A sequel to 18 and 33. 535 words.
Jennifer swiftly lifted her bandaged hand up to cover her mouth, hoping that Rodney hadn't noticed the yawn she was trying to conceal.
"It's late," said Rodney as he fought off a smirk. "Were both injured and had a long day that was way more interesting and physically active than it should have been. We should go to bed."
Jennifer kept her hand covering her mouth to hide the smile that her yawn had turned into. Rodney noticed that as well, and even in the lower than normal light she could see his cheeks erupt into a pink hue of embarrassment.
"You know what I mean!" he exclaimed roughly, though the grouchiness in his voice was easily cancelled out by the smirk on his lips.
Jennifer dropped her hand and laughed. It was so easy to laugh with Rodney, once you got him out of his defensive shell that is, and now that she'd gotten him out of that shell she was very reluctant to let him go. Unfortunately he was right and after the adventure they'd had she was dead tired.
"Sorry," she said as her laughter died down. "You just make it so easy."
"Yes, well," his eyes sparkled as his chin rose an inch fuelled by a bravado the evening had brought out in him, "it's part of my charm."
Jennifer gave the man across from her a warm smile and nodded as she said, "Yes it is."
Rodney nodded once and then stood up from his chair. "I should get going," he said, and Jennifer thought she could hear regret and disappointment in his voice.
Jennifer rose from her chair as well and said, "I'll walk with you." She gave him a smile as she added, "If that's okay with you."
"Yes!" exclaimed Rodney, his voice loud enough with excitement and relief to make her eyes pop open in surprise. He cleared his throat and calmly repeated, "Yes."
They walked out of the Mess and through the hallways in comfortable silence until they reached the door to Jennifer's quarters. They turned towards each other and held each other's gaze for a few moments allowing Jennifer to get a real good look into the bright blue eyes of Rodney McKay.
In the end it was Rodney who broke their eye contact by looking down at his hands. "So these should be fine overnight?" He looked back up to her and added, "Pain wise, I mean. I don't want to have to get up in the middle of the night and head to the Infirmary…"
"You'll be fine, Rodney," she interrupted with a smile. "The painkiller in the ointment won't wear off until tomorrow afternoon."
Rodney nodded and glanced at her door before saying, "Well, have a good night, and thanks for the drink."
"My pleasure," she replied sincerely. She passed her hand over the door sensor making it open for her. "Besides, I've been told you're going to repay me by picking me up and treating me to breakfast in the morning."
Rodney's brow crunched together as he said, "Wait! Who said I would do that?"
Jennifer gave him a sneaky smile and said as the door closed between them, "I did."
A/N: "Who Said I Would" was written by Phil Collins and released on his 1985 album No Jacket Required.