A/N: Thank you so much to bailey1ak for all your help and encouragement.
Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Stargate Atlantis or it's wonderful characters.
Spoilers: Reunion season 4
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Chapter 2
Jennifer felt like she'd been swallowed up by her worse nightmare. The joint mission to take out a Wraith lab had turned into an ambush with Sheppard and his team being the target. Ronon thought he was leading his fellow Satedans, Tyre, Ara and Rakai with SGA-1 but it turned out his friends were Wraith worshipers. Tyre had lured Sheppard's team to the lab in hopes of turning Ronon. The Wraith were forcing Rodney to turn off the Replicator attack code by holding Sheppard and Teyla as hostages. By the time it was all over, two of Ronon's friends were dead, the Replicator was set free in the lab and Ronon had been injured.
She slipped into doctor mode as SGA-1 entered the infirmary without assistance. Jennifer moved over to Ronon immediately looking at his injuries. She could see a lot of blood but he was conscious and alert which was always a good sign.
"Doc, we're all doing okay except Ronon who probably could use some patching up," Sheppard said, as Jen looked everyone over.
"Colonel, why don't you and your team situate yourselves on that side of the room and I'll have Dr. Cole start on your post mission physicals. Colonel Carter, I'll have Dr. Barns take care of you immediately," Jennifer instructed.
Turning back to Ronon she began to look at his injuries.
"Jennifer, don't," Ronon growled as he grabbed Jennifer's wrist keeping her from touching him. "I can't have you around me right now."
Jennifer just stared at him for a long moment before she slowly pulled her wrist out of Ronon's grasp. She looked deep into his eyes as she pulled her gloves off, one at a time. Jen gently reached down and laid her hand on Ronon's cheek for a moment before turning and walking out of the infirmary.
Sometime later Teyla found Jennifer out on the balcony off the east pier, her private hiding place. Jennifer was sitting on the far side curled into herself as she quietly grieved for the man she loved.
"Jennifer?" Teyla whispered as she sat down next to her. "Are you alright?"
"No, I'm not," Jennifer replied deciding to be honest. "What happened out there?"
"I am afraid Ronon's friends were not what they appeared to be," Teyla tried to explain.
"I heard they were Wraith worshipers." Jennifer was frustrated she couldn't help Ronon through this.
"I am sure Ronon did not mean to hurt you." Teyla tried to reassure her friend.
"What happens to us now?" Jennifer asked. "I don't know what's going on in his head but I don't think he'll take me back," She said trying to stop the sobs she knew were coming. "I don't know if I can live without him," the young doctor confessed.
"Ronon is very angry and hurt right now. He does not want this dark part of him to touch you. Give him some time," Teyla consoled trying to be encouraging.
Teyla reach over and held Jennifer as the tears fell. "Do not give up on him," she admonished.
The next few days were a strain for both Ronon and Jennifer. Ronon withdrew into himself, not wanting to be consoled or even reasoned with. He was consumed with anger and guilt over the way things had turned out. He didn't believe he was being unreasonable with his decisions even when Sheppard and Teyla insisted he was. He didn't want to expose this dark, threatening side of himself to Jennifer. He couldn't handle the thought of her touching him when he was so full of hatred for the Wraith, for Tyre, and for the way things had happened in his life.
Ronon felt like a failure. He couldn't save Sateda or Melena or even the three he'd just found. "What if I fail Jennifer or somehow cause her death?" he kept asking himself. He just didn't want to take the chance so he forced himself to stay away.
Jennifer didn't want to make things harder on Ronon so she pulled back from everyone. Ronon's friends were her friends so she walked away hoping to leave him the support system he needed. All that left for her was work and the loneliness that closed in on her from all sides. She threw herself into her research and filled her down time with more work. But mostly she waited hoping Ronon would take her back … claim her as his own as he'd promised.
Major Lorne had taken to checking up on Jen when he was on base. He'd drop by her office at meal times with an extra tray, insisting she sit and eat with him. Occasionally, he could talk her into joining him in the mess hall when SGA-1 was off world. He noticed Jennifer had slipped into a very sad existence but couldn't figure out how to help her.
It had been several weeks since Ronon had even caught a glimpse of Jennifer and he was starting to worry about her. Seeing Major Lorne heading to the mess hall one day he decided to stop the Major before he got inside. If anyone knew how Jennifer was doing it would be Lorne.
"Hey, Lorne," Ronon growled as the Major drew near.
"Hey," Lorne answered already guessing what the big man wanted.
"How's Jennifer?" Ronon asked.
"Why don't you ask her yourself?" Lorne inquired, irritated Ronon had hurt her so deeply.
"I just want to know if she's okay," Ronon scowled at the Major waiting for an answer.
"She's been better. She's worried about you … not eating like she should … working too hard … not taking time for herself. I've seen her look better." Evan didn't feel like sugarcoating it for him.
"Thanks." Ronon left heading toward the gym hoping to find someone stupid enough to spar with him. He knew this was all his doing but he didn't know how to change it.
As Major Lorne turned to enter the mess hall he hesitated, heading off toward the infirmary instead hoping to convince Jennifer to have dinner with him. Since Ronon was off somewhere else he thought he might have a good shot at getting her to agree.
"Hey Jen, do you have a few minutes to spare a hungry man?" Evan asked grinning as he poked his head in her office.
"Hey stranger," Jennifer greeted smiling. "I really don't think I have time tonight," Jennifer said looking around at all the files she was working on. "I'd love to have a rain check thought, I miss you."
"Come on, please." Evan used his pouty look to soften her heart. "We'll leave as soon as you're through eating … promise." Evan was not too proud to beg a little if it'd get her to eat something.
"Oh stop!" Jennifer said laughing. "Let me shut everything off and lock up then you can walk me home after. It's been a long day."
Evan wandered around in the corridor waiting for her to finish up. He couldn't help but wish Laura were here to help Jen – she'd know what to say to get her through this difficult time. Unfortunately, Lt. Cadman was on loan to the SGC for a few months so she wouldn't be back on the Daedalus for a while. Evan really missed having her around.
Most of the dinner crowd was finished and gone by the time Jennifer and Evan filled their trays. They took a table off in a corner for some privacy.
"How've you been?" Jennifer asked knowing SGA-2 had been off world most of the week.
"Busy with off world missions. In fact, we have another one tomorrow if you'd be interested. It'd give you a change of scenery and my team always enjoys the company of their favorite doctor," Evan asked with a smile.
"Let me think about it," Jennifer answered thinking it would be nice to get off the base for the day.
"How are things with you and Ronon?" Evan decided the direct approach was better with Jennifer. She didn't like beating around the bush with anything.
"Awful. He doesn't want me or any contact from me … that pretty much sums it up," Jennifer replied sarcastically.
"Have you heard from Laura lately?" Jennifer asked changing the subject.
"Got an email just the other day and she's on loan to the SGC so we won't see her for a while … and you're changing the subject," Evan scolded.
"There's really nothing else to say about Ronon. Everyone keeps telling me to give him time but I don't think time will change his stubborn mind." Jennifer smirked rolling her eyes, but Evan could see the hurt behind the mask she was wearing.
"Have you had a chance to talk at all now that he's decided to stay on Atlantis?" Evan asked.
"He won't talk to me. He won't even make eye contact when he comes into the infirmary. He seems so agitated around me I usually disappear into my office when he comes in for post mission checkups. I miss him," Jennifer explained as tears began to form.
"Well, I don't like you hiding out in your office and quarters. I never see you anymore," Evan complained.
"I know. It's just hard right now," Jennifer softly explained. "How about I join you tomorrow and we can spend the day together?"
"Sounds great. We leave at 0800 hours so meet us in the gate room and we should be home for dinner." Evan smiled pleased at her decision.
The two spent another hour together talking about things they missed from Earth and their favorite fast food restaurants. It was so enjoyable for Jennifer and a huge relief to be out of her office. Being on base with Ronon was becoming more and more difficult for her.
Major Lorne sent Lt. Booker to help Jennifer carry her supplies. It didn't matter how light or easy the mission was, she always seemed to pack most of the infirmary. They met up with Lorne and the other men in the gate room.
Major Lorne was just greeting Jennifer when Colonel Sheppard walked into the gate room.
"Good Morning boys and girls. All ready for a quiet day off world?" Sheppard asked smiling at Jennifer. "Have a good trip and be home before dark. Chuck dial up the gate," Sheppard ordered.
SGA-2 along with Dr. Keller said goodbye to Colonel Sheppard and walked through the event horizon. The team was scheduled to check up on one of their trading partners who they hadn't heard from in a while. Even though it was harvest time on M3R- 455 Atlantis still expected some kind of contact in the past 3 months.
The group slowly made their way to the village along the well-worn path. Major Lorne wasn't happy to see the crops rotting in the field.
"Heads up, it's too quiet," Lorne instructed, a feel of discomfort overcoming him.
"Sir, did you notice the fields haven't been harvested?" Sergeant Rains added.
"Rains, you and Booker take point. Meyers you cover our six – Doc I want you to stay between me and Booker." Lorne barked out orders as they picked up their speed.
The village was situated just a quarter mile from the gate so it didn't take long to arrive at the outskirts. Lorne gave silent instructions to his men and they quietly moved through the village looking for any signs of life.
There was nothing going on. No people, no animals, no one doing daily chores. It looked as if everyone just walked away in the middle of the day. It was all very eerie and Jennifer could feel the hair on the back of her neck standing.
Major Lorne motioned for Rains, Booker and Meyers to investigate further out past the village for anything suspicious while he and Jennifer took a closer look inside some of the buildings. Jennifer headed immediately to the small clinic she'd help set up at the far end of the street. Upon entering she noted that nothing looked out of place … just no patients.
"Major Lorne," Raines radioed a short time later.
"Go ahead Raines," Lorne answered.
"Sir, we're about half a mile past the outskirts of the main village and there's a Wraith facility set up here with a few Wraith soldiers on sentry duty," Raines reported keeping his voice low.
"How big a facility are you talking about Sergeant?"
"Looks about the size of a small Wraith ship," Raines said sounding a bit worried.
"Okay, Sergeant, get the men and head back to the village. We'll return to Atlantis and plan out our strategy with Colonel Sheppard before we take it out. Any sign of the missing people?" Lorne hated leaving anyone behind if they were being held as prisoners.
"No sir, we see very little activity. We'll head back now."
Major Lorne and Jennifer lay hidden in the brush waiting for the rest of the team to return before they all started back toward the gate. Things were pretty quiet as they walked along the return path, everyone on alert. As they neared the clearing in front of the gate Lorne saw movement off to the right side of the path. He reached up and clicked his radio once gaining everyone's attention. Nodding off to the side, the men spread out looking for anything unfriendly.
Suddenly, gunfire erupted from both sides of the path causing everyone to dive for cover. Major Lorne grabbed Jennifer sending her stumbling toward the heavy brush as he threw himself over her.
"Keep your head down and do exactly what I say," Lorne urgently instructed Jennifer.
"Does anyone have a visual?" Lorne asked as he continued to cover most of Jennifer's body.
"I see a lot of activity closer to the gate," Sergeant Rains whispered.
"Everyone fall back to the village, we'll find cover in one of the buildings," Lorne ordered.
The team began to work their way back the way they'd come watching for any sign of movement ahead of them. Major Lorne was helping Jennifer pick her way through the thick brush when they encountered gunfire again. Ducking low, Lorne had no choice but to half push, half pull Jennifer along as he quickened his step.
"Rains, we're just about to the edge of the village. I want you and Booker to lay down cover fire once you've made it to the buildings. Meyers, secure a suitable structure. We need something we can defend until SGA-1 arrives," Lorne ordered.
Jennifer stumbled along keeping up as much as possible while the adrenaline coursed through her body. Night was falling and it was becoming more and more difficult to see where she was going. This was not the relaxing day off world she'd envisioned.
"Major, this is Meyers."
"Go ahead Sergeant," Lorne answered hoping the man had found some sort of refuge for them.
"Sir, I'm in the end house at the south side of the village, low building with a wide porch. House is secure." Meyers guarded the house waiting for the others to join him.
"Major, we're in place," Booker and Rains announced as they waited for Lorne and Jennifer to cross the empty space between the village and the woods.
Major Lorne and Jennifer took a deep breath and made a run toward Meyer's position. Jennifer did her best to keep up and keep her head down. As soon as they stepped out of the woods, Booker and Rains laid down cover fire and then all Hell broke loose. Shots rang out from all directions. Lorne was shooting randomly with his P-90 in one hand while firmly pulling Jennifer along with the other hand. Fear and adrenaline pushed Jennifer along faster than she'd ever thought she could move. At one point Lorne felt her stumble but she kept on going once she regained her footing.
When Jennifer and Lorne got close to Booker and Rains, the men joined them covering their six. From here it only took moments before they were all scrambling into the house. Lorne walked Jennifer in and had her sit against the far wall, the most secured, while the men barricaded the doors and windows. Jennifer was breathing heavily and felt a peculiar numbness begin to settle over her body. She sat wondering how long it would take for Ronon to get to them.