Date : 09.10.2009
Title : The Fate Series : Part 1 - A Touch of Fate
Author : ElaineDex
Chapter : 14 of ?
Rating : M
Pairings : Lt. Colonel John Sheppard/OC
Major Evan Lorne/OC
Warnings : Some Sexual Content, Romance, Angst, Maybe Some Strong Language.
Feedback : Yes please, always welcome whatever it may be.
Disclaimer : Dr. Ellie Lorne, and any O/C's are mine. Lyssa Hunter belongs to Kazavid and is from her Atlantis stories Behind The Mask and Reunions. Lexi Roberts was created by Soccer-Bitch. Stargate Atlantis, unfortunately, has nothing to do with me.
Summary : AU : Lorne is gone for good this time and Ellie must move on with her life. There'll be no second chances this time, no way around them being parted…or is there…and is that what Ellie and Lorne for that matter, really wants?
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A/N : My O/C's are in this story quite predominantly at one point and I do apologise for that, but I felt it necessary for the series to work. Hopefully though, you'll like them enough to continue to read on and enjoy what they're getting up to! There are of course all the old favourites in here and a newbie or two…oh and remember…forget the Ellie and Lorne's of the past, this is another AU
Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Sheppard watched as Lorne hit the target in the firing range over and over until there was no ammo left in his P-90.
They both removed their ear defenders and Sheppard folded his arms across his chest, nodding in approval.
"Very good…you're even a slightly better shot than our Lorne used to be," he commented, albeit a little grudgingly and Lorne grinned.
"Thank you Sir…"
When Lorne had been released from the infirmary a week ago he had been issued with his own quarters, but had then had to go through every test that Sheppard and Woolsey could conjure up and they ranged from medical to psychological to everything military. Woolsey had even had the SGC send an old exam through, one similar to the one that Lorne would have had to have sat in order to graduate when he was training in the air force.
He of course passed everything with flying colours and both Woolsey and Sheppard had to concede that everything about new Lorne checked out.
Sheppard unfolded his arms and slapped the Major on the shoulder.
"Right, well, congratulations…I'll tell the men watching you to stand down and see about getting you on the roster for some duties around the city…" he stopped, but when Lorne went to speak he held up a hand and said, "Remember, we'll still be watching you…any funny business and you're gone."
Lorne nodded.
"I understand Sir…and thank you…this means a lot to me…"
Sheppard made a grunting noise, the kind he made when he felt marginally embarrassed or uncomfortable.
"I never turn away a good man Major and Atlantis needs as many as it can get…now go and enjoy some freedom, oh and go see McKay or Ellie and have them issue you with a laptop and an email address then I can have Chuck send you your work schedule later."
"Thank you Sir," Lorne replied, handing Sheppard the P-90 before heading for the door.
When the two marines, who had been stood outside of the room, went to follow him, Sheppard waved his hand at them.
"Dismissed guys, stand down," he said and the two men nodded and left in the opposite direction, no doubt glad to be relieved to be rid of the task of following Lorne around twenty four seven.
As Sheppard began to put the P-90 away and clear the room of spent cartridges, Lyssa walked in.
She stopped when she saw him, but no Lorne.
"Oh…has Major Lorne's training finished?" she asked and Sheppard nodded.
"Yeah, he's a free man," he replied, regarding her.
He remembered that new Lorne had been involved with his Lyssa and for some reason, the thought that this Lyssa could be interested in the Major irked him.
"Did you need him for anything in particular?" he asked, locking the cabinet with the guns and ammo in and turning back to face her.
"No, not really, I just wanted to see how he got on. I think he's lonely and I've just been trying to make the effort to make him feel welcome…like he fits in," Lyssa replied and Sheppard smiled.
"That's good of you…I just hope he doesn't get the wrong idea…I mean, unless you want him to?"
"No!" Lyssa replied, a little too quickly for even her own liking, but she didn't want Sheppard to think that she was interested in new Lorne.
Sheppard's smile widened.
"Have dinner with me?" he said impulsively and he could see immediately that he had shocked her.
"Or not…" he added, grimacing slightly, about to turn away when he heard her say,
"I'd like that…but…I thought you were with Lexi?"
At the thought of his ex, the clingy nurse from the infirmary, Sheppard shook his head.
"We broke up, she had family troubles back on earth and it was best for us to make a clean break before she went," he told her and Lyssa nodded.
Before she could change her mind, Sheppard said,
"I'll come by your quarters for you say, seven-ish, that okay with you?"
"Sure," Lyssa said, heading for the door before he could see her face turn completely scarlet with a mixture of excitement, fear and embarrassment. "See you tonight."
She needed to see Ellie.
OoOoOoO
Lorne wanted to explore the city, curiosity wanted him to find out for himself if all of his favourite spots around and about where the same as on his Atlantis.
First he decided to get the laptop and email address sorted and so he headed in the direction of the science labs, wondering if he would see Ellie there and he wondered how she was holding up as he hadn't seen sight nor sound of her all week.
Lyssa on the other hand, had kept popping by to see him, an effort that he appreciated greatly even if it meant that he had to force himself to not reach out and grab her each time he saw her.
He entered the lab to find no sign of Ellie, just McKay and Zelenka arguing heatedly.
"Nothing changes," he muttered and the two scientists stopped jabbering to turn and look at him.
"Can we help you Major?" McKay asked, glancing over Lorne's shoulder as though looking for someone.
"It's okay Doc, the Colonel has cleared me…so no more guards. He told me to come here so that you could issue me with a laptop and email address," Lorne informed him and McKay nodded.
"Right, right…" he replied, still feeling a little odd at seeing another Lorne around the place.
"That is good news," Zelenka said, smiling at Lorne.
"It is," Lorne answered, feeling like the Czech genuinely meant what he said and Lorne had to admit that out of all the scientists he had know back on his Atlantis, Zelenka had always been the most amenable.
McKay dug into a store cupboard behind him and produced a laptop.
"Here," he said, handing it to Lorne. "That is…was…our Lorne's. The email address should work still, any problems though let me or Zelenka or Ellie, if you can find her…know."
"Thanks Doc," Lorne said, taking the laptop and leaving the lab.
When he'd gone, Zelenka turned to Rodney.
"Do you really think that you should have given him that?" he said and Rodney looked at him.
"What do you mean? Why not?" he asked.
"Well has it been wiped?" Zelenka queried and Rodney's eyes widened.
"Maybe Ellie did it…" he said and Zelenka cursed in Czech and turned away shaking his head.
OoOoOoO
Ellie moaned as Statham gripped her hips and buried himself deeply within her.
They had spent the biggest part of the last week holed up in Ellie's quarters, Ellie working from in there and Statham only going out to do his duties and bring back food.
Things were going well between them, despite Ellie ignoring the fact that she knew that part of the reason she hadn't wanted to leave her room all week was because she hadn't wanted to see new Lorne for fear of what she might feel when she did and she so badly wanted things to work between her and Frank.
Wrapping her arms around his shoulders she began to meet him thrust for thrust, forcing herself to block out everything but him.
It worked and pretty soon they were both moaning out their satisfaction as their orgasms crashed through them.
They lay there for a moment or two, Statham nibbling softly at her ear before he said,
"I should get a shower, my shift starts in…" and he glanced up at her bedside clock before continuing, "twenty minutes."
Ellie nodded and sighed, thinking that she should make a trip to the lab.
Kissing her cheek, Statham gently extracted himself from her and headed to the bathroom.
When she heard the water start to run, she sat up, running her hands through her unruly curls and then the door buzzer chimed.
Wondering who it could be she wrapped the bed sheet around herself and moved over to the door.
"Who is it?" she called out.
"Lyssa," came the response and Ellie immediately opened the door.
"Not caught you at a bad time have I?" Lyssa said, taking in her attire.
"Ten minutes ago and you would have…come on in," Ellie replied, ushering Lyssa inside before closing the door again.
"What's up?" she asked, getting back onto the bed and Lyssa followed her and sat at the bottom.
"John has asked me to have dinner with him tonight and I'm nervous."
"That's great news and you'll be fine…you two will have fun," Ellie replied and Lyssa bit her lip.
"You think so? I mean…what do I wear…what do I say…?"
Ellie smiled. "I'll drop by yours later and we'll sort out clothes, as for what you say…go with the flow, John is a funny guy and I think you'll find that once you start talking you wont be able to stop!"
"I hope you're right," Lyssa replied, hearing the water stop running in the bathroom and the next thing, Statham appeared in the doorway, a towel slung low around his hips.
"Oh hey Lyssa," he said, showing no embarrassment as he headed to the sofa where his uniform lay. "Everything alright?"
Lyssa nodded as he picked up his uniform and began to head back to the bathroom.
"She has a date tonight with Sheppard," Ellie informed him and Statham grinned.
"Really!?" he said and Lyssa pointed a finger at him.
"Not a word to him!" she warned and he smiled at her.
"My lips are sealed," he replied and Lyssa reached for a pillow from the bed and threw it at him.
He darted away, but not fast enough and the pillow caught his behind, knocking the loose towel away from his butt and he grimaced and disappeared into the bathroom hastily as she called out,
"Nice ass!"
Ellie shook her head at their antics and flopped back against her own pillows.
Lyssa's smiled faded as she turned back to her friend.
"Are you okay…really?" she asked, keeping her voice low and Ellie sighed.
"Yes…I'm fine."
"So fine that you haven't left your room all week?" Lyssa pressed and Ellie looked away.
"I'm dealing with it as best I can Lyss…" she said.
Lyssa nodded. "John has cleared Lorne for roster duties and removed the guards now."
"Right…thanks…" Ellie replied, thinking that at least if Lorne's name was now on the work schedules, she could keep a track of where he should be most times and avoid him.
"How is he?" she couldn't help asking and it was Lyssa's turn to sigh.
"Lonely…but, getting there…and dealing….like you…"
Ellie nodded.
Part of her wanted to help, but another part of her knew that she should stay away.
"Look, I'll leave you and Frank to it…John is calling for me at seven-ish, so let me know when and if you have time to talk clothes," she said standing and Ellie mentally shook herself and followed Lyssa to the door.
"I'll see you later today," she promised and Lyssa replied,
"Ok," before leaving.
Sighing deeply again, Ellie threw the bed sheet back onto the bed and headed for the bathroom.
OoOoOoO
Lorne took the laptop McKay had given him out to South Pier, he hadn't wanted to waste time taking it back to his quarters as he was eager to see if the view from the pier was the same as the one he had painted back on his Atlantis.
As he stepped out onto the empty pier, he sighed almost contentedly as he realised that it looked just the same.
'Maybe I could paint it again,' he thought, then realised that he had no equipment and he shook his head. 'Perhaps Colonel Sheppard will let me request some from earth one day.'
He walked to the edge of the pier and sat down, dangling his legs over the edge.
He put the laptop down by his side and stared out at the water for a while, letting the breeze and the sound of the ocean sooth him as he tried, for once, not to think about the people from his past.
Eventually he turned his head and looked down at the laptop. It was almost as if something was compelling him to boot it up.
He reached for it and opened it up. He pressed the power button, expecting nothing to happen and was surprised when it began to start loading up. He had thought the battery supply might have waned by now if it had been sat in McKay's cupboard for so long…the other him had been dead for, well…
'What did Lyssa say now?' he wondered, 'A year? More?'
The desktop background came on and he raised an eyebrow as a picture of a log cabin set deep in a snowy background came on.
Wondering what all that was about and knowing he didn't like snow, he waited a few more seconds for all the icons to appear and then he opened up the internal email.
He noted that there was nothing from Chuck or Sheppard just yet and so began to nose around.
Obviously no-one had thought to wipe the memory clear and he took the opportunity to read a few mission statement drafts that the other he had wrote and he noted that the other man had seemed slightly more thorough in his recording of events.
He thought it odd that the two of them should have their subtle differences for saying they were the same man.
Sighing he went back to the desktop and looked over the icons again. He saw one called 'Instant Chat' and he opened it up.
A small box popped up on the screen, contacts listed down one side and under that was 'History'. He clicked on that and a log of all the chats the other he had had, came up.
He moved halfway down the list, noting that most of them were to Ellie and he opened one up, curiosity getting the better of him even though he knew he shouldn't pry, but the idea of the other him and Ellie having been so loved up just didn't sit right with him due to his own failed marriage to his Ellie.
The chat read :
Ellie : You cant stay mad at me forever Evan.
Evan : Yes, I can.
Ellie : No, you cant.
Evan : Yes, I can.
Ellie : No, you cant.
Evan : Do some work Ellie.
Ellie : I cant, I cant work when you're mad at me.
Evan : Ok, so I'm not mad at you anymore.
Ellie : Yes you are.
Evan : No, I'm not.
Ellie : Yes you are.
Evan has Signed Out of Chat.
'User Name Ellie Has Logged Evan Back Into Chat'
Ellie : Don't you log off on me! You know I can access any computer…
Evan : Ellie…I swear to God…
Ellie : If I promise to make wild, passionate, abandoned love to you tonight, will you forgive me?
Evan : *Sigh*
Ellie : I'll wear that black lace…
Evan : ALRIGHT, I FORGIVE YOU!!!!!
Lorne shook his head, a smile tilting his lips and as he left that conversation and moved onto another, he wondered what exactly Evan had been mad at Ellie for.
Ellie : Do you like your new wintry desktop background?
Evan : Yes, its nice.
Ellie : Good, its where we're going for our Christmas vacation.
Evan : It is?
Ellie : Yes…
Evan : Great…I can keep you all warm and snugly…amongst other things…
Ellie : Why do you think I'm suggesting it LOL
Evan : Mmmm…can't wait.
Ellie : Me either….I love you…
Evan : I love you too.
Lorne came out of that chat too, thinking that that explained the snowy scene on the desktop. He wondered if Ellie and the other him had ever gotten to the log cabin.
He decided to leave reading the chats at that, although he was enjoying them, he didn't feel right prying into the other man's personal life.
That said, he decided to have a quick look in 'Pictures', just to see if there were any of San Francisco. Surely the other he had to have come from there too and he knew he missed home, so if he did, surely the other him must have too.
The file opened and he was greeted with a whole load of small named folders to choose from.
He picked one called 'Home' and clicked on it, but instead of pictures of San Francisco, like he somehow expected he would see, he was greeted with pictures of a house that he didn't recognise.
It looked quite large and had a front porch and with the surrounding trees it looked like a real family home. He wondered was it the other Evan's parents' home as it was quite similar to the house that he had grown up in.
He scrolled through the pictures, pausing when he came across one of Ellie. She was sat on a picnic blanket, the house in the background behind her and he figured that she was in the back garden. She had on a cream coloured sundress and her hair was down, falling in glorious waves and curls around her shoulders, the sun picking up the auburn in it.
She looked happy and relaxed and he was filled by a sudden rush of affection for her that he didn't expect.
He put the laptop down abruptly and looked back out to the ocean.
He stared at the water for the longest time again before closing the lid of the laptop, snatching it up off the floor and standing.
With one last look at the sea he shook his head and moved back toward the doorway to the pier.
It was time to forget the past and move on. This was his home now and he needed to get used to the fact that although everyone he had known was gone, they were still here…he had just had to get to know them all again.
What a strange thing fate was…
The End
Part 2 - A Twist of Fate, will follow soon, thanks for reading.