"So you're interested in the doc?" Sheppard probed as he jogged along side Ronon. The big Satedan remained silent but increased his pace.

"I get you don't like talking, but how come you told McKay and not me?" He probed. Again Ronon remained silent.

"You know I am going to keep bugging you til you answer?" The Colonel said matching Ronon's ever increasing speed. "So how come McKay knew and not me?"

"You jealous?" Ronon asked, causing Sheppard to nearly trip over his own feet.

"No. I'm not jealous, just surprised you have suddenly started confiding in Rodney." Sheppard recovered.

"If you sa-" Ronon began before suddenly coming to a halt and bending down.

"What's wrong" Sheppard asked stopping along side the former runner.

"Ear-piece." Ronon said holding out the small electronic item towards Sheppard.

"Damn these running routes are getting crowded. We are going to have to find a more deserted part of the city." Sheppard quipped. "Relax buddy these things get dropped all the time. If you actually carried one round with you, you would have experienced the heartache of loss yourself." He added as Ronon stood.

"You ready?" Ronon questioned.

"Unless you need longer to recover? You know next time you need a rest you don't need to make up an excuse about finding an ear-piece." The Colonel joked as Ronon headed down the empty corridor, Sheppard's humour lost on the big Satedan.

"Keep it up Sheppard, I'll have more fun during sparring later." Ronon growled.

"You wish, recently I have held my ow....hang on you've let me get in some shots so you could go to the infirmary, haven't you?" Sheppard questioned. "You sly dog." The Colonel smiled before full realisation dawned. "Wait have I managed to get any shots in without your help?"

"You wish." Ronon replied. "You really think you...what's that?"

"Looks like a leg." Sheppard said as both men started sprinting towards the fallen form. As they neared the crumpled body Ronon exclaimed.

"Jennifer."

"Doc?" Sheppard questioned as he reached for his radio.

"This is Sheppard we have a situation in tower one, level 19, corridor f5. We need a med team here now." Dropping to the floor next to Jennifer he gently touched her shoulder, but got no response.

"Doc can you hear me?" He asked. As he once again received no response he carefully rolled her over revelling her bruised and bloodied face. "Doc?" He questioned again as Ronon growled in anger and concern. Not waiting for any instructions Ronon gently lifted Jennifer into his arms and sprinted back down the corridor towards the infirmary.

"This is Sheppard, we are bringing the patient straight to the infirmary. I need a security team down here immediately." Sheppard said into his radio as he took off after Ronon.

"Colonel this is Woolsey, what's going on?"

"There's been an attack, I suggest you meet us in the infirmary."

"Attack?" Woolsey echoed. "I'll be there immediately."

When Ronon charged into the infirmary Woolsey and Teyla were already waiting with concerned faces. Their expressions immediately changed to sickened shock when they saw not only that it was Jennifer in his arms, but the condition of her as well.

For a second a deathly hush fell over the infirmary, before Dr Cole took control and ordered the staff into action and Ronon to place Jennifer on a gurney. As Jennifer was wheeled off Woolsey turned to Sheppard.

"What happened?"

"I'm not sure we found her unconscious during our morning run. No sign of anyone else around."

"Any sign of a struggle?"

"We found a radio about a hundred feet from where we found the doc, but I don't know whose radio it is. Other than that there was no sign of a fight, but we found her in a bare corridor, there wasn't much to get disturbed in the first place. I already have McKay's team down there looking for anything unusual."

"Unusual here can mean anything Colonel." Woolsey said grimly. "I want you to find out what happened and if this is an alien threat or home grown."

"I'll investigate personally, but first I want to arrange some guards."

"You think Dr Keller's attacker might try again?" Woolsey asked concerned.

"I think we shouldn't risk it." Sheppard explained as Marie headed over to the group.

"How is she?" Sheppard asked.

"Dr Cole has so far only performed an initial exam, but I thought you'd appreciate an update." Marie started, drawing grateful nods from her captive audience. "Dr Keller has significant bruising to her face and torso. Despite that she has sustained no fractures to her skull, cheek bones or jaw. She does however, have a broken wrist and two broken ribs. On a positive note there is no sign of internal bleeding and no swelling to her brain." Marie listed before looking over her shoulder. "I need to head back, Dr Cole should be over in thirty-ish minutes."

"Thanks Marie." Sheppard said, relieved the injuries were not more severe.

"Someone should get Lorne back." Sheppard said to Woolsey after allowing time for the news to sink in.

"To handle the investigation?" Woolsey asked.

"No, to be with the doc." Sheppard replied. When he saw Woolsey's blank look he added. "They're kind of an item, we think."

"I'll send the order." Woolsey said.

"Good. Ronon you're with me. Teyla stay here and keep an eye out for trouble."