Standing in the gate room with two generals, the McKays, who have postponed their party, and Jennifer felt so odd to Evan, but what was even more insane to his mind was that he was waiting for his son.
The last 26 hours he still couldn't make heads or tails off it, but something clicked in the back of his mind, and he remembered that painting he did all those years ago—the one when he still thought that the young lieutenant might be one of his nephews.
Inward, he groans at himself. How could I've forgotten about that?
He hears Mitchell radio for Markus and Meredith to come through, and his breath stops mere seconds later when the two young persons appear hand-in-hand.
His heart and stomach drop. He saw this development coming and tried to counsel Markus on keeping a professional relationship with the scientist. Seems that didn't work.
"Lieutenant, we have a lot to talk about," Mitchell says, and his voice commands all of them in their places.
"You can have the conference room all to yourself," Sheppard chimes in.
"Okay, anyone named Lorne, Sheppard, Carter, Mitchell, or Keller may join us," Mitchell again takes charge, and after a protest starts from the right "McKay may join, if you can stay silent and listen!"
Evan slumps his shoulders. How come his life had become part of a meeting with so many people? He wanted nothing more than to talk this out alone with Jennifer. But that was impossible. She had barely explained anything. She told him she only found out about the pregnancy when he'd already been back on New Athos.
He remembers their last exchange via email vividly. It's still saved in his account.
"I can't leave my responsibilities behind."
He regrets those words now. He left a very important responsibility behind.
They all filed into the conference room, and the walls closed around them. Everyone takes a seat. Evan focuses on his superiors. They clearly have something important to say.
"Lieutenant?" Mitchell questions, and Evan turns to look at Markus, still standing. He even snaps to attention at being addressed.
"Generals, Sirs, I'd prefer not to be here. I don't see the point in having a conversation with this many people. I take full responsibility for my actions and will accept any punishment you deem necessary," the young man says, and his eyes are fixed on a point behind the generals.
"What are you doing?" the younger McKay reaches out and tries to convince the lieutenant to stay.
"I do realize a lot could've been avoided if I had asked questions. My actions were not worthy of my country's trust in me and my services. I should've questioned the status or connection I have personally to this program way before I came out here. It is obvious that I missed a lot of clues. So I prefer to wait in my quarters until you've reached a decision on my future with the Air Force."
Evan is shocked and impressed by the composure the young man, his son, is showing.
"Okay, Lieutenant. Dismissed. Just do me the favor and talk to your mother," Mitchell smiles at Markus, who turns after a quick 'thank you' and salutes.
He barely listens to the next part. Carter explains this all needed to happen just as it did, and when his eyes land on Jennifer, she looks shocked, but she still nods. She, too, remembers the time the 'future' Atlantis team frequently showed up.
"Did I ever operate on Markus?" she suddenly whispers.
"No, it was a team member. He got his injury with a Marine unit," Carter chimes in.
All eyes settle on Carter, and for a split second, everyone in the room is silent, but then Evan feels one pair of eyes burn into him.
"Who sent him with the Marines?" Jennifer asks, and he has to swallow.
Before Evan can get his mouth to work, Sheppard interjects: "Markus is an exceptional soldier, and we thought it best to give him the best training and possibilities to excel as a team leader."
Evan is a little surprised Sheppard takes him out of the line of fire, but maybe that's a good thing right now.
"Okay, now that that's cleared up," Mitchell claps his hands twice, "why don't the Drs McKay show doctors Lam, Keller, and Carter to the respective places of interest while we talk about the assignments of soldiers and other contingent decisions,"
"But," McKay pipes up.
"I'll fix your database, Rodney," Carter pulls out a crystal, and suddenly McKay is silent and all but compliments her out of the room.
Evan pushes out of his chair, too.
"Colonel, don't you want to do your job? Should we know something?" Mitchell's voice freezes him in his motion.
"Sorry, sir?" he can't hide his surprise. Yes, he had listened, but he expected not to have a say in this decision.
"It might be unusual, but he is my godson too. You are the head of the military contingent, even if Sheppard here is outranking you. It is your decision, too, what will happen with Markus."
About 30 minutes later, Evan can leave one of the most uncomfortable meetings of his life, and that includes the therapy session after he almost shot Sheppard back in the day during the nightmare situation. His feet have found the path to his thinking spot—just like every time he needed some time to himself. But as soon as his hand has waved over the sensor and the door glides open, he can feel it. She is out there.
He contemplates turning around and not doing this right now, but in all honesty, maybe this was supposed to be. Maybe he should take the opportunity to talk to Jennifer again.
Evan finally decides to move, only to collide with Jennifer immediately. His arms shoot out to steady her.
"Oh," Jenn breathes in surprise and adds, "it's you." She lowered her gaze and stepped to the side.
"Can we," he motions to the sitting option off to the side—a place where they spent many a moment together out in Pegasus or the San Francisco bay.
"What did you decide about Markus? Did you already tell him?" she tilts her head, and he can hear fear and hope mixed in her voice.
"The Generals thought I should talk to him with you present," Evan shoves his hands into his pockets. That was the 'order' that made him need time to think. He didn't know how to approach that conversation. And now fate had decided for him.
"Okay, what are we waiting for then?" Jennifer questions his actions.
"I didn't know how to approach you and needed some time to think. To wrap my head around all of this," he lets out. "I don't understand why you didn't tell me."
"How was I supposed to do that?" she shoots back, "You were in hyperspace on your way to another galaxy!"
"You know we were reachable as soon as we'd landed. The gate bridge had been established," Evan felt himself getting heated again, but a few measured breaths helped keep his temper in check. "I just would've liked to know. I do realize I probably wouldn't have been able to just up and resign my commission and come be with you, but I would've liked to try and be there for you."
"My friends were there for me," Jennifer whispers, and a sharp pain settles in Evan's chest again.
"Did all of them know? Did Sheppard?"
"I don't know what Sheppard knew. I didn't tell him. But yes, Cam knew. I had to explain the last name somehow," Jennifer exclaims in a low voice.
"That's the thing: you eliminated any idea of telling me I have a son personally, but you give him my name. Why?"
"Because I always intended to tell him about you if and when he asked. But Markus never did. Instead, he subconsciously became your son even more. He applied to the academy against all my protests. "
"Because of me?" the words tumble out of his mouth before Evan can stop himself.
"No, yes, yes, and no," Jen fumbles and gets up. "I mean, I didn't wanna lose him. He could've done anything else. He is so smart. But also, yes, I just I tried not to see uniforms too much. It always brings up memories I try to forget."
Evan stands there listening to Jennifer's quiet words. He knows exactly what she is talking about. It should be the same memory that makes him flee the city this time of year.
"I am so sorry," he finally says, straightening his spine. After a deep breath, he takes a step to her side, and they both lean on the railing, looking out at the ocean.
"We should go and tell Markus his options," Evan softly says.
Jennifer furrows her brows at him. "Options?"
"Nothing too nefarious. I promise. Come on," Evan waves for her to follow him, and together, they head down and over to Markus's quarters. In the transporter, Evan pulls out the life signs detector, and low and behold, he sees what he suspected. In the room in question, there are two people. But that might be a good thing because whatever was next, Meredith heard it firsthand. He remembers how his younger self suddenly explained why Air Force officers would train with Marines to the young scientist.
He chuckles a little to himself. This whole situation was a mess. How hadn't he put this together earlier?
"What's so funny?" Jennifer queries.
"I just remembered something from 26 years ago... Meredith really hates me. She blames me for Markus's injury, you know."
He knows Jennifer wants to ask another question, but as they have arrived at their destination, that will have to wait.