Homecoming Heroes by catescorner

I know I said there wouldn't be any 'meep moments' in this story, but - well, one from Trojan Horse seems to have mysteriously migrated its way over here. And from this chapter's title, you'll know what's coming :o)

I wasn't entirely happy with the ending, either, so there's an extra chapter coming, taking the final count for this story to eleven. For a minute there, I thought it was turning into another Trojan Horse. Sixteen chapters for that one, by the way - and still going!

On a lighter note, I've thrown in a slightly changed 'Kavan quote' too. Sorry that I can't offer a real prize, but there's virtual cookies, with our favourite Major, for anyone who spots it.

Enjoy!

Homecoming Heroes

Chapter Eight - Seismic Shifts

John Sheppard was rarely lost for words, but… damn, he couldn't find any to say right now. If anyone had told him, that one of the bravest people he'd ever known had suffered such a horrific assault – yeah, he'd have smiled sweetly to humour them, then dragged them off to the nearest psych ward.

Evan Lorne, his Evan Lorne, thrown into a dresser? Damn near killed, by his own father?

It was unthinkable. However hard he tried, his shellshocked CO still just couldn't believe it. But as Evan had quietly told him, with such astonishing calmness, it had been a long time ago. And through all the bad times that had followed, the greater good had finally won.

He'd joined the Air Force, still gaining the science degrees that his father's recklessness had denied him. Tanni had inherited the guest house and, with her husband's help, turned Casita Bonita into a flourishing business. And his mother had pursued her greatest love, teaching the wonder of art to her son, and countless others.

And, with a wry smile, and flash of that famous humour, he'd saved the best change for last.

"And if we should ever meet sometime… yeah, I'm big enough now to kick his ass."

Despite what he'd just heard, John had to smile too as he studied his friend through justly proud eyes. From their sparring bouts on Atlantis, where Evan had tossed him around like a damn pancake – yeah, he had no doubt that he'd paste the bastard, with the same pleasure, onto the nearest sidewalk.

And yes, part of him almost hoped that he'd be there to see it, to cheer his friend on, and… uh-oh.

Oh, crap!

He'd hoped that jerk he'd just felt had been Evan, or one of the kids, shifting their weight, but… no. From the reaction he now saw on Evan's face, those telltale movements could only mean one thing. They were getting stronger too, passing through in a disorienting onslaught of jerks and shudders – enough to bring both to their feet, and for that to wake Kevin and Andy, at the worst possible moment.

Then again, they'd grown up here. They'd see an earthquake as just another, exciting adventure. And even at the tender age of six, little Andy Donnelly was as unflappably calm about it as his uncle – even if his terminology for such an unsettling experience threw his other uncle for a total loop.

"U'cle Evan? Has the Earth got hiccups again?"

"Yeah, but it's okay, buddy, it's just a small hiccup," Evan assured him, hugging him gently closer. Grabbing his telescope and tripod with the same, instinctive reflex, he then laid it quickly on the deck. Lying flat beside it, he gestured for John to do the same, while pulling Andy and Kevin between them. "But we're still going to show Uncle John what we do when that happens, okay?"

Andy was too young, of course, to hear the undercurrent of urgency that had run through his voice. His Uncle Evan was there, holding him tight. In his eyes, he was in the safest place in the world.

And although he'd heard it, John couldn't help but smile as he draped his arm over the boys' heads. When this was over, he and Major 'Rock-Boy' Lorne would be having a long, serious chat. Two science degrees, all that knowledge and know-how for how the Earth worked, and he'd come up with… hiccups?

Even with his knack for naming things, John wasn't sure if he'd have done any better, or if he'd have reacted to a situation that his XO was taking in his usual, unflappable stride. Any calmer, John thought dryly, and he'd need life support. And it didn't surprise him, at all, that he'd passed that enviable trait onto his nephews.

"We stay here, Uncle John, 'til they stop. Then we go down to our hiccup room," Andy explained, oblivious to the quizzical smirk, and the rueful grin, that passed in silent exchange over his head. That 'hiccup chat' was going to have to wait, of course, but… yeah, it was definitely going to happen.

More immediately, though, and to the serious relief of both of them, the tremors were starting to ease. As soon as they stopped, they were on their feet again, leading the boys inside with practised calm – in stark contrast to Rodney, who met them, just as they'd expected, in a state of gently advanced panic.

"Was – Was that an earthquake?"

"Yes, Rodney, but just a small one," John nodded, hoping his friend caught the hint that followed. "And so we don't upset the kids, we're going down to the hic-… the… um, safety room. Okay?"

Too agitated to notice that sudden correction, Rodney nodded, following his hosts along the hall – managing to muster enough from his streak of gallantry to give his unique twist to an age old adage. In times of danger, or disaster, it was women and children first – and slightly panicky scientists second.

That left an exasperated doctor, and three military leaders, to shake their heads, and take the rear. And just as John had proudly expected, Evan was the last one to follow them down into the basement. Or, to his more strategically honed eyes, a safety bunker that could see them through a miniature siege, let alone an earthquake. Water, blankets and camp beds, were laid neatly out beside tins of food, torches, and first aid kits.

Of course, having an Air Force Major in the family made such essential precautions a snap, but – well, that military training had to take a back seat right now, to let 'Uncle Evan' take its place.

The second wave of tremors were hitting them now, intensifying into a full blown 'quake that left them all staggering to stay upright – breaching the bravery of two little boys who, right now, just wanted their uncle to hold them. And as he coaxed them into his lap, quietly reassuring them, everything else in Evan's world melted away.

"Okay, guys, huddle in. That's it, hold tight, we're safe here… I've got you."

Settling in beside them, John glanced, just as instinctively, along a line of nervously anxious faces – knowing they'd all be thinking the same thing, as their precious sanctuary continued to shake. Yes, they were as safe as they could possibly be. But how big, and bad, was this thing going to get?

Five seconds dragged passed. Ten more. And then the lights went out.