I wrote this story twice, one with direct interaction between Crais and Aeryn and this version. I chose this approach because I believe it better fist my concept. Hope you like it.

Special thanks: I have to thank SarahJ for the idea and the title. You are amazing!

A/N: This takes place right after the Crais brothers are conscripted so I 'd say Bialar is between 12-10 cycles old.

Disclaimer: I don't own Farscape, more's the pity.

Life Lessons

Bialar followed his brother and their instructor into another part of the command carrier. It looked like a park, similar to one on his own planet. But instead of children running and laughing and playing, all of the young Sebaceans appeared to be sparring. He wasn't sure quite what to make of it all but, as he looked over toward Tauvo, he saw a gleam in the younger boy's eyes that made his stomach clench. He was instantly reminded of the promise he'd made to their father and felt the burden anew.

When the instructor told them to find sparring partners, Bialar couldn't help the relief that filled him. Training had always been a great way to get is mind off his problems. Instead of going to find a partner straight away, though, he found himself wandering about. He studied his surroundings, made certain to get a handle on this new environment. He knew that if he was going to keep his brother safe, he was going to have to succeed as a Peacekeeper. And the best way he knew to do that was to study and learn. He let his eyes wander over to where Tauvo stood in a ready stance with a little girl. Bialar focussed on her, assessed her threat level. She was probably around Tauvo's age, eight or nine cycles, but really small. The look of fierce confidence on her face made up for her small stature, however. Obviously Tauvo missed it because he wore a smirk on his own face. Bialar watched as the girl took advantage of the weakness, laying him flat on his back in a microt. Bialar's eyes widened as he felt himself being drawn closer. Tauvo rose, this time more wary of his opponent. They sparred for a bit of a while and Bialar could not take his eyes off the sight. The girl fought like she'd been doing it her entire life, which she likely had, but there was something...different about her. Something special. She fought well but appeared to be holding back a little, as if she were aware that Tauvo was not as gifted in sparring as she was and didn't want to hurt him. He recognised it as a tactic he often employed when fighting his brother. It was difficult to reconcile that attitude with what he knew of the Peacekeepers. He continued to study the battle until the girl took one last sweep at Tauvo and he landed on the ground once more. This time he didn't immediately stand and Bialar grew worried. The girl glanced around, seemingly to see if anyone was watching, before reaching her hand out to offer her help. Tauvo looked suspiciously at her for a moment before accepting. Before they could go back to fighting, however, an instructor stepped in. Bialar was just close enough to hear every word as the instructor tore into the two combatants.

"Aeryn Sun, how many times must you be reminded, when you have your opponent in a vulnerable position, you take the advantage and finish him off. In battle, there is no time for weakness. The enemy will not allow for it."

Aeryn stood rigidly and nodded, not allowing any emotion to cross her face. Bialar watched on as the instructor turned toward Tauvo.

"Tauvo Crais, I realise that you are new here, but you cannot allow your opponent to first put you in such a vulnerable position then offer assistance. It is a sign of weakness to accept the aid of your enemy. One must always be prepared for deception."

Tauvo echoed Aeryn's stance but Bialar could see fear on his face. The instructor kept them there for a few more moments before dismissing them. The two younger children ran off to find different opponents but Bialar stayed where he was. He'd just learnt his first lesson as a Peacekeeper. Compassion and weakness were not to be tolerated. If he was to succeed, he knew he was going to have to harden himself to the plights of others. It went against all that he was raised with, all that his parents taught him, but he was no longer with them. He was a Peacekeeper now and he had to start living the part.

The End