BB A/N: Thanks to Rory for her beta on my parts, it was much appreciated. I had a blast doing grammar on your end. Any high-end fluff is all Rory's. Thanks again for helping me out in writing this. Rory left it here, she refused to write anymore on the subject so the blame for the ending is all hers.

Chapter 4

"I'll, uh, go get that bag now," Rodney said hurriedly as he pointed over his shoulder in the general direction of the car. Jennifer was already heading upstairs to her room to change but he felt he needed to clarify his actions before turning around and heading for the door - otherwise known as the hills when wet white dresses were involved.

"I don't know what it is with you and getting my dresses wet considering this is the second dress I've worn in two days, both of which have been thoroughly drenched. I'm going to run out of clothes fast and this is my own house," Jennifer teased with a smile as she treaded down the stairs.

Rodney's back was directed at her as he rifled through his bag of clothing. He turned around at the sound of her voice and ignored her teasing to get a look at her sleepwear. Fluffy white clouds set in a light blue sky background met his eyes. "Those are your pajamas?"

"Somehow I knew you'd like them after today." She flashed her knowing smile. "Why are you still in your wet clothes? I thought you had a bag in the car?" Jennifer asked.

"I didn't know if I should use tomorrow's clothes or my pajamas. I'm going to run out of clothes myself if I'm not careful. Might just have to run around without a shirt on after all." There was humor in his voice but Jennifer couldn't help but blush.

Easily fixed. "Just wear your pajamas." I get to see him in his pajamas too. A shy smile accompanied the light blush. It's only fair.

"I don't want to show up at a hotel with my PJ's on. It would be a little strange." He reached for the clothes he had set aside for tomorrow.

"Who says you're staying in a hotel? Last I checked this house had a guest bedroom," his beautiful girlfriend stated.

"Guest bedroom? As in a room in your house with a bed…I mean…so close to yours…ah, a room that is…" No way I can sleep here. I may not be Sheppard, but I am a man. A man hopelessly in love with this gorgeous angel in front of me.

Jennifer reached for his hand, almost laughing at his reddening face and wide eyes. He, still wet and holding his bag, was being tugged up the stairs and she, perfectly dry and in a matching cloud button-up flannel top, laughed while leading him along to the guest room on the second floor.

"I was right, it wasn't turned into a weight room," she commented off-handedly.

Rodney gave what he could at the moment: a short, nervous laugh. This is bad. Really, really bad.

Leading him over towards the bed to set his bag down, not noticing that he had a near death grip on it, she said, "You can change here, I'll be downstairs."

Jennifer paused with her hand still holding his, almost hesitant to leave the room. Staring deep into his neutral eyes, she offered a smile and released his hand before leaving the room with fuzzily padded footsteps.

Thumping down the stairs a little louder this time, Jennifer huffed to herself at the lack of a kiss with the moment she had given him. What's wrong with him? After the passionate kisses we've been having since before dinner, why is he stopping now?

She expects me to go down there, wearing my pajamas, with her around, and not embarrass myself in some way? A short gruff of disbelief sounded across the heavily furnished room as his bag lopsidedly landed on the bed. Both a shirt and pants lay there, not yet touched as he started to pace back and forth. Okay, this is easy, just put on the PJ's and go back downstairs. You're a grown man. You can control yourself. You'll just sit on the couch, watch some movie and then come up to bed. You've watched movies on Atlantis with her many times.

Memories of the movie nights where he stole fleeting glances of her, usually surrounded by Lorne or Ronon, came back. The fact that this movie would be in her house with several beds and no one else around shouldn't matter. You're a genius, you conquered Wraith and Asurians and rogue Asgard. You better be able to keep your hands off her.

Finally deciding it was better to put on his pajamas than stay there until she came back to look for him, Rodney secured the door to the room and began to change his clothing.

The only thing, or person rather, to calm her recently was being stubborn and withholding, so Jennifer turned to the second best option. It had been quite a while since she had the warm liquid sitting before her and though it was out of season, she didn't care. Of course two cups were in front of her; she was never one to drink hot chocolate alone.

As if she had called him, the same trudging came from the padded stairs she had made. Giving them both one last stir, the spoon was thrown into the sink until they did dishes again. Turning with both mugs in her hands, Jennifer walked straight into a batman-covered, broad chest heading her way and gave a small yelp of surprise. Brown liquid sloshed in both cups, spilling a couple drops over the side and on to the floor.

"Out to get all of my clothes wet I see," Rodney grinned, steadying her with his hands on her upper arms. "Sorry for scaring you. Is one for me?"

A nod of her head signified an affirmative answer as she handed him the one with less in it. He'd get the cup with more if it was coffee but hot chocolate was hers. He didn't seem to mind either way; he looked more interested in the little bobbing white cubes of fluff commonly called marshmallows. "These don't look like the ones from the packages."

"Those little packets have horrible marshmallows. They don't last five minutes before dissolving. We always keep a bag of regular ones around the house for substitution." Jennifer said, walking off toward the living room.

Rodney looked after her wondering why the sudden cold-shoulder. Maybe she's regretting her decision to ask me to stay.

Jennifer walked to her father's extensive movie library and pulled out the first thing her hand fell on, a copy of one of her favorite movies. A smirk spread over her face and a sly glance in Rodney's direction accompanied it. If he won't pay attention to me, I can fantasize about another man in front of him.

"Your father has a lot of movies," Rodney said as he set his mug on a coaster on the coffee table and walked toward the wall that was covered with movies.

Jennifer walked past him toward the DVD player, deliberately brushing her arm lightly against his. The flannel material of her top made the hairs on his arm rise. The physicist turned quickly after she passed. As she took her time leaning over the player to insert the DVD and turn it on, he was left viewing clouds being tightly pulled across her backside.

Slamming his eyes shut, he turned away and attempted to get control of his hands, which were twitching to touch her. One deep breath got his racing heart to slow and a second cleared his mind. What the hell are you doing? She's in love with you and just kissed you not twenty minutes ago more passionately than you'd ever been kissed before.

"I hope you don't mind I picked a favorite movie of mine," she said sweetly.

"Not at all since I doubt I'll be watching it," he said as some of his arrogance finally made a return.

Jennifer's eyebrows shot up under her bangs. "And what will you be doing?"

"This," he said, striding quickly over to pull her into his arms and claim her lips. This kiss wasn't gentle like earlier.

Rodney finally released all his pent-up desire for the women he secretly worshipped for two years. The kiss was meant to put an end to all the teasing and to show Jennifer exactly what he wanted them to be doing. In his mind it didn't have to be tonight, but he wanted her to know he was willing if she was.

The reaction he got wasn't what he expected: either a returned kiss or a slap to the face. No, this reaction was something the physicist would never forget and it would keep him from ever losing control around her again. As his arms wrapped possessively around her to crush her to him, Jennifer cried out.

His eyes flew open and he nearly shoved her away. Tears were leaking from her clenched eyes and her hands were gripping his upper arms tightly. "S-s-sorry," she gasped.

"Jennifer!" Rodney called, his voice far beyond plain worry, "What's wrong?"

"Ribs," she gasped as she leaned her head against his shoulder and slid her arms weakly around his shoulders. "Bruised ribs."

"How did that happen? Oh God, when we fell in the meadow," he said, sliding a hand into her hair while the other rested gently on her lower back. "I'm so sorry."

Without waiting for another word, Rodney slid the hand in her hair around her shoulders and quickly leaned down to slide his other arm under he knees and as he did the day before in Tunney's lab, Rodney picked Jennifer up. He carried her to the sofa and set her gently down.

"Don't go," Jennifer said, clutching his shoulders. She finally opened her eyes and looked at him. "You didn't hurt me today."

"Today? When did I…" Rodney's voice trailed off. Without asking or thinking, his hands flew to the buttons on her shirt and undid a couple at the top enough so he could see the valley between her breasts. A bruise had formed and Rodney closed his eyes, finally remembering his CPR training years ago with Carson. "I'm so sorry."

"Rodney, you saved my life," Jennifer said, pressing a kiss to his lips.

The physicist tried to pull back from her, disgusted with himself he had beyond marred her skin and caused her even an ounce of pain.

"No," Jennifer whined. "I love you and I want you to hold me and kiss me and…" she trailed off.

Rodney finally looked at her and saw a face full of fear and pain. "Jennifer, why didn't you tell me? You were running in the meadow early. How'd you manage to run with cracked ribs? I could barely breath when it happened to me," he confided.

"They're only bruised, Rodney." Her voice softly reassuring him she would heal in time. "I know it sounds clichéd, but you make me feel better," she said, challenging him with her tawny gaze to dispute that.

"I've had cracked ribs, Jennifer." Rodney gently held her face between his hands and brushed her tears away with the pads of his thumbs. "Nothing makes you feel better."

"You're wrong," she responded as another tear started to form just above his thumb. "Love, or more specifically endorphins, can make you feel less pain. Besides, the ribs only hurt if I squeeze them. What just happened was my fault for not telling you."

"Any other injuries you're hiding from me?" he asked, still too terrified with the pain he caused her to think straight.

"No, Rodney," she said. "I didn't want to worry you and I was afraid you'd treat me like some breakable doll when all I really want is to be held."

His hands left her face to settle at her waist. Looking deeply into her eyes, he tried to think of the words to say how he felt. "I love you and want to hold you, but not when you're in pain. I…" he paused as his voice caught, "I almost lost you yesterday, or I did lose you if your heart was really stopped…" His voice caught again and he had to close his eyes.

Soft, cool hands framed his face and soft, wet lips pressed against his for a brief kiss. "You can never lose me."

Rodney opened watery blue eyes and saw Jennifer's deep expression of love written on her face. "I… I can't live without you. Not anymore."

"You won't have to. I'm not going anywhere." Jennifer stated with absolute conviction in her voice.

Rodney's hardened expression because of the pain he caused her softened. "I don't want to hurt you."

"You won't. I trust you." Jennifer scooted as close as she could to the man she loved kneeling before her and guided his arms loosely around her waist well below her sore ribs and pulled his face down for another kiss.