A/N: This chapter kind of took on a life of its own and went way beyond the 500 words. It words kept on coming and did not stop. This is unbetaed so blame me and word processor for all mistakes. Enjoy. Please read and review.

First Day Back

It was Rodney's first day back to normal duties and he was already complaining about going on a mission. "When I was told I could go back to regular duties I didn't think you would make me go off world so soon," he whined and shifted the pack on his back.

"Welcome back, McKay. Don't worry it's standard recon. Nothing too strenuous on your first day back," John teased his friend. He then leaned over and whispered, "Besides you get a free exam from Doc Keller when you get back."

McKay rolled his eyes, "Well, yes. Let's get going." He refused to give into Sheppard's prodding and pointed toward the open wormhole. "Are you ready?"

Sheppard nodded and the team headed through the gate. The mission was supposed to last six hours, but the off world activation alarm sounded three hours later with John requesting a medical team to meet them at the gateroom.

Jennifer's heart fell into her stomach when she heard that Colonel Sheppard was requesting a medical team. Her thoughts immediately went to that something had happened to Rodney and her worst fears were confirmed when Rodney came through the gate being supported by John and Ronon. The three men were soaking wet, but Rodney was the only one shivering violently. "What happened?" she tried to keep her panic in check.

"McKay lost his footing and fell into river. He was swept away before we could get to him. We got found him half a mile down river, holding on to a tree branch. The water was freezing," John explained as he looked over at Rodney who was shivering too much to talk.

"Get him to the infirmary and out of those wet clothes immediately," Jennifer ordered her staff before turning to John and Ronon. "I want you two to get checked out as well," she was not in the mood for their usual avoidance of post-mission exams. The physician was upset that on his first day back Rodney was injured. It seemed that luck was not on his side recently and she wanted to do something to change that.

An hour passed before Jennifer had a chance to check on Rodney and she found him hiding under the covers, "Hey, you. How are you feeling?" she touched his cheek and frowned at how cold it still felt. The worried physician was relieved that he was uninjured aside from a mild case of hypothermia.

Rodney managed a weak smile, "Like I will never be warm again."

At least he's smiling. "It's only a mild case of hypothermia. There isn't much we can do besides warm clothes and blankets. Your body has to do the rest." Jennifer played with the ends of his hair.

"Well it is taking it's sweet time. With the draft in this place and the flimsy covers, it's a wonder that I don't freeze to death here," Rodney sighed. "Here, feel my hand. Feels like an ice cube, doesn't it?" he held out his hand for her to touch.

The physician reached out for his hand and jumped back at how cold it was. Jennifer knew there was no reason for Rodney to stay in the infirmary. There was no risk of cardiac arrest or any other complications. "I have an idea to get you warm. Come on; time to get you out of here."

"What?" Rodney asked as his mind immediately went to dirty places. They had not even kissed yet and he wasn't sure what she was getting at. She isn't thinking that. Get your mind out of the gutter, McKay.

"I have a down comforter in my room. It will help you warm up and it's hypoallergenic. No need to worry about your allergies."

"Oh," Rodney felt like an idiot for the perverted thoughts. She just wanted to take care of him as she had done so often the past few months. "Thank you. You don't have to do this. This is going above and beyond your duties as a doctor," he was grateful for the offer.

"But it's not above the duties of a girlfriend," Jennifer carefully spoke those words, not wanting to scare him. Also, she said it low enough as to not be overheard. They had been going on their dates for two weeks and it frustrated her that they had not kissed beyond a peck on the cheek.

Girlfriend? That word brought a huge grin to his face. There was more to their dates than just enjoying each other's company. "I need to stop by my room and get warmer clothes."

Ten minutes later the couple arrived at Jennifer's quarters after the stop at Rodney's.

"You can change in the bathroom and I'll get the comforter from the closet."

"The warmer clothes help a little," Rodney pulled the hood of his sweatshirt up to cover his head as he stepped out of the bathroom. He stopped a moment to enjoy the sight of Jennifer spreading the comforter across the bed. "Nice choice in sleep attire," he was amused at her Hawkgirl pajamas, her hidden inner nerd was coming out. "Are you sure you are okay with this?" the scientist was suddenly hit with a bad case of nerves.

Jennifer blushed, as Rodney looked her over. It had been a while since she had seen someone look at her with such adoration. "I would not have offered if I wasn't. I trust you, Rodney," the physician trusted him not to take advantage of the situation. There were plenty of chances the last two weeks that he could have tried something, he didn't, and there was no reason to think this night would be any different.

"I always knew you had a hidden nerd side to you," he laughed, getting under the warm covers. It meant a lot to hear that she trusted him.

"Really now?" Jennifer teased as she got into bed next to him. It was a little too warm for her liking, but getting Rodney warm again was her top concern. "Better?" she asked as she took one of his cold hands between her warm ones. "How's that?"

Rodney nodded, starting to feel warmer already. "I owe you for this," he drew the covers closer.

"You do," the physician said with a smirk. "Try not to give me reason to worry about you so much. Falling into a river on your first mission back, how did you manage that?"

The scientist looked embarrassed, "I was looking at my tablet and I slipped on wet leaves."

"You mean you weren't paying attention to where you were walking?" Jennifer shook her head as she moved closer to the man sharing her bed. "What am I going to do with you?"

"Pretty much," he admitted. A bad habit that could get him into serious trouble.

"Oh, Rodney," she slid her arm around Rodney's waist. The closer Jennifer got she could feel him shivering slightly. "You've got to be more careful. You realize that I can't be the one to treat you anymore."

Normally, Rodney would have panicked, but he was calm about it. "Has to do with me being your boyfriend? If that's the reason I guess I will have live with it," he said with a dramatic eye roll. "Does this mean we are making us official?"

"I was just thinking that since we've been going on these dates for the past two weeks and sometimes having more than one date a day that it was the next logical step, but if you would rather not have us dating I did get an offer from one of your new scientists for a date. I had to decline. You are much better looking than him," Jennifer played to his ego.

That got Rodney upset, "Who was it? Who would be that stupid? Tell me his name so I can put him on overnight duty for the remainder of his time here."

She smirked, "Does it really matter, Rodney? Do I need to remind you that you are the one here with me? The one I'm taking care of? The one who i have my arm around. The one I want to call my boyfriend," she found it adorable when he was worked up like this. Their faces were less than two a inches apart and could feel each other's breath.

Jennifer's words only temporarily placated Rodney's anger. He would find out which of the newest moron was dumb enough to have asked Jennifer out. "You don't have to remind me," his face was flushed and was feeling warm by this point. "I get it."

Rodney could no longer resist having Jennifer's lips that close to his. He had held on for two weeks and now the temptation was too great. She had called him her boyfriend and thought the time was right. Their lips first met in a closed lip kiss and as Rodney pulled away an annoyed sigh escaped Jennifer's mouth, "What?" He wondered if he did something wrong. His body cried out for more, but his head stopped him.

"Took you long enough," a small smile formed. It was sweet for a first kiss and Jennifer hoped that it would not take that long for a second kiss.

He was flustered by her reaction, "I...I'm sorry. I did not want to rush things. I didn't want you to think that I was being this nice to get into your pants. Not that I don't want that to happen. I mean I do. Eventually when we are both ready for it to happen and not a minute sooner. Because rushing into that is a big big mistake and can ruin a relationship. You are very special and I don't..." Rodney was silenced when Jennifer placed her hand over his rambling mouth.

"Rodney," Jennifer said with a grin. She was touched when he said he wanted to wait until they were both ready. A few of her past relationships were over the minute the guy got want they wanted from her. The blonde knew that with her Rodney was different and the fact she had voiced the fear she had made her feel completely at ease with him. There would be no pressure from him and they could let their relationship progress naturally. "I know that. I meant it when I said I trust you. I know you would never intentionally hurt me. Just don't take another two weeks to kiss me again," she removed her hand from his mouth.

"How's two minutes?" the physicist asked with a smirk as she started counting down from two minutes. Rodney only got thirty seconds into the count before they both started laughing. "How about now?" he said between laughs.

"Now is good."

Rodney pulled Jennifer in for a kiss that he hoped that she would not forget anytime soon. His hand caressed her cheek before tangling in her blonde tresses. He felt her arm tighten around his waist, pulling the two closer together. Time all but stopped for the moments during the intense embrace.

Both pulled away minutes later, faces flushed and breathing ragged. Their expressions said that this was a kiss that would never be forgotten.

"Wow!" Jennifer fanned her face.

"Wow is right," Rodney was definitely not feeling chilled anymore.