A/N: Thanks for all the reviews. Thanks to Destiny Brighthope for the beta. I will admit the 'free style writing' had been reined in for this chapter. It was leading me to a place I didn't want to go so this is not fully my experimental writing.


Rodney wearily returned to the large inn where the teams were sleeping. Teyla and Ronon had gone into the hills with a couple of Marines to check on another small village leaving him with Lorne.

The physicist and Major spoke with the local village elders about the replacement dam they were building – yelled at was a better description. Neither he nor Lorne could convince them that this dam was as poorly designed and constructed as the last one. Yes, Lorne and I were in total agreement.

Perhaps he'd fallen down a rabbit hole and was in another world after all. First Jennifer said she was in love with him, and then he and Major Evan Lorne agreed on something.

The physicist seldom paid attention to the personnel files of his own department let alone others, so he was shocked to find out Lorne had a degree in geology. With Rodney's mechanical engineering background and Lorne's knowledge of the soil they were using to supplement the wooden dam, they easily determined this one would break with another large storm. Unfortunately their joint knowledge didn't help with the explanations.

"I think your guns intimidated them," Rodney said to his companion before they entered the inn. "At least that's what I'm telling Sheppard."

"You don't think your arrogant condescension did anything to hamper the message?" Lorne replied.

"I doubt they were smart enough to understand my insults."

Lorne chuckled and grabbed the door for McKay. "After you, Doc."

"Thanks," Rodney replied, stepping into the dimly lit common room. His heartbeat increased as he wondered if Jennifer was still awake. Not seeing her for so long when she was close by was taking its toll on him. I never was so concerned when I didn't see Katie for days on end. I had no idea that being in love was going to cause so much stress. A brief smile graced his lips as he thought of breakfast with Jennifer that morning and realized it was very worth it.

Sheppard was seated with his feet on a table, cup of coffee in one hand and staring at a tablet on the table. When he saw the men enter, he put a finger to his lips for them to be quiet and nodded toward the back of the room.

Rodney and Lorne exchanged glances and then moved forward to view a slumped-over Jennifer Keller with her laptop open in front of her and her head resting on her forearm. Her golden hair had fallen out of its ponytail and covered her face, but it was obvious she was sleeping.

"Don't worry, McKay, she's tired not sick," John replied when Rodney looked at him like a major catastrophe had occurred. "And keep your voice down. Poor thing was too tired to grab dinner or even make it to a room. She works too hard. We really should make sure she takes better care of herself."

Major Lorne mumbled something about grabbing a shower before he gave his report.

Rodney's anger burned inside him because his precious Jennifer hadn't eaten and was allowed to work herself to exhaustion and pass out. "You -you didn't make sure she ate?"

"Rodney," John said as if telling his teammate a secret. "Women don't want a guy to boss them around. They like to think for themselves."

"Think for…" Rodney started. He'd deliberately avoided Jennifer all day, ate a meal with Lorne, walked to the dam so he'd take more time away from the village and her so that John didn't suspect anything. What did he get for his efforts but an exhausted girlfriend who was probably going to get sick? "No wonder you're divorced!"

He stormed toward the kitchen area past where Jennifer slept on the table. His eyes lingered for a moment while he kept his back to Sheppard. He knew how sore her neck and back were going to be from experience and his mind thought of ways he could relieve the pain. Shaking his head to get his brain out of that train of thought, the physicist continued to the kitchen to get them some dinner.


Rodney tentatively approached Jennifer so he didn't scare her. "Jen?" he called quietly.

"R-rodney," she said in a dreamy voice. A gentle smile crossed her face as she blinked and then opened her eyes fully. "Rodney," she said louder as she sat up.

"I… um… I got some food. Do-do you want some?" Rodney stammered, hoping John couldn't hear him.

The physicist watched as Jennifer, who was slowly waking up and rubbing her neck, smile at him before John joined them. When Jennifer blew a kiss at him, Rodney knew he'd do anything for her, even having John constantly teasing him.

"So, what's for dinner?" John said as he walked up behind Rodney and then took a seat next to Jennifer.

"Some kind of stew," Rodney said.

"Thanks for getting me a bowl, McKay," John said, reaching out to take one.

"This is for Jennifer," Rodney snapped as he set it in front of the woman he loved.

John shook his head. "He thinks he's being a gentleman, you know," he whispered conspiratorially to Jennifer.

"Thank you, Rodney," she said with a smile to him and then rolled her eyes at Sheppard before she dug into her food. She'd been famished and never thought to look in the kitchen for something to eat. I haven't been so focused on my work in ages. Rodney always distracts me with a call or message. Once again she realized how much he meant to her and how it hurt that they couldn't be together that evening.

Rodney settled across from her with a scowl directed at John and then started to fill him in on the problems with the village elders and how helpful Lorne had been. The Colonel stopped eating with a spoon in his hand and a stunned look on his face. "McKay, did you fall down? Hey, Doc, I think McKay might have a head injury."

"What happened?" The concern in Jennifer's voice was evident as her head snapped up from surveying her food. She'd been so tired that she zoned out their conversation. Her chocolate brown eyes roved over Rodney's body looking for signs of trauma.

"Ha ha!" the physicist replied to Sheppard. "The Colonel thinks he's humorous."

Jennifer shook her head at the men and resumed eating. Can I deal with the Colonel all the time once he knows about Rodney and me? Endless harassment for Rodney would put him in a bad mood. The physician suddenly stopped eating, as she felt sick. Would Rodney break up with her to end John's teasing? Glancing at the two as they talked about the mission, she really wished she'd had a brother.

"Will the dam hold?" Sheppard asked.

Rodney launched into a rant about the villagers' stupidity and their lack of understanding the most basic concepts of physics. He once again admitted, grudgingly, that Lorne was a valuable person to have on this mission.

"The man of the hour arrives," Sheppard chuckled as the Major walked in after McKay complimented him.

"What'd I miss?" Lorne asked as he stopped by the table and smiled at Jennifer.

"McKay was just telling us what a pain you were out there," John chuckled.

"He did not," Jennifer snapped. "Rodney was saying how you have a degree in geology that was very useful."

Lorne looked truly surprised, and Jennifer noted a smirk forming on his lips.

"Thanks, Jennifer," Rodney said. "Just for that I'll share the last of these with you." He reached into his pocket and offered her a chocolate bar.

"Thanks, Rodney. You're really sweet," Jennifer replied, once again forgetting where she was.

John began laughing, Lorne returned to wondering what was so funny and Rodney turned red from embarrassment.

"I… Uh… I-I'm really tired. Sorry, Rodney, didn't mean to ruin your reputation as an ogre," Jennifer added, also turning pink.

"I doubt anyone's ever called McKay sweet before, Doc," John said after controlling himself. "I'll always remember this."

"You do realize I will exact a revenge on you that you'll never see coming?"

"Zelenka always turns my hot and cold water back on," John offered as his eyes flitted between Rodney and Jennifer.

"But no one in medical will be able to save you from my really big needles," she threatened eliciting a chuckle from Lorne, who sat down next to Rodney, and a gulp from the Colonel. "On that note I'm really tired and heading off to get some rest." Jennifer got up after saying goodbye to the men and headed to the kitchen with her empty bowl.

Rodney knew he was already in dangerous waters, but he didn't care any longer. "I need to grab my stuff and take a shower before the others get back from the mountain village." The physicist got up as well, leaving the military men to finish their meals.


Rodney staggered up the stairs after his shower. He hadn't realized how tired he was until the tepid water washed the dirt and sweat off his body. After the shower he pulled on sweat pants and a grey t-shirt since he was not asked to be on guard duty and felt sleep calling him. I can lie in bed and dream about Jennifer sleeping down the hall.

On Atlantis their quarters were a few floors apart so the separation seemed like a real distance when they parted. The fact that he might be sleeping in the next room from her was a bit too much for him to bear.

The physicist had wanted drag her off to bed when he saw her in the common room earlier. He'd never seen her asleep before and her vulnerability and natural beauty gave him a desire to sweep her in his arms and carry her away, something that never entered his mind before. Thoughts of his bad back were momentarily forgotten as he imagined waking up in her arms.

Sheppard told him to try the door handles on the second-floor bedrooms; if the door was unlocked he could take the room. The first three rooms McKay tried were all locked and finally one in the middle pushed open.

This society didn't have electricity so they used gas lanterns for lighting. The one in this room was dimly illuminating the area inside the door, leaving the bed area relatively dark. I hope the bed's not a bunch of blankets on the floor.

When Rodney shut the door and dropped his gear, he heard a gasp from the darkened corner. "S-sorry. The door opened, so I just came in," he explained, keeping his back to the bed in case it was one of the female Marines thinking he had ulterior motives. "I'll be going…"

"Rodney?"

"Jennifer?" Rodney's eyebrows shot up his head.

"What are you doing here?"

Rodney could hear the rustling of blankets and then Jennifer's feet padding across the floor. "Sh-sheppard said if the door opened it was vacant. I-I didn't know you were here." The desire to turn around was great but he clutched the strap on his pack that he'd picked, knowing he'd never leave if he looked at her.

"I was so tired I didn't lock it," Jennifer replied, her voice close behind him. "Did you enjoy your shower?"

Jennifer's heart beat in a wild, sporadic rhythm. Being frightened awake only to find the man you love in your room wet from a shower and in clothes he was going to sleep in was exciting. A smile spread over her lips at this fortuitous turn of events.

"I-I… Uh… I need to go. I hope you get some sleep. You looked exhausted," he said as he continued to face the door. His shoulders were slumped and his hand clutched the handle of the backpack.

"Rodney? Why don't you turn around?" Jennifer stopped an arms' reach from his back.

"No," he said, emphasizing the word for several seconds. "Bad idea."

"Seeing your girlfriend is a bad idea?" Jennifer couldn't help be taken aback. Maybe Sheppard's teasing is getting to him.

"Seeing my girlfriend with her hair all messy and her eyes smoky from just waking up, not to mention whatever you're wearing to bed… N-no. I'll face the door, which I'll be leaving through… very soon."

Jennifer heard the huskiness enter his voice before it rose in pitch as he rushed out the final phrase. The slow grin broke into a broad smile as she reached out, putting a hand on his shoulder.

"Rodney, turn around." Jennifer snatched her hand back after Rodney jumped.

"Jennifer?" he whined. "Valentine's Day remember?"

"It's an overrated day," she responded. "Meredith Rodney McKay, if you don't turn around right now it's over." It was an empty threat but got the desired effect.

Rodney turned only his eyes were shut.

"Okay. If that's how you want it," Jennifer said, trying hard not to laugh and failing.

"This is hardly a laughing matter. I'm trying not to ravage you with Marines and Sheppard and who knows how many other people around and you only want to tempt me."

"My poor, poor Rodney," she giggled. "Come to bed."

"Jennifer, didn't you hear what I just…"

Unable to stand it any longer she launched herself into his arms, causing him to drop his pack and grab her around the waist. Of course the fact that she had a t-shirt that was too small - allowing him to feel her naked skin - helped get her point across.

As they kissed and their hands clutched at the other, any doubt Jennifer might have about giving herself to this man in every way vanished. Making him move while they kissed took some strength on her part, especially when his skilled lips moved from her own down her neck to nibble at the sensitive skin behind her ear. "R-r-rodney, oh, I… Rodney, please don't stop."

"Jennifer?" His head snapped back. "Are you sure? I mean, now? There are people everywhere."

"I don't care. We'll be quiet. This bed doesn't make a sound when you sit on it," she replied as she rubbed his shoulders and the back of his neck.

McKay gave one final shake of his head. "Jennifer, I don't want people to find out about us this way."

"Rodney, I love you. You love me. It's not like we just hooked up," she soothed. "Do you want to spend the night with me?"

"Absolutely, but…"

"There's no but. Just you and me," she said with more confidence than she felt.

Rodney glanced at the door and back at her. "Be right back." He quickly walked over, locked the door, put a chair against it and returned to take her in his arms. "At least we'll have a warning."

Before Jennifer could comment further her Number One Patient scooped her in his arms and deposited her on the bed. Any concern about his back wasn't mentioned until much later the next day.

TBC


A/N: I have it on good authority that RoryFaller might tag this story (M-rated) so keep an eye out for that if you are old enough. I still have more to do, so don't worry it's not over yet.