A/N: Thank you to everyone for reading and reviewing. The response to the last chapter was unexpected. This chapter picks up about where the other one left off. Reviewing is always enjoyed…

Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Stargate Atlantis or it's wonderful characters.

Spoilers: Through Reunion in Season 4

On the timeline: Reunion – Season 4

14 – Goodbye

Ronon stood in front of Jennifer's quarters ready to activate the door chime. He'd been up most of the night kicking himself for the way he'd left things with Jennifer. After she heard and seemed to accept the reason for his leaving she had wanted to finish her run. Ronon knew she was hurt and wanted to be alone so he'd agreed to jog the rest of the way back to give her an out.

Ronon began pacing in the hall; he knew he should leave well enough alone. Seeing her again was just going to make it hurt more when he walked away…yet he couldn't seem to walk away. Actually, that had been the case since she kissed him so many months ago. Their paths had kept crossing and he couldn't walk away.

He'd been drawn to the girl that he had gotten to know. He had known she was a good doctor, but seeing her bravery, softened by a caring side had intrigued him. Watching her and Cadman interact was great fun and he was always amused and a little proud to watch her give as good as she was getting from the Lieutenant.

Ronon stood facing her door again. He knew why this was so hard, he'd had all night to trudge through his thoughts and feelings.

He was in love with Jennifer.

She had his heart, but it didn't change the fact that he would go. His people needed him and he felt a great responsibility to them. That didn't stop him from wanting to see her, touch her, and dream of kissing her.

He leaned forward with a hand on each side of the door frame, he took a deep breath and closed his eyes praying that she was both inside and not upset to see him. He was scheduled to depart in just a few minutes with Sheppard and the team and he didn't plan to return after the mission.

The door slid open suddenly and standing before him looking beautiful was Jennifer. He noticed that he had startled her, but she didn't look upset at his presence.

"Ronon," she said as she brought her hand to her chest, "You can't be doing that." She pointed beside the door near his hand, "I'm sure my door chime works."

Ronon straightened up, "Sorry 'bout that, um… can I come in?"

She stepped aside, "Yeah, sure."

He stepped in and watched her shut the door and turn to face him. He wasn't sure what to say and was content to just look at her.

"You all leaving soon?" she asked him quietly.

"Yeah, meetin' in the Jumper bay in a couple minutes, then we'll pick up my friends before the mission."

"Please be careful." She gave him a small smirk, "In fact, since I won't be giving you post-mission physicals anymore, and in your case stitches, please be extra careful."

Ronon gave her a soft smile, enjoying the teasing in her voice, but knowing she did care. "Yeah, Doc, sure," he said looking in her eyes.

He watched Jennifer break the eye contact, looking at the floor, "I'll miss you."

Ronon felt his heart squeeze in his chest and he growled in frustration at the situation as he found himself moving toward her.

He watched her attempt to take a step back from him and regretted that he was making her feel unsure about him… and herself. He took the last step to her and placed his hand upon the arms she'd crossed in front of herself as a shield.

"Come 'ere," he implored as he leaned over her, no longer able to keep from kissing her. As his lips touched hers, he closed his eyes and allowed the feeling to wash over him. Ronon felt Jennifer's body relax under his hand, but a slight tremble to her lips.

He pulled back after only the briefest of kisses. When his eyes met hers he found them pooling with unshed tears. He tried to pull away, confused… needing her clarification. Jennifer freed one of her arms and placed her hand upon his mouth.

"Please," she asked, "nothing that is said is going to make this any better." She slid her hand slowly, in a caress, from his mouth to the nape of his neck, while her other hand moved to grip his shoulder. Holding on to him, Jennifer used her tiptoes to bring her lips back to his.

Ronon put his arms around her in support. This time the kiss was unhurried as he tried to convey with his lips the depth of his feelings for her. She met his kiss with an exploration of her own that thrilled his heart.

Moments passed while he was lost in the kiss, but he soon became aware of the tremble in her lips again. When he pulled back he watched a tear find its way down her face to her chin. Reaching out with his thumb he brushed it away.

"Jennifer?" he asked his heart breaking.

"I'm fine," she reassured him. "I just hate goodbyes."

"Its ok that I kissed you…I mean before you left…you, um, kissed me. I just thought before I left… I wanted to… kiss you…" he looked at the ceiling, hating that he sounded so insecure about this. He took a deep breath and tried again. "I've wanted to kiss you," he declared as he looked in her eyes, hoping to see what she was thinking.

"I've wanted you to kiss me too," she promised as he watched another tear fall on her cheek.

"Not really the same response as when you kissed me goodbye," he stated as he brushed the newest tear from her chin.

Jennifer took a deep breath and a step back, "When I kissed you… back then… there weren't these kind of feelings involved…" She was interrupted by a call on her com link and she stepped aside to answer it.

When she turned back to him he could see the look of resignation. "We both need to be going." He wasn't convinced by her act and he was sure she knew. "Really, Ronon, I'm not good at goodbyes, I'll be ok in a little bit."

He reluctantly nodded, they were both out of time and reality was calling them away from each other.