I actually started this story years ago. I was never that happy with it, so started over. I have 18 chapters from before and am rewriting and posting over the next few days.

Its about Sheppard, his twin sister, an old boyfriend, and daily life with his buddies.

Teyla, John, Rodney, and Ronon were sitting outside at their usual table on the balcony overlooking the ocean around Atlantis eating their breakfasts. It was a beautiful Lantean morning. Rodney was regaling the team with tales of heroism from his previous jaunt offworld. He had gone on a mission with Lorne's team, SGA-2, the day before and had apparently saved the entire universe from exploding. Again. There was much heroism involved.

"I thought our team was crazy, but Lorne and his grunt-monkeys are waaay more incompetent-" Rodney was saying, as the SGA-2 team leader himself sidled up to their table.

"What was that Dr. McKay?" Lorne asked pleasantly.

"Oh, uh. Nothing? You guys are awesome? Super competent."

"Nice save Rodney." said Ronan with a grin on his face. Ronan was sitting across from Rodney with his feet up on an extra chair. The big Satedan was having his own game of stealth stealing Rodney's extra food. He figured McKay always got way more than he needed and didn't want to waste any food.

Lorne, unfazed, continued- "Uh huh. Anyway Colonel, I just wanted to let you know that the next batch of recruits is due from the Deadalus in about 2 hours- they're running a bit late. Don't forget that Dr. McKay's civilian prisoner transfer is on this run too," continued Lorne.

"Um wha? Transfer?" asked John.

"The new comp sci transfer arranged by you, Dr. Weir and Dr. McKay. Sir. " replied Lorne.

Rodney jumped out of his chair and was beaming with excitement ."Oh my gosh really? Already!? Really?! Ha ha! If this guy doesn't kill us, he's gonna be such an asset Sheppard."

"Yeah, um, WHA? What transfer McKay!?" Colonel Sheppard demanded.

Rodney looked down at his plate (and if Teyla was right, certainly trying to avoid his eyes), "Remember Colonel? A couple of months ago I asked if I could get a new guy? I had to ask you, which obviously was weird because normally I ask Dr. Weir, but seeing as the totalitarian regime know as the United States governement was "detaining" him under so-called US Terror Laws, you had to approve it...and...uh... you said 'yes.' I cleared it with Elizabeth too."

"Ah geez McKay, is this the guy you asked about when I was still out of it from the poison gas plants like 3 months ago? SERIOUSLY MCKAY? I barely remember what I said to you or you to me! I kind of thought it was a dream! I was not fully in control of all my thought processes. You did that on purpose!"

"Too bad Colonel Sleepyhead. You signed the transfer order. And now he's almost here." Rodney sounded gleeful, as he was rubbing his hands together.

"This guy sounds like a criminal McKay." exclaimed John.

"I'll just take this as my cue to leave" said Lorne, walking away. His message apparently delivered. The new transfer was coming, the Daedalus was going to be here soon, so his commanding officer was just going to have to work this out. He grinned as he turned away. He trusted Dr. McKay, but sometimes he didn't think before doing some things. For a genius, he could be so stupid sometimes.

For his part, Dr. McKay was at least trying to look a bit bashful "Oh. Um. Well. It's like this….um. Well, there's this guy that broke into the SG1 and SGA program servers. Before they were aware of his presence, he got access to some of the obviously, highly classified stuff. Not everything, but enough to get the him noticed and … in big trouble obviously."

Teyla decided to join in the conversation at this point, "Rodney, is this person dangerous? Should they be allowed in the City of the Ancients?"

Rodney paused for a minute. "Oh. Uh, I think this guy, and most hacker types, are just interested in information and getting at it. Not necessarily using it for crimes or anything…I think. Probably."

Colonel Sheppard sighed. "Uh huh. Go on Rodney" while pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Well", said Rodney, "This guy has been around for ages, even I knew their name, well secret name. You know hackers and their super duper secret identities… right? Well, this one, he's a genius and OHMYGOD… he's really clever, I mean not as clever as me. Smartest man in two galaxies here! But, I've been following his 'work' for a few years and he's super talented. He's broken into and rewritten computer coding systems at the highest most encrypted levels. But here's the kicker- there was never malicious intent or outcomes."

"That was detected-" piped in Ronan.

"Yeah, ok- "Rodney continued, "But anyway, it took around the clock work from the SGA, but 3 months after the infiltration, they caught him. Dr. Weir was brought in on the conversation when the initial breach was noticed of course, then she asked me about safeguarding our data. That's how I know about all this."

"Get to the point of why you requested this guy come here of all places, and why on Earth they would come." Said the Colonel.

Rodney paused for a moment, "I mean, I don't know why he does what he does…but he's maybe even as good as me with writing and deciphering code and I think, I think, I think he might be able to handle the conversion and integration of ancient tech and Earth tech really well. I mean really really well. I mean, right now all the systems work OK with our stuff, but I think with this guy on board, we can really get the City running. I mean, I've got this place running at like 70% now. Which is good right? I mean it's 50,000 yr old super tech we're talking about here and.. and I think he wanted to come. I think he found out about the Stargate program and Atlantis and just...wanted to find out more. SO he hacked his way in. "

John cut Rodney off. "RODNEY. Get to the prisoner part."

"Oh yeah. Well, obviously the government couldn't have this guy just waltzing through the SGA program's file, so…they arrested him and charged him, like I said. But other than breaking through the highest possible cyber security know to man, he didn't actually do anytime to or take anything away from the system. So he plea bargained and agreement. In exchange for dropping the charges, he agreed to keep all his computer skills on the right side of the law from now on, and to actually help out the SGA in strengthening their security."

"So, why are WE getting to have the pleasure of their company?"

"Well, when I found out the government actually HAD this guy, I mean, no one was even sure where this guy worked from! I know he's worked outside normal bounds of scientific research arenas and stuff but um, I asked if , uh, if we could have him."

Rodney continued, "So, in exchange for not releasing all the files that he lifted from the SGA servers to hacker forums, which um, incidentally, I don't think he'd do, he uh, he got an agreement to actually work within the SGA program. Of course, he's still a hacker and kind of a prisoner, but not really, you know?"

"Does this guy have a name?" asked John.

"Oh, uh, I just know their hacker name, and I assume it's an alias- Domino."

At that, Colonel John Sheppards demeanor changed instantly. "What did you say?"

McKay repeated, "Domino. You know how these names are, just nonsense."

Teyla studied John's face. She thought he looked distressed and was on the verge of something….panic? Clearly, to him, the name was not nonsense.

"Colonel Sheppard? Do you know this person?" Telya asked.

Instead of answering, John stood up abruptly from the table and walked into the City.

Ronon, Teyla, and Rodney exchanged puzzled looks and all stood up in unison and began to follow him inside, leaving their breakfasts deserted.

John didn't stop walking until he got to Dr. Weir's office. Without knocking or even announcing himself, he stormed in started pacing furiously.

Dr. Weir looked up from her work and was just staring at the new spectacle in front of her. She had no idea what was going on. "Colonel? Can I help you?"

"Yes…No… It's my own fault. I didn't ask. I mean, why would I? I thought it was just another geek coming! Oh god. Why didn't I ask. This can't be happening. FUCK!"

At that exclamation, everyone (Teyla, Ronon, and Rodney were standing just inside the door) kind of jumped.

"Colonel! What is going on?" exclaimed Dr. Weir.

John stopped his pacing and responded by asking "I just need to know, did this civilian transfer of Dr. McKay's coming in make any special requests are ask for any special accommodations?

Rodney squawked, "Sheppard! What do you know? What's going on? Oh my god, I hired a murderer, a psychopath...didn't I? Oh my god."

"McKay, shut up!" said John.

Dr. Weir looked down at her desktop, and not finding what she was looking for, opened a drawer and pulled out a stack of papers. "…Yeees. It looks like they requested a translator, and.. uh 'quote' "a room as far away from the main population as possible"

"It looks like the SGC was not able to find a translator, but he did not insist, so he let that request go. And we can certainly place him in one of the further outreaches of the city." At this statement she looked up expectantly at Colonel Sheppard.

He just sank into a chair holding his head in his hands.

Teyla walked over to him and laid her hand on his shoulder prompting him to look up.

"Uh guys? There's some stuff I think I'm going to have to tell you."

Colonel Sheppard walked himself and his friends over to a conference room where they could all sit.

"Okay, what's going on Sheppard" blurted Ronan. "What's got you so freaked out?"

Colonel Sheppard passed a hand over his face and said, "First of all, I'm not 100% sure that this Domino is who I think they may be"

"And WHO IS THAT exactly Colonel?!", McKay was getting impatient and worried that his new technician/hacker/recruit was not going to work out. "Oh my god! Is he insane? Is he going to kill me? I was just trying to make advances in technology and science for the betterment of all mankind! The SGC wouldn't send a killer to us would they?"

John sighed. "First of McKay, he is a she. I think. If they are who I think they are."

"Oh, well then...ok. So who IS SHE?" McKay was almost screaming at this point and looked as he were going to hyperventilate.

"Calm down McKay. She's not going to kill you."

Elizabeth and Teyla exchanged glances. Teyla was the one who asked, "Who is this person to you Colonel?"

Sheppard took a deep breath, exhaled and said, "She's my sister."

The air left the room, everyone in the room was floored. Ronan barked "huh?!"

McKay was just sitting with his mouth open and his jaw on the floor.

Elizabeth was bewildered, muttering "I don't understand, your records don't mention a sister."

Teyla was peacefully waiting for John to explain. She attempted to calm everyone down by saying "I'm sure the Colonel has a good reason that he has not mentioned this sister before..." waiting expectantly for him to continue.

"Actually, I don't have a good reason." With a sigh, it seemed that was all he was willing to share.

Elizabeth gently prodded him with a kind look.

"The reason my records don't show her as a relation is because she erased herself from my life. We, um, we had a falling out. McKay, you know she has the skills to do that. With computer records it was easy enough for her to do. I haven't seen or spoken to her in close to 5 years. Look, before I go on, which I'm finding very difficult to do right now, I need to know if it's her. I just need to see."

"Colonel," asked Teyla, "If you have not communicated in 5 years, how do you know this person is her?"

"Domino was uh, her horse growing up. And this kind of trouble, uh, stuff...it sounds like her." Looking at his feet, John continued, "Look guys...I have a, uh, I have a twin sister. Her name is Rowan. When we had our...falling out...she changed her identity and I lost track of her, and she of me."

"I... I'm sorry guys, but, uh, I need to be alone."

With that final, blunt statement, John stood up and left the room.

As the door closed behind him, Elizabeth blew out a long held breath and just said "oh" in a tiny voice.

Teyla was looking very pensive and was wondering what could have driven apart a twin sibling from this man that she knew. Colonel Sheppard was fiercely loyal.

Ronan blurted out-"How come none of us knew he had a sister?"

McKay looked around the room and said "Right. OK. I inadvertently hired his criminal sister. Twin sister. Who hates him. Passionately. Enough to ERASE herself from his existence for the last 5 years. I think I'm in trouble."

Elizabeth spoke first. "Did any of you guys know about this sister?"

Everyone responded "no" with bewildered, hurt and confused looks.

Rodney piped up "Well, I guess it's possible, if this Rowan person didn't want to exist on paper anymore, she more than has the skills to make a new identity or hide from anyone. I wonder what happened between them?"

Teyla murmured "I also wonder this. Colonel Sheppard is one of the most loyal and protective men I have ever known. What could have them not want to be with each other? Twins especially. For my people, twins are very rare. Very rare. Only three such occurrences are known in our history which goes back several hundreds of years. Such bonds cannot be easily broken."

"On Sateda too. Twins were really rare. I never met any. I heard they always made great soldiers though because they'd fight extra hard to protect each other." said Ronon, who was leaning against the wall.

"Do you think we should go find him and ask before the Daedalus arrives? It's gonna be here soon, within an hour or two." Rodney was looking at everyone with wide eyes.

Being the diplomat, they all naturally looked to Elizabeth to make a decision- "I think maybe one of us should go. It seems like he is really uncomfortable with talking about any of this and the smaller the audience the better. I just want to be sure he's going to be able to handle her presence here. Because at this point it's not like we can send her back immediately. And frankly it's not really his choice. She is a civilian, and Dr. McKay and the Military Police have made these arrangements, which I have already agreed to. She is not one of his responsibilities. Once she leaves the Daedalus, she's no longer the military's responsibility, she's a civilian. That was part of her terms for the release. "

"I'll go", Teyla volunteered, and with a final look at her friends she went in search of John.

John had left the conference room and headed for the east pier. He needed air. Space. Room to think and breathe. He felt like his whole world had been shaken up and dropped in a pile at his feet. As he passed people in the halls, scientists, people under his command, he barely registered them, didn't return salutes given. He just needed to get out into the open air.

When he finally arrived at his destination, he just stood looking out over the ocean. Thoughts were swirling around his mind. Unsettled and without flow of logic or reason. Memories of the past, questions of the future all tumbled around. Such was his lack of focus that the military leader had no concept of how much time past or that anyone was approaching.

Teyla touched his shoulder, he jumped at the contact. She stood there with her hand on his shoulder for a moment. She could feel the tension under his black shirt, could feel how his shoulder was tight, unable to relax. She didn't move her hand. Just stood there offering peace and comfort through her touch.

He turned his head and looked her in the eyes, then tore them away to stare at the ocean. He thought he was letting his friends down. That to have his history thrown in their faces, when they thought they knew him, that this was a betrayal. It's not that he didn't trust them, or that he was in any way ashamed of his past. It was just that he'd learnt long ago that family can leave you. Can betray you, can hurt you the most. So he never talked about his past or his family, preferring to sacrifice his own self and identity for everyone else's well-being and frankly, over the past five years on Atlantis, he'd been more than occupied doing exactly that.

He breathed out and whispered "I'm sorry, just need a little more time".

Teyla smiled back and sat down on the pier, guiding him to sit down as well.

They sat that way for half an hour, enjoying each other's company and the ocean sounds and smells.

Finally, John said "Rowan never forgave me for joining the Air Force."

Teyla opted to remain silent. Now that John had finally started to talk, she didn't want to interrupt.

John continued, "I always knew I wanted to be in Air Force. Always. It's who I am. It's something that is a part of me, and I can't change that. There's other stuff of course. But that's the big one. I went into the Air Force and she didn't want to, couldn't really anyway, even if she wanted to. To her, it was unforgivable that I chose it over us. That's how she saw it I think. At least that what it seemed like to me. I have given up and lost so much Teyla. So much, to be here." He turned his face toward her and Teyla saw a look of such loss and pain that it took her breath away.

It was only there for a moment, then a wall was up again, and his face closed off, devoid of emotion.

"Anyway. She'll be here soon enough and you can see for yourself. I don't even know what's going to happen. She made it pretty clear that she didn't want anything to do with me, years ago."

A few more moments passed. "You know, I told the others only part of the truth before...Rowan erased herself from society's records, but I erased her from my military record. I made that decision. She didn't want me to find her and the feeling was mutual, at the time anyway. So I took her out of my records."

Sigh. "Don't tell McKay that, ok? He doesn't need to know I have the skills to do that" he said with a wry smile. "I'm not even sure why I did that. Other than the fact that it was too awful when she left. I didn't want to be reminded of her...to have to say 'no' that relative isn't my next of kin, don't contact her...to have to talk about it. I'm not real big on the whole talking about things THING. You know?"

"Yes John, I know," said Teyla with an equally wry smile. "We will be here for you. I do not know what your family did to you in the past to make you think that family could not be trusted. But this family that we have here, you me, Ronon, Rodney, Elizabeth, Drs Beckett and Keller... we will be here for you, we will not leave you or force you to choose. We will not betray you. Ever.""

John turned to look at her "You're not mad that I didn't tell you guys about any of this?" waving his hands around in the air.

Teyla paused a moment. "I will not say that I'm not hurt, I am. I cannot speak for the others, though. I know in my heart that you trust me as I trust you. I know in my heart that you are a part of my family as I am yours. I know these things to be true. I also know that it's very hard- especially for you- to open yourself to others, to share your thoughts and the events of your past."

John looked at her and smiled. "Thank you Teyla. Thank you for sitting here with me."

Teyla looked at her friend. He looked afraid. He looked not like a soldier, but a man who is uncertain of what is coming. She had to reassure him that all would be well. It hurt her to see him so unsure of himself, and it hurt her also, that he did not feel as confident in the support of his friends as she did. She knew that Ronon, Dr. McKay, everyone here - would be loyal to him.

John turned to her, "Rowan isn't the only thing or person, that you guys don't know about. I came to Atlantis for a reason, and it's not just what happened with Afghanistan and Holland. You guys know about that, but there's a lot of other stuff that made me leave my life behind. I'm not sure how all these things will unfold. But Rowan coming here is going to bring a lot of...bad...stuff to the surface, and I'm ... nervous. I don't know what to do."

Teyla was surprised at this. What more could his history hide? What more did they, his team and family, not know about John Sheppard?