Surprise! You're a Dad

Farscape AU for Terra Firma

Disclaimer: I don't own Farscape

Author's Notes: Please Read and Review.

Summary: John Crighton returns to Earth but finds a surprise there waiting for him.

Chapter 6

Saturn's bulk dominated the prowler's view.

"Saturn…Wow. I'm actually looking at Saturn! I've been further away from Earth than any Human," Jack said in awe of Saturn's rings.

"Actually…not quite," Aeryn remarked.

Chargained, Jack said, "Oh Yeah, maybe my son does have me beat by a little bit." He gazed back up at Saturn, admiring the planet's luminous rings.

They sat in silence for a few minutes then Jack said without turning his gaze from Saturn, "You care for my son, don't you?"

"We were in a relationship"-pause-"Does that surprise you?"

"No"-pause-"It should, but it doesn't. Was it serious?" Jack asked seriously.

"It was…"

"What happened?" Jack asked wanting to know.

Aeryn didn't answer him.

"Did John find another woman?"

Aeryn thought of the various females that had attracted John's attention; Katralla, Gilina,…

"Was there another man for you?"

Aeryn thought of the other John Crichton…

Reluctantly, Aeryn truthfully answered him, "Both actually," Aeryn shook her head, "It's complicated."

"What happened to them?" She now had his complete attention.

Aeryn answered him slowly, "It didn't work out, they died…they were murdered." The innocent Gilina's murder came to mind. Aeryn shrugged.

"They were murdered?" asked Jack in shock, "Did that happen often?" Jack asked dreading the answer to his question.

"No…not often. It's all in the past. We've gotten past it all," Aeryn left much unsaid.

Nevertheless, Jack realized the main item left out, "But you're still not back together…And now there's Caroline and John III. You're afraid of losing him permanently now. Aren't you?"

Silence answered him. It was the only answer Aeryn was capable of giving him.

Back on Moya, Dargo had finished showing Caroline around Moya. Chiana had come up to play with John III and they were off running around the different tiers having all sorts of fun and getting into all sorts of mischief. Bobby was still taking to Pilot and Pilot was very flattered that Bobby was willing to spend so much time listening to him talk.

Dargo and Caroline walked into Command to find John sitting on the table there lost in thought staring out the viewport, watching Earth revolving majestically in the darkness of space, with his back to them.

"Wow," Caroline said in awe as she took in the vista in front of her.

John turned around and caught sight of them, "Hey," he looked around for his son, What did you do with my boy? Don't say you let him wander around Moya all by himself, Dargo, you know the kind of trouble I get into when I wander around Moya," John joked.

Dargo just rolled his eyes and said, "Chiana's with him."

"That's almost as bad," retorted John, "Don't you think Caroline…Caroline?"

"What?" Caroline said, she had been enjoying the view.

"Never mind. So, did you enjoy the tour?" John asked Caroline.

She moved up to sit next to John then said, "It was great! Everything's so amazing up here," she raved.

They sat there for a few moments until Dargo, becoming uncomfortable in the silence that descended upon them, spoke up, "I'll go check up on Chiana, make sure that she's not getting him into any trouble."

"Sure D, we'll be here waiting," John said waving Dargo off.

Dargo hastily left Command, leaving John and Caroline alone with one another. They sat there gazing out at Earth and John contemplating what he needed to say to her.

I can't believe I'm going to say this…thought John.

"We need to talk Caroline," John said seriously.

Caroline tore her gaze away from the viewport and looked at John.

"I was wondering when we were going to get around to our talk. We've been avoiding it since you came back to Earth," Caroline looked around herself, "Though I didn't imagine that we'd end up talking here," Caroline said, gesturing to the unusual surroundings of the living spaceship.

"Yeah well life has a habit of throwing curveballs every once in a while, every other day if you happen to be me," John laughingly joked.

Caroline laughed, "Nice to know you haven't lost your sense of humor."

"Yeah well it's taken a few hits but its still here," John conceded.

They sat in silence again until John spoke up again, "I can't stay, Caroline."

She looked at him, unsure of her of her position, "Why not? Your son is going to be devastated! He's just gotten used to having you around and now you're leaving?" Indignation now rising to the surface.

"I have to go, I can't stay here," John repeated.

"Is it me? I haven't asked anything of you, I haven't asked for any commitments or a ring, just that you care for your son. You're happy doing that!" Caroline inquired, strong emotions now running through her.

John sighed, "I know. It's for him that I have to leave."

"Why? Why do you have to leave? I don't understand," Caroline said, now confused.

"It's complicated. There are things I have to do."

"Are they important?"

"Yes. Very important."

"What about John III? Isn't he as important?" Caroline indignantly asked.

John nodded, "He's more important; it's for him that I have to do these things."

"What things?" she beginning to think that John was giving her the run around.

John shook his head, "I can't tell you. You wouldn't believe me."

Caroline didn't speak; she did not know what to make of John's remarks.

John added, "I talked to my bosses at IASA, I arranged to have them send you my paycheck, retroactively, to help take care of little John's needs."

"Fine, but little John would rather to have you around," Caroline stated evenly.

"I know. I just can't remain here…it's too dangerous."

Caroline turned to him, eyes wide with shock, "Dangerous?! To you or to Earth?" she asked anxiously.

John kicked himself for revealing too much to Caroline, "It's complicated."

"What's wrong?" Caroline asked, now worried.

"I can't tell you…you wouldn't believe me," John said, quietly.

"I wouldn't believe you?" said a confused and frustrated Caroline.

"Yeah, you wouldn't. Trust me on this, I know all about what's believable and what's not. You can trust me on that," John firmly stated.

John's statement had a ring of finality to it. Caroline realized that no matter what she said now would get him to elaborate on the dangers he was so afraid of. So she decided to drop the matter.

For now.

They could here John III's happy giggles coming from the corridor so she decided to talk later.

"Fine whatever you say, we can talk later." Caroline reluctantly said.

Much later

Author's Notes: Hope u like this chapter. Please Read and Review.