Return to Bermudas Index
by capri1228
John stayed while Aeryn went through a series of tests. He could tell from the look on her face that she was angry and afraid but she kept her cool like she promised him she would. After she was returned to her private quarters and settled in for the night he left the facility with Alex.
Alex: “How about some dinner? We can catch up on each others lives.”
John: “That sounds great but it will have to be local. I am not exactly free to go to four star restaurants.”
They smiled at each other.
Alex: “My bungalow, say in two hours.”
John smiled.
John: “I will be there.”
Alex kissed his cheek and left him. John watched her with a smile on his face and then turned to go see DK and the module.
******
Jack was with DK when John arrived at Hangar 9. They were looking at the incredible modifications John had made to the module using Moya’s biomechanoid parts. John sat in the cockpit of the module to make sure all systems were still functioning.
Jack: “How does she look?”
DK: “Considering the crash, she is in remarkable shape.”
John: “Yeah but is she flight worthy?”
John climbed out of the module. Jack looked at his son. DK took John by the arm. Jack followed. They went into DK’s temporary office. Jack closed the door.
Jack: “What are you planning?”
John: “I can’t leave her there.”
DK: “How do you plan to get her out? Security around her is as tight as a gnat’s ass.”
John looked at DK and smiled. It was good to hear the ‘stupid’ earth sayings as Aeryn calls them from another human male.
Jack: “You are going to break the alien out and take her back.’
DK looked at John.
John: “Her name is Aeryn Sun. She is an alien to you but she is my friend. I can’t leave her there to be imprisoned and studied. She is keeping it cool for now but that is not going to last. I know Aeryn. They will have to kill her to keep her and I am not going to let that happen.”
Jack: “What about you? Look how long it took you to find your way home. Are you willing to risk getting lost in space again for that creature?”
John: “I found my way once. I will find it again. And please don’t call her a creature.”
Jack turned toward the window. He stared out at the base. John walked up beside him.
John: “Dad, I know what you went through when you thought I died in space. I am the son of an astronaut, remember? I can’t explain to you why I have to do this. I just do. She has saved my life more times than I can count. I can’t let her down when she needs me the most.”
Jack looked at his son and smiled slightly.
Jack: “You find it.”
John: “What?”
Jack: “You’re your own kind of hero.”
John smiled at him. Jack slapped him on the shoulder. John turned back toward DK.
John: “Since Alex is the head of the research team, I know I have a little time to work on my plan. I trust her. I know she won’t let them do anything to Aeryn without telling me first.”
Jack: “Are you planning to bring Alex in on your plan?”
John looked over his shoulder.
John: “I don’t know. I am meeting her for dinner. I have to feel her out. It has been a long time. I have changed may be she has too.”
DK walk over and stood next to John.
DK: “We have been best buds forever and we got into this together and I am willing to see it through no matter what you decide.”
John looked at him.
John: “Thanks man.”
He turned to his father.
John: “What about you Dad?”
Jack took a couple of steps toward John.
Jack: “I have seen that look on your face before. I know I can’t stop you. Just tell me what you need me to do.”
John: “Thank you. I haven’t figured a timeline yet. With all the equipment they just brought on the base, I know they are not planning to move her anytime soon so I have a small window to get the module ready for flight through another wormhole.”
Jack: “How are you going to get back to this Moya? Provided you can create and survive another flight through a wormhole.”
John: “When I first spotted the wormhole, I asked Pilot to track our com channel. I didn’t know if it was live or Memorex. He would have lost us once we went through the wormhole but Moya will be able to track us once we emerge from it as long as we have our coms.”
The room was silent. The three men just stared at each other contemplating their next moves.
*******
John and Alex had a great dinner. They talked and laughed for hours. Going over old times and catching up on each other’s lives. John told her all about the crew on Moya and some of his adventures. She was astounded and amazed at his travels.
They sat on the couch drinking wine. It was nearly 2 in the morning.
Alex: “Aeryn sounds like a very strong woman. She has obviously saved your bacon often.”
John: “Yes she is.”
John got this distant look in his eyes.
Alex: “What?”
John: “Aeryn has everyone fooled. Everyone thinks that her strength is physical, as a warrior, a soldier. It isn’t. Not saying that she hasn’t whipped my butt on several occasions but her real strength is her spirit.”
Alex: “What do you mean?”
John: “She has a spirit like I have never encountered before. She is stubborn as hell and can be more frustrating than anyone I have ever known but when she lets her guard down and allows you to see who she is, with no pretense, it is a wonderful transformation to see. She really does flourish. It really is an amazing thing to see.”
Alex looked into his eyes. She smiled slightly. John caught her gaze.
John: “What?”
Alex: “Does she know?”
John: “Know what?”
Alex: “That you are in love with her.”
John: “Don’t be ridiculous. She is my friend.”
Alex: “I am a woman who has loved you and been loved by you, John Crichton. I know what it looks like when you are in love.”
John: “What?”
Alex: “I have never seen that look in your eyes before, even when we were together.”
John: “What look?”
Alex: “The look you get when you talk about her. I saw the look that passed between the two of you when you were with her. I know what love looks like, John.”
John lowered his eyes.
John: “You misunderstood what you saw. She is in a strange place, surrounded by people who are alien to her. I am familiar. She trusts me. O f course she would look to me for comfort.”
Alex: “Why are you trying to deny what is so obvious to anyone who sees the two of you together?”
He didn’t say anything to her. Alex put her glass down on the coffee table. She moved closer to John. He looked up into her eyes. Alex stroked his cheek.
Alex: “It has been a long time.”
John: “Yes it has.”
She took the glass out of his hand and put it down. She leaned back into him.
Alex: “I have missed you so much Johnny.”
She slowly lowered her mouth to his. They started kissing.
