As Jennifer's head hung down, the slaver could not resist gloating. He stalked up to her, yanked back her head and hissed, "Told you, you'd scream. Now die".
The moment's delay in killing her gave the Marine's their opening. Almost as one, 7 shots rang out and the guards dropped to the ground, dead. A second later, as he was looking around him in disbelief, the distinctive sound of Ronon's gun was heard. One second after that, the slaver boss fell to the ground at Jennifer's feet.
Jennifer slumped forward, only remaining on her feet due to the ropes binding her to the posts. All around her, children screamed and ran for the relative safety of the huts. But all she heard, over and over again, was the beautiful sound of Ronon's gun. He'd found her. Finally she could let go and someone else could do the caring for a while.
John and Ronon led the way into the compound blasting open the gates and headed straight for Jen.
"Check all of them are dead, then get their bodies into the hut out there" Sheppard shouted. "McKay, Penta, get in here at the double".
Ronon stood in front of Jen, one hand holding her head, the other her lower back carefully avoiding her wounds. As John cut the ropes, she collapsed on to him and he gently sank down to the ground with her, stroking her hair as she cried.
"You came" she sobbed, so quietly he had to strain to hear her. "I prayed you'd find me in time".
"Shush, you're safe now. Let us take care of you" he murmured.
As Jen gradually composed herself, Sheppard took complete control of the situation, issuing instructions along the way.
"Penta, your job is to try and organise these kids. I need them to calm down. Make sure they know we're the good guys. Lorne, contact Anders at the Gate and tell him to get in touch with Carter. We're going to need medics and nurses – as many as possible better be female, less intimidating for them – and all the Jumpers. I want to get all the kids to Atlantis for treatment, we'll work out what happens after that, later on".
"On it, Sir".
"Thomas, take 3 men. Check the perimeter, make sure we didn't miss any of them. The rest of you, once Penta's done his bit, see if you can help the kids while we wait. Raid the Jumpers for supplies and food. See if there is food over in the guard's hut and set up a field kitchen. It won't be much but it's a start. McKay, you're with me".
The 2 men walked over to where Ronon was still on the ground cradling Jennifer, talking quietly to her.
McKay looked worried. "I don't know if I can face her. I mean what do I say, without it sounding wrong".
"Don't ask me, Rodney" said Sheppard slowly. "I think this is definitely a case of playing it by ear. I'm not sure any of us are going to be okay around her for awhile. Let's just see what happens".
They sat down beside her and waited to let her get comfortable with their presence. When she spoke, her voice was stronger, though she winced constantly from the pain that she was obviously feeling. Her face was streaked with dried tears and her back still oozed blood, though not as fast as before.
"Colonel, Rodney. God, am I glad to see all of you. Did you find Peterson and the children? Is he okay? I'm sorry I screwed up. I should have taken a weapon, tried to kill the slavers when they came back. Promised Penta and Kazy we'd look after them, told these kids we'd try to get them home, should have kept my mouth shut, should have..." she babbled.
Then she just ran out of energy and her voice fell silent.
"For God's sake, take it easy Doc. First things first. What can we do for you..." began Sheppard.
"No" she whispered, "me last. As soon as you start trying to help me, I'm going to start screaming again. Don't want that yet. I'm just not brave enough for this – low pain threshold, you know. Tell me what I need to know, please."
"Okay. When we arrived Peterson was alive but had not regained consciousness. Penta and Kazy were just plain scared – Kazy, we persuaded to go to Atlantis. Penta's here, talking to these kids. We wouldn't have found you as easily without his help. I've sent for as many Jumpers and medics as possible. I thought female staff would be best for the kids – I'm betting that they're going to be wary of strange men for a long time to come. We'll take them back with us and those that we can get back to their families, we will. The others, well we'll deal with that when the time comes".
"Will Sam be alright with this, do you think", interrupted Rodney.
"If not, I can probably guilt trip her into it. After all, this mission was her idea". Jen gave a weak giggle.
Sheppard and Rodney couldn't help it, they both burst out laughing. It was a strange sound considering the circumstances. Ronon's expression never changed, his eyes never left her face and his hand continued to stroke her matted hair. He was totally focused on her, and as Jen looked at him, really looked, she started to blush as she always seemed to in his company.
Deciding that they were neither needed or wanted at that moment, the two men went over to check on Penta's progress with the children, even though Rodney kept moaning that he really, really didn't like children, well apart from Madison that is.
Jennifer was starting to get nervous, Ronon's look was so intense.
"What?"
Ronon didn't reply, just kept looking as though he could see into her soul. His fingers moved gently over her face, finally brushing across her lips before returning to her hair. It took all of Jen's willpower to keep her tongue from peeking out to lick his fingertips.
"What?" she repeated. "Please Ronon you're starting to freak me out here".
"Why did you say you weren't brave?"
"Sorry. I don't understand".
Ronon sighed and spoke quietly. "You said you weren't brave enough for this. Why would you say that? You were brave to go through the Gate in the first place, brave when the slavers attacked, brave when you distracted them from Peterson and the children, and brave to take someone else's punishment. How much braver do you think you need to be?"
Jen blushed even more from the unexpected words, thinking to herself that she still wasn't brave enough to tell Ronon about her feelings.
Sheppard ambled back over to them saying "Okay everything's set. Penta's got the kids here sorted out, transport is on its way and quarters on Atlantis are being prepared as we speak. So now it's just you to take care of, Doc".
"I used up all my painkillers on the children, so I can only see one option. Ronon, your gun has a stun setting, doesn't it? I want you to stun me and wrap me in a clean foil blanket, if you've got one, for the journey back home. It'll make things simpler all round if I'm out of it".
"You've got to be kidding me, Doc" exclaimed Sheppard.
Jennifer didn't say anything, just stared at Ronon, silently begging him to do as she asked. He looked deep into her eyes, then removed the gun from its holster and changed the setting back to its usual stun. Handing it to Sheppard he pulled her tightly to his chest and whispered in her ear "See, you're still being brave". He nodded to his team leader and within minutes he had transferred her to Jumper 2, along with Penta, who was missing his little sister. Unable to let her go for even a second, he sat on the floor of the Jumper's rear compartment, thinking hard.
She'd called Atlantis 'home', maybe they could find a home there together.
Leaning back against the bench seat, he closed his eyes and contemplated his future – with her.
The End
