Author's Note: Dude! Camp Barnabas rocked my socks off! Saying that God is awesome would be like saying that Sheppard is halfway decent-looking. ;) Anyways, I hope y'all enjoy this little chapter, 'cause it's the last bit of happy fluff for a good while. :evil grin:
"We're not going anywhere, so why can't I just tell you that I care? 'Cause I'm feeling nervous, trying to be so perfect. 'Cause I know you're worth it. You're worth it, yeah. If I could say what I want to say, I'd say I wanna blow you away, be with you every night. Am I squeezing you too tight? If I could say what I want to see. I wanna see you go down on one knee, marry me today. I guess I'm wishing my life away with these things I'll never say." - Avril Lavigne, "Things I'll Never Say"
After annoying nearly everyone she ran into by gleefully announcing, "Summer's coming home today!" Evie stood in the Gate Room anxiously awaiting her friends' return.
"Incoming wormhole," the Gate technician called. "Captain Akerly's IDC."
"Ah-ah, Charles," Evie said, wagging her finger at him. "Captain Murphy's IDC."
Charles grinned. "Yes, ma'am." He lowered the shield and within a few moments, the newlyweds stepped through the Gate.
Evie ran quickly down the steps and nearly tackled her friend. "Summer!" she cried, hugging her friend tightly.
"Oof. I missed you, too," Summer said, dropping her duffel and returning the embrace.
Releasing Summer after a moment, Evie hugged Michael as well. "You two have fun?" she asked.
Michael just looked over at Summer and smirked. "'Fun' doesn't even begin to describe what we--"
"Michael!" Summer exclaimed, giving him a look. Her husband raised his hands in resignation. Summer sighed and turned to Evie. "Yes, we had a good time."
"I'm glad." Evie smiled. "Wanna come to the mess hall for a cookie? You can tell me all about it."
"Sounds good," Summer said, handing her duffel to Michael. "Will you get the bags, dear?" she teased.
"Of course, darling," he answered sweetly. "I'll see you ladies later."
Before letting her husband leave, Summer gently took his face in her hands and kissed him deeply. She released him a moment later, leaving the man with a goofy grin on his face as he turned to go.
"My, my," Evie teased as they began walking to the mess hall. "That was a lot of PDA for 'chaste little Summer.'" Summer merely shrugged.
They reached the mess hall a few minutes later, and snagged some leftover cookies, taking a seat at one of the tables. "So?" Evie smiled expectantly at her friend.
"So…what?" Summer asked.
"Oh, don't even!" Evie said. "You know exactly what I mean. How was it?" Summer just grinned in response. "Aww, c'mon," Evie pressed. "Don't make me go ask Michael."
"Mmm…" Summer thought for a minute. "Worth waiting for. How's that answer?"
"Acceptable," Evie answered with a smile.
"So, what did I miss?" Summer asked.
"Well," Evie said, leaning closer to Summer and lowering her voice. "Stumpy broke up with Cupcake, but I hope they're gonna get back together, and I think Rodney has a thing for that biologist Mary."
Summer blinked. "No. I meant did anything important happen?"
"Did you hear me? Stumpy! Dumped! Cupcake!"
Summer rolled her eyes. "This is like, what, the eighth time? They'll get back together. Now, seriously. Did anything major happen?"
Evie shook her head. "Nobody died, the Wraith didn't attack, and Rodney still hasn't had his monthly nervous breakdown," she finished with a grin.
Summer laughed. "So, Rodney and Mary, huh?"
"Yep," Evie nodded, amused by the pairing.
"Isn't she Kate Heightmeyer's younger sister?" Summer asked.
"Yeah." When Dr. Weir had taken the senior staff members back to Earth to select more personnel for Atlantis, Kate had asked that they look up her biologist sister, knowing that Mary would readily accept the offer. "I guess when Kate turned him down he decided to go for the next best thing. The adorable thing is…I think Mary likes him back," Evie confided with a grin.
"Now there's a cute couple for ya."
"You should have seen them last night." Evie smirked. "I was helping Dr. Croker with something in the lab and Mary and Rodney were geek flirting!" She couldn't help but giggle quietly.
"'Geek flirting'?" Summer asked, raising an eyebrow.
"You know, that shy, subtle kind of flirting that geeks do," Evie said, gesturing with her hands. "Get this, he went and got her a cup of coffee."
"Oooh," Summer gushed exaggeratedly.
"Oh, come on, it was cute!" Evie insisted. "And she gave him this shy little smile. But it was like flirtatious at the same time, you know? Then they kept exchanging looks for the rest of the night. But before Mary left, she slipped a note to Rodney."
"Ooh, wow, a note," Summer teased her "hopeless romantic" friend.
"Okay, you know what?" Evie said, shooting a mock glare to the woman across from her. "I think geek love is cute. Deal with it."
"Yes, ma'am," Summer replied, taking another bite of her cookie.
XXXXXX
22:41:58 jacksgal: you do realize we've been talking for almost two hours now, right?
22:42:09 flyboyjes: is there soemthing wrong with that?
22:42:11 flyboyjes: something
22:42:15 jacksgal: nothing at all. I was just commenting
22:42:20 flyboyjes: you're easy to talk to
22:42:32 jacksgal: yes, talking is something that Evie is very good at :D
22:42:39 jacksgal: something at which Evie is very good
22:42:41 flyboyjes?
22:42:52 jacksgal: my CO back on Earth was a grammar freak
22:42:57 flyboyjes: oh you poor dear
22:43:01 jacksgal:)
22:43:05 jacksgal: brb
22:43:09 flyboyjes: bathroom break?
22:43:13 jacksgal: ha! No, you goof. Be right back.
22:43:15 flyboyjes: ah.
22:43:17 flyboyjes: my bad
22:43:48 jacksgal: okay, back.
22:43:55 jacksgal: I had to put on my happy song :D
22:44:02 flyboyjes: you have a happy song?
22:44:16 jacksgal: I'm walking on sunshiiiiiiiiiiiiine. whoa-oh-oh! and don't it feel good? hey!
22:44:18 flyboyjes:D
22:44:30 jacksgal: ugh. did you see what Kavanagh brought back on the Daedalus?
22:44:35 flyboyjes:rolls eyes: I can only imagine…
22:44:41 jacksgal: a sports illustrated swimsuit editoin
22:44:42 jacksgal: editin
22:44:44 jacksgal: edition! gah!
22:44:46 flyboyjes: really?
22:44:57 jacksgal: yeah! and the little pervert shared it with all the guys on his research team. :P
22:45:03 flyboyjes: …
22:45:09 jacksgal: oh please don't tell me you looked at it, too…
22:45:13 flyboyjes: no, I've been trying to be better…
22:45:15 jacksgal: trying? ;)
22:45:21 flyboyjes: you make me see women differently now
22:45:29 flyboyjes: I mean, I wouldn't want you looking at guys that way…I'd get jealous ;)
22:45:36 jacksgal:laughs: so, you're saying you used to? o0
22:45:39 flyboyjes:blushes:
22:45:43 jacksgal: naughty John! Hehe
22:45:47 jacksgal: just so long as it wasn't a playboy :P
22:45:56 flyboyjes: …
22:46:02 jacksgal: ewww! you're kidding me!
22:46:09 flyboyjes: whaaaaaat? I was twelve! a friend gave it to me!
22:46:12 jacksgal: perv…:P:P:P
22:46:16 flyboyjes: but I didn't get very far.
22:46:24 jacksgal: hmph. and what is that s'posed to mean?
22:46:33 flyboyjes: well, I was so scared that my parents would come into my room and find me reading it that I put it up before I got to the good stuff.
22:46:35 jacksgal:raises eyebrows:
22:46:40 flyboyjes: no, wait! the bad stuff! the bad stuff!
22:46:42 jacksgal: ha!
22:46:48 jacksgal: well, if I ever catch you looking at something like that, it will be the last thing you'll ever do
22:46:51 flyboyjes: yes, ma'am. :bows:
22:47:03 flyboyjes: aah! now you've got that song stuck in my head! darn you!
22:47:07 jacksgal: yaaaaaaaay! I have succeeded:D
22:47:11 flyboyjes: you're a trip, Evie
22:47:14 jacksgal: but you love me anyway ;)
22:47:15 jacksgal: right?
22:47:17 jacksgal: okay, you hesitated
22:47:17 flyboyjes: yes, I love you
22:47:26 jacksgal: no, you had to stop and think about it. I know when I've been insulted! I know when I've been insulted!
22:47:30 flyboyjes: ooh! I know that one! Uhh… :thinks really hard:
22:47:34 jacksgal: don't hurt yourself.
22:47:44 flyboyjes: Charlie Brown Christmas! yes! I'm so good…
22:47:52 jacksgal: yay for you. now if you'll excuse me, I'll go sulk in my unlovedness
22:47:55 flyboyjes: unlovedness?
22:47:58 jacksgal: yes. It's a word now.
22:48:01 flyboyjes: I see.
22:48:06 flyboyjes: fine, you go sulk, I'll see what Elizabeth is doing…
22:48:08 flyboyjes is Away
22:48:10 jacksgal: nooooooooooooooooo!
22:48:20 flyboyjes: heh
22:48:24 flyboyjes has returned from Away
22:48:26 jacksgal: yay!
22:48:28 jacksgal: I wuv oo:D
22:48:31 flyboyjes: you, too, beautiful
22:48:33 jacksgal:D
22:48:40 jacksgal: you know, we should come up with some code phrase or something so that we can say that over the radio or when other people are around.
22:48:44 flyboyjes: that'd be good.
22:48:52 jacksgal: I shall go sit in my thoughtful spot…:think, think, think:
22:48:54 flyboyjes: ooh! You got it!
22:48:57 jacksgal: I got what?
22:49:04 flyboyjes: we could use movie quotes:D
22:49:08 jacksgal: yay! You're so smart : )
22:49:15 flyboyjes: could have been Mensa.
22:49:21 jacksgal: ugh. Do you have to mention that every time?
22:49:23 flyboyjes:D
22:49:29 jacksgal: fine then, if you're so smart, think of a quote :P
22:49:34 flyboyjes: alright then I will :P:P
22:49:37 jacksgal:P:P:P
22:49:39 flyboyjes:P:P:P:P
22:49:45 jacksgal:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P don't start this with me, 'cause I will win.
22:49:46 jacksgal:P
22:49:52 flyboyjes: will you be quiet, woman? I'm thinking!
22:50:04 jacksgal: This is a song that never ends. It just goes on and on my friends!
22:50:14 jacksgal: Some people started singing it not knowing waht it was and they'll continue singing it forever just because…
22:50:19 flyboyjes: you want me to hurt you, don't you?
22:50:21 jacksgal:)
22:50:30 jacksgal: ha! I got one!
22:50:33 flyboyjes: let's hear it.
22:50:35 jacksgal: "As you wish." :D
22:50:37 flyboyjes: of course!
22:50:43 flyboyjes: because "what he really meant was 'I love you.'"
22:50:49 jacksgal: yay! 'course that won't work in all situations…
22:50:54 flyboyjes: no, I suppose not…
22:51:02 jacksgal. I'm sorry, Jessie, I tried everything.
22:51:05 flyboyjes: Jessie?
22:51:08 jacksgal: random quote
22:51:10 jacksgal: sorry, hehe
22:51:40 jacksgal: gah! I'm coming up empty. Do they have to be quotes?
22:51:46 flyboyjes: no, that was just the first thing that popped into my mind.
22:51:49 jacksgal: ah.
22:51:58 flyboyjes: we could just use excuses for when we want to see each other…
22:52:04 jacksgal: meaning?
22:52:18 flyboyjes: well, if I wanted to see you, I could radio you, saying, "Lieutenant, Dr. McKay would like to see both of us at his lab in an hour."
22:52:25 jacksgal: …and then I would meet you at Rodney's lab in an hour:D
22:52:29 flyboyjes: there ya go: )
22:52:36 flyboyjes: Lieutenant, I'd like to, uhh…
22:52:45 flyboyjes: debrief you on the plot of the book "War and Peace" at your quarters.
22:52:49 jacksgal: hehe. when?
22:52:53 flyboyjes: right now
22:52:58 jacksgal: well, gimme a minute before you get here
22:53:03 flyboyjes: why?
22:53:08 jacksgal: b/c I'm not decent!
22:53:10 flyboyjes:D
22:53:15 jacksgal:P you're hopeless
22:53:17 flyboyjes:D:D
22:53:25 jacksgal: and what will we do?
22:53:28 flyboyjes: I dunno
22:53:39 flyboyjes: aren't you the one who has all those "contraband" dvd's?
22:53:43 jacksgal: absolutely
22:53:51 flyboyjes: hmm… got any James Bond?
22:53:59 jacksgal:shakes head: I let Michael borrow them
22:54:07 flyboyjes:sigh: a chick flick then, I suppose…
22:54:13 jacksgal: ooh!
22:54:16 flyboyjes: what?
22:54:22 jacksgal: Mary Heightmeyer just let me borrow one of her favorite romantic comedies
22:54:25 jacksgal: "Never Been Kissed"
22:54:30 flyboyjes: is it any good?
22:54:36 jacksgal: dunno. I haven't had time to watch it yet
22:54:43 flyboyjes: oh! Is that that one with Drew Barrymore?
22:54:48 jacksgal: yeah. It's one I've been wanting to see. :D
22:54:56 flyboyjes: sounds good. I'll be there in five
22:55:01 jacksgal: awesome possum
22:55:04 jacksgal: see you then
22:55:06 flyboyjes: alright
22:55:09 flyboyjes: and by the way…
22:55:15 jacksgal: yes?
22:55:21 flyboyjes: you don't have to be decent. : )
22:55:22 flyboyjes has signed off
22:55:26 jacksgal: why you little!
22:55:27 flyboyjes is no longer on the server
22:55:30 jacksgal: well fine then :P
22:55:33 jacksgal has signed off
Evie pushed her swivel chair away from the desk and hopped up, quickly trying to find her shorts. She retrieved the beloved moose garment that was hanging off the edge of her bed and slipped it on. She had just located the DVD when she heard a timid knock on her door. "We don't want anymore busybodies, well-wishers, or distant relations," she called softly, approaching the door.
She heard a muffled chuckle, and then Sheppard's voice. "What about very old friends?"
Evie waved her hand in front of the sensor. "Well, technically, I've only known you for three years now, so that wouldn't be correct." She grinned as he stepped inside. "Nobody saw you?" she asked as the door close behind him.
He shook his head. "We're in the clear for now," he said, gently kissing her.
"Good." She smiled and gestured for him to be seated on the bed. She had set her laptop on her bedside table and angled it so that the screen could be seen from the bed. She popped the DVD into the disk drive and waited for the program's menu to become available.
"So this is Cuddles?" he asked, picking up a ragged-looking, pink teddy bear. It had patches of fur missing and its right arm appeared to have been reattached.
Evie turned around to see him holding the beloved stuffed animal. "Yeah. She's been well-loved as you can tell."
Sheppard nodded and set the animal in her swivel chair. Then he lied down on her bed, leaving room for her, and propped his head up on his head. "You don't have a problem with me and you on the bed, do you?"
Clicking a few buttons, Evie turned around and gave him an innocent face. "Why, Colonel, whatever do you mean?" He chuckled and she grinned. "I think we can allow that, because I know you'd never try anything…"
"How d'you figure?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Because," she said, starting the movie and walking over to the bed, "you know that I would shoot you if did."
"Yes, ma'am. No seducing. Got it." He grinned as she shook her head and lied down beside him.
Sheppard slowly counted in his head, waiting an appropriate minute before sliding his arm around her waist. Evie shifted slightly and brought her hand to rest on his. Grinning, he moved forward, spooning his body against hers.
Evie automatically stiffened at the close contact, but then relaxed and leaned her head back against his chest. "Mmm," Evie sighed, slipping her fingers inbetween his, "I didn't take you for the kind of guy who liked to snuggle."
"You're just so beautiful I can't keep my hands off you," he teased, lightly kissing her neck. Evie shivered slightly as his lips tickled her skin. "Keep in mind that I do want to actually finish this movie," she warned in a joking manner.
"Of course," he murmured, continuing to kiss her soft skin. If it was up to him, the movie would be quickly forgotten. Evie sighed contentedly and reached up to pull her hair away from her neck, allowing his lips to roam further. When she left his hand unattended on her waist, he began to slide it slowly down to rest on her hip, fingers exploring lightly.
"John Sheppard," she reprimanded, grabbing his hand and yanking it back to rest on her waist. "I sleep with my nine mil under my pillow and I won't hesitate to shoot you if you try that again." She was glad he couldn't see the amused smile on her face. Sheppard sighed. "This is acceptable," she said, replacing his hand on her waist. Then she slid it down to her hip. "This is not." She returned his hand to her waist. "Got it?"
Sheppard smirked. "Can you run that by me one more time?" Evie rolled her eyes and lightly elbowed him.
Sleepy Evie did not, however, finish the movie. She fell asleep about twenty minutes before it ended, despite a valiant effort to keep her eyes open. 'Oh, well,' Sheppard thought to himself when he heard her breathing even out and felt her arm slide limply off his. 'It can be an excuse for another rendezvous.' He sighed as he lightly ran his fingers up her arm; he wanted her so badly. But he didn't want her to be just another lay. If only the circumstances had been different... Heck, he wanted her badly enough maybe he'd just retire early and make her his. But…he knew she wouldn't want things that way. That's why their relationship was the way it was.
When the credits began rolling, Sheppard got off the bed, careful not to disturb her. Grabbing the pink bear, he placed it in her arms, Evie subconsciously clutching the animal to her chest. He smiled and gently kissed her cheek. "Sweet dreams," he whispered, turning off her computer and quietly leaving.
When Sheppard reached his own room, it didn't take long for more feelings of longing to assault him. 'Damn the rules!' he cursed silently, kicking the edge of his desk. 'And damn regulations!' It just wasn't fair. With a scowl, he furiously swept his arms across his desk, sending the pens, books, and empty coffee cup flying. Then he grabbed the one remaining folder and flung it against the wall, spilling the file's contents everywhere; papers slowly fluttered to the ground. He sank onto his bed, running a hand over his tired face. Sheppard kicked off his shoes and lay back, drawing the pillow to his chest rather than resting his head on it. Then he commanded the lights off, deciding not to bother with undressing.
As he lay there in the dark, he sighed heavily, the pillow in his arms a poor substitute for her warm body. Not that he was generally a fan of always following the rules, but having a relationship with Evie would get them both kicked out of the Air Force quicker than you could say "I love you." And neither of them would stand for that. Sheppard released the pillow and slammed his fist onto the mattress, the unspoken laments of "if only, if only…" echoing in his head. He lay in his bed for a good half hour before he finally fell into a fitful sleep.