Things had calmed for the crew of Moya in the last few days. The reunion of Talyn and Moya along with the reunion of John, Aeryn and D'argo with the rest of the crew on Moya had been a joyous occasion. The relief and happiness of the crew filled the ship. The reunion party had been one to remember. Thankfully the Peacekeepers were no where in sight which let the crew return to some semblance of a normal routine. In all honesty they needed it to get their energy back and regroup before plotting their next move.

John had taken advantage of the late in the day quiet to allow himself a long and refreshing shower. With the birth of Talyn, all of Moya's systems had returned to normal, so the threat of getting scalded or frozen to death had finally disappeared. John had dried himself off and dressed in clean clothes before heading back to his quarters to find a brush for his hair. Much to his chagrin, his brush was missing. He went down the list of possible suspects noting that Rygel would probably have taken the brush on principle, but really had no use for it with all of three hairs on top of his head. Chianna also was a prime suspect, but he doubted she would ever use a brush. Clearly D'argo and Zhaan would not have use for it, which left Aeryn as the most likely thief.

Shaking his head, John wandered down towards Aeryn's quarters. Turning the corner to her room he spotted her brush in hand, wearing his Calvins and a T-shirt, apparently preparing for bed.

"Nice brush Aeryn. I wonder where you found it?"

Aeryn glanced at John before looking down at the brush.

"What does this say?"

John smiled.

"Oh no, we're not gonna play that game again. Do you mind if I borrow 'your' brush for a minute?"

Aeryn, hesitantly handed John the brush, who then made a quick move like he was headed, out the door. This caused Aeryn to jump as well, which drew a laugh from John and a scowl from Aeryn.

"Don't worry Aeryn. I wouldn't dream of leaving with 'your' brush."

John quickly ran it through his own hair before turning back to Aeryn.

"I've got an idea Aeryn. Come and have a seat over here." John pointed towards a spot on the floor near the end of Aeryn's bed. He then grabbed a pillow and threw it down on the spot.

"There. Have a seat on that pillow. It will be more comfortable."

Aeryn looked at him quizzically, but did as he had asked and sat down on the floor facing him.

"No not that way Aeryn. Turn so you are facing away from the bed."

The nervous look in Aeryn's eye told John she didn't know what he was up to.

"Relax Aeryn. All I want to do is to brush your hair."

She looked back at him again.

"And why would you want to do that?"

John moved over to the end of the bed and sat down behind her.

"I thought you might enjoy it Aeryn."

He quickly reminded himself that he was again on unknown ground for Aeryn as without a doubt, brushing hair was not high on the list of priorities for Peacekeepers outside of everyday grooming.

Aeryn tensed, but did not pull away as John lifted part of her hair and ran the brush through it gently. He liked the feel of her hair, as it was silky and fine running through his hands. She seemed to relax a bit as he continued brushing.

"Back when I was a kid, I remember seeing my father brush my mother's hair for her. It was always late in the day, after I was in bed. But once in a while I would come out for a drink or something else and I'd see him sitting on the couch with her in front of him on the floor as he ran the brush through her hair. Sometimes they'd have music going quietly. More often the not, the lights were down and they would have a fire burning in the fireplace."

John continued to run the brush through Aeryn's hair. As he did, he would let his fingers run gently across her neck as he slid them through the hair, or he would brush them past her ear. Aeryn had grown quiet as he talked. Having drifted into the past, John had failed to notice that she had relaxed and was leaning back against his legs while he continued to brush her hair. Caught in the daze of his memories and as relaxed as he'd been in a long time, John let the time slip by as he savored the quiet and the feel of Aeryn's hair as he brushed it.

Aeryn was soaking up the moment as well. John's hands in her hair and the gentle caress of the brush had pulled the tension out of her. She tried to imagine what it was like to have someone take the time to focus on a person like John's parents focused on each other.

She asked quietly. "Why do you think your father did that?"

John smiled and continued.

"I'm not really sure Aeryn. I know my mother was proud of her hair. It was long and dark and thick almost like yours. I know my father was aware of how she felt, and I'm sure that taking the time to brush her hair was one way to let her know how beautiful he thought she was."

John thought for a moment, all the while continuing to run the brush and his hands through Aeryn's hair.

"I think it was more then that though. I think it was something that made them slow down and pay attention to each other. With Dad's work and him being gone all the time, their time together was special. For him to stop and take the time to focus on my mom helped her know that she was still the most important part of his life. Considering how she really took care of all of us, including my father, it was also another way for him to repay her, even if it was just a small thing."

John stopped and put his hands on Aeryn's shoulders.

"You know when I really think about it Aeryn. It was important for me to see that as a kid too. It was one of those unspoken ways that I knew for sure that my parents loved each other. I'm not sure there is anything that makes a kid feel safer then that."

Aeryn turned to face him, resting her arms on his knees.

"Thank you John. I enjoyed your memories. It sounds like a nice ritual your parents had."

John reached down and brushed a strand of hair away from Aeryn's face, lightly caressing her cheek in the process. The touch seemed to sink in as she closed her eyes briefly to soak it up.

"Thank you Aeryn. I was home just now. I'm glad you were a part of it."

Silence fell over the room. John knew he was at one of those moments where he wasn't sure what to do. Inside he wanted desperately to kiss the woman in front of him, but he'd vowed to himself not to force the issue and to wait for Aeryn to let him know she was ready. What he was feeling for her at the moment was almost overpowering.

"I guess I better hit the sack Aeryn. I imagine Pilot will have all kinds of things for us to do tomorrow."

Standing up he offered his hand to Aeryn. She accepted and let him pull her up. Aeryn too was battling herself inside. All her warning bells were ringing telling her to back off, yet this was one of those moments where Crichton had managed to slip through her defenses.

"You are right John. Sleep is the best thing right now."

Now that they'd both said it, they both groaned in disbelief on the inside.

John turned to walk away, kicking himself for not taking a chance. As he was turning the corner, Aeryn called back to him.

"John?"

He turned quickly.

"Yes Aeryn?"

His heart pounded anticipating what she might say.

"Do you think my hair is beautiful too? Like your mothers? She asked quietly. The look in her eye was the one that broke his heart whenever it appeared. The abandoned little girl had slipped out, questioning herself and looking for approval.

He smiled.

"Trust me Aeryn, I've never seen someone so beautiful in all my life."

Her eyes shined in reply.

"Good night John."

"Good night Aeryn."

John turned and headed down the corridor back towards his quarters, not noticing that he was still holding the brush in his hand. His thoughts were on Aeryn and how the door had been opened just a little more in their relationship. He wondered if he had the strength to hold on until she was really ready to let him in.