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Aeryn’s gone.
She died in my arms two arns ago. At least she got Scorpy before Braca got her.
Since then, Crais and I have managed to sabotage the command carrier’s reactor.
It’ll blow in just a few hundred microts, but there’s no way off this boat.
I think I’ve done some good with my life, Dad. I wish you could have known Aeryn.
"Good things come to him who waits."
I have finally got my Good Thing.
Aeryn Sun is in my bed. In my arms. Asleep. And neither one of us has a stitch on.
Yes!
She cried a little when we made love, and part of me wants to be really pissed that he was here with us, our first real time. But she says she knows I’m me, not him, and I believe her. So I told myself that she was letting him go, and the funny thing is, I believe that, too.
God, I love this woman.
“John, your skin is darker.“
"Hmmm?”
“Darker. Browner.”
“So is yours.” He shrugged. “It’s called a tan. It’s from being out in the sun so much.”
“Oh.” She looked down at her own arms and then out at the countryside around them. She sighed. “Frelling ball of rock.”
He enfolded her in his arms, looking past her at scattered hunks of metal. “It’ll be okay, Baby. They’ll find us soon.”
It was sweet.
The kiss was sweet.
It’s almost worth everything that happened on the Royal Planet to know she cares about the answer.
To know she wanted me to know she cares.
The kiss was sweet!
In this very room I told you that I loved you, but said we would not act on it.
And then I went away, and gave myself to another man.
Yet I see you watching me, wanting me, loving me, every time we’re in the same room.
If he were standing here beside me now, would I still see the love mixed with the pain in your eyes?
I fear I would.
How can I ever ask you to forgive me when I can’t forgive myself?
Is it any wonder I stay away?
“No, Talyn. I don’t think this would be a good time to ask her if she wants to join with us again.
What? It’s called grief. She misses Crichton.
Yes, as she showed you she would if you killed him.
Yes, he did turn out to be more useful than we anticipated, didn’t he?
No, Talyn. It’s not polite to eavesdrop. I know you want to help, but only time can help her. Leave her be.”
Crais removed the transponder from his neck and closed his eyes, trying to shut out Aeryn’s pain.
word count: 97
Despite the baby seated in her lap, Aeryn piloted the transport pod to a precision landing on the street in the Houston neighborhood. She turned and smiled at John. “You’re up,” she said.
John leaned in and kissed her. “Thanks, Babe.”
“No problem,” she grinned. “Now go on! Surprise him!”
“I think you already did that,” John smiled, but he took the baby from her and headed partway down the stairs, breathing in the air of Earth.
“Hey, Dad,” he said to the stunned man at the foot of the driveway. “Wanna go for a ride?”