LEAVING ON A JET PLANE ---------------------------- Written by: Karen Lau E-mail: kwm2lau@hotmail.com Timeline: At New Pacifica ---------------------------- Author comments: I've been kind of a lurker since this year. I've been reading all the great fan fiction and have finally decided to post a story of my own. This is the first time I've tried, so hopefully it will come out okay. This story is a J&A story and pretty sappy. I wanted to do an adventure kind of thing, but it just didn't seem to work. Anyways, comments are welcome, although I have to admit I'm pretty sensitive to criticism. Anyways, hope someone enjoys.... This story was written assuming that Devon was cured, the Advance team arrived at New Pacifica in time to set up the colony and that the colony ship had arrived. --------------------------------------------------------------- Part I At the Grendler Bar and Grille, Julia sat alone, watching the ship preparing to take off. The bar is packed with people from the colony ship. The other members of the Advance team leave her alone, watching the monitor mounted in the Grille, engrossed in the picture of the ship transmitting live from outside. From the stage, a man from the colony ship sings about his lost love. An audience of over 100 people are gathered around tables, drinking and chatting. The singer finishes his song and heads towards a table in the back of the bar. "Hey, beautiful. Have a minute?" he asks. "A lifetime, Jack." she responds with a sad smile. Jack was one of the doctors that had arrived with the colony ship who was a friend of Julia's, back on the stations. They had met during med school and had been assigned to the same hospital for their internship. While they were never close, they had a relationship that was best described as "oddly comfortable." "You miss him already, don't you?" Jack quietly asks her. "Who? Alonzo? Nahhhh..." Julia responds bravely. "Can I give you some advice? Don't watch the launch. Why don't you sing a song for me? Remember how we used to hang out at that bar down on sublevel 4 on the stations after rounds? You used to do a mean karoke.." Jack pulls her from her chair, leading her to the stage. "Jack! No! I mean it!" Julia struggles to free herself from his grasp. The other Advancers, Devon, John, Uly, True, Yale, Cameron, Walman, and Bess, tear their gazes away from the monitor to watch Jack pull a struggling Julia up on to stage. "Hey, everyone. My friend here is kind of feeling blue, and I don't know a better way to cheer her up then to get her to share her feelings. Since she isn't one of those people who enjoy talking, I think the best release she has is singing. So bear with me while I take a break and turn the stage over to our resident doctor..." Jack hands the mike over to the very embarassed Julia and proceeds to seat himself at one of the tables. Unable to decide what to do, Julia finally turns around and mentions something to the band. The Advancers exchange glances with each other, wondering if they should help bail her out. A hush falls over the bar as the melody begins. Her voice is strong and clear. All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go. I'm standing here, outside your door. I hate to wake you up to say goodbye. But the dawn is breaking, it's early morn. The taxi's waiting, he's blowing his horn. Already I'm so lonesome, I could die. So kiss me and smile for me. Tell me that you'll wait for me. Hold me like you'll never let me go. 'Cause I'm leaving on a jet plane Don't know when I'll be back again. Oh babe, I hate to go. There's so many times I've let you down, So many times I've played around. But I tell you now, they don't mean a thing. Every place I go, I think of you. Every song I sing, I sing for you. When I come back, I'll wear your wedding ring. The audience is memorized by the melody. Devon blinks away tears, knowing that the normally very reserved Julia is singing her heart out. Bess whispers something to Uly, who takes off to the communications tent. There, Morgan is carefully monitoring the ship's pre launching sequences. "Mr. Martin!" Uly yells. "Not now, Uly. I'm very busy. Can't you play somewhere else?" Over his shoulder, he glances at Uly. "Baines, are you patched in with Alonzo, okay?" "Hey Alonzo, you reading me?" Baines asks through his gear. "Yeah, you're coming in loud and clear. All systems seem functional. I'm just about to start the launching sequence..." Alonzo's voice comes in fuzzy through Morgan's gear. "Mr. Martin! Bess said she wanted you to patch the Grendler Bar and Grille through to Alonzo, now!" Uly impatiently tugs at Morgan's arm. Morgan shoots a glance at Baines, "I guess there's no reason not to. I gather everyone's there to watch the launch. Maybe they want to say some last minute goodbyes?" Baines shrugs his shoulders. "Hey Alonzo, we're going to patch in the Grille. Bess wanted you to hear something." "Sure, it's not like there's any music on board here to listen to.." Alonzo jokes. Morgan patches the feed through and suddenly the tent is filled with a voice so sad yet so sweet that all three men immediately fall silent. So kiss me and smile for me. Tell me that you'll wait for me. Hold me like you'll never let me go. 'Cause I'm leaving on a jet plane. Don't know when I'll be back again. Oh babe, I hate to go. Now the time has come to leave you. One more time oh let me kiss you, Close your eyes and I'll be on my way. Dream about the days to come, When I won't have to live alone. About the times that I won't have to say. So kiss me and smile for me. Tell me that you'll wait for me. Hold me like you'll never let me go. 'Cause I'm leaving on a jet plane. Don't know when I'll be back again. Oh babe, I hate to go. But I'm leaving on a jet plane. Don't know when I'll be back again. Oh babe, I hate to go. But I'm leaving on a jet plane, leaving on a jet plane, leaving on a jet plane, leaving on a jet plane... Her voice fades as a tremendous amount of applause is heard in the background. Baines and Morgan glance at each other, unsure whether to begin the countdown. Alonzo's voice startles them into action. "Okay boys, let's start the countdown." he says quietly. ------- Part II The week before: The sun crept through the curtains of the small cabin. The man blinked sleepily, lying quietly gathering his thoughts. Beside him, the woman moaned in her sleep and turned away from the light, burying her face into the man's chest. "Come on Jul, it's time to wake up." Alonzo placed a soft kiss on the top of her head. "Mmmmmmmm. Just a little longer...I'm so tired and today's my day off." murmured Julia. "As much as I want to continue lying here next to you, need I remind you that you wanted to spend the day together teaching me first aid?" Alonzo teased. He nuzzled her ear as she finally groaned and turned to lie on her back. "Alright, alright. I'm getting up..." she sighed. *** "Pull it tighter, 'Lonz. Tighter, damn it!" Julia's voice rings in his ears. "Relax, doc. I'm doing the best I can!" Alonzo retorts, winding the gauze around her leg. "I just don't want to cut off your circulation. The last thing we need is for you to lose a leg or something." he teases. "Look," Julia glares at him sourly, "if you are going to keep going out on these month long searches, you are going to have to learn some basic first aid. It's not like a qualified doctor can go with you all the time. We're spread pretty thin as it is, monitoring all the Syndrome kids. Even though the Terrians have healed them, there are still other complications we have to monitor. I really wish Devon would postpone all these forays for another couple of months. By then, we should have everything under control and then we could free up a couple of doctors at the hospital to take part in the search for the missing cargo pods." "Hey, you know it probably wouldn't make a difference anyway. All those station doctors are too scared to leave the hospital to accompany any of us anywhere that means more then a half of day's journey. If Devon waited a couple of months, it would just mean you would be constantly be accompanying us...and you have duties enough." Alonzo gently explained. "Besides, these are NOT month long searches. The longest has been three weeks so far." he teases her. "I know, I just feel really uneasy when you guys take off in the Dunerail to who knows where, for who knows how long..." Julia looks into his eyes, "I'm always afraid that you'll need a doctor, and there won't be one around!" "Well, that's why you're teaching me first aid, remember? Okay, I think I've got the handle on this splint thing..." he trails off as he pulls the gauze tight. "Ouch! Okay, 'Lonz! That's tight enough! I think you can take it off now."Julia looks down at her leg, swathed in gauze, the splint ensuring she can't move her leg or bend her knee. Alonzo merely grins at her and sits back to admire his handywork. "'Lonz! Take this thing off me right now!" she commands, as she desparately tries to reach the knot of gauze at her ankle. Her arm stretches, just barely able to touch the damn knot, and certainly not enough to undo it. Helplessly, she glares at him, stuck on her position on the floor of their cabin. "Say please." Alonzo smiles mischeviously, his brown eyes twinkling. "Oh you! Take this thing off now flyboy, or you're really going to get it!" Julia is fuming as Alonzo continues to chuckle at her predicament. "I kind of like knowing you can't get away from me. So the splint stays on until you say please." Alonzo insists, totally unalarmed at the dirty looks she is throwing at him. "Fine! Will you PLEASE take this thing off now! Before I hit you!" Julia glares. "My pleasure, doc..." Alonzo reaches over and begins undoing her blouse. "Alonzo! That isn't what I meant...You, mhumphmm" the rest of her sentence cut off by Alonzo's kiss. "Really? Funny, that's exactly what *I* meant." he smiles against her mouth as he lowers her to the ground. "I'll get you later..."she mutters, as she starts to unbutton his shirt. *** "Hey Devon, wait up." Danziger calls out, jogging up behind her. "What's up John?" Devon looks around nervously, aware of the sly looks the colonists are throwing her. "I just talked to Morgan, apparently he's picked up something with the new equipment from the colony ship. There's a signal coming from sector 9, he thinks it might be another lost cargo pod." Danziger says, apparently oblivous to the smothered chuckles around them. "Oh, I guess I'll head over to the communications area then...Is that all?" Devon asks, wondering why he just didn't call her on gear. Ever since Julia had revived Devon from cold sleep, Devon and John couldn't be together often enough. However, the Advancers had been very good so far, never mentioning a word about the change in their relationship. Rather, they had restrained themselves to asking Devon "How is John?" with a wink and a nudge. Lately, Devon had been hiding out with Julia and Alonzo. Sympathic to Devon's cause, as she had been through the same thing herself, Julia never teased Devon and John about their new relationship. And there was hell to pay if Alonzo ever teased Devon in front of Julia. It was only when Julia would step out for a second or wasn't paying attention that Alonzo managed to get his jabs in. And those were mostly directed towards Danziger. Grateful for the safety away from prying eyes and gossiping mouths, Devon and John spent many a night playing poker with the other couple. "Well, Adair, I was thinking...."John uncharacteristically shuffles his feet, looking down at the ground. "Yes?" Devon prompts, gently, not sure she wants to hear what he has to say. "Maybe I should be heading over to talk with Morgan..." she trails off. "Wait!" Danziger grabs her arm, forcing her to stay put. Meanwhile, in the background, the chuckles become louder. Devon tugs desparately at her arm, hoping to stall the words she knows are coming...Devon, I don't think we should see each other anymore... "Well, I was thinking,...that is I thought...what I'm trying to say is...Oh heck, Devon, will you marry me?" John blurts out, dropping to one knee. *** Later at the Grendler Bar and Grille, the Advancers gathered to celebrate Devon's and John's engagement. The happy couple are still in the communications tent when Alonzo and Julia arrive. "So who had the lucky date?" asks Cameron, as soon as Alonzo walks in the door. "Date? What date?" Julia raises her eyebrows at Alonzo. He shrugs his shoulders and gives her an innocent look. "Give it up Alonzo! Do you mean you haven't told Julia about the pool you started?" Baines laughs. "Uhm, Julia, I can explain..." Alonzo pleads, shooting Baines a dirty look. "It's just for fun, you know. We just all kind of placed bets on the date Devon and John would announce their engagement. Yale has been keeping track of all the bets. Its just some harmless fun..." His voice trails off, as Julia merely continues to stare at him. "Looks like somebody is going to be in the doghouse tonight..." Walman whispers, nudging Cameron, who snorts with laughter. "I heard that." Julia replies, glancing over her shoulder to direct this comment to Walman and Cameron. Julia makes her way over to Bess and takes a seat at the bar. Alonzo sits uncertainly next to her, unsure whether she is truly angry with him. "So come on Yale, spill it. Who won the bet? Who picked the closest day?" Magus demands. "Well, as you know, all bets were closed the day the colony ship arrived. Any and all bets were allowed, so long as each person only placed one bet and the person with the closest date wins." Yale reminds everyone. "Yeah, yeah. We know, we know. Just tell us who won, okay Yale?" interupts Alonzo. "I was just getting to that, Alonzo. As you all know, the losers have to give the winner 10 hours of free labour..." Yale continues to repeat the rules. "YALE!" A chorus of voices rise from the bar. "Well," Yale looks around uncomfortably, "the winner is....Julia!" "What?!?" All heads swivel to stare at Julia. "Hey! I'm allowed to bet too, aren't I? You guys have something against doctors placing bets?" she says, defensively. "And I'll let you all know when and where when I think of something..." The rest of her sentence is cut off by the chorus of groans. Bess smiles her congratulations and whispers in Julia's ear, "That cabin is rather small, don't you think? I think you and Alonzo need to think about building a house..." Alonzo is still staring at Julia, his mouth wide open. He couldn't believe his sweet little Julia not only placed a bet, but made him think she disapproved of his participation. She blinks her blue eyes innocently up at him and says with a mischevious grin, "Gotcha." His mouth snaps shut as Devon and John enter the bar, "Did we miss anything?" *** After the festivities, the party breaks up. Bess and Morgan head off home, while Cameron, Baines, Magus and Walman decide to play a hand of cards in the cabin Magus shares with Cameron. Yale decides to look in on Uly and True, while Devon and John corner Alonzo and Julia at the bar. "Something wrong, Devon?" Julia asks, concerned. Devon exchanges a glance with Danziger. "Not wrong, exactly. We were talking to Morgan earlier and he thinks he's picked up a transmission from one of the missing cargo pods from sector 9." "Sector 9?" Alonzo lets out a long whistle. "That's pretty far out, about halfway back the way we came. Do we really need that pod so badly?" Julia steps slightly behind him, grabbing his hand, not wanting to hear what she knew was coming next. "Yes, I think we do." Devon looks uncomfortably at the ground. "The thing is, even with the colony ship's supplies, there were some unique equipment that was onboard the Advance ship that we could really use. Danziger and I have been discussing, and we think we need to send a team out there to retrieve the pod if possible." "And you want 'Lonz to go, right?" Julia asks quietly. Devon looks at Danziger and takes a deep breath. "Yes, we think Alonzo would be the best person to go. Of course we would send a team, but Alonzo would be the best person to lead the expedition." Danziger continues, "'Lonz, you could take the shuttlecraft we managed to salvage from the colony ship. You can fit two others and the trip should only take you three weeks to get there. I'd say about another week to track down the exact location of the missing pod and to load up any salvagable contents. You should be back in 2 months, max." Alonzo glances over at Julia, who smiles tremuously at him. "So when do I leave?" *** They had argued like crazy. Julia had picked a fight with Alonzo two days before he was leaving for the search mission. It had been over some stupid, inconsequential matter but it had served its purpose. It had driven him away this morning, after he called her unreasonable and stomped out of their small cabin. It was now late evening, and Julia sat on their bed, sobbing her eyes out. She didn't know how to deal with her fears and emotions. Rather than trying to sort them out, she had picked a fight with her lover, driving him away. A knock sounded lightly on the door of the cabin. Julia tries to muffle her sobs, so that the person outside wouldn't hear her. She didn't want to talk to anyone, still so raw from her fight with Alonzo this morning. After a short pause, the door opens, and Devon sticks her head in. "Julia? I know you're in here. I've looked everywhere else for you, so you must be hiding in here." Devon steps into the dark cabin, her eyes slowly adjusting to the dark. She spots a shadow on the bed and Devon kneels down next to Julia, switching on the bedside lamp. She looks terrible. Her eyes are red and swollen, her arms are hugging herself as she rocks back and forth on the small bed. "I drove him away on purpose Devon. I didn't want to plead and beg him to stay. I *know* he has to go, but I'm so selfish, I wanted him to stay for me. It's silly, but I'm afraid that he'll like piloting that shuttle so much, he'll want to go back sleep jumping, and then where will I be?" Julia sobs, "I can't deal with him leaving me, so I thought if I picked a fight, then it wasn't him choosing the stars over me. But I don't want to lose him at all." "Julia, Alonzo loves you. Have you talked to him about this? At all?" Devon brushes Julia's hair out of her face. "Noooo... III ccaaann'tttt..." Julia stutters, sniffling. "You know what you need?" Devon smiles at her. "Wwwhhaattt?" Julia asks, still trying to pull herself together. "You need a drink. Come on, let's get you cleaned up and head over to the Grendler Bar and Grille." Devon pulls Julia to her feet. "But Devon, I think I'd just rather be alone...."Julia protests, as Devon frogmarches her towards the door. "No way. Now come on." Devon insists, very uncharacteristically. *** The Grendler Bar and Grille is packed, as it was the only real social hang out in the colony for adults. Fortunately, John had already arrived and had secured a table for the three of them. Morgan and Bess sit at a table near by, while Julia spots Magus, Baines and Cameron over by the bar. Maybe this will keep my mind off of Alonzo, she thinks. Jack is on stage, singing. He probably should have been a singer, and not a doctor, Julia thinks to herself, smiling the first time that day. "Want to share the joke?"Danziger asks Julia, settling his arm around Devon. "Where are the kids?" Julia asks, attempting to distract him. "Yale's watching them..."Danziger smiles at her, knowing what she is trying to do and decides to let her get away with it. "Maybe I should go home. I really don't feel like being socialable..." Julia tries, as Danziger and Devon both shake their heads vehemently. "Just one more song, okay Julia? Then you can go." pleads Devon. "I guess." Julia sighs, missing Alonzo. Maybe afterwards she would go looking for him and apologize for being such an idiot. You would think that as a doctor, she would have no problem articulating herself. But it seems like the more I want to be supportive, the more I make a mess of things, she thinks to herself and sighs again. "And now, a very special song for a very special lady. My friend here wants to sing a song to his love and hopes she can forgive him. Take it away, buddy." Jack hands over his mike to the new singer. Unable to see the stage from her seat, as there were too many people standing around in front of her, Julia is startled when she hears the voice of the very man she had been thinking about. The grey ceiling on the earth, well its lasted for awhile. Take my thoughts for what they're worth, I've been acting like a child. Your opinion, what is that? It's just a different point of view. What else, what else can I do? Said I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Said I'm sorry, but what for? If I hurt you then I hate myself, And I don't want to hate myself, d on't want to hurt you. Why do you choose your pain if you only knew how much I love you, love you. I 'll want be your winter, I want be your one excuse to cry. We can be forgiven, I will be here. The crowds parts as Alonzo makes his way over to Julia. He kneels in front of her, taking her hand. Devon and John exchange a smile. All Julia can see is him. She smiles at him through the tears running down her cheeks. Old picture on the shelf, it's been there for awhile. Frozen image of ourselves, we were acting like a child. In a sense, in a trace that dance that lasted for awhile. You read my eyes just like your diary, oh remember, please remember. Well I'm not a beggar, but what's more if I hurt you, then I hate myself. and I don't want to hate myself, don't want to hurt you. why do you choose that pain if you only knew how much I love you, I'll want be your winter, I want be your one excuse to cry. We can be forgiven, I will be here. I want to be your winter, I want to be your one excuse to cry. We can be forgiven, I will be here. He leans over to kiss her tears away and Julia falls into his embrace. Jack comes forward to pick up the forgotten microphone off the floor. The crowd lets out a roar of approval and everyone applauds as Alonzo picks her up and carries her out of the bar. *** Later that night in their cabin, Alonzo pulls Julia into his arms. She rests her head on his shoulder, wondering what she'll do without him for two months. "You're not mad, are you?" He asks her, looking into her sapphire eyes. She knows he is referring to him leaving, and not about their fight. "No, of course I'm not. You are absolutely the *best* person to go. I mean, you can pilot the shuttle craft, and you can talk to the Terrians if something crops up and..." Julia's voice trails off. "I need to feel like I'm contributing. You're a doctor, you help the children and the other colonists. I want to help out too, and if this is the best way..." Alonzo tries to make her understand. "I am NOT leaving you. At least not for long. I'll be back soon. And then maybe we can get everyone started on that house, hmmmm?" He tilts her chin up so that he can look into her eyes. "I'll miss you." Julia's voice breaks, "Promise me you'll be careful? I wish Devon would assign a doctor to go to." she adds fretfully. He smiles reassuringly at her. "There isn't enough room. We had to choose the team carefully. I need Clark along in case the shuttle has mechanical problems, and Harry for communication." Alonzo pulls her tightly against him. "I'll miss you too, doc." -------- Part III (back to the launching of the shuttle) "Come on guys. Start the countdown already. The sooner I leave, the sooner I can get back to Julia." Alonzo prompts Morgan. "Right. Okay, liftoff on my mark, ten, nine, eight, seven..." Morgan counts, "Mark." The shuttle craft engines start and the ship begins lift off. "Okay folks, let's make this quick and clean." Alonzo comments. *** Two months later... Clean it was, but definitely not quick. While the shuttle team had kept in close contact with the colony, it had still taken the team over a week to finally locate the missing pod, not including the three weeks it took to get to sector 9. On top of that, Harry had sprained his ankle. Luckily, Alonzo had been able to make a splint for him and applied some basic first aid. Julia had provided improvised instructions over gear. Alonzo missed Julia like crazy. Although each member talked to their loved ones over gear once a day, there were so many things they were unable to say to each other with the entire communications crew listening in. Anyways, hearing her voice just wasn't enough. He wanted to hold her, feel her next to him. He's excited as the ship touches down. Its been over two months since he's seen her. I never thought I would feel this way about anyone, Alonzo thinks to himself. He's not sure quite when it happened, all he knows is that being away from her is like leaving a piece of him behind, the best piece. "Hey, 'Lonz. I'll help Harry down, why don't you go first?" says Clark. "I think I see a certain blond woman waiting outside for you." Clark grins, pearing out the front window. "Boy, am I glad I won't have to hear Julia this and Julia that any more!" "Thanks man. You don't have to ask me twice!" Alonzo rushes down the platform, running smack into Danziger. "Danziger!" "Hold it right there, flyboy. Help me open the cargo hold and then you and the doc can celebrate all you want." Danziger smirks. "Danziger, isn't that Devon over there, wanting to talk to you?" asks Alonzo. As Danziger turns around, Alonzo races past him into Julia's open arms. She laughs, as he picks her up and twirls her around, covering her face with kisses. "Hey!" Danziger yells, discovering that Devon is not, in fact, behind him. "That wasn't funny." Looking at the happy couple, he gives up and goes to open the cargo bay himself. *** "I missed you." Alonzo whispers in her ear. They are in their cabin, after a noisy dinner at the Grendler Bar and Grille with their friends, to celebrate Alonzo's safe return. "I missed you too." Julia returns shyly. Has it only been two months, she wonders to herself. It seemed like forever since she had been held in his arms. She touches her middle, wondering if he'll notice anything different. "How about a welcome kiss?" Alonzo kisses his way down her neck. Julia lifts his head and gazes into his eyes. She kisses him tenderly. "Welcome home flyboy." *** "So have John and Devon set a date yet?" Alonzo asks Julia, sleepily, as they lie together peacefully on their bed. He is exhausted from his trip, not to mention the long dinner and afterwards. "Six months from the date John proposed. Devon thinks things will calm down by then, once everyone gets into a routine." Julia responds. "Wow, that's pretty fast, isn't it?" Alonzo says, snuggling under the covers, pulling Julia against him, her back to his front. "Well, they have been seeing each other for awhile now. Marriage seems to be the next logical step." Julia holds her breath, awaiting Alonzo's response, wondering if he understands that she isn't just talking about Devon and John anymore. "I hope John knows what he's getting into. I sure wouldn't want to be tied down to that woman." he chuckles, sleepily. "But you wouldn't want to be tied down at all?" Julia asks him, gathering her courage. "'Lonz? Did you hear me?" "What? Yeah I heard you." he mutters into his pillow. "So? Are you awake? Are you saying you wouldn't want to be tied down?" she prods. "Yeah, sure." he mutters, burying his face in her hair. "So I guess you don't want to get married, do you?" Julia asks tearfully. When there is no response from Alonzo, she rolls over to look at him. The tears start to pour down her face. He has fallen asleep. ------- Part IV Alonzo wakes up, squinting at the morning light streaming in through the window. He reaches for Julia, but there is only empty space next to him. He smiles at the sight of the slight indentation in the pillow next to him, the only sign that Julia had lain next to him last night. That's funny, he thinks to himself. He was sure that today was Julia's day off. She had told him at dinner last night that she wanted to spend the day with him, looking for the best place to build their house. Maybe he had misunderstood. He gets up, looking for a note. When he can't find one, he decides to head over to mess hall to get some breakfast. He can look for Julia after he gets something to eat besides the spirolina bars he's been living off for the past two months. Meanwhile, at the hospital, Julia patiently sits in the examination room. She smiles to herself, thinking how strange it is to be on the other side of the mirror, so to speak. Jack walks into the examination room, scanning charts and just misses bumping into the table. He looks up at Julia and smiles at her. "Well, everything seems to have checked out okay. A little small for two months, but otherwise fine. Looks like you are going to have one healthy baby there. Are you sure you don't want to know the sex?" Jack asks her. "I never understood this female thing with wanting a surprise." "It really doesn't make a difference if the baby's a he or she, Jack. All that matters is the baby is healthy. The surprise is just me wanting something to look forward to, you know?" she grins. "No, I don't know." Jack retorts. "So what does Alonzo think? I bet he's running around, handing out cigars to everyone." Jack teases her. "I haven't really told him yet." Julia looks away. "Julia! You have to tell him! The man is going to be a father, I think he has a right to know." Jack stares at her, not understanding what is going on. As far as he knew, the couple was still as in love as the day he met them. "I'll tell him...soon." Julia says, noncommitedly, unable to hold Jack's gaze. "He just got back last night..." she adds, defiantly. "Tell him today." Jack says firmly. "Alright, alright." she agrees, knowing that Alonzo will know something is on her mind anyway. Julia resolves to tell Alonzo the next time she sees him. *** At the mess hall, Bess is serving oatmeal, with fresh edenberries. Alonzo quickly grabs a tray and gets into line, scanning the hall for Julia. It is still early, so there aren't that many people in the hall, maybe twenty. But Julia isn't one of them. Alonzo sighs. "Hey there gorgeous. What are you doing up so early? I figured you and Julia would still be celebrating?" Bess teases Alonzo, spooning a hefty portion of oatmeal into a bowl, passing it to him. "You know Julia, if she gets up late, she's wasted the whole day." Alonzo grins, accepting the bowl and plonking it down on his tray. "Has she come by for breakfast yet?" he asks. "Nope. Actually, the last couple of weeks, she's been coming in pretty late, or hasn't been eating breakfast at all. I think she's been feeling a little under the weather. Devon was saying that Julia told her that she's always tired but can't sleep. I think she was missing you a bit." Bess smiles widely at Alonzo. "Well, I have to say, I haven't been sleeping all that well away from her either." Alonzo winks, heading over to where Baines, Danziger and Cameron are seated. "Hey 'Lonz! Where's the little woman?" Baines jokes. Alonzo sits down next to Baines, his back to the door. "Beats me. Maybe I should put a tag on her." Alonzo responds. "What is it with women these days? Never leaving notes where they're going, never asking permission from their significant others." Alonzo jokes. "Uh, Alonzo..." Cameron tries to break in. "I think..." "Yeah, what is this independent thinking thing? I say we men have to set down the rules and let them know who's boss." Baines laughs, interrupting Cameron. "That's right. We need to let them know who the master is. We should probably put them all on short leashes." Alonzo grins. "Master? Leash? And just what kind of rules would you set, flyboy?" an icy voice demands, coming from behind Alonzo. Alonzo slowly turns around, to stare into the coldest blue eyes he's ever seen. "Julia! I didn't know you were standing there! Uh, how much have you heard? We were just joking around, right Danz?" Alonzo looks at Danziger beeschingly. "Hey flyboy, you're on your own here. I intend to remain in Devon's good graces." Danziger replies. "I think I've heard enough." Julia swirls around and walks out the door. Alonzo runs after her. "I'm guessing somebody needs to take a few pointers from the master." Danziger says to Baines. "You should always agree with the woman, no matter what, even when they're wrong and always tell them they look great, even if they don't. And most importantly, you should always apologize, even if it's their fault you argued." "Uh, Danz..." Baines montions for Danziger to turn around. He slowly turns, to see Devon standing behind him, with her arms crossed. "So when I asked you if I looked okay this morning, you were lying?" Devon asks, her voice icy. "Uh, Devon, I can explain..." Danziger trails off. Devon doesn't even bother waiting further, she simply walks out. Danziger chases after her. "I guess someone isn't in Devon's good graces anymore." Baines grins at Cameron, who snorts with laughter. *** "Julia! Julia, wait up. Come on, sweetheart." Alonzo catches up with her outside as she walks towards the perimeter of the colony. Ignoring him, she continues walking, heading for the river. "Come on Jul. Don't be mad. You know I was just joking." He grabs her arm, forcing her to stop and turn around to glare at him. She continues to glare at him, not so much angry with the conversation she just overheard. She knows he was kidding, but she is still mad at him about last night. Julia is scared and angry, she doesn't know what to do. She wants to tell him about the baby, but she knows he'll probably either insist on marriage or run away screaming. She's not sure which possibility is the better one. After all, she wants him to marry her for herself, not because a baby's on the way. Julia knows she has to tell him soon, the sooner the better. Pretty soon he was going to be able to tell all on his own that she was pregnant; already she can detect a bump in her once flat stomach. "Julia," Alonzo looks into her eyes. He can see the fear and the anger mixed in her blue eyes, but can't understand why its there. "Julia, what's wrong? Talk to me, angel. You know you can tell me anything." In the background, the river is flowing gently and the air is still. It's like they are standing in a world of their own, as if they are the only two people here. Julia takes a deep breath. "Alonzo, there's something I've been wanting to tell you since you came back." Julia pauses, gathering up her courage. "Yes?" Alonzo prompts, looking into her blue eyes. She looks at a point slightly over his shoulder. When she doesn't respond, he tilts her chin so that she can't avoid his gaze. "Hey, you're starting to scare me doc. What's up?" "I'm, I'm... I mean..." Julia stutters, unable to spit it out. "What do you think about kids?" "Kids? I guess they're okay..." Alonzo trails off uncertainly, not really sure where this conversation is heading. "I definitely think I'd want a couple in the future." He smiles gently at Julia. "Well, I, uh...I mean...I was just thinking, maybe we should start looking for a place to build a house together? After all everyone owns me some labour time." she blurts out. *Damn, that wasn't what I wanted to say at all!* Julia thinks to herself. "I think we should definitely look for a place. I'll just run back and get our gear, okay? Wait here for me?" Alonzo smiles at her, relieved yet confused from the abrupt change in topic. "Okay." she smiles back, telling herself she'll tell him tonight. *** Alonzo jogs back to their cabin. After much cursing, he finally spots his gear, sitting on the chair next to the door. Before he can pick up his gear, a knock sounds on the door and Alonzo yells for the visitor to come in. Jack steps into the cabin. "Hey Jack. Julia's not here right now. Can I help you?" Alonzo smiles at the doctor. When he had first learned of Jack and Julia's friendship, he had been extremely jealous. Alonzo had come to think of Julia as exclusively his, and it had bothered him that this man had shared some times with Julia that Alonzo wasn't a part of. Besides, the man was good looking, charming and plus, a doctor to boot. He had been afraid that Julia might realize that she could relate to Jack better. But Julia had reassured Alonzo that he was the only man for her. A goofy grin comes to his face as he remembers the night Julia 'reassured' her feelings for him. "You're looking pretty happy there man." Jack smiles back. "I was just stopping by, it wasn't anything important. I can catch Julia later. So what are you so happy about?" "Oh nothing, just thinking about something Julia said to me." Alonzo says, grinning widely. "So she told you? I told her she had nothing to worry about. I'm glad she told you. I was beginning to think she didn't want you to know she was pregnant." Jack responds, relieved. ------ Part V *Pregnant?* Alonzo wonders, thinking over this morning's conversation. Alone in their cabin, Alonzo paces back and forth, trying to tie all the clues together. Jack has left, called back to the hospital, unaware of the huge bombshell he has just let loose. "'Lonz?" Julia calls tentatively, as she opens the door to their cabin. "I know you said to wait for you down at the river, but you've been gone such a long time, I was afraid something was wrong." Her eyes find him pacing the floor of their cabin. "Something wrong?" she asks. Alonzo stops and turns to face her. He can't believe this delicate woman standing in front of him was carrying *his* child. "Why didn't you tell me, Jul?" he asks her quietly, wanting to understand why she hasn't shared the news with him. "Tell you what?" Julia hedges, unsure if Alonzo is asking her about what she thinks he is asking her about. "Tell me that you're pregnant." Alonzo stares at her, waiting for an answer. When she simply looks away from him, he walks over to her, grabbing her upper arms gently. "Julia, how long have you known?" "I couldn't tell you over gear while you were out there, could I? This was something that I wanted to tell you privately, not the entire colony." Julia defends herself, evading the question. "You could have told me last night or this morning. But that isn't the point. I asked you a question. How long have you known?" Alonzo asks firmly. "I suspected something three weeks ago, when I started feeling really tired all the time. It never occured to me that I would be pregnant. After all, you've been taking surpressors, so I thought maybe I had the flu or something. I went in for a routine examination and found out I was pregnant. That was two weeks ago. I didn't tell you because I'm still trying to cope with it myself!" Julia tears herself away from Alonzo's grasp, uncertain what to say next. She feels his arms immediately go around her, one hand placed over her middle, as if he can feel their child already. "I can't believe you're carrying my child. You're so small. Are you sure everything's okay?" he asks, kissing her cheek. She turns around in his grasp. "You're okay with this, then?" she asks. "Okay? Doc, I'm ecstatic!" He picks her up and twirls her around the room. "Lonz! Stop it! I swear I'm going to be sick all over you..." She laughs, unbelievably relieved that he's happy. "Sorry! Do you want to lie down? Maybe I should take you to the hospital?" immediately contrite, Alonzo carries her over to their bed, placing her down, and feeling her forehead for a tempurature. "Lonz! Everything is fine!" she stresses, "I think, as a doctor speaking, I would know if I should go to the hospital." Julia smiles at his obvious concern, flattered that he is fussing over her. "We should probably set up regular check up appointments. I'll speak to Jack about that." Alonzo continues, as if Julia hasn't said anything at all. "You do want Jack to be the consulting doctor, right?" He asks her. At her nod, Alonzo then proceeds to question Julia about Jack's qualifications. Exasperated, Julia ignores these questions and picks up their gear, heading to the door. "Are we going to look for a place or not? I think three in this small cabin will give me claustrophobia." *** "I think this is the perfect spot. We still within close range to the colony, yet far away enough to secure our privacy." Julia says, scanning the area. "Hmmmm..." Alonzo responds, uncommitedly. "'Lonz! We have been looking for hours! Isn't there one place that you liked?" Julia demands. "I'm exhausted. I am not moving from this spot until you pick a place." and immediately plops down on the grass. "I just want the place we pick to be perfect. Is that so wrong?" Alonzo smiles charmingly at her, knowing she can't stay mad at him for long. "Although, I agree, I think this is the *place*. It's peaceful and quiet and we could probably build the house overlooking the hill." "Finally! A decision! I guess I'll let everyone know in a couple of days where to start building. Why do I have this feeling everyone is going to be avoiding me?" Julia smiles to herself. She reaches out her hand and Alonzo grasps it, pulling her up off the ground. "Well, I guess we had better get back, before it gets dark." "One sec, doc." Alonzo holds firmly onto her hand, while Julia tries to tug it free. He drops to one knee and says, "Docter Julia Heller, will you marry me?" She stares into the brown eyes she loves so much and touches his cheek. "'Lonz, I love you very much, but I can't marry you." ------- Part VI Back in their cabin, Julia gets ready for bed. While they haven't argued, necessarily, there is still an awkward sort of silence within the room. Julia sighs silently, looking over at Alonzo as he prepares for bed. She thinks about their conversation earlier... "What do you mean, you love me very much but you can't marry me?" Alonzo's voice is amazed, he can't understand why she would turn him down if she loves him. He feels like someone has stuck a knife in his guts and was twisting it around. "'Lonz, I would have given anything for you to ask me a couple of months ago, but I can't marry you now, not because of the baby." Julia looks into his eyes, willing him to understand. "I love you enough not to want you to feel tied down." "Julia, I am NOT proposing to you because of the baby. The baby just speeded things up. I would have gotten around to asking you!" Alonzo says, impatiently. "You know you want to get married, why are you being like this? Have you considered what you're going to tell our kid when he or she asks why you won't marry me?" "Alonzo, I asked you last night and you said you didn't want to feel tied down. I refuse to be the one who ties you down. I don't want you to resent me and the baby. I'm not denying you anything. I just want you to be happy." Julia insists, steeling herself. Inside, she feels like crying. She wants to marry Alonzo more than anything. But more importantly, she wants him to marry her for the right reasons. "I have no idea what you are talking about. The only way I'm going to be happy is if you marry me." Alonzo glares at Julia, trying to remember what the hell she is talking about from last night. The last thing he remembers is her telling him that Danz and Devon had set a date for the wedding. That should be us, he thinks bitterly. "Look, before I was pregnant, living together was fine with you. What's changed? Nothing. Now I really don't feel like arguing anymore. I'm going home and you can come or not." Julia starts walking back toward the colony. "What's changed? Oh I don't know, the little matter that you're expecting???" Alonzo yells after her, sarcastically. "Damn stubborn woman." he mutters to himself and takes off after her. *** "So anyways, she thinks that I don't want to be tied down. That's not it at all. I've always planned on marrying Julia. I just never got around to asking her." Alonzo explains, sheepishly. "Women! Can't live with them, can't live without them." Danziger snorts. The men are gathered in the Grendler Bar and Grille. It is still early morning, so the bar is empty except for them. Alonzo had woken up to another empty bed, Julia leaving for the hospital to make her rounds. He wonders if she is trying to avoid him. She hasn't said a word to him since they had argued the other day. "I take it Devon still isn't speaking to you?" Baines asks Danziger. At Danziger's nod, Baines replies "Cheer up. You guys aren't the only ones. Word has it Bess threw a fit last night when Morgan told her he doesn't think he's cut out to be a father." "Hey! I just told her that I probably wasn't ideal father material and that we should think long and hard before planning to start any kids!" Morgan adds defensively, from his seat at the bar. Cameron walks in at that moment. "Is this the mens support group? Magus just threw me out..." He plops himself down on a seat at one of the tables. "What happened?" Walman asks. "She saw me talking to this other girl, and accused me of trying to pick her up. Please! As if I could pickup anyone at this ungodly hour in the morning." Cameron smiles weakly. "So now what?" Alonzo asks, looking around. Danziger and Morgan shrug their shoulders and Baines and Walman just laugh. Throwing Cameron a thoughtful look, Alonzo says "I think I may have an idea...." *** "You really think this is going to work?" Morgan asks for the hundrenth time that afternoon. "This is really stupid." Danziger grumbles, straightening his suit jacket. "Hey, they may not forgive us, but at they'll probably talk to us afterwards. I mean, we are humilating ourselves just to get them to speak to us again." Cameron says dejectedly. "That's the spirit, man." Alonzo grins. "Let's just hope Uly holds up his end of the plan." *** "So he loves you and wants to marry you? I fail to see the problem here, Julia." Devon frowns. "That's the thing. I'm not sure he really loves me. He's never come out and said 'I love you'. He tells me he wants me, he needs me. But what about love?" Julia asks tearfully. "Honey, that boy is head over heels in love with you." Bess hugs her. "It's just that it's hard for men to admit their feelings, even someone like Alonzo." "Have you told him you love him?" Magus asks. "Yeah, but he's never said it back..." Julia sniffles. "Mom!" Uly runs over to his mother, where she, Bess, Magus and Julia are sitting in the eatery, offering each other support. "Yes, honey? What is it?" Devon smiles at her son. "Yale says that the colonists are angry with us because we won't let them mine the Morganite. Mr. Danziger is really mad!" Uly says, waving his arms excitedly. "Oh no. Not again. I thought we had resolved this issue." Julia rolls her eyes. "We better get over there and make sure Danziger doesn't start a fight or something. Knowing Danz, I'll bet he'd rather pop a couple, than try and reason with them." Magus pops in. "Where is Mr. Danziger and the others now?" Devon asks worriedly. "At the Grendler Bar and Grille..." *** The four women rush off to the Grendler Bar and Grille, hoping they aren't too late to stop the potential outburst. Upon entering the bar, all they see are abour fifty or so colonists, calmly sipping their drinks at their tables. "Maybe Uly got the place wrong?" asks Magus. Devon looks around the bar, no sight of Danziger at all. "Something is not right here..."Julia says slowly, backing up towards the door. "Not so fast ladies. I think you might want to stay for the next act." Baines suddenly appears with Walman and the two block Julia's path to the exit. "I should have guessed this was flyboy's idea. I knew something smelled wrong. It's got Alonzo written all over it." Julia grumbles, unable to get past the two men. She glares at Baines and Walman, who smile innocently at her. "I guess we might as well take a seat," Bess says uncertainly. "What do you think is going on?" *** As the four women settle down at one of the tables near the stage, under the watchful eyes of Baines and Walman, the lights dim. Three men dressed in white suits which look like they are from the nineteen fifties come out on stage. The three men begin to swing in rhythm to the music, snapping their fingers. The audience laughs, when another man, the lead singer, slides on to the stage on his knees, from the side. Lowering his sunglasses, Alonzo looks at the audience and begins to sing. Lay down your arms and surrender to me. Lay down your arms and love me please believe. Use your arms for squeezing and pleasing the one who loves you so. There ain't no reason for you to declare war on the one who loves you so. So forget the other boys, because my love is real, come off your battlefield. Meanwhile, Danziger, Morgan and Cameron are providing background vocals, and continue to snap their fingers in time. The three also provide syncronized movements, attempting to dance to the music, to the audience's amusement. The three start walking down the stage towards the four women, following Alonzo. Alonzo stops in front of Julia and drops to his knees. Embarassed, she looks away. He suddenly gets up and grabs her hand. He drags her on up on stage, gesturing her to 'lay down her arms.' Danziger, Morgan and Cameron proceed to grab hold of their women and dance to the distinctly fifties sounding music. Lay down your arms and surrender to me. Lay down your arms and love me please believe. Use your arms for squeezing and pleasing that's the way it's got to be. The welcome you're using are hurting me bad, but someday you're going to retreat 'cause my love baby, its the truest you ever had I'm a soldier of love, that's hard to beat. Lay down your arms and surrender to me. Lay down your arms and love me please believe. Use your arms to hold me tight, baby I don't want to fight no more. Use your arms to hold me tight, baby I don't want to fight no more. Baby, lay down your arms Oh baby, lay down your arms Oh baby, lay down your arms Please, baby, lay down your arms. The music ends and the audience applaud, laughing at the sight of four grown men on their knees, asking for forgiveness. *** Back at their cabin, Julia glares at Alonzo, trying to remember why she is mad at him. The other couples have decided to stay at the Grille to enjoy a peaceful dinner. Alonzo had sensed Julia hadn't quite forgiven him as easily as the rest of the ladies had forgiven their men and had escorted her back to their small cabin. "Come on Jul. Don't I at least get a smile for humilating myself in front of everyone, just to get back into your good graces?" Alonzo teases her, abet uncertainly, not sure what kind of mood she is in and how she will respond. *Pregnancy hormones* he thinks. "'Lonz, you can't just sing a song everytime we argue and think that will solve everything..." Julia scolds. "At last! She's speaking again to me! And I thought I was getting rather good at serenading you. Any other woman would have thought I was being romantic." Alonzo bats his eyelashes at her. Julia bursts out laughing, unable to remain serious with him when he's acting so absurd. Her melts at the sight of him, smiling at her. "So doc, I was thinking. I really, truly, want to marry you, and not because of the baby. I want to spend my days growing old with you. I want to take care of you." Alonzo searches her eyes, trying to get her to see the truth in his statement. "Just please leave me alone, Alonzo, okay?" Julia turns away from him. She can see the need in his eyes, but is that love? She just doesn't know. "No," he says, roughly and pulls her towards him. His mouth comes down on hers and the force of his kiss pushes her head back. He pins her against the wall, deepening the kiss. He mutters something against her mouth. Julia can't understand what he's saying, and then, she catches the words. "I love you, damn it. I won't ever let you go. I love you." Tears stream down her cheeks as she hears the words she has been longing for, ever since she first met him. He lifts his head, hearing her sobs. "Julia? Don't cry, angel. What's wrong?" Alonzo asks, genuinely confused. "Did I hurt you? God, I'm sorry. You know I'd never hurt you. Please don't cry..." The rest of his response is muffled by her kiss. "I love you too, 'Lonz. That's all I ever wanted." Alonzo gazes into her eyes, finally realizing what she's been waiting for. "Julia, I might not have said the words, but I thought my actions spoke for me. I've always loved you and I always will. Will you marry me, Julia?" She smiles and says "Yes, please." --END-- Musical credits: 'Leaving on a jet plane' - Chantal Kreivazuk (from the Armageddon soundtrack) 'Your Winter' - Sister Hazel (from the 10 Things I hate about you soundtrack) 'Soldier of Love' - Pearl Jam (from their single, Last Kiss, released to raise money for the Kosovo effort) Characters are owned by Amblin Entertainment and Universal Pictures. No copyright infringement was intended.