I own none of this and make no money from it… I just blame the plot bunnies!
Chapter Three:
Homecoming
It had been a long three weeks with Larrin's people. Ronon didn't understand why Sheppard trusted her. Every time they got involved with her, there would be complications, hidden plots, and always, always a double-cross. The two-day mission had evolved into a long complicated chase and destroy journey. At least Ronon had gotten to blow a few things up. He stopped outside of his quarters and breathed a sigh of relief. A shower, a few hours sleep, and then first thing in the morning he will be in the Medical Bay seeing Jennifer again. The hardest part of the past three weeks had been missing Jen and worrying about her. He had been a bit unnerved by the realization that he had someone waiting for him for the first time in many years. It was nice too; to know that someone was worrying about him.
Ronon entered his quarters and headed for the shower. Dropping his weapons on his sofa, he began stripping his shirt off when a slight sound from the sleeping alcove caught his attention. He stealthily approached the bed and looked down at Jennifer's sleeping face. She was wearing sweat clothes and looked like she had been crying. He stood next to the bed and watched her sleep, feeling warmth spread throughout his body. He quietly finished disrobing and headed for his shower. The hot water washed away more than mud, the loneliness began to leave him as well. Once dried off he began looking for something to wear to bed. He usually slept nude, but with Jennifer in his bed, he decided to be more modest. Finding a pair of soft pants he received in a holiday gift exchange he decided they would do. They had a football team symbol on them, but he had never worn them, deeming them too fragile for training.
Ronon approached the bed again and noticed how Jennifer seemed to be hugging his pillow. He realized that her worry for him had brought her to his quarters. He gently slid her to the middle of his bed, grateful that his height and bulk had necessitated a larger bed, a "king-size" as Sheppard called it, most quarters on Atlantis had much smaller beds. Carefully, as not to wake the sleeping woman, Ronon slid in next to her. He reached out one arm and pulled her to rest on his shoulder. Breathing a sigh of contentment, Ronon felt sleep overtake him.
The morning sun was on her face, disorienting Jennifer a bit, the sun didn't usually hit her window until 1 or 2 in the afternoon. She felt warm and cozy in her bed. Usually her bed felt cold and somehow alien. Today it felt like waking on a winter's morning under a pile of warm blankets in Chippewa Falls. She stretched lazily and felt her leg slide along another leg. Jennifer squeaked in surprise and opened her eyes.
"Morning" smiled Ronon "did you sleep well?" his eyes held a hint of mischief as he looked at the woman who had been sleeping in his arms. Jennifer became aware that her head was on his bare shoulder, not a pillow, and she was draped all over him. The blush began at her cheeks and soon she felt that her entire body was blushing. "um, yes, well no, I mean…" Jennifer trails off and she refuses to meets Ronon's eyes. "I know I owe you an explanation about being here…" she begins.
Ronon cuts her off, "I understand, my first thought was to go to your quarters last night, but I smelled too bad." He gives her a half smile "this was the better idea though, I could get clean, rest, and be near you." Ronon leans toward Jennifer and smiles into her eyes, "It's nice to have someone worry about me again". Tears begin to well in Jennifer's eyes "I was worried you were all dead. I wondered what John had dragged you into, if Rodney's arrogance had blown something up, why you had been …." Ronon stopped her words with a gentle kiss. He thoroughly silenced her with his lips, making her mind go blank. "I will always come home to you Jennifer, always. My job is dangerous and yours can be too. We have this time together, let's enjoy it." Ronon's hands began making lazy circles on Jennifer's skin as he shifted to his side facing her.
Jennifer could not seem to gaze enough at him; over the past three weeks, she had nearly given him up for dead. When Colonel Carter had contacted the Travelers, they had been told that Sheppard and company hadn't arrived at the rendezvous spot. Carter had told Teyla and Jennifer this but had also said she didn't trust the Travelers. Teyla had agreed. Jennifer had kept herself busy with work. Working extra shifts, volunteering for medical missions off-world, anything to prevent her mind from thinking. Last night had been the worst. Unable to find anything to keep her mind busy, Jennifer had sat in her room for hours crying. Finally she put on her sweats and headed to Ronon's room, letting herself in with his pass code. She had sat on his bed holding his pillow trying to not think of him being gone. She must have fallen asleep because the next thing she knew, he was beside her!
As the knowledge sunk in that Ronon was alive and beside her, Jennifer began to realize the past three weeks had been physically hard on him, his face was bruised, a half-healed cut under his left eye, he seemed to be moving his right arm carefully as if it was injured. Jennifer sat up in the bed and pulled the covers off Ronon. "what have you done to yourself?" she demanded as she saw more bruising on his ribcage. She switched into doctor mode and began eyeing Ronon professionally. Ronon pulled her back to him, and said "you are Jennifer now, you can be a doctor later, now I need Jennifer!" Ronon began nibbling on her neck and earlobe. Jennifer gave herself over to the enjoyment of being held by Ronon. After several long minutes of being held the sunlight suddenly reminded her of her responsibilities. "wait a minute, what time is it?" Jennifer looked for a clock. "About 8 am" Ronon began caressing her back and hips. His lips traveled to her neck. "I have work!" Jennifer scrambled out of the bed and looked for her shoes.
Ronon laid back against his pillows and watched her frantic movements. She looked adorable trying to smooth her hair, straighten her clothes, and put on shoes. She also looked like she had been kissed thoroughly, there were whisker burns on her cheek and neck that he was sure she didn't know about. "we will all be in the medical bay later this morning for a team check up, Jen" Ronon smiled at her distracted look "I will let you worry over me then." With one arm behind his head, the blankets riding low on his hips, he looked too sexy for Jennifer to leave. But she knew she had to. As she walked over to his bed, his eyes grew soft and slumberous. "I really need to get to work Ronon" Jennifer stopped at his side and bent down to kiss him quickly. "but I am really, really happy you are home safe." Ronon watched Jennifer leave the room and realized he was happy to be home safe too.
Later that morning Ronon joined his team in the medical bay to be checked over. Teyla had joined them there as well and was lecturing Sheppard about trusting Larrin. Jennifer heartily agreed as she examined the half-healed cuts on Sheppard's arms and hands. Ronon stood next to her, just watching her work. She realized that a few months ago this would have made her nervous, but now it was reassuring her that he was there. Even Rodney had obviously defensive wounds on him. Jennifer wondered what hell they had been through as it was Ronon's turn to be examined and he removed his shirt. "oh my god, Ronon! I didn't notice these this morning!" Jennifer exclaimed. Sheppard's head snapped around at that and he stared at the doctor and Ronon. "hey doc," he drawled "didn't know you had already seen the big guy today." Jennifer looked up and realized the team were staring at her and Ronon speculatively, she felt her face begin to turn red.
Ronon scowled at Sheppard, causing Rodney to begin talking rapidly about what was for lunch. Teyla urged Sheppard and Rodney out of the medical bay and left Jennifer examining Ronon's injuries. "It looks like you had dislocated a shoulder, bruised if not broken a couple of ribs, and have injuries that needed stitches. She put her hands on her hips as she faced him. "I am not sure I want to know what happened. It will only make me worry more next time!" She moved a bit closer to stand between Ronon's knees. "I can wrap your ribs after we scan to make sure there are no internal injuries but that is about it. Who fixed your shoulder?" "Sheppard did."
Ronon rested his hands on her waist and pulled her closer to him "are you embarrassed about us? Do you want to keep our relationship a secret?" He looked steadily into her deep brown eyes. Jennifer stared back in to his eyes "what? No of course not! It's just gossip goes around and I am not used to being the one talked about" Ronon gave her a sweet kiss then chuckled a little, "well get used to it! Now let's hurry so we can get some of that blue stuff before Rodney eats it all" Ronon patiently allowed Jennifer to treat his wounds and wrap his sore ribs. "ready?" he asked with a smile, holding one hand out to her.
"Sure, can't miss the blue Jell-O!" Jennifer gladly took his hand as they headed to lunch. She had been so caught up in Ronon being gone, she hadn't even thought of the fact that there must be gossip about them. Once Sheppard's team had gone missing, Lorne and others stopped teasing her about the furniture she had bought Ronon. As she looked back over the past three weeks, everyone had been treating her like a grieving widow. As they walked through the corridors to the mess hall today though, she noticed many smiles being sent their way and found she didn't mind.
Jennifer followed Ronon to the large table where Rodney, Teyla, and Sheppard were all sitting. Zelenka and a few of the marines were there as well. John was entertaining them all with the story of their latest mission. Rodney kept interrupting to point out his own heroics. Ronon just applied himself to his food and ignored everyone but Jennifer. As the conversation waxed and waned around them, Jennifer was struck by the normalcy of it all. Sudden she felt tears welling up and sobs beginning. Everyone turned to look at her as she began sobbing uncontrollably. Ronon simply gathered her in his arms and carried her out of the mess without a word to anyone.
Jennifer wrapped her arms around Ronon's neck, hiding her face in his shirt, and couldn't stop sobbing. Knowing he was alive and well was a relief but only now was she realizing how close she came to losing him. Ronon was making soft shushing sounds at her, trying to reassure her, but Jennifer kept crying harder and harder. Ronon finally reached his quarters and walked to the easy chair.
"Hey Jen, it's ok. I am here and with you now" he stroked her hair out of her face and lifted it to meet his eyes. "we can end this if it will be too hard on you. HEY!!!" Ronon yelped as Jennifer's small fist caught him in his sore ribs.
"Just because I worry about you, just because I cry, it does NOT mean I don't want you! Men! Why do you always try to fix everything. You are going to go on missions, I am going to worry, and then you will come home and I will cry! If you can't deal with my tears maybe you aren't as brave as you appear!" Jennifer glared at Ronon, nearly laughing at the look of astonishment on his face. Ronon stared at the delicate woman on his lap. She looked fierce enough to take on even the Wraith at this moment.
"I'm sorry I upset you" Ronon said sheepishly "I don't want to lose you or cause you pain. I can deal with your tears just fine." Jennifer sniffed and settled back on his lap. "I want to just sit here and hold you a while ok? I spent a lot of time away thinking about us you know. How good and natural we are together. How nice your hair smells when I hold you, how you sigh just before I kiss you" Ronon moved in for a kiss and smiled at the sigh that escaped just before he kissed her. Her lips were so soft, so warm, so welcoming, Ronon couldn't resist tasting the side of her mouth with his tongue, at her gasp, he deepened the kiss and became lost in the sensations kissing her caused. He ran his hands down her back and over her curves, he wanted to be closer and closer.
"Doctor Keller?" her radio crackled "we have the test results you wanted" Jennifer pulled her lips from his and gave Ronon a rueful grin. "Duty calls" She switched on her earpiece "I'm on my way, Charlotte"
She slowly got off Ronon's lap and he just stared at her intently. "will I see you later?" came almost reluctantly from him. "dinner?" was her response. "I'll come and get you at the medical bay ok?" Jennifer smiled at him, "yes, but can we eat privately?"
Ronon devoured her with his eyes "yes, want me to bring something here before I get you?"
"that would be wonderful." Jennifer gave him another quick kiss and sped back to the medical bay. She stopped quickly at her own quarters to try to repair the damage sobbing had done to her face and fix her hair so it wasn't in her way. That was one thing about Ronon, he loved her hair loose and whenever they were together the first thing he did was take out anything holding it up or back from her face. Jennifer was kept busy for the rest of her shift and didn't have time to wonder what Ronon was planning for the evening.
"Hi" Jennifer looked up from her paperwork and saw Ronon waiting at her office entrance. "ready to go?" Ronon shifted slightly as if he was nervous. Jennifer tilted he head slightly and wondered what could make her Satedan nervous. She shut down her computer and walked over to Ronon smiling. "hi there" and Jennifer leaned up to give him a kiss. She realized that if he didn't lean down all she would get was his chin, luckily he always leaned down. The kiss went on and on until Jennifer realized that anyone walking by would see them so she moved away a little and gave Ronon a small smile.
Ronon silently took her hand and led her out of the bay. Jennifer liked that Ronon was comfortable being silent around her. Sometimes the world was too noisy and hectic and she needed quiet to think. As they approached his quarters, Ronon slowed down a bit. "um, uh, Teyla helped me a bit, and uh Sheppard had an idea or two, so if you don't like it blame them…" Ronon took a step back at his door so Jennifer could enter first. There were soft lights, soft music, some wine (must have been Sheppard's idea) soft pillows on the floor (Teyla's) and a meal spread out on the coffee table in front of the pillows.
"Wow, for me?" Jennifer gave Ronon a radiant smile. "This is fabulous!" Ronon seemed to relax a bit and ushered her to the table. "Sheppard said it was Valentine's Day today, he said it was something women like and this is considered a good idea." Ronon smiled and sat on the pillows "Teyla helped me decide how to make my room look." Jennifer sat close to Ronon and looked at all the food, even three colors of Jell-O! "is it serve yourself?" "yeah" comes the laconic reply. Jennifer grabs something before Ronon eats it all. They eat in mostly silence, enjoying the music and talking of inconsequential things. After finishing their meal, Ronon stood up and held out a hand for Jennifer to take. He led her to the easy chair and settled her on his lap. With his legs stretched out and his feet upon the footstool, they were both very comfortable.
"Jen?" Ronon asked after a minute or two "I have something else for you." Jennifer lifted her head from his shoulder. "you don't have to give me anything else Ronon, this evening was wonderful enough." Ronon only grunted and reached into a pocket. He pulled out a small box and passed it to her. "but Ronon where did you get this? When?" Jennifer was truly puzzled. "I bought it when Sheppard took me shopping. A woman at a store helped me pick it out." Ronon shrugged and couldn't seem to meet her eyes. Jennifer suddenly realized he was nervous about this gift. She carefully unwrapped the small box and lifted the top off. Within was the most exquisite gold heart. Suspended on a fine chain, the heart was of beaten gold and as she turned it in her fingers she saw that "Always" was engraved on the back. "Oh Ronon, this is exquisite!" Jennifer was awestruck by the sweetness of the gift. Carefully taking it out of the box she gestured for Ronon to put it on her. The feeling of his hands brushing the back of her neck caused her to shiver. Snuggling back onto his lap, Jennifer told him how beautiful his gift was with more than words.