Chapter 1 - An Invitation

Dr. Jennifer Keller looked up from her laptop with a start. It had suddenly felt as if somebody was watching her. And she had not been mistaken.

Framed in the entrance to the hut stood Ronon Dex. Jennifer always marveled how somebody of his size could move so quietly. She had not heard him approaching, so she had no idea how long he had been standing there. The setting sun was reflecting off his dreads like a halo, but his face was in shadow, so she couldn't read his expression. Annoyed? Impatient? Amused?

"I'm sorry, I didn't know you were here,' she finally said with a small, apologetic smile.

Ronon didn't answer, but stepped into the tent. The top of his head almost brushed the rough wooden poles that supported the straw ceiling, and his body seemed to fill the space inside the six rickety walls made from woven reeds. Involuntarily, Jennifer took a step back.

Ronon stopped, and she thought she saw a flicker of amusement in his hazel eyes.

"Sorry, doc, it's time to go," he said in his deep, husky voice, that always sent shivers down Jennifer's back. Being so close to him didn't help, either. She felt a flush beginning to creep up her neck, and quickly turned around, shutting down her laptop and packing it into its carrying case.

"No, that's quite okay," she said, and she was glad that her voice had only the slightest trace of a quiver in it. "I'm only writing a report, and that's my least favorite part of a project, anyway."

Having regained her composure, she turned back to face Ronon.

"So I welcome the interruption. And I'll be glad to get back to Atlantis. These people have tried very hard to make me comfortable, but I've never been the outdoor type, and sleeping on the floor in this open hut with furs and..."

"What am I doing?" she chided herself. "Why am I prattling on like a love struck teenager?" Because that's how she felt around the Satedan, she had to admit. Although the feeling was lust rather than love. She knew nothing about him, and their short conversations had never been of a personal nature, so it was impossible to say if she cared for him. Pure animal magnetism, on the other hand, there was plenty of whenever he was around. Ever since they had brought him to the infirmary, unconscious and with a bullet lodged in his abdomen, she had been infatuated with him. At the time, she was glad that the electricity was down, since the darkness had hidden her trembling hands during the surgery Dr. Beckett had performed. And afterwards, she had volunteered for the night shifts, so she could be alone with him. He had been mostly asleep, of course, but she didn't mind. It made being near him easier. Anyway, she had always limited her touches to what was necessary for treating him, but when she went to bed in the morning her dreams would be filled with scenes of the most erotic nature, and she would wake up panting and soaking wet.

While these memories flashed through her mind, Ronon remained standing there, relaxed yet alert, looking at her. Jennifer swallowed hard, and grabbed her laptop case.

"I'm ready," she announced. Ronon turned around and ducked through the doorway, with Jennifer on his heels.

They had hardly walked halfway through the village, when Quoram, the village elder of the Ranqu, intercepted them. He was accompanied by their shaman, a small, bent gnome of a man, with twisted limbs and clawlike hands, who hobbled along painfully with the aid of a stick.

Quoram stopped in front of Jennifer, lifted both hands to shoulder level, and bowed in the traditional greeting of his people. When he had straightened up again, he cast a reproachful look at the doctor.

"Doctor Keller, you were not thinking of leaving without giving us an opportunity to thank you?" he asked.

"Oh, I would never dream of doing such a thing," Jennifer quickly assured him. "But this will only be a temporary absence, I will return in about ten days for the second round of inoculations."

"We will never be able to repay you for the great service you have provided to our community. Your inoculations will save our children from the terrible scourge we have known for centuries, and never again will a member of my people have to live with the awful effects the survivors have to endure."

He laid a hand on the shaman's shoulder, who's eyes had misted over when he heard the elder's words.

"You are too kind," Jennifer said, "Luckily there was a lot of information about this disease in the Ancient database, and based on the research that had already been done it was not difficult for me to produce a serum." She pointed at Ronon. "You should be thanking him, because he brought this problem to our attention."

"We will be forever in your debt," Quoram added, this time bowing to Ronon. "And we would like to ask you both to be our guests of honor tonight, when we celebrate our deliverance from the scourge. I am sure you can put off your departure until the morning?"

Jennifer looked at Ronon, who shrugged his shoulders.

"I'll need to check with Col. Carter," he said. "But I think it would be okay."

Jennifer sighed. She had really been looking forward to sleeping in her own quarters in Atlantis. But on the other hand, she didn't want to hurt these people's feelings. And she had to consider the fact that this planet was rich in ore and minerals, and could turn out to be very useful for the expedition.

Quoram beamed with pleasure.

"That's settled, then." Turning to Ronon, he said "Why don't you go to the Ring of the Ancestors to settle this with your commander. While you," he offered Jennifer his arm, "shall come with me. My daughter is expecting you in the bath house. She will help you to prepare to tonight's feast."

"The bath house?" Ronon said in a low voice, a very odd expression on his fact.

"Yes, of course," Quoram said. "I am sure you remember it from the last time you visited and feasted with us here?"

Ronon only nodded, and turned to go.

"Wait," Jennifer said. "You've stayed here before?"

"Yup," Ronon replied over his shoulder, his back still to her.

"But how is that possible? I thought when you were a runner you could not stay long in any one place, for fear that the wraith..."

"It was before that," Ronon replied, and walked off with long strides, making it very plain that he did not wish to continue this conversation.