Chapter 14

Jennifer laid in bed feeling more rested than she had in weeks. She hadn't slept long, probably only five to six hours but it was free of nightmares and restful. It was amazing how a good night's sleep did make things look different in the morning. But now that it was morning what about Ronon … did he still want to marry her? …or bond … or mate… or whatever they called it in the Pegusas.

Maybe he wasn't looking for happily ever after … maybe he just wanted a quick roll in the hay … a fling till it got old … someone to pick up after him. She'd never really had a long term relationship … a few dates in college then a few more in residency … in all of those pairings it'd always been the same, she was just their latest conquest … it was amazing how few stuck around for her "third or fourth" date rule. Looking back she realized she'd had a lot of one-night stands without the benefits. After her attack she couldn't imagine how she'd explain her physical condition if she ever did find someone to date. She'd rather be lonely the rest of her life than face that kind of rejection.

Closing her eyes she breathed deep in an effort to stop her mental ranting. Pushing all her negative thoughts away she laid in silence. As she settled herself she could feel John's words float softly through her mind, "He won't stop loving you, Doc … maybe it's time you take a chance…

He won't stop loving you.

He won't stop loving you.

John was right … this was not a fling - this was forever. Maybe it was time to take a chance.

~000~

Jennifer arrived early giving her time to prep exam stations and settle herself for the wild day ahead. The Daedalus had arrived in the middle of the night and would begin off loading personnel shortly. As she passed by Carson's office she noticed he was in a heated conversation with Claudia, the nurse who'd be returning to Earth on the Daedalus. Evidently she didn't agree with Carson's assessment of her abilities.

Moving over to her station Jen looked over the assignment sheet to see Claudia had been designated as her nurse for the day. "Great," she huffed to herself … bad enough that it was new recruit day but now she has a disgruntled employee to deal with as well. This was going to be a long day.

She also noticed that Sagers and Abby would be working security for most of the day until they left with Lorne for a quick mission in the afternoon. Atlantis was tight on security … any interruption to the day-to-day routines and security was always added. She'd always thought it was odd to add guards to the infirmary when it was just added personnel they'd be working with but all it took was one day with a couple of Marine bullies to make her a believer. Until you've been part of the expedition for at least six months you weren't considered a part of the city.

"Hey girlfriend … how'd you sleep?" Abby asked as she entered Jen's workspace.

"No nightmares … I may have to drink half a bottle of wine every night," she laughed.

"I'll be part of your detail today along with Sagers so yell if you need us."

As Abby was walking away Jennifer called after her with a thought for later on tonight, "Abby … why don't you come by after your mission. I'll grab some food and we'll watch a movie."

"Sounds excellent … keep an eye on the new recruits for me," she said, winking suggestively.

"I'll write it all down," she offered holding up her small notepad. "I'm going for a short run after my shift if you can't find me… but I won't be long."

"I'll find you … I've been trained," she laughed.

Claudia stood off to the side listening to the conversation seething. She'd never liked Abby Beyers and would be more than pleased if she were going home instead of herself. She still couldn't believe Dr. Beckett had the nerve to say she didn't fit in. If she had more time she'd find a way to get even but right now she was scheduled to beam aboard the Daedalus at 0600 in the morning. If she could just stall them for one more trip she was sure Beckett would see how valuable she was to the expedition.

The steady flow of new recruits to the infirmary was well scheduled keeping the traffic moving in and out smoothly. Jennifer welcomed several new Marines and a geologist before noon. Choosing to skip lunch she spent some extra time with a wide-eyed scientist from New Mexico who was bordering on a panic attack with all the changes to her life in such a short time. Early afternoon Marie found her between patients pulling her aside to receive a hot plate of food that'd been dropped off for her.

"This was delivered for you with instructions to EAT," Marie explained after leading her to a quiet spot behind the nurse's station. "It's nice to see someone looking after you if you don't mind my saying."

"Do you know who dropped it off?" Jen asked, trying not to blush but failing miserably.

"An Airman who works in the kitchen dropped it off giving no details," Marie explained.

"I have an idea … thanks Marie," she said gratefully. She really didn't need to ask … she knew it was Ronon. She hadn't talked with him since their last encounter yet he still looked after her … how could she not love this man. Finding her stomach growling she quickly gobbled down half the plate before hurrying back to her station.

Claudia watched Keller put her plate of food behind the supply cabinet and wondered who'd been feeding her today. In the short time she'd been on Atlantis she'd watched several of the most desirous men on base go out of their way to take care of the clumsy surgeon. She'd tried many a time to start some juicy rumors about the doctor but nothing seemed to stick.

The nurse couldn't stop dwelling on the fact she was being thrown out. By early afternoon she'd convinced herself that if she could just find some kind of distraction for a few hours, a day at the most, then maybe she could come to the rescue and prove herself creditable. That was it … she'd come up with some sort of disturbance that could turn her situation from dismal to heroic.

Jennifer took a short breather in the middle of the afternoon giving Claudia time to grab something from the mess hall. The doctor had tried all day to make conversation with the nurse but nothing worked. She hated seeing personnel go home so quickly without a second, third or even fourth chance to prove themselves but perhaps Carson was right about Claudia … she didn't work well with others.

While they had a slight lull Jennifer finished off her lunch then straightened out her station before checking in with Abby.

"How are things going Doc?" Beyers asked as she joined her friend.

"Nice and easy so far … we're waiting for the next group of recruits."

"We're getting ready to take off … Ronon and Colonel Sheppard will walk the last group of recruits to the infirmary after their training demonstration then act as your security."

Lorne entered the infirmary joining Abby and Jennifer just inside the door.

"Hey Sweetheart … good to see things looking quiet in here," he said, throwing an arm around Jen and giving her a hug. "Anyone to keep an eye on?"

"No problems in my station and I haven't heard anyone complain."

"That's what I like to hear," Evan said grinning.

Turning to the side she caught sight of Sagers walking over to join his teammates. As he neared the group Jennifer made eye contact watching Jeff give her a courtesy nod.

"Sergeant," Jen greeted.

"Doc," he answered respectively. He needed to figure out some way to win her over … obviously his boyish charms wouldn't work. He might have a better chance of staying in Atlantis if he could gain her approval or at least establish a civil relationship.

"Time to gear up," Lorne announced nodding to Sagers and Beyers. We'll meet in the gate room in ten."

Abby followed Sagers out of the infirmary lightly tapping Jennifer on the shoulder, "I'll find you when we get back."

"I'll choose something fun to watch," Jen assured her.

Abby glanced back in time to see Evan muss Jen's hair up playfully before heading out. She wondered if the handsome Major might be the man who held the "magic" in the doctor's life. As much as she'd like to get to know Evan better herself she made a mental note to steer clear in case Jennifer had feelings for him.

~000~

Claudia pressed herself against the wall of the armory fading into the shadows. She'd come up with her hair-brained plan while eating a late lunch. Waiting until the perfect moment she slipped into the armory finding what she was looking for in the first few minutes. As she was making her way to the exit she heard Sagers and Beyers enter to gear up for their mission. Slowly edging her way along the wall she moved closer to the doorway as Abby and Jeff moved further into the room putting themselves along with the soldier on duty at the back of the room. Once her pathway of escape was clear she quickly made her way to the corridor. Rounding the first turn in the hallway she stopped just short of colliding with Major Lorne.

"I'm so sorry Major … these hallways could use some mirrors," she laughed nervously.

"No problem … you might want to slow down just a bit," he smiled.

"I'm late for my shift but I will definitely be more careful."

Once she'd safely parted from Lorne she quickly moved through the hallways to her quarters stashing her treasure before hurrying to the infirmary.

"I'm sorry Dr. Keller … I spilled some food on my uniform and had to change my clothes," Claudia explained, standing at the nurse's station.

"It's okay … it's been really quiet but the last group of new recruits should be here any minute."

"I'll get everything ready," Claudia offered, hurrying away.

Jennifer finished her conversation with Marie leaving for her station as the new kids on the block began drifting in with Sheppard and Ronon following. She could feel his presence in the room and turned to see him looking for her from across the room. Knowing how he felt about her sent an unexpected shiver up her spine … she needed to get control over her emotions and quickly.

Ronon saw her across the room and loved her more than ever. He spoke his mind then left the decision in her hands. He needed to give her the time she needed but it was hard not to scoop her up and carry her off. "Hey," he acknowledged her quietly setting a couple bottles of water on her supply cabinet.

Jennifer spent a bit longer than necessary watching him walk away as Claudia brought their first recruit around the curtain. She could feel the heat in her cheeks just from spending a few moments in Ronon's presence… what was wrong with her.

"You okay Doctor?" Claudia asked smirking behind her back.

Jennifer turned and glared at her before moving closer to her patient, "How are you Dr. Jensen?" she asked the scientist, "Any concerns about your trip here…any unusual medical needs?" she asked while taking her vitals.

"I'm a bit concerned about the physical training we might have to take. Will we need to do all the things they showed us in the demonstration? Cause I gotta tell you Doc, I don't think I'll be able to pull that off," Jensen said worriedly

"There will be some specially designed fitness and self-defense courses you will take as a civilian but I'm sure you'll have no difficulty with the classes," she assured grinning.

"Well … that's certainly a relief."

Finishing up the normal battery of tests, Jennifer welcomed the scientist to Atlantis and ushered the next recruit into her station taking time to open a bottle of water while Claudia took vitals. The afternoon progressed much the same way with the staff finishing up as the sun set.

All in all it'd been a very boring recruit day, which is just the way Carson liked them. After he'd checked in with Jen he encouraged her to call it a day leaving Claudia to clean the station … with a huge smile she said good night excited about the rest of her evening.

Claudia grumbled to herself as she straightened the exam area thinking that she was just as important as the young doctor yet here she was washing instruments and taking out the trash. But then she's thought about her master plan and welcomed the warm glow that filled her at the thought of staying longer in Atlantis. Surely when she saved Jennifer from the nasty attack she was about to endure Carson would change his mind about sending her back. The main reason she'd come to Atlantis was to find a husband or at the very least someone she could show off around the base… having him dote on her every word. And she might have had a chance at finding Mr. Right if all the available hunks weren't falling all over themselves to take care Jennifer's every need. Shaking her head she just couldn't see what all the fuss was … she fancied herself a much better catch, besides the doctor didn't seem to want to claim any of them for herself… maybe she just didn't like men, she thought smiling to herself.

~000~

Jennifer talked to the kitchen staff and they fixed her up with a couple slices of cake to go along with some roast beef sandwiches. Taking her treasures to her room she quickly went about cleaning for the first twenty minutes them writing a couple quick emails before placing her food on the coffee table and scrounging through her meager DVD collection. Settling on How To Loose A Guy In Ten Days, she placed it on the table along with some stale pretzels she found in her bottom drawer. With that done it was time for a quick run.

Claudia raced to her room and retrieved the Taser she'd stolen from the armory. This was such an ideal plan and she was so proud of herself for coming up with it. It was almost as if the Ancients had given her the idea … it was perfect. Once she came to the rescue of the base's favored doctor they'd be showering her with praises and the accolades she deserved.

The nurse slipped out of her room moving closer to Jennifer's quarters, staying in the shadows to keep from being noticed. Success depended totally on timing … she had to position herself to intercept the doctor as she ran along the outer areas of the city…this would not work unless Jen took the long run she'd been known to take. Claudia had asked her about the different running routes around the city when they'd had a lull during the afternoon. She smiled as she thought about how eager Jen had been to gloat about her exercise program and about how wonderful running was for the body. Then she'd proceeded to describe her favorite running route … hopefully she'd stick to it tonight.

Leaning down in guise of tying her shoelace, Claudia staked out Jennifer's room from the cross-corridor three doors down. It didn't take long before she was rewarded at seeing her prey exit her room moving toward the far end of the corridor and the transporter. Waiting until Jen had sufficient time to make it to her destination, the nurse ran to the now empty transporter and traveled to a spot further along the running path to hide out and wait. Arriving in a little used part of the city she quickly moved outside working her way to the edge of the building near the path.

Hearing the sound of footfalls approaching, Claudia pulled out the Taser once again making certain it was ready. She checked the nitrogen charge noting it was positioned correctly then put on a pair of gloves before wiping down the weapon … if anything goes wrong she didn't want it traced back to herself. Donning a black beanie to complete her wardrobe of black t-shirt and black pants she crouched in the bisecting passageway out of sight. The moon had yet to rise and dusk was quickly turning to black with only the lights of the city to give definition to the path… perfect timing.

As soon as Jennifer ran past her hiding place she sprang out to follow, thankful the doctor had her ear buds in listening to her MP3 player. In no time at all she was within range… pulling the Taser out of her pocket she fired hitting the doctor squarely in the back. As soon as Jennifer went down Claudia realized she hadn't thought everything through like she should have and began to panic.