Home For Christmas

By Kyizi

For Disclaimer etc, see Part 1

Feedback: Is a gift, it's nice to give :)

E-mail: kyizifanfic@hotmail.com

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Part Two

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Command was quiet for what seemed like an eternity, the effect of Zhaan's last words rang through the silence with a chilling reality, until John finally spoke. "Pilot, can you detect where the other end is?"

"Negative. But. . ."

"But what Pilot?"

"I can't understand it, but the destabilization rate is extremely small. I would estimate that this wormhole has been here for a few months as you would say."

"A few months?" There was another stunned silence.

"Moya's sensors are also detecting residual traces from a ship but we are unable to determine what the origins of the ship could be."

"Then it could be another ship from Earth."

"Yes, John. "Zhaan replied. "But it could also have been a Peacekeeper command carrier."

D'Argo looked uneasily at the wormhole. "I think we should leave as soon as possible."

"I agree." Rygel inhaled deeply. "The last time we ran into one of those we ended up in a fake world and the time before that we ended up with you."

Chiana laughed. "I'd say that's as good an excuse as any. Better even."

"Woah, wait a moment. This could be a chance for me to get home." He looked at them all, but no one would meet his gaze. "Look, Pilot says this thing isn't going anywhere anytime soon so I say we stay a while, have a nosy about and see if we can't find out where this thing's goes." The others all looked at each other, except for Aeryn who slipped quietly out of the door, hoping that no one had noticed here leave. John watched her go.

"Alright, John. We'll stay."

He smiled at Zhaan. "Thank you."

"But if there is any sign of Peacekeeper's, and I mean any sign, we leave immediately. Understood."

"Loud and clear, Big Guy."

"Okay." Zhaan smiled and turned to Pilot's screen. "Are there any planet's near by, Pilot?"

"Yes, we were to stop for supplies."

"Of course, I had forgotten. I think we should keep going. If any ships came through here from your Earth, I would think they would head for a planet would they not?"

"Yeah. I'd say so."

"It will be at least an arn until we reach the planet."

"Thank you, Pilot." And with that, John left in search of Aeryn.

The others all looked at each other and Zhaan sighed. I hope we are doing the right thing.

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Aeryn sat in her quarters on her bed, her knees hugged right up to her chest. She was not cold but she had been unable to stop shaking since she had left Command.  Suddenly felt as if she was being watched and she knew it was John.

"Hey," he said, finally entering the room. He walked towards her and sat at the bottom of her bed.

"Hey," she replied, and he smiled. She never usually answered him like that.

"We're staying on course for the planet to see if we can find any ships that may have come through the wormhole. And we still need to get supplies." She said nothing. He moved closer to her and placed a hand on her knee and after a moment's hesitation, he rested his chin on his hand. "Listen, Aeryn…"

She closed her eyes and pleaded; "Please John, not now." She looked into him and he smiled.

"Okay, later."

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"Now listen here you p…"

"Okay, D'Argo, I think it's time we headed back to meet Aeryn." He turned to the merchant who D'Argo was about to behead and smiled weakly. "We'll take it."

"Crichton!"

"Can it, Big Guy."

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"I can not believe you accepted that pitiful price."

"Look we were wasting time. We need to get the supplies back to Moya so that I can ask around about the wormhole ship."

"But I still do not see why we-"

"John!" He turned and saw Aeryn running towards them from his left.

"Hi. What did you get?"

"Nothing. There was nothing of any worth in that direction. Unless you count a proposal from a toothless Ignaryi warrior."

John laughed. "So when's the wedding?"

Aeryn rolled her eyes, smiling at him. "I'm hungry. Do you mind if we eat before we return to Moya?"

"I'm kinda peckish myself. I haven't seen anywhere that looked half decent though."

"There was a nice . . . well sort of nice looking place back there." Aeryn pointed over her shoulder.

"Oh, so is this where he gets to meet the family." Aeryn made a face at him as they made their way to the restaurant.

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As they entered, they saw a half-full eatery that reminded John of the bar in Star Wars. Looking around he could see various different species, but only one person that looked Sebecean. She had her back to them and was clearly a waitress. She had on a small yellow skirt, a green shirt and he could see the ties of an apron. Her blond hair was all wrapped up in a pleat around her head in a fashion that he recognized, with a few wisps dangling from the back and side; she was clearly being given a hard time by the large brown frog-like customer she was serving.

"Why don't you tell me what I'd like darling." The thing drawled at her.

"I'll tell you what I'd like to shuv straight up you arse in a minute if you don't tell me what the frell you want."

"Oh, my God." John froze when he heard her speak.

"Crichton . . . John, what is it?" Aeryn looked at him, a concerned look on her face as he stood, his eyes transfixed on the waitress.

"It can't be." He took a few tentative steps and said; "Hey, Princess Leia."

The girl whirled round to look at him, her face a vision of shock. "Johnny?"

"Yeah, it's me." They both suddenly smiled and the girl ran to him and he picked her up as they hugged tightly.

"Oh, my God, I can't believe I've found you," she said happily.

John put her down and looked at her with a puzzled expression. "How in the yotz did you get here?"

"I created a wormhole, a stable one. Only I had a little problem in shutting it."

"What kind of problem?"

"I can't." They smiled at each other as D'Argo and Aeryn looked on in shock and confusion.

"But-but I don't understand. Why did you create a wormhole?"

"To come look for you, or course." She said it such a matter of fact way that John felt foolish for asking. They again smiled at each other.

"Come here, gorgeous." He hugged her again only this time her feet stayed on the ground. As they pulled apart, his brows knitted together as he looked at her hair. "Thinking about Star Wars for a sec. Does this place not remind you of-"

"The Mos Eisley Cantina on . . ."

". . . Tatooine!" They finished together. They laughed together so comfortably that Aeryn felt something pull inside her. John turned to face her and D'Argo and smiled but he said nothing.

"Uh, Johnny. I think you'd better introduce me 'cause I think your girlfriend is about to hit me . . . or dump you. And either way, that's not good." John elbowed her before introducing them.

"Lucy, I'd like you to meet D'Argo and Aeryn. Guys, I'd like you to meet Lucy Crichton."

Aeryn froze. Crichton! But he'd have told me. Wouldn't he? Aeryn's face froze in shock and John thought he could see hurt in her eyes.

"My baby cousin." He continued as Lucy elbowed him.

"Less of the baby!"

Aeryn felt herself relax inside and out as she smiled and extended a hand to John's little cousin. "I believe a handshake is customary. Isn't it?" She looked at John for reassurance.

"That's right. You learn fast." He grinned and she smiled back, before shaking hands with Lucy.

"Lucy! Get back to work you lazy-"

"Just a minute! Ged!" Aeryn looked at her for a moment in confusion before turning to John.

"She sounds very different from you. Why is that?"

"I'm from Scotland," Lucy replied. "That's a completely different part of the world, so we speak differently."

"Oh . . . And Princess Leia?" John and Lucy smiled.

"Well . . . "

"Lucy, get back to work or loose your job!"

At this Lucy whirled round to face to small blue manager and replied, "Shuv yer job!" as they walked out of the restaurant.

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End of Part Two

Okay, am still wondering what the heck ever made me continue after this point, but I remember liking the middle and end, so don't give up, read on. If nothing else, it'll give you amusement as to how far I've come! ;-p