Author's Note: So, a big thank you to DaniWilder for triggering DanI the Muse on this chapter! She added so much to the story and helped me with a few dead spots in the next couple of days. (I kinda borrowed an idea and used it for what I needed.) Also, I looked at the weather forecast for Denver, CO. I've changed the weather from what it really is to what I want for the purposes of the story. I mention it because I've tried to stay pretty true to the various locations as possible. As always, enjoy! ~lg

oOo

Jennifer woke early the next morning, not really wanting to head home. The fluffy comforter on the bed kept her warm, and she snuggled under the covers to smile and relive last night's amazing end. After their time watching the Bellagio fountains, Evan had walked her back to her room. There, he kissed her with enough passion to leave her breathless and wondering if she could sleep after that. Eventually, though, the eventful day put her to sleep to dream of his kisses.

Now, she stared out the window, watching the sky change from dark blue to the lighter shade of dawn. While she'd wanted this change between her and Evan, she'd never dreamed it would happen so fast. They'd only been traveling together for three days. Then, she blinked. She remembered reading somewhere that one only needed sixty hours with a person to fall in love. She'd spent a solid seventy-two hours with no one but Evan to keep her company. Did that mean she was in love with him?

The idea of making that sort of commitment, while thrilling, scared her. She didn't know much about him. Oh, she knew him. But the little details-his favorite color, favorite food, preferred style of music, how he de-stressed after a tough mission, how he coped with life on Atlantis-remained a mystery. She needed to learn more about him before she could say she truly loved him. But she certainly liked the idea of being in love with him.

Her alarm pulled her from her thoughts, and Jennifer groaned as she sat up. While they'd stayed the night in Vegas, Evan wanted to pull out today. She wanted to see her father, but she couldn't help thinking that something would be lost by heading to Chippewa Falls.

Evan met her for breakfast in his room, looking like he'd been awake for quite sometime. "Hey, gorgeous."

Jennifer smiled at him as she closed the door behind her. She would have said something, but he claimed her lips for a long, sensual kiss. She kept her eyes closed when he finally pulled back. "Mmm. . .I could definitely get used to that."

He chuckled. "Me, too."

They sat down to eat, and she smiled as she spotted the atlas he'd found somewhere. "Where are we off to today?"

"Denver, Colorado." He studied her, seeing the light jacket she wore over another t-shirt. "Ah. . .not that I think your clothing is wrong or anything. But I've been checking the weather in Colorado. It says there's supposed to be snow storms in the area. Do you have anything for that?"

Jennifer glanced down and smiled reluctantly. "No." She shrugged. "But, if we can find a department store, I can get some stuff rather quickly."

He grinned. "We can do that. We also need to stop for supplies. I'd like to take lunch with us so we don't have to stop between here and Denver."

"Sounds good." She helped herself to a cup of coffee from a silver carafe and added sugar and creamer.

The morning passed quickly as they checked out of the hotel and found a department store. Evan waited patiently while Jennifer picked out several outfits for a colder climate. She paid before she spotted the tailored leather coat with sheepskin lining, complete with matching gloves. She snuck a glance at her companion and realized he'd also seen something to capture his interest. After trying on the coat, she decided that she needed to have something warmer than a windbreaker to go with the thick, turtleneck sweaters she'd bought. She finished paying just as Evan returned to her side.

They made quick work of shopping for road snacks. Their time on Atlantis had honed their tastes to healthy foods, and they laughed as they packed the ice chest with a variety of veggies, cheeses, and water for drink. Evan commented about finding a steakhouse in Denver, and Jennifer smiled. "Only if we can walk to it."

He raised an eyebrow. "You want to walk?"

"I'm not used to being in the car for so long."

"I understand." He reached for her hand and laced their fingers together. "We'll walk, only if you realize there will likely be snow on the ground. Maybe even ice."

She opened her mouth to say she would just have to get closer to him, and then she realized how it would sound. They hadn't talked about this relationship, and she didn't want to push him. He glanced at her as he drove onto the interstate, almost daring her to speak. She simply smiled at him.

The day passed quietly. Evan turned on a CD of classic rock, and Jennifer dug out the medical thriller she'd picked up at the grocery store in Vegas. The story drew her in, and she barely noticed the passage of time. She did notice how comfortable Evan seemed with keeping her close to him. He released her hand only when traffic got tight or the weather started changing.

That evening, they arrived in Denver just after sunset. Jennifer stared at the city, amazed at the damp cold that had crept into the car over the course of the last hour. She unbuckled her seatbelt and climbed halfway into the back seat, drawing a laugh from Evan. He changed lanes and snickered again. "You know, this view from the rearview mirror is. . .ah. . .interesting."

She dropped back into her seat, her new coat in hand, as the meaning of his words registered. "I just stuck my butt in your face, didn't I?"

"Yep." His voice carried a hint of laughter.

"Ohhh!" She buried her face in the sheepskin lining of the coat, already feeling like she didn't need a heater. She could just use the heat radiating off of her face. "I'm so sorry!" The coat muffled her words.

He reached over to tug the coat down far enough to see her face. "You don't hear me complaining."

She stared at him out of one eye. "You would have to say something like that!" He laughed again, and Jennifer decided that she could handle the embarrassment. So long as he didn't. . . . "You won't tell my family, will you?"

"And let it slip that I was checking you out?" He stared at her as if she'd grown a second head. "I have a little more self preservation than that!"

She let out a deep sigh and tucked the jacket around her. "Good."

He eyed her again. "Warm, now?"

"No." She looked out the window, at the clouds hovering barely above the city's buildings. "You might be right about the snow."

He sobered. "Yeah, it looks like it could get pretty nasty."

They fell silent again, and Jennifer let Evan drive without commenting on anything. Some days, she really did a great job of embarrassing herself. That little stunt with climbing into the back seat had to make up for the last three days of fumble-free activities.

They arrived at their hotel and checked in with little difficulty. Jennifer stared at her room, still rather impressed. Not as opulent as the Bellagio, it appealed to her sense of comfort. The queen sized bed sat directly across from the wardrobe with the TV, and a desk filled the remainder of the room. Pillows and a white blanket made the bed look just as soft as the one at the Bellagio had been. She nodded as Evan carried the bags with her new clothes into the room. "I like it."

He smiled. "Good." After leaving her stuff at near the desk, he asked, "Dinner in an hour?"

"Sounds good." She waved as he left and hurried to the heater. With the warm air blowing into her room, she unpacked a luxurious cream-colored turtleneck, form-fitting brown jeans, and a nice pair of boots. A quick shower cleared away the cobwebs, and she gratefully climbed into the warm clothes. Grabbing the new jacket and gloves, she met Evan in the hallway.

He looked good in a brown coat. Jennifer realized that he'd packed for every season, and she envied his apparent comfort no matter where they went. As they walked to the steakhouse about a block from the hotel, she allowed him to take her hand and pull her close. This affectionate side that he'd developed appealed to her, and she liked how comfortable he'd become with near-constant contact.

During dinner, they laughed and joked without the formality of the restaurant in Las Vegas. Jennifer found herself liking this version of Evan Lorne. This man, who didn't think before he reacted but simply enjoyed the moment, surprised her by being so totally different from her original impression of him. Oh, he was still Major Lorne, but that mask didn't appear as they chatted about life and their respective roads to the SGC. Sometime between talking in code about their first days "overseas" and their opinions on various personnel around the base, Jennifer glanced out the window and noticed it had started to snow.

The walk back to the hotel became more of a stroll in the falling snow. The streetlights caught the flakes, lighting everything with an amazing golden haze. Jennifer looped an arm around Evan's as he tucked his hands in his pockets to keep them warm and simply enjoyed his presence at her side. A bittersweet feeling crept into her heart as she realized this would likely be their last night alone.

At her hotel room, she pointed over her shoulder. "Do you. . .um. . .want to come in?" When his eyebrows rose to his hairline, she flushed. "I mean. . .I wasn't thinking. . .Not like that. At least, not right now. I just meant. . .well, this is our last night alone. Without family around. I'm not quite ready for it to end."

"Ah. . . ." He seemed to struggle to find something to say. "How about a movie?"

"Um. . .sure." She let him in the door, grateful that he'd suggested something they could do together. "I don't have a couch. . . ."

"I promised to behave." He grinned. "Remember?"

She shed her jacket and hung it in the closet as he draped his over the back of the chair. Outside, the snowstorm gathered strength as she flipped on the TV. Then, she stretched out on her bed, allowing him to join her and pull her close as they settled on a late-night viewing of Avatar. Still chilled from their walk, Jennifer snuggled close as he tugged the edge of the blanket over her legs. She kicked off her boots and made herself comfortable.

About halfway through the movie, she nearly suggested a quick run to the concession area of the hotel for popcorn when Evan let out a deep breath. She raised her head to frown at him and blinked. Through the first part of the movie, they'd slouched onto the pillows, laying rather than sitting on the bed. He'd adjusted one pillow to cradle his neck and had drifted to sleep. Jennifer stared, momentarily stunned. Just as she'd noticed back on Atlantis, his face lost all the cares he carried when he slept, and he seemed rather boyish in appearance slightly messed-up hair.

Then, the significance hit her. Evan was Special Forces. He lived on Atlantis, facing unknown dangers every day. And, yet, he'd drifted to sleep, leaving her to do whatever she liked. She struggled to breathe around the lump that developed. Did he really feel so deeply for her that he trusted her so completely?

Thinking he'd wake by the time the movie ended, Jennifer laid her head back on his shoulder. The warmth from the heater, the weight of Evan's arm as he held her close, and the sound of his heartbeat made her sleepy. She reached for the remote, still surprised when he didn't stir. Enjoying the complete trust he placed in her and the security his presence provided, Jennifer switched off the TV and let the sound of Evan's heartbeat lull her to sleep.

~TBC