Jen sat on the end of the bed, staring at the blue terry robe lying across the chair on the other side of the room.

Damn that was far.

She sighed then cursed for the umpteenth time.

She felt about as strong as a piece of wet paper towel right now. Oh she appeared to be well enough… medically speaking. The virus was gone - she had no traces of it in her system. It was just that she could barely move without getting one of those annoying, you-just-spent-four-days-half-dead wobbles in her muscles.

Embarrassing enough that she even had to get help to go to the bathroom, and when she'd insisted on doing it herself, she'd gotten stuck and unable to get herself up off the toilet. She'd managed to wriggle her pants back up, inch by inch, cheek by cheek, but couldn't talk her legs into standing, or convince her arms they could yank her up by the towel rack. So she'd sat there, on the toilet, fully clothed, for twenty minutes before Marie came by.

And promptly swore her to secrecy because she was too stubborn to call for help.

She sighed into the empty room.

And now?

Jen looked around the windowless walls.

Now she wanted out.

Out of this room.

Out of the infirmary.

Out of this blasted building.

She just wanted… air.

Inhaling deeply, she held her breath and slid off the bed, gripping the cold railing so tightly it made her knuckles hurt. Her legs wobbled and she locked her knees, begging them to hold. She stared down at her bare toes which tried to grip the cold tile floor. Useless, but a valid attempt none the less.

She exhaled slowly when her knees actually held. Sliding her right foot forward, she inched towards the robe, slowly releasing the railing behind her. One step. Two steps. Three.

Yay!

On the forth step she reached for the robe and her traitorous knees buckled, sending her down onto her right hip with a groan. Oh, that was going to leave a mark. She sighed. Well, at least she made it to the robe. Grabbing the edge of the blue terry material, she yanked it off the chair and dragged it over her lap.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?"

Jen squeaked with surprise, and glanced over her shoulder, blushing as Evan strode quickly into the room.

"Going for a walk." She muttered, wriggling her arm through one of the sleeves.

He squatted beside her and held the other sleeve so she could push her arm through. "On the floor?"

"Gotta start somewhere." She shrugged, adjusting the material across her shoulders and tying the belt loosely around her waist. She leaned forward, reaching for the socks that were on the floor under the chair.

Evan grabbed them first and held them out of her reach.

She frowned. "Gimme."

"Are you supposed to be out of bed?"

"Yes."

He raised an eyebrow.

"No."

He frowned.

"Evan…" Jen glanced around at the bare walls before turning towards him. "I just… need to get out of this room. I can't… I want to get some air. Please?"

Evan sighed. "You'd just try it again if I made you get back into bed, wouldn't you."

"Yep."

He handed her the socks and shrugged. "Suppose it's not like you're going to get far anyway."

"Oh, ha, ha." She mumbled, snatching the socks. She dropped one onto her lap and grabbed the cuff of her pants, yanking her foot close enough so she could put the sock on without cooperation from her week legs.

Evan made a noise somewhere between a tisk and a disgusted snort and took the sock away, wrigling it up over her left foot. He picked up the second sock and slipped it onto her right. "I swear you're more stubborn than my niece."

She grinned up at him. "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone you're such a sucker for a damsel in distress."

"Admitting you're in distress?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Never." She snorted. "Now help me up."

Evan hooked his hands under her upper arms and pulled her slowly to her feet. Standing directly in front of her, he released her carefully, grabbing for her again when she wobbled. Her hands landed against his shoulder and she shook her head disgustedly, her face flushing a deep crimson.

"God, this is so embarrassing." She muttered, rubbing her forehead while she eyed the door longingly. "I'm sorry. I just… wanted… oh hell… never mind." She turned towards the bed.

Evan slipped his arm around her waist and when she turned towards him, he squatted and hooked his arms under her knees, scooping her up.

"Evan!" She exclaimed, as he carried her towards the door. "What are you doing?! Don't you aggravate your ribs."

"It's been almost a week, Jen." Evan reminded her as they stepped out of her room. "Bruised, not broken."

"I'm too heavy. Put me down, right now." She ordered firmly.

"Too heavy." He snorted. "I've run drills with heaver packs."

"There's an insult in there somewhere…" She muttered, shaking her head at him.

He grinned, and turned into the main corridor.

Jen buried her head against his shoulders, hiding her heated face, as they passed several Marines and a gaggle of snickering nurses. "They have wheelchairs, you know." She mumbled against his shoulder.

"You want me to push you around in a wheelchair?"

"God, no."

"Didn't think so."

Evan moved down one of the side corridors and Jen raised her head when the light changed. Cool air moved her hair and she turned to look out through the open balcony doors at the bright, blue sky.

She gasped with surprise. "Evan…"

He stepped onto the balcony and turned towards the small crowd that was sprawled out in various poses across the collection of patio furniture. A chorus of greetings echoed as Evan lowered her into a lawn chair tucked back in the corner, her lower body warmly centered in the afternoon sunshine. Teyla, John, Ronon, Rodney, Richard, Evan, Carson and Laura all met her with happy smiles.

Jen started to laugh, her own smile buried beneath the heated flush that was still stinking her cheeks.

"Doctor." Richard Woolsey nodded, handing Jen a glass of what looked like tomato juice. "Nice of you to agree to join us."

Jen smiled and eyed Evan, toasting him with her juice. "Didn't have much choice."

Evan shrugged and dropped onto a chair between Carson and Teyla, digging a beer out of the cooler on the floor at his feet. He twisted the cap off and saluted Jen with the bottle. "Here's to fresh air."

Jen laughed, then turned towards the others.

Ronon and Rodney were both giving Evan the evil eye.

She frowned. "What's with you two?"

"They're just mad because Evan won." Laura snorted.

"Won what?" Jen turned towards John.

"He got to rescue you." Laura pretended to whisper, hiding her mouth behind her hand.

"Rescue." Rodney made a face and scowled, looking to Ronon for support. "That wasn't a rescue. All he did was bring her from her room. Hell I could have done-ow!" He glared at Ronon, who'd jabbed him in the ribs.

"He won. A bet's a bet." Ronon grumbled.

"Yeah but he won the pool, too. " Rodney whined. "Why does he also get to win the… the…"

"Jail break?" Laura completed with a snarky grin.

"Wait." Jen stared at Rodney. "You bet against me?"

"I… Me? No. Well… okay... maybe... Alright, yes. Funny thing about that…" Rodney stammered.

"And you, too?" She raised an eyebrow towards Ronon.

Ronon shrugged.

"Betting?" Richard looked around at the group. "There's a betting pool?" He frowned, but everyone ignored him.

"Lemme guess." Jen pursed her lips at Rodney. "You picked… What was it? Geographical catastrophe?"

"Geo-logical… actually." Rodney muttered. "It was a valid option."

"Zombies?" Jen looked at Ronon, who just grinned.

"Zombies." Laura held up her hand, as did Carson, and Teyla.

"So only Evan picked Wraith attack?" Jen glanced around.

"Oh come on. It was too easy." John let out a disgusted snort. "Zombies were a much better option."

Jen snorted and glanced at Evan. "Okay, technically? Michael's not all Wraith anymore, and he didn't attack… but…" She inhaled dramatically. "I guess I'll have to give it to you anyway. You did save me from drowning."

"Yeah…" John frowned, turning to Evan. "Speaking of... Use enough C4? That hole was big enough to swim laps across."

Evan fought a grin. "No idea what you're talking about, Sir."

"What betting pool?" Richard interrupted, a little louder this time.

"Dr. Keller's off-world missions." John nodded, and Teyla wacked him across the shoulder. "What?" He frowned at her. She angled her head towards Richard and raised her eyebrows.

"You're betting on Dr. Keller's missions?" Richard glanced from John, to Evan, who's smile disappeared as he concentrated on drinking his beer.

Laura laughed and clapped her hands together.

"What kind of... bets?" Richard persisted, looking around.

"Mission irregularities?" Rodney suggested, looking everywhere but at Richard.

"Irregularities." Woolsey frowned, turning back towards John. "What kind of irregularities are… zombies?"

"No idea what you're talking about, Sir." John echoed Evan and to look innocent.

"Who's betting." Richard glanced around, his eyes honing in on Rodney, who was examining his fingernails.

"Och, most of the city I assume." Carson nodded eagerly.

"Most of the…" Richard stopped, then turned around to face Carson. "Why?"

"Why not?" Ronon shrugged.

"I… well… because… because…" Richard clamped his mouth shut when Jen laughed. "This doesn't bother you?" He turned towards her, his expression incredulous.

"It's fine, Mr. Woolsey." Jen grinned. "I've often said we should offer more… recreational activities."

Richard blinked. "Recreational?"

Jen shrugged. "You asked."

"I did, didn't I." He shook his head. "Very well then." He raised his glass. "A toast. To Dr. Keller's... recreational activities."

Jen felt her face heating when John snorted and wiggled his eyebrows at her. Teyla backhanded him across the chest again and Jen nodded her thanks.

"What?" Woolsey frowned. "What did I say?"

"Nothing." John snickered, raising his drink. "Nothing at all. To Keller's recreational activities." He toasted.

Jen didn't immediately move, her eyes shifting to Ronon, who was watching her intently. She couldn't stop the smile as she raised her glass towards him.

"Bullshit." She said softly.

His smile started slowly, then broke into a full grin as he tipped his head back and laughed.

"Bullshit." He repeated, raising his beer in salute.

In a circle of confused looks and shrugs, the drinks were emptied to a chorus of bullshit.

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THE END

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Author's Note - I hoped you liked this little daliance into um... well, something! I had a lot of fun writing this one, and GLENN (the evil plot bunnies who insist on being called the Great Lop Ears of North Nagook) have already threatened me with the next round so stay tuned for something else quite soon to tie you over until the next episode! :P Until then, hugs and kisses! - Nika