Disclaimer: MGM owns SGA; KOI does NOT.
Setting: Post Brain Storm
Note: Thanks to DaniWilder for the beta. And if I haven't mentioned it yet – Happy Birthday, Dani.
Stargate: Atlantis
Second Choices
by koinekid
PART I
Chapter 1
A rain-slicked pier is hazardous under the best conditions, but when you're in high heels and bawling your eyes out, it can be downright treacherous. Weeks ago, she treated a technician who slipped in a puddle and tumbled into the ocean. A marine sergeant rescued that young man, but no one was standing by in case she fell. That's the price she paid for wanting to be alone.
"Jennifer, wait."
So much for solitude. Rodney caught up, but she refused to face him, unwilling to give him the satisfaction of seeing her tears. Stop that! He didn't mean to hurt you.
His touch on her bare arm made her tingle. Or maybe it was the rain misting against her skin. In her haste to depart, she'd forgotten her coat. Unbidden, a sigh escaped her lips. Be strong. "Do you know how humiliating that was?"
Rodney spun her around. Confusion shown on his face.
"I waved to you," Jennifer said, "called you over. But you ignored me."
He shook his head. "I didn't see you."
"Because of Sam." There, she said it.
"Yes." Rodney's eyes widened. "I mean, no. It isn't what you think."
"No? Because it seems you'd rather spend time with a woman who never gave you a chance than one who…who opened her heart to you."
"That's not it, Jennifer."
"Then what is it, Rodney? What is it when, in front of our friends, our coworkers, and everyone at that party, you go to her instead of me? Why does Sam in her uniform rate higher than your so-called girlfriend in her best dress, a dress she wore for you—?"
He cut her off with a kiss. Her indignant grunt dissolved into a whimper. "No fair," she murmured. "Fighting dirty."
"Sorry, but you wouldn't let me get a word in."Rodney stroked her cheek and smiled. "You see, Sam had something I was very eager to get my hands on."
Jennifer looked aghast.
His smile faltered. "That came out wrong."
"You think?" Jennifer huffed. "Do you know what people have been telling me since our relationship went public?"
Rodney rolled his eyes. "I can only imagine."
"Be careful, Jen." She wagged her finger in imitation. "You'll never be more than his second choice. But I thought if I loved you enough it wouldn't matter."
"Who cares what people say?" Rodney rubbed up and down her arms, warming her against the rain. "Some say I'm your second choice. I don't let it bother me."
Jennifer knew he was right. Before the two of them became a couple, she'd enjoyed a brief flirtation with Rodney's teammate. But she hadn't carried a torch for Ronon Dex for six long, unreciprocated years. And by the time Ronon was ready to move forward, Jennifer's heart had moved on. Had Rodney's? If Sam showed the slightest interest, would he run back to her?
Yes, Jennifer decided, he would. Today proved it.
Her shivering stopped as Rodney draped his suit jacket around her shoulders. The rain had already begun to turn his white shirt semi-transparent when he steered them toward the shelter of the nearest building.
At Rodney's caring gesture a wave of affection washed over her. Maybe she could live with being someone's second choice, as long as that someone was him.
No, I deserve more.
She shrugged out of his grasp and retreated a few paces. Before he could speak, she said, "Go on inside. I'll catch up with you later."
"What you'll catch is a cold." He held out a hand. "Come on."
"I want to be alone for a while, Rodney."
"You can be alone inside where it's warm."
"I'll be fine. I have your jacket." She had to get rid of him before the tears started again.
"My jacket? You're wearing my jacket!" He paled. "I—I need it back."
"I'll bring it to you." Or send one of her nurses to drop it off. She wasn't sure she could face him again after today.
"I kind of need it back now."
"Now?" So much for chivalry.
"Just for a minute. I left something valuable in the pocket."
Sam's personal email no doubt. Her real one this time. Jennifer reached inside, expecting a slip of paper or maybe a business card. Her fingers closed around a small velvet box.
"Don't!" Rodney cried as she withdrew her hand. It was too late. She opened the box, and the tumblers clicked into place.
"This is why you were so eager to see her?" Jennifer croaked.
A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. "I couldn't go back to Earth and pick it up myself, so Sam agreed to stop by Jeannie's for me."
Jennifer shuffled forward on wobbly legs. "You were excited about the ring. Not her."
"It's a special ring." He closed the distance between them. "And you're a special lady."
Jennifer sailed into Rodney's arms. Her arms encircled his neck and pulled him into what she hoped was the hottest kiss of his life. It was certainly the hottest of hers. And when it ended, she knew three things absolutely: 1) Rodney loved her. 2) She loved him. 3) Her hand was empty.
The ring!
Rodney gulped. "Jennifer, tell me I didn't just hear a plop."
To be continued
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