A/N: This story is running in conjunction with the story "When You Say Nothing At All" by toosweet4u_57 as part of the Jennifer and Rodney series. Enjoy, Sandy

The Friendship Files

Chapter 6

What Life Is All About

Winter in Atlantis was no different than winter on Earth. The wind cut through clothing and outerwear like they were nothing, drilling straight through to the bone turning fingers and toes to icicles. Tomorrow was forecasted to be much warmer but today it was cold. It may have been an optical illusion but even the sky looked cold.

Jennifer stood gazing out over the water trying to calm her mind. Rodney had been infected with the Second Childhood parasite and it was quickly taking his incredible mind and would eventually claim his life. She'd done everything she thought of and more to stop its growth and reverse the effects but nothing had helped. Ronon had put forward and idea that she had summarily discarded because it sounded too much like magic. Jeannie was due to arrive shortly and she had the feeling that the decision of whether or not to move forward with Ronon's suggestion would be taken out of her hands.

She and Rodney had been making video logs to record the progress of his decline and yesterday he'd told her he loved her. She loved him, too, but couldn't tell him. it would be too cruel. He barely remembered her and his other friends. When she'd entered the isolation room this afternoon he'd looked at her as if she were someone he couldn't quite recall if he'd ever met. It made her want to cry but she forced herself to hold back the tears. Seeing her cry would only upset him more.

Jennifer pulled her jacket closer hoping to block out the wind but it didn't help much. The wind was very strong, pushing at her as if it was trying blow away her fears, sweep her mind and soul clean. It whistled around the towers and spires of the city making it seem as if Atlantis itself was weeping for Rodney McKay.

She'd turned to make her way back inside when a very strong gust of wind knocked her into the water with an undignified splash. She flailed around panicking in the icy liquid. Her hands and feet became numb almost immediately. Water went in her mouth and up her nose choking her. Just before darkness closed in she felt strong arms bringing her to the surface where she gulped air and clutched frantically at her savior.

"Calm down or we'll both drown!" The voice was male, familiar and composed but she couldn't quite place it. All she knew was she trusted the owner and did as he ordered letting her body go limp. He hooked his arms under hers from behind. "That's good. You're going to be fine." The voice whispering in her ear was soothing, reassuring her as he swam toward the ladder. He grabbed one of the rungs then turned her so she could hold on. "Climb up. I'm right behind you, Jennifer. You can do it. I won't let you fall."

He helped her onto the pier then climbed up after her. He could see she was badly frightened so he pulled her into his arms and she clutched him while she shivered and coughed. Warm hands rested on her upper back rubbing small circles that calmed and comforted her. It reminded her of when her mother would take care of her when she was sick or frightened. "We'll sit here for a few minutes then I'll take you to your quarters so you can change into dry clothes. After that we'll go to the Infirmary and get you checked out."

"I-I-I'm fine."

The terror finally receded and Jennifer leaned back to look into the face of her rescuer. Richard Woolsey smiled back. "I'm sure you are but, as a doctor, you know the dangers that a near drowning pose to the victim." Where their bodies touched they felt warmth but the rest of them was still freezing. "You really should learn how to swim, Dr. Keller."

"I do know how to swim, just well enough to pass the physical the SGC insists on giving its prospective expedition members. There just hasn't been much time to practice since I arrived and the water is very cold. You'd think growing up in Wisconsin would make me a little more tolerant." She smiled at him. He'd taken off his jacket before jumping in after her and tucked it around her shoulders now. It didn't help much but it was better than nothing.

"Come on. Let's get back inside before we both freeze to death." He helped her to stand then kept an arm around her shoulders until they reached her quarters. "Take a hot shower and change your clothes. I'll wait for you then escort you to the Infirmary."

"There's no need, Mr. Woolsey. I-"

"I insist. Even though you didn't lose consciousness you could still develop symptoms from the aspiration of water …"

"…like hypoxemia, hypothermia-though the hot shower should take care of that, CNS injury, cerebral edema, and so forth." She laid a hand on his arm. "What I mean, Richard, is you should go to your own quarters, take a hot shower and change as well. I promise I will wait right here for you if it will put your mind at rest."

"It will indeed, Jennifer."

"Then I'll see you in a few minutes."

*****

Thirty minutes later Woolsey was again in front of Jennifer's quarters ringing the chime. It opened almost immediately to show the CMO in flannel sleep pants, a long-sleeved t-shirt, a hooded sweatshirt, socks and fuzzy slippers, all in shades of pink. He was dressed similarly but in dark blue, green and black with black moccasin type slippers.

They looked at each other and laughed. "We look like we're on our way to a slumber party."

"True. All we need is pizza, hot chocolate with lots of mini marshmallows and a couple of scary movies." Woolsey presented his right elbow and she hooked her hand through it as they entered a transport.

"You know, that gives me an idea. Tell me what you think of this…" By the time they arrived in the Infirmary she'd laid out a plan and, with just a little prodding, he'd agreed. In a few weeks they would co-host the first annual Atlantis Slumber Party. Hopefully, by then Rodney would be his old self again.

After being checked over by the on-call physician and pronounced fit, Woolsey walked Jennifer back to her quarters. Once again she had her hand nestled in the crook of his elbow. "Thank you for everything, Richard."

"You are very welcome, Jennifer." He made a small bow. "You know, I never had any children but now and then, I feel the need to…I suppose 'mother' is as good a word as any. Everyone needs to be needed at one time or another and occasionally we need to be taken care of, to feel a closeness with another human being, to allow another person be in charge, even if it's just for a few moments."

"Well, I appreciate you taking such good care of me." They stopped in front of her door.

He waved away her gratitude with a smile then adopted a mock stern expression and shook his finger. "Now you do as the doctor said and get some rest, young lady."

"Yes, 'dad.'" The door closed on her laughter.

Woolsey's gaze turned inward for a few moments. He'd always wanted children but it just never happened. It really was too bad because he quite liked the sound of being called "dad", even in jest. A sigh eased out of him as he turned and made his way back to his quarters.

The End