Author's Note: Now that Evan's story is caught up, here's the next chapter in Jennifer's story. This chapter comes in at 500 words on the dot. Evan's new chapter will be up later this evening. And, in reference to multiple requests to extend my chapters, I'm going to respectfully decline. I want everyone to enjoy the story, myself included. At Christmas, I wrote and published three stories at once. I've experienced a bit of burn-out since then, and these shorter chapters are my way of coping. I'll be back to my normal length sometime this month when I get "Remnant of Fire" ready to post. For details on that one, see my profile. ;) As always, hope you enjoy this chapter! ~lg

oOo

Three days later, Jennifer wanted to climb the walls. Not literally as she still had problems walking to the bathroom and back to bed. Of course, her medical knowledge of bronchial pneumonia and how long it takes to recover did her no favors, either. She knew she'd be down for at least another two weeks, maybe longer. Right now, however, she just wanted a shower. Or a bath. Or something to make her feel a little more human.

"Hey." Amanda joined her just as she nearly pushed back the covers.

"Hi." Jennifer suddenly knew how Sheppard must feel when caught trying to leave the infirmary.

"Where are you going?" Amanda sing-songed.

"Um. . . ."

"Jennifer, I need you to stay here."

"But I can't shower here."

"I'll see what I can do." Amanda held up a finger. "Only if you promise to stay in that bed until I come back."

"When will that be?" Jennifer asked. "Because I'd like to get cleaned up before dinner tonight."

Amanda's eyebrows rose. "Wouldn't have anything to do with the hot major who always shows up with dinner, would it?"

Jennifer couldn't stop the blush. She looked up. "Please?" she asked meekly. "It's already three in the afternoon."

"And he comes at five." Amanda let out a deep breath. "Let me get someone to cover the infirmary, and I'll take you to your quarters to clean up. But you're going in a wheel chair and then coming straight back here."

Jennifer nodded obediently, grateful to wash her face and hair. While she'd been sick, she hadn't cared. Now that the antibiotics had taken most of the edge off of the pneumonia, she wanted to look her best when Evan appeared for dinner.

Amanda returned a few moments later and pushed Jennifer's wheel chair to crew quarters. While Jennifer drew a bath, Amanda gathered her clothes. Then, she allowed Amanda to wash her hair. By the time she returned to the infirmary, sported her trendiest set of pajamas.

That evening, Evan appeared, his expression shifting from focused to surprise. He grinned, and his blue eyes sparkled. "Hey, Doc."

Jennifer flushed as he studied her. "Hi, yourself."

His grin widened. "How are you doing?"

"Not well." She scowled at Amanda. "But I feel better, and that's what counts."

"I agree." He offered her a tray. "I brought something other than soup."

Jennifer smiled at her plate. "I never thought I'd be grateful for mystery meat."

He snickered. "Yeah, I know what you mean."

She shook her head. "You know, you never told me what you and the guys were laughing at the other day."

Evan grinned again. "Eat up, and I might tell you."

She glared. "That's just not right!"

But she ate every bite on her plate. Evan told her the story of Coughlin and the cat.

~TBC