I would not be the person I am today without the support all of you have shown me.

-E-

Despite having on numerous occasions entered the control room and stood around as if she were a fixture, Eva had never entered the control room with the express purpose of asking for a favor. She'd always come because of the various missions that required her presence.

Entering the hustle and bustle of activity without an express ass-kicking agenda or the naggling worrier in the back of her mind that was always categorizing potential threats to distract her made her feel downright awkward.

Aside from that, she'd rarely approached Doctor Weir. Sheppard seemed to think highly of her, and the few interactions Eva had with the woman were generally positive. Doctor Weir projected compassion like a shield. Her emotions were always clearly written on her face.

Right now, the Doctor was striding across the upper floor, tablet in hand and Sheppard right behind her. They appeared to be discussing something.

Today was her father's birthday. It was her first chance to go back to Sarif Sur and visit him.

Oh, she was fully aware that he was dead, but until now she'd never had the option to go back and spend a day just walking through her former home. As a Runner, she hadn't wanted to know that her whole world had been destroyed.

That excuse was no longer viable now that she was free.

Weir and Sheppard entered her office. Nothing for it but to follow them and hope she wasn't interrupting something important.

A few of the scientists nodded at her and she nodded back.

"...check it out. Could just be a malfunction with communications."

"I'll get my team assembled and ready to go in twenty minutes."

Eva tapped against the frame to get their attention. "Doctor Weir, I need to talk to you."

Weir exchanged a look with Sheppard, who stifled a grin. She wasn't sure what about her statement amused them. A small frown creased her forehead.

"Please, come in," Doctor Weir gestured to her desk. "What do you need?"

"To talk to you," Sheppard provided, and Weir slapped him across his arm without looking.

"I'm not sure how the protocol here works for visiting other planets, but I would like to go to Sarif Sur."

The sparkle of amusement fizzled out in Weir's eyes. "Not that I plan on denying your request, but is there a particular reason?"

"Yes."

Both of them waited for her to say more.

"...When?" Weir asked once it became clear that Eva wasn't going to say more on the subject at that time.

"Today, if possible."

Sheppard immediately shook his head, and Eva frowned again. "You're part of my team, Eva."

"Could this wait?"

It could, she decided, but she couldn't entirely stifle the feeling of... heartache? that accompanied the idea.

Something of her expression must have made itself evident to Doctor Weir because she motioned for Eva to sit on the small chair while seating herself at the adjacent one. Once seated, she said, "I get the sense that there's something more to your request than wanting to see your homeworld."

Eva fidgeted on the chair but maintained a firm gaze with Doctor Weir. "There... is."

"And you'd rather go today than tomorrow?"

"If possible, yes."

Sheppard leaned against the desk in her periphery. She once again got the sense of a lazy predator. Someone who was casually taking in all the information about the environment around him without giving the sense that he was doing any such thing.

"Today marks the day of my father's birth." She spoke the words in a rush. "And I'd like to..." her voice faltered near the end.

She wasn't good with this kind of stuff.

"I think I understand," Doctor Weir replied. Eva was grateful.

She didn't like admitting vulnerable, sentimental stuff. It made her feel weak, and she loathed feeling weak.

"Listen, this is just a check and run mission. I think we'll do just fine without you so if you need to go take care of something, you can do that," Sheppard interjected. "Though I think it'd be good if Major Lorne accompanied you."

"I agree," Weir said. "It's not my policy to send people alone, even if they're visiting friendly places."

"And I wouldn't exactly call Sarif Sur a friendly place," Sheppard noted dryly.

"That's acceptable," Eva answered. "I can wait to leave till after you've left, Sheppard."

The Colonel grinned at her cockily. "Excellent, that's settled then. I'll call Major Lorne."

Fifteen minutes later, Eva was standing at the base of the ring next to Lorne, mingling on the outskirts of Sheppard's team. Carson and Rodney were discussing the various reasons the communications could be down, ranging from 'dumb shows who turned their mics off' to 'electrical interference,' the latter agreed as the more likely by both parties.

Teyla wished her well on her journey, and Eva thanked her for the kind words.

Rodney interjected before she'd even finished thanking the Athosian, and Teyla grinned at her wryly. "Wait, you're not coming with us?"

"No," Eva answered.

Rodney stared at her for a moment, before saying, "Oh for the love of..." and walked away, muttering under his breath about 'terseness' and 'simple answers.' She shook her head. That coming from him.

"Good luck," Sheppard approached her and Major Lorne. "And stay safe. Radio back in two hours to check in."

Lorne nodded at Sheppard. "Same to you, Colonel."

"Do you know how long you're going to be?"

Eva considered. She only needed to visit the temple to say a proper goodbye to her family and wish her father well. But she did want to look around. "Maybe six hours. We'll be back before the end of the day."

"We'll keep a light on." With that, Sheppard strode away.

The ring activated and Sheppard's team departed. She met Ronon's eyes just before he disappeared through the blue curtain. For the barest moment, they'd appeared to be tinged with concern.

"Ready?" She asked Major Lorne.

-E-

AN: The next few chapters happen concurrent to 'Phantoms.'