AN: Kind of a short chapter, sorry. It had a natural stopping point I needed to utilize.
Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Stargate Atlantis or it's wonderful characters.
4 – Relentlessly
Major Anne Teldy watched Dr. Keller sneak a peak over at Lt. Cadman. Teldy's team had just returned from a last minute escort mission that'd kept them away from Atlantis overnight. Lt. Cadman was receiving her post-mission physical from Dr. Biro, but her attention was clearly focused on Dr. Keller.
"Major, I think that wraps it up," Jennifer stated finishing up with the Marine's post-mission physical while stepping back.
Teldy smiled, "Thanks, Keller." She noticed the doctor looking with resignation back at Cadman. "She was a bit testy on this last mission," Anne nodded her head toward her team mate. "She was very anxious to get back here."
Jennifer offered a small smile, "Yeah, she was just getting ready to give me the third degree when she was called up for this mission. By the way, thank you for that, saved me a headache… at least for a day."
"The mission wasn't my call," Teldy said, dismissing the thanks, "looks like you won't be so lucky tonight though," she added with a chuckle as she watched Dr. Biro finish with the Lieutenant. Cadman hopped off the bed and began making her way across the infirmary toward them.
Jenn grinned at Teldy's observation. She'd always liked the wry sense of humor the Major had, "Yeah, but it gave me time to figure some stuff out before I had to talk to her."
"Good luck," Anne said with a wink as she walked away. Teldy knew Cadman wasn't easily derailed when something was on her mind, but the Lieutenant knew her rank and was never insubordinate. She was a very good addition to her team. Anne threw one more glance over her shoulder at Dr. Keller who was now talking animatedly with Cadman and shook her head. With the men to women ratio on Atlantis what it was, she may envy the close relationship between Keller and Cadman, but she was glad she wasn't in Keller's shoes right about now.
Jennifer finished blow drying her hair and couldn't think of any other excuse to linger any longer, locked in her own bathroom. She'd managed to put off any serious talk with Laura citing the need to shower so they could get to the mess hall for dinner. Jenn looked herself over one last time before exiting her bathroom.
"It's about time," Laura huffed, "I don't see why you had to shower just to go to dinner," she added.
Jennifer moved toward her bed where her best friend was sprawled looking beyond bored. "After working all day in the infirmary I find it relaxing and rejuvenating," she responded, smiling indulgently at Laura's testiness.
"So," Cadman began, done with all the idle chit chat, "what's got you and Lorne avoiding each other?" Laura moved to a sitting position indicating she was getting serious.
"Just jumping right in are we?" Jenn chuckled as she sat lightly on the bed near her friend, "no lulling me with friendly banter and then sneaking that into the conversation when my guard is down? I guess I should've expected more of a bombardment from a Marine explosives expert."
"You've made me wait over a week and I can't stand it anymore."
Jennifer didn't respond at first, gathering her thoughts together. She'd had almost two days to think about Evan's unexpected kiss and then hasty exit. Two days to decide what she wanted to do about it. Now she just needed to decide what she wanted to share with Laura.
"We're best friends, right?" Jennifer asked already knowing the answer, but feeling the need to remind the red-head.
"Yes," Laura answered, knowing by that question that this was going to be good.
"I've had friends before I considered my best friends, but never a best friend that also considered me her best friend. Does that make sense?" Jennifer asked hoping Laura understood.
"Yes, we love each other and keep each other's secrets," Cadman responded impatiently. "Come on, spill it. You're killing me here."
"Okay, okay… about a week ago, Evan was leaving the mess hall. He said goodbye in parting, then leaned down and gave me a quick kiss before turning and leaving." Jennifer watched her friends face as the different emotions and questions raced through her mind.
With a huge grin Laura slapped at Jennifer's arm, "Lorne finally kissed you," she gleefully declared practically bouncing on the bed while in her sitting position.
"It was a parting peck, like you'd see seasoned couples do," Jenn clarified, wanting Laura to understand exactly what had transpired. "It was an absentminded gesture that he hadn't intended."
"So not really a kiss," Laura said, drawing the last word out, unable to hide her disappointment or the wince on her face.
"Now you sound like Evan!" Jennifer said grudgingly. It may not have been a good kiss, but the fact it was a kiss was the reason it had turned into such a… thing.
"You've talked about this with Evan?" the red-head asked astonished.
"We are adults," the honey-blond replied indignantly.
"Still." Laura was impressed. "So you're both good?"
Jennifer scrunched up her face, "Not exactly." Jennifer peaked through squinted eyes at her friend.
Laura narrowed her eyes while looking at Jennifer expectantly.
"He kind of proceeded to show me what a real kiss would be like and then left."
Laura had the goofiest grin on her face, "So the Major did finally kiss you. 'Bout time," she said enthusiastically.
"Hey," Jennifer glared at her last remark.
"What? Like you two haven't been dancing around each other the whole time. Did you like it? Did you kiss him back?" Laura questioned in rapid fire succession. "Is the Major a good kisser? I bet he is. Any man who looks that hot, has got to be a good kisser."
"Laura," Jenn interrupted her, exasperated.
"I need lots and lots of details, girl."
"That'll have to wait, it's time to go eat," Jennifer informed her as she stood to go. She wasn't ready to discuss the second kiss with Laura yet. She still got butterflies when she thought back on it.
Laura reluctantly followed suit. The girls left the room and walked toward the transporter. "Whatcha goin' to do about it?" the red head asked.
"Nothing," Jenn replied, knowing she was talking about the aftermath of the kiss more than the actual kiss.
Laura stopped in her tracks holding her arm out to stop Jennifer from walking any further. "What?"
"Nothing. I've been thinking about it. If Evan wants to do something about it he will. If he isn't into me he'll apologize and that'll be that," Jenn explained matter-of-factly.
"I hate that plan," Laura lamented. "Haven't you paid attention during any of those chick flicks you've made me sit through?"
"It's the best plan to make sure things revert back to the way they were," the young doctor assured her friend.
"You want things to go back to they way they were?" Laura asked incredulously as she followed behind Jenn toward the mess hall.
"If he doesn't like me in… well, that way… then yes," Jennifer responded. "I don't want to lose my friendships with him or his team. And don't try to argue with me about it. You and I both know it would be awkward."
Laura knew Jenn was right about the awkwardness, but she so didn't think it would go that way. "Doesn't sound like a plan at all," Laura complained as they turned into the mess hall and grabbed trays, "sounds more like you're giving up."
Jennifer had to agree, it did sound like she was giving up. Jenn had spent a long time thinking through this plan and knew it was the best one for her. Evan would come and find her as soon as he could tonight. He was the type of man who would feel bad for how he'd left things and it'd weigh heavy on him until he'd set it right. She loved that about him.
She hoped that either way she and Evan would regain their footing. She missed the easy, awkward-free friendship they used to share just a week ago… of course she'd give that all up to be kissed by the Major on a more regular basis.