Chapter 10

Laura rang Jennifer's door early. They'd arranged to meet for breakfast before Laura started her shift on the Daedalus. As the two friends walked to the mess hall they decided it'd be fun to watch a movie later after dinner. They loaded up their trays and found an empty table.

Just as they were starting their breakfasts they were joined by Major Lorne, "Good Morning Ladies."

"You're both up awfully early," Evan said with a questioning look.

"I'm on duty in about 45 minutes so we're planning our evening," Laura answered.

"So what're your plans?" Evan asked looking between his two friends.

"Most likely a movie and popcorn," Jennifer said. "Why don't you join us?" Jen offered.

"Sounds good," Evan eagerly agreed. Lorne loved spending time with Jennifer and Laura. He didn't get to do it nearly enough.

The three talked about assignments and general chatter. Jennifer and Laura stood to leave after agreeing to meet Evan around 1800 hours.

It was still early so Jennifer stopped by Ronon's room to leave him a thank you card. She knew he had already left on a mission so his room should be empty. Returning to her own room she took a few minutes to straightened up her quarters for her company tonight before heading to the infirmary.

Dr. Keller had a fairly easy day. She finished a stack of paperwork even managing to make it to lunch at a reasonable time for once.

There wasn't much on the schedule for today. SGA-1 was due to return from their mission later this evening. Dr. Barns would be on shift in the infirmary when SGA-1 returned but Jennifer thought she'd better step in and take care of Ronon's check up. She didn't mind and it shouldn't take long. Dr. Barns was new and Jennifer didn't want him subjected to Ronon's temperament just yet.

Later in the afternoon one of the new scientists, Dr. Andrew Wright, came in to register a prescription that he'd brought with him from Earth. All monthly refills were required to be logged in the infirmary within the first week of arrival. Dr. Wright and Dr. Keller spent a few minutes chatting discovering they were from the same part of the country, upper Midwest. It was a pleasant visit and the doctor seemed very likeable.

Before he left, Dr. Wright invited Jennifer to dinner. She thanked him graciously explaining she already had evening plans with some friends. Dr. Wright left, suggesting maybe another time.

Jennifer spent the late afternoon working in her office on patient files. She found herself drifting, thinking about Dr. Wright. He seemed pleasant enough. Maybe she should accept a dinner invitation.

Jennifer had no hard fast rules for herself concerning dating in Atlantis. Actually, she really hadn't dated enough to set up any personal rules.

She'd turned down the offers she'd received so far while on Atlantis, so maybe she did have rules she just hadn't realized it. Like not dating new recruits, or anyone who hadn't been on base at least a year, or anyone from the infirmary. Okay, she guessed she did have rules after all.

Just the same, it would be nice to go on a date and maybe even have a relationship with someone again. She loved the anticipation of the first date, the looks shared and new conversations held. The evening ending with that first kiss. Jennifer sighed, okay enough daydreaming, time to finish up for the day.

Jennifer returned to her quarters and changed her clothes before wandering down to the mess hall to meet Major Lorne and Laura for dinner. Lt. Cadman mentioned there was a Daedalus vs. Atlantis basketball game being held and suggested they watch the movie after the game. There was always some kind of challenge happening during the Daedalus' last night on Atlantis.

"Sounds good, we'll go to the game and watch the movie afterwards," Jennifer agreed. "Are either of you going to play?" Jen asked.

"Nope, just a spectator tonight," Lorne answered.

"Me too," Laura added. "Besides, we always seem to take a whipping when we play you Lantians! It's hard on the ego."

"If we win I'll let you pick the movie." Jennifer offered.

"Don't forget, we watched a romance last time," Evan reminded the girls.

"If I remember correctly, I watched a romance last time and you two slept!" Jennifer stated indignantly.

The three friends disposed of their trays and headed down to the gym to get good seats. Any special event seemed to draw a big crowd. Jennifer took a seat close to the door knowing she'd probably have to leave before the game was over. Lorne and Laura sat on the other side of her.

They visited with friends and acquaintances around them until the game began. Between the three of them, both sides of the competition were represented and they loudly cheered every play. Toward the end of the third quarter, Jennifer got a call on her radio, SGA-1 had returned and she was needed in the infirmary. She excused herself requesting a blow-by-blow play of everything she'd missed when they met for the movie.

Laura complained asking why someone else couldn't take care of Ronon. Jennifer explained that Dr. Cole usually did his post mission checkup if she wasn't available, but Dr. Cole was off world right now. Besides, Jennifer didn't mind and it would relieve Dr. Barns of any stress having to deal with Ronon.

Ronon was sitting on a bed ready for his physical when Jennifer entered the infirmary. Quickly scanning the room, she could see all the team members seemed to be fine and uninjured causing her to sigh with relief. Once his physical was complete, Ronon swung his legs over the side of the bed waiting for Doc to join him.

Jennifer pushed herself up on the bed and sat next to him for a little chat.

"So, how are you doing tonight?" Jennifer asked Ronon as she situated herself next to him.

"Okay," Ronon said sounding rather grouchy.

"Well, you sound a bit crabby. Are you sure everything's okay?" Jennifer asked sensing something was bothering him.

"Just having a bit of trouble figuring out your Earth customs," Ronon confided in her.

"Which customs? Maybe I can help," Jennifer offered as she moved herself sideways on the bed so she could get a better look at him.

"Your dating rituals are hard to figure out. Too much flirting and teasing. I never know what Earth women really want." Ronon told Jennifer as he growled out his frustration.

"Sheppard says I can't just tell women to leave me alone. Something about it being rude," he said rolling his eyes. "All this pretending … not my way of doing things," Ronon added.

"How did you date back on Sateda?" Jennifer inquired

"You find someone you fit with and that's it," he tried to explain. "There's no playing games or just dating for fun," Ronon tried to describe his feelings but expressing himself was hard.

"What if someone expressed an interest in you but you weren't interesting in them?" Jennifer asked finding it all very interesting but understanding his frustration at the same time.

"That never happened. The woman would know if you were interested, if you weren't she'd leave you alone," Ronon explained. "Earth women just keep coming at me," Ronon growled.

"I see your point. Unfortunately, Earth women sometimes take rejection as a challenge. They see you as a prize to be won," Jennifer described some of the common behaviors she hated.

"Ronon, you aren't from Earth so there's no reason you need to play by Earth rules." Jennifer offered her opinion. "You should just be yourself and if you find you're interested in someone do what you'd normally have done on Sateda." Jennifer explained shyly.

"Just be yourself," Jennifer repeated.

"I've never met anyone in Atlantis that I wanted to be bonded with. I'm not sure if I'll ever be ready for that again," Ronon quietly confessed.

"Bonded?" Jennifer asked.

"Something like your marriage ceremony," he explained.

"I'm sorry, Ronon. Sounds like the women you're having problems with are probably not interested in a serious relationship … they enjoy the chase," Jennifer stated. "Try to ignore them. You deserve to find someone who matches you perfectly – your soul mate," Jennifer tried to encourage him.

Ronon had been through a lot in his short life. Jennifer sincerely wished for him to find the right woman, one who'd appreciate him for all the wonderful qualities he possessed. As it was, most of the women on Atlantis just wanted to spend time with its hunkiest man on base. The man was rated number one most desirable catch in the Pegasus galaxy and he probably didn't even know it.

"Soul mate?" Ronon inquired.

"The one that completes you. The perfect fit," Jennifer awkwardly expressed.

"Sorry, I'm not very good at this kind of stuff either. I certainly don't have a lot of first hand experience to draw from." Jennifer snorted making fun of herself.

"In the meantime, have Colonel Sheppard explain how to let a girl down gently," Jennifer smiled.

"Now, I'm late for my movie night with Evan and Laura," Jennifer said as she lowered herself to the floor. "Would you like to join us?" Jennifer asked

"Thanks for the invite, Doc, but I really need to go clean up and get something to eat. Maybe another time," Ronon answered as he walked with her out of the infirmary.

Jennifer thought of her conversation with Ronon as she left to find Evan and Laura. Jen couldn't believe she just spent the last 15 minutes giving romantic advice to the most sought after male in Atlantis. In contrast, she was probably the least qualified on base when it came to relationships and felt out of her element giving advice.

"It's not that I don't want candlelit dinners, long walks in the moonlight and love notes under my pillow," She thought to herself. But this is Atlantis and the chances of actually finding a soul mate hidden in all this testosterone would be a miracle.

Jennifer's desires leaned more toward the Setedan customs than those of Earth. She liked the idea of finding the perfect fit and then bonding with that person. She understood how frustrated Ronon must feel with all the do's and don'ts of Earth. It was confusing to her most of the time too. Hopefully Colonel Sheppard would give Ronon some instructions on how to refuse unwanted advances. Jennifer found herself starting to feel protective of the man as their friendship grew. She wanted to see him happy.

Ronon mulled over Jennifer's words as he headed to his room to clean up before getting something to eat. As he walked toward the shower he saw Jennifer's card on his pillow.

Thanks for the Rescue!

Ronon frowned at the memory of the two Marines surrounding her in the gym yesterday. He didn't like the idea of any of the men on Atlantis getting that close to her. His protective nature showing when it came to the young doctor.