Title: Old things part 1: For His Love
Author: Marcel Bestebroer
Timeline: Right after 'Duped', AU after Promises in the Farscape universe as we know it.
Archiving: Name the place.
Disclaimer: I own the plot idea, but that's basically it.

Notes: This trilogy is part of the Duped universe, starting directly after the original story and runs parallel to the trilogy New Things. As a consequence the first part of both trilogies will have uncanning similarities in dialogue and scenes, though written from opposing points of view (so as not to be completely boring). The same holds true for the last part of both trilogies, though there the number of similar scenes and dialogues is limited to a minimum.

Closing the comms she silently cursed. The communication she had just received, though requested by her, had given her reason to ignore the original task. It might end her career, but she felt it would be worth it. But couldn't and shouldn't do this alone. She needed help and she knew exactly were to get it too.
Chiana awoke to D'Argo's arms tightening around her, and she smiled, comfortable in the fact that their relationship was beginning on the road to recovery. She was glad he had forgiven her for her betrayal with his son. She would not make a mistake like that again.

She realized D'Argo had changed as well, not even once talking about living a quiet life on a farm and marrying her. That was another thing she was happy about: he accepted her the way she was and quite possibly making her love him even more.

Chiana looked at him again and stroked his face with her hand. She really must have exhausted him if he didn't even awaken at the touch. She decided to let him sleep some more while preparing first meal, just for him, both a surprise and a token of her appreciation for his forgiveness and acceptance.

Carefully she moved his arm away to allow herself get out of his embrace and out of the bed. Once out of the bed she looked once again at him and gave him a tender kiss. She then quietly put on her clothes and gracefully slipped out of the room of her lover.

Aeryn awoke in John's arms in his bed. Her mouth immediately formed a smile at the mere thought of waking up next to him in his bed. She had really missed John and the past few days with the bioloid version had made things only worse, especially his rejection of her.

But last night, after John's rescue, she went with him to his quarters, promising to never leave him again. The love making had been almost identical to the first time with the John aboard Talyn so many monens ago. It amazed her how gentle and giving this man could be.

Her plan had been to give him all of her, help him deal with the monens of not having seen her, apologize for her cold behavior when she returned to Moya after the other John had died and for the monens he spent in the virtual environment, but John would have none of it. Instead he focused all his actions on pleasuring her in exactly the same way the other one had done that first night aboard Talyn: painfully slow with gentle kisses and caresses, giving much more than taking.

Frell, was it getting hot in here? She gently caressed his face and kissed him on the chest. Sensing no reaction from him, she realized he must have really worn himself out last night. Deciding she could surprise him with first meal in bed, she carefully extracted herself from his embrace, put on some clothes and quietly slipped out of his room towards Center Chamber.

Chiana and Aeryn arrived at the Center Chamber at the same time. Chiana immediately got a mischievous look. "Yours worn out as well, huh?"

Aeryn smiled. "Yes, but I expected D'Argo to be able to endure much more."

Chiana grinned. "Just shows that I'm much better at wearing out my lover than you."

Aeryn shook her head. "I was just careful with him. He has endured a lot."

Chiana snorted and followed Aeryn into the galley. "You're gonna bring him first meal as well?"

Aeryn nodded. "Mmm-hmm. He was still asleep, but I am sure he will be very hungry when he wakes up."

Silently they continued to fix the trays for their lovers, choosing the best pieces of fruit and other food stuffs they could find. Aeryn looked towards Chiana. "Do you trust Sikozu?"

"I don't know. She still hangs around Scorpius, even if it's just the bioloid copy, and she still believes she's the smartest person aboard. Personally I think she's just the most annoying person aboard. And that's quite an achievement considering we have Rygel and Wrinkles aboard as well!"

Aeryn nodded, mulling over Chiana's words. "It would help John a lot if she could get that frelling neural clone out of his head. Do you think it would be wise to have her try it?"

"I don't know Aeryn. Her intentions might be good, but what if something goes wrong? What if Crichton gets stuck with her in his mind as well?"

Aeryn shrugged. "If we don't try, John is stuck with Scorpius in his mind, and from what I understand, Scorpius is not relenting much. But you think she really wants to help him?"

Chiana nodded. "Yeah, I think she does and I think she can do it too."

At that point Chiana's comms crackled to life. "Chiana, I have received a personal message addressed to you. I have transferred it to your quarters."

Chiana frowned at Pilot's message. Who would contact her with a private message? "Thanks Pilot." Chiana looked apologetically to Aeryn. "I gotta go."

Aeryn picked up the tray of food she had prepared for John and herself. "That's alright, Chiana, I have to bring this food to John anyway."

Chiana picked up her tray of food and followed the ex-Peacekeeper out of the Center Chamber.

As the two parted Aeryn turned to Chiana. "Thank you Chiana."

The gray girl smiled. "Sure, Aeryn. No problem. Now, go spoil Crichton!"

Aeryn watched John's door cycle open and noticed he was scanning the room, apparently trying to determine where she had gone. Hearing the door cycle open attracted his attention to her and he turned to lie on his side, smiling at her. "Hey."

Aeryn smiled back at him, reveling in his smile and the familiar greeting. "Hey."

"I see you got me some breakfast." John turned around further to lie on his back.

"Mmm-hmm, I thought you might be hungry." Aeryn sat the tray down beside the bed momentarily so she could join him in bed again.

John shook his head a little. "Uh-huh, you're not gettin' in here like that."

Aeryn glanced at herself. As far as she could see she hadn't made a mess of herself. She looked back at him questioningly.

"You're overdressed."

Aeryn managed to keep the laugh that was building inside. This was so typical of John; stating his intention in such a roundabout way. But they didn't have time for fun. "John, we are just going to eat, take a shower and get to work."

"Well, you can't take a shower with your, sorry, my clothes on anyway, so you might as well take 'em of now."

Aeryn had to agree with his logic and proceeded to take the shirt of. Before she could pull it over her head she heard him suck in a breath and by the time she could throw the shirt on the floor his hand had cupped one of her breasts. Not long after that his mouth replaced his hand as it roamed over both her breasts alternately, while both his hands now slid down her body to dispose her of the shorts.

Aeryn gripped his head, pulling it tighter against her breast. "John, we don't have time for this." John was apparently not listening, though she could not fault him for that, seeing that her mouth was saying one thing while her actions were saying the complete opposite. Deciding they probably did deserve some additional time together, she relented and let herself be pulled on the bed while she started to caress and stroke his back. First meal and the shower could wait.

Chiana exited her quarters in deep thought. The communication was not something she had expected at all. It would take her away from Moya for a few solar days, perhaps up to a weeken, but she had made a vow to deal with this dren when the opportunity would present itself and she wasn't planning on going back on it.

There were two problems. One was getting there. D'Argo's ship could only be operated properly by the Luxan himself and she really didn't want him to come with her. Aeryn's Prowler would have to be used, as it was the next fastest ship, not counting Moya. That would mean she would have to take Aeryn with her, because it was highly unlikely the former Peacekeeper would let her fly the Prowler alone.

The other problem was Crichton. She wouldn't leave him at a time when Sikozu was going to try to get rid of the Scorpius in his head and she was sure Aeryn wouldn't either. So, there were two ways things could work out. Either Sikozu was able to relieve Crichton of the neural clone today or she would need additional items to convert the neural link and thereby delay the disposal of the clone by a weeken or so. If Sikozu would try it in the next few solar days, Chiana would just have to stay here, dishonoring the vow she had made.

Still in thought Chiana approached D'Argo's quarters just as he woke up. As she palmed the door open she noticed he had awoken and quickly schooled her expression and stance to her usual carefree appearance. "Hey, brought you some food." She walked to the bed and climbed on it. "Thought you might be hungry after last night's exercise."

"Thanks, I am hungry."

Chiana moved closer to him, placing the tray on her lap and together they enjoyed first meal in silence.

"Chiana, what was bothering you when you came in?"

Frell! He had noticed that. "Nothing's bothering me. What makes you think something's bothering me?"

"When you came in you appeared to be …not exactly here with me. You also seem a bit anxious and you were thinking again just now."

Well, wasn't that ironic? Why did he have to become so frelling aware of her thoughts and states now? "D'Argo, I... I may have to leave Moya for a while. Just to-to take care of so-some personal problems. Yeah, personal problems!" She realized she had only succeeded in appearing more anxious than before.

"I could go with you. For support."

Oh, bad idea there! She really couldn't have him around while she dealt with this dren. "No, D'Argo, this is something you shouldn't be around for. I need to do this without you."

D'Argo sighed. "Chiana, I do not like having you alone of Moya. I know you can take care of yourself, but you could get into trouble and could use some backup."

Chiana smiled and caressed his face. He really was a sweet man, trying to look out for her, but he really couldn't come. Perhaps she could make him feel less worried about her safety. "D'Argo, I won't be handling this alone. I will team up with someone I know. We both need to deal with this... problem while we have the opportunity."

He looked unconvinced. "How long will you be traveling?"

"About two solar days, a little less."

Now he looked incredulous. "Two solar days? You could not possibly expect me to let you travel on a transport pod for two solar days with no way to defend it!"

What would make him think she would take a transport pod? If Aeryn wouldn't come with her she might have to, but that was not the intention at all. "I never said I would take a transport pod. I'm going to ask Aeryn to take me in her Prowler."

He seemed to like the idea of her not traveling alone unprotected but something still bothered him. "Why can't I come with you in Lo'La, but Aeryn can in her Prowler?"

"Because you would just interfere with this thing I have to do. Aeryn might want to, but once I explain things to her, she'll let me do this."

Now he just snorted. "You expect Aeryn to leave John?"

Chiana certainly hoped she would. The prospect of traveling alone was not one she was looking forward to. "Look, D'Argo, you can argue all you want, but I'm going to do this without you. If I need to I will take a transport pod. It would only take me half a solar day longer."

That seemed to finalize things for him. At least he stopped complaining. "Alright, Chiana, I will stay here. When will you leave?"

"Right after I talked things through with Aeryn. I think we'll have some time of our own though." Yeah, pretty sure Aeryn is spoiling Crichton right now, so enough time there. And Sikozu might be having a blast with fek-face as well. Wrinkles and frog-face were on their way to buy some maps. So, there was no reason why she and D'Argo couldn't have some fun time. D'Argo seemed to have come to the same conclusion.

Aeryn leaned against John, breathing hard after their latest love making in the shower. It had been absolutely wonderful in bed earlier, with John allowing her to lead. After finally eating the food she brought she had told him she was going to take a shower. Of course John had followed her and of course taking a shower together had led to another bout of love making.

Still leaning against him she remembered back to the times on Talyn, times when these kinds of mornings had been common. 'Frelling like bunnies' had John called it then. She still had no idea what 'bunnies' were, but she got the impression they were frelling a lot.

Finally she gained control of her breathing and her thought processes had returned to the here and now. "John, we really should get dressed and go to command. There are still things we need to discuss with the others."

He sighed. "Yeah, I know. We still have to see how to get rid of Harvey." He walked out of the refreshing chamber to get a towel. Aeryn admired him from behind for a little while before following him out and accepting the towel he held out for her. "Aer, can I ask you something?"

Slightly startled by the unexpected question she looked at him. "Sure."

"How..." He seemed to be struggling with how to ask the question he wanted to ask. "Where would you have to go to... you know, get junior growing?"

Aeryn didn't know what to say. Though she knew she had a child in stasis inside her, she hadn't really thought about having it released. Sure, she knew where she would need to go to release the stasis, but was John asking this out of curiosity or did he actually want the stasis released? Aeryn shook her head mentally; 'one problem at a time' she told herself. "The only ones that would be able to release a stasis are Peacekeeper med techs."

"So, we would have to pay a visit to the good doctor of a Command Carrier?"

She nodded.

He seemed to find that a less than a bad situation, judging by the change in his facial expression. "Are you... would you like the stasis to be released?"

Now he looked hopeful and Aeryn now understood he really wanted her to have this baby, even without knowing who the father was. "I do."

He beamed at her. "Then maybe we should see what we can do about that after we dealt with Harv." He took a small step towards her and gave her gentle kiss. "Let's get dressed and go see how the kids are doin'."

While putting on her clothes something occurred to Aeryn. "John, what do we say to the others when we go away to release the stasis?"

He shrugged. "Just that you got a bun in the oven and we need a tech to make the oven burn, I s'pose."

Aeryn sighed and gave him an exasperated look. Sometimes John could be totally incomprehensible.

"We tell 'em you have a child in stasis and we're going to get a med tech to release the stasis so the baby can grow."

Seemed very straight forward but Aeryn wasn't sure if she wanted the crew to know.

John apparently sensed her uncertainty. "Unless you don't want them to know. Of course once the stasis is released, they'll probably find out soon afterwards."

That was true, wasn't it? They would find out anyway so she really had no reason to try to hide the truth from them. "You're probably right." She strapped her pulse pistol to her thigh at the same time John strapped Winona to his.

He looked at her, grinning. "Ready, Sundance?"

She nodded at her crazy Erpman and led the way to Command.

D'Argo and Chiana entered an empty Command. Chiana looked at D'Argo. "Told you we'd still have time."

"Not much, Pip."

Chiana turned around to see John and Aeryn entering Command. She immediately went to John and gave him a hug. "Hey, old man."

"Mornin' Pip" He kissed the top of her head. "Do I need to ask what you were planning to do with the extra time you thought you had?"

Chiana grinned. "Nah, you know me; just wanting to have some more fun."

John smiled and looked to D'Argo. "Yeah, that's what I thought. But sometimes we have to do something serious."

Chiana immediately remembered her upcoming task away from Moya. If John would just stop for one moment speaking, she might have been able to have that conversation with Aeryn she really needed to have first. Unfortunately the human just kept on talking.

"Speaking of which, I though we had made an appointment for me with the Exorcist?" He looked at D'Argo. "Have you seen Sputnik?"

"No, Chiana and I came to Command directly from my quarters." D'Argo palmed his comms. "Sikozu, could you meet us in Command?"

"I will be there in half an arn. I have almost finished my survey of the neural interface."

"Alright, join us in Command when you have finished."

Chiana knew this was the perfect opportunity to have that talk with Aeryn. "Aeryn, could I talk to you in private?"

Aeryn was surprised by the request. Chiana was hardly the person to keep things private. "We could go to my quarters?"

Chiana nodded. "That would be alright." Not wanting to waste any time, Chiana led the way out of Command, trusting Aeryn to follow her.

Aeryn was sitting on her bed in silence, watching the Nebari girl pacing back and forth in front of her, listening to her. She completely understood why Chiana wanted to do this, frell she would help her if she could get away, but why did Chiana tell her this?

"So, I wanted to ask you to take me there in your Prowler but only if Sikozu has removed the neural clone from Crichton or if she doesn't have all the components she needs."

Aeryn contemplated the request. There was a very compelling reason to take Chiana were she needed to go, but the prospect of leaving John for any amount of time was daunting. Still, Moya would be traveling through Tormented Space soon and no Peacekeepers or Scarrans would be traveling there. Relative safety and D'Argo would remain with John. "Alright, Chiana. If Sikozu removes the neural clone from John today, I will go with you. But I will not leave John while that neural clone is still in his head."

Chiana sat down beside the former Peacekeeper. "Yeah, I understand why you wouldn't want to leave him in that situation. But if Sikozu says it's gonna take her a weeken or more to attempt the removal, I will go. You understand why I have to do this, don't you?"

Aeryn nodded. "Yes, I do." She stood up. "I think it's time to get back to Command. I'm sure Sikozu has finished her inventory by now."

Chiana also stood up. "Yeah. I hope she can deal with the neural clone today."

As Aeryn and Chiana entered Command, they noticed Sikozu and Scorpius had arrived but that John was no longer there, causing Aeryn to worry about him. "Where's John?"

D'Argo faced her briefly. "He went to talk with Pilot and Moya. I think he needed a distraction to keep the neural clone away. I've just commed him to let him know Sikozu is ready. He should be here soon."

"I'm here."

Before Aeryn had a chance to turn around, John was standing next to her, his arm wrapped around her waist. She leaned further into him, needing his comforting warmth.

"So, Sputnik, you got everything we need?"

Aeryn noticed Sikozu's attention had been firmly directed at Scorpius, but she diverted it long enough to look both of them in the eye. "The device has been altered to link to your mind, but I can not guarantee I will be strong enough to expel the neural clone."

Aeryn contemplated this development. The Kalish girl was maybe not strong enough, but perhaps she could use the device herself to help John. "Could I use the device to link with John?" She noticed the hitch in his breathing, momentarily confusing her. Was he not happy it would be her instead of the Kalish?

Sikozu just nodded. "It is probably better if it would be you. Your bond with Crichton is much stronger than anyone of us."

Aeryn noticed the tension building in John.

"Wait, wait."

Why was he interrupting? Didn't he want this?

"I'm not going to let Aeryn jeopardize her life."

Aeryn turned to John. "John, what's wrong? Don't you want this?"

He looked at her a moment before turning to the rest of the crew. "Sorry guys, but I'd like to have a word with Aeryn in private, if you don't mind." As the others indicated to have no problem with it, he pulled her with him out of Command.

Halfway in the corridor Aeryn halted him. "John, why are you resisting this? Are you uncomfortable with me invading your mind?"

"God, no Aeryn, you can come into my mind any time, just as long as Harvey's not there."

If that wasn't the problem, then why would he resist this? Hmm, he said she could come in his mind but only when the neural clone wasn't there. He was afraid the neural clone would do something to her! "John, Harvey will not be able to harm me in any way."

"We don't know that for certain!"

"No, we don't, because you haven't allowed Sikozu to explain the device to us. We don't even know how we are supposed to remove the clone because you had to interrupt her." Aeryn had to fight herself to regain control over her anger again. She loved John more than anything else, but sometimes he could be so irrational and stubborn.

Still focusing on John she could see he his next argument why he thought it would be the wrong thing to do. "No, John, this is not about the baby, or me. This is about releasing you from that frelling clone and if Sikozu says I'm the best choice to help you, I will do whatever she says I need to do."

Aeryn smiled inwardly as she heard John sigh. He had accepted that she would be the one to remove the frelling clone, although he did attach some conditions before he would allow her too.

"Alright, if Sikozu can assure us the clone won't be able to harm you or defect to your head, you can come trot around my brain."

That was acceptable. Aeryn knew that Sikozu, having been in the same situation as John, would have done her best to help John get rid of his invader while minimizing the danger she'd be in. Besides, Aeryn was looking forward to spend some time in John's mind. It was the ideal opportunity to learn more about his life on Earth, meet his family. Aeryn was certain that once the clone had been removed, John would love to show her his past. Perhaps they could keep the device afterwards, allowing her to see all of his past, gain some understanding of the strange sayings he kept uttering.

"Aer, you OK?"

"Yes John, I'm fine. I was thinking about being linked to your mind. Perhaps you could show me things from your past after we have removed the clone."

He considered it briefly before the smile appeared. He obviously hadn't thought about that before, but seemed to like the idea as much as she did. "Now, that could be fun. I think it's time we head back to Sputnik."

Chiana was the first to see the couple return, holding hands and Crichton nuzzling Aeryn's neck. That's when she knew they had agreed to have Aeryn enter his mind. Truthfully, she didn't understand why Crichton had reacted that way. She gave a mental shrug. It didn't really matter now.

"Alright Sputnik, tell us more 'bout the device and what Aer should do to get rid of the clone."

Chiana realized none of the others had noticed their entrance, proved by the fact they were all quite a bit startled by the sudden voice.

"The device is created as a one-way link between a biological subject and a computer core. I only adapted the computer output to provide another neural link, leaving the security implementations intact. Neural bleed back from your mind to mine or Aeryn's is impossible."

"You see, John? It is safe."

Chiana understood from Aeryn's remark that Crichton had been worried about Aeryn ending up with the clone.

"Yeah, well, you can never be to sure."

Aeryn was sitting nervously on her bed. She knew John was probably even more nervous than her, given the fact that he had requested some time alone. Aeryn was nervous, because she had no real idea on how to expel the neural clone from John's head. Sikozu had said it was impossible to determine upfront on how to achieve that goal.

"Aeryn, could I speak to you for a moment."

Aeryn look up at the Kalish and nodded her head.

"I was not truthful when I said I had no idea on how to expel the neural clone from Crichton's mind. It seemed safer not to explain the process when the neural clone could overhear."

She remembered the struggle and almost near-fatal results from this same fight over a cycle before, and was grateful of Sikozu's foresight. "I am glad you are able to tell me what to do, because I have no frelling clue."

Sikozu moved further into her room, closing the grating and privacy curtain behind her. "There are two ways to expel the neural clone. One would be to affect his death, which is not as easy as you might think. To let the neural clone die, you would need to get him in a situation that would be threatening to his life if he would be corporeal, but the situation would be equally threatening to Crichton."

"John could die because of this attempt?"

"Yes and no. Dying in this sense would mean neural death. If one perishes, or loses the will to live, the other will be in control of the corporeal form. The neural death will not be permanent until one of the two is in full control of the body."

"I see, but the first that appears to be in control is not necessarily the one that can achieve full control. Sort of a last desperate attempt?"

Sikozu nodded, surprised by the Sebacean's understanding. "That is correct. For this reason it is adamant you will have returned to your own body. You will then be able to help Crichton assert control."

"Like on Dam-Ba-Da, when Harvey made me believe he had won, while in reality he was the one losing the battle."

Sikozu looked confused. "This... happened before?"

Aeryn nodded. "Yes, to the other John." This seemed to confuse Sikozu even more. "About a cycle ago, John, Chiana and D'Argo were duplicated by a mad man. The copies of Chiana and D'Argo where killed immediately, but both John's managed to get out alive. Later the two of them got split up, and I went with the other one on Talyn, Moya's son."

Sikozu nodded. "I see. And apparently the neural clone was removed successfully from the other Crichton."

Aeryn nodded. "Yes, but not long after that, John died. But that had nothing to do with the neural clone or its removal." Aeryn paused a little, remembering the pain of losing him, before she returned to the present time. "You said there were two possible ways to remove the neural clone. What is the second?"

"The second would be to lure the neural clone into a neural cleanser. Each brain, regardless of species, will have a number of spots that act as a cleanser to remove neural irregularities. This is a dangerous task for you, as Crichton's neural cleansers will determine you to be an irregularity as well."

Aeryn contemplated this option. "And this way, the neural clone will be gone immediately, without trying to gain control of John's body?"

"Yes."

"And why hasn't the neural clone disappeared into one of the cleansing locations?"

"I assume... he is well aware of the danger they impose on him."

"And you're sure it's not because John just doesn't have such cleansing capabilities?"

"I know he has them. I have had enough time to study his bioloid version before it was destroyed. The neural cleansers are present in his brain."

Aeryn thought some more about this option. It seemed to be safest and most certain way of getting rid of the clone. "How do I recognize these cleansing areas?"

"Most of these areas will be represented by a symbolic entrance way, often indicated as being dangerous. The way this is shown is solely dependant on the host brain."

Aeryn nodded. That made sense, but would make it difficult to lure the neural clone into one of them. "Will the neural clone be able to sense my thoughts?"

"Not unless you intend him to hear. He will only learn about things you will utter inside the representation you will be in once you enter Crichton's mind. At Crichton's request, I will be in the room with you to monitor the progress from the outside. Though I will be unable to observe what is going on inside Crichton's mind, I should be able to notice if you are in trouble, hopefully disconnect you before any permanent damage will be done to you."

Aeryn nodded. A typical precaution John would want to have taken, before fully committing himself to this ordeal. It warmed her to know he was more interested in her well-being than that of his own, though it was the same for her.

Aeryn was shaken from her fond thoughts about the human by his voice coming from the comms. "Aeryn, Sikozu, could you meet me in my quarters. It's time we get this thing over with."

Aeryn palmed her comms. "Yes, John. Sikozu and I are on our way now." Deactivating the comms again, she led the way out of her quarters to John's, no, theirs she quickly corrected herself. She was determined she would free John from his inner demon and after that give up her quarters and move into his, making it theirs.

Chiana and D'Argo had joined Sikozu's watch over the couple lying on the bed, both with a vacant look in their eyes.

D'Argo sighed. "How long have they been inside John's mind?"

"About one hundred microts longer than when Chiana asked me the last time." Sikozu was clearly annoyed with their insistent questioning the time it took. "As I explained before, they could be in Crichton's head for microts or arns. It all depends on how well things are going." She never let her gaze wander away from the duo, alert for any sign of trouble the Sebacean might get in.

Chiana moved even closer to D'Argo, taking comfort in his presence. She really hoped both Crichton and Aeryn would come out okay. It worried her more than she ever thought possible.

Crichton had been like a brother to her, possibly the only guy beside Nerri that wasn't out to get a quick frell from her. And she had tried to seduce him and still he hadn't. Frell, why did she have to think about that now?

She let her mind wander to woman beside Crichton. She remembered all the times she and Aeryn had not seen eye to eye, mostly because she had done something stupid. Aeryn had gradually moved to become a friend and now even a bit motherly. She never stopped looking out for her, protecting her. Chiana realized Aeryn had always done that.

Well, maybe not in the very beginning, but it hadn't taken that long for her switch to protector. Chiana laid her head against D'Argo's chest. 'Please be alright, you two. You deserve the happiness you have so recently discovered.'

D'Argo kept his gaze on his two friends as Chiana laid her head against his chest. John had been like a brother to him, a man worthy of a warriors respect. D'Argo realized this hadn't been this way all the time, even remembering he almost killed him, even though accidentally. And now this situation, where John and Aeryn had to deal with things without him there, that wasn't making him feel much better than as he did back then.

Still, letting his thoughts flow to the woman beside him, Aeryn was a warrior too, and would protect John at all cost, something that gave him more worries. If something would happen to Aeryn, John would never be okay again. It was clear he needed her, as she did him.

D'Argo sighed softly. Another thing that had bothered him. It had taken him a while to forgive Aeryn for running away, but he had understood her reasoning. She was unaccustomed to emotions, and death of a loved one is the most difficult one of all. Add to that, that she couldn't really grieve for him because this John was still alive, and it was not hard to understand why she had left. She needed rules and regulations again, if only to deal with these rampant emotions.

D'Argo was the first to notice the stir in Aeryn, followed closely by one in John. He turned his gaze to Sikozu, who seemed relieved to see the both of them stir. Before he turned his gaze back to the duo, Chiana had noticed the change too.

"Hey, you're back!" Chiana bounced away from D'Argo, straight to the couple.

Sikozu was quicker to get to them. "Did you succeed?"

Aeryn nodded slightly and looked at John, who was smiling broadly.

"He's gone. He really is gone."

This caused Aeryn to smile as well, glad to be proved again that there was no difference between the man that died and this one. "Sikozu, when Harvey vanished into the neural cleanser, just before John closed the door, an orb came out of it. Is that something we need to worry about?"

Aeryn observed Sikozu pondering the issue. "I do not think it is dangerous. The orb most likely represents memories and feelings that the neural clone had stolen from him. It might also be parts of Crichton that the neural clone had taken over, or was linked closely to. The fact that it came out of the neural cleanser indicates it was deemed a regular neural pattern for Crichton, otherwise it had been destroyed as well."

John, already disconnecting the neural link device from his head, turned to Sikozu. "Should I go back and smash it, or store it somewhere safe?"

"No, it should be absorbed by your brain automatically, in time. Besides, you would be unable to find it now. You can go back to the same representation you left the orb in, but that does not necessarily result in going back to the same physical section of the brain."

John nodded. "Right, no point in going back."

Aeryn, though disconnected from the device as well, prevented John from giving it to Sikozu. Looking at John she saw understanding dawning, before she turned to Sikozu. "Could John and I use this device more, so I could observe his memories?"

Sikozu nodded, clearly having anticipated the question. "Now that the neural clone has been removed, there should be no danger involved. It would be even possible to reverse the connections to have Crichton observe your memories, without any dangers."

Now that the couple was safe, Chiana could focus on her other task. Aeryn had indicated with a nod of her head she would go with her, especially now that Rygel and Wrinkels had returned with maps and Crichton would be safe aboard Moya in a region of space where no Peacekeepers or Scarrans would follow him.

Chiana sighed. This would be the last night for maybe a weeken that she could spend with D'Argo and she knew Aeryn felt the same way about Crichton. A smile formed as she thought about the couple taking full advantage of the device. Aeryn would soon be the only one to understand Crichton's weird sayings. And it would have other benefits as well, Aeryn learning other aspects of Crichton's past could be beneficial in the real world as well.

She finally arrived at D'Argo's quarters and palmed the door open. She could hear the shower running and she quickly closed the door and privacy curtain, before taking of her clothing. Her brave warrior was going to have to endure another long and tiring night, but she doubted he felt unhappy about that.

Finally a response had come to her message. Chiana would come. Finally she could set things in motion, prepare for this new and dangerous task. Some of the residents would not be happy with what she and Chiana were about to do, so additional preparations were to be made for her departure. She didn't care, this endeavor would have to be taken; she had made a vow.

This promised to become a long and tiring night, but it would be worth it.