A/N: This is where I thank ladygris for all her help. She patiently Betas everything I send her and gives me insightful comments and suggestions that make the story better than it was. Thanks a bunch.
~Sandy
Not a Hero
Chapter 16
Life Is Drama
Jennifer's brown eyes, shiny with unshed tears, battled John's until she realized that he wouldn't back down on this. Against her better judgment, she agreed. Before he could pull away, she turned her hand over and gripped his fingers tight. He squeezed back until he saw Lorne watching.
Finally, she nodded. "Okay. Just promise me you won't do anything to get yourselves fired or put in jail or…hurt."
The two men exchanged a glance and a shrug. "Okay."
~~O~~
When Jennifer gripped his hand, he thought she'd never let go. Across from him, Lorne lifted one side of his mouth in a grin, dropping his eyes to their clasped hands. As gently as possible he retrieved his hand.
The group finished their beers and returned to Area 52 where John convinced Jennifer to stay the night. He sent her into his room and waited until he heard the lock engage to head down the hall. A moment later he also heard the unmistakable sound of a chair being shoved up under the doorknob and silently praised her.
John also kicked himself all the way to the Infirmary because now he didn't think he'd be able to sleep a wink picturing her in his bed, her blonde hair spread across his pillow and making her look more like the angel than ever. He scanned his card at the Infirmary door and headed for the desk. Dora was in her usual place and again was doing something nurse-like that he didn't understand.
"Don't tell me. You were lonely. You missed me. You couldn't sleep. You wanted someone to talk to." The twinkle of humor in her green eyes made John smile.
"Actually, Dr. Keller's sleeping in my room and I need somewhere to sack out. Got any vacancies?"
"As a matter of fact, I do. Your old bed on the ward, as long as you don't mind me being in and out all night." She opened a cabinet and took out a set of scrubs. "Here you go."
"Thanks." He turned away then came back, leaning on the front of the desk. "Could I ask you something? It's kinda personal."
"Go ahead. Just don't get upset if I plead the Fifth."
John nodded agreement. "Has Magee ever…bothered you?" The moment he said it, she rolled her eyes and huffed, telling him all he needed to know.
"Not the way you're thinking. Oh, he flirted with me when I first got here, but the moment he saw Dr. Keller he completely forgot I existed except as a member of the medical team. It saved me from having to lie and tell him I'm gay."
The last part of her story made him smile until he saw she wasn't. "Is there something you're not telling me?"
Dora shrugged. "Not sure if it's true or not, but there's a rumor that the nurse I replaced left because he was harassing her. She transferred to Atlantis, or so I heard."
"Any idea what her name is?"
"Marie something. I think she's Asian. And for the record, he's hit on almost every woman here including Dr. Adams and Sheila, both of whom shut him down with a few well-chosen words."
Now John did chuckle. "I'm sure. Well, thanks for the talk."
After changing into the scrubs, John lay down on the hospital bed staring at the ceiling, his mind sorting and organizing all the information he'd gotten from Dora and Angel tonight, working out a way to catch Magee and have him kicked to the curb.
He was just about to fall asleep when the picture of Angel sleeping in his bed popped into his head again and refused to leave. Rolling onto his side, he tried to ignore his body's reactions and go to sleep.
~~O~~
Not one to show his emotions in public except on rare occasions, Evan waited until he was alone to express how he felt about David Magee. But even then it was relatively harmless. He pulled his shirt off, wadded it into a ball and threw it at the wall…hard. "Dammit!" It knocked the print on the wall sideways then fell into the laundry basket. His pants and socks came after each followed by a different expletive.
His ire spent, he placed his sneakers next to the desk, took a clean set of clothes from the closet and draped them over the back of the desk chair. In the bathroom, he washed his face then brushed and flossed his teeth. Flipping the light out, he lay down on the bed, his hands laced together behind his head trying not to think about what he'd seen in the bar. He grinned at the memory of the shrink shutting down the guy who'd asked her to dance making a mental note not to ever give her a reason to do the same to him.
~~O~~
With the door locked and the chair pushed up under the doorknob, Jennifer felt a little safer. At least until she realized that she'd now be sleeping in John's bed, the same bed he slept in every night. The same bed she'd offered to have sex with him in. Her face heated at the memory.
Going to his dresser, she took out one of his T-shirts to sleep in, noting that his clothes had been just shoved in without regard to function or folding. If she didn't do something about it, it would bug her all night.
Tossing the T-shirt on the bed, she hung his shirts and pants in the closet. Next she paired all the socks, rolling them into balls. But when she got to his boxers, she couldn't bring herself to touch them. Not that she was a prude or anything, but doing so reminded her of their kisses. Her face flushed again with the memory and she slammed the drawer hoping to stop the sensations that now flowed through her body.
She'd told herself over and over that John wasn't the man for her, that she needed someone who was…not him. Someone more like Evan. However, even after a good talking to, her body continued to disagree. It wanted John and no one else. After considering a cold shower, she changed into the T-shirt and went to the bathroom to brush her teeth. There was only the one toothbrush so she squirted toothpaste on her finger and rubbed it over her teeth, rinsed and dried her hands.
Back in the bedroom, she only paused a moment before pulling back the covers and slipping underneath. Turning on her side, she sniffed the pillow hoping to catch his scent but the sheets had been changed and the fabric softener the laundry used was all she could smell.
Rolling onto her other side, she tucked one hand under the pillow feeling a piece of metal. She flicked on the bedside lamp, the gold of the Celtic cross in her palm glistening in the light. Turning it over, she read the inscription, wondering who Caitlin had been to him if he still carried it with him. He must have cared about this Caitlin if he'd kept the pendent. She also theorized that she must be gone or she'd still be wearing it and John might not be where he is now. What if she's the reason he's so closed off, afraid of feeling anything?
Opening the drawer, she placed it inside hoping he wouldn't know she'd seen it and shut off the light.
The Next Morning
Washington, D.C.
The Coffee Shoppe
Across from the Pentagon
The smell of coffee brewing permeated every corner of the shop making the atmosphere cozy and inviting. It also helped that there were comfortable sofas and chairs in the warm brown shades, most of which were grouped around a three sided fireplace. The walls and above the mantels were covered with coffee themed paintings basking the patrons in the ambiance that came with gourmet coffee and pastries.
Melissa sipped from the cup in her left hand while reading her SmartPhone. Not watching where she was going, she ran smack into someone coming into the shop. If there hadn't been a top on her cup she'd have dumped caramel macchiato all over him. Strong hands grasped her upper arms so she wouldn't fall.
"Sorry! I wasn't…" Her eyes saw a pair of black spit-shined shoes, dark blue slacks transitioning to a dark blue jacket buttoned in the front. On the left rested a multitude of ribbons and awards in bright colors, rank insignias on the lapels and a perfectly tied tie over a pristine white shirt. Her eyes shifted to his name tag. "Colonel Davis."
"Paul." His smile wasn't forced allowing her to relax when he let go, his hands automatically clasping behind his back. "How are you, Ms. Stone?"
"Melissa. And I was fine until I almost knocked down one of this country's finest." Her sheepish smile made him smile too.
"I was hoping to run into you just not quite like this." He gestured at a set of chairs set at right angles to each other. "Please have a seat and I'll join you in a moment. That is if I'm not imposing."
"You aren't." She sat in the chair facing the fireplace though it was too warm for a fire. Above the mantel was an oil painting of a giant cup of coffee, the steam floating up and curling into a heart almost as if it were a sign.
Paul returned with his own cup and two plates, each containing half of a chocolate croissant. Handing her a napkin and one of the plates, he unbuttoned his jacket and seated himself in the unoccupied chair. "So, Melissa, how do you like working at the Pentagon?"
"It's amazing! I hadn't realized how big it was until I got lost my first day."
"It is a little daunting, isn't it? What office are you working out of?"
Melissa took a sip of her coffee before answering. "Homeland Security. I'm with the director, Nancy Gordon as a personal assistant. You?"
"Confidential special projects under General Jack O'Neill."
She lifted the pastry to take a bite, a glint of humor in her eyes. "If you tell me you'll have to kill me?" How did he know this is my favorite breakfast indulgence?
One corner of his mouth lifted ironically. "Something like that."
Underneath the humor Melissa got the feeling that he was being serious. "Then by all means, don't tell me. There're still things I want to do before I meet my Maker." Like fall in love, get married, have a family, pets, a house in the suburbs. Glancing at the clock over the window, she quickly finished her pastry. "I need to get going or I'll be late."
When she stood, Paul did as well. He gathered up their cups, plates and napkins and took them to the trash receptacle near the door then waited for her to join him. "I'll escort you to your office, if you don't mind. You changed your hair. I like it."
Again charming her with his old world manners, Melissa ducked her head to hide the blush on her cheeks, tucking her hair behind her ear. She'd begun wearing her hair loose instead of her usual ponytail. She'd also had it cut in a more flattering style. "Thanks."
~~O~~
Inside the pentagon, Paul left Melissa at the T-junction where her office was to the left and his to the right. On the way up in the elevator they'd agreed to meet this coming Saturday evening for dinner. Without meaning to, he stood in the hall watching her walk away. He felt someone come to stand next to him and didn't have to turn around to know who it was.
"General." Melissa had turned a corner but Paul still stared in that direction.
"Colonel." Jack pointed his chin. "Who's that?"
Paul made a small chuckle of disbelief. "That, sir, is the woman I'm going to marry."
"Didn't know you were seeing someone. When's the big day?"
The Lieutenant Colonel shrugged. "Haven't asked her yet."
Jack shifted his feet, his hands going into his pockets. "Why not?"
"We just met." Paul felt Jack's shock. It mirrored his own. He'd never been the sentimental type, had never believed in love at first sight until he saw a pair of turquoise eyes scowling at her SmartPhone as she waited to board the flight. Fingers snapping in front of his face brought him out of his daydream.
"C'mon, Colonel. We've got a planet to protect."
"Yes, sir."
Area 52
Employee Quarters
John returned to his room, a cup of coffee and a donut in hand. Not much of a breakfast, but he didn't really feel like eating anything more.
Angel had already gone and a small prick of disappointment poked at him that she hadn't said good-bye. Opening the top drawer of the dresser he found everything but his boxers and socks had been moved. The rest of the drawers were empty as well except for the bottom drawer. Whoever had been in this room before him had left a men's magazine behind. He didn't look at the date though it had to be several months old because the scantily clad girl on the front was wearing a red and white bikini made to resemble Santa's suit only he doubted she was Mrs. Claus.
He'd never seen the point to such publications when there were so many willing live women available, especially since he'd come to Las Vegas. Everywhere you went there was a show and the women in them either wore skimpy outfits or took their clothes off one at a time for the masses. If he had a choice, and he did, he'd rather just find someone willing to do a private show just for him than one who was probably a student working her way through college or a single mom with bills to pay. He closed the drawer without touching the magazine.
Searching the room, he found his clothes hanging in the closet. Even his T-shirts and the workout gear he'd purchased the last time he'd gone into town for one of his GA meetings. He yanked the shirt and pants off the hangers and tossed them on the bed. That's when he noticed that one of his shirts was crumpled in a ball near his pillow. Angel must have worn it to bed.
Snatching the shirt up he drew back to toss it in the laundry but stopped barely into the swing. Holding it up in front of him, but down about chest height, he used his mind's eye to imagine her standing there wearing it and nothing else. A moment later he mentally kicked himself for being pervert, something he wouldn't have done before meeting her.
Still holding the shirt in both hands, he held it over the basket then after a moment of debate with himself, he brought the black cotton to his nose and inhaled. The scent that invaded his lungs was a combination of vanilla shower gel, perspiration and something he couldn't identify.
Maybe she and I…no, forget it.
A surge of self-doubt made John drop the shirt in with his other dirty clothes. He went to the desk and booted up his laptop. While he waited, he went into the bathroom and found all the towels except the one next to the sink were dry meaning Angel hadn't showered before leaving though it didn't stop him from picturing her doing so.
With a growl of frustration at himself, he went back to his computer and got to work. A knock at the door a few minutes later disturbed his concentration. At the door was the older lady who did the laundry. As she turned to add his to the others on her cart, he called out, "Wait." He reached in and took out the shirt Angel had worn garnering him a stern look from the woman. "What? I thought I wore it yesterday and remembered I didn't."
The woman just shook her head as he closed the door in her face.
~~O~~
Buttoning his shirt with one hand while pulling out a pair of socks with the other, Evan finished dressing. His orientation meetings were done and he'd been assigned to watch a set of DVDs about the Stargate program. Gathering up his portable DVD player, headphones and the next disc, he headed for the Commissary. He carried his meal to a table in the corner away from everyone else so he could concentrate. The next set had been done by McKay and dealt primarily with the Pegasus galaxy. There had been a short video of a Wraith feeding and it had turned his stomach. He pushed the last of his oatmeal away thinking now might be a good time to become a vegetarian.
He finished his coffee, his third cup and returned to his room where he watched another video. This one was about Athosians, human form replicators who called themselves Asurans, Genii, rogue Asgard and several other intelligent species in the Pegasus galaxy.
By the time it was over, he was ready for a workout. Maybe running would get the vision of that video out of his head long enough for him to have lunch. He changed, grabbed a towel from the bathroom, swung by the Commissary for water and headed to the gym.
Stargate Command
Carter/McKay Quarters
Both babies were crying as Sam and Rodney walked back and forth rubbing their little ones on the back and murmuring soothing words. They'd been fed and changed but still they cried. When one started the other had to chime in and it didn't matter who went first. The result was the same. No sleep for mom and dad.
At a knock, Rodney, carrying Olivia, opened the door and Jennifer stepped inside. "What's wrong?"
"We don't know! Danny started crying about twenty minutes ago and that got Livie going."
Dark circles under her eyes, Sam walked past Jennifer on another lap of the room. "We've tried everything that Carolyn told us to do. It's a good thing the rooms are soundproof or there'd be a bunch of annoyed soldiers on this base."
"Have you taken them outside yet? Gone for a drive?"
Looking annoyed that he hadn't thought of it, Rodney huffed. "No, we have not." He passed Olivia to Jennifer and went to the closet. Grunting and groaning, he dragged out two brand new strollers with the clip-in baby carriers. He helped Sam put Danny in one then helped Jennifer with Olivia.
The three adults went to the elevator and Jennifer pressed the button for the ground level. When the elevator started moving the crying slowed. By the time they reached the teen levels it was down to the occasional whimper.
"The hell…" Rodney and Sam shared a glance then looked at Jennifer.
"When my parents couldn't get me to stop crying they would put me in the car and go for a drive. Apparently the elevator serves the same purpose."
"So we just ride up and down until they go to sleep then we can sleep." Rodney slipped his arm around Sam and she leaned wearily against him.
Smiling at her friends, Jennifer leaned against the wall and thought about John and Evan. They'd said they'd get back at David for what he'd done to her but wouldn't allow her to be involved. Hell, I'm already involved! This cannot happen to someone else. He has to be stopped!
"Jen?" Rodney waved a hand in front of her eyes. "You okay?"
"Yeah. Why?"
Sam snorted. "'Cause you looked like you wanted to bite someone."
The medical doctor shook her head. "It's nothing. There's just this guy and he's been…never mind."
When they reached the surface the little ones were sound asleep. Without a word, Rodney sent the elevator back along the path it had just traversed. Once on the barracks level again, Jennifer pushed one stroller and Rodney pushed the other while Sam made an appearance in the Gate Room for a SitRep.
Back in the room, Rodney offered Jennifer a bottle of water which she accepted gratefully. She moved quietly around the room looking at the items on the walls and tables. Stopping in front of one particular print she thought it odd amongst the photos of their wedding, and military and academic awards. It was of a frog with its head in the mouth of a bird standing in a marsh. Though he's about to be swallowed, the frog had both hands around the birds neck. The caption said, "Never give up."
She took two steps back, turned and went to the door. "See ya!"
The door closed behind her again before Rodney could say a word. He shrugged, kicked off his shoes and lay down with a groan leaving the kids in the strollers next to the bed just in case.
~~O~~
The ding of the elevator signaled Sam's arrival back on the barracks level. She pushed off the back wall but didn't get out when Jennifer rushed in looking like she had a full head of steam. Instead of getting out, she stayed in. Two levels down, Sam stopped the elevator between floors. "Talk to me."
"About, uh, what?"
"About, uh, what's been happening at Area 52."
"How did you…"
A smirk turned up one corner of the General's mouth. "I have ears everywhere." Jennifer gave her a startled glance and Sam relented. "Marie told me."
"John has a plan to stop him but he won't let me help and I so wanna see his face when he gets fired!"
"So?"
"What do you mean 'so'? John told me to leave, that he and Evan would take care of it."
Watching her friend's eyes, Sam could see a spark of something in the brown depths. "Let me just say one thing. You can tell me to go to hell or whatever…what I'm trying to say is: don't let one man keep you away from what you really want. You've worked too hard to let that happen now."
"But…"
Putting on her Soldier Sam face and voice, the leader of the SGC took Jennifer by the upper arms and shook her once. "No buts! If you want to take this guy down, do it! You don't have to be afraid. If you're gonna go out, go out fighting."
Jennifer thought about what Sam was saying. "Never give up."
"Louder!"
"Never give up!"
"I can't hear you!"
"NEVER GIVE UP!"
Setting the elevator in motion again, Sam just let Jennifer think about everything. "Bye."
~~O~~
Jennifer stomped into the Gate Room bellowing at the top of her lungs. "Walter!"
"Shall I dial Atlantis, Dr. Keller?"
"Hell no! I'm goin' back to Area 52." She stared up at him, her brown eyes glaring a hole in the reinforced windows.
"Ma'am?" Walter couldn't keep the confusion out of his voice.
"Just do it! I've got a flying pig to kick in the backside."
~~O~~
Arriving in the main lobby, Jennifer swiped her card and pushed through the main security door marching down the hall to bang on David's door like a cop on a drug bust. A few doors down, a dark haired woman came out into the hall.
"Can I help you, Dr. Keller?"
"Yes, Sheila. Where's Magee?" The fire in her eyes dissipated just a little when the older woman just stood there watching her with amusement. "What?"
"Nothing." She pointed her chin at the door they were standing in front of. "He's not in yet. Had a dentist appointment or something."
That deflated nearly all of Jennifer's anger. "Oh. Um, happen to know where Sheppard and Lorne are?"
With a roll of her eyes, Sheila turned back for her office. "Try the gym. I heard something was going down with those two and to tell the truth, I'm surprised it took this long."
With a last glare at David's door, Jennifer let herself into the employee area. She turned the corner, stumbling to a stop when she saw a group of people clumped in the doorway to the gym, the unmistakable sounds of fighting coming from inside. Pushing her way to the front, she gasped when she saw what was going on. The slight whisper of alarm was quickly replaced by irritation and anger. All activity came to a stop when she stepped all the way into the room. "What the HELL is going on here?"
TBC