A/N: This started out as a one-shot story about one of my favorite couples … somewhere along the line it turned into something bigger. Hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Stargate Atlantis or the awesome characters but I enjoy keeping the series alive. No copyright infringement is intended.
Thank you Bailey for all your help and encouragement!
Special thanks to LMXB for holding me to my schedule!
Chapter 1
Ronon walked into the mess hall joining Sheppard and Teyla once he'd filled his tray. The threesome spent the first few minutes discussing some of the new recruits before Ronon spotted Dr. Keller enter the dining room taking a seat at an empty table directly in his line of sight. Curiosity getting the better of him he decided it was time to ask a few questions.
"So, what's with the Doc?" Ronon asked, leaving the question hanging for either of them to answer.
"What do you mean?" Sheppard answered quickly … too quickly.
"She doesn't seem to join in much … why?"
"Do you have interest in the doctor?" Teyla inquired sincerely. She'd often thought the two would make a good match.
"I don't like seeing her so sad," he offered hoping to take the attention off himself.
"You didn't answer Teyla's question," John announced smirking.
"You didn't answer mine," he scowled.
Ronon sat confused watching Sheppard and Teyla exchange a quick look of understanding between each other. Knowing he wasn't included in their silent communication he frowned and waited for one of them to answer his question.
"Thank you for your company," Teyla smiled nodding to both men, "I have a sparring session in a few minutes so I will take my leave."
Ronon saw the small disapproving glare Sheppard shot at her before she gathered her tray and left the room again causing him to wonder what they were hiding.
"You up for a little hand to hand training," John asked, arching his eyebrows in a friendly challenge.
"As soon as you answer my question," he growled. "What's going on with the Doc?"
"Why do you think something's wrong … maybe she's just shy."
"Maybe … but there's something haunting in her eyes."
"Yeah … well, she's had a hard year," the Colonel sighed, running a hand through his hair. "So, are you just curious or looking to stake a claim?"
"Maybe … is she with anyone … I always see her alone."
"Let's take this outside," Sheppard suggested grabbing his bottle of water as they walked out on the balcony. "I don't want to see her get hurt so you'd better be sure," John warned as he began to pace on the far side of the balcony, thankful they were alone.
"What happened to her?" Ronon asked, leaning back against the railing.
"Jennifer was with us when we came through the gate …part of the original expedition and Beckett's assistant. You should have seen her then," Sheppard chuckled softly at the memory, "she was full of wonder and innocence… one of the few people who could actually make me laugh. She'd worked for a year at the SGC and then got caught up in all the excitement of putting the Atlantis expedition together. I guess she knew Beckett from her college days or residency years and he convinced her to come."
"So she came alone?" Ronon asked. "No friends or family came with her?" he added, amazed at her bravery.
"Yep … all by her lonesome."
"Colonel Sheppard … this is the control center … please respond," Chuck announced into his radio.
"This is Sheppard … what's up."
"Dr. Weir has requested your presence along with your team in the conference room ASAP."
"On my way," he assured the gate tech. "Come on Chewy … something's up."
"We're not done here," Ronon growled as they hurried through the mess hall.
Sheppard felt a sense of relief as they ran through the corridors knowing he'd have to continue his discussion but thankful for the short reprieve. He didn't like talking about the young doctor without her permission but a small measure of hope settled over him at the thought of Ronon taking interest in her … as crazy as it sounded, they complimented each other.
~000~
"Everyone please take a seat," Dr. Weir encouraged as Rodney and Teyla entered the room. "Major Lorne is on M1X-322 and requesting medical assistance."
Everyone around the table turned as Dr. Keller rushed in, "I'm so sorry … it took me longer to suture a cut than I'd anticipated."
"Take a seat doctor … we were just getting started," Elizabeth assured her. "Major Lorne relayed that a hunting party was attacked by a pack of large animals … closest comparison would be to a group of wild dogs and they've asked for a healer and medicine. The village is about a mile from the gate and the weather is good."
"We'll go by foot … Doc, I'm assuming you'll be traveling with us, how long will it take you to get ready?" the Colonel inquired.
"Maybe fifteen minutes," she answered nervously. Jennifer had been in Atlantis since the first arrival but with all that'd happened to her she'd not racked up many off world hours. It still made her uncomfortable to walk through the gate.
"Gear up and we'll meet in the gate room in twenty minutes … Ronon, help Doc with her supplies," Sheppard ordered.
After Weir dismissed the briefing Ronon hurried to his room to grab his weapons then proceeded to the infirmary to help Jennifer with her supply bags. He didn't like the idea of her going on off world missions but at least he'd be there to keep her safe. The woman had caught his attention and he didn't know exactly what to do about it.
~000~
"You okay … you seem jumpy," Ronon said as they walked together down the path toward the settlement.
"I haven't done much gate travel … spent some time on New Athos which required traveling back and forth a few times … still not used to it but I'm working on it," she explained smiling.
"I thought you'd like to get out of Atlantis … see something different once in a while," he suggested.
"I do like getting to know some of the people we trade with. I guess you could say I'm just more of a home body," she clarified. Seeing the frown furrow between his eyes she expanded a bit on her explanation, "I'm more comfortable at home than on other worlds."
"So you'd rather be on Earth?" Ronon asked a bit disappointed.
"What … oh… not at all. Actually, I think of Atlantis and the Pegasus as my home. I don't really have anyone back on Earth, especially now that my Dad is gone."
"So no one is waiting for you to come home?" he asked, feeling a bit sad for her but at the same time happy that she wasn't spoken for.
"No," she snorted sarcastically, "I'm not the type people wait for." Glancing sideways she noticed Ronon scowling and realized how negative she sounded. "I'm sorry … that didn't come out right. I've been known to get too involved with my work … not much of a social life on Earth or on Atlantis," she chuckled.
"Same here. It used to be different before the Wraith. The whole galaxy was different."
"Do you ever wish you could go back?" Jennifer asked.
"I used to think about Sateda a lot but what's done is done … best to just make something out of what we've got … plenty of time to rebuild after the Wraith are gone."
"I'm glad they found you, Ronon. I know we haven't talked much but you're a good man … you deserve some peace," Jennifer offered. She rarely engaged in conversation with anyone lately but the warrior was easy to talk to and she felt safe in his company. Rounding the bend in the path the settlement opened up in front of them saving her from further embarrassment as her cheeks warmed from his gaze. For a brief moment she allowed herself the enjoyment of a simple conversation without the recurring memories of her past. Ronon was safe ground … once he discovered she was damaged she figured he'd make himself scarce.
As the team entered the village they were met by the Elders who led them to the community center they would use as a clinic for the injured. Jennifer found two of the hunters already situated on mats being attended to by their local healer.
Ronon watched Jennifer take control of the clinic and the meager medical staff that looked after the local population. They were a fairly small village although considered a good-sized settlement according to Pegasus standards. After a short conversation with the healer she began assigning tasks to the volunteers and setting up her equipment. Ronon grabbed Sergeant Rivers to help move furniture around while Lorne filled Sheppard in on the details.
Jennifer made short work of stabilizing the men and starting them on intravenous fluids preparing for treatment … neither had anything life threatening but would require an abundance of sutures … these were the lucky ones. She knew two others were being transported from deeper in the woods with more substantial injuries. Evidently the animals that had attacked the hunting party were powerful predators with a killer instinct. The pack had stalked the group of men who were totally focused in on a herd of gabors, an animal similar to Earth's deer, and were not aware of their plight until it was too late.
"Hey Doc, how're they doing?" Sheppard asked nodding toward the injured men.
"They're in pretty good shape … lot of deep bite wounds so I'll put them on strong antibiotics once I have them stitched up to offset any chance of infection. The other men sound like they might have worse injuries."
"I'll take some men and meet the hunters … see if we can be of any help," the military leader announced as Ronon joined the conversation.
"I'd like to join you Colonel … I can assess the injuries and apply some first aid on the trail," Jennifer requested.
"No Doc," Ronon stated firmly. "We don't know what kind of threat you'd be facing … I'll take a first aid kit and you can tell me what to do over the radio." He wasn't about to send her into a dangerous situation. His feelings were changing toward the healer and his protective instincts had kicked into overdrive.
Jennifer knew there'd be no arguing with the warrior. As much as she wanted to be there to do her own exam she knew she'd never win this battle. Giving a silent nod to Ronon she handed over a first aid kit, "Radio me if you have any questions."
Jennifer went back to work on her patients that were already in the clinic finishing just as the hunting party arrived with the other injured men. Ronon, Sheppard and the other members of Lorne's team helped settle the wounded men on beds around the room. Atlantis' doctor quickly shooed everyone out of the small space promising to send word as soon as the men were treated and awake. Lorne once again held back and assisted Jennifer with the scanner,
Just short of six hours later all the patients were resting comfortably with the lights dimmed for the night. Jennifer removed her gloves with a heavy sigh, disposing of them as she found a chair at the back of the room. She watched Lorne move toward her as she worked the kinks out of her neck.
"Hey Doc … how'd it go?" Evan asked, moving around to the back of her chair he began rubbing her shoulders, a routine they'd maintained whenever circumstances afforded… Evan had helped several times get the kinks out after a long night of surgery and Jennifer usually reciprocated with chocolate.
"They should all make a full recovery … they may not feel like hunting any time soon," she offered sarcastically. "Do you know how good that feels?"
"I think you've mentioned it a time or two," he chuckled knowing she appreciated the massage.
"Well, Major, I see why you're so popular with the female personnel," Sheppard teased as he and Ronon approached.
"It's all in the hands," he grinned, wiggling his fingers in the air.
Jennifer rolled her eyes at his antics while pulling her legs up on the chair so she could rest her head on her knees. It'd been a long day and she hoped for nothing more than a warm bath and a hot cup of tea. As grueling as the day had been she was completely content on the outcome … no deaths and no permanent injuries … hard to ask for much more than that.
"Don't go falling asleep on us Doc," Sheppard said, surveying the room. "Is everything secured here?"
"Yes, I've talked with their healer and she's confident they can take over. It won't take me long to pack up my supplies."
"Leave it … we can do it in the morning … you need sleep now," he ordered, handing her a disposable rain poncho from his tact vest.
"I don't understand … and what's this for?" she asked holding up the plastic protection.
"It's been raining for the past two hours Doc," Ronon announced.
"Come on … the locals have turned the building next door into a bunk house for us. It lacks amenities but beats the hell out of walking to the gate in this storm," Sheppard explained.
Jennifer felt the fingers of panic begin to run up her spine as she analyzed her situation. Her nightly routine was very private starting with a hot shower or bubble bath and ending with nightmares that robbed her of much needed sleep. She wasn't about to share her nightly ordeal with anyone especially Sheppard and Lorne's teams.
"No, no, no … I don't mind walking in the rain. It's what … forty-five minutes, maybe an hour and we'll be home … I'm ready right now and we all have these rain doo-dahs," she exclaimed holding up her poncho.
"The path to the gate is a muddy bog right now and we don't even have moonlight to help light the way … it's safer to wait until morning," the Colonel explained, confused by her insistence on going home immediately.
"What if I'm needed back on Atlantis," she reasoned urgently.
"Relax, Jennifer, I've already sent word we'll be delayed. You've had a long day … best you get a good night's sleep and we'll be home and debriefed before lunch." Sheppard was firm but purposed to keep a close eye on her. It wasn't like her to be so unreasonable… she was nervous and reckless in her judgment, which was totally out of character.
"Let's go, Doc … you can use me as a shield," Ronon offered, grinning. He'd noticed her rash behavior too and wondered what was driving her.
The small group dashed to the building next door, stumbling through the door to the welcome glow of a fire burning in the pit in the center of the room. Teyla handed out towels the villagers had left for them ushering her teammates closer to the fire. The room was large and open with mats and bedrolls scattered around the area. Teyla pointed out a private area toward the back of the room where she could change into something dryer. Thankfully her pack always contained a pair of lounge pants and an extra t-shirt… a bit skimpy but at least they were dry.
Jen moved closer to the fire taking a seat on a low bench. Rodney was soundly snoring on the other side of the room with two of Lorne's men who were resting while Rivers was on patrol. She sat rubbing her hands together over the flames working the chill out of her bones and analyzing her situation. The young doctor chastened herself for the irrational fear she allowed to grip her heart. Here she sat safely surrounded by the fiercest Atlantis had to offer … there was no reason for nightmares tonight.
After a few calming breathes, she moved over to an empty bedroll close to the door. The thought of being in the throes of another nightmare with no path of escape was extremely stressful … location was a huge factor in her choice. At this point only a small handful of people knew about her past and she hoped to keep it that way. She still didn't have many friends but that was nothing out of the ordinary. Growing up she was immersed in the educational fast track leaving little time to nurture close bonds. Now as an adult she found herself lacking in certain social skills making it next to impossible to experience a loving and lasting relationship with someone from the opposite sex … something she longed for with all her heart. Her confidence was unwavering in her professional life but almost nonexistent on a personal level. If she were destined to be alone she needed to do it here … in the Pegasus galaxy.
Atlantis was her lifeline.