Chapter 2

The zipper on the front of her flight suit wasn't all the way up and the amount of cleavage that was visible was enticing him. He wanted to reach out, unzip the suit and take her to bed. He knew that until she got out into space and speed around in the module she'd be angry and frustrated.

John understood how Aeryn worked and she needed to find a different sort of release before they reached for it together. Her mind was so tuned to battle mode that it was hard for her to move passed things. Flying recklessly in space was one of the ways she'd discovered that made her feel moderately better. Taking him to bed afterwards seemed to cure all that still ailed her. He had no qualms with her methods but sometimes he longed to skip step one.

"Are you ready, John?" Her low voice lilted against his ears as he looked over at her. She was smirking at him, following his gaze right to the path between her breasts. "Those are for later. Lets get going, I need to fly."

"As long as later is a promise." He offered his hand to help her into the module before climbing in behind her.

He settled with her between his thighs, pulling her back against him more firmly. She ignored him and continued flicking the various switches and turning all the important knobs. Her hands moved with confidence. She was certain of the process of flight and he knew that made her feel braver afterward when she was less secure with love. Flight was something she'd been molded to do. Love was what she was taught could never be, should never be. He was sad for her but the fact that he was going to be the one to show her how wonderful it was to be in love made him enormously happy.

"You sure know your way around my module."

"It's so primitive." She smiled back at him. "This is similar to Peacekeeper technology about three hundred cycles ago. Humans can't be expected to be able to keep up with us."

"This human can keep up with you just fine." He reached around her waist and tugged at her zipper, slipping a hand under the fabric and cupping her breast through her clothing. "I'll prove it to you." He gave he a light squeeze and lowered his head to kiss at her neck.

"Stop trying to distract me." She pulled his hand out of her flight suit, kissed his palm and set it back at her waist. "Later you can prove your prowess to me, right now I want to get out of this place. I'm being nice and letting you come with. Don't make me regret it."

He kissed her neck and then laid back. She turned her head toward him and grinned. He thought that she uttered some words but her voice was too low and soft for him to understand.

"You ready?" His voice held a hint of anticipation. He loved flying with her, watching her handle the controls. The way she could caress the ship to do exactly what she wanted. It was like she spoke to it lovingly and it responded to her just like he did. The module gave her exactly what she wanted and as quickly as it could. Somehow she'd wrapped his hunk of metal and wires as tightly around her finger as she'd done to him.

At her nod they both pulled on their flight helmets. The needed to wear them until they adjusted to the pressure and air change from Moya to the modules system in space.

John pulled the glass down around them, sealing them into the ship. There was a sucking noise as the mechanisms made sure that none of the vacuum of space would enter the safety of their pod. He double checked Aeryn's helmet, rubbed her along the ribs and then braced for take off against his seat. The force always sent him flying backwards so he'd learned to be ready against the seat.

"Here we go." She flipped the final switch and sent the engine roaring to life. The nose of the module slowly rotated towards the opening docking bay. The blackness of space inviting them to go play. The twinkling stars pointing a thousand different destinations out, beckoning them to come explore this way and that.

She pushed on the stick and sent the module into overdrive. They whipped out of the runway into the ink of space. Moya quickly disappeared behind them as they flew. Crichton reached above them and switched the comms to a closed channel. One where they could talk and not get interrupted by everyone and their mother still on the ship. The last thing he needed was Rygel listening in and annoying Aeryn again.

"It's just us now, baby. Comms are silent to Moya."

"Good. We don't get enough time to ourselves. It's always something. Someone to rescue, a con to pul off, food to get… who knows what will be next." Aeryn reached for some more controls setting the shuttle to a comfortable cruising speed and turning on the navigation sensors for random space debris.

"So you have to kidnap me in my own module just to get me alone." John pulled his helmet off as he felt the air pressure around them stabilize. When his was secured in the compartment next to him he unclipped hers. He tugged it free of her head and placed it next to his in it's slot.

Aeryn shook her head, freeing her hair, letting it cascade down her shoulders.

"You were a very willing participant in this kidnapping. Which would hardly make it a kidnapping at all."

"Well you were very enticing in your methods." He leaned forward and swept her hair away from her neck. His lips moved along the column and up to her ear. "Always… enticing." He took her earlobe between his lips and tugged on it letting his mouth explore the soft skin along her hairline, behind her ear. His hands moved from her waist up her ribs drawing her closer to him.

"Where do you want to fly to, John?" Aeryn struggled to speak, her words were more of a moan then a distinguishable sentence.

"Anywhere you want to fly, baby, you can take us both to such great heights."

"Oh, I know I can." She picked up one of his hands with hers and placed it over her breast. "Hold on, we're going towards my star." She felt him gently kneed her through all the layers of her clothes and suit but it still felt amazing.

"Should I be holding with both hands?" As he spoke he cupped her other breast. He could see her hips rock and her shoulders came back and leaned harder against his chest.

"I can tell you are enjoying this trip already." The hardness against the middle of her back was a clue, she didn't know if they'd both be able to hold off until they returned to their quarters. It felt good to know that she effected him so quickly, so passionately. She could feel the way he loved her in the way his hands held her. The way he let her melt into him, she was so completely gone for him that if she wasn't already banished from the Peacekeepers these feelings were most certainly cause them to disown her. The ice that previously had provided a solid wall around her heart was wholly melted.

"I'd be enjoying it, you, us a lot more with less clothing and a comfortable bed…" His mouth opened and he suckled on her neck, stopping before he would leave a bruise, then licking the slight ache away. Her head tipped back and he connected his mouth to hers. Tongues were clashing with a fury of passion. Her hands were on his head and pulling him closer, impossibly close, their lips were barely able to move with the way she was drawing him him.

The bright flash surprised them both. They'd often set a course aimed at her star. Never before had there been a problem, never had the bright blue and white light of a wormhole interrupted their heated sessions.

John pulled back so hard and fast that he banged his head on the back of the module seat. He moaned in pain and rubbed the spot on his skull that made the impact.

"John!" She flew forward and retook control from the navigation system. "What do I do? John?"

"Aeryn… I can't… I don't know." He couldn't focus, his head throbbed, black dots were dancing in his vision. He blinked hard to try to drive them away. He needed to help her but he couldn't grasp onto his thoughts. It was a struggle to stay awake.

"It's sucking me in John!" She was pulling on the stick trying to yank the module away from the wormhole's gravity. They'd been taken unaware and so close to where it had formed that it seemed almost hopeless to attempt. "Crichton! Focus! If we go in can you get us back?" She glanced back and he was looking awful. The pain that was floating in his eyes made her panic more. She could see the bright red blood on the white skin of his neck.

"Try the reverse thrusters. Over there." He pointed to a big red switch on the side. But he knew it was already too late. The wormhole wanted them, it was taking them. He watched her flip on the reverse engine and for a micron it looked like it would work. They hovered and jerked backward. The progress was short lived as the wormhole grew hungrier and the gravity dragged them in.

"We're in, frell! What should I do?"

"Just fly, baby, just fly. Where ever we end up there will be another wormhole to get back, eventually. I'll find it, when I can think again."

They both murmured hopeful prayers as they tumbled through the space time continuum, just needing to end up a place where getting back wouldn't be an issue. Would they be lucky enough for that?

Richard's arms were full of root vegetables and he had a basket loaded with blackberries and strawberries hooked over his elbow. He knew how much Kahlan enjoyed the sweet red treats and the dark purple ones would go well with a rabbit. Blackberry sauce wasn't just delicious with pheasant.

The quiet that surrounded him made him feel more at peace then he'd been for a long time. They'd left Cara and Zedd behind about a week ago and it had been heaven. No constant snarking and complaining, no belly rumbling and whining for food. Just him and the woman he loved more than anything.

After they sealed the rift and saved the world, again, he'd wanted nothing more than to take her in his arms and hold her forever. The reality that he couldn't be confessed had hit them both like a flock of gars. He'd been speechless. Her mouth had found his and for what seemed like hours they'd kissed. It must have only been a few minutes later when Cara cleared her throat to get their attention. Then she'd informed them that it would be dark soon, they needed to seek shelter. Cara muttered something about them getting a room before turning to leave.

It was then that Richard had made the decision. One that he regretted everyday since, but he was sure it was the right thing to do. The Seeker was so very good at being right- doing the right thing, heading the right direction. For once he should have let them be a little wrong. His honor wouldn't allow it.

Her body had draped over him that first night, they'd all laid down surrounded by the warmth of the fire, damp with the salty, humid air of the sea drifting in the cave they'd found. Kahlan had been bolder then he'd ever experienced. She'd waited for him to settle in and then sat down next to him. He could see that she was nervous and he opened his arms. The smile that lit up her face as she fell against him had made the day into perfection.

The cool touch of her fingers under his shirt had surprised him and he jumped. She'd asked if he was alright and that's when he spoke the words that sealed their agonizing doom.

"We should wait." He groaned just recalling what he'd done. Her hand had stilled it's journey against the soft skin over his ribs. He saw the tear escape the corner of her eye before she was able to wipe it on the sleeve of her dress.

The thing with that sort of sentence is that you can't take it back. He didn't want to hurt her. He'd only wanted to make it that much more special. The bumbling way he explained it seemed to make the situation even worse.

"Why wait?" She'd asked.

"I want it to be perfection. Not on a hard ground in a nameless cave." The excuse even sounded weak to him, wherever she was made it perfect.

"But… you've had me before. Just not all of me…" Her voice was quieter and shakier. Another tear had formed and escaped from around her gorgeous blue eye. He hated being the cause of her pain.

"It wasn't right either. I wish I hadn't done that. It was desperation driving me. I regret it now." He'd stuck his foot in his mouth then. She looked like he'd kicked her favorite puppy.

"You regret being with me?" She was crying openly now and sat up. He knew that under normal circumstances she'd have been much more rational about the whole situation but earlier in the day she'd been in Con Dar, stabbed and killed him, had to race and drag him towards the pillars, then to find out that it was all over. Her body was shutting down emotionally. It wasn't the right time to broach any of this. He knew that if he hadn't they would have thrown away their first time. The frantic need would have made it rushed and he wanted her to remember it fondly instead of with pain.

"I regret that it wasn't all of you. It was just part of you and I don't only want the pieces. I'm greedy, Kahlan, I want it all. I need to show you how much I love you in a comfortable bed. Not rushed and frantic on the hard floor of a cave."

That seemed to improve her mood, a small smile had crinkled her cheeks and her eyes lost the sad look they'd had moments before. Richard felt slightly better. There was one other reason he wanted to wait. He wanted to marry her first. It should be official, he wanted her to carry no shame in their relationship, even if it was minimal. She was in a position of great power and influence. He knew that if they were in her home he'd never be allowed alone with her until they were wed. He'd also heard her hinting at how quickly confessors could conceive and he wanted to make sure they were wed in case she became pregnant.

He wanted to ask her when the time was right. But this would be as good as any. Richard sat upright and pulled her with him. Their knees were overlapping they were sitting so closely. He could feel the soft puff of her breath on his face and the firelight illuminated her face making her glow a lovely shade of pinkish orange. He reached into the inside pocket of his vest. The small metal circlet had been there for months. He'd been anticipating this moment and he never thought it would be preceded by her tears and him refusing to lay with her, for now anyway.

"Kahlan." She'd nodded slightly and he leaned in to kiss her. Her lips were far to red and full to resist. It was a short kiss, barely beginning before he ended it. She'd been caught off guard by it and her mouth was open and he could tell her heart beat had risen. She was so responsive, why had he decided that they needed to wait again? His train of thought was lost for a minute so he started again.

"Kahlan. You're everything to me. The only woman I will ever love." This time she leaned in and kissed him. He let her lead them along for half a minute before pushing her back far enough so he could speak to her while looking her in the eyes. "We love each other more than some of the most powerful magic in all the world."

"It's unbelievable, Richard, I never even let myself hope it would come to be."

He reached for her face and cupped her cheek. There was a constant desire to touch her and he indulged in it for the moment.

"I know, I always had enough hope for the both of us. Magic has never been able to dictate my life. I'm glad that I'm still one up on it." His other hand picked up her left hand, placed her fingers against his palm and then squeezed them. Her knuckles were to his lips and he was kissing them before he could think about what he was doing. "I love you, more than magic. Will you marry me?"

"Richard, I…"

He was nervous now, watching as she looked around the room at a the sleeping figures of Cara and Zedd. Why was she hesitating?

"Kahlan?"

"I was just checking if they were asleep first." The smile that she only used for him lit up her face then she spoke. "I will. I'd love to be your wife."

It felt surreal, slipping the silver circlet onto her left ring finger. They both stared at is for a long time. He swept his thumb across the metal which had already become warm from her body heat.

"It looks good on you. A perfect fit." She looked up at him and nodded. He could see the tears swimming in her eyes. Happy tears now.

He tackled her to the ground, pressing her body against the cave floor with his. Her legs wrapped around his waist and allowed him to settle between them. The position was erotic and he felt himself responding. His lips grazed hers as her nails dug into his scalp and pulled his mouth closer to hers. Her tongue plunged between his lips and he gladly opened for her.

"We have to stop, Kahlan." He whispered the words against her mouth when she broke the kiss to draw breath. He heard her growl in protest and her fingernails scraped against the sensitive skin on the back of his neck attempting to pull him back in to her.

"Make love to me. Please, Richard!"

Her hips rolled up against him, he could feel her heat against his groin. It took every bit of willpower he possessed to remove himself from her body.

"I want us to wait." He kissed her forehead and laid down next to her, pulling her back into his chest. He grabbed her hand and intwined their fingers. "It's going to be our first time together and I want you to be comfortable and I want to take my time with you. In your bed, as your husband." He heard the sigh and knew that she understood and was resigned to his decision, for now, anyway.

That night was wonderful. Richard recalled how rested he'd felt in the morning when he'd awoken with her in his arms still. Now that happened every morning. He couldn't imagine sleeping without holding her all night anymore.

He shook himself out of his thoughts. He'd wandered almost all the way back to camp remembering that night. They'd helped a half dozen people already on their journey back to Aydindril. They were planning to camp around here for a few nights to take a break. It was a fairly secluded area. There was too much timber for farmland and the nearest towns were a few leagues out. He hoped they'd just have a few nights alone to relax and then they would set off again. The town of Syrella was the next stop on their trip. They were a small community that mined a lot of copper. Darken Rahl had devastated them for their resources and Richard was looking forward to aiding them.

The loud popping noise over head made him stop in his tracks an search the sky for the source of the sound. He'd never heard anything like it. The blue swirl appeared and then was instantly gone. He'd never seen anything like it before. There was something else that was strange about the sky. Something was moving up there.

"Kahlan!" He took off at a run towards the camp. He needed to know where she was. Whatever was in the sky looked like it was heading straight for where their camp was. "Kahlan! KAHLAN!"