Disclaimer: I do not own SGA or the characters.
A/N1: This is a sequel to The Hunt and is starts sometime around Midway in Season 4. It is a Ronon/Jennifer Pre-ship.
A/N2: A big thank you to Hifield for jogging my memory.
"You ready?" Ronon asked as Jennifer opened the door to her quarters revealing the former runner on the other side.
"No." Jennifer replied. Seeing the former runner just stand and stare at her she said. "This is a bad idea."
"You want to get stronger? Be able to fight?"
"Well yes."
"Then what's the problem?"
"You."
"Me?" Ronon asked.
"You are too good for me."
"I'm not fighting you." Ronon said. "I'm training you."
"Is there a difference?"
"Yes. Let's move." He added not wanting to argue further.
"Fine." Jennifer shrugged leaving the safety of her quarters. When Ronon started walking down the corridor she asked.
"Where are you going? The gym is the other way."
"You'll see. Let's go."
Obediently Jennifer silently followed Ronon to a disused part of the city and followed him into a large room where the floor was covered in mats.
"Thought you'd prefer not to have an audience." Ronon said. "Carter said we can use this room."
"Thanks." Jennifer said, touched by the effort Ronon had gone to.
"Okay, just like on the planet listen to me and do as I say." The former runner instructed.
"Okay."
"Relax."
"Sorry?" Jennifer asked confused.
"Relax, you are too tense. Bend your knees and relax your shoulders. Feet further apart." He instructed watching as Jennifer attempted to get a good stance. "Good. Now I am going to try to hit you and you are going to block by using this motion with your left arm." He said demonstrating the block. He watched Jennifer attempt the block and when satisfied he said. "Okay this time block my punch."
Nodding Jennifer watched Ronon stand in front of her before lunging forward. Instead of blocking she yelped and cowered away, shutting her eyes. When she didn't feel a blow she cracked opened her eyes and saw Ronon standing opposite her looking less than impressed.
"Sorry." She murmured.
"Again." He ordered. "This time block."
-00-
"How'd the training go?" John asked as he sat down for breakfast. When Ronon just growled in response John joked. "It can't have been that bad, you have no new wounds." He then sobered and asked. "Does she have any new wounds?"
"No."
"So what's wrong?"
"Why can't she see that's she strong?" Ronon asked. "If she believed in herself she'd be able to fight and defend herself."
"I doubt she ever had to defend herself growing up." John shrugged.
"But she did fine on the planet." Ronon said.
"What exactly happened?" John asked.
"She … she cowered and ducked and screamed."
"You mean you scared her?"
"Yes, no. I don't know. She wouldn't relax. Perhaps I am the wrong person."
"You are the best teacher here, after Teyla who is otherwise engaged." John pointed out. "You just need to build her confidence. The marines you teach are arrogant and cocky, the doc is the reverse."
"How am I meant to build her confidence?" Ronon asked.
"Well I'm not a shrink, but I'd guess preparation."
"Preparation?" Ronon asked.
"Sure. Think about it, every time she goes off world she packs for every eventuality. She likes to feel prepared." John pointed out.
"So?"
"So, what would help her feel prepared for training with you? Why does she feel she can't defend herself?"
"She thinks she's weak."
"So what would make her feel strong?"
"Muscles."
"More literal than I was going for, but sure muscles. Get her working in the gym for a bit building up strength."
-00-
"How'd the first class go?" Sam asked as she entered Jennifer's office.
"Um, I'd start with embarrassing and move straight to humiliating." Jennifer said.
"I doubt it was that bad." Sam replied.
"How would you describe screaming and cowering in a corner?" Jennifer cringed.
"What did he do?" Sam asked, concerned that Ronon was making the training too intense.
"Nothing, just told me to block a punch."
"So what went wrong?"
"I don't know. It all made sense when I was blocking air, but as he lunged I kept thinking about how big and strong he was and trying to stop him seemed futile so I cowered away."
"How did Ronon take it?"
"Better than I expected." Jennifer said. "But not great. I guess the good thing about training with someone who doesn't talk much is when they don't talk because they are angry you can't tell."
"I'm sure he's not angry." Sam smiled. "When is your next lesson?"
"Tonight."
"It'll be fine. Just remember Ronon won't hurt you." Sam said as Chuck's voice sounded through the room.
"Medical team to the gate room."
Grabbing a bag Jennifer and Sam raced to the gateroom.
-00-
"Hey." Jennifer said entering the makeshift gym that evening. "Sorry I'm late I got held up in the infirmary."
"It's okay." Ronon assured her.
"You've been redecorating." Jennifer said noticing various different weights in the corner.
"Yeah, thought we'd try something different. But first we run."
"Run?" Jennifer asked.
"You have a problem with running?"
"No running is good, she who runs away today gets to live another day and all that." Jennifer smiled nervously.
"Come on. You set the pace." Ronon said as he opened the door.
When they had established a good pace Jennifer asked. "So what exactly is the plan?"
"You're going to build up some strength before you start sparring."
"Strength? Like doing weights?" She asked.
"Yeah. Do you have a problem with weights?" Ronon asked, sensing hesitation.
"No, well I have just never had much luck with them, short attention span or something."
"Perhaps you were lacking motivation." Ronon suggested.
"Maybe. You teach motivation as well?"
"Wraith not motivation enough?" Ronon asked.
"Never thought if it that way." Jennifer confessed just as she tripped and went flying.
"You okay?" Ronon asked crouching down next to her.
"Great." Jennifer muttered.
"You hurt?" Ronon pressed.
"Only my pride." Jennifer replied causing Ronon to stand and offer a hand to Jennifer.
Accepting his hand Jennifer climbed to her feet, however, her sudden rise caused her to experience a head rush and she swayed as she shut her eyes.
"What's wrong?" Ronon asked concerned.
"Head rush. It's nothing."
"Have you eaten tonight?"
"No, I came straight from my shift."
"When did you have lunch?"
"Um, yesterday." Seeing Ronon's glare she added. "It was busy in the infirmary and I was in surgery all afternoon. I had breakfast."
"What did you have?"
"An apple."
"And?"
"Coffee."
Ronon growled before saying. "You can't train like this. You need to eat properly to build up strength. From now on, at least three meals a day. Real meals. Lets go."
"Um, our gym is back that way."
"We're going to eat." Ronon replied.
"What about the training?"
"No point on an empty stomach." Ronon said causing Jennifer to berate herself for not being able to look after herself and once again embarrassing herself in front of the former runner.
-TBC-