Do You Love this Man?

At the end of "The Way We Weren't", Aeryn and John discuss Velorek. Velorek was the PK tech Lieutenant that Aeryn had a close relationship with, but betrayed to get back to flying Prowlers. Aeryn and John exchange the following dialogue:

Aeryn: He [Velorek] said that in the right new place I would thrive.
John: He was right.
Aeryn: You know … that time when he asked me to go with him, he said "You can be so much more." That was exactly what you said to me on the first day I was here.
John: And you say … you think … you love this man?

After John's line, the two trade a long series of looks. Both characters were obviously tense, but what exactly did the last line mean, and what was the unspoken communication?

Was John asking Aeryn about Velorek, if she really loved Velorek despite the betrayal? Or was he really asking Aeryn about himself?

About Velorek

Votes: 5

About John

Votes: 12

Too sensitive: John is too sensitive to change an attempt to help Aeryn get through painful memories to an attempt to use Aeryn's unusual openness to learn her feelings about him.
Understand betrayal: Betrayal and love don't go together in John's worldview. He was trying to confirm if Aeryn really loved Velorek -- if she didn't the betrayal is much easier to understand.
Uncomfortable silence: Aeryn was uncomfortable answering because she can't explain the betrayal either. That's why she just looked back instead of speaking.

Aeryn changed the subject: Aeryn changed the subject from Velorek to John. John caught the hinted link, and asked obliquely for confirmation of her feelings.
Expressive look: The way John looked at Aeryn seemed to say he was really asking about himself.
Uncomfortable silence: Aeryn understood John was really asking if she loved him. Never comfortable talking about her feelings, she didn't answer verbally.
Parallels: John picked up on the parallels between Velorek and himself. Asking about Velorek is the same as asking about himself.
No Missed Chances: What man would miss the chance to ask how a woman feels about him? John certainly wouldn't.

Last Updated: 4/20/03