Ace In The Hole
Chapter 25
Woolsey looks out of the infirmary office door once more too make sure for the fifth time already that his eyes are not deceiving him before turning back to look at Jennifer and the recently recalled Carson.
"Could someone please explain this too me?"
"I asked for Carson's help because... well frankly Mr Woolsey I am a little stumped by what I have found" Jennifer says with a sigh.
"It looks like the device seems to have scanned all those with the Ancient gene it came into contact with and once it had the genetic profile it needed it altered the two wee Asgard on a micro cellular level" Beckett says whilst reading some of the information on the data pad held in his hand.
"So you are saying that they are some sort of hybrid?" Woolsey asks looking slightly concerned.
"No... they are now mostly human... but that wasn't the thing that stumped me" Says Jennifer as she walks over too and activates the nearby screen. "This is a normal healthy strand of human DNA" she quickly points to the strand on the left glancing at Woolsey to make sure that he is keeping up "This one on the right is a strand of Asgard DNA"
"But these are the children's DNA samples" Dr Beckett hands Woolsey the pad "You see?... its forming a triple helix two strands human but it has a third recessive strand of Asgard DNA..." The excitement on Carson's face is clear too see.
"Its never been seen before... well not naturally anyway... not on any of the planets we have ever been too in Pegasus or the Milky Way or even in any of the galaxies the Destiny has visited... DNA as always been coded into a double helix no matter the lifeform... this level of manipulation is way beyond us... possibly beyond even the research the Ancients did... the possibility's it could open up is eminence" Jennifer adds.
"So how are two boys supposed to sire an entire race?" Woolsey asks looking totally confused once more.
"The Asgard DNA can still be passed on once they reach maturity... they still have their original Asgard reproductive organs" Beckett smiles.
"You mean they... you know" Woolsey blushes furiously looking completely scandalised.
"No...no...no... the Asgard didn't reproduce like we humans do... do you not read any of the research reports coming out of the SGC" Carson says shaking his head, Jennifer can't hide the smile that has crept across her face.
"I read the relevant information doctor" says Woolsey in a slightly huffy tone.
"The Asgard have a small receptacle here in the cubital fossa area of the arm that accepts relevant genetic material from a partner" Says Jennifer before looking at Carson with a smirk too continue.
"Aye its where the genetic material is secreted from that caused a few raised eyebrows back home" Carson returns the smirk, Carson points to the small area on his hand between his thumb and is fingers "Here" he now openly grins as Woolsey's eyes widen.
"Your saying every time one of us shook hands with them we were actually..." Woolseys voice falters before even he smiles broadly "Was General O'Neill informed?"
"Aye... I believe Doctor Jackson enjoyed passing on that particular piece of information too him personally" Carson chuckles.
"So are they just copies of the Colonel?... the device can't have come into contact with that many people with the Ancient gene" Woolsey asks finally getting the idea of O'Neill and Thor shaking hands out of his head.
"Only three individuals were scanned... Alex was rejected because of the nanites in his system" Says Jennifer quietly.
"So you are saying that genetically these two children are Colonel Sheppard's and Lt. Colonel Lorne's" Woolsey says eyes widening.
"Aye plus a bit of Asgard on the side... its never a dull day in Pegasus is it"
"Colonel... please take a seat" Carson directs the Colonel to the seat in front of him and Jennifer with an easy smile.
"Can't we just get outta here the kids are starting to get restless" Sheppard sighs before slumping in his chair.
"Colonel what's the last thing you remember before waking up in the infirmary" Jennifer asks.
Sheppard thinks for a few seconds and smiles.
"Glowing golf balls... then... I woke up" Sheppard frowns slightly before he openly smiles "I'm not going mad... I know"
"What is it know?" Carson asks looking slightly confused at the Colonels sudden happy face.
"It's kinda hard too explain... but I know without a shadow of doubt... that those two boys out there are mine... I brought them here with me too Pegasus when I first came here... it was the only concession I asked Dr Weir for in exchange for me agreeing to come to Atlantis" Sheppard rubs the back of his neck nervously like the next idea scares him slightly "I also know that they are the two Asgard that we rescued a few weeks ago"
Both Carson and Jennifer suddenly look a little surprised by the Colonels admission but they wait for Sheppard too continue.
"Like I said its a little hard too explain... I know that device has implanted me with these memories and sure normally I would be furious and see this as some sort of violation... but they are a part of me... I can remember walking around the city for hours trying too get them to go to sleep for the first few months after we arrived, I remember the first time I took them too the beach on the mainland... the first time they scraped their knee, their first loose tooth... I have so many new memories... good memories... happy memories... I don't care if they are real or not... they are my son's and I will do everything in my power to keep them safe." Sheppard looks resolute and determined.
"No one expects otherwise Colonel" Jennifer finally smiles but her smile falters slightly as Carson speaks.
"It's not that simple laddy... you remember them being here hell... even they might remember being here... but everyone else here in the city will not know them... take it from me John I have been there... the looks... the whispers... its gonna be tougher than you think" Carson smiles before continuing "Then there is the practical things too consider...what about your quarters?... do they have any clothes?... or even a bed too sleep in?... I'm not trying too take this away from you Colonel I just want too help you be prepared"
"Thanks... I hadn't thought about those kinda things" Sheppard suddenly looks weary.
"What about Lorne?" Jennifer asks quietly her best friend never far from her mind.
"What about him?" Sheppard asks eyes snapping up too Jennifer immediately.
"Well laddy it seems that the device merged your DNA with Lornes DNA too alter the wee kiddies" Carson says tactfully as possible.
"Oh this just get better" Sheppard sighs once more rubbing the back of his neck in frustration.
"It had too otherwise it would have just produced two clones of you" Jennifer says shuddering at the idea of what dangers two more copies of Sheppard would bring.
"It had to combine samples from two people with the gene since only... Lt. Weir, Lorne and you came into contact with the device it chose the only two it could" Carson adds with a small smile... "Thankfully I was off world"
"Thanks... I think!" Sheppard notes Carson's smile.
"The memories this device implanted... there's no mention of a mother being involved... maybe the Asgard planned for this somehow?" Sheppard says trying too wrap his mind around the fact that he and his XO have just become parents.
"That will not rest well with some in the military back home... especi..." Carson suddenly stops himself unsure if the Colonel knows about Lorne, Jennifer turns too glare at Carson but Sheppard just chuckles causing them both to look at him.
"You mean cause he's gay?... they would probably blow a gasket then if they knew I was bi then wouldn't they?" Sheppard just grins at Carson and Jennifers stunned expression "Besides who you like too share a bed with has fuck all too do with them"
"True..." Carson says recovering quickly and regaining his composure "But there are still a lot of idiots in the military laddy they would just love any excuse too remove either you or Evan from the city"
"Let em try" Sheppard huffs causing both Jennifer and Carson too grin... "Besides there's nothing going on between us never has been... I'm his CO for gods sake... I may bend the rules occasionally but I don't go out my way to break 'em" Sheppard almost pouts causing both Carson and Jennifer too snigger "OK... I don't go out to break em on purpose!" Sheppard glares at Jennifer and Carson who both look at him innocently.
"Yes... well... rule breaking aside I think this is one that we should play by ear... you and the boys" Jennifer cuts Carson off holding her hand up.
"Sorry... its just... do they even have names?" Jennifer asks Sheppard sheepishly shrugging her shoulders.
Sheppard just roles his eyes "Of course they do... Matthew and Mark... guess if it had have been triplets there would have been a Luke as well" Sheppard smiles seeing them quickly make the connection.
"Well you and the boys get settled in for the night here in the infirmary... and we will inform those that need too know... get you a room sorted ready for tomorrow... Deal?" Carson says suddenly looking like a man on a mission as he rises too his feet.
"Sure... on one condition... Doc?" Sheppard looks at Jennifer who just nods "I want you too inform Lorne... but make it clear... he follows the kids lead... if they treat him like Lt Colonel Lorne then that is who he is, I'm not saying I don't expect him to be in their lives... hell he may not even wanna be"
"He will... I guarantee it" Jennifer smiles
"Still he has to let them dictate terms... my heads been stuffed with these memories as have theirs... I'm not sure as too where he's gonna fit in... god this is so screwed up" Sheppard finally chuckles releasing some tension.
"Don't worry Colonel... I'll explain everything"
"This is fucked up!... even by Pegasus standards"
"Rodney!" Carson roles his eyes as they look at yet another suitable set of quarters on Alex's list of suggestions for the new Sheppard family home.
"Well honestly... Sheppard... Kids... Who in the right mind would put those two ideas together!" Rodney is soon off on a roll oblivious to the fact Carsons largely ignoring him "And then there's the whole who's the mom and who's the dad... course I would of said I could see Lorne playing mom he's got that whole sensitive thing going on..." Carson just roles his eyes "But he is military so maybe not... but then you learn Shep's well... so maybe..."
"Maybe we just think these thoughts without vocalising them hey Rodney" Carson says shaking his head.
"I think better vocalising my thoughts... it helps when I'm in shock" Rodney gripes heading too the door
"Well vocalise quieter!"
"How is he?"
"According to Dr Beckett... remarkably calm considering the situation that has been thrust upon him" Teyla says to Ronon as they walk to the mess hall.
"Being a father is gonna change him!" Ronon can't help the sound of resentment creeping into his voice.
"In what way?"
"It'll make him soft!"
"Do you truly believe that?" Teyla stops to look at the burley man fully "If anything... it will make him even stronger"
"How do you work that out?"
"Before he fought to protect the city... and his friends.."
"And now?"
"Now he is fighting for his children... a parents urge too protect their child is one of the strongest and most primitive out there" Teyla gives a warm knowing smile. "You will see when you too have a child"
"How can you be so sure?" Teyla just grins
"Easy... I'm a mother"