Kiryk had ensured Jennifer and he slept on opposite sides of the cave so he wouldn't be tempted to cross the line again. Despite the physical gap he couldn't help think about the doctor and how he could help her. For hours he lay awake questioning what had happened to her as well as Ronon, McKay, Celise and the rest of her people. He wondered what exactly the Wraith had done to her and why she had so much guilt. He also tried to come up with a plan. It was clear Jennifer was not suited to living in the wild and she'd need a new home, but he didn't know where.

He was just drifting to sleep when he heard a noise from Jennifer's side of the cave. Immediately sitting up he looked round and, in the shadowy gloom, saw Jennifer toss and turn just as she cried out. He couldn't make out exactly what she was saying but her tone was desperate. Hurrying to her side he tried to wake her as she struggled against an invisible foe. By now her desperate mumblings had turned into screams.

"Jennifer." He called as he shook her. But as he held her she began to fight him. "Jennifer." He called again louder, not releasing his grip on her. Still she struggled and screamed. Even in the gloomy light Kiryk could see tears streaming down her face. The sight causing anger to well within him. Increasing his efforts he shook Jennifer harder as he continued to call out to her until finally her eyes opened and she fell silent for a moment before shakily asking.

"Kiryk?"

"You were having a bad dream. I was trying to wake you." The former runner tried to explain as he worried whether or not Jennifer would jump to the wrong conclusions as to why he was holding her. When Jennifer did not resist he added. "It's over now. It was just a dream."

"No it wasn't. A dream would mean that it didn't happen, that my friends were still alive." Jennifer argued as she sat up.

Wrapping his arms round Jennifer Kiryk pulled the doctor towards him and tried to offer her comfort. Finally he asked.

"What happened? Why did the Wraith have you?"

For ages Jennifer remained silent, convincing Kiryk that once again she would not answer the question. But eventually Jennifer started to speak and told Kiryk everything that had happened. As she talked the former runner tried to supress his anger at the Wraith and instead focus on comforting Jennifer as best he could. Hoping that by holding her and running soothing hand over her back she would find some solace.

As Jennifer explained the destruction of Atlantis he could understand her guilt and also knew she was not ready to accept she was not to blame. However, he swore to himself that he would help her see the truth no matter how long it took.

-00-

"Is there anywhere you want to go?" kiryk asked as he handed Jennifer a cup of water a few hours later. "Maybe some of your people survived? Is there a place they'd go?"

"No, maybe. We had a secondary base, but that was attacked by the Wraith and we lost it. If there's a replacement I don't remember. Besides if there was a new one set up, by now any survivors would have been picked up by one of our ships and taken home."

"Home?" Kiryk asked confused.

"My people are not from this Galaxy." Jennifer tried to explain. "The place where I was born is a long way from here."

"Can you not return there?"

"No. The only way to reach it is by using the Gate on Atlantis, which has been destroyed or by ship. But they won't be looking for me."

"Why?"

"They think I'm dead, that's why they didn't look for me when I was on the Hive."

"We could look for them." Kiryk argued.

"After what happened to Atlantis the order will be to collect survivors from the Alpha site, if one was set up, then to retreat home. They won't come back." Jennifer explained in such a detached manner Kiryk wondered how well she was really coping with the fact she'd never see her real home again.

"What about worlds here? Your people must have helped many who'd be willing to have you join them."

"How can I go to them when I killed those who have protected them and helped them?" Jennifer asked.

"You were not responsible for what happened." Kiryk stated.

"My actions led to their deaths." Jennifer said resolutely.

"The Wraith have tried on many occasions to destroy your people. With the power you described the Wraith would have destroyed your people regardless of what you did. It is the Wraith and the Wraith alone who are responsible for what happened. Do not let guilt consume you." The runner said firmly before falling silent and allowing Jennifer time to digest his words.

"You're right." Jennifer said surprising Kiryk. "It is time I move on. I have burdened you too long. I should go." Jennifer said.

"That's not what I meant." Kiryk said wondering how Jennifer had ignored his last statement. "If you truly want to go I will not stop you. But I will miss you if you do. I enjoy your company." The former runner confessed.

"You don't have to lie." Jennifer responded. "If you wanted company you would have settled by now. You wouldn't still be roaming alone as if you were a runner."

"Like you I have nowhere to go." Kiryk said bluntly. "My home is destroyed and my people are dead. I have no one and no place. "

"That's not true." Jennifer argued. "You have Celise."

"Celise? She's alive?" Kiryk asked.

"I'm sorry, I should have said sooner." Jennifer apologised, realising that Kiryk had no way to know Celise was alive and well. "Celise is fine, she is living on the planet where you…where we first met."

"She's alive?" Kiryk asked in disbelief. "I thought … I thought, when you, I assumed she had not made it or if she had she would have been with your people-"

"She's fine." Jennifer assured him. "I'm sorry I didn't think of her earlier. You have done so much for me and I was too selfish to even tell you of Celise. I'm a-"

"You have lost your people, your mind was concerned with other things." Kiryk pointed out. "Would those people not offer you a home? At least for awhile?"

"I don't know." Jennifer replied.

"That's not a no." Kiryk pointed out.

"No. But it's not a yes."

"Seeing it's not a no we will remain here for a few days. I want to be absolutely sure the Wraith are not coming. It will also give you time to think. Then we'll go to Celise's planet."

When Jennifer did not argue Kiryk stood and offered a hand to Jennifer as he said.

"Come with me."

"Where?" Jennifer asked.

"You are going to catch us food."

"Me? Hunt? I told you I'm not good at this."

"So I'll teach you." Kiryk replied determined not to let Jennifer dwell on the past.

-00-

For the next few days Kiryk attempted to teach Jennifer what he considered were basic survival skills. Overcoming his disbelief that Jennifer could be so uncomfortable and so unknowledgeable about the outside world he tried to patiently teach her.

As the days went on it became clear to both of them that Jennifer would never be comfortable in the wild but Kiryk was impressed by Jennifer's attempts at learning and improving. And as time passed he found himself falling for Jennifer. To start with he wasn't sure if it was mere inevitability from spending so much time with her, but soon he became convinced there was more to it. Determined not to complicate Jennifer's life further he was glad when it became time to move on, which would give him the opportunity to put space between him and Jennifer.

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