A/N: Sorry for the long delay in posting. It took me a while to find inspiration to write the dinner conversation, which is now in the next chapter. Thank you for the reviews. I'm glad you like the story so far. MGM owns everything Stargate. E.
A couple of busy days pass for Rodney. Off on a routine mission, and Jennifer inoculating all of Atlantis against a new strain of the flu. As soon as Shepherd's team got back from the mission, they were pulled into the infirmary for their post-mission physical and the jab. As usual, Rodney dawdled, making every excuse not to get the shot.
"Rodney, this is mandatory! You can't explain your way out of this. Sit. Down." Jennifer was not impressed by his antics.
Rodney shut his mouth, and sullenly sat down on the hospital bed.
"I thought you'd be happy to be getting this instead of the flu."
"I'm not worried about the flu. I'm worried about getting vaccine-injured! There's probably citrus in there, and it's going to kill me!"
"Don't start this again, Rodney! I've already shown you the ingredients list, there is no citrus, and you won't be injured by it. Your file says you've had the flu shot twice since you've been here and you didn't have any reactions on either of those occasions. The only part of the flu shot that changes is the strain it's targeting. You'll be fine." Jennifer rested her palm on his shoulder and squeezed it.
"I still don't want to get it," Rodney muttered.
"Roll up your sleeve please."
"Fine." Rodney looked annoyed as he complied.
Jennifer stepped away to prepare the shot, and when she was ready, she stood close to Rodney to whisper. "Come on, Rodney-" Rodney inhaled and held his breath from her proximity. "- you can be brave, can't you?"
Jennifer slowly squeezed his knee and leaned in slightly. Rodney's heart rate picked up as he concentrated on Jennifer's lips.
"All done!"
"What?"
"I've given you your shot. I guess you were a little distracted."
"You minx, you did that on purpose!" Rodney whispered angrily.
"I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about." she smiled coyly.
Rodney narrowed his eyes at her.
"Ok, Rodney," she said, smiling. "Do you want to grab dinner in about an hour? I have some paperwork to complete, and then my shift will be done."
"Um. Dinner. In the Mess?"
Jennifer chuckled. "Where else are we going to eat?"
Rodney swallowed and recovered. "Yes, let's eat together. I'll pick you up from here?" Rodney asked, getting up from the bed.
"I see you've caught on, McKay! Took you long enough!" Jennifer whispered in Rodney's ear.
"Well your affections for me lately have been quite clear, Dr Obvious," Rodney whispered, leaning in and grasping her elbow.
Jennifer inhaled, feeling pleasantly warm being so close to Rodney. She blushed and wet her lips. Rodney couldn't help but look at them, thinking how soft and supple they must be. They stood there for a moment as if frozen to the spot.
Rodney broke first, "Well anyway," he rubbed the back of his neck. "I'll see you soon." He squeezed her hand and walked out of the infirmary, looking back and grinning as he went through the door.
Jennifer put her hand on her chest to feel her rapidly beating heart and smiled to herself.
The next hour dragged on for Jennifer. Try as she might, she couldn't concentrate on getting her paperwork finished.
She gave herself a pep talk, "Come on, Jen, if you don't do it now, you'll have to rack your brains later to remember. Just get it done and then you can eat!"
Jennifer refocused and reviewed another two charts before her mind wandered again to think about a certain doctor who was going to pick her up in..."15 minutes?! Get a move on!"
She hurried through the last chart and finished her handover notes to the next Attending. It left her 5 minutes to spare to freshen up before Rodney got there. She hurried out her office door and ran straight into him.
"Oof. I'm so sorry..." she trailed off, looking down. Rodney had put his hands out to stop her and now had them cupped her breasts. Her mouth was slightly open, and she looked surprised.
It took Rodney a moment to realise what he'd done and pulled his hands away. "Oh! Goodness! I'm so sorry! It was an accident!"
He looked so terrified of what Jennifer might do to him for groping her that she couldn't help but laugh. "It's ok, Rodney! I know it was an accident, you can relax."
"Oh, good. Thank you. I assure you I don't walk around here assaulting people. Are you ready to go?"
"Can I have five minutes to wash up? I feel a bit grimy from working all day."
"Well, I don't think you need it. You already look fantastic."
A slow smile spread on Jennifer's face. "Thank you." she kissed his cheek as she brushed past to go to the bathroom.
"This is going well," Rodney thought to himself without a trace of sarcasm as he waited for Jennifer.