A/N 1: This story is running in conjunction with the story "What Life Is All About" by theicemenace as part of The Friendship Files series. JJ

How Jennifer Made the First Move

53 - When You Say Nothing At All

Jennifer had fallen into the water off the East pier and Richard Woolsey had jumped in after her. After a hot shower and a change of clothes, he was in front of Jennifer's quarters ringing the chime intent on escorting her to the Infirmary. It opened almost immediately to show the CMO in flannel sleep pants, a long-sleeved t-shirt, a hooded sweatshirt, socks and fuzzy slippers, all in shades of pink. He was dressed similarly but in dark blue, green and black with black moccasin type slippers.

They looked at each other and laughed. "We look like we're on our way to a slumber party."

"True. All we need is pizza, hot chocolate with lots of mini marshmallows and a couple of scary movies." Woolsey presented his right elbow and she hooked her hand through it as they entered a transport.

"You know, that gives me an idea. Tell me what you think of this…" By the time they arrived in the Infirmary she'd laid out a plan and, with just a little prodding, he'd agreed. In a few weeks they would co-host the first annual Atlantis Slumber Party. By then Rodney would be his old self again because he was certain they would find a way to cure him of the parasite that was stealing his life. Any other conclusion was unthinkable.

*****

Rodney was again Rodney, to the delight and chagrin of his sister and friends. Fliers were posted and emails were sent. More than half of the staff had RSVP'd in the affirmative and Jennifer was looking on the event as a celebration.

The turnout was a lot higher than Woolsey had expected and people really looked like they were having fun. Even Rodney was there. Jennifer had invited him personally.

They arrived in groups of two and three, some dragging air mattresses, all carrying pillows and blankets and wearing warm pajamas and slippers. Some even had those goofy-looking blankets with sleeves. Additional sofas and love seats had been brought in to make it seem more like they were in a giant living room rather than a Rec Room three million light years from home.

The place was almost full, everybody was eating pizza, drinking hot chocolate, laughing and having a great time.

Woolsey and Jennifer stepped to the front of the room. "Can I have your attention?" The babble of voices was almost deafening and even with the mic he could not be heard. "Excuse me! Attention, please!" Everyone kept on talking and laughing so he leaned over and whispered to Jennifer. A moment later all conversation ceased when a shrill whistle pierced the air. He nodded his thanks to her; she was notorious for her whistles. "Okay. That's more like it.

"We, Dr. Keller and I, would like to welcome you to the first annual Atlantis it's-too-cold-to-go-outside-so-let's-have-some-indoor-fun Slumber Party." The room erupted into cheers and whistles. "I'm sure that you are all curious as to what movies we will be showing tonight. Well, with the help of Colonel Sheppard, Major Lorne and Dr. McKay, we have narrowed the list down to…" he paused for dramatic effect, "Invasion of the Body Snatchers, The Day of the Triffids and The Blob, the originals, not the vastly inferior remakes. We also have Tarantula, Young Frankenstein and the first Alien movie if there's anyone left awake by that time." There was more laughter, cheering and whistling. "Hit it, Chuck!"

The room darkened and the first movie started. Rodney, sitting alone on a loveseat all the way at the back of the room, adjusted the pillow behind his back, unfolded the blanket and draped it over his lap. He had on dark blue pajama pants with a matching long sleeved t-shirt and slippers.

Movement out of the corner of his eye brought his attention to a female form coming toward him through the darkness. Before she even sat down he knew who it was. He would always know when she was near. The smell of her shampoo or scented shower gel, he wasn't sure which, preceded her. Mmm. Coconut and Lime. He'd smelled the same scent on other women but it was different on her because it was mixed with the unique fragrance that was her alone.

She seated herself next to him, handed him a cup of hot chocolate with extra mini marshmallows then took a sip from her own cup. A shiver worked its way down her spine when the hot liquid hit her stomach. Rodney noticed and lifted the edge of his blanket silently asking her to share. She nodded and he tucked it over her lap and around her feet when she folded them under her. He could feel her smile in the dark.

A few minutes into the movie she took his arm and brought it around her shoulders. After a moment of apprehension he relaxed and pulled her closer. Her free hand found his then she snuggled closer and sighed with pleasure.

Half way through the movie she reached up to whisper in his ear. His head shot up in astonishment, eyes wide and unblinking. He look into her face but all he could see were her eyes shining in the flickering light coming from the images on the screen. His eyes questioned and she nodded with a grin. He grinned back then leaned down to kiss her. Without stopping the kiss Rodney set his empty cup on the floor then took hers and set it beside it. That same hand came up to cup her jaw, his thumb caressing her cheek.

They pulled back from that first incredible kiss and he opened his mouth to speak but she laid a finger over his lips. She nodded her head to indicate that she was leaving and invited him to follow, which he did with alacrity. Out in the hall, she took him by the hand and led him to her quarters. She loved him so much she wanted to show him and proceeded to do just that for the rest of the night.

Finis

A/N 2: To see a video for the song "When You Say Nothing at All" go to YouTube and search for the song title. I recommend the Ronan Keating version. He reminds me a little of Rick Astley.