"Did you plan that?" She asked playfully.

"No," he said, but the sparkles in his eyes betrayed him.

"You did. You planned that." She was sure of that now.

"What if I did?" he queried back.

Jennifer giggled. "I sometimes think I don't know you. "

"Back at you, Jennifer."

Chapter 13

It was a beautiful day. The sun was shining and she felt that the weather perfectly matched her mood. They were sitting on a green meadow not far away from the village, but there was no one else around. Although they hadn't talked about anything important yet, she had a feeling that all her troubles were disappearing and that she would be able to feel totally at peace again. She was sure that it wasn't because of the weather but because of her company.

She was surprised at the interesting kinds of food Ronon was able to bring. She didn't know this side of him, but she did like it. He looked at her from time to time with his typical unreadable expression but she didn't mind this time. After she finished eating, she lay down and watched the blue, clear sky. Ronon laid down next to her. Their hands were almost touching, and she was very much aware of his closeness.

"How did you get this picnic idea?" she asked, but she didn't even need to know. She just wanted to start with something unimportant.

"Sheppard," he said. "He was telling me about Earth habits sometimes and he mentioned this thing once. I thought it would be nice."

She smiled warmly. "It is."

"Good," he replied.

She was still staring at the sky, feeling the sunrays on her skin. She glanced at Ronon and saw that his eyes were closed. She was watching him for a moment, hoping that he won't look at her. She knew that she wouldn't have to get another opportunity like this. She needed to tell someone, to get it out of her. There were things she was keeping to herself and she didn't want to anymore. She couldn't think of anyone she would trust more.

"Ronon," she whispered suddenly feeling uncertain again, but she wasn't going to give up this time.

"What?"

"I think I owe an explanation to you."

He didn't move, not even opened his eyes. "You owe nothing to me," he said. "You don't have to say anything. You did what you had to. I should have trusted you but I was afraid."

"You were afraid," she repeated still speaking very quietly.

"I was afraid for you." This admission made her smile a little. But did he know what he was saying? She wasn't sure about that.

"I just think… I think you still should listen to me. I want you to know."

"Ok," he said back at his monosyllabic answers.

"Ok," she repeated and took a breath.

---

She told him everything. She told him how she felt when she found out that she was infected. She talked about her decision to leave with Lens. He listened carefully, looking at the sky and just very rarely glanced at her. She didn't look at him either. She just wished he would really forgive her. Right now she didn't want anything else. She only needed him to understand. Her behavior, her fears. Her.

They were sitting there silently for a while both deep in their own thoughts. Then he started to talk. He told her how he found out she left and about the little incident with Major Lorne. How he tried to find her and how difficult it was for him. She thought she had never heard him talk for so long. She didn't expect him to explain his thoughts. She realized again how little she knew about him and she hoped she would be able to set it right. She just had to take the chance.

"I tried to find you." He said for the hundredth time like she didn't trust him.

"I know," she reassured him. She felt when he grabbed her hand gently. It was strange and surprising but pleasant. Her heart started to beat faster. She had trouble believing that it was real.

"You are important to me," he continued silently.

"You would try to save anyone, Ronon," she said. She didn't like what she was saying but she couldn't help. She wanted to be sure that he meant what he was telling her. That she wasn't guessing and imagining something that wasn't true.

"I would," he said. "But I wouldn't be so angry at anyone else."

She looked at him. "That's ok," she said.

"I'm sorry." He was trying to apologize her, but he was totally wrong. Nothing that happened was his fault. If there was someone to blame, it was she. She was responsible for everything and she needed him to realize that.

"You don't have to be," she replied firmly. "Even I was angry at myself."

"I didn't do it because I wouldn't care. You know that."

"Not really," she swallowed. "I didn't know for sure. I just… I just hoped." Surprisingly, she didn't feel embarrassed when she said that. It was much easier than she thought it would be.

"So now you know."

She looked away from him. "And you're not angry anymore?"

"No, Jennifer. I'm glad you're back. I can't imagine what I would do if… I wanted you to be ok."

"I am." After a long time she really was. No nightmares, no fear for her life. She wasn't scared anymore. He must have seen she has changed. She was ready to start her life again, and she wanted to avoid mistakes she used to do. And she wouldn't waste time from now on.

She turned her head back to him. His eyes were dark and deep. He was studying her face, and she didn't mind. She didn't think. He sat, but didn't release her hand. She followed him and he smiled.

"You know," he said. "Ever since you came to Atlantis, I thought you were special. But I didn't know anything about you; except for that you were a doctor. Then we got locked in and I thought… That time, I was sure that I wanted to know you better."

She looked into his eyes and somehow she knew he wouldn't lie to her. Something changed between them that day and the recent events confirmed that. Everything finally started to make sense to her.

"I was puzzled," she confessed. "Since then... You didn't do anything." He practically didn't talk to her. She remembered that she spent many sleepless night thinking about him and about things that could have been.

"Neither did you," he replied. He was right. She was doing exactly the same thing as he was.

"I wasn't sure what to do," she said. "I am not very good at this kind of stuff and you are…"

"A stranger," he finished her sentence.

Jennifer just nodded. He was from different planet, from different galaxy. She never met anyone like him. They were gazing at each other silently. She knew how different he was. That would never change. But she was sure that all the misunderstandings were not important. Mistakes they both did could be forgotten. It wouldn't be easy but it was possible. She wanted to believe that.

"We will get over that," Ronon said quietly, while his eyes didn't leave her face.

"I hope so," she smiled.

"I am sure," he replied confidently.

She saw the determination in his eyes. And she also saw something that wasn't there before. Desire.

"Are you afraid?" he asked. She knew that if she had any doubts, he would stop immediately. But she didn't have any doubts. She was ready to try that. Nothing could change her mind.

"No," she whispered. She was never afraid of him. She never would be.

He smiled and she knew what he was going to do. She put her arms around his neck while he put one of his hands on the small of her back and pulled her closer. When their lips touched, she felt the sensation again, but now it was different. It was promising the beginning of something more. The beginning of something that could bring a big change into her life. When she came to Atlantis, she would never have thought that she could find a love there. But now it seemed that she did.

She didn't pay attention to anything else but him. They could be there for hours and she wouldn't notice. Someone could shoot at them and she wouldn't notice. But suddenly he stopped and looked up. She was confused, but did the same. It was raining. She realized that she was getting wet.

"We should go back," he said still holding her in his arms.

"Yeah," she said, a little out of breath. She didn't want this moment to end.

"You didn't care," he smiled with satisfaction. "You didn't know."

Of course, he was right. And too attentive.

"No," she sighed and looked at him accusingly. "But you did. What is that saying?"

He kissed her quickly on the lips. "That I don't want you to get cold."

"Good answer," she mumbled. She would have to remember that she should never underestimate him. She smiled. It's gonna be very interesting.

He grinned at her. "Come on, we have to hurry."

He helped her to get up and they set out for the village quickly. The raindrops were falling on them and it was getting colder. Jennifer didn't care. She felt free and happy. His hand was warming hers and it seemed he would hold her forever. She wouldn't mind that at all.

They stopped when they saw the village suddenly hesitating. She didn't want to go back yet. And neither didn't he, although it was his idea. She read that in his eyes.

"Couldn't we just…" she said, shrugging.

"You're soaked," he smiled.

"So are you," she replied.

"Let's go," he said finally. He was already decided.

"We will… continue later, ok?" she whispered.

"Yeah, we will," he promised. She trusted him.

He squeezed her hand and led her back. Back to Atlantis and the every day life she had there, that would be similar but also very different. Now she wasn't alone. She had Ronon. The warrior from another galaxy who was ready to protect her from everything. They would work through their differences. She loved him and he loved her. That was the only thing that mattered.

The End

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That's it. I cannot believe myself I finally get to the end of this story. I am working already on a new R/K story, but I will finish it before I start posting. Thanks everyone who was reading and please, leave me one more review :)