"How's he doing?"

Jennifer tore her gaze from Rodney's face and looked up to General John Sheppard. He was standing on the opposite side of Rodney's bed looking down at his dying friend with all the love, affection and sadness that she would expect to see from his brother.

"He's doing okay," she lied, and even though John didn't take his eyes off Rodney his slow nod told her he knew the devastating truth.

"There's nothing we can do?" he asked.

Jennifer sighed, not at the ludicrous nature of the question- for John knew that every possible course of action had been pursued and had been unsuccessful- but more out of her personal frustration and inability to save the man she loved. "No."

Silence descended upon them as each got caught up in memories and feelings.

It was John that finally broke the silence. "He owes me twenty bucks."

Despite the situation and the profound grief that had been weighing upon her, Jennifer snorted in amusement. A few seconds later a small laugh escaped her mouth, and when she finally looked up at John and found him grinning at her she laughed some more.

The laughter lasted a short time as did the relief it brought her. "Thanks," she told him with a sincere smile. "I needed that."

John nodded, but his grin faded as he looked back to Rodney. "Have Teyla and Ronon been by?"

Jennifer brought Rodney's nearly lifeless hand to her lips and pressed a kiss to it. "Teyla came by yesterday morning and informed us that a new yearly feast was being started in Rodney's honor for all the work he's done for the Athosian people." She gave John a dry look. "He was tickled pink."

John nodded as though everything was right with the universe. "Naturally."

"Ronon was here yesterday afternoon and told Rodney not to die until he'd finished his poem about your adventures." Jennifer smiled proudly and once again kissed Rodney's hand. "He told Rodney that he figured prominently in many verses."

With no small amount of pride in his voice, Sheppard said, "I bet."

"What am I going to do, John?" she asked as she looked up to him, her brown eyes nearly overflowing with tears. "Who's going to hold me when I need it? Who's going to help me through the hard times? Who's going to catch me when I fall?"

John moved around the bed and got down on one knee next to Jennifer and pulled her into a tight hug. "You'll be okay," he assured her. "Rodney is always bragging about how strong you are, and he's right. I promise. It might…"

"Excuse me, sir," interrupted the voice of John's aide, Lieutenant Stone. "I'm sorry to interrupt but I've been told to inform you that a Hive ship has just entered orbit."

John released Jennifer and stood up. "Why hasn't the alarm been sounded?"

Stone shifted uncomfortably and said, "It's Delilah, sir, and she's asking to see Dr. McKay."

A/N: "Catch Me When I Fall" was performed by Daniel Cage in the 'Flashpoint' episode "Whatever it Takes", which originally aired on Aug. 20, 2010.