A/N: Many thanks, again, to voyfan7 for assistance with this story. It's good to have friends when the plot bunnies go MIA.
The Friendship Files
Chapter 1
True Friends
Jennifer and Rodney were in their pajamas sitting up in bed watching a movie. She sighed and snuggled closer. He grabbed a handful of popcorn from the bowl on his lap, slipped some between her lips then tossed a few kernels into his own mouth and chewed. The movie was boring but it had been her choice so he didn't complain. He glanced over at her but she didn't seem to be paying much attention to it either.
"So, what are you looking for on J59-KJR?"
"It has an abundance of a plant that has properties similar to asphoedelaceae which is used in Pegasus to combat diabetes and prevent several of the less virulent forms of cancer. We'll be doing some onsite testing before we commit resources to the research so we'll be gone for a few days."
"And when you get back, I'll be gone. My team will be on MJ7-Q8C for almost a month."
She brought a finger to her lips for quiet but he'd completely lost interest in the movie and started thinking of other things they could do to pass the time. His arm around her shoulders slipped down to her waist to pull her closer, his fingers working their way under the edge of her top to touch her skin. He turned his head and began kissing her neck making her moan.
Her hand resting on his thigh flexed and curled in reaction. When his teeth lightly nipped her earlobe she swung a leg over both of his and straddled his lap knocking the bowl of popcorn to the floor. "It's about time. I've been waiting for you to make a move since the movie started." She kissed him on the lips then both cheeks, his nose, over to one ear then to the other.
"Mmm. Sorry it took so long." His arms went around her and rolled until she was looking up at him. "How about if I make it up to you?"
Her hands found the hem of his t-shirt and pulled it over his head, tossing it to the floor. "That works for me." She wrapped an arm around his neck and pulled him close while the other hand located the remote and shut off the video.
*****
"Evan! Could I have a few words?" Jennifer sat down across from Major Lorne on the Mess Hall patio.
"Sure. Have as many as you need."
"Well, it's kind of embarrassing. Rodney and I have plans to go to the mainland for a couple of days for a picnic under the stars, hiking, exploring caves…swimming."
"Sounds like fun. What's so…ah, you don't know how to swim."
Her cheeks turned pink. "Yes. I've been told that the area of J59-KJR we'll be camping in has a pond or lake or something. Could you…"
"Teach you? I'd consider it a privilege, Doc."
"Great. Thanks!"
*****
"Colonel Sheppard, why are we setting up camp so far from the lake?" Dr. Gerald Parrish complained as he checked over his equipment. The sun was just setting throwing long shadows across the ground.
"I like this area. Easily defensible, slightly elevated from the surrounding area in case of rain, plenty of trees and it's close to the Jumper just in case." Sheppard continued to unpack the tent.
"But it's over half a kilometer to the lake for water."
"Then make sure you get enough the first time so you don't have to make a second trip." Lorne suggested as he surreptitiously reached around and tugged at the back of his pants. He'd worn his swim trunks under his uniform so he wouldn't have to change and they were giving him a wedgie. Apparently Jennifer had the same idea because he saw bright purple when she bent over to check her equipment. Not that he was looking.
They would be here for four days and three nights so the cooking and cleaning duties were split between the six of them. Drs. Parrish and Kiang had drawn KP the first night, Ronon and Sheppard the second night and Lorne and Keller the third. Only lunch and supper would be a group affair. Everyone was on their own for breakfast except for coffee.
With lots of grunting, shouting and swearing the tent was finally up. The scientists shut down their equipment for the night.
After supper Jennifer grabbed the tote bag that contained her towel, organic soap, toothbrush, toothpaste and clean clothes. "Major, I need to go down to the lake. Would you escort me?"
"Sure, Doc." He grabbed his own bag and followed her down the path.
When they arrived at the lake it was full night so he set a light on a tripod. She stripped off her jacket and tossed it onto a bush while Lorne took off his vest. When she grasped the hem of her top he turned his back and took off his uniform. A few minutes later he jumped when she tapped him on the shoulder. He turned and there she stood in a vivid purple two-piece bathing suit that had a little white bow in the front where the top came together between her breasts. To his great relief the suit was rather conservative compared to most you see on the beaches of Earth and everything that should be covered was. He was wearing baggy khaki-colored swim trunks that went almost to his knees.
They walked out into the lake until the water was up to their waist.
"So what do we do first?" Jennifer asked.
"The first thing they teach children is how to hold their breath but I think we can skip right to lesson number two: floating." He lay back, closed his eyes and lifted his feet. After a minute or so he stood again, wiping away the water that dripped down his face. "It's easy. Try it."
She leaned back, lifted her feet, panicked and went under. Lorne grabbed her under the arms and pulled her to the surface. She stood with her hands on his shoulders gasping and spitting out water.
"Let's try something else. Stand here in front of me. I'm going to put my hands under your back to support you." He placed a hand between her shoulders. "Now lean back," His other hand moved to her lower back as his voice became soft and soothing, "good…lift your feet…relax…I've got you…I won't let you fall…close your eyes…pretend you're floating on a cloud…"
"Floating on a cloud…" She whispered. He slowly took his hands away leaving her suspended on the surface of the water. He stopped talking so she opened her eyes and he was standing beside her with his arms crossed. She came to her feet pushing the hair out of her eyes. "I did it! I floated!"
"You did great! All you need is some practice. Once you can float without help we'll start the next lesson."
"Okay. Let's try it again." She did it again and again until she was finally floating without assistance or hesitation.
"Good job! That's enough for today. Let's get back to camp."
*****
The second night he held her by the waist on top of the water as she kicked to learn the rhythm. This part really should have been done with a kickboard but they didn't have one so they made due.
He went to the next step and taught her the arm movements. "The key to swimming is to establish a rhythm between the arms and the feet. Because you're an adult, we'll do arms, legs and breathing all at once." Standing on the shore, he demonstrated how to move her arms and when to turn her head to the side to take a breath describing it as he did it, "Don't keep your arms stiff and slap the water. Stiffen your fingers when entering the water at an angle in front and once your hand is under water curl your fingers into a 'cup' shape for the rest of the stroke. While your face is underwater you should be breathing out so that when your mouth surfaces your lungs are empty and you can take a full breath. If you breathe on your right side you should take a breath as your right arm strokes past your face, and your left arm is beginning a new stroke in front." She copied his movements.
The third night when he was satisfied that she had the rhythm they went into the water. "Watch me then you try it." He swam about thirty meters parallel to the shore then returned. "Ready? Push off, swim, count to ten then turn around and swim back."
Taking a deep breath, she dug her toes into the sand and pushed off the bottom. After just a couple of strokes she stopped and stood coughing. "My mouth is getting full of water every time I take a breath."
"You're turning your head to breathe at the wrong point. Watch." He demonstrated again, she nodded and again pushed off. This time she kept going for the count of ten, stopped, turned around and swam back to his side. "I did it!"
"Again." She swam out, turned and came back. "One more time." When she returned to his side for the third time her face was shining with a glow that comes from achieving a goal you thought was out of reach.
"I can swim, Evan! I can swim!"
"Yes, you can!" She hugged him and he let her, just for a moment. As they turned for shore she lost her footing and fell backwards. "You okay?" He asked as he put her back on her feet.
"Fine." She started forward again but was brought up short when something tugged at her back.
"Hold still. My dog tags are caught." He turned them but the light from the shore didn't help. "I can't see to get them loose."
"Well, do something. We can't stay here like this all night."
He looked at his watch. "True. If we don't get back to camp soon Sheppard or Ronon will come looking for us and your secret will be out."
"No! They'll tell Rodney!"
Lorne sighed. "I'll take them off and you can get them back to me later." He'd started to slip the chain over his head when the hook at the back of her top came undone at the same time the tie around her neck let go. He stumbled backward when her top flew off and sank beneath the dark water. He quickly turned his back covering his eyes. "Oh, good Lord."
She ducked under the water up to her neck sweeping her hands around trying to find her wayward bathing suit top. Her head snapped around when they heard rustling in the bushes and what might have been footsteps. He stepped protectively in front of her, his body tensed for a fight.
"Evan! Wh-what is it?"
"If we're lucky it's just a wild animal."
She crossed her arms over her bare chest, faced away from the shore back to back with him. "And if we're not?"
"It's his commanding officer who, on occasion, has been accused of being a wild animal." Sheppard stepped out of the bushes, leaned against a tree and crossed his arms. They looked back at him with wide eyes and identical hands-in-the-cookie-jar expressions. "I knew you were up to something you didn't want anyone else to know about."
"Colonel…" Lorne started.
He moved closer to the water and crouched in the wet sand of the shore cutting him off. "And if I had to guess, I'd say it's not what it looks like, Major. It would be wildly out of character for the two of you to fool around with each other when one of you is 'taken.' Personally, I think the reason you've been down here alone every night for extended periods is because you're teaching her how to swim."
Jennifer sagged in relief. "Yes. You aren't going to tell Rodney, are you?"
"No. Just remember this when my next physical comes up." He stood up. "Now come out of there before Dr. Parrish comes along. He can't keep a secret."
"We can't. Uh, she can't."
"Why not?"
"There's…a problem."
Sheppard was getting exasperated. "What kind of problem?"
"I, uh, that is, she…"
"She what?"
Jennifer let out a growl of frustration. "She lost her bathing suit top and can't find it."
Sheppard's eyes grew alarmed and he turned quickly away. "Oh! Uh…"
They heard voices coming closer and saw flashlight beams bobbing through the trees. "Sheppard?" A moment later Ronon, Parrish and Kiang emerged from the darkness. "What going on? Where's Jennifer?"
The two men looked around and were at a loss to explain the disappearance of the scantily clad doctor.
"She's…" Sheppard started.
"…in the bushes changing clothes." Lorne finished for him.
Ronon peered into the darkness around them. "I don't see or hear her and her bag is right there." He pointed to where her tote rested on the ground next to Lorne's.
"Uh, maybe she's gone to..." Sheppard let his voice trail off and Ronon nodded understanding though his expression said otherwise. He knew they were hiding something but also knew that no harm would come to Jennifer in their presence. "Go back to the base camp and we'll be there in a few minutes."
"Okay." The group moved back into the trees and faded from sight.
Sheppard turned back to Lorne peering into the darkness. "Where did she go?"
The Major shrugged as he turned in a circle but still didn't see Jennifer. Water bubbled in front of him and she shot out of the water sputtering and spitting. They spun away again.
"I didn't see anything. I swear." Sheppard told her.
"Neither did I." Both men now had their hands over their eyes.
"I especially didn't see that star-shaped mole right next to your, uh…" The Colonel gestured.
"John!"
"Sorry! Sorry! Um…" He reached into her bag and pulled out a t-shirt. Walking backward, he handed it to Lorne who passed it over his shoulder to the doctor.
They heard the rustle of clothing then, "Okay. I'm decent…finally. Grrr! This has to be the most embarrassing thing to ever happen to me." She walked out of the water, picked up her bag, gathered the tattered remains of her dignity around her and said, "I'm going to change. We will never, ever speak of this again. Clear?"
"Yes, Ma'am." Sheppard and Lorne said dutifully as she flicked on a flashlight and disappeared into the darkness. Lorne used his towel to dry his hair, face, chest and arms then pulled on a t-shirt.
Sheppard took a deep relieved breath and let it out slowly. "You saw the mole, didn't you?"
"Oh, yeah!" Lorne responded with a smile.
*****
They'd nearly finished packing their equipment and stowing it in the Jumper when Gerald Parrish walked back into the camp. He'd been down to the lake doing who knows what.
"Gerald, what is that?" Susan Kiang asked indicating a bundle of cloth he held in one hand.
"Believe it or not, it looks like the top half of a woman's bathing suit." He dangled it by one strap.
Susan gave him a puzzled frown. They were both astrobiologists and had little interest in anything outside their field of study. "Where did you find it?"
"The lake. It was washed up on the shore."
"What would something like this be doing on an uninhabited planet? Did we miss something?" She examined the material. "Maybe there are technologically advance inhabitants living on another part of this world. Oh! This is composed of elastane and polyamides!"
"Spandex and nylon? How do you know?"
She showed him the tag. "It says so right here. It also says it was made in Mexico."
"Oh."
Jennifer snatched the bright purple material from Dr. Kiang's hands and shook it in both their faces. "Forget you saw this or I promise I will make your lives miserable. And I can do it. I'm a medical doctor!"
The two astrobiologists gulped. "Yes, Ma'am."
*****
Knock, knock! Jennifer looked up from the microscope to see Chuck standing in the doorway of the lab. He held a package in both hands. "Hey, Doc. This came for you in today's offload from the Daedalus."
"Great. Thanks." He smiled, placed it on the table by the door and departed.
Jennifer stood up, looked around outside and closed the door. She examined the return address and smiled with delight. Opening the box she removed two large gift bags. Peeking inside each, she checked the contents then, satisfied that everything was as it should be, tapped her headset. "Keller to Sheppard."
"Sheppard."
"Where are you?"
"Mess Hall."
"Is Evan there by any chance?"
"He is."
"Don't either of you leave. I'll be right there." Jennifer grabbed the bags and headed out.
*****
Sheppard and Lorne saw Jennifer enter the Mess Hall and head toward them.
"You're thinking about that mole, aren't you?" Lorne asked.
"Uh-huh. You?"
"Yeah."
They both sighed just as she came to stand at the end of their table. "Hi, guys. Here." She passed the bag covered with footballs to Sheppard and the one with an abstract design to Lorne.
"What are these for?"
"The two of you have been true friends and I wanted to do something to thank you." She pulled a chair up to the end of the table.
Inside his bag Lorne found watercolor paints in a variety of colors, a small stack of paper specifically for painting watercolors and brushes. He was speechless.
"I heard through the grapevine that you like to paint so…" She gestured at the painting supplies and gave his hand a quick squeeze. "Thank you for teaching me to swim."
"I don't know what to say, Doc."
"Then say nothing at all. Just accept it with my eternal gratitude."
"I will and I do. Thank you." He put everything back in the bag and looked expectantly at Sheppard.
The Colonel pulled the tissue paper out of his bag and peered inside. A look of dismay crossed his face then came back for a second pass. "You have got to be kidding!"
"I saw them in a catalog and thought they'd be perfect. I had to guess at the size though." Jennifer smiled.
Lorne reached over, pulled the bag toward him and looked inside. "They're definitely you, sir." His lips twisted into a smirk. "Let's see if they fit."
Sheppard pulled the bag away. "No! I, uh, I'll try them on when I get back to my quarters."
Jennifer tried not to laugh and failed in dazzling fashion. First it was just a small giggle but before long she was laughing so hard tears rolled down her cheeks. She heard Lorne laughing as well. After a few minutes they were able to get themselves under control but made the monumental mistake of looking at each other. They burst out laughing again.
Sheppard stood, pushed his chair in and picked up his gift. "I'll talk to you two goofballs later. Some of us have actual work to do."
Rodney arrived at that moment, gave Jennifer a quick kiss then sat down across from Lorne. "What's with him?" He hooked a thumb over his shoulder at Sheppard's retreating back.
"Nothing, Rodney dear. He's been in a strange mood today."
"Huh." He picked up his spoon and took a bite of his blue Jell-O. "Well, I cannot even begin to tell you how glad I am to be home again after spending a month offworld. What did I miss? How was your trip to J59-KJR?" He looked from Jennifer to Lorne and back again. "What's so funny?"
They couldn't answer. They were laughing too hard.
*****
Sheppard tugged off first the left boot then the right. He pulled his t-shirt off and tossed it in the laundry basket. It was quickly followed by his khakis, socks and boxers. After taking a long hot shower and washing his hair he brushed and flossed his teeth then put on his black pajama pants and his favorite t-shirt for sleeping.
Sitting on the side of his bed he picked up the bag given to him by Jennifer and removed the contents. He looked at the slippers from every angle and gave a small laugh. What the hell? It couldn't hurt to try them on. He stuck his feet into the surprisingly soft material, wiggled his toes then stood and bounced a few times. The soles were heavily cushioned and very comfortable. Hey, these feel really good after being on my feet most of the day!
He propped his pillow up at the head of the bed and took a comic book from the stack on the bedside table. He wiggled his feet watching the long droopy ears of the bright pink bunny slippers flop around, grinned and opened the Spiderman comic to the first page.
The End