Aeryn Sun arrived at the transporter and hugged her little girl.

"Hey sweetie, what are you doing? Didn't you hear me call your name?"

Tara smiled at her mother. "No I ... I must have missed it."

Aeryn shook her head in disappointment and slight admonishment. "Tara, you should give your surroundings more attention. What if I had been the enemy?"

"Yeah I know, Mom ... Where's Dad?" Aeryn rolled her eyes, that was typical for her daughter, if she didn't like a subject she just changed it. But for once Aeryn decided to play along this time.

"Well your father said he has to get something. And he doesn't want me to see it. So I decided to give you company. Is that okay with you?"

"Yes Mom. Did you get me anything from the market?"

Aeryn laughed. After all her daughter was just a little kid. It didn't matter how mature she sometimes seemed to appear.

"Well you have to be patient Tara."

"But...Oh there is Dad." Tara ran towards her father and John caught her in a strong hug.

"What is Daddy's little girl doing?"

Tara looked deeply in her father's eyes. "I'm not a little girl anymore. I'm seven years old now, Dad."

John smiled at this. Tara looked just like Aeryn. She had her mother's raven-black hair and her gray-blue eyes but she has her father's smile.

"Oh I'm sorry how could I forget it. I will remember. I promise. So let us go back to Moya. Your Dad has a lot of work to do. And I AM an old man." Tara just giggled at that.

Back on Moya Tara decided to visit Pilot. John and Aeryn remove the contents of the transporter.

"You now what, Aeryn we are getting old."

Aeryn gave John a surprised look over her shoulder. "Speak for yourself! Cause I'm not old."

John gave her one of his loveliest smiles.

"It just a figure of speech, Aeryn. What I meant is that Tara grows up so fast. She is already seven now. Seven cycles ago I remember as if it was yesterday that you told me you were pregnant. And now our daughter is seven cycles old. Give her another ten cycles and all these young buddy's will sleep one Moya's doorstep just to see her. Hell, we'll have to fight them off." Aeryn just shook her head at this. After all these years she still didn't understand all what he was saying.

"Well we will think about that problem in ten cycles then and by the way, John. Moya hasn't got a doorstep."

John just gave her his don't-go-there-look. "When do you expect D'Argo and the others back?"

"In about three arns. Why?" Aeryn asked puzzled.

"Can't a man be snoopy?"

"OK. John, what's up?"

"What do you mean, Aeryn, nothing is up." John lied. He couldn't tell Aeryn what was up. It was supposed to be a surprise for her.

He walked over to her and took her into a loving embrace. He kissed her neck and took her earlobe between his teeth. Aeryn's throat escaped a moan as she pressed herself closer against his body.

"John... do you really think this is such a good idea?" John's lips and tongue made their way from Aeryn's ear to her throat, then to her neck and then his lips found hers and they both gave in to heart-stopping kiss.

After a while they parted. "We will continue this later." John smiled when he saw that Aeryn's eye had misted over. She had totally forgotten her question.

"See you later, honey." John said before he walked away.

Aeryn watched him leave and could only smile. She wasn't that stupid. She had recognised what he had done but she knew he planned something for tonight so she decided to play it by his rules this time. With a smile she began working on her prowler.

------------

John was on Moya's terrace. He had planned a lot for tonight and in his mind he checked the things on the list to make it all perfect. D'Argo and Chiana would take Tara this evening and Stark would take Rygel. They would visit the planet and stay there overnight so he and Aeryn would have the whole ship for themselves.

He also had prepared the terrace for a candle light dinner, and Chiana would bring the meal right before she would take Tara to the planet. Additionally, John had prepared his and Aeryn's shared quarters with candles placed all over the small golden room. But the most important thing for the evening was secreted away in John's pocket.

It was an engagement ring. The last time he had asked Aeryn to marry him was five years ago. She had said no and he hadn't had the courage to face another turn down ever since. But he wanted Aeryn to be his wife. Of course, they loved each other, shared quarters and had a beautiful daughter but she was ´only´ his mate. And he really wanted to be her husband, wanted to show openly that they belonged to each other.

------------

Arns later

"Pilot?"

"Yes officer Sun?"

"Why are my quarters looked?"

"I'm sorry, Officer Sun, but I'm not allowed to tell you. Commander Crichton says you must go to your old quarters if you wish to take a shower. He also says he has taken new clothes to your old quarters." Pilot replied with a stern voice.

"Oh really? And has Commander Crichton anything else to tell?" Aeryn inquired, her temper getting the better of her.

"No, Officer Sun. That was all. Oh wait he wishes to see you after your change on the terrace."

Aeryn sighed. "All right, thank you Pilot." Then she headed towards her old quarters.

She entered the room and looked embarrassed at the clothes John had chosen. On the bed lay a silky long red dress with a white flower on the top. Aeryn smiled to herself. She undressed herself and took a long, relaxing shower.

When she was finished she picked up the red dress and covered her body with it. Then she combed her hair and decided to let it open. When she was ready she went towards the terrace.

She stopped at the entrance and watched with surprise what John had done. The room was full of burning candles and flowers. In the middle stood a table with a long tablecloth. The table was covered with different plates and bowls. Suddenly silent music filled the room.

John stood at the other end of the room and watched the stars. He wore black trousers and a black shirt.

Aeryn took a step in the room and said: "I think that means no food cubes tonight." John turned around and gave her his most shinning smile.

"Hello Sunshine. Would you like something to drink?"

Aeryn nodded and John walked towards her with two glasses. Aeryn smiled and took one of the glasses.

"Well Sunshine we have to toast."

"Really and what for?" Aeryn asked jokingly.

"Well I´m standing here with the most beautiful, strong, fascinating woman in the whole universe who is also the mother of my lovely daughter and we are going to have a really, really romantic evening and maybe ... night." John said before he gave Aeryn a sweet kiss. Before she had a chance to answer the kiss John took step back.

"Well then. How could I say no?" They toast.

John led Aeryn towards the table and pulled her chair out. After she sat down he went to his chair and sat across from her.

"John, what is it all about. I mean ..." She gestured around the whole room.

"Can't a man be romantic from time to time?"

"Sure he can, John, but most men are only romantic when something is up."

"Well I´m not most men, Aeryn. I just want to spend a nice evening with the woman I love. Without our daughter sleeping in the next room, without Fluffy sighing about body breeders and without listening to D´Argo and Chiana argue. Is this really so bad?"

Aeryn smiled and took his hand over hers.

"No, it isn´t. So I think that means that the others are spending the night on the planet, right?" John nodded.

"So have you got any other surprises for me?"

John laughed and squeezed her hand. "I think you just have to be patient, Aeryn. And now lets eat before it's getting cold."

During their meal they talked about everything and anything, they laughed and flirted like two people freshly in love. After dinner John stood up and offered Aeryn his hand.

"Would you like to dance?"

Aeryn took his hand and they slowly began dancing. John took her in a strong embrace. They looked each other deeply in the eyes.

"Thank you for this evening John. I really enjoy it." Aeryn whispered against his lips.

"That was only for starters Aeryn" John whispered back before their lips met in a passionate kiss. His hands stroked up and down her back and their tongues were engaged in a loving duel.

"I really have the most romantic man in the Universe." Aeryn said with a smile.

Suddenly John looked very stern. "Well that's not really right, Aeryn, but it could be."

Aeryn gave John a puzzled look. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, we are not man and wife, Aeryn. don't misunderstood me. In my heart you are my wife. But..."

"But what John?"

"But I want you to be truly my wife." John got down on one knee before Aeryn and took out the box with the engagement ring.

"Aeryn Sun, I love you for more than fourteen cycles. My life primary began when I found you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I need you to lighten up my life I need your warmth against me in the night and I need your love to hold me up. Would you give me the honor to be my wife?"

John looked up hopeful to Aeryn.

Aeryn face was full of emotions. Fear, Hope, Love and Sadness. A tear rolled down her cheek. "Oh John." was all she said as she lightly shook her head.

John's hopeful smile turned into a grimace as her reply sank slowly in and he stood up. She had done it again. She had turned him down again.

John turned around he couldn't bear seeing Aeryn at the moment. He was such a fool.

Aeryn was already heartbroken as she recognised the hurt look on John's face. She couldn't say yes. She didn't know why she just couldn't.

"John I ... I have thought we had worked this out years ago. I really don't understand why this marriage is so important to you? I mean look we share quarters, we have a daughter, we sleep together, we eat together ... it´s just like we are married..."

John turned around to face Aeryn. "Okay Aeryn, then tell me why you say no? Why are you so afraid of being my wife? I´m sick of saying Hello I´m John Crichton and this is Aeryn Sun oh and that's our daughter. Do you know how many men have asked me `is she your wife?´ and I have to say no. And it really hurts, Aeryn. And I really don't understand why you are doing this? Like you said before we are almost married, so why not take that last step? Is it because you don't want to be officially engaged to a non-Sebacean? Or what? I wish you would have enough faith in me to tell me. But maybe it's just another of my stupid Earth things. So it´s okay we are going on like before. As always," his shoulders drooped and he shook his head. "Oh by the way Aeryn do you know what day it is?"

Aeryn shook her head.

"On this day fifteen cycles ago we met for the first time. Anyway, it doesn't seem to be so important to you. If you would excuse me I ... I have things to do on my module."

"Why do you always have to be so stubborn, John? Isn't my love enough for you? Aren't the last fifteen cycles enough for you? Why do you always have to have the one thing you don't have? Look at all the things we have. We love each other. We are happy for so many cycles now. We have a wonderful daughter and we have a home here on Moya. Doesn't that mean anything to you?" Aeryn whispered.

"It means the world to me, Aeryn and much more than that. But don`t you understand how important this is to me? Don't you think it`s time to move on? Take the next step? I love you you and you love me - isn´t that enough for you to say `yes`?"

"But John..." Aeryn started but was interrupted by John.

"No, it`s okay Aeryn... Really.... See you later." John turned and left the room without looking back.

Aeryn sobbed silent. She was really hurt by his words. How could he think such things? Of course it was not because he wasn't Sebacean. It was just the wedding would rip apart the last bands to her old life. And she didn't know if she was ready for this last step. She really didn't know.

Aeryn decided to go to their quarters. Maybe she could speak to him.

Aeryn arrived at their now open quarters and saw what John had done here. It was as beautifully prepared as the terrace. But John was not there.

"Pilot could you tell me where Crichton is?"

"I´m sorry, Officer Sun but he has taken off his com."

Aeryn sighed. "It´s okay Pilot, thank you."

"Officer Sun. May I speak freely to you?"

"Of course, Pilot you always can."

"I´m sorry but I overheard your conversation with Commander Crichton and ..."

"And what Pilot?"

"And why are you doing this. Moya and I have never seen such a great love. You know he loves you more than his life. So why did you turn him down again?"

"I ... I don't know Pilot. I love John as much as he loves me but... Pilot can we please change the subject?"

"As you wish, Officer Sun. Moya and I wish you a good night."

"Yes, so do I Pilot."

Aeryn decided to go to bed. She knew John would come to their quarters. He just needed time to calm down. She quickly undressed and slipped under the silky bed covers. Years of battle training allowed her to sleep immediately.

After five arns John got back to their quarters. He stood at the bed and watched Aeryn sleep. He didn't understand why this was so important to her. He just felt so lonely at this moment. He undressed himself and joined her in bed.

When Aeryn felt a familiar warmth near her she immediately rolled over and rest her head on his shoulder. She placed one arm over his chest and slipped one leg between his thighs.

John smiled sadly at this. He knew she was still asleep and this was her favorite sleeping position. He put his arm around her and stroked her back. "I´m so sorry, sunshine. I shouldn't have said the things I said. I love you more than my life and if this is all we can have for now, it will be enough for me." he mumbled sleepily.

"Yes John." Aeryn whispered into the dark so silent he already missed it.

"What have you said?"

"I said Yes."

John turned his head and their eyes met. "Are you sure?"

"Yes I am. I have thought it over, about what you said and you are right. It´s time to make the next step. And after all I have to make an honourable man out of you." Aeryn smiled.

"I think you are right." John said, his voice was filled with so many emotions, but the most impressive emotion was relief. Their lips met. And Aeryn could taste the tears which rolled down John's cheek. And for the next quarters all the DRDs could hear from the room were the silent whispers of making love and being happy.