Title: The Journey Home

Chapter 4: Entrances and Exits

Rated: R

***

Chiana left Cassandra and Crais sensing the two were wanting to have some alone time. She
took off for Rygel's quarters, figuring they could find some mischief to get into. Crais
and Cassandra walked in silence around Moya. They enjoyed the comfort of being together and
the steady activity that kept them from pouncing on each other.

Without realizing it, they had walked to her quarters. Cassandra hesitated then opened the
door. "Do you want to come in?" she asked entering. Crais followed her in without replying.

Cassandra picked up some of the clothes she had scattered over the floor and placed them on the
chair. She stared down at the chair, without turning she spoke, "I'm worried about tomorrow."

"Why?"

"Something could happen. Everything could go wrong. I mean, John and I both want to go down to
the planet. What if, when we do, they capture us?"

"I would free you."

"What if I die?"

Cassandra felt Crais come up behind her. He placed his hands on her shoulders and turned her to
face him. "I won't let anything happen to you."

She gave a shaky smile, "Promise?"

"Always." He leaned close, and their lips met in a gentle kiss. Cassandra wrapped her arms
around his neck and pulled him closer as the kiss began to grow more passionate. Crais guided them
over to the bed as they began to remove each other's clothes. "Are you sure about this?" he asked
softly. Cassandra had always been the one to stop them from going to far.

"Right now, it's the only thing I am sure of," she said and their lips met for a deep kiss.

***

"Pilot? What was that?" Aeryn asked as Moya shuddered slightly.

"It's Talyn. He's firing his main cannon," Pilot replied.

"What?!" D'Argo's voice shouted into the com.

"Why is he firing?" Chiana asked and began to head for Command.

"He says there is no danger... he has stopped."

"Then why was he firing?" John asked.

"He says, it's because he is happy."

"Because he's happy?" Jool asked confused.

"What the frell is he happy about?" Rygel asked.

"We could ask Crais..." Stark began.

"No, I believe we should leave Crais alone," Zhaan said cutting him off with a meaningful glance.

"Oh I see," Stark said softly.

"What do you see? Zhaan, what's going on?" John asked frustrated.

"Oh, I get it," Chiana said laughing. "Talyn's happy cause Crais and Cassandra are frelling." She
collapsed to the floor as her laughter got more and more out of control. "Do you think this will
happen every time?" she wheezed, laughing so hard she could barely breathe.

"Body-breeders!" Rygel muttered and his com clicked off.

D'Argo was failing to control his laughter so his com clicked off soon after Rygel's and Jool
followed suit. Chiana's laughter cut off as she clicked off her com, though those close to her
location could still hear her laughing. Stark and Zhaan clicked off silently, happy smiles
spreading across their faces. Aeryn grinned at John, reached over and tapped his com.

"I really didn't want to know..." he said trying not to smile.

***

Crais woke slowly. He could feel a slight pressure on his chest and without opening his eyes, he
knew it was Cassandra he felt wrapped around him.

'It is nearly time to begin,' Talyn's voice echoed in his mind.

Crais didn't reply. He slowly got up from the bed, careful not to wake her. He dressed quickly and
walked back over to her sleeping form. He brushed her hair away from her face with the back of his
hand. He leaned close and placed a soft kiss on her cheek. "I love you," he whispered. He stood and
left the room.

'I am happy for you,' Talyn spoke softly.

Deep in thought, Crais did not answer. He entered the docking bay and boarded the transport he had
arrived in, and left for Talyn.

***

"And so it begins."

John shot Cassandra a look, and she shrugged. "That's not the best line to use in this situation," he
said and looked back down at the panel in front of him.

"Why not? I could actually imagine Kosh saying that right now." Cassandra walked over to him and
watched him input the data.

"Because the war began right after he said it."

"Good point."

John looked up when he finished and turned to his family and friends. "Are you ready?"

D'Argo glanced around and answered for everyone, "Yes."

"Pilot, are Talyn and Moya ready?"

"Yes, John."

"Then let's go."

The crew watched anxiously as a wormhole began to form in front of the two leviathans. It stabilized
and Moya moved forward. Moya shuddered as she entered the wormhole. "Is Talyn following?" Cassandra asked.

"Yes. His Pilot says that he is nervous, but Crais is keeping him calm," Pilot replied. Moya
shuddered again. "We will exit the wormhole in 10 microts."

The crew was silent, other than Zhaan's calming chants. Her voice soothed them, when their fear
began to increase. Cassandra gripped her hands together in an effort to keep them still. John
clasped Aeryn to his side and their eyes met. John looked down at his son resting in her arms, then
back up at her. The worry was evident in his eyes. Aeryn tightened her hold on her mate, trying to
calm him.

"We are through the wormhole," Pilot's voice broke their thoughts.

Cassandra looked up, and John turned to see. They both gasped softly. Earth was right in front of them.

"Talyn is through. Everyone is unharmed," Pilot informed them.

***

"Sir!" A middle-aged Colonel burst into the room, waving a piece of paper. He rushed to the side of
the Secretary of Defense and handed it to him. He read it and slowly stood in shock. He turned to
the President, who was staring at him waiting for an explanation. "Mr. President, two alien ships have
appeared in Earth orbit."

"What?!" he asked in surprise.

"It's been confirmed. The Russians have already contacted us asking if we have any information."

"My, God." He stared at the Defense Secretary in horror. "Do we know if they are hostile?"

He glanced down at the piece of paper in his hand. "The larger of the two ships, is heavily armed. We
don't know about the other."

The President stood. "Get the cabinet together and the joint chiefs. We need to decide what to do
about this. Get a hold of IASA, NASA, hell contact SETI, I want to know what they think about this."

"Yes, Sir."

***

"Is that Earth?" Rygel asked.

John glanced over at him, grinning like a loon. "That's Earth."

"It's beautiful," Zhaan said smiling.

"What do we do now?" Stark asked.

"Wait," Cassandra said, her own smile fading.

"Wait?" D'Argo asked.

"We figured they'd try and contact us. We think it might be best if we waited for them to do so,
instead of adding to their surprise immediately," John explained.

"So, we wait," Cassandra confirmed.

***

TBC

WELL... what do ya think? Please review or send me an e-mail!

I also do not own B5... for those of you who did not recognize were the Kosh statement came from: Babylon 5

~Artemis Luna Diana~