Devon smiled faintly, feeling again the thrill of wonder as the gentle breeze caressed her cheeks, and moved her hair. She knew the science behind it, Yale had explained, but she could never forget her amazement at air just moving on its own, without an air recycling unit making it do so. The simple things on this planet continued to amaze her. Perhaps as much for her lack of experience with them as for her reluctance to deal with the more complex differences on this planet. The Terrians, with their Dream Plane and their Healing of Uly, their mysterious connection to this world. She sighed, a faint frown creasing her brows and dismissed thoughts of Terrians, Grendlers, and Dream Planes that coaxed her boy further from her each night. She had come out here, into the spring night, to relax. Not to worry herself further with things she could not control, things that had been going on on this planet for longer than humans had been walking upright.

Devon shivered slightly for, though the days were warm, the night air still had a faint bite in it, as though to remind them that winter were not that far gone, and they were not yet out of danger. If safety was a concept that existed on this planet. So far from their own, so different.

Adair shook her hair, laughing silently at herself. She was beginning to frighten herself with her dark vein of thoughts. The woman raised her chin and looked out over the plain they had camped above, her gaze tracing the route they would take down on the morning. Though she could not see it now, in the dark, Devon knew that the plain continued on as far as the eye could see, until a small mountainous area sprung up, a distant purple smudge on the horizon. Forcibly, she turned her thoughts away from the practical turn they had taken, automatically measuring out how long it would take the group to reach the mountains, cross them, considering what lay beyond them, how far away New Pacifica was. She had come out here to relax, to calm her mind in preparation for sleep.

The woman sighed irritably. Sleep had been elusive the past weeks, ever since Julia had brought her out of cold sleep to heal her of the mysterious virus that had cut her down. As though, having slept so long against her will, Devon subconsciously refused to sleep again now she could chose not to; as if afraid if she slept again, she would not wake at all. To Devon it seemed only two months ago that she had fallen ill, but to the rest of the Eden Advance crew it was almost four. She had heard a little of what had occured while she was trapped within the icy tomb of the cryogenics unit, how devastated the group had been. Especially John. Her lips twisted, as she stared up at the stars and two moons that lit the plain below. According to Julia and Bess, John Danziger, normally cool and completely in control of his emotions, had totally lost it. She had wondered about that for many nights when sleep eluded her, wondered why John had reacted so strangely. Surely he had not been regretting the loss of the woman who had constantly challenged and undermined his authority? At the beginning of this epic trek across the continent, Devon had seriously believed Danziger wanted to take control of the group, believing her unfit to command, and had watched him cautiously for weeks, seeking any sign of an impending mutiny. But, over the months as they learned more about this planet and each other, Devon had come to realize how much she relied on John. More than that, how much she needed him. They could never have made it this far without him.

The largest moon disappeared behind a cloud, and the plain below plunged suddenly into darkness. Again, Devon shivered, but this time not from the cold. The last month of sleepless nights had given her a lot of time to think, and she had come to finally accept just how different their lives were now. They were no longer on the safe, predictable space Stations where there were no aliens, or storms, or winters. They were 22 light years across the galaxy, 22 light years from the planet humans had once called home and there was no going back now. Devon had sworn they would make G889 a new home, even if she had to go out and tame it herself. But she had come to realize that if they were to live here, on this world, it would be they who had to be tamed. They would have to accept the rules of this new world, learn to play by them. They could not control it, do as they wished with it, like they had on Old Earth. This was a whole new playing field. But they were not entirely alone. They had the Terrians, who seemed to have accepted them into their home, at last.

Adair sighed, finding some vestige of peace in that. She smiled, as the moon reappeared, bathing her in its wonderous light, and turned to head back to camp.

“Hey!”
Devon jumped back from the man she had almost run into when she turned around, and glared up at him. “What are you doing here, Danziger?” More importantly, how long had he been there, watching her thoughts play across her face, unguarded as it was when she believed herself alone?
“I was coming off guard duty. I thought I heard something over here, so I told Baines I’d check it out.” John smiled sardonically down at her. “I’m glad to see you’re not a grendler coming to raid our supplies.”
Devon forced a small smile, uncomfortable in his presence as she had ever been since awakening from cold sleep. There was something different about him, something changed, that had not been there before. Something odd when he looked at her. “Funny, Danziger.” She tried to step around him, but he pulled her up, placing one huge hand on her shoulder to prevent her from leaving.
“What’s up, Adair? It’s the middle of the night, why aren’t you sleeping?” he demanded.
This was not the first time she had run into someone in the middle of the night, but she had never encountered John before, and as far as she knew, the other men had accepted her excuses for being awake so late.
“I -” Devon tried to think up some excuse, some plausible reason for why she was still awake so late without admitting her insomnia, but her mind went blank and all she could do was stare at his hand on her shoulder. It radiated warmth where it touched her, she could feel it through the thin jacket she wore over her nightshirt. “I’m just not, that’s all,” she shot back lamely, hoping to distract him with anger.
His eyebrows shot up. “Really? Still can’t sleep, huh, Dev?” he asked kindly.
For some reason, sympathy from this man, at that moment, was the last emotion she could handle. Her eyes shone with an anger he hadn’t seen there directed at him for months and her lips twisted into a straight line. “I'm fine, Danziger. In fact, if you’ll let go of me, I’ll go back to bed right now.”
Danziger jerked his hand back as though stung, his face pale and tight. “Okay. Fine.” He started to walk off, his back straight and tense. She had not spoken so harshly to him in a long time. In fact, he’d thought they’d been starting to become friends, to like each other. Sure, they still argued about what to do with the group, things like that. But she hadn’t displayed an irrational anger towards his personality for a long time. And for some reason, it hurt like hell. He turned and headed away.

“Danziger!” Adair called sharply, and she saw him pause stiffly. She softened her voice. “John, I’m sorry. Come back here, please.”
He did, slowly, almost reluctantly turning to face her, and taking two precise steps back towards her. His face was the impassive, unyielding mask she’d grown so familiar with.
“John, you’re right. I haven’t been able to sleep lately, I just....” She stopped and looked up at his moon-lit face. “I’d rather nobody else knew...”
Instantly, the man’s face softened, and his sky-blue eyes shone with concern. “Devon, you ought to tell Julia about this. You’re obviously still ill...”
Adair scowled. “I’m doing fine, and Julia knows. She’s the only one. But I’d prefer you wouldn’t tell the rest of the group.”
Danziger’s eyes surveyed her face, considered her fine features, her pale skin and tired blue eyes, and saw just how weary she was, but the spark of obstinate determination told him he’d better prepare for a fight if he tried to go against her wishes. So he nodded sharply. “Fine. But I’ll check with Julia and make certain that she really does know about this insomnia,” he threatened.
All of a sudden, Devon smiled brightly, her eyes cynically amused. “You don’t trust me, Danziger?”
There was a hint of a smile on his firm lips. “Sure I do. But I know you too well.”
She bit back an uncharacteristic giggle, and smiled. “Thank you, John. I appreciate this.”
A sharp nod was the only response she got, before he grabbed hold of her arm and started pulling her back towards camp. Adair yelped in surprise, and her voice raised in a querulous demand for an explaination of his actions.
“Quiet, Devon, do you wanna wake the whole camp up?” he demanded, his eyes laughing down at her.
“What on earth are you doing?!”
“I’m taking you back to your tent. You sure as hell can’t sleep when you’re wandering around outside camp,” the big mechanic informed her coolly. Devon struggled a little, but it was a token fight, since her encounter with Danziger had, if nothing else, tired her out.
She let him half-drag, half-carry her back to her tent. Once there, he pulled the flap up and followed her in.
“What are you doing, Danziger?” Devon asked warily, a note of uncertainty in her voice.
The flash of white teeth told her he was smiling. “Tucking you in. Go on, get into bed.”
Cautious of his intent, Devon did so, climbing into the cot and pulling the blanket over her. Once she had settled herself, the cover pulled protectively up to her chin, Adair stared up at him with big eyes. John had knelt beside the bed, and now brushed away a stray strand of her dark hair that had fallen over her face.
“Good-night, Adair. Sweet dreams,” and he leaned down and grazed his lips over her forehead in a lightning-fast kiss, then he was up and out of her tent before she had a chance to react.

Devon stared after him, confusion plainly etched in her features. A hand snaked out from under the covers to touch her forehead, where John’s lips had been just moments before. Then she shook her head slightly, dismissing the incident, and settled down again, closing her eyes.

She was asleep within moments.

“Devon, I don’t care! I know it’s been almost two months, but that doesn’t matter. Your body is still recovering and we’re taking it slowly, is that understood?” Julia demanded, hands on hips, glaring, mirroring Devon’s own stance.
“But, Julia, I feel fine -” Devon protested.
“Yes. Because you’re doing as I tell you, and resting,” Julia smirked. Devon glared. “You do remember how cautious you were with Uly, don’t you? Well, I’m just being cautious with you.”
“I’m not a porcelain doll, about to break if someone looks at me wrong!” Adair snapped back, irritated as hell and not much caring if she made a scene. She could feel Danziger’s eyes on her, and out of the corner of her eyes could see other Eden crewmembers averting their gazes, though their ears flapped almost visibly.
“No. You’re a woman who’s recovering from a very serious illness, and I refuse to let you risk having a relapse, a very real danger you seem to be doing your best to ignore!” Heller retorted.
Suddenly Devon sagged, her shoulders drooping, giving up any pretence of strength. She was tired, she admitted that. Her insomnia continually leeched away her strength and the full nights sleep last night had given her the illusion of endurance. But now she admitted just how weary she really was. Weary right down to the bones.
“Okay. I’ll ride in the ’Rover. Alright, Julia?” the woman asked, and turned and walked to the Transrover.
Julia nodded, confused by and suspicious of her sudden capitulation. “Good.” I think.

“Okay folks, pack up. Break’s over, we’re movin’ out!” Danziger yelled, ignoring the groans of tired travellers, and climbed into the ’Rover. He hadn’t driven that morning, Baines had. He did not miss the alarmed glance Devon shot him, and did his best to avoid its implications.

She climbed in beside him, sitting as far away as the small cabin would allow, being careful not to let any part of their bodies touch. Devon jumped as she felt the vehicle rumble to a start, felt the vibrations through her legs. She glanced sideways at Danziger and found his gaze stuck on the path the ’Rover would be taking today.
Carefully, Devon edged herself away from John. Certainly she didn’t find him offensive, but it was just too damned distracting to have her leg and thigh constantly bumping against his.

They were silent for almost ten minutes before he spoke. “So how’d you sleep, Adair?” There was a smug tone to his voice that told her he already knew. Devon clenched her teeth together, resisting the impulse to plant her delicate knuckles on that big, firm jaw of his.
“Fine, thank you,” she muttered.
John glanced down at her, and just grinned. Devon determinedly looked away. The man would be impossible all week.

Devon smiled in luxurious pleasure as the spray from the small waterfall fell over her naked shoulders. The mountain pool was chilly, but a nice relief from the increasing warmth of the days. Yale had advised this was the last mountainous region they’d be passing before reaching New Pacifica, and, since this was their day of rest, Devon had decided to take advantage of the pool and go for a swim. She was alone, an invaluable luxury lately, when the Eden group travelled, ate, and lived together all the time.
Devon enjoyed it. She had always been a loner, ever since she was a child. She hadn’t liked being pressed in by other people, other bodies, and the continual presence of 15 other people had gotten on her nerves. The woman ducked her head under the water, and came back up again, finding a rock to stand on so she didn’t have to tread water to keep her head above the surface. She smiled absently, delighting in this small luxury.

John Danziger frowned absently to himself as he wandered up the small track beaten by other Eden crewmembers towards the small mountain pool he’d been told about. They’d come across it yesterday, as they’d halted at nightfall. Devon had decreed today would be a day of rest, to which John certainly hadn’t objected. She’d set a gruelling pace that seemed to increase each day that got closer to New Pacifica. The past week had made everyone tired, cranky, and a day of rest and recreation was just what the doctor ordered.
Literally, actually. Julia had advised Devon that the crew needed something to take their minds off their routine of wake, travel, eat, travel, sleep, wake, travel.... Bess had suggested something like a party, which she was off organising with Magus and the kids.
John snorted. Party. He’d never been one for socialising, but True would no doubt manage to drag him along. He sighed and kept walking steadily along the path. Where the hell was this damn pool anyway? It felt like he’d been walking forever. He spotted a clearing up ahead, and heard the gentle rush of a waterfall. Was that it? Ah, yes. He emerged from the treeline and came to a sudden halt.

There was someone already there.
It was Devon.
And she was naked.

She had her back to him, which was probably just as well, for though the water distorted the images, he could see the pale color of skin. He stared in wonder, as she ducked below the surface and then came up again, flicking her wet hair away from her face. John just stared and stared, and found himself wanting to dive into the pool, grab hold of her and do things to her he had no right even thinking about. Heat filled his cheeks, and John realized with shock that he was actually blushing! It was a revelation, not just that he still knew how to blush, but the thoughts, the realization that caused it.
And she was turning. Turning to face him.

Abruptly, Danziger lowered his gaze, and turned sideways so he wouldn’t look like he was watching her. The situation was bad enough already, and he couldn’t escape without letting her realize that he’d just been perving on the boss lady.
“John!” came her startled, panicked exclaimation, and Danziger forced himself not to look up in response, because he knew that he shouldn’t see what he really wanted to see, what he would see if he looked up and...... god dammit, why did she have to bathe naked?! Which was a stupid question, he knew, but, dammit...
“Uhm.... sorry, I didn’t realize anyone was here....” He was still blushing, his back to her now, so at least she couldn’t see.
“Could you - uh - hand me that towel, please?” he heard her say, and tried to scan his peripheral vision for the object she spoke of. He found it, and had to take several steps backwards, hoping to hell that he didn’t trip over anything on the way. Danziger knelt down his hands groping for the towel, and he found it. Clutching it in his fist, he held it out behind him, feeling her take it. The sound of dripping water told him that she’d emerged from the pool, and he used every ounce of his self-control to force himself to keep his back to her and not turn.
“It’s okay, John. You can turn around now,” she said a moment later.
He did, and found that she’d wrapped the towel around her, covering all the important bits, but leaving her shoulders, arms and legs still bare. And any part of Devon Adair bare was enough to tempt him, Danziger realized with a sudden shock that swept through him like a heat wave.
“Uhm...” He cleared his throat, and forced himself to keep his gaze on her face. He saw her face everyday. So what if she had only a simple, tiny, terrycloth towel between him and her and - Dammit! No! Stop thinking this! he told himself furiously. “I’m sorry, didn’t mean to intrude,” he mumbled. A faint crimson tinge on Devon’s cheeks made him wonder if she was blushing. Devon Adair, blushing? Nah, had to be sunburn.
“I didn’t think there’d be anyone here,” he muttered, averting his gaze from even her face, looking at the waterfall over her shoulder.
“That’s okay, I had to get out soon anyway. You want to - ?” and she indicated the pool over her shoulder.
“Uhm, I was going to, but nah, it doesn’t matter. I’ve really got to get back to fixing the A.T.V’s solar panels,” John answered, still staring intently at the waterfall.
“Oh. Okay, then.” Devon stared at him, and John realized he should be leaving.
“Yeah, well. See ya, Adair,” and he turned and walked back down the path, knowing she’d be dropping the towel and getting dressed now, and forcing himself not to turn back, but to keep on walking. Just keep walking, keep walking, keepwalking keepwalkingkeepwalking...

Bess grinned proudly, as the strung-up lumalights were switched on, bathing the camp in a surreal, alien light. True stared in surprise, then grinned. Bess gave her a thumbs up, then the woman turned to Zero and whispered something. Immediately, an old tune came out of the droid’s music player speakers, a dancing tune.
The music drew out more members of the Eden crew until they had quite a gathering.
Morgan grabbed Bess and pulled her to one side. “Bess, honey, what’s going on?” he hissed.
Bess smiled serenely at him. “We’re celebrating, Morgan.”
“What celebration? What are we celebrating?” Morgan demanded, looking at his wife like she’d suddenly grown another head.
“We’re celebrating being together, and alive, and happy, Morgan,” Bess answered, mincing over to him, smiling in delight. “Julia thought we were all getting a little depressed, getting into a rut with our routine, so I thought we should have a bit of a party. True and Uly helped me.”
She smiled over at the children who were beaming proudly. “The last time we had a break was for Uly’s birthday, and that was months ago! C’mon, Morgan, let’s dance!” and she grabbed his hand, and pulled him out into the cleared space Uly had prepared for dancing.
“Bess!” Morgan protested, but others were getting into the party spirit, and Walman grabbed Magus’ hand and spun her out onto the dance floor, laughing.

Danziger looked up from the Gear unit Julia had asked him to fix, and frowned.
Music? Why would there be music -
“Oh.” True and Bess’ party. He should have remembered. The big man sighed and stood up, poking his head out of his and True’s tent, realizing he’d never get any work done tonight with everyone celebrating so loudly. He caught sight of Devon poking her head out of her own tent, which was near the Danziger tent, and grinned at her.
“The party,” she said tiredly.
“Yup,” he answered. His grin broadened when he saw True and Uly racing towards their respective parents.
“Mom, c’mon, the party’s started!” Ulysses Adair shouted to his mother excitedly.
“Yeah! Hurry up, Dad!” True called out.
“True, I don’t really feel like a party -” Danziger began, but stopped when he saw his daughter give him ‘The Look.’ It was the look she always gave him when she thought she knew what was best for him. And right then, she knew that it was best for him to come to the party. It would be difficult for him to evade her, and if he did, she’d be in a grumpy mood with him for a week. Was it really worth it? He could stand a few hours of festivity if it meant he wouldn’t have to deal with a grumpy, recalcitrant daughter for the next week. Besides, it could be fun.
“Okay, True-girl, I’ll come,” he said, and saw her surprise at his easy capitulation.
“Hurry up, Mom, c’mon,” Uly encouraged his mother, and grabbed her hand, practically dragging the woman towards the center of the camp where the others were gathered.
“Uly!” Devon protested, but she was laughing, and she followed him willingly towards the ‘party.’ Danziger shook his head, sighed wearily, and followed his own, equally-excited offspring. He was slightly startled by the transformation, but grinned when he saw the Martins, Julia and Alonzo, Walman and Magus and Baines and Denner dancing. He couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight of Baines and Walman actually dancing. He hadn’t even known they knew how! John caught Devon watching him watch the scene, smiling slightly, and he raised his eyebrows inquiringly. She only smiled mysteriously and shook her head, turning her head to watch the others.

Yale, Devon saw, was standing on the other side of the bonfire, smiling at everyone in pleasure. That was so like Yale, the woman realized. Always on the sidelines, watching, never joining in. He seemed happy, and yet.....
Devon was about to walk over and ask him to dance with her when she saw that the song had changed and Denner was approaching him. The woman stared in surprise as Denner offered Yale her hand and, startlingly, the old Teacher smiled and accepted. Her old friend caught the look of shock on her face and smiled to himself.
This planet follows a different set of rules, Devon, he’d told her once, when she’d been feeling depressed, like everything was against her. All we have to do is learn them, and follow them too. Did those new rules include Yale dancing? Devon grinned suddenly.

And why not? The old Tutor deserved happiness of his own. And so did she! Adair looked around for someone to dance with herself, trying not to giggle when she caught sight of True and Uly mimicking the adults. Cameron? Mazatl? Then her gaze locked on Danziger and she hid a smile, approaching him casually, her expression neutral.
“Having fun, Danziger?” she inquired politely, standing beside him, watching the dancers.
“I’m havin’ a ball,” the big mechanic answered sardonically.
“Hmmmm....” Devon nodded, spending several more moments surveying the dancers.
Julia and Alonzo in each others arms, Yale and Denner, the Martins... She smiled and tilted her head to look up at Danziger.
“Dance with me?”
He stared down at her, his pupils rounded with shock. “Whaddid you say, Adair?”
“C’mon, John, come dance with me,” she invited, smiling enigmatically up at him. She could almost see the thoughts going through his mind. Did she get sunstroke today? Is she having a relapse? Her smile broadened. “All new rules on this planet, John Danziger.” She grabbed his hand and pulled him onto the dance floor. “Now dance with me.”

He could have resisted if he’d wanted, could have pulled back. Her strength in no way matched his. But the fast-beated music stopped, to be replaced by a slower song. Alonzo and Julia moved closer to each other, as did the Martins, and the others stopped and moved silently off the dance floor. Devon grinned up at John and let him take her in his arms. As he did so, she had a feeling of... something. Yale had always described it as deja vu. A feeling of familiarity, of having done this before. She’d gotten the same feeling the few moments she’d danced with him at the Martin’s wedding. A sense of rightness, of belonging. But then, when the music had slowed and John had pulled her closer, Devon had fled to the safety of a CGI dance partner.

Devon leaned her head against John’s broad chest, feeling his heartbeat. It was oddly fast. His arms were lose around her, as though to let her go if she wanted to escape.
But Devon tightened her grip on him, almost against her will, and he did the same, as if reassured of her desire to remain where she was.
What was going on here? When exactly had Devon lost control of this encounter?
Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea, Devon thought suddenly, bemused and frightened by the odd sensations coursing through her body.
“Having second thoughts, Adair?” came Danziger’s husky voice, pitched low for her ears only. Why had she never realized how sexy that voice was? She shook her head, but did not dare to say anything, just held onto him and let him hold her as they swayed together in time to the music, under the stars.

Devon could feel the gazes of everyone on them, and knew she was blushing, hoping only that the darkness hid it as she buried her face in John’s chest. Why was she enjoying this so much? This - this was John! John Danziger, the man who infuriated her, irritated her, challenged her.... This was not a potential lover, someone she should be thinking these unruly thoughts about. Oh, man, was she ever messed up tonight! Was she having a relapse? Devon wondered hopefully.

An eternity later, the music stopped, and John pulled back. Devon looked up at him, stared into his eyes, watched his expression carefully, for any hint that he was feeling the same things as her. He bore her scrutiny silently, impassively, and just as she began to despair that she was going mad, making things up, he smiled secretively, and released her fully. His beautiful, blue-eyes sparkled as they watched her. Devon gathered her wits and stepped back.
“Uhm. Thanks. Thank you,” she said unsurely, softly. He only grinned down at her, and stepped back into the sidelines, as others joined the dance floor when the music became faster.

That was the only dance John and Devon shared that night.