Chapter 4

Jennifer suddenly felt sick, the room was spinning. Hang on, she was sure she had been on the other side of the room a minute ago. She didnt have a chance to think about it as she collapsed on the floor.

Rodney spun round. 'Jennifer!' he shouted and ran over to her. She opened her eyes.

'Rodney?' she smiled.

'Are you ok?'

'I'm fine, I just came over all dizzy.'

'You sure?'

'I am a doctor you know!.' She grinned at him as he helped her up.

'Yes, of course, you said you wanted to ask me something?'

Her heart raced, she didn't remember saying that. She had only come down to get him on his own for a bit, he was so much nicer when it was just them.

'It's not important, I just wondered if you would look at my data from the mission, but it can wait. You're obviously busy.'

'Oh well I'll be happy too, but I've got to get the new shield configuration right so we dont get anymore univited Asgard.'

'It's fine, I should probably get something to eat and rest up.

' Do you need me to walk you to the transporter?'

'I'll be fine Rodney. I'll talk to you tomorrow.'

Bless him, she thought. He can really sweet when he wants to be. She smiled at him again and turned to leave.

'Jennifer?' he called after her.

'Yeah.' she spun around

'Lucky Ronon was with you today.'

'I suppose he comes in handy in a fight, although he wasn't exactly the most stimulating company. Don't get me wrong he's a nice guy, just not who I would have wanted.' she grinned cheekily.

'Really?, cause um I thought that was what women liked, the whole big and broody thing.'

Did he think she liked Ronon? The idea shocked her.

'I suppose some women might, but I prefer a more intellectual companion.' she flirted outrageously. Her whole body language screamed - I mean you, Rodney duh!- and with a final flourish she left.

Rodney just stood there, speechless. He had been sure she liked Ronon; all the signs were there. Thats why he had told Ronon he had 'intentions' for Jennifer, to push the poor guy into making a move, and the fact it gave him a good cover. Ever since he had realized his feelings for John, he had worried that people would notice. He had never liked men before and panicked that someone would there was the disaster, one far bigger than Arcturus in Rodney's mind - how he screwed up their friendship by telling John he loved him.

He kicked himself mentally as he replayed the moment over in his mind.

'You're stuck with me, Rodney, just accept it.'

'Yeah but I...'

'No, that's final'

'Okay'

'Okay'

'Your a good friend, Arthur.'

They had laughed at the hitchhikers joke, which had seemed fitting as they sat there in their pyjamas. John looked too cute with his bed hair and signature cheeky grin.

'Seriously, there is something I need to say, in case I can't later.'

'Rodney.' John warned.

'I love you, John. I have done for some time now.'

John stopped mid drink, and Rodney turned away, cheeks burning.

'Rodney' he said again, this time softly, 'I... I don't know what to say.'

'It's ok, I just needed you to know, I'm sorry.'

Without realizing what he was doing John learned over put his hand on Rodney's jaw and turned Rodney to face him. Rodney looked up and John kissed him gently.

'Its ok' was all he said and he moved back to his original position, and took another drink.

Nothing else was said that night, and nothing had been said since. It was obvious to Rodney that John didn't see him in that way, and had only kissed him as he thought Rodney was going to die. Now that Rodney wasn't dying John was avoiding him whenever necessary. John didn't even take him with Carson to Micheal's lab, instead leaving it the new Dr. Porter - whoever she was - to deal the technical issues.

So Rodney had gone offworld with Jennifer, as part of him trying to be the 'nicer person' everyone talked about when describing his illness, and it helped. It meant he was avoiding John. He hated the way John hardly even looked at him any more.

It was when Jennifer went missing he realised how bad the big man had it for her. He had been so mean, in his unerring goal to get her back safely; like a man possessed. But he had never been able to let her know, so Rodney gave him a nudge. A nudge which had now completely backfired on him!

Hang on a minute, he had an idea. Of course he did, he was Dr. Rodney Mckay. If Jennifer wanted to be with him, why not? I mean, they were friends, the romantic stuff might take a bit of forcing but if John really believed he was with Jennifer, maybe he could get his best friend back.

Jennifer decided not to go to the mess hall after she left Rodney. She had food in her quarters and wasn't really in the mood for sitting in the mess hall on her own. She knew none of her friends would be there, as they were all doctors or nurses and most of them were working.

As she reached the main tower suddenly Ronon appeared.

'Hey.'

'Hey' Ok since when did Ronon say hey, especially to her?

'You all done for the day?' Now he's making conversation?

'Err yeh, Dr. Coles taking my shift, yeh.'

'Wanna grab something to eat?' Oh my God did he just ask me out? Did he tell Rodney this? Is that why he was asking her about Ronon?

She almost felt sorry for himwhen he finally turned and left , he looked kinda crushed, but then it was hard to tell, Ronon always looked so sullen.