Evan covered her hand with his. "I don't want you apologising for what happened Prue … not now, not ever again. It's in the past."

"Even though you'll carry the reminder for the rest of your life?"

"Yes."

"It hardly seems fair though," Prue continued, trailing her fingers from the centre of the burn, where the scars were thickest – where Evan had taken the brunt of the energy surge that had killed Prue first. Those scars represented the killing blow she'd taken in his stead …something he'd never forget.

"How so?" he asked, shivering again, her light touch raising the sensitivity of his skin.

"The ascended … Morgan, Fidesia, me – we were the ones to bring what happened down on you and yet you're the one who ended up with the scars."

"I don't think death and ascension are going to be a popular alternative to permanent scaring Prue," he retorted with sarcastic amusement. It was the first time he'd attempted to make light of losing Prue and it was hard.

"You know what I mean," she chided, smacking his shoulder irritably.

"You see it as a reminder of something bad," Evan said more seriously. "Maybe it is but it's also a reminder that you chose me Prue, that day and again when you gave up ascension. A few scars are a small price to pay to have you here … with me."

"Evan," Prue intoned, leaning down and kissing him with heated passion. He was more than happy to oblige, to be drawn from the seriousness of their conversation, but clearly Prue wasn't done. After a few pleasurable moments she broke away, rearing up, her eyes once again on his body.

"What about this one?" she asked, touching her fingers to his right shoulder.

"Gun shot – walked into a bullet coming out of the gate off world," he shrugged. "Genii trap."

"And this," she pointed to a similar looking scar on his left shoulder.

"Another gunshot – Afghanistan again," Evan chuckled when Prue's brow rose in surprise. "Yeah, that's a long story right there," he continued, giving her the basics as he crossed off a couple more scars.

"You seem to have been in the wrong place at the wrong time a lot," Prue commented after he told her about the bullet wound on his right thigh – a reminder of his time on SG-6.

"That's what my Mom always says too," he complained. "Where's the sympathy, huh?"

"You poor baby," Prue crooned, pressing a kiss to first one shoulder and then the other. "Is that better?"

"It's getting there," he said grudgingly.

She smiled, trailing kisses across his chest, lightly touching on each scar. She cradled his hands in hers and repeated the process, the teasing tone of their interaction dropping away to be replaced by a more serious intent.

"Thank you," she said, shifting to lie with her head over his heart, pulling the blankets over both of them.

"For what?"

"Sharing," she said simply.

He rested quietly for a moment, running long strands of her hair through his fingers. "The scars you can see aren't the ones that still hurt," he said, his tone low.

"I know," she said just as quietly. "Tell me."

And so he did, everything – his Dad, John, Jason Ritter, too many good men lost in battle, and her for those months when he'd thought that all was lost. He talked about all that he'd lost over the years, the burdens he carried. Evan opened up like he never had before. When it was done he felt lighter somehow even though those burdens were still there and always would be.

With a tired yawn he fell silent, waiting for some kind of reaction from Prue.

"I always knew you were a good man Evan Lorne," she said, settling down to rest beside him, her hand back to lightly caressing his chest under the blankets. "Now … you humble me."

"Prue," he wanted to protest, to say more, but she shushed him with the simple expedience of putting her hand over his mouth.

"Sleep," she commanded.

With a sigh he relaxed into the mattress, drawing her closer until her warmth engulfed him. He wouldn't have thought it possible but between one breath and the next he was asleep.

Prue watched as Evan let sleep claim him, his features relaxing until he looked calm, boyish … content. Tenderly she stroked a hand over the arm he'd placed around her before settling back herself.

She knew how lucky she was to have found someone like Evan to share her life with – to reclaim life just so that she could be with him. The details of her time as an ascended being had faded but strangely all the moments she'd spent as Devia at first infatuated with and then in love with the man beside her were as sharp and crystal clear as if they'd happened yesterday. Perhaps Morgan was responsible for that – another gift for the man who's asked nothing for himself.

Her first impressions of Evan and what she'd learned as an observer proved truer the longer she knew him … he was a man with the passion of an artist, the steely nerve of an air force pilot and the calm purpose of a soldier. He'd done so much, put himself out there time and time again knowing his life was on the line, and through it all felt so much she couldn't conceive of how he'd been able to hold it all inside to do what had to be done.

And he was hers … he loved her as much as she loved him … enough to promise her his future. To have come from losing her home, her family, her people, through years of being removed from anything that could really matter to her, to where she was now was mind blowing. She had a place with Evan and she'd do everything in her power to be beside him – when he needed her and when she needed him.

He was the family she'd longed for for millennia. And with him she had finally found home again.

"I am happy for you."

Prue stiffened at the familiar voice, glancing upwards.

"Fee?" she called out softly.

"Prue," Fidesia materialised, walking gracefully to stand beside her friend. Prue smiled, pleased that her long-time companion had referred to her by the name she'd earned on Atlantis. "You are happy," Fee said it with wonder.

"I am, I really am," Prue admitted.

"You love him," Fee said it like a part of her still didn't understand how it was possible, even with everything Prue had given up to be with Evan. "Do you think you will always feel this way?"

"I do," Prue said simply. "Evan is … worth everything the ancients put us through Fee. We are promised to each other now … by his customs and soon by the ones we knew on Occulus as well."

"He will meet the requirements of an Occulian joining?" Fee asked, surprised again.

"With some amendments because there are no elders to reside over them, yes," Prue confirmed.

"This pleases me," Fidesia admitted, "even though all logic says it shouldn't matter."

"I knew as an ascended being that it was wrong to reside over the affairs of the lower planes," Prue began, "but it was just as wrong to distance ourselves from our emotions. Surely there is a way to be both."

"I never wanted that … it was too hard to want that … but now," she glanced to where Evan slept peacefully. "You inspire me."

"Then I'm glad," Prue agreed.

"I will not see you again," Fee said sadly.

"I know."

"Goodbye my friend," Fee lifted a hand even as she faded from view.

"Goodbye," Prue whispered.

"Prue?" Evan's sleepy voice drew her attention back to the man beside her. "You okay?"

"With you? Always," Prue smiled, settling back beside her man. With a contented sigh she let herself relax and soon joined him as they slept and dreamt of the future … together.

The End

Author's Note:

This really is the end of my Uncovering Lorne series this time so thank you to everyone who read any of the stories as well as to all who reviewed along the way. Let imagination fill in the future Evan and Prue will have together ... nicely slotting in with canon of course! Cheers, Sha.