Disclaimer: The Atlantis characters do not belong to me and I make no profit from their use

Summary: Jennifer is off-world on a 'safe' mission so everything that could go wrong does. Plenty of whump for everyone. Features Keller, team Shep and Lorne. Established Ronon/Jennifer relationship. (This story is inspired by the fantastic weather we are currently enjoying)

When Jennifer stepped through the gate, she was immediately hit by a wave of dry, scorching heat. Looking over at her escort she asked.

"You ok?"

"Just haven't felt this type of heat since, well ever. A hot summer back home is thirty degrees for two days." The blonde man answered, his voice accented. Noticing Jennifer's odd look he added, "that's thirty Celsius. In Sweden we joined the modern world and went metric." He smiled. "How about you? Does it get this hot where you come from?"

"No. I don't remember it breaking a hundred when I was growing up, Fahrenheit that is." Jennifer said. "At least there will be shelter in the village."

"Oh yeah. Shelter and sun. It'll be like the summer holidays in the Sahara I never took."

"I'm sure you can dream about snow lined slopes." Jennifer shot back as the two started the long walk. "And skiing and snowboarding."

"Right now I would take the briefing room, when Woolsey is throwing a fit." He replied before suddenly noticing Jennifer shifting one of the bags she was carrying. "You want me to carry that bag ma'am?" Her escort asked.

"No, I chose to over pack. I won't make you suffer."

"You sure? Because a little suffering now could save me a lot of suffering in the gym with Ronon later."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing." He replied as Jennifer glared at him. "It's just that I've had the talk." He confessed.

"The talk?" Jennifer asked.

"Yes, the talk." He repeated. When Jennifer showed no signs of recognition he added. "The one with Colonel Sheppard and Ronon."

"What talk with the Colonel and Ronon?" Jennifer asked, not sure if she really wanted an answer.

"The one where we are told about...." He paused trying to phrase the answer in a way that would not cause him injury. "priorities and motivation."

"Ronon threatened you?" Jennifer asked.

"No no no." He said sensing that he might be about to accidently start a lovers quarrel resulting in Ronon's anger directed at him.

"Hmm."

"But you see carrying your bags would be good for my health." He said.

"I'm fine. And for the record this is a peaceful and friendly village. They are our friends and it is safe so don't do anything rash."

"No ma'am." Lars said. He face gave away the fact that he still viewed carrying Jennifer's bag as a good life move.

"You want me to write you a note?"

"I didn't think that did any good."

"Clears my conscience." Jennifer explained, her mind already working out the conversation she was going to have later with Ronon.

"That does not make me feel any better." Lars muttered.

By the time the pair reached the village their clothes were plastered to their skin and sweat was running down their faces.

"They missed a selling point here. Come to Pegasus and be cooked alive." The Swede commented.

"It's not that bad." Jennifer replied.

"I love the American optimism." He threw back.

"What I meant is, compared to later it is not that bad."

"Later?"

"Yep, currently it is six in the morning here. They have thirty three hour days. By their midday things will have really heated up."

"I thought you were meant to be the kind and optimistic member of the senior staff team."

"I am. Wait until you go on a mission with Sheppard's team." Jennifer said as a young child sprinted towards the pair.

"Doctor Jen!" The child exclaimed launching herself at Jennifer.

"Hey trouble." Jennifer smiled returning the girls hug.

"I'm not trouble." The girl replied. "Who's that?" She asked pointing at Jennifer's companion.

"I'm Lars, who are you?" The lieutenant said kneeling down in front of the girl.

"Lars?" The girl said scrunching her nose. "That's strange. I'm Depali."

"Nice meeting you De-" Lars started as Depali grabbed Jennifer's hand and started tugging her towards the village. Shrugging Lars stood up straight and followed the pair. When they arrived at the centre of the village Lars was amazed that, despite the heat, it was bustling with activity. Feeling hot and tired just watching the locals he silently followed Jennifer round the village until she arrived at a door.

"Make yourself comfortable." She instructed him.

"Shouldn't I-"

"No matter what Ronon has said I need to do the exams without a shadow." Jennifer said. "Go sit in the shade and make sure you stay hydrated." She ordered.

"Yes ma'am." Lars replied, although he could sense his life shortening. Reluctantly he perched in the shade outside the building Jennifer disappeared into. He'd only been sitting for ten minutes when a young woman approached him carrying a goblet and a jug.

"You look hot." She commented.

"Believe me not as hot as I feel." He replied.

"Perhaps you would like some water." She offered. "It comes from an underground well so it is cool." Remembering Jennifer had said the villagers were completely trustworthy he smiled his thanks and downed the contents of the goblet.

"I can offer you food as well." The woman offered.

"Thanks, but I am far too hot to eat."

"If you change your mind just come to the tavern, just over there." She smiled warmly. "I'll leave the jug with you."

"Thanks." Lars replied, kicking himself for not having the energy to flirt. Instead he settled on watching her disappear into the distance. Hypnotising himself with her swaying hips.

"You ok out here?" Jennifer asked when she eventually emerged from the building a few hours later. Her hair dishevelled and her face betraying her tiredness.

"Yes. Just enjoying the locals, the views I mean."

"Any particular local?" Jennifer asked smiling.

"The one who looks like Anna Anka."

"Who?"

"Anna Anka." The Swede repeated.

"Who?"

"She is the national hero of Sweden. She is the star of Svenska Hollywoodfruar."

"Of what?"

"I'll educate you when we get back."

"I look forward to it. I think." Jennifer said scrunching her eyes.

"You ok?" Lars asked.

"Just a headache, I'm probably just a bit dehydrated." She confessed as a commotion broke out and the young woman Lars was so taken with suddenly sprinted towards the pair, clearly upset.

"Jovana, what's wrong?" Jennifer asked as Lars sprung up, his grip tightening on his P90.

"We must go. They're coming. This way, quickly."

"Who's coming?" Lars asked.

"The Bola Kai." Jovana said, silently pleading for the pair to follow her. Lars wasn't sure who the Bola Kai were, but from the way Jennifer paled he guessed not finding out was the better option. "We have the Wraith shelters we can hide in, but we must go. Please carry as much water as you can. Please go." Jennifer grabbed one of the jugs and Lars two before sprinting after the rest of the village towards the shelters used during Wraith attacks. Unfortunately the Bola Kai had already discovered the hiding places and all that remained were smouldering wrecks. Seeing the smoke in the distance Lars dropped the jugs and relieved Jennifer of the one she was holding.

"We need to go somewhere else, now." He said, before leading Jennifer away from the panicking masses.

Jennifer was torn between trying to help the locals and trying to escape. Knowing deep down that there was nothing she could do she allowed Lars to guide her to what she hoped would be safety.

Unfortunately the sweltering heat was quickly taking its toll on the pair and every step was a struggle. Their throats were dry and their bodies drenched in sweat but still they attempted to increase the distance between them and danger. It was, however, a loosing battle.

"Get down." Lars shouted before flinging himself on top of Jennifer moments before and arrow flew through the space she had just occupied. Once he had assessed the danger and felt it was safe to move he heaved Jennifer to her feet and pulled her away from the threat. Firing behind him as he went.

Unfortunately the landscape was barren and sparse on cover leaving Jennifer and Lars in full view of the approaching Bola Kai.

"Those arrows as sharp as they look?"

"Sharper." Jennifer replied trying not to panic. Unfortunately for Lars, he discovered the truth of that statement a few moments later when and arrow went straight through his thigh, sending him tumbling to the ground. Jennifer immediately pulled up and bent over trying to help the fallen marine.

"Doc get out of here."

"Not without you." She said trying to heave him up, whilst simultaneously firing off shots into the distance. Her lack of experience, however, meant she did not even consider worrying about a threat from the direction they had been running to.

She smelt the danger before she felt the cold metallic blade against her throat. Feeling her blood drain from her face she loosened her grip on her hand gun. The last thing she saw was a hand approaching moments before the world went black.