Crossroads---Part VIII
After watching John's message for his father, Aeryn began to realize just how much he gave up to come back to Moya, to come back to her. She wanted to make a gesture that would show him how much she loved and appreciated his sacrifice but she needed Jool to do it.
Jool arrived in the maintenance bay.
Jool: "Aeryn, Pilot said you wanted to see me. Why didn't you just com me?"
Aeryn: "I didn't want everyone to hear. In that effort, would you mind turning off your com?"
Jool was confused but she did it. She walked over to the table were Aeryn was sitting. Aeryn was holding a piece of metal polishing it with a cloth and there was a similar piece sitting in front of her on the table. Jool picked it up.
Jool: "This is lovely. Where did you get it?"
It was black and had a high gloss from Aeryn sanding and polishing it.
Aeryn: "They are from my prowler."
Jool: "What are you going to do with them?"
Aeryn grinned at her.
Aeryn: "You mean what are we going to do with them?"
Jool: "We?"
Aeryn: "I need something that only you can provide."
Jool looked at her.
Jool: "What?"
Aeryn: " A metal melting scream."
Before Jool could say another word, Aeryn pitched her as hard as she could. It killed Aeryn's eardrums but it had the desire effect. The metal was soft enough for Aeryn to shape and mold. After she did one she dropped it into the cool water to harden it. Jool grabbed her arm.
Jool: "Are you completely farbot?"
Aeryn: "I just have one more."
Jool: "No."
Jool tried to move away. Aeryn grabbed at her. Jool let out another scream. Aeryn shaped the second metal and dropped it into the water. Jool looked at her.
Jool: "What did you do that for? Why didn't you just ask me to scream?"
Aeryn: "Because I needed your best, this is tough material to work with."
Jool: "That really hurt."
Aeryn: "I am sorry. It is for a surprise for Crichton."
Jool looked at the redness on her arm.
Jool: "It better be worth it."
Aeryn smiled.
Aeryn: "It will be. Now I just need a few more things from you and Chiana."
Jool: "If you are going to hurt me again…"
Aeryn: "No, I need woman things. My wardrobe is kind of limited. I want this to be special and seeing me in peacekeeper leather isn't going to cut it."
Jool smiled.
Jool: "I was hoping you would ask for my assistance in your appearance. I could work wonders with that hair."
Aeryn looked the hair that was draping her shoulder.
Aeryn: "My hair? What is wrong with it?"
Jool took her arm.
Jool: "Come on. We have work to do."
Aeryn: "Don't get carried away."
Jool: "Trust me, John is going to love this."
Aeryn grabbed the cup of water holding the metal. Jool practically dragged her out of the maintenance bay.
******
John and D'Argo had been out on D'Argo's ship doing some maneuvers. D'Argo was enjoying learning how his new baby worked. John was staring at D'Argo.
D'Argo: "What?"
John: "Nothing you are just like in a candy store."
D'Argo: "What?"
John: "Excited, happy, giddy to the point of distraction."
D'Argo: "It is an amazing vessel. Every time I think I know all there is to know about it, I learn something new."
John: "Like women."
They looked at each other in silence for a microt and then laughed out loud.
*****
While Chiana and Jool were helping Aeryn prepare for Crichton's surprise, Rygel and Pilot were keeping an eye on Young Crichton in the den. It was one of Jack's favorite places to be. He could sit for arns watching Pilot manipulate Moya's systems and often has.
Rygel: "Frell this, how long do they expect me to sit up here? It is getting close to mealtime. I can tell from the noises my stomachs are making."
Pilot: "Dominar, I don't think you should be using that language around Young Crichton. I am not an expert but I don't think that is a word he should be learning so early in his development."
Jack threw his ball at Rygel and laughed. Pilot had a slight smile on his face. Pilot touched the side of Jack's head with one of his claws. Jack smiled back at him. Rygel spoke in a low whisper.
Rygel: "Yotz."
******
When D'Argo and John returned to Moya, Chiana was there to meet them. She had this strange look on her face. A look that made D'Argo and John stop in their tracks.
John: "What is the matter? Has something happened to Jack or Aeryn?"
D'Argo: "Is Pilot picking up a vessel on the scanners?"
Chiana looked at them inquisitively.
Chiana: "No and no. Everything is fine."
John: "Then what is with the look, Chi."
Chiana: "Aeryn ask me to come and give you a message."
John: "Well?"
Chiana: "Well what?"
John looked at D'Argo. They both looked at Chiana.
D'Argo: "Have you been in the frellip nectar?"
John: "What is the message, Pip?"
Chiana: "She wants you to meet her on the terrace."
John: "Why didn't you say so?"
He started to leave. Chiana threw her hand up to prevent him from walking out of the bay.
Chiana: "After you get cleaned up."
John: "What is going on?"
Chiana: "Why can't you just do as your mate requests?"
John looked at D'Argo.
John: "Women, something new every time."
They chuckled. John looked back at Chiana.
John: "Fine, I will go clean up first. Where is Jack?"
Chiana: "Don't worry about Jack. He is with Jool and Rygel. They are giving him his late day meal."
D'Argo: "Rygel is trying to get Young Crichton to eat. This I have got to see."
John: "Me too."
D'Argo and John started to leave the bay. Chiana laid her hand on John's chest and stared into his eyes.
John: "I know clean up first then terrace!"
He shook his head and walked out. Chiana looked at D'Argo.
Chiana: "What is this about women?"
D'Argo: "Lets go eat. I am starving."
He turned her toward the door and they walked out toward the food court.
*******
Crichton went into his chambers and took a quick shower. He changed into his signature black leather pants and a black t-shirt. He was slipping his second boot on when Pilot chimed in.
Pilot: "Commander, Officer Sun is requesting your presence on the terrace."
John: "Tell her I am on my way Pilot."
John picked up Winonna off the bed. He stood there for a second. He hung it on the hook by the door, out of Jack's reach, and walked out.
*****
John stepped to the terrace door and waved his hand over the controls. As the door opened he noticed the terrace was lit by a mixture of starlight and fluorescent sticks that were strategically placed. As the door opened all the way he saw Aeryn standing near the edge of the terrace with her back to him.
John: "Hey baby."
She turned around. John looked at her from head to toe. He whistled. She was wearing a black leather strapless bodice (accentuating her perfect bust line) with a sheer black skirt that went down to the floor (Jool had found this assemble at the last commerce planet). Her raven hair was pulled off her face showering down her back. She looked stunning. John stepped inside and waved his hand so the door would close. He walked toward Aeryn slowly. As she walked toward him, he could see she was barefooted. They stood in front of each other. He stared at her.
John: "You are the most amazing creature I have ever seen."
She smiled at him.
Aeryn: "I am glad you like it."
He walked around her slowly and slipped his arms around her waist from behind. She leaned her head back against his shoulder. Her forehead was resting against his chin.
John: "Like it? I love it."
He kissed the top of her head.
John: "Not that I am not very pleased but what is all of this for."
Aeryn turned and looked at him.
Aeryn: "Romance."
John smiled and looked at her from the corner of his eye.
John: "Now where did you learn that word?"
She smiled and took a step away from him.
Aeryn: "I have something for you."
John looked down at her sheer skirt and raised his right eyebrow.
John: "I can see that."
Aeryn: "Not that…not yet."
He looked up in her eyes.
Aeryn: "Close your eyes."
John didn't question. He didn't want to spoil the incredible mood that Aeryn had obviously gone through a lot of trouble to create. He closed his eyes.
Aeryn: "Hold out your hand."
John held his hand out. He felt Aeryn place something soft in his palm.
Aeryn: "Okay open them."
John opened them. There was a folded up piece of cloth in his hand. He looked up at her as he opened it. He looked down as the last flap was pulled off. He had a look of complete amazement on his face. He looked up at her.
Aeryn: "Do you like them?"
John: "Wedding bands? Where did you get these?!"
Aeryn: "I made them. I took some metal from my prowler and shined it up and Jool gave me a hand with the shaping."
Aeryn stepped close to John. She picked up his band.
Aeryn: "Which hand?"
John lifted his left.
Aeryn: "What do I say?"
John: "With this ring, I thee wed."
He looked in her eyes. She looked down at his finger and slipped the ring on slowly. She looked up in his eyes.
Aeryn: "With this ring, I thee wed."
His eyes flooded with tears. He picked up the other ring. Aeryn held her hand up. He looked in her eyes and slid it on her finger slowly.
John: "With this ring, I thee wed."
She smiled at him and lovingly wiped his tears away. He smiled at her.
Aeryn: "Are you not going to kiss your bride?"
He stepped close to her so that their bodies were pressed against each other. He took her face in his hands and stared into her beautiful eyes. She laid her hands on his hips.
John: "Oh hell yeah!!!"
He lowered his mouth to hers slowly. They shared a passionate, romantic, amazingly deep kiss. John broke the kiss to give them the opportunity to take breath. He looked in Aeryn's eyes.
John: "You will never know how much I love you at this very moment."
Aeryn: "Show me, husband."
He smiled and lowered his mouth to hers again.
John: "Do you know the only thing that would make this life more perfect?"
Aeryn: "What?"
John: "A little girl who looks just like you."
He ran the tips of his fingers over her chiseled, smooth cheekbones. She smiled. He kissed her lips softly.
Aeryn: "I love you so much."
John: "Beyond hope Baby."
After watching John's message for his father, Aeryn began to realize just how much he gave up to come back to Moya, to come back to her. She wanted to make a gesture that would show him how much she loved and appreciated his sacrifice but she needed Jool to do it.
Jool arrived in the maintenance bay.
Jool: "Aeryn, Pilot said you wanted to see me. Why didn't you just com me?"
Aeryn: "I didn't want everyone to hear. In that effort, would you mind turning off your com?"
Jool was confused but she did it. She walked over to the table were Aeryn was sitting. Aeryn was holding a piece of metal polishing it with a cloth and there was a similar piece sitting in front of her on the table. Jool picked it up.
Jool: "This is lovely. Where did you get it?"
It was black and had a high gloss from Aeryn sanding and polishing it.
Aeryn: "They are from my prowler."
Jool: "What are you going to do with them?"
Aeryn grinned at her.
Aeryn: "You mean what are we going to do with them?"
Jool: "We?"
Aeryn: "I need something that only you can provide."
Jool looked at her.
Jool: "What?"
Aeryn: " A metal melting scream."
Before Jool could say another word, Aeryn pitched her as hard as she could. It killed Aeryn's eardrums but it had the desire effect. The metal was soft enough for Aeryn to shape and mold. After she did one she dropped it into the cool water to harden it. Jool grabbed her arm.
Jool: "Are you completely farbot?"
Aeryn: "I just have one more."
Jool: "No."
Jool tried to move away. Aeryn grabbed at her. Jool let out another scream. Aeryn shaped the second metal and dropped it into the water. Jool looked at her.
Jool: "What did you do that for? Why didn't you just ask me to scream?"
Aeryn: "Because I needed your best, this is tough material to work with."
Jool: "That really hurt."
Aeryn: "I am sorry. It is for a surprise for Crichton."
Jool looked at the redness on her arm.
Jool: "It better be worth it."
Aeryn smiled.
Aeryn: "It will be. Now I just need a few more things from you and Chiana."
Jool: "If you are going to hurt me again…"
Aeryn: "No, I need woman things. My wardrobe is kind of limited. I want this to be special and seeing me in peacekeeper leather isn't going to cut it."
Jool smiled.
Jool: "I was hoping you would ask for my assistance in your appearance. I could work wonders with that hair."
Aeryn looked the hair that was draping her shoulder.
Aeryn: "My hair? What is wrong with it?"
Jool took her arm.
Jool: "Come on. We have work to do."
Aeryn: "Don't get carried away."
Jool: "Trust me, John is going to love this."
Aeryn grabbed the cup of water holding the metal. Jool practically dragged her out of the maintenance bay.
******
John and D'Argo had been out on D'Argo's ship doing some maneuvers. D'Argo was enjoying learning how his new baby worked. John was staring at D'Argo.
D'Argo: "What?"
John: "Nothing you are just like in a candy store."
D'Argo: "What?"
John: "Excited, happy, giddy to the point of distraction."
D'Argo: "It is an amazing vessel. Every time I think I know all there is to know about it, I learn something new."
John: "Like women."
They looked at each other in silence for a microt and then laughed out loud.
*****
While Chiana and Jool were helping Aeryn prepare for Crichton's surprise, Rygel and Pilot were keeping an eye on Young Crichton in the den. It was one of Jack's favorite places to be. He could sit for arns watching Pilot manipulate Moya's systems and often has.
Rygel: "Frell this, how long do they expect me to sit up here? It is getting close to mealtime. I can tell from the noises my stomachs are making."
Pilot: "Dominar, I don't think you should be using that language around Young Crichton. I am not an expert but I don't think that is a word he should be learning so early in his development."
Jack threw his ball at Rygel and laughed. Pilot had a slight smile on his face. Pilot touched the side of Jack's head with one of his claws. Jack smiled back at him. Rygel spoke in a low whisper.
Rygel: "Yotz."
******
When D'Argo and John returned to Moya, Chiana was there to meet them. She had this strange look on her face. A look that made D'Argo and John stop in their tracks.
John: "What is the matter? Has something happened to Jack or Aeryn?"
D'Argo: "Is Pilot picking up a vessel on the scanners?"
Chiana looked at them inquisitively.
Chiana: "No and no. Everything is fine."
John: "Then what is with the look, Chi."
Chiana: "Aeryn ask me to come and give you a message."
John: "Well?"
Chiana: "Well what?"
John looked at D'Argo. They both looked at Chiana.
D'Argo: "Have you been in the frellip nectar?"
John: "What is the message, Pip?"
Chiana: "She wants you to meet her on the terrace."
John: "Why didn't you say so?"
He started to leave. Chiana threw her hand up to prevent him from walking out of the bay.
Chiana: "After you get cleaned up."
John: "What is going on?"
Chiana: "Why can't you just do as your mate requests?"
John looked at D'Argo.
John: "Women, something new every time."
They chuckled. John looked back at Chiana.
John: "Fine, I will go clean up first. Where is Jack?"
Chiana: "Don't worry about Jack. He is with Jool and Rygel. They are giving him his late day meal."
D'Argo: "Rygel is trying to get Young Crichton to eat. This I have got to see."
John: "Me too."
D'Argo and John started to leave the bay. Chiana laid her hand on John's chest and stared into his eyes.
John: "I know clean up first then terrace!"
He shook his head and walked out. Chiana looked at D'Argo.
Chiana: "What is this about women?"
D'Argo: "Lets go eat. I am starving."
He turned her toward the door and they walked out toward the food court.
*******
Crichton went into his chambers and took a quick shower. He changed into his signature black leather pants and a black t-shirt. He was slipping his second boot on when Pilot chimed in.
Pilot: "Commander, Officer Sun is requesting your presence on the terrace."
John: "Tell her I am on my way Pilot."
John picked up Winonna off the bed. He stood there for a second. He hung it on the hook by the door, out of Jack's reach, and walked out.
*****
John stepped to the terrace door and waved his hand over the controls. As the door opened he noticed the terrace was lit by a mixture of starlight and fluorescent sticks that were strategically placed. As the door opened all the way he saw Aeryn standing near the edge of the terrace with her back to him.
John: "Hey baby."
She turned around. John looked at her from head to toe. He whistled. She was wearing a black leather strapless bodice (accentuating her perfect bust line) with a sheer black skirt that went down to the floor (Jool had found this assemble at the last commerce planet). Her raven hair was pulled off her face showering down her back. She looked stunning. John stepped inside and waved his hand so the door would close. He walked toward Aeryn slowly. As she walked toward him, he could see she was barefooted. They stood in front of each other. He stared at her.
John: "You are the most amazing creature I have ever seen."
She smiled at him.
Aeryn: "I am glad you like it."
He walked around her slowly and slipped his arms around her waist from behind. She leaned her head back against his shoulder. Her forehead was resting against his chin.
John: "Like it? I love it."
He kissed the top of her head.
John: "Not that I am not very pleased but what is all of this for."
Aeryn turned and looked at him.
Aeryn: "Romance."
John smiled and looked at her from the corner of his eye.
John: "Now where did you learn that word?"
She smiled and took a step away from him.
Aeryn: "I have something for you."
John looked down at her sheer skirt and raised his right eyebrow.
John: "I can see that."
Aeryn: "Not that…not yet."
He looked up in her eyes.
Aeryn: "Close your eyes."
John didn't question. He didn't want to spoil the incredible mood that Aeryn had obviously gone through a lot of trouble to create. He closed his eyes.
Aeryn: "Hold out your hand."
John held his hand out. He felt Aeryn place something soft in his palm.
Aeryn: "Okay open them."
John opened them. There was a folded up piece of cloth in his hand. He looked up at her as he opened it. He looked down as the last flap was pulled off. He had a look of complete amazement on his face. He looked up at her.
Aeryn: "Do you like them?"
John: "Wedding bands? Where did you get these?!"
Aeryn: "I made them. I took some metal from my prowler and shined it up and Jool gave me a hand with the shaping."
Aeryn stepped close to John. She picked up his band.
Aeryn: "Which hand?"
John lifted his left.
Aeryn: "What do I say?"
John: "With this ring, I thee wed."
He looked in her eyes. She looked down at his finger and slipped the ring on slowly. She looked up in his eyes.
Aeryn: "With this ring, I thee wed."
His eyes flooded with tears. He picked up the other ring. Aeryn held her hand up. He looked in her eyes and slid it on her finger slowly.
John: "With this ring, I thee wed."
She smiled at him and lovingly wiped his tears away. He smiled at her.
Aeryn: "Are you not going to kiss your bride?"
He stepped close to her so that their bodies were pressed against each other. He took her face in his hands and stared into her beautiful eyes. She laid her hands on his hips.
John: "Oh hell yeah!!!"
He lowered his mouth to hers slowly. They shared a passionate, romantic, amazingly deep kiss. John broke the kiss to give them the opportunity to take breath. He looked in Aeryn's eyes.
John: "You will never know how much I love you at this very moment."
Aeryn: "Show me, husband."
He smiled and lowered his mouth to hers again.
John: "Do you know the only thing that would make this life more perfect?"
Aeryn: "What?"
John: "A little girl who looks just like you."
He ran the tips of his fingers over her chiseled, smooth cheekbones. She smiled. He kissed her lips softly.
Aeryn: "I love you so much."
John: "Beyond hope Baby."