A/N - this story was actually inspired by another late night in the mess hall story by Sholio called "Regrets".

He watched her.

It was late in the mess hall. She was sitting by herself at a corner table, working on the laptop on the computer in front of her, listening to music on earphones. She didn't sit straight, rather curled up in the chair as she read, stopping occasionally to close her eyes as she mouthed the words to some song playing to an audience of her only. She'd straighten occasionally to type, then go back to reading.

It wasn't the first time he'd seen her, late at night, alone and quiet. In fact, he could almost tell when she would get up to refill her coffee and when she would, invariably, pull the thing that held her hair back out to allow her reddish-brown hair to cascade on to her shoulders.

Each night, she'd finally pick up her coffee cup and, realizing it was empty for a second time, check her timepiece, then pack up her things. She always walked past his table and smiled a wordless hello to him as she left the mess hall.

He always pretended not to notice her until she was right at his table.

This was not an every night occurrence, but it happened often enough to be predictable. He knew that he should break the habit, but after so many years, he had a hard time sleeping for more than a couple of hours each night and he found the mess hall a relaxing place to wind down after his usual run through the city.

So, tonight, like so many others, he watched her.

"Why don't you go over and talk to her?"

His reverie was shattered by Colonel John Sheppard's voice.

"What?" he looked up.

Sheppard shrugged as he sat. "It just looks like you want to but you're holding back for some reason."

Ronon frowned at the man he'd come to trust with his life. "What are you talking about?"

Sheppard smiled. "Maybe I was wrong. Dr. Roth isn't involved with anybody and she seems to have the same sleeping habits as you. It just seems like the logical thing to do…"

Ronon shook his head. "No."

"Is that 'no' as in I'm wrong or 'no' as in you don't want to?" Sheppard prodded.

"Both," he growled.

Sheppard nodded. The smart-ass smile was gone and the true concern for a friend shone through. "Listen, Ronon, I don't know what you lost when Sateda was destroyed. I won't pretend I know what kind of suffering you endured at the hands of the Wraith, but I do know this: 'living well is the best revenge'."

Ronon studied Sheppard.

Sheppard smiled. "Do you think that those you lost would you want to live like a monk for the rest of your life? Do you think the Wraith suffer if you keep yourself unapproachable?"

Ronon thought about Melena. He knew she'd want him to be happy, even if it meant finding companionship – even love – with another person. He wasn't sure he was ready for the first and damned sure he wasn't ready for the second.

Sheppard looked back at her, in time to see her pick up her coffee cup and realize that it was empty. "Just a thought."

Sheppard stood and left. Ronon watched Dr. Roth pack up her things. As she approached him, he averted his eyes, then looked up at her casually.

She smiled a hello with a nod as she usually did. Ronon nodded back as he usually did.

Maybe one day, he'd be ready, but for now, he'd just watch.

A/N Quote by George Herbert (1593-1633); information courtesy Thinkexist(dot)com...a wonderful resource for quotes.

I hope you enjoyed it, but either way, please send feedback so that I might learn from my mistakes.

MA