Disclaimer: I'm only going to say this once: I don't own any of the characters and I'm not making money off of doing this. This is simply for fun.
Note: Sorry this took so long. For the passed few weeks my sister had been bugging me to read the Twilight books. I saw the movie, and loved it, but I didn't want to read the books because everytime I do that, I end up not liking the movie. But after very many phone conversations (the majority of which were about Twilight and quotes and the like), I finally gave in. I borrowed one of my best friends' book. The first one. And as predicted I got hooked. The great thing though is that I still love the movie. And I've watched it like four times already. So, being the kind of person that I am, which is when I really like something, then I really have to have it, and so I bought the complete set. And I'm already on the third book. That's why the long absence. So here I am. I think I need to take a break from the book, else I would scream my head off both in frustration and delight (And you would know why, if you've read the book). So I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Present day (February 22, 2009):
They didn't want a traditional wedding. No garters, no money dance no bouquet throwing. Well, Marie still wanted to throw the bouquet, but the guest list mostly consisted of both their families and just a few friends. And a majority of their female guests were married, leaving Jennifer, Teyla, Laura and two other nurses and a doctor the only single people. And for some strange reason the first five specifically requested not to do the bouquet throwing. The sixth was gay and was happily living in with her partner.
They didn't even have the traditional wedding song playing on the organ. There was a violinist though, an old friend of Marie from Julliard playing "The Wedding song" by Kenny G.
Her gown was beautiful. It looked like tissue. So soft and dainty. With a ribbon encrusted with crystals tied just above her waistline. Her veil was simple, unadorned but it covered her from head to toe. She had tiny crystals scattered randomly in her hair. Her face made up with a frosty color. Her total look seemed very out of place in the desert backdrop, but somehow it made her even more alluring. She followed two of her brides' maids and maid of honor down the path of rose petals towards her would be husband.
All eyes are on her as she smiles through the sheer fabric to watch Evan, who's standing in his perfectly tailored tuxedo, his one hand stuck in his pocket, and one corner of his mouth quirked up as he stares into her eyes.
X
Ronon looks from Evan to Marie as she walks down towards the covered cabana. But his eyes stray to Jennifer who's walking ahead of the bride. She looks so enchanting wearing a knee-length dress, slightly different from Laura and Jamie's dresses. While theirs' were tan in color, Jennifer's was lighter. It was the color of flesh. And it was sexy as hell. The dress blended perfectly with her sun-kissed skin tone. Belted at the waist with a brown ribbon, with brown crystals that seemed to burst from her mid section, scattering both upward and downward creating a super-nova look. She looked like a celestial maiden.
X
Jennifer smiles as she walks down the path, her eyes resting on Ronon who's seated beside Teyla and Torren. She smirks when she sees the passion and admiration in his eyes. Then she finally notices that in his hands is a camera. The very same one she had given him for his birthday. He lifts it up and snaps a picture of her. Her eyebrow cocks up in amusement.
X
It's like everthing is moving in slow motion for them as they both look deeply in each others' eyes. Why? Why did they waste so much time? What's going to happen after this? These were the kinds of questions that raced through both their brains.
As they watch each other, images from the past, of the times they watched each other from afar, flash before their eyes.
Flashback to March 1999 (Jennifer):
The first day of school and Jennifer is sitting in Professor Jackson's class. She feels the hair on the back of her neck stand up. She rubs it twice, but it's still there. Goosebumps. She's felt this before. From her old school. When the kids there used to make fun of her and whisper behind her back and point. He father said that it wasn't going to happen anymore, because this was a school for kids like her. But why the goosebumps? She turns around and finds herself locking eyes with Ronon. Slouched in his seat. Staring at her, his forehead creased with lines like he's trying to figure something out. But his eyes say differently. Like he's frustrated. But not with her. At himself.
Flashback to May 1999 (Ronon):
He walks into the school cafeteria with his friends. John is animatedly talking to Teyla, while Evan and Kate are blatantly flirting with each other. He scans the room and sees Elizabeth, Rodney and Kanaan already seated at their usual table. Nobody else sits with them. Sometimes Carson and Radek do. But usually, Radek tends to grab a sandwich and head for the laboratory to do extra work. Rodney says it's because he's not brilliant enough and that he needs the extra credits. Carson likes to mingle. And today he's seated two tables away from theirs with Jennifer Keller. She hardly talks. And today was not an exception. Her nose is buried in a book, while Carson talks to her. She occasionally looks up and says something but then eventually goes back to reading her book, absently biting her cheeseburger.
As he and his friends walk to their usual table, he can see that one of her plates is filled with the onions and pickles from the cheeseburger, obviously unwanted. Carson waves at their group and Jennifer looks up, and then flushes as she sees him scrutinizing her. She bows her head down again to avoid his eyes.
Flashback to October 1999 (Jennifer):
It's the homecoming game and their school had just won, thanks to Ronon. She watches as part of the spectators rush to the middle of the field to congratulate the players. But then she catches sight of him. Of course, this is why she comes to the games. To watch him. At first it was only because of him, and then it had become the whole game and him. And everytime the game ends, she stands to watch them do their dance and jump around for their victory. And every single time, her eyes would be drawn to him. And as if he could read people's minds, he would turn around and catch her staring at him. And every single time she would blush.
She should be used to it by then.
But she isn't.
And she should probably stop staring at him.
But she can't.
And when he does settle his eyes on her, she waits for a minute and then hightails it out of there before she can embarrass herself.
But tonight, something is different. Something actually tells her to stay. Sure, she's standing in for Dr. Lam. But the game is over. She can run and hide now. Especially since he's locked eyes with her. But it's like a magnet, and she can't seem to tear her gaze away from him.
And then all of a sudden a ball flies out and hits him in the head. John and Evan and some other guys tackle a player from the other team. Ronon staggers and falls to his knees. She screams, covering her mouth to muffle it as she watches his eyes drift close and his body slump to the ground.
Flashback to November 1999 (Ronon):
He and his friends are sitting on the steps and planter in front of the main building. John plays his guitar, while Elizabeth and Rodney are discussing an assignment. Kate is flipping through a girly magazine as Teyla looks over her shoulders. He absently twirls the football in his hand, occasionally throwing it up in the air when nobody is passing through the doors.
"Sorry." He hears someone mumble. He'd recognize that soft voice anywhere. He looks up to see her head bent, fumbling with a stack of books, her messenger bag hanging awkwardly on her shoulders. He watches her as she skirts her way around passersby. From the corner of his eyes he sees someone running. And from the way he's running he can already tell that Jennifer is in his path and will ultimately be a victim of his carelessness.
He gets up as quick as he can, but the runner is to fast and slightly nudges Jennifer, too slight not to notice her drop her books. There were two things that crossed his mind. The first was to grab the guy by the scruff of his neck and tell him to apologize and to pick up the mess he made. And the second was to let it go and help her himself. He chose the latter. It was a good excuse. To get to talk to her. And to take a whiff of that powdery smell she always has on.
In just a few seconds he's piled the books and handed them back to her. She says a silent thank you without looking at him and heads for the door. He trails behind her and then opens the door for her. She tells him thank you again. When he turns back around he finds his friends watching him. Each of them, with an eyebrow cocked up.
Flashback to February 2000 (Jennifer):
It's their senior year and in the beginning of the year the class had been paired up. Like, Carson was paired up with Radek, Teyla with Kate, and John wittingly paired up with Rodney. Everyone else had chosen their partner. And Jennifer was too shy to ask her other classmates. And she couldn't help but think that they also avoided asking her, too. And when that was done, she and Ronon were the only ones left. Unfortunately, Dr. Fraiser their professor has invited Coach Mal Doran to their class. Normally, you'd find her at the gym, coaching the cheerleaders, at the tennis court, or the dance studio. But today she's here to talk about sex education.
She couldn't help the flush that formed on both her cheeks as she stares at the banana sitting on her desk pointing stright at her face, with a foil package next to it. When the lesson starts, everyone starts to rip their packages open. Some more enthusiastic then others. You can hear snickers coming from the back of the room. Shrieks and laughter. Ribald comments and funny suggestions. From beneath the fringe of her eyelashes she watches Ronon nonchalantly tear the foil and easily slide the condom over the banana.
"Miss Keller, I have to admit, it can be a bit fascinating to watch, but you can't always let the man do it for you." Vala Mal Doran whispers, with a wink. "Besides, being safe, it can be fun and enthralling, too." Jennifer blushes furiously and stiffens at the soft chuckling coming from Ronon.
Flashback to March 2000 (Ronon & Jennifer):
It's a week before spring break and Jennifer rides her bike to school. She hates taking the bus. She didn't like to wait. Besides, it's good exercise. She's only a block away from school and all she needs to do is to cross the intersection. Cars have stopped at the stop signs in all four directions as she walks her bike along the pedestrian lane. A movement from one of the cars catches her attention and she turns to look at the right to find Ronon sitting in his truck, leaning on his steering wheel watching her intently. She blushes and bends her head down and continues her way.
X
He hates stop signs. Especially the ones near school. It takes longer than the regular traffic. Some kids walk too slow, too. Gabbing as they head towards the school gates. He can't wait til this week is over. Spring break!
Red. The red bike that's always locked onto the bike racks. The one that is always standing alone during football games. And he knows exactly who the owner is. He leans forward, draping his arms over his steering wheel to get a good look at her. She never ever looks rumpled. Her hair is always neatly tied to a ponytail, and her skirt is always wrinkle-free. Even during P.E. it seems like she never breaks a sweat. She turns his way and sees her flush and quickly tears her gaze away. He smirks as he watches her push her bike between the yellow lines.
Back to the Present:
Their eyes are still locked as she reaches the cabana, opposite her is John who's watching Marie walk the last few steps to stand beside Evan, but once in while his eyes settle on Teyla and Torren, a ghost of a smile on his lips.
Ronon winks at her and she purses her lips to suppress a laugh. She turns to look at the priest as Marie settles in. As the priest begins the ceremony, thoughts race through Jennifer's head. Unwanted thoughts.
It's too good to be true. She says to herself. Why do I get the feeling that something bad is going to happen? Oh shut up! Can't you just let it be? Think happy thoughts! Happy happy! Joy joy! Quoting Ren and Stimpy.
X
"Has anyone seen Laura?" Marie asks no one in particular. The Wedding vows have been exchanged and the guests have started sipping their champagne and enjoying the hors d' oeuvres as they wait for the food to be served.
"Nope." Someone says.
Marie frowns and looks through her reticule, and digs out her phone. She dials Laura's number. She waits thirty seconds and then hears the voicemail. Laura's not answers. "Maybe she's back in her room." Marie says to herself.
She's about to knock on the door to the villa when she notices it's ajar. Carefully and quietly she opens the door. Marie dials Laura's number again and this time she hears a ringing coming from the couch. She looks over and finds Laura's Blackberry sitting there, her own name flashing on the screen. Marie shuts her phone off, cutting off the ringing sound from the other phone.
Marie starts to panic. And a noise from one of the other rooms makes her jump. She grabs a vase and slowly walks to the door. She opens the door and lets out a gasp.
Her jaw drops at the sight of two individuals going at it against the wall.
Laura's skirts hiked up around her waist, her hands cupping an ass that's half covered in boxers. Boxers that belonged to Rodney. His body is covering Laura's with his pants around his ankles, they're stuck and immobilized. They're both flushed. Either from embarrassment of getting caught or from the sex act. Or maybe both.
"Hi!" Laura says sheepishly. "We'll be right out when we're… done."
Marie nods absently, her eyes wide, and then sets the vase on the floor and walks away without a backwards glance. She shuts the door tightly and heads back to her wedding reception.
X
"Did you find her?" Jennifer asks Marie.
"Yes."
"Where was she?"
"Back in your room."
"Oh." Jennifer frowns. "Everything okay?"
"No!" Marie says, suddenly snapping out of her trance. "I just saw a half naked Rodney!" she whispers frantically.
Jennifer bursts out laughing. "You what?!"
"Yeah!" Marie nods. "And guess what, I know who Laura's mystery lover is now." Marie says with a cringe.
Jennifer frowns and then it dawns on her. "Oh!" She draws out in amusement. "Wow, didn't see that one coming."
"Totally."
Jennifer chuckles, hooks her arm through Maries and tugs on her. "Come on, I still need to catch up on the drinking. Liquor courage. It'll help with my speech."
TBC.