After The Storm

(A very big Thank you to Beta Journeyman07 and Nika Dixon. They have written wonderful stories about Jenn and Ronon, go read them if you haven't already. I don't own SGA)

Jenn sat across the table from Rodney, who had probably forgotten she was there with him. They had been sitting in silence for what seemed like an immeasurable amount of time.

He was busy with his laptop, and Jenn wondered to herself if he ever put it down long enough to sleep. Who was she kidding? Rodney probably fell asleep with it every night, or almost every night. Thank God this is almost over. This must be what slow and cruel torture is like. she thought to herself. She wondered if Rodney had screwed around with something and had managed to slow time down to an almost impossible crawl and that is why he was so occupied with his laptop now, trying to correct his mistake before anyone noticed

Rodney reached over to his tray of food and picked up a chip, or at least that's what it looked like. It didn't matter to her what it was, she hadn't eaten hers. Without looking up from his precious laptop, he put the chip in his mouth and a loud crunching sound escaped. Rodney was still oblivious to everything and everyone around him and didn't notice the sound or the aggravation growing on Jenn's face.

"Can't this ship go any faster?"

Rodney looked up and saw a surprised look on her face. She had not meant to say the words out loud, but her growing impatience had forced the words out. Rodney gave an easy smile.

"We will reach Atlantis in an hour or so"

Jenn smiled at his answer. She felt a little calmer knowing she could now count minutes, rather than hours.

"They will all still be there when we get back" He said. "Especially Ronon, a fleet of hive ships couldn't get him to leave."

Jenn tried to hide the smile and the blush creeping across her face at the mention of Ronon's name. She tried to appear nonchalant with her response.

"What?" was all she could say as she leaned back in her chair.

Rodney, who was known to be fond of a little gossip now and then, finally but his laptop aside and looked at her. Jenn had an idea of what was coming next. Something about her actions or words, or maybe even her private thoughts had gotten Rodney's attention and there was no escaping it, not being stuck on the Daedalus. She readied herself - she knew he was going to come at her with a bombardment of questions and comments.

Rodney let out a small chuckle, looking at Jenn, "I know about you and Ronon, I think we all know about you and Ronon."

Jenn smiled a little and shifted in her seat. It didn't surprise her that McKay knew something, but she was certain he didn't know everything.

"What do you know about me and Ronon?" she asked quietly with great curiosity.

McKay, on hearing this in her voice, straightened up to enjoy the attention he was now receiving. Not because it was attention from Jenn, but because he loved the attention of others, even if the subject at hand was not about him.

"I know you and him are more than friends."

Jenn was surprised at how open she was willing be with this conversation. There was nothing casual about her relationship with Ronon, and now she wasn't afraid to talk about it. She smiled and took a sip of her drink.

"Where did you get this information?"

McKay held his hand up like someone proclaiming their innocence. "I can assure you it was by accident." He paused briefly, "I'm surprised you still came with me?"

Jenn didn't fully understand why McKay would be surprised at her doing a favor for a friend and it wasn't like it was a romantic getaway. She would not pass up an opportunity to return to earth to visit her dad. She was able to accomplish two things: visit her dad and help a friend by accompanying McKay and his ego to his party.

"Why?" she couldn't help ask.

McKay wasn't prepared to give a reason as he had hoped as soon as the words left his mouth that Jenn would take it as a statement rather than a question.

That plan failed.

Rodney took a second to gather his thoughts.

"I was just surprised. I wouldn't have asked you to go if I knew you and Ronon were together. I mean I was only asking as a favor because I didn't want to see my nemesis alone. I found out about you and Ronon after Teyla saw…" McKay stopped abruptly and looked away, shy and embarrassed.

If Jenn was curious before she was insanely curious now. She leaned closer to the table and said in a very careful tone so as to not alarm Rodney.

"After Teyla saw what?"

McKay smiled to himself, as if he was reliving whatever it was that Teyla saw.

Jenn was getting close to panicking. What could Teyla have seen? She thought to herself. She and Ronon were extremely careful when out in public. There were no signs of affection between them, except for a few looks that lasted longer than they should have. Ronon and she had talked about their relationship: they weren't keeping it a secret; they were just being private about it. At first, she didn't understand why, but the more they were together she realized why. They had a job to do: she was the CMO and he was a soldier, warrior, protector, fighter. She could have gone on with the list of things he was. They had to put their relationship aside to do their jobs. They kept their work separate from their play and it worked well for most of the time. There were a few times when work interfered with their playing, but they managed to talk about it and understand each other's viewpoints on the matter.

Rodney squirmed a little in his chair. He was trying to find the right words, so he crossed his arms in front of his chest and used his right hand to wipe across his forehead. He looked at her with a sly smile on his face and saw how curious Jenn was. He smiled and cleared his throat.

"Don't get upset, Ronon did not seem to mind that she saw it. In fact he seemed quite proud of it"

Not knowing what Rodney and God knows who else knew about her and Ronon made it even worse. Jenn let out a slight squeak.

"Rodney! Just tell me already!"

To Jenn's relief, Rodney continued with his story, enjoying the anticipation that showed on her face.

"OK!" Rodney laughed and continued "You know Ronon trains John and me to spar. Well, more like John and I watch Teyla and Ronon spar and pretend to pay attention."

Jenn answer was a dry"Yes" with a bit of encouragement to continue. Rodney continued on.

"It happened a few months ago. John and I were there for our weekly training, watching Teyla and Ronon spar. Teyla got a good hit in and was able to bring Ronon to his knees. John and I weren't really paying attention, but I assume she was going in for the "kill hit" as they like to call it. John and I like to see these hits, so we were watching, and Teyla just stopped. Teyla's eyes grew as big as the moons above Atlantis….

Teyla looking down to Ronon. "Ronon! What happened?" The question was more out of amusement than concern. "What is that from?"

John and I ran over to see what was wrong.

"What happened? John said.

Ronon not knowing what the cause for such concern was, was still down on his knees when he looked up at Teyla and smiled, saying "what?"

Teyla asked if that was a bite mark and how he got it.

Ronon just said, "I got bit"

John with a boyish grin on his face said, "Clearly, we can see that"

I must have been the only one who did not realize what was going on. I started to remember and tell of my own experiences. "Those things can get infected. I was ending things with this girl I used to know and one thing lead to another and before… "

John cut me off before I could finish, "Rodney! Please keep that one to yourself."

"I was just suggesting he gets it looked at."

It didn't occur to me the bite mark wasn't from sparring or some fight he had gotten into, but John and Teyla already assumed it wasn't from either.

Teyla looked over at me and smiled. I knew she wanted to laugh, but she held back the laughter. "Rodney, I don't think Ronon's bite was as vicious and ill intended as yours."

Ronon smiled at Teyla's comment.

"Wait a minute, aren't we missing something here?" John said looking around at the three of them. "I think the question should be how did you get that bite mark?"

I finally caught on to what Teyla and John already knew then I saw the look on Ronon's face. "By the look on his face, I think we can guess the how, I want to know who?"

Ronon smiled and picked up his water bottle. "My woman."

My jaw hit the ground, and Teyla just beamed with a smile. John was still surprised. We hadn't noticed Ronon with anyone. But clearly he was with someone. Ronon just walked away.

"Who is it?" I yelled. "I mean she, who is she?"

He didn't answer my question and he did not turn to look at us. "I'm going to shower and I will meet you guys in the mess hall." was his response.

After Ronon left the three of us stood around trying to figure out the mystery woman. Teyla knew, she was certain of it. She said, "There is only one."

John and I looked at her and after we begged for her to tell us, she said, "Doctor Jennifer Keller" then she left.

Jenn knew exactly how and why Ronon got that bite mark. It was his reward, punishment, and encouragement for being so good at …damn it Jenn, she yelled to herself. Her body felt like it was on fire and he was nowhere close to put the flames out. Get control of yourself.

Jenn looked up at Rodney who was still talking, "John and I stood around another couple of minutes talking about how…."

Jenn holding her hand out in front to stop Rodney. "OK, Rodney I think I heard enough."

Rodney snapped back to reality and realized he was just about to go off on one of his ramblings and was relieved and grateful Jenn had stopped him. Jenn would have found the strength to knock him out cold if he had continued and repeated his conversation with John.

She smiled at Rodney. She didn't care if they saw her bite mark. She had every right to mark what was hers. Ronon does it, why shouldn't she have the same privilege?

"So, I guess everyone knows now? Not that I care what people know."

McKay was pleasantly surprised Jenn did not shy away from the conversation.

"I don't think everyone knows, or even notices. But we do. Ronon couldn't have kept it a secret for long. We would have eventually caught on to him. Ronon and I may not see eye to eye on a lot of things" McKay laughed a little mostly to himself. "Well on anything, but we do know each other. Of course we would never willing admit it, but we are like brothers" he laughed again to himself, "or at the very least distant cousins."

Jenn smiled at this. Ronon and Rodney were definitely friends. They reminded her of the "Odd Couple" they would rip on each other every second of the day, but if either one was in trouble they would risk their lives for each other and certainly no one else was allowed to rip on the other.

McKay studied Jenn for a moment. He could tell she was lost in thought, probably thinking about Ronon, or her infirmary. He spoke again to bring her back.

"I don't know why you didn't tell me?"

Jenn looked at Rodney. "I didn't know how to tell you."

She paused for a moment, to choose her words carefully. "Things were a little awkward between us and I didn't want things to get awkward between you and Ronon."

McKay sensing the conversation was getting a little heavy and spoke up. "I know. I did like you. I still do. But, it was never in that way."

He felt the air in the room getting lighter, and was glad to see Jenn's face relax. "I was missing Katie and you seem to fill that void for me. It was nice to talk, and flirt, but I never thought it would or wanted it to go anywhere."

He looked at Jenn and she smiled back. "The flirting was safe because it wouldn't go anywhere, so I indulged a little, sometimes a lot"

He said it with a sincere smile, remembering the time he did lose his mind and had almost died.

Jenn smiled a little and ran her fingers though her hair. She spoke lightly, "We are still friends, right?"

McKay was caught by surprise when she asked him that. He had never thought of not being friends with her. "Of course, I enjoy your company and I'm glad you are with Ronon. Now you can stop stalking me."

Jenn let out a little laugh, "I don't know Rodney, it will be hard for me to let go."

McKay smiled and leaned towards the table and in an almost whisper he said, "You don't have to let go, but please, for my safety and welfare don't let Ronon find out."

Jenn laughed, "He would never…."

McKay laughed and cut Jenn off before she could finish, "Yes, yes he would" he said jokingly.

The news they have been waiting for came through their earpiece. "Doctor Keller and Doctor McKay, we are dropping out of hyper space, we will reach Atlantis in approximately 5 minutes."

Rodney and Jenn looked at each other and smiled. Jenn tried not to grin like an idiot, but she couldn't help it. She was happy she was almost home, back with her friends that were becoming her family, and back to the person she would give up everything to and for. McKay looked at Jenn and smiled. He was really happy that she was happy and even happier that Ronon had found someone.

"I think we should go get our things" McKay said as they both got up from the table. "We don't want you leaving anything behind."

Jenn looked up and said "Yes, definitely."

They walked out of the dining room and down the hall towards their things. McKay looked over and said, "Did you have to buy one of everything on Earth?"

Jenn just smiled. "I couldn't help it, it's not like we get to spend our money here. I got something for everyone I know on Atlantis. She gushed as she told McKay about the cutest little pair of shoes. "I hope Teyla likes them."

McKay smiled at her giving nature. "I'm sure she will. What did you get for Ronon?"

Jenn ran down the list in her head as she and McKay walked down the hall. Nope, can't tell him that, she laughed to herself. Nope, definitely not that and certainly not that. That one was strictly for her and Ronon.

She looked over at McKay, trying to keep her blush to a minimum or none at all if that was possible. "I got him a knife, a really big one." She told him with a delightful smirk on her face and playfulness in her tone.

McKay swallowed hard and his breathing became a little more rapid. "You aren't going to tell him about you almost freezing to death? Are you?"

She looked over at him, still smiling. He swallowed hard again. "Of course you are. Well, in case you forgot, let me remind you. It wasn't my fault, and it was my genius brain that saved you."

McKay was more than happy to remind any and everyone he was a genius. "So, remember to include that in your story."

Jenn laughed out loud. She could understand why McKay was in a panic, but didn't know why. Ronon would not hunt him down. She laughed again as she imagined McKay's reluctance to go to his next sparring session with Ronon. She couldn't help but add fuel to the fire.

"Rodney, I think it was your genius brain AND the fear of getting your ass kicked" she said as a matter of fact. McKay pace slowed and she continued walking. She looked back at him and just smiled. He smiled back as she stopped to open the doors to her room.

The few days he spent with Jennifer Keller, had given him the chance to know her to be a calm, caring person, who was also funny, and brave. Not too many people would think that of her unless they really knew her, but she really was brave. He admitted to himself he didn't know why Ronon was attracted to Jennifer, besides physically, but now he knew and saw why. She was the calm to his storm, and although that didn't quite explain it, it was the only answer that fitted.

To Be Continued.

This is my very first fic. Please R&R. Rated M for future chapters. Looking for volunteers to write the "hot" wink wink moments between Ronon/Jenn. I'm no good at it..the writing that is :) If I was to write it, I'm sure it would come across as dry humping while watching paint dry. Yes, it would be that bad!