''Interstellar Destiny''

You're Home

Crossing the gate back at the SGC, Lara sees Jack standing at the bottom of the ramp, looking just as sad as she feels. She stops halfway down the ramp, watching her friends place Evan's coffin on a gurney and it being taken out of the Gate Room.

Lara takes a deep breath and walks the short distance to where her brother is, Teyla still by her side, and is pulled into a hug by Jack, the man holding her tight and whispering in her ear just how sorry he is.

She breaks down, the last two days catching up with her again, now that she is in the safety of her brother's arms. Jack leads her to his office, her friends following them but staying in the conference room just outside of it to give her some privacy.

Jack helps her sit on the small couch, taking a seat next to her, and lets her cry it out. He can't imagine what she must be feeling, losing Evan like that, after all that they went through.

Rubbing a hand on her back, he knows that there's nothing he can say that will make things better, but he has to try. This is his baby sister and he will do whatever it takes to ease her pain. If only he could just take it away entirely.

-"Everything's going to be okay. You're staying with me for as long as you want and need." - He sees Lara nod, wiping the tears from her face and taking a deep breath.

-"How much do you know?"

-"I read Sheppard's report, don't worry."

Lara nods again, grateful that she doesn't have to give him any details.

-"I still don't believe he is gone."

-"I'm so sorry. I can't imagine what you must be feeling right now."

-"I always knew that this could happen, but no amount of knowledge prepares you for when it actually happens. I mean, we had our fair share of scares in the past, but he always found his way back to me." - Lara starts sobbing at the memories, Jack pulling her close and hugging her tight.

-"It will take some time, but eventually things won't look as bleak as they do right now. You'll see."

Lara knows he is right, even if right now it doesn't feel like it will get any better. She pulls away and runs a hand over her face, cleaning the tears off, when she looks over to the conference room. Her friends are all just standing around, all looking miserable.

-"I wasn't the only one who lost him." - She nods over to the conference room.

-"Do you want to join them?" - Jack watches as she nods and helps her up, before stopping her. -"Do you want Jennifer and Teyla to stay with you at the house?"

-"You don't mind?"

-"You're going to need as much support as you can get and Jennifer and Teyla can be there for you in ways I probably can't. So, no, I don't mind."

-"Thank you, Jack. Really."

Jack pulls her into a side hug, keeping her under his arm as he leads her out of his office and into the conference room. Looking around, Jack understands why Lara always said that Atlantis felt like home and that she had found a second family there, even before she and Evan had gotten married.

-"I want to start off by thanking you all for being here for Lara. I appreciate that more than you know. Now, I know that not all of you are staying for the funeral, so who's leaving?"

-"Sir, we are all staying, with the exception of Sergeant Stackhouse, who will take command of Atlantis while I'm here, and Doctor Zelenka, who will take over the Scientific Department while Doctor McKay is here as well."

-"Understood. Sergeant, Doctor, go down to the Control Room and let Walter know you're the only ones who are going back."

-"Yes, Sir." - Stackhouse answers, before walking up to Lara. -"Doc, I just want to say that I'm sorry I can't stay. I really liked Major Lorne, both as a person and as a XO. He was a good man. If you ever need anything, just let me know."

-"Thank you, Sergeant. Evan has always spoken very highly of you and I'm sure he would be thankful to you for offering your help."

Lara takes the man by surprise when she hugs him, Stackhouse hugging her back tightly, before letting her go and walking over to the top of the stairs that lead to the Control Room to wait for Zelenka.

Zelenka pulls Lara into a tight embrace, knowing this is the last time he will see the kind doctor.

-"No matter what the future brings you, just know we are all with you and Evan will be looking down on you. Your own personal guardian angel."

-"Thank you."

Lara hugs him tighter, tears in her eyes, before letting him go and watching Zelenka and Stackhouse leave the room. She can't help but feel lucky at having so many people that care about her.

-"Sheppard, show everyone to the guest quarters, with the exception of Teyla and Doctor Keller. They will be staying with Lara at the house, in case she needs something and I'm not there."

-"Yes, Sir."

Sheppard signals Ronon and McKay to follow him. As they walk past Lara, though, each one of them squeeze either her hand or her shoulder, a way of telling her they are there with her.

As the men leave the room, Teyla and Jennifer approach Jack and Lara.

-"Thank you for letting us stay with Lara." - Jennifer looks at Jack.

-"Look, I know my sister and I know that there are going to be certain things that she will be more comfortable talking to you than with me." - Jack looks back at Lara and sees her nod. -"I'm going to arrange a car to take you three back to the house."

-"Jack, thank you."

Lara hugs him briefly but tightly, before he walks over to his office. She has no idea how she is going to do this now that Evan is gone. Her life is going to change so much in the upcoming months and all she can hope is that she is strong enough to face it all without him.