John took a deep breath as he stepped out onto the balcony. He’d finally managed to escape Carson and decided to wander around before removing all trace of the past six months.
“Love the look,” Alisa’s amused voice came from beside him.
John looked round, a little startled he hadn’t even noticed the teenager sitting just behind him. He scrubbed his hand across his bearded cheek, “It’s only temporary.”
“Good,” she pulled herself up to stand beside him, “Cause I don’t think it’s really you.”
John laughed slightly before sighing; he’d spent six months away from his family and because of who he was, he hadn’t been able to reach out and hug any of them when he saw them on the planet but there was one person he’d never had a problem with hugging. He reached out and pulled the young woman to him, squeezing her tightly.
Alisa hugged him back, her head resting against his shoulder as John relaxed finally. He was home.
“Miss us?” Alisa asked when he finally released her.
John shrugged, “Maybe a little.”
“So,” the teenager’s eyes were bright with curiosity, “What were they like?”
John sat down against the wall, “The Ancients?”
“No, the birds,” Alisa said sarcastically, “Of course the Ancients.”
John laughed, “Boring as hell.”
“You’re kidding,” Alisa cried astonished, “Aren’t these the people we came here to meet? Who built this city?”
“Not this bunch,” John replied, smiling as Alisa took a seat beside him, “They were all trying to ascend. Spent a lot of time meditating.”
Alisa’s nose wrinkled in bemusement, “How? I don’t get how people can sit still and be quiet so long.”
John laughed, “Do you have any idea how much you take after your father?”
“People keep saying that,” Alisa looked at him, pure innocence covering her face, “I don’t see why.”
John laughed softly. He leaned his head back and sighed, “I’m heading back to my room and I’m going to have a shower, get rid of this,” he tugged at his beard, “And then go get some proper food.”
Alisa stood up, “I’ll meet you for lunch.”
John pulled himself to his feet, “Half an hour in the mess. See who else you can round up.”
She gave him a cheeky, mock salute before disappearing.
John watched her leave; he leaned against the rail again and took in a deep breath of the salt-filled air. It was good to be home.
John entered the mess. He’d been gone for six months but only a few hours had passed here. He hadn’t seen this place or his friends in such a long time but to them they had breakfast together this morning.
He saw Alisa across at the usual table the team used; she was sitting with Ronan obviously in the middle of a story, considering the way her hands were flailing about.
“Hi,” John dropped into a seat, dropping his tray in front of him, “You have no idea how good this stuff looks after six months of rabbit food.”
“And the first thing you choose is a cheeseburger?” Alisa noted with amusement.
“There was no steak,” he replied through his mouthful of food. He finished the mouthful and glanced around, “Where’s everyone else?”
“McKay and Zelenka are arguing about something in the lab,” Ronan noted, “Teyla and Lieutenant Cadman are sparring.”
“Carson and Dr Weir are talking about some project he wants to do,” Alisa added, stealing a fry from John’s plate, “So, it’s just us for lunch.”
John didn’t know why he couldn’t sleep but he’d been lying on his bed awake for the past few hours.
Finally, he got up and pulled on some clothes before heading out to wander the city. He smiled as he could feel the city hum slightly to him, it was something that had always comforted him but now it just felt wrong. Somehow, he ended up at Rodney’s lab. He was surprised to see father and daughter sitting there at this time of night. Alisa had her head propped up on her hand as Rodney talked to her. John wasn’t sure what they were talking about but he smiled to watch them together. This was something he’d always found interesting, the easy interaction Rodney had with the teenager. It had always amused him that the scientist reduced grown men to nervous wrecks, couldn’t go anywhere off world without insulting almost every native but this girl changed him into a good person.
“Sheppard?”
John looked up as Rodney called his name, “Yeah?”
“I thought Carson told you to get some rest,” Rodney demanded, a frown covering his face.
“Couldn’t sleep,” John shrugged, “Thought I’d wander about for a bit.”
“Well you might not be able to sleep,” Alisa commented, “But I’m tired. Night, Dad,” she leaned up and kissed her father’s cheek, “Night, John.”
John reached out and squeezed her shoulder, “Night, Kid.”
Once she was round the corner, Rodney headed back into his lab and sat down watching as his friend wandered around.
“Don’t break anything,” he said, as John reached out to pick up one of the random devices scattered around the lab.
“When have I ever?” John asked; a hint of a smirk on his face.
Rodney rolled his eyes at him but for once remained silent. Rodney continued to watch John as he reacquainted himself with the city he’d missed.
“It’s good to be home,” John sighed after a while.
Rodney smiled slightly, “Coffee?”
John nodded and they both started out of the lab.
“You know you were only gone for a few hours,” Rodney reminded him, “Right?”
John rolled his eyes, “Wonder if there’s any doughnuts left.”
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