A/N:- Thanks for reading and to the reviewers.

Another HUGE thank you to DaniWilder for her Beta, suggestions and encouragement - You're the best! (all mistakes are mine!)

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The searing pain in the back of Jennifer's head when she opened her eyes was the first indication that she was in trouble. The second one was that the ceiling of her room was above her. There were a few questions running through her mind just then. The main ones being; why am I laying on the floor of my room and how did I get here? Moving was not an option for the moment as the room spun as soon as Jennifer tried to sit up followed by a wave of nausea. Okay so it would seem I have a concussion so I guess I must have hit my head on something, the question is what and how did I do it? Jennifer's attention was caught by the pill bottle laying a few feet away from her. That's right I was going to call Rodney to come and open that bottle for me. I must remember to make sure anyone without the use of a hand is given an easier bottle to open, not that it helps me right now. I need to move and I need to get some help quickly. The ear wing is on the table by the bed but that requires me to sit up and I don't think I can. It might have helped if I had landed a bit closer to it. The thoughts running through Jennifer's head were not helping her any. Time to get practical here, if I can just get closer to the bed maybe I can lean on that and at least I can sit up.

Taking a couple of deep breaths Jennifer managed to struggle into a sitting position, not easy as the waves of nausea were nearly overwhelming but finally she was leaning against the bed. The ear wing was still out of reach but at least she could see it now. Of course it had to be on the side of my injured arm. Well just sitting here isn't going to help. Cautiously Jennifer removed her arm from the sling; the bandage was stained with blood. "Oh good I have burst the stitches too. Can this get any worse? Well yes it can because now I am talking to myself as well." She said. "The best thing I can do now is get a message to the infirmary and the only way I am going to do that is if I can get to that ear wing." The room spun again but she managed to cover the distance to the table by using the bed for support and shuffling sideways. After she managed to grab the ear wing she paused before she radioed as the room was spinning again, but finally she was able to make the call.

"Keller to the infirmary," she called. Carson came back to her.

"Jennifer what's wrong?" he asked her. She sounded distant and panicked over the comlink.

"I need help, my quarters."

Carson was sitting in his office chatting to John when the call came in and he gave John a worried look.

"Okay love I'll be right there." He grabbed a medical kit and headed out with John on the run.

Now that help was on its way Jennifer relaxed back against the bed and closed her eyes. The door bleeped but there was no way she could get it. She knew Carson would call for an override so that was not going to be a problem. It took a few minutes for them to get into her but finally the door opened and Carson, John and Rodney rushed into the room. Carson went to her first, the other two hanging back. His eyes were checking her over even before he crouched down next to her.

"Where does it hurt?" he asked her, holding her gaze firmly in his own.

Jennifer took a deep breath.

"My head, I must have tripped and fell. I have blurred vision and nausea. There is some kind of cut on the back of my head and I've split the stitches in my arm." Carson nodded and began pulling on gloves and got onto his comlink.

"Beckett to Infirmary, I need a stretcher to Doctor Keller's quarters stat," he said. He held her gaze again.

"I'm going to check that head wound okay?" he said to her. Jennifer nodded and then regretted it as the room swam again. She swayed alarmingly and Carson grabbed her. Jennifer opened her eyes and Carson smiled at her.

"Don't try to move ok?" he said. Jennifer managed a small smile and Carson checked the back of her head.

He glanced across at the other two men. Rodney was as white as a ghost, his tablet, that he had used to override the door, was hanging from his hand and he looked like he could do with a stretcher himself. John turned to Rodney.

"I thought you were going to check on her before you went to sleep?" he asked.

"I was but Jennifer was so tired when I left her I didn't want to wake her, and yes I am regretting that now!" he threw back at John.

"Do you two mind? I am perfectly capable of looking after myself thank you. I do not need being checked up on!" Jennifer's voice had an edge to it and both men looked at her. Carson captured her eyes again.

"I hate to say it love but there is evidence to the contrary here."

"I was doing fine until I fell and I wouldn't have fallen if I could put my hand out to stop myself," she said defensively.

"What did you fall over?" Carson asked her. Jennifer frowned.

"Actually I don't know. I don't remember the fall, just waking up on the floor,"

"That would be the concussion,"

"Well yes," Jennifer agreed. Carson directed his attention to John then.

"Colonel could you get me a dressing from the kit?" he asked. John grabbed the bag and got one out. He passed it to Carson and he placed it over the head wound. John passed him a bandage to go with it and Carson fixed the dressing in place. They were interrupted then by the arrival of the stretcher team. Jennifer started to protest when they went to lift her on the stretcher.

"Look I am ok. I can do it myself!" she told them but as she tried to stand the room dipped again.

Jennifer could hear voices. Rodney was shouting at someone and Carson's gentle tones where trying to calm him down. Colonel Sheppard was there as well. Shapes and colours were shifting in front of her but nothing was coming into focus. As she moved her head slowly the room suddenly went quiet. Carson spoke to her.

"Jennifer love. You're okay, you're in the infirmary. Do you think you can open your eyes?" Jennifer frowned. I do have my eyes open don't I? Okay maybe not. That's probably why I can't see. She opened them cautiously but immediately closed them again when a blinding light hit her. There was the sound of something moving and Carson spoke to her again.

"Is that better?" he asked. Jennifer slowly opened her eyes again and looked around. For some reason Colonel Sheppard had hold of Rodney. She looked into Carson's calm eyes and managed a smile.

"How are you feeling?" he asked her gently.

"Like maybe I have been here before and not that long ago!" she told him. Carson grinned.

"It looks like being with Rodney is rubbing off on you," he told her. Jennifer smiled and looked across at Rodney. John stepped away from him and Rodney came over to her. She frowned when she saw him.

"Are you ok?" she asked him. Rodney smiled down at her.

"Isn't it supposed to be me asking you that?"

"Well you look like you've just run a marathon," she said to him. John cleared his throat.

"That's because he has just gone ten rounds with me," he stepped over to the bed and smiled down at Jennifer. She looked back at him.

"Why?" she asked. Rodney looked uncomfortable and John grinned.

"He was being an idiot but I think he's over it now," he told her. Jennifer looked at Rodney again.

"Okay what did you do?" she asked him. He shifted and dropped his gaze. Carson laughed.

"Let's just say he wanted to pay a visit to the maintenance crew and we thought it would be better if he calmed down first," he told her.

Jennifer frowned. "What?" she asked. John filled her in.

"It looks like the reason you tripped was a wire had come loose from the wall and was lying next to the bed. I barely managed to stop Rodney from going down to maintenance. I think he would have taken out the whole section given half a chance," he told her.

Jennifer smiled gently at Rodney.

"It was an accident. It's not their fault a wire came loose. I should have been looking where I was going," she said gently. Rodney frowned.

"If they had done their job properly then it wouldn't have come down in the first place. It should have been channelled into the wall." John could tell he was getting worked up again and put a warning hand on his shoulder.

"Rodney! Jennifer is awake now. Surely you want to spend some time with her and not the maintenance crew?" he told him. Rodney stopped and looked first at John and then at Jennifer.

"Well yes of course," he said. John grinned and Carson looked towards Jennifer again.

"Well you've got yourself another night in the infirmary. I must say I preferred it when you worked here rather than being an occupant!" he winked at her.

"Yes, thank you, I would rather not be here either. I would rather be in my own bed," she said. Unfortunately she caught Rodney's eye at that moment and remembering an earlier comment about beds blushed again.

"Okay I think it's time we left you to get some rest. Rodney you can stay but not for long, Jennifer needs to get some sleep," Carson said.

Jennifer smiled at Carson as he and John left. Jennifer then looked at Rodney. She held out her hand and he grabbed it. He smiled at her.

"Since when have you been the accident prone one?" he asked.

"Well I wouldn't call what I did to my arm an accident and as for the second one it could have happened to anyone. I guess I am having a run of bad luck," she told him. Rodney's eyes clouded over for a moment but he shook it off quickly.

"I had better go," he told her. He gave her a quick smile and walked out the door. Jennifer looked puzzled. What had that been about? She called out to him.

"Rodney!" But he kept going. Jennifer looked after him in dismay. Somehow he was upset. Looking back over the conversation something belatedly dawned on her. Jennifer decided to ignore the fact the room was spinning again, and stood up. She knew that getting out of bed would not do her any good but everything in her wanted to go to Rodney and make him feel better. Her escape from the infirmary went unnoticed and she made her way towards Rodney's quarters. Jennifer refused to acknowledge the strange looks from the people she past but luckily there was hardly anyone around at that time of night. Waves of nausea hindered her progress down the corridors but finally she reached her destination. The hand she put up to wave over the console outside Rodney's door was shaking. The consol bleeped but nothing happened. Okay so maybe he's gone to his lab for some reason. As Jennifer turned and headed back down the corridor towards Rodney's lab she heard her name over the city wide comlink.

"Doctor Keller, report to the infirmary immediately." She ignored it and kept going. When she rounded the door to the physics lab it was instantly clear that he was not there either. She took a deep breath. This is getting silly; I am in no condition to keep walking the city. Uncertainty hit her for a moment; the doctor in her shouting for her to get back to the infirmary but her heart telling her that she could not let Rodney keep blaming himself for what had happened to her. She thought for a moment. Perhaps I should try the control room? Well that was going to be fun; it would still be very busy even at this time of night. Facing a lot of people was not her idea of a good plan. She looked back at the physics lab. Maybe Rodney had a spare comlink link in there. Just as she got through the door she heard another city wide alert.

"If anyone knows the whereabouts of Doctor Keller please contact the control room." Jennifer frowned.

That was Colonel Sheppard that time; I'd better let him know where I am before he has the whole city out looking for me. Using the wall consol in the lab she contacted the control centre.

"Doctor Keller to control, I'm fine and in the physics lab." There was an ear wing lying on Rodney's desk and when she put it in, she suddenly had John's voice in her ear.

"Keller what are you doing?" he asked her.

"I'm looking for Rodney." John came back to her.

"Stay there, I'm coming to you. Don't go anywhere," he told her. Jennifer frowned, she didn't want to disobey him but equally she had to speak to Rodney. The ear wing activate again.

"Sheppard to McKay," Jennifer listened for Rodney's reply but there was just silence.

John, for his part, was getting sick of this. There was a good reason for the no fraternising rule in the military; relationships where a nightmare. He put a call out on the city wide.

"Sheppard to McKay, come in please."

Jennifer started walking away from the physics lab and towards the control room thinking that she would meet up with Colonel Sheppard on his way down to her. Her ear wing activated again causing her to stop. Rodney was talking to John.

"McKay to Sheppard," he said.

"McKay! Why are you off comlink?" John asked him.

"I left my link behind. I am in Jennifer's room fixing that cable," he said.

"Didn't you hear the city wide alerts?" John asked.

"I've only just got the comlink line back up and running again, it was that wire that had fallen." Jennifer smiled, I never thought of looking in my own quarters.

"Well Jennifer has gone AWOL from the infirmary and is looking for you," John told him.

"Where is she?" Rodney asked.

"When I last spoke to her she was in your physics lab. Do you think you could go get her back to the infirmary?"

"Yes. I am going now."

Luckily she was half way between the physics lab and her quarters. Carrying on up the corridor she rounded the corner to see Rodney walking towards her. Relief swept over her and she stopped and leaned against a nearby wall. Rodney hurried over to her.

"What are you doing?" he asked her frowning.

"I've upset you and I'm sorry. I didn't mean that any of this was your fault. I had to come to find you." Rodney looked intently at her, she was pale and shaking. He scooped her up into her arms and held her close.

Jennifer wrapped herself around him and held on. She pulled back slightly and looked up at him. He smiled at her.

"I'm sorry too. I guess I am rather oversensitive where you're concerned. Come on I need to get you back to the infirmary," he said. They both jumped when a voice spoke behind them.

"I think that would be rather a good idea." They turned to see John standing a little way from them. Jennifer smiled at him.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to cause you any trouble. I had to see Rodney," she explained. John shook his head.

"Well get back to the infirmary, Carson is climbing the walls and I would like to get some sleep tonight," he told them. Rodney nodded.

"I'm taking her back now," he said. John turned and headed off. Rodney walked back to the infirmary with Jennifer in his arms. Jennifer was content to let him and was enjoying being that close to him.

As soon as Rodney got through the door to the infirmary he put Jennifer down and she turned to face the wrath of Carson.

He strode over to her.

"Jennifer! What the hell do you think you are playing at? You more than anyone should know you can't go wondering around with a concussion. Anything could have happened." Jennifer put her hand up to stop him.

"I'm okay! I had to go find Rodney." Carson glared at her.

"Don't be bloody stupid. You know what the side effects of a concussion can be. Now get back to bed and stay there or I will put a guard on your door!" he told her. Rodney smiled at Carson.

"No need. I have no intention of leaving her again tonight." Carson looked like he was going to argue with him for a moment but he thought better of it.

"Okay I'll get someone to put a spare bed in there," he said. Rodney helped Jennifer back to her room and into bed where she sank thankfully back against the pillows. When Rodney settled beside her on the bed Jennifer cuddled up to him and, for the second time in twenty-four hours, fell asleep on his shoulder.

Rodney watched her sleeping until he finally fell asleep himself. Carson came in a while later to check on Jennifer. He stopped in the doorway and smiled. Jennifer was cuddled in Rodney's arms and Rodney would be lucky if he could move his neck in the morning. Carson left happy to know that that there would be no more dramas for the pair of them and to cancel the spare bed.

Jennifer woke up the next morning to find Rodney gone. Disappointment washed over her for a moment until Carson walked in and smiled at her.

"You are looking better but what's with the frown?" he said to her.

"Sorry I am being silly." Carson walked over to her to check her chart.

"Missing a certain someone are we?" he teased her. Jennifer blushed and Carson laughed.

"The team had to go on a mission. They are due back tonight. If you continue to improve you will be out of here by then." Jennifer nodded.

"Now just behave yourself for the rest of the day and get some rest." Jennifer smiled at him and relaxed back against the pillows.

The day passed quickly and Jennifer was fit to leave. Linda had gone to her quarters to get her some clothes and she was dressed and ready to go. Carson appeared at the door.

"You ready to leave us again?" he asked her.

"Yes I am and I'm looking forward to getting back to normal!" she told him.

"I'm glad to hear it. You will have to take a few days off and I will need to check on your wounds over the next couple of days but I am sure you will be back to work with us again soon! I'll come with you and see you home," Carson said.

Jennifer entered her quarters and looked around. Everywhere was neat, tidy and clean. She smiled at Carson.

"Looks like the housework fairy has been in while I was away," she told him. He smiled.

"I believe you have Linda to thank for that," he told her. He settled her in. "Will you be ok now?" he asked her.

"I think so, I am sure Rodney will be around when he is back from his mission," she assured him.

"Well just take it easy for the first couple of days. I don't want you exerting yourself," he winked at her. Jennifer blushed.

"We haven't even kissed yet!" she scolded him. Carson smiled.

"I am sure it will work out okay." Carson headed out. Jennifer guessed Rodney would want to go get changed after the mission and then they would have their briefing so she did not expect to hear from him until after six.

At seven there was a buzz from her door. Her stomach turned over and she suddenly felt very shy and very nervous. She waved the door open and stood back slightly.

Rodney was standing in the doorway with a huge bunch of flowers, looking devastating in soft denim blue shirt and jeans. She smiled shyly at him. Rodney stepped inside and handed her the flowers.

"You don't know how good it is to see you out of the infirmary," he told her. Jennifer smiled again.

"It's good to be out. I know I work there but I would be glad if I never saw the place again. Well at least as a patient," she said meaningfully. Rodney laughed. The door buzzed again and this time it was John standing there. Jennifer smiled at him and he came in. He was also holding a bunch of flowers.

"Colonel Sheppard," she said.

"These are for you," he told her. "I'm glad you are okay and out of the infirmary." He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and left. Jennifer was just wondering where she was going to put the second bunch of flowers when her door buzzed again. She threw an apologetic look at Rodney and opened the door to find Ronan standing there, also with a bunch of flowers. He handed the flowers to Jennifer.

"I'm glad you're okay," he said. She took them from him and smiled.

"Thank you Ronan. They're lovely," she told him. He nodded and left. Jennifer looked at all the flowers and laughed.

"Did you lot get a good deal on that planet or something?" she asked Rodney. He was saved from replying by Jennifer's door buzzer going again. Jennifer grinned at Rodney, who to his credit was taking it in his stride. She opened the door this time to see Teyla with a bunch of flowers. There were great friends so Jennifer felt it was okay to give into the laughter that was bubbling up inside her. Teyla smiled.

"I'm sorry but when I saw all the boys getting you flowers on the planet I couldn't resist," she told her. Jennifer grinned.

"They are beautiful but I don't suppose you have a spare vase or five laying around do you?" she asked her.

"I'm sorry I don't. Maybe the infirmary?" she asked. Jennifer shook her head.

"There is no way I am going anywhere near the place," she told her. Teyla laughed and hugged Jennifer.

"I am glad you are feeling better. Maybe you could join me for coffee later in the week?" she asked her. Jennifer nodded.

"I would like that," she said. Tyler smiled.

"Now I am going to spend some quality time with my son!" she grinned and exited the door. Jennifer turned to survey her quarters. They were filled with the flowers. She looked at Rodney and smiled.

"I need to find something to put all these in," she told him. Rodney grinned.

"Shall I nip down to the infirmary and get you some vases?" he asked her.

"Would you mind? I don't know what else to do with them!" she told him. Rodney nodded and headed out of the door.

Jennifer got to work with the flowers, carefully cutting and crushing the stems and arranging them into what she thought would be manageable piles. Rodney soon returned and he helped her too, not that he was any good at it but he wanted to get the damn things put away so he could spend some time with her. He had thought it cute when the team suggested they all get flowers for Jennifer off world but the reality of had not occurred to him! When they had finished Jennifer stood back and surveyed their handiwork. She grinned at Rodney.

"Well they certainly brighten up the place," she stated. Rodney smiled back at her.

"Yes they do. How are you anyway? " he asked her.

"I'm okay. My head is still a little sore and I am on stand down for a couple of days. I have to go for daily check-ups but otherwise I feel fine," she told him. He studied her and Jennifer dropped her gaze suddenly shy again. Rodney walked over to her and pulled her into a hug. He held her tight for a moment and whispered into her hair.

"Please don't do that to me again," he told her. Jennifer held him close and rested her head on his chest. She was enjoying being held by him and her body was reacting to the heat of his. She pulled away slightly to look up at him.

"I'll try not to. You know what this job is like; neither of us can promise that." He smiled down at her.

"No I guess not and I'm probably one of the most accident prone people on base," he told her. Jennifer grinned.

"Actually I think you are the most accident prone person on the base, I've read your file remember?" Rodney laughed and caught her eyes in his. He looked intently at her and bent to kiss her. It started out as a soft sweet kiss but as Jennifer parted her lips he deepened it. She was kissing him back and soon felt light headed. Rodney broke the kiss and looked at her again.

"I think maybe we should go for a walk or something. I don't think you are up to what I have in mind and I am not sure you are safe if we stay here." Jennifer caught his meaning and blushed. She smiled at him.

"What about a walk to the mess hall and a coffee?" She suggested.

The End

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A/N: Thanks for reading and the reviews. I hope you enjoyed it.