Chapter 3
The group saw John and Maureen off in the Chariot after eating a delicious brunch prepared by Judy and the children. The next four days had been declared a holiday for everyone, and Don thought that it would be a good time for some of those "other" education classes that he had been putting off as being 'non-essential'.
The recruits clamored to see a demonstration of the wrestling techniques they had heard so much about. Don borrowed Will as his partner and ran through some of the basics. Scotter was impressed and thought that they should expand on the wrestling and teach it to the recruits, so another week was added to the training schedule.
The men had taken to sitting outside at night to debrief about the day's events, but, with no training occurring that day, the conversation took a more laissez faire attitude. Scotter had gone to bed, as he still tired easily since his recent heart attack. Will and Dr. Smith were teaching Marcus the game of chess, and Judy was checking with Penny about other recreational activities for Marcus.
"Don," Kairon asked, "Why were John and Maureen so anxious to get away from all of us and spend time alone? I would think that being with friends and family would be the most enjoyable thing they could want to do."
"Well, Kairon, there's this 'crazy little thing called love' that causes men and women to do a lot of irrational things, like wanting to alone to express their love to each other."
"But what will they do?"
Ronon blushed, having overheard Judy once or twice on the trip from Marvenius, but he had wondered the same thing at the time. "Would it have anything to do with 'making love'?" he asked.
"Well, ah, hm… let's see… uh… I think I'm in trouble here."
"Why is that? Is there something wrong about 'making love'?" Ronon pressed.
"No, it's just that, well, it's a private thing between two people."
"But I heard Judy's cry of pleasure one night when we were traveling. If it's private, why is it not quiet?"
Don cringed. He and Judy only worried about making too much noise when her parents and siblings were around. He forgot that these two young men were as innocent, if not more so, than Will and Penny.
Kairon spoke up again. "Wait, I thought love was a feeling. How can someone 'make love' when it is something we feel, not something we do."
"Alright," Don gave up. "Time for a sex education class."
"We know about sex. Sex is what one does for procreation." Kairon explained.
"Well, yes, but it's more than just about making babies. Take me and Judy, for instance. We can't have children, but we can enjoy sex."
"I always wondered. What is it that you do together, since you cannot procreate?" Ronon asked.
"Oh, where do I start? When two people love each other, sex is a way to show that love, and that's just as important as procreation. Do you know about the, uh, pleasure centers?"
"Pleasure centers? From what we have been taught procreation is pleasurable for men, but not at all for women. They have no pleasure centers."
"Well, if you've heard Judy, then you know that's not true. Women can be as orgasmic as men if they are treated the right way."
Don found that the more he talked, the more questions they had, but the less self-conscious he became with the topic. By the end of the night, he had educated them quite well on what men and women enjoy, as well as the responsibility and methods of safe sex. He even touched on masturbation and homosexuality and wondered if Ronon would take the opportunity to tell Kairon about his feelings towards him. Ronon chose to remain in the closet, however, and Don was respectful of that choice.
"Don, please stop me if I am being too bold, but, since you have few pleasure centers that are functioning, do you enjoy 'making love'?" Kairon asked.
Don felt naked and vulnerable at that question, but this would help to teach one of the most valuable lessons about sex. "Yes, Kairon, I do. It's a wonderful feeling to know that you can give that much pleasure to another person whom you love with your entire being. I might not be able to feel the physical aspects of sex when it comes to an orgasm, but the emotional ones are that much stronger for me. In fact, it took a long time for me to allow Judy to touch my… non-functioning parts, but I've learned that, even though I can't physically feel it, the emotions are overwhelming. You have to allow yourself to be vulnerable, and that was really hard for me. But… that kind of intimacy can only happen if you trust the other person enough to believe that they won't purposely hurt you. That's a very large part of romantic love between two people."
As if on cue, Judy came out to join them and overheard the last few lines he had said. "And what have you nice gentlemen been talking about tonight?" she asked as she placed a kiss on her husband's cheek.
Don decided to deflect the question, "Oh, nothing important."
"Actually, Judy, we were able to solicit that sex education class from Don, just as you suggested tonight." Kairon admitted.
Don turned an incredulous eye towards her. "This topic was your idea?"
"Well, if I recall, you did promise to discuss it with Ronon. I thought tonight would be an excellent night for it." She leaned down and teased, "Did you tell them how good you are?"
Don blushed, but couldn't resist telling her. "Uh, I didn't have to. You already did that for me."
"Um, what do you mean, 'I already did'?"
"I'll tell you, when we're alone." He squeezed her hand and turned his attention back to the two men he was mentoring. "Goodnight guys. Oh, and one more thing. Masturbation won't make you go blind." He winked at them and asked Judy, "Ready?" At her nod, he led her back into the ship.
The siblings were having a marvelous time teaching Marcus, as well as the others, about recreation. He had taken well to chess, which was Will's contribution, and was now learning about literature from Penny. He was currently engrossed in the Dickens novel, A Tale of Two Cities. It was tedious in that, although he had mastered speaking English, reading it was another matter, so Penny read aloud to him as he followed along. He found the activities he had learned so far rejuvenating and looked forward to more 'recreation.'
Dr. Smith felt that classical music would be a natural fit for Marcus, and he introduced him to Brahms, Bach and Hayden. Penny added Tchaikovsky, Mozart and Beethoven. He found that Mozart touched him the most, and Penny promised to show him the movie, Amadeus as a future recreational activity.
The rest of the recruits were not as enamored with classical music as Marcus was, so Don and Judy pulled out their own collection of CD's for their listening pleasure. Don's taste encompassed the classic rock sound, while Judy's leaned towards Broadway show tunes and popular music. The men didn't care much for Madonna, so Don took over their musical education.
His first attempt was one of his favorite albums from his high school years, U2's Rattle and Hum. Kairon, especially related to the music and adopted "Pride (In the Name of Love)" as the theme song for the rebellion. He felt that it was particularly appropriate since April 4th was mentioned in the song, and it happened to be the exact date when he and the others left Marvenius to seriously plan the revolution.
"Now, since you like them, you might like Bruce Springsteen, who was my brother, Chuck's, favorite. Then there's The Dave Matthews Band, the group that I was hot on when we left Earth… but I'll save both of them for another day, since I have to get dinner ready."
Don thought that Judy deserved a break from cooking meals, so he enlisted Will's help in setting up the food and video for the evening's entertainment. All he had to do was pop the pizzas in the oven and make the popcorn. Will set up the video equipment and ran the audio through the translator, so that none of the story would be lost on the Marvenians. Food in hand, they were ready to begin.
"A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…"
All were mesmerized by the unfolding story of a small band of rebels fighting an evil empire. Even Scotty and Marcus clamored for the second and third movies of the trilogy before the end of the night. The group was too stimulated to go to bed after the ending credits of Return of the Jedi, and a discussion ensued.
As expected, Kairon showed the most enthusiasm, and effused, "Don, you're like Luke Skywalker."
"Actually, Kairon, I think of myself more as the Han Solo type."
Penny, usually reticent when around the large group of men, shyly commented, "I think you're more like Luke Skywalker, Kairon."
Judy and Don caught each other's eye and smiled. They had wondered when her interest in Kairon would surface.
Kairon blushed deeply and graciously thanked her. "You are too kind, Penny. Perhaps, someday, I will be as heroic in life as he was in the movie."
'Yup, definitely straight,' Don thought as he glanced at Ronon and knew that he was thinking the same thing.
Judy was starting to clean up when Don snared her around the waist and brought her onto his lap. "Let the others do that. Tonight is your night off."
"I thought tonight was your night for kitchen duty."
"Ah, but shared with Will. I cooked, so he cleans up." He raised an eyebrow. "Want to go in and play some Han Solo and Princess Leia?"
She wrapped her arms around his neck. "Okay, but no metal bikini."
"Nah, too noisy."