A/N: I know the last few chapters centered on Sam, Rodney and the birth of their children. It was a storyline that I wanted to get out of the way so I could concentrate on the rest of the story. But now John and Evan are back better than ever. LOL

Never fear. Rodney, Sam and the twins will make periodic appearances, but as recurring characters. From now on, it's John and Evan all the way with the occasional appearance of OC's and maybe a few crossover characters. And in the upcoming chapters, we'll find out a little more about what makes John tick.

Also, thanks to ladygris for being a beauteous Beta babe! Huzzah!

~Sandy

Not a Hero

Chapter 13

The Most Important Things in Life

Area 52

Evening

David looked at his watch for the tenth time in three hours. Aside from a brief glimpse the previous Friday when she'd left in the company of Woolsey and Adams, he hadn't seen or spoken to Jennifer since the day she'd been rejected by Sheppard. She could be busy though he thought it more likely that she was avoiding him, hoping he'd forget all about their arrangement. Not much chance of that.

He picked up the cordless headset, slipped it over his ear and called Melissa's office. She'd be able to tell him the last time Jennifer was on the premises and if she was here now.

"Mr. Woolsey's office."

The woman's voice was laced with irritation. It also was not the one David had expected. "Who is this?"

A long sigh greeted him. "Sheila."

"Where's Melissa?"

"Gone. What do you need?"

His face pinched in puzzlement, David responded to her short, clipped answers with similar tones. "I need to speak to Melissa. This is David Magee. You might know me better as your boss."

The woman snorted. "My boss's name is Richard Woolsey. And I told you. Melissa is gone."

Holding onto his temper with difficulty, he clenched the arm of his chair tightly. "She doesn't go home for another hour."

With a sigh that spoke of infinite patience that was coming to an end, Sheila told him, "Gone for good. Transferred."

Transferred? She must've been head over heels in love with me if she had to get away so quickly. "Then I need you to tell me if Dr. Keller is here."

"Nope. Not here."

"How do you know? You didn't even check."

"That's 'cause you aren't the first person to ask about her. She's not here."

David knew who it had been but asked anyway. "Who else has been making inquiries?"

"That new agent. He's been in here at least three times today."

"Then where is she?"

Again she snorted then he heard her taking a drink of something. "Same place most doctors are when their patient is about to give birth, in the delivery room."

So she hasn't been avoiding me. "When was the last time she was on the property?"

"Just a sec." In the background he could hear the clicking of the keyboard. "Few days ago, but just for a couple of hours. She left about 1900, returned at 2218 and transported out a couple minutes later. Hasn't been back since."

Without another word, David yanked the headset off and tossed it on the desk. He gathered his belongings together and left for the day.

Moments later, two men transported into the lobby area. The taller of the two men swiped his keycard and let them both into the secure area.

~~O~~

John shut off the treadmill, took a long drink of water and wiped his face with the towel he'd brought from his room. He turned sharply when someone called his name.

"Shepp?"

"Anthony." He didn't extend his hand and neither did Anthony. "Haven't seen you around. Where you been?"

The Tok'ra shrugged. "Around. I've come to introduce you to your new partner. That is if he decides to take the job."

Giving Anthony's companion a cursory glance he thought the man looked familiar but couldn't place him. "And why wouldn't he? This joint's a barrel of laughs."

The Tok'ra grinned. "Evan Lorne, I'd like you to meet Special Agent John Sheppard."

Evan didn't smile. In fact, his whole demeanor had turned hostile, the blue of his eyes deepening to gray-blue with the change in his emotions, his tone turning frosty. "We've met."

"Excuse me?"

Tucking his hands behind his back to keep from taking a swing at John, Evan clenched one hand into a fist. "Does the name First Lieutenant Lee Womack ring any bells?"

Though he tried not to change his expression, some of what John was thinking must have gotten through.

Anthony looked from one to the other. "Am I missing something here?"

"No. But if you expect me to be partners with him…" Evan pointed a finger in John's direction without looking at him, "…you can take this job…and shove it." With that parting shot, John watched Evan stalk from the room.

~~O~~

Anthony caught up with Evan in the hall. "How do you know him?"

"We did a tour in Afghanistan at the same time. There was an…incident and because of it, I lost someone I was close to." Evan started walking again, turning corners trying to find a way out until he reached a locked door. "There was a hearing. The records were sealed. All this time I thought he was rotting in Leavenworth, paying for what he'd done. Now I find out he's here doing God knows what. It's just…"

"I'm sorry for your loss. Nothing I can say will make it better. But you should know that you were both handpicked for this special unit."

And that makes it better how? "What kind of unit?"

Anthony shrugged. "Sort of like the X-Files, but with real aliens."

Rubbing his forehead as if a headache were coming on, Evan paced back and forth a few times. "So we're gonna be alien hunters."

"Yeah. " Anthony shoved his hands in his pockets. "So, what's it gonna be?"

Stargate Command

Infirmary

Carolyn picked up a pair of scissors and handed them to Rodney then returned to Jennifer's side, ready with a blanket to wrap the first baby when he or she emerged.

"What's this for?"

Jennifer smiled distractedly, raising one hand and making snipping motions with two fingers. "For cutting the umbilical cords."

The room spun and he began to sway. "Oh crap. I'm gonna pass out."

Sam let go of his hand, grabbed the sleeve of his gown and shook him hard. "Get ahold of yourself, McKay!" Her voice was strained, almost a whimper. She'd closed her eyes. "I can't do this without you! Please, Rodney…"

The near-panic in her voice, something he'd never heard from her before, finally got through to him. Willing the dizziness to recede, he again took her hand, his back straightening and his confidence coming back. The woman he loved needed him. Their children needed him. "You can do this, McKay!" The pep talk with himself done, he turned all of his attention to his wife. "Okay, honey. Get ready to push."

"Aaaaahhhhh! I'm DEFINITLY ready!"

"Good 'cause here comes the first one," Carolyn said with a smile. Moments later she was announcing, "It's a boy! And he's perfect." Not long after that, the next one made an appearance. "And here's the girl. Also perfect!" Both babies were screaming as if to say "Put me baaaack!"

Rodney reached around the drape to snip the cords, tears threatening each time, returning to Sam's side to take her hand again. He marveled at the thought that someone like him, someone who, until he'd found Sam, had seldom looked outside himself, could have helped create two tiny lives that would be totally and completely dependent on their parents for everything. We never thought this would happen and I'm not sure I can do this. Then he looked at Sam's face covered in sweat, her blue eyes shining and knew. He just…knew.

When it was all over but the screaming from the babies, he kissed her and brushed the hair from her forehead. "You did great, Mom."

Sam gave him a relieved grin. "You too…Dad."

Jennifer and Carolyn nestled the babies into the arms of their parents. "Now that wasn't so bad, was it?"

"Trade places with me then ask me that." Adjusting her position in the bed, Sam looked at Rodney then at their children. "All worth it though."

~~O~~

Though he hadn't been the one to experience the contractions, Rodney agreed wholeheartedly with his wife.

Daddy.

He was a father now. Sitting in a chair beside his wife's bed, his daughter protected in the shelter of his arms close to his heart, Rodney did something he hadn't done in years. He already knew Daniel and Olivia would be loved. That was a given. But now he prayed, starting with a verse from the bible he remembered from his childhood.

I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.

He prayed with everything he had that his children would be well and happy every day of their lives. With the resources of the Ancients at his disposal, it was virtually assured, but it didn't hurt to hedge his bets.

His only real worry was the telekinesis. It hadn't manifested itself since a short time before they emerged into the world and he hoped the incidents were over, but he couldn't be sure. No one could considering they had no idea he still retained the ability albeit greatly reduced from when he'd been changed by the ascension machine. If they continued, life with these little ones would get very interesting very quickly. Not that it wasn't now but if they still had the power to influence the world around them with just a thought, it would get even more so when they were old enough to get angry or upset.

Putting his fears aside, he looked up to see his wife watching their son with something akin to amazement. He knew the same look was in his eyes, mostly because of the very short span of time they had to get ready for the birth. Most couples found out they were going to be parents and had several months to prepare. They'd had barely one.

There was a tentative knock on the door and Rodney gestured Cam, Teal'c, Siler, Walter, Carolyn and, surprise, surprise, Jack O'Neill into the room.

Cam was the one to speak for the group. "How's everyone doing?"

"Tired." Sam knew she looked bedraggled but refused to let it bother her. These people were her friends. They'd seen her looking far worse. "So Godfathers, would you like to hold your godchildren?" Cam came forward to take the boy holding him as if he thought he might explode. Sam chuckled softly. "He's not a live grenade, Cam. Relax."

"Easy for you to say. I haven't held one in a long time and I'm not likely to have one of my own for a while." He looked to the side when Carolyn, now holding the girl, nudged his shoulder.

"You never know, Mitchell. You never know." Carolyn gave Cam a cheeky grin meant to disconcert and it did. She smirked and turned to the others. "Okay, boys, who wants to hold her?"

Siler and Walter both raised their hands. "I do!" Their faces fell when Jack stepped forward.

"I'm next." The head of Homeworld Security easily cradled the little girl in both arms as he peered into the small face. "What're their names?"

Rodney took Sam's hand. "The girl is Olivia Jean…"

"…and the boy is Daniel Jackson," Sam finished with a quick glance at Jack to see his reaction.

~~O~~

Jack nodded his approval of both names, the boy's name making him think of his friend and the enthusiasm with which Daniel had approached life and work. And how much he missed his long-winded explanations that only he and Sam understood.

Charlie was in college now, a physics major, but he remembered the day his son came into the world as if it had just happened. If he could have chosen who his son would be most like, he'd have chosen someone who was not McKay. The boy…man was more like the physicist than either of his parents which annoyed Jack on a near daily basis.

"Uh, sir," Walter addressed his superior officer bringing him out of his thoughts. "May I?"

"Oh, sure." Jack passed Olivia to the Master Sergeant while Cam handed Daniel to Siler.

Jack watched the men look at each other and grin. He'd almost laughed when Sam had told him she couldn't decide who to name as the godfather so she'd chosen Cam, Walter and Siler. Rodney had chosen a member of his team, Teyla, as the godmother. While he didn't know the Athosian well, he had the sense that she would be perfect for the job. Though childless, Teyla had the strength of mind, the will to do what is right for those around her. She would see to it that no harm came to the children or their parents as long as she was able to do something about it.

Hands in his pockets, Jack watched Siler and Walter huddled together with the babies speaking in soft tones about who knew what and wished that he and his wife had been able to have more than one of their own. On the way back to DC, he made a note to stop at Sarah's grave. And Daniel's.

~~O~~

Sam watched Jack's expression turn pensive. She knew he was thinking about Sarah, her death from ovarian cancer six years before and his friend Daniel. About a year after her death, she and Jack had an intimate relationship that only lasted a few short months. Since then, they'd remained friends. He was still her CO and they treated each other in the proscribed military manner in public. In private they were friendly, but not overly so, calling each other by their first names and never mentioning the brief interlude they'd shared so many years ago. They still cared about each other as more than friends, but not as much as lovers.

Carolyn finally broke into the joyous atmosphere. "Okay, everyone out and let my patients rest. You can come back later during regular visiting hours."

Reluctantly, Walter and Siler transferred the babies to their parents and left the room. With one last backward glance, Jack and Sam exchanged a smile before he closed the door.

Area 52

Break Room

Anthony set a cup of coffee in front of Evan then seated himself. Evan had never mentioned the incident that killed his friend and he could see that it still hurt after so many years. He didn't want to cause him more distress but he needed more information before he proceeded. "Tell me about Lee."

Not wanting to talk about it but knowing he should, Evan leaned back in his chair and took a sip of his coffee. Placing the cup on the table, he crossed one leg over the other. "Lee and I had been together since we were kids. Her family lived just down the block from mine. Our parents were good friends. She was an only child and her mother and father were devastated when she was killed. A few years later they died in a massive pile-up on the highway when a freak winter storm dumped twenty inches of ice and snow on all of the upper northwestern US and parts of British Columbia within less than an hour creating the first ever whiteout for the area."

"I'm sorry." His friend twisted his own cup back and forth, watching the dark liquid swirl and ripple. "You're certain you can't work with Sheppard? As partners go, he's no me."

Evan gave him a grin. "But then who is?"

"And you could do worse." Anthony waited.

"You have a point." Talking about Lee brought back some of his good humor as if she were there in the room with them doing her darnedest to make him laugh. "Though, right now, I'm not certain of anything."

"I know the two of you aren't going to be the best of buddies at first, if ever. But what you need to know about the past is that no matter what has happened, everything you've done has brought you to this moment. You can continue to live in the past…or start over." Anthony watched Evan thinking it all over. "All you gotta do is decide if you want in on one of the coolest jobs on the planet or walk away because you can't stand your partner."

Evan sipped from his cup then placed it back on the table pushing it around with one finger as his mind swirled with the possibilities. Dropping his foot back to the floor, he leaned forward, resting his arms on the table and clasping his hands together. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. "Tell me more."

For an answer, Anthony pushed away from the table, waited for Evan to join him and together they walked down the hall to Woolsey's office. The balding man stood when introduced to Evan then invited the two former cops to sit and spent the next thirty minutes going over the details of the job they were offering him.

In the end, Evan signed the contract, the new and improved NDA and accepted his new ID, access card which would also get him into the SGC, the DC offices of Homeworld security and Area 51. The weapon he was handed was identical to his off-duty piece, a black Glock.

Seldom leaving before Woolsey did, Sheila was still in her office down the hall, and was more than willing to set him up with computer access and email. She also assigned him to the room across from Sheppard's and Evan accepted it without fuss thinking it would be easier to keep an eye on the man who was responsible for Lee's death. He wanted to know how the man could possibly live with himself knowing he'd been to blame for the preventable deaths of twelve people and being here was the way to find out.

Employee Quarters

Room 2B

One of the few personal belongings John still had, aside from his Johnny Cash CD and the poster, was his wallet. Taking it from the dresser he opened it and dug down in the little compartment under his driver's license, pulling out a scrap of paper worn with age and having been folded and refolded many times.

He unfolded it again, using his fingers to hold it flat so he could read what was written there. Twelve names. Many times he was tempted to add his own name to the list but didn't.

Field Medic Caitlin O'Connor

First Lieutenant Lee Womack

Staff Sergeant Eloy Salazar

Second Lieutenant Virgil Justice

They were followed by the names of the eight civilians who had also perished, two of which were children. The one thing he was thankful for was that it wasn't longer. Several soldiers on the ground were injured as well when the chopper crashed into the convoy but he was the only one from inside the chopper to survive.

He'd never figured out how a man who'd been disowned by his family and joined the military in lieu of prison time for a crime he hadn't actually committed could have made it out alive while others had died.

Shoving the paper back into his wallet he took out the pendent, rubbing his thumb over the cross. With a huff of frustration, he tossed it back in the drawer and slammed it so hard it rocked.

After lying on the bed and staring up at the ceiling for over an hour without going to sleep though his body was tired, he jumped up and headed for the Infirmary. Dora was at the desk beating the hell out of her keyboard and growling.

"Sorry to interrupt."

"No problem. IT just did an upgrade and apparently they have no idea what the word means because…never mind. What can I do for you, Special Agent?"

John rolled his eyes and tried to smile. "John. And I need something to help me sleep."

They still kept hard copies of everything so Dora yanked John's file from the shelf behind her. Flipping the manila folder open she checked the list of PRN meds ordered. Her finger stopped on one particular entry and tapped the page. "Looks like Derek ordered Ambien CR."

The nurse went to a door, tapped in her code and entered. She returned a few moments later with a single bubble pack. "You didn't have any alcohol today, did you?"

"No. Went to my meeting, ran face-first into a past I've been trying to forget then to my room."

A frown turned down the corners of Dora's mouth making her look like a pouty teenager. "No dinner? That's not good."

"Wasn't hungry." He snatched the pill from her hand and stalked away.

She watched him go then returned to her computer which had managed to sort itself out in the meantime. After making notes on John's behalf, she went on to her other work.

~~O~~

After signing the contract and checking out his assigned room, Evan walked Anthony back to the main lobby to say good-bye. Anthony told him that they'd meet at least once more before he went to live on another planet but Evan already missed him.

He'd been transported several times but this was his first experience seeing it. Though it was astonishing, he'd seen enough in the past few days that it didn't startle him as much as he thought it should have. Now that he was alone, he thought about getting something to eat. Checking the walls he saw no maps or guides to help him find his way around so he just walked until he saw signs on doors. None of which were helpful because they said things like IT, Dr. M. Adams, Operations, Conference Room, and Infirmary.

Scanning his card, Evan entered the medical area and followed the main hall down to where he saw light and heard movement. When he arrived he found a petite woman with short hair, brown with blonde highlights, involved in some task he didn't understand. Standing back from the desk and clearing his throat to get her attention, she looked up with a smile of welcome as if she'd been expecting him.

"Can I help you?"

"Yeah. My name is Inspector, uh, I mean Special Agent Lorne and I'm lost. Trying to find the cafeteria."

She smiled and came around the desk. "First time in Area 52, Special Agent?"

"It is. And call me Evan. Not quite used to the Special Agent thing yet." She started walking and he fell into step beside her.

"I understand, Evan, and my name is Dora Michaels. Most nights I can be found at that desk or in the ward. At the moment, there's only one in-patient and one out-patient." She scanned her card and he followed her through.

"Would that out-patient's name happen to be John Sheppard?"

"Yeah. Know him?"

"You could say that." They arrived at the Commissary. "Thanks for your help. Could I buy you a cup of coffee?"

"Some other time perhaps. I gotta get back." She aimed a thumb over her shoulder. "You staying overnight? The rooms are left out of here, go through the first door, take another left then a right and there you are."

Evan nodded and watched Dora walk away. Inside the Commissary people were sitting at several tables. Most were eating but a few were just reading or sending texts or emails with their SmartPhones. He moved through the line which was unmanned at this time of night, taking a sandwich, an apple and a bottle of milk.

His meal consumed, Evan followed Dora's directions to his room. Closing the door, he pulled off his jacket, shirt, pants, shoes and socks leaving on his boxers and T-shirt. He went into the bathroom, completed his pre-bedtime routine as much as possible with the limited supplies available, switched the light out and collapsed onto the bed with a groan.

Hours later Evan was awakened from a dreamless sleep to the sound of screaming.

TBC

A/N: Many thanks to ElisaD263 for her help with this chapter. It was her idea for baby Daniel to be born first.

In this story, the inclusion of Ambien CR as a sleeping aid is not meant as an endorsement nor is it meant to infringe on name. It just seemed the best choice for the character.