The base was being rocked at its very core with exploding conduits and circuitry. John was running through the corridors pulse pistol in hand trying to find Aeryn. There were Sebecean bodies everywhere because of the heat. John commed Pilot.

John: "Pilot, I am at the lab. Where is Aeryn?"

Pilot: "Moya is reading her very near you Commander."

John started going through the bodies. He turned and saw a body lying in the corridor. He walked over slowly. He saw her long raven hair and kneeled down beside her very still body.

John: "Aeryn."

He turned her over slowly. She was sweating profusely. John holstered his pistol and scooped her up in his strong arms.

John: "Chiana, fired it up. I am on my way back with Aeryn."

He ran with her back to his transport. He got aboard and laid Aeryn down. He hopped in the pilot's seat and took off from the base. Just as they exited the bay doors the base the chargers begin to blow the base apart. Chiana was holding on to Aeryn.

Chiana: "John, she is not waking up. May be she was in the heat to long."

John: "Jool, we are going to dock near the medical bay. Prepare one of the cryochambers for Aeryn."

Chiana looked at the back of John's head and then down at Aeryn. She saw the dried blood on the side of Aeryn's head.

When they landed D'Argo, Crais, Jool, and Rygel greeted them. John carried Aeryn off the pod.

John: "Pilot is Talyn with us?"

Pilot: "Yes."

John: "Crais, tell him to starburst. Pilot, prepare Moya for starburst."

Jool opened the cryochamber. Crichton gently laid her inside. Jool closed the chamber and set it. Crais looked at John.

Crais: "She may have been exposed too long to the heat Crichton. Perhaps the most merciful thing we can do…."

John cut him off with a long stare.

John: "No, she will wake up. We just have to give her a chance. She has been through a lot. Just give her a chance."

John pushed the cryochamber into the medial bay. Jool and Chiana looked at each other.

*****

D'Argo sought out Jothee. He found him sitting on the observation deck.

D'Argo: "You handled yourself well on the base. You are becoming a true Luxan warrior."

Jothee: "In spite of myself."

D'Argo looked at him. Jothee looked up at him.

Jothee: "I didn't mean to betray you with Chiana. I have carried so much anger towards you for so long that it got the best of me. I am sorry. Chiana really cares about you and it wasn't fair of me to come between the two of you."

D'Argo: "It wouldn't have happened if Chiana and I weren't having our own problems. I think we all deserve some of the blame."

D'Argo sat beside his son.

D'Argo: "Are you going to stay on Moya?"

Jothee: "No, I am still trying to find my own way. When I am a true Luxan warrior that you can be proud of. I will return to you."

D'Argo looked at him. They hugged. Chiana was standing outside the room listening. She slipped away before either of them saw her.

*****

Aeryn was in the cryochamber until they were able to get her body temperature down to Sebecean normal. Once she was removed, Jool was able to remove the coolant suit and treat the other wounds she had sustained. She hadn't stirred in nearly 14 arns.

Crichton told Jool he would be back but to call him if anything changed. He went to his chambers and got cleaned up and changed.

D'Argo: "Pilot, where is Crichton?"

Pilot: "I show him on the terrace."

D'Argo: "Thanks."

D'Argo went to find John.

John was sitting in his familiar position on the terrace looking out into space. D'Argo came out on the terrace.

D'Argo: "Do you mind some company?"

John: "No."

D'Argo came out and sat beside him. John spoke without looking at him.

John: "How did it go with the Jothee?"

D'Argo: "We are making progress."

John: "Is he staying on Moya for a while?"

D'Argo: "No, he needs to find his own way. He can't do that here."

John: "I am sorry 'D'."

D'Argo looked at John.

D'Argo: "John, we need to talk about Aeryn."

John: "What about her? She is going to be fine. She is just resting."

D'Argo: "You know Aeryn's fear of the living death. She didn't want to be left in that state to suffer. It is time you kept your promise."

John looked at D'Argo then back up at the stars.

John: "I don't know how to let her go D'Argo. She is my moon and my stars. How do I let her go?"

D'Argo: "I don't know how to answer that my friend."

D'Argo laid his hand on his shoulder.

*****

Aeryn didn't know where she was but the place she was in was warm and safe. She heard someone whisper her name. "Aeryn, open your eyes." Her eyes opened slowly. She looked around.

Aeryn: "Zhann?"

Zhann: "Hello child."

Aeryn sat up slowly.

Aeryn: "Zhann, what are you doing here?"

Zhann: "Better question is what are you doing here."

Aeryn: "I must have died."

Zhann: "You are not dead yet, Aeryn. Your spirit is in between realms. I brought you here."

Aeryn: "Why?"

Zhann: "We need to talk about Crichton…both Crichtons."

Aeryn looked at her.

Aeryn: "You know about him?"

Zhann: "Yes, I was there when he crossed over to the other side."

Aeryn: "I miss him so much. I miss you too."

Zhann: "Then why are you wasting the gift that I gave you, child?"

Aeryn went over and sat beside Zhann.

Aeryn: "It is too hard Zhann. I feel so alone."

Zhann: "You are not alone. You have friends (family) and you have John who loves you so very much."

Aeryn: "I don't know how to let him in. It hurts too much."

Zhann reached up and stroked Aeryn's mane of thick hair.

Zhann: "Death is a natural part of life's cycle. You are grieving and that is normal. But don't close your heart because of the loss you have suffered. Some times we have to go through the bad to appreciate the good."

Aeryn: "I am hurting him and I don't know how to stop."

Zhann: "Do you love him? Separate from the other Crichton, do you love him?"

Aeryn didn't hesitate, which surprised her.

Aeryn: "Yes, I do."

Zhann: "Let your guard down. You don't have to protect yourself against John. He loves you so much and he will be there for you, if you allow him to be."

Aeryn laid her head on Zhann's shoulder.

Aeryn: "I am just so tired Zhann."

Aeryn's eyes closed slowly.

******

John was sitting beside Aeryn holding his pulse pistol contemplating D'Argo's words. He shook his head and holstered Wynonna. He took Aeryn's hand in his. He softly kissed the back of her hand and held it against his cheek. He suddenly felt exhausted. He laid his head down on the bed beside Aeryn and drifted off to sleep.

Jool came in to check on Aeryn. She was shocked at what she saw. Aeryn's eyes were open. John was asleep. Aeryn was gently stroking his hair. She gestured for Jool not to make a sound. She whispered.

Aeryn: "Don't wake him.

Jool smiled and left them alone.

******

After a couple of days Aeryn was back on her feet. She wasn't 100% yet but she was getting there.

John: "Pilot, where is Aeryn?"

Pilot: "The terrace."

John went to find her. Aeryn was lying on her back staring up at the stars. John smiled. He came out and sat beside her. He looked down at her then laid out beside her. He folded his arms under his head. She pointed up.

Aeryn: "Look John, Huey, Dewey, and Louie."

John turned and looked at her with a smile on his face.

John: "Don't forget the most important one, my guide, my point of reference."

He looked up at the sky and pointed.

John: "That bright one in the middle, Aeryn."

She smiled. She ran her fingers along his arm and interlaced her fingers in his. They hands lowered and laid between them. John turned his head and looked at her.

John: "You can be the Sundance to my Butch anytime."

Aeryn looked at him and started laughing. His smile faded into laughter. Aeryn moved her head closer to John and laid the top of her head against his cheek. They couldn't stop laughing. John kissed her forehead.