Chapter 3

You're not alone, together we stand,

I'll be by your side, you know I'll take your hand.

Keep Holding On – Avril Lavigne

Ronon Dex was the last of his people. After they had returned to Atlantis, a MALP had been sent through the stargate to the address Ronon had provided them for the planet Sateda. They had been planning to return him to his world and Lola could tell how much he'd been looking forward to closing the book on his life as a runner for good. Instead his hopes had been shattered into pieces when they discovered that not only had Sateda been culled by the Wraith, but that it had been completely demolished. Crumbling buildings were all that remained of the proud, honourable race of people they now knew as the Satedan's. Scanning the planets for life signs had proved to be futile. There was no one alive left on the planet.

Since learning the news and viewing it himself through the video feed being sent through the stargate from Sateda, Ronon had left the control room. Since he'd returned to his quarters well over five hours ago, no one had seen or heard anything from him. Lola had seen firsthand the devastating effects a loss of this magnitude could have on a person, back on Earth she'd seen even the strongest of men get so lost inside their grief there was no way out and it broke her heart to think that after everything he'd suffered through, Ronon was now going through the same.

The decision to visit Ronon's guest quarters had not been one she'd come to easily, but Lola knew of all the people here on Atlantis, he was the one who needed that comfort of knowing he wasn't alone. In her hand she balanced a small tray of food, not knowing whether he'd eaten yet or not. The guards stationed outside the room looked at her a little cautiously before stepping aside and allowing her to swipe her hand over the panel, allowing her to enter the room when the doors opened.

The doors closed behind her and the room was once more cloaked in darkness. Ronon's hulking figure was easily noticeable, leaning against the frame of the small window staring blankly down upon the beautifully lit city. He didn't acknowledge her presence or give any indication he'd even heard her entering the room, he just continued to stare vacantly, his mind clearly somewhere far away. "I wasn't sure if you'd eaten as of yet..." Lola said quietly, laying the tray down onto a desk.

Still Ronon didn't answer, didn't move and it broke her heart to see him in such a way, he was so different from the man who only hours ago had had so much fire inside of him. Standing alongside the Satedan at the window, Lola looked up at him, the look in his eyes, one she'd seen many times before in the faces of soldiers who'd suffered through the worst the war had to offer, those who'd lost all the fight inside of them. They became dead inside. Void of any emotion.

She lingered close to his side, hoping that just her presence may somehow, someway give him the smallest of comfort. Lola had no idea how it felt to be alone for so long, but she knew grief, she knew about the dark abyss that threatened to swallow you whole. She knew about the emptiness that settled inside you, cloaking your body and soul, that all-encompassing, intense ache, which left you wondering if you were ever going to survive the pain. For the longest of times she'd found herself lost in a haze of darkness, not sure if she was going to make it through, but having someone by her side, reassuring her, had given her the strength to make it through to the other side.

Reaching out a delicate hand, Lola closed the barrier between her and Ronon, threading her fingers through his and clasping his large hand in her own, glad when he didn't pull away from the comfort she was offering. "I'm so sorry Ronon." She told him softly, allowing the room to dissolve into a quiet stillness once more.

There were no other words needed, not really. Nothing would ease the pain of his devastating loss, or give a reason as to why this had happened. There was nothing she could do to help him come to terms with any of it yet, all Lola could hope for was that he found some comfort with her being there, that maybe one day he came to realize he wasn't as alone as he may feel right now.

For the longest time they remained in the silence, both of them staring out into the darkness and past the twinkling lights of the city. When Lola looked towards the stars, she felt Ronon squeeze her hand, "Stay a while...?" he asked gruffly, not turning his focus away from the view in front of him. Lola's only response was to squeeze his hand, telling him silently that she was there.

Lola lifted her forehead from the cool shower wall, tilting her face up towards the spray of the hot water, revelling in how it soothed her aching muscles. It had been an hour since she'd left Ronon, knowing they both needed their rest, him a lot more than her. Seven long years running, not being able to rest for too long at a time she couldn't imagine anything worse. Ronon was exhausted, not only physically but emotionally and mentally to; you didn't need to be a genius to see that.

Part of her had hated leaving him alone in that room with nothing but his thoughts, she wanted nothing more than keep on reminding him he wasn't alone. Though deep down she knew he needed time to come to terms with his loss alone, whether he wanted to or not.

Switching off the shower, Lola stepped out into the cool air, grasping for the towel hanging over the edge of the sink. Wrapping it tightly around her damp body, she headed back into her bedroom. It was modest in size, not incredibly spacious like many of the rooms here in Atlantis but it suited her needs. It provided enough room for her to have brought along a few items from Earth to help it feel more like home.

Against the far wall hung her medical degree, all of her other awards had remained back on Earth. Surrounding the framed award were various pictures, all beautifully framed. In total there were six, all of them reminders of the people she'd met back during her time in Sudan, Iran, Afghanistan, including her medical team and various patients. Lola still found herself smiling when she looked at them, despite having been some of the toughest years of her life, she'd learned so much and wouldn't trade any of it. Beneath them sat her desk, her laptop and the various files Dr Beckett had given her placed neatly on top.

Above her dresser laid out like a montage of her life, were pictures of her friends and family. Pictures ranging from high school right up until her going away party 15 months ago. Looking upon them always offered Lola a sense of calm, when the madness she now found herself surrounded by threatened to overwhelm her, she'd turn to look at the various faces of the people she loved and would find her reason to keep going. They were a constant reminder on how lucky she was and how far she'd come in recent years.

Settling down on the edge of her bed, Lola ran her delicate hand over the soft material of the patchwork quilt her Mother had made her. It had been everywhere with her, always there as a reminder of home and all its wonders. Smiling softly, she tilted her head around, opening the small jewellery box she'd received as a gift from an Iranian family. The Middle Eastern Khatom Mosiac pattern was not one that'd be easily copied, in fact it was a one of a kind, at least as far as Lola knew. Opening the box she pulled out her St Christopher, and fastened it around her neck, though as she did her radio crackled to life, causing the young Doctors shoulders to sag.

"Doctor Cassidy to the infirmary." Sighing softly she pushed up from the bed and grabbed a fresh set of clothes from her dresser. There was no rest for the wicked. Until Atlantis Lola had realized just how right her Mother had been.

Guys thank you for such a warm response to not only this story but Lola too. So happy to see you guys love her as much as I do.

Thanks to all those who've added the story onto alert, now onto review replies. Remember guys reviews are love, I like to hear what you all think.

Sam0728 – Thanks for your review hun! So happy to hear your enjoying the story, hope you liked this chapter as well.

Shellbean – Thanks for the review hun. Yes I thought the flashback may throw a few people, but I promise you this is a RononOC story. Like Carson, Lola is experienced and that's why I love her so much, her experience is so varied. I can't wait to delve deeper into who Ronon is! So excited! Hope you enjoyed this chapter!

Kittenz714 – Thanks for the review hun! Yes I knew John and Lola would throw people off a bit, as for the potential love triangle...you'll have to wait and see what happens but I promise you the incident isn't going to remain hidden away. Hope you enjoyed this chapter!

Daisyscrapper – Thanks for the review hun! I've only read a few RononOC stories and just had to write one of my own! Hope you enjoyed this chapter as well!