-18th November-
Hearing someone clearing their throat from the doorway Jennifer looked up and saw Teyla standing looking on concerned whilst nursing her son.
"Teyla, sorry didn't see you there. Is there something I can help with? Is Torren okay?"
"Torren is fine. Are you okay?" Teyla asked entering the small room and shutting the door.
"I'm fine." Jennifer said moving over to the pair and saying hello to the infant.
"Are you sure? I have not seen much of you recently."
"Kinda snowed under." Jennifer shrugged. "I'm short staffed at the moment." She added before taking Torren and asking him. "How's my favourite man in the city?"
"You still need to eat." Teyla pointed out smiling at the exchange between Jennifer and her son. "Why don't you join us for dinner?"
Picking up on the use of 'us' Jennifer shook her head and said. "No, I'm too busy. But thanks anyway." As a growl from her stomach betrayed her hunger Teyla said.
"Surely you can spare twenty minutes. Unless the reason you don't want to eat is so you can avoid someone."
"He told you?" Jennifer asked.
"He mentioned your conversation. I was most surprised. I thought you enjoyed spending time with Ronon."
"I did, I do. But he wanted something more than friendship."
"And you don't?"
"No. I don't know. I didn't want to ruin our friendship. Plus on top of everything else that is happening at the moment I really don't want a relationship with anyone."
"So there is no one else?" Teyla probed.
"No, I kinda of panicked and made that part up and ruined everything. Now it is just easier to avoid Ronon and Rodney."
"You can't do that forever." Teyla pointed out before asking. "Why are you avoiding Rodney?"
"Um, well he kind of declared his love me and I really don't know how to deal with that one."
"When did that happen?"
"During the parasite incident. Not even sure he remembers."
"I see. Anyone else declaring their affections to you?" Teyla asked.
"The normal stream of marines and airmen. But I can cope with them I don't mind bruising their egos, but Ronon and Rodney are, well were, my friends."
"You can't hide from them forever." Teyla reiterated.
"I know, but right now I don't have time to do anything other than run this place and it is just easier to not deal with them right now."
"Why don't you join me for an early breakfast then? Ronon will be sparring with John."
"I'd like that, but I'm working."
"But you're working now." Teyla pointed out.
"I'm having to take a few extra shifts." Jennifer shrugged.
"Is there no one else who can help, you need to rest and eat." Teyla said, concerned about her friend.
"Unfortunately we are really short staffed. But I'm okay."
"Are you sure?" Teyla asked.
"I'm sure." Jennifer said as she noticed three battered marines enter the infirmary. Hand Torren back to Teyla she added. "Sorry I need to go."
-00-
"Everything okay?" John asked as Teyla joined the team in the Mess Hall.
"I am worried about Jennifer." She said.
"No luck persuading her to take a break then?" John guessed.
"No, she said she didn't have time."
"Well she's dealing with the unofficial walk out." Lorne said.
"What walk out?" John asked.
"The group that were meant to be returning to Earth for the holidays. All apart from Marie and Jennifer are calling in sick."
"They are? Why haven't I heard about this? Why isn't the doc stopping it?" John asked.
"Not much she can do." Lorne said. "If she reports them, Woolsey could suspend them, but that isn't going to help."
"She can't keep working everyone's shifts." Teyla said.
"I'll talk to Woolsey." John offered.
"I'll make sure she eats." Lorne said, getting up. When he was gone Teyla looked from Ronon and Rodney and said.
"Right now Jennifer needs her friends, she does not need any more complications."
"Am I missing something?" John asked confused.
"It's best not to ask." Teyla said.
-00-
"Hey doc." Lorne said entering the infirmary carrying a tray of food and coffee.
"Hey." Jennifer replied, stifling a yawn.
"Thought you would have skipped dinner and be in need of food." Lorne said.
"Thank you." Jennifer said taking the coffee from the tray.
"Food is better for you."
"Coffee is better for the patients." Jennifer countered.
"What patients?" Lorne asked looking round. "In fact seeing how the infirmary is empty why are you here?"
"Someone has to be, in case an emergency comes in."
"Couldn't you wait for the emergency in your quarters?" He asked.
"No, but I can sleep in my office whilst I wait."
"First you can eat. I'll keep you company whilst you do." He said.
"Don't you have better things to do?"
"What's better than dinner with a friend?" He asked leading Jennifer to her office. "So how are you, really?"
"Tired, overwhelmed, disappointed."
"It'll get better." Lorne said. "And I know you'll miss seeing your father, but you get to spend Christmas with me."
"I will, but I feel guilty about dad being alone."
"Alone with your uncle, aunt and crazy cousins?" Lorne asked.
"You know what I mean."
"I do." Lorne said. "But he'll understand." He fell silent as Jennifer played with her food before eventually asking. "So how is everything else going?"
"That sounds like a loaded question." Jennifer pointed out.
"We're worried about you." Lorne shrugged.
"We?"
"Teyla, Sheppard, me, Amanda."
"Amanda?" Jennifer asked, immediately picking up on the use of her first name.
"Yeah she works for you." Lorne deadpanned.
"How long have you been on a first name basis?" Jennifer probed.
"Not the point at the moment. We were talking about you."
"How about, instead of talking about my complete lack of life and all the problems I can't escape we talk about you. I could do with some good news." Jennifer suggested.
"Sorry to disappoint, but we are just friends." Lorne said as Jennifer noticed movement in the infirmary.
"Sorry, got to go. Thanks for dinner." She said standing and heading out to treat the injured marine.
Shaking his head in frustration Lorne tried to come up with a plan to force Jennifer to rest.
AN: Thanks for reading. Next chapter up tomorrow.