6

Sheppard leads the way through the field toward the Stargate. They're walking casually, something Ronon's not quite used to considering the other worlds they've been to. This particular one was simple, but fruitful when it came to farming and they made trade arrangements for food easily enough. Sheppard seems pleased with himself. "So…you like her now, huh?"

"I just said I don't dislike her anymore."

Sheppard's grin grows. "It's kinda an either or thing, Ronon. You either dislike someone or you like them."

"That's not entirely true, Colonel," McKay says coming up behind them. "It's very possible to not have any feelings about someone altogether. Is that how you feel, Ronon? You feel nothing for the lovely Jax, correct?"

Ronon has to laugh at McKay's insecurity. "What if I do, doctor? You think you'd have a chance?"

"Oh…I don't know…maybe."

Teyla comes up after McKay. "Who is this discussion about?"

Sheppard glances back. "Ronon has a crush on Maggie Jackson."

Teyla's eyes brighten and she smiles. "Really?"

"No," Ronon says firmly.

Teyla rolls her head to the side. "She's a very lovely lady, Ronon. You could do worse."

"No," McKay says suddenly. "You could do better. You should stay away from her…forever." Teyla and Sheppard chuckle as Ronon glowers at McKay's lame attempt to dissuade him. "She's really not your type, Ronon."

"Why is that, doctor?" Ronon watches McKay carefully, he's easily intimidated and fun to play with. The fact is, Ronon doesn't know how he feels about Jax. He's intrigued, and could be attracted to her, but there's something stopping him…and it's not her good aim. He didn't mention their encounter to anyone, considering neither of them was supposed to be in that area anyway. But he is wondering more about her. He found his dreams filled with her eyes that same night.

McKay's voice gets higher in pitch. "She's…"

"She's what?" Ronon stops walking suddenly. "Too smart for me?"

"Maybe? ... No I meant to say….she's a mystery is all. You really don't know her life story."

"That's what dating is for, McKay," Sheppard says as he turns and grins at them.

"I know enough," Ronon says quietly. "She's a runner."

"Sure you do…she's a what?" McKay asks. Sheppard stops in his track and turns fully to look at him and Teyla cocks her head to the side.

"Did you say runner?" Teyla asks. Ronon nods. "But she's from Earth…is she not, Colonel?"

"Yeah," his brows crease over his dark glasses. "And we don't have Wraith hunting people there… yet."

"Doesn't matter," Ronon says. "I've seen it." He looks sharply at Sheppard. "So have you."

Teyla's eyes dart between Sheppard and Ronon. "I do not understand. What could she be running from?"

Ronon shrugs and starts walking again. "Anything. Everything. Earth, maybe."

"People," Sheppard says suddenly but with conviction. He glances at McKay. "How easy was it to convince her to leave Earth?"

"Very." McKay's eyes narrow as he considers something. "This makes sense now."

"What does?" Teyla asks.

McKay waves a finger in the air. "Her history. The unfulfilled potential. Menial jobs, no real friends or family. It's textbook as Dr. Heightmeyer would say."

"Textbook of what?" Sheppard asks, taking a step toward McKay.

"Oh," McKay says. "Jax's was orphaned at the age of four…never adopted. Foster homes, group homes. When she turned sixteen she filed for emancipation."

Sheppard seems to understand this very well. He drops his head and rubs his hand against the back of his neck. "This explains a lot."

"What does orphan mean?"

Sheppard looks at Teyla. "She lost her family…had no where to go so the government would put her in a home to be raised. They don't always work out for older kids."

"Especially brilliant ones," McKay says. "Remember, she's got an IQ almost as high as mine, plus she's got a photographic memory."

"Oh, man," Sheppard says. "That's a blessing and a curse."

"Yeah," McKay says. He sees the confusion on Ronon's face and explains. "She remembers everything she reads, hears and sees. And I mean everything."

"Including the bad stuff," Ronon says.

Sheppard and McKay nod. The foursome starts for the gate again. After a moment, Ronon taps Sheppard on the shoulder. "I thought you said she had a brother."

"Oh, she does. Half brother anyway," Rodney adds. "But they only found each other about two years ago. I should say, he found her…or the military found her for him."

"Why would they do that?" Teyla asks.

"He needed a bone marrow donor after he got exposed to a very nasty bio-weapon while on assignment. She saved his life. He's the one we wanted for the team, by the way. Nice kid. Great record, straight arrow. You would've hated him Sheppard." The Colonel glowers over his shoulder. "But the guy got a better deal, I suppose."

"Better deal?" Teyla asks.

"Yeah, a wife. They were moving to Spain for his new post."

"Leaving Jax behind," Ronon says quietly.

McKay nods as if he just realized the truth of that. "Yeah, I suppose so."