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!

5 – You Promised

For weeks now Jennifer and Ronon had met almost nightly out on their balcony wrapped in each other's arms letting the burdens of the day drift away. Ronon was still "waiting" for her but knew he already had her heart. He didn't want to push for an answer but knowing they already belonged to each other made it easier to be patient.

After talking to Sheppard about the day's mission, Ronon knew they might be late getting back to Atlantis. He grumbled to himself knowing the mission would cut into his balcony time.

"I won't be able to meet you tonight," Ronon told Jennifer as he sat in the empty chair in her office. "We leave on a mission in a few minutes and it'll probably be late by the time we return and get checked out."

"Anything dangerous?" Jennifer asked, concerned.

"No, just a supply delivery and check on the locals … it's a friendly planet," Ronon assured her.

"Be careful anyway," Jennifer told him trying not to look worried.

SGA-1 gathered at the gate waiting for Major Lorne. The Major had a good working relationship already established with the villagers so he would accompany the team on the mission. They were all carrying heavy packs filled with medical and farming supplies the village was in desperate need of.

"Okay kids, lets play safe and make it home before dark," the Colonel encouraged as Chuck dialed the gate.

The walk to the village was several miles. The weather was cooperating and they made good time. The village elders met them at the edge of the settlement with cheerful faces and words of gratitude. It'd been a terrible winter for them. They lost many of their people to sickness and the extreme conditions. Atlantis brought the much-needed supplies but even more importantly, they brought hope.

The elders insisted they stay for the evening meal wanting to show their appreciation. They spent a lot of time sitting around the central fire exchanging stories and drinking some local brew, which tasted a lot like coffee.

Sheppard noticed a small group of men who didn't seem to blend in with the locals very well. He made eye contact with Ronon, raising an eyebrow as he gave a slight nod in their direction. Ronon understood keeping an eye on the men, listening for anything out of the ordinary.

Occasionally, one of the men would ask a question usually having something to do with Atlantis. Each question was asked by someone different trying to sound curious instead of the inquisition it was. "How long have you lived on Atlantis? How many inhabit the city? Do you have many weapons like the ones you carry? We've heard stories of small spaceships that can travel through the Stargate, is this true?"

Sheppard was starting to feel uncomfortable with the group. The sun had set on the planet plunging it into darkness rather quickly. As Sheppard was beginning to plan their exit, several of the men who'd been asking all the questions stood to leave, saying good night to everyone as they headed back down the path. Over the next half hour the rest of the mystery group left heading in different directions. Still, the Atlantis team stayed on high alert.

After another hour of chatting and promising more supplies in the next week, the team said their good byes heading toward the gate. Sheppard gathered everyone as soon as they were out of sight of the village giving orders to be on alert.

"I don't like the looks of the men asking all the wrong questions," Sheppard told his men. "Keep alert and let's make it home without incident."

Sheppard took the lead with Ronon covering their six. The trip to the gate was fairly uneventful. Sheppard raised his hand about a hundred yards from the gate knowing something was wrong. He took time to listen, surveying the darkness for anything out of place. Sheppard reached up and cued his radio.

"Be ready, something doesn't feel right," Sheppard whispered into his radio.

Several minutes later they rounded a curve in the path and all hell broke loose. The ambush came from both sides of the path leaving them with no escape route. The team dove for what cover they could find returning fire.

Their attackers were firing Wraith stunners and thankfully weren't very accurate. Sheppard and Ronon took out half the men in no time flat. Lorne moved to the front and was laying down cover fire. Teyla and McKay fired continuously on the other side of the path, hitting anything that moved. Sheppard was worried they'd stumbled upon a group of Wraith worshippers and hoped they hadn't had time to contact the Wraith yet.

As the attack eased, Sheppard checked on the condition of his team. He radioed for them to make a break for the gate. Ronon was closest to the gate and took point. Sheppard was at their six with Lorne, Teyla and McKay in the middle.

At the DHD they all fanned out as McKay dialed the gate. They were beginning to feel they were home free when shots were fired from the other side of the gate. Ronon took a direct hit to the chest and went down hard. Sheppard returned fire taking out the enemy quickly yelling for Rodney to hurry with the gate.

Major Lorne and Teyla were at Ronon's side immediately. When they couldn't find a pulse, Lorne started CPR while Sheppard and McKay secured the immediate area around the gate. It was rare for a Wraith stunner to deliver a heart stopping shot but it appeared that's what had happened to Ronon.

The gate swooshed to life and Sheppard started barking orders. He ran over grabbing a hold of Ronon's upper arm and shoulder while Lorne did the same on the other side and they dragged him toward the gate.

"Atlantis, this is Sheppard, we're coming in hot. We need a medical team in the gate room," Colonel Sheppard yelled as soon as the wormhole was established.

"Medical team will be standing by Colonel," Chuck answered as he received Sheppard's IDC.

Jennifer heard her radio come to life with a request for a medical team in the gate room. She gathered her team and supplies along with a gurney and raced through the corridor toward the Stargate.

Her team stood out of harm's way as SGA-1 came flying through the event horizon. Major Lorne and Colonel Sheppard came through first dragging Ronon between them. As soon as they were through they put Ronon on the floor and Major Lorne resumed CPR on the unconscious man. McKay came through next still facing the Stargate with his weapon raised, Teyla was right behind him. "Shut it down," Teyla yelled.

Jennifer held her breath till she could get to Ronon. She rushed her team to his side immediately placing him on the gurney. She climbed up on the gurney straddling Ronon as she took over the CPR. Dr. Keller began shouting orders to her team.

"I need a crash cart ready," she shouted into her radio as they raced toward the infirmary, Major Lorne and Sheppard's team by her side.

Jennifer blocked everything out of her mind except Ronon as she continued the CPR, willing him to live. "No, no, no, this can't be happening! He said it was a peaceful mission! I haven't given him an answer yet!" Jennifer kept a conversation going in her head not willing to accept what was happening.

It seemed to take forever to get down the corridors to the infirmary. Jennifer could feel herself start to panic. "Suck it up and do your job," she mumbled to herself.

"Don't you give up!" Jennifer shouted as she continued to push on Ronon's chest. "You promised me. Do you hear me, Ronon Dex … you promised me. Now breathe!"

As they crossed into the infirmary, Marie had the crash cart ready and charged. She handed Jennifer a pair of scissors, which she used to cut Ronon's shirt exposing his chest. She placed the pads then jumped off the gurney as Marie handed her the paddles.

"Ready," Marie announced looking at Jennifer.

"Clear," Jennifer shouted as she shocked Ronon. The monitors showed nothing. She grabbed a needle on the tray and injected Ronon with a stimulant.

"Charge again," Jennifer told Marie.

"Ready."

"Clear," Jennifer announced again.

This time there was a rhythm on the monitor and she could feel Ronon's pulse.

"He's back," Marie announced.

Jennifer released the breath she was holding. She put her hand on his chest needing to feel his heartbeat … needing to feel him. She gave some orders to Marie as they wheeled Ronon off to get him situated, hooking him up to the monitors.

Jennifer could feel the horror and emotion swallowing her up as she turned toward the wall trying to compose herself. She put her hands on her hips bending over sucking in deep gulps of air as her body started to tremble. Teyla moved over to comfort her. As her friend put her arms around her she let the tears flow.

Jennifer leaned into Teyla allowing herself a few moments to release the terror she was holding as Teyla spoke words of comfort and reassurances to her.

The young doctor wiped her eyes, stepping back into her doctor persona before she left to take care of Ronon's needs.

"Okay … I'm clueless. What just happened?" Lorne asked looking at the group gathered around.

"You're kidding me, right?" Sheppard asked him.

"No! I'm not kidding. What've I missed?" Lorne answered irritated. "Why is Jen so upset and what did Ronon promise?" Lorne wanted some answers.

Teyla moved over to Evan and put her hand on his shoulder. Looking at him she quietly answered, "He promised he would never break her heart."

Everyone watched Lorne as he stood in the room mentally putting all the pieces together.

"He's Mr. I'll wait for you?" Lorne asked incredulously. Teyla and Sheppard both smirked.

"Wow … definitely didn't see that!" Lorne just kept shaking his head.

Rodney finally looked up from his data pad. "Didn't see what?" Rodney asked as the group just laughed.

Jennifer's shift ended but she continued to keep her vigil at Ronon's side. Sheppard and Teyla sat against the wall at the foot of the bed while Major Lorne and Rodney occupied the other wall.

His vitals looked good. If this were any other patient Jennifer would be encouraging the loved ones to leave and get some rest. The group of friends continued to talk in hushed tones, late in the evening they went to the mess hall to eat.

Major Lorne brought a tray of food back for Jennifer who'd leaned her head on Ronon's bed and was fast asleep. Sheppard checked with Marie on Ronon's status and was told he was doing very well.

"Colonel, why don't you all get some sleep and check in with us in the morning. Dr. Keller will be here through the night if you're needed I'm sure she'll radio.

"Okay, boys and girls, let's call it a night." Sheppard announced. "Marie says he's doing well and we can check on Ronon in the morning." Sheppard hoped they all got some sleep. Personally, he knew he wouldn't sleep much until Ronon regained consciousness.

Jennifer woke in the middle of the night and checked Ronon's vitals. She was thankful the team had gone to bed. She sat back in her chair watching Ronon breathe. All the emotions came flowing back threatening to swallow her up. She reached out taking his hand, needing to feel his touch.

Quickly Jennifer became overwhelmed with emotion, putting her head on the bed she began to sob. All the 'what ifs' began to consume her.

What if I could never hold him again?

What if I could never tell him how much I love him?

What if I could never feel his touch again?

As Jennifer lay crying she could feel his hand squeeze her own. She whipped her head up, seeing his eyes she began to shed tears of joy instead of regret.

"Hey, Little Girl, why all the tears?" Ronon quietly asked.

Jennifer stood up, climbed onto the bed and lay down beside her patient.

Ronon put his arm around her shoulder drawing her in. He wanted her as close to his body as she would fit. Ronon buried his face in her hair inhaling the familiar scent as she snuggled in closer resting her hand over his heart.

Jennifer needed to feel the steady beating, evidence he was alive.

"I'm through waiting for you," Ronon whispered feeling her body tense. "You belong to me so you'll just have to deal with it," he claimed.

She didn't want it any other way. Jennifer snuggled closer and the two were asleep in a matter of minutes.

Sometime after dawn, the familiar group of friends began to gather again beside the bed. Rodney sat to one side working on his data pad. Teyla and Evan sat together talking quietly at the end of the bed. Colonel Sheppard stood next to the open door while Jennifer and Ronon lay in each other's arms fast asleep.

Having just started her shift, Marie came to check on Ronon and found the two of them asleep. She looked at Sheppard and then back to the bed raising an eyebrow.

"Dr. Keller's devotion to her patient is extremely commendable," Sheppard told Marie laughing quietly.

"I wasn't aware," Marie smiled. "It's about time she let someone into her life," she added. "Looks like you have it all under control, Colonel. I'll leave your little family in your capable hands."

Colonel Sheppard leaned against the doorway surveying his little collection of misfits and chuckled softly. This was home and they were his family, he wouldn't trade or give away any of them.

The End

A/N: Thanks to everyone who took the time to read and especially to those who reviewed. Hope you enjoyed the story.