– A week later
"Dr Keller, please come in." Woolsey said as he noticed her in the doorway. "How are you?"
"Okay, thanks."
"Good. So what can I do for you?"
"I need to change personnel on tomorrow's mission."
"The mission to MX4-424?" Woolsey asked pulling up the relevant file on his computer.
"That's right. Dr Cole has gone down with the flu doing the rounds so can't go."
"Okay, did you want to delay the mission or replace Dr Cole?"
"I'll go instead." Jennifer said.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, the village needs help. Dr Taylor should be well enough to return to work tomorrow, but won't be fit for gate travel for at least a week. Everyone else is either sick or not cleared for travel."
"Looking at the mission plan Major Teldy and Captain Reid were down to be the military escort. However, with the recent flu season Captain Reid is also signed off." Woolsey said as he read off his screen. "Currently we have on the available and healthy list Colonel Sheppard and Major Lorne."
"No one else?" Jennifer asked quickly.
"Dr Keller, has something else happened?"
"No."
"Then why do you not want two of the people you trust to accompany you? Ah I see."
"You do?" Jennifer asked confused.
"Since you told them their behaviour towards you has changed and they have become overly protective."
"Not just my imagination then?" Jennifer asked.
"Definitely not." Woolsey smiled. "And I understand why you may like a break from them. However, we are short of other escorts. The only other on the list is Ronon. Are you okay with him?"
"Yes." Jennifer said with less enthusiasm.
"Are you sure you want to go on this mission?" Woolsey questioned. "You are looking a bit pale."
"I'm fine, a little tired, but I'm off duty now so I can get some sleep."
"Can you?" Woolsey asked.
"Excuse me?"
"Are you able to sleep?" Woolsey repeated.
"No more or less than anyone else here." Jennifer said.
"Dr Keller you have more reason than most not to sleep." Woolsey said.
"What happened, happened a long time ago now." Jennifer said. "I appreciate your concern, but I am fine."
"Well I trust your judgment, if you are happy to go I will update the schedule."
"Thank you."
"Just make sure you get some rest."
-00-
"Ronon?" Jennifer asked before looking at her watch wondering if she was late for the mission. Convincing herself that she wasn't she asked. "Something wrong?"
"Woolsey told me we're going on a mission to today." Ronon said before adding. "Together."
"I know."
"You okay with that?"
"It was my choice."
"Good." Ronon said before rubbing the back of his neck. "But before we go I think we should talk."
"Talk?"
"Well, I'll talk. You just listen." He said. "I'm sorry that I hurt you and for what you heard. I never wanted to hurt you. I know you don't trust me, but I still have your back." He added before pausing briefly and saying. "See you in the gateroom."
-00-
"Gentleman, please come in and shut the door." Woolsey said when he saw Lorne and Sheppard loitering outside his office.
"Is there a problem?" John asked, recognising Woolsey's tone as one of disapproval.
"I believe there is." Woolsey replied leaning forward. "It is regarding Dr Keller."
"Has something happened?" Lorne asked stiffening.
"Not exactly." Woolsey said frustrating John.
"What is that meant to mean?" The Colonel asked.
"As you know Dr Keller is a last minute replacement for the mission she is on. She came to see me yesterday to let me know. Whilst she was here we discussed potential escorts and your names came up as potential replacements."
"So why aren't one of us on the mission?" John asked. "I have to admit sending Ronon seemed a bit strange."
"It was her choice." Woolsey said. "She preferred to go with a man she has barely spoken to in months rather than either of you."
"Why?" Lorne and Sheppard asked almost simultaneously.
"Because she is finding your behaviour overbearing."
"What behaviour?" John asked genuinely confused.
"Since she told us what happened to her you have changed how you treat her. You follow her round looking at her like she is a….a fragile bit of china that is about to explode." Seeing both men were about to protest he held his hand up to silence them. "I understand that you are concerned for her and you are feeling guilty but what she needs is to be treated normally. If you treat her like a victim she will feel like a victim. If you treat her as weak she will feel weak." He let his words sink in before adding. "Normally when it comes to matters of security I leave it to you as you are the experts. However, I feel that I must intervene this time. It has been brought to my attention that you have arranged a security detail to follow Dr Keller round the city."
"Um yes. How did you find out?" John asked.
"That is not important. It is my understanding that Dr Keller has no idea that you have done this?"
"That's right. We didn't think she would appreciate it." John said.
"Well indeed. So instead you are having two men following a woman who was sexually assaulted round the city, without her knowledge. I am sure you mean well but what happens if they get too close one evening? What do you think Dr Keller will think is happening?" He then leaned back and added. "I know you want to protect Dr Keller and help her recover, but there are better ways. Right now she needs you as friends not protectors."
-00-
Jennifer checked her last patient of the day trying to ignore the headache that had fully taken hold. Happy the patient was okay Jennifer stood and immediately started coughing. Each cough causing her head to feel worse. Groaning she walked over to the makeshift desk and started packing up her supplies.
"All done?" Major Teldy asked entering the small building.
"Yeah, just packing up."
"You okay? You don't look great."
"Think I have a cold." Jennifer said before sneezing.
"Cold or a virus from this planet?" Teldy asked.
"More likely the cold that was going round Atlantis." Jennifer said coughing, before conceding. "But I should be quarantined, just in case."
"I'll let Atlantis know." Teldy said. "Try to get some rest."
Thirty minutes later Ronon entered the hut and was concerned to see Jennifer lying on a bed wrapped in blankets.
"How are you feeling?" He asked as he sat down by Jennifer's bedside.
"I'll live." The doctor croaked. "Sorry you got stuck here."
"No problem. You want some water or medicine."
"Taken all the medicine it is safe to take." Jennifer replied. "Just need to sleep it off now."
Not convinced Ronon walked over to Teldy and asked.
"Should we get a doctor here?"
"She says it is just the flu. We'll monitor her for now. If she gets worse we'll call for help."
-00-
For the next few hours Ronon paced the hut watching Jennifer's condition deteriorate. Whilst Teldy was away fetching some food from the villagers he became more and more concerned by Jennifer. Moving over to her he saw she was drenched in sweat and burning up. Not wanting to heat her further he paced from a distance and was about to radio Teldy to demand that she requested back up when he heard whimpering.
Seeing Jennifer was gripped by a nightmare Ronon hurried over to her side and tried to wake her. As the doctor continued to thrash in her sleep Ronon gripped her shoulders and gently shook her. The movement was enough for Jennifer's eyes to fly open. Seeing a dark figure above her holding her down she started to panic, lashing out trying to free herself.
"Get off me." She screamed, causing Teldy to run in and see the struggle.
"Jennifer, it's Ronon." The Satedan said.
"Don't touch me." Jennifer cried. Seeing the fear in her eyes Ronon immediately let go of her and backed away.
"Get some more water." Teldy ordered, moving forward. "I've got this."
Ronon looked down at Jennifer then reluctantly left leaving the two women alone.
"Doc, it's okay now." The Major said sitting at Jennifer's bedside. "You're safe. Nothing is going to happen." Either comforted by Teldy's words or overcome by exhaustion Jennifer fell back into a fitful sleep.
-00-
"Major?" Jennifer croaked as she opened her eyes and saw Teldy watching her.
"Drink this." Teldy said placing a cup of water at Jennifer's lips. "How are you feeling?"
"Sore and weak." Jennifer said, coughing.
"Your fever broke a few hours ago so hopefully you are on the road to recovery." The Major said as the wind howled and rain lashed the hut.
"Where's Ronon?" Jennifer asked.
"Outside."
"But it sounds stormy. He should be in here." She said coughing.
"I need to ask you something first." Teldy said, her tone serious. "Before I do, I want you to remember that you are safe."
"Okay." Jennifer replied.
"Has Ronon attacked you?"
"What? No. Why would you think that?" Jennifer asked.
"During your fever you were having a nightmare. Ronon tried to wake you and you reacted badly, told him to get off you and you looked terrified. From where I was it looked like you were scared of him."
"Scared of Ronon? Never Ronon. Please get him."
Not one hundred percent sure she believed Jennifer, Teldy nodded and let a damp Ronon back in the hut. By the time he reached her side though she was already asleep.
-00-
The next time Jennifer woke she saw both Teldy and Ronon sitting by her bedside.
"Easy there." Teldy instructed. "Try drinking something." She immediately ordered. Once she was content that Jennifer had drunk enough she asked.
"How are you feeling?"
"Okay I guess. Fuzzy. Tired." She replied wearily as she coughed.
"Take these." Teldy said handing Jennifer some more pills. Too tired to care what they were she swallowed them and shut her eyes waiting for her headache to subside. When she finally opened her eyes again she saw Ronon stare at her, his eyes full of concern.
"Hey. I'm sorry I scared you." Ronon said moving so he sat on the edge of the bed facing Jennifer.
"It wasn't you." Jennifer said. "I am not scared of you."
"But you are scared of someone." Ronon said.
"Not really." Jennifer said, coughing once more.
"I know what you heard makes you think you can't trust me, but I would never hurt you. Please don't lie to me."
"I'm not really. I don't believe in ghosts."
"Ghosts?" Ronon asked, looking over to Teldy who mirrored his confusion.
"Doesn't matter." Jennifer said.
"Yes it does." Ronon said, stronger than he had intended. He then cupped her face and forced her to look at him as he pleaded. "Why were you scared? Please tell me."
"I can't."
"Why?"
"You'll think I'm weak, that it was my fault. I don't want you to think that."
"I don't think that. You are stronger than you know. Please tell me."
Jennifer looked into his dark swirling eyes and recounted her story once more. This time, for the first time, the tears flowed as she spoke. When she had finished Ronon attempted to bury his anger as he pulled her into his arms and comforted her. When she had finally stopped crying Ronon pulled back and wiped the spent tears from her face with his thumbs saying.
"What happened was not your fault. If anyone is to blame it is me. If I hadn't had that stupid conversation-"
"Don't, I should thank you. If it hadn't been for all your training I probably wouldn't have escaped." Jennifer said.
"As soon as you are better we start training again." Ronon said, pulling her in for another hug as Teldy watched feeling like a third wheel.