A/N: As always, ladygris must be thanked for her Beta services, suggestions, comments, as so forth. Shadows-of-Realm gave me a line for Carson to say and dwparsnip also assisted by demanding the next chapter when he reached the cliffhanger ending. I'm grateful for their help and friendships.

I'm not sure if I need to issue a warning of some type for this chapter due to an incident towards the end. But be careful just in case.

Namaste,

~Sandy

Not a Hero

Chapter 24

Glimpses of the Big Picture

A thrill rushed through John and a low buzzing started inside his head, the ship talking to him, welcoming him as if he were a prodigal son finally coming home. He watched the side of the bay and berthed Jumpers slip toward the bottom of the window as the one he was in slowly rose toward the ceiling. In an instant Tommy was at his side.

"How do I stop it?" To his surprise, the ship came to an abrupt halt within ten meters of the bay doors which had started to open automatically when it sensed one of the ships approaching. "Oh."

His voice calm, but with an edge of aggravation, Tommy said, "Think down, sir."

Without closing his eyes, he concentrated and the ship slowly settled back into place with a small thump. "That was cool!"

"No, sir, it wasn't." The back hatch opened and Tommy gestured John toward the exit then followed him out. "Come with me."

John didn't miss how that last sentence had the feel of an order. "Okay, but if we're going for a beer you should know I left my wallet on Earth." John waited but the Marine didn't respond to his attempt at humor. Tough room.

Tommy tapped his headset. "Stackhouse to Colonel Caldwell."

"Caldwell."

"Sir, there's been an incident in the Jumper Bay with one of the visitors." He slanted his eyes accusingly at John.

"The alarms told us that. Bring him to my office."

"Uh, Colonel, I believe this meeting should held somewhere other than your office." The young Marine put a small amount of emphasis on his words trying to tell his commander what was going on without saying anything.

There was a pause. "Take him to the Infirmary."

"Yes, sir." Tapping his headset, he stopped John from leaving with a strong grip on his arm. "This way, sir." Another order.

So much for sneaking out.

When they reached a transporter, John went in first and Tommy joined him. Without a word, the Sergeant tapped the screen while in his head John was saying Oh, crap!

Area 52

Woolsey's Office

Woolsey looked up at the firm knock on his open office door. A man with his brown hair cut military short and looking very uncomfortable in a suit and tie stood there awaiting an invitation to enter. Gesturing the man in, the Director stood, extending his hand. "Welcome to Area 52, Major Ritter."

"Glad to be here, sir." Both hands went behind his back, nearly a lifetime in the military in every line of his body. "I would like to thank you for accepting my application for a position at Area 52, Mr. Woolsey, though I'd like to know why you requested me specifically."

"Please sit down." Woolsey waited while Ritter did so then seated himself. "I asked for the records of all civilian contractors with my personal qualifications for this position. After making an exhaustive study, I chose you quite simply because of your military background and that you have spent the last four years in an office environment consisting of civilians and military, and excelled in your handling of both. Having spoken to several of your superiors, I know that you will give maximum effort in whatever assignments you're given whether it's seeing to the repainting of the exterior of the building or organizing an evacuation in the event of a Foothold situation."

"Thank you, sir. I'll do my best to justify your faith in me." Ritter shifted in his seat relaxing just a little. "With whom will I share an office?"

The corners of Woolsey's mouth tilted upward. "Did you read the job description?"

"Yes, though some of it seemed rather vague, if you don't mind me saying so, sir."

"That was deliberate on my part. I wanted someone who would care more about getting the job done than the perks surrounding the position." Woolsey touched the intercom. "Sheila, please come to my office."

"Yes, boss." Moments later, Woolsey's assistant appeared the doorway, Woolsey hiding a grin when she stared open-mouthed at Ritter who had come immediately to his feet. These days, not many men performed that courtesy to women.

"Sheila, this is Major Tobias Ritter."

Ritter nodded politely, waiting for Sheila to offer her hand. When she did, he took it gently in his larger one, shaking it twice. "A pleasure, ma'am."

"Likewise."

"Major Ritter is the new Assistant Director of Operations replacing David Magee."

Sheila gave him a winning smile. "Welcome to Area 52, Toby." To Woolsey she said, "I'll show him to his office, get him set up with access and give him the nickel tour."

"Please do."

Ritter stood in the middle of the room, a slightly stunned expression on his handsome face. "Assistant Director, sir?"

Now Woolsey's face had fallen into an expression of irritability, his tone a reprimand. "You don't have a problem with being my second-in-command, do you, Major?"

Straightening his back, Ritter's eyes looked over Woolsey's shoulder. "No, sir."

"Then get to work. If you have any questions, speak to Sheila. She knows more about what goes on around this facility than I do."

Atlantis

Infirmary

"…you honestly expect me to believe you didn't know you had the gene?" Caldwell stood in front of John sitting on an exam bed, arms crossed and scowling.

"No, Colonel. I did not. I just…sat down." John resisted returning the scowl with a glare. "I used to be a pilot and was…curious."

"The medical equipment on Earth is fully capable of recognizing the gene in someone's DNA." Carson was more than a little upset with Caldwell in general and specifically because he'd taken Elizabeth's place. "Why it wouldn't have…"

"Um…" Jennifer drew the attention of the three men, her face showing embarrassment. "He didn't know because I didn't tell him."

Now John did glare though not hard. "You knew I had this…mutant gene?"

The medical doctor sighed. "I'm sorry."

Accepting that explanation, Caldwell finally relaxed his stiff stance. "There won't be a formal reprimand on your record, Doctor. Just don't do it again."

Suitably chastised, Jennifer nodded. "Yes, Colonel."

"I want a full report of the incident on my desk within the hour." Caldwell aimed this last order at all three, made a perfect about face and left the Infirmary with Stackhouse right behind him.

~~O~~

When Caldwell had gone, John jumped off the table. "Report? That's like…paperwork, right?" He said the word with derision as he watched Angel bite her lip nervously then stop when she saw he was looking at her.

"'Fraid so."

"And by on his desk he means in his Inbox."

"Right again. You can use my computer."

Inside the glass walls of her office, John was careful not to do anything that would cause gossip among the staff, treating her as if she were just a friend. But with the door closed so no one could hear, he continued to use the nickname he'd given her. "Sorry I got you into trouble, Angel."

Her head came up sharply, eyes darting around as if she thought they'd be overheard. "It's my fault. I should have told you from the beginning."

Shrugging, John seated himself at her desk while she booted up the system and opened the application he needed for the report. "Don't worry about it. I kinda like surprises. And as surprises go, this one is in my top ten."

"Oh? How far up the list?" Now she was smiling again. He liked it when she smiled and she knew it.

Trying to appear unconcerned, he tapped a few keys getting the feel of her workstation. "Top three."

"Really? So what comes in one and two? I'd like a chance to improve my standing in the ratings."

Waving his hand vaguely and keeping his eyes on the screen so she couldn't see them, he said, "Actually, finding out I have this gene and can use it to fly some really cool aircraft is number two. Number one, well, that's a secret. For now."

~~O~~

Jennifer had been drawn to John from the moment his eyes met hers and glanced away, glad for the mask that hid much of her reaction until she could prepare. Meeting over a dead body was not an auspicious start to a relationship though it didn't seem to have done them any harm.

She hoped one day, whether they ended up together or not, that he'd be whole again, a person who could sleep without having bad dreams. For his sake, she was glad the rooms on the barracks level were soundproof. He didn't need the embarrassment of having security called in the middle of the night while he was here.

"All done. Wanna read it?"

While she'd been staring into space, John had finished his report. She leaned over, instructing him on how to send it to Caldwell. "I'm sure its fine. And I'm sorry to have to ask you to leave, but I have work that needs my attention."

"No problem. It's time for that fighting class in a few anyway." He turned back at the door. "Dinner later? Just you and me?"

"Sure. Um, 1900 in the Mess Hall?"

John nodded. "See you then."

~~O~~

Teyla walked the periphery of the room watching her newest group of students run through the Bantos routine she'd taught them, adjusting a stance here and a grip there, and dispensing advice as needed. But no matter how hard she tried, her gaze kept straying to Evan.

His movements, at first awkward when using the unfamiliar weapon, were slowly becoming natural and flowing, his face showing a concentration that spoke of years of discipline and self-control.

Blue eyes weren't as common among her people as they were with the Earth humans, but none she'd seen before had sparkled with humor and intelligence as well as great kindheartedness in the way that his did. Sometimes, when she caught him looking at her, she could see a spark of something in the depths of those eyes. Something she'd only seen on rare occasions.

Passion.

This man had a wellspring of passion within him that he tried to keep hidden under a blasé mask. His enthusiasm and zest for life rivaled her own desire to see and experience all that the universe could show her. And with that came a hunger, a craving for love that would last forever.

The times she spent with Kanaan paled in comparison to what this man had made her feel with just the barest brush of his fingers on hers as he took the Bantos rods from her hand. Yes, she did love Kanaan, had always loved him in some fashion, and it made her sad that she wasn't able to have those same feelings with a man she'd known all her life and had only just begun seeing as something other than a friend.

~~O~~

Out of the corner of his eye, Evan watched Teyla circle the room, her dark brown eyes missing nothing except the fact that he found her incredibly…desirable. The instant chemistry he'd felt when they first met had only increased in the hours since that time.

Blinking away the sensations she induced in him, he took his place with the others as far from Sheppard as possible and with an effort, turned his attention to his real reason for being here.

~~O~~

"Jen, love, what's troublin' ya?"

Jennifer started at Carson's question, realizing that she'd been peering into the eyepiece of the microscope without really seeing what was there. She sighed and leaned back in her chair, rubbing the back of her neck where it had stiffened up from her hunched position. "I don't think I'm right for this job."

"Pardon?"

"Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Weir should have chosen someone else to take over when you…"

"When I was killed in the explosion?" She nodded unhappily. "That's all in the past, love. And I think Elizabeth made the perfect choice. You've done a wonderful job."

"But you're back now. You should be in charge." Carson came around the table to her side, gathering her into his arms. She laid her head on his shoulder, her arms around his chest squeezing tight.

"But I'm not really Carson Beckett. I'm his clone, an imperfect copy of the original. According to regulations, I shouldn't be allowed anywhere near the Infirmary much less seein' patients."

"I know. I'm just glad you're here and that the SGC made an exception." She moved away from him. He handed her a tissue, she wiped tears from her cheeks and blew her nose.

"Now let's get back to work, young lady." His tone was mock stern as he returned to his side of the table. "So tell me about Agent Sheppard. Are you and he…"

"What? No, o-of course not." But her eyes wouldn't meet his and her cheeks pinked adorably.

Making a tsk-tsk sound, he adjusted his microscope. "Don't try that with me, love. You're a terrible liar. But I'll let ya off the hook for now."

They worked in silence for a while then Jennifer called a time out to get a drink. Carson opened a bottle for each of them, handing one to her. A moment later, she was chuckling. "Why is it that men don't seem to understand that the words 'don't touch anything' mean 'don't touch anything'?"

His grin mirroring hers, Carson sat on the end of the sofa, stretching his legs out in the seat effectively taking up all the room so Jennifer had to sit in the visitor's chair. "Oh, is that what it means? I always thought it meant 'sit in an Ancient Control Chair. Nothing's gonna happen, RIGHT?'"

Jennifer gave him a droll laugh. "In this case, it meant 'sit here and let's see if you have the gene.'"

~~O~~

Using a fork to move his food around the plate, John scowled and not for the first time since he'd come into the Mess Hall. It was way past 1900 and Angel had yet to arrive for their date though he understood that her patients came first and always would. He also understood that she wouldn't always be able to call to let him know what was going on. It was just aggravating that it had to happen on their first official date. He shoved his plate away and finished off his iced tea.

Across the room, he spotted Lorne sitting with Teyla. They seemed to be involved in a deep and thought-provoking conversation. Shrugging, he took his tray to the pass-through and went for a walk. And if his subconscious led him to the Jumper Bay again, well, so be it.

~~O~~

Evan carried his tray from the serving line, scanning the Mess Hall for an open seat. Sheppard was on the other side of the room alone glaring at the table. Nope. Not there.

Choosing a seat near the exit, he sat down. Shaking out his napkin, he spread it across his lap and started eating. He suddenly felt himself being watched and looked up to see Teyla standing before him, tray in hand and a smile on her beautiful face.

"May I join you, Mr. Lorne?"

"Of course." Getting quickly to his feet, he came around the table and held her chair then resumed his seat. "Actually, it's Special Agent Lorne, but please, call me Evan."

She didn't need to turn her head to know at whom he was avoiding looking. It was obvious from his body language that he had antagonistic feelings toward someone. "Evan, I hope you do not mind that I mention this, but I have noticed you do not care much for John Sheppard."

One side of Evan's mouth lifted in a humorless smile. "Is it that obvious?"

"Only to me. And to him, I imagine. Would you care to talk about it? I'm a very good listener."

Weighing the pros and cons of telling the story to someone he barely knew, he decided to risk it. "Her name was Lee, a soldier, and he was responsible for her death."

"You cared very deeply for Lee." His eyes came up to meet hers and after a moment he nodded.

"Yes, I did. Still do."

Teyla chewed and swallowed before continuing. "And staying close to him is how you intend to acquire the full story of Lee's death."

"Uh…yeah."

Now his head was bowed, only the top of it visible, the brown hairs spiked as if he'd been running his hands through it. She didn't need to see his eyes to know that it had affected him greatly. The sadness coming from him flowed around her. "I can appreciate that you have a need to know the truth, but only a fool stores his past in the future. And you are not a foolish man."

He looked at her again, his expression flat, showing no emotion though his eyes revealed everything. "You don't pull punches, do you?"

She was confused by his words. "Pull punches? I do not understand."

"It's an expression. Means you're not afraid to say something that needs to be said."

Teyla took a deep breath. "I have been a leader since my father died when I was but twenty-two summers of age. Pulling punches is not my way and will not keep my people safe from the Wraith or any other dangers that exist."

"Then that makes you an exceptional leader."

When he smiled, she felt a small flutter in her stomach and it nearly caused her to choke on the mouthful of water she'd just swallowed though she managed to turn it into a tiny clearing of her throat. "How can you know? We've only just met."

He shrugged and smiled again. "Just a feeling."

"Have these feelings ever been wrong?"

Unconsciously, his eyes found Sheppard as he got up and left through the patio door. "Now and then."

Whitehorse

Yukon Territories

Canada

David Magee zipped up his jacket and pulled a knitted cap over his head. The heat was up as far as it would go and he was still cold. He'd been in Whitehorse for weeks now and it had never come anywhere close to the freezing mark much less above it.

He'd contacted his father before traveling to his new position in this Godforsaken land but he'd been very busy and hadn't had time to return his call. Calls. He'd phoned Dad's office at least twice a week since his banishment.

His mind alternated placement of the blame for his current circumstances. Woolsey, Sheppard, Lorne, Melissa, Jennifer, Sheila. Anyone but himself.

Taking a seat in his Berkline leather recliner in front of the television, he opened his journal and began writing. Most of what was there had to do with the various scenarios he envisioned as he exacted revenge upon those who'd wronged him. Some involved doing physical harm, others dealt with public humiliation. All ended with him triumphant earning him praise from his father and a place at his side in the family corporation. As David was putting the finishing touches on his latest missive, the phone rang.

"Magee."

"Is this David Arthur Magee, the son of Thomas Reginald Magee, CEO and President of Magee Industries?"

"Yes, it is. Who is this?"

"My name is Charles Johansson, your father's attorney. Before I tell you the reason for my call, I must verify your identity."

Suddenly suspicious, David hesitated. "How do I know you're who you say you are?"

"Thomas created a security phrase for just such a case as this. I am to say 'I've eaten dinner, but haven't flossed yet today.'"

Rolling his eyes, David gave him the approved response. "You should do it after every meal or the dentist will be angry." He'd thought it was ridiculous but Dad worried that the media would attempt to get inside information on the company, its business practices, possible mergers, contract negations, and so forth.

"Thank you, David. You have been fully verified as I assume I have been." There was a long pause and David thought they'd been cut off. He was about to hang up when the man spoke. "I'm sorry to have to tell you this, but your father passed away this morning."

Atlantis

Early Evening

Evan let himself into the main workout room relieved that it was unoccupied. He opened the lockers until he found the Bantos rods. Selecting a set, he removed his shoes and socks before moving out onto the mat, taking several deep cleansing breaths to clear his mind. His feet shoulder width apart he crossed his arms into the ready stance, drawing his left arm out to salute his invisible opponent. Taking one last breath, he began the routine.

So intense was his concentration that he didn't hear someone enter until he swung around, his rod whooshing through the air and barely missing Teyla's head.

"Whoa! Sorry!" Her smile made his heart skip several quick beats, his eyes dropping to the floor and back to her face. She was wearing a sleeveless midriff top that laced up the front and a skirt with alternating panels of some diaphanous material in greens and browns that swirled around her calves. But the most beguiling feature and this surprised him, was her bare feet. He'd never been one to be attracted to women's feet, but there was just something about hers that got to him. They were small, the bones showing through the skin and perfectly shaped. Her nails were manicured though unpolished, the toes curling as if in response to his thoughts.

"Your apology is unnecessary as I am the one who is intruding." She turned to go, stopping at the door to face him again. "Would you care for a partner for your workout?"

Bowing slightly, Evan let his mouth stretch into a smile. "I would indeed. But go easy on me. I'm new at this."

Teyla responded by pursing her lips and lifting one eyebrow. "Your people have a saying. Not going to happen."

"We also have another saying." His eyes glowed with humor, both eyebrows lifting in a challenge. "Bring it on, sister!"

~~O~~

Teyla watched Evan run through the moves he'd learned the day before, his actions graceful, almost elegant, without being effeminate. She noted that he'd made alterations to the routine showing an instinctive feel for weapons he'd not used until coming to Atlantis. This knowledge touched not only her warrior's heart but her woman's heart as well, the part of her that found him appealing as more than just a sparring partner, creating warmth deep inside where none had touched her before today.

She challenged him and he accepted. After the salute, she held both rods in one hand down at her side. She circled to the left as he did the same waiting for her to make the first move. But she was patient and was soon rewarded for it when he swung the rod in his right hand in a circle as he stepped forward hoping to catch her off guard.

With little effort, she blocked his strike, stepping past and around behind him. She thought briefly of swatting him on the backside, but chose not to as they faced each other once again. Switching one of the rods to her left hand, she twirled them as if daring him to attack. And he did.

Both swung their arms, left, right, up, down, around, separate and together, countering every strike, moving so fast the rods were a blur. With each successful defense against her offense, the blue of his eyes darkened as if the two of them were engaged in a more…intimate form of interaction that had nothing to do with fighting and everything to do with being close to one another.

Allowing him a minor victory to build his confidence, she dropped her guard for a fraction of a second and he wasted no time in taking advantage. Before she knew it, he had her up against the wall, the rod in his right hand across her throat, the darkness of her skin contrasting with the fairness of his. His left forearm was pressed to her stomach and his knees on the outsides of her thighs though not touching holding her in place. Her hands still clutching her rods had somehow become trapped between them leaving her completely at his mercy.

TBC