"You should get some rest lass." Carson said as he approached Jennifer who was hunched over her desk.
"I need to get this done before tomorrow." Jennifer replied.
"Jennifer you have prepared for tomorrow's IOA tour more than I ever did. It will be fine. You need to worry less." Carson smiled encouragingly. "If it makes you feel better I have just heard Colonel Sheppard's team has returned, without injuries."
"Really?" Jennifer asked.
"Really, but before you get your hopes up they were taken into a debriefing the second they stepped through the gate."
"Well that gives me more time to prepare I guess." Jennifer said.
"No more preparation. You need to unwind. Everything is running smoothly for a change so go. Technically you are not even rostered on today." Carson said. "Go enjoy the wonder view this city provides."
"What view? It has rained non stop for three days."
"What is the matter?" Carson asked as he perched on the side of the bench.
"I don't know. Dyson is the type of person who rubs me up the wrong way and the thought of spending tomorrow with him is not appealing." She sighed. "Plus I have a strong urge to kill Colonel Sheppard and the rest of the senior staff for leaving Lorne and me with Dyson this afternoon."
"I remember when I took my first role in America the manager of the hospital came up to me on the first day and said that he understood I was from Scotland and as such he did not expect me to be able to use all of the high tech equipment that the hospital had to offer, but that I should try my best and not be afraid to ask for help. Whenever something went wrong he said that he understood and he did not expect miracles and that it would take time for me to adjust to working in a real hospital. When things went right he praised everyone else for helping me cope with the wonder of MRIs." Carson reminisced.
"What did you do?"
"Gerbils."
"Excuse me?"
"I brought a couple of gerbils and every night I would go home and complain to the wee gerbils who would sit there nibbling on cardboard. Then one day I was invited, out of pity or his feeling of duty, to a shindig at his house. Lots of big names were there. Anyway lets just say that Hamish and Burns-"
"The gerbils?" Jennifer questioned.
"Aye the gerbils, made a guest appearance during his famous 'the way to success is hygiene' speech. He never lived that down. When I had finally moved on he still didn't suspect me, as I was just a dumb Scot. Anyway my point is that being underestimated has advantages."
"I thought the point was revenge is good." Jennifer commented.
"Well that to lass." Carson smiled. "Now off with ya. If Ronon catches you down here, it will be me who pays the price."
"Night Carson and thank you." Jennifer smiled as she left.
Taking Carson's advice Jennifer went on a mind clearing jog, allowing the relentless beating of rain help her forget about Dyson. Finally she pulled up on a balcony and stared out seeing the not so bright lights of the city through the thick droplets of rain. She listened to the howling wind as it battered the city. Had she not just been for the jog the cold wind would have made her shiver, but right now it was refreshing. She thought she saw something move behind her and turned round. She saw nothing but she flinched slightly as a lightening bolt discharged nearby and lit the surroundings. She shook her head at her own jumpiness and went back to listening to the beating of the rain. Shutting her eyes she felt the wind flow through her hair and push against her. She felt herself relax at the thought that Dyson's trip was only short. Before all the tension had ebbed from her another bolt of lightening flashed and a deep ground shaking rumble of thunder sounded. Coincided with the rumble a hand grabbed her shoulder. As her heart shot out of her chest she spun round into the muscular wall that was Ronon.
Before he could say anything she hit his arm causing him to raise his eyebrows.
"That was for sneaking up on me, again." She said causing an amused smirk to line Ronon's face. "And that." She said hitting him again, "Is for running away on a mission and abandoning me with Dyson."
"Anything else?" Ronon asked.
"No." Jennifer said as she rested her head against Ronon's chest whilst he wrapped his arms round her.
"Blame Sheppard." He eventually said. "I was just following orders."
"That doesn't cut it with me." Jennifer said.
"If it makes you feel better I just had a debriefing with him. Tomorrow we have to take Woolsey on a mission."
"With Dyson?" Jennifer asked hopefully.
"No, he is going to run the city." Ronon explained.
"Oh great." Jennifer said as she tightly held Ronon.
"He'll be gone soon." Ronon said as he kissed the top of her head.
As the two continued their embrace neither one of them noticed they were not alone.