Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to Stargate: Atlantis or its wonderful characters. I'm merely playing in their world!

Author's Note: So, following requests to extend the chapters of my "Jennifer Keller's New Year's Resolution," I've decided on a compromise. I'm not extending the chapters, but staying at the 300 to 500 word limit. But, to give you more of the story, I'm publishing this companion piece, which tells the opposite side. ;) This one will also have the same word limit, and the first seven chapters will likely post rather quickly to catch up with the other story. This chapter comes in at 497 words, minus disclaimer and author's note. Hope you enjoy! ~lg

oOo

Evan Lorne didn't date. He had made that decision a long time ago, and he now stuck to his proverbial guns on the issue. Besides, dating anyone on Atlantis could cause some serious problems. As Sheppard's second-in-command, he received reports from women all over the city. Unfortunately, many of those reports also included invitations to dinner. Or more.

Shaking his head, Evan headed through the gate with his team. He knew the rumors about him flew around the city. Some of them were absurd, but a few hit close to home. He didn't like thinking about that time in his life, and he now pushed it to the side. Just in time, too. Coughlin yelled out a warning and tackled him as an explosion roared overhead.

"What was that?" Evan demanded when he finally sat up straight.

"Sorry, Sir." Coughlin looked totally sheepish. "I didn't set the detonator correctly."

"I noticed," he said dryly. Unfortunately, his voice sounded distant even to his own ears. "Let's make sure everyone is accounted for. Then, we need to head back to get our hearing examined."

While Coughlin and Reed jumped to do his bidding, Evan reined in his anger. It was really an honest mistake. Nothing serious had come from it, but it irritated him. That irritation stemmed from the visitor to his office moments before leaving the city. She'd sauntered in, dressed in skin-tight clothes and a down-to-there neckline. He never stared and summarily refused her invitation to the New Year's party. She'd pouted, but he didn't even take the time to catch her name before leaving her glaring at him as he walked to the armory.

Back on Atlantis, everything seemed normal. Except his hearing. Evan knew the proximity of the explosion had likely caused temporary damage, though he realized he could hear better with every passing moment. As he entered the infirmary, he glared at nothing in particular, too irritated with life at the moment to care.

Dr. Keller pushed herself from her stool. "Major?"

He turned to her, purposely smoothing the irritation from his face. "Hey, Doc. We're here to have our hearing examined."

She glanced at him. "I can definitely administer hearing tests along with your post-mission exams. What, exactly, happened?"

"Coughlin happened," he ground out. Turning, he saw her smile. "Doc?"

"Sorry." She shrugged. "You just sounded like a little kid who didn't get his way."

The image of a child stamping his foot and holding a P90 made him chuckle. "Sorry about that."

"Now, what really happened out there?"

As he talked, Evan watched her listen to his tale. Her eyes sparkled with amusement, and she often smiled. The hesitation he'd sensed in her melted away as she worked. It drew him. What kind of woman could find the strength to come to another galaxy and treat injuries day in and day out? He very suddenly wanted to know.

~TBC