Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Stargate Atlantis or it's wonderful characters.

Spoilers: Through Reunion in Season 4

On the timeline: The Return, Part 2 – Season 3 - Still

5 – A Dare is Just a Dare

Jennifer walked down the corridor and into the infirmary. After showering and getting ready this morning, Laura had called and asked Jennifer to stop by the infirmary to meet her and they could go to breakfast together.

Jennifer knew the Daedalus was leaving this afternoon and didn't begrudge her friend trying to see Carson before she left.

As she entered the infirmary she noted that it was pretty deserted. As she moved past empty beds and curtains she saw Laura and Carson in the back kissing. Without missing a beat she moved toward them.

When the couple didn't acknowledge her arrival Jennifer cleared her throat, "Hey you two," she announced, happy to see they were slightly startled. "My best friend sucking face with my boss," Jennifer teased as she pretended to cover her eyes in horror. "Do you want to scar me for life?"

"Sorry bout that, Lass," Dr. Beckett said looking slightly embarrassed. "It was just for a wee-moment."

"Yeah, well," Jennifer said looking pointedly at Laura while trying not to laugh, "It's going to be hard to get that image out of my head anytime soon."

Laura stuck out her tongue at Jennifer before developing a smirk and nodding behind her. The hairs on the back of Jenn's neck pricked up as she slowly turned to see who was behind her. There sitting on a bed was Ronon Dex, complete with a cut over his eye. Jenn slowly turned back to Laura and stared at her dumbfounded.

"You know, if you could stitch the boy back up, I could spend a few more minutes with Carson." Laura batted her eyes at Jennifer.

"You don't need to do that, Lass, it's your day off and all," Carson said starting to remove his hand from Laura's to move toward Ronon.

Carson felt Laura hold onto his hand tighter almost pinching. He looked at her quickly and she gave him a hard look before turning back to look at Jennifer. "You don't mind, do you Jenn?"

Laura gave Jennifer a pleading look, Jennifer glared back but knew she would give in. She could do this, he's just a guy who needs stitching and since she knew Laura was watching… she would prove it.

Ronon watched Dr. Keller come in and confront the couple. He'd been about to cough in hopes of reminding the couple he was there himself. He didn't really have much experience around Dr. Keller but he was amused and slightly surprised to find her personality was not as shy or timid as he'd thought.

She'd always seemed sure of herself when administering the post mission physicals, but quiet and reserved. When she had come to his room and kissed him she had been so nervous, nearly shaking.

Ronon shook his head slightly he still had trouble wrapping his mind around the fact that Dr. Keller had kissed him. He found himself often trying to think of a reason that she would have felt compelled to do so. Other times though, when his guard wasn't up, he found himself dwelling on the actual kiss, on the sensation of her lips on his, on the feel of holding the woman in his arms…

Ronon's ears perked up when he heard Lt. Cadman ask the young doctor if she could stitch him up so she and Beckett could have a minute before she leaves. Ronon watched Dr. Keller freeze for a moment before he saw her square her shoulders, turn and walked his way. As she passed by him Keller leaned in, "I think… she just called you a boy," came the stage whisper as she breezed by.

Ronon couldn't keep the smile from his face, but he schooled his features before she returned, hands washed, snapping gloves on. She gathered the suturing supplies before moving to stand before him. "So, how'd you get cut above the eye?"

"Marine got in a lucky swing," he deadpanned.

Ronon leaned back as she came toward him with a syringe. "I'm good," he informed her.

"Wonderful," he watched her set the syringe down, "now lean towards me, you're kind of tall," she commanded.

He leaned forward while mumbling loud enough for her to hear. "You're kind of bossy when you're a doctor."

"When am I not a doctor?" she responded busy with her supplies.

He could think of one time… and as she looked up at him, ready to start stitching, she must have been able to tell what he was thinking.

"Oh… well…" she said as he watched her face heat up, "yeah…" She busied herself with his stitching. He wondered if she thought about that kiss very often. Did she dwell on the intensity, did she notice that he kissed her back, did she wonder what went through his mind concerning the kiss?

When he looked back at her face he noticed her biting on her bottom lip and wincing. He realized she was anticipating his pain, and he found it sweet of her to be concerned about the pain she might cause.

"It's ok," he murmured, "It doesn't hurt that much."

Jennifer tried not to blush as she continued to stitch him up. She was unnerved being this close to him again. How embarrassing… what must he think of her… kissing him like that, without any provocation. She hoped he didn't think it funny, or worse pathetic.

But when she looked back up into his eyes all she saw was concern, with maybe a hint of humor. She knew right then that they were going to be ok. Maybe not fast friends or anything, but she knew that he wasn't going to hold her actions against her or over her.

Lt. Cadman came over to the bed as Dr. Keller finished. "So are we going to go eat or what?"

"Yeah, were finished here," Dr. Keller turned to him, "Please be careful with that," she said pointing to his newly stitched eyebrow. She gave him a look that she hoped conveyed her thanks.

Ronon gave her a slight nod, "Yes, ma'am."

"So, Ronon," the Lieutenant started and he noticed that Dr. Keller was cringing, "you want to come have breakfast with us?"

"No," Keller said quickly while looking intently at Ronon, "Ronon is busy right now and can't come."

Ronon decided to help the doctor out with her overbearing friend. "Yeah, need to go," he said as he hopped down and started to leave, "Thanks, Doc," he threw over his shoulder while walking away.

"We need to talk," he heard the Dr. Keller hiss at Laura as he left the infirmary grinning.

Jennifer didn't get the chance to talk with Laura until they were on the Daedalus. Laura made sure they weren't alone during breakfast, which was fine with Jennifer. They probably needed to talk in private anyway.

"So," Jennifer smirked at the worried looking Laura, "watcha doin'?" Jennifer sing-songed.

"Nothing."

"Nothing, huh, cause it seems like you might be match-making," Jennifer lifted her eyebrows turning the statement into a question.

"Just providing opportunities," Laura defended.

"I don't need opportunities, Laura." Jennifer stressed.

"It wouldn't hurt you to be a little less serious sometimes, meet more people than just us girls, date once in a while," Laura told Jennifer with conviction.

"Look, here's the thing," Jennifer said looking directly at Laura so she didn't miss a word, "if someone comes along that I'm interested in, I'd consider dating, but until then, I'm actually happy with my life. Especially now that we're back in Atlantis."

"I know you enjoyed that kiss," Laura taunted as she settled on her bed.

"It keeps coming back to that dare," Jennifer said with frustration. "The dare is not why you and Carson are together and it's not why Rodney and Katie are going on dates."

"Without that dare we would've never kissed." Laura said with certainty.

"That may be so, but it is only because the dare gave you the opportunity. The interest was already there." Jennifer looked at Laura and she didn't look convinced.

Jenn joined her on the bed so she was facing her friend and tried a different tactic. "If we'd paired you with Rodney, Katie with Sheppard, Teyla with Lorne and Marie with Carson, do you think you'd be kissing Rodney before leaving for Earth today?"

"Not hardly," Laura said looking appalled.

"My point exactly. Maybe now you can understand me. There was no previous relationship or spark for me and Ronon. We didn't know each other and we still don't. Not really."

"He kissed you back. There could be a spark," Laura suggested.

"Laura, he is not really my type." Jennifer said gently.

"How can he not be your type. He's a gorgeous, tall, strong warrior. He is constantly in need of medical attention… what could be more your type."

"He's quite stoic and brooding, from what I've seen," Jennifer listed. "He doesn't really smile or seem happy and… not much of a conversationalist."

"Maybe he has never had a reason to smile or talk much," Laura teased.

"And you think I could give him the reason," Jennifer laughed while rolling her eyes.

"What are best friends for if not to dream big for their friends," Laura said with a dramatic flourish.

"Yeah, well, go dream big for someone else, I'm fine." Jennifer looked around Laura's quarters, "so I guess I'll see you in about six weeks."

"Give or take," Laura laughed. "Too soon?"

"Funny, just be safe and I'll see you soon." Jennifer patted Laura's knee as she got up from the bed and headed out. "Bring back movies and goodies, that would be a great way to dream big for this friend."

Jennifer ducked out of the room just as Laura grabbed a pillow and threw it at the closing door.