Homecoming Heroes by catescorner

Aww, thanks so much for leaving me such lovely reviews! I see I'm not the only one who wished that Evan had been on that balcony. Still, that's what this wonderful invention called fanfic is for!

Okay, onto chapter two. And for any of you wondering what the first impressions between Team Sheppard and Family Lorne might have been - well, this is what my little plot bunnies came up with. I hope you enjoy it. I certainly had a great time writing it!

Homecoming Heroes

Chapter Two - Folks And Friends

For so many reasons, Evan Lorne was finding it impossible to move. Breathing was kinda hard too. Not that he minded. Hell, he didn't mind at all. Because at this wonderful moment, he was wrapped into a fourway hug that started around his legs, and continued right up to his neck.

Finally, though, the stranglehold around his chest relaxed, and he found that he could breathe again – standing meekly quiet while his mother stepped back and scrutinized him, as only a mother could.

"You've lost weight. And if you're in the military, young man, that hair should be shorter."

'You think mine's bad, you should see my CO's. And he's a Colonel.'

Keeping that thought wisely to himself, Evan just smiled while dutifully straightening his fringe. However old you were, whatever rank you held, you always wanted to look your best for your mom.

"Yeah, mom, I know, but… well, we've been kinda busy. Been on a lot of ops," he said at last, throwing Tanni a 'help me out here' glance, and pulling a face when she just grinned back at him. Less than five minutes home, and they were already ganging up on him. Wonderful.

Some back up would be nice, and… yeah, where kids were concerned, there was little chance of that.

"Uncle Evan, we – we knocked you right over!"

Kevin, of course, thought that was hilarious. Oddly enough, so did he.

"Oh, you think that's funny?" Evan grinned, lifting Kevin up, and draping him over his shoulder – unmoved by his shrieking giggles as he snugged Andy into his other arm, and stood carefully up again. "Okay, Buckwheat, you're staying there 'til we get home. Right, Andy?"

Never happier than when his partner in crime was in trouble, Andy nodded in the happiest innocence – too young to understand the laughter around him, or care, as he wrapped his arms around Evan's neck. His favourite uncle was home. And in the world of a six year old, that meant only one thing.

"And you've brought presents, Uncle Evan… like you did last time?"

Wishing he could bottle up that innocence, and spread it through the galaxy, Evan grinned back, and nodded towards the bag that, with smooth sibling teamwork, Tanni had already picked up for him.

"Yes, and you know the routine. We open them, and everyone else's presents, when we get home, okay?"

Satisfied, if at least for now, Andy nodded again, finding the perfect way to pass that time away – turning himself around, and pulling faces at his brother who, needless to say, pulled them right back.

Caught in the middle, Evan couldn't help but smile, at this childish bickering that felt so oddly familiar.

'Jeez, like I don't get enough of this with Sheppard and McKay.'

Still, he wouldn't have to worry about that until they were called back to Atlantis, and… hmm, maybe not. The cosmic karma, that only his mother and sister could cook up between them, clearly had other ideas.

"Evan? Isn't that Colonel Sheppard?"

"Yeah, Ev, I can see Teyla too, and… oh, that's Torren? He's adorable!"

Knowing what was coming next, Evan smiled, adding a silent apology to his other godsons.

'Sorry, guys, but those presents might have to wait a while.'

Getting home, or just getting to the car, was on hold too, and his eldest nephew was deceptively heavy. And it really wouldn't do, for him to meet his uncle's friends, while slung over that uncle's shoulder. So for the sake of his aching back, it was quite a relief to ease Kevin gently down to the ground – sealing this unexpected reprieve with a broad grin, and a playful ruffle of his nephew's hair.

"Hey, you know my friends that I write you about? You want to come meet them?"

That, he dryly reflected, was about as dumb a question as asking kids if they liked ice cream. Kevin was already nodding, while Andy, still the more timid of the two, didn't look quite so sure. Then again, he'd just seen Ronon for the first time, and… yeah, to a six year old, it was a scary sight. Hell, it was still a scary sight to him sometimes, so… yes, a reassuring hug was definitely called for.

Even so, Andy clung tightly against him as Evan led family number one to meet family number two – dryly imagining the thoughts, impressions, and opinions, that were being exchanged through each side.

'…someone else needs a haircut…'

'…damn… I'm gonna meet his mom, and I look like a scarecrow…'

'…yeah, Ev… I bet you have fun keeping him in line…'

'…Tanni is just as I pictured her to be…'

'…bloody hell, they're like twins…!'

'…cute kids…'

'…oh, great… kids… and I still feel sick…'

And from his right side, a burst of awestruck wonder that would keep him laughing until Christmas.

"Wow! Andy, look! Ronon's a big, real teddy bear!"

Still laughing, and vowing never to say that to Ronon's face, Evan shook his head in wry anticipation. One way or another, this first meeting between folks and friends promised to be quite an experience.