When You Least Expect It Part 12
Thanks to Neuroscpr for reading
Roland was binding John's ribs with the t-shirt Aeryn had taken off him. He was looking around the tunnel for anything else he might use, as he knew this was not going to be enough. "Frell Darion," Roland said to himself in frustration. He looked at Darion hoping he didn't hear him. He sighed relieved, when Darion didn't look his way.
Roland stopped for a minute in his ministering of John. It looked like John was waking and Roland didn't want that. He knew if John saw Darion he would never be able to keep him calm.
Roland saw John eyes fluttering as they opened. "No John, sleep," Roland, said trying to avoid him seeing Darion.
Darion overheard Roland and turned to them. "Oh John, so glad to see you awake finally," he said moving towards them. He was directly over John now, smiling. "Thought you could get away from me. I think not," he continued laughing out loud.
John struggled to get up. Roland immediately tried to hold John down.
"Let me go," John said struggling in Roland's grasp. "Let me at the son of a bitch!" John said trying to sound stronger than he really was.
"No, John. Listen to me," Roland pleaded, as John struggled even more against him. "You are too weak. You will only injure yourself more."
John lessened his struggles just to catch Roland off guard; he was definitely going to get Darion. As Roland loosened his grip on him, John caught him and knocked him back a few feet. Roland lay there gasping for air.
John rose to his feet, the adrenalin pumping. "You sorry excuse for a living being," John said as he was rising, using the wall for support. He advanced on Darion trying to stay steady on his feet.
Darion was laughing at John, seeing how much trouble he was having walking. "You are my prisoner and will remain that way. You can't fight me, John," Darion said even as John still approached.
Seeing Darion's laughter enraged John even more. "You're nothing but a piece of dren," John said lunging at him.
"No John!" Roland yelled.
xxxxx
Trevor, Aeryn and D'Argo were at the exits of the junction. One exit wasn't covered. They hoped they had picked the right exits to cover.
Their plan was a weak one and they knew it. They hoped to apprehend them as they exited the junction. The only good thing about it was they were all within distance to help each other. Now they just waited.
D'Argo hated waiting. He wished now he had just frelling killed Darion in the bar when he had the chance. Perhaps all of this would be over. 'Regrets, that's all we seem to have anymore,' D'Argo thought shaking his head.
The loud voices brought D'Argo out of his thoughts. Something was going on in the junction where John was being held.
D'Argo felt someone by his side. Without looking he knew it was Aeryn.
"Aeryn, what are you doing?"
"I'm not waiting any longer, D'Argo! Something is going on in there. I've got a bad feeling about it."
Suddenly they heard a sound they knew all too well. Pulse fire. This sealed their decision.
xxxxx
Derry and the men were at the tunnel entrance. He brought three of the men with him to help in the tunnel and left the other two outside in case Darion tried to get away. He told the men to watch for the tech that was coming to help, and keep her out of danger.
As they proceeded into the tunnel Derry explained to them they were going to take a shortcut to get to Travor. Once inside the junction, they quickened their pace as they heard angry voices. He didn't know who it was but he knew it couldn't be good.
Travor saw men advancing towards him. He was ready to defend himself if need be. He sighed with relief when he saw Derry.
"Derry, what are you doing here?" he whispered slightly agitated, even though he was glad to see him. "You are supposed to be meeting their friend."
"Everything's fine, Travor. These men have come to help. I met up with them as I was heading for the coordinates. They know the whole story. I sent another in my place to meet the pod," Derry said, happy to see his Uncle was all right.
"I'm actually happy you and the other men are here. I think we're going to need more help than I thought,' Travor said with a sigh.
"Where are D'Argo and Aeryn?"
"They are covering the other exits. I think. Since the pulse fire went off, I have my doubts," Travor replied, wondering what it all meant.
Derry saw the worry in his Uncle's face, "Let's try to find them. Shall we?"
Travor nodded and they took off in the direction of Aeryn and D'Argo.
xxxxx
The pod landed at the coordinates specified. Jool exited the pod looking for the man she was to meet. She saw someone running in her direction.
The man stopped gasping for breath. "Are you the tech?" He asked trying to catch his breath.
"Tech? Where's the tech?" Jool asked looking around her. "I don't see anyone here but you and me."
The man looked dumfounded at her. He decided to rephrase his question, "Are you Jool?"
"Why, yes that is my name. Are you here to meet me?" She asked eyeing him suspiciously. 'Tech!'
"I'm supposed to take you to your friends. We need to be on our way."
Jool entered the pod and returned with several cases of medical equipment she felt she might need. She hoped her selections had been correct. She set them on the ground looking at the man.
"First, don't call me a tech. I am no one's tech." He nodded. "Now pick up the cases and let's go. I have a friend who needs my help," she said feeling good about ordering him around, instead of the other way around.
The man quickly obeyed picking up the cases.
Jool let him take the lead as she followed.
"We must move quickly. I hope you can keep up with me," he said looking back at her.
"You just get us there. I'll be right behind you," Jool replied in a sarcastic tone.
xxxxx
Darion saw John lunge at him. He stepped out of the way before he could touch him. He watched as John collapsed on the ground, hearing the grunt as the breath was knocked out of him.
He lay there trying to get his breath back. His stomach was on fire and it hurt to breathe.
John heard the laughter. It grated on his nerves. It intensified his hatred of this man. He struggled to get to his feet in spite of the pain. 'I swear I'm gonna get rid of one useless piece of shit!' This thought gave John the strength to get to his feet.
John steadied himself against the wall before turning towards Darion's laughter. "Hey Darion," John said smiling, as he continued to breathe heavily. "How bout I wipe that shit eaten grin off your face," John said, his smile turning to stone.
Darion couldn't believe this man was coming at him again, as his laughter stopped. 'This is unbelievable,' he thought, as he saw John starting to advance on him again. Darion pulled his pulse pistol out.
"Stop now John, or I will kill you," Darion said as he aimed the gun at him.
Roland had recovered enough to see what was going on.
"Hell, Darion, that's what you had in mind from the start." John giggled momentarily, then sobered. "I'm probably already a dead man from your hospitality." John was staggering now as he continued to advance.
Darion started to pull the trigger as Roland lunged for him, "No Darion!"
A struggle ensued between them as the pulse pistol went off. Darion threw Roland off of him, and staggered back.
John saw the blood oozing from Roland's wound. He looked at Darion and realized he was stunned, looking at Roland.
John used this lapse on Darion's part to gain an advantage. He wasted no time in attacking Darion.
John's attack was not expected, as he wrestled the gun from Darion and threw it across the room.
John's fist connected with his jaw as he tried to get in several blows. The fight was escalating between the two, but Darion was getting the advantage as each blow he threw at John weakened him even more.
He could barely stand. The blood was running freely down his face from the numerous cuts Darion had inflicted on him. As Darion suddenly connected with his ribs, John howled out in pain and backed away.
Darion smiled as John cried out. He grabbed John before he could get away from him.
John knew he had to do something. He remembered the knife Aeryn had given him. He reached behind him and felt for it. Finally finding it he pulled it out and slashed it at Darion, cutting into his arm.
Darion retreated in pain, holding his arm. "Frell you!"
John had dropped to his knees, bent over, trying to hold on. "To…h..hell…with you!" John said collapsing, unconscious now.
Darion, enraged now, picked up his gun. "I'm going to end your life, you frelling human!"
Darion stopped. He looked around confused at the noise he was hearing. It sounded as if it was coming from different directions.
As he turned back to John, four people jumped through the junction.
"Put the gun down now, or I will kill you!"
Darion turned to the direction of the voice and found himself looking down the barrel of a pulse pistol.
"I will not repeat myself," Aeryn said demanding.
Darion started to drop his gun, hoping to make her believe he was doing as she asked.
He heard several sighs in the room, as he smiled looking away from them. Suddenly he lifted the pistol in one quick motion to take out the Peacekeeper.
D'Argo saw the quick movement and drove his Qualta Blade through him before he could get a shot off.
Darion gasped in astonishment as D'Argo withdrew the blade. He fell to the ground as Travor went to his side. There was nothing for Travor to do. Darion died as he hit the ground.
Travor dropped his head in sorrow. His hope for a peaceful ending was not realistic. He knew that now.
Aeryn rushed to John's side as D'Argo knelt by Travor. "I am sorry it had to end this way my friend. He left me with no choice," D'Argo said quietly to comfort Travor. He felt no remorse in Darion's death because of what he had done to his friend.
Travor nodded at D'Argo's words now looking up at him, "This is not your fault."
D'Argo looked to Derry as he rose to join Aeryn. Derry nodded and took D'Argo's place by his Uncle trying to console him.
By the time Aeryn got to John, he was curled into a ball, holding his stomach. His breathing was harsh and uneven, his face bloodied.
"John….John…can you hear me?" She asked with panic in her voice. "Frelling answer me! You can't die on me now. I…I…need…you," she spoke quietly with anguish in her voice.
Hearing Aeryn's panicked voice, D'Argo yelled at the other men, "Get Jool in here now!"
D'Argo moved Aeryn aside as he tried to see if the human was alive. "Where is that frelling thing he calls his pulse," D'Argo said in frustration. He wished now he had taken more time to learn about the human. Failing in that, he felt his back to see if he was still breathing. He sighed, relieved when he felt the rise and fall of his back.
Aeryn looked up at D'Argo in hope, her heart aching. He nodded not being able to form any words.
Roland slowly inched his way across the floor towards them. "Let me try to help." Aeryn looked at him with disgust.
"You! You tried to kill him with Darion! You deceived me!" She shouted in anger at him. "Why should I let you near him now?"
"Because he really is a healer," Travor spoke in a flat tone. "I don't think you need to fear him anymore."
D'Argo nodded to Aeryn, "Just until Jool can get here. We will watch him just in case."
They made room for Roland next to John. Aeryn saw the blood on Roland's chest, but felt no sympathy. 'He frelling got what he deserved,' she thought with hatred.
Roland was leaning over John trying to examine him. He knew their physiology was similar so he acted as if he was treating one of his own. Roland felt for his pulse and was relieved when he felt it even though it was very weak.
"I need some water and cloth. Is there any here Travor?" He asked never taking his eyes off John.
Travor rose glad to have something to do, besides think of Darion. He gathered the cloths he brought with him and the water stored in the junction.
Travor dropped to Roland's side with the supplies. Darion proceeded to put water on the cloth and wipe the blood away from John's face. As he applied the wet cloth to John's face, John involuntarily gasped in pain. 'Good,' Roland thought.
D'Argo grabbed him. "What are you doing? He's in pain. Can't you see that?"
Roland calmly responded, "In order for me to help, I need his help. Therefore as cruel as it seems I must have him awake."
As much as hated to admit it he made sense. "Continue." He wished Jool would get here.
Aeryn watched. Fear was growing in her heart. 'Please John wake up! Please!'
Jool finally appeared at the junction. She rushed to John's side when she saw his condition. "Who are you?" She asked looking at Roland.
"I'm a healer, but I have been treating him as one of my own since our species seems close to each other," Roland said having a hard time believing she could help him.
"Makes sense, even though you could be killing him at the same time." She busied herself checking his ribcage, even though his position made it difficult. "Frell, I can't feel all the damage done in this position."
"I am trying to wake him slowly," Roland said as he continued to wipe the blood from his face. John's eyes started to flutter. Roland knew he had achieved the result he wanted. "John?" Roland asked in a soothing voice. "Can you hear me?"
Jool looked on quite impressed with his ways.
John heard the voice but tried to fight it. He didn't want to wake up. All it brought was pain and cold. He wanted to go back to the warmth.
Roland noticed him fighting and said to Aeryn, "Talk to him. Maybe he'll respond to your voice. He can't fall asleep again."
Aeryn felt the lump in her throat. It took her a few minutes to compose herself enough to try to form the words she needed to say.
"Aeryn, he needs you now! Roland is right. We need him awake, that is if you want us to do anything for him," Jool shouted at her.
Aeryn was taken aback by Jool's words. She knew what Jool implied.
"John, I'm here. I need you to wake up," she broke off feeling the tears in her eyes. She dropped her head trying to compose herself again.
His eyes fluttered again, he was trying to open them. "Aeryn?… Is it really you?" he asked opening his eyes. He could not focus. "Naw gotta be a trick again."
"John, open your eyes," she said forcefully. "Look at me. I'm here. It's not a trick,' she said positioning herself directly over him.
"Come on John, open your eyes. We need you awake," D'Argo said hoping his voice would register with John.
"Hey, big guy is it really you?" John asked trying to move. He gasped in pain at the movement.
Aeryn laid her hand on him. "Don't move John. Just lie still," she said looking at D'Argo.
"John, it's me and Aeryn. Believe me. I would never mislead you," he said moving closer to John.
John hoped this wasn't a dream or it would crush him. He slowly opened his eyes and stared into Aeryn's face. He reached up and touched her face caressing it.
"Aeryn," he whispered seeing the tears slowly roll down her cheeks. He smoothed his hand over her face trying to wipe the tears away. He was so happy to see her. "Aeryn, please don't cry. I'm not dead yet, am I?"
Aeryn smiled. "Not yet, John," she said leaning down, caressing his face. She touched her forehead to his, and said with love in her voice, " Not for a long time if I have anything to say about it."
He pulled her down to him and just held her. He never wanted to let go.
Thanks to Neuroscpr for reading
Roland was binding John's ribs with the t-shirt Aeryn had taken off him. He was looking around the tunnel for anything else he might use, as he knew this was not going to be enough. "Frell Darion," Roland said to himself in frustration. He looked at Darion hoping he didn't hear him. He sighed relieved, when Darion didn't look his way.
Roland stopped for a minute in his ministering of John. It looked like John was waking and Roland didn't want that. He knew if John saw Darion he would never be able to keep him calm.
Roland saw John eyes fluttering as they opened. "No John, sleep," Roland, said trying to avoid him seeing Darion.
Darion overheard Roland and turned to them. "Oh John, so glad to see you awake finally," he said moving towards them. He was directly over John now, smiling. "Thought you could get away from me. I think not," he continued laughing out loud.
John struggled to get up. Roland immediately tried to hold John down.
"Let me go," John said struggling in Roland's grasp. "Let me at the son of a bitch!" John said trying to sound stronger than he really was.
"No, John. Listen to me," Roland pleaded, as John struggled even more against him. "You are too weak. You will only injure yourself more."
John lessened his struggles just to catch Roland off guard; he was definitely going to get Darion. As Roland loosened his grip on him, John caught him and knocked him back a few feet. Roland lay there gasping for air.
John rose to his feet, the adrenalin pumping. "You sorry excuse for a living being," John said as he was rising, using the wall for support. He advanced on Darion trying to stay steady on his feet.
Darion was laughing at John, seeing how much trouble he was having walking. "You are my prisoner and will remain that way. You can't fight me, John," Darion said even as John still approached.
Seeing Darion's laughter enraged John even more. "You're nothing but a piece of dren," John said lunging at him.
"No John!" Roland yelled.
xxxxx
Trevor, Aeryn and D'Argo were at the exits of the junction. One exit wasn't covered. They hoped they had picked the right exits to cover.
Their plan was a weak one and they knew it. They hoped to apprehend them as they exited the junction. The only good thing about it was they were all within distance to help each other. Now they just waited.
D'Argo hated waiting. He wished now he had just frelling killed Darion in the bar when he had the chance. Perhaps all of this would be over. 'Regrets, that's all we seem to have anymore,' D'Argo thought shaking his head.
The loud voices brought D'Argo out of his thoughts. Something was going on in the junction where John was being held.
D'Argo felt someone by his side. Without looking he knew it was Aeryn.
"Aeryn, what are you doing?"
"I'm not waiting any longer, D'Argo! Something is going on in there. I've got a bad feeling about it."
Suddenly they heard a sound they knew all too well. Pulse fire. This sealed their decision.
xxxxx
Derry and the men were at the tunnel entrance. He brought three of the men with him to help in the tunnel and left the other two outside in case Darion tried to get away. He told the men to watch for the tech that was coming to help, and keep her out of danger.
As they proceeded into the tunnel Derry explained to them they were going to take a shortcut to get to Travor. Once inside the junction, they quickened their pace as they heard angry voices. He didn't know who it was but he knew it couldn't be good.
Travor saw men advancing towards him. He was ready to defend himself if need be. He sighed with relief when he saw Derry.
"Derry, what are you doing here?" he whispered slightly agitated, even though he was glad to see him. "You are supposed to be meeting their friend."
"Everything's fine, Travor. These men have come to help. I met up with them as I was heading for the coordinates. They know the whole story. I sent another in my place to meet the pod," Derry said, happy to see his Uncle was all right.
"I'm actually happy you and the other men are here. I think we're going to need more help than I thought,' Travor said with a sigh.
"Where are D'Argo and Aeryn?"
"They are covering the other exits. I think. Since the pulse fire went off, I have my doubts," Travor replied, wondering what it all meant.
Derry saw the worry in his Uncle's face, "Let's try to find them. Shall we?"
Travor nodded and they took off in the direction of Aeryn and D'Argo.
xxxxx
The pod landed at the coordinates specified. Jool exited the pod looking for the man she was to meet. She saw someone running in her direction.
The man stopped gasping for breath. "Are you the tech?" He asked trying to catch his breath.
"Tech? Where's the tech?" Jool asked looking around her. "I don't see anyone here but you and me."
The man looked dumfounded at her. He decided to rephrase his question, "Are you Jool?"
"Why, yes that is my name. Are you here to meet me?" She asked eyeing him suspiciously. 'Tech!'
"I'm supposed to take you to your friends. We need to be on our way."
Jool entered the pod and returned with several cases of medical equipment she felt she might need. She hoped her selections had been correct. She set them on the ground looking at the man.
"First, don't call me a tech. I am no one's tech." He nodded. "Now pick up the cases and let's go. I have a friend who needs my help," she said feeling good about ordering him around, instead of the other way around.
The man quickly obeyed picking up the cases.
Jool let him take the lead as she followed.
"We must move quickly. I hope you can keep up with me," he said looking back at her.
"You just get us there. I'll be right behind you," Jool replied in a sarcastic tone.
xxxxx
Darion saw John lunge at him. He stepped out of the way before he could touch him. He watched as John collapsed on the ground, hearing the grunt as the breath was knocked out of him.
He lay there trying to get his breath back. His stomach was on fire and it hurt to breathe.
John heard the laughter. It grated on his nerves. It intensified his hatred of this man. He struggled to get to his feet in spite of the pain. 'I swear I'm gonna get rid of one useless piece of shit!' This thought gave John the strength to get to his feet.
John steadied himself against the wall before turning towards Darion's laughter. "Hey Darion," John said smiling, as he continued to breathe heavily. "How bout I wipe that shit eaten grin off your face," John said, his smile turning to stone.
Darion couldn't believe this man was coming at him again, as his laughter stopped. 'This is unbelievable,' he thought, as he saw John starting to advance on him again. Darion pulled his pulse pistol out.
"Stop now John, or I will kill you," Darion said as he aimed the gun at him.
Roland had recovered enough to see what was going on.
"Hell, Darion, that's what you had in mind from the start." John giggled momentarily, then sobered. "I'm probably already a dead man from your hospitality." John was staggering now as he continued to advance.
Darion started to pull the trigger as Roland lunged for him, "No Darion!"
A struggle ensued between them as the pulse pistol went off. Darion threw Roland off of him, and staggered back.
John saw the blood oozing from Roland's wound. He looked at Darion and realized he was stunned, looking at Roland.
John used this lapse on Darion's part to gain an advantage. He wasted no time in attacking Darion.
John's attack was not expected, as he wrestled the gun from Darion and threw it across the room.
John's fist connected with his jaw as he tried to get in several blows. The fight was escalating between the two, but Darion was getting the advantage as each blow he threw at John weakened him even more.
He could barely stand. The blood was running freely down his face from the numerous cuts Darion had inflicted on him. As Darion suddenly connected with his ribs, John howled out in pain and backed away.
Darion smiled as John cried out. He grabbed John before he could get away from him.
John knew he had to do something. He remembered the knife Aeryn had given him. He reached behind him and felt for it. Finally finding it he pulled it out and slashed it at Darion, cutting into his arm.
Darion retreated in pain, holding his arm. "Frell you!"
John had dropped to his knees, bent over, trying to hold on. "To…h..hell…with you!" John said collapsing, unconscious now.
Darion, enraged now, picked up his gun. "I'm going to end your life, you frelling human!"
Darion stopped. He looked around confused at the noise he was hearing. It sounded as if it was coming from different directions.
As he turned back to John, four people jumped through the junction.
"Put the gun down now, or I will kill you!"
Darion turned to the direction of the voice and found himself looking down the barrel of a pulse pistol.
"I will not repeat myself," Aeryn said demanding.
Darion started to drop his gun, hoping to make her believe he was doing as she asked.
He heard several sighs in the room, as he smiled looking away from them. Suddenly he lifted the pistol in one quick motion to take out the Peacekeeper.
D'Argo saw the quick movement and drove his Qualta Blade through him before he could get a shot off.
Darion gasped in astonishment as D'Argo withdrew the blade. He fell to the ground as Travor went to his side. There was nothing for Travor to do. Darion died as he hit the ground.
Travor dropped his head in sorrow. His hope for a peaceful ending was not realistic. He knew that now.
Aeryn rushed to John's side as D'Argo knelt by Travor. "I am sorry it had to end this way my friend. He left me with no choice," D'Argo said quietly to comfort Travor. He felt no remorse in Darion's death because of what he had done to his friend.
Travor nodded at D'Argo's words now looking up at him, "This is not your fault."
D'Argo looked to Derry as he rose to join Aeryn. Derry nodded and took D'Argo's place by his Uncle trying to console him.
By the time Aeryn got to John, he was curled into a ball, holding his stomach. His breathing was harsh and uneven, his face bloodied.
"John….John…can you hear me?" She asked with panic in her voice. "Frelling answer me! You can't die on me now. I…I…need…you," she spoke quietly with anguish in her voice.
Hearing Aeryn's panicked voice, D'Argo yelled at the other men, "Get Jool in here now!"
D'Argo moved Aeryn aside as he tried to see if the human was alive. "Where is that frelling thing he calls his pulse," D'Argo said in frustration. He wished now he had taken more time to learn about the human. Failing in that, he felt his back to see if he was still breathing. He sighed, relieved when he felt the rise and fall of his back.
Aeryn looked up at D'Argo in hope, her heart aching. He nodded not being able to form any words.
Roland slowly inched his way across the floor towards them. "Let me try to help." Aeryn looked at him with disgust.
"You! You tried to kill him with Darion! You deceived me!" She shouted in anger at him. "Why should I let you near him now?"
"Because he really is a healer," Travor spoke in a flat tone. "I don't think you need to fear him anymore."
D'Argo nodded to Aeryn, "Just until Jool can get here. We will watch him just in case."
They made room for Roland next to John. Aeryn saw the blood on Roland's chest, but felt no sympathy. 'He frelling got what he deserved,' she thought with hatred.
Roland was leaning over John trying to examine him. He knew their physiology was similar so he acted as if he was treating one of his own. Roland felt for his pulse and was relieved when he felt it even though it was very weak.
"I need some water and cloth. Is there any here Travor?" He asked never taking his eyes off John.
Travor rose glad to have something to do, besides think of Darion. He gathered the cloths he brought with him and the water stored in the junction.
Travor dropped to Roland's side with the supplies. Darion proceeded to put water on the cloth and wipe the blood away from John's face. As he applied the wet cloth to John's face, John involuntarily gasped in pain. 'Good,' Roland thought.
D'Argo grabbed him. "What are you doing? He's in pain. Can't you see that?"
Roland calmly responded, "In order for me to help, I need his help. Therefore as cruel as it seems I must have him awake."
As much as hated to admit it he made sense. "Continue." He wished Jool would get here.
Aeryn watched. Fear was growing in her heart. 'Please John wake up! Please!'
Jool finally appeared at the junction. She rushed to John's side when she saw his condition. "Who are you?" She asked looking at Roland.
"I'm a healer, but I have been treating him as one of my own since our species seems close to each other," Roland said having a hard time believing she could help him.
"Makes sense, even though you could be killing him at the same time." She busied herself checking his ribcage, even though his position made it difficult. "Frell, I can't feel all the damage done in this position."
"I am trying to wake him slowly," Roland said as he continued to wipe the blood from his face. John's eyes started to flutter. Roland knew he had achieved the result he wanted. "John?" Roland asked in a soothing voice. "Can you hear me?"
Jool looked on quite impressed with his ways.
John heard the voice but tried to fight it. He didn't want to wake up. All it brought was pain and cold. He wanted to go back to the warmth.
Roland noticed him fighting and said to Aeryn, "Talk to him. Maybe he'll respond to your voice. He can't fall asleep again."
Aeryn felt the lump in her throat. It took her a few minutes to compose herself enough to try to form the words she needed to say.
"Aeryn, he needs you now! Roland is right. We need him awake, that is if you want us to do anything for him," Jool shouted at her.
Aeryn was taken aback by Jool's words. She knew what Jool implied.
"John, I'm here. I need you to wake up," she broke off feeling the tears in her eyes. She dropped her head trying to compose herself again.
His eyes fluttered again, he was trying to open them. "Aeryn?… Is it really you?" he asked opening his eyes. He could not focus. "Naw gotta be a trick again."
"John, open your eyes," she said forcefully. "Look at me. I'm here. It's not a trick,' she said positioning herself directly over him.
"Come on John, open your eyes. We need you awake," D'Argo said hoping his voice would register with John.
"Hey, big guy is it really you?" John asked trying to move. He gasped in pain at the movement.
Aeryn laid her hand on him. "Don't move John. Just lie still," she said looking at D'Argo.
"John, it's me and Aeryn. Believe me. I would never mislead you," he said moving closer to John.
John hoped this wasn't a dream or it would crush him. He slowly opened his eyes and stared into Aeryn's face. He reached up and touched her face caressing it.
"Aeryn," he whispered seeing the tears slowly roll down her cheeks. He smoothed his hand over her face trying to wipe the tears away. He was so happy to see her. "Aeryn, please don't cry. I'm not dead yet, am I?"
Aeryn smiled. "Not yet, John," she said leaning down, caressing his face. She touched her forehead to his, and said with love in her voice, " Not for a long time if I have anything to say about it."
He pulled her down to him and just held her. He never wanted to let go.
