"Kiryk?" Celise squealed as she flew into the former runner's arms. "I knew you'd be okay."

"Celise." Kiryk replied as he swung her round. "It is good to see you well."

As Kiryk put Celise down the girl noticed Jennifer and hurried over to her. As she wrapped her arms round the doctor she said.

"Jennifer. You found him, I knew you would." Even Jennifer was finding Celise's happiness contagious. However, as the girl pull away she put a dampener on the occasion by asking. "Where's Sheppard and Ronon?"

Seeing the pain in Jennifer's eyes Erran stepped in and said.

"Celise, they have only just arrived, we should invite them in not bombard them with questions."

"Has something happened to them?" Celise asked, ignoring her adopted mother's warning, her happiness displaced by concern.

Jennifer was trying to figure out what to say when Kiryk stepped towards them and crouched down in front of Celise. Placing his hands on her shoulders he said.

"The Wraith." Those two words were all Celise needed to hear to comprehend what had happened. After a moment of stunned silence she pulled away from Kiryk and hugged Jennifer once more.

-00-

"What will you do now?" Erran asked as she handed Jennifer a drink as Celise showed Kiryk round her new home.

"Honestly I don't know." Jennifer replied for some reason feeling more homesick now than she had for days.

"You are welcome to stay here as long as you like." The woman offered.

"Thank you, but-"

"Dr Keller, you clearly need time to think, why don't you use your time here to decide what your plans are. Until then you and Kiryk are my guests."

"Thank you, but I don't want to be a burden."

"After all you did for my people you'll not be a burden." Erran assured her.

"I think I'd prefer to keep busy." Jennifer tried to explain. "I may not have any supplies, but I can still offer advice and basic first aid."

"There will be many here who'll welcome a healer being present. But you need time to come to terms with everything that has happened. I know it is tempting to ignore your loss, but you must face it. It is the only way you'll move on." Erran said.

"I know, it's just hard."

"Anytime you want to talk I am here."

"Thanks."

"But now you should rest. The spare room, although small is ready." Noticing Jennifer hesitate Erran added. "I'll tell Kiryk where you are. Now rest and let others look after you."

-00-

When Kiryk entered the small home he immediately looked for Jennifer, tensing when he didn't see her.

"She's resting." Erran explained.

"Good." Kiryk commented before falling silent. For a few minutes Erran and Kiryk stood staring at each other in an awkward silence, neither knowing what to say.

"Celise is happy here?" Kiryk finally asked as he looked towards Celise who was playing with Erran's sons.

"She seems to be. She still has nightmares and she misses her family and you, but she gets on well with the boys and the other children in the village." Erran told him.

"Thank you for taking her." Kiryk said.

"It was my pleasure." Erran smiled before asking. "Have you come to take her away?"

"I don't know. I want to be with her, but she is happy. I can't offer her a good life, you can."

"You could stay. My offer was to both of you not just Dr Keller."

"Thank you, but I don't know what I could offer in return."

"What did you do before the Wraith captured you?"

"I had a forge."

"A blacksmith? That is a useful job. Silik runs our forge, but he is an old man. He hasn't the strength to do most work, nor the patience to train an apprentice. Most of the work now is done with trading partners through the Ancestral ring. It would be nice to not have to rely on people outside the village."

"While I'm here I will help in the forge." Kiryk said. "I owe you that much for looking after Celise. But I can't promise to stay."

"I understand." Erran said. "Your fate is tied to that of Dr Keller." Noticing Kiryk was looking at her strangely Erran went on. "You will go where Dr Keller goes. It is good that despite all this tragedy you two have found each other."

Kiryk opened his mouth to argue, but found the words were not forthcoming.

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