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Chapter 3

Jennifer sat pouring over the training pamphlet as she finished her breakfast. It didn't look like she had a lot of choices but there was one self-defense class that fit with her schedule. It was taught by Captain James and met three times a week at 1900 hours. She decided to sign up on her way to work so she couldn't chicken out.

"Hey, did you find a class?" Ronon asked nodding at the schedule as he set his tray down on the table.

"Good morning … yes, it starts tonight with a Captain James. Do you know him?" she asked pointing to the class description.

"No, don't know a whole lot of the newer recruits. It'll be a good fit for you … self-defense skills are good to start with," he encouraged.

"What's your day look like?" Jen asked tucking the schedule back in her book.

"Got a supply mission in an hour but shouldn't take all day," he said between bites. "What about you, are you working today?"

"I'm on days right now and then the first self-defense class is tonight. Hope it's a big class so I blend in – I always feel rather clumsy at things like this."

"You shouldn't … you have skillful hands. You've stitched me up more than once," he said grinning.

"That's an understatement!" she laughed. "I'll let you know how it goes."

Jennifer enjoyed her meals with Ronon. It was always easy talking to this man of few words. She had several men who were good friends … Ronon, Evan, Carson even Colonel Sheppard was beginning to fit into her collection of trustworthy "brothers". She often wondered why she couldn't find a man that possessed even a few of their excellent qualities who'd be interested in pursuing a romantic relationship with her. She was too young to put aside her dreams of love and family but her present situation didn't provide many opportunities. Jennifer knew pursuing a relationship with a military man was out of the question after her attack. Actually, any kind of romantic involvement was too much for her right now but hopefully that wouldn't always be the case. She sighed heavily pushing all these thoughts to the back of her mind as she returned to work and the real world.

Jennifer showed up at her self-defense class a few minutes early hoping to stretch the worries of the day out of her mind before the class began.

"Good evening Dr. Keller," Captain James announced as he extended his hand introducing himself. "Glad you decided to join our class," he grinned.

"Thank you, Captain, I'm looking forward to the challenge," Jen answered sensing the man might be a bit arrogant. Why do I always end up with the over-confident jerks? she thought to herself.

The gym started to fill with other classmates and Jennifer wandered toward the back of the room hoping to slip in next to a female student. The class started right on time and soon they were all immersed in warm-up exercises and the basics of hand-to-hand combat. Jennifer was really enjoying the strenuous workout and thankful she'd signed up. She was so tuned into the class she didn't notice when Ronon slipped in the door and stood at the back of the room observing the Captain's teaching style.

James was excited at seeing Ronon observe his class proceeding to strut around like a proud peacock. Believing Ronon to be a fierce, no-nonsense instructor himself, James began to roughly correct his students on their moves both physically and verbally.

Ronon was not impressed knowing that criticism was rarely constructive in this kind of situation. Combat moves were hard to learn and what did these civilians know of knife fights or strangle holds. He'd maintained a slow and patient method of teaching with non-military and always had good results. James' cocky superior attitude didn't set well with the training instructor.

"Okay people, some of you are having a hard time just standing still without tripping over your feet," James barked as he paced back and forth in front of the class. "It's my job to whip you into shape and teach you the skills you'll need to stay alive out in the real world. Obviously, there are a few of you that will never be able to fight your way out of a paper bag and you might want to re-think taking this class," he lectured causing everyone to wonder about their ability to learn anything.

"Great," Jennifer mumbled to herself.

"What's that, Dr. Keller?" James growled hearing her sarcastic comment.

"Nothing Captain," she answered turning beet red from embarrassment.

"It's time for our review of the class so Dr. Keller, why don't you join me up front," he firmly suggested. "You can be my helper tonight."

Jennifer frowned as she made her way to the front of the class. She endured several minutes of his constant ridicule concerning her lack of skills before he used her as a dummy for his own personal demonstration.

"Class, I want you to come a bit closer so everyone can see. I'll be showing you a few basic moves that we'll be learning in the course of this class," he explained hoping to impress Ronon.

James instructed Jennifer to try and defend herself any way she could as he came at her explaining different scenarios. Each time Jennifer ended up on the mat wondering what happened. The maneuvers happened quickly, in the blink of an eye, leaving Jennifer wondering if she'd even been touched.

"Well, looks like Dr. Keller may have to take this class twice," Captain James laughed at Jennifer's expense. Next, the Captain decided to explain one of his moves in slow motion taking hold of Jennifer's arms and holding her firmly while he described his actions to the class.

Jennifer felt extremely uncomfortable in James' grip and wished the man would hurry up and throw her to the mat. As his explanation dragged on she began to feel a bit panicky and started to squirm.

"I think that's enough," she quietly said trying to remove herself from his hold. The more she pulled away the firmer he held on to her. Jennifer was no longer listening to his words but trying desperately to get out of his grasp. "Let go of me," she whispered trying not to make a scene.

"Hold on Dr. Keller, I'm just about done," he answered glaring at his captive. "By the end of this course you'll learn how to overcome your attacker and avoid this type of situation."

"I'm done, please let go of me," she stated firmly. "I don't like this," she added trying to pull her arms free.

"We're not quite done here," he said glaring at her for embarrassing him. The demonstration had moved into a battle of wills and James was not about to give in.

Ronon moved away from the wall preparing to step in if James didn't let go of her arms. He could see Jennifer starting to panic and he didn't like seeing James harass her.

Jennifer started feeling helpless and trapped. Determined not to be a victim again, she kicked him in the shin with all the force her petite body could muster. "Yes, we are done," she yelled, pulling her arms free.

James yelped while hopping around on one foot. If looks could kill he'd have put her in the ground right then.

"I took this class so men couldn't attack me," she hissed. "I don't need you pawing me to impress your peers." Jennifer was so angry and scared at the same time. She turned and ran out of the gym without even noticing Ronon standing by the door.

Once out in the corridor she slowed down trying to catch her breath. Try as she might she couldn't stop the few stray tears that ran down her cheeks. Just as she got her panic attack under control she felt a hand clamp down on her shoulder. Whirling around she started backing away until she hit the wall.

"Jennifer, it's me," Ronon called out to her. "Are you okay?" he asked holding his hands up in surrender.

She stood planted against the wall trying to clear the fog away and identify the voice talking to her.

"Ronon, I'm sorry," she apologized moving into his personal space and throwing her arms around his waist. "I thought you were someone else," she added as the tears flowed.

He reached down and held her until she relaxed and pulled away. "Are you okay," he asked again.

"Thanks," she said wiping her face. "I didn't do too well in my first class," she smirked.

"Yeah, I saw," he said smiling. "Your instructor wasn't very good," he added.

"Maybe I should just carry a gun," she suggested sarcastically.

"Do you have time to get some food? I want to talk to you about something," he asked formulating a plan.

"Sure," Jen agreed turning to walk with him toward the mess hall.

They entered the dining room and Ronon quickly filled a tray while Jennifer made a cup of tea to go with her sweet roll. Walking across the room they settled at a table against the wall away from the few stragglers occupying other tables.

"I don't like your instructor … I want you to quit his class," Ronon said forcefully. "I'll teach you."

"I'd much rather take lessons from you but I've checked and my schedule doesn't fit with your classes," she explained with disappointment.

"We'll start when you get off work as long as I'm not off world," he stated firmly. "We can use the sparring room since it'll just be the two of us."

"Ronon, I can't ask you to give up your evenings just because my instructor's an arrogant ass," Jen complained.

"I want to," he answered simply.

"Will you let me give you reading lessons in exchange?" she asked hoping to find some way to thank him.

"That sounds fair," he agreed. "My job will be much easier," he laughed.

The two were talking about schedules and meeting places when Captain James entered the dining hall. Spotting Jennifer sitting at a table on the far side he proceeded to charge over to her table.

"Dr. Keller," Captain James barked. "Your actions in class were highly inappropriate and definitely unprovoked. I will not stand for anymore of your outbursts in the future and would like a public apology at our next session," he demanded failing to observe Ronon's building anger.

Jennifer could see Ronon start to get up and reached over patting his hand, "I'll take care of this," she whispered standing up.

"Captain, how would you like me to word that apology? Should I go with, sorry that our instructor is a self-righteous arrogant jackass, or maybe I should say, sorry we are having to be subjected to this type of aggressive humiliation?" Jen asked rudely. "I guess it really doesn't matter because I quit your class and have nothing to apologize for," she growled at him.

"No, no, no, you can't quit my class, it'll ruin my perfect instructor record," he ranted. "You can't blame me for your lack of coordination and incompetence," James snarled turning bright red with anger.

"Okay," Jennifer said looking down at Ronon still sitting in his chair, "go ahead and shoot him."

"What?" James shrieked watching Ronon stand and power up his weapon. "This is highly uncalled for. You can't quit because I'm kicking you out of my class," he stammered as he scrambled away from Ronon's gun.

They could hear him mumbling and swearing all the way across the dining room and out the doors. The two looked at each other once the man was out of sight and burst out laughing. Jennifer was feeling much better about her evening and most of that was due to Ronon's intervention and the confidence he gave her.

Jennifer enjoyed her new "hobby" and the challenges it brought. She found some heavy poster board that would be perfect for an alphabet chart. Next she dug through her junk drawer and found an old voice recorder using it to record the sounds of the different letters. Before they began the classes she made flash cards for his first homework assignment. Life on Atlantis could be intense and overwhelming at times and she was thankful for the distraction.

Jennifer and Ronon began their teaching sessions meeting 4-5 times a week as their schedules allowed. They'd start off with hand-to-hand combat ending with a shorter reading lesson before heading to the mess hall for something to eat. Jennifer couldn't remember the last time she felt this content and happy. She knew a lot of it had to do with the amount of time she was spending with Ronon.