"Hey guys. Have you seen Ronon and the doc?" Sheppard asked as he approached Teyla and McKay in the mess hall.

"You're back." McKay exclaimed.

"Very observant Rodney." Sheppard shot back

"How'd it go? What did he decide?" McKay questioned.

"That is why I need to see Ronon and the doc. So where are they?"

"They were heading out to the balcony on the the West tower." McKay said in between bites of his chocolate cake.

"McKay there are over five hundred balconies on the west tower." Sheppard pointed out.

"The romantic one."

"The romantic one?" Sheppard questioned, looking at Teyla who appeared equally lost.

"The one where you get a great view of the moons and their reflection off the water. The girls really go for it. Well they did until Ronon kinda reserved it as his." McKay explained, Sheppard looked at the physicist as if he had lost his mind.

"If you actually dated real women, opposed to Ancients, you'd know all about it." McKay said indignantly.

"Come on." Sheppard said, pulling McKay up by the back of his jacket.

"Hey! I'm not done yet."

"Yes you are."

"Where are we going?"

"You are taking me to find Ronon."

"No no no. Bad idea. Very bad idea." McKay protested trying to hold his ground.

"I need to see him."

"I'm not going again. He already wants to kill me for last time."

"Last time?" Sheppard asked unsure what McKay was talking about.

"I believe the threat was to shoot you, not kill you." Teyla said calmly.

"When did he...why did...Actually, tell me later. Right now you are taking me to Ronon and the doc." Sheppard said. McKay nervously looked to Teyla for help.

"I believe Rodney is worried we may be interrupting an intimate moment." She explained tactfully.

"Well I'll look for a sock and knock first. This is more important."

"Can't I just tell you where they are?"

"No. Now move." Sheppard ordered dragging McKay through the mess hall to the amusement of the other personal.

When they were approaching the balcony McKay made as much noise as humanly possible, hoping that forewarning Ronon would stop him being shot. When they arrived to start with they could only see Ronon standing looking out over the water. With closer inspection though they realised that Jennifer was standing in front of him, engulfed by his larger body.

"Doc, Ronon." Sheppard greeted walking out onto the balcony.

"How'd it go?" Ronon immediately asked looking round.

"He'll be joining Levin. It turned out to not be his idea of a retirement island. The Daedalus is just going to restock, then it departs this afternoon." Sheppard explained causing Ronon to growl.

"Then what?" The Satedan answered.

"Then they get locked up on Earth. They will never be free again."

"They shouldn't-" Ronon started only for Jennifer to cut him off.

"It's for the best. If Levin had chosen the planet option there was always a chance of the Wraith finding him and he knows too much. At least on Earth he won't be a threat anymore."

Sheppard could tell from Ronon's expression he didn't buy the argument, but the big Satedan kept quiet anyway. The Colonel walked up to the edge of the balcony and looking over at the pair of them asked.

"So how are you two doing?"

"Fine." Ronon replied as informatively as ever.

"Just glad it's all over." Jennifer said.

"As are we." Teyla commented from somewhere behind. "Perhaps now things can return to normal."

"Are you trying to curse us?" McKay asked. "Normal? Here? I hope not. Anyway are we all done? I have important work."

"I think the cake will be finished now." Sheppard commented smirking.

"Ha ha." McKay shot back as he left the balcony.

Teyla noticed Sheppard continue to linger and shook her head. "John do we not have a sparring session?"

"Do we?" He asked confused.

Hooking her arm through his she said. "Yes we do."

"Oh that sparring session. Got ya." Sheppard said allowing Teyla to direct him off the balcony.

"We will see you later." Teyla called to the young couple she and Sheppard disappeared down a corridor.

When they were once again alone Ronon asked. "Are you sure you are ok with this?"

"As I said it is for the best. Neither of them can get to me now. It's over. Besides even if they did try something I've got you." She looked round at Ronon smiling.

Despite her good humour Ronon could tell deep down she was still not entirely comfortable with the idea of be pursued. Spinning her round so he was staring directly into her eyes he said.

"I will do everything I can to protect you."

"I know." She replied leaning into him.

"Good." He said kissing her head.

Eventually Jennifer pulled away from Ronon and said. "We should go."

"I thought you liked it out here."

"I do, but you shouldn't be putting any weight on your leg, let alone standing on it." Jennifer replied causing Ronon to raise a cynical eyebrow. "Besides I can think of plenty of ways to entertain you in my quarters."

"You can?" Ronon asked fighting a grin.

"Yep." Jennifer said as she raised herself up and kissed Ronon seductively. Pulling away from the big Satedan she saw Ronon wearing a huge grin, which was quickly matched by her own.

"Let's go." He growled, unable to hide his raw desire.

-The End-

A/N: Thank you to everyone who read and commented on this story. I would especially like to thank:

bellestarr01 for the continual encouragement to whump Ronon

Vana1970 for sowing the seeds of more twists

sobz for the unique appreciation of cliff hangers and threats!