Ronon was feeling frustrated, even more so since Sheppard had banned him training marines. Instead he was releasing his tension running and running some more. He wasn't concentrating on where he was running he just needed to not think. Even though he didn't care where he was heading he was surprised when he ended up in the same deserted corridor where they had discovered Jennifer. Recalling the vivid memories he found himself stopping and staring round the area where it had happened. It was as he was standing in silence that he heard something out of place yet familiar. Shutting his eyes so he could concentrate on the sound he realised it wasn't coming from the corridor, but a room off to the side. Stealthily he followed the noise towards an open door, carefully listening, trying to work out what the sound was. As he reached the door, hand on his blaster, he realised that the noise was coming from a person. It was breathing, but not normal breathing, it was somewhere between wheezing and crying. Fearing there had been another attack he edged his way closer to the opening so he could look inside and assess the danger. What he saw made his stomach churn. Huddled in the far corner, tears flowing freely, in the midst of a panic attack was Jennifer.
"Jennifer." He called gently, not wanting to send her further over the edge. However, she continued to sit in an almost trance like state, unaware of his presence.
Approaching slowly he called her name again, once again invoking no response. It was only when he was virtually on top of her that Jennifer responded.
"I wanted to sleep...my room...but it was....couldn't stay there...didn't want...wanted to be strong...face my fear...came here...but too much...remembered how helpless...useless...frightened..." Jennifer cried between wheezes.
Ronon slid down the wall next to Jennifer and wrapped an arm round her. Feeling unsure of what he should do he just held her, hoping his presence would offer her some comfort. Inwardly he cursed not having a radio to call for backup. Teyla, Sheppard, Lorne were all people who would no what to do, but not him.
As he looked down at her tear streaked face he realised that it was not only revealing her fear and panic, but also pain. Knowing how much the deep, jerky breathing would be hurting her ribs he tried harder to stop her crying. Speaking her name, he tried to soothe her, but the words had no effect. Although she had accepted his embrace he was still not sure she was fully aware of his presence.
"Jennifer, it's ok. You are safe now, but I need you to calm down." He tried, but still Jennifer continued to cry, seemingly unaware of Ronon. Pulling her closer to him he held her until she had cried herself to sleep.
Ronon wasn't sure how long he sat with Jennifer asleep in his arms. His time was spent debating taking Jennifer to the infirmary or staying here with her. Finally he decided to remain here with Jennifer safe in his arms, but every so often he would doubt his decision.
When Jennifer finally woke she was not sure where she was, all she knew was that she was in pain. Her ribs seemed far worse than they had previously and her head was pounding. Unable to prevent a groan escaping her lips she tried to move, only to feel something warm keep her in place. As her eyes flew open she tried to work out where she was and what body of warmth was attached to her. A deep voice answered her questions when it said.
"Jennifer, it's ok."
Jennifer immediately placed the voice as Ronon's, which raised the question of why was she in such close contact with the big Satedan? Before her mind could even begin to answer that question she processed what he said, which raised the second and more alarming question of, why wouldn't she be? That was when she remembered. She remembered entering her room and seeing what had happened, she remembered the feeling of having to get away and not wanting to be controlled by fear, she remembered coming back down to where it all happened, she remembered not being anywhere as brave as she had hoped, she remembered the feeling of anxiety and the panic. That was when she realised she must have had a full blown panic attack. Ronon she still couldn't explain, but she was guessing the answer would mean she would not want to see anyone for quite some time.
"You ok?" Ronon asked, when Jennifer finally summed up the courage to face him.
"I'm sorry."
"For what?" Ronon asked as he sub-consciously rubbed Jennifer's back.
"Breaking down."
"You needed to let it out. You want me to get Lorne down here?" He offered.
"No." Jennifer replied, not sure why Ronon was suggesting it. Ronon raised his eyebrows at Jennifer's response, wondering if Lorne was somehow responsible for Jennifer's state.
"Why did you come down here?"
"When I got back to my quarters they'd been...they'd been ransacked. I couldn't stay there, it no longer felt safe. I hated myself for being so scared. I wanted to feel not pathetic. So I thought I'd come down here face my demons. I mean there was no danger, Price is locked up. Nothing to be scared of. But when I got here..."
"Too many memories." Ronon finished for her.
"I really don't belong here."
"Never say that." Ronon said forcibly but Jennifer did not respond.
"You want to head back?" Ronon asked after a few moments silence.
"Not yet. I don't want to see my room again, not yet." Jennifer replied. Ronon wanted to ask exactly what had happened, but chose to remain silent and let Jennifer find the comfort she needed from his presence.
When Jennifer had fallen to sleep on his shoulder he decided to move Jennifer to a bed. Careful not to wake her he extracted himself from under her before lifting her into his arms. With her nestled safely he started the walk back to the accommodation section. It was as he neared he stumbled upon his first problem of where to take her. Whatever had happened to her room it was clear leaving her in it wasn't a good idea. Then he considered taking her to Lorne's room. It was right for the Major to look after her. The flaw with that plan was he didn't know where the Major's quarters were and with no radio he couldn't find out quickly. Teyla was a possibility, but she had her son to look after. Finally he settled on his quarters. Ignoring the curious glances being thrown his way he hurried down the corridor leading to his quarters.
When he finally entered his room he moved to the bed and was about to lay Jennifer down, when he remembered that with her ribs it would be more comfortable for her to sit up. Placing her on the bed, he held her upright with one arm as he used the other to rearrange his pillows so they resembled an unstable mound. Knowing he had done the best he could he carefully moved Jennifer so she leaned against the pillows. Confident she was in a stable position he placed a sheet round her and left his quarters. He then stood outside the door and waited for someone to walk pass. Unfortunately, as expedition members approached the corridor the sight of Ronon lingering with intent caused them to turn and find another route. Eventually though an absent minded scientist, so caught up in what he was reading that he did not notice Ronon, waked down the corridor. Ronon quickly stepped in front of the man and blocked his path, resulting in a strangled scream escaping from the scientist.
"You have a radio?" Ronon growled.
"Hm." The scientist squeaked, which Ronon took as a yes.
"Contact Lorne and tell him to meet me here." He said. The scientist nodded, but he could not persuade the rest of his body to co-operate.
"Now." Ronon barked, causing the scientist to flinch before forcing his hand to his ear.
"I need Major Lorne." The terrified scientist shakily said. "Major, Ronon would like you to come to his quarters now." He stammered out. Eventually he looked at Ronon and said.
"He's on his way." Ronon nodded in response, then watched the man in front of him remain fixed in position.
"You can go." Ronon eventually said causing the scientist to turn and sprint away. Shaking his head Ronon turned and entered his quarters to check on Jennifer. Happy she was sleeping he decided, so not to disturb her, to go back to waiting outside his room for Lorne's arrival.
Ronon did not have time to dwell though as a minute later Sheppard, Lorne, Teyla and Cadman ran towards him.
"Ronon, where the hell have you been? We have a situation, with the doc." Sheppard said as he stopped just in front of Ronon.
"What?" Ronon asked concerned.
"We think she may have been taken."
"Taken?" Ronon questioned confused.
"We went to go see her, but her room was trashed and no one has seen her since." Cadman explained.
"She's in there." Ronon said pointing his thumb over his shoulder towards his door.
Ronon could not distinguish the flurry of questions that followed, nor the answers the group appeared to be sharing with each other. So he stood and waited for everyone to fall silent. When the group finally descended into a sort of hush Ronon raised an eyebrow at Sheppard who asked.
"Is she ok and how the hell did she end up in there?"
"She's fine and I brought her here." Ronon said.
"Why?" Sheppard pressed. "And why are we having this conversation outside your door?"
"She didn't want to go to her room and she is sleeping."
"So she saw her room?" Laura asked. Ronon nodded in response. "Crap." Laura added as she tried to side step Ronon and enter his quarters. The former runner looked down in bemusement at the feisty marine before stepping aside and allowing her access to his room.
"Ok, I'll leave you to it." Sheppard said satisfied that Jennifer was ok. "Look after her." He added unnecessary as he walked off.
Ronon turned to go back into his quarters and noticed Lorne was hovering outside. Not understanding his uncertainty Ronon thrust Lorne into the room.
