Author's Note: At 500 words, here's the next chapter. Enjoy! ~lg

oOo

Jennifer stayed in the infirmary for another three days. Evan appeared every evening, often telling her the more amusing events of the day. Sheppard stopped in daily, as well, but Jennifer suspected he had different reasons. When she asked Amanda about him, she suddenly understood why her fellow doctor enjoyed teasing her about Evan.

Three days after "Coughlin and the Cat," Evan made his way to her bedside already wearing his TAC vest and thigh holster. Jennifer ironically thought that he needed his P90 to complete her fantasy. Instead of voicing those thoughts, she frowned. "You've got a mission."

"Ah. . .yeah."

She smiled. "Be safe."

He pinned her in place with a stern look. "You behave. I don't want to hear about how you've tried to escape from under Amanda's nose."

Jennifer grinned at that, loving how he'd settled into an easy routine with her friend. "Trust me, I now understand why Sheppard and Ronon try to get out of here so often." His brows lowered, and she giggled. "I'll behave. . . .maybe."

Evan's stern facade broke, and he grinned. "You need to quit hanging out with Sheppard. He's wearing off on you."

"I wasn't aware that Sheppard was my regular visitor."

His expression shifted from amused to playful with a hint of something deeper. "That's good."

A few minutes later, he left, and Jennifer watched him march purposefully out the door. When she'd resolved to ask him out, she'd only known the kind, reserved major. Now, she knew him. His sense of humor left her in stitches and struggling to breathe. His eyes sparkled when he joked, giving him away in spite of his bland expression. And he appreciated a humorous response over whining.

An hour later, Amanda approached her. "Feel well enough to go home?"

Jennifer blinked. "Really?" She touched her hair. "I can leave?"

Amanda nodded. "I know your protector wanted to be here, but I wanted to make sure you had enough time to recover before he returned."

"Thank you!" Jennifer eagerly pushed her blankets back and stood, taking the time to enjoy a long stretch.

Amanda watched, amused at her actions. "Just don't overdo it. You're not over the pneumonia, and you need to take it easy for the next little while." She paused as Jennifer let out a deep cough. "As I was saying. . . ."

"I know." Jennifer took a deep breath. "Keep strenuous activity down, drink lots of fluids, continue the medications, and report back here if anything changes."

"You've got it." Amanda waved. "Have fun."

Jennifer left the infirmary, feeling free for the first time in days. She went straight to her quarters, took a hot shower, and changed clothes. She exhausted her energy with a trip to the mess for food. Returning to her quarters, she collapsed in bed, sleeping for the rest of the day.

~TBC