New Home (Stargate Atlantis fanfiction)

11 Humming?

"You did what?!"

Monday morning was really his last moment to be in Atlantis and thankfully Rodney and Jennifer came just in time for breakfast. They looked unusually happy, even Rodney. After talking to Lorne previous day John knew that the scientist looked a bit strange just before the weekend and seeing him in a very positive mood, ecstatic even was just suspicious. After McKay admitted to his actions they, John, Lorne and Zelenka, were almost speechless and it befall to John to ask again.

Meanwhile at the other side of the table Teyla was busy looking at a beautiful diamond ring Jennifer showed them.

"You actually asked the big question?" Asked Zelenka with visible shock. Then he turned to Jennifer. "And you said 'yes'?"

Jennifer just nodded. She was proud and happy to be Rodney's fiancé however strange it might seem. She looked again at the beautiful engagement ring he must have bought with help of his sister. Another reason to believe he loved her indeed – he had to ask for help and he hated that. What's more, he was not really bothered by it.

After a few minutes another pair joined them at the table.

"Sheppard, you here?" Asked Ronon. "Thought you were going to Washington?"

John was explaining that he finished earlier just when Amelia Banks was shown Jennifer's ring. It was all so peaceful and uncomplicated since they came back to Earth that it almost looked unreal. No Wraith, no immediate danger, after defeating the Ori Milky Way was a very peaceful place. It all somehow seemed wrong. It was a very nice life but it was not their life anymore. No real discoveries, no Pegasus Galaxy. And no Elizabeth Weir in their 'gate life. Having her alive and not included in Atlantis' life felt just wrong for John. Atlantis was Elizabeth's child, you could say. She was the one to bring it back to life, to protect and supervise. John spoke about if with Lorne some time after Carter received command and just after replicator Elizabeth went through the gate one last time. The City somehow connected to her. It was not really accepting Carter and Woolsey until Weir told it to. It grieved after her death, twice. It was anxious when she was injured or scared. They could feel it, people with the ATA gene. The stronger gene meant the stronger feeling. Now the City was a little confused, knowing she was alive and not having her close. And this was normal. But Lorne made a discovery that the City was actually afraid sometimes, without any reason.

"You feel it, don't you?" Asked Evan quietly. "The fear." John nodded. "It's creepy for all the gene carriers. Especially at night."

"I've never felt it before." John started to wonder. "When did it start?"

"When she woke up." Admitted Evan. "But it worsened when she was taken away." He looked around and whispered. "You ok with telling me how is she?"

"You know more here than I know being away from Atlantis. I did not see her, but I heard she is better every day."

"You know, the fear is lessening. It's not so desperate now." Evan tried to cheer him up. "She will be all right eventually."

"Eventually..."

"She is strong. She was always strong. If anyone can go through that and survive it's her." Lorne said surely. "And if she really is somehow connected to the city, if it's not only some silly coincidence, then she feels all the good memories people cherish about her, she feels they remember, she will take their strength and use it to get well again."

"Evan..."

"Yes, John?"

"Thanks."

Evan just smiled and reentered the conversation with Ronon and Zelenka. John thought it was one of the best decisions to come here after all. He had never expected to befriend Lorne so much and yet that man became another essential part of their big family over the years. Another brother.