Homecoming Heroes by catescorner

Ah, another day, another chapter! Thanks again for encouraging me through this story. It's been such fun to write.

I've especially enjoyed writing Evan's family into it. I know they've been portrayed in many different ways, and I hope you've enjoyed my thoughts on how Evan might interact around them. From the series, he was clearly very close to them, and such a proud uncle to his two nephews.

So with that in mind, the fun and games with 'Uncle Evan' continue. Oh, and there's also a little tip of the hat to One Small Step, one of my favourite episodes of Eureka. It has Kavan/Andy at their adorable best, especially in those robot jimjams. If anyone knows where I can find a pair, I'd love to know too!

Homecoming Heroes

Chapter Five - Mi Casa, Su Casa

John Sheppard didn't know much Spanish, but he knew enough to smile at the name in front of him. Casita Bonita. Set against such a stunning backdrop, it suited this pretty little house to perfection. And if he'd grown up in a place like this, with this incredible view… hell, he'd never have left home.

He hadn't, of course. With regrets on all sides, he'd left that home, and his family, bitterly divided.

Evan Lorne had been much luckier, of course. Or so that cheery nature, and closeness to his family, had always led him to believe. But if he'd known the truth, he'd have realized he had more in common with his XO than he thought. And if he'd looked more closely now, he might have spotted the shadows that had flitted through Evan's eyes, and that had melted away, as quickly as they'd come.

This house brought back so many memories, but… no, this wasn't the time to dwell on them.

When the time was right, he would take his CO into the same confidence that he'd shared with Teyla. For now, though, he stood at John's side, smiling through a barrage of compliments and questions.

"Wow, this place is great! That view is incredible, and… you grew up here? Your sister still runs it?"

"Yeah, she inherited it when my, uh… aunt passed away," Evan nodded, hoisting out his bags. He'd changed the subject so smoothly, and so naturally, that John had no reason to question it. "And Jeff's a property developer, dealing with land all the time. So when she wanted to expand, he knew the best way to do it."

"Yeah, he's done a great job," John agreed, frowning slightly as a sudden thought struck him. They'd taken a cab, while the others followed in Tanni's SUV, so that kinda led onto his next question. "And it's really good of her, to put us all up like this, but… well, are you sure she's got room for us?"

The grin was full, unforced, and free of regrets this time, as Evan led them through to the back of the house – keeping his reply for when he pointed to the annexe beyond it, and the reaction that followed.

"Well, you'll have the run of the main house here, and you'll have that to yourselves, so… yeah, I think you'll be okay."

Still enjoying the 'smartass' expression on John's face, he couldn't resist teasing him further.

"Besides, I think my mom likes you."

Catching the implications behind that subtly stressed word, John tried, in vain, to glare back at him. Back on the quayside, Ellie Lorne had taken his arm as naturally as any mother, real or otherwise. Her intentions to fatten him up, and put some 'meat on his skinnybones', had been made pretty clear too – a fact not lost on her equally skinnyboned son, who'd lapped up his CO's embarrassment like a Cheshire cat on speed.

Now that grin was back again, more smugly mischievous than ever, and… damn, he hated that. When Evan Lorne grinned at you like this, it was maddeningly impossible to do much about it. Pulling rank just made that devilish smirk even bigger.

Whatever retaliation he'd had planned was interrupted, thankfully, by the sound of a honking horn, that had Evan trotting back to the front of the house. And while he'd escaped his CO's attentions, the same couldn't be said for his youngest nephew. He'd made a much loved promise. And little Andy was determined not to let him forget it.

As soon as Evan came into his sights again, he made a full speed beeline for his uncle's arms – without the force to flatten him this time, but deafening him instead with a sweetly helpful yell.

"Presents!"

"Yeah, like you'd ever let me forget that," Evan chuckled, gently tousling his nephew's hair – not even trying to keep the affection, or the pleasure, out of his voice as he pointed back to the SUV. "But we need to wait for your brother, okay? So go get him!"

Watching Andy barrel back the way he'd come, a sly grin broadened over Evan's face – the kind that John Sheppard knew, only too well, and that he felt himself instinctively returning.

Everything that Evan Lorne did around his nephews was geared to be as much fun as possible, to make the most of every second he had with them. Those suspicions were confirmed as Evan opened the door, and gestured urgently for him to follow.

"Quick! Get in!" he hissed, looking for all the world as if the Wraith were right behind them as he tugged his CO inside, and closed the door, with all the speedy efficiency of irising the Gate.

As intrigued as he was amused, John followed him along the hall, and into the main living room. Not that he had much time to admire the paintings that hung from its walls, or enjoy the loving warmth within it. Instead, he was drawn into a masterclass of multitasking as Evan settled on the floor, unpacked his bag, and checked his watch in the same, smooth movement.

"Each time I do this, they get that little bit quicker. One of these days they'll beat me," he grinned, checking his watch again, nodding approvingly at the sound of a crashing door, and pounding feet. "Yep, two seconds up, and… ooooh, you'd better move. If you stay there, you'll end up on your butt."

"Yeah, you'd know about that," John shot back, grinning at the memory of that priceless moment, but still taking his friend's advice, just in time, as Kevin and Andy shot past his legs.

And even on the floor, Evan wasn't completely safe, as the boys threw themselves into his lap – wincing slightly, from a stray foot that brought the Lorne family bloodline under unexpected threat.

"Hey, if you two want cousins someday, you've gotta stop doing that, and… okay, let's see what we've got here…"

Grinning at the joke that had sailed way over innocent heads, John settled back to enjoy the show. Within minutes, he, too, was stretched out on his stomach, up to his elbows in wrapping paper. Surrounded by the wonderful sound of children's laughter, he already felt part of the family - the regrets that he'd felt earlier still there, but not as deep, or as painful, as they'd been before.