SGA: 10 Yrs Ch7
Stargate Atlantis
10 Yrs Ch7
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Chapter Seven: Missing
“So,” Daniel began, “why don’t you tell me a little about yourself. You’re native of Pegasus right, but not of Atlantis?” He asked her.
“That is correct. The city was abandoned for quite some time before the expedition team arrived here ten years ago. I am Athosian, the first people that Colonel Sumner and Major Sheppard encountered, we explained to them about the Wraith and when my people were culled, Major Sheppard and Dr Weir offered us shelter on Lantea. Ever since we have been close allies.” Teyla informed him.
“If you do not mind,” she continued, “I wish to stop by my quarters first and then Rodney’s. I have a surprise for him that I believe will brighten his mood considerably, although obviously I cannot hope to make up for the fact that Major Sheppard is not with us presently.”
Daniel looked surprised at this, but nodded and followed her down a cool blue corridor, into a lift that he made a note of to ask her about that later. Another corridor and finally she stopped, waving a hand over a panel and the door to her quarters opened. Inside was a largish room with a bed and a sofa, plants and books spread around as well as two odd looking batons propped up in one corner. A dark haired man came into the room. “Teyla, what is the news?” He asked, his accent similar to Teyla’s, as was his way of phrasing sentences.
“It is as Elizabeth feared. Both she and John are on Earth unable to return. Things are uncertain. For now we will have to live under Colonel Carter’s command,” Teyla informed him, sharing his look of sorrow and serene acceptance. “This is Dr Daniel Jackson, I am showing him the city. Dr Jackson, this is my husband Kanaan. Rodney has returned to us and I though Chitara and Liron would cheer him up,” she said, and he nodded.
“They are in the den with Torren. I will get them.” He disappeared and seconds later returned with three children following him. One was obviously a result of Kanaan and Teyla’s union, but the other two were doubtfully related. Teyla’s son - Torren - was about five years old however the other two were older, a girl about nine or so with flame red hair and inquisitive grey eyes, and the boy - roughly fourteen years old - who was lanky with skin pale as snowfall and sandy brown hair. Jackson felt very much the outside as he watched how the five of them interacted with one another.
“Is he home?” The girl asked excitedly as Teyla picked up her son.
“Rodney has returned, Chitara. However… I am sorry, especially to you Liron as I know how close you are to John. I am afraid he has been… detained. Do not fret though, not one of us is prepared to rest until he comes home. For now I thought it would be nice to see Rodney,” she told them, not talking down to them but treating them as adults. The children nodded, accepting her words even though the boy (Liron) tensed and Chitara reached out instinctively and took a-hold of his hand, clutching it in her own.
“I want to see him,” Chi said, a determined expression on her young face.
Teyla nodded, looking from one child to the other. “Liron, will you take her to Rodney’s quarters? I must show Dr Jackson around,” she asked and Liron nodded, his expression stony.
The children set off hand in hand, disappearing into a transporter. “Are they okay to roam the city on their own?” Daniel asked. It was strange for him too see children on the base, for to him it was like another SGC however he failed to appreciate the fact that Atlantis was a city; it was home.
“They will be fine, Dr, both Chi and Liron have spent many summers running around the city exploring under Rodney and John’s supervision.” She explained, kissing her son before exiting the apartment.
“Are there many children here?” Daniel asked, curious now.
Teyla took her time to consider the question. “A few. Most women who fall pregnant go to the mainland for much of their pregnancy. It is a calmer, simpler life their and a Doctor visits them often only bring them back to Atlantis for the birth and any medical procedures. Once born very few of the mother’s choose to return to the City fearing it will be invaded and their child will be at risk, or that the child will stumble across one of the Ancient labs and become ill. It has happened before. Consequently most children are raised on the mainland in a group environment, everybody looking out for each other, until they are old enough to be schooled and then they are taught agriculture and cooking, sowing and hunting by my people, and maths and science by the Atlantis residence. Liron and Chitara spend much of their time on the mainland however their guardians are John and Rodney respectively.”
“I never imagined Rodney the father type! I wonder how that happened.” Daniel said lightly. This place - these people - were nothing like he had believed.
Teyla gave him an unreadable look. “The story is not for the faint hearted,” she assured him. “Come, this is the way to one of the labs,” she changed the subject and steered him to the left.
A knock woke Rodney from his self-pity. He sighed, fearing it was Sam come to bug him about one of the systems or Carson here to question him about everything that had happened on Earth. He would have ignored it but whoever it was they were persistent and Rodney finally gave in. “What is I-” He stopped, looking into the cautious eyes of his adopted daughter Chitara.
“You’re back!” Liron sounded almost accusing and Rodney could only guess at how he must have been feeling. Both Liron and Chitara were orphans of the Pegasus Galaxy, saved and cared for by John and himself much like Cassandra had been adopted by Dr Janet Frazier back on Earth. Hopefully this story would have a happier outcome than Janet and Cassandra’s.
“I am,” he agreed. “But John had to stay on Earth for a few more.. for a little while longer,” he added lamely wishing he had more to give the boy who looked like he was about to kill something with his flinty eyes and clenched fists. Truth was Liron was just a broken kid and John had been fixing him. Without John, Liron was still broken.
“I missed you!” Chitara cried, launching herself into Rodney’s arms. First time she had done that Rodney had near had a heart attack, he’d never exactly spent much time with children and even as a child hugs had been rare in his house. He was better now, he could even bend down to embrace her properly and whisper in her ear the he too had missed her. He had missed them both, and now they were all missing John.
He guided them inside and set up a DVD, listening as Chi babbled over the Doctor Who episode about all the things she had learnt while he was gone, from some new words that one of the Athosians had taught her to a skipping game she now played with the other children. Liron remained quiet and observed both his ‘sister’ and Rodney while he pretended to watch the film. Eventually both children wore themselves out and fell asleep on the bed Rodney and John had once - and would again if he had anything to say about it! - shared. With his resolve solidified by the ache he had seen on Liron’s face and the dismay on Chi’s, he left the room, ordering it to lock against anyone entering but to allow Liron and Chi to leave if they wished, and headed off to Sam’s new shiny office.
“Rodney,” she greeted him warmly, looking a bit frazzled as she went through some of the reports and mission proposals.
Rodney looked uncomfortable as he entered, wishing that Elizabeth was seated behind that desk and not his once-fantasy Samantha Carter. “I wanted to know if you were told how long your commission here would last?” He asked her, meeting her eyes with a courage he did not feel as his stomach churned with nausea.
Sam looked down, away from him as she gathered her thoughts, and back up at him. “I was told that pending a year review I should expect this post to be indefinite. I’m sorry, Rodney,” she added, obviously understanding that he wanted Elizabeth back.
“Can’t you let them back? Elizabeth has a husband, John has family too. Even if Elizabeth isn’t expedition leader anymore can’t you just try?” Rodney begged.
Sam’s eyes widened. “I… uh… I can certainly try but that doesn’t mean I will succeed. She would be useful, perhaps make a team dedicated to brokering deals and put her in charge of negotiations… I can ask but John… he’s out of my control. No matter what happens it will be up to the IOA and the Generals if he comes back or not.”
Rodney pursed his lips. “We need him. More than you realise. Atlantis needs him.”
Sam nodded. “I understand, Rodney. I wish I could do more. I’ll recommend that both Weir and Sheppard are assigned back here in whatever capacity but I can’t make promises. You said he had family here? Does he have a wife?” She asked.
Rodney barely managed not to flinch. “A son,” he ground out. “An adopted son who needs him very much.”
“I’ll see that it gets noted. Thank you for telling me this, Rodney,” she added, sounding genuine.
He turned to leave, pausing at the threshold, “I… Good luck with your new command, Sam,” he tod her before leaving.
Chapter Eight Link LAST CHAPTER.