12/22/08

Chapter One

Rodney McKay strode down the hallways of Atlantis, heading toward his lab. Computer in hand, he only looked up once to make sure he didn't fall down the stairs. He stepped off the last step and was brought up short by Jennifer Keller coming toward him. He stared at her caught off guard by her striking hair color.

"When did you do that?" Rodney asked, stopping her.

Jennifer smiled, touching her hair as if to make sure it was still there. "Yesterday." She shrugged. "I wanted a change."

Rodney took in her chocolate brown hair tumbling over her shoulders. He wanted to run his hands through it. He placed his hands behind his back before he gave into the urge.

"It looks good on you," he said, clearing his throat to hide his uncertainty.

Jennifer smiled, lighting her entire face. "Thanks."

She hurried down the hallway and he noticed she carried her equipment with her. He caught up with her.

"Where are you going?"

"A village is in need of a doctor again," she said without stopping. "Remind me never to complain about not going Offworld enough."

"Consider yourself reminded," Rodney said. "I suppose you don't want company?"

Jennifer looked at him askance and Zelenka spoke in Rodney's ear.

"Where in the world are you? We're ready to run these tests."

Rolling his eyes, he tapped the earwig. "I'm seeing Jennifer off, if that's all right with you?"

"Fine, take your time. We can put this off for another week."

"Oh, for crying out loud. I'll be right there, Mr. Impatient."

Jennifer laughed and Rodney sighed. There went the moment.

"Dinner then?"

"I'll hold you to it," Jennifer said, smiling.

"Right. See you then."

Jennifer kissed him. Warmth rushed through him and he pulled her against him. He wanted to take it further, make it last longer, but she broke the kiss.

"See you then," she said. She turned and headed toward the Gateroom.

He wanted to follow her, see her off, but there was too much to do in the lab. Sighing, he headed toward the lab.

"All right what is it that couldn't wait," Rodney said, stepping into his lab.

Zelenka came up to him, computer in hand. He handed the laptop to Rodney. Taking it, he headed over to a table, placing his other computer on top. He went over the data on Zelenka's tablet.

"We're ready to run the simulations," Zelenka told him.

"Let's get started then," Rodney said, handing the computer back to Zelenka.

He went to the computer ready for the test, typed a few keys and watched the simulation results appear before him. Smirking, he stood up straighter.

"Looks like it'll work," he said. He tapped his earpiece. "Woolsey, this is McKay. It'll work and we're ready to go."

"Proceed."

Rodney rolled his eyes, grabbed his computer, and headed down to the ZPM room, Zelenka on his heels.

"So how was send-off?" Zelenka asked.

"That is none of your business," Rodney returned, glaring at the man. "You need to focus on the task at hand, not on my love life."

"Ah, so you admit it. You are dating Dr. Keller."

"Didn't I just say it's none of your business?"

Zelenka shrugged. Rodney grumbled and continued toward the transporter.

"Do you think you can keep your attention on this or should I send you back?" Rodney asked as the transporter's door opened.

"Can you?" Zelenka asked, stepping into the tiny room.

"Oh, you are asking for it," Rodney snapped slapping his hand on the screen behind them.

The doors shut and a second later, the two scientists stepped out into another hallway. Rodney led the way down the corridor at a brisk pace. He turned a corner and entered the room. He placed his computer on the console and typed on the Ancient controls.

The ZPM came up and Rodney got to work on increasing its output.

~*~

"All right, that's as much as I can increase it," Rodney said, thirty minutes later. "Try not to break it."

"We'll try not to, Dr. McKay. Thank you. Woolsey out."

Rodney rolled his eyes, grabbed his computer, and left the room.

"I swear he has me doing busy work for his entertainment."

"You're not happy unless you have something to complain about," Zelenka said, slight humor in his voice.

Rodney glared at the man. "I only complain if there's a reason to. Right now is a reason to."

"Whatever you say."

"Let's get back to the lab and get started on some real work."

"That wasn't real work?"

"Don't start with me. I'm not in the mood."

"You're always in a mood," Zelenka said.

Rodney said nothing. His thoughts found their way back to Jennifer and the need to see her. Picking up his pace, he headed toward the transporter.

"Wait up!" Zelenka called after him.

Rodney barely heard the man. He ran his hand over the controls and the doors whooshed open.

"Ah, you want to see Dr. Keller," Zelenka said, hurrying into the transporter beside him.

"Shut up," Rodney growled.

"She should be back now."

"You talk too much." The doors opened and Rodney rushed out of the transporter and headed toward the Gateroom.

Five minutes later, Rodney entered the room just as the gate's blue horizon settled. He moved further into the room, toward the stairs, his heart racing. He couldn't wait to see her.

Oh, you've got it bad.

She stepped through the horizon and Rodney blinked. Instead of her black jacket and black pants, she wore a dark brown shirt and brown pants. She looked around the room as if she'd never seen it before.

Smirking, Rodney stepped toward her. "I see they made you go native."

"What?"

"You're clothes," he said, pointing to her shirt. "You didn't wear that when you left."

"What are you talking about?" She asked, looking at herself. "I've had this on all day."

"Are you all right?" Rodney asked, concern growing. What happened? Was she out in the sun too long? Did she catch what the villagers had?

"I'm fine," she said.

"I'm taking you to the infirmary," he said, taking her hand. "Just to make sure you didn't catch anything."

She looked at him as if he'd lost his mind, but he wasn't going to take any chances.

"I've never felt better."

"I'll be the judge of that," Rodney said, leading her toward the infirmary.

Rodney watched while one of the doctors checked on Jennifer. She continued to stare at everything as if seeing it for the first time. That worried him the most. Didn't she know where she was? Did someone mess with her mind?

I hope it's not that.

She looked at him and he smiled, hoping to ease both their nerves. She returned his smile like an excited teenager. Something wasn't right.

"She's not running a fever," the doctor said. "I'll run some tests on the blood to see if she has a virus. She's free to go."

"Great," she said, jumping off the bed. "Let's go. I'm starving."

"I guess you're ready for that dinner date then," Rodney said, smiling.

"Dinner date?"

A cold chill went through him and his stomach sank. He stared at her, but all she did was smile. Maybe they should have done a brain scan while they were at it.

"Yeah," he said slowly, dread building. "I asked if you wanted to have dinner with me and you agreed."

Jennifer blinked. "All right. I don't know who you think I am, but I've never seen you before in my life."

"Oh, crap."