I believe it was Navynurse who pointed out to me that Jen seemed more excited to see Evan than her own husband.G So I went back and looked at chapter 13 and didn't like it so I did a rewrite…..because you guys know I love to squeeze all the John angst I can into a fic. G

Title: Family and Home
Author: Cindy Ryan
Pairings: Sheppard/Keller, Lorne/Keller friendship

To Evan it seemed to take far too long for them to reach the north end of the village and one of the few intact structures.
He had to believe Jen was one of the life signs inside.
It was the only thing centering him among all the chaos.

Ronon was right the bloodied wedding ring didn't mean anything.

Evan stepped around what had once been a chair as they fanned out around the large building.

Evan knew how important that ring was to Jen. She'd had a special catch made for the chain so she'd be sure it wouldn't fall off.
For it to have come off now…….the tumble into the cave could've done it or she could've had help.

Evan shoved his anger and worry to a back part of his mind. Something he was unfortunately well practiced at living in Pegasus.
Focus on the mission first…..get everybody out alive…..fall apart or get drunk later.

With well honed hand signals everyone knew the exact moment to move.

With his gun raised Ronon kicked the wooden door inward with an audible bang. Light from their P90's pierced the darkness as they stepped inward.

Suddenly a baby's cry sounded causing everyone to pause.

It was then that one of the light beams landed on Jennifer's slouched form in the far corner.

John's heart constricted as he ran towards her. He heard footfalls behind him and didn't have to turn to know Ronon was close behind.

"Clear!"Matthews shouted.

John skidded to his knees next to his wife his weapon on the ground beside him. In one fearful glance John took in the crying infant in Jennifer's arms, the blood on her uniform and hands, the cuts on her face and the rapidly forming bruise on her forehead.

Jennifer was pressed so far into the corner John could tell she'd been trying to become as small as possible…..invisible.

"Jen?"John called gently as he reached towards quickly felt for a pulse and was relieved to find one but it was thready under his fingers. John tried to gauge the seriousness of Jennifer's injuries. He didn't want to think he might lose the woman who'd become a part of his soul……he didn't want to think that he might have been too late

Jennifer didn't stir.

"Ronon, take the baby."John ordered tersely fighting to keep his voice calm. "I can't see how badly she's hurt with the baby there….."

With a nod Ronon knelt down and gently untangled the infant from Jennifer's protective arms.

John eased Jennifer down onto her back. His fingers frantically pulling at her uniform searching to see where the blood was coming from.
From somewhere gauze was pressed into John's line of vision. He took it before realizing it was Evan's outstretched hand.

********

Voices penetrated the darkness bringing Jennifer back. Disoriented Jennifer tried to focus on them…..

Her head throbbing Jennifer tried to shove the pain aside She had to know who was there.

She had to protect the baby.

However the stress of the last few weeks coupled with exhaustion and her injuries Jennifer succumbed back to unconsciousness.

Conners pushed his way through the group coming to kneel at Sheppard's left.

"Sir, I was a paramedic before I enlisted….."

Sheppard nodded tightly but didn't relinquish his position from his wife's side.