As Jennifer began to come to she tried to remember why she was on a cold hard surface. As the memories flooded back she became acutely aware of the throbbing in her arm. She became aware of a background noise of voices, they sounded close, but her mind wasn't quite ready to focus on them. Giving up with her hearing and not wanting to open her eyes she tried her other senses. It was then she felt more layers on her than she remembered having when she dozed off. Then she became aware of a scent. As her brain began to function she realised it was in fact two scents that she knew but couldn't quite place. Then she remembered that the masculine aroma she could smell were the distinct fragrances associated with Lorne and Sheppard. Immediately she asked herself why she seemed to be surrounded by Lorne's and Sheppard's scents. She was about to open her eyes to find out why when her ears finally kicked into action and she heard McKay exclaim.
".. Goodhead or I would have Pussy Galore." With that Jennifer's eyes shot open and she lifted her head and questioned.
"Rodney?"
Down near her feet Sheppard, Lorne and McKay turned to face her. "Don't take that out of context." McKay said looking slightly flustered. "We were um you know talking um Bond girls." He explained.
"No we weren't." Sheppard said.
"What?" McKay questioned in disbelief. "Yes we were."
"No we weren't." Lorne confirmed Sheppard's story as Jennifer's eyes focused on her torso and saw two standard issues black shirts covering her. Looking up again she observed that Sheppard and Lorne were now just wearing T-shirts.
"Yes we were. They are lying." McKay tried again, now looking very flustered. "Sheppard started it."
"Don't bring me down to your level Rodney." Sheppard said, as Lorne struggled to keep a straight face. "How you feeling doc?"
"Ok. How long have I been asleep?" She asked as she tried to get up.
"Three-ish hours." Sheppard responded as Jennifer felt two large hands grip her and help her sit up. Looking round she saw Ronon look at her, his eyes filled with concern.
"Thanks." She said almost shyly to Ronon before looking back to Sheppard and asking surprised. "That long?"
"Guess you needed the sleep, or just found our company really dull." Sheppard answered.
"You feel up to eating something?"
"I thought we were rationing food?" Jennifer responded as she became aware of the lack of space between her and Ronon.
"We are. But Zelenka is confident he is making progress and a bit of food might reduce the tensions in here." Sheppard said as he nodded to Lorne, who went off to get the food he collected earlier. "Don't worry, we will keep plenty back, just in case Zelenka fails."
Lorne returned and gave Jennifer a power bar before distributing rations to everyone in the room. As he left the group McKay's eyes did not leave the supply of food that Lorne was carrying.
"Relax McKay there will be some for you." Sheppard said.
"How come everyone else gets theirs first? I have low blood sugar levels."
"Well the doc hasn't eaten in over thirty-six hours so was priority number one. The other docs and the marines are on the verge of fighting so they are priority number two. You are just sitting here so are lowest priority." Sheppard explained as Jennifer attempted to rip the wrapping open with her teeth, before Ronon took the bar and opened it for her. As he placed it back in her left hand she smiled her gratitude. Ronon returned the smile.
By the time that Lorne had returned, Jennifer had demolished the bar, unaware of how hungry she had been. When Lorne had handed the food to the rest of the group and sat down Ronon opened his bar and then held it out to Jennifer. Seeing the quizzical look she gave him, he explained.
"You don't eat enough and you need to keep your strength up." He explained as Lorne looked on surprised, having never known Ronon give up food. Just as realisation was dawning on him, he saw McKay look wistfully down at his bar and then hold it towards Jennifer as well.
"You should have mine as well." McKay said as Jennifer was left sitting looking confused with two power bars waving in front of her.
Suddenly everything became clear to Lorne, who exclaimed, "no!"
"Yes." Sheppard said back.
"But…seriously?"
"Yep." Sheppard smiled.
"What are you two talking about?" Jennifer said confused, still trying to politely refuse the power bars Ronon and McKay were offering.
"Nothing important. The Major has just solved a problem that was bugging him for quite some time. To be honest Lorne I can not believe how long it took you to get it." Sheppard replied.
"But it just seems so, I don't know, out of character." Lorne said, guessing that Jennifer had no idea and wanting to keep terms vague.
"You don't know the half of it." Sheppard replied ruefully.
"There's more?" Lorne questioned.
"Seriously what are you talking about?" Jennifer asked, feeling left out as Ronon practically forced his power bar into her good hand.
"They are just being juvenile." McKay said, looking nervous. "Ignore them."
Jennifer's attention was immediately drawn to how shifty McKay was looking. So much so she did not see the glares that Ronon was shooting towards Lorne. Sheppard however, did.
"Anyway Major now that you have solved the problem, I suggest you move on before there are any physical consequences, if you get my drift." Sheppard said subtly motioning towards Ronon. "Trust me when I say you are so much better on the perimeter."
"Will someone please tell me what is going on?" Jennifer asked again.
The men were saved from answering by a crashing sound from the other side of the room.