I don't own anything MGM does.
Spoilers-Anything in Season 5 before Brain Storm is fair game.
A/N: This idea just came to me recently. It has not been beta-tested.
"He just won't take no for an answer and it's starting to annoy me." Doctor Jennifer Keller, the Chief Medical Officer of Atlantis, stated to her friends with a heavy sigh. "I mean he's handsome, smart, and very charming, but he's just not my type. I am definitely not the type to go for the "Lady's Man".
"I think he's hot." Major Anne Teldy said putting down her cup of coffee.
"Well, Anne, why don't you take him off my back?" Jennifer laughed as she drank her orange juice. The young physician closed her eyes as the tang and flavor of oranges overwhelmed her taste buds and slid refreshingly down her throat. She indulged in orange juice only once a week when she had breakfast with the girls.
Most mornings, she had breakfast with Rodney. Aware of Rodney's severe allergy to citrus she would not take any chances of him being exposed, so Jennifer would go without her favorite drink to protect the man she loved. Rodney was, of course, unaware of all this. Most mornings, he shoveled his food in over the course of fifteen minutes with little in the way of conversation. The CMO did not care, however. Any time spent with the cranky scientist was worth it to her.
The attendees of the "Girl's Breakfast" as they called it changed from week to week depending on missions and such. This week it was a full house: Major Anne Teldy, Lieutenant Laura Cadman, Amelia Banks, Doctor Amanda Cole, Teyla with Torren, Sergeant Dusty Mehra, and Nurse Marie Cho. They were all Jennifer's friends and she felt at ease with them, so she revealed things she would not normally.
Her problem with Doctor Devin Cooke, the new head of archaeology, seemed like something her friends could help her with. Since Jennifer was a genius and spent the first twenty-five years of her life in school, she did not have a lot of experience with dealing with this type of situation. The handsome, British archaeologist immediately started hitting on Jennifer when they met a month ago. Jennifer was flattered at first, but she knew enough about men to know that he only wanted one thing and would move on once he got it. Not to mention Jennifer was hopelessly in love with Rodney.
"Just complain to his boss." Laura added hiding her smirk. Doctor Cooke's ultimate boss was none other than Doctor Rodney McKay. Archaeology was part of Ancient Technology under Radek Zelenka, which put it in Rodney's department. I would pay money to watch Jennifer discuss this with McKay.
Jennifer, reacting just as Laura expected her to, got red and flustered. "I can't … I couldn't possibly… trouble… No… No this is ridiculous! None of you can come up with an idea to help me?" Her eyes were begging them.
"Jennifer," Teyla began as she passed Torren to Amelia, "Laura's idea has merit. Doctor Zelenka is a friend of yours and I'm certain he would tell Doctor Cooke you are not interested."
Jennifer was horrified. She could not go to Radek with this. The eccentric, Czech scientist would have no idea how to handle it. "No, this is not a problem for Radek."
"What about McKay?" Maria added. "He's in charge of that whole group. I know you and he are close friends. I cannot believe that he would allow one of his staff to make you feel uncomfortable."
"I guess I'm not making myself clear," The physician tried again as her face flamed red. "I don't want him fired for sexual harassment. He's not that bad. I'm just not interested in dating or hooking up or whatever it's called lately."
Laura Cadman knew Jennifer's reluctance to go to Rodney with this had more to do with her feelings toward Rodney than any embarrassment about the persistent Brit. "You could tell him you already have a boyfriend."
"What?" Jennifer raised an eyebrow.
"That's a great idea, Lieutenant," Amanda added. A chorus of "great idea, Laura" and "that should work" rang out around the table. Amelia was the only one who kept quiet.
"Uh… I guess I could… tell him I have a boyfriend on Earth." The more Jennifer thought about it, the better she liked the idea. She was starting to imagine what her imaginary man would be like. "I think that might work."
"No, I don't think a boyfriend on Earth would work. If this guy is really persistent, he will need to see you with your boyfriend." Laura said with a look of innocence on her face. Anne and Dusty were trying not to smile as their eyes met across the table. They knew what Laura was getting at.
"What! There is no one on Atlantis that would pretend to be my boyfriend." Jennifer knew that was not true. She constantly had young Marines and old ones for that matter hitting on her. She also had a suspicion that Ronon would jump at the chance.
"Surely there is someone who would help you out. You'd only need to be seen with him in public settings." Laura added, "You could eat together several times a week. Perhaps go to movie night together once in a while. And get your friends to spread the word that you and this person are dating."
"I think that should do it," Dusty said with a nod of affirmation.
"And where do I find this person?" Jennifer knew she was in trouble. She asked for help, received it and now needed to follow it or find her own way out. What am I going to do? Who could I possibly get? Maybe Lorne?
"I can help," offered Laura.
"Who do you have in mind, Laura?" asked Marie.
"No, no, no. I don't want Laura setting me up!" Jennifer was terrified of what the tap-dancing Marine would do to her.
"Don't worry, Jennifer, I'll be kind," Laura said with a wicked grin on her face. I know exactly what to do and it will solve a bunch of problems.
At this, Amelia got up, gave Torren back to Teyla, and took her tray to dump it. She had an annoyed expression on her face. "Something is up with Amelia lately," Jennifer confided in the others. "She doesn't talk to me at all anymore. I don't know what I did."
Laura knew exactly what was going on. Amelia was jealous of Ronon's crush on Jennifer. I'm sure Amelia wants Jennifer to go after Doctor Cooke and stay away from Ronon.
"I will arrange everything. Your boyfriend will meet you for dinner in the mess hall this evening at 1900. I will also make sure Doctor Cooke is present so he sees the two of you."
"Laura?" The resident medical genius asked with great concern in her voice. "Please tell me what you are up to."
The explosive's expert eyed her friend and only grinned wider. "Trust me!"
How many times have those been famous last words? Jennifer stood, disposed of her tray and left the mess hall looking defeated.
"Don't look so glum, beautiful." A thick British accent spoke from close behind Jennifer's left shoulder.
She jumped, startled that she let Devin Cooke sneak up on her. "I'm in a hurry and can't talk." Jennifer picked up the pace heading toward the infirmary.
"That is quite alright. I can walk and talk at the same time." Devin draped his arm around Jennifer's shoulders. At this, she quickly side-stepped out of his hold on her and turned to face him.
"Listen, I have tried to politely tell you I am not interested." Jennifer tried to sound forceful.
"You and I both know that the chase makes the end result even sweeter," Devin smiled his sexy grin and raised his eyebrows suggestively.
"Leave me alone or I'll tell my boyfriend and you don't want to cross him!" Jennifer said a little louder than she wanted to. Luckily, there were few people close to them in the corridor.
Devin actually looked taken aback. When he had asked about Doctor Keller everyone said she was single and not seeing anyone. There were many rumors but nothing definitive. "Boyfriend?"
"That's right. We're having dinner tonight and if you apologize, I won't tell him."
"Well, I never steal from my colleagues. I will go so far as to apologize to your boyfriend for this transgression in person. I will see you this evening." Devin bowed slightly to Jennifer and walked away.
Wow. That's all I needed to do. I could have done that a month ago. Of course now, "my boyfriend" needs to exist. Jennifer continued on her way to the infirmary. She was going to call Laura and tell her about the encounter. Perhaps this will all end quickly.
Standing unseen to Jennifer and Devin was the smartest man in two galaxies. Jennifer had a boyfriend. Who was it?
Rodney had been in love with Jennifer since the moment he met her. He was too scared to ever do anything about it, but he was at least heartened to know she did not have anyone else. Apparently, he had been wrong. The head scientist racked his brain to think of who it could be. He ate at least once a day with Jennifer when he was on base and went to the mess hall. She never mentioned a boyfriend. They never really talked about relationships since he broke up with Katie, though. He knew a lot of men on the base wanted to go out with her, but he thought she turned them all down. Of course she turned them down; she had a boyfriend, idiot. Rodney turned from the mess hall toward his lab. He had lost his appetite and did not think it would ever come back.
1900 Hours
"Hey, did you hear the news?" An excited young, black-haired physicist said to her colleague in Rodney's lab. "Doctor Keller has a secret boyfriend."
"What?" Her brunette friend commented back. "Keller? I thought she was with Major Lorne?"
"I don't think its Lorne. Apparently, they are having dinner tonight, so everyone can see."
"Don't you have anything better to do than gossip! On second thought, get out of here for the night!" Rodney yelled from his computer at the back of the lab area. Radek jumped and dropped his tablet. Another doctor, this one male, came rushing in out of breathe.
"Did you guys hear? It's Sheppard! Come on they're in the mess hall making out!"
"What!" The brunette said in a shocked voice.
"It won't last long that's for sure," the black-haired physicist continued as all of them ignored their fuming boss in the back of the lab, "he will take what he wants and move on."
"Yeah, but what fun in the taking. I hate blondes!" This was the last comment heard before the door closed.
To say Rodney was in shock was not even close to capturing the feelings and emotions that went through him. John Sheppard. That's impossible. He has repeatedly said she is like a sister; a hot sister, but still a sister. Rodney looked at Radek with a dangerous look in his eyes. Jennifer and Radek were close and the Czech scientist should have said something.
The smaller man swallowed and returned Rodney's stare. "I don't believe it. Jennifer has never mentioned Sheppard in any way other than as a colleague. I don't believe they have ever had a conversation outside of the mess hall, infirmary, or a social setting." Radek tried to smile down the "death glare" from his boss. "It must be gossip."
"Well, there's one way to find out. Let's go to the mess hall," Rodney slammed his computer closed and left his area so rapidly his stool crashed to the floor making Radek jump again. The irate genius waited for Radek to join him on the way to the mess hall. So help me, if it's really Sheppard, I will kill him.
To say Jennifer was uncomfortable would be a grave understatement. The CMO and Head of Atlantis Military were seated in a visible spot in the middle of the mess hall near the balcony. John had his left arm draped across the seat behind Jennifer and his right foot on his left knee. He had the air of someone "holding court" because Teyla, Carson Beckett, and Major Lorne were seated with them talking and laughing.
Jennifer tried to look happy, but it was difficult. How could Laura pick Sheppard? No one would believe he and I were more than friends even after the kiss when we got here. A kiss that left Jennifer feeling like she just made out with a brother.
When Laura suggested this whole idea, Jennifer thought Laura would pick Evan Lorne or perhaps even Rodney. The physician could easily have pretended to be dating either of them. Lorne was her partner-in-crime when it came to practical jokes and she was totally at ease around him. Most of the base already thought they were a couple, so it would not have been hard. Rodney was the man she loved and dating him was an unfulfilled dream. But no, Cadman had to choose John Sheppard. The last man I would ever be interested in.
Jennifer's thoughts were interrupted by John's sudden kiss. He just leaned over and kissed her. I can't take this anymore. Jennifer was already pushing away from John when a furious voice cried out across the crowded mess hall.
"Get off her! She is so much better than you it would take years to explain it!" A red-faced, fist-clenching, ready-to-fight Rodney McKay stomped across the mess hall. Everyone in his path cleared out with some tripping over each other and almost falling.
"Rodney, nice to see you," John said in a calm, cheery voice. He still held his arm around Jennifer, who was too horrified to look away as Rodney approached the table. "You're a little early for dinner. Don't you usually eat around 2100?"
"Get your hands off her!" Rodney growled. "I'm not going to tell you again!"
Why can't the Wraith attack right now or someone need me for an emergency surgery? How could I ever listen to Laura Cadman? I'm such an idiot. Jennifer dared to raise her eyes to Rodney who was standing next to the still-reclining Colonel. She saw that Rodney's face was scarlet and his eyes, which usually flew around rapidly as ideas danced through his mind, stared unblinking at John. A wave of fear for Colonel Sheppard passed through her. In her two years of knowing the cantankerous physicist, she never saw him so angry and determined. He's upset because I'm with Sheppard? Why? Jennifer's demeanor changed as she sat up straight and focused all her attention on the man she loved.
When Rodney entered the mess hall, he was angry. Normally he would never mention his feelings toward Jennifer and his own insecurities regarding them to anyone. After seeing Sheppard lean over to kiss his Jennifer, he lost it and everything on his mind came out through his mouth.
"A guy like me can only ever dream about finding a woman half as wonderful as Jennifer. I know she'll never feel the same way about me, but I can't stand by and let you use her. She doesn't deserve that, John!" Rodney flung the name out like it was a dirty word.
Jennifer should be outraged at being discussed like some piece of property, but she knew Rodney well enough to read between the lines. He cares! He cares enough about me to be concerned about my love life. Maybe what he said about loving me while infected with the parasite was true. A smile began to blossom on Jennifer's face and she started to rise to stop this from going too far.
John got up first. "You seriously need to calm down, McKay."
"Calm down! I'm just getting started. You claim to be my friend, yet you're taking the only woman I ever loved away from me before..."
"Rodney! Did you just say you loved me?" The voice that haunts Rodney's dreams spoke. His heart's desire stepped in front of John and looked up at him with her perfect smile and hopeful eyes. All the bluster, all the snark, everything was gone from Rodney's mind at that moment. Oh crap! Say something!
"Ah… I… um… Jennifer, I…" Rodney who was moments ago ranting and raving was now speechless.
Jennifer was filled with deep love and affection for the man before her. Within moments he went from a murderous rage directed at his best friend to a defeated little boy caught with his hands in the cookie jar. He loved her! It was true! I'd love to hear it again, but this will be too much for him. Because she loved him and knew him well, she was not going to hold out for another declaration in front of their friends and colleagues.
"I love you, too," She said as she launched herself into Rodney's arms and kissed him with all her heart.
After some time, both Rodney and Jennifer became aware of applause and cheers echoing around them. It was quite loud to break through the love-induced haze that surrounded them. They reluctantly separated and stared into each other's eyes a moment, both stunned and elated at the same time.
"You really love me?" Rodney asked still not quite believing that his dream-girl loved him.
"Come on, genius, let's get out of here so I can show you how much I love you," Jennifer said quietly with a sly grin on her face.
Rodney grabbed her hand and they started to leave only to be stopped by Sheppard. "Jennifer, did you just use me to make McKay jealous?"
"No…" began Jennifer only to be cut off by the laughter-filled voice of Laura Cadman.
"I did, sir. Someone had to take the initiative to get these two geniuses together since they can't figure anything out for themselves." The young Marine came in from the balcony with Devin Cooke in tow.
Jennifer should have been angry with Laura and would probably tell her off in the future, but the only thing on her mind was spending time with the man she loved. "I assume Doctor Cooke is also…"
"Part of my plan? Yes. We called it Operation Rodney and Jennifer. Since you look like you want to drag McKay out of here and…" Laura raised her eyebrows and smirked as she left the sentence hanging. "I'd say it was successful."
"Some day Cadman…" Jennifer started.
"But not today," Rodney growled as he pushed her toward the exit.
Much later that night - Rodney's quarters
"I love you." Rodney said for about the hundredth time as he reached across Jennifer to kill the light.
"I love you, too." Jennifer replied in return as she snuggled into his arms and drifted off to sleep with a smile. I will never get tired of hearing it.
A/N I appreciate any feedback. Let me know if you want to see more. Thanks!
I don't know Marie the nurse's last name. If she has one, I'm sorry I missed it.