Jennifer woke up feeling relaxed and refreshed. As she stretched though she realised she was still dressed and tried to remember why. Worried she couldn't remember anything past beginning to doze off during the Christmas party she climbed out of bed and started to touch random items in her room to ensure she hadn't been cloaked again.
Content she was still part of the main city she quickly showered before going to her wardrobe to pick out a clean uniform. As she pulled the uniform out saw the box that Caldwell had left for her. Pulling it from the wardrobe she carefully put it on her bed before quickly dressing. When she was final ready she went and sat on her bed before opening the box, revealing two wrapped parcels. The first parcel she didn't need to open as the strong smell of coffee hit her nose as soon as it was within two feet of her face. Looking at the label she instantly recognised Sam's writing and grinned at the message not to drink it all at once.
The second parcel was more neatly wrapped, but the label had even more familiar writing on it. Wondering how her dad had managed to get a gift to her she felt both happy and sad as she read.
'I thought you may need a friend.
Don't work too hard.
Love Dad.'
Confused she carefully unwrapped the gift smiling in surprise at the contents. Before she could spend too much time staring at the gift her door chimed. When she opened it and saw Ronon she smiled.
"Hey."
"Hey." Ronon said. When Jennifer silently waited for him to explain his presence he added. "Just wanted to make sure you were up for you shift. I didn't know how to set your alarm."
"It goes off at six every morning." Jennifer explained before asking. "Why were you trying to set my alarm?"
"Didn't want to wake you." Realising how strange the comment sounded in relation to setting alarm clocks he quickly said. "Last night, well this morning, early morning, when I brought you back here." Seeing Jennifer's look of pure confusion he explained. "From the party…you fell to sleep."
"And you brought me back?" Jennifer guessed, reddening in embarrassment.
"Yeah."
"Thanks." She said, unable to maintain eye contact.
"Can I come in?" Ronon asked, not wanting to continue the conversation in the corridor.
"Yeah, sure, sorry." Jennifer said pulling back from the door.
As Ronon entered he saw the discarded wrapping paper and asked. "The present thing?"
"Yeah, from Sam and my dad."
"What did they get you?"
"Coffee from Sam."
"It's bad for you." Ronon grumbled.
"So is getting beaten up, doesn't stop you though." Jennifer shot back. Knowing better than to argue Ronon looked at the other item on the bed and asked.
"What's that?"
"Chip."
"Chip?" The former runner questioned staring at the battered looking animal.
"Chip my bear."
"Not following."
"When I was four we went to a State Fair. My dad won Chip for me. I've had him ever since. He was my one true friend growing up. Sad huh? Anyway Dad thought I might need him."
"Chip?" Ronon asked feeling lost.
"Yeah."
"Why do you need Chip?"
"To make me feel better on a bad day. Something to hug." Jennifer tried to explain. Seeing how lost Ronon was looking she quickly changed topics and asked. "So what did you want to discuss?"
"Sheppard said on Earth you give presents to people you care about. So I got you this." He said pulling a small rectangular box from a pocket.
"You didn't have to."
"Yeah, I did." Ronon said holding it out to Jennifer who took the package.
Smiling she opened the box and found a small switchblade. Touched by the gift she took it from the box and pressed the release button that allowed the blade to fly out. Carefully she put the blade away before releasing it again. For a few minutes she played with the knife, almost hypnotised by the motion. Finally she looked at Ronon and said.
"Thank you."
"Keep it with you." Ronon instructed. "Just in case."
"I will."
"Good. I should go."
"Wait." Jennifer said moving to her desk. "I have something for you too."
"You do?"
"Yeah, it's nothing much, but I thought you might like it."
Ronon ripped off the paper and pulled a DVD case from the wrapping. As he read what was on the box he broke out in a huge grin.
"You always said you needed to watch it, now you can."
"Want to watch it with me?" Ronon offered.
Despite hating the Alien films Jennifer said. "Okay, but not now. I have to get to the infirmary or I'll be late."
"Later then?" Ronon asked hopefully.
"Sure, but if you want to watch without me that's fine."
"Won't be the same without you." Ronon said. "I'll pick you up after your shift." Not giving Jennifer a chance to argue he left her quarters.
-00-
When Amanda came in for her shift later that day she headed straight to Jennifer's office and stood in the doorway smiling. When Jennifer finally noticed she was there she picked up on Amanda's smile and said.
"Hey. Happy Christmas! Does the grin mean you and Evan had fun last night?"
"Happy Christmas back at you. And yes we had lots of fun last night." Amanda confirmed. "But I'm grinning at the bigger story of the evening of Ronon carrying you to your quarters. So what happened?"
"Nothing."
"Nothing?"
"I slept through all of it. I didn't even know how I got back to my room until Ronon told me."
"When did he tell you?"
"This morning."
"Where did he tell you?"
"My quarters." Jennifer said. "It wasn't like that, he came by to make sure I was up for my shift."
"Oh. I kinda hoped he would have made his move." Amanda said slightly disappointed.
"I think he's waiting on me." Jennifer said.
"So when are you making your move?" Amanda asked. Before Jennifer had a chance to answer Jennifer saw Ronon walking towards her office.
"Hey Ronon." She called, causing Amanda to spin round and smile at the former runner.
"Hey doc. You ready?" Ronon asked, ignoring Cole.
"Yes she is." Amanda replied for Jennifer. "You kids have fun." With that she walked off smiling.
"Just let me shut my computer down." Jennifer said hoping her face was not as red as it felt. When the screen finally went dark she stood and walked over to Ronon asking. "Where to?"
"Dinner then movie."
"Sounds perfect." Jennifer smiled as she fell into step along side Ronon. As they walked they Ronon glanced down at Jennifer and opened his mouth to speak before deciding better of it and adjusting his focus to look forward. As he did so Jennifer looked up at Ronon and was about to start a conversation when she saw how focused Ronon seemed to be. Not wanting to disturb him she moved her head so she looked forward and walked silently on. Sensing movement Ronon glanced back at Jennifer and was disappointed to see her not looking at him.
As they reached the entrance of the Mess Hall Ronon looked up and saw some more mistletoe. Thinking back to what John had said the night before he stopped and gently placed a hand on Jennifer's shoulder before turning her to face him.
Not answering Jennifer's questioning look with words, he instead leaned down and kissed her.
"'Bout time." Lorne said as he entered the Mess Hall causing Jennifer to spin round as she turned scarlet, whilst Ronon glared at the Major. "Just saying." Lorne added as he walked past.
Hesitantly Jennifer turned back round and looked at Ronon who said.
"Sorry. Shouldn't have done that."
Taking a nervous breath Jennifer stood on her tiptoes and reached one arm up to Ronon's head before gently pulling his head down and kissing him.
When they finally broke apart neither were aware of the silence that had fallen nor were they aware of every set of eyes in the mess hall watching them. Focused solely on the doctor Ronan asked.
"You okay with this?"
"Yeah." Jennifer managed to squeak out.
"Good." Ronan said with a wolfish grin before kissing her again.
Across the Mess Hall Lorne sat in front of Sheppard and held out his hand grinning. Reluctantly John handed over some money.
"Can't win them all sir." He said sympathetically.
"Tell me you weren't betting on them." Teyla asked.
"Well we weren't betting against them." John said.
"We just bet on when. I said today. The colonel said New year." Lorne explained. "Don't worry they don't know, not that it looks like they'll care." The Major said noticing the pair were still wrapped up in their own world.
-The End-
A/N: Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoyed it.