Disclaimer: MGM owns SGA; KOI does NOT.

Major Spoilers: Enemy at the Gates

Minor Spoilers: Shrine, Brain Storm

Summary: After saving Earth from a Wraith threat, McKay steals a few moments with his sweetheart.

Didn't want to split this up, but with less than an hour of Valentine's Day left...

Stargate: Atlantis

A Taste of Ambrosia

A Tag to Enemy at the Gates

in two parts

by Koinekid

The toughest part of dating a beautiful woman, Rodney McKay decided, is resisting urges. And not the urges a Casanova like his friend and team leader Colonel Sheppard would assume. No, the moment McKay stepped foot on Atlantis after his team assaulted the super hive ship orbiting Earth, he'd been seized with the profoundly unprofessional urge, not to drag his girlfriend off to bed, but to take her in his arms, crush his lips against hers, and use the pressure of her warm, yielding flesh to assure himself that he had indeed escaped unscathed from one of the most harrowing ordeals of his life.

But McKay's girlfriend was Jennifer Keller, MD-PhD, Head of Medicine for the most important military base and research platform in the known universe. And she was a crack surgeon to boot. As such, she'd be wrist-deep in gore for most of the afternoon, attending to those airmen and marines very much scathed during the assault. So, McKay had been forced to share his post-mission decompression with Sheppard and his fellow soldiers. Only hours later did McKay approach his lady's domain, aka the infirmary.

And he'd made certain to equip himself with a suitable peace offering. There hadn't been time to say a proper goodbye before the mission, and the possibility that Jennifer might be upset weighed on him. Another difficult aspect of maintaining a relationship? Puzzling out just what might set his girlfriend off.

Disinfectant stung his eyes as McKay passed through the infirmary's outer doors. The operating theaters were located apart from the main reception area, but on days of heavy usage, the smell was trafficked throughout the infirmary to overwhelm all others. Almost all others. He imagined Jennifer's gift still smelled wonderful.

"Marie," a youthful voice called out. "I need the paperwork on Lieutenant Collins."

"Right away, Doctor," came the response.

Heading toward the voices, McKay rounded the corner to the office of the Head of Medicine. His heart skipped a beat as it did whenever he saw Jennifer dressed in her surgical scrubs. She'd tied back her hair, but a single strand had worked itself loose to dangle in front of her eyes. She blew at the bothersome strand. It flopped about but stubbornly returned to irritate her once more.

When Marie reappeared with a tablet containing the requested paperwork, McKay intercepted her. He held a finger to his lips and demanded the tablet. The nurse gave him a skeptical look. McKay was sure she would object on the grounds of doctor-patient confidentiality or some other nonsense, but she rolled her eyes and handed it over.

Without a word, he sneaked behind Jennifer and placed the tablet in the periphery of her vision. Distractedly mumbling her thanks, she accepted the tablet, scanned its contents, affixed her signature, then handed it back. McKay, in turn, handed it to Marie.

"Tell Lieutenant Collins he's free to go, will you?" Jennifer said.

McKay leaned in and rested his chin against her shoulder. "Love to. Which one's Collins?"

Though she did her best to suppress it, her grin betrayed her immediately. "Tall, handsome, breathtaking green eyes." The way she said breathtaking made his stomach flutter.

"Sounds delightful," McKay quipped.

"You know it. I tell you, Marie, if I weren't already seeing someone—"

McKay threaded an arm around Jennifer's waist and pulled her back against his chest. "That's quite enough out of you, young lady."

She feigned surprise. "Darling, when did you get here?"

"Just in time, it would seem. Do I need to show Collins who's boss?"

"Sure. You smack him around, and I get to treat his injuries." Her voice lowered to a dreamy whisper. "That means a longer stay."

Releasing Jennifer, McKay turned to Marie. "You heard Doctor Keller. Get the guy—"

"His name is Jamie," Jennifer interjected.

McKay growled, "Get Jamie out of here."

Jennifer's playful laughter drew him back. Leaning in, she kissed his cheek in consolation. "What are you doing here?"

"I come bearing gifts." He held up the thermos full of coffee he'd hauled from the mess.

Her eyes lit up. "Is that?"

He nodded and handed it over. "Double cream, raspberry syrup."

"Sugar-free?" she accused.

"Of course not."

"Nectar of the gods," she purred. "Have I told you lately how much I love you?"

Rodney shrugged noncommittally. "You might have mentioned it in passing."

"Bears repeating."

"Careful, Doctor Keller." A smile played at his lips. "Someone might think you're serious."

She held the thermos to her heart. "Marie, make a note. I love this man."

The nurse's eyes twinkled. "Yes, Doctor."

Next: Jennifer's Perspective

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