Chapter 1

Jennifer was in a hurry. They called her a while ago but she must have finished a routine operation. She was wondering what could happen. Colonel Sheppard and his team returned from a planet they were exploring, but that was supposed to be a common mission. She hoped that no one got hurt seriously.

The first thing she saw was an unknown older man lying on a stretcher, evidently unconscious.

„What's with him?" she asked.

John shrugged his shoulder. „I've got no idea. We contacted his people a few days ago and we wanted to give them some supplies. He collapsed during our negotiations." He looked worried.

Jennifer nodded. There was no time for long chatting.

„Take him to the infirmary. I'll see what I can do." Two men took the stretches immediately and followed her. She felt tired, cause she slept badly in the previous days. A still repeating nightmare was trespassing her and she didn't know how to get rid of it. She sighed, trying to concentrate on her patient. He was stabile now and his body showed no signs what happened to him.

„Doctor?" She twitched; John's voice scared her a bit because she was too deep in her thoughts.

"He is unconscious and I don't know what is with him." She looked at John, feeling a bit ashamed. She was the doctor, who else should know that? „I'll have to make more tests than I will be able to say more."

„Ok. Just try to be quick." John was watching her while she was preparing the possible cure.

„He is important," he kept on talking. „He is the leader of their people. They call themselves Theroans. And what's worse, he is not the only one who is sick."

„Not the only one?" She was surprised. „Where are the others?"

„They stayed on the planet. We couldn't take all of them, so we took him for you to make the tests and cure him."

„How many people are sick?"

„About ten when we were there. But it's unpredictable. There can be ten times more by now. They live in wooden shelters, hygiene is not their biggest trouble."

„How did it happen to him?"

„He was feeling tired and didn't look healthy from the beginning but he collapsed suddenly, without any signs."

She turned her attention back to the sick man. „What's his name?"

„Derten." John stayed silent for a moment and than left.

„I'll do my best." Jennifer knew he couldn't hear her; she was promising that to herself.

--

It took her almost the whole day before she finally succeeded; at least she hoped so. The tests proved some kind of virus in Derten's blood and she must have used all her abilities to neutralize it. But she still had no idea how the virus could get into. She applied the cure and had a bit of free time before it starts to take effect.

She realized that she hadn't eaten today yet. Yeah, she should definitely eat something. It wouldn't help anyone if she fainted. When she entered the dinning room, she noticed Rodney McKay sitting alone at one table and decided to join him. Although Rodney was the most bigheaded person she ever met, he occasionally could be nice.

„Hi," she greeted him with a slight smile. „Don't you mind if I sit?" She didn't wait for his answer.

„Hi," he replied. „Maybe you should know the food is not very tasteful today." Yeah, it was typical Rodney. Still complaining and never satisfied. She started to eat; it wasn't bad at all.

„How is the man doing?" Rodney asked after a while.

„He's gonna be fine. He should get conscious soon."

„Mm. We're always saving someone's buttocks. Sometimes I wonder why." Well, he didn't have his best day.

„Rodney." Her voice sounded reproachfully.

„ I know." He finished eating and get up. „See you later," he said, not looking at her.

Jennifer said nothing, just watched him leaving. Rodney obviously didn't feel comfortable with her right now. It was about a week when they had a drink together and it didn't go very well. He didn't understand her; she just wanted to improve his mood after his break up with Katie. He thought that it was a date and he wasn't the kind of man that would get over that easily. But he probably tried to.

She kept on eating and let her mind ramble. When she was about to leave, she saw Teyla and Ronon chatting at the side of the room. She swallowed. She felt nervous as usual when she should have met Ronon. She remembered their moment in the infirmary, when they were stuck there together. Actually, she was sure she'd never forget it. Ronon was too catchy to forget.

She realized that she is gazing at him and wanted to turn away but he noticed her look and smiled. She took a deep breath and smiled back. She saw Teyla telling him something but he didn't seem to listen to her. Jennifer was indecisive, she was wondering if she should interrupt their conversation.

„Dr. Keller." It was one of the medical assistants. „The patient is awake."

Jennifer nodded and sallied forth to the infirmary. She felt a relief, cause the cure really worked. But she must still identify the source of the virus. She knew she should put it off till tomorrow and have some sleep. But the sick people perhaps don't have enough time.

Derten was lying on a bed, staring at the ceiling. When he heard her coming, he glanced at her and tried to smile.

„Hi, I'm dr. Jennifer Keller. How are you feeling?" she asked.

„Better, thank you," he queried. His voice was weak. „So you are the one who healed me."

„It's my job," she said. „Now you should rest and hopefully you'll be strong again."

„My people need me," he whispered. „I must help them. I'm not the only one who got sick."

He coughed. „Dr., we need your help."

Jennifer simply nodded. „And I have to know what caused your sickness."

„I don't know. I didn't come to touch with anything suspicious. I'm afraid I won't be able to help you. I..." His speech was disrupted by another attack of cough.

„You must rest now," she ordered decisively. „And I'm gonna visit your people and help them. I promise." She gave him a last look. Now she must tell Colonel Carter that she wants to go to the Theroans. And then she needs to rest herself. Tomorrow is going to be a long day.

--

She was running away. She heard the noise behind her but didn't look back. She tried to run faster but her legs were incredibly heavy. It was getting closer; the thing was getting closer. She already felt the horrible breath on her neck. No, she must get away, she must get away...

Jennifer woke up. She was awfully scary and exhausted. It was just 3 a.m. and she was awake. Again. It was repeating every night for too long. She couldn't remember when she slept well last time. Oh God, she will be useless in the morning.

She drank a glass of water, trying not to think of her dream. She didn't want to take any pills but she didn't see any other possibility. She avoided it till tonight but she gave it up. The people need her and she needs sleeping. Actually, she is a doctor and knows the right dosage of the pills. It should take just few minutes. While she was falling asleep, she was having a bad feeling that something is still wrong.

--

The morning came sooner than it should have. Jennifer felt even worse than the previous day but she forced herself to get up. She had a lot to do. When she finally got to the puddle jumper, the team that should accompany her was already there. Major Lorne, the leader of her team, was just talking to another soldier.

„Dr. Keller," he smiled, when he saw her. „Glad you are here. I think it's time to go."

„I'm sorry I'm late," she apologized. „I had a bad night." Major nodded. They were just about to leave, when Ronon suddenly appeared in the hangar.

„Hey, Doc," he greeted. Jennifer turned to the well-known voice.

„Hi. What's going on?" Her voice was neutral, she tried to hide the surprise.

„I'm going with you," he grinned. „When Sheppard cannot go, I thought you could need some help. The guys are good but you never know."

She must have smiled too. „Ok, everyone could help. I'm afraid we will have too much to do in there."

Ronon shook his head. The man wasn't kind of a talkative person. Jennifer also had no need to speak. They silently followed the rest of the team into the jumper. When the gate was ready, they flew through and appeared on the other side. Jennifer had a feeling that she will never get used to all the gate traveling. The flight was going to take a while and she decided to have a short rest. She fell asleep as soon as her head touched the seat.

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.

TBC

--

I'm surprised myself, but I'm writing a story that's having a plot :D Hope you like the beginning. And yeah, it's gonna be more shippy, you just have to wait till the next chapters. I'll try to update as soon as possible. Reviews welcome, please :)