"Hey guys." Sheppard greeted as he sat down in the mess hall where Teyla, Laura and Kiryk were talking. After the others nodded their greetings he continued.

"So Kiryk, I have hardly seen you since we got back to the city." Sheppard said, completely oblivious to the redness spreading across Laura's face. "You keeping yourself busy?"

"Yes."

"Good. I remember when Ronon first arrived here the lack of physical activity drove him crazy, well crazier, until he found the gym and started beating up marines. So I get that you will want to remain more physical than city life normally offers, but if you can find some other from of physical activity that does not involve hospitalising marines I would be grateful." Sheppard said. "You know you are all she talks about? I don't remember seeing anyone that age so attached to someone who is not a relative." He said causing Laura to choke on her drink. "So do you have any plans for her? I mean are you going to take control as it were?" He added confusing most people round the table.

"Celise would be lucky to have you as a guardian." Teyla said, hoping to give Sheppard's words context.

"I have spoken to Woolsey and he would, providing certain conditions are met, be happy to have you stay here."

"Conditions?" Cadman and Kiryk asked almost simultaneously.

"Nothing major. Just no more kidnapping of the doc, no undue beating of the marines, giving me more than monosyllabic answers. The usual." Sheppard said as he ate his food.

"What will happen to Celise?" Kiryk asked.

"That is up to you. Celise obviously likes you and has expressed her desire to remain with you, but obviously raising a kid is a big responsibility."

"Her family are dead because of me. I will raise her as my own." Kiryk said.

"Ok, so you could stay here and keep her in the city. It isn't exactly child orientated, but it is a home. Or the doc had already found someone willing to take her and raise her on 985."

"985?" Kiryk asked.

"The planet you borrowed the doc." Sheppard explained. "So she could be raised there and you could visit or you could take her and make your own way in the galaxy." Sheppard explained. "It is a big decision so take your time. There is no rush. I mean Celise is going to be her under medical supervision for the next month so have a think about it. But we could definitely use someone like you round here." Sheppard finished as Jennifer and Ronon made their way to the table.

"Afternoon." Sheppard said as Jennifer sat down. "How are you both feeling?'

"Better thanks." Jennifer replied as Ronon sat next to her.

"You seem to have more colour in your cheeks." Laura replied trying to sound innocent.

Before anyone could respond Sheppard's and Teyla's radio bleeped. Sheppard looked at his half eaten turkey sandwich and resigned himself to the fact it would remain half-eaten. As he and Teyla listened to the transmission Sheppard rolled his eyes. Eventually he looked back at Kiryk and said. "Well duty calls. Think about what I said." He then looked at Laura and said. "Cadman, make sure he has everything he needs."

"Yes Sir." She responded as Sheppard turned to Ronon. "Nothing to worry about, Rodney has a new toy to show us. Take care of the doc."

As Sheppard and Teyla left the table Laura looked at Jennifer and asked. "So how are you doing?"

"I'm fine." Jennifer answered as Laura scrutinised her. Eventually Ronon said, as he squeezed Jennifer's hand.

"She's fine."

"Good." Laura said.

"What did Sheppard want?" Ronon asked.

"Kiryk can stay if he wants." Laura answered.

"So what are you going to do?" Jennifer asked.

"I don't know. Celise has already told me she wishes to stay here. It is a lot to consider though." Kiryk answered.

"Well you have a month to figure it out. So until then how about I follow my orders?" Laura said standing and tugging Kiryk to his feet.

"Your orders?" Kiryk asked.

"The Colonel said I was to give you everything you needed so lets go." She said pulling him out of the mess hall.

"Where to?" Kiryk asked.

"My quarters." She answered as Jennifer and Ronon shared an amused glance.

"You sure you are ok?" Ronon asked when he and Jennifer were alone. "I mean we don't have to stay here with everyone watching." Ronon elaborated.

"They will talk no matter where we are." Jennifer shrugged and you were the one complaining you were hungry." She smiled.

"So you are ok with the attention." Ronon asked. "And people knowing about us?"

"The attention will go in a few days." Jennifer replied. "Why would I care about people knowing?"

"Just checking." Ronon replied before leaning in and kissing Jennifer. As he pulled away he added. "That you weren't going to get upset if I kissed you."

"That is something that will never upset me." Jennifer smiled back. Neither she nor Ronon noticed that they were now the sole focus of attention.

Lorne and his team sat across the mess hall looking at the couple, just like everyone else.

"Crap." Said Young.

"You had a thing for the doc?" Lorne asked surprised.

"No. It is just that whenever we take her on a mission and something goes wrong we are going to have to contend with Ronon when we get back." The younger man explained causing the whole group to loose their smiles and contemplate the extra time they would be spending in the infirmary.

The End

A/N: Thanks to everyone for reading this story. In particular I would like to thank Shadows-of-Realm for beta-ing some chapters in the middle of this. Sorry I was so useless at sending them on. And bellestarr01 for the encouragement with the Ronon whumping!

Have a good Easter.