It was impossible to escape. She was trying too much but it didn't work. While she was running through the dark and scary forest, she could still hear the noisy steps. She wanted to scream but she couldn't open her mouth. Something attempted to grab her arm. It was too close. She screamed at last but there was no one who could save her.

Chapter 2

„Doc." Jennifer heard that voice from a great distance. She opened her eyes but didn't understand anything. Ronon and Major Lorne were standing in front of her and they both looked worried.

"Doc, are you ok?" Ronon's voice was mild and concerned. She gave a nod.

„What's happened?" She was puzzled and couldn't remember how she got into the puddle jumper at first. She was probably supposed to say something, cause the men changed an uncomprehending look.

„It's ok. I'll be ok." She felt embarrassed and unprofessional. She glanced at Ronon. What he will think about her, if she keeps on doing such things.

„You look tired," he noticed. It wasn't exactly what she needed to hear right now, but she knew he was just caring about her. She must recover as soon as possible. And after they come back to Atlantis, she would have to solve it completely. It had never happened during a day, until now.

„You shouldn't be here if you are not all right." Ronon looked at her but she wasn't ready to give up. She needed to prove that she is qualified for her position. She was determined to prove it again and again. Being on Atlantis meant a lot to her.

„I'm a doctor. I would know if I'm ok or not." Yeah, it was true. She hadn't lied. She knew that she wasn't ok.

„You were screaming," Ronon said. He didn't look convinced by her reply.

„It was just a bad dream. Bad dreams don't hurt."

„That is not always the truth, and we both know it." Obviously, he was mentioning the incident on Atlantis few months ago.

„This is different. This concerns me only. And I will be fine."

„Has it happened before?"

„No." Now she was lying. But she had a feeling it was necessary. Ronon wouldn't let her go to the planet and to the people needed her. It was the priority for her. She smiled like nothing happened.

„ I have my duties. We are almost there. I'll go and I'll do my best."

Ronon gave her one last look and than returned back on his seat. They were already close to the planet's surface and were getting ready for landing. Jennifer scanned their supplies. Hopefully, they would have enough. The day was just about to begin and it was gonna be challenging

--

The village looked even worse than she assumed. John was right about the wooden shelters, but hadn't mentioned in how bad shape they were. The roofs were shattered, doors were often missing and there was a kind of bad smell all over the place.

The Theorans were dressed in similar, mostly gray clothes. She saw some women gathering up the fruit and a group of small children playing close to a forest. She was able to see about fifty buildings, but it was probably just a portion of them. She followed Major Lorne to the large shelter deeper in the village.

When she went in, she realized that it was the local hospital. She couldn't imagine working in a place like this but she had no choice. She quickly counted the people lying on the dirty beds. Fourteen. There was no time to spare.

--

She was really grateful that her team was so experienced and capable. It was almost evening when they finished the basic treatment. Actually, the Theroans understood that they had a possibility to get good medical treatment, and after she finished in the hospital, she was flooded with other people who needed her help as well.

When the last patient left, she wished just to have a moment of rest. She checked the patients last time and went out. It was getting cold and most of the people disappeared into their homes. Jennifer saw Major Lorne talking to one of the Theroans discussing the future supplies to the village.

She still had no idea where the virus had come from. One old man died before she came and another one was in bad shape right now. She had found the cure, but she must find the cause of the disease. The only possible source was the food, but it made no sense. They have been living here for generations and nothing similar happened until now. She needed more information, but wasn't sure who could help her.

„Doctor." It was Major Lorne. „Have you finished?"

„Not completely," she replied. „I believe that the cure will work but I have to know the cause. It could happen to them again."

„So, does it mean we are not leaving today?"

„We need stay. I need more time." He nodded and left her alone. Jennifer wasn't sure what to do now. She was exhausted and it could get dark any minute. She remembered the place where she had her staff at the edge of the village but close to the hospital. When she came to her shelter, she saw a little boy looking in through a window.

The boy was thin, had short blond hair, and his face was very dirty. He stiffened when he noticed her. He watched her with his light blue eyes and stayed silent. She smiled at him.

„Hi. What's your name? I'm Jennifer, a doctor."

„I saw you," he said. „I'm Kal. I saw you with my brother."

„Hi, Kal," she replied. Her mood improved a bit. „What are you doing?"

„Nothing. My mum is here with me." He grinned at her. "Can I look in?" He pointed at the door curiously.

"Of course," she agreed. Right before she could open, she heard a woman's voice. She glanced at Kal, who was obviously disappointed.

"That's my mum," he explained and ran away.

Jennifer shook her head, still smiling. The boy was irresistible. He was about six years old, but she could be wrong. She wasn't used to talking to small children even on the Earth, but he seemed to be very special. She sighed, while she watched Kal leaving accompanied by his mother.

She entered into her shelter and looked around. It was a little room, but she could have all her medical personnel there. She was just coming back from getting some food from the supply and planned to spend the evening alone resting and sleeping. She winced when she saw Ronon leaning against her door.

„Doc, I see you are planning some dinner," he said, looking at her hands. She felt awkward, but he waited for her answer.

„I'm done with work for today," she said. It sounded uncertain; at least she thought so.

„So am I," he replied. Without asking, he took an apple from her hand. She didn't know what to think, when he followed her inside.

„Do you need anything?" She tried to stay calm.

„I talked to Lorne. How long do you think we will stay here? I thought your job is done."

„Not yet," she replied. „We have to wait and to see how the treatment works. But if we have any luck, we can leave tomorrow. I hope that the local healer understood at least something I tried to explain to him."

She glanced at him. Ronon was sitting on a wooden box that was too small for him. She smiled, although she felt a bit strange at the same time.

„Fine," he said after a while. „What are we looking for, Doc?"

„I need to find the source of the disease. I'm sorry, if it's taking longer than you imagined."

"No problem. I've got nothing important to do." He obviously didn't have. That was what she thought when he was watching her. She didn't like it when someone watched her while she ate. And with him it was even worse. Actually, she wasn't able to eat more than a few pieces of fruit. But she couldn't just send him away.

Jennifer didn't know why he was still there or what she should say. The silence was unpleasant, although it could be just her feeling. He didn't look uncomfortable at all.

„Some of the people here are weird," he said. „I don't trust them."

„Why?" she asked. „I think they are just scared. They've never come up against something like this before. And I'm glad that I can help them with their problems. „Something is wrong in here. I don't know what yet, but I will find out."

„You mean that some of them did this? That they wanted to poison the other villagers?"

Honestly, she was shocked. „It makes no sense and I don't believe it." She categorically refused that.

„Cause you try to see the good in everyone," he replied. He looked at her and shook his head. „ I'll tell you tomorrow. Maybe it's gonna be fun."

She smiled. „I told you before that you have a totally different idea of fun than me."

„Yeah, I know." He smiled back at her. Jennifer ran her hand through her hair, feeling nervous again. She was wondering how long he had already been there and especially why. Not that she wouldn't like to be with him, it was just hard to tell sometimes.

„What about you?" He asked suddenly. „How are you feeling?" She gave him a surprised look. He was able to change the topic quickly.

„I'm ok. I'm tired but it was just another long day."

„I hope so. Cause we are not on Atlantis. And you have to be careful."

„We can go back to Atlantis anytime," she said, still trying to guess what exactly he wanted to say. „I can handle it, I always do."

"Maybe." He was now gazing at her. She felt his stare and was about to panic again. The room seemed to be smaller when he was there with her. She wanted to break the silence, because it was driving her crazy.

"Why are you here?" Actually, she asked before she thought about it. It was bad. She didn't want to hear the answer. Damn, what was she doing? She was wringing her hands, taking the courage to look back at him. But he wasn't saying anything; he was just sitting there. When she finally glanced at him, she noticed a little smile on his lips.

TBC

--

Hi readers. Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please review, cause I really need a feedback. Your suggestions are welcome as well. The next chapter should be available after this weekend. And thanks to Everlovin, my beta! She is the one who protects you from stupid failures :)