Thanks for the reviews and for your support on this one. :) I hope you enjoy the last chapter.

Title: Routine
Author: Cindy Ryan
Pairings: Sheppard/Keller pre-ship
Notes and summary: See part one

Two days later John was stir crazy and anxious to get out of the infirmary.
Not that he minded watching Jen as she went about her daily duties. But he'd never been one for down time or sitting idle and being stuck in here was driving him nuts.
Especially when he felt strong enough to be released.

Besides being cooped up in the infirmary had given John time to think. The more he thought about what had happened between them John knew he had to get them away from the infirmary so they could talk.
They needed to talk as just Jen and John.
Not Colonel and CMO.

John looked around the infirmary. It was quiet….afternoon shift change. He finally spotted Jennifer in her office starting paperwork.
John glanced around once more. Not seeing any nurses John pulled the blanket back and eased himself into a standing position.

Bare foot John padded over to Jennifer's office. As expected he received a stern glare for being up and around.

"John, do I really have to tie you to the bed to get you to stay there?"Jennifer asked a resigned anger. She knew he was stir crazy…..didn't blame him. But she wanted to keep him another twenty-four hours just to make sure his tests came back clean. His fever had broke the day before and there hadn't been any other signs that it would return. But still she wanted to be sure before she gave the green light for John to return to duty.

John grinned. "That could be fun."

Jennifer smiled but rolled her eyes as she stood. She walked over to him. "Come on, back to bed."

John bit back the sarcastic comment as he met her gaze. There was a bruise starting to show on her left cheek a few scrapes could still be seen.

"Jen, we need to talk."

Jennifer nodded as she dropped her gaze. "I know….."

John tenderly placed his right hand under Jennifer's chin forcing her to meet his gaze. "Not here….can you give me an early release?"

"Your tests came back clean…..but I still want to monitor your vitals…."

John gently moved his hand to her right cheek, then hesitated and withdrew it. "You can monitor me all you want."

Jennifer blushed. "I just want to be sure……"

"I'm fine, Doc…..thanks to you."John replied huskily. "How about we talk and then have an early dinner?"

"Alright."Jennifer agreed not being able to tear herself away from his eyes. She wanted to lose herself in them. The way he was looking at her….no one had before. She couldn't believe that this might be real.

"You get dressed."Jennifer stated as she walked past him. "I'll brief Sokun and then we can go."

"Okay."

The farther they walked from the center of the city the more nervous Jennifer became. She was beginning to wish she could come up with an excuse to leave.

Romances never worked for her.
They always ended in heartache.
The few she'd had.

Jennifer had never been one to take chances….especially with her heart.

John had a reputation among the women of Atlantis as a playboy.

Jennifer shoved her hands deeper into her jacket pockets keeping her gaze on the ocean. Her curiosity was winning the battle with her concerns.
She really wanted to hear him out.
If John was taking the time for them to sort this out it must mean something, right?

John stopped at the beginning to one of the south piers. He took her hand and led Jennifer over to a bench.

John let go of her hand and scooted to the end of the bench and turned so he was facing Jen. He reached to take her hand once more and froze half way when she pulled it back.

John let his hand fall back onto the bench.

"Jen…."

"John."

Both stopped when they realized they'd spoke at once and smiled.

Jen's smile quickly faded as her resolve and courage did. She stood.

"I should just…..go."

John stood and caught her right arm before she got two steps. He saw the uncertainty and fear in her eyes and wished he could ease it. But he was feeling the same and on top of that he wasn't quite sure of what to say.

"Jen…."John whispered his voice barely audible above the wind. His face inches from hers.

Jennifer placed both her hands on his chest as she met his gaze. Something akin to electricity swept through her veins and she knew from the tightening of his grip that John felt it too.

"Just tell me this isn't real and we can both walk away."Jennifer said quietly once she found her voice.

John brushed a wind blown lock of hair away from her face. "Do you want to walk away?"

Jennifer shook her head lost in his intense gaze….swept up by the turmoil of emotion she saw there.

John placed his hand briefly against her right cheek. He sighed and rested his forehead against hers as his arms encircled her waist.

"I was married once….."John began quietly as he tightened his embrace. "It didn't end well. I……haven't invested much in serious relationships since."

Jennifer remained silent just enjoying the closeness, the tenderness. If all he wanted was a one night stand would she have the resolve to turn him away? Would she want to? Could she endure it when he left the next morning and was back to treating her as a colleague?

"John….."Jennifer replied as she pulled back slightly. She fumbled for words. "Not that I wouldn't want….or enjoy…..a…..fling….with you……I just…..can't endure you going back to treating me as……just a co-worker."

John leaned back in surprise. "You really think all I want from you is a one night stand?"

Jennifer nodded.

John shook his head as he touched her face once more needing the connection. "I couldn't disrespect you like that…..not that I don't want you…..I want you so bad I can taste it."

Jennifer swallowed hard as the turmoil in his eyes turned to stark desire.

"Telling you about my marriage was just letting you know….of my past….of my baggage…..of where my head is about relationships."John caressed her cheek letting his hand trail down to the nape of her neck. "There is something real here that I want to see where it goes…..though us working together and seeing each other twenty four- seven could be complicated."

Jennifer smiled. "I'm willing to try…..we'll work things out as we go."

John returned her smile. "So is this date number two?"

Jennifer laughed and playfully hit his shoulder. "Nearly being drowned by an alien snake and wandering around in a swamp does not count as a first date!"

"You sure? It was a nice quiet walk…."

Jennifer folded against his chest. "Yeah when you take out the smugglers and falling down into the swamp."

John laughed as he pulled back and tiled her head upwards with his hand, his gaze serious."Guess I have to make sure I get it right this time."

Jennifer's breathe caught as John's lips descended on hers. As the kiss intensified and deepened Jennifer could only hang on and enjoy the ride.

Enjoy and wonder what the future would bring.

end