Kiryk moved as fast as he could towards the gate, hoping to reach it before the Wraith could place further guards there. As he ran he couldn't help but be concerned by how lost Jennifer looked and he wondered what they had done to her on the Hive.

When they reached the gate there were only two wraith that he could see. It was the ones he couldn't see that concerned him. Taking a few moments to devise a plan he scanned the area one more time before looking at Jennifer and whispering.

"We should be able to escape. But I need you to follow my lead." Sensing Jennifer was not focused on him he gripped her face and said. "Dr Keller. This will only work with your help. You must concentrate." When he saw her nod he released Jennifer and initiated the plan. Using his transporter to jump him and Jennifer behind the guards he quickly dispatched the Wraith and started dialling the gate. Just as he was entering the last symbol the hidden Wraith emerged and he was forced to duck out of the way of a stunner. Firing into the distance Kiryk waited for the wormhole to establish before he grabbed Jennifer and pushed her through. He then fired off a few more shots before diving through the event horizon after her.

The second he hit the ground he rolled over and aimed his gun at the gate waiting for the Wraith. Seconds later a hapless Wraith stepped through, moments after that the recently deceased Wraith crumpled to the floor just as the wormhole disconnected.

Scrambling to his feet Kiryk ran to the DHD and dialled another address. With the next wormhole established he grabbed Jennifer and stepped through. For the next hour Kiryk continued the routine of gating to random addresses until he was confident they were not being followed. Content they were safe he dialled one last address to a planet he knew well. When he and Jennifer stepped through to that planet he looked at Jennifer and said.

"We should be okay now, but we need shelter and food. There is a cave not far from here, are you okay walking?"

Not receiving a response straight away he said, louder than before.

"Dr Keller, can you walk?" Seeing her silently nod he added, pointing. "This way."

He waited for Jennifer to start to move and was surprised, concerned and yet touched, that Jennifer reached out and took, almost snatched, his hand. Squeezing his fingers round her hand he led her to the cave.

Jennifer was still silently gripping Kiryk's hand when they reached the cave an hour later. Her lack of spirit making Kiryk feel useless. Determined to help her he led her into the stony shelter and navigated her a wall where he helped her sit. But still Jennifer kept hold of his hand.

"Dr Keller, I need to get some food and water." Kiryk tried to explain. "For that I'll need my hand." As Jennifer reluctantly released it he added. "I will return." With that he left.

He returned as soon as possible with both food and water. When he entered the cave he saw that Jennifer had not moved from the wall, although she now sat huddled, with her arms wrapped round her legs and her head resting on her knees. When she did not acknowledge his presence he chose to prepare the meal rather than disturb her. As he skinned the animal he kept glancing over at Jennifer not knowing what to do. At one point he noticed Jennifer pull a piece of paper from her pocket and carefully unfold it. She then stared at it for several minutes before placing it back in her pocket and once again started staring blankly at nothing in particular.

Eventually Kiryk set a fire and started to cook the meat, a process he knew would take time and did not need intervention. Seizing the opportunity he moved over to Jennifer and crouched in front of her.

When she remained oblivious to his presence he called her name, once again getting no response. Growing concerned he reached out and touched Jennifer's shoulders again calling.

"Dr Keller."

"Kiryk? It's really you?" Jennifer responded looking up, revealing her haunted eyes.

"It's me." He assured her. "We'll stay here tonight then tomorrow I will return you to your people."

"No." Jennifer replied sharply before adding in a quieter, more resigned voice. "They're gone."

"Gone?" Kiryk asked, confused and shocked. When Jennifer remained silent he decided not to pursue the topic. Instead he stated.

"The meat will be ready soon." Before he returned to the fire. Feeling out of his depth.

-00-

The former runner returned to Jennifer a little while later, this time holding food for her. Again it took several attempts to gain Jennifer's attention, when he had he handed her the meat and spent the next several minutes watching Jennifer pick at the offering. As she did so he wondered exactly what the Wraith had done to her.

When she had finished the meal he decided to ask some of the questions on his mind.

"How long were you with the Wraith?"

"Days, maybe weeks." Jennifer said flatly.

"Did they hurt you?"

"No. They said I was more use to them undamaged." Jennifer answered bitterly.

Sensing Jennifer was not ready to talk to him he hazarded one final question.

"They took you when they culled your planet?"

"No." Jennifer paused so long Kiryk thought he'd get nothing more out of her but then suddenly she stood and walked to the entrance. Not sure what she was doing Kiryk quickly followed her. "They didn't cull my planet. My planet, my friends, my home were destroyed. Nothing was left."

Kiryk wanted to help Jennifer but he didn't know how and was growing frustrated with himself. Reaching out to her he took her shoulders and turned her so she faced him.

Kiryk was trying to say something that would help when Jennifer suddenly reached up and pulled his face towards her before kissing him. For a moment Kiryk was too stunned to react but as Jennifer kissed him with need and urgency he became reminded about how long he'd been alone, how long it had been since he had been with a woman. Soon he too felt himself filled with lust and wrapped his arms round Jennifer and kissed her back, running his hands over her body. Moments later he felt Jennifer practically tearing his clothes from him.

Breaking for air his brain caught up with his libido and he pulled away and breathlessly said. "We can't. This is wrong."

"I need this." Jennifer said running her hand under his waistband. "I need you and I need this." She whispered in his ear before kissing him again. All the while her hand slid lower killing Kiryk's resolve.

A/N: Thanks for reading and reviewing. Next chapter up on Thursday.