This story is set very early in J/J's relationship so they're serious but still feeling each other out. For purposes of this fic Evan knows Jen's seeing someone but doesn't know who.

Title: Nobody ever said forever
Author: Cindy Ryan
Pairing: Sheppard/Keller
Category: romance, angst
Summary: J/J's first fight. Jealousy and trust are not always easily resolved.

"When did you stop trusting me?"John demanded his voice full of quiet anger as he and Jennifer walked down the corridor toward her quarters.

Jennifer shot him a glare as she moved ahead of him. She couldn't believe he was mad and on top of that was starting a fight.
This would so not end well.
They were both tired, it was nearly two in the morning.
On top of that it'd been a hell of a long week.

They reached her quarters and Jennifer stepped inside. For once she regretted being on Atlantis.
She had no way to slam the door in his face to prevent him entry.

John stepped past her into the room.

Jennifer whirled to face him. She wasn't usually one to get mad. It took a lot to set her off. But she couldn't peg his mood and combine that with being nearly exhausted…..

"I didn't say you could come in."Jennifer snapped as she let the door shut behind her.

Even with the late hour she didn't want everyone hearing this fight.

"You didn't answer my question."John stated as he leaned against the wall next to the door his arms folded across his chest.

The sensible part of him knew he should table this conversation for another time.
It hadn't been a good night…..they were both running on fumes.
However his heart was overriding the sensible part.
She'd hurt him today and he needed to know why.

Jennifer sat down on her bed and began to pull her boots off. "I trust you with my life, John. Always have."

"Then what the hell was today?"

Jennifer had gotten one boot off and had started on the other. "Excuse me?"

"You didn't trust me today."John shot back. "I gave you an order to stay back…."

A shadow crossed Jennifer's face as she recalled the day's mission. "I couldn't just stand there."

"Out there….if I tell you to, you do."

Jennifer's eyes narrowed. "He was in trouble."

"Lorne's a big boy, he can handle himself."

Jennifer finished pulling off the second boot and tossed it aside.
Though she'd had a brief notion of throwing it.

"Evan didn't see………."

John cut her off as he moved away from the wall feeling the need to pace. "You assumed he didn't see the other shooter. He's got years of training, well honed instincts and you just assumed he didn't see it."

Jennifer was beginning to regret not throwing the boot. "I……"

John cut her off. "You rushed right into the line of fire, Jen!"

"And I'd do it again."Jennifer replied angrily as she stood.

They'd nearly lost Evan today and John was arguing with her over saving a friend's life. Yes she'd taken a risk shoving Evan out of the way but there hadn't been time to do anything else.
Something didn't add up here.

"We have a problem there, don't we."John snapped not being able to get the image out of his head of the weapons fire missing her by inches.

Jennifer closed the space between them so she was facing him. "Would you rather Evan had died?"

"Of course not!"

"He'd do the same for me in a heartbeat."

That stung.

John took a deep breathe and let it out slowly trying in vain to keep his anger in check. "You think I wouldn't?"

Jennifer shook her head. "That's not what I meant…."

John was silent for a moment as another feeling began to work its way through the anger. It was one he recognized and John couldn't figure out why it was surfacing now.
There was nothing to be jealous of.
Jennifer and Evan were friends….nothing more.

John met her gaze studying her expression carefully. "You risked your life for him, disobeyed an order….."

"I'd do the same for anybody."

John shook his head. "No, you wouldn't…..if it was Rodney, or Ronon you' d trust me to handle it."

"What exactly are you accusing me of?"

John walked back toward the door. "I'm not sure."

Jennifer sighed. She thought they'd started to build something.
Something that might last.
But if he couldn't trust her personally or professionally…..

"I think it's time you left."Jennifer stated quietly.

John took a step toward the door then turned back. He didn't want to leave it like this.
He loved her…..but she'd scared the hell out of him today and he couldn't get past it.

"Fine."John replied curtly as he headed toward the door.

"John?"Jennifer called softly halting him. "Where do we stand?"

John didn't turn to face her. "I don't know, Jen. I don't know."

This will have a happy ending, I promise. :)

TBC