Ronon POV

Ronon heard Sheppard and Teyla appear behind him with guns at the ready. He saw the cold metal of the gun aimed at his chest. Matis' eyes flashed with defeat and then anger. He felt the air move and time seemed to stop.

He felt many things all at once. He felt the bullet leave the gun and he simply accepted that this was his time. He felt regret of the things he had lost and would never get back. He felt sadden for the people he would leave behind but most of all, he felt at peace. If this was his time them so be it.

In his acceptance of the situation, he failed to notice May's movements. It was only when she barrelled into to him knocking him back and out the way of the bullet, did he realised she had taken the bullet for him. He felt the impact as though it was his own. Her body unbalanced by it, crumpled to the ground where she lay unmoving.

Before he could react he heard a single shot fire from Sheppard P 90 knocking the gun out of Matis hands. Ronon looked over at May lying still on the ground and roaring in anger, launched himself at the man. While Matis might have been a good fighter he was no match for the enraged runner baring down on him. And in one punch Ronon found Matis flying and unconscious. Before Ronon in his need for revenge, could do any more damage to the man john placed himself in his path.

Stand down. Sheppard ordered, that's an order, and all at once Ronon hated john. He wanted to kill the man lying on the floor. He felt that hatred, he had only revered for the wraith, flood through him, the only thing standing in his way was his commanding officer. He took a step towards John, you will move Ronon thought whether by choice or by force you will move

John looked into Ronon's eyes and could help but be reminded of Ronon when they had first meet, the hate and hopelessness had replaced anything he had gained since he had been on Atlantis.

'May needs a doctor.' He tried to reason. 'And the sooner the better, we need to go.'

It was this that made Ronon began to see straight. His hate fading, replaced by concern and guilt. He was supposed to protect her. He had failed. He ran to her and felt for a pulse, breathing out in relief as he found one. He quickly checked over her and noted a small cut on her forehead. He frown in confusion and a quick inspection of the area, reveal a small jagged rock with blood on it, he cursed realising she had hit her head as she went down.

He picked May up cradling her to him, he marvel at how light she was, how fragile she seemed. He vowed then and there, nothing and no one would ever hurt her again.

As he carried her to the jumper, Sheppard had uncloaked, he called over is shoulder to grab her equipment, when she was recovered she would be upset if the trip was in vain.

He laid her down and applied pressure to her wound as the jumper doors closed and John sped back to the gate, Teyla stored the equipment and immediately got the jumpers first aid out and began to help.

The journey to the ruins taken minutes, but the journey back seemed to stretch on. Ronon barely registered the gate being dialled or John explanation of the situation nor did he really recognise Dr. Weir's guilt ridden expression through the front viewer of the jumper. It was only when they landed did Ronon shake off his stupor without a word he picked May up and headed to the infirmary.

Carson met them in the corridor just out side the jumper with a gurney he reluctantly placed her on the bed but as he let her go she seemed to wake and grab on to him in fear. Her fogged eyes looked into his as they drooped he eased her back on to the bed and she whimpered out one word before surrendering to the dark.

'Tim'

Carson POV

After four hours of routing around in May's shoulder, the bullet, which had done a lot of damage but had missed lung and collarbone, was finally removed.

He walked out of the OR exhausted but pleased, leaving the nurses change and dress the wound. He removed the scrubs and placed them in the medical wastebasket while musing on how the young women had come to be lying in his OR in the first place. He almost hadn't believe Ronon when he quickly explained. One, because Ronon had done the talking and two, because Ronon had given details. Rather then just gunshot and head wound. Ronon had said 'gunshot to the shoulder' and 'head wound to the forehead, cause by a sharp rock.' He had estimated how long May had been unconscious told Carson everything Teyla had done on the journey back. By the time Carson had May in the infirmary he had all the details to get the OR set up in record time.

He looked up and was not surprised to see Ronon pacing. He was also not surprised to see that Ronon hadn't been attended to. No doubt he had scared every doctor and nurse into leaving him alone until May was out of the OR. He walked over and told him

She alright. He said to Ronon, who seemed to not hear him, continued to pace. Carson stepped in front of him. "Ronon, she'll be fine lad but she's going to need some help getting better."

Come on; let me take a look at you. He motioned to the bed.

I'm fine came the gruff reply.

When he had worked with the young doctor, he had seen the sadness she tried to hide. At first she had kept a professional distance, but as they had work together the discoverers, they had made, helped them to overcome her shyness. He quickly learnt she was uncomfortable with physical contact and she struggled to laugh an enjoy herself. He came to realise she had been hurt, deeply.

He had watched the friendship between Ronon and May in surprise, for all appearances they had nothing in common. However, he was grateful she had a friend in the runner. What amazed him more were changes in Ronon. Having to survive for so many years alone had made the runner almost detached and feral, his life had been about killing wraith and nothing else. His taciturn manner set people on edge. But with May he was gentle and caring. He asked questions and offered opinion he brought her out of her shell by coming out of his.

He knew that once Ronon had placed someone in his 'family' he would protect them until his dying breathe but he was more amazed that May had been hurt protecting Ronon. He knew this would not sit well with the warrior.

She's sleeping and will be for some time. You need to get that cut looked at and you need to eat and rest. You can't help her if you're not well yourself.

Carson saw an unexpected sadness cross his face and Ronon sat down on the bed.

'My job was to protect her. I failed'. Ronon said His usual reticent manner coming back. Carson cleaned up the wounds and did the usual tests, mulling over what Ronon's words.

As they were finishing up May was being wheeled in to Recovery. They both looked at the women on the bed, she looked so pale and tired.

Ronon raised his head, shot a grateful look at Carson and left without a word, just a quick backwards glance to the lone figure asleep in the bed. It was a silent promise.