Homecoming Heroes by catescorner
Well, we're into the second half of the story now. Thanks again, to everyone who has left me such lovely reviews!
Now, aside from all the 'Uncle Evan' moments, you'll have noticed that John's featured a lot in this story too, more than the rest of the team. The reason for that is resolved in the next couple of chapters, as John finds out that Evan's family life wasn't always so happy. If you've read my previous story, The Greater Good, that this story follows on from, you'll already know what's coming.
But for now - yes, it's back to Uncle Evan who, away from his official responsibilities, is letting that wonderful streak of mischief rub off on his nephews. All I can say for that is "Sorry, Shep… " :o)
Oh, and the 'little surprise' that Evan and the boys have planned for him is based on the same one that my sister gave me when we were in San Francisco last year. And my reaction was pretty much the same as John's! So this chapter's for you, Allie - and no, I haven't forgotten, so watch your back ;o)
Enjoy!
Homecoming Heroes
Chapter Six - Howling Mad Majors
To his family, Evan Lorne was many things. Dutiful son. Supportive brother. The coolest of uncles. And in his CO's eyes, one of the best pilots he'd ever known was also a pretty good tour guide, combining both with effortless ease as he held them, at a perfect hover, for the obligatory photos.
In crystal clear skies, over one of the most beautiful cities in the world, there was a lot to see – the wonder on John's face matched only by the pride in Evan's voice, as he described its history. Thank God he'd brought his camera, too, because every one of these views had taken his breath away. At ground level, with the rest of his equally snap-happy team, San Francisco had looked amazing. From three thousand feet, though, its world famous landmarks had left him speechless.
"Wow!"
Well, almost.
Kicking himself that he hadn't thought of this before, Evan shook his head in rueful hindsight. If he'd had a dollar for every time he'd heard that today… hell, he could afford to retire tomorrow.
The best bit was yet to come, of course, and… yeah, he just hoped his co-conspirators kept it quiet. Luckily, the awesome sight of Alcatraz gave him the perfect chance to give them a quick reminder. While John snapped away with his camera, Evan glanced, unnoticed, over his shoulder – their 'little surprise' for Uncle John sealed by a sly wink, and two evilly matching grins.
Blissfully unaware of what they had planned for him, John settled back to face forward again – his eyes widening, along with a broad smile of anticipation, for what lay ahead of them.
And his reaction? Yep, one more dollar slid into Evan Lorne's imaginary retirement fund.
"Wow!"
*click*
*click*
*click*
*beep*
"Aw, I've got a battery warning!"
Evan's expression may have the study of innocence, but the glint in his eye told a different story.
"Again?"
Pulling a suitable face back at him, John reached into his jacket for yet another set of batteries - the grin that he just couldn't contain threatening to burst clear off his face, as Evan banked the chopper around, and set course for their final stop. And with a tour guide's natural flourish, he'd saved the best for last.
The Golden Gate now lay ahead of them, breathtakingly beautiful, but -
- weren't they heading for it… kinda… low?
Evan must have seen the puzzled frown on his face, since the grin on his face grew to evil proportions – reminding his CO of another, howling mad pilot as the Ranger continued to dip towards the Straits.
John had seen the steady drop in altitude now, guessed his friend's intentions, and… no. No, he wouldn't.
His eyes still fixed ahead of them, John Sheppard started to shake his head, in disbelieving denial. There was no way, in hell, that Major-By-The-Book-Lorne was going to fly them under the Golden Gate Bridge.
Deadpan humour, that only Evan Lorne would dare to use against him, told him otherwise.
"You hurl it, you clean it."
Treating that with the equally deadpan contempt it deserved, John then glared pointedly back at him – covering the mouthpiece of his headset, so that innocent and mpressionable ears couldn't hear what followed.
"You hit it, you paint it."
Unmoved, and unfazed, Evan just shrugged while nudging the Ranger just a little bit lower, making his final checks, before turning that wickedly playful grin towards the seats behind them.
"Okay, guys… hold onto your noses, and… wheeeee-…!"
"…-yaaaaaaaaah!"
That threeway yell continued long after they'd cleared the bridge, and shot out the other side – Evan's response to it rather redundant, but no less joyous, as he banked the chopper over the Bay.
"They love that bit."
"No kidding," John shot back, trying to glare at his wickedly grinning friend, and failing dismally. He'd loved it too, of course. And whatever he tried to say otherwise, Evan would always know it.
So when he saw Evan's left eyebrow rise, above a devilishly glinting eye, John knew what it meant – shaking his head again, but with pure delight this time, as he turned around to grin at two still ecstatically beaming faces.
"Hey, kids… if we ask Uncle Evan really nicely, you think he'd do that again?"
"Yeeeeaaahhhh!"
That stereo blast of joyous agreement was deafening enough, but what followed was even louder – the threeway yell of before now joined by a fourth voice, that made more noise than all three put together.
"…wheeeeeeeeee…."
"…YAAAAAAAAAHHHH…!"