Chapter 6
July 24, 2000
Don is 27 years old today. This time last year we were flying away from chunks of rock and debris. He loved that! Unfortunately, we don't seem to have much to celebrate yet this year. Marcus finally did the enzyme procedure on his sacral nerves. He couldn't touch the lumbar area yet, because that will be much more complicated, thanks to the mess Dr. Smith made of his back. There hasn't been any effect yet, but it's only been two days.
"Judy! Where are you!" Don was searching all over the ship for her.
"I'm in our room!"
He was grinning when he found her. "Let me have your hand." He unbuttoned his waistband and slid her hand down until she touched him. "I feel it, sweetheart. I feel your hand there."
Her smile widened and she threw herself at him in a hug. "Do you want to try anything else?"
"Yeah, but give me a little time to get myself ready for you."
He has feeling! If nothing else, at least he can feel me touch him. I know he wants to go for more, but I hope he's not too disappointed if nothing happens. Marcus said that feeling would come back before movement. Dare we hope?
There wasn't time to do much else because Maureen had prepared a family dinner for them. Afterwards, Kairon and Ronon said that they had arranged something special and led them out to the swimming hole. Judy and Don were shocked at the changes to the familiar site. A tented shelter had been constructed with a bed inside. There were small lights and a few candles scattered around with soft music, a blend of both of their favorites, playing in the background. The sound of the cascading waterfall added to the ambiance, and the glow of the double moons, both half full, shone above them. They turned to thank their benefactors, but found that they had left as quickly as they had come.
"Care to skinny dip, lover?" Judy impishly asked.
"That and more," was his reply.
Dave Matthews' Lover Lay Down was playing in the background as they eased their way into the water. It was a warm night, and the water felt like silk against their skin.
"Spring sweet rhythm dance in my head
Slip into my lover's hands"
They floated for several minutes, and then Judy stood next to him and tilted her head in a questioning gesture. He nodded.
"Kiss me oh won't you kiss me now
And sleep I would inside your mouth"
She kissed his lips in a slow, leisurely fashion and made her way down his chest to his waist. He savored each kiss, each feather light lick of her tongue. He moaned when her lips explored below his waist. He marveled at the sense of her touch, yet there was no movement on his part. He couldn't stop the disappointment that crept through him, so he placed his hand under her chin and lifted her face to gaze sadly into her eyes.
"Don't be us too shy
For knowing it's no big surprise
That I will wait for you
I will wait for no one but you"
Judy knew exactly what was going through his head and reminded him, "Marcus said it would take some time."
"Oh please lover lay down
Spend this time with me
Together share this smile
Lover lay down
Spend this time with me"
She led him to the churning waters beneath the waterfall, and they allowed its therapeutic movement to massage their bodies. "Don't think, Don. Close your eyes and listen to the music."
"Walk with me, walk with you
Hold my hand, your hands
So much we have dreamed
And we were so much younger
Hard to explain that we are stronger"
They swam to the sandy side of the lake and lay partially out of the water, its gentle lapping caressing their legs and she leaned over and kissed him lovingly on the lips and again let her mouth drift slowly down his body.
"A million reasons life to deny
Let's toss them away
See you and me we
Lay down look see
She and he
By my lover's side
Together share this smile
Each other's tears to cry
Together share this smile
Lover lay down"
The music bathed his mind and the sensuousness of Judy's motions engulfed his being. She held his hips to steady him as she felt the tension build in his body. He placed his arm around her shoulders as he felt a rush begin at the base of his spine and work its way up, exploding in a cascade of energy.
"Oh please
Look please lover lay down
Oh please lover lay down
And you weep
Lover lay down
Cause it's over
Lover lay down
Say lover, say lover, say lover, say lover, say lover
Say…"
He called her name and whispered, "I love you. I love you," as tears formed in his eyes.
She held him close and responded, "It worked. Oh, Don, it worked."
Her own tears slid down her cheek and onto his chest as she listened to the steady beat of his heart. He clutched her to his body, never wanting to let her go. "Judy, were you okay with that?"
She smiled warmly and responded, "Very okay."
They made their way to the bed and lay down inside. Moonlight was streaming through the thin material, and the soft lights that surrounded them cast a dreamlike quality to the darkness. Judy poured a glass of brandy and offered it to him. "I guess this was Marcus' contribution to our night."
Don shook his head at the offer. "No, thanks, I don't want anything interfering with my, uh, functioning."
She took a sip, and started singing along with the music.
"You see I'm crazy for you
Touch me once and you'll know it's true
I never wanted anyone like this
It's all brand new, you'll feel it in my kiss
I'm crazy for you, crazy for you"
Don was never a Madonna fan, but as he heard those words, he almost wanted to sing along himself.
"Crazy for you," she sang to him as he leaned over and kissed her, gently, fully. His mouth felt warm and inviting, his lips wet and sensual as he touched light kisses across her neck to her ear.
"I have a promise to keep," he whispered.
She caressed his face and nodded. "Let me know what I can do to help."
"Just…" kiss. "Let me…" another kiss. "Love you..." a full, deep kiss.
He let his mouth drift over her body randomly. She was almost writhing in anticipation as he placed his hand messaged her with slow, firm strokes. He could feel himself respond. He wanted to shout out with joy, but he kept his mouth occupied. Finally, he turned over onto his back and indicated that she should sit astride him. He held her hips as she took his face between her hands. His eyes misted as her tears slipped down her cheeks and splashed onto his chest. She sensed the tension inside her building, but wasn't sure if it came from him or herself. Their eyes were locked in a penetrating gaze, unable to move away from each other's face. The energy continued to build and grow, like an ocean that had outgrown its bounds. Without warning, the waves began to swell and crash over and under their bodies. They were being carried away by a heaving sea of pleasure, emotion and love. Finally, breathless and spent, she collapsed and he hugged her tightly. She sobbed into his neck, and he stroked her hair.
"I never knew it could be so beautiful," he murmured.
"It was incredible," she sniffed and wiped her eyes, but the tears wouldn't stop.
"Why are you crying?"
"I don't know. I just love you so much."
Tears sprang to his eyes again, and he replied, "I know… you've always shown it. Do you know how much I love you, I mean really know?"
"Yes, I do."
"It's killing me to leave you in a few days. You know that, don't you?"
"Then take me with you."
"Oh, Judy, I want to, I so want to."
"Then do it."
He took her face in his hands and wiped a tear away with his thumb. "No, I can't do that. It won't be safe for you there."
"It wasn't safe last time either."
"He'll be looking for you this time. He'll know we're back."
"I'll take my chances if I can be with you."
He shook his head. "I'm hoping you'll be pregnant by the time I leave. I know it's still a long shot, but it is possible now."
She had no argument against that statement. So they lay side by side, wrapped in each others' arms and fell into a light sleep.
The family was nervously awaiting their return from the swimming hole. Maureen had prepared Don's favorite meal and made a pie as similar to Boston Cream, Don's favorite, as she could. Although no one would speak of it directly, they hoped that Don and Judy's night alone had been successful in every sense of the word. Maureen was relieved, therefore, when Judy commed to let her know that they would return by dinner time.
"Do you mind if I ask you how it went, Judy?"
"Mom, it was magical."
"So it all went… well?"
"Better than either of us expected it to."
Maureen happily relayed the information to the others. Even with all of the success they had had so far with the enzyme, Marcus continued to be amazed at its healing properties. He was eager to examine Don upon his return.
Will was assigned the task of watching for them, and, when he signaled that they were in sight, Ronon went into action.
"Prove it all night
Prove it all night
Girl, there's nothing else that we can do…
Prove it all night
Prove it all night
Girl, I'll prove it all night for you…"
Judy buried her face in embarrassment on Don's back as he shut down the engine. Don shook his head and looked down at the ground. It was just a little bit disconcerting to have so many people, especially Judy's parents, interested in their sex life.
"Well, Don, did I choose well?" Ronon inquired.
A grin spread over his face. "Extremely well."
Joy had returned to the Robinson's extended family. Conversation was lively and sometimes intense during dinner, but Judy drew the line at any further discussion of their night. Marcus pulled Don aside and mentioned that he wanted to examine him as soon as possible so he could document the effects of the procedure. Since Don had specific questions about his newly returned virility, they arranged for the examination before retiring for the evening. After the examination, Marcus informed him that he could permanently dispose of his catheter, of which Don was especially pleased.
"Marcus, what about fertility?"
"Even though your functioning has returned, we don't know if your body is manufacturing sperm yet."
"Can we do a sperm count?"
"I thought we should wait a few days before we do that."
"I'd like to do it now."
"We can, but we'll probably have to repeat it later."
"No problem."
Marcus retrieved a container from a cabinet and handed it over to him. "You can use the bathroom."
Don thought a moment and replied, "On second thought, how about if I just bring it to you in the morning? Judy might prefer that."
Marcus nodded and, as Don left, he let his thoughts drift back several decades to when he was young, innocent and idealistic. Don reminded him very much of himself at times, and he related too well to the dilemma that he and Judy were in. He only hoped that the outcome of their story would be better than his own.