A/N: It has again been a long time coming, but I realised I had not uploaded the final chapter. Thank you to everyone who has read and reviewed. I hope you all enjoy the ending.
Chapter 12
Jennifer Keller was glad to be back on Atlantis. She had managed to work from her bed in the medical tent for the last couple of days. The villagers were almost completely better and there had been no new cases in days. Jen had returned home leaving one of the Atlantis teams and a small medical unit behind. Lorne's team stayed on the planet assisting the village in preparing defences from the Feral. Although she was being prevented from returning to full duty she had spent a day in her room, she had been constantly pestered, she had smiled and told everyone she was fine before giving them excuses about how she needed sleep. Today she was going to catch up on paper work or she was going to go insane from the lack of doing anything.
Ronon growled as he threw Colonel John Sheppard to the floor with a loud thump. They had been training for mere minutes and Ronon had already thrown John to floor several times.
John lay on the floor his eyes shut as he checked all his vital body parts still worked. Grunting he sat up and looked at Ronon.
'Ever since we got back you have been in this constant bad mood. I'm going to have to put a stop to our sparring until you man up and go and see the Doc.'
Ronon growled low, swinging his sword around as he spoke 'She won't speak to me.'
John sighed, 'She won't speak to anyone. Are you going to give up that easily? Come on lets go to the mess hall food will help us sort out this mess.'
Ronon raised his eyebrow but followed Sheppard out the room.
Doctor Jennifer Keller knew she was avoiding people, but hiding away in her office felt like the right thing to do, they all probably thought she was still 'resting' in her quarters. She knew that it was too soon for her to see Laura and Ronon together, so she was going to hide until she could deal with it better.
Marie her head nurse had been extremely helpful at keeping everyone at bay insisting she was too busy to see anyone. It had been now nearly a week since the attack and her neck still held evidence of it.
The attack on her by Wyatt had surprised her; he had rescued her and then tried to kill her, blaming her for his people's illness. Just the mere thought of it made her feel sick to her stomach. The bruises were almost healed just a few yellowish areas remained but the cut was still clear to see and obvious to all she walked past. Jen could feel the gossips gorging themselves on her life every time she moved through Atlantis's corridors. Jen knew she couldn't hide away forever ignoring all of her friends and Marie was already giving her concerned looks. Just a few more days and she could start seeing patients again.
Jen sighed and lifted her coffee mug only to find it empty. She stood, left her office and headed over to Marie,
'We're out of coffee. I'm going to the mess to get some more.'
Marie smiled. 'The air and the walk will do you good doctor.' She said in a pressing manner.
Jen left the infirmary and walked at a brisk pace to the mess hall; smiling pleasantly at those who acknowledged her in the corridors.
Sheppard and Ronon sat opposite each in the mess hall, empty plates pushed to the side.
John leaned forward and spoke quietly to Ronon,
'You need to explain to the doc that the woman in your room was Cadman and that she was helping you. Although the fact that you was shirtless is going to be a difficult one to get round with her.'
Laura Cadman strode up to the table and deposited herself next to Ronon.
'I think it's safe to say she knows it was me in Ronon's room.' She stated before picking up her fork and shovelling food into her mouth.
'How do you know that? Has she said something?' Sheppard said with raised eyebrows.
Cadman shakes her head 'No and that's my point. She won't see me.'
'She won't speak to anyone.' Ronon said 'That's the problem. Maybe I should just tie her up and make her listen.'
Sheppard raised his eyebrows and Laura pulled a face 'I'm her best friend. I'm the one she would come to in this situation but she thinks that I'm in with Ronon. So she has shut everyone out.'
'I told you Cadman not to get involved but you never listen to good advice' a fourth voice added their own thoughts to the conversation.
Major Evan Lorne sat down next to the Colonel and began to eat.
Laura narrowed her eyes at the Major.
'Well don't forget you were a part of this as well. Major. You offered your help and advice as well. So don't go telling me not to get involved when you did the same thing.'
Laura spoke harshly towards the Major and he just raised his eyebrows at her. John was sure he could see a light reddening of her cheeks. He made a mental note to question the Major later, something wasn't right with them two.
Laura recovering quickly stood from the table.
'I'm fed up of waiting for her to decide she will speak to me. I'm going to make her.' Laura said before striding over to where the young Doctor was entering the mess hall.
Jen had barely made it through the door of the mess hall before her so called best friend appeared in front her, blocking her path.
Jen momentarily panicked. 'I err need to get coffee.'
Laura smiled 'Let me help you.'
'No no its ok I can manage.'
Laura smiled again but her smile was more forced this time. 'Keller you have been avoiding for a week now. Its time you and I talked.'
'I'm sorry Laura. I'm really busy at the moment. Maybe next week we can talk?'
'Not so fast Keller' Laura said as Jen tried to dodge past her. Jen decided to make a run for it was her best option but the Lieutenant was too quick for her and Laura slid her arm around Jennifer and dragged her from the mess hall.
Jen considered resisting but she knew it was too late. It was time to face up to Laura and Ronon's relationship, no matter how much it hurt.
It didn't take them long to arrive a Cadman's quarters. She opened the door and practically threw Keller into the room.
'I have had enough of trying to get you to open the door to your quarters, or tempt you out of the infirmary and Marie, you have her trained well no one's been able to get near you.'
Keller looked at the floor guilt seeping through her body. She had acted really childishly and had managed to make a complete idiot of herself.
'Look Jen this would have been much easier to tell you if I hadn't had to practically kidnap you to get me a chance to actually talk to you…'
'Laura stop. I already know the truth…'
Laura hesitated momentarily stumbled by Jens admission.
Jen took a deep breath she had to say this; she didn't want to lose her best friend even if she was dating Ronon, besides it wasn't any of her business who Laura dated.
'I was surprised and I guess I didn't act to well and I'm sorry but I'm really happy for you.'
Laura sighed. 'Jen sit down and let me explain.'
'That night you heard me in Ronon's room, it wasn't what it seemed.'
Jen raised her eyebrows and opened her mouth to speak.
'No Jen just please hear me out. I need you to listen to everything I say before you speak. Will you please do that?'
Jen nodded at her friend.
'The reason I was in Ronon's room is because I've been helping him. He was miserable while you were dating McKay and I knew you were too. So I offered to help him learn the way the whole earth thing dating thing in general works. I was demonstrating the best way to give a massage without hitting painful pressure points when you turned up. I thought you were one of those gossip girls. You know the ones that have the 'hots' for him. I thought one had gotten brave. If I had known it was you…I didn't know what to do when Ronon came back. I figured you would have been mad so I waited till the morning to find you and then no one could find you…'
Laura trailed off her face serious but she was also relieved to finally get the chance to tell Jennifer.
Jen looked at Laura, her expression blank.
'Was that the best excuse for why you were in his room with his shirt off?' Jen said uncharacteristically harshly.
Jen could feel the anger rising within her. The hurt threatened to bubble to the surface, but she knew she had to stay in control.
'Jen you have to believe me. Ask Evan he was with a lot of the time, he helped too. Though I think he was just jealous he wasn't getting as much time with me…'
Laura stopped suddenly and clapped a hand over her mouth; she closed her eyes and took a steadying breath. This time she had said too much.
'Evan?' Jen looked at her friend curiously. 'Laura are you telling me that you and Evan…that's there's something going on?'
Laura heaved a sigh and sat on the bed with her head in her hands.
'Yes she said quietly. But you cannot tell anyone. I mean it Jen it's not allowed we could be court martialled for it. Do you see now I had no interest in Ronon? I just wanted you to be happy, and McKay wasn't right for you.'
Jen sank down next Laura on the bed. This was a lot to take in and she didn't know what to think of first… the fact that Ronon and Laura weren't involved or the fact that Laura and Evan were together.
Jen decided to compromise and threw her arms around Laura.
When Jen pulled away she looked shamefacedly at Laura 'I behaved like such an idiot. I'm so sorry I pushed you away.'
Laura laughed and hugged her friend 'It's ok but can you and Ronon just get on with it please?'
Jen smiled softly 'I don't know Laura. I think I need to apologise a lot first.'
Jen stood to leave 'Oh and Laura, please don't get involved in my love life again, even if you're trying to help.'
Laura laughed 'I just can't help myself.'
Jen left Laura's room and headed back to her office. She shut the door and sat her desk allowing the information to sink in. The more she thought about it the more of an idiot she looked. Jen thought back over her life she had very little experience with men, and the social side of life in general. She was still looking for a place to fit. Atlantis was her home she was sure of that but she couldn't help but feel that her life wasn't complete that she still didn't quite fit.
Marie came into her office.
'I'm not going to let you hide away and more Jennifer. You will do yourself more harm than good. I want you to take a few days off completely. I know you're in charge but you have been through a lot and you need some time. I want you out of the infirmary and not to return for two days at the least.'
Marie was Hens head nurse for a reason. Jen knew that if she ignored Marie, her life would be made much more difficult and in the end she would be forcibly removed from the infirmary.
Jen decided to give up without the fight.
'Ok I can take a hint. I'm going. But if you need me radio me.'
Marie smiled as she ushered the young doctor out, 'don't worry we can manage without you.'
Jen walked down the corridor away from the infirmary. Jen needed some peace and time to think. Her mind was a mess. She knew she had lost what little chance she had with Ronon. No man would accept being treated the way she had treated him.
A secluded balcony called to her as she walked past it, backtracking she headed out and stood leant against the railings looking out to the sea. The breeze was gentle and refreshing; the salt could be tasted on her tongue. Closing her eyes she enjoyed the sound of the waves lapping gently against the base of Atlantis.
A sound behind made Jen open her eyes and turn round. Ronon stood near the doorway, looking uncertain.
Jen felt herself blush, 'Hi'
She said tucking a piece of hair behind her ear.
'Hi' Ronon said gruffly.
They both looked at each other for a moment.
'I'm sorry Ronon. I have behaved like an idiot. I haven't treated you right. And that was wrong of me.' Jen looked to the tall and muscular Satedan. He shifted uncomfortably and she knew she was blushing furiously.
They remained in the same positions for several moments, but then Ronon took a sudden step forwards.
'Jen, I should have told you how I felt before. I should never have got help from Cadman. Sheppard told me to be myself. I just wanted to do things by the way you would know. Can you forgive me?'
Jen was shocked 'Ronon you have nothing to apologise for. I was the one who treated you badly and went off with McKay because I panicked about my feelings for you. I should be the one saying sorry.'
Ronon gave a small smile 'How about you just shut up and kiss me.'
Before Jennifer could even register what he had just said Ronon had crossed the space between them and pulled her in to his arms and leant down and kissed her.
Right then in that moment, everything slid into place. She belonged somewhere and that place was here in Ronon's arms, she was no longer settling. Her heart had chosen.
Jen smiled to herself. Her adventure was only just beginning.
