A/N: If you're expecting angst and fighting in this chapter, sorry to tell you there isn't any. Most of it is winding up loose ends and showing you some ends that weren't loose to start with. (Huh?)

Once again, thanks go out to Shadows-of-Realm for his suggestions.

Mahalo,

Sandy

Making Amends

Chapter 4

SOP

Dave pulled up in front of the sprawling single story home, the Caddy right behind it. They all got out and stood together as the front door was opened by a slender woman with silver hair. Her bright smile of welcome made them feel better about their situation. She rushed forward to hug Blaire and David.

"It's so good to see you again! Leave the luggage for later and come on in."

Once inside, Dave introduced everyone. "Martine, these are my children, Melissa and Jason. And the troublemaker with the black eye is my brother, John."

John ignored his brother and extended his hand. "Nice to meet you, Ma'am."

"Call me Marty. I haven't been called 'Ma'am' since I retired."

"Yes, Ma'am, uh, Marty."

Melissa jumped in, her voice filled with pride. "He's a Colonel in the Air Force."

"Oh, really? My husband was in the Air Force. He'd love to have another flyboy to talk to."

"It would be my pleasure, Ma'am."

Dave rolled his eyes at his daughter then continued. "Everyone, this is Martine Amalu. Until the last election when she retired, she was the governor of Hawaii and has very generously offered to let us stay with her until we can sort out our housing situation."

Marty led them through the house and out onto the back patio. It had an in-ground pool and looked out over the Pacific Ocean. She poured everyone lemonade while Dave and Blaire explained the reason for their eviction from the White Sands Hotel. By the time they were done, their hostess was laughing so hard she was crying. "Oh, my! I know who you're talking about. Every year while I was in office, she tried to wangle an invitation to stay at the governor's mansion. It never worked because but I can't stand that dog of hers and she takes it everywhere."

They all commiserated with Marty just as they heard the unmistakable sound of a motorcycle pulling up in front of the house. The noise cut off and a few minutes later the patio door opened.

John was standing, glass in hand, when an older man stopped next to him. He barely gave the man a glance. "Hey."

"Hello, Captain Sheppard."

The military man did a double take, coming immediately to attention. "General Kerrigan, sir!"

With a slight upward tilt of his mouth the white-haired man said, "At ease and have a seat. I'm not a General anymore."

"Yes, sir." John did as ordered but still kept the stiffness in his back and both feet on the floor.

The former General bent down to give his wife a kiss on the cheek and pulled out a chair. He was introduced around and when it came her turn, Melissa started to add more than "hi" but John shushed her with a near-imperceptible shake of his head. Crossing her arms, she sat back in her chair and pouted a little.

"Not a Captain anymore, are you, son?"

"No, sir. Colonel." John took a nervous sip of his cold drink.

Kerrigan nodded. "Why don't you and I go out to the garage and talk shop? John, is it?"

"Yes, sir."

John stood and followed his former commander into the house, through the kitchen and out into the garage. Kerrigan went to a bench, chose a tool then moved over to an old motorcycle.

He knew he should offer to help but all John could do was walk around and around the classic 1968 Triumph Bonneville T120R. It was painted scarlet and silver and was almost fully restored. Squatting across from Kerrigan, he examined the machine and found several loose connections. Not a big deal at the moment, but eventually they could cause a problem. Without thinking, John put his hand out and a wrench was placed in it. He tightened the bolts, made a few more adjustments, tested connections here and there then stood.

As he reached for a towel to wipe the grease from his hands he remembered where he was and with whom. "Sorry, sir. I see a classic motorcycle and etiquette goes out the window."

The older man laughed. "Not a problem, John." He picked up a towel and wiped his own hands. "So, you posted to the mountain?"

"No, sir. The island. We're hoping to return to our old location soon."

Tossing the towel and wrench on the bench, Kerrigan started the bike and gunned the engine. It was loud within the confines of the garage making both men wince. Raising his voice, he said, "Good luck with that. Getting things done at the IOA is like breeding elephants."

John didn't get the joke but didn't say so. "Uh, sir…"

A wave of the hand was all John needed. He climbed on, revved the engine, shifted into first and was gone. Kerrigan watched him go and said to the empty room, "We boys do love our toys."

"What toys?"

The retired Air Force officer turned to find Melissa standing in the doorway to the kitchen. He waved in the direction John had just gone. "Your uncle is test driving the bike I just finished restoring."

"Bike? You mean motorcycle? That was yours we heard?" Her excitement level rose, her words coming faster and faster. "I love motorcycles. It would be so cool if I could have a ride." She realized what she said and backpedalled. "Oh, sorry, sir. I mean, riding them is fun. Not that I've ridden that many but, well, the times I did, it was fun, and it's been a while. I was a kid and my friend's dad took me. It was just around the block and he didn't go fast but…"

"Yes."

"Yes what, sir?"

"If your parents say it's okay, John can take you for a ride."

Melissa was bowled over by the generosity of a man she hardly knew. "Whoa! Thanks, General, sir."

Kerrigan was showing the young girl how to rebuild a carburetor when they heard the bike returning. Melissa dropped the ratchet she was holding and ran into the house, slamming the kitchen door behind her. When she returned, she was breathing fast.

John took hold of her shoulders and gave her a shake. "Hey! Calm down!"

"O-O-Okay." She inhaled deeply then exhaled. "General Kerrigan said you could take me for a ride and mom and dad said it was okay if you don't go too fast."

His eyebrows coming together over his nose, John turned his puzzled gaze on Kerrigan. "Sir?"

"It's true."

"Oh. Uh, okay." He straddled the bike again and waited while she got on. Before they took off, Kerrigan handed them both helmets. Without a fuss, they put them on and John started it again. Over his shoulder he said, "There's no sissy bar so you'll have to hold on, but not too tight. I need to be able to breathe. Ever done this before?"

"Yeah, but I was just a kid and I rode in front."

"Three things." He put up one finger. "When I lean, you lean." Another finger came up. "Keep your feet on the footrests." A third one joined the others. "Careful of the exhaust pipe. It's there by your leg and it can get hot." He pointed.

"Got it. Can we go before mom and dad change their minds?"

Kerrigan laughed as they took off down the driveway and turned onto the street, Melissa pressed tight to her uncle's back.

It was dark and Dave had been on the phone for a while, pacing back and forth on the far side of the pool. Finally, he pulled the Bluetooth from his ear and shoved it in his pocket as he joined his family, Marty and General "call me Mike" Kerrigan.

"So?" His wife asked. "What happened?"

"Well, I found out who owns White Sands." Dave gave them all a sheepish glance. "We do."

"We? How come 'we'…" John swung his hand back and forth between Dave, Blaire, the kids, and himself. "…didn't know?"

Dave stuck his hands in his pockets. "Actually, it's owned by a subsidiary of SI called Highgate Acquisitions."

Jason bounced the basketball in his hands. He'd been playing one-on-one with John. "So that means…"

"…we are Ms. Kalawai'a's boss." Dave turned to their host and hostess. "If it's okay with you, we'll stay the night and move back to the hotel tomorrow."

"If that's what you want. You know you're always welcome here."

John came to stand next to his brother. "Thanks, Marty. And thanks for the bike ride, General."

"Think nothing of it, John." Mike rubbed his hands together. "So, everyone ready for dinner? Marty makes a great Hungarian Goulash."

Everyone headed inside except for Dave. He stopped John with a hand on his arm. "I need to make one more call."

"Who you calling?"

Dave was already scrolling his contact list. "The former COO of Sheppard Industries." He dialed as John mouthed good luck and followed the others inside. "Frank? Dave…Yes, we're having a great time…We'll be home in a few days and I'll be back in the office the following Monday…I want you in my office at 0800 sharp…that's 8:00am and bring everything on the Cha Malek natural gas plant. I especially want all the reports on the recent incident…Yes, Frank, you are being fired but be there or I'll send my big brother after you…I'm sure I've mentioned that he's a Colonel in the Air Force and has top-level government clearance, which means he has lots of friends in very high places…Oh, and Frank…Sweet dreams." He pressed the end key and slipped the phone back in his pocket with a grin.

The Miller Home

Vancouver, BC

1508 PDT

Jeannie heard the sound of a transport in the front room and went to investigate. She expected to see John, Meredith or Jennifer but instead found a shopping bag with two white boxes inside in the middle of the floor. One had Madison's name on it and the other had hers. She opened the small envelope that was stuck to the front of the larger box. The handwritten note inside simply said, "Aloha! John."

"Maddie!"

Footsteps thundered on the stairs and the young girl appeared moments later. "What, mom?"

"This is for you. It's from Colonel Sheppard."

Madison untied the purple ribbon and lifted the lid. Inside was a white T-shirt with a giant turquoise wave across the front and a figure with a surfboard on the shore. Splashed across the top and bottom were the words "Bonzai Pipeline. If you can't surf with the big kids, stay on the beach!" She held it up for her mother to see. "This is so cool!"

"Yes, it is."

"What did you get?" The girl pointed at the box in her mother's hands.

"Don't know." Jeannie slid the burgundy and silver ribbon off and laid it aside as she removed the lid. She peeled back the tissue paper and saw what looked like a camisole. Lifting it by the straps, she stood when the material kept going until she was holding one of the most beautiful floor-length dresses she'd ever seen.

"Wow!"

Jeannie agreed but didn't respond, just went upstairs without a word. When she came back down she had the dress on with her hair pinned up on top of her head. Madison was standing in the front room with her mouth open, watching her mother. Jeannie did a slow pirouette. "Well?"

"It's bee-yoo-tee-ful, mom." The girl grinned broadly. "Colonel Sheppard must really like you."

The General Hammond

High Earth Orbit

1512 Ship Time

Sam was in the Mess Hall eating sugar-free Jell-O and reading reports. "Colonel Carter? This package just arrived for you." The jumpsuited Lieutenant set a medium-sized bag on the table next to her.

"Thanks, Lieutenant." Her face scrunched in confusion, she laid aside her computer and pulled out a white box tied with a white ribbon. She untied it, pulled the lid off and picked up the note lying on top.

"Sam,

You've had Godiva…now here's the 'or better.'

Mahalo,

John"

Inside the box was another box, dark chocolate brown in color with "Island Truffles" in gold leaf on the bottom right corner. Glancing around to make certain she was alone she lifted the lid and chose one of the chocolates at random. Bringing it to her lips she bit it in half and just let the sweet treat melt on her tongue for a few heartbeats. Her eyes drifted shut and she moaned in ecstasy. This is almost better than sex it's so good! That man is getting a hug the next time I see him!

Two Years and Four Months Later

The Sheppard Family Home

Huntington Beach, CA

1037 Hours

The doorbell rang and the housekeeper, Stefan, hurried to answer it. A courier stood there looking at his watch. His name patch said "Sid." The fifty-ish German man looked him up and down, giving him a frown of annoyance. "Yes?"

"Package for…" Sid checked the electronic data device, "…Melissa Sheppard. You got one o' them hangin' around here?" He tiptoed trying to see into the house.

"Of course we do." Stefan reached for the EDD but the young man, who couldn't have been more than twenty-one, snatched it back.

"Sorry, dude. Gotta have her personal Joan Hancock or I'll lose m' job."

Stefan rolled his eyes. "As you wish." Over his shoulder, he called out, "Miss Sheppard, another package for you."

Running footsteps muffled by the carpet came toward the front entryway and a teenage girl skidded to a stop grabbing hold of Stefan's arm to steady herself. "Frosty!" At 17, Melissa was now 5'8". Gone was the little girl chubbiness leaving behind a body lean and toned from years of running, biking and playing soccer on her high school team. Her hair was waist length and wavy making her look like a taller, darker version of Hayden Panettiere in her Heroes days. Hazel eyes lit on Sid with a grin as she yanked the EDD from his hands and signed. The machine beeped and she handed it back. "Thanks. Give the man a tip, Steve." She flashed Sid a bright smile.

Thoroughly charmed, the dumbstruck courier just held out a small package. Melissa took it and returned down the main hallway automatically making a right into the gym at the back of the house.

"What's that, honey?" her mom asked while walking on the treadmill.

"Don't know." The girl tore open the package and pulled out the items inside. "It's from Uncle John but it's just a piece of paper with an address and this key with the number B-17 on it." She held both up.

Blaire blotted the perspiration from her face and neck with a towel. "Huh. Well, let me get a shower and change and we'll drive over to see what it is."

"Frosty!"

The car's built-in GPS guided them to the correct address. It was one of those U-Store places that had climate controlled storage compartments. The security scanner at the gate let them in after verifying Melissa's ID and they drove around until they came to unit B-17. Blaire parked and the Sheppard women got out, still no wiser.

Knowing his propensity for joking around, Melissa opened the old fashioned padlock and rolled the door into the ceiling with tongue set firmly in cheek. When the contents were revealed, the eyes of both women went wide with shock. They walked around it several times, finally stopping on opposite sides. On the back wall was a huge banner that said, "Happy 17th, Mel!"

Melissa's heart was about to leap out of her chest but somehow she found the ability to speak. "Did I mention that Uncle John is my favorite uncle?"

"A time or two." Blaire said with a smirk.

"It's…it's…"

"Frosty?"

Melissa nodded. "Practically a blizzard." Her tone reverential as she stared at the "…2015 Yamaha Galactic Warrior. The engine has 120-cubic-inch displacement, air-cooled, long-stroke, OHV, hybrid, 48-degree cylinders with pushrod valve actuation to keep the engine height down, a four-valve cylinder head design, a state-of-the-art ECU…"

"I'm sure it's all very interesting. Let's just take it home so you can lord it over your brother while he's visiting from college."

"But mom…" Melissa's cell beeped indicating she had a message. She read it and shrugged, turning it so her mother could see.

"Look in the saddlebag."

Blaire opened the right side while her daughter opened the left. Inside was a white envelope that contained a note:

"Mel,

Sorry I couldn't be there for your birthday but I know you understand.

By now you've seen your gift and if I know Blaire, she's there with you. Just to set her mind at ease, this incredible piece of machinery comes with a few conditions. Consider them SOP.

1. Before you get the keys, you must complete and pass a state-approved Motorcycle Safety Course. I have friends in high places so I'll know if you don't.

2. Always wear your helmet.

3. Obey the rules of the road, no matter how ridiculous they seem. We want you around for a very long time.

4. Have fun!

SOP,

Uncle John"

Melissa sniffed as she slipped the note back in its envelope. She looked up when her mom touched her arm.

"Come on. Let's get this thing home. Lunch'll be ready soon and you know how upset Stefan gets if we're late."

Together the women were able to roll the motorcycle and its trailer into position to hook it up to the back of the car. A few minutes later they pulled out of the gate and headed for home.

Eight Years and Six Months Later

Atlantis, Pegasus

1422 Hours

"Excuse me, sir. You have a visitor." Sergeant Barnes' voice came over the PA into the gym where Atlantis Expedition Commander General John Sheppard was sparring with Ronon.

"Who is it?" John addressed the air while trying not very successfully to defend himself against his friend's "attacks."

"New explosives expert. Insists on reporting to you personally."

"I'm in the main workout room." He ducked feeling the brush of a near miss on the side of his head. A few minutes later the door whooshed open and a young Lieutenant entered, coming immediately to attention.

"Reporting for duty, sir."

John called a time out, wiped his face and neck with a towel. While drinking from his water bottle, he came to stand in front of Atlantis' newest citizen. His right hand came up in a casual salute. "At ease, Lieutenant."

She relaxed into parade rest and watched him for a moment waiting for him to say something more but he just stared back. Finally, she said, "Permission to hug the General, sir?"

"Granted…Lieuten-oof!" John grunted when his niece launched herself at him, hugging him tight. "Careful. I bruise easily."

"Sorry. Got carried away."

"SOP." He massaged his lower back as he made his way over to the bench. Melissa sat next to him giving Ronon a sidelong glance. "Ronon, you remember my niece, Melissa."

Ronon nodded and shook her hand. "Welcome to Atlantis."

"Thanks. I'm excited to finally be here, sir."

Ronon shook his head. "Ronon." Melissa nodded.

John took another drink from his bottle. "Just don't think you can slack off because your favorite uncle is also your boss."

Melissa's eyes sparkled with amusement as she gave Ronon a wink. "Uncle Meredith's in charge? Whose idea was that?"

"Ha-ha. If you weren't so good at your job, I'd have you transferred to an uninhabited planet with nothing but your wits and your pre-adolescent cousins for company."

"I had a great teacher. Colonel Cadman is a genius when it comes to explosives." She gave him a smirk combined with pride for the first part, ignoring the second part. "So what team will I be on? I'd love to be on your old team."

"You and every other eager young recruit but I have to avoid the appearance of nepotism. You're on AR-4."

"Fine." Rolling her eyes, she stood and pulled him to his feet. "Come on. Show me the Mess Hall. You can buy us some ice cream."

John dragged his feet as she hauled him toward the nearest transporter. "How about a little decorum? I'm supposed to be in charge of this whole shebang. How'm I supposed to keep the respect of those under my command when they see a Lieutenant dragging me by the hand and begging for ice cream?"

"They already respect you, Uncle John. Nothing's gonna change that."

When they reached the Mess Hall, he drew them to a stop and pulled his hand from hers, giving her his "I'm not kidding" face. "I mean it, Mel. We can fool around when we're alone or with family but on the job and in public there can't be any hint of preferential treatment. There's always going to be a few that think you got this post because you're my niece."

"Which isn't true. You were given the records of ten candidates who fit your very specific criteria without their personal information and just happened to pick me as the best of the best for the position."

"I know that, you know that and the OAB knows that, but it's not going to stop the rumors from making the rounds. Going forward, on duty and especially at crunch time, it's 'General', 'General Sheppard' or 'Sir'. Off duty and out of uniform is when 'Uncle John' comes out to play. Just be careful when you use it."

Melissa snapped to attention, all silliness and familiarity gone from her voice and expression. "Yes, sir!"

John rolled his eyes. "At ease, Lieutenant." He watched her for a moment. "We've never served at the same post before."

She relaxed, hands clasped behind her. "I know, sir. I imagine it will take a bit of getting used to."

"No kidding." He stepped forward to activate the door mechanism waiting for her to join him but she remained in place. Lowering his voice, he asked, "You want ice cream or not? The flavor of the week is Chocolate Volcano."

"Affirmative, General Sheppard, sir." Melissa turned her head just enough to see his expression. "One question, if I may, sir." When she was sure she had his attention, she grinned. "Can I get whipped cream and sprinkles?"

John mirrored her grin. "Of course. That's SOP." They entered the Mess Hall together. "This one's on me, but next time, you buy."

"SOP…sir."

The End

A/N: Many thanks to everyone who helped with this story and to those who R&R. Glad you enjoyed it along with Relatively Speaking and It's All Relative.

Aloha,

Sandy