A/N: This is just a short piece of Ronon/Keller fluff. I'm giving my Beta a rest so all mistakes I proudly claim as my own.

Hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Stargate Atlantis or it's wonderful characters.

Spoilers: Quarantine ... Season 4 ep. 13 & Search and Rescue ... Season 5 ep. 1

I appreciate your reviews. Any type of criticism is helpful. Enjoy!

1 - Declaration

Ronon lay on his bed thinking of the conversation he'd had with Jennifer. He'd asked her to go get something to eat with him but hadn't expected her answer to be quite so hurtful. She was interested in someone else. He hadn't seen that coming.

"How could I have been so blind?" he asked himself. Of course she'd be interested in someone else. Dr. Keller could have her pick of anyone in Atlantis so why would she be interested in him.

Ronon thought back to their 'moment' in the infirmary during the quarantine lockdown. They'd almost kissed. He didn't imagine it either, Jennifer had leaned in as well. If she had feelings for someone else why would she have had such an intimate conversation with him? Jennifer wasn't the type of woman to casually kiss. Her honesty is one of the many things he admired about her. She wasn't one to flirt or tease with the men on base except for maybe Lorne. Major Lorne was the exception. But, after careful observation, Ronon had realized Lorne and Jennifer had a special relationship … a bond that was anything but romantic.

Lying in the dark, Ronon spent some time trying to figure out who Jennifer might be attracted to. No one came to mind. She'd never taken her meals with anyone special as far as he could tell and she'd never seemed overly friendly with anyone on her staff. Jen had accompanied SGA-1's team on quite a few missions never appearing to hang around Sheppard or McKay more than necessary. In fact, when he thought about their missions he realized she spent most of her time talking with him. Now he was even more confused.

Ronon first noticed Dr. Keller shortly after she arrived in Atlantis. At the time, Dr. Beckett took care of all his needs in the infirmary. Ronon didn't trust anyone else and he hated breaking in new doctors. After a particularly rough sparring match, Beckett passed Ronon off to Dr. Keller to stitch his forehead injury. Here was this short, fiery woman who looked no older than a schoolgirl tending to his wound. She never backed down as he growled through the whole procedure. That's when he started watching her.

Over time they developed a good friendship but lately his feelings had grown stronger. He couldn't stop thinking about her. He also couldn't stop worrying about her when she was off world or out of his sight. To say she was … how did Sheppard put it, 'getting under his skin' … that was it, she was definitely getting under his skin. But she didn't want him and he didn't know how to deal with that. Time to hit the gym and get rid of some of this frustration.

"What's wrong with me?" Jennifer asked herself as she sat in the dark. The young doctor kicked herself all the way back to her quarters after turning Ronon down. Why'd she tell him she was interested in someone else? "Stupid, stupid, stupid," she scolded herself.

This signature excuse had served her well over the past couple of years. Actually, she'd used the same tired excuse all the way through Medical school too. Truth be told, she was completely out of her element when it came to dating and relationships. She also knew Ronon Dex was completely out of her league as well.

Jennifer had noticed Ronon the day she arrived in Atlantis. He was walking down the hallway all bronze and beautiful. He was so confident in himself he didn't even notice all the heads he turned. Jen felt comfortable looking, knowing he'd never even notice her. And he was worth looking at! But over time she'd gotten to know the man for who he really was and that was more appealing to her than anything physical. She could easily loose herself in this man.

She also knew he couldn't possibly be interested in someone as plain as her. Jennifer had her heart broken once and never wanted to go through the hurt and humiliation again. Even having a simple meal with Ronon would surely stir up hope in her heart she wouldn't be able to smother.

Dr. Keller felt confident, even superior in her profession. She knew she could compare her credentials to anyone in the medical community and not lack in anything. But she wasn't a warrior or protector; she couldn't take care of herself on the battlefield or command an army. Ronon deserved more.

She sat in the dark, curled into her favorite chair while her thoughts drifted back to the lockdown in the infirmary. "Why couldn't it have lasted a few minutes longer?" she asked herself. They'd spent some of the time getting to know each other, even sharing some personal moments in conversation. Then he leaned down to kiss her … to kiss her! She held her breath, moving to meet his lips when the doors opened. The kiss was lost forever and she still ached to have that moment back.

Granted, they were alone in the infirmary but Ronon had never seemed like the kind of man to take advantage of a situation. In fact, she couldn't think of a time she'd seen him flirt or give a woman any kind of attention. Unlike Colonel Sheppard, Jen had never even heard rumors about romantic escapades he might've been involved in. Let's face it; this base is too small not to hear if something was going on! Not only would you hear about it but you could also place a bet in one of the many pools that followed everything that took place in Atlantis.

Jennifer sighed heavily, pushing all the questions and memories aside. Time to stop wondering "what if" and think about something else. She changed into some jogging clothes and headed out toward the east pier.

Ronon spend an hour in the gym taking his frustration out on overly confident Marines before Sheppard showed up for his scheduled session. As the Colonel entered the gym he passed a Marine heading toward the infirmary holding his bloodied head.

"What happened?" Sheppard asked as he neared the brooding Satedan.

"He was slow," Ronon answered frowning.

"Anything you wanna talk about?" Sheppard inquired knowing the big guy was sulking about something.

"Not now," Ronon grumbled.

The two men spent the next hour in fierce battle with the bantos rods. Ronon trying to vent his frustrations over Jennifer's rejection while Sheppard was trying to move fast enough to stay out of the infirmary.

"Enough," Sheppard growled after receiving a blow to the back of his leg.

Ronon dropped his rods on the mat; grabbing a couple bottles of water he tossed one to Sheppard. The men wandered over to a bench, sitting together as they cooled down.

"So … what's got you all worked up?" Sheppard asked firmly.

"Just frustrated," Ronon growled not committing to anything.

"Girl trouble?" Sheppard asked teasing him with a raised eyebrow.

Ronon turned and glared at Sheppard making it known he didn't want to discuss it.

"No way! Really … girl trouble?" Sheppard wouldn't let him off the hook so easily. "When did this happen and with who?" he continued to prod.

"Leave it alone, Sheppard," Ronon grumbled again. He felt totally out of control and didn't like the feeling.

"You know I'm not gonna rest till you spill your guts," Sheppard warned.

"It's not that big a deal," Ronon tried to sound casual. "I asked someone to eat with me and she told me no," he added.

"Okay … I have a hard time believing any woman in two galaxies would turn you down," Sheppard said with a bit of jealousy. "Are you sure she understood you?" he added, dumbfounded.

"She said she was interested in someone else," Ronon scowled.

"Okay. Now I have to know who this mystery woman is," Sheppard demanded.

"Jennifer," Ronon quietly answered.

"As in 'I have the good drugs and big needles' Keller?" Sheppard asked amazed. "This is all starting to make more sense. No wonder I've won my fair share of sparring matches this past month. You're using injuries to get face time with the good doctor," Sheppard laughed.

"Well, it's done. She's not interested and your winning streak is over," Ronon warned.

"Settle down buddy. Let me give you a little background information on our young doctor," Sheppard explained getting Ronon's attention. "I have it on good authority Jennifer tells that to all the guys. Let's face it, have you ever seen her with anyone?" Sheppard added raising his eyebrow.

"Why would she say that if she didn't mean it?" Ronon asked feeling even more confused.

"Not sure. Maybe you should find out," Sheppard suggested. "Okay, enough girl talk. Let's go get something to eat," Sheppard said as he picked up his gym bag heading toward the door.

The doctor and the warrior spent the next week avoiding each other at all costs. Jennifer started working the late shifts in the infirmary, taking most of her meals alone or in her office. Ronon volunteered for extra missions, never complaining when other doctors gave him his post mission checkups. They both realized this was all childish but had no idea where to go from here or how to get back to the friendship they had.

Ronon couldn't get to sleep and nothing was helping. He'd tried to calm himself with food, sparring, even a log run along the deserted corridors of the unexplored parts of the city. He just couldn't shake this unsettled mood that'd covered him since his rejection from Jennifer.

In all the years since he'd lost Melena he'd never thought about being with another woman. Never wanted to have an intimate relationship again. Somehow, over this past year, he'd let this beautiful healer creep into his life without him even knowing. Now it was too late to put a stop to the feelings he had.

Back in his room, he sat in the dark wondering what to do. Ronon hated all the earth customs. It was just too complicated to figure out. Dating scared him … where do you go and what constitutes a date? This just wasn't the Satedan way and he felt too old to change. Maybe he should just be himself and see what happens, he thought. And with that idea, he fell asleep.

It was a quiet night in the infirmary, Jennifer put her head on her desk for just a moment to rest and think. She was still upset with herself for turning Ronon down. She felt it was for the best but that didn't stop the stab of pain she felt every time she thought of him. If they started seeing each other she was convinced he'd soon see how unsuited she was for him. Then she'd have her broken heart to deal with again. But her heart wouldn't listen to her head right now and after only a week she longed to have him back in her life. "I'll settle for our friendship again," she whispered to herself.

Jennifer finished her shift, closing everything down in her office she locked the door and left the infirmary heading to her quarters. She had just taken her shoes off when she heard her door chime. Looking at her clock she wondered who'd be at her door this early in the morning.

She opened her door finding Ronon leaning in the doorway. His large frame took up the whole space. If she didn't know him so well she'd swear he was the scariest man she'd ever seen. He also held the title for the sexiest man she'd ever laid eyes on. Just looking at this man gave her a better cardio-vascular workout than an hour in an aerobics class.

"Ronon … uh … hi, I wasn't expecting you … I mean ... are you okay, do you need something?" Jennifer asked all flustered.

"I needed to say something to you," Ronon answered frowning.

"Do you want to come in?" Jennifer asked as she took a few steps back.

Ronon walked in, quickly covering the distance between them before he spoke.

"I know you said you're interested in someone else, but I want you to know I'll be waiting for you," Ronon told her with an air of determination.

That said, Ronon leaned down gently kissing her before turning and leaving.

Jennifer stood in shock wondering what just happened whilst turning several shades of red.