Thanks for the reviews! My traffic stats have been down for over a week, so I wasn't sure if anyone had read the story until I started getting reviews. Makes me less nervous :) Thanks for the encouraging words on chapter one. And for the brave souls who normally don't read the Sheppard/Keller pairing.
A special thanks to Bailey1ak for all of her help with editing and the rest of the writing process.
Dave Sheppard hung up the phone and stared out his window. John's phone call had surprised him. Plans began to form in his head.
He walked over to his desk. "Ms. Howard, would you mind taking a break and helping me with a few items in my office?"
"Yes, sir," his administrative assistant replied. A few minutes later, she walked in and shut the door. Kylie Howard was a few years younger than Dave. She'd proved to be a hard and loyal worker in the company. Dave was surprised when she'd called him out of the blue five years back. At first, he'd figured she wanted to get in contact with John. The pair had briefly dated before John's marriage to Nancy. But in reality, she was unhappy at her former employment and asked him for an interview. Their families had vacationed together in the Hamptons when they were kids. He didn't hesitate and hired her on the spot. Within two years, she'd impressed him so much that he'd made her his own assistant.
Even though they knew each other well outside of the office, they always stuck with formalities unless they were alone. Dave gestured for her to sit at his computer and chose to sit across from her at the chairs set out in front of the desk.
"Well, this is a change," Kylie grinned. "I'm in the boss's seat and you're sitting there looking like a client. I hope there's a raise involved in this scenario."
He chuckled. Kylie had a knack for making him relax during the work day with her humor. "This may be the oddest task I've asked you to do. But I need a woman who'll do it and can keep it private. I left a few sizes on the notepad. Can you go on Grayson's & Company's website and pick a few things out for a woman? Mostly casual, warm weather stuff."
Eyebrows raised, she glanced at him. "You want me to shop? For a woman?"
Immediately understanding what she was thinking, Dave shifted his balance. "It's not like that. I haven't even met her."
Laughing, Kylie turned to the computer and powered up a search engine. "Not sounding any better, Dave."
"Cute, Kylie," he grinned. No matter how hard he tried, the woman had an unnerving affect on him. He felt himself relaxing in her presence, and lately... not wanting to leave her side. "No, it's a friend of someone I know. And it's a long story. She sounds about our age, so just get her a few things that'll get her through at least a week. She has nothing, from what I've been told, so try and think of everything. Call the order in and have them deliver it to my house."
Surprised, she looked at him. "Will they do that?"
He just sent her a look. "Please. I can tell you offhand how many times we've come to their aide in the last few months in the middle of the night with some type of catastrophe. Ask to speak with Phillip if they give you a hassle. And tell them I want it all within the next three hours. I'll leave my credit card with you. Just lock it up with my stuff afterward." He glanced at his watch. "I have that meeting downtown in an hour and then need to pick up a few things for someone."
Remembering the extra hours Dave had spent on this company, she nodded in agreement. "Alright. Not a problem," she glanced across to him. "Actually, this will be fun. Shopping with someone else's money is always a favorite chore of mine. Especially when it's yours."
He threw on his suit coat and grabbed the files she'd left earlier on his desk. "Not mine, actually. It's Jo-" He stopped. Remembering John wanted to keep a low profile, he glanced up at her.
She'd half listened to him while she efficiently began thumbing through the website. Turning again, she sighed. "Dave, why do I have a feeling you think I still carry a torch for your brother?" Kylie questioned him. "We went on two dates. And mostly because of the pressure we felt from both our fathers. There was nothing there."
Dave stopped and looked back at her. She was wrong about why he'd tried to keep John out of the explanation, but if he was honest with himself, he'd wondered if she did still think of his brother in that way. "Sorry. I just thought-"
"For someone so good at running this company, you sure stink on the personal front. Especially when it comes to women." Kylie leveled a gaze at him. For a moment, he felt that she was hinting her own feelings toward him. That was impossible. She'd never indicated once, inside or out of the office, feeling more than just friends toward him.
"Well, I'm lucky to have you then, huh?" He stood in front of his desk, looking down at her with some confusion. "To help me on that front." Turning to leave, he mumbled a goodbye.
"That's the thing," Kylie muttered under her breath when he left. "You don't. But you could." She sighed. Pushing away unhappy thoughts, she transferred her annoyance and made sure John's friend would be hooked up with some nice, high-end fashion.
Kylie jumped when he re-entered the office. Praying he hadn't heard the last bit, she looked up expectantly at him. "Do me one more favor. Call over to the airport and have my plane ready. I'm going to fly out in the morning. And clear my schedule for the next few days."
Nodding, she watched him turn and leave. Thinking to herself, she realized that John must be home. Dave wouldn't clear his schedule for any other reason. Hoping the two would find a way to reform the bond they'd had when they were kids, she went back to her work.
Jennifer hopped down from the bed and straightened her clothing. Shaking her head, she tried to act as normal as possible. The nurse, upon seeing Jennifer was presentable, pulled the screen away. Jen wasn't surprised to see Daniel and Sheppard on the other side.
"Passed with flying colors," she said, casually. "How about you, Colonel?"
He shrugged. "The same. Looks like you'll be stuck with me during the meetings."
They moved out of the infirmary. They'd only been on board for a few hours, but so far, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Irregardless, John made it a point to stick close to her. She casually took his arm with her hand, acting as if they were this friendly all of the time.
"What's the plan?" Jennifer asked in a low voice, looking up at him. She was surprised she didn't find herself nervous, especially since she was with him. She chalked it up to other times Sheppard or someone from his team had come to her rescue. Not to mention she felt a little more confident now that she was able to physically defend herself more than before, thanks to Teyla and Ronon's teaching.
His arm felt stiff. Either he was trying to stay on guard or else he didn't expect her to make a move like that. Either way, she didn't let go. Feeling him closer to her made her feel safer.
"Just follow us. Caldwell's in on this, too. He's sending us down now," John murmured into her ear.
Nodding to let him know she had heard, Jennifer kept up with their pace. When they reached the control room, Cameron met them and gestured over to him.
"He's able to send you directly into the house," Cameron murmured. "I'll be in touch. Sheppard, you got my secure line if anything comes up."
They both nodded at Caldwell, who was sitting in the corner. He pushed a command on the counsel that beamed them instantly back down to Earth.
One minute, Jennifer was pressed against John's side on the Daedalus. Next thing she knew, they were transported into a home unlike she'd ever seen before.
"Yeah, that never gets old," John said. "Well, home sweet home. For the next few days, at least. Make yourself comfortable."
She sat in the nearest chair. "Jen? You okay?" John walked up next to her, concerned.
Nodding, she looked up at him, realizing he was calling her by her first name. Something he rarely did. "I'm fine. I get a little light headed sometimes." Looking around for the first time, she did a double take. "Where are we?"
"A house that belongs to my family," he responded. "I arranged for it to be to stocked for at least a week. Our family has a good business with the local grocer and they can get things together in a hurry. My brother promised to overnight us some clothes and stuff in the morning." Realizing he was rambling, John turned and began checking out the house. It wasn't as if someone would be waiting for them here, but it was something to do. All of a sudden, the realization that he'd be here, alone with her for however many days, sank into his mind.
"Clothes? A week?" Jennifer said, standing. "So much for just being gone for 24 hours. Just because some idiots want me to explain stolen Wraith DNA to them? You know," she complained.
He smirked. "Must I recount your previous mishaps when the bad guys get a hold of you?" When she didn't respond, he stopped. "Relax, I'm sure no one will trace you here. Still, I want to check around and make sure things are locked up tight. From what I remember, Dave always kept upgrading security, so we're lucky on that front. But then again..."
"I know, I know," Jennifer said. "The mission reports in my file must be entertaining for everyone to read by now. My bad luck, and all."
John smirked and then grew serious. "Will you be okay for a few minutes? Why don't you go pick out a room? It's getting late."
"Pick one out?" she replied. "How many are there?"
"Six, I think. Maybe seven," John thought. "Now that I think about it, pick one that adjoins to the next room. Just in case."
"Yet another great detail for that report," she muttered. "I'm never going to live this one down." Walking up the staircase he pointed out, Jennifer took in her surroundings again. Never before in her life had she been in such a luxurious setting. Money, however discretely it showed, was obvious in each room. As she peaked her head into room after room, each seemed even more incredible than the last.
The one she fell in love with had a canopy over the bed. The room was decorated in a creamy ivory, with roses appearing in various places throughout the decor. Dropping her bag, she looked and found a door leading to the next room.
"My mother always invited our extended family here," John said, surprising her. "This was actually her favorite room. My mom's sister would always take this room. Her kids... who were absolute heathens, would take the room next door. By having adjoining doors, Aunt Melody was able to keep a closer eye on her kids."
She continued stepping through the room, touching or peering closer at something. "It's gorgeous. Growing up, I think this would have been my dream room. Especially the bed," she grinned. "I always wanted a bed with a canopy. Instead, I got summer school."
"Summer school?" John asked, sitting on the bed for a moment. "Not following you."
"Summer school allowed me to take elective courses so I could get through school faster," Jennifer explained. "Extra classes cost extra money. I come from a single-parent home."
"Ah," John said. "I know. I've read your file."
She lifted her head a bit. "Find anything interesting?"
"Hardly," he grinned. "So boring. I mean, it's not uncommon at all to graduate from high school three years ahead of schedule. Then practically sail through undergrad and get through medical school quicker than any other person on the planet."
"Anyway, how did we get into all of that?" She said, changing the topic. "If you don't mind. I think I'll crash here."
John noticed how she avoided talking about her childhood, especially when people began to realize how quickly she flew through school. He chalked it up to bad experiences of teasing from other kids and now the adults in her life about her intelligence. He could relate, somewhat. Being a mathematical genius, however understated, he had mostly hid the fact except for one time when he couldn't resist throwing it in Rodney's face.
Now aware that he was sitting on the bed she planned to sleep on, he stood up awkwardly. "Did you happen to pack sleeping stuff in your bag?" He'd noticed she was holding another small bag but not the same one he'd seen her leave Atlantis with.
"No. Of course not. It's in the other one I'd had brought. Back up there with Mitchell and Daniel. Got anything I can borrow?"
"Probably not," he said, but beckoned her to follow. "My stuff is still on the Daedalus. But my brother keeps a few things here. I'm sure there's something you can borrow."
They found a t-shirt for her to wear. An hour later, Jennifer was alone in the room. Well, except for the door adjoining their rooms, which John insisted on keeping cracked open. He also left her with a gun, as well. It sat on the nightstand next to the four poster, luxury bed.
She shook her head. What a turn of events... in all the different scenarios, this is something she never thought would possibly happen on a mission or during a routine trip to Earth. Her mishaps typically happened back home—on Atlantis.
Funny how it had become home to her in the past few years. She'd grown fond of the city and its inhabitants. They'd gradually become her family, in a way. And now that she learned a little more of John's story, it seemed some people back there were even closer to him than his own family.
She wondered about John. True, he was always friendly and pretty open about his feelings on Atlantis. But where most people would brag or at least mention their family back on Earth, he never spoke a word. She'd had just assumed he didn't have anyone- like her. Besides her father, of course.
Her father.
"John!" she called out, throwing on a robe she'd discovered in the bathroom and had set next to her bed. Jennifer quickly made her way to the adjoining door to the room. He must've stepped into the bathroom to change out of his uniform and into some clothes he found of his brother's. If she wouldn't have been so worried about her thoughts, she would've blushed when he came out worried, clothed only in a pair of flannel pants with a bare chest.
"What's wrong?" he asked alarmed.
"My father," she said, stepping into the room. "Will he be safe? Back in Wisconsin. I didn't think to ask you-"
He shook his head. "Cam and I already took care of it. His house is being monitored by two of Mitchell's men. Don't worry... that's what he and I were doing while you were in the infirmary. Trying to think of everything. He's safe. Lam's also being watched."
Sighing, Jen nodded. Now that her fears were relieved, she felt awkward standing in the same room with him when he was half-dressed. Not like she hadn't seen him without a shirt before. But this was different. Yeah. Much different, she thought.
"Good," she said, hoping to sound somewhat normal. Try as she might, she couldn't stop looking at him. "Okay, I better go. And sleep."
John looked a little out of sorts himself. "Yeah. Night, Jen."
She practically ran back into her room. After climbing into bed, she turned off the light and laid there for a few minutes. Trying to think of anyone except the man sleeping twenty feet away from her, she finally willed herself to sleep.