Epilogue

Ronon was waiting for her when Janna returned to her tent. He took one look at her tear stained face and assumed the worst. Janna managed to tell him what had taken place before the sobs overtook her again. In the few hours that came, she managed to deal with all her hurt and anger from the past several years.

It all came out in sobs and tears as she dealt with the passing of the young boy whom she'd been matched to marry, her sister whom she'd saved only to have the Wraith snatch her away again, the life she'd lost because of the culling, the horrors she'd experienced as a runner.

Finally, mercifully, she fell asleep; curled up in Ronon's arm. And for the first time in a long time, she slept.

The next morning found her feeling warm and comfortable. She opened her eyes and realized she was in her bed. Ronon's arms were around her and a blanket had been placed over both of them. She moved closer to him, waking Ronon on the process.

"How long did I sleep?" Janna whispered.

"All night." Ronon said, his voice deep with sleep. "It's morning already. Teyla sent word; she wants you to meet her at the river; for Tor'an."

They lay there for a moment, hearing the birds bring in the morning with their songs. Janna's hand played with his necklace. Ronon went to kiss her, but Janna rolled over and sat up. She flung the blankets off.

Her bare feet hit the floor and Janna realized that most of her clothing had been removed.

Janna spotted her clothing lying on a low bench, neatly folded next to Ronon's outer clothing which had been thrown haphazardly. "Who know you were so neat?" She teased as she walked over to her clothes.

"I'm not." Ronon said as he heaved himself off the bed. "But for you I can be." He said looking down at her. He stepped closer.

Janna put her hands on his chest. "I'd love too, but I'm going to be late." She said softly stepping away from him. "I assume Teyla wants to perform the death ritual."

"Which one of you is dying?" Ronon asked.

Janna smiled as she tugged on her clothing. "Neither." She replied. "We are preforming it for Tor'an."

Ronon fell silent as he thought that one through. "Good." He said simply after a moment. "Good for you."

"It's time to get some closure." Janna responded. She threw her cloak over her shoulders, and then reached up and gave him a kiss. She pulled back, resting her hands on the sides of his face. "I will be back. Don't go anywhere."

"I'm hunting this morning." Ronon reminded her.

"Then hunt well, Ronon Dex." Janna told him. She gave him a small smile before vanishing from sight beyond the flap of the tent, leaving only cold air behind.

Ronon sighed and then looked for his outer clothing. This trip was turning into more then he'd bargained for.

o0o

Teyla was waiting at the river when Janna arrived. She was already holding the candles needed to light the way for Tor'an. Janna took the candle that Teyla held out to her with a small smile. Together both woman turned to face the river and started to chant the song of the death ritual, a song of lament for one taken from then so soon.

Teyla stopped singing to allow Janna to recite the lover's portion of the song. Even though Janna and Tor'an had only been children, their families had chosen them to marry and thus, the portion of the song belonged to her.

Together they finished singing the song of lament. But Janna continued singing, adding another verse for her sister. Teyla waited for her to finished and then as one, they blew out the candles.

The two woman embraced and then headed back to the settlement together.

o0o

Janna was in her tent when the flap was violently torn aside to reveal Ronon standing in the door way. She turned away at his look. He was angry. She would be too.

"Why didn't you tell me you were staying?" He asked walking into the tent. There was barely enough room to accommodate his large frame.

"I was going to tell you." Janna said.

"When?" Ronon demanded. "As I was getting into a Jumper? Teyla told me."

"She should have waited." She reached to take her weapons belt off the hook by the door. The trunk was open; it was obvious that she was packing things away.

Ronon grabbed her hand and pulled her up and towards him. "Come back with me." He said quietly holding her by the upper arms.

Janna put her head on his chest and he hugged her close.

"I can't." She said after a few minutes. Her voice was slightly muffled by Ronon's shirt. "Please do not ask again, Ronon."

She raised her head to look him in the eyes. "I don't belong there, not like you do. I am no longer an outcast here, in the City of the Ancestors, I will be."

"You'll have to deal with Lorne sooner or later." He warned her.

"I'm not avoiding that." She told him. He looked away from her. She turned his face back towards her. "But I belong here." She told him quietly. "We will see each other again."

Ronon looked down at her. He studied her face and knew he couldn't argue with her. He lowered his head and kissed her like he would never see her again. Janna returned to kiss, just as passionately.

"Goodbye, Jannalee Anogan." He told her quietly.

"Goodbye, Ronon Dex." She repeated.

fini