MGM owns all characters.

Some dialogue taken from Gateworld.

A/N: Thanks to dwparsnip and scr1tno for telling me to publish this. This is a rewrite of a lot of the series, so if this doesn't get much interest I won't finish it. Hope everyone saw in the summary that Jennifer is OOC and that this is AU.

Carson Beckett sat across from his young, American friend in a tiny three-room apartment she rented outside of Boston Massachusetts. He was in town to watch his young friend's second doctoral defense. He could not stay for her graduation ceremony and would therefore miss meeting her father again. In the ten years Carson has known Jennifer Keller he never got the chance to meet the man. Carson needed to get back to his job, which was the main reason he was here.

"Jennifer, love, I want to talk to you about what you're going to do next. You have two PhD's and an MD. I think you need to get out of the academic setting and into the real world," the Scotsman said in his familiar accent.

"I am looking into a program at the University of Chicago. My Dad will be happy that I'm closer to home," Jennifer said.

"You can't go back to school, again. You need to get out into the world. I will not let you hide away forever. You need to live," Carson replied, reaching into his bag to pull out a large stack of papers. "I know how you like to read paper, so I printed this book for you. I can't give it to you without you doing two things first."

"Excuse me?"

"This will change your life forever, but you have to promise me you will give me the next six months to work with me."

"Working with you? Doing what?"

"Genetic research that has never been done before. The opportunity to study with geniuses from multiple disciplines and countries. You will be a part of something you could not imagine possible."

"What is it?"

"Promise me first, love." Carson's blue eyes were twinkling.

"Why can't you tell me what's going on?" Jennifer was suspicious. What is he up to?

"You must promise to come with me for the next six months. I should warn you that you'll be isolated and not able to see your father."

"For six months? What about e-mail or phone?"

"E-mail is okay, but it's not private."

"Carson, are you working for the Government?" The young woman could not believe he would work for the defense department.

"Promise and then sign this." He pulled out a single piece of paper with a strange symbol and the the letters SGC on it.

"Carson, what did you get yourself into?"

"Just promise and then sign the paper, love," Carson teased once again.

"Okay. University of Chicago can wait six months. I guess three PhDs would be a bit much." Jennifer had to smile. "I promise. Six months to work with you."

"Sign this non-disclosure agreement."

Jennifer signed it.

"Welcome to the Stargate Program." Carson looked like he was handing Jennifer a Nobel Prize.

The Stargate was discovered in Ancient Egypt…

ANCIENT OUTPOST-ANTARCTICA

Two months later, Jennifer was in McMurdo Air Force Base, Antarctica. The South Pole. Her head was still spinning. She did not sleep for a couple of days after Carson handed her that packet. He ended up sleeping on her couch that night after falling asleep in front of the television. Jennifer was so engrossed she forgot about him. It was a good thing they were basically family or his pride never would have recovered.

Jennifer went through hours of orientation. She learned about the Ancients, Goa'uld, the Stargate and more information than her genius brain could process. She fell into an exhausted sleep each night, passing out when her head hit the pillow. Carson had gone back the day after dropping this bomb on her, so she could not talk to him. He gave her security clearance to look at his information on the genetic ability some people must have to activate Ancient technology. It was obviously genetic, but he could not get the gene isolated or find out all that it did. Jennifer had a lot of ideas and a couple of short experiments she was dying to run. Now that she was so close to the base, the adrenaline was pumping throughout her system causing her to physically shake.

"He is a hotty," said the voice of a female scientist waiting along with Jennifer to fly to the Ancient Outpost, which was buried deep below the Antarctic ice.

"Definitely Maverick," said the second woman, who was much older.

Jennifer glanced around to see who they were talking about and noticed a tall pilot carrying a helmet under his left arm talking with another soldier. His hair was longer than she thought the military allowed. Her father had been a Reservist most of her life and kept his hair tightly cropped. The man was handsome like Maverick from Top Gun, but Jennifer always loved his Radio Intercept Operator, Goose. Cute with brains over gorgeous with brawn any day.

It appeared the pilot felt the women looking at him because he looked their way and smiled. Jennifer returned the smile not knowing why except that the soldier looked friendly and her father always told her to respect soldiers. These men risk their lives for you and get nothing in return. The least you can do is show them respect. The pilot walked toward them. Jennifer heard the two women behind her making noises that said they were clearly annoyed that the man noticed the young blond over either of them.

"Good morning," he said smiling broadly at Jennifer and then the other scientists. There were four of them flying to the Outpost today; three scientist who were returning and Jennifer. "I am Major John Sheppard. Since there are four of you, one will need to sit up front with me. Who will it be?"

No one said anything because they all experienced Major Sheppard's piloting and got sick enough without being up front. The Major like all the pilots resented being chauffeurs and usually made the ride pretty rough on the scientists.

"I've never flown in a chopper before, I'll do it," Jennifer spoke up with some snorts coming from the women behind her. The young genius was used to being disliked for being smarter than her classmates and for being blond. The physician hoped some day to find a place where she did fit in; hoping that this might be the place. So far the scientists were the stereotypical, no-social-skills variety. At least I get to work with Carson, so who cares if anyone else likes me or not.

"First time. It's been a long time since I've been with a girl with her first time. I'll try to take it easy on you." John smiled slyly and raised an eyebrow.

"I'm very excited. I don't get motion sickness, so don't worry about taking it easy." Jennifer had pulled on her personal backpack and grabbed her computer bag. Although she was terrified of heights, flying did not bother her.

John laughed because she obviously was as clueless as all the geeks and nerds he had been flying for the last few months. "Okay, well I'll throw everything I have at you…" She was pretty with long blond hair pulled back into a ponytail and bright brown eyes. Her smile was really sweet.

"Well, I'm not sure if my companions will be too happy with that." Jennifer heard the male scientist say he hated the fly boys trying to make him puke all the time. Yup, she is definitely sweet and that's not your type, Sheppard.

"Oh, they've all done this before. They can handle it," John said. "Let's get going shall we."

Everyone grabbed their stuff and followed John and Jennifer out of the hanger to the waiting helicopter.

"So, do you have a name?"

"Yes." For some reason, Jennifer wanted to tease this man. He seems like a friendly face.

"You going to share it?"

"Maybe?" Jennifer laughed. "It's Jennifer. Jennifer Keller." She reached out a hand to shake his.

"Not a doctor?" He said shaking her hand. She seemed to be genuinely friendly. Usually women only looked at him because he was handsome, which did not upset him or they did not notice him at all. I hate scientists.

"Yes, I'm a doctor. A medical doctor and a scientist." Jennifer learned that saying you were a doctor seemed to be very important to everyone she ran into. It was a formal environment because of the military with few people using first names. The young doctor felt like she was trying to prove herself all over again back in medical school at the age of fifteen.

"So do you have like two degrees?"

"Three actually," she said blushing.

"Wow!" John was speechless. She had three degrees and still took time to talk to him. Maybe I shouldn't dismiss her too quickly because she looks so young and sweet.

They needed to get loaded in the chopper and John had his preflight to do, so he could not talk to this intriguing young woman for several minutes.

Once they were airborne John addressed them. "We will be flying at about 150 km/hr and should arrive at your research station in twenty minutes. I hope you enjoy your flight on Sheppard Air. In-flight snacks will consist of Popsicles and the movie is March of the Penguins."

Jennifer laughed at his deadpan delivery. "I do love penguins, but it's too cold for Popsicles. I could use something better than that."

"I'm sure you brainiacs will have good food to keep you thinking." John glanced at Jennifer who was staring all around. "Never been to the South Pole before, Doctor Keller?"

"Please, call me Jennifer. I'm so sick of the formality. Among the scientists it's just to stick a title in everyone's face and remind each other how smart you are." Jennifer could not believe she said it, but felt at ease talking to the Major.

"Then call me John, Jennifer."

"Oh no, you're a Major. My father taught me enough about respecting the military to know that if you get to the rank of Major you really deserved it. You should be very proud, Major." Jennifer emphasized the rank one last time with a big smile on her face.

"I must say you don't sound like the other scientists I've been hauling back and forth. What are you doing out here anyways?"

"Thank you and I can't tell you, Major, without having to kill you afterward." Jennifer could not stop smiling. Not because of the man next to her in particular but because of the entire adventure so far. The landscape was beautiful. It was untouched and not spoiled by people like most of the planet. She also got the feeling this man would be a friend.

"Since you said you were a medical doctor, I take it you can follow through on that threat?" John smiled back.

"Most definitely. So Major, how long have you been in the Air Force?" Jennifer asked. From then on, they discussed their paths to being where they were right now. John was a career military officer who flew everything in the Air Force except the Space Shuttle and loved flying in the Antarctic.

When they landed, Jennifer had to admit she was sad to say good-bye to the Major. Her companions were grudgingly happy that she kept Sheppard from making them sick.

"Well, Doc, the next time you are back at McMurdo, let's catch up for some food in the mess hall," John said.

"Sure. Thanks for the safe flight and I hope you have a good one back." Jennifer grabbed her bags and shook his hand before she left.

Wow, she is something. Sweet, polite, funny and pretty. Those nerds won't know what hit them. He laughed and shook his head as he climbed back in his chopper.

The next few days of getting settled and getting her research started had her fully occupied, only grabbing food when Carson dragged her off. Meeting the Doctor Daniel Jackson and Doctor Elizabeth Weir left her feeling like she made a fool of herself in their presence. She did not meet the head of Research, Doctor Rodney McKay, however. According to Carson, he was a real pain in the ass. His arrogance and angry outbursts were legendary around the SGC, so Carson warned her to come to him immediately if Doctor McKay should ever yell at her. Her friend said he would not tolerate it. Jennifer laughed at his protectiveness. Going to school at Harvard and MIT, two of the most prestigious schools in the world, she knew how to handle arrogant jerks.

Jennifer had finally isolated the gene that caused Ancient Technology Activation (ATA). Carson was beside himself with happiness as he ran toward Elizabeth's office. The gene was actually present in everyone but not active. This would make it much easier for Jennifer to develop a gene therapy because she only needed to figure out what turns the gene on as opposed to creating a new one. All this done in three days. She was very proud of herself and in a great mood when she heard an angry shout behind her.

"Carson!" The man who yelled was wearing a bright orange fleece. He was fairly tall with light brown hair and brilliant blue eyes. Jennifer had not seen him around before.

"He's obviously not here," the doctor said with a slight smile on her face.

"What?" Rodney looked at the young woman walking toward him. She was short with long blond hair in twin braids, brown eyes and looked like she just graduated high school. Must be a new lab technician. "Where is he?"

"Went to see Doctor Weir. Can I help you?" Jennifer had now stopped in front of him looking up because the top of her head came up to his nose.

"I doubt it, Barbie."

"Barbie?" Did he just call me Barbie?

Rodney turned to leave. Great Elizabeth's office is on the other side of the base.

"Excuse me, but I can honestly say if you translated Barbie's dimensions into a real woman she would be much taller than me and more… how do I put it… chesty-er." Jennifer had no idea what made her say that, but she thought he was cute. Cute and brainy, perhaps?

"What?" Rodney turned back around to look at the little pixy standing behind him. Since she mentioned her chest, he looked there to find a slight curve hidden behind a thick, white sweater.

"If you are going to throw sexist insults out, you should at least have them match the person you are insulting. Now try for a shorter blond?" Jennifer was trying not to laugh hysterically at the confused look on the man's face. He is actually thinking of a new insult.

"Fine! Tinkerbelle!" It was the only short blond that came to mind.

"Tinkerbelle? That's the best you can do? Are you sure you're smart enough to be here? Carson said they were very selective in who got to come here. While I am petite, Tinkerbelle has more curves than Barbie. You need to work on your insults Doctor…" Jennifer left it hanging as she raised an eyebrow staring into his bright blue eyes waiting for him to give her his name.

She is really pretty, Rodney thought. Why is she staring at me?

"Okay. I know social skills are really lacking around here, but now you are supposed to tell me your name, I'll tell you mine and we'll shake hands." Jennifer spoke slowly like he was four.

What a pretty smile she has and beautiful eyes. Rodney was staring like an idiot now. All annoyance with Doctor Beckett was long gone.

"Hello are you still there?" Jennifer waved her hand in front of his face.

"What? Oh. I'm Rodney. McKay. Rodney McKay. Doctor Rodney McKay," he stammered.

"You're the Great Rodney McKay. Wow, I'm honored. I have not met any ogres before but you are more handsome than I imagined they would be." Jennifer was really surprised this handsome man was the same one Carson described.

Rodney's face flamed red as his large hand took the smaller one being offered. Her skin is very soft.

At that moment, a couple of laughing doctors entered the lab interrupting their moment.

"I should find Carson. I'll… I… Um... I'll just go," Rodney stammered as he quickly left the lab. His encounter with the beautiful young lab technician had wiped his years of super genius intelligence completely out of his brain. That's never happened before. She's just a girl nothing special. Some part of his mind felt that was going to be the most inaccurate thought he would ever have.

Rodney walked in on an extremely excited Carson, Daniel, and Elizabeth. "Did I miss the party?" He was still recovering from his encounter with the enchanting young woman. He realized he did not get her name. Well, not a lot of places to hide around here, so I will see her again.

"Doctor Keller isolated the gene that causes ATA." Carson was bouncing on his feet.

"Oh, your superstar protégé." Rodney heard Carson gushing about Keller for months but had not been introduced to this amazing MD/double-PhD.

"Yes, the gene is apparently present in everyone and active in certain people. There is no probability of who will have it active or not," Carson said barely containing his excitement.

"So, your protégé figured this out in a few days?" Rodney said annoyed. "Perhaps I should get tested again to make sure you didn't screw it up?"

"We need to present this data as soon as possible. Will Doctor Keller be able to discuss this in the morning?" Elizabeth asked.

"Absolutely, we'll have a presentation ready." Carson took off back toward his lab.

"Rodney, did you find out any more about the chair today?" Elizabeth and Rodney began to talk about the chair and Daniel left to continue his search for the gate address of Atlantis.

That night, a smiling face with bright tawny eyes and long blond hair haunted his dreams. He had not had so much of a distraction while trying to sleep since the time Samantha Carter kissed him many years ago. Women never usually made it far enough past his defenses to haunt his dreams especially after such a short interaction. A very grouchy Rodney McKay made his way to get coffee before the presentation by the Medical Team. Rodney had no interest in medicine or their research, which he thought was not real science. He usually did not go to their talks but this one affected his own department. The ability to interface with Ancient technology was critical to his work. If this amazing doctor who arrived this past week was capable of isolating the gene so quickly, McKay doubted everything Beckett and his team had done before. Rodney usually tore people apart during these presentations and was primed to do battle with Beckett's protégé.

He noticed the beautiful technician standing near Carson and some other doctors. He had no idea which one was the infamous Doctor Keller. Other than Carson he had few interactions with the medical staff. When the beautiful woman turned and saw him, a big smile spread over her face. She stepped away from the other doctors and approached him.

Looks like Doctor McKay came after all. Carson had said Rodney might not show up because he hated medical research, but Jennifer thought he would based on their interaction the previous night.

"Good morning, Doctor McKay," she said sweetly taking a sip of her coffee. "Did you think up any colorful names for me last night?"

"No, I was thinking about something else. No time to research flat-chested blond characters," Rodney said. Her eyebrows rose and Rodney turned red. "Oh! I'm sorry! I didn't… It's just you said… I mean..."

Carson came over to rescue Rodney at that moment because he saw Jennifer talking to the astrophysicist and was concerned for his friend. He knew he had been bragging and also knew McKay had come hoping to take her down like he always did with the younger scientists. Carson really wanted to protect Jennifer from him, but they seemed to actually be getting along. McKay was stuttering and bright red with Jennifer blushing as well. If he did not know either of them, he would think they were flirting. But McKay has no social skills to flirt and Jennifer is too sweet.

"Rodney," Carson said.

"Carson," the red-faced man said trying to recover, "So where is this great protégé of yours? I hope he has his act together because I don't usually waste my time on your stuff."

Wasn't he talking to her? Carson looked at Jennifer who looked confused as well but Rodney was called away by Elizabeth.

"Didn't you tell Rodney who you were?" Carson asked.

"Oh my Gosh! I don't think I did. He came into the lab last night and we had an… interesting conversation." Jennifer put her hands over her mouth. "I didn't tell him my name. I guess I better be on top of my game this morning."

Elizabeth stood up saying, "Let's get this started. Doctor Beckett, do you have anything to say before Doctor Keller begins?"

"Only that I get all the credit for the recruitment." Carson smiled as some people chuckled.

Jennifer stood up and looked at the standing room only crowd. It appeared everyone on the base outside of the military was here.

"Hello, I'm Doctor Jennifer Keller for those of you who I have not met." She deliberately did not look at Rodney.

What the hell was this? Why didn't she say who she was? The combination of lack of sleep because of this woman and the fact that she deliberately did not reveal her identity made Rodney angry.

"I'd like to recap what we know so far about Ancient Technology Activation for any of you who are not as interested in it as some of us." There were a few chuckles around the room. "We know there is a random sub-set of the population that is capable of using ancient technology. We know that both physical contact and mental concentration are required to activate certain devices."

"Excuse me, Doctor Keller." Rodney said her name like it was a dirty word. People groaned because the physicist always started his interrupts with this phrase.

"Of course Doctor McKay and thank you for reminding me that I forgot to let everyone know that this is an informal presentation and interruptions are welcomed." Jennifer smiled sweetly at Rodney who was seated next to Carson who was glaring at him.

"How do you know this is a random characteristic?" Rodney was not happy that he could not operation Ancient Technology and was desperately trying to find some negative characteristic of the folks who could use the technology. Something had to explain to his massive ego why the smartest man on the planet could not operate the stinking chair on this base.

"Thank you for asking, Doctor McKay. I used a metadata analysis tool to look at data gathered on the characteristics of all the known people who can use the technology for any commonality among them. I ran it twice. Once at the SGC and then when I got here. I must say the computing system here is far superior to the SGC, but I ended up with the same result. There is nothing to predict who will be able to use Ancient tech and who will not. Does that answer your question, Doctor McKay?" Jennifer's voice dripped with honey. She handled obnoxious jerks for the last ten years, learning quickly in medical school at Harvard University.

Everyone who knew Doctor McKay in the room was in awe of this petite woman who looked no older than 20 and the way she was handling him; sweet voice, stroking his ego, deferring to him. She was a professional. Carson could not be prouder.

"I'd love to see your analysis." Rodney could not believe she would have taken the time to analyze the data. She's just a medical researcher, not a real scientist.

"We can meet to discuss my analysis after this presentation, Doctor McKay. If there are no more questions right now, I'd like to continue. I left off with the physical and mental requirements to activate Ancient technology, didn't I?" She looked to Carson for confirmation and he nodded. Jennifer did not want to treat Doctor McKay like he was some obnoxious jerk because she saw his confusion and uncertainty during their brief conversations. Apparently, he was pretty obnoxious, though. Hopefully, he won't hate me after this because he is cute and I'd love to get to know him better.

Rodney nodded. He hated that she was being nice and hoped she would scream at him like Samantha Carter so he would be able to scream back. This adorable woman who smiled sweetly at him was causing all kinds of weird emotions to circle in his head.

"This pointed to a genetic cause for these traits. Several of my colleagues have been searching for a gene that could control Ancient technology for some time now and I would like to tell you that I isolated this gene yesterday." A round of gasps and several 'great job' comments filled the room.

"After all this time, you show up and isolate it just like that." Rodney did not want to believe that this woman was some type of genius. Geniuses do not become medical doctors. It's a waste of intelligence.

"I can assure you that a lot of hard work was done before I got here and I'd like to publicly thank everyone." Jennifer hated to be the center of attention and to have anyone accuse her of arrogance. McKay made it sound like the others were incompetent.

Rodney was rolling his eyes. Why would she possible care about those morons? They obviously can't keep up with her.

"Nonsense." Carson jumped in. "You and you alone decided to look closely at an area on chromosome thirteen that controls certain neural pathways in the body."

"Fine. But it was a lucky guess. Anyways, as Carson mentioned we isolated this gene in a region often involved in the control of conscious thought. People with an active ATA gene as we have decided to call it, are expressing some type of protein that interfaces physically with the device as well as a mental thought to make it work. It is the mental piece that needs a lot more exploration."

"Wait a minute." Rodney jumped in again. Several people shifted uncomfortably in their seats. Doctor Jackson glanced at Doctor Weir. Whenever Rodney said 'wait a minute' he was about to tear into someone for at least another five minutes. Doctor Keller was holding up admirably to Rodney's annoying interruptions, but he had not really gotten going like they knew he could. "What about this protein you mentioned? Can't you just get everyone to produce it?"

"I'm afraid it is not that simple, Doctor McKay." Jennifer was beginning to think he was deliberately coming up with silly things now to interrupt her. "A gene therapy to do just that is my next project, but I should let everyone now that can take years and all gene therapies that have been developed so far do not work in half the population that gets the treatment."

"We can discuss how you came up with that number in a moment, Doctor Keller." Rodney's eyes finally made direct contact with hers. Until this point he was glancing around the room when he made his comments or asked his questions. Under his intense blue gaze, Jennifer felt her first twinge of genuine annoyance.

"Doctor McKay, I do not wish to diminish your questions, which are all valid, but we have a great many people in this room to hear what I've found out about the ATA gene in the last three days. In order to respect their time, I have to ask you to hold some of the off-topic questions until the end."

"Off-topic. Making a statement about something not working in half the population receiving a gene therapy doesn't make me feel good about your data analysis skills."

"48.3, Doctor McKay," Jennifer said coolly staring at him.

"What?" Rodney said, confused.

"The correct statistic is 48.3 percent of the population receiving a gene therapy is effected by it. I did not think the majority of the audience wanted the precise number, but I forgot I am working with a more detail-oriented crowd than usual and need to be exact. I apologize." Jennifer had just about had enough. He was now going to jump on every word. It had been a long time since she lost her temper. If she was honest, this had nothing to do with her data. She was getting angry because she thought they hit it off last night and now he was treating her like his reputation predicted he would. On a personal level she was disappointed.

"Wha… um… thank you for being precise. What about the protein?" Rodney tried to remember what started this discussion.

"We already know if someone's blood or cells touch the ancient device or even the protein itself that is produced in ATA carriers, it does not cause the device to operate. I believe several people tried doing this to the chair in the past." A lot of people laughed. Jennifer read in an early report that blood was put on the chair but nothing happened.

"The Ancients designed this to be used by Ancients only. Living Ancients. If someone captured one of them and killed them, the technology would not work," Doctor Jackson added. He thought Doctor Keller was an extremely intelligent and beautiful woman who had taken enough of McKay's crap. "It must be a live person."

"Thank you Doctor Jackson. That's a great explanation. You must be alive and I am going to say conscious as well, but that is a theory that I need to investigate further."

"That takes us back to the gene being in the region related to neurological activity," Carson stated.

"This is all well and good, but we need to be able to use this technology. When is medical going to make that happen?" Doctor Peter Kavanaugh said in an arrogant voice.

"Weren't you listening, Kavanaugh. She said she's working on the gene therapy and that is doesn't work in everyone. Pay attention," McKay yelled at the scientist.

Jennifer was a surprised he yelled at the other man. What was he yelling at him about, he's been ruder than that to me already?

"Yes, Doctor Kavanaugh, it is our highest priority. There is, however, one more experiment I would like to run before I devote 100% of my time to the gene therapy. It involves the neurological component of Ancient Technology Activation. I believe an experiment was run involving an unconscious person with the active gene being given Ancient tech to touch and nothing happening. So to reinforce Doctor Jackson's statement, the Ancients designed their devices to be activated by a live, conscious person I believe."

Rodney had to admit he was impressed with the young doctor. She had not yet cracked under the pressure, but he still could not hold in his annoyance with this whole ATA issue. There was also the huge grin Doctor Jackson gave her to anger him some more. "Can you get back to your experiment? As you said before, everyone is busy and we need to stay on-topic."

"Yes, Doctor McKay." she basically spat out his name in annoyance. "The other experiment will involve borrowing a couple of your engineers to help recalibrate the scanner in the lab."

"Recalibrate?"

"I would like to see if we could pick up some type of change in the electrical current that naturally runs through the human body because someone is activating an ancient device."

Rodney's genius mind was off and running because this was something in his field. "If we find something, then we could recreate it and activate the technology without the gene."

His enthusiasm lit his face up and Jennifer thought he was too cute to hold a grudge against him. "That's my theory. I have to say it's probably a long-shot because the human brain is extremely complex and I am quite certain the Ancients would build in a fail safe to counteract this as well."

"Yes," Carson added. "Have to protect our genetic superiority."

Rodney was already standing up. "You are hardly a superior being, Carson. Doctor Keller, let's get to it then. There is nothing more important than getting us the ability to use this technology."

Suddenly everything clicked for Jennifer. Rodney was upset that he could not use Ancient technology. He was like a little kid who was not able to play with the big kids. Jennifer tried not to laugh remembering the pang of disappointment she felt when she could not activate a device.

"Thank you for your enthusiasm Doctor McKay. Are there questions from anyone else?"

With that, the meeting broke up. A very impressed Carson Beckett waited for Jennifer to field a couple private questions from Daniel and Elizabeth. He overheard Daniel tell her that he never saw anyone handle McKay like that. She was an excellent addition to the team just for that fact alone. Carson beamed.

Rodney was pacing in the hall with Peter Grodin. If this worked, he would not have to spend his time convincing the annoying Scot to work with him in the chair room. Seeing Doctor Keller exit with Carson and a few other doctors huddled around her caused a flash of the same emotion that Rodney McKay felt when Daniel was grinning at her. He was jealous. For some reason, he wanted to be the only one to spend time with her. That's stupid. You just met yesterday.

"Hello, I'm Peter Grodin." The Brit stepped up to Jennifer extending his hand.

"Doctor Grodin, its nice to meet you." Jennifer smiled at the handsome engineer and shook his hand. Another flash of jealousy went through Rodney.

"Let's go. We can do the introductions on the way," Rodney growled.

Jennifer was confused. He had been really enthusiastic and now he was annoyed again. Trying to figure him out was going to be a full-time job, but she already had one. Feeling a bit disappointed Jennifer followed them down to her lab. This is why I never had a boyfriend and don't want one. They are too much work. She was surprised when the thoughts went through her head, but it was not the first time. Always having crushes on unattainable people was a normal in her life.

"So where did you study, Doctor Keller," Peter asked smiling.

"Harvard and MIT."

"Both?"

"Yes, I went to Harvard Medical School and Harvard University for my MD/PhD and then MIT for another PhD."

Rodney stopped and turned. "How old are you?"

"Excuse me, but asking a woman her age is not appropriate," Jennifer said coolly. Here we go again.

"I don't think you should be asking that, Doctor McKay." Peter quickly echoed.

"How did you get two PhDs and an MD by your early twenties?" Rodney was very intrigued.

"By going to med school when I was fifteen." Jennifer had this conversation a million times so it was rote by now. How old are you? You were fifteen when you went to med school?

"Me too. Not med school but college," Rodney said. Wow, we have something in common, a hopeful voice in his brain said. The other said, don't think you'd ever have a chance with a woman like her.

"You'll find a lot of people who went to university early around here. I was sixteen, myself," Peter added.

"That's… nice to know. I've never had anyone understand what it's like to be a kid with all these obnoxious young adults." A genuine smile crossed Jennifer's face as she looked up into his brown eyes and then Rodney's blue. "For the record, I'm twenty-five."

Rodney smiled back, a little. She was beautiful and smiling at him, so he could not help it.

Once in the lab, they began to work on the modification. Carson had the Ancient gene, so he would have to be the guinea pig. He was side tracked with Elizabeth for a moment, so they had to wait for his arrival.

"We should get a baseline from someone without an active gene. We'll need some piece of Ancient tech that someone with an active ATA gene can use," Jennifer said

"I've got something," Peter said leaving to go get something.

"You know," Rodney started. He was unsure how to carry on a conversation with her. He did not have a lot of practice in that. "You seem… smarter than the other medical doctors. Two PhDs by twenty-five and an MD. Why… how did you become a doctor?"

Jennifer was taken back. Did he just sort of compliment me? "My mother died when I was little after we were in a car accident. The emergency room doctor did not pay close enough attention to her head injury. After releasing her, a few days later she died. I suddenly was obsessed with anything medical after that. I love all science really. That's why I have the PhDs. My first was Biophysics from Harvard/MIT and my second was in Cellular and Molecular Biology concentrating in Neuroscience from MIT."

"That's a mouthful. Mine are astrophysics and mechanical engineering," Rodney said smiling. Wow, I'm having a normal conversation with a woman. "And I'm sorry about your mother. That must have been tough. My parents died after I was out of the house."

"Thanks and you should read my theses. The titles on those are really a mouthful," Jennifer laughed along with Rodney. They both realized they liked the sound of the other's laughter very much.

The next week resulted in a failed attempt to find anything unique about the brain waves of someone with an active gene. They were forced to try everyone on the base because Rodney did not trust Carson or Doctor Cove or Doctor Morales or Doctor Abbott or anyone else for that matter. Unfortunately, their brain waves were the same as someone concentrating really hard on something. No distinction at all to Rodney's massive disappointment. Jennifer was used to having failed experiments, so she decided to move on to developing the gene therapy.

Jennifer still could not understand what Rodney's reactions would be after spending so much time with him. He would be almost sweet and then suddenly sarcastic and hostile. I am really glad I only dream about people from afar. Getting up close and personal is a lot of work. Trying to think of Rodney as only a friend and not noticing how handsome he was when he smiled or the way his eyes twinkled as he laughed was difficult. Luckily, he only acted that way when they were alone.

It had been four weeks since her discovery of the gene, when Rodney came running into the cafeteria interrupting her lunch with Peter, Isabelle Dumais and Brian Hays. Since she started working with Peter and Rodney, she got to know most of his department. They were amazed that she willingly chose to collaborate with their arrogant boss.

"Jennifer!" He was slightly out of breath because he really did run through the complex. "He found it. Doctor Jackson found the address to dial Atlantis."

Everyone at the table started talking at once and the others in the mess hall, both civilian and military all jumped in as well. Atlantis was on a planet in the Pegasus galaxy. Jennifer was prepared to go to another solar system in the Milky Way, but another galaxy was beyond her comprehension. General O'Neill was coming to the base to be briefed the next morning.

That night, all work was suspended and everyone gathered in the cafeteria to celebrate all their hard work with hot chocolate and s'mores. No one wanted anything cold because it was too cold and the military would not allow alcohol. Jennifer found herself in conversation with Doctor Jackson about all his many adventures. Their laughter echoed around the room. She kept looking for Rodney but he did tell her he hated parties. When Jennifer looked at her watch, she saw it was 11pm. Rodney never came. Feeling disappointed even though he told her he was not coming, she headed for her room. I always fall for people I can't have and who don't want to be anything more than friends. Oh well, at least with the crush on Rodney, I won't be busy thinking about anyone else. I'll get more work done.

Rodney worked up the courage to go to the little gathering to celebrate the discovery of Atlantis because he was excited and because Jennifer asked him to. Not a as a date, but as a colleague. When he got to the doorway he heard the familiar sound of Jennifer's laughter. As he scanned the crowd for her, he saw her laughing and smiling with Jackson. He turned and left without anyone seeing him. You cannot compete with any other man for her affections so don't try.

TBC