MGM owns SGA
Little ol' Des owns little to nothin'.
Stargate: Atlantis
TAG TO TRIO
by Destiny Brighthope
-2-
Rodney
Twelve hours earlier
"You can be charming." Jennifer lifted her wineglass but did not drink. A sultry grin curled the corners of her mouth before she added, "When you don't try too hard."
Rodney wanted to ask what she meant by that. But he was still so surprised by Jennifer's invitation to share a drink that he let it go. Clumsily, he raised his own glass to his lips, a task that required the use of both his injured hands. They throbbed, and he wondered if the salve the doctor applied to treat his rope burns was wearing off. Or maybe his bandages were wrapped too tightly. He could ask Jennifer. Medicine was her department, after all. But one look into her big brown eyes banished the idea.
The wine splashing over his tongue caused Rodney to grimace. White zinfandel was too sweet for his palate, but Jennifer had insisted. When the evening began, he "owed" her a single beer as payment for a lost wager he'd never actually made. So far, the cunning physician had wheedled him out of two rounds and the bottle of wine. He supposed her company was worth the expense and almost said so before thinking better of it.
Jennifer sipped at her wine, then pressed the cool glass to her forehead. Sighing happily, she closed her eyes. "Rodney?" she said.
"Yes?"
"You're trying too hard."
-3-
Jennifer
Jennifer couldn't help the affectionate smile spreading across her face any more than she could help asking out the bright-eyed astrophysicist the moment they were alone in the infirmary.
Rodney scratched his bandaged hand against the bar. "Sam doesn't think I'm all that charming, does she?" He paled. "Not that I want to charm her."
Of course not, Jennifer thought. Why would you want to charm a gorgeous, blue-eyed blond? She said, "Suggesting she flash those boys sure didn't earn you any points."
"I'd have turned my back," Rodney insisted.
"If you could have found a mirror, you would have."
Rodney took another sip of wine and grimaced again. After noticing the expression for the first time a few weeks ago, Jennifer began doing everything she could to see it. It was probably not the best strategy for gaining his attention, but she couldn't resist. She liked the way distaste or annoyance skewed his mouth downward and to the side as if he wished to exile it from his face. No, not liked. Adored. It was firmly in the realm of adored.
Ordering the wine had not been an attempt to provoke the expression. The wine was one of her favorites, and she wanted to share something with him. His dislike simply meant they needed to find something else to share. Her eyes surreptitiously roved over his body. Something else indeed.
"You nearly flashed me," Rodney ventured.
Jennifer choked on a mouthful of wine before swallowing painfully. Rodney had referenced his plan to escape the mine by making a rope of their pants, shirts, and jackets. The plan had been subverted when Sam found an actual rope, but not before Jennifer showed off a good portion of her stomach. She remembered well the disappointment that crossed his face when she lowered her shirt.
Remembered, and filed it away.
She ran her tongue over her teeth. "I don't recall you offering to turn away."
He shrugged. "No mirror."
She raised her glass in a mock toast. Well said.
"Besides, I didn't have time." He grinned. "You were...awfully eager."
Jennifer burst out laughing. "In your dreams, McKay."
-4-
Rodney
Every night, he nearly said, not sure why. It wasn't precisely true. Jennifer had sneaked into his dreams from time to time, but since he was with Katie, and Jennifer was a colleague, he tried not to dwell on those occasions.
But he wasn't with Katie any longer. And Jennifer knew that, had been the one to help him realize that. He also realized, "Am I being charming now?"
"I'll let you know after another glass."
Without delay, Rodney signaled the bartender and gestured to Jennifer's empty glass.
She laughed again. "Do you remember the first time we worked together?"
Rodney nodded.
"You called me a genius." Her cheeks reddened. "That was very charming."
"Calling you a genius is charming?" Rodney scoffed. "Most women I flirt with would be upset I didn't immediately compliment their looks."
"Then you need to flirt with a better class of women." Jennifer lowered her gaze. "To a nerd like me, calling me a genius is better than saying I have a nice ass."
Rodney was just drunk enough to lean back on his stool and take a peek. He nodded solemnly and said, "That is a sweet bit of genius." Unfortunately, he was also drunk enough that he wobbled.
Jennifer reached out to steady him. When he saw her expression, he knew he hadn't offended her. She was grinning, and he suspected—hoped was more like it—that the continued rosiness in her cheeks wasn't just an effect of alcohol.
Their eyes locked, and she waggled a brow. "You're, uh, looking pretty smart yourself, McKay."
He could feel her breath on his cheek as she spoke. Desire coiled in his belly, and he'd have kissed her had not the bartender returned with the wine bottle. By the time Jennifer turned back, desire had been tempered with the knowledge that he was just ending a serious relationship. Well, he supposed it was serious. Though he'd chickened out, he had considered asking Katie to marry him.
Jennifer raised her newly filled glass. "To a better class of women."
Rodney clinked glasses with her and agreed. "To women like you."
-5-
Jennifer
Ooh, Rodney McKay, you just said exactly the right thing. Jennifer felt her pulse quicken in anticipation. Hurry, she told herself, before you chicken out. "Rodney, it's getting late."
He stammered a hasty assent, a frown betraying his disappointment. The dear man was behaving as if he expected her to abandon him right then. I won't,she silently vowed.
His brow pinched in confusion. "Won't what?"
Perhaps she hadn't been so silent. No matter. She giggled. Laying a hand on his arm, she put on her best shy smile and spoke the words that, unbeknownst to her, would change her life forever. "Never mind. Walk me to my room?"
[tbc]
Thanks for the support. Next part is coming soon.