It was time. Jen put on her black pants and white tank top. Pulled back her hair and examined her reflection. She felt like a soldier getting ready for battle.

“You can do this.” She grabbed her gym bag and headed to meet Ronon.

She bumped into Teyla on the way there, literally. Jennifer had been so absorbed in not being afraid she hadn’t even seen her friend coming down the hall. Teyla only smiled and whispered, “Remember you are strong.”

Jen managed a nod and a smile that appeared more confident than she felt. At least she hoped she did.

When she entered their training room, she was greeted by a sight she wasn’t likely to forget anytime soon. Ronon was stretching. Not that this was anything odd, but he was bent over. His firm ass aimed straight at her face, which she was sure was turning red. That didn’t stop her from staring. Jennifer had the bad habit of blurting out things she probably shouldn’t when she got flustered. Apparently the same thing happened when she was hot and bothered.

“Nice package.”

He stood and turned. “What?”

Her face was definitely resembling the tomato she’d had at lunch earlier today. “Nothing.”

He wasn’t buying it. “Oh what the hell, it means I think you have a nice ass.” She couldn’t believe she’d just said that. She realized she didn’t even regret it.

‘Thanks. Yours is nice to,” his eyes had a hungry look to them. It would have scared her before she knew him, but now it made her feel warm and tingly. This was going better than she could have ever hoped.

Then he looked away and mumbled something about her needing to stretch. It’s not like she had been hoping he’d kiss her right there, well maybe a little, but not realistically. But a small part of her thought he might plant one on her. She sighed and began her warm up.

He was very quiet, even for Ronon. His silence brought all those fears and doubts back to the surface. She shook them away as she stood from finishing her final stretch, she wouldn’t chicken out. She could do this. She’d spar with him, then tell him how she felt. In a very calm, cool way that wouldn’t pressure him. Just ask him to dinner, they could try one date, see if the sparks were there.

She looked up and he reminded her of a lion ready to pounce. The question was, what was she? A fierce animal that he respected, or the meek prey he hunted.

She glared at him, putting on her best “don’t mess with me” face. He only smiled.

“No weapons today. I thought we’d try a little hand to hand.”

They’d talked about this He wanted her to learn to fight with everything, including her bare hands. Sometimes you didn’t have anything but yourself to rely on. A direct quote from Ronon. One that was very true, but also very telling of his past. Something else she wanted to talk to him about.

A little over a week ago the thought of throwing punches and jabs at this man would have been laughable. But now, she only nodded. She knew he wouldn’t hurt her, nothing but her pride anyway.

“We’ll start slow. Same way we did with the bantos sticks. I’ll show you each of the moves I’ll be using on you, then how to block or avoid them.”

Meaning not all attacks were easily blocked for someone her size. She knew it was better to avoid any attack if possible. Jen nodded in understanding.

He started showing her all the different types of punches. It really was amazing how many there were. A basic jab. Then a lower jab. Elbow strike. Palm heel strike. “I’ll show you one more, then we’ll start having you block them.” His fist came up slowly and stopped right under her chin, his knuckles just barely brushing her skin. “That’s an uppercut,” he said. His face so close she could have taken one tiny step forward and she would have been in his arms. But she stood still. She was a calm, slow moving woman. She didn’t throw herself on men like that.

He finally took a step back after what felt like a eternity.

The next thirty minutes were spent with her blocking and dodging his attacks. She caught on pretty fast, of course he was only moving at half speed. She’d have been on the floor covered in bruises and sporting a few broken bones if this had been a real fight. No scratch that, she’d have probably been dead.

When she’d gotten the hang of all the movements she found herself saying, “How about you show me how to throw these punches now?”

He seemed mildly surprised, but only nodded. So she got her chance to perform each of the moves, they were simply to execute in theory. Actually landing a blow on someone would be an entirely different matter. Even so, she loved it. Ronon had her using him for target practice. She felt strong as she jabbed at his open palm. Jen even threw in a few kicks that she remembered seeing in an old martial arts flick. He laughed and caught her leg in midair.

“Hey.”

Then she was on her damn back again, with his long hair brushing against her forehead. She was seconds away from doing something naughty when he stood and hauled her to her feet.

“You’re doing well.”

“Liar.”

He said nothing, instead came at her. It surprised her but she blocked three alternating punches in a row. She stood there stunned. “How did I..”

“Reflex. I told you, you’re doing well.”

“Well enough to actually win in a fight with someone?” She asked softly.

“Sure. I think you’d kick McKay’s ass.”

Then they were both laughing.

“Ronon.” Jennifer found herself feeling giddy. Most likely a combination of adrenaline and the sexy man standing less than a foot away from her.

He raised an eyebrow.

“Do you tango?”

“What?”

“Tango.”

“I have no idea what that means.” But his expression was getting hungry again.

“It’s a dance. A very sensual one, usually between two people who-” She broke off and took a deep breath. “ Sometimes I feel like we are dancing,” she whispered.

“You do?” His deep voice was almost as soft as hers.

“I know this is an odd way to say this, and I tend to ramble when I’m nervous, but I really like you and I was just wondering if maybe, I mean to say-”

She never did find out what she was going to say because in the span of a heartbeat Ronon had cleared the distance between them and swept her off her feet...literally. Their mouths locked, his soft, warm lips tasted hers. The kiss started off slow, almost as if he wanted to make sure this was what she wanted. Then she wrapped her legs around his waist, they hadn’t been on the ground anyway, and kissed him back. Hard. She didn’t know who was more surprised, him or her. Her arms tightened around his neck and she just let go. She stopped being afraid.

Her entire life she’d always examined everything with a fine tooth comb. The pros and cons. Made lists. It had taken her months to make a decision. She was always afraid of being wrong. For the first time in her life, Doctor Jennifer Keller threw caution to the wind and just enjoyed the moment. The feel of his mouth, the warmth of his body against hers. She was vaguely aware that he had moved them forward until her back was now pressed against the wall. Jen pulled back slightly and began kissing his throat, she got to the tattoo he had on the left side of his neck and she traced it with her tongue. He growled, then moaned and pulled her head back and began kissing her again. He bit gently on her lower lip. She laughed but nipped him back. His tongue slid in her mouth, teasing and caressing. It was her turn to moan. She found herself running her hands up and down his strong neck. She got to his broad shoulders and she felt them tense. He broke off the kiss and met her eyes.

He really was beautiful. But there was something in his stare that made her heart skip a beat. He looked like he’d seen a ghost. He set her down and rubbed his face with his hands, while he took deep breaths. As she struggled to catch her own she noticed he was trembling. Before she could even touch his arm he stepped back. “This was a mistake. I have to go.” And then he was gone.

Jen stood there feeling so many things at once she could hardly breath. Stunned. Rejected. Horny. Sad. Mad. Tired. Most of all confused.

Jennifer forced herself to walk to her quarters. She immediately got into the shower. As the hot water beat against her back she began to cry. So much for not being afraid. The water grew cold long before her tears dried up.

end part

Don't kill me. There is another part I promise :) hope you enjoyed, feedback is loved :) Next part is called "Standing Still"