"Baby, it's cold outside."
"Can we crank the heat up more?" Jennifer asked hopefully, her body giving a slight shiver. "My bones forgot how bad winters are in Wisconsin."
John sent her an amused grin.
"'Come to Wisconsin,' she said," he smirked, kicking up the heat full blast. "'Buy a family friend's cabin. You'll never regret it.'"
Grinning, Jennifer burrowed down deeper into her down jacket.
She clearly remembered their conversation two months ago. John was near her computer station as she read an email from her father. Steve Keller was complaining that his long-time friend was in the end process of a luxury cabin build nearby Jennifer's childhood home. He decided to sell it, upon completion, when he received the news that both him and his wife were expecting a grandchild in New York. The couple agreed they would build a place smaller in the area and permanently move to be closer to their family.
Intrigued, John asked her several questions about the cabin. He listened to Jennifer's description of the area. She relayed all the information about the cabin. Within a week, he owned the property and hired his brother's decorator to finish the final touches on the place.
"Well, Ronon and Teyla certainly enjoyed being somewhere less populated than your brother's place," she pointed out. "It kept him out of trouble and Teyla seemed to have a great time."
John shook his head.
"Too bad they bailed out tonight," John frowned, looking at the sky. "I probably should've went with them."
Jennifer shook her head, not really paying attention to the steady falling snow. The roads were already covered, with more of it on the way.
"They can handle one emergency negotiation with our new allies," she reasoned. "Besides, doctors orders. Six full weeks of rest and relaxation. Your blood pressure will thank you."
He sent her another look- this time, he wasn't amused.
"My BP's fine. You said so yourself."
Jennifer rolled her eyes, finally feeling warm for the first time he'd picked her up from her father's home.
"For now. Keep up your stress level and see if it stays that way. Especially the way you collect vacation time."
"Same goes, Jen," he fired back, looking out his side while they turned into his new place. "We both needed this."
"It was nice of you to keep our plans on," she said, carefully climbing out of the car. "Hanging out with my dad's poker buddies all evening didn't sound appeasing. They used to just tell crude jokes when I would leave the room. Now, all they talk about is their health issues. And being a doctor, I get roped into every intimate conversation."
John sent her a sympathetic look. Slowing down as the snow increased in intensity, she felt the Jeep regain traction on the road.
"I'm actually glad it's just us tonight. Honestly, Teyla and Ronon were bored. And them two, bored, makes for many sparing matches out in the yard every evening. You saw how stir crazy they were at the end of each day."
Jennifer grinned.
"It's been an interesting few weeks, to say the least. But I think they had fun during the day with us. Ronon ended up being quite the billiards man."
"Did you see how many wings he put back last night? I thought the bar would have to close down the kitchen two hours early."
They both laughed, remembering the horror on the waitress's face when she finally had to tell him they were out of French fries.
"Thanks for picking me up, by the way. I worry about my dad driving in this weather and didn't want to drive and leave him without his car. But you should've taken me up on my offer. I would've cooked. How in the world did you convince them to deliver on a day like this?"
Jennifer nodded, noticing the van from the local Italian restaurant in his driveway.
He gave off a laugh, waiting as she made her way around the vehicle. John left the cabin unlocked, instructing the owner to set everything in the kitchen. He wasn't surprised the man had offered to bring it over. One of John's early lessons from his parents included generous tipping. He had a hunch the owner wasn't used to it, and therefore took it upon himself to offer to set up and deliver at no charge. Now that the dinner company was only the two of them, it seemed rather unnecessary, but the owner insisted.
"Your cooking is legendary," John joked as they made their way up the walkway. "I've heard stories from your dad. Besides, the restaurant order was in already. I didn't want to cancel on them."
"I'm not complaining. Wow," she grinned, pausing for a moment and looking up at the sky. "This is awesome. I have to admit, I miss the snow when I'm gone."
Slipping a bit in his newer boots, John skidded to a stop in front of her.
"Slick spot," he muttered, instantly turning to her. "I should put down salt."
"It won't work," Jen returned, slowly stepping toward him. "Too cold for it, now."
John took hold of her arm, gradually making his way to clasp her gloved hand in his, surprising her.
Grinning, John turned to look at her.
"If you take me down, I will never let you live it down."
Laughing and shaking off whatever feeling had temporarily come across her, she accepted the help and stuck close to him.
"Even on Earth, you find the need to assume the worst is going to happen with me."
John laughed, wobbling slightly on the walk. It caused her to slide and squeal as she slammed into him, narrowly toppling them down. Slowly, they made their way to the door without falling.
The door opened as the owner, Lino, walked out himself.
"Colonel," he grinned, giving Sheppard a hug. "My favorite new resident. And there's my girl."
Jennifer couldn't help smiling at John's surprise at the physical greeting. Accepting her own hug, she made the man promise to be careful driving before he retreated down the walkway, not encountering any problems as they had.
"You are all set. Enjoy your dinner."
"Now I'm really glad I didn't cook. It smells amazing in here," Jennifer said as they walked through the door.
She turned and watched Lino's car disappear, wondering how much longer the snow was going to keep falling.