The gym was quiet late in the evening. The fading sun casting an orange glow through the room. Jessica was in the corner rapidly beating into a punching bag, a sheen of sweat glistened across her forehead. Left, right, left, right. Her vision had narrowed to see only the bag and her gloves flying into it.
A voice beside brought her attention away from the bag, "Doc? I didn't expect to see you here."
Catching the bag as it swung back Jessica turned to see who spoke, "Corporal. Is that because I'm a doctor or a female?" It came out a lot colder than she'd intended, but she had to give him credit, he didn't miss a beat.
With a smile he replied, "I've had my butt handed to me by Teyla enough times to say it's definitely not because you're a girl. Have you tried Bantos?"
Jessica shook her head. She had heard about it but never done it herself. Reflexively she caught the two Bantos rods Wright threw to her and moved to face him. Surely it couldn't be too difficult, she thought, just hit each other with sticks. Wright came at her, one rod aiming for the side of her head. Quickly she blocked him before feeling his other rod sweeping her feet out from under her. The breath knocked out of her she groaned and took a moment before accepting the hand he offered.
"Geez Doc, maybe it's you who needs the extra training." He laughed, pulling her up.
"It's apparently, not as easy as it looks."
They started again, Jessica slowly learning to watch both rods. Occasionally she would land a blow but more often than not she landed on the floor. After about half an hour they decided to call it quits. Breathing heavily they sat on the floor, leaning against the wall quietly as they both gulped back the water.
"Not bad for a first timer." Wright commented, "You should do some training, I'm sure you'd pick it up in no time."
"Maybe." She thought about it, "If I could find time and someone to train with."
Wright laughed, "Doctors, never clock off do ya. I'll tell you what, I'm in here after dinner every second day. If your schedule allows why don't you come join?"
Jessica looked at him, surprised by the offer, "That would be great, thanks."
He stood up, helping Jessica to her feet, "It's settled then, hopefully see you in two days." He said, giving a friendly wave as he left.
Jessica was sitting in the infirmary office finishing the days paperwork. It had been a relatively quiet day in the infirmary. She'd even managed to join Major Lorne's team for lunch in the Mess hall. Standing up to stretch, she checked her watch, almost dinner time. She was working a longer shift today, covering for Dr. Cole who had come down with the pegasus flu. She didn't think she'd be able to get a sit down dinner as well as lunch, that was almost unheard of. Though a short walk to the Mess hall to grab some fruit should be achievable.
Exiting the office she did a quick round, checking on the few patients they did have before asking the nurse, Anya, if she wanted any food while Jessica was at the Mess. Before the nurse had a chance to answer the infirmary's PA system went off.
"Medical team to the gate room!"
"Scratch that." Jessica muttered, before saying to Anya, "You're with me." And asking the control room about the nature of the injuries as she grabbed the med bag. She just had to think about how quiet the day had been, didn't she, Jessica chastised herself. The nurse had gotten the gurney and together they ran off for the gate room.
"Lieutenant Cadman fell down a cliff."
Jessica inwardly gulped, all possible injuries resulting from a cliff fall running through her head as well as the treatment for them. Reaching the gate room she was pleased to see that it wasn't as bad as it could have been. Cadman was upright, leaning on her team mate, quite dirty and bloody but nothing looked out of place.
"What are you doing falling down cliffs, Cadman?" Jessica asked lightly as Cadman's teammate helped her to them.
Cadman threw a weak grin her way and replied in a tight voice, "Gotta keep you on your toes Doc. Also, I do not need a gurney. We can walk."
Jessica's hands went to her hips, she'd done this often enough, "That's not walking. It's hobbling. Now, on the gurney."
"Doc it's fine. I'll, hobble." Cadman jaw clenched a little as she said it, creases forming between her brows.
Jessica glared at her. It was the look she reserved for the patients who always thought they were fine. Which orginally was the entire military contingent until most of them learnt that she meant business and wouldn't take no for an answer, "Lieutenant Cadman, you will get on this gurney or by golly I will strap you to it myself." She growled.
Throwing a protesting groan at her, Cadman relented and climbed onto the gurney. She may be crazy but she certainly wasn't stupid enough to carry on fighting with the doc when she got that voice on. As they started to wheel her away Jessica hooked her up to the pulse ox and asked about pain. Obviously, being a marine, she was in no pain. Then the doc gave her that look again and she admitted her side was quite twingey, she refused to say the word sore. However she couldn't let out a few choice swear words as she moved from the gurney to bed.
Jessica brow furrowed at Cadman's language and she turned to Anya, "Put an IV in and start with ten milligram of morphine." She didn't need to watch to make sure she was listened to. These nurses were the best of the best and knew their job inside out. Grabbing a pair of scissors she cut Cadman's clothes off to survey the damage and prep her for a scan.
She loved the ancient equipment, often there was no waiting about for results, no fiddling with multiple machines. It was as simple as scanning with one machine and she could see whatever she wanted. Which at the moment was reassuring as it scanned Cadman, no broken bones, no internal damage. Just the outside to contend with.
Prepping her equipment Jessica told Anya she could go get some dinner. Everything was once again, under control. Quickly she got to work cleaning all of the lacerations and abrasions.
"You know, I always thought it was Reed. But now I'm thinking Major Lorne," Laura started, slurring a touch from the meds, "I think you and Major Lorne would be super cute together."
Jessica almost snorted as she started putting stitches into Cadman's leg, "Really? Super cute?"
Cadman giggled in reply and Jessica was reminded of the more amusing aspect of her job, when the patients were highly talkative dosed up on painkillers. It was quite fascinating what some of them would say.
"Yeah, like, when you two aren't being super awkward with each other you're super cute. It's like you know each other or something. Intimately." She finished, wagging her eyebrows at Jessica, telling her exactly what she meant.
Jessica shook her head with a quiet laugh, "Geez Cadman. You get super talkative when you're dosed up."
Laura wiggled a finger at her now, "See! You didn't deny it. You two totally have a thing going on."
Had, Jessica thought, surprised a little at the bitterness in her mind, had a thing. Now, have nothing. Keeping her face carefully lighthearted she replied, "I can assure you, Cadman, there's absolutely nothing between the Major and I. We're just team mates." Though it would be nice to actually be friends, without anything extra though but that was always hard work with him, she added in her head.
Putting in the last stitch she straightened, glad for the topic change as she said, "Right, that's the last one. You'll stay overnight but probably fine to leave tomorrow."
"Uh uh, stop changing the -"
Jessica laughed, "Doctors orders, you stay and sleep."
"I don't want to."
Jessica just shook her head, reiterating that she didn't have a choice before leaving the room and hoping Cadman didn't remember the conversation in the morning.
Jessica fell onto a couch in one of Atlantis' rec rooms. It had been a long day. Nothing major had happened thankfully. Just a lot of little things compounding into one big, stressful day. Swinging her legs up onto the couch, she leaned back and rubbed her hands over her face as if trying to scrub the day away.
Glass clinked down on the table across from her. She looked up, surprised. Two beer bottles sat there. Staring at her from behind them was Corporal Wright, his hand out indicating for her to take one. Not needing a second invitation she gladly reached out, raising it towards him as thanks.
Eagerly she had a mouthful, feeling almost immediately more relaxed as the liquid tipped down her throat.
"Rough day huh." Wright commented casually.
"Not necessarily rough. Just one of those days when it's one thing after another." She answered, taking another swig.
He nodded in understanding, drinking his own beer.
"So tomorrow... looking forward to babysitting some botanists?" She chuckled.
Wright groaned a little in reply before raising his bottle towards her and adding, "At least the company shall be good."
She clinked her bottle to his, "That it shall be."
The next day rolled around quickly and Jessica was gearing up straight after breakfast ready to head out with Lieutenant Edison's team. The botanists had wanted to study plant life on an ice planet so Edison's team had been put as their security detail. However, since they didn't have enough people qualified with first aid Jessica had been required to tag along.
"I'm so excited!" Dr. Emily Garcia exclaimed before launching into detail of the wonders of plants growing through what seemed to be an ice age.
Jessica shook her head and exchanged a glance with Corporal Wright. They were both thinking the same thing. Soon enough everyone was geared up ready to go. Slinging on her pack Jessica followed the team to the jumper bay. After loading her bag up she sat in the back with Emily and Dr. Lucas Martin, the other botanist.
Very quickly the jumper lowered into the gate room and headed through the giant ring. As the jumper emerged from the gate the scientists hurried into the cockpit, taking in the marvel before them.
It was white for as far as the eye could see. The icy hills rolled on and on except one hill top of plants exploding in colour, reds, greens, blues and yellows. Finding a relatively level patch near the plants Edison carefully brought the jumper down.
Edison was the first up, "Corporal, you're with the scientists and doc. We'll double check the perimeter." He had already checked life signs using the jumper. It had read as nothing out there but you could never be too careful. He wasn't going to have something come back to bite him because he didn't do a visual check.
Emily and Lucas barely paid attention, too busy grabbing their gear and eagerly waiting for him to lower the hatch and let them go. Edison shook his head with a grin, it was like letting two kids loose in a candy store. Lowering the rear hatch he watched them rush out, just for Lucas to hit the ice, flat on his back.
"Forget something, Martin?" Corporal Wright asked as he sauntered over to him holding up a pair of crampons.
Beet red in the face the older man murmured his thanks before attaching them and heading off, albeit a bit more carefully this time. Jessica joined Wright, following the scientists as Edison and his second spread out around the surrounding area.
Emily and Lucas gaped at the plants, carefully touching leaves and inspecting them. Every now and then they'd call the other over to look at something before talking excitedly. Wright made himself comfortable at the base of a tree where he could keep an eye on them. Sticking her hands in her armpits Jessica dropped down beside him. She wasn't actually cold, they knew what to expect so had dressed accordingly. She just didn't like the cold so the idea of it made her uncomfortable.
"You know, I considered bringing the cards out, but I don't think it'd be the easiest to play." Wright commented, holding up his hand, covered by a thick glove.
"I'm sure there are other ways we can pass the time." Jessica replied.
When Wright raised an eyebrow she laughed awkwardly, realizing how it sounded, "Gosh, no! Not like that. No offence."
He grinned, "Oh good, I didn't want to figure out how to let you down easy. Twenty questions then? Would you rather? Shoot, shag or marry? What did you have in mind?"
"Shoot, shag or marry? How old are you?"
He shrugged with a laugh, "How about twenty questions then. Where'd you grow up?"
"Maine." Jessica replied, smiling fondly, "Why'd you join the air force?"
"Cause girls love a guy in uniform obviously." Wright laughed at Jessica's spluttering laugh before adding, "Kidding! I wanted to fly. Why'd you become a doctor?"
"Oh ya know, the cliche I wanted to help people. Plus, it's something I'm good at. My brain just absorbs any medical information. Who's caught your eye on Atlantis?"
Wright side eyed her "Diving right into the personal questions. How do you know someone has?"
"Call it a gut feeling."
"And suddenly I don't like this game..." He paused. "It might be a scientist."
"Might be might it? Perhaps a certain scientist who's out here with us?"
"Why do you say that?" Wright asked cautiously.
"Oh just the way you look at her, that sparkle in your eye." Jessica pulled a puppy dog face.
Wright's cheeks turn a light shade of pink, "Oh shut it. You're such a girl. 'The way you look at her'." He mocked her, "I do not look like that."
"Yes you do. And yes, I am a girl. I know these uniforms are unflattering but it's not that obscure is it?" Jessica feigned hurt.
Wright turned to her and slowly flicked his eyes up and down, making sure she noticed, "Definitely not obscure. Plus, if it was, I wouldn't have asked you to dance at mid year."
"You were drunk." Jessica thought back to that night and how much Wright had slurred his words when he asked that question, "Very, very drunk. So doesn't count."
"Does so. I don't walk just anyone back to their room. Come on, you're not, um, unattractive."
"Wow, you must be a hit with the ladies. Not unattractive eh? I don't know whether to be flattered or insulted."
Wright was about to reply before he was interrupted by his radio, "Corporal, it's food time."
Standing he stretched before shouting to the scientists. Grudgingly they pulled themselves away from the plants and headed back to the jumper. Edison had already cooked up some MRE's, knowing better than to pull the scientists away before it was ready. Shutting the rear hatch so they could shed their outerwear they all ate quietly. MRE's were never that great but at least it was hot.
The jumper filled with a rumble as it started to wobble. Heads shot up at the unexpected movement. Jumping to his feet Edison headed towards the cockpit, followed by his second, Sergeant Brown, while everyone else reached for something to hold onto as the jumper rocked. Suddenly it tipped backward as the ice under the back fell away. Edison flew into the cockpit window and the jumper filled with shouting as it plummeted. The first hit plunged them into darkness. Sergeant Brown managed to grab one of the seats as the jumper tipped back and as the jumper started to roll with the second hit he got a hand on Edison's arm, stopping the Lieutenant from flying around.
After what seemed an eternity of tumbling and crashing the jumpers descent stopped abruptly. Jessica slowly opened her eyes, she'd squeezed them shut during the fall. She couldn't see anything, it was pitch black. She was dangling from the webbing she'd held onto. If her sense of direction was correct, though, with her head still spinning she wasn't sure it was, then her feet were hanging towards the rear hatch.
A/N Hope everyone's having as great holiday so far and you're all enjoying the story. Reviews would be great, let me know how I'm going. Enjoy the New Year!