Chapter Four 'A Bit of Truth'
It had been a couple of weeks since Jennifer had been held hostage by a patient. It was hard for her to get over. The fact that she could help someone. The fact that she was the one that led to his death. Chris Donald reminded her of her mother. She had been an alcoholic ever since her father died. She tried to help her mother so many times but it never helped. Work was the only thing that kept her sane. Teyla came into the room with a smile on her face.
"Here for my check up Jen," Teyla said causing her to smile.
"Hey," Jennifer said. "Well you know the drill," she said getting the ultrasound ready.
"So," Teyla said. "How are things with you and Ronon?" She asked sitting down on the bed and then slowly laying down.
"There is no me and Ronon," Jennifer said. "But did he say something?" She asked causing her to laugh. Jennifer sighed at her friend's amusement and lifted up her gown.
"No he hasn't said anything," Teyla replied. "But then again he never does," she said feeling the cold gel on her stomach. "Ohh," she said tensing up. "I never get use to that," she said.
"I don't know," Jennifer said. "I mean I like him," she said. "He's sweet," she said running the device over her stomach.
"Ronon sweet," Teyla said scrunching her forehead. "Never thought I heard those two words together," she said looking at the screen.
"Everything still good," Jennifer said looking at the screen. "Heart beat normal," she said removing the device and cleaning off the gel. "How are you feeling?" She asked.
"Okay," Teyla said. "Are you going to the good will mission?" She asked.
"Yeah," Jennifer said. "John wants me their just in case anyone has any illnesses," she said softly. "You're good to go," she said softly.
"Thanks," Teyla said getting off the table and getting dressed. Jennifer was punching her update into the computer and Teyla went to her before she was about leave.
"What?" Jennifer asked.
"Maybe you should talk to Ronon," Teyla said. "Because guys are a little dense so you might be waiting a long time," she said before walking out.
Jennifer sighed deeply before getting back to her work. She walked into the lunch room that day after getting a message from Rodney. They were going to discuss the medical aspect of the mission. "Hey," Jennifer said causing everyone to stop talking.
"Hey," Rodney said looking up at her. "Can I help you?" He asked harshly.
"Uh you wanted to talk," Jennifer said. "I got your message," she said.
"No I didn't," Rodney said. "It must be from someone else," he said.
"No it's from you," Jennifer said causing him to look at the others. "You said you needed my help with a thesis," she said crossing her arms.
"Well I don't know what to tell you," Rodney said shrugging his shoulder.
"Could you excuse us?" Sam asked causing her to be taken back.
"Sure," Jennifer said turning to walk away.
"Oh Jen," John said causing her to turn back around. "We won't need you on any mission this week just take some days off," he said causing her to look worried.
"Oh okay," Jennifer said. "See you later," she said turning around.
"Do you think she bought it?" Rodney asked causing everyone to smile.
"It's Jennifer," Teyla said. "Of course she bought it," she said. "Now her birthday is Friday so I figured we have the party that night," she said. "In here with everyone," she said with a smile.
"She does deserve it after all she has been through," Ronon said causing the others to smirk.
"Okay," Teyla said. "So me and Sam got the cake covered," she said. "You guys have to take care of the decorating," she said firmly.
"Don't worry," John said gripping onto her hand.
Jennifer had been going stir crazy in her room the last couple of days. She had been taken off the last three missions and she had been getting worried. A knock came at her door. "Come in," she said putting some papers to the side.
"Hey," Ronon said coming into the room.
"Hey," Jennifer said. "How was the mission?" She asked.
"Alright," Ronon said softly. "What have you been up to?" He asked.
"Looking for another job," Jennifer said causing him to arch his eyebrow.
"Why?" Ronon asked sitting down on the bed next to her.
"Hello," Jennifer said. "They have been taking me off missions," she said. "They gave me time off," she said. "Its obvious John blames me for Chris' death," she said.
"That is insane," Ronon said. "He gave you time off cause you deserve it," he said. "And his death wasn't your fault," he said touching her hand.
"I should have stopped him," Jennifer said standing up. "I am so frustrated with myself," she said with tears in her eyes. "And I can't shake the feeling of helplessness," she said.
"Come with me," Ronon said grabbing her hand. "We are going to do some sparing," he said firmly. "Teach you some basic self defense," he said.
"Ronon," Jennifer said causing him to turn around.
"Now," Ronon said causing her to sigh and follow him out. They went to the sparing room and he stood in front of her. "Okay," he said.
"What?" Jennifer asked.
"I am going to teach you how to get out of someone's grasp," Ronon said coming up behind her.
Jennifer felt him wrap his arms around her and she took a deep breath. "What do I do?" She asked trusting him completely.
"Take her right arm," Ronon said beginning to explain his method. They had gone over it a few times and she was able to get out of his grasp with ease.
"Thank you," Jennifer said with a smile on her face.
"Anytime," Ronon said. "But this isn't over," he said. "We need to train you more," he said in a low voice. "I don't want to ever lose you," he said touching her face.
Jennifer stepped closer to him just before his com-link went off. "Go," Jennifer said causing him to look down at her and then went for a run.
Ronon had to go on a rescue mission for a couple of days leaving her more confused. About her job and about him. Friday night she went for a walk through the halls. "Jen," Ronon shouted.
"Not now Ronon," Jennifer said continuing to walk. "I have to get this application set in," she said causing Ronon to run ahead of her. "Ronon!" She stated as he blocked her.
"Come with me," Ronon said causing her to sigh.
"In a minute," Jennifer said causing him to pick her up and throw her over his shoulder. "Ronon! Put me down!" She yelled and he took her to the cafeteria. He set her down.
"Open the door," Ronon said firmly.
"I don't appreciate being man handled," Jennifer said glaring up at him.
"Just open the door," Ronon said in a firm voice.
"It's the cafeteria," Jennifer said opening the door.
"SURPRISE!!" Everyone shouted jumping out. "Happy Birthday!" They said causing her to smile in shock.
"You," Jennifer said looking over at Teyla. "It's my birthday?" She asked.
"You forgot your birthday," Ronon said in shock.
"Who forgets the birthday?" Rodney asked coming over to her as she walked into the room.
"Me apparently," Jennifer said causing John to snatch the paper out of her hand.
"I will take this application thank you," John said tearing it up. "I don't blame you we just had to do something to throw you off," he said causing her to smile.
"Happy Birthday Jen," Sam said wheeling in her cake with candles. Jennifer smiled over at all of them and looked down at her cake.
"Make a wish," Teyla said causing her to blow out her candles. They all cheered then went on talking.
"So," Rodney said taking a drink of some wine. "How did you forget your birthday?" He asked causing her to look down.
"McKay," Sam said sternly.
"No," Jennifer said. "The last birthday I had was when I was seven," she said. "My dad died when I was six and my mom started drinking after that so um her booze became more important than her kids birthday," she said softly.
"Well," Teyla said. "You don't have to worry about that anymore," she said wrapping her arms around her. "Now its time for present," she said with a smile on her face.
Everyone would wait until morning to clean up the mess then headed to bed. Ronon had helped her to her room with her gifts. "Thanks," Jennifer said setting them down and he did the same.
"Um," Ronon pulled out a long box. "You forgot one," he said. "It isn't much," he said.
"Ronon," Jennifer said sitting down on her bed and opening it.
"Well," Ronon said causing her to look in shock.
"It's beautiful," Jennifer said looking at the golden charm bracelet. The charms were in the form of lilies. "My favorite flower," she said. "How did you know?" She asked.
"A friend of yours told me," Ronon said causing her to smile. "But there is something else that I wanted to give you," he said causing her to look up at him.
"What?" Jennifer asked feeling her heart begin to race.
"I have been waiting to do this since the day of the quarantine," Ronon said titling her chin with the finger and pressing his lips to hers.
AN: Just so you know they don't have sex…the next post will be up Friday
