Jennifer stood in the infirmary, totally absorbed in her work. She stared at the brain scans of Coughlin and Witman's team, not to mention her own, and scowled. Cole had already discovered that an overload of certain hormones in their brains had caused the rage. Jennifer knew that, accepted that. She wanted to know why the hormones suddenly raged out of control. Then, she winced. Evan had worn off on her if she'd started thinking in puns.

Thinking of Evan made her think of his kiss. After leaving the gym, she'd gone to her quarters and slept well. But she awoke cold, like her covers weren't enough. Jennifer sighed. If he didn't talk soon, she was going to strap him into a hospital bed until he decided to tell her what was on his mind. And, if what happened was a fluke, the result of a night with too little sleep? She doubted it, but she tried to prepare herself for that possibility.

"Dr. Keller?" Teyla's voice broke through her thoughts.

Jennifer turned and smiled. "Teyla. What can I do for you?"

"Have you got a few minutes?" Teyla looked incredibly uncomfortable. Angry, even. "I need to talk."

"Okay." Jennifer saved her work. She led the Athosian to her office, wondering what this meeting was about. Teyla didn't seem angry at her, but a certain fire lit her eyes. Inside the office, Jennifer chose to sit on the couch, where Evan had sat all those weeks ago, while Teyla perched on the edge. "What's on your mind?"

"Are Earth women somehow fragile while they are carrying children?"

"What?" Jennifer blinked at the sudden question.

"I am trying to figure out why Colonel Sheppard seems intent on sequestering me here, on Atlantis, where I cannot do any good." Teyla shrugged. "I wondered if Earth women were somehow fragile. After all, Dr. McKay seems to think certain times of the year make him sick."

"First of all, Dr. McKay is a hypochondriac." Jennifer smiled. "And there is such a thing as seasonal allergies. Certain types of pollen affect different people different ways. And, third, there are women who require additional care during their pregnancies. You are not one of them."

"Then why would Colonel Sheppard not allow me to contribute?"

"Teyla, we've been over this before." Jennifer shook her head. "I'm sure you haven't forgotten my answers then. I don't want you going off world and putting yourself in danger. I can't handle it if anything happens to your baby."

Teyla glared momentarily before clearly surrendering. "I am sorry." She sighed. "I am just trying to figure out my place here on Atlantis. Watching Colonel Sheppard, Dr. McKay, and Ronon leave without me was. . .difficult."

Jennifer smiled again, relaxing into the couch. "That I understand. As a doctor, it's hard to sit at home, waiting until they return."

Teyla raised an eyebrow. "Is there someone you're waiting for?"

Jennifer blushed, the same blush that had covered her face when Evan peeked into the infirmary on his way to the gate room. A Marine entering at the right moment allowed her to see his slight smile and nod. "Maybe."

"Oh, really?" Teyla seemed all too happy to leave her troubles behind and focus on Jennifer. "Who is it?"

"Oh. . .I really can't-I mean, it's nothing, really." Jennifer backpedaled. "I mean, I don't feel right talking about it until we've had a chance to talk."

"Are you sure he returns the feelings?"

"He kissed me." The words slipped out before Jennifer could stop them. Her eyes widened. "You weren't supposed to hear that."

Teyla smiled. "I will not tell anyone. And, for the record, I believe Major Lorne would not-what is the term?-kiss and tell."

Jennifer's head snapped up. "Who said anything about Major Lorne?"

"There is only one team off world right now besides Colonel Sheppard. And I have watched the two of you. You do not act as two people who are only friends." Teyla frowned. "Is this unwillingness to tell him how you feel another strange Earth ritual?"

"No, it's just. . .complicated." Jennifer shook her head. She should have known that others would see what happened between her and Evan. "I mean, last night was amazing. We met up in the gym, and he started teaching me to fight. Next thing I know, I'm in his arms, and he's kissing me speechless. After the whole neurotoxin incident, he pulled away. Last night was the first time I really saw anything close to what he seemed to feel before I got sick. And I've asked if we can talk, but we haven't taken the time. It's just silly stuff that keeps interrupting, but. . .well. . . ." Suddenly, she ran out of words.

Teyla smiled gently. "I am sure things will work out between you."

"I wish I could be so sure." Jennifer held up a finger. "And don't even think about matchmaking."

"It didn't even cross my mind." Teyla smiled as Jennifer returned to work. Her chat with the young doctor had done wonders. By asking about Major Lorne, she'd confirmed her suspicions and stopped thinking about John's slight. Did he even know what he'd done by leaving her behind?

Blinking the thoughts from her head, Teyla left the infirmary and headed for the mess hall. She hadn't slept well for the last several nights. Since she'd been removed from active duty, she might take a nap. A few extra hours of sleep would do her wonders.

"Teyla." Sheppard's voice startled her, and she turned. He sat down in front of her. "I need your help. We've found a Wraith hive, unmanned and in need of a pilot. The ship's been secured; we're in no immediate danger; and you're the only one who can fly it."

Teyla smiled at him. "Even in my condition?"

As John sighed, she knew she'd made her point. Even if she continued to struggle with the various emotions stirred by John, by her child's father, by her missing people, she knew she'd never truly hold it against Sheppard for too long. She couldn't, and she didn't want to figure out why that might be.

oOo

"Ah, you're gonna make a great mom," Lorne said with conviction.

"Thank you." Teyla wished she could put all of the gratefulness she felt into that statement. "I wish I could be so sure."

He looked slightly sheepish. "Being sure has nothing to do with it. Being willing to try has everything to do with it." He smiled. "I remember watching my sister with her first son. She was so afraid of making a mistake, but seeing her that happy really made an impact. It's one of the only times I can really remember wanting a family of my own."

Teyla blinked. "You've never wanted a family? Why not?"

Lorne shrugged. "It's a decision I made early on. I watched one of my closest friends go through losing his dad to the military. I knew I'd join up right after high school, and I knew I'd be doing some sort of dangerous work. I guess I just figured a family and the military didn't mix."

"And now?"

Now? Lorne glanced around the bridge of the Wraith vessel. Now, things were different. Now, he had Jennifer in his life. Now. . . . "I'm not so sure about now."

She raised an eyebrow. "Why not?"

"It's complicated." He glanced over, seeing the strange expression cross her face. "What?"

"It is nothing." She let out a breath. "You just said something that Dr. Keller said earlier today. About things being complicated."

Lorne turned slightly, just enough to face her. He was suddenly curious. "Dr. Keller said something about me?" When Teyla demurred, he let a grin begin. "What did she say?"

"I am not at liberty to discuss it with anyone." She shook her head. "I am sorry for even mentioning the conversation."

Lorne let the subject drop and shook his head. At the mention of Jennifer Keller, he'd turned into an eager kid worried about what others thought of him. No, he corrected himself. Not others. Only one person. That decision long ago, military or family, haunted him now. He'd never really thought about it, and now he needed to consider the ramifications. Could he really put Jennifer in that position?

His mind traveled back to last night, and he left Teyla on the bridge to think as he wandered the hive. His men hovered near the bridge, but they left Teyla alone. They seemed to sense that she needed time to think. Just like he did.

Lorne scrubbed a hand across his face and let out a deep breath. Waiting wasn't that great of a job, but someone had to do it. He just wished he didn't have so much to think about. Last night, with Jennifer, he had actually felt whole. Complete. The expression on her face just before he kissed her. . .she actually looked thunderstruck. He smiled at the image. Ellen told him to just make a move. He had. Now he wondered what the next move should be.

"Major Lorne, this is Teyla." Her anxious voice returned him to his current reality. "I need you on the bridge."

Lorne turned on his heel and walked back the way he'd come. He had not realized how much time had passed between his conversation with Teyla and now. Man! He really needed to take some time off if his personal thoughts overshadowed his job! Distracted men were dead men in his world.

"What is it?" he asked as soon as he entered the bridge.

"I have detected a Dart approaching our position." Teyla's words firmly grounded him in the present, and he nodded. He'd think about Jennifer later, after the danger had passed. For now, he needed to be the unflappable soldier everyone else expected.

oOo

Evan returned unharmed that evening. Jennifer watched him file into the infirmary for his post-mission checkup and gratefully accepted Sheppard's request that she examine Teyla. She wasn't sure she could handle touching Evan right then.

He grinned at her as she passed him. "Doc."

"Major." She smiled, realizing his little game after all this time. There was something. . . .thrilling about pretending they didn't have a relationship. It was a secret, and secrets were fun. "Good mission?"

"Yeah." He actually winked at her.

Jennifer walked to Teyla's side, her heart fluttering as she felt Evan's eyes on her. Or did she? When she glanced back at him, he spoke with Marie as if nothing had happened. But something had. She knew it, and Teyla knew it. The Athosian lay under the scanner, explaining her encounter with the Wraith queen, and watching the interactions between the doctor and the major.

Finally, Jennifer stepped away from the scanner. "You're fine. And the baby is fine."

"Thank you, Dr. Keller." Teyla sat up. "I appreciate all you've done for me."

"It's no problem." Jennifer shrugged. "It's why I'm here."

Teyla nodded and left the infirmary. Jennifer completed her rounds for the day and straightened a few supplies. Then, she found her way to the mess hall for a late dinner.

The idea of sharing something secret with Evan actually appealed, and she wondered if that's why he hadn't spoken with her. No, that couldn't be the case. It was just the result of not having talked about what was happening between them. She should stop obsessing over this and focus on her work. Whatever happened with Evan would happen in its time, without her help.

All thoughts of letting things happen in their own time fled when he sat down across from her. He looked fresh from a shower, with his hair still spiking along the front. And his eyes sparkled. Jennifer swallowed the bite in her mouth and let out a relieved sigh when he turned the conversation to mundane things. She asked about the mission, and he told her a little more of what had happened. But things had changed, and they both knew it. As Evan walked her to her room that night, Jennifer wondered if she'd make it should he decide that this was all they could have. Not trusting herself to speak, she simply touched his arm and left him standing in the hallway, with a soft smile on his face. In time, she'd ask him about things. But not tonight. Tonight, she planned to enjoy the sweetness a little longer.

~TBC