22A/N: So... this is a short follow up to the Jennifer Keller/Evan Lorne story I wrote called The Vegas Fallout. Its main characters are Evan's best friend Saul Stewart and Evan's sister Jamie Lorne, introduced in The Vegas Fallout. This is also the first story I wrote with a main character that is an OC. Not exactly comfortable with writing OC's, but what better way to work on that. This is pure and utter fluff.
The Vegas Fallout – the one where Jenn and Evan meet in Las Vegas… I know, kind of vague, but I don't want to ruin it if you haven't read it or wish to in the future. Just a warning though… this story does mention events in The Vegas Fallout story.
Thank you ShaViva for the beta and for pushing me to write better.
Disclaimer: I don't own any part of Stargate Atlantis or its wonderful characters.
Spoilers: None that I can think of.
1 – The Catch Up
Major Saul Stewart threw his truck keys on the kitchen table after shutting his back door behind him. He turned on a local news TV station in his living room, adjusting the volume up loud enough he could hear it while changing his clothes and making a quick sandwich for dinner elsewhere in the house. None of the local teams were playing tonight, but when he sat down on the couch he flipped the channel until he found a baseball game and figured it was good enough.
Leaning back he couldn't help but think he should've taken his buddy Andrew up on his invitation to eat and shoot some darts at one of the local bars near the base. Even a bar hamburger and beer would've been better than his cold sandwich and soda.
He and the guys had been pushing the newest prototype planes at Nellis AFB to their limits for days on end and they were about due for some R&R.
Trying to be nonchalant he picked up his laptop, not that there was anyone to be indifferent in front of. He opened his email and tried not to look through the new emails too hopefully, but despite this, he still felt the rush when he saw her name just four down from the top. According to the date and time, it had arrived just 2 hours before. Skipping all the junk email he clicked on hers and settled back to read it.
From: Jamie Lorne
Sent: Thursday, November 1, 2007
To: Major Saul Stewart, Nellis AFB
Subject: Stop laughing
For your information, the snow from last week's storm has already melted. I didn't even have to break out my winter coat or boots for it. I figure I can put off that chore for at least another week, hopefully two. And no… I didn't spend my Friday night shoveling snow… my landlord did it for me.
You know, I hate to burst your bubble, but it's not like Vegas is toasty warm this time of year either. I packed my bathing suit when my schedule had me there for three days at the end of last month and sadly, it never left my suitcase. I would've been better served bringing a few sweatshirts and maybe a few less pairs of sandals.
I'll be the one laughing once the ski slopes open in a few weeks though.
Jamie
Saul leaned back against the couch feeling stunned, the baseball game completely forgotten. He quickly hit the reply button and flexed his fingers.
From: Major Saul Stewart, Nellis AFB
Sent: Thursday, November 1, 2007
To: Jamie Lorne
Subject: Reeling
Let me get this straight. You were in Las Vegas just a couple of weeks ago and didn't look me up? What kind of friend visits Vegas and doesn't at least say hi? I'll tell you what kind… the kind that is now in the dog house.
Oh… and I didn't spend my Friday night shoveling snow either… just saying… and still laughing.
Saul
The Major didn't know if he should be hurt on top of the surprise he was feeling or not. It wasn't like they were close friends. He was her brother's close friend, he actually thought of Evan as his best friend, but the distance had definitely put a strain on that in the last few years. Over the years he'd spent some time with Evan and his family. He and Lorne's sister, Jamie, had always had a bit of a flirty thing going, especially whenever Evan was around. It was a blast to get under Evan's skin, but maybe it'd just been her personality and a lot of wishful thinking on his part.
He'd thought there'd been a moment or two the last time he'd visited Jamie's family for Thanksgiving. Their back and forth emails had encouraged his hope a little if he was being honest. Now he wasn't so sure it was anything more than a casual friendship.
The sound of an incoming email alert caught his wandering thoughts and he quickly opened the new email from Jamie.
From: Jamie Lorne
Sent: Thursday, November 1, 2007
To: Major Saul Stewart, Nellis AFB
Subject: Drama queen
Calm down. It's not like these lecture circuits give me much down time. Of the three days I was there I only had down time for lunch and dinner. I had three days of classes and two evenings of lectures. Seemed a bit cruel to announce I was within shouting distance and then not actually have enough free time to say hi.
I do have another three day seminar scheduled in Vegas toward the end of next week. Can I bribe my way out of the dog house if I say hi this time while I'm there?
Jamie
Saul tried not to grin, but he couldn't help it. He and the guys had a bit of free time coming up. His plans had consisted of doing just about nothing. Which had sounded like heaven at the time, but now, seeing Jamie on his turf sounded even better.
From: Major Saul Stewart, Nellis AFB
Sent: Thursday, November 1, 2007
To: Jamie Lorne
Subject: Dog house
It's going to take more than saying hi to get you out of the dog house, but it is a start. I'd say a longer conversation over dinner would go a long way towards mitigating your sins.
When do you get here and when will you have some free time?
Saul
He should be free by Thursday, but even if that wasn't the case, his evenings were still his own. He hoped she had more free time this go round than just a recess for dinner. He'd never really spent much time with Jamie when her family wasn't around. Usually Thanksgiving was the only time he got to spend with her and her mom, and if they were lucky Evan would make an appearance as well.
Last Thanksgiving had been a little crazy. First he'd had to introduce Jennifer, Evan's wife to the Lorne family before saying goodbye to her, finding out before the night was over that she'd accepted a job out of country. Then the day after Thanksgiving, Evan had shown up and dispelled Saul's image of a happy couple by telling him he'd asked Jenn for a divorce. He'd quickly assured Saul that he didn't plan to divorce Jenn, if she'd forgive him for even thinking it, but it'd still been a shocker and made for the craziest Thanksgiving Saul'd ever attend, he was sure.
From: Jamie Lorne
Sent: Thursday, November 1, 2007
To: Major Saul Stewart, Nellis AFB
Subject: Let it go!
You are like a dog with a bone, let it go already! I promise dinner and at least two hours of conversation… but those classes take it out of me. Much more than that and you're really running the risk of being bored. Or worse, having me fall asleep on you.
I get in late Tuesday night and have three day classes and two evening classes. I'd be free Friday night for sure. To get myself completely out of the dog house I suppose I could make it an afternoon flight on Saturday instead of flying out in the morning. So, your choice… Friday after my last class or Saturday lunch. I'll probably be the most coherent Saturday. Wouldn't want you to feel short changed on the meal and conversation and not let me completely out of your imaginary dog house.
Jamie
Saul found himself stuck on the idea of Jamie falling asleep on him for a few extra moments, but quickly shook it off. Focus, he warned himself.
From: Major Saul Stewart, Nellis AFB
Sent: Thursday, November 1, 2007
To: Jamie Lorne
Subject: It's a date…
I'm thinking both, all of the above. That should wipe your slate clean.
See you next week. Let me know where you're staying. I'll call you closer to Friday and we can set a time for me to pick you up.
Saul
He grinned as he hit the send button knowing that it would get her hackles up to see the term date in the subject line. He couldn't help goading her a bit. He'd be thinking of it as a date, but he didn't hold out too much hope that she'd be letting that one slide. He was looking forward to seeing her again and wondered what it was going to be like without her family underfoot.