Ronon/Jennifer
Title: Flounder and Flourish
Author: finding_jay
Pairing: Pre-Ronon/Jennifer
Rating: PG:13
Warnings: Nudity, brief, barely-there sexual arousal
Summary: Jennifer learns a lesson or two about how tides can change.
Disclaimer: I don't own Stargate Atlantis.
Notes: Written for sg_onesweetlove's ficathon. Prompt was "I can't swim.".
Okay, so it was stupid. She was the Chief Medical Officer on a different planet, in a different galaxy, and she was meant to be strong, capable and able to go in and rescue whoever needed rescuing. She was meant to patch their wounds up and send them on their way with a smile and a lollipop if they behaved. And she was good at her job- she knew she was. But Jennifer knew she wasn’t perfect at everything. She never pretended she was. The thing was, people usually only saw her in the medical bay, doing what she did best. She was rarely invited out onto the mainland, and during those times she always stayed on dry land. At most she dipped her feet into the water.
‘I can’t swim.’
‘Huh?’
Jen stood by the edge of the ocean, the water lapping at the toes of her boots. Ronon was looking up at her, reaching in so far that his chest was touching the waves. He’d asked her to come in to help him but the mere thought of drowning sent a shiver down her spine.
‘I can’t swim. I mean, I can a little, but only a little. I can... sort of doggy paddle.’
‘Doggy what?’
Jen made a rapid digging motion in front of her. ‘You know, sort of... paddle through the water.’
‘How can you not know how to swim?’ Ronon’s face was incredulous.
‘I never took lessons. Didn’t see any need to. We rarely went to the beach when I was a child and it wasn’t as though I went to many pool parties, and I was always exempt from gym when I was at school because of my extra-curricular... well, it just didn’t happen.’
Ronon frowned as he eyed her. He was knee-deep in the ocean, a stack of driftwood under one arm and a handful of soggy Atlantean seaweed in the other. Snorting softly under his breath, he headed back up to shore and handed the pile to Jen. Flopping down on the sand, he pulled his boots on, muttering under his breath the whole time.
‘Sorta thing I’d expect to hear from McKay.’
‘Yeah, well, McKay probably did it just to beat the other kids.’
That earned a short barked laugh from Ronon as he stood up and took the items from her. ‘Let’s get back to the Jumper before Sheppard starts yelling.’
*
It was all Ronon’s idea. He’d been staggered at Jen’s revelation that she’d never learnt how to swim. She told him repeatedly that it wasn’t a problem- she’d managed to survive that long without learning how to swim, right?- but Ronon had insisted. The next trip out to the mainland, he said, he’d teach her to swim. They lived on a floating city in the middle of an ocea. It was ridiculous that she didn’t know how.
The problem was that they didn’t head out to the mainland for a good six weeks after that. Jen had completely forgotten about Ronon’s promise to give her lessons. Though now the Athosians were having some sort of festival and they’d invited the people of Atlantis to come along. Jen had found herself getting caught up in work and finally getting caught up in the excitement of possibly actually having a fun day for once that Ronon’s promise had completely slipped from her mind.
The festival was actually quite fun. It was for some Athosian holiday, the name of which Jen never found out, but somehow that didn’t quite matter. After all, there was a feast, there was music, and there wasn’t any sort of danger for once. Jen was, for all intents and purposes, having a good time.
That was until Ronon pulled her aside.
‘You wanna have a go at swimming?’
‘What?’ Jen looked up at him, wide-eyed, wracking her brain and trying to figure out what he was talking about until it all clicked. ‘Oh- oh, no! Not now. I just ate.’
Ronon shrugged. ‘That’s fine. I’ll be right there with you.’
Jen looked over her shoulder to where the party was going on, and then back to Ronon. ‘While your offer is... tempting, I can’t. I don’t even have any swimmers on me.’
‘Swimmers?’
‘Y’know... bathers? Things you where while swimming?’
Ronon looked blankly down at her and for one frightening moment, Jen thought he was going to suggest that she swim in the nude. ‘Not a problem,’ he finally said. ‘You can swim in your underwear.’
‘What? I- no.’
‘Why not? You people seem obsessed with keeping too many clothes on.’
A flicker of fear crossed Jen’s face. ‘Are you wearing underwear?’ she asked in a hushed voice.
Ronon waggled his eyebrows, and, with a grin on his face, turned and headed away from the party. Jen watched him for a few seconds, her question mulling over in her mind. Ronon was daring her to follow him, she knew that. Besides, she had to. What if he got hurt? There were some of her nurses at the festival that had been granted leave, and they could take anyone who may get hurt while she was gone. If Ronon was injured and she hadn’t been there... well, it was unethical.
By the time she finally started moving, he was already a good distance ahead. Calling his name, she ran after him, trying her best to catch up. He stopped and looked over his shoulder at her, a wide, almost sly grin on his face.
‘So you decided to come along.’
‘Health and safety reasons. If you get hurt, I could be held liable because I wasn’t present.’
Ronon snorted but didn’t dispute her.
They walked in a pleasant silence together, though the further they got away from the festivities, the more unnerved Jen grew.
‘How far are we going?’ she asked, looking over her shoulder. The glow of the campfire was still visible, as was the dim hum of music, but if they went any further they would disappear completely. Not that there was any real need to turn around now- it only late afternoon and the sun had a while to go before it sunk into the ocean.
‘Almost there,’ Ronon replied.
‘Almost where?’
‘You’ll see.’
They didn’t have to walk long. Just around the curve of the shore was a small inlet. The sand was soft and pale, and, when Jen dipped her fingers into the water at Ronon’s request, it was warm.
‘How did you know about this place?’ she asked.
‘You remember when Atlantis had an outbreak of Kirsen fever?’
‘No... well sort of, but the memories are fuzzy. Why?’
Ronon nodded towards the inlet. ‘When I went here to get the enchuri plant, I came across this. Seems to grow really wild around here.’
She looked around, taking it all in. She could spot the enchuri plant, growing tall and heavy alongside small flowering bushes. The grass was surprisingly thick up until the point where sand overtook it and it gradually sloped down to the inlet. As she cast her eyes over it all, she heard the sound of Ronon wading into the inlet, the water splashing as he moved through it.
‘Are you coming in?’
Jen turned around. Thrown into a pile on the grass were Ronon’s clothes.
‘You’re naked.’ It was a statement, not a question.
That damn all-knowing smile was on his face again. ‘You don’t know that. You coming in or what? Don’t worry, I’m not going to hurt you.’
She frowned, her lips pursed tight and eyebrows knit together.
‘If it makes you feel better I’ll turn and shut my eyes. You don’t need to get naked. I just don’t want you drowning because of the water soaking into your uniform.’
As if to make his point, Ronon moved around so his back was too her. Watching the back of his head for a long moment, she sighed and shook her head.
‘Alright. Just don’t... look.’
‘I won’t.’
She undressed quickly and quietly. Folding each item, she set them next to Ronon’s pile. Her jacket first, then shoes and socks. Her shirt went next, followed by her pants. Keeping her eyes on the back of his head, Jen slowly waded into the water, her arms wrapped around her chest.
‘You done?’ Ronon asked, turning to look over his shoulder.
‘Don’t!’ Jen squealed, nearly falling onto her backside. The water was coming up to her ribs but she still felt self-conscious. Her arms wrapped tighter around her, her breasts pressed uncomfortably against her chest. The water was starting to make her underwear see-through, and she was suddenly very aware of just how naked she felt in her white cotton bra. ‘You said you wouldn’t look.’
‘Not while you were changing. Besides, I’ve got to look at you if I’m going to teach you to swim, right?’
Her cheeks stared to turn red and she lowered her eyes and watched as her pale legs seemed to twist and turn due to the small waves in the water. ‘What if someone comes looking?’
‘Then I’ll stand in front of you and hide you.’
A silence passed over them. Curling her toes into the sand, Jen took another uncertain step forward until Ronon reached out and took hold of her shoulder.
‘Stop. It drops off quickly.’
‘Oh, I- ’
She finally released on arm and held it out. Ronon took her hand, surprising Jen with his gentleness, and reached out for her other.
‘First step is to get comfortable in the water. Don’t worry, I’m not going to let go of you.’
Her hand slipped around his shoulder, holding onto the end of his dreads just to stabilise herself. Ronon pulled her close, one of his hands on her shoulder blade, the other moving under her backside to keep her propped upright. Clutching at him, Jen closed her eyes as Ronon took a few steps back. She felt a sudden dip downwards and, letting out a cry, she suddenly realised she couldn’t feel the sand beneath her toes.
Yelping, she struggled against Ronon’s grip. Straining against it, the hand on her shoulder slipped away and she fell backwards. The water splashed around her, and Ronon lurched forward to pick her back up.
‘What, what’s wrong?’ he asked when he had her against his chest again, looking about for the sign of her panic.
‘I couldn’t touch the bottom,’ she replied, her voice shaking. She was clutching at him tighter than before, pressed hard against him. Her skin had prickled with goose bumps and she was faintly aware that her nipples were hard.
‘It’s alright, I’ve got you.’ As though to emphasise his point, he shifted her up higher and moved one of her legs so it was wrapped around his hips.
‘Can you?’ she asked quietly.
‘Can I what?’
‘Feel the bottom?’
‘Yes.’
‘Oh,’ Jen murmured, slightly embarrassed. Pink-cheeked, she rested her chin on his shoulder, his thick dreads rubbing against her face.
‘I told you,’ Ronon said, his voice deep, nothing more than a growl, ‘I’m not going to let go of you.’
Nodding, Jen held on tighter though mostly just to stay close. She felt safe- she was safe. Ronon wasn’t going to drop her, she knew that. She was protected in his arms.
*
It started to rain half an hour later. Jen had finally clambered down from her position of being wrapped around Ronon, but she still stuck close to him as he tried to pull her further and further from the shore. They didn’t get too far- any time they moved too far for Jen’s comfort she started to struggle, though not as much as before. The sun was just above the horizon but dusk would set in before they reached the festivities.
The rain came down hard and fast, without any warning. It was cold and the temperature of the water in the inlet went down quickly. Shivering, Ronon eased Jen back to the shore.
‘We should try to get back to the jumpers before they start worrying.’
‘They wouldn’t leave without us, would they?’ Jen asked, having to raise her voice above the rain.
Ronon shook his head, an amused smirk on his face. ‘D’you really think so?’
‘Well, no, but- ’
‘Our clothes are gonna get soaked. You want me to get dressed first or you?’
Jen was confused for a moment until she remembered that Ronon was naked. Still, it didn’t seem to matter all that much right then. It was pouring down with rain and if they stayed waist-deep in the water for much longer their lips would start turning blue.
‘Let’s just get dressed,’ she sighed, wading her way up to the shore. It didn’t matter that her underwear was showing everything, and it surprised her how much it didn’t bother her that she didn’t care that Ronon was looking.
‘You know,’ she said as she pulled her jacket back on once she was done, ‘it’d be better if we didn’t put our clothes on.’
‘You wanna show everyone your...?’ he nodded his head, his eyes scanning her body.
‘No, I just mean health reasons. We could freeze.’
‘The longer we stand out here the more likely we will.’
Clearing her throat, Jen nodded. Together, they started off to the campsite, eventually breaking into a light run as the rain started to fall harder. By the time they reached the campsite, most of the people had left and only one jumper remained.
‘Thought you two had gone and gotten yourselves lost,’ John called over the rain, a hint of laughter in his voice.
Giving him a sideways glare, Ronon took Jen by the hand and helped inside the jumper. An amused smile on her face, Teyla handed both of them a blanket.
‘I do believe it is bad to go walking in the middle of a storm,’ she said coyly.
Ronon wrapped the blanket tighter around his shoulders as a shiver ran through him. ‘Wasn’t planning on getting rained on.’
As Teyla gave a soft laugh, Jen settled closer to Ronon. Resting her head on his shoulder, she shut her eyes and let the gentle rocking of the jumper as it lifted off the ground lull her, almost like the waves of the ocean.
*
It was a marvel neither of them got sick. It was a nice change that a mysterious Pegasus galaxy disease didn’t hit Atlantis thanks to her and Ronon’s swim in the inlet. She was surprised they didn’t return to find some kind of plant life growing from their backs- not that it would be the first time Jen started sprouting some kind of flora.
Although they continued to see one another, Ronon didn’t bring up the possibility of teaching Jen to swim again until a week later. She was in the infirmary, winding down for the night, when he came in.
Looking up, she sighed, though it was kind and a smile was tugging on the corner of her lips. ‘What did you hurt now?’
‘Didn’t,’ he replied, though he sat down on the corner of one of the beds. ‘Just came to see you.’
‘Oh.’ Flattered, Jen lowered her head as her cheeks started to burn. ‘Well.’
‘So, when you comin’ for your next swimming lesson?’
‘I’m not too sure I want to get rained on again.’
Ronon laughed. ‘If I promise it won’t, will you come?’
Resting her hip against the tray by the bed, Jen crossed her arms over her chest. ‘You can’t promise something like that. But okay. It wasn’t so bad last time, even when the rain started pouring down. But on one condition.’
‘What’s that?’
‘You wear pants next time.’
‘I can’t make promises like that,’ Ronon teased. ‘But I’ll try.’
Grinning, Jen pushed herself off against the tray. ‘So I’ll see you tomorrow, then? I heard Lorne’s team is heading out to the mainland to see how the crops there are doing.’
‘Sounds good.’ He slid off of the bed, the hint of a smirk tugging on his lips. His eyes lingered on her a beat longer before he turned and left the infirmary.
Biting her lower lip, a bright smile on her face, Jen watched him leave. Her heart fluttered a little in her chest, but she chose not to question it. She had tomorrow to look forward to. The memory of Ronon’s hand on her back still stuck with her, and the more she thought about it, the more she wished it would happen again. But now it could come true, and damn if that didn’t make the smile on her face grow wider.
Author: finding_jay
Pairing: Pre-Ronon/Jennifer
Rating: PG:13
Warnings: Nudity, brief, barely-there sexual arousal
Summary: Jennifer learns a lesson or two about how tides can change.
Disclaimer: I don't own Stargate Atlantis.
Notes: Written for sg_onesweetlove's ficathon. Prompt was "I can't swim.".
Okay, so it was stupid. She was the Chief Medical Officer on a different planet, in a different galaxy, and she was meant to be strong, capable and able to go in and rescue whoever needed rescuing. She was meant to patch their wounds up and send them on their way with a smile and a lollipop if they behaved. And she was good at her job- she knew she was. But Jennifer knew she wasn’t perfect at everything. She never pretended she was. The thing was, people usually only saw her in the medical bay, doing what she did best. She was rarely invited out onto the mainland, and during those times she always stayed on dry land. At most she dipped her feet into the water.
‘I can’t swim.’
‘Huh?’
Jen stood by the edge of the ocean, the water lapping at the toes of her boots. Ronon was looking up at her, reaching in so far that his chest was touching the waves. He’d asked her to come in to help him but the mere thought of drowning sent a shiver down her spine.
‘I can’t swim. I mean, I can a little, but only a little. I can... sort of doggy paddle.’
‘Doggy what?’
Jen made a rapid digging motion in front of her. ‘You know, sort of... paddle through the water.’
‘How can you not know how to swim?’ Ronon’s face was incredulous.
‘I never took lessons. Didn’t see any need to. We rarely went to the beach when I was a child and it wasn’t as though I went to many pool parties, and I was always exempt from gym when I was at school because of my extra-curricular... well, it just didn’t happen.’
Ronon frowned as he eyed her. He was knee-deep in the ocean, a stack of driftwood under one arm and a handful of soggy Atlantean seaweed in the other. Snorting softly under his breath, he headed back up to shore and handed the pile to Jen. Flopping down on the sand, he pulled his boots on, muttering under his breath the whole time.
‘Sorta thing I’d expect to hear from McKay.’
‘Yeah, well, McKay probably did it just to beat the other kids.’
That earned a short barked laugh from Ronon as he stood up and took the items from her. ‘Let’s get back to the Jumper before Sheppard starts yelling.’
*
It was all Ronon’s idea. He’d been staggered at Jen’s revelation that she’d never learnt how to swim. She told him repeatedly that it wasn’t a problem- she’d managed to survive that long without learning how to swim, right?- but Ronon had insisted. The next trip out to the mainland, he said, he’d teach her to swim. They lived on a floating city in the middle of an ocea. It was ridiculous that she didn’t know how.
The problem was that they didn’t head out to the mainland for a good six weeks after that. Jen had completely forgotten about Ronon’s promise to give her lessons. Though now the Athosians were having some sort of festival and they’d invited the people of Atlantis to come along. Jen had found herself getting caught up in work and finally getting caught up in the excitement of possibly actually having a fun day for once that Ronon’s promise had completely slipped from her mind.
The festival was actually quite fun. It was for some Athosian holiday, the name of which Jen never found out, but somehow that didn’t quite matter. After all, there was a feast, there was music, and there wasn’t any sort of danger for once. Jen was, for all intents and purposes, having a good time.
That was until Ronon pulled her aside.
‘You wanna have a go at swimming?’
‘What?’ Jen looked up at him, wide-eyed, wracking her brain and trying to figure out what he was talking about until it all clicked. ‘Oh- oh, no! Not now. I just ate.’
Ronon shrugged. ‘That’s fine. I’ll be right there with you.’
Jen looked over her shoulder to where the party was going on, and then back to Ronon. ‘While your offer is... tempting, I can’t. I don’t even have any swimmers on me.’
‘Swimmers?’
‘Y’know... bathers? Things you where while swimming?’
Ronon looked blankly down at her and for one frightening moment, Jen thought he was going to suggest that she swim in the nude. ‘Not a problem,’ he finally said. ‘You can swim in your underwear.’
‘What? I- no.’
‘Why not? You people seem obsessed with keeping too many clothes on.’
A flicker of fear crossed Jen’s face. ‘Are you wearing underwear?’ she asked in a hushed voice.
Ronon waggled his eyebrows, and, with a grin on his face, turned and headed away from the party. Jen watched him for a few seconds, her question mulling over in her mind. Ronon was daring her to follow him, she knew that. Besides, she had to. What if he got hurt? There were some of her nurses at the festival that had been granted leave, and they could take anyone who may get hurt while she was gone. If Ronon was injured and she hadn’t been there... well, it was unethical.
By the time she finally started moving, he was already a good distance ahead. Calling his name, she ran after him, trying her best to catch up. He stopped and looked over his shoulder at her, a wide, almost sly grin on his face.
‘So you decided to come along.’
‘Health and safety reasons. If you get hurt, I could be held liable because I wasn’t present.’
Ronon snorted but didn’t dispute her.
They walked in a pleasant silence together, though the further they got away from the festivities, the more unnerved Jen grew.
‘How far are we going?’ she asked, looking over her shoulder. The glow of the campfire was still visible, as was the dim hum of music, but if they went any further they would disappear completely. Not that there was any real need to turn around now- it only late afternoon and the sun had a while to go before it sunk into the ocean.
‘Almost there,’ Ronon replied.
‘Almost where?’
‘You’ll see.’
They didn’t have to walk long. Just around the curve of the shore was a small inlet. The sand was soft and pale, and, when Jen dipped her fingers into the water at Ronon’s request, it was warm.
‘How did you know about this place?’ she asked.
‘You remember when Atlantis had an outbreak of Kirsen fever?’
‘No... well sort of, but the memories are fuzzy. Why?’
Ronon nodded towards the inlet. ‘When I went here to get the enchuri plant, I came across this. Seems to grow really wild around here.’
She looked around, taking it all in. She could spot the enchuri plant, growing tall and heavy alongside small flowering bushes. The grass was surprisingly thick up until the point where sand overtook it and it gradually sloped down to the inlet. As she cast her eyes over it all, she heard the sound of Ronon wading into the inlet, the water splashing as he moved through it.
‘Are you coming in?’
Jen turned around. Thrown into a pile on the grass were Ronon’s clothes.
‘You’re naked.’ It was a statement, not a question.
That damn all-knowing smile was on his face again. ‘You don’t know that. You coming in or what? Don’t worry, I’m not going to hurt you.’
She frowned, her lips pursed tight and eyebrows knit together.
‘If it makes you feel better I’ll turn and shut my eyes. You don’t need to get naked. I just don’t want you drowning because of the water soaking into your uniform.’
As if to make his point, Ronon moved around so his back was too her. Watching the back of his head for a long moment, she sighed and shook her head.
‘Alright. Just don’t... look.’
‘I won’t.’
She undressed quickly and quietly. Folding each item, she set them next to Ronon’s pile. Her jacket first, then shoes and socks. Her shirt went next, followed by her pants. Keeping her eyes on the back of his head, Jen slowly waded into the water, her arms wrapped around her chest.
‘You done?’ Ronon asked, turning to look over his shoulder.
‘Don’t!’ Jen squealed, nearly falling onto her backside. The water was coming up to her ribs but she still felt self-conscious. Her arms wrapped tighter around her, her breasts pressed uncomfortably against her chest. The water was starting to make her underwear see-through, and she was suddenly very aware of just how naked she felt in her white cotton bra. ‘You said you wouldn’t look.’
‘Not while you were changing. Besides, I’ve got to look at you if I’m going to teach you to swim, right?’
Her cheeks stared to turn red and she lowered her eyes and watched as her pale legs seemed to twist and turn due to the small waves in the water. ‘What if someone comes looking?’
‘Then I’ll stand in front of you and hide you.’
A silence passed over them. Curling her toes into the sand, Jen took another uncertain step forward until Ronon reached out and took hold of her shoulder.
‘Stop. It drops off quickly.’
‘Oh, I- ’
She finally released on arm and held it out. Ronon took her hand, surprising Jen with his gentleness, and reached out for her other.
‘First step is to get comfortable in the water. Don’t worry, I’m not going to let go of you.’
Her hand slipped around his shoulder, holding onto the end of his dreads just to stabilise herself. Ronon pulled her close, one of his hands on her shoulder blade, the other moving under her backside to keep her propped upright. Clutching at him, Jen closed her eyes as Ronon took a few steps back. She felt a sudden dip downwards and, letting out a cry, she suddenly realised she couldn’t feel the sand beneath her toes.
Yelping, she struggled against Ronon’s grip. Straining against it, the hand on her shoulder slipped away and she fell backwards. The water splashed around her, and Ronon lurched forward to pick her back up.
‘What, what’s wrong?’ he asked when he had her against his chest again, looking about for the sign of her panic.
‘I couldn’t touch the bottom,’ she replied, her voice shaking. She was clutching at him tighter than before, pressed hard against him. Her skin had prickled with goose bumps and she was faintly aware that her nipples were hard.
‘It’s alright, I’ve got you.’ As though to emphasise his point, he shifted her up higher and moved one of her legs so it was wrapped around his hips.
‘Can you?’ she asked quietly.
‘Can I what?’
‘Feel the bottom?’
‘Yes.’
‘Oh,’ Jen murmured, slightly embarrassed. Pink-cheeked, she rested her chin on his shoulder, his thick dreads rubbing against her face.
‘I told you,’ Ronon said, his voice deep, nothing more than a growl, ‘I’m not going to let go of you.’
Nodding, Jen held on tighter though mostly just to stay close. She felt safe- she was safe. Ronon wasn’t going to drop her, she knew that. She was protected in his arms.
*
It started to rain half an hour later. Jen had finally clambered down from her position of being wrapped around Ronon, but she still stuck close to him as he tried to pull her further and further from the shore. They didn’t get too far- any time they moved too far for Jen’s comfort she started to struggle, though not as much as before. The sun was just above the horizon but dusk would set in before they reached the festivities.
The rain came down hard and fast, without any warning. It was cold and the temperature of the water in the inlet went down quickly. Shivering, Ronon eased Jen back to the shore.
‘We should try to get back to the jumpers before they start worrying.’
‘They wouldn’t leave without us, would they?’ Jen asked, having to raise her voice above the rain.
Ronon shook his head, an amused smirk on his face. ‘D’you really think so?’
‘Well, no, but- ’
‘Our clothes are gonna get soaked. You want me to get dressed first or you?’
Jen was confused for a moment until she remembered that Ronon was naked. Still, it didn’t seem to matter all that much right then. It was pouring down with rain and if they stayed waist-deep in the water for much longer their lips would start turning blue.
‘Let’s just get dressed,’ she sighed, wading her way up to the shore. It didn’t matter that her underwear was showing everything, and it surprised her how much it didn’t bother her that she didn’t care that Ronon was looking.
‘You know,’ she said as she pulled her jacket back on once she was done, ‘it’d be better if we didn’t put our clothes on.’
‘You wanna show everyone your...?’ he nodded his head, his eyes scanning her body.
‘No, I just mean health reasons. We could freeze.’
‘The longer we stand out here the more likely we will.’
Clearing her throat, Jen nodded. Together, they started off to the campsite, eventually breaking into a light run as the rain started to fall harder. By the time they reached the campsite, most of the people had left and only one jumper remained.
‘Thought you two had gone and gotten yourselves lost,’ John called over the rain, a hint of laughter in his voice.
Giving him a sideways glare, Ronon took Jen by the hand and helped inside the jumper. An amused smile on her face, Teyla handed both of them a blanket.
‘I do believe it is bad to go walking in the middle of a storm,’ she said coyly.
Ronon wrapped the blanket tighter around his shoulders as a shiver ran through him. ‘Wasn’t planning on getting rained on.’
As Teyla gave a soft laugh, Jen settled closer to Ronon. Resting her head on his shoulder, she shut her eyes and let the gentle rocking of the jumper as it lifted off the ground lull her, almost like the waves of the ocean.
*
It was a marvel neither of them got sick. It was a nice change that a mysterious Pegasus galaxy disease didn’t hit Atlantis thanks to her and Ronon’s swim in the inlet. She was surprised they didn’t return to find some kind of plant life growing from their backs- not that it would be the first time Jen started sprouting some kind of flora.
Although they continued to see one another, Ronon didn’t bring up the possibility of teaching Jen to swim again until a week later. She was in the infirmary, winding down for the night, when he came in.
Looking up, she sighed, though it was kind and a smile was tugging on the corner of her lips. ‘What did you hurt now?’
‘Didn’t,’ he replied, though he sat down on the corner of one of the beds. ‘Just came to see you.’
‘Oh.’ Flattered, Jen lowered her head as her cheeks started to burn. ‘Well.’
‘So, when you comin’ for your next swimming lesson?’
‘I’m not too sure I want to get rained on again.’
Ronon laughed. ‘If I promise it won’t, will you come?’
Resting her hip against the tray by the bed, Jen crossed her arms over her chest. ‘You can’t promise something like that. But okay. It wasn’t so bad last time, even when the rain started pouring down. But on one condition.’
‘What’s that?’
‘You wear pants next time.’
‘I can’t make promises like that,’ Ronon teased. ‘But I’ll try.’
Grinning, Jen pushed herself off against the tray. ‘So I’ll see you tomorrow, then? I heard Lorne’s team is heading out to the mainland to see how the crops there are doing.’
‘Sounds good.’ He slid off of the bed, the hint of a smirk tugging on his lips. His eyes lingered on her a beat longer before he turned and left the infirmary.
Biting her lower lip, a bright smile on her face, Jen watched him leave. Her heart fluttered a little in her chest, but she chose not to question it. She had tomorrow to look forward to. The memory of Ronon’s hand on her back still stuck with her, and the more she thought about it, the more she wished it would happen again. But now it could come true, and damn if that didn’t make the smile on her face grow wider.