Home For Christmas

By Kyizi

Disclaimer: Most of these characters, unfortunately, do not belong to me the only things that are mine is one of the characters and the storyline.

Archiving: Yes, but please let me know where it'll be.

Rating: 12

Spoilers: Majorly for "A Human Reaction", some for "Rhapsody in Blues" and a mild one for "Through the Looking Glass"

Category: Romance/Action (kinda)

Summary: John unexpectedly meets up with an old friend, leading to something he had given up hope of.

Notes: I had only seen up to and including "A Bugs Life" when I wrote this. It was my first ever fan fic, so be kind! This is set some point in the future from ABL.

Notes 2: This is the same fic, if you've read it before, it won't have changed much, all I'm doing is splitting it into chapters and reposting it :)

Feedback: I love to hear from my readers! Let me know what you think. Was it good? Do you have any constructive criticism?

E-mail: kyizifanfic@hotmail.com

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Part One

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"Crichton!"  

Aeryn charged down the hallway. Where the frell is he?

"Pilot?"

"Yes, Officer Sun."

"Have the DRDs located Crichton yet?"

"Not yet…wait. Yes, we are locating him now, he is on the terrace."

"Thank you, Pilot." Aeryn changed direction and headed for the terrace. "Crichton! Crichton!" Aeryn walked out onto the open and saw him standing, staring into space.

"What is it Aeryn, what did I do now? " John turned to look at her as she approached. He raised his arms and gestured as he continued; "Oh no wait let me guess, did I leave the lid off the dentic's habitat or did I…"

"You told Chiana. How could you, how dare you, do I mean that little to you?"

John frowned. "Aeryn, what the hell are you talking about."

"I might have known you'd deny it." She muttered something that the translators wouldn't translate and then turned on her heel. John made a face of confusion and then followed closely behind.

"Aeryn. Aeryn, stop!" She paused, but did not turn around.

"I have no idea what the hell you think I've done but I wish you'd stop giving me a hard time and just talk to me." Nothing. Aeryn just stayed still. He reached out and took her arm, turning her to face him. Her eyes were closed and when she opened them, he saw in them a hurt so deep it cut him apart inside.

"How could you? How could you talk about it? Was I just one of your conquests to boast about with you friends? Do I really…"

"Woah, back up a microt. Would you tell me exactly what it is that I'm supposed to have done instead of just talking around it? I feel like I'm hearing half a conversation."

"You…" Aeryn looked pained to say the words.

"Aeryn," he said softly. "What's wrong."

"You told Chiana about our night together on Earth, the fake Earth. How could you betray me like that? To someone that I don't even like that much?"

"Aeryn, I don't know what you're talking about. I would never," He took a hold of both of her arms. "Never betray you like that. Ever." She looked straight into his eyes. The windows to the soul she had once heard, although now she wasn't concerned with where. She looked into his eyes, into his soul and she just knew he was telling her the truth. She turned away embarrassed.

Then how could Chiana have possibly known, she wondered. John could see that she was confused. Satisfied that she now believed him, he let his grip loosen and he turned her face towards him.

"What exactly did Chiana say to you?"

"She said that she knew what had happened. And that I wasn't fooling anyone and neither were you."

"Okay go back to the start, tell me exactly what happened. Beginning to end."

"Well. . ."

*****

Aeryn yawned. She groaned before getting up but as soon as she did. . .

"Ouch!" she landed flat, her face hidden by an item of clothing, left sprawled on he floor.

"I really need to do some washing."

She got up and got herself dressed, then looking around she decided to do something about the mess in her quarters.

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As she approached, she could see Chiana doing some laundry of her own and Aeryn smiled.

Perhaps if I'm nice. She shuddered. I could talk Chiana into doing mine for me.

She approached Chiana quietly from behind and placed her washing on the floor.

"Chiana…"

"Before you ask, no."

Damn, sprung. Aeryn decided to play innocent. "What do you mean?"

"No, I won't do it. You can do your own frelling washing. I've already had his pervo highness trying to get me to do his. Is everyone on this ship as-" Chiana stopped. During her tirade, she had been turning to face Aeryn and her eyes had fallen on Aeryn's washing. A slow smile appeared on Chiana's face and that unnerved Aeryn because it was the kind of smile Chiana always had when she was about to have a little fun. And Aeryn had the feeling it would be at her expense.

"Sure." Chiana smiled.

"Sure, what?"

"Sure, I'll do your washing."

"But you just said. . ." Chiana grinned at her. "What?"

"I'll do your laundry . . . if you give me the details." Aeryn was now more confused than ever.

"Chiana, what the frell are you talking about? Details about what?"

"Don't play the innocent with me. I know what happened. You're not fooling anyone and neither is Crichton. You'd have to be a blind Yonderian Dandhllae fly not to notice."

"Sorry, but I'm…"

"I'm talking about what happened between you and Crichton of course."

Aeryn froze. Chiana grinned wickedly and laughed.

"That is NONE of your business." Aeryn stormed out of the room and Chiana laughed as she heard Aeryn asking Pilot to have the DRDs locate Crichton.

*****

". . . and that was when I came looking for you." Aeryn concluded. They had made their way once more to the terrace and were sitting facing each other, mirroring their position.

"John, if you didn't tell Chiana…"

"I didn't. I wouldn't."

They smiled briefly at each other before Aeryn continued; ". . . then how could she have known. Because I certainly didn't tell her."

John gave a little smile. "Um, Aeryn, I think you did."

Aeryn flared up. "And what exactly do you mean by that? If you think for one second that I would tell that. . ."

"Aeryn, Aeryn, calm down. I don't think you told her as such. . ." He could see he was only frustrating her. "Look, Aeryn, when you said Chiana had a change of heart about doing your laundry, she was turning to face you, right?"

"Yes. I fail to see what you are getting at Crichton."

The sides of his mouth twitched as he continued; "What was she looking at when she began to smile."

"What exactly is the relevance?"

"Aeryn just tell me what she was looking at."

"My laundry."

He smiled and laughed a little. "Your laundry. Aeryn you still have my Calvin's don't you?"

"Your what?"

"My underwear, Aeryn. Chiana probably saw you with my underwear."

There was a silence as the realization dawned on Aeryn. "Oh frell!" She was mortified. "Then she didn't know?"

"No, but I'd say she does now. You only confirmed her suspicions when you got angry and told her to mind her own business."

"Oh no." John started to laugh and Aeryn hit him playfully on the arm. "It is not funny."

"Oh really." He tickled her and she screamed with laughter.

"John, stop it!" He grinned wickedly at her as she began to back away but he noticed she made no move to stand.

"Don't…you…dare…No!"

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Zhaan looked out of the view screen, concern apparent on her face. Rygel, eating a small purple fruit-like object, was also looking unusually affected.

"D'Argo." She called through the communication system.

"Yes, Zhaan."

"I think you had better get up here right away. And find Chiana, John and Aeryn as well."

"I'm on my way."

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It was a few more minutes before D'Argo, John and Aeryn arrived in Command. D'Argo looked rather embarrassed and Aeryn and John looked flushed as they tried not to laugh. Chiana had appeared a few moments earlier and looked at John and Aeryn amused.

"Well, at least someone was having a good time." Aeryn quickly lost all happiness and shot daggers at Chiana with her eyes. John, having slightly more patience, only shot her a warning glance.

"What is it, Zhaan?" John altered his gaze from Chiana to the view screen where he did a double take. "Oh my God. Is that what I think it is?"

"Yes, John." Zhaan looked at him, a sad smile on her face. "It's a wormhole."

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End of Part One

This was the first fic I ever wrote, so if the characters seem kinda off, apologies! I'm not too convinced by it atm, I think it gets better as it goes on! So if you don't like the way this part reads, please be patient and persist with it! ;-p