Title: The Journey Home

Chapter 9: Love is in the Air

Rated: R

***

"Well?"

"Well, first off, does anyone besides Pilot know I left?"

"No. Rygel might, but I don't think so."

Cassandra grinned. "Good, so our plan worked."

"Yep," Chiana said, a similar grin crossed her face.

"Okay. I told Pilot to make sure that Crais didn't know I was coming, but when he
told Talyn's Pilot, she started to refuse. Talyn intervened though and agreed not
to tell. I got the impression he was happy to be helping me sneak on board," Cassandra
said grinning. "Talyn's Pilot told me that Crais was asleep in his quarters, so when
I got there I didn't have to worry about finding him." Cassandra blushed slightly.
"I snuck into his quarters and stripped. I climbed in bed with him and fell asleep
in his arms."

"You went to *sleep*?" Chiana asked confused.

"Yes. It was actually really nice, because he woke up first."

^FLASHBACK BEGINS^

Crais was dreaming of *her*. He dreamed she still slept in his arms, that he was free
to run a hand down her back, to feel her soft curves pressed against him. He opened
his eyes when he heard a soft feminine sigh; Cassandra was wrapped around him in
slumber. He started to pull away in surprise, but stopped when she snuggled closer,
still deep in sleep. Her movements were causing his arousal to flare, and a soft gasp
escaped his lips.

'She snuck off Moya to be with you,' Talyn's voice echoed in his mind.

Crais gazed at her face, so peaceful in sleep. He brushed aside a strand of hair
revealing the long scar that stretched from her forehead to her cheek. He traced it
first with gentle fingertips, then his lips; slowly waking her with his tender touches.
Her eyes began to open, and he captured her lips in a gentle kiss. His hands caressed
her body, and a soft sigh escaped her when his lips traced the column of her throat.
Their loving was tender, without the desperation of their first. When the heights of
pleasure had been reached, they floated down into sleep.

^FLASHBACK ENDS^

Cassandra blushed as she continued to tell of her secret stay aboard Talyn. She omitted
the details of her 'encounters' with Crais, much to Chiana's disappointment. They had
spent the first day in bed for the most part; Talyn sent in a DRD with food when they grew
hungry. The second day they had done maintenance repairs and sat on Talyn's Terrace talking.

"You know what though, the entire time I was there, I kept catching him looking at me."

"Well, of course he was looking at you," Chiana said dryly.

"No I mean, he had this odd look on his face. It only happened when he thought I wasn't
looking at him."

^FLASHBACK BEGINS^

Crais watched Cassandra. She was sitting on the floor, legs out in front of her and
crossed at the ankles, leaning back on her hands, and staring at Earth through the window
of the Terrace. She reached up and brushed a strand of hair from her face. His heart
jumped as more of her captivating profile was revealed. She glanced at him, and flashed the
patent Crichton smile; the one that could make the recipient almost giddy with pleasure.

He almost said it. He almost said the three words that meant so much to him. He couldn't
tell her. Not when they were about to plunge right into the war. With the information
that John and Cassandra unlocked, the Peacekeepers, the Nebari, and the Scarrans would no
longer be a threat, but it would still take time to fight them. They both could still die
before it was over. No. It wasn't the time to tell her. When the war was over, when there
was some measure of safety for them, then he would tell her. Until then, it would be his secret.

Cassandra glanced at him again, she frowned slightly. "Is something wrong?"

"No, nothing is wrong." He smiled at her and stood. He reached down and helped her up.

"Are you sure nothing is wrong," she asked with a sly smile, and brushed her body against
his. He leaned close and captured her lips in a hungry kiss.

^FLASHBACK ENDS^

Cassandra scowled. "I don't know what he is thinking about when he looks at me like
that..." She looked up at Chiana. "I'm worried."

Chiana frowned, "Why 'cause he looked at you funny?"

Cassandra laughed, though it seemed almost forced. "No. Chiana... I think I might be in love
with him."

"That's a good thing... isn't it?"

"What if he doesn't feel the same?"

Chiana laughed. "He must be in love with you. Why else would he put up with your dren?"

Cassandra laughed slightly; she fell silent. "Do you really think so?"

Chiana stared at her friend. "I *know* so," she said seriously.

***

"No one appreciates me!" Rygel complained. John and Aeryn ignored him. "Do you know what that
crazy Banik accused me of?" He followed them as they walked down the hall to repair a conduit
in the neural cluster. "He said I was trying to steal--"

"Okay, Sparky!" John interrupted. "We know." He stopped and turned around to face the Hynerian
still following them. Aeryn stopped and glared at Rygel. "And unless you want to help us, GO AWAY!"

"How rude! I am a dominar!"

"You're going to be a dead dominar if you don't leave us alone," Aeryn said coldly.

Rygel floated up out of reach. "You just want me to leave so you can mate! I want you to tell
that Banik to leave me alone!"

John jumped up, trying to reach Rygel, who was laughing at his attempts. John reached for Aeryn
and grabbed her by the waist. "What are you doing?" she asked in surprise.

"Grab him." He lifted her up, and Aeryn automatically reached for Rygel.

Rygel screamed as Aeryn's hand came close to touching his throne sled. He took off down the
corridor, away from them. John laughed and lowered Aeryn, who used the opportunity to slid
her body against his. John was not laughing when her feet touched the floor. Aeryn, however,
was grinning. She backed up a step, turned, and walked down the hall. John let out a heavy
breath. "Wow."

He watched her for a moment; she stopped and flashed another smile over her shoulder. John
took off after her. When she heard him coming, she sped up. Soon the two were racing through
Moya's corridors, laughing. John caught her and pulled her into one of the empty cells.
Without bothering to speak, he kissed her hungrily. She responded, matching his desire with
her own. She reached for his shirt, and pulled it off of him, giving a cry of delight when
her hands encountered his flesh. He moaned in her mouth as her hands caressed his chest. He
pulled off her shirt, and she gasped when his hands touched her breasts. She pushed him down
to the floor; it would be quite awhile before they repaired the broken conduit.

***

TBC

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

Sorry it took so long to get this out, I've had finals so things were a little crazy. I've
still got one more, and my brain might need time to recover so it might be two days until the
next chapter goes out. I meant to write a note in the last chapter about finals but forgot,
sorry! the above reason is also why this chapter is shorter than normal

~Artemis Luna Diana~