Not run through a beta and a little over the limit. Sorry. ;)

Jennifer sighed as the gentle ocean breeze washed over her. She closed her eyes for a moment and tightened her hands on the balcony rail and tried very hard to ignore the ache on her chest.

Three days ago Rodney had entered her quarters and announced that things weren't working out between them. Before she'd even processed that Rodney had broken up with her, he had left. She'd been flabbergasted to the point where she hadn't even had the wherewithal to stop him from leaving and demanding an explanation. Once her wits had returned she'd sought him out, but he'd timed it perfectly: a Wraith hive appeared out of nowhere and all hell broke loose.

She opened her eyes as a familiar sound from the balcony below her reached her ears. She looked out over the ocean and sure enough a moment later she saw a splash on the water.

Sheppard, thought Jennifer with a smile. He always decompressed after a stressful situation by hitting some golf balls off a balcony, often times in the company of…

"Why am I here again, Sheppard?"

…Rodney.

Jennifer's heart skipped a beat and she automatically leaned forward to try to hear better.

"I'm trying to figure out why my best friend- and don't let that go to your head- broke up with the best thing that ever happened to him."

Rodney's voice was ice cold. "That's none of your business."

"What part of 'you're my best friend' don't you understand, Rodney?" replied Sheppard. "And Jennifer is my friend too, so spill before I have to get serious and let everyone know what you've been hiding in that closet in the North Pier."

Jennifer's nose crinkled in confusion- she had no idea what John was talking about.

Rodney started sputtering indignantly, but it only last a few seconds before he sighed and said, "Fine." There was a brief pause. "It's for her own good."

Jennifer's eyes widened in surprise and then narrowed in anger.

"I heard some people talking," explained Rodney. "They couldn't believe that someone like Jennifer would lower herself..."

That was all she could hear before the door closing behind her cut off all outside sound. She strode quickly down the corridor and down the stairs, anger and frustration fuelling her march. She didn't even break her stride as she approached the door to the balcony that Sheppard and Rodney were on. Thankfully, it functioned properly and a moment later Sheppard and Rodney turned to look at her.

She walked right up to Rodney, and before he could say anything she whapped him on the shoulder. "How dare you! You did this because of something someone said?"

"They said…"

"I don't care what they said," she interrupted. "You need to listen to me. I love you." She gave him a smile and her heart fluttered when he smiled back. "You're all I need and all I want." She took his hands in hers. "I don't need or want anything or anyone else." She gave him a second and then said, "Well?"

Rodney sighed, and Jennifer could see the weight being lifted from his soul.

"I love you too."

There was only response to that: she leaned forward and kissed him.

A/N: 'All I Need' was written by Sharon den Adel and Robert Westerholt of the group Within Temptation for their 2007 album The Heart of Everything.