REFLECTIONS
By
Rhonda Hallstrom
Timeline: On way to New Pacifica
Author's E-Mail: lurker@iglobal.net
AUTHOR'S NOTES:
Hello, all. As urged, this lurker is reluctantly giving up her lurker's license in hopes you'll enjoy this little story - ah, well, some things are worth it! Major kudos are given to my best pals and cheerleaders Paula and Louise and thanks to the supportive people on WebChat - you guys are the BEST!Small warning: it's a *tad* racy but there's nothing specific. To be sure I wouldn't offend any good folks, I called our Fearless Leader. Alicia gave it a thumbs-up and a PG rating. (Thanks, Alicia!!)
ENJOY!!!!!!
Reflections
by Rhonda HallstromJohn Danziger didn't know how much longer he could hold out. He could barely sit across the campfire from her anymore without thinking about...things. Who would have laid odds on the fact that he would fall for Devon, the richest person around. Not him, certainly. And how could he expect anything to come of it; he kept forgetting he was a drone. Devon Adair wouldn't...couldn't fall for a drone. *She deserves better,* Danziger thought bitterly. The haves and the have-nots would always be separated.
He worked on the vehicles resolutely, thinking about all the things they have gone through. He never even saw her while on the ship, except when he was looking for that bomb. Then, he was a little busy trying to get rid of the thing before it exploded but he couldn't help but hear over the Gear that she was the one keeping the brass distracted and talking while he and O'Neill got rid of the bomb. In essence, it was the first time they worked together. It felt good.
She wasn't a spoiled "rich bitch" the whole station had taken to calling her. She could duke it out with the best of them. He should know; often HE was the one she was fighting against. She was all woman but she knew her mind and wouldn't waver one iota. But she never treated him like a drone - that was the thing that confused him. All his life, he had been stepped on, taken for granted, ordered around - well, she had done her fair share of ordering him around, or trying to. But he kept reminding her, and everyone else, that she wasn't the Boss anymore. But he was really trying to remind himself that she WAS the Boss and he had no business having fantasies about her.
He loved her strong will, her love for her son, her dedication and determination to New Pacifica and saving 250 Syndrome families, her porcelain face, auburn hair to match her temper and her spirit, blue eyes...wait a minute! THIS wasn't getting the Trans-Rover fixed!
"John?"
He knew that voice; he'd heard it often enough in his dreams. Swallowing to get rid of the lump in his throat, he answered, "Yeah?" as gruffly as he could.
"Could I talk to you for a minute?"
John winced inwardly. "Look, Adair," he began, "if you want this fixed--"
He stood up and suddenly, his thought processes ground to a halt. *What the hell is she wearing???!!!* He looked; he knew he'd seen that outfit before. *Oh...those are Bess' coveralls; the ones Bess wore at her wedding. The ladies must've been doing some clothes-trading.* The coveralls fit every curve snugly as if it was a second skin but it was the front that got him; he fought not to hyperventilate. It was cut across the body right under the breast line. He questioned the designer who designed it; it didn't seem to have any practical value. It had one immediate effect on him, though, that was unmentionable. He didn't remember having a problem when Bess was wearing it. He willed himself to look away before it was too late.
Devon, incredibly, seemed to have no idea what effect the coveralls had. She continued the conversation. "You know I want the vehicles fixed, John," she said, "and I know you'll do a good job as always. I just need your advice on something. It won't take long."
As always, she had manipulated the conversation to what she needed. So why didn't John mind very much? He followed her off to the edge of the forest.
Devon talked about supplies as they went. Hearing this same song over and over, John's mind started to drift. Supplies reminded him of when they went searching for water. It was the first time he nearly admitted what he felt for her - almost dying makes someone do that. It was her voice that kept him from dying and it was her voice that kept him going, striving to survive no matter what the cost. And he did. When she appeared with water, he felt that there was nothing else he needed to make his life complete. And when she helped him into the DuneRail for the drive back, he didn't ever want to let go.
He noticed that Devon had stopped walking. She was looking out over the cliff, saying how beautiful it was. John agreed; the sunlight picked up the golden strands of her auburn hair and made her eyes sparkle. But a lot of things made her eyes sparkle and John felt blessed every time he saw it.
The one experience he would never trade away is when he got pneumonia - or it felt like pneumonia. The inhabitants that helped him would only allow Devon in, and True, and when Devon rushed in to him and cradled his fevered head in her hands, he felt like he was in heaven. He should have left right then when she urged him to, but he, like an idiot, put his own comfort first. Then while he recovered, she was drawn to that space-case Sheppard who had to attract her to him and then break her heart by dying in front of her. If he wasn't already dead...John flexed his large hands just thinking about it. If ANYONE hurt Devon ever again, they would be very sorry....
"I was just thinking that it's time we should get going."
Devon's voice jerked him back to the present. "Yeah," he answered. "I figured when you put out a rush order on the vehicles."
"Did I order you?" Devon asked, looking a little...vulnerable?
*Devon Adair, vulnerable? Nah, must be my imagination,* John thought. But he was more than a little confused by the question. "Whaddaya mean, Adair?" he asked gruffly. "You're the Boss."
"No, I'm not, John, not anymore," she said. "You've said it enough times."
"Yeah, well, somebody's gotta do it. And you do it good enough." He saw a look of doubt cross her features. "What is it?" Trying to make a joke, he turned her around to face him. "This isn't the stubborn, determined Devon Adair I know."
"I just don't know if we're doing the right thing," Devon said. "The Council tried to kill us. I don't know WHAT's going on anymore! When we get to New Pacifica, what happens?" Her temper flared in her frustration. "I'LL tell you what happens! The Council will move in, take control, kill the Terrians, Kobas and Grendlers and this beautiful world, and maybe us, too! And what's going to happen to Uly?! And half of you will be gone--"
"Whoa, whoa, Adair!" John comforted. "What the heck are you going on about? Where's that optimistic lady who is going to save 250 families?"
"I just don't see any more point to this," Devon said, almost tearfully. "My son is half alien, we may never get to New Pacifica, and even if we get there, half--" She paused, looked at John, and sighed. "I have to admit something--all of you have become my family. ALL of you. Even Morgan." She laughed at that last. "Morgan is the relative you'd like to kill but never do because you love him," she said. "And Alonzo....what's going to happen to Julia? When we get there, he'll fly off and Julia will be here. And what about you?"
The question made John Danziger's heart jump. "What ABOUT me?"
"You and True weren't supposed to be here. Once that colony ship comes, you'll have your life back and leave forever."
"And you know that for sure, huh?"
That stopped Devon in her tracks. "What?"
"I told you when we were on the East Coast, didn't I?"
She struggled to remember. She remembered when they got transported to the wrong coast and she and John stood there and looked at the ocean under the moons. She felt his strong arm around her shoulders, providing warmth and comfort. She ached for that arm now. "I don't recall you saying anything in particular."
He pursed his lips in exasperation. "I said, I thought New Pacifica should be a pretty place to settle down, maybe raise True in a nice place." That wasn't PRECISELY what he said, he remembered, but as long as SHE didn't remember....
"So, are you saying you want to be a COLONIST? Danziger, that doesn't sound like you."
He shrugged. "Well, the 14 of us know more about this planet than anyone. I don't see that the higher ups will want any of us to leave."
"So when did you pay any attention to the higher ups?"
"I may not have the choice."
"But IF you had a choice...?"
"I don't know, okay? I don't know!" He regretted his tone instantly. Not two minutes ago, he promised instant death to anyone who hurt Devon and now he just went ahead and did it. He cursed himself and grabbed Devon's arm gently. "Hey, sorry, okay? I'm sorry - I didn't mean that."
She turned to face him again. "It's just that...I have come to depend on you for so many things...You're so capable and dependable!"
"Great - I'm a German shepherd."
Devon sighed in exasperation. "YOU are not a DOG!" John grinned at her. She couldn't help but grin back. Noticing his hair was in his eyes, as usual, she walked forward and casually began to arrange the strands off to the side of his face. "It's just that," she continued, "I'd think I'd miss you. A LOT." The strands of hair promptly fell back where they were again and her smile became wider.
"I thought I was just nothing but a pain in the butt to you."
She looked up at him. "You are not 'just nothing', either."
"You didn't say anything about being a 'pain in the butt'."
"You're right, I didn't," she said, her eyes sparkling.
Nothing could stop him now, not Gaal, Grendlers, ZEDs, Terrians, Kobas, or others. Nothing.
His strong arms wrapped around her in a flash, pulled her to him and kissed her. Her hands went to his chest as she pulled back slightly in surprise. But he continued. And continued. She was kissing him back!!! He was now in heaven! He continued the kiss while he traced the part of the coveralls that had been driving him crazy.
She felt the warmth of his body next to hers and sighed in ecstasy. She had been dreaming about this for so long. Every time she ordered him to do something, every time she asked his advice, every time she argued with him, she was telling him she wanted him and he FINALLY got the hint! She shivered as his finger brushed the outline of the coveralls. Bess had assured her that the coveralls drove men crazy - chalk one more up to feminine intelligence! She purred deep in her throat as she ran her hands down the sides of his body, then reached up and ran her fingers through his unruly sandy-blond hair.
In response, he swung her into his arms and carried her into the woods. She nuzzled her face into his shoulder - he smelled like the Trans-Rover! She couldn't help but giggle, and, before he could ask her what was so funny, began to nibble at his neck. His body stiffened and placed her gently on some ferns that had fallen from the trees. Then he began in earnest.
Afterward, Devon stroked his hair. "I love you," she whispered. "I love you."
John felt his heart would burst with joy. "I love you," he whispered, as he stroked her jawline. He kissed her gently.
Her lips smiled underneath his. "Marry me, John."
He grinned. "STILL giving orders?" he shook his head incredulously. "Well, I think that's one order I might be able to live with."
-The End-
This text file was ran through PERL script made by Andy. Original text file is available in Andy's Earth 2 Fan Fiction Archive.