I cannot promise how frequently I can update right now, but I did write ahead quite a bit. I just hope I can proof this quickly.
About a week later, Jennifer finds herself in the room the military had designated for firearms training. She felt uncomfortable down here, especially alone, and it wasn't helping that Major Lorne had somehow been rather cold and matter-of-fact with her during their two sessions. Jumper training with Sheppard was definitely more fun.
She hears quick footsteps coming closer and straightens her spine; the last thing she wants to look like is tired, even though she definitely is after last night.
The door slides open to reveal Majorajor with a P90 strapped to his vest. Jennifer's first reaction is to blurt out, "Hell no!" before catching herself and feeling a little bit insulted that he would come down here in full protective gear.
"Major, I didn't realize you think training me is such a dangerous job. " She stops herself from seeing the irritation on his face.
"Doc, I can assure you, this get-up is not because I am scared of your aim. I am here to inform you that we must postpone our session today. Sheppard and his team ran into a little trouble and need backup."
"Are there any injuries?" Jennifer reaches for her ear and feels the headset, wondering why no one on the channel was calling for all hands on deck.
"We don't know yet,"Lorne replies, and somehow, both of them make their way to the level changer. Plus, Doc, you had a long night. Maybe you should try to sleep and not be involved in any upcoming surgeries."
His words cut her like a knife, and she mulls her response while Lorne taps the gateroom on the interactive map to transport them there.
"If you know when or how long I was in the OR, you shouldn't be going on a rescue mission either," she raises her eyebrows at him, and Majorajor has the common sense to lower his gaze.
"I can't disobey an order from Sheppard or Weir, and it's imperative that I leave now," he finally tells her before running out of the transporter to meet his men. Rivers spots her and sends her a small wave.
Jennifer feels her face flush as Lorne follows Rivers' wave with his eyes, and theirs meet. Lorne almost imperceptively raises an eyebrow and then turns away, shaking his head. He must've also said something to the team because Rivers snaps to attention.
She wants to roll her eyes, but her rational doctor side wins. Jennifer hurries to the infirmary to help Carson and get everything ready.
"Where do you need me?" she asks, walking into a very calm infirmary, which makes her frown.
"Jennifer, love, we don't know much about anything yet. Everything is ready if any of Colonel Sheppard's or Major Lorne's team needs medical attention. So please, rest. I will call you if we need an extra set of hands. Don't worry. " With that, the scot compliments her and walks back out the door, leaving Jennifer speechless.
About 45 minutes later, Jennifer heard the gate alarm going off. She couldn't sit still any longer and had taken a walk. This was just dumb luck.
She steps to the railing and watches as Carson routinely inspects every one of the men and Teyla. He seems satisfied that nothing is too immediate. Well, except for the constant wailing from Rodney.
She can't help but laugh at that.
"Something funny, doc?" a voice from her right addresses her, and as Jen turns her head, she notices Rivers.
"Just McKay," she replies.
"I get it doc, but having him around is the name of the game!"
"I am not so sure I enjoy being a player in that particular game though," she breathes out and then clamps her hands over her mouth. "You didn't hear that!" she blurts.
"Are you coming to dinner with us? I might forget it," Rivers smirks.
"Lieutenant?" Jennifer replies with a raised eyebrow but then concedes quickly by adding, "I do need my strength. I am on call, after all."
She quickly informs her staff how she can be reached and walks through the corridors with Rivers. Joking with him was easy, natural, and familiar, even though she was an only child. Only as they turn into the mess and her eyes land on the table with the rest of Rivers' team do Jennifer's steps falter.
"If this is a team thing, I can sit somewhere else," she utters under her breath.
"Nonsense doc and you promised, or I might not forget…" he wriggles his brows and places a pudding cup on each of their trays. Jennifer chuckles and takes a step backward to get to the premade sandwiches. Her back hits something hard.
"Oh, I am so sorry…" She turns and immediately recognizes the torso and, most of all, the face.
Before either of them can say anything, Rivers steps up to them.
"Major, I invited Doc to join us to ensure she eats as long as the infirmary is quiet."
"I was just grabbing an apple to go," Lorne explains, grabbing one off the counter. I gotta get a head start on the paperwork and all that. Don't stay up too late, Rivers or tomorrow morning will be brutal."
With that and a "doc" for her, Lorne walks off, somehow a far cry from the charming soldier who guided her through the mountain or rescued her from her stupidity on the Daedalus.
Jennifer didn't have much time to dwell on that as Rivers and the other two started asking her questions about this and that.
"How do you feel about our fair city, doc?" Rivers asks and tilts his head a little to the side.
"Oh, I enjoy falling asleep to the sound of the ocean by now, even if it was initially weird. On the other hand, I mean some people are more of a mystery than others, and most military seem almost to fear the infirmary."
A mumble of "Ronon" and "but only when certain staff is on shift," answers her, and after a short moment of shock, the group shares a laugh.
"So which of the nurses has your approval?" Jen jokes, but then her earpiece activates. She listens to the message and pushes out of her chair.
"Leave the tray and help whichever poor soul found Ronon in the gym," Reed laughs, and Jen frowns.
"Was that call on an open channel?"
"No, but we all can guess after his mood returns," Rivers explains.
In the infirmary, Jennifer is greeted by Ronon, of course, who also has a cut above his brow. However, there are two marines with cuts, as well as Sheppard and Lorne.
"Okay, this is not what I call a party or downtime," Jennifer greets the group and keeps her eyes firmly on her patients. After a quick inspection, Ronon receives a few bandage strips, and the marines get two to three stitches each plus some glue to keep the wound secure.
"How long will they be out?" Sheppard asks.
"I'd like to say two weeks, but I know you're a little short-staffed right now, so I am inclined to check after one. But no guarantees. And no new sparring accidents. Please."
"sounds like it was a good thing I stopped it before the Major here decided to take a lesson," Sheppard jokes and Jennifer is all but confident Lorne let out an annoyed groan.
Paperwork my ass.
Without missing a beat, Sheppard dismisses the Marines and then addresses Jennifer.
"So how is your shooting coming, doc?"
"Eh, we had to cancel the last session, so you have to ask the Major here for an accurate assessment," Jennifer replies, trying not to stare at the man in question for too long.
"We will need a few more sessions, but maybe you could take some of those, sir?"
"Pawning off jobs to your superior, now Major," Sheppard chuckles and Lorne actually fires back, "I do too much paperwork, including yours!"
Okay, what's going on here?
"Now, Majorajor. I will let you do my paperwork so it gets done efficiently, but I can see if I can schedule something. But first, we'll all need some sleep. Have a quiet shift, doc."
With that, ShepparDocaunters off. Lorne would love to follow his boss out, but his sense of duty most likely leaves him hanging back.
"Doc, if this night stays quiet, why don't we meet at, let's say, 10 or 11 and see how far we are?"
Is his voice softer again?
"Yes, that should be okay. Thank you, major."
Jennifer turns on her heel and heads for her office. She wants to be alone and clear her head right now.
The rest of the night is quiet, so she heads to the shooting range after breakfast. On the way down, she can hear the all too familiar gate alarm sound, but her earpiece stays quiet, so for once, she takes a deep breath and carries on her path. But just as she is about to open the door to the range, Sheppard calls for her and Lorne's team to join him in the briefing room.
"What fresh hell..." Jen mumbles before turning around.