Jennifer rested her head on Kiryk's shoulder as they wiled the hours away in quarantine, whilst they waited for the test results to come back. At the start Kiryk could understand Carson's argument, but as time went on the former runner started to question why Jennifer was so keen on coming back to this strange place.

Although the waiting annoyed him it was the number of people who kept appearing at the various glass windows. As they stared down at Jennifer and himself, like they were some sort of exhibits, Kiryk glared back. But the gesture was empty and seemed to have no affect on the onlookers who continued to grate on his nerves. In contrast though Jennifer seemed completely at peace with being gawked at and stabbed with needles.

Despite Jennifer's assurances that it would only be for a short time he became more and more tempted to use his transporter to break them out of the strange room that housed them. As if reading his mind Jennifer placed a hand on the device and asked.

"Should I look after it?"

"I won't use it." He conceded as he went back to waiting. Looking up at him Jennifer smiled just as the doors opened.

As Carson came in the couple remained unmoved, expecting the visit to just be a routine check up. This time though Carson was followed by Sheppard and Woolsey. The bureaucrat's presence causing Jennifer to sit up.

"The tests are back." Carson said, his face giving no indication of the results. "And before you ask they've been rerun five times and they all agree." He paused before adding. "You are most definitely you and the original you at that."

"I'm not a clone?" Jennifer asked almost sounding confused.

"No lass."

"Then why can't I remember what happened and how I ended up on the Hive?"

"I can't answer that any more than you can. All I can tell you is what you already know and that it could be a whole host of things ranging from a blow to the head to PTSD. It's possible that those memories will return, but you may never know. But I can see no traces of experimentation, which either means there was none or there were no long term side effects." Carson explained before turning to Kiryk. "As for you, your tracker has gone, well almost. It appears that after it was deactivated it started to breakdown. What's left is minimal and incapable of sending signals."

"So?" Kiryk asked.

"So you're free from the Wraith." Carson clarified as Woolsey and Sheppard stepped closer.

"So what now?" Jennifer asked.

"That I'm afraid is up to the IOA. Dr Beckett's report has already been submitted and we hope to have answers for you soon. For now you will be able to leave the infirmary and stay in quarters but I can't allow you to return to work just yet." Woolsey answered.

"She shouldn't be working anyway." Carson commented. "After all she's gone through she needs time to readjust."

"I'm okay Carson." Jennifer said.

"That maybe, but it doesn't mean you should be thrown straight back in the deep end. You know full well I couldn't sign you off for work."

"So you ready to leave?" John asked before Jennifer had a chance to respond. To everyone's surprise it was Kiryk who answered first.

"Yes."

"You've only been here a few days." John said. "Wait until you're stuck in here, by yourself, under needless medical orders."

"Needless?" Carson asked. "You have never been kept in under needless orders. If you didn't have such a knack for damaging yourself you'd spend far less time in here." As John and Beckett argued Jennifer glanced over at Kiryk and almost laughed when she saw the same bewildered look on his face that Woolsey often sported when John and McKay bickered in meetings.

Eventually John turned his attention back to Jennifer and offered. "I'll take you to your quarters." He then pulled a face and apologetically added. "They won't be your old ones as they were reassigned a few months back."

"It's okay." Jennifer assured him.

"No it's not. I shouldn't have given up." John said in a tone that Jennifer knew better than to argue with. "But we've got you back now so let's get you settled. Shall we?" He asked stepping towards the door. Jennifer took Kiryk's hand and pulled him with her as she followed John out of the infirmary to the corridors of Atlantis. Noticing the lack of people Jennifer asked.

"Has the mission been downsized?"

"No. We thought you might like to have a quiet walk so Ronon cleared the halls."

"Cleared? How?"

"I thought it was best not to ask." John smiled. After a few seconds silence Jennifer asked.

"Where's Evan?"

"Coming back from Earth. Family emergency."

"What happened?"

"Something with his sister. He'll be back soon though, he's on the Daedalus. Don't think he knows about you yet. Hopefully seeing you will help get his mojo back. Your disappearance hit him hard." John half explained as he stopped in front of a door. "Well here you go. There are clean clothes and some fresh food in there. I'll leave you to get settled in."

-00-

Jennifer woke in the early hours when Kiryk bolted upright. Looking at him reach for his gun she tried to figure out what was going on when she heard the door chime. The sound causing Kiryk to point the weapon at the door.

"It's okay." Jennifer assured him. "It's just letting me know someone is trying to come in." Noticing Kiryk seemed to take the explanation as further proof to keep his gun trained on the door Jennifer added. "It's letting me know a friend is trying to get in." Hearing it chime again she rolled out of bed and put on a robe as she told Kiryk to put his gun down. Happy he wasn't going to shoot the person on the other side she hit the release button.

As the door opened she found herself engulfed in a bear hug. She was fairly sure whoever it was that was embracing her was talking but she was held so closely her ears were muffled by a chest and an arm. Eventually she was released and pulled back slightly to see Lorne looking down at her.

"Do you have any idea what it's been like? I've missed you. You sure you're okay?" He asked before pulling her in for another hug.

"I'm fine." Jennifer mumbled into his shoulder.

Releasing her once again Lorne said. "I couldn't believe it when I got back and they told me you were back. I thought I'd lost you."

"I thought I lost you too." Jennifer said, her eyes glistening.

Pulling her in for another hug Lorne continued. "I swear you are going to be banned from going off-world. I can't go through that again. It's so good to see y-" He cut himself off mid sentence then said. "Jen, there's a man in your bed."

"Oh right, you haven't met." Jennifer said pulling away. "Evan this is Kiryk. Kiryk thi-"

"Wait, Kiryk?" Lorne asked. "The guy who kidnapped you?"

"Also the guy who save me from the Wraith." Jennifer pointed out. Lorne however, ignored her statement and asked.

"Why is the guy who kidnapped you in your bed? Don't answer the obvious question there." His eyes flashed to Kiryk when he saw the former runner start to move. Guessing Kiryk was naked under the sheet he added. "There is really no need to get up. Really no need."

"A lot has happened over the last few months." Jennifer said.

"I can see that." Lorne replied, trying to get over the shock of seeing Kiryk. "You okay?" He asked.

"I'm fine. Really."

"Okay, I should go and get my routine medical done. Meet me for breakfast?"

"Sure." Jennifer agreed as Lorne hugged her again.

"Promise me you'll still be here." Lorne demanded holding her tight.

"I promise."

"Good, I'll see you in a few hours." Lorne smiled as he released her and stepped out of her room. As the door shut Jennifer turned and faced Kiryk who asked.

"The note guy?"

"Yeah, the note guy." Jennifer smiled.

A/N: Thanks for reading and reviewing, next chapter up on Monday. Have a great Christmas.