As Sheppard's team were leaving the conference room Sheppard called to Ronon, "My office. No arguments."
Rolling his eyes Ronon obediently followed, despite his desire to return to the infirmary. When they had entered the office Sheppard shut the door behind him.
"Ok I know that you are upset about what happened to the doc but you can not go around attacking members of the expedition. You and I both know how Lorne got that bruising. I will not tolerate you using my men as punch bags. Lorne is a first class officer who would have done everything possible to protect the doc. He has been through a lot and what do you do? You punch him. Don't you think he was injured enough? If you have a problem with someone here you talk to me. You do not attack them, unless I tell you to. Do you understand?"
"I was wrong." Ronon replied, causing Sheppard to lose his chain of thought. "I was angry and it was easy to blame Lorne."
Sheppard was momentarily too stunned to speak following Ronon acceptance of being in the wrong, eventually he managed, "Ok then. But this can't happen again. Do you know what would happen if Woolsey found out?"
"No, what?"
"Well, for starters he could transfer the doc back to Earth." Sheppard responded trying to come up with a suitable threat.
"I will be more careful. Can I go?"
"Yes, but we will need to talk about the doc breaching protocol and withholding important information on a mission. You know I am going to have to discipline her, and I will not appreciate being smacked around."
"I know."
"Ok good. Now go and apologise to Lorne." Sheppard said. As Ronon left the office Teyla entered.
"You were very lenient on him." She commented.
"Well he did admit he was wrong and he never does that." Sheppard said, not looking Teyla in the eye.
"There is something else behind your decision. What is it?"
"Yelling at him won't do much, but the cold shoulder the doc is going to give him when she finds out will be the best deterrent." He smirked.
A knocking on the door prevented further comment. "Come in." Sheppard shouted. The door opened to reveal Lorne. Sheppard nodded him over and Lorne stiffly moved into the room as Sheppard asked, "should you be on your feet?"
"I'm fine." Lorne replied as he grimaced whilst taking the seat next to Teyla.
"I can see that from the way you are gracefully gliding across my office. So what really happened to your jaw?"
"I said-"
"Lorne we both know that what you said to Woolsey was crap."
"It is alright Major, Colonel Sheppard already knows of Ronon's involvement."
"What he did was completely out of line and if you want to take a more formal action than I have taken I will understand." Sheppard said.
"No Sir. He was right." Lorne replied without looking Sheppard in the eye.
"What?"
"I did fail to protect Dr Keller and I failed to spot her injuries."
"From the sound of it your injuries were your pressing concern." Sheppard answered. "And apparently our doctor can be quite devious when she wants to be. I will talk to her about that later. From what I can tell you did everything right down there and I do not want you beating yourself up over this. Do you understand?"
"Yes Sir."
"Good. Well then I need some intel off you for our next mission."
Lorne nodded and described the layout of the mine as best he could as well as the entrance they escaped through. When Sheppard was happy with the information he had been given he dismissed Lorne adding, "Lorne I appreciate you covering for a member of my team in front of Woolsey, but don't lie to me again."
When Lorne had gone Teyla asked, "do you think that he is ok? He did not seem his normal self."
"The problem with Lorne is he is a good officer and as such will feel personally responsible for everything that happened there. Ultimately he just needs time."
"Are you speaking from personal experience?" Teyla asked. Sheppard ignored the question and turned his attention back to the plans of the mines.
-00-
Back in the infirmary Ronon was searching for Carson to check on Jennifer's condition. When he finally saw him slouched over a workbench he quickly strode over.
"How is she?"
"The wounds on her back are clean and I don't anticipate there being any problems. For now she is obviously in a fair amount of discomfort. While she is obviously a lot more focused than she was last night, we still need to keep an eye on her, so I have scaled back her pain medication a bit. She is pretty keen to get out of here and I will discharge her under the condition you keep a watchful eye on her and if she has another turn like yesterday, bring her straight back. Any changes from her normal behaviour and I will need to see her."
"Do you know why she acted like she did last night?" Ronon asked.
"There is no physical reason as such that we can find. It was probably acute emotional shock and exhaustion."
"But she'll be ok?"
"Aye son she will. Why don't you go in, she is meant to be eating."
"Thanks doc." Ronon said with a genuine smile.
When Ronon entered the curtained off area he saw Jennifer sitting on the gurney, legs dangling over the side. Instead of eating she was looking down at her left hand, which was holding something just beneath her chin. As Ronon approached he realised that she was staring intently at the necklace he had given her. "You ok?" He asked startling her and causing her to release the pendant, which fell back into position round her neck.
"Yeah." She gave a ghost of a smile and looked up. "Just thinking."
Ronon sat down next to her so their upper arms were touching. "You do too much of that especially when you should be eating."
"This kept me going." Jennifer said as she touched the pendant again, ignoring Ronon's comment. "It reminded me that you would be out there looking for me. I knew that you would find me."
"But I didn't." Ronon replied looking down. "I failed you."
"No you didn't. You would have found me if we hadn't escaped first." Jennifer replied resting her head on Ronon's shoulder. The complete lack of doubt in her voice caused Ronon to smile briefly.
"Right you sure you want to leave?" Carson interrupted as he entered.
"Definitely." Jennifer responded raising her head again.
"Ok. But as soon as you leave I will be powerless and unable to stop Woolsey harassing you." Carson replied.
"Might as well get him over and done with." Jennifer replied as she slid off the edge of the gurney, causing a pained expression as she did so. Ronon immediately stood up and offered support.
"Are you feeling dizzy again lass?" Carson asked.
"No, my legs just really ache. I think I strained some muscles." Jennifer replied before turning her head to Ronon. "Don-" She started, but before she had finished the first word Ronon was already holding her above the ground, cradling her in his arms, skilfully avoiding her upper back.
"Well I can see you will be well taken care of. Remember no strenuous activity and make sure to drink lots to replace all your lost fluids and try to rest." Carson ordered as Ronon carried her towards the exit.
When they were out of the infirmary Jennifer asked, "can we not go to my quarters?"
"Would you prefer mine?"
"No, can be go to one of the balconies on the East pier. I just want to feel some fresh air." Ronon looked down into her pleading eyes and immediately agreed.
When they reached one of the deserted East-pier balconies Ronon set Jennifer down and watched her as she looked out over the ocean. She leaned against the rail and shut her eyes. Enjoying the breeze rustling her hair and the warm sun heating her face.
From her side Ronon finally asked, "so how are you doing really?"
"Still processing." Jennifer replied. "How could they use and discard kids like that?" Jennifer began. "At least the Wraith need to eat, there is some reason. A sick reason but still a reason. But they were just… I don't know. It's just so wrong." She turned towards Ronon, tears welling in her eyes.
Ronon carefully held her upper arms and said, "tomorrow we are going back to the planet and we are going to free the others and make the ones who did this to you pay."
"Promise me you will be careful." Jennifer said.
Ronon just leaned in and gently kissed her.
A/N: Once again thank you for all the reviews. Bad guy ass-kicking up next chapter!