Disclaimer: I do not own, nor do I make a profit from, any of my writing of Stargate: Atlantis. These wonderful characters would still be on TV if I did.
Author's Note: Since I'm in the habit of posting a story for major holidays, I figured I shouldn't let Valentine's Day pass without a nod in the form of fanfic. So, here is my offering for Valentine's Day. It is the sequel to my Christmas story, Gingerbread Houses. If you have not read that one, or my one-shot "Cake Decorating" (Chapter 9 of my Snippets and Snapshots), then you might want to read them. Gingerbread Houses is only five chapters. This story came about with a LOT of help from theicemenace, and she's already stated that, "Oh, my. I'm going into a diabetic coma." So, consider this your fluff warning! Also, due to how events played out in this story, Chapter Two is a little heavier than my standard fluff fare. I had some things I wanted to cover, but some very BIG issues were glossed over. I mean no disrespect to anyone who has been in that situation before. I've been there, and I know how HORRIBLE it can be. This story is only three chapters long and was written in one sitting. I think I got up off the couch once after the words started flowing. Chapters will be posted every other day, ending on Valentine's Day. Without futher ado, however, I present. . . .Candy Hearts! Enjoy! ~lg
oOo
Evan Lorne stood in the door of the infirmary, his feet rooted in place as he watched Jennifer Keller. She sat in her glass office, reading a report of some sort. The absorption on her face only made her more adorable, and he hadn't thought that possible. Of course, he hadn't thought a lot of things possible and had been proven wrong.
Today, however, he had to break Jennifer's heart. The thought of doing that, along with what waited for him on the other side of the gate, caused a scowl to form. He wasn't the type of guy to wear his heart on his sleeve, but he'd become more aware of his emotions since dating Jennifer. She was the single most amazing woman to ever live, but she'd needed such reassurance in the beginning of their relationship.
Thinking back to that Christmas over a year ago brought a smile to Evan's face. They had learned such valuable lessons during that time. The whole Sheppard-going-to-the-future incident, along with Teyla's disappearance, proved just how much gingerbread their relationship really had. They'd come a long way from a random hook-up in the kitchen.
Of course, now, their relationship was much more intimate than either of them thought possible. They had held off on any kind of physical relations until after they were completely sure what they wanted in the future. They'd taken that step barely a month ago, after the rumor mill made it sound like Evan had stepped out on Jenn. He'd been on a mission where the planet's leader had decided that she wanted Evan for herself. Things had gotten rather out of hand, with Evan nearly causing a diplomatic incident just to get out of the woman's clutches. Unfortunately, the rumor mill got ahold of the mission report, and the base soon buzzed about how he'd been getting lucky off world. Jennifer had confronted him, tears and all, and accused him of infidelity because she wasn't ready to take that step. The argument lasted two days, during which time Evan realized that he truly loved Jennifer. The thought of losing her over a misunderstanding was too much for him to handle, and he went directly to her quarters to explain that.
They were together that night for the first time since the kitchen. Evan shook his head as he thought back to it. They'd pushed the limit a few times in the month leading up to that night, but he'd never experienced anything so intense. The time with Jennifer in the kitchen paled in comparison, and he wondered if it had anything to do with the commitment they now shared. She wasn't just another woman. She was The One with whom he wanted to spend the rest of his life.
Knowing that he couldn't put off the inevitable any longer, he ignored the welcoming smiles of Jennifer's staff and stepped into her office.
oOo
Jennifer sensed Evan before he spoke, and she smiled. She'd been doing that a lot lately, and it never ceased to amaze her. How could he have such an impact on her that she knew when he was around? Looking at him, however, her smile died a quick death. "You have a mission."
"Ah. . .no." He stepped inside and closed her office door. Never a good sign. "I got recalled back to Earth."
Jennifer wanted to get upset right away, but something in his eyes warned her against railing at the system. "Why?"
"My mom." He swallowed, and she realized he struggled with his emotions. Evan wasn't the most open guy about his feelings, and he now worked to keep his voice steady. "She had an accident."
"Oh, Evan." Jennifer left her desk and settled onto the couch next to him. While neither of them did a lot of PDA while on duty, the entire base knew they dated. In fact, Evan took great pleasure in informing all new recruits that Jennifer wasn't available, and she actually enjoyed the quarterly display that usually took the form of an intense kiss right in the middle of the infirmary. But, now, with the pain on his face, she couldn't let him go through that without some sort of contact.
"She's alive," he ground out. "But barely. My sister got ahold of the SGC, and they're sending me through the gate in a few minutes. I know this messes up our plans, but. . . . She gave me power-of-attorney years ago, and I have to be there to handle medical issues."
"Go take care of your mom." She smiled slightly. "I'll be fine. I'm here, and I've got Colonel Sheppard and Ronon watching out for me."
He stared into her eyes for a moment as if trying to read her thoughts. Jennifer hoped he didn't see the intense disappointment she felt at having their Valentine's plans canceled at the last minute. She could handle missing that important day, given that it was their second together. He needed to get to his mother's side. Finally, he took her hands. "Are you sure?"
"I'll be here. Waiting."
He nodded and, without waiting, pulled her into an intense kiss. Jennifer understood and stopped just short of turning it into a make out session. Still, she put every bit of the love she felt for this man into the kiss, hoping it would carry him through the next few days. When he finally pulled back, she sat up, her face flushed at the realization that everyone in the infirmary glanced their direction every few seconds. As far as she was concerned, they could get over it. She planned to spend the rest of her life with Evan Lorne. He needed her right then, and she refused to let him leave without a pleasant memory.
"I have to go," he whispered.
"I know." She stood up and let him stand. Before he left her office, she stepped forward and hugged him. "I'll miss you."
He hugged her tightly, as if afraid to let her go. "I'll miss you, too."
A few minutes later, he walked through the gate to Earth.
oOo
It had been a bad accident. Evan stood in the ICU waiting room, listening to the doctor list his mother's conditions. A full twenty-four hours had passed since his goodbye to Jennifer, and he already missed her. She steadied him in ways she never knew, and she could interpret what this doctor actually said.
Finally, the doctor met his eyes. "Major Lorne, I have to tell you that I don't know if your mother will pull through this. I've done all I can. The rest is up to her."
Next to Evan, his sister cried softly, and he put his arm around her shoulders. Her husband and sons waited half a continent away in St. Louis. As the doctor left them alone, he pulled her into a hug, whispering, "She'll make it. She's strong. She'll pull through."
oOo
The next morning, Jennifer dragged into her office with a deep sigh. She had tried to sleep the night before, but she'd been unable to drop off quite so easily. Evan's scent had hovered on the pillow he used when he stayed the night, and she'd quietly cried as she thought about their plans.
She'd been hoping for a ring for Valentine's Day. It was silly, she knew, but as she looked at her empty left hand, she thought about all the things they'd done together. The times when she thought she'd lost him. The times when he thought he'd lost her. They had come through so much even before moving their relationship into the intimate arena, and Jennifer loved him with all of her heart. She didn't want Evan a galaxy away during this special time of year. She wanted him with her.
A spot of pink caught her eye, and she frowned. A tiny pink candy, one of those conversation hearts, lay in the middle of her desk, looking rather lonely. Jennifer set her coffee cup next to it and picked it up. "Miss You." She smiled. Even a galaxy away, Evan spoke clearly. No matter who had delivered this little message, she knew that Evan was behind it.
Setting the candy heart to the side, she began her work for the day. Every time she thought about fussing that he wasn't there, she glanced at that little piece of candy and smiled. When her duty shift ended, she carried the conversation heart back to her quarters and made sure it rested on her night stand, right next to a snapshot of them dancing at the latest Christmas ball. She missed him, too, but she could survive this. Whispering a prayer for his mother, she switched off the light and went to sleep curled into his pillow.
~TBC
