Title: Just Another Day
Author: Cindy Ryan
Pairings: Sheppard/Keller
Timeline: Few months after my story 'Routine' but before 'Comfort'. They're not engaged yet.
Summary: John and Jennifer celebrate her birthday….Sheppard style.

Stifling a yawn Doctor Jennifer Keller stepped into her infirmary for the start of her shift at six a.m. She was surprised to see Doctor Mark Sokun already there. She crossed the space to the dark haired older man.

"Good morning, Mark. Did you have to stay over?"Jennifer asked as she started to pick up the shift duty report.

Sokun gently took it out of her hands with a shake of his head. "Nope, I'm covering your shift today."

Jennifer blinked in surprise. She didn't remember switching shifts. "I'm sorry I don't remember….."

Mark smiled. "It's your birthday, Jennifer. Your shift is covered, go enjoy."

Jennifer smiled but shook her head. "Thank you, Mark. I appreciate the thought. But birthdays are no big deal to me."

Marie approached them. "I think a certain Colonel has something planned, Dr. Keller."

Jennifer blushed. "I doubt he even knows it's my birthday."

Mark laughed. "Oh trust me he does. Why do you think I'm here? Now shoo….get out of here and have some fun. You work too hard."

Jennifer shook her head. "I really should stay at least part of the shift….."

Sokun placed gentle but firm hands on her shoulders and turned Jennifer toward the door."Everything's covered, Jen. Trust me….go relax, enjoy your day. You don't want me to get on Sheppard's bad side do you?"

Jennifer smiled as she felt heat once again return to her cheeks. She couldn't believe John had arranged for her to have the day off. She touched Sokun's arm lightly.

"Thank you, Mark."

Sokun grinned. "Don't worry about it. Happy birthday, Jennifer."

Marie joined them as she handed Jennifer a card in a purple envelope. "It's from all of us. Happy birthday."

"Thank you."Jennifer said quietly as she opened the envelope and pulled out a colorful card. It was signed by her entire staff.

"There's more."Sokun prompted motioning to the envelope.

Jennifer reached into the envelope and pulled out a silver charm bracelet. The charms on the silver squares were: a birthday cake, a cat, a blue star and the medical insignia.

"Thanks guys, I love it."

"You're very welcome."Marie replied with a smile. "Now get out of here and have fun."

Tears pricked at Jennifer's eyes as she looked at her friends and nodded. "Thank you."

Jennifer turned and walked out into the hall.

"I want details."Marie called after Jennifer with a wide grin on her face.

Jennifer blushed as the door closed behind her.

Her nose in her birthday card Jennifer absently waved her hand over the door controls of her quarters. She was laughing and smiling at some of the comments her staff had written.

So the door had closed behind her and Jennifer was halfway across the room before she smelled food.

Jennifer's head came up with a start and she followed the smell of eggs and pancakes to a tray sitting on her nightstand.

Smiling Jennifer set the card and bracelet on her bed and moved to the nightstand. Besides the food and cappuccino on the tray there was a single red rose lying on top of a folded piece of paper.

Jennifer picked up the rose and smelled it before reaching for the paper and sitting down on the bed. Opening the piece of paper John's familiar scrawl greeted her.

'Happy Birthday Angel,

Hope you enjoy your breakfast and your day off. Sorry I can't be there to share it with you. Woosley wouldn't let me out of this mission today and trust me I tried. Evan's off world and in Woosley's words 'there was nobody else'.

I'll be back as soon as I can. I'll see you at dinner.

Enjoy your day, angel. Relax, sleep in, have fun (and that doesn't mean catching up on paperwork……I already convinced Sokun to lock you out of the infirmary if he has too.)

Happy Birthday…..I'll see you tonight.

Love,

John'

Jennifer's heart swelled as she reread the note and set the rose back on the tray. What she had done to deserve John, Jennifer didn't know. Nobody had ever done anything like this for her before.

If anybody remembered her birthday it was her father….once in awhile her friends would throw a party…..if everybody's work schedules cooperated.

Other than that it'd never been a big deal…..she'd always been too busy with work or school….just another day.

Jennifer picked up the tray and settled back against the pillows. As she pulled off the cover of the plate Jennifer smiled seeing John had remembered all her favorites.
Jennifer shook her head…..just when she thought he didn't pay attention.

Jennifer reached over and turned on her cd player. As the cd started Jennifer realized it wasn't one she'd had in there last…..but it was one of her favorites…..John again.

Jennifer smiled and ate her breakfast.

Maybe it would be a good birthday after all.