Markus hates waiting. And having Meredith here with him is a pain and a blessing at the same time. He had put on a good show up there, but inside he was in agony. And doing this waiting game solo probably would've driven him insane, too, just in another way.
"Mer, sit down. There is nothing you can do to make them make this decision quicker," he reaches out to the pacing woman just when there is a knock on the door.
"Who knocks around here?" Mer asks the obvious question. Almost everyone, especially the natural gene carriers, would use the door chime. Her hand is almost at the sensor when Markus calls out, "Come in!".
The door swooshes open and reveals his parents. It strangely doesn't feel as weird as he thought, referring to the two people outside this way.
"Colonel," he stands up and straightens himself out.
"Lieutenant," the man acknowledges the formal greeting and taxes a more relaxed stand.
"So what did you decide?" Meredith interrupts the silence that had been forming in the room and interlaces her fingers with his. Markus has half a mind to pull his hand free, but somehow, his girlfriend anticipates that and squeezes his fingers.
"Fair enough, you are invested doctor," Colonel Lorne nods his head to what looks like the surprise of everyone in the room.

Markus fights the urge to frown at the pause the colonel takes. Yes, in this moment, he is plainly thinking of the man as his boss.
"Lieutenant," the man begins again, "you tried to take all the blame for a situation you had no control over. Yes, you were correct. You acted rashly and not exactly becoming an officer, but we collectively take the blame for that."
Now, Markus can't help but frown in confusion. Where was this going?
"The Generals and I have two options for you, technically three, but let's cross that bridge when we get there," the slight grin on the colonel's face shakes something loose in Markus. It is as if, in that one moment, the water bubble surrounding him burst, and he can clearly see the resemblance. That man is his father, for sure.
Markus tunes out for a second and glances at his mother. She just widens her eyes at him and interjects,
"Let's take a seat."
Seeing Colonel Lorne pull out a chair for his mom feels strange, but Markus all but mirrors his actions anyway and does the same for Mer before plopping down on his bed, leaving his father with the ottoman.

"You have a choice now," the colonel begins seconds after sitting down and shifting a bit uncomfortably, "and I've been instructed to tell you whichever option you pick, you'll have the full support of command staff."
Markus swallows a little, but there is hope crawling up that he might be able to stay.
"Option 1: you go back to Earth and take an assignment in a more administrative role as all gate teams are fully staffed right now,"
Markus nods and squeezes Mer's hand to keep her from blurting whatever just popped into her head. He can guess what that is, and it probably wouldn't be an acceptable word in this conversation.
"Your second option could be to stay here. You'd lose command for a short while,"
"What? You can't be serious!" interrupts the colonel, a duet of voices, and Markus turns his head, confused between Mer and his mom.
"Let me explain," his boss and father, as his inner voice likes to remind him now, holds up his hands to calm the women down, "the lieutenant would have to finish his training with the Marines, and after that, he would be eligible to pick his own team."
For a moment, Markus forgets to breathe.
That was totally unexpected. Was this preferential treatment?

"and the third option?" Markus hears the hope behind Mer's words, but somehow, he doesn't share that sentiment, especially when he sees the cringe on the colonel's face.
Whatever is coming now, it almost looks like he is already anticipating his burial.
"The final option would be for Markus to be discharged honorably but immediately."
The words somehow echo in his head, and Markus swallows.
"When do I have to decide?" he asks, looking straight at the man who just presented him with his fate.
"You are confined to quarters until you've made a decision. Whichever decision you make, any action will only be taken after the party tonight, which I am informed will start in about three hours."
After that, the colonel rather quickly takes his leave.
"Mer, can you give me some time with my mom?" he looks her straight in the eyes and pleads with her to just do as he asks this once.
"Call me before you make a decision?" Mer widened her eyes and then pressed her lips to his cheek before walking away.
After the door closes again, he finally takes in his mother. She seems a little bit more relaxed now that they are alone, but her expression is still serious.

"Mom," he begins, but she holds up her hand.
"Markus, I should've known you would be part of this operation. I mean, I just, I would've liked to have known."
"I didn't know you had clearance,"
"Where did you think I knew all the others from?"
"Aunt Carolyn," Markus hears himself answer and knows the answer is weak.
"Mom, I meant what I said up there. I should've asked more questions, but why did you never tell me that my father is a freaking Colonel in the Air Force. The same darn Air Force I am a part of. You gave me his last name, for heaven's sake!"

"I always wanted you to know him. I just couldn't," Markus watched his mother fumble for words. "How was I supposed to explain to you that you couldn't talk to him? I mean, I didn't even..."
"Mom, what happened? Did you tell him?" he blurts out, finally realizing that right now, he wasn't even sure of that integral fact.
"I couldn't. He was in the city on their flight to Pegasus when I found out and," she swallows, "I know it was selfish of me, but he chose this darn city and mission over staying with me. I didn't, I couldn't...".
Markus frowned and stayed quiet until he felt the mattress shift next to him and his mother's hand land on his.
"You're going to make the same choice, aren't you?"
Markus involuntarily blinks a few times and then presses his eyes shut.
"Are you mad?" he whispers after a stretch of silence.
"No, it is your decision to make and if you're sure. You heard Evan. You get to stay. Finish your training, and stay healthy."
When his mother gets up after that, he pushes off the bed, too.
"Where are you going?" he asks, stopping his mom in her tracks.
"I was going to pack my things and see about gating back to Earth after the party. That's why I came, and not to cause drama."
"It's gonna sound weird, Mom, but I kinda wish I had known you were here. Maybe even grown up in the city. Can't you stay?"

„I'll stay for the party," she repeats, and this time, he is sure she is choking a little.
"That's not what I mean," Markus whispers and hugs his mother, "what happened, really?"
He guides her back to sitting down.
But Jennifer Keller can be a stubborn mule, too. She blinks twice and then takes a deep breath.
"Markus, the one thing you have to know is I made the decision to stay on Earth and not return to Pegasus. And I also decided not to tell your father about you right then and there. So you can be mad at me for that, and I'll take that. And now I suggest you do what Meredith asked of you and then tell command your decision. Because I am sure she hates surprises."
"Deal, and I get to dance with you tonight at least once."
The duo hugs, and Markus takes a moment to himself after his mother leaves.
He still hasn't gotten the full picture of his parents, but he understood this much: his mother had been out here and in the city when it had flown back to earth.
With a deep breath, he leaves his quarters, and his feet lead him directly to Sheppard's office.
The glass is clear, and he can see the command staff in there together.
"Come on in, Lieutenant," Sheppard beckons him in with a curious expression on his face.
"Okay, out with it," his uncle chuckles, probably because he saw his hesitation.
Markus swallows and relies on his training.

Markus calmly tells the men that he decided to take the offer to stay and finish his training. He fully expects to be put on security rotation, as he hotly remembers that was the original plan but he finds himself being dismissed with the advice to make himself useful in party prep.
Even telling Meredith his decision was easy. She actually fell around his neck for a second before remembering the tasks list at hand and putting him to work.
The rest of the day flies by in a flurry of activities before Markus finds himself in his quarters again putting on the quite unfamiliar dress uniform. Yes, they have it here, but they never actually have an opportunity to wear the dress blues.
He can't deny he still has so many questions for both of his parents. But maybe not tonight.
It's not about them or their family. This is to celebrate the McKays.

After a short vow renewal and the announcement that the food will be buffet style while the dancefloor is also open, Markus looks around. He can see his mother slip out onto a small balcony, and then his eyes instantly scan the room for the elusive Colonel, who had been standing across the room from them the whole night.
Yes, he was still leaning there.
Markus excused himself from the conversation he was having and headed out for his mother.
"I remember you promised me a dance," he steps to her side and holds out his hand.
"Don't you want to dance with your date first?"
"I have all night for that," he winks at his mother and receives a swat at his arm.
But she lets him lead her inside.
They sway to the music in silence before something strange happens. The colonel walks in their direction.
He had never been a romantic, and he still can't say he believes in this tale of everlasting love, but maybe this could lead to him having a real family?