Thanks for the reviews :)
Title: Hope
Author: Cindy Ryan
Pairings: Lorne/Keller preship
Notes and summary: see part one
"How do I know I can trust you?"Jennifer asked though she knew she really didn't have a choice.
Evan didn't have time to wait for a rescue.
The blond pirate smirked as he leaned back against the wall of one of the caves east of the stargate. The quadrant of caves had long since been turned into a base camp. The largest one being reserved for the leader.
The others for supplies, and sleeping quarters.
"That's the problem, luv, isn't it?"The mercenary asked as he trailed a finger lightly down Jen's cheek. "But that's the deal, take it or leave it."
Jennifer took an involuntary step back from his touch and instantly slammed back into the chest of the pirate behind her.
Living with these men until John and Woosley figured out a way to break her agreement turned Jennifer's stomach.
She could see the leer in the leader's green eyes and knew exactly what he wanted her for.
What happened to her didn't matter.
She'd never been the brave one.
She'd never been the lucky one…..here or on Earth.
Medicine had been the one thing she could cling to.
The one thing she'd been good at.
She'd taken an oath to help people, to heal them any way she could.
This deal was her only way to help Evan.
"I'll take it."Jennifer replied quietly not breaking the leader's gaze.
The pirate's right hand caressed Jennifer's left cheek before coming to rest just under her chin.
"I like you…..may just keep you for myself after all."
Jennifer swallowed hard and tried to remember how Evan had looked at her the night before.
"We need to get my friend home….he needs medical attention."
The mercenary grinned. "He's more than your friend, luv."
Jennifer couldn't stop the blush that flashed across her face as she realized what they had seen.
She couldn't help but feel violated….a special moment had been tainted
The leader's laughter bounced off the cave walls as he exited.
The pirate standing behind Jennifer shoved her forward and out of the cave. As she stepped into the daylight Jennifer saw that the mercenary had retrieved the red control crystal and was holding it in his right hand.
He moved back toward Jennifer and she had to force herself not to step away. He cocked his head toward the darkening sky to the west.
"There's a storm comin' that makes gate travel a bit sketchy. I'll have my men bring your friend back here. As soon as it passes I'll keep my end of the deal and send lover boy home."
"Thank you."Jennifer acknowledged through gritted teeth. Bargains with the devil were never easy.
The pirate leader grinned and yanked Jennifer towards him as the storm grew closer. Lightening flashed.
It was all Jennifer could do not to slap him as he kissed her.
"Don't worry luv you'll have lots of time to thank me later."
Jennifer moved away from him as he turned and ordered three of the mercenaries to get Evan.
She could only pray that his fever hadn't gotten worse in the time she was gone.
If it had…..Jennifer's gaze traveled to the dark sky……she wasn't sure Evan would be able to wait for the storm to pass.
*********
"Do you think they're alive?"Ronon asked quietly as he stood and leaned against the left wall in the back of the jumper.
He'd never been one for sitting still.
Sheppard's gaze didn't break from the planet below as they all watched the grayish purple spot move across the planet's atmosphere.
"Lorne's gotten out of worse scrapes than this."John replied hoping the conviction in his voice was believable. He just couldn't shake this nagging feeling in his gut that something was drastically wrong down there.
"Yeah."Ronon agreed as he exchanged a worried glance with Teyla.
John watched the storm and thought about the two lost members of the expedition.
Atlantis had lost so many that he didn't want to add them to the list.
Personally or professionally.
Lorne had become a close friend as well as a damn good second in command who was long over due for a promotion.
Keller had come a long way since her arrival on Atlantis. She'd been thrust into the CMO position under difficult circumstances. She'd proven herself a hundred times over despite the running joke around base of her having a jinx label.
John also knew how close the two had become. He didn't know if it had gone beyond friendship….but knew Evan and Jen would do anything for the other.
At the moment that's what scared John more than Keller's jinx.
