Title: Perfect

Fandom: Stargate SG1/Stargate Atlantis

Pairing: Janet Fraser/Carson Beckett

Word Count: 548

Janet’s always known that Carson was a perfect gentleman, and nothing she’s seen tonight has dissuaded her from that notion. He picked her up at her home, right on time, bringing a lovely bouquet of flowers, wearing a rather fetching shirt and just the right amount of rather fetching aftershave – she’d wanted to kiss him right then and there.

But she hadn’t. Instead, she’d put the flowers in water, let him help her with her coat – trying very hard not to swoon when he thoughtfully helped her untrap her hair from the collar, his fingertips brushing her neck and sending shivers down her spine – before he escorted her to his car.

She’d wanted to kiss him then too.

But instead they’d gone for dinner, and they’d talked and they’d laughed. He’d told her all about growing up in Scotland, she’d talked about her life in Colorado Springs, about Cassandra, and sotto voce anecdotes about the Stargate program. He’d listened intently, blue eyes dancing, dimples deepening, and she’d wanted to kiss him right there in the restaurant.

But she hadn’t.

She’d told herself good things come to those who wait, and now she thinks they will, because he’s taking her home. Not, though, before his arm had slipped around her as they were leaving the restaurant, and he’d looked so nervous that it had made her smile – and the car journey had been full of smiles and chatter and yet more laughter, but still, she’s looking forward to the end of it, when she’ll finally find out what those lips feel like against hers.

He walks her to her door, and with a smile, she’d invites him in for coffee – after all, Cassie is staying with Sam (Sam had insisted, with strict orders to call her with details) so there are no awkward introductions on the cards.

It’s quite a surprise when he says no.

She blinks, is unable to keep the surprise off her face, and he quickly adds, “I mean, I’d love to… it’s just… I mean… I’d like to take things slowly. If that’s all right with you, I mean. If you’d like to see me again, that is.”

He’s so earnest, so concerned that he’s just ruined things, so perfectly Carson that she can only smile. “I’d like that, Carson. Very much.”

The dimples make a reappearance, and she just about keeps her knees from buckling, because at this close range, it’s quite a sight. “Tomorrow?”

“Is that what you call slow?” Janet asks, laughing because there’s not a chance in hell she’s going to say no – she’d been thinking of meeting for breakfast.

Carson shrugs. “Aye, well… I said slow, not glacial.” They share another smile, and as he squeezes her hand, he leans down and brushes his lips gently over hers. Only fleetingly, just enough to have her eyes drifting shut, so lightly that there’s barely any pressure at all – but tell that to her racing pulse, her hammering heart.

“Good night Janet,” she hears him say over the ringing in her ears, and she manages a goodnight in response, just about manages to work the lock on the door, where she stands, leaning against the frame, as she watches him drive away.

Just like the gentleman, she thinks the night was perfect.