TWO

Ronon jogged across the empty pier, feeling the immense satisfaction of having the wind in his face, the smells of the ocean in his nostrils, and nothing over his head except the stars.

Being stuck on the Daedalus with no means of escape had almost driven him to murder.

More than once.

The trip from his interview with the IOA to the remains of the Midway station was bad enough without the added stress of not knowing what had become of his friends. John and Rodney had been on the station before it was destroyed, and waiting to find out what had become of them had damn near eaten him alive.

The fact that the trip was made on the Daedalus just made things worse. It didn't help that sections of those damn Earth ships weren't built for anyone over six feet tall. He'd lost count of the number of times he'd smacked his forehead off a bulkhead or protruding pipe. The food was bland, the company annoying, and the bed was so confining he'd ended up dragging the blanket and pillow off and sleeping on the floor.

When they'd finally reached the debris field that marked the remains of the station he'd felt a world of relief lifted from his shoulders to see the puddle jumper free floating – with Sheppard and McKay's life signs intact. He hadn't realized just how much the thought of losing them was driving him crazy until they'd opened the door of that jumper… because he'd even been happy to see McKay.

They'd spent hours catching up and enjoying each other's company before they settled into the second half of the trip. It didn't take more than a day of the continued confinement before he had to agree with Sheppard.

Being stuck sucked.

He'd had nothing to do but think.

Then think some more.

His life had taken a strange twist and he hadn't even noticed. For too many year's he'd been running. Too many years fighting for revenge. For darkness. For death. And now, all of a sudden, he wasn't running any more.

The minute he realized he'd actually wanted the IOA's approval he'd felt like he'd been torn apart and put back together in someone else's life. He wanted to be here – to call this place home. The concept was so foreign he hadn't realized what it was until he'd stepped onto the smooth tiled floors of Atlantis earlier this evening.

He hadn't thought of home since Sateda.

Since Melena.

Life had changed.

He'd changed.

Home. Friends. Future. The thoughts bothered him so much the only thing he sought to do was run himself into oblivion. Don't get comfortable. He warned himself. Don't let yourself get lulled into thinking it's permanent.

The more he ran, the more he chanted. But the trip through the city was actually having the opposite effect.

It was making him feel… content.

As he rounded the final corner and headed back towards the main tower, a muted snuffling noise reached his ears and he slowed, listening. It sounded again, making him stop this time, his ears and eyes seeking it out.

A different noise. Soft. It sounded suspiciously like muffled laughter. Curious as to who'd be out here at this time of night, he walked forward, eyes searching the darkness for whoever it was.

"Oh man, I've finally lost my mind." A whisper sounded close by.

He turned, backtracking, eyes finally falling on a single huddled shape. Someone was tucked into one of the recessed nooks alongside a support tower, and judging by the small size it was a woman.

He moved slowly, not wanting to startle her, which was funny in itself because he pretty much startled every damn woman on the base just by being here.

She didn't acknowledge him, so he cleared his throat.

When her head lifted suddenly his heart stopped.

"Doc?"

Jen blinked up at Ronon - who was standing a few feet away, and looking pretty damn real for a figment of her imagination. She blinked, squinted, then barked out a laugh.

"Great!" She stood up with a flourish, wiping the tears off her cheeks. "Now I'm hallucinating. Bloody freeking brilliant. Someone please just shoot me."

Jen knew she wasn't asleep. Well, she was pretty sure anyway. Her feet and hands were too cold now for her to be dreaming, and her butt was sore from sitting upon the chilly, unforgiving surface of the pier. So the only explanation that she was seeing Ronon was that she'd finally lost her mind. Completely and unequivocally. Yep. She'd gone insane.

With a huff of air she started to stomp madly away, but Ronon's ghost was still standing in her way. "Oh, go away." she muttered up at him, swinging her hand to wave him away.

The back of her hand met very warm, very solid flesh.

Jen shrieked and stepped back.

Ronon frowned. Okay… This was definitely not the way he'd envisioned running into her.

"You okay?" He stepped forward, stopping when she back peddled with a loud gasp.

"Crap!" She mumbled, her eyes wide. "You're… real? You're back?"

He nodded, once, wondering why she'd think he wasn't real.

"But-but-you're not supposed to be here. The Daedalus isn't due back until tomorrow afternoon!"

His brow furrowed when she leaned forward and poked him twice in the chest with her index finger.

"Got back early." He answered, angling his head, concerned for her obvious state of confusion. Why would she think she was hallucinating? And why had she been crying? Was she ill? Had someone done something to hurt her? And why was she poking him?

He stepped closer, forcing her to tip her head back in order to look up at him. Using the faint light from the tower overhead he was able to get a proper look at her face.

Her eyes were wide and confused, her cheeks still damp from the tears. She looked… exhausted. Anxious.

She blinked up at him. "You're really here?"

Ronon nodded, then exhaled sharply when she slammed against his chest and wrapped her arms tightly around his waist. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her against him.

"Welcome back." She muffled into his chest.