"How are they?"

"Ronon is fine. No new damage, but I'll keep him in overnight just in case."

"Really?" Sheppard asked surprised.

"I tend not to joke about my patients' health Colonel." Carson replied.

"It is just he was disturbingly compliant about coming." Sheppard said.

"I don't think that was as much to do with his health as it was to do with..."

"Jennifer?" Teyla finished for him.

"Aye Jennifer." Carson nodded.

"What did he do to her?" Sheppard asked, feeling his anger rise.

"Physically very little. She has a wee bit of solvent burn round the mouth from the chloroform, a couple of nasty rope burns but other than that she's ok. But she seemed quite withdrawn. I think on top of everything else, this might have pushed her close to the edge."

"Where is she now?" Sheppard asked.

"She went to her quarters. The second she knew Ronon was fine she rushed out of here."

"I will talk to her." Teyla volunteered just as Ronon's raised voice echoed round the infirmary.

"What now?" Carson muttered as he quickly hurried over, followed by Sheppard and Teyla.

"What the bloody hell do ye think ya doing?" Carson exclaimed as he saw Ronon standing, staring down at a new, and now terrified, member of the infirmary staff.

"Leaving."

"No ye not." Carson argued as Ronon limped past him. The big Satedan was about to pass Sheppard when the Colonel stuck his hand out and took a firm grip of his friend's bicep.

"The doc want you to stay." Sheppard said. Ronon stared at him and roughly pulled his arm free.

"Jennifer needs me." He stated, Sheppard knew he couldn't argue and ignoring Carson's attempt at a scowl stepped aside.

"We'll walk with you." Teyla said offering Ronon his crutches. Hoping the offer would start to appease Carson.

"Fine." Ronon growled as he started the painfully slow journey to Jennifer's quarters.

"You want me to check which room she is in?" Sheppard offered.

"No need. She won't go back to my room alone." Ronon replied. "Not after..." There was no need to finish the sentence.

By the time they reached Jennifer's quarters Ronon was exhausted something that was obvious to his two companions, who were regretting helping him leave the infirmary.

"Remember you need your rest too." Sheppard said. Ronon shrugged and silently entered the quarters, leaving his concerned team mates out side.

Inside the room the lights were still on, but Jennifer lay still on the bed, her back to him. To anyone else she would appear asleep, but Ronon knew better. He carefully made his way round the bed and looked down on her. Her eyes, wide open, staring at some spot on the wall. He gently reached out and stroked a strand of stray hair off her face.

"It's over now." He said, hoping to clear the fear from her mind.

"I know." She replied softly, never looking at Ronon. Not used to seeing her this withdrawn he felt at a loss. He sat on the side of the bed and continued to gently run his hand over her. Eventually he asked.

"Are you ok?" He mentally kicked himself as he asked, knowing it was a stupid question. To his surprise his question did get a response as Jennifer shuffled herself into a sitting position. Staring directly at Ronon she said.

"I...No." She then flung herself at Ronon and burst into tears.

Hours later Jennifer awoke to see Ronon's dark eyes looking down at her. On seeing the concern, weariness and love he was projecting she nearly started crying again, but managed to hold it together.

"Feeling better?" Ronon asked. Jennifer nodded weakly in response before saying.

"I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"Last night. I should have been stronger than that. He didn't even hurt me and I turned into an emotional wreck."

Ronon put his hands round Jennifer and manoeuvred her into a sitting position. "Never hide the way you feel from me." He said sternly. "I don't want you to shut me out."

"But..." She began, still feeling the tide of emotions.

"No buts. Tell me everything."

Jennifer silently nodded and leaned into Ronon, desperate to feel his body. Ronon was in no rush to let her go and gently held her, happy to wait until she was ready. When she finally broke the embrace she looked up at Ronon with a puzzled expression and asked.

"Shouldn't you be in the infirmary?"

"No. I should be here with you."

Jennifer leaned into him again and said. "Thank you." She paused then added. "But don't ever pull something like that when I'm on duty."