"Carson!" Jennifer greeted when she opened her door revealing the Scot on the other side. "When did you get back?"

"About thirty minutes ago." Carson greeted. "Just enough time to be checked out by your team."

"They're as much your team as mine." Jennifer said moving to one side to let Carson into her room. "How have you been?"

"Fine. Busy and for that I apologise."

"Why are you apologising?" Jennifer asked confused.

"Well, in the thirty minutes I have been back I have gathered that you have been having a hard time."

"What exactly were you told?" Jennifer asked.

"That you, in no particular order, had been kidnapped, shot, got bad flu, took on a Wraith and become very withdrawn. And that something had happened but nobody knows what. So want to fill me in on any details?"

"No. But you'll find out anyway so you may as well sit down." Jennifer said as she started to summarise the last few months to her friend and mentor.

"So the real question is how are you?" Carson asked as Jennifer finished.

"I'm okay." Jennifer said.

"I've known you long enough to know that is not entirely truthful young lady."

"You're right, but I'm getting there. Really." Jennifer said as her door opened.

"Dinner is served." Laura said carrying another tray of food.

"Laura?" Carson asked, not expecting to see the marine.

"Carson?" Laura asked in reply, also in shock.

Jennifer sitting in between them started feeling out of place so stood and said. "I just remembered I need to be somewhere. I'll catch you later." As she walked past Laura she whispered. "Second chances can be as good as a time machine."

Once Jennifer had left the room the pair continued to stand in shocked silence until Carson said.

"I've missed you."

-00-

"Doc." Ronon said as he approached the table she was sitting at.

"Ronon." Jennifer said looking up.

"Mind if I sit?"

"Sure."

"You feeling better?" Ronon asked.

"Yes, thanks."

"But not better enough to eat?" He asked looking at the food she was poking round her plate.

"What? Oh, not really hungry. Just got some food to kill time."

"Bored of your room?"

"No. Laura turned up at the same time as Carson was there so I thought I'd give them some space."

"So you're hiding down here whilst they're in your room?"

"Yeah."

"Shouldn't you be resting?"

"I'm okay."

"But you weren't at work today."

"Just following doctor's orders." Jennifer shrugged. Despite not being convinced Ronon let it slide.

"You should still eat. You need to regain your strength." When Jennifer didn't respond Ronon asked.

"How often do you have nightmares?"

"Not that often. Just when I'm tired, stressed or feverish."

"So all the time."

"Not that bad. Not anymore." Jennifer said weakly smiling.

"I'm sorry you had to go through it alone."

"Well as Laura points out that is my fault for being too stubborn to tell anyone."

"I'm sorry I wasn't there for you."

"It wasn't your fault."

"I shouldn't have talked to McKay."

"Well, I shouldn't have listened to Anderson and Shaw." Jennifer pointed out.

"So what are you doing to help you sleep?" Ronon asked.

"Running and weights, neither of which I am meant to do at the moment. So if you have any ideas I'm all ears."

"I don't but Teyla might. I mean her meditation thing may help." Ronon suggested.

"Meditation thing?" Jennifer asked, half amused by his description.

"Yeah. She's not doing anything now if you want to try it." He said standing, offering his hand.

-00-

Teyla was trying carrying Torren round her quarters trying to get him back to sleep when her door chimed. Wondering who it was she opened the door surprised to see Ronon on the other side.

"Ronon. What can I do for you?" She asked as she continued to try and settle Torren.

"Did I wake him?" Ronon asked, looking slightly sheepish.

"No, he has been fussy all evening."

"Can I?" He asked reaching out and taking Torren who immediately silenced as Ronon took him, causing Teyla to shake her head.

"You have a surprising gift." Teyla commented. It was then she saw Jennifer standing off to one side.

"Jennifer! What brings you here?"

"Umm." Jennifer started only for Ronon to interrupt.

"If I take Torren can you help Jennifer?"

"Of course." Teyla said, unsure how she was meant to help Jennifer. However, she smiled at the doctor and said. "Please come in."

"I'll see you later." Ronon said turning and walking off with Torren.

"So how can I help?" Teyla asked, indicating that Jennifer should sit.

-00-

Thirty minutes after Jennifer had left her room Teyla radioed Ronon, wondering if she would see her son again that evening. Barely three minutes later the Satedan was standing at her door, her son still sleeping in his arms. Noticing Jennifer was not visible he asked.

"Where's Jennifer?"

"She left."

"By herself?"

"Yes."

"How was she?" He probed as he handed the sleeping baby back to Teyla.

"She was okay. I think she just wanted time to think."

"She does too much of that." Ronon commented.

"Maybe, but that what makes her her."

"She tell you?" Ronon asked following Teyla into her room.

"She did."

"I let her down."

"We all did." Teyla pointed out. "But it is not to late to help her."

"That's why I brought her here." Ronon said.

"Your faith in my abilities may be misplaced. I think you are in a better position to help." Teyla said.

"Why?"

"She misses your friendship."

"I don't know how to make it right between us."

"Try talking to her." Teyla suggested.

-00-

"Hey." Ronon called as he crossed their gym to where Jennifer was sat against a wall.

"Hey."

"You okay?"

"I am. Thank you for taking me to Teyla."

"It helped?"

"Maybe. I didn't fall to sleep in the session so I am apparently better at it than you." The comment earning a smile from Ronon.

"You wanting to spar?" Ronon asked.

"I think I'm a bit off that."

"Then why are you here?"

"I feel safe here." Jennifer shrugged. "After he attacked me, this is where I spent the night. I can't explain it, but here I know I'm safe." She explained as Ronon slid down the wall and sat next to her.

"Does that mean you don't feel safe out there?" He asked concerned.

"Sometimes." Jennifer shrugged. "But tonight I'm just waiting here until I know I can get into my room."

"You want me to clear them out?" Ronon offered.

"No. They need time to talk." Jennifer said as the two fell into a comfortable silence.

"I miss our friendship." Jennifer said looking at the far wall. "Do you think we can ever get back to how we were, be friends again?"

"No." Ronon said.

"Thanks for sugar coating that." Jennifer said, taken aback by his answer.

"Things had changed before you heard that stupid conversation. Then you heard the conversation and you know I like you as more than a friend. I can't lie and pretend I don't have feelings. I'm sorry."

"I don't want you to lie." Jennifer said.

"What do you want?" Ronon asked. Seeing Jennifer struggle to come up with an answer he added. "What do you want in life?"

"I…it'll sound stupid."

"No it won't. Tell me."

"I want to fit in. I want someone to come home to. Someone who likes me for me, not because they want something. Someone to look after me. Someone to trust, who trusts me. Maybe I have over thought this. What do you want?"

"You." Ronon stated simply.

"Even after I thought the worse about you and ignored you for months?"

"Always you." Ronon said.

Hesitantly Jennifer leaned towards Ronon until their lips were about to touch. At that moment though the doors hissed open, causing them to jump apart.

"Do you know how worried we have been?" Laura demanded, completely unaware of what she had just interrupted. "You can't just disappear in the middle of the night without your radio. Are you okay? You are looking are a bit flushed."

"She's fine." Ronon said glaring at the Captain.

"You sure?" Laura asked looking at Jennifer.

"I'm sure."

"I've got this." Ronon said still glaring at the Captain.

"Okay, I'll leave you to it." Laura said leaving the gym, wondering why they were both acting so strange. It was only when she was walking down the corridor that her mind replayed the scene as the door opened and she figured out what she had interrupted.

-00-

"I should go." Jennifer said.

"Don't." Ronon asked, holding Jennifer's hand. "We need to finish this." As Jennifer turned to face him and he saw the fear in her eyes he said. "After everything with Anderson I know you may not be ready. But I'm not going anywhere. I will always be here for you."

"I know that now, but I'm scared." She confessed.

"Of me?" He asked releasing her hand.

"No. Of me. I don't want to hurt you. I don't do relationships. Well I mean I have never done relationships. But I know they'll be hard work and I will make mistakes. And mistakes will mean hurting you and I don't want to hurt you, I've done that enou-" Jennifer rambled before being cut off by Ronon kissing her. When he pulled away and she sat silently he apologised.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that."

"Why?" Jennifer asked, barely managing a whisper.

"Why what?"

"Why shouldn't you have kissed me?" Jennifer clarified as she started to think straight.

"Don't want to rush you. Don't want to scare yo-" He started only for Jennifer to silence him by kissing him. When she finally pulled away Ronon saw the doubt in her eyes and asked. "What is it?"

"What if I'm not enough?"

"Not enough for what?" Ronon asked confused.

"You."

"You are more than enough." Ronon said before kissing her again.

-The End