Ronon sat by Jennifer's side, holding her hand for three hours before a weary looking man in scrubs approached. Jennifer immediately leapt up and stared at the man with a mixture of fear and hope written over her face. Ronon stood behind her like a shadow.

"The operation seems to have been a success. We found the bleeder and repaired it. We also found some other minor damage which has also been repaired. Your father's vitals have stabilised and he will be moved out of recovery in the next twenty minutes. Obviously he is not out of the woods yet, but the signs are good. As soon as the nurses have him settled you will be allowed in." On hearing the words Jennifer sagged into Ronon's chest and allowed the former runner to hold her.

Hours later and Jennifer's father had still not woken, no matter what the staff said Ronon was sure this was a bad sign. Feeling useless he sat and watched Jennifer, who was perched on another uncomfortable chair, at her father's side. Ronon could see the exhaustion etched on Jennifer's face and knew it was only worry that was keeping her going. When she stood and stretched out her back Ronon moved over to her.

"You should rest."

"I'm not leaving." Jennifer replied sternly.

"I said rest not leave." Ronon said gently. "Try and get some sleep."

"In that chair, not likely." Jennifer replied.

"He'll worry if he wakes up and sees you looking so tired." Ronon argued.

"I know. But I am not leaving him. I'll sleep when he wakes up." Jennifer said. Ronon silently nodded then gently gripped Jennifer's arms.

"Do you trust me?" He asked, surprising Jennifer.

"Of course I trust you." She said, still unsure why he had asked.

As soon as Ronon heard the answer he lifted Jennifer up bridle style, gently explaining. "I have a way for you to be comfortable." He then sat down on the chair with Jennifer on top of him.

"You want me to use you as a cushion?" Jennifer asked, sure her fatigued mind was playing with her.

Ronon confirmed that was his plan and Jennifer immediately began to protest, causing his heart to sink. That was until he realised her protests originated form concern about his comfort.

"I'm fine. Compared to sleeping in the wilderness during a snow storm this is comfortable." Ronon said as he tightened his grip, hoping Jennifer would understand she would not win the argument. On cue Jennifer relaxed in his arms and whispered her thanks.

Within twenty minutes Jennifer, cradled snugly in Ronon's arms, had succumbed to her exhaustion. Ronon sitting stoically beneath her watching her, his eyes transfixed on the bruise, causing his guilt to build within him.

As the hours passed Ronon would every so often force his eyes from Jennifer to her father's frail form. It was on one of these occasions he found two eyes, full of pain and confusion, staring back at him.

Ronon carefully shook Jennifer awake and pointed to her father. On seeing that he was awake Jennifer sprung out of Ronon's lap towards her father, gripping his hand in hers. As Jennifer began to talk to her father Ronon silently slipped from the room.

An hour later Ronon returned to the room and saw that Jennifer's father was once again asleep. Looking round he saw Jennifer restlessly pace the room. When Jennifer realised Ronon had entered she stopped and faced him.

"Ronon? I thought you'd gone."

"I'm not leaving." Ronon said, before adding as an after thought. "Unless you want me to." Not giving Jennifer a chance to answer he explained. "I thought you might want some privacy."

"Thank you." Jennifer said, her eyes welling. "You didn't have to go."

"I thought you probably haven't eaten since the mission so I also tried to find you food."

"Not sure I could stomach hospital food right now."

"I don't think I could ever stomach your hospital food." Ronon replied. "And I thought what you got on a Hive was bad." He half smiled before holding out his arm. "I thought this would be safe though."

Jennifer picked the Hershey's bar from Ronon's hand and said. "Thank you. I haven't had one of these in ages."

"How is he?" Ronon asked nodding to her father.

"Still to early to tell. Waking up is a good thing, obviously, but until all the anaesthetic is cleared from his system he won't be too responsive." She explained. Ronon recognised her words as coming from a talk she had given him the last time Sheppard had undergone surgery. Despite her professional answer and tone he could see the uncertainty and worry in her eyes. Before he could offer any words of comfort Jennifer sat back down in her chair and chewed on her lip. Not sure what to do Ronon took a seat on the far side of the room and continued to monitor Jennifer.

Over the next few hours Jennifer's father woke up several times. Each time managing to stay awake for a bit longer. Each time Jennifer would jump towards him at the first sign of consciousness, then talk to him until he drifted off. When he finally stayed awake long enough for a conversation Jennifer explained what had happened and what his injuries were. When she was finished he asked.

"Did I suffer a head injury?"

"No." Jennifer said, before beginning to worry about his reasons for asking. "Does you head hurt? Dizziness? Nausea?"

"No. It's fine. I just had a strange dream." He assured her.

"What happened?" Jennifer asked, growing increasingly concerned something else might have been missed.

"Doesn't matter." He said before asking. "What happened to your face?"

"Accident at work." Jennifer replied before asking if he needed any pain meds. A few minutes later he was asleep again.

The next time he woke Jennifer was hunched over the bed asleep, her head resting by his side. Not wanting to disturb his daughter the elder Keller looked round the room and saw Ronon sitting in the corner watching Jennifer.

"Not a dream then." Jennifer's father muttered causing Ronon's head to look towards him. "Who exactly are you?" He asked, not entirely convinced he wasn't hallucinating.

"Ronon." The former runner replied before deciding that more information might be useful. "I'm a friend of Jennifer's."

As Jennifer's father tried to process the information and decide if Ronon was real a nurse walked into the room.

"Mr Keller. You're awake and with me in the room." She greeted. The sound of her voice woke Jennifer, whose head shot up.

"Dad?" She said half as a statement, half as a question.

"I'm still here." He said squeezing her hand.

"Yes he is. But I will need you and your friend to go. I need to start running some tests." The nurse said. Taking the hint Ronon stood and moved over to Jennifer who remained sitting.

"I'm fairly sure she means you too. I promise I am not going any where." He father assured her. Finding comfort in his words she leaned over and kissed his forehead before standing.

She wasn't sure when the room began to spin or when the floor became far from solid. Nor was she sure how Ronon managed to get his arm round her so quickly and stop her falling. When the dizziness passed she became aware of three sets of concerned eyes looking at her.

"I'm ok." She said. "I just stood to quickly." She added causing the nurse to make a strange snorting sound before saying.

"I'll take this moment to remind you I am a trained nurse and that explanation doesn't cut it. You dear are suffering from exhaustion and you need sleep. Real sleep."

"But-" Jennifer started only for her father to cut her off.

"Sweetheart you can hardly stand. Go home and get some sleep. I promise I'll still be here tomorrow."

"I-" Jennifer started again only for her father to interrupt once more.

"Ronon. Please take my daughter to get some rest." He asked causing Ronon to feel conflict. He knew Jennifer needed rest, but he did not want to force her to go.

"Technically it is not visiting hours right now." The nurse pointed out. "If you want to make a habit of being here outside those hours you need to stay in my good books so go."

Clearly torn, Jennifer reluctantly leant down and kissed her father on the forehead before allowing Ronon to lead her out of the room and towards the minicab stand.

When the taxi finally pulled up to Jennifer's father's house Jennifer was fast asleep on Ronon's shoulder. Not wanting to wake her, but knowing breaking down the front door would not put him in Jennifer's good books he gently shook her awake. After a few moments of confusion Jennifer realised where they were and apologised to Ronon for falling to sleep. Half in a daze Jennifer handed some money to the driver before climbing out of the cab, Ronon watching every move, before fumbling with her keys. By the time they had got through the front door Ronon wasn't sure how Jennifer was still awake and standing. Shutting the front door Ronon gently reached out for Jennifer's shoulder and asked.

"You ok?" In response Jennifer silently nodded before turning to face him. To his surprise she then flung her arms round him and whispered.

"Thank you."

Ronon was just overcoming the shock and was about to return the embrace when Jennifer pulled away and apologised.

"It's fine." Ronon said, before cursing himself for his response. "Come on you need to sleep." He said as he guided Jennifer upstairs. Once on the landing Jennifer opened one of the doors and collapsed on the bed in the room, whilst Ronon stood awkwardly in the doorway.

"Um, can I ask a favour?" Jennifer asked sheepishly.

"Anything."

"Will you stay here? I mean till I fall to sleep. It's just I don't want to be alone." Ronon looked down at Jennifer desperate to yes, but not wanting to take advantage. Jennifer misread his hesitation and said. "I'm sorry I shouldn't have asked."

"No." Ronon said quickly and with more force than he had intended. "I mean, I'm happy to. You just surprised me." He added as he mentally scolded himself. Giving up with words he hurried to Jennifer's bed and lay down next to her, drawing her in for a hug.

Overwhelmed by a need for contact Jennifer relaxed into Ronon's chest and asked. "Ronon. Why did you come?"

Ronon was saved from answering by Jennifer falling to sleep.