Author's Note: 500 words, on the nose. Enjoy! ~lg

oOo

The next few weeks settled into a routine for Jennifer. She endured two more weeks of boredom before Amanda declared her fit enough to return to light duty. Light duty consisted of sitting at her desk, filling out paperwork. The cough from the pneumonia gradually went away, and she gratefully said goodbye to the daily medications.

After their trip to the mountains, Jennifer and Evan often spent their evenings together. While most of the infirmary considered them "together," Jennifer refused to think of herself as half of a couple. Evan had never really asked her out, though he treated her with something akin to tenderness. Her New Year's resolution seemed so close and still so far away in her mind. She wanted more from Evan, but she didn't want to ruin the friendship they shared. Many times, she opened her mouth to ask him out and thought better of it. If she never fulfilled her New Year's resolution, she decided she'd be happy with the direction he took their friendship.

The day she returned to full duty, the Daedalus delivered another rotation of new personnel. Jennifer smiled at each one, not minding the hours of standing and lame pick-up lines she and her entire staff would endure. She'd complained just the night before, and Evan had promised to make an appearance and let them know she was off limits. He'd watched her with possessiveness in his eyes, and she liked how special that made her feel.

About three-quarters of the way through her day, Jennifer picked up yet another file. She glanced at the name and called out, "Major T. Reid."

A person moved, and Jennifer found herself staring into the blue eyes of the most beautiful woman she'd ever seen. "Yes?"

"Um. . .have a seat." Jennifer blinked. In all her time, she'd never been intimidated by a woman's appearance. But this blond looked too. . .perfect to be in the Air Force. While she panicked, her mind supplied her with the routine medical exam that all new arrivals faced. She checked temperature and made notes in Major Reid's file while wondering if she even wanted Evan to appear. With a woman like that sitting across from her, he wouldn't even look her way.

Finally, she finished.

Major Reid hopped off of the bed and smiled at her. "Thank you, Doctor." She paused for a moment. "Hey, you wouldn't happen to know where a girl can get a drink around here, would you?"

At that moment, several things happened. Jennifer opened her mouth to answer as Evan walked through the infirmary doors. Reid glanced at him, and she straightened with a sultry smile as he froze. Jennifer blinked, wondering exactly what had happened.

Just as quickly as the panic covered Evan's face, it disappeared. He took a few steps forward. "Tanya?"

Major Reid left the top two buttons of her shirt undone, her shock chasing her smile from her face. "Ace?"

~TBC

Author's Note 2: Now that you've read the chapter, I can put this disclaimer in here. Major Tanya Reid is an OC created by ShaViva and appearing in her stories "Red Flag" and "Uncle Evan." She was a captain, then; I've promoted her for the purposes of the story. She's been used with permission. ~lg