"Lorne do you read?" Sheppard's voice echoed round the cave.
"Yes Sir, good to hear your voice."
"I'm assuming there's a reason you're late with the check in."
"Yes Sir, we are under attack. Currently we are hiding in a cave and could use an extraction."
"I'll prep the Jumper. Any injuries?"
"Yeah. The doc took a bullet in her vest. Her ribs may be cracked." Lorne said, wincing at the silence coming back down the radio. Eventually John said.
"We'll be there in twenty minutes."
Having passed the information on to his team Lorne called Cadman back into the cave and explained.
"I need some help getting the doc's vest back on." Seeing Laura's raised eyebrow he explained. "I'd rather not risk her taking another bullet this time with no vest."
"No problem." Laura said moving over to her friend who was sleeping. "Time to wake up." She said gently shaking Jennifer's shoulder.
"Laura?" Jennifer said as she tried to focus.
"How you feeling?" Lorne asked.
"Ribs hurt." Jennifer said.
"Guessed that part. I'm just going to look at them, then we need to get your vest on." Laura said as she helped Jennifer lean forward before lifting her shirt.
"Why?" The doctor asked.
"Rescue team is nearly here and we would prefer you to not get shot as you walk to the Jumper." Lorne said, pulling a face as he saw Jennifer's bruised back. "I'll get you something for the pain."
"No." Jennifer said. "We'll be back at the infirmary soon, best not to have anything in my system."
"You sure?" Laura asked.
"Yeah."
"Okay, let's get your vest on then." Laura said, feeling guilty as Jennifer grimaced with the movement.
With the vest finally secure Laura asked. "You still breathing okay?"
"Yeah."
"We'll get you home in no time." Laura assured her as John's voice came over the radio giving the two minute warning. "Let's get you on your feet." Laura said as she and Lorne stood either side of Jennifer and helped her stand.
"You doing okay?" Lorne asked.
"Peachy." Jennifer replied as loud explosions came from outside the cave.
"That'll be Sheppard." Lorne commented as he and Laura guided Jennifer towards the mouth of the cave. "You think you can run?" Lorne asked the doctor.
"No, but I'll try not to think." Jennifer replied as she saw the Jumper land.
"Was that a joke?" Laura asked scanning the horizon. "Because if it was it sucked."
"You ready?" Lorne asked Laura, ignoring the exchange.
"Yes Sir."
"Cover us." Lorne called to the rest of the team as he and Cadman tried to get Jennifer to the Jumper as quickly as possible. Once they had reached the inside of the Jumper Jennifer collapsed.
-00-
Slowly cracking her eyes open Jennifer instantly recognised the sterile infirmary environment. Realising she was half sitting half lying on her side she tried to remember why she was in the infirmary. As she attempted to turn and a wave of pain pulsed through her back she involuntarily gasped and decided to lie still.
"Morning doc." Evan called from off to one side. "How are you feeling?" He asked moving into view.
"Sore." Jennifer grimaced.
"Well the good news is your ribs are just bruised. But the pain will be around for a few weeks yet."
"How long was I out for?"
"About twenty hours."
"Twenty? Why so long? Why are you still here?"
"Yes twenty, so long because you have been pumped full of painkillers and apparently needed the rest and I'm here to make sure you're okay. Besides Cadman refused to go until she was happy you wouldn't wake up alone."
"I'm fine."
"Say that without the grimace and I may believe it." Lorne smiled.
"I'm okay. You should go."
"Is that what you want?" Lorne asked.
"Yes. You need to rest, you look tired."
"Kettle, pot, black." Lorne said.
"I'm resting." Jennifer pointed out. "And I would rest a lot better without talking."
"Fine. I'm going." He said standing, he then paused and looked at Jennifer. "Doc, for a moment out there, when Cadman was in the mud, you had your spark back. I, we all, miss that spark. If there is anything I can do to bring it back you let me know. And if you ever feel like finishing our conversation I'm here." With that he backed away and left.
-00-
"Hey. Where's Lorne?" Laura asked pulling up a seat at Jennifer's beside a few hours later.
"Gone to get some rest."
"He left you?"
"I sent him away." Jennifer said.
"He say anything to you?"
"Yeah."
"Such as?"
"We'd finish our conversation later." Jennifer said. "What conversation?"
"When you were high you started talking."
"How much did I tell him?"
"Nothing. He stopped you and said if you wanted to tell him when you weren't on a different mental planet he'd be happy to listen."
"Different mental planet?" Jennifer asked.
"I may have paraphrased." Laura shrugged. "But, you should know that when Lorne tried taking your vest off you kinda freaked out."
"Yeah, I remember that part."
"He's worried about you and he cares about you. Which is why he won't press you. But he's there for you." Laura said.
"I know." Jennifer said, trying to shift in the bed, grimacing as she did so causing Laura to say.
"I'm sorry."
"For what?" Jennifer asked confused.
"That you got shot, that you are lying here in pain."
"Not your fault."
"Technically I guess you're right. It is your fault for being stupid enough to jump in front of a bullet. Thank you for saving me."
"Kind of owed you for being there for me for the last few weeks."
"You really didn't. But thank you."