Return to Ficlet Index
Thanks to my beta-readers, JilaCosa, and PKBarb for putting up with me!
*****
It was his notebook. The one with all the star charts and the funny characters. Aeryn wanted to shred it up into tiny little pieces. But she couldn't.
Soft footsteps arose from behind. Aeryn stiffened. Could it be John? She feared the notion to face her lover...or the mirror image of someone she did not know any longer. Aeryn turned. Her face transformed into a sour expression. It was Jool.
"Visiting John's quarters?"
"Spying on others?"
The two women stood face to face.
"He only wants to be with you."
"I can't...*be* with him right now."
The two became silent. At that instant, John entered into his quarters. He was bewildered. Aeryn and Jool were nearly tearing each other apart with their icy glares. He almost had to chuckle.
Jool stepped away from Aeryn and faced John instead. He was exhausted. He didn't want to have to deal with either of them today...well, maybe Aeryn.
"The DRDs confiscated one of your possessions from Rygel's quarters. Here. I figured it had some ridiculous sentimental value to you. I didn't really think it was necessary to retrieve it but I understand your human attachment to things and this seemed very important." Jool placed a small item in John's hand and then wrapped his rough fingers over it. She smiled softly at him.
Jool then turned to leave the two in silence. Before exiting, she turned and looked directly to Aeryn.
"At least I know when to speak my mind."
With that, Jool disappeared into the hall, leaving John and Aeryn with the soothing silence of Moya. John directed his gaze to Aeryn. Aeryn darted her eyes towards him but looked quickly away. She was struggling even now with the tears.
John opened his hand to gaze at the object placed there by Jool. He smiled warmly, relishing in the memories it conjured. Curious, Aeryn lifted her chin, trying to catch a glimpse. As John looked her way, she again redirected her gaze.
As the silence grew stronger, John carefully walked towards Aeryn. He feared any quicker advance would send her out the door without a second glance in his direction. Aeryn stood in place, emotions swirling within.
Tingling with excitement, John admired the beauty before him. His heart beat faster every time he drew nearer. He was more in love than ever...making it all the more difficult.
Shaking with fear, Aeryn could hardly contain herself. She had never before had to face such frivolous emotion. She felt like running so far she would meet up with PeaceKeeper presence. And what she feared most about that was the fact that she might rejoin them. Fortunately, she knew that was not an option any longer.
A gentle breath swept her bare neck. Aeryn nearly jumped. John was standing just beside her now, smiling at her with all his sweetness and innocence. That's what she had loved most about him. She felt her fear melt away. That smile. That sweet, innocent smile.
John held his hand out before Aeryn's face. The tears threatening to spill over onto her cheeks were accumulating. Aeryn was hurting. John only wanted to comfort her. Unfortunately, his comfort could only cause more hurt.
Aeryn noticed John pause as his hand came into her field of vision. She was curious, no doubt. He was reluctant. Within a heartbeat, John's hand opened. Aeryn's heart didn't know whether to break or leap for joy.
There, within his softened, beautiful palm rested a small glass vial with a droplet or two of liquid within. A compatibility potion. In fact, the one from the Royal Planet from so long ago. Before the insanity. Before her death. Before *his* death.
Aeryn held her breath. John came into full view before her and offered her the vial. Aeryn looked deep into his crystal blue eyes. She had never forgotten how beautiful they could be.
John blinked away a tear. He never knew love could hurt so dearly. A thought came to him then.
"Since when do we ever get what we want?"
Aeryn directed her gaze into his eyes and actually smiled. John's heart nearly stopped. Her smile. He had never forgotten that radiant smile.
"It isn't time."
That was all she needed to say. And that was all he needed to hear. He knew he couldn't push. She knew he wouldn't.
John placed the vial among his belongings and smiled back at Aeryn. He placed his arm around her shoulders and squeezed her tight. She rested her head on his strong shoulder and the two remained locked together, staring out the small view screen in his quarters.
A small star amidst the sea of them twinkled brightly. Aeryn lifted her head up and stared at that star for a micron. She then broke free of John and gathered the notebook lying forgotten on the console nearby. She stepped back into John's embrace and held up the notebook for both to view amongst the backdrop of stars beyond.
John admired the little notebook. He had understood everything his clone had written within its bounds. He thanked him for it. The detailed contents within the notebook had taken time to create. John realized now that this was the ultimate omen from his counterpart. His relationship...their new relationship...would take time.
Aeryn turned the page of star charts to one with English letters scribed upon it. John had to hand it to his clone. Teaching Aeryn how to read English and maybe even write it was something he had always wanted to do.
Aeryn lifted up the notebook and pointed to a particular word and sounded it out. As she said it, she looked directly into his eyes.
"L...o...ve."
THE END
