Title: BETWEEN A ROCK AND HEARTACHE

By: Jigs

Feedback: Any and all comments welcome. Email: [email protected]

Archiving: Please email me first

Rating: NC-17 (sexual content J/A)

Category: Adult

Warnings: References to scenes from the Premiere through TWWW. Takes place before the LatP Trilogy

Summary: John and Aeryn have a little adventure, a little talk, and a lot of togetherness.

Disclaimer: Regrettably I have no claim to Farscape, I'm just borrowing the characters for a bit of fun.

BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HEART ACHE

By Jigs

The great leviathan glided through the blackness of space. Her crew had worked tirelessly the last fortnight getting her systems in peak condition. Moya was grateful; she had never felt better - physically.

She still suffered psychologically from the loss of Talyn. She had no love of the Peacekeepers who had captured and imprisoned her. It was difficult for her to accept that her child had extended the hand of friendship to Crais rather than remain at her side as he matured. Crais may have abominated her body to create her offspring, but that didn’t matter to Moya - Talyn was still HER son.

She found it odd the racially purist Peacekeepers would condone the intermingling of their DNA with that of a lifeform they abused and enslaved. Moya hated being an experiment used to enhance their arsenal for the domination of other species. She grumbled low in her mid-section, disgusted by the thought. Pilot looked up from his nest, questioning her silently about her wellbeing. After convincing him that she was fine, Pilot returned to his constant monitoring of his beloved Moya.

The symbiotic relationship between Moya and her callow Pilot was unusual, especially now that he was bonding naturally with his mammoth hostess. They had both endured three years of pain as a result of the forced union caused by Velorek's replacement of her original Pilot. Moya remembered what happened to her then, could recall vividly how she was tortured into accepting her current Pilot. She needed him though; they needed each other, to fulfill their purpose - to serve her crew. The past made Moya tentative; she did not want to hasten the natural bonding to this young Pilot - not yet.

Sensing this of course, he did not push her to allow him more control, understanding Moya's unease. He worked continually to regain her trust, knowing it would come some day, because he loved her completely, in the only way his species could. Pilot longed for the time Moya would believe that her health and happiness were all that truly mattered to him. But he was nothing if not patient, especially when it came to Moya.

As the relationship between Moya and Pilot was evolving, so too, were the relationships between the other members of Moya's crew, particularly John and Aeryn. Though still not officially a couple, the two had forged an attachment that surpassed mere friendship. They were seldom apart and had become quite comfortable with the antagonistic bantering that belied their true affection for each other.

With work on Moya complete for now, Aeryn had suggested they resume John's training in piloting one of the transport pods. He had agreed enthusiastically, not only because he wanted to master biomechanoid technology, but also because it would give him some one-on-one time with Aeryn. And, he could never get enough of that; neither could Aeryn, if she were truthful.

The crew gathered in the galley; Chiana had prepared a sumptuous feast to celebrate the end of the work on Moya. She was quite an accomplished cook and seemed to enjoy surprising her shipmates with her culinary creativity. Chiana felt like part of the crew now, and that pleased her. It had been a very long time since she had felt accepted. The others were beginning to treat her like she belonged to their eclectic group.

"A fine meal to start the day," D'Argo complimented, his eyes betraying the affection he felt for the youthful Nebari. She had reawakened a protective need in him, and perhaps something more. He definitely wanted to pursue the attraction, but didn't want to frighten her. As if he could, she seemed fearless most of the time, but underneath her bravado, he sensed there was a young woman who wanted to be loved.

"Yes, yes…a wonderful meal, Chiana. Too bad there aren't any Hynerian marjohls to tempt the palate." Rygel chimed in.

"You know Rygel, I think you have a tapeworm. No matter how much you eat, it's never enough." John just couldn't resist goading the little monarch.

"Tapeworm? Sounds tasty." Rygel wiggled his earbrows and licked his lips.

John laughed and shook his head. Aeryn jabbed his side with her elbow.

"Why do you do that?" She asked.

"Ow! Do what? It's fun," he leaned over to tickle her ear, whispering, "and he expects it."

Aeryn shooed him away with her hand and stood up to clear their dishes. "C'mon, let's get to the transport pod and get this over with," she said, feigning disgust, not wanting the others to think she might actually enjoy Crichton's training.

In truth, Aeryn had a plan. She wanted to be alone with John; she had questions, private questions that needed answers before she could go forward. This little training excursion was the perfect opportunity.

"So you two are going out for a drive?" Zhaan asked, winking at John.

"That's right, Blue. Aeryn can't wait to be alone with me." John laughed and looked over at Aeryn who gave him that you'll-pay-for-that-Crichton look, then stormed off toward the transport hangar.

"She can't resist me," John whispered to Zhaan as he headed off after Aeryn.

"So true, John," the priestess whispered to herself, a knowing smile gracing her beautiful face.

One by one the rest of the crew left the galley. Chiana grabbed D'Argo's arm and pulled him down the hallway. She was planning to spend the day exploring one of Moya's upper tiers and wanted D'Argo along to help her, at least that was her excuse. D'Argo grumbled, but allowed her to lead him away. He could think of worse ways to spend the day. Rygel floated off in his thronesled toward Pilot's den. He wanted to find out how far they were from the next commerce planet. As the crew's chief negotiator, it was his duty to find out all he could about their destination, and if they had anything worth trading for. Zhaan was grateful for a free day to pursue the Seek in solitude.

++++

"Hey, Aeryn, wait up." John called after the long striding ex-Peacekeeper. "You know, I came clear across the universe to find you. The least you could do is tell me what's going on in that beautiful head of yours."

Aeryn whirled around to face him; "I listened to the flight recorder, John. You screwed up, ignored the commands to abort, and now you want me to believe you came through that wormhole of yours just to find me?"

"Jeez, where did that come from?" John asked, genuinely shocked. Then her comment registered and he said, "hey, when did you listen to my flight recorder? You could've asked me, you know?"

"And would you have allowed it?" She challenged.

"Well…I don't know…probably. And just so you know, I didn’t HEAR the abort commands…it was crazy then; it was all I could do to get the module under control - the static was tremendous. I didn't know what was happening…." His voice trailed off as he remembered the confusion of those moments.

"You sure it wasn't your scientific curiosity tuning out the commands?" She eyed him suspiciously, her tone more accusatory than inquisitive.

"Look Aeryn, what's with the attitude all of a sudden?" John was thoroughly confused, as he was so often where Aeryn was concerned. It seemed to him their normal, confrontational bickering had suddenly turned hostile, but he had no clue as to why.

Aeryn leaned back against the transport pod, "I don't know," she grumbled.

But she did know. Her growing affection for John was forcing her to deal with feelings she couldn't explain, let alone understand. She didn't know how to verbalize the emotions he had awakened. The fact that she was feeling them at all made her intensely angry, and most of the time she directed that anger toward John. She recognized that was unfair to him, but it didn't stop her lashing out just the same.

"Look, if you don't want to go flying with me, just say so." He turned, muttering about Peacekeeper PMS and headed toward the corridor to Central Command, thinking this was not such a great idea after all, given Aeryn's mercurial moods.

She realized she had gone too far. He had no way of knowing what was making her so tense, that she had a hidden agenda for the day that was important to her. So, she backed down.

"Wait…sorry, you…you just embarrassed me in front of everyone. I guess I got a little angry."

John stopped, then turned around to look at her. "You guess? Hell Aeryn, you practically bit my head off!"

"I know." She approached him slowly swaying her hips just enough to draw his attention. "I'm a little nervous…." She reached up and traced his eyebrow with her fingertips; "I like your head right where it is."

John grabbed her wrist and pulled it away from his face. No way he could concentrate with her touching him, "uh uh, don't do that."

"Do what?" She reached up with her other hand to stroke his brow again.

For a second time John grabbed her wrist until he was holding them both in front of him. "That! You're making me crazy, Aeryn…now why are you so nervous?"

Aeryn looked at him sweetly; steeling her emotions until her face was unreadable. She couldn't tell him right now what she wanted to talk about, so in true commando fashion she threw up a diversion, "well, you remember what happened the last time we took the transport pod out, we got caught in the…."

"…the flax. Yeah, I remember." The memory flashed through his mind - how they almost died, how delicious she tasted when she kissed him. //Oh yeah, I remember.// "Okay, well, we haven't seen a Zenetian in monens, and there's no flax out here, that we know about…. Let's just go."

John released her and started doing the pre-flight check on the pod. He didn't want to dwell on what happened in the flax, what could have happened. They had been intimate only once; it seemed a lifetime ago now. John tried to force that memory away, but it raced through his mind like stampeding mustangs on the open range.

He feared he had ruined any chance he might have with Aeryn after that experience. She had given herself to him, freely and completely, and for a few precious arns he had forgotten everything but her. Then when morning came, she was in full Peacekeeper mode, dressed and ready to rumble. His logical mind knew she was right to be so focused, but at that moment, all he knew was that he wanted to hold her, be inside her again, before they faced whatever was to come. She dismissed his attempt to discuss what happened between them with such ease. //It's fine, John. It's just not a priority right now.// Those words scalded him; he felt as if their night together meant nothing to her, when it meant everything to him. //She felt something, right? She couldn't have faked it?// He thought then.

Before the Ancients appeared, there were times, late at night in the loneliness of his converted cell, John allowed himself to dream of how their first time together would be - romantic and sensuous, an expression of all the longing that had been building over the monens on Moya, a promise of what could be. Instead it had been desperate and needy, but still special, sharing what could be their last arns together. She was so wonderful, the softness of her skin, the magic of her sighs as he loved her, the satisfied sounds of her breathing as she fell asleep in his arms. It was a vivid, treasured memory.

In the confusion of the extraordinary events that followed their departure from the safe house, everything began to unravel. It was all a ruse, an abomination of his precious memories. He still couldn't quite believe it - a viciously cruel joke at his expense. He was so sure she was part of it. Her dismissal of their union the morning after only cemented this conclusion in his mind as he fought to reconcile what his brain was assimilating.

The aliens used this beautiful woman who was abused and savagely conditioned by her own kind, to encourage his vulnerability to their trial. It was only at the end, after he figured it out, that they told him the truth - his friends had lived this nightmare with him, all of them - D'Argo, Rygel and Aeryn. Their night together had been real - and he ordered her away, threatened her with a gun, then ran away from her as fast as he could. John had all but accused her of being part of the deceit. When it was over, he realized Aeryn was not in the cell with D'Argo and Rygel; she hadn't waited for him.

John shook his head to drive the thoughts from his mind. They had gotten past it, thankfully, but he still wondered how Aeryn remembered the experience. Given her reluctance to talk about things, he'd probably never know.

Just then Pilot's image appeared on the clamshell in the hangar, and John let the memory fade.

"You are clear to depart, Commander," Pilot's disembodied voice confirmed.

"Thanks, Pilot," John answered. "C'mon Aeryn…time to fly."

She nodded and settled in the seat beside him.

"When do you expect to return?" Pilot queried.

"We'll let you know…probably only a few arns. See ya!" John waved as he piloted the transport pod out of Moya's hangar.

"Told you I could do it." He looked over at Aeryn, expecting a nod of approval at least, but Aeryn just stared at him with indifference. //Great! This is gonna be fun.// John sighed heavily. He was still pleased with his departure, even if Aeryn couldn't admit he did well.

They flew around the void of space, John practicing different maneuvers at Aeryn's direction. She was surprised at his competency, despite his lack of experience, but couldn't bring herself to praise him. //He's cocky enough as it is.// He had improved so much since their last time out; it truly surprised her. She could only attribute it to his gaining confidence with the technology and paying close attention when he was a passenger on the various trips to the commerce planets they encountered. She was proud of Crichton, even if she wouldn't tell him.

John was piloting the pod alone while Aeryn grabbed a snack from the gear she brought on board. When the sensor blipped frantically on the control console, she looked up. The view screen showed a cloudy nebula sweeping past them.

"Whoa! Look at that!" John exclaimed. "It's huge."

A large asteroid appeared in front of them.

"You didn't notice this before? How could you miss it?" Aeryn was standing behind him now, scanning the instruments.

"The sensors didn't pick it up! It just appeared when we cleared the nebula." John explained, staring in fascination at the gigantic asteroid.

"I'm reading heavy concentrations of trellakenium."

"Trella…what?"

"Trellakenium. The Peacekeepers use it in their stealth shielding. I've never seen it this concentrated in its natural form. Better do a complete systems check to make sure our calibrations are still correct."

"Man, I wanna go down there, Aeryn!"

"Absolutely not!" She couldn't believe he had even suggested it.

"C'mon," he pleaded, "it's been a long time since we've been on solid ground. We've been working our asses off on Moya, we need a break...I need a break. The sensors aren't picking up anything that looks dangerous - no defensive weapons, or inhabitants…. Aren't you up for a little adventure?"

Her hands moved skillfully and swiftly over the controls, "we don't know if the sensors are even functioning properly right now," not bothering to hid her exasperation with him.

John conceded, sort of, "okay, let's run the diagnostics and then decide."

It took about half an arn, but the pod's systems checked out fine. John was right, the scans of the asteroid showed absolutely no technology and breathable atmosphere, a rural paradise, John called it. Aeryn had serious doubts about landing, but John's heart was set on going, and she really couldn't find any rational reason not to; they had checked it out thoroughly, she had seen to that. They were in the Uncharted Territories, after all, and they might find something there to enhance their food stores, or at least scout out a safe haven should they need one in the future. With the trellakenium cloud shielding it, this asteroid would be ideal for their motley crew should the Peacekeepers make an appearance in this vicinity.

After backing out of the nebula, they signaled Pilot that they were going to take the pod down and provided the coordinates. Pilot agreed as long as they reported back in exactly four arns. If they didn't, Moya would come after them since the trellakenium would prevent any contact with Pilot from the surface.

John landed the pod without incident, finally earning an appreciative nod from Aeryn for his soft landing. They popped the hatch and jumped to the ground.

"Wow! Fantastic! What a beautiful place." John breathed in deeply, "ahhh…nothing like fresh air."

"I can't tell any difference. Moya's air is fine."

"You're just saying that because you grew up on a ship, Aeryn. I can tell the difference." He paused for several microts, just looking around wide eyed, taking it all in. "Oh man, this looks so much like the forests back home. The colors are a bit off, but other than that…."

His voice trailed off as he walked over to a mammoth tree and rubbed his fingers over the thick bark, lost in thoughts and memories of his childhood. Aeryn watched him with wonder. She had no frame of reference for such a place. Although she had been planetside many times, never once did she investigate her surroundings, never felt the need to check out the local culture or wildlife unless mission reconnaissance called for it. Her home was in space. John's reaction made her wish she could relate to what he was feeling; she envied it.

"Similar to Nantahala National Forest in the state where I grew up, in the Appalachian Mountains, part of the Smokey…." He looked over at his companion, just in time to see the confused scowl that so often appeared when he talked about home.

"It's a big wooded area on Earth, rolling mountains, lots of trees and plants…." He bit the inside of his lip," think any of these are related to Zhaan?" He smiled at his joke. Aeryn was unimpressed.

"Rural countryside, spectacular rivers, great fishing, and…waterfalls." He paused to look longingly at her, "I'd love to show you a waterfall, Aeryn. They are beautiful and powerful…just like you," he added, winking at her.

She grinned back at him; his enthusiasm was infectious. Aeryn wished she could see a waterfall, too, even though she had no idea what that was exactly, if it reminded him of her, then she definitely wanted to see one.

"They have waterfalls back home that are so huge the mist from them falls like rain, others are so big you can drive a car…uh land vehicle…behind them. DK and I did that at Bridal Veil Falls, it was so cool, like going through a gigantic car wash."

They hiked into the woods for a while. John making the idle comment when he saw something that reminded him of home, but otherwise the conversation was minimal. He commented on the plant life, calling them names Aeryn had never heard like ferns, moss, and mountain laurel. She just listened, letting him remember. Truth told, she was enjoying it, mentally making a list of things to ask him about later. She didn't want to interrupt him now; it was too much fun watching his boyish enthusiasm.

They came across a small stream babbling merrily along through the thick vegetation. John suggested they stop for a breather and a bite to eat. Aeryn quickly agreed. This was as good a time as any to talk to John. Her enjoyment of his rambling commentary about Earth had distracted her from her own agenda. They had been gone about an arn, and if she waited much longer she'd lose her nerve entirely.

"Uhmm…John…I'd like to talk to you about something…ah…ask you something?"

"Huh? You just said you wanted to talk. Wait! Lemme me write this down." Exaggeratedly he held out one hand like a piece of paper and madly 'scribbled' with his other, "Aeryn Sun wants to talk. Star Date 62611." His enormous smile couldn't hold the laughter in his voice.

"Very funny. What's a star date?"

"Forget it, just another reference to something on Earth, an entertainment program. To tell you the truth, I could never figure out how they came up with those dates anyway."

Aeryn just nodded.

"So, you said you wanted to talk. Lay it on me." John said, plopping down on an overturned tree stump.

"Lay what on you? This food cube? Why would I do that?"

"Talk to me, Aeryn, " John sighed, "that's all it means."

Suddenly Aeryn's carefully considered plan for beginning this conversation deserted her. Although outwardly calm, her stomach was churning with nervous energy. She recalled John telling her about the 'rattlers' he sometimes felt when he was anxious and she could identify with his description right now.

This discussion would reveal more about her feelings for John than she really wanted, but it had been on her mind for some time, ever since they were on the New Moon of Delvia. She had buried it deep down, but if she wanted to get closer to John, she had to know.

John was dealing with a case of his own 'rattlers' at the moment. Her hesitation made him uncomfortable. Whatever it was Aeryn wanted to talk about obviously unsettled her. He had no idea what it was, couldn't even begin to guess. But the longer she took to say anything, the more he feared it was not a good sign.

"Aeryn…what is it? You can talk to me about anything. You know that, right?"

"I know…." She choked out, "but it's still hard for me."

"Doesn't have to be…." He moved beside her, tenderly stroking her upper arm.

She backed away, "it's all so easy for you…this talking. It's not for me." She shifted her weight from foot to foot and turned way from him, hating herself for her timidity.

John sensed Aeryn was putting up her very own, personal defense screen to shield her emotions. This was one of the few times they were ever alone - no interruptions, friendly or otherwise. He wasn't about to let it slip away, not when she finally wanted to talk.

"Don't do that, Aeryn."

"What?"

"Pull back, shut me out."

"Hezmana, Crichton, you are so smug, so irritatingly confident about all this emotional dren…. I can't do that."

Anger was her usual tactic to hide what she was really feeling and he wasn't going to react to it this time. "But you can, Aeryn, you can with me." His voice was soft and calming, its effect on Aeryn was just the opposite of what he intended.

She turned toward him, her eyes flashing fire; "you are so infuriating! Sometimes I don't know whether to kill you or frell your brains out!"

"'Can I choose?" John asked, his expressive eyes sparkling with genuine interest, hoping his injection of humor into the situation would defuse her anger. Of course that had never worked before, but….

Aeryn cocked an eyebrow at him, summoning all her considerable self-control.

"I mean if you're going to kill me either way, I'd rather die from pleasure." He grinned at her, that intoxicating grin she secretly adored.

Aeryn turned away from him, trying to conceal the smile she didn't want him to see, but somehow she knew he would anyway. John seemed to have a sensor just for her, making those emotional blips she fought so desperately to hide illuminate to him like a supernova.

"Come here, Aeryn…" he asked sweetly.

"No!"

"All right. Have it your way." He turned to walk away, leaving Aeryn to stew in her own bad mood. "You always do."

He shouldn't have said that. Aeryn charged after him like a bull seeing red, slamming into his back and knocking the breath from him. John sprawled ungraciously to the ground.

"Frell you, Crichton! Why do you always have to have the last word?"

But her question fell on deaf ears. John was out cold.

"Get up, Crichton," Aeryn ordered angrily.

Nothing.

She nudged him with the toe of her boot.

Nothing.

"Crichton!" She yelled, as much from panic as anger.

Nothing.

"Crichton, this isn't funny. Now GET UP!"

Nothing.

She bent down, gently rolling him onto his back. That's when she saw a smattering of blood near his left temple.

"John! Oh frell, John!"

Her indignant rage eroded into fear. She licked her fingers and wiped away the blood. To her great relief, the scratch was only superficial, but a nasty lump was forming just above his left eyebrow and he showed no signs of regaining consciousness.

Aeryn stood up and looked around, panic dictating her thoughts. //Why did I ever agree to this little trip?// Instinctively she hit her shoulder to activate her comms, then remembered she could not contact Moya. She knew coming down here was stupid, indulgent, but John was so insistent. "Just for an arn," he'd said, "what can happen to us in an arn?"

"Well, Crichton, this is what can happen!" She said to the trees, looking around for anything to help her. She couldn't head back to the transport pod right now. John was vulnerable out here in the open. She had no idea what feral predators might inhabit this world. The wildlife they had encountered so far seemed harmless enough, although Aeryn knew that didn't mean anything. Sometimes the smallest creature could deliver a deadly, venomous bite.

"Okay, Aeryn, you can do this." She said, trying to bolster her courage.

She walked a little farther down the trail they were on, keeping John in sight, and spotted a small clearing secluded within the dense foliage. It was quite picturesque, full of natural splendor. If Aeryn weren't so concerned for John, she might have appreciated the quiet serenity of this remarkable place.

The stream they stopped at earlier spilled into a rocky basin creating a pool of crystal clear water under a canopy of old growth trees. Rays of sunlight from the small star near the asteroid dappled the landscape. A patch of bright yellow flowers added a touch of color to the grassy area near the outcropping of rocks. The wind rustled in the treetops and dozens of magenta leaves drifted slowly to the ground; those that landed in the water floated leisurely downstream. On the far side, rushing, turbulent water spilled over a small escarpment into the basin below creating shimmering ripples across the surface.

Returning to John, she carefully looped her arms under his shoulders and dragged him to the edge of the pool. Clearing the area of any rocks and branches, she spread one of Moya's golden blankets and rolled John on to it, then settled in to wait. //Even this fragile human should be able to withstand a bump on the head, especially as hardheaded as he is!// She smiled at the thought, then frowned - wishing he would make one of his inane comments or flash that quirky grin she was so fond of.

Only a few microts had passed, but it seemed like cycles to Aeryn. John was still unconscious and showed no sign of rousing. She kept busy at first, wiping his brow with a wet cloth, or moistening his lips from the water pack. But the longer he remained unconscious, the more she fretted. She needed to DO something so she got up and started to pace, ranting against the quiet.

"Don't you dare leave me John Crichton! I forbid it. You don't get to come to my side of the galaxy, turn my life upside down, and then leave me on some stupid rock." She paused, her heart in her throat, realizing there was nothing she could do for him. Pangs of guilt we stabbing at her for pushing him in the first place.

Some part of John's brain was nudging him to wake up, but the throbbing in his head was making him nauseous and he fought the impulse to open his eyes.

Aeryn continued, "so many things I never told you. If you don't wake up John, you'll never know…." Even now she had trouble saying the words, "…you'll never know…that…that I might be…falling in love with you," she finished quickly.

John's heart was doing back flips. A big "WOO HOO!" sounded in his brain, but he just lay there, not daring to let Aeryn know he'd heard her confession, tentative as it was.

Not long ago he had begun to lose hope that she could ever really love him; he was resigned to taking whatever she would allow. He loved her; he had even told her once, thinking it would reassure her, but she had retreated into herself and shut him out so thoroughly that he decided the direct approach was out. It had only scared her into seclusion and forced her to erect another impenetrable layer around her feelings.

John had finally started to accept the fact that Aeryn might be unable to confront her feelings in any major way, and if he wanted to be with her, he'd just have to deal with it. But then the confession about Velorek happened. He was absolutely stunned when she said she and Velorek were lovers. He meant it when he told her he'd never heard her use that word before, never thought he would ever hear it from her lips. He couldn't help himself, he had to ask: "did you love him?"

It was so difficult for her to admit that she had feelings for Velorek, in fact she only said she 'guessed' it was love, not a ringing endorsement, he thought at the time. But considering what she revealed about Peacekeeper mating, he began to realize what a foreign concept love was for Aeryn.

Of course that revelation hadn't hit right then. It only came a few days later after he'd replayed the whole conversation over in his mind about a thousand times, analyzing and dissecting it, trying to understand this fascinating woman who had staked a claim on his heart.

And now, finally, after giving up hope that she would ever admit her feelings, here she was, confessing that she might love him, John Crichton, the inferior human…and he just had to lay there, pretending to be unconscious.

Aeryn sat down and lifted his head, resting it gently in her lap. She tenderly stroked his forehead and he felt a tear land on his cheek. //Oh God, I can't bear her tears. I'm not gonna die, Aeryn!// His mind screamed, but he couldn't bring himself to give up this moment, not just yet.

He wanted to hold her, kiss her endlessly and tell her how much he needed her. But he knew that would only make her hide away again, bury her emotions so deep he might never expose them. She still wasn't ready to tell him when he could respond. It would have to be enough that he knew she might love him, even if he wasn't supposed to. As his thoughts raced along, he suddenly realized Aeryn wasn't done talking.

"I knew I wanted you the first time I saw you. Lying there on your back on that cold floor in our cell, naked as the day you were born. I was glad I still had my flight suit on, and that helmet. I pretended to be unconscious, knowing I'd be facing interrogation if they knew I was awake. I opened my eyes and there you were - I thought I was hallucinating.

John felt his face flush, and certain other parts of his anatomy, at her recollection. He hadn't even known she was there - not at first. When he did regain consciousness that day, all he could think about before he opened his eyes was the desperate hope that this was all a dream and how much he wanted to wake up in his own bed on Earth. But that didn't happen. After a few disorienting microts he realized he was buck-naked and all he wanted then was his clothes. He never noticed that she was there until Rygel pointed it out.

"I was so glad there was still oxygen in that suit because you took my breath away. But then my training kicked in after Rygel told you I was there. I took the offensive and attacked." She paused for a microt, "I regret that now, taking advantage of a weaker opponent."

John's eyes almost popped open involuntarily at that comment, but he knew she was right. //Yep, she could mop the floor with me any ol' time she wants.// He smiled inwardly.

"Damn you, Crichton, wake up!"

The tension and desperation in her voice tore at John's heart. He knew now that she wanted him, cared for him, and he could live on that for a long time, as long as it took for Aeryn to find the nerve to tell him when he was awake. He groaned.

"John! John, can you hear me?" She took his hand and held it tightly between hers, hoping for all she was worth that he was coming to.

She watched as his eyelashes fluttered, then he squeezed his eyes shut and raised his eyebrows before slowly opening his eyes enough to see her, "Uhm…yeah, Aeryn. Not so loud, okay?"

"You scared the dren out of me, Crichton! Don't you ever do that again!"

"I'm all right. Got Excedrin Headache No. 486, though."

"What?"

"My head hurts."

"You tripped and hit your head on a rock back there. You've got a bump…." She took his hand and placed it on his forehead, "…right there."

"Wow! I haven't had a lemon like that since I misplayed a mile-high pop up in Little League."

"You're babbling, John. I don't know what you're talking about."

"Sorry. I'll be fine, just help me sit up, okay?" He looked at her curiously, "hey! Wait just a microt…what do you mean I TRIPPED?"

Aeryn looked away, still holding on to his hand. "We can talk about that later," she mumbled.

"Yeah, later." John looked down then, and realized he was stripped down to his Calvins.

"Uh…Aeryn?"

She couldn't look at him, keeping her eyes glued to their joined hands.

"Look at me…." He insisted. She slowly raised her head to meet his gaze.

"I have a bump on my head, maybe a mild concussion, so why are my clothes off?"

The blood rushed to her face, transforming her creamy complexion to a beautiful crimson, "I…I…uh…. "

"Aeryn…."

"Uh…I…."

"Quit stalling…." He tried to sound stern, but the twinkle in his eyes took the starch out of his mock glower.

Regaining some composure she took a deep breath then answered, "you were out for so long, I…I thought maybe you had been bitten by something…."

John eyed her with one eyebrow raised, trying to keep from laughing as she fumbled for a way to explain his current state of undress. He was starting to get that hopeful feeling again, distracting him from the ache in his head.

"Uh… you know, like a Mollian Death Spider…."

"And have you seen a Mollian Death Spider down here?"

She just looked at him, unblinking, rubbing her thumbs across the back of his hand.

"I didn't think so. So, where are my clothes?"

"Just there," she nodded toward a neat pile of black on a nearby rock.

He grinned knowingly, unnerving her. "Well, maybe you should check me over again…while I'm awake this time?"

"Crichton!" she protested, but the beginning of a smile was pulling at her lips; the relief in her eyes was obvious. She wanted to throw her arms around him, tell him how happy she was that he was all right and apologize for pushing him. But she didn't do anything but stare at him.

John's eyes roamed over her face, lingering finally on her full lips, their rosy tint deepening, "C'mon Aeryn…." He whispered seductively, "it'd be more fun...."

She couldn't resist him, not this time. So relieved that he was all right, that her anger hadn't caused permanent injury, or worse. She brought his hand to her lips, lightly kissing the back of it. "Now John? I thought you had a headache?"

"Don't care about a headache when you're holding my hand like that." He kissed her gently, "and besides, no human male would ever use a headache as an excuse...that's strictly a female…you don't have a headache, right?"

"No…not a headache." But other parts of her were starting to ache. "Well, if you really want me to…I could check your hands, like this…."

John watched her intently as she closely examined his left hand, stroking each finger, running her fingertips in between them, carefully kissing each pad before sucking his thumb suggestively. The stirrings of desire started to pulse under his skin as she repeated her investigation on his right hand. He swallowed heavily, fighting to keep his eyes open he didn't want to miss a moment of her too infrequent attentions.

"Then your arms…" She kissed a trail of soft kisses along his wrist, up his arm, flicking the tip of her tongue across the soft skin at the bend of his elbow. Pausing to look at him, she was pleased by the excitement in this his eyes.

Rubbing her hands along the well-built muscles of his biceps, she sighed, remembering all the times they supported her. "Perfect," she murmured, continuing her examination of his shoulders.

Unable to keep his hands still any longer, he reached up to touch her cheek. Aeryn smiled, her eyes conveying the apology for pushing him, an apology he knew he would probably never hear, but accepted nonetheless.

She took his hand and kissed his palm. "Can't stop now, John…still have to check…." Her voice drifted away and she touched his breasts, fondling his tiny nipples.

John sighed and finally closed his eyes, lost in the feeling of her hands caressing his chest, combing her fingers through the downy hair that adorned his upper body. Aeryn could feel his heartbeat quicken and dared to cast her eyes below his waist, noticing his Calvins were tenting noticeably across his crotch.

"Hmm…" she hummed, "I'd better check…everywhere…don't you think?" She looked up at him, his eyes were the color of blue topaz as they locked on her sapphire ones.

John could only nod his agreement as he fought to control his erratic breathing. The headache pain long forgotten, replaced by the anticipation of what was to come.

Gradually she pushed her warm hands under the waistband of his briefs and began pulling them down. John barely remembered to raise his hips, his mind preoccupied with thoughts of what she was planning.

She alternated kisses along his thighs and calves until he was naked, and very aroused. He wasn't the only one. Aeryn's sensual investigation of the man she secretly adored had brought the flush of arousal to her as well. She stood up and quickly removed her own clothes, running her hands across her body as John's passion-filled gaze took in every wondrous part of her.

Kneeling at his feet, her caresses started at his ankles. Crawling slowly toward him, her hands tenderly stroking his firm legs, her hips moving seductively, breasts dipping gently to graze his tingling skin. John was panting now, the percussive pulse of his heartbeat vibrating like tympanis. When she began massaging his inner thighs, he released a groan of anticipation.

"More?" She asked, already knowing the answer as she lightly kissed his erection.

John could only nod and moan, his usually deft verbal skills deserting him completely at that point. Some small part of his consciousness, the only part that was able to hold a thought, just couldn't believe what was happening, the rest was just happy that it was.

"So beautiful," Aeryn sighed, her admiring gaze scorching a path across his flesh.

Aeryn slipped her hands between his thighs; her fingertips teasing the sensitive skin as she eased his legs apart. John shuddered involuntarily.

She smiled, enjoying his reaction; she loved touching him, exciting him. John's held his breath as her mouth moved closer. Aeryn licked her lips as she bent down to taste him, then pulled away, taunting him. His expressive eyes begged her to keep touching him.

She complied, planting butterfly-soft kisses along the underside of his shaft as it lay heavy against his stomach, her hands sliding slowly up the creases where his thighs met his torso. She lifted him, rolling him between her palms, then licking around the base, feeling the skin tighten further beneath her lips.

Expertly she investigated every part of his sex, kissing, sucking, stroking, until John was adrift on a blazing sea, his brain only able to register the intensity of the white-hot swells that lifted him higher and higher. Occasionally he managed to mumble her name, although he long ago passed the point of coherent thought.

She knew he was hers and her heart soared. She wanted more, and mercifully for John took him fully in her mouth until he was thrusting up at her, his body lifting off the blanket in a sinuous arch. He growled deep in his throat, his body trembling. Sensing his imminent release she pulled her mouth away and stretched over him, taking him inside her.

"Ahhhhh…." John exclaimed, grasping her waist, grinding his hips against her.

She tossed her head back, streaming strands of thick black hair swaying about her exquisite face. She clenched her inner muscles around him as he shuddered violently beneath her.

"Gawd, Aeryn!" He cried out as his orgasm exploded through him, his body thrusting into hers uncontrollably. She closed her eyes, luxuriating in the feel of him as his searing essence warmed the innermost part of her.

As the tremors in his body eased, he reached for her, wanting to feel her weight on him. "Aeryn," his voice barely a whisper.

She eased herself from him and slowly covered his body with hers. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her fiercely. Soft kisses turned more passionate until they were both lost in a mind-numbing kiss.

As the kiss faded back to tender touches, they rolled over on their sides still locked in each other's arms. John stroked her cheek and looked at her lovingly, mellow eyes initiating his quest to return the pleasure she had given him.

"Not now, John," Aeryn sighed, "you should rest."

He lifted her chin until their eyes met. His were sleepy and sated, but still held the question, "are you sure?"

She gave him a warm, deep kiss. "Yes, I'm sure." Her voice laded with warmth and satisfaction.

They closed their eyes, snuggling closer as the sounds of the forest surrounded them. But John was afraid to sleep. If he did have a slight concussion, sleep was a bad choice. Instead he savored the moment, lost in the sensation that was uniquely Aeryn. She was revealing herself to him in increments, allowing him only little hints of her feelings. It could make him crazy if he thought about it too much. But he could live with it he rationalized, especially when she surprised him with moments like this.

John looked up at the sky, noticing that there were no clouds. The temperature was temperate, about 75 degrees Fahrenheit he guessed. He heard the thundering rush of water that he recognized immediately - a waterfall. He raised up slightly, smiling as he watched the crystal clear water plunging over the rock formation across the glittering pool.

He sighed, thinking this could be Eden and he and Aeryn were Adam and Eve. The absurdness of that thought made him laugh, but he still liked thinking it.

His laughter vibrated in Aeryn's ear as it lay against his chest. "What?" She mumbled.

"Nothing, just thinking...shhh…."

She smiled against him and John stroked her hair, releasing a contented sigh as he contemplated ways to repay her for the gift she had given him. Aeryn stirred beside him and he brushed her cheek with his thumb, tucking her hair behind her ear.

"Aeryn…let's go for a swim," he suggested. "C'mon…." He sat up and pulled her with him.

"Uhm…" she murmured, trying to focus on his request, "we really should be getting back to the transport, back to Moya."

"Not yet, Aeryn, please. We've only been gone a couple arns. It's been so long since I've been swimming…and there's a waterfall." He added, hoping to win her consent, "don't you want to see one?"

"What you mentioned earlier? There's one here?"

"Yeah, right over there," he pointed across the basin, then stood, offering her his hand.

She let him help her up, hugging her to him and kissing her softly. "We may not find another one for a long time. I think you'll like it."

Aeryn looked uncertain, but tried to hide her trepidation. She had never learned to swim, although some of her comrades in Icarion Company had mentioned it, the ones drafted from the farming colonies. The idea intrigued her though, and John did say that waterfalls reminded him of her and that was enough to spark her curiosity.

John led her over to the water. As they stood at the edge, he looked over at her. He couldn't believe how beautiful she looked, hair blowing gently in the slight breeze, the sunlight emphasizing the auburn highlights, reminding him that it wasn't the jet black it usually seemed to be on Moya. Aeryn shivered as the cool mist from the waterfall carried across the stony basin to where they stood.

John wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer. "Cold?" He asked, nuzzling her neck.

"A little…. Do you think the water's warm?" She asked, still trying to figure out a way to tell him she couldn't swim.

"Only one way to find out…." He replied, taking her hand in his.

She pulled it away and John's look of disappointment pierced her heart.

"I can't swim!" She blurted out, looking away from him.

"Is that all? No worries, babe, it's probably not even that deep…look, you can see the bottom, the water's so clear." He smiled encouragingly at her and kissed her quickly, "I'll go first."

With that he stepped to the edge and made a smooth, shallow dive like a swimmer leaving the starting blocks. Aeryn held her breath until he surfaced, tossing his head, spraying droplets of water across the surface of the pool. She laughed at him as he held his hands up in triumph, grinning broadly.

"It's not too cold, Aeryn, feels good…real good. And look…." He stood up, the water reaching his shoulders, "…it's not too deep. C'mon in!"

"OK…just give me a microt." She sat down on the rocky edge and dangled her legs in the water. "You're right…feels good."

"Uh huh," John agreed, paddling over to her. He rubbed his hands over her thighs, "you feel good, too."

She smiled at him again, thinking she had never seen him look so adorable, all wet and glistening in the sunlight. She reached down and stroked his cheek, "you like it here?"

"I like being here with you," he said softly, raising up to kiss her.

Aeryn responded, warming to his gentle lips as his tongue begged entrance. The water was shallower near the edge and John stood up as the kiss deepened, running his hands up her body. Aeryn took his right hand and placed it on her breast, groaning against his mouth as he massaged her.

As the kiss melted back, John looked at her, "I have a debt to pay," he reminded her.

"Mmmmm…" she moaned, leaning into him. "I didn't forget."

He kissed her softly, bracing his arms against the rocky edge on either side of her as he bent down to nibble at the soft curve between her neck and shoulder. She rubbed his back, rejoicing in the feel of his warm, wet muscles against her palms. He licked a slow route down her body as he eased himself down in the water again, positioning his head between her parted legs.

Hunger blazed in her eyes as his hands wandered along her slender legs, caressing her calves, lightly scoring his fingernails along the fleshy part and back down to her feet. Aeryn moaned, closing her eyes, immersing herself in the sensations he was creating.

To her surprise, John lifted her legs and put them over his shoulders, forcing her to lean back on her hands for balance. She stared down at him, her eyes sparkling, unquenched desire building in her lower body. He grinned at her devilishly.

Fervent fingers slid through the dark nest of damp curls at the apex of her legs and John bent down to kiss her abdomen, delving his tongue in her navel. Aeryn shivered in anticipation, whimpering as John kneaded her bottom and wove stimulating kisses along the soft skin of her inner thighs.

The center of her heat was crackling with unfulfilled need as his lips touched her everywhere -except there. He slid his hands upward until his thumbs parted her lower lips, stroking the sweltering skin delicately.

"John…" she breathed, "…please…."

He leaned in to kiss her, ravaging the neglected part of her. His thumbs squeezed her sensitive bud, overwhelming her and she pressed her thighs against his head, locking him in place. Fiery explosions erupted deep inside her as John probed her intimately. Aeryn arched into his mouth, urging his tongue deeper as her first orgasm swamped her.

Her head fell back between her shoulders as the sweet release of sexual satisfaction flowed over her with dazzling intensity. But John had just begun. Never giving her a chance to calm completely, he repeatedly plunged his insatiable tongue inside her, twisting it against her inner walls, touching her as deeply as possible.

Aeryn was floating in rarefied air; no other man had ever satisfied her so completely. Just as she was drifting back to reality, his mouth and fingers took her soaring again as he found new and inventive ways to titillate her.

Her cries of passion filled John with satisfaction, knowing he could bring her such joy, break down her barriers and free her desire. Not willing to abandon his attentions, his fingers teased her sensitive opening before diving inside; concealed muscles gripped him tightly, her musky scent wafting around him.

Again he replaced his fingers with his tongue, swirling it around, lips feasting on the moist flesh as she undulated against him. The potency of her desire was more luscious than the sweetest nectar. He was lost in this exquisite moment, basking in his possession of this remarkable, passionate woman. He lifted his head to watch her ecstasy; her musical sighs like the grandest symphony.

John slid her legs from his shoulders as her tremors quieted and gathered her in his arms, lifting her into the water. Cradling her relaxed body against him, he carried her the short distance across the pool, near the curtain of translucent water. A rocky shelf just below the surface formed the perfect bench and he sat down, positioning her carefully on his lap. She leaned against him, snuggling close.

"John…." Her husky, whiskey-smooth voice caressed his name.

He closed his eyes, leaning his head against hers, "happy?" He asked softly.

"Mmmm…very," she purred, then looked up at him, "how's your head?"

"Fine, doesn't even hurt," he stroked her back, "you are a great distraction."

She smiled up at him, "I'm sorry, you know…I never intended to hurt you."

"I know. It's just a bump on the head. I shouldn't have smarted off," he smirked, his tone drier, "I forget sometimes how physical you can be."

"I like being physical with you," she confessed.

"Physical is good…." He paused, bringing her hand to his lips, "but next time I'll have to rethink walking away…."

"Oh?" She sounded disappointed, reaching under the water to pat the smooth skin of his hip. "I do so like watching you walk away…especially in those leather pants."

The shocked look on John's face was priceless.

"What?" She asked innocently, her lips turning into a slow smile, "even Zhaan has commented on your…assets."

John rolled his eyes skyward, and blushed instantly, "huh…wha…when?"

"Does that surprise you?" She grinned.

John swallowed, hard, "uh, yeah. I didn't think…. Oh never mind!" He decided shutting up was the wisest thing he could do at the moment. "You're just full of surprises, aren't you?"

"I hope so," she whispered, kissing him quickly.

He paused to look at her, remembering her attempt to talk to him earlier. Now that had truly surprised him, and he wondered if she still wanted to finish the conversation she almost started. "Aeryn?"

"Hmm…."

"You said you wanted to ask me something earlier, still want to talk?" he asked earnestly. He didn't want to push, but time was running out and his curiosity was nagging at him. She tensed slightly in his arms and he quickly added, "only if you want to."

She studied his face; he was so easy with her. She didn't know how she was lucky enough to have found this man - or had he found her - she wasn't sure, but she would be forever grateful that they had found each other.

"You're so patient with me…I don't deserve it." She looked away, remembering the myriad of terrible things she had said to him in the past.

"I guess I like a challenge," he grinned.

She relaxed against him, rubbing her cheek across his shoulder.

"Talk to me, Aeryn," he urged.

She sighed, taking his hand in both of hers. "Remember that day on Moya when we were signaled by the Delvians…."

"I remember."

"You said you had a dream about the last time you…you were with someone…someone you cared about…." She squeezed his hand tightly, "who was she?"

John rested his chin against her hair and pulled her closer, "an old girlfriend…that was a lifetime ago, Aeryn."

"But you loved her?" She asked quietly, unable to suppress the apprehension in her voice. It was an important question she needed him to answer.

Their eyes met, peering into each other's souls. He could do nothing but answer her honestly, "Yes…I loved her."

Aeryn took a shallow breath, "tell me about her."

"Aeryn…."

"Please John…I told you about Velorek. I need to know…I want to know…about Alex, isn't that her name?"

Memories of Alex flashed in his mind, along with a stab of pain as he remembered their breakup. "Alex, right…how did you know that?"

She smiled at him, "that other Crichton, the bald one, he mentioned the name when he was trying to convince you he had your memories. You told me about DK…Alex must have been someone important to you if she was at your Farscape celebration."

"Right…I didn't think I had mentioned her." John's thoughts were drifting into the past and he looked up at the sky.

"Tell me about her, John," Aeryn insisted.

"She was beautiful and smart, like you…a medical researcher."

"A tech?" She didn't know why that surprised her.

"Different discipline, but yeah, she was a medical scientist."

"You had a lot in common then." It was more a statement than a question.

"I thought so, but ultimately we wanted different things. She got a medical grant…it meant more to her than I did."

Aeryn heard the sadness in his voice and wondered how any sane woman could reject this wonderful, caring man – not considering the many times she had walked away from him when she really wanted to stay. She stroked his neck tenderly. "It still hurts, doesn't it?"

"Rejection always leaves a scar…." A long pause punctuated the silence, "…it just wasn't meant to be…." John gently smoothed the hair back from her face and took a deep breath, "I accept that - I did a long time ago." He tilted her chin, and noticed her eyes were uncertain. "Aeryn…" he breathed, lingering for a microt to touch her face, "you are the only woman I dream about now…."

Spontaneous tears shone her eyes - that is what she needed to hear. Their lips moved together, sighs mingled, tongues touched as the kiss deepened. A luscious, long, deep, kiss neither wanted to end, but eventually they had to part.

"Let me love you Aeryn," he whispered against her lips.

She leaned her head back, allowing him to see the longing in her tear-filled eyes and answered him with a soft kiss.

She stood in the shallow water and John stepped up on the rocky bank, extending his hand to her. Hand in hand they walked silently through the veil of water to the shadowy depths behind. Sunlight, diffused by the watery prism, sprinkled across the rock wall, the thunderous rush of water downed out all other sounds.

John and Aeryn turned to each other; her eyes swept across his chest, and widened as she spied the evidence of his growing arousal. Unbridled desire crashed into them both at once. Aeryn lunged into his arms, locking hers around his neck. He lifted her with his hands securely on her bottom and she wrapped her legs around his waist. Their lips met in a wildly passionate kiss, thrusting tongues mimicking the need still longing to be filled. No kiss had ever tasted so sweet.

They reluctantly parted and John used one hand to push her legs downward. They slipped along his wet body until she was standing again, still hugging him close, feeling his hard length pressed against her stomach. His hands roamed over her back, grasping her hips, moving her toward the rock wall. Lost in her own exploration, she groped his hard curves, sliding her fingers along the crease, a beastly growl rumbled deep in his throat.

As her back met the wall, he leaned in to kiss her again, his hands fondling the silky-smooth of skin her breasts, her mewling moans drowned out by the gushing water. His tongue bathed the soft mounds until Aeryn reached her first release from his adoring mouth. Leaning against the wall for support she closed her eyes, her knees weak and decidedly insubstantial just from his tender, arousing touch. He slipped his hand between her legs, separating them. Long fingers stroked her gently, she was hot and moist, so ready for him he could barely control his primal response.

She moaned his name as he brought both hands to her shoulders staring into her heavy-lidded eyes, sated and foggy, but still filled with desire. He whispered in her ear, "turn around."

She frowned slightly, unable to make out his words, so he turned her slowly, taking her wrists and placing her hands against the wall. He slowly rubbed his body against hers, his chest hair tickling the smoothness of her back, his hard length teasing her soft cheeks. He stepped back, to her woeful moan, and ran his tongue up the center of her back. Her head drooped forward with the sensation and she shivered as the coil of desire tightened again.

"John," she cried over the pulsating rhythm of the falls. Her knees buckled, and John snaked his left arm around her waist, supporting her. His persistent mouth kissed her shoulders, along her neck until he was suckling her earlobe. Pulling her back against him, his hands moved up her sides, then cupped her breasts tenderly. Her head fell back against his shoulder, her deepening sighs making him desperate to possess her.

With his right hand he pressed the small of her back, forcing her to lean forward. She complied, parting her legs in preparation for what was to come. He smiled at her eagerness, delirious that she wanted this moment as much as he did.

Sliding his hand across her abdomen, he aimed for the riot of curls at her center, stroking her, tantalizing the tiny gathering of nerves swelling within. She trembled in anticipation as her sexual hunger spiraled out of control, permeating her entire body.

He bent his knees slightly, guiding his rigid shaft to her dilated opening. With a slow, deep stroke he entered her. She relaxed, stretching her silky walls around his hardness, then welcomed him with a potent internal embrace. His sharp intake of breath caught on a groan as she pushed back against him. Her enthusiasm sparking his animal instincts, making him feral and wild. He bit into the soft flesh of her neck as he began pumping into her, the incredible friction sharpening as he increased the pace with each penetration.

Their frenzied thrusts escalated as she matched his rhythm, pushing into him with vigorous abandon, her hands still braced against the damp wall. John's hands found her breasts again, and he pinched and stretched the swollen nipples before clutching the yielding peaks with covetous caresses.

Both consumed by the fervor of their mating, orgasmic relief seized them both quickly. His body tensed as he erupted inside her, her muscles constricting around him, milking him. They slumped against each other gasping at the power of their mating as the aftershocks wracked their bodies.

Easing from her, he turned her in his arms, his dreamy eyes finding hers the same. "That was incredible," he sighed.

"You feel so good, John…you spoil me…."

A very satisfied smile pulled at the corners of his mouth and at glimmer of hope flickered deep in his heart. "I want to…always."

They walked behind the waterfall, holding tightly to each other. When they came out on the other side, Aeryn looked over at the wall of rushing water. "The waterfall is exquisite, John, absolutely gorgeous."

"Like you," he agreed, kissing her temple.

She blushed at his flattery, "Look!" She said excitedly, pointing toward the falls; "what is that?"

John looked over to see a shimmering rainbow, arcing across the expanse of water. "That's a natural phenomenon. Humans call it a rainbow."

"It's magnificent…" she sighed, "…spectacular.

"Exactly what I was thinking," he sighed, his blue eyes filled with love.

"Seriously, what causes it…the different colors? I’ve never seen anything like it before."

John marveled at the look of wonder on her face; it made her appear even more beautiful to him, if that were possible. "It's formed by refraction…as light disperses through the water, creating the colors of the spectrum. Rainbows are common around waterfalls."

"It's beautiful…a perfect sight at the end of a perfect day."

"Perfect?" he asked, surprised by her choice of words.

"Well, except for that bump on your head."

"But we might never have found this spot, Aeryn, if that hadn't happened." He mused.

"You have a point." She paused, reluctant to leave this extraordinary place. "I guess we should be heading back. Don't want the others to find us here - like this." She grinned, holding her arms out to her sides.

"No, I guess not." Although John didn't really care, he wanted to shout to anyone who would listen that he loved Aeryn Sun! But he knew that would most certainly earn him a Pantak jab or a very cold shoulder. He wasn't willing to risk it, so he said, "maybe we can come back again. I bet our friends would like this place, too."

"No John, this is just for us." She paused, "I want to remember this place as ours."

Her words touched his heart and he smiled at her, knowing this day was more precious to him than any he could remember, and apparently it was to Aeryn, too. That made him very happy, and very hopefully about the future.

+++++

They dressed quickly and made their way back to the transport pod. Aeryn was quiet during the trip back to Moya, lost in thoughts of John and their day together. It had been more than she hoped, and better than she could have dreamed.

She watched him as he concentrated on the pod's controls. John Crichton - he was such an important part of her life now, a part she didn’t want to lose - ever. She had never felt this way before - her heart ached for him - that was the only she could describe it. And one day, she would have to tell him.