NOTE: Shweir fans might want to skip this one. It's nothing blatant, just a bit of UST. (Or it's easy to substitute names…)

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Day 6- Light Infirmary Moment

Sheppard's breathing had normalized shortly after arriving in the infirmary the night before. His temperature rose progressively on its own, while Beckett hovered nearby monitoring him for signs of seizing or neurological damage. Once he woke, the drained military commander had struggled to answer their immediate questions, until Carson impatiently banished everyone from the room.

The next morning, Mitchell hesitates in the entrance to the infirmary when he sees Teyla sitting in a chair beside Sheppard's bed. She is once again gently stroking her fingers through his rebellious hair, and speaking softly. But this time Sheppard is awake and watching her. Their eyes are locked and unaware of the world bustling around them.

A blind man could see how they feel about each other, and Mitchell is amazed he hadn't noticed before. But sadly, he'd seen enough of Jack O'Neill and Sam Carter to recognize emotional denial when he sees it. The two figures in the corner obviously weren't ready to acknowledge their feelings, even to themselves. He understands; they've both lost a lot of people in their lives, and he knows Sheppard doesn't let people in. Between the military regulations, the responsibilities each carry, and the constant dangers they face- it's no wonder they haven't acted.

Mitchell clears his throat, drawing two sets of eyes to his stance in the doorway, before drawling, "Hey buddy, how you doing? Thought up any new ways to get me back in hot water with the good doctor? 'Cause I'm telling you, I already don't like the way he's been brandishing those syringes."

Sheppard manages his infamous half smile, but the events of the last few days have visibly drained him, "Nah, I'm planning to be a good little patient… Hey, you know what… nobody won the pot for once."

When Michell looks nonplussed, he explains smugly, "My compassionate colleagues here place bets on how long it'll take me to wind up back in the infirmary after I've been discharged. But, since the Doc never discharged me, no one wins this time."

Mitchell avoids his gaze awkwardly.

Then with dawning realization, Sheppard squeaks, "No. Tell me you didn't… Zero days!"

Mitchell confesses, "Well, if it makes you feel any better, I've got to split the winnings with McKay. I might have guessed the right day, but I put my money on a self-inflicted injury during one of your infirmary breaks. Meanwhile, McKay was way-off on the timeline, but pinned ancient tech as the cause. So, the judges ruled it a split."

Sounding convincingly victimized, Sheppard complains, "Some friends."

Mitchell scoffs, "Please! I heard you had your own money on a week."

Shooting him an lopsided grin, the CO counters, "What can I say, I'm an optimist."

His friend groans in exasperation, "Come on. How screwed up is it that seven days without hospitalization makes you an optimist!"

Gently squeezing Sheppard's hand, Teyla shakes her head indulgently at both of them before quietly escaping from the room.