In my little made up universe here, Dave Sheppard doesn't exist. John's dad was still a wealthy businessman but is dead as is his mother.
Also, let me state that I am not deaf, don't have any friends who are deaf or hard of hearing, and am not insinuated into deaf culture in any way, shape, or form- other than thinking that there is a very real cultural value to deaf culture and communication. Please forgive any trespasses and assumptions, no offense is ever intended.
Don't own. Just write stories. blah.
Sometimes John wished it wasn't so easy for Lorne to find him.
Teyla and John heard footsteps approaching and looked back to see the Major coming out to the end of the pier. While John appreciated his efforts in actually coming out in person, he still wished he had some more time to adjust to what was happening.
"Colonel, the Daedalus had to stop at Midway, something to do with the sublight engines. Hermiod insisted, apparently. They're going to gate the rest of the personnel here, and follow them here when the repairs are done to drop off supplies and take our personnel back in a day or two. So the new recruits are coming through as soon as we let them. They are awaiting your word."
John looked to Teyla and sighed. "OK. Thank you Major. And Major? Could you please see that all nonessential personnel is out of the gateroom?"
Lorne looked a bit puzzled at the request, but stated "Of course sir."
Sometimes John really loved his 2IC, but he knew an explanation was in order.
"The civilian transfer that McKay requested is, I think, my sister." stated John abruptly.
To give him credit, Lorne's face didn't betray any surprise even though he was thinking 'Holy shit. Colonel Sheppard's sister is a criminal?!'.
John continued, "Her name is Rowan and if nothing's changed in the past 5 years or so... this is going to be...interesting. I doubt she'd have agreed to come if she knew I was here. But she is and we are all going to have to adjust. That's all. Let me know when the gateroom is clear."
Lorne gave a lazy salute and said "Will do sir. And sir, let me know if there is anything else I can do. And if I may sir, I'm glad you have some family coming, I'm sure it'll all work out."
At that, John simply said "I sure hope so."
Lorne radio'ed the colonel's request about everyone leaving the gateroom to Dr. Weir.
Up in her office, McKay, Ronan and she were passing around theories of what happened with John's family. No one seemed to be able to come up with anything that made sense.
Ronon thought that maybe his family was mad that John didn't join the family business.
"But neither did his sister. That would've brought them closer together right? A joint refusal to join the business world? A hacker type certainly wouldn't want to do that...rat race and all." Elizabeth was so logical sometimes.
"Rat race?" said Ronan with a look to McKay- "you people are weird. What's fun about racing rats, and what's it have to do with business?"
McKay just waved his hands around and said "Just a stupid saying Ronan. Conformist. A hacker wouldn't be conformist- do what everybody else is doing, just because. Those types generally don't like that stuff".
"Maybe it has to do with money?" this came from Rodney.
"Oh please" said Dr. Weir, "when have you EVER thought that Colonel Sheppard gave a moments thought to money? The Air Force provides him with everything he needs-body, mind and soul- or at least I thought."
"Well. I just hope he doesn't piss off my new computer tech. When have you guys ever seen me excited about working with someone?! We have a real chance to make this place MORE. I've come to terms with the fact that I just don't have the time sometimes- since I'm always saving everything and everyone- and everyone else is always blowing stuff up, that I think this person could be trained to maybe, be...one day...along time from now...maybe...almost as useful as me. Not as smart though."
"Wow Rodney. That was almost a compliment." Ronan kicked him just for good measure too.
"Hey! Well, clearly she's good at breaking ciphers, and coding." Rodney said with an epic roll of his eyes. "But looking through all her past "achievements" she's more experienced than a lot of the other scientists here in just about EVERY aspect of programming AND she seems infinitely able to adapt to new computer languages and interfaces. Even I have to admit I have people under me who can't adapt worth a damn to new things. And seeing as we are in an ALIEN galaxy, this skill is kind of key. She can work into or break into any computer security system on Earth...so maybe she can be useful on Atlantis too, once she learns her way around. But obviously, she'll never be as good as me. I mean that's just obvious."
"Well, we will all get to know a lot more in a few minutes. We are ready to open the gate from Midway. They'll all be here soon enough." With that, Dr. Weir stood up and walked out to the gateroom. Ronan and Rodney followed, all eyes on the gate.
John was walking back to the gateroom with Teyla.
"Hey Teyla? If this transfer turns out to be some guy named Ed from New Brunswick, I don't suppose any of you guys will forget about this, huh?"
She put a hand out to stop John. "If that is truly what you wish, then I think we could. But John, you need to trust us. We will not hurt you. Not ever."
John simply looked at her with a sudden sadness in his eyes. He was thinking to himself - but you don't know me, not the bad parts, not yet...- instead he said out loud "I know", but with no real conviction behind it. With that they continued walking, with John following her lead.
As John entered the Gateroom, Teyla made eye contact with the rest of team- in that look she was able to convey "Don't ask. Not yet."
Ronan looked at John as he approached the bottom of the gateroom stairs where they were all standing and nudged him with an elbow. John nudged back. This made Ronan feel a lot better, he knew his friend was gonna be OK.
Rodney was still looking nervous and said "Look Colonel, I don't know what to say. I hope you guys will work this out. and I hope she's hot. Cause you know, we already have like an 8:1 man/woman ratio thing going on here. Not that'd I'd hit on your sister, but you know, if I'm going to work with her all the time..."
Dr. Weir gave Rodney a not so gentle nudge.
"Hey! I bruise like a peach!" exclaimed Rodney.
At that the tension in the room lifted and John looked relaxed for just a moment.
He stood on the bottom step of the stairs and said to his friends around him, "Thanks guys for being OK with this right now. I know I have a lot of explaining to do. And I will. I just have to see how Rowan takes all this. I'm thinking that I'm gonna be just as big a surprise to her as she was to me in all this... so... OK. Here goes-Colonel Caldwell?"
The gate was open and Colonel Caldwell responded "Yes Colonel, we are here and awaiting your word to disembark."
"Go ahead, send the recruits and scientists first. We will clear the room over here and then complete the civilian transfer" said John.
Elizabeth turned to Chuck, "Go ahead Chuck, open the iris".
The bright pool of light filled the gateroom as the iris opened and military personnel started to stream through. About 20 new marines and air force men and women came through followed by about 8 new scientists.
Colonel Caldwell piped in from Midway "Good luck with the transfer Colonel, better you than me. She had to be confined to quarters for the duration of the trip to Midway. Disorderly conduct. Happily- she's all yours, Caldwell out".
John sighed. Yeah, this sounded like his sister. Christ.
All the new recruits and geeks stood in the middle of the room gawking and turning in their places, taking it all in. Before John could ask Caldwell to hold off on the transfer - he wanted the new people out of the room, he didn't know how things were going to shake out between him and his sister and preferred not to have an audience- but before he could do that, the last person walked through the gate. Well, her and the two MPs escorting her.
All the military and new scientists were also interested in the "PRISONER" because she had gotten into several altercations on board- and no one had see her since, so they were all craning their necks to see her too.
John's friends looked to him, and it was clear from the look on his face that this was his sister. He looked blank. Absolutely no sign of what was going on inside. Normally, he'd look more welcoming to new recruits and scientist alike- he knew new personnel were nervous about travel to a new galaxy. Who wouldn't be?
From the looks of it, not his sister.
Everyone's attention was focused on, who they now knew was, Rowan Sheppard.
She was small, but had fine bone structure just like her brother. She was very fair, but looked strong. Her hair was jet black and looked like it had been hacked off by a blind man and it was pasted up in spikes. Her head was half shaved and from what Rodney could see, she had about a dozen piercings at least. Her brow, and her nose, and her lip were pierced. She had a chain from her nose to her cheek (who puts a stud in their cheek?) to her ear, she had a metal stud on her sternum and all sorts of jewelry on every limb. Rodney could not believe that this lunatic was Sheppard's sister.
Telya thought the Colonel's sister looked like no one she had ever seen, certainly not in her galaxy. Maybe her "look" was common to their homeworld? Teyla observed that from the way Rowan was standing it was clear she had a warrior's training, so yes..maybe graceful and powerful, but her strange clothing and hair was a puzzle. She wondered how this strange woman in front of her would fit into their lives.
Ronan saw that Sheppard's sister's eyes were surrounded by a band of black kohl and she had more metal and leather on her body than Ronan had ever seen on anyone in any galaxy. Her face looked dead serious, there wasn't hint of the awe and wonder on her face like the other new arrivals. She looked ready to fight. Ronan knew this look, any soldier knew this look. It was defensive. He wondered what she had done or seen to be like this. He also thought she was pretty hot. Rodney would be happy.
Elizabeth saw someone who was alert and slowing taking everything in. Rowan's clothes were of the darkest greys and black. It also looked like they went through a shredder and were pieced back together. Her hands were handcuffed in front of her, but she look anything but restrained. She looked like she was in control, those MPs were fooling themselves Elizabeth thought. Elizabeth noted that Rowan was methodically, and very slowly taking in the gateroom and very unlike the rest of the new arrivals, she was taking in the faces of the Atlantis personnel as well. She had yet to make eye contact with their small group at the base of the stairs. Even though all eyes were basically on her, she chose to ignore them. She was very consciously taking her time. What struck Elizabeth as most interesting was that the look on her face was identical to the one on Colonel Sheppard's. Yup. That was definitely his twin sister.
Finally, Rowan Sheppard's eyes came upon her brother. The only look of surprise, if that is what is was, was a slight a quick narrowing of the eyes.
Rowan started slowly walking towards her brother. Her guards (as they were) followed to see what was going on. Everyone in the room had kind of stopped talking when they noticed the prisoner walking towards the Military Commander of the base with, what could be interpreted as, a menacing look.
For their part, John's little family stood back and looked on with interest.
John and Rowan met up in the middle of the gateroom. Instead of saying anything she simply held up her handcuffed wrists in front of her. Her two guards look warily at Colonel Sheppard. This did not go unnoticed by Rowan. She noted how ALL the military personnel were asking for and taking their cues from her brother.
"Take 'em off" said John.
"Sir, we were told to complete the transfer in the brig..."
Colonel Sheppard cut them off "Take 'em off now. It's OK. I got it."
Warily, the guard closest to Sheppard complied.
Rowan stood for a moment, then made a small hand gesture [How long?]. John took a deep breath and returned a similar gesture [Five years].
"huh." said Rodney.
Ronan asked "what's going on? What's all that-(he made a wiggle of his fingers)?"
Dr. Weir explained "It seems that John's sister is deaf. She can't hear. What they are doing is called sign language."
Telya slowly nodded her head. "Ah. There are so few people here with this affliction that I do not believe I have ever met anyone with a similar language (at this she cocked her head to the side in a questioning manner)."
For those few moments the group had diverted their attention away from John and Rowan- who were just staring daggers at each other.
For her part, Rowan was processing the fact that her brother appeared to be in charge of the military here. She was also trying to keep her rage in check. Having his presence sprung on her like this made it seem as if the last 5 years never happened. All the rage, frustration and anger she felt all those years ago, came up like from a spring. Her posture didn't relax, if anything, she stood more erect, more tense.
Ronan, looking on, thought to himself- she's gonna hit him. He was pretty amused by this.
And then, she did. Or at least tried to. Apparently you can't get much past a twin brother because he caught her wrist just as quickly as she had raised it. The guards on either side of her went to restrain her, but she tore her hand from John's and throat punched one of the guards and swept the legs out from the other- all startlingly quickly.
John held up one hand and shouted "STAND DOWN! Everybody stand down!" About seven soldiers stopped in their tracks with P90s raised and aimed at his sister. The scientists had all run like mad away from the lunatic woman they saw attacking the MILITARY COMMANDER of the base and were all standing along one wall, just waiting for someone please, to show them how to get out of here!
The two guards on the ground at her feet struggled up and attempted to restrain her. John waved them off with a hand Rowan stopped and stood upright daring her brother to do something with her eyes. It was becoming painfully obvious to everyone in the room that there was someTHING going on here.
[What the hell is the matter with you?] John signed.
[Fuck you.] replied his sister.
[Look at you! A criminal Ro?! How the fuck did you end up here? What were you thinking?! Good job taking care of yourself, or do you even care?]
[I don't need you to take of me, I haven't EVER needed you for that and I'm doing just fine, fuck you very much. You think I do whatever anyone tells me? That's your job, Mr. Soldier. Fuck that noise. I'm here because I chose to be here.]
[You're here because YOU GOT CAUGHT.]
[You're dumber than I thought if you believe that, I go where I want to go. End of story.]
[Fine then. Christ. What are you doing here then?], this came from John.
[Ha! Don't you think I can ask you the same?]
John looked at his sister and sighed. John felt the heavy door that he had kept shut deep within himself open a crack, and a sense of longing hit him. He was suddenly fully aware of the fact that his twin sister, once his most trusted and close companion was standing in front of him again, after he had long lost any hope of seeing her again. [I've missed you.] He signed.
Rowan just glared at him, then narrowed her eyes slightly. [I forgot about you. I hate you. I disdain you. You should try it. It's good for the skin. Does wonders for the complexion.] Her face which had been contorted with emotion previously, was now blank again.
As a counterpoint, John was finding it difficult to keep his emotions in check at this had always been better at that anyway. [You're the one who left me. Remember?]
Apparently all John had to do to makeRowan lose control was to say that, because right about then she lost any remaining control she may have had on her temper. It broke loose in a fury.
[Look at you! Hiding in a GALAXY away from yourself! You are SUCH A COWARD! You left me, you left him, and you left YOURSELF somewhere in a deep, dark, hole A LONG TIME AGO!]
John glanced around him- but he didn't think anyone understood sign language here [WATCH IT, RO.]
Rowan sneered at him. [Look at you. Still hiding, still pretending. You are so blind! You are the one who is self destructing! Not me!]
[LOOK WHO'S TALKING! You look like a maniac, you don't care what the hell anyone thinks of you or what your behavior means for other people! I know you! This (waving his hands around) isn't you!] John was fuming now.
[How would you know?! And newsflash- I don't give a fuck what people think of me! YOU DO, You're the one that cares so damn much! You're the one that ran away like a fucking coward! YOU chose this!] Rowan threw the hand signs at him.
This hit home for John, and he staggered back a few steps from his sister. Rowan took a step forward, crowding into his space again. She continued signing, her fingers and arms moving in short furious gestures, ripping words into existence. John was doing the same. Their argument raged on. Both oblivious to the others around them.
Elizabeth had no idea what they were saying to each other. Whatever it was, it was not a happy conversation. Rowan's face was contorted with rage and John was becoming more and more angry. More angry than she had EVER seen him. Even more than anything this galaxy had ever thrown at them- wraith, genii- this was a seething anger she had never witnessed. She was becoming concerned. Should she step in? She knew the colonel wouldn't want to be doing this in front of his men.
Teyla was just at surprised at how things were unfolding. She could not imagine the amount of anger that was flowing between the two people in front of her. John and his sister were so focused that neither seemed to be aware that they were still in the middle of the gateroom.
Ronan was thinking that this was pretty awesome. He loved watching their hands fly in some secret language. He was fascinated! He figured the twins would figure things out between them. They had to. No choice.
Rodney was kind of panicking. It didn't look good for the long term that his new recruit was going to stay. And frankly, now that'd he'd seen her, he was kind of scared of her. She throat punched a marine twice her size!
Then all of a sudden the lights in the room seemed to go brighter. Too bright. Chuck was saying "Uh...Dr. McKay... this console is acting up..." All around them, any console or control panel was beginning to lose power, then surge back to life. Rodney tore his eyes away from the Colonel and his sister when he heard the rising tone of panic in Chuck's voice. Chuck didn't normally panic.
He ran up to his console and saw that power was fluctuating and basically going haywire. He looked up and saw that it was happening at alll the other consoles too.
Elizabeth sensed the change of air in the room and asked Lorne to order the remaining marines to escort the scientists and new recruits to safety, out of the gateroom.
Lorne, for his part, completely agreed. The air was charged. Literally. He could feel it on his skin. He wondered if other people felt it too. It felt electric. He herded the 30 or so people out of the room into the halls. Once they were safely ensconced in one of the labs, he returned to the gateroom, leaving a marine in charge of them.
Just as he returned, the side of Chuck's console blew off in a small explosion. Chuck squawked in surprise. John and his sister didn't even blink- they were too completely absorbed in their own world.
Dr. Weir looked to McKay- "What is happening here Rodney? I need answers!"
Rodney looked very hard at the arguing pair in the middle of the room and said "...I think it's them! I think they're making Atlantis go nuts! Oh my god! Stop them fighting! They have to stop!" All around them the lights were flickering and wall panels were beginning to pop.
John did stop gesticulating and signing at this point. He looked around him and held his hand up in Rowan's face. She didn't take this too well and proceeded to slap it away. That brought John's attention back to her and they started up again, with their sign fight.
"Make them stop!" Rodney was really in high alert mode now. These malfunctions weren't predictable- it had to be the fighting! Even the air around the pair looked brighter. He didn't know how or why, but he knew in his gut that the energy spikes were coming from them.
Just then both the Colonel andRowan were enveloped in a red light and they both dropped to the ground in a heap. However, much to Ronan's surprise, Rowan immediately started to try and get up again, looking like she might actually shake off the stunner blast. Ronan couldn't believe it. He blinked twice then shot her again and this time she stayed down. He stared at her a few moments, just to be sure. Then walked over to her and nudged her with his boot. huh.
Everyone turned to gawk at Ronan. "What?" he said. "You said to make them stop. I just stunned them, geez" he pouted.
Dr. Weir held her hand to her ear and called Dr. Keller to the gateroom for a very strange emergency indeed.
Dr. Weir, Rodney, Teyla, and Ronan- along with Dr Beckett and Colonel Sheppard's 2IC- Major Lorne were all crowded in the front area of the infirmary.
Dr. Keller walked out of the infirmary and held up her hands in a placating gesture, "OK, first I need you guys to tell me if this is really Colonel Sheppard's sister." She waited expectantly with wide eyes and a big gleeful smile.
"Yes, this is the Colonel's sister" said Elizabeth. "But, clearly, they have 'a past'", she lifted her eyes and made contact with each and every team member close by and state "...which we will NOT pry into. We will give them space and privacy to work this out."
"Of course," came a chorus. Then Dr. Keller continued, "They're both fine. Even though Ms. Sheppard was hit TWICE (with a glare at Ronan, who just shrugged). I expect Colonel Sheppard will be out for about 3 hours, since that's been about how long these stunner blasts have affected him in the past (with another glare at Ronan, who met it with another shrug). I don't know how long Ms. Sheppard will be out, I'd imagine at least 3 hours. Maybe less, maybe more. I've put them in adjoining beds for now. When they wake up, I hope for the sake of my staff, that they don't pick right up where they left off. I heard it was pretty intense down there. Did the place really start to go nuts? We didn't notice anything here."
Dr. Weir looked up. She had been sitting with her face in her hands. "It certainly seemed like that. They were having a pretty intense...conversation, and the air just got...electrified. The equipment seemed to react. Teyla, could you please illuminate us as to what the hell happened between these two?"
"I cannot, Dr. Weir. I wish I could. John only confided in me that he and his sister had a falling out, most likely stemming from his devotion to the Air Force. I do not know any details of any actual instances that led them to this point."
"OK everyone, that enough excitement for now. It's new recruit day still and I'm sure we all have pressing matters to attend to", said Dr. Weir as a dismissal.