Chapter 10

"Ok, so we all know why we're here," Colonel Samantha said as a way of beginning the meeting.

Rodney grunted from his place in between Evan Lorne and Teyla Emmagan. "To decide the...err boy...err Freddie, no Frank...Err," he spluttered as he struggled to remember the boys name, earning himself glares from all those around the table apart from Teyla who rolled her eyes and offered, "Perhaps the name you are searching for is Finan?"

"Finan yes, yes of course. Sorry, Sam you were saying?" he said under his colouring cheeks.

"Thank you, Rodney. Now, we're here to discuss Finn's future. In my opinion, Atlantis is not the place for children. I believe that he should go to another world that understands as he does the threat of the wraith and the loss they cause. Jennifer what do you think?"

Looking around her Jen could see the faces of everyone in the room looking in her direction. She was sat in between Teyla and Ronon and had not been concentrating on what Sam had been saying. Instead her mind was on the 'we need to talk' and the feeling of dread it was giving her.

"Oh sorry!" Jennifer said, blushing slightly. "I think he needs to be with children his own age and people from his own galaxy. As much I want him to stay, it would be unfair to let him," She said in a rush before she could change her mind. She knew it was going to come to this even though she didn't want it to. She was already imagining the awful scene of when they told Finn he couldn't stay. Tears threatened to fall. Why am I being like this. I know he can't stay I always did. I'm a professional; I'm not supposed to get so emotionally involved.

The rest of the meeting went by in a fog for Jennifer, the next thing she knew Colonel was summing up the meeting.

"Ok, so Lorne I want you and your team to go to Lindow, and discuss the possibility of Finn staying with them. We trade with them regularly and have built up a good relationship with them, so I can't see it being too much of a problem. Can you have your team ready within the hour major?" Carter asked.

Lorne nodded.

As the meeting drew to a close and Sam dismissed everyone, Jennifer remained in her seat watching McKay rush off to finish some important experiment. Sheppard and Lorne where discussing their bets on the new recruits, both arguing their sides passionately, before Lorne excused himself to prepare for the mission.

Sam and Teyla were also in deep discussion about some off world aid. That left Ronon, who had also not moved from his seat but had turned and was now facing Jen, his eyes studying her closely. He could tell she was struggling to keep control. He also knew that no how much she didn't want Finan to leave, she would do what was best for him, even if that meant letting him go.

"Are you ok?" Ronon asked Jen in attempt to drag her out of her daze.

Jen turned to face him and smiled, "Yeah I'm just thinking. You know I don't know whether to say anything to Finn now or wait till we know if they'll take him. I mean, do we tell him that he can't stay, that we're finding him somewhere else to go, or tell him when we know where he is going?"

Ronon sighed. He understood where she was coming from, but he also knew that the conversation was going to be difficult no matter when they had it. "I think we tell him now and let him get used to the idea."

Jen looked at Ronon and stared into his unreadable eyes. Smiling, she said, "Yeah, I think you're right...ok, let's get this over with."

Jen stood up and Ronon followed her, walking just to her side and behind her. About halfway to the infirmary Jen stopped and turned with a frown on her face and looked up at Ronon.

"What's with the bodyguard thing?" she asked. When Ronon gave her a blank stare she explained, "the walking behind me on one side? Look walk next to me, ok?"

Ronon grinned at her and nodded, falling into step with her as they walked the rest of the way.

They were a few metres from the infirmary when Ronon grabbed Jen's arm, stopping her and pulling her to face him. He looked to the floor for a moment and then looked into her face. "This is going to be hard. But we will do this, together. Ok?"

Jen nodded and smiled. Ronon leant forward and gave the Doctor a brief but passionate kiss on the lips.

Jen pulled away, breathless from the kiss and after taking a moment to compose themselves, they both headed into the infirmary to see Marie and a few other nurses watching with surprised faces.

Jen blushed, saying nothing as she led the way into Finn's room.

Finn was sat colouring when they entered, but upon seeing them he leapt up and hugged them in turn.

Ronon picked Finn up and sat on the edge of the bed and set him on his knee and Jen sat next to them.

Finn was chatting happily to Ronon telling about his drawings and Major Lorne and his team.

Jen let him talk for a while, but she knew the longer she waited the harder it was going to be to stop him. "Finn...There's something we need to tell you," Jen said, trying to keep her voice light.

But it took Finn only one look at her face to realise something was wrong. He stopped talking and looked between the adults. "You're not gonna be my parents are you?" said Finn sadly.

Jen shook her head, trying to find the words to comfort and explain to him. She was saved, however, by Ronon.

"No, we're not. But you're going to stay with a family, on planet like yours. There will be kids your age for you to play with. We'll come visit you as well." Ronon said.

Finan said nothing for a while, and then he quietly said, "Ok, I'll go."

Both Ronon and Jennifer looked at each other, surprise registering on their faces.

They stayed with Finan for a few hours before they were called to the control room. Major Lorne's team had arrived back, bringing the news that the village elders on the planet had agreed to take care of Finn.

The decision was made that in the morning he would go to his new home.

Jen and Ronon headed back to the infirmary to tell Finn.

Ronon could see that Jen was still upset, and so was he. This boy, no matter how short the amount of time spent with, had softened Ronon up. Also Finn had brought things into perspective. There was always hope, no matter what the Wraith did. As long as there was hope there would be survivors.

Reaching his arm around Jen and wrapping it around her shoulders he offered the only comfort he could give her for now.

Jen smiled up to him, but she had lost the shine behind her eyes.

As they arrived at the infirmary they met with a panicked nurse, "He's gone. I went to check on him, and he was gone."

No more needed to be said as Ronon and Jen ran to Finn's room. They had to see for themselves.

It was empty.

A/N:Thanks for reading, please review!!! I hope you don't mind the cliff hanger I will update again asap! Also thanks to Renisanz for betaing!!!