Storm by Maggie C

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John lay in his cot and stared up at the ceiling of the tent. He just couldn't fall asleep, and the reason for his sleeplessness was in her own tent right next to his. John idly wondered if she was getting any sleep tonight. He certainly wasn't. He just couldn't get her or the other night's events out of his mind. When he closed his eyes, John could still feel her lips as they hesitantly brushed his for the first time, and then again, as their lips met more confidently. And then what did he do? He pushed her away. //Yeah, that was a great move, John. When she finally kisses you, finally lets you past her walls, what do you do? You push her away and kill any chances that you'll ever be able to kiss her again.// But what else could he have done? He couldn't have kept kissing her, not when Devon was so obviously upset about what had happened. //She probably just acted out of the moment// John thought miserably. //Probably regrets the whole thing and will want to forget it ever happened.// John rolled over on his side in frustration and tried to push those thoughts away so he could get some sleep. But even in sleep he found no escape. His dreams were haunted by images of her and he couldn't shake the feeling of how right Devon felt against him when they were kissing and when he woke up with her in his arms.

A little after dawn, John finally gave up on sleep after a restless night of tossing and turning. He got up and quietly dressed and started to make some of what passed for coffee this week on planet G889. Pouring himself a cup, John was startled by the sound of someone approaching. He looked up to see Devon coming over to the mess tent. She seemed as surprised as he was to find someone else up. John cleared his throat self-consciously and averted his gaze from hers. "Morning, Devon," he mumbled and offered her a cup of substitute coffee.

"Morning, John," Devon replied, accepting the offered cup. Danziger was making an effort not to look directly at her. Devon felt horribly guilty, but she didn't know quite why. "John, I feel like I should apologize to you. The other night...I was upset, and I wasn't thinking clearly." //Liar!// Devon's mind screamed at her, //that was the clearest your thoughts have been in a long time.//

John closed his eyes in pain when he heard Devon's words. //This is what you've been expecting, so just deal with it!// he ordered himself. //But if only it didn't hurt so much... // Still facing away from her, he took a breath and said, "It's okay, Devon, I understand."

"So," Devon paused, "friends?" She almost couldn't say that word; she did not want to be just friends with John anymore.

"Friends," John affirmed, nodding. Inside, he was screaming in protest. How could he be just a friend to her now, after everything that happened? How could he go on pretending that he didn't have feelings for her now that his emotions were out of the corner he had confined them in? //Idiot, so tell her how you feel.// Turning to face her, he said, "Look, Devon, you shouldn't feel guilty at all about what happened that night, it was my fault. I... " He stopped speaking and searched Devon's eyes, his thoughts racing. //What are you going to tell her? That you wanted to kiss her? That you wanted to do *more* than kiss her?// Losing his courage, he backed off from what he was going to say. "I understand how you felt. You were upset."

Devon bit her lip. "Still, your friendship has come to mean a lot to me. I don't want to do anything to risk losing it."

"Devon," John gave her a small smile. "No matter what happens between us, we'll stay friends."

Devon wanted to believe his words, she really did. She needed John as her friend, she wouldn't ruin that for anything. But she sensed he was holding something back, he wasn't telling her everything. Deciding to ignore it for now, she asked with a feigned smile, "So we'll just pretend it never happened?"

When he found his voice again, John managed to force a smile and reply, "Sure."

Devon saw the expression that passed across his face, though, and this time she wouldn't let it go. "John, if it's bothering you, tell me, please," she said.

John let out his frustration and anger at the situation and snapped at her. "Dammit, Adair, if what you want to do is forget we ever kissed, then stop pushing the subject!"

Devon froze. His words struck a chord in her, because it was the complete opposite of what she wanted. She did not want to forget the feeling of kissing and being kissed by John. It was a moment she wanted to cherish, even though it wouldn't happen again. She looked into John's eyes, trying to find out what he was thinking, how he felt. //Come on, Devon, you were always good at figuring out what people were thinking! Why can't you do the same with John?// Devon thought she saw something in his eyes to take a chance on. She swallowed and set her cup aside. Putting her heart on the line and praying she wasn't wrong about him, she quietly said, "But I don't want to forget."

John could swear his heart stopped beating when he heard her say that. Did that mean what he thought it meant? Could it be possible that she had feelings for him too? "What?" he asked, just as quietly.

"I liked kissing you and I don't ever want to forget it," Devon repeated, staring at her feet, trying to hide her terror. She hoped she wasn't making a fool out of herself. She looked at John, and he was just staring at her in surprise. Suddenly Devon was sure she was wrong about him, about everything, and she quickly said, "But you don't have to worry, I won't bring it up again."

John was quiet for a long moment. He knew that if he didn't take a chance now and tell Devon how he felt about her, he never would. She had already made the first move, this should be easy. "Devon," John began hesitantly and then paused, not knowing exactly what to say. He put his cup down and reached over and took her hand. "That night, when I pushed you away, it wasn't because I didn't want to kiss you." He took a deep breath, trying to slow his racing heartbeat. "It was because, when we kissed, I was frightened by how much I care for you, and I thought you were just upset."

Devon looked at him, surprised by his words. "Really?" she asked softly. John just nodded, his expression guarded, waiting for her reaction. She looked down at their entwined hands and a true smile spread across Devon's face. He did care about her. She had a feeling that she was going to be smiling like this all day, but she didn't mind one bit. "I care a lot about you too," she said, looking back up into his eyes. She was rewarded by watching the same smile slowly spread across John's face.

They sat there with their hands entwined, smiling at each other. Then John spoke. "So..." he started, but trailed off before he finished what he was going to say.

Devon picked up where he left off, guessing at his thoughts. "So... we're going to, um, try this?" As soon as the words were out, Devon blushed, embarrassed. Couldn't she find any better way to say that she wanted to have a relationship with John?

John didn't mind, though. He smiled at her embarrassment and rose to his feet, pulling Devon up with him. When they were both on their feet, he pulled Devon close. She had a split second to realize John was going to kiss her and then their lips met.

Devon closed her eyes and leaned into the kiss. No hesitations, no more hidden feelings, this kiss brought every emotion out into the open. They were both careful not to let the kiss go to far, the others would be waking up soon. This time, Devon ended the kiss, hugging John and laying her head against his chest. He rested his chin on the top of her head and closed his eyes, not wanting to ever let her go.

Uly felt himself waking up and rolled over to try and ignore the voice dragging him out of sleep. Then the voice added shaking him to their efforts. He finally gave up and slowly blinked his way out of sleep. Looking up, he saw his mom smiling down at him.

"Wake up, sleepy-head," she said. Devon laughed as Uly launched himself into her arms. "Well, good morning to you too."

Uly grinned at her. "Morning mom."

"Come on, get dressed and we'll grab some breakfast," she said. He did and soon they were waiting in line to get the oatmeal that Bess was serving.

"Dad?"

"Hmn? I'm sorry, what did you say, True?" John forced his attention back to his daughter and away from the woman who was getting her ear was talked off by her son.

Walman approached Devon as the group was packing up to leave this campsite. He asked her a question but she didn't respond right away. After a few tries, he was finally able to get Devon's attention.

"Sorry, Walman," Devon said, trying to hide her embarrassment. She hoped that Walman hadn't followed her gaze to where Danziger was loading the Transrover. "What did you need?"

"I was just wondering if you wanted to ride in the Transrover today," he said.

"No, that's okay, I'll walk," she said. "Thanks for asking, though."

"Hey, John, jump in."

Danziger turned to Alonzo, who was sitting in the dune rail and offering him the passenger's seat. He shrugged and climbed in. "You sure you want me for company instead of Julia?"

Alonzo grinned as he started up the vehicle and took off. "Sure, why not? You're good company, I just have to remember not to mention Devon," he said, rubbing his jaw for emphasis.

Danziger shook his head. "Are you ever going to let that go?"

Alonzo laughed. "Not for as long as I live," he replied. "I have to have something to hold over your head."

Danziger laughed and surreptitiously glanced back to where he knew Devon was walking along with their convoy. He caught her looking directly at him and he grinned at her. John grinned even more when he saw her embarrassment. She just shook her head and smiled. Danziger turned back around in his seat, still smiling.

Alonzo was trying very hard not to laugh out loud, having seen the entire exchange. "Then again..." he said, unable to keep a small laugh from escaping. Danziger looked at him strangely. Alonzo continued, "So have you finally figured out that Devon's a woman that 'should be held and caressed'?" He had the pleasure of watching Danziger turn red. Alonzo gave up and started laughing.

Danziger seriously considered hitting Alonzo, but then decided that the pilot was barely keeping the vehicle under control as it was. John decided that he didn't want to get in a crash, especially since he'd be the one who would have to repair the vehicle afterwards. "Shut up, Solace, and watch where you're going," Danziger muttered.

Alonzo got his laughter under control and bided his time. Danziger wasn't talking right now, but he'd find out what happened between Devon and John soon enough. John couldn't hold out forever.

Julia noticed Devon walking off to the side of the group, alone. //She's been very quiet all day,// Julia realized. //I wonder if anything's wrong?// Starting to worry about her friend, Julia made her way over to Devon, who didn't notice the doctor's approach. Devon seemed to be focused on something in front of her. Suddenly, the older woman blushed and shook her head, smiling. Julia was confused, and then she followed Devon's gaze to see what she was looking at. The doctor stopped in her tracks when she saw Danziger at the other end. She looked back at Devon and grinned. Julia knew the expression on Devon's face. Julia wore it herself for over a week after she and Alonzo first got together. Julia went up to Devon and said, "So that's what's going on." She didn't even bother to hide her grin as Devon jumped up and whirled around.

"Julia!" Devon exclaimed. "Don't sneak up on me like that!"

Julia's grin grew even wider. "Well, if you hadn't been so distracted..."

"I was just thinking about something," Devon said defensively.

"You mean some*one*," Julia teased. "I saw you staring at John, don't try to deny it. Now, what's going on between you two?"

Devon blushed. "What are you talking about?" she asked.

"Come on, Devon, spill it," Julia said, still smiling, her eyes twinkling with mirth. "You know you're just dying to tell someone about it."

Devon shot Julia a look, but then she started smiling too. "You're right, I am," she said, and then both women giggled. Keeping her voice low, Devon gave Julia the condensed version of what happened between her and John by the river and then she told her about their talk this morning.

When she finished, Julia shook her head. "Well, I knew you two were stubborn, but I had no idea *how* stubborn." She couldn't believe how close those two came to just walking away from what they so obviously felt for each other. Julia smiled at Devon again. "So you two are together now?" Devon blushed again and nodded.

Julia smiled, her delight at Devon's happiness evident in her eyes. "Devon, that's wonderful! How do you feel?"

"Oh, Julia, I don't know, I'm happy, I'm absolutely terrified," Devon replied. "And loving every second of it," she laughed.

Julia laughed along with her. "I'm so happy for you, Devon."

"Thanks," Devon said, and she glanced over again to where John was riding with Alonzo in the dune rail. In her mind, Devon reviewed every moment she had spent with John since the beginning of this crazy trip. She remembered their first 'discussion', the first time he gave her that heart-melting smile,...she could recall every moment she spent with him in perfect detail. Devon started as she realized something. She was in love with John. //No, that couldn't be right,// the thought drifted across her mind. But she knew it was true. She had fallen in love with him. When had that happened? There were so many moments, when they were talking, when he was sick, when they were joking around, when he was offering her support...when was the exact moment? She should be able to pin it down; they had only known each other for about a year. But they had been through so much together... "When did he do it?" Devon murmured.

"Do what?" Julia asked in confusion.

Devon was startled out of her thoughts and she blushed. She didn't mean to say that out loud, but she decided to tell Julia anyway. "I was just thinking...when did John make me fall in love with him?"

Julia's confusion melted away. She smiled widely and shook her head. "I doubt you'll be able to figure it out." Her gaze was drawn ahead to the two men riding in the dune rail. "Those men of ours, they're sneaky, stealing our hearts when we're not looking."

Devon laughed and followed her gaze to John and Alonzo. It seemed like John was trying to ignore Alonzo. Devon smiled, Alonzo was trying to find out what was going on. John was either going to give in and tell Alonzo or hit him...Something occurred to Devon. "Julia," she asked, hesitating a bit, "did Alonzo ever tell you why John hit him on the East Coast?"

Julia stifled a laugh. "Oh, you're going to love this..."

Devon checked on Uly, who was fast asleep in their tent, and started heading out of camp to meet Danziger, a nightly ritual now, ever since that morning...had it been just a week ago? It felt like years ago and a moment ago at the same time. Devon smiled as she continued on her way.

"Devon?" Yale's voice stopped her in her tracks. "Where are you going?"

"Oh, I was just going for a walk, Yale," she said quickly.

"May I accompany you?" he asked.

"Oh, well," Devon stammered, trying to think of a way to refuse him without hurting his feelings. She was about to give up when she heard someone else approaching.

"Sorry, Yale, I've got this time reserved," Julia said. "You ready?" she asked Devon.

Devon nodded, not quite understanding what was going on. She smiled weakly at Yale and left with Julia. When they were out of earshot, she whispered gratefully, "Thank you."

Julia smiled. "Don't mention it. He's going to figure it out soon, though. Everyone's going to. *Especially* if you two keep staring at each other constantly, like you have been the last week," Julia laughed quietly.

Devon blushed. She and John *had* been doing a lot of that lately. "Like you and Alonzo were any better," Devon retorted. "I know they'll find out soon, I'm surprised everyone doesn't know already," she said. "It may be selfish, but John and I want to keep this to ourselves for as long as we can."

"I understand," Julia said. "Alonzo and I will run interference for you guys."

Devon smiled gratefully at her. "Thanks again, Julia," she said as Julia walked off. She continued walking to the place where she was supposed to meet John. When she got there, she saw him sitting on the ground and looking up at the sky. Devon stopped and just looked at him for a long moment. Her mind drifted to what Julia had told her a few days earlier and she giggled. She still couldn't believe John had hit Alonzo because of her. John heard that and looked up. He saw her and smiled.

John walked over and pulled her into his arms, giving her a quick kiss. "Hi," he said.

"Hi," Devon replied, smiling up at him. Then another giggle escaped her throat.

"What's so funny?" John asked.

Devon giggled again. This was just too good to keep to herself any longer. "Did you really punch Alonzo because he was talking about me?" she asked.

John closed his eyes and groaned. "How did you find out about that?"

"Julia told me," she said, grinning at his embarrassment. "So?"

"Uh-uh, I've taken a vow of silence on that subject," John replied.

An evil gleam appeared in Devon's eyes. "Well, if you're going to be that way about it..." she said. Then she slipped her hand under his shirt and started to tickle him.

He started laughing. "Come on, Dev, cut it out," he said. She didn't stop, and he made a grab for her hands, but lost his balance and sent both of them tumbling to the ground. Devon just laughed and resumed her attack. John abruptly rolled on top of her and kissed her, hard.

That got her to stop. Devon's hands stilled as every coherent thought flew from her mind. Her entire existence narrowed to herself and John, and his lips moving against hers.

John eventually broke off the kiss and sat up. Devon positioned herself so she was leaning against his chest. He wrapped his arms around her. "You okay?" he asked.

"Perfect," Devon replied. They just sat and talked for awhile, joking around and enjoying each other's company. After a while, Devon couldn't resist, and she brought up the subject again. "So why did you hit Alonzo?" she asked. John groaned again and she giggled. "So?" she asked again, loving teasing him about it but genuinely curious as well.

John sighed. "You really want to know?" He felt her nod against his chest. John hesitated for a long moment before he finally began talking. "Well...I was sitting there, making sure he didn't go anywhere, and he kept talking about you." He paused, running his hand absently up and down Devon's arm as he looked off into the distance and collected his thoughts. She waited patiently for him to continue. "I found the whole thing very funny at first. Alonzo was acting like a lovesick teenager. He was totally obsessed with you, wouldn't talk about anything else, wouldn't shut up either. When I asked him about Julia, it was like he had never even heard of her before. After that, I gave up trying to reason with him and just tried to ignore him. But... listening to the things he was saying about you, it was like he was reading my mind, and to top it all off, I kept hearing what you said to Alonzo when I was trapped in the rock tunnel," Devon froze at this, he had *heard* her? She almost missed what he said next, "what the Elder had told me, and I just...lost it and I hit him."

Devon pulled away and turned around to kneel in front of him. She looked into his eyes curiously. "What did the Elder tell you?"

"He told me," John said quietly, pausing to take a deep breath, "that I was in love with you."

That surprised Devon and she looked away from his eyes. No, he couldn't have just said what she thought he did. He couldn't have. Thinking about it or telling Julia that she was in love with him, that was one thing. It was more like trying the feelings on for size, it didn't really count. *This* counted. But then again, he hadn't really said anything yet. All John had done was repeat what the Elder had said. However, John appeared to be about to remedy that situation. Devon felt like she was on the verge of panic. Was that her heart pounding or John's? She couldn't tell, and she couldn't tell whether she was trembling or if it was John's hand that was shaking as he tilted her head back up so their eyes met. "And he was right," John finished quietly.

Their eyes were locked together for a long moment, until Devon broke away from John's gaze. She leaned her head against his shoulder and wrapped her arms around John's neck. He held her close and lightly ran his hand along the back of her head, smoothing her hair. John tried to calm his racing heartbeat. //Well, she hasn't run away,// he thought. That had been one of his biggest fears, that if he actually told her how deeply his feelings for her ran, he would scare her off. But after they had nearly walked away from this relationship because both of them were afraid to tell the other how they felt, John wasn't going to take that chance again. He was going to make sure Devon knew exactly how he felt about her. "I love you, Devon Adair," he whispered again. His shoulder felt a little damp. She couldn't be crying...could she? "Just thought you might like to know," he said, in an attempt to lighten her mood. It worked, he felt Devon laugh against his shoulder. She pulled away and wiped at her eyes. John brushed the few tears she missed away with his thumb and left his hand there to caress her cheek.

Devon leaned her face into his hand and smiled. She closed her eyes and replayed his words in her mind. Devon felt happiness and love for John wash over her. It had been years since a man had told her that. She had forgotten how wonderful it felt. Opening her eyes, Devon saw John looking at her with a slightly confused expression on his face. She leaned forward and kissed him softly. "Thank you," she said, and she smiled as John grew even more confused. Devon leaned forward to whisper in his ear. "I love you too." John turned her head so she was looking into his eyes. Devon was entranced by those deep blue orbs. His eyes revealed so much, and Devon briefly wondered if her eyes revealed her emotions so clearly. John tenderly drew her closer for a gentle kiss that seemed to go on forever.

Devon was blissfully unaware that there was a world apart from the two of them until a large raindrop landed on her eyelids. She jumped and opened her eyes. It was pouring. Not storming, but raining pretty hard. Devon looked back at John and he grinned sheepishly at her and pointed out the obvious. "We're soaked," he said.

Devon just stared at him for a minute. She couldn't keep her laughter in for long, though. Leaning against John, she let it out. He joined in and they remained like that for a few minutes, leaning against each other, laughing irrepressibly while the rain continued to fall.

As their laughter died down, John stood up and offered Devon his hand. "Come on, we don't want to catch pneumonia, Julia'd kill us," he said, grinning at her.

Devon giggled and let John pull her to her feet. "Yeah, she probably would." They started walking back to camp, arm in arm. Devon looked up at her love, eyes sparkling. "Do you think we should let everyone else in on our secret?"

"Aw, do we have to?" John joked. Devon laughed and swatted him. "Seriously, though," he said, "I don't think we should tell everyone. We should probably let the kids on it, though."

"Yeah, we'll talk to them tomorrow," Devon agreed. "Do you mind if I tell Yale?" she asked, hoping he wouldn't mind. Yale was like a father to her, and she couldn't wait to tell him about John and herself.

John smiled at her, dispelling all of her nervousness. "Of course I don't mind." He squeezed her hand and stopped, they were almost back to camp. "So we'll tell the kids tomorrow, and you'll talk to Yale. We'll let the rest of them find out on their own."

Devon nodded and smiled, "Right, tomorrow." They stood there in silence for a moment. "We really should get out of this rain," she said. But she didn't move a muscle.

John wasn't going anywhere either. "Yeah, we should get back to our tents and dry off," he said, looking intently at Devon.

Devon looked back at him just as intently. "I love you," she said abruptly.

John lifted up his hand to caress her cheek. "I love you too," he said quietly.

They stood there for a few long moments, looking into each other's eyes, letting them express all the feelings that words could not. Then Devon smiled and shook her head. "This is ridiculous, kiss me and let's get inside."

John laughed. "Yes boss," he teased. Before Devon could object at that nickname, his lips covered hers and they promptly forgot about the rain again for a little while, until the kiss ended. Then they reluctantly seperated and went to their respective tents, both hoping that morning would come quickly.

The End.

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