Ace In The Hole
Chapter 12
Two weeks passed quickly, Team's begin going off world on an almost daily basis in an effort to re-affirm relations and treaties made…. to check up on old friends and allies and basically try to catch up on almost two years absence.
The Genii had suffered a devastating culling less than a couple of month's ago almost all of the people left on the surface had been taken by the Wraith, thankfully thousands more had once again escaped detection hidden deep underground. Sheppard had personally guaranteed that Atlantis would send all the help they could and that the tide would soon be turning but he knew in his heart from the faces of the grieving people he saw that they like many others in the galaxy they had begun to loose hope.
The first ray of hope to return came from Larin, she had managed to convince her people that joining up with them would be a good idea. Hesitantly at first traveller ships began arriving on Eden and their engineers immediately began repairs under the umbrella of safety that only Atlantis could afford them, for the first time in along time their children were aloud to play under open skies and even Ronon though of course he would never admit it had shed a tear at the looks of wonder that shone on their collective face's.
Radek had managed to produce the needed control units and Rodney and a group of dedicated scientists had begun modifying the interface ready for installation on the 304's both here in Pegasus and back home in the Milky Way. Earth for its part had begun making daily deliveries to Nautilus of supplies and materials, Heavy elements of course were needed with Naquadah highest on the list but it was soon realised the station could synthesize one heavy element into another heavy element with minimal effort it was converting lighter carbons and silicates into heavy elements that was time consuming and inefficient.
Nautilus had begun replicating Sentinel Satellites as fast as they could manage and Sheppard had used the 304's and available traveller vessels to begin positioning them around the galaxy. Gradually the net was coming on-line and all information was being fed directly to the city, and then down to the outpost control centre which had been unanimously named the CIC.
Alex had been amused when he had heard of the room's new allotted function from Dr McKaye he hadn't the heart to tell him that it was what the room was meant to be, but Sheppard had to point out the that it was obviously meant to be the control centre…. much to Rodney's annoyance.
"So how did it go out there?" asks Sheppard.
"We managed to place all eight satellites as required and ran into no problems…. Kinda glad…. being the new girl on the team I was hoping to ease her and the crew in gently" Grainger replies with a smile as they walk to the Mess hall to get lunch.
Sheppard had been a little wary sending the Adaris and her crew out alone being so green, but Grainger had insisted they got no preferential treatment and they would pull their weight. Sheppard had to admit that Grainger was an enigma to him he was confident and relaxed but seemed to have a playful adolescent side a lot like himself, he knew that unlike the other ships crew's the Adaris crew had remained on board trying hard to get the vessel and themselves battle ready. Sheppard had suggested lunch in the hopes of getting to know the British Colonel better before he sent him into possible harms way.
As Sheppard enters the mess hall he instantly notices Teyla and Jennifer sitting with Lorne and Alex over the far side of the room…. He also realises that Grainger has looked to where he was looking, Sheppard would have had to have been blind not to register sudden change in Grainger, his whole body has gone tense and alert…. And suddenly Sheppard is more than a little curious.
"So lieutenant I hear someone had a run in with a group of angry natives yesterday?" Teyla smiled warmly to Alex as she and Jennifer join him and Lorne for lunch.
"I see news travels fast around here…" Alex quips with a smile.
"Only the funny stories" Teyla quips back.
"Well it was kinda funny Lexy" Lorne grins.
"One…. You know I hate you calling me that…. And Two being chased naked through a field by thirty baying women…. All I can say is therapy and nightmares"
"Well ladies all I can say is…. Photographs" Evan holds his digital camera up with a smile.
"Oh no…. gimmi…." Alex blushes grabbing for Lorne's camera.
"Ah Ah Ah…. no you don't…. I am entering one of these for rear of the year when I visit Earth next" Evan grins.
"Mine…." Alex holds his hand out blushing "Or you get ice cold shower's for a week…. Sir!" Alex finally smirks as Lorne relents.
"That is just cheating…. Lexy!" Lorne replies with a grin.
"So why were you naked?" Jennifer asks and all four burst out laughing.
Suddenly Alex feel's a wave of panic hit him coming from Lorne and looks to him in concern.
"What's up?" Alex asks hesitantly but then spots Colonel Sheppard and Colonel Grainger approaching.
"Do you know that man Evan?" Teyla asks turning back to Lorne after seeing who it was had caught his attention.
"Something like that…." Evan stands face the picture of neutrality as Sheppard and Grainger join them.
"Lorne" says Sheppard.
"Sir" he replies his eyes sliding to meet Grainger's hesitantly but surely.
"This is…." Sheppard is taken aback slightly as Lorne cuts him off.
"Colonel Dominic Grainger…. We've met sir…. Colonel…. It's good to see you…. I didn't know you were here?" Lorne says stiltedly knowing full well everyone is watching.
"Well Adaris needed a CO so here I am…. Its good too see you again Lorne…. I had no idea you were stationed here…. Been a while" Grainger replies coolly equally aware of the audience.
"Sorry Colonel Grainger this is Teyla Emmagen, Dr Jennifer McKaye and Lt. Weir…. Ladies" Even finally tries to smile weakly at his obvious put down to Alex "This is Colonel Grainger…. Commander of the HMS Adaris" Alex is not buying Lorne's attempt to lighten the mood neither is anyone else.
"That's it…. I have had it!"
Dr Cairns is usually a mild mannered man, he can tolerate a lot of things but the pig headedness of one Dr. Rodney McKaye. After three successive arguments in the space of an hour he was through and is looking for his CO has he comes storming into the mess hall.
"Colonel Grainger…. You have to do something before I kill that pompous ass"
Sheppard and the group cant help smile knowing only one person on base could wind someone up so much.
"He's arrogant and moody and stubborn and…."
"Dr Cairns…." Grainger tries looking apologetically to the group especially Lorne who just starts to stare at his feet suddenly anxious.
"He never listens…. He always thinks he right…."
"Dr Cairns!" Grainger tries looking annoyed.
"And he's awkward and argumentative….and"
"Excuse me but when he gets like this there's usually only one way to stop him" Grainger sighs…. Then proceeds to grab him by the front of his jacket and pull the now startled scientist into a kiss.
"I wasn't expecting that" Jennifer quips to the startled group as they part, Sheppard even though stunned by the events unfolding can't help notice Lorne's reluctance to look up at what's happening and a thought goes through is mind for a split second before he pushes it away.
"Colonel Sheppard…. This stroppy shite is Dr David Cairns…. Sorry you had to hear his rant Dr McKaye" Grainger offers Jennifer before giving Cairns a nod.
"Oh God…. Wife?... Oh boy me and putting my foot in it…. Sorry Doctor…. It's just" Cairns tries to apologise impishly.
"Don't…. I live with him…. I know what you're going through" Jennifer smiles warmly knowing her husband could fall out and upset just about anyone.
"Anyway I think the Colonel and I will give you guys chance to finish your meals in peace care to join us Dr Cairns?" Sheppard asks with a smile trying to take in Lorne's every reaction from the corner of his eye.
"No thanks Colonel Sheppard I'll leave you two to it while I go sort things out with Dr Impossible" Cairns gives Grainger a look of annoyance before leaving.
"Good to meet you all….. Good to see you Evan"
"You too" Sheppard notices Lorne's eyes glance up before he sits down staring at his meal.
"OK…. They have gone…. Whats up Ev?" Asks Jennifer worried about her best friends sudden change of mood.
"Sorry about the kiss back there I know some in the U.S. military have a problem with that…. I hope it doesn't ruin our working relationship" Grainger offers with a smile.
"No…. God No…. What someone does behind close doors is their own affair…. Just took me off guard" Sheppard chuckles honestly "So…. you and the doc?"
"Oh no…. I love him to bits don't get me wrong…. But he's just my best friend…. And though I have no problem being out and open…. Dave still gets a little embarrassed if you show him up in public…. I soon figured out best way to stop him ranting…. Was a quick peck…. And I'm man enough for that job" Grainger grins too Sheppard.
"So what's the story between you and Lorne?" Sheppard asks with a smile but he is no fool, and his mind as already managed too connect the dot's before Grainger manages to say anything.
"We met a few year's ago…. I was in the first British squadron to come over to the U.S for 302 training" Grainger cast's his eyes down to his meal and Sheppard can see he is trying to consider what and how he should proceed "We were friends…. Had a falling out…. And haven't seen or spoken to each other since…. Was a shock seeing him here that's all" Grainger sigh's eyes remaining downcast.
An hour later Sheppard was on a mission. Grainger's reluctance to give him any detail's and Lorne's reaction in the first place had spoken volumes to him and as he headed towards Lorne's quarters he had a good idea of what was coming. He run's his hand over the door chime and takes a deep breath as Lorne opens with an obvious look of surprise.
"Sir?" Lorne asks hesitantly.
"Evan…. Can I come in?" Sheppard notices Lorne's eyes widen at the use of his first name and Sheppard can see the look of panic there already.
"Look…. I know this is a little weird…. but can I come in or do you want me to continue out here?" Sheppard crosses his arm's and offers him a slight smirk, before Evan step's aside cautiously.
"Sir…. I can" Evans starts to blurt out before Sheppard pushes him back to sit on the edge of the bed before he himself takes the small chair from behind Evan's desk and proceeds to sit down opposite him as well.
"Look…. Back at the SGC…. When I asked you to come to Atlantis and be my XO…. I told you then you can come to me for anything…. Right?" Sheppard sigh's "So why didn't you tell me?"
"Tell you what….Sir?" Lorne says it knowing full well Sheppard is finally on the same page.
"Oh I don't know…. that you're Gay…. Maybe start there"
"I…" Lorne sees the look that Sheppard is giving him and sighs.
"Look…. If I was a Middle American bible thumper then yeh I would understand it…. But come on…. You know me better…. Like I'd give a shit your gay" Sheppard can't help sound annoyed
"I didn't want to put my career at risk….sir…. and I didn't want to put you in the awkward position of having to defend me if it ever came out" Lorne finally sighs "I know the rules have changed but even so…. It's hard when you are so used to hiding something…. It kinda becomes engrained…. part of who you are"
"Evan…. You know what my black mark was for right?" Sheppard sees Evan nod slightly "Holland was my best friend…. he was also gay…. And had the hugest crush on me…. I mean come on who wouldn't" Sheppard smirks as Lorne's eyes lock with his with a look of annoyance "You wanna dream about my ass go right ahead…. but don't ever be ashamed by it…. It's who you are…. You're a good man and a damn good officer…. don't ever doubt that….OK?"
"Excuse me…. Where is Colonel Sheppard and what have you done with him?" Lorne asks almost not believing Sheppard.
"What?... You're gonna have to make do talking to John Sheppard here now…. Your friend…. and I'm telling you…. Evan Lorne that if you wanna ogle my ass that's up to you…. I have no problem with it…. I think I'm man enough to handle it" Sheppard grins
"Thanks…." Evan mumbles.
"For what?" Sheppard asks with a frown
"For being you" Lorne offers sincerely, but he has to smile inwardly as he notices Sheppard suddenly looks uncomfortable. He knows playful and flirty he can do…. But emotional that's far outside the Sheppard repertoire.
"So… you and Grainger…. Whats that about?"