Part XIV
John couldn't wait for Aeryn and D'Argo to come over. He hopped in a pod and headed over to Talyn. D'Argo greeted him in the docking bay.
John: (with a Cheshire cat smile on his face) "D'Argo!"
D'Argo: "It is good to see you."
They tapped each other's chest, as they have gotten into the habit of doing when they greeted each other. John looked around.
John: "Where is Aeryn?"
D'Argo: "She is resting. I was about to wake her when Crais let me know the pod was approaching."
John: "Is she all right?"
D'Argo: "She got an injury to her leg but otherwise she is fine."
John: "Her leg? Where is she?"
D'Argo: "I will take you to her."
John: (angrily) "Where is Velorek?"
D'Argo: "Dead."
John and D'Argo walked out of the docking bay.
*****
John stood in the chamber door where Aeryn was sleeping. D'Argo touched John's shoulder.
D'Argo: "I am going to head back to Moya. I will let Jool know about Aeryn's injury and that you will be docking near the med bay."
John: "Thanks `D'. Would tell Chiana to bring Jack to the med bay when we arrive?"
D'Argo: "You got it."
D'Argo left. John was about to walk in when Crais called to him.
Crais: "Commander Crichton."
John: "Crais."
Crais looked in on Aeryn.
Crais: "If Aeryn needs blood or anything, you let me know. I will be there."
John looked in his eyes.
John: (reluctantly). "Thanks. Thank you for bringing her back safe."
Crais bowed his head slightly.
Crais: "I will be in command if you need any help moving her."
John: "We will be fine. I will have Jool contact you if we need anything."
Crais looked in at Aeryn then back at Crichton. He walked away.
****
Crichton walked in to the chamber. He looked at Aeryn's leg. There was blood seeping through the bandage. He looked at her face as he slowly sat down beside her trying to be careful not to wake her. He took her hand in his carefully. He lifted her hand and laid it against his cheek. He looked down at her face. She had several tiny cuts and abrasions. He saw the dried blood in her hairline.
John: (whispering). "Oh baby."
He let out the deep breath he didn't realize was caught inside. He leaned down and gently kissed her lips. Aeryn's eyes opened slowly. She saw the face of her beloved hovering above her.
Aeryn: "If I am dreaming, please don't wake me."
John smiled and kissed her again. Her hands came up and rested on either side of his face. He broke the kiss and looked into her eyes.
John: "May be we are both dreaming."
She smiled at him. He laid his forehead against hers. His eyes closed.
John: "You kept your promise. You didn't leave me behind."
Aeryn: "Was there ever any doubt?"
John looked down at her leg.
Aeryn: "What? That? I suffered worse injuries in commando training."
He laughed softly and shook his head. She smiled at him.
Aeryn: "You have something that belongs to me."
John had an inquisitive look on his face. She lifted her left hand and wiggled her ring finger. He grinned and licked his lips.
John: "Oh, you mean this."
He reached into his shirt and pulled the ring out on a chain. He had worn it around his neck since she gave it to him. He opened up the chain and took the ring off. He held Aeryn's hand and slipped the ring down on her finger slowly. He softly kissed her hand. She smiled at him.
Aeryn: "Thank you."
She looked at the ring on her finger.
John: "Thank you. For coming back to me."
They shared a deep kiss. John looked in her eyes.
John: "How is your leg?"
Aeryn: "It hurts."
He stood up and kneeled down slightly. He helped Aeryn off of the bed. She was putting her weight on him instead of on the leg. When they stepped out into the corridor, John scooped her up in his strong arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck and laid her head on his shoulder.
Aeryn: "How is my boy?"
John: "He will be better now that his mom is home."
John took Aeryn to his transport and brought her back to Moya.
******
While Jool took care of Aeryn's leg, John sat beside her with Jack on his lap. Jack was babbling non-stop at his mother. She couldn't understand half the stuff he was saying but it was the most wonderful sound. Chiana appeared in the doorway with Rygel and D'Argo. Aeryn looked over at Chiana and mouthed the words `Thank you'. Chiana acknowledged her with a smile.
Chiana: "So are you going to tell us what happened at the facility?"
Aeryn got this faraway look in her eyes. John reached over and stroked her forehead.
John: "Not now Chi, after she gets some rest."
Jool: "John is right. Aeryn needs to rest."
Aeryn: "Can I rest in my chambers? I don't want to stay here."
John looked at Jool.
Jool: "I don't see why not as long as you stay off your leg."
John: "She will. I will make sure of that."
Aeryn agreed and Jool let her go back to their chambers.
******
Aeryn and John were lying in bed together. His back was against the chamber wall and her head was resting on his chest. Jack was asleep between them. Aeryn was softly stroking his hair.
Aeryn: "Velorek was going to take Talyn apart."
John: "Crais and D'Argo filled me in."
Aeryn: "My betrayal destroyed the person he used to be. The compassionate, caring soul he was."
John: "You didn't destroy anything. He let go. He let go of what he believed in and who he was."
She rested her forehead against his chin. He turned slightly and kissed it. Aeryn laid her arm across his chest. John ran his fingers through her mane of hair.
John: "Go to sleep Baby."
She snuggled close to him.
Aeryn: "Tell me a story."
John smiled. He looked at Jack. That was the most peaceful he had slept since Aeryn left.
John: "A story? All right. Do you want dungeons and dragons? Guns blazing and swords wielding?"
Aeryn: "No."
John: "Okay."
He thought for a microt.
John: "I have one. Are you ready?"
Aeryn snuggled her head on his chest.
Aeryn: "Ready."
John wrapped his arm around her stroking her back in a soothing manner.
John: "Once upon a time there was a beautiful girl who was named Snow White..."
******
John joined D'Argo and Chiana in command.
D'Argo: "John, how is Aeryn?"
John: "She is fine. She and Jack are sound sleep."
Chiana: "May be you should get some sleep too old man."
John: "I am too wired to sleep. Pilot, how is Talyn?"
Pilot's image appeared on the clamshell.
Pilot: "He told Moya of his adventure. He doesn't seem any the worse for wear."
John: "Good I am glad."
Pilot: "Moya and I are happy that Aeryn has returned safe."
John: "Thanks Pilot. Me too."
Jool entered command.
Jool: "How is Aeryn doing?"
John: "Fine thanks to you. She is asleep."
Jool: "It is no wonder. She has really been through it. In her condition, I am amazed that she is doing so well."
John, D'Argo, and Chiana looked at her strangely.
Chiana: "Her condition?"
D'Argo: "What are you talking about? She was a little banged up but aside from the leg she was fine."
John: "Did you find something you haven't told us about?"
Jool: "I was studying some blood samples from all of us to see if that synthetic tissue that I found in Zhann's lab would be compatible on all of us or if it would just work on Sebeceans. When I looked at Aeryn's sample, I saw an anomaly."
Just as she finished her sentence, Rygel flew in on his throne sled. John had a concerned look on his face.
John: "What kind of anomaly? Is Aeryn all right?"
Rygel: "Has Aeryn brought some kind of space disease aboard Moya?"
John: (intensely) "Shut up Buckwheat. Sebeceans don't get diseases. Jool?"
Jool: "Aeryn doesn't have a disease. Well, I guess it is how you look at..."
She was babbling.
John: "Jool!"
Jool: "She is with child."
Everyone was shocked.
John: "What?"
Chiana: "What?"
D'Argo: "What?"
Rygel: "Yotz!"
Pilot: "When did you do this sampling?"
Jool: "A few microts ago."
Chiana: "Aeryn would have never gone with Velorek if she knew she was with child."
John: "Come with me Jool."
Jool: "Why?"
John: "Chi is right. Aeryn would have never risked our child to go on this mission. She obviously doesn't know. She needs to be examined to make sure the child is all right."
John took Jool by the arm and walked her out of command. Rygel shook his head.
Rygel: "Another one on board."
Chiana smiled.
Chiana: "I hope this one is a girl."
D'Argo chuckled. Rygel flew off on his throne sled.
*****
John woke Aeryn so Jool could examine her. He scooped Jack off the bed and carried him to his chambers next door. He laid him down and sat there for a few microts. He was worried about the possibility that Aeryn might have lost the baby without even knowing that she was pregnant.
Jool appeared in the doorway of Jack's chamber. John looked at Jack and stepped out into the hall.
John: (worriedly) "Well?"
Jool: (smiling) "Mother and child are doing fine."
John was excited.
John: "Are you sure? Everything is okay."
Jool: "It all looks fine."
He hugged her. John went into their chambers.
Aeryn was lying her side with her back to the door. John smiled slightly and sat beside her on the bed.
John: "Aeryn."
She didn't answer. He laid his hand on her back.
John: "Aeryn?"
Aeryn: "I could have killed our child."
John lowered his eyes. He laid down and pressed his body against hers. He wrapped his arm around her waist and laid his hand on her flat stomach.
John: "She is fine according to Jool."
Aeryn turned her head slightly.
Aeryn: "She?"
John: "Do you remember what I said would be the only thing that could make this life more perfect?"
She smiled.
Aeryn: "Refresh my memory."
John: "A little girl who looked just like her beautiful mother."
John rubbed his nose against her nose. She smiled.
Aeryn: "Thank you."
John: "What for?"
Aeryn: "Coming back."
John: "I was dumb to think I could ever stay away."
She turned to face him. He stroked her cheek. She laid her hand on his chest and slowly moved it down his stomach. When she reached his mivonks, he let out a low moan. He raised his right eyebrow slightly and smiled.
John: "Are you sure you are up to that?"
She smiled coyly.
Aeryn: (speaking seductively) "I am pregnant, not dead."
They laughed. John pulled her closer to him being careful of her leg. They started to kiss passionately.
John couldn't wait for Aeryn and D'Argo to come over. He hopped in a pod and headed over to Talyn. D'Argo greeted him in the docking bay.
John: (with a Cheshire cat smile on his face) "D'Argo!"
D'Argo: "It is good to see you."
They tapped each other's chest, as they have gotten into the habit of doing when they greeted each other. John looked around.
John: "Where is Aeryn?"
D'Argo: "She is resting. I was about to wake her when Crais let me know the pod was approaching."
John: "Is she all right?"
D'Argo: "She got an injury to her leg but otherwise she is fine."
John: "Her leg? Where is she?"
D'Argo: "I will take you to her."
John: (angrily) "Where is Velorek?"
D'Argo: "Dead."
John and D'Argo walked out of the docking bay.
*****
John stood in the chamber door where Aeryn was sleeping. D'Argo touched John's shoulder.
D'Argo: "I am going to head back to Moya. I will let Jool know about Aeryn's injury and that you will be docking near the med bay."
John: "Thanks `D'. Would tell Chiana to bring Jack to the med bay when we arrive?"
D'Argo: "You got it."
D'Argo left. John was about to walk in when Crais called to him.
Crais: "Commander Crichton."
John: "Crais."
Crais looked in on Aeryn.
Crais: "If Aeryn needs blood or anything, you let me know. I will be there."
John looked in his eyes.
John: (reluctantly). "Thanks. Thank you for bringing her back safe."
Crais bowed his head slightly.
Crais: "I will be in command if you need any help moving her."
John: "We will be fine. I will have Jool contact you if we need anything."
Crais looked in at Aeryn then back at Crichton. He walked away.
****
Crichton walked in to the chamber. He looked at Aeryn's leg. There was blood seeping through the bandage. He looked at her face as he slowly sat down beside her trying to be careful not to wake her. He took her hand in his carefully. He lifted her hand and laid it against his cheek. He looked down at her face. She had several tiny cuts and abrasions. He saw the dried blood in her hairline.
John: (whispering). "Oh baby."
He let out the deep breath he didn't realize was caught inside. He leaned down and gently kissed her lips. Aeryn's eyes opened slowly. She saw the face of her beloved hovering above her.
Aeryn: "If I am dreaming, please don't wake me."
John smiled and kissed her again. Her hands came up and rested on either side of his face. He broke the kiss and looked into her eyes.
John: "May be we are both dreaming."
She smiled at him. He laid his forehead against hers. His eyes closed.
John: "You kept your promise. You didn't leave me behind."
Aeryn: "Was there ever any doubt?"
John looked down at her leg.
Aeryn: "What? That? I suffered worse injuries in commando training."
He laughed softly and shook his head. She smiled at him.
Aeryn: "You have something that belongs to me."
John had an inquisitive look on his face. She lifted her left hand and wiggled her ring finger. He grinned and licked his lips.
John: "Oh, you mean this."
He reached into his shirt and pulled the ring out on a chain. He had worn it around his neck since she gave it to him. He opened up the chain and took the ring off. He held Aeryn's hand and slipped the ring down on her finger slowly. He softly kissed her hand. She smiled at him.
Aeryn: "Thank you."
She looked at the ring on her finger.
John: "Thank you. For coming back to me."
They shared a deep kiss. John looked in her eyes.
John: "How is your leg?"
Aeryn: "It hurts."
He stood up and kneeled down slightly. He helped Aeryn off of the bed. She was putting her weight on him instead of on the leg. When they stepped out into the corridor, John scooped her up in his strong arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck and laid her head on his shoulder.
Aeryn: "How is my boy?"
John: "He will be better now that his mom is home."
John took Aeryn to his transport and brought her back to Moya.
******
While Jool took care of Aeryn's leg, John sat beside her with Jack on his lap. Jack was babbling non-stop at his mother. She couldn't understand half the stuff he was saying but it was the most wonderful sound. Chiana appeared in the doorway with Rygel and D'Argo. Aeryn looked over at Chiana and mouthed the words `Thank you'. Chiana acknowledged her with a smile.
Chiana: "So are you going to tell us what happened at the facility?"
Aeryn got this faraway look in her eyes. John reached over and stroked her forehead.
John: "Not now Chi, after she gets some rest."
Jool: "John is right. Aeryn needs to rest."
Aeryn: "Can I rest in my chambers? I don't want to stay here."
John looked at Jool.
Jool: "I don't see why not as long as you stay off your leg."
John: "She will. I will make sure of that."
Aeryn agreed and Jool let her go back to their chambers.
******
Aeryn and John were lying in bed together. His back was against the chamber wall and her head was resting on his chest. Jack was asleep between them. Aeryn was softly stroking his hair.
Aeryn: "Velorek was going to take Talyn apart."
John: "Crais and D'Argo filled me in."
Aeryn: "My betrayal destroyed the person he used to be. The compassionate, caring soul he was."
John: "You didn't destroy anything. He let go. He let go of what he believed in and who he was."
She rested her forehead against his chin. He turned slightly and kissed it. Aeryn laid her arm across his chest. John ran his fingers through her mane of hair.
John: "Go to sleep Baby."
She snuggled close to him.
Aeryn: "Tell me a story."
John smiled. He looked at Jack. That was the most peaceful he had slept since Aeryn left.
John: "A story? All right. Do you want dungeons and dragons? Guns blazing and swords wielding?"
Aeryn: "No."
John: "Okay."
He thought for a microt.
John: "I have one. Are you ready?"
Aeryn snuggled her head on his chest.
Aeryn: "Ready."
John wrapped his arm around her stroking her back in a soothing manner.
John: "Once upon a time there was a beautiful girl who was named Snow White..."
******
John joined D'Argo and Chiana in command.
D'Argo: "John, how is Aeryn?"
John: "She is fine. She and Jack are sound sleep."
Chiana: "May be you should get some sleep too old man."
John: "I am too wired to sleep. Pilot, how is Talyn?"
Pilot's image appeared on the clamshell.
Pilot: "He told Moya of his adventure. He doesn't seem any the worse for wear."
John: "Good I am glad."
Pilot: "Moya and I are happy that Aeryn has returned safe."
John: "Thanks Pilot. Me too."
Jool entered command.
Jool: "How is Aeryn doing?"
John: "Fine thanks to you. She is asleep."
Jool: "It is no wonder. She has really been through it. In her condition, I am amazed that she is doing so well."
John, D'Argo, and Chiana looked at her strangely.
Chiana: "Her condition?"
D'Argo: "What are you talking about? She was a little banged up but aside from the leg she was fine."
John: "Did you find something you haven't told us about?"
Jool: "I was studying some blood samples from all of us to see if that synthetic tissue that I found in Zhann's lab would be compatible on all of us or if it would just work on Sebeceans. When I looked at Aeryn's sample, I saw an anomaly."
Just as she finished her sentence, Rygel flew in on his throne sled. John had a concerned look on his face.
John: "What kind of anomaly? Is Aeryn all right?"
Rygel: "Has Aeryn brought some kind of space disease aboard Moya?"
John: (intensely) "Shut up Buckwheat. Sebeceans don't get diseases. Jool?"
Jool: "Aeryn doesn't have a disease. Well, I guess it is how you look at..."
She was babbling.
John: "Jool!"
Jool: "She is with child."
Everyone was shocked.
John: "What?"
Chiana: "What?"
D'Argo: "What?"
Rygel: "Yotz!"
Pilot: "When did you do this sampling?"
Jool: "A few microts ago."
Chiana: "Aeryn would have never gone with Velorek if she knew she was with child."
John: "Come with me Jool."
Jool: "Why?"
John: "Chi is right. Aeryn would have never risked our child to go on this mission. She obviously doesn't know. She needs to be examined to make sure the child is all right."
John took Jool by the arm and walked her out of command. Rygel shook his head.
Rygel: "Another one on board."
Chiana smiled.
Chiana: "I hope this one is a girl."
D'Argo chuckled. Rygel flew off on his throne sled.
*****
John woke Aeryn so Jool could examine her. He scooped Jack off the bed and carried him to his chambers next door. He laid him down and sat there for a few microts. He was worried about the possibility that Aeryn might have lost the baby without even knowing that she was pregnant.
Jool appeared in the doorway of Jack's chamber. John looked at Jack and stepped out into the hall.
John: (worriedly) "Well?"
Jool: (smiling) "Mother and child are doing fine."
John was excited.
John: "Are you sure? Everything is okay."
Jool: "It all looks fine."
He hugged her. John went into their chambers.
Aeryn was lying her side with her back to the door. John smiled slightly and sat beside her on the bed.
John: "Aeryn."
She didn't answer. He laid his hand on her back.
John: "Aeryn?"
Aeryn: "I could have killed our child."
John lowered his eyes. He laid down and pressed his body against hers. He wrapped his arm around her waist and laid his hand on her flat stomach.
John: "She is fine according to Jool."
Aeryn turned her head slightly.
Aeryn: "She?"
John: "Do you remember what I said would be the only thing that could make this life more perfect?"
She smiled.
Aeryn: "Refresh my memory."
John: "A little girl who looked just like her beautiful mother."
John rubbed his nose against her nose. She smiled.
Aeryn: "Thank you."
John: "What for?"
Aeryn: "Coming back."
John: "I was dumb to think I could ever stay away."
She turned to face him. He stroked her cheek. She laid her hand on his chest and slowly moved it down his stomach. When she reached his mivonks, he let out a low moan. He raised his right eyebrow slightly and smiled.
John: "Are you sure you are up to that?"
She smiled coyly.
Aeryn: (speaking seductively) "I am pregnant, not dead."
They laughed. John pulled her closer to him being careful of her leg. They started to kiss passionately.