Thanks for the reviews. Sorry for the delay it's been a hectic week. Hope you enjoy the last chapter. :)

Title: Simple Things
Author: Cindy Ryan
Notes and summary: see part one

Evan Lorne stood just inside the doorway of the infirmary. It was nearly three in the morning.
Even with the combination of exhaustion and pain meds Evan hadn't been sleeping well.
Correct that, he hadn't tried.

It'd been just over twelve hours since they'd returned from MX2-756. Once they had released him; Evan had found that he hadn't been able to be far from the infirmary.

Even though Jen's condition was stable.
Even though Sokun had assured them all that she was going to be fine.

Miracle that it was.

Evan moved to stand at the edge of the center bed and looked down at his friend's still form. He tried not to wince at the bruises that marred Jennifer's face.
Or at the ugly rope burns on her wrists.

Each one of them his fault.

Evan sighed.

He'd gotten complacent.
He'd let his guard down.
He'd thought they were safe.
She'd paid the price.

Evan turned to leave glancing once at John's sleeping form in a nearby chair. He was midway to the door when a familiar voice halted him.

"Evan?"

Evan turned back to Jennifer and closed the space between them. "Hey, didn't mean to wake you."

Jennifer smiled. "You didn't."She noted the sling he was now wearing. "How's the shoulder?"

"Good as new."Evan replied as he leaned against the wall.

They both fell silent for a moment.

Evan cleared his throat. "Jen, I'm sor….."

Jennifer's eyes flashed angrily. "Don't you dare apologize, Evan. This wasn't….."

Evan moved away from the wall doing his best to keep his voice low as to not wake his sleeping C.O.

"Every bit of it rests on me, Jen. My mission, my failure. I didn't assess everything…."

"We were invited. We were there on relief mission."

"Jen, you got hurt because of me."

Jennifer shook her head. She felt sleep starting to take hold once more but she fought it. She didn't want Evan blaming himself.

"They were misguided, single minded people. They knew no other way to handle things. What happened was not your fault, Evan. You did everything you could to keep me safe at a great risk to yourself. I'm grateful for that."

Evan nodded tightly. "I'm just glad you're okay."

Jennifer settled back against the pillow her eyes drifting closed.

"Get some sleep, Jen."Evan stated as he turned to leave.

"Evan?"Jen called forcing her eyes back open.

Evan turned back to her. "Yeah?"

"Promise me, no more bar fights."

Evan smiled. "Technically I didn't start…."

"I don't want to stitch you up any time soon."

"You're in Doc mode."

"You're dodging…."

"It's Pegasus, Jen."Evan replied as he moved forward and tucked the blanket farther up around her shoulders. "I can't promise, but I'll do my best. Get some rest."

"You too."Jennifer stated softly as her eyes shut and sleep finally claimed her once again.

Before John Sheppard had found out about Stargates and lost cities in distant galaxies he'd never thought much about fate.
Now though as he walked toward the east pier where he was meeting his wife, it was all he could think about.

Twice now fate had dealt them a deadly hand.
Twice he'd gotten her back.
Maybe just maybe all the times they'd saved the universe….both universes…were starting to balance out.

John sighed and stuffed his hands deeper into the pockets of his jacket. It was late afternoon and the wind was starting to pick up.

It'd been a week since they'd returned from MX2-756.
Four days since Sokun had released Jennifer to her own care.

As John reached the midway point of the pier he smiled as he spotted Jennifer. She was sitting on the edge her feet dangling in the water. A paperback book in one hand and Ipod earphones in her ears. The sun bounced off her hair as her feet absently splashed in time to the music.

John crouched down next to her being careful not to startle her. He placed himself close enough so she'd know he was there.

"Angel?"John called loud enough to be heard over the music.

Jennifer turned to face him and smiled as she removed the headphones. "Hi."

"Hi."John replied as he leaned in to kiss her being careful of the few bruises that still remained.

"You ready to go to dinner?"Jennifer asked as she took his hand in hers.

John shook his head as he sat down next to her and pulled her into his arms. "Not yet. Just want to sit here for a few minutes."

"Works for me."Jennifer replied as she melted back into his embrace and closed her eyes.

"How are you?"John asked softly his voice barely audible above the waves as he rested his head on top of hers.

"I'm okay."

"Jen….."

Jennifer squeezed her husband's hand. "I'm alright, John. Little sore, but otherwise I'm okay."

"I'm sorry I didn't get there sooner, angel."John whispered the memories from the mission still haunted him.

Jennifer pulled back gingerly and turned to face him. She gently put a hand on his face.

"Don't do this, John, please."Jennifer stated softly. "You're my hero."

John broke their gaze with a shake of his head.

"You are, John Sheppard and always will be."Jennifer replied her voice catching. "Even when I'm trapped in the darkest places that this universe can throw at us I know without a doubt that you'll come get me no matter what."

John smiled. "Always, angel, always."

John lowered his head and captured his wife's lips in a tender kiss never forgetting how lucky he was.

end