Ronon and the Doctor
A Stargate Atlantis Story
Rated: MA/NC17 – will contain explicit sex scenes!
Ronon and Atlantis' new doctor explore a relationship. Other pairings: John/Teyla
Chapter One
He heard the raised voices through the thin walls of the building. One of them was Jennifer's – oh no, that's Doctor Keller to you, he thought to himself quickly. Better not to think of her as Jennifer, even if only in his own mind, for it might slip out one of these days when he REALLY didn't want it to.
He had been fascinated with her from the moment he watched her come through the 'gate. Her small pixie face, framed by beautiful blonde hair, captivated him and did funny things to his heart every time he looked at her, which he tried to do only when he didn't think anyone was watching.
Of course Teyla had noticed and had even told him that perhaps he should go and talk to the new doctor. Talk to her? How was he supposed to talk to her when his brain stopped working if he got within six feet of her? What would he say? He hadn't been this unsure of himself or been this attracted to a woman since…..well, since Melena. It still hurt every time he thought of his beautiful fiancé. She had been a healer too, like Jennifer. No dammit! It's Doctor Keller – best not to forget that!
Ronon continued to stand just outside on the covered porch, listening intently. He knew that some of the locals were suspicious of them, especially of the young female doctor. She had been verbally battling all day just to get permission to treat the sick and injured patients here. It sounded like she was up against a particularly distrustful Catarian now. The voices continued to rise until Ronon heard the man demanding that his daughter be removed from the room. Dr. Keller pleaded with him, telling him that she could likely completely cure his young daughter's illness, if only he would let her, but it was no use. The little girl was carried out the back door and her father's parting words reached Ronon's ears. "No strange healer is going to touch my child – especially a female!"
Ronon wasn't sure what to do now. He wanted to go in and see if she was okay but didn't know if he would be welcome. The last time he had seen her was a couple of hours ago and she had looked exhausted. Suddenly, a new softer sound came from within the poorly made structure. She was sobbing quietly. Dammit! Why did these people have to be so distrustful and stubborn? They only wanted to render aid and assistance!
Ronon gently turned the doorknob and entered the room quietly. Dr. Keller stood gripping the foot board of the bed tightly, her back to the door. Her small shoulders shook slightly and her head hung low. He knew that there were tears on her face without even having to see them. Softly he approached her, unsure of what to do or say. Finally, he reached out with his right hand and placed it delicately on her upper arm. For such a large man, he could be very gentle with his touch.
It had been a very long time since he had felt the compulsion to touch anyone in this way. He had built up a wall around his heart – a wall kept strongly in place by his hatred of the Wraith. Even now, he could feel that hatred abating, being slowly edged out by feelings of…. of…. well, he wasn't sure what it was exactly, maybe just affection, maybe something stronger. All he knew was that this woman had touched his heart in the few short weeks he had known her – touched it in ways he thought would never happen again.
Instead of jumping at his touch or moving away, like he thought she would, Dr. Keller did a most unexpected thing. She leaned back against him, pressed her back to his hard chest and wrapped her arms around herself, still weeping softly. He instinctively wrapped both of his arms around her small frame and was shocked to hear his name escape her lips softly. It wasn't said in surprise, more like relief. Had she known he was outside? Had she wanted him to come to her? Was she attracted to him as well? He was pretty sure that she was. Several times he had caught her "checking him out" as Sheppard put it. Also, the one time he had been to the infirmary because of a cut received by a well-placed blow from Teyla's bantos stick, the good doctor had acted very nervous while stitching his head. She hadn't looked him in the eye the whole time and he was pretty sure she didn't blush like that for every patient.
"You did everything you could". The soft words floated down to her from above. They were her undoing. She turned in the circle of his arms and placed her cheek against his chest, crying hard now. She wrapped her arms around his middle and fisted the back of his shirt in her small hands. He tightened one arm around her waist and began rubbing small circles softly on her back with the other hand. Not knowing what to do, he simply held her, hoping to offer comfort. He knew from being with Melena that the life of a healer could be very hard. How many times had he held his fiancé like this when a patient could not be saved? Children were always the worst of course – for both of them.
After a few minutes her tears began to subside until there was only the occasional sniffle or hiccup. Still he held her and she allowed herself to be held. She had known he was outside. After all, he hadn't been very far from her side all day. And it wasn't because he had been assigned to watch or assist her. It was because he wanted to be near her, she was sure of it. She had caught him looking at her several times since she had come to Atlantis and thought that he might be attracted to her.
For her part, she thought he was the most gorgeous man she had ever seen – and also the most intimidating! At first, she had thought he might be mean or sullen, but had quickly come to find that though he spoke few words, he felt things very deeply and had many emotions. She had been privileged to witness a couple of his heart stopping smiles too. No wonder he was the subject of much speculation on Atlantis! She herself was curious about him and had hoped to get to know him better but hadn't gotten up the courage to talk to him much. They had sat across from each other in the jumper and he had helped her with her gear without hesitation. But what did that prove – just that he was a gentleman, certainly not that he liked her as anything more than a colleague or maybe friend. Even now, he was simply comforting her, nothing more. Best not to read too much into this, she thought to herself sadly.
Finally, though she didn't want to, she pulled away from him slightly. He loosened his grip but didn't drop his arms as she had expected him to. She was essentially trapped between his large, hard body and the foot board, but strangely she didn't feel any trepidation at all. He was almost a foot taller than she was so she would have to seriously crane her neck up to see his face and she wasn't sure she wanted to do that right now. She felt embarrassed at having cried, make that sobbed, in his arms like some silly child. She barely knew the man for goodness sake! What had she been thinking?
"Feel better?" he asked her softly. She couldn't speak for the lump in her throat so simply nodded her head instead. Her cheeks grew even redder with embarrassment and she tried to turn away from him again but Ronon held her fast. Dammit, but the man was strong! He then put one finger under her chin and tipped it up so that he could see her face. "You did everything you could" he said again. One solitary tear rolled down her cheek as she gazed into his penetrating brown eyes and he cupped his hand on the side of her face and brushed the tear away with his thumb.
"I could help her, at least ease her pain" she said in a hoarse whisper. "She is only a child. Why won't these people let me help them? I just don't understand!" He didn't understand either but he had seen situations like this before. Most people who had been devastated by the Wraith were technologically and emotionally stunted. They lived with fear and mistrust every day. Even Teyla's people, the Athosians, found it hard to trust and they were the most welcoming people he had found in many years.
"I don't understand either but I think you've done all you can here. Let's pack up your gear and head back to the 'gate." But instead of letting her go, he pulled her gently to his chest again. "You're exhausted, doc. I'll go round up the others, okay?" She shook her head against his chest again and he allowed a small smile to form on his lips. He didn't know where they would go from here but this had been good – holding her, comforting her. Maybe when they were back on Atlantis they could actually talk now instead of staring across the room at each other like they had been! She stepped back and looked up at him. "Thanks, Ronon." She smiled shyly at him and then turned her back and began gathering up her instruments and packing them away. "You're welcome, doc" she heard him say softly as he backed out the door.