''Interstellar Destiny''

Thank You

In the last six months, Evan has become an integral part of Ava's life, from taking her out on the weekends, babysitting whenever Lara needs someone to watch over Ava, to picking her up from preschool.

At the same time, and while his relationship with Ava is growing, his friendship with Lara has slowly gone back to what they had when they first met, back in Atlantis, something that Evan had been hopeful would happen.

As for work, well, he is still working for the SGC, now riding a desk instead of going off-world, giving him a more flexible schedule so he is able to spend as much time as he can with Ava, this one thanks to Jack.

Standing in Lara's back porch, Evan watches Ava run around the yard with a few of her friends from preschool, celebrating the little girl's birthday. Henry comes and stands next to him, handing him a soda in silence.

-"Thanks." - Evan looks back at the kids running around, their laughter filling the backyard.

-"Ava was really happy when you said you'd be here."

-"I wouldn't miss it for the world." - Henry nods, but doesn't answer. -"There's something I've been meaning to tell you."

-"What is that?"

-"I've been meaning to thank you. For being here for Lara and Ava. I know you hadn't been together long when I returned, but it was still important to me to know that Lara had found happiness after all that she went through and that Ava had someone who loves her as much as I do."

-"You don't need to thank me. I love them both and there's nothing I wouldn't do for them."

-"Good." - Evan pats Henry's shoulder and smiles, before looking back at the kids.

-"I should see if Lara needs anything in the kitchen."

-"Let me know if I can help."

Henry nods and walks back inside, still taken aback by Evan's words. He sees Lara plating small cupcakes to bring outside and comes up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist, feeling her leaning into his touch.

-"How are the kids?" - She feels him kiss her neck, just below her ear.

-"They are fine." - He lets her go and crosses the kitchen so he's standing across from her. -"I just had an interesting conversation with Evan, though."

-"Oh?" - She looks up at him, curious.

-"Evan thanked me for being here for you and Ava when he wasn't. I told him I love the two of you and there's nothing I would do for you."

Lara smiles softly at him, wiping her hands on a towel, and walks over to him, pulling him in for a kiss, feeling him deepening the kiss. They are interrupted by someone clearing their throat and when they look, Evan is standing there, an embarrassed smile on his face.

-"Sorry to interrupt, but the kids are getting restless."

-"It's fine. I will be right out with a few things for them." - Lara steps away from Henry, missing the flash of anger in Henry's eyes.

-"Is there anything I can take now?"

-"Hmm... Oh, you can take that plate of mini sandwiches. I'll just finish with these cupcakes and be right out."

-"Yes, Ma'am." - Evan picks up the plate and leaves the kitchen, seeing Lara smirking at him.

-"Is there anything else to take outside?"

-"The sodas would be great, if you don't mind."

-"I don't mind at all, love." - Henry gives her a smile, before kissing her.

-"Thank you."

Henry grabs the sodas and walks out onto the back porch, where he sees Evan running from the kids with Ava under one arm, the little girl giggling like crazy, while the other kids try to catch him to "free" Ava.

He hears footsteps behind him and when he turns, he sees Lara standing there, looking at Evan with Ava, a look on her face that he can't really recognize, but with a smile that brightens her whole face.

Henry looks back at Evan and thinks that maybe it's time the Major goes away.