Title: Home and the Second Wave
Author: Meridian
Disclaimer: As much as I'd like to say I own these characters (hell, as much as I'd like to just own Ben Browder and Sebastian Spence), I don't. They belong, I suppose, to the Sci-Fi Channel or whoever sells them the episodes. Whatever, they sure as hell don't belong to me, nor do I have express written or oral permission to use them. Um, not suing me would be greatly appreciated, as I am not making any money from this story, nor do I have much to begin with…thanks so much. And ps…some stuff is made up entirely, as people who actually live in Salem, Mass. will attest. Just let it slide? Please?
Spoilers: Oh boy, spoilers! Well, none really for the First Wave portion of this story, just you have to know the basic characters there…Farscape Spoilers? Let's see…Nerve, The Hidden Memory, and Bone to Be Wild…that should cover most of it, save for vague and infrequent references to past eps…Oh and one more thing? These events occurred in a reality separate from the Farscape world that ended with Family Ties (I began before the episode altered reality a bit, so please, just through Bone to Be Wild, thanks)
Note: This is a crossover, so knowing both shows would greatly aid in your understanding of events. It's not necessary, but it helps. Thanks to my story consultant Michelle (what would I do without her?) who proved that you don't have to watch either show to follow and yes, even like the story.
Formatting Notes:
[[…..]] Indicate memory
Italics…thoughts
********* Indicate change of scene
------------- Same setting, only separate from the action taking place previously
HOME AND THE SECOND WAVE
Part 7
Salem Center Hospital
(earlier)
"To Moya?" Aeryn squinted at Crichton, assessing, or at least trying to do so, how much faith she should put into that comment. The exhaustion in John's whole being suggested he was too tired to be completely serious, but it also meant that he was too tired to lie.
"Where else would I go?" To John, the situation seemed rather obvious. He had had his hours to think this over ever since landing. When he had been able, John had decided this trip to Earth was a vacation, not a permanent arrangement.
"But this is your home, your people…"
"Not any more. Remember what happened last time?" Aeryn winced at that bitter tone. The last Earth they had been to was still fresh in both their minds, even after everything that had happened in between that event and now.
"But we would go. You could be safe here. Your people would think you a hero." John slowly shook his head.
"Everything that happened before would happen again, Aeryn. I'd never be free to live my life. I'd be stuck telling all my stories over and over, explaining everything. Sooner or later, I'd have to tell them how I got here without the Farscape." Aeryn bowed her head. She had not thought of that. If his race knew that they had visited, would they rest until they discovered more? At what point would morality give way to curiosity?
"So...you're coming back with us?" John smiled faintly.
"K'ren has the coordinates for Earth, right? I can always come back." Aeryn smiled, but her heart belied this calm response. Beneath her skin, that wild organ beat away with new hope. He had found his home, but he was staying with them…with her.
"It wouldn't be right, Aeryn. I can't stay until I know everyone has found their home." Seeing Aeryn frown, he added quickly, "or their place in the universe."
"Where is our place, Crichton?"
"I have no idea, but we can keep looking." Aeryn hesitantly reached over the metal guard rail and took John's hand in her own. This moment belonged to them both, a short time where they were the only ones in the room...in the world. Aeryn could barely feel John's light squeeze on her hand, but she was keenly aware of the scintillating movement of his thumb rubbing over her hand. It was an altogether comforting gesture, and so much more.
"You...want to stay until we...the others find their home worlds?" His hand was still caressing hers.
"Yes." Still there, still touching her hand, still sending sparks.
"And after that?" She did not want to hear the wrong answer, but Aeryn knew better than to expect it.
"I come back here with you." Aeryn's head snapped up, her eyes connecting directly with his. His steady blue eyes gazed directly at her searching brown ones, a slight smile growing wider on his face. I can't believe he said it. Apparently, neither could John. He was biting his lip in the corner, and Aeryn was only slightly aware that he was holding his breath.
Unspoken. That had been the best way to describe their relationship. Aeryn had known for a long time that John liked her. It was everyday in his body language, the way his pupils would dilate when looking at her, and how he was always trying to talk to her, to learn all she would never say. Persistence had been his strategy, and, Aeryn had to admit, it had worked. There had been only two kisses, each she could easily explain away...to anyone, including John, including herself.
Being alone and having time to think about them had proven those kisses had meant something. When John had kissed her on "Earth," she had let him, had invited it almost. Had he pursued with further intent, she would have allowed it, would not have stopped him. But he had needed comfort then, and a kiss was his shield. He had wanted security, as he did now.
Now, though, was different. John did want to be safe, but he wanted her more. The Aurora Chair had stripped him of so much, had left him too tired and worn to hide this any longer. In a way, Larraq had done the same to her, stripping her to the point of near-fatal weakness. If Chiana, or D'Argo, or any of the others had come looking for her while she was fighting, they would have been easily turned away, no matter what she saw. John was the only one who could see her weak. Even when she had waited for the toxins in her body to claim her life, the others only saw the brave face toward death, she had been sure to see to that. Even D'Argo, another warrior, had only been allowed to know she was weak, but he had never and would never see her scared...as John had.
"You can't, John. I can't be here with you, you know that." Aeryn wished to turn him away, to break her own heart rather than to deny him this world, his world. The warm grip around her hand tightened, and she could sense, rather than see, John pulling her hand closer to his heart. Their fingers latched together, forming a fist that he clutched desperately.
"We can work something out, Aeryn." His words held conviction, and Aeryn would not consider doubting his intention. She nodded and felt acutely aware that she was not crying. After all this time, Aeryn should have expected that barrier would not break, but she wanted to cry now, wanted the release that tears offered. Instead, she decided to release the pain and pleasure in another gesture.
Aeryn bent over to kiss John their first, and far from last, intended, passionate kiss.
------------------------------
"Oh, excuse me!" Tatiana covered her gaping mouth with her hand, stifling a giggle at her own embarrassment and that of the couple in the room. Well, no wonder she was so anxious about him. Tatiana giggled at that but only in her head. The woman pulled away from the patient to meet the nurse with a look of defiance. The patient was smiling at them both, seeming to be proud of his girlfriend's refusal to be embarrassed.
"That's okay, ma'am." John sighed, contentedly. Tatiana smiled as she walked over to them.
"My name is Tatiana, but everyone calls me Tanya here. I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name, miss?"
"Her name is Aeryn," John answered for her. "She's had laryngitis, so her voice is still, ya know, on the fritz." Aeryn raised an eyebrow at that expression but gave no protest to indicate surprise or anything else but agreement.
"Oh, my dear, I'm sorry!" Tatiana sounded genuinely apologetic, which worked two smiles out of the pair.
"Not to worry. Since we're introducing ourselves and all, how do you? Name's John." Tatiana smiled brightly.
"Nice to meet you, John, Aeryn," she nodded at them both, but continued speaking to John. "And how are you feeling?"
"Fine. When do I get to get out of here?" Tatiana laughed, an action that drew a puzzled look from Aeryn.
"I think we need to take it a day at a time, John. That's really up to the doctor. I'm just here to see that you're comfortable. If you need me, there's a button next to your bed. You can press that, and either I or another attending nurse will come running." Tatiana spoke without losing her smile. "I think you're in good hands now, so I'll just make myself scarce." She turned to look at Aeryn. "Just you be careful, Aeryn. I haven't lost a patient yet, and I don't intend to. Just don't love him too much, hmm?" John laughed, a barking and abrupt noise that dissolved into coughing. He took one more look at Aeryn, and started to laugh all over again.
Aeryn ducked her head as Tatiana left, bringing her fingertips to touch her warm cheeks.
"Aeryn, you're blushing." John snickered. Aeryn bit down on her lips to keep from smiling. It did not work, and soon she was laughing too.
"This is too ridiculous."
"I never thought I'd ever see a Peacekeeper turn redder than their jacket, Aeryn." At her expense, John laughed himself back into an exhausted sleep, something for which Aeryn was all too grateful. He was asleep before she even had had time to recover her composure.
It was good for him to sleep again. All those arns he had been sick, John had not really been asleep, and Aeryn knew it. He had fallen into an unconscious fugue state, where rest did not exist, where no tiredness was relieved. Aeryn watched him sleep, enjoying the warmth of his hand still around hers. After all that had happened within such a short time, Aeryn could not blame him for this response.
Sleep, John. I'll be here when you wake up.
*****************************
The Landing Site
"You're back!" Chiana came bounding over to Cade and Lita. Cade laughed and hugged her. It was utterly inconceivable how easily he found himself trusting these aliens, especially after all the Gua had done to him. Perhaps it was because they were fugitives too, and most importantly, they were no friends of the Gua.
"Yeah, we're back, Chiana. Where's Zhaan? We brought food for you two, and a little present," Lita shook the bags she was carrying. Chiana smiled and invited them up the trail to the still-blazing campfire, which Zhaan was feeding.
"It is good to see you. Is all well?" The priestess stood to welcome them. Lita nodded as she set the bags down and began to rummage for the food in them.
"What's with the fire? It's not even noon." Chiana blinked, not sure what this comment meant.
"We just thought it would be best to keep it. It's pretty," Chiana whispered. Cade wanted to laugh. Despite all of the bravery Chiana copied into her movements, she was still just a curious and simple creature. She knew what she liked, and acted accordingly. Lita fished out the bagels and napkins.
"We figured these would be the simplest on your systems, just in case," Lita handed Zhaan a bagel. "If you'd prefer, I have some cream cheese and margarine." Zhaan thanked her but insisted she would be fine with just the bagel. Chiana picked at hers when Cade handed it to her and then immediately requested to try out the butter and the cream cheese. As it turned out, she had a taste for the cream cheese, and it was all Cade could do to keep her from just eating the entire tub of the spread.
"Hey, slow down there, don't want to overload on lactose or anything," Cade laughed as he put the cream cheese back in the bag. Chiana leaned forward to snatch it away from him, but Cade kept it out of her reach. She went as far to get out of her seat to try and grab the tub, but the ringing of Cade's phone startled her, and she backed away.
"Eddie! Damn, he must be on the brink of leaving his trailer." Cade laughed at the joke that would only have been funny to one other person…had that person not been the one calling.
"Foster!? Where the hell have you been? Are you all right? Why didn't you call me, man?"
"Eddie, Eddie, relax, I'm fine. I've met some new friends up here." He winked at Chiana, who smiled in return. "I think you should come up to Salem, Eddie. There are a few people I want you to meet."
"They wouldn't happen to be the 'angels' would they?"
"You could say that. Just whenever you can, okay?" There was an affirmative grunt from Eddie and some sarcastic remark that he missed as he closed the connection. Lita stared at him, as did Zhaan and Chiana. "Don't worry, he's friend, not foe." Chiana nodded, wanting to believe him. Zhaan looked away, unsure. Lita, knowing it was time to change the subject, dug back into the bags and brought out two boxes. She tossed one to Cade, along with a small plastic bag.
"What's in that?" Chiana poked the blue box. There were funny characters on it that she could not read. Cade opened the box to reveal a pair of jeans, a long-sleeved shirt, a bra, a pair of socks and underwear. He dumped bag on the ground, revealing a good-sized makeup kit.
"Presents. Put those on," he pointed to the clothes, "then we can work on the rest. Chiana smiled brilliantly and whooped with joy as she ran inside the transport to change. Zhaan smiled as the Nebari breezed by her.
"I thank you for the gift, but I cannot possibly go with you." Lita shook her head.
"Wanna bet?"
*****************************
Salem Center Hospital
Jessica did not stop running until she reached room 312. From what Tatiana had indicated, the sentry had moved in to be closer to the man she was protecting. That would be obstructive when the team arrived. She skidded to a stop outside the door, regained her composure, and walked in with a smile.
Aeryn watched her enter from her seat at John's side. This nurse was the one she did not like, the one whose laugh had alarmed her earlier. With intense and alert eyes, Aeryn followed the other woman's movements. Sensing this, Jessica walked slowly over to place the clipboard on the end of the bed for the doctor.
"Just dropping this off, dearie." She cast a glance at the human in the bed. His eyes were closed, and save for the occasional flicker of some unknown, dreamt terror, he looked to be blissfully asleep. She whispered to Aeryn, "Maybe you should let him sleep." Aeryn nodded and waited for the other woman to leave. "No, no, I meant you should leave him alone." Aeryn shook her head decisively. "Please, miss, it will be for the best. He needs his rest." Jessica knew she was pleading, but she had to have this obstacle removed. It would cut down on the number of casualties and increase their chance at successfully capturing both the patient and 117 when the time came.
Aeryn stood, and for a moment, Jessica was hopeful that she intended to leave. Instead, Aeryn snooped around in the drawers on the nightstand next to the bed, searching with one hand, as her other never escaped John's grasp. Finally, she found a pad of paper and a pen with the hospital's logo on it. Jessica watched her trace out a sentence or two. She showed it to the nurse.
"He doesn't want you to go? Oh, my dear, don't worry, you can be just outside. And he's asleep, I'm sure he'll understand." Aeryn shook her head again and pointed at John's hand. In his sleep, John squeezed her hand every time he flinched in dream terror. Jessica rethought her tactic, adding sympathy to her voice. "I know he's been through a lot, but suppose he were to wake up and not recognize you? He might try to hurt you. Believe me, I know, I've seen a lot of trauma patients. It's best to leave him alone so he can fight those demons on his own. Come on, miss, I won't take no for an answer."
"Unngh...Aer...Aeryn..." John muttered in his sleep, his hand ever-tightening around Aeryn's. She squeezed back, and he calmed down, the stress in his muscles coming and going. Now that he was taken care of, Aeryn knew she had to deal with the human female.
Aeryn stared right at her, making Jessica desperately want to shrink away. This fear was unnatural in her, or any Gua for that matter. She's only a stinking human. 117 isn't around, you could take her down. It would be dangerous, but this woman would have to be restrained anyway. Waking from this thought, Jessica realized Aeryn had scribbled something else on the pad. Two words: GO AWAY.
"You're not going to leave? Listen, miss, I am responsible for this patient, and if I feel you are a threat, I will call security. Do you understand what that would mean?" Aeryn nodded, but no fear registered. She handed over the pad with another phrase. I DON'T TRUST YOU.
"Miss, you're going to have to. You have my word, nothing will happen. You shouldn't be in here; it could be bad for him. What if you infected him with an outside bacterium or virus? Given the shock his system has suffered, that could be potentially fatal. You wouldn't want anything to happen to your friend, would you?" Aeryn shook her head, and Jessica thought she saw some hint that the other woman was wavering on this.
"AERYN!" John shot upwards on the bed, suddenly alert, his breathing shallow. In his panic, he threatened to rip the IVs from his arm. Jessica, instinctively, moved to press him back down against the bed, but John fought her, terrified. For her trouble, Jessica received a punch to the nose, toppling her backwards. Instantly, Aeryn shot out her arms to grab Crichton's. He responded by hugging her fiercely around the waist, burying his face against her shoulder.
"It's okay, shhh," she whispered in his ear as she cradled him like a child, like she had once before, under not too dissimilar circumstances. Aeryn had never had any maternal instincts before, and her immediate reaction surprised her even more than John's sudden waking. Aeryn held him as she watched the nurse stand. Jessica touched her bleeding nose gingerly. The wound did not hurt, but she was more concerned that these humans would see how quickly she healed.
"Oh! Excuse me, I'll be right back," Jessica mumbled through her hand as she exited the room post haste, holding one hand under her bleeding nose and one hand over it. Aeryn smirked as she watched the woman scurrying away. Good, she deserved that. Promptly, Aeryn forgot the nurse as her thoughts returned to John, still shaking and sweating in her arms. The spasms were not unlike those he had had before, and she waited for them to pass and for him to fall back asleep.
"What did they do to me?" The words cut through her very essence. Crichton shuddered, sobbing. Aeryn let him cry, not asking, not demanding anything of him except for him to heal. Tears were so rare with Crichton, he was usually so stoic in the face of danger; he resorted to sarcasm or anger, never desperation. Aeryn knew why he despaired now. That frelling Scorpius. I will kill him.
As if sensing her thought, John started to relax again, though he tightened his grip around her waist. Neither of them bothered to worry about anything else but themselves.
*****************************
Deep Space, Location: Classified
"We have been contacted by an alien vessel, sir." The lieutenant saluted Scorpius properly as he delivered his news. The silent being nodded, waiting for the feed.
"Peacekeeper vessel! This is the ship Gyhoi, Acolyte Raven speaking."
"This is Scorpius, commander of this vessel, name classified. Why do you contact us, Acolyte Raven?" The being on the other side of the portal frowned.
"You can trust us with your secrets, Commander, as we are here to offer you something...something that we have only recently discovered and even more recently discovered that you want." The Acolyte was not more forthcoming, but she had succeeded in sparking Scorpius' interest.
"Proceed, Acolyte Raven. What are you offering?"
"First, you will confirm my questions, then I will provide you with our information. Do you or do you not know of a renegade warship, also with no designation that has gone missing lately? Specifically, a strange warship-leviathan hybrid?" Scorpius did not change his scowling demeanor.
"And if I do?"
"Do you or do you not, Commander Scorpius?" Scorpius frowned even more than was his usual. "I will take that as a yes. This undesignated ship destroyed a carrier of ours."
"And who are you, Acolyte Raven?" Raven smiled.
"You know, Peacekeeper." The word held such contempt it made Scorpius actually smile.
"Gua. Why would you help us?"
"The ends justify the means. Our own...business has brought us across this vessel. We have found the location of a human we...I believe you have been looking for. The planet of his location is currently being scouted by our patrols. He will be in our custody shortly. We offer this being as an incentive."
"And why would you do this?" Raven grimaced, unwillingly offering the information.
"In our current situation, your force would overpower and expose our involvement on that planet. We will provide you with your human, and in return, you will..."
"Do not worry, Acolyte Raven, we will reimburse you for your lost vessel, and you shall have the promise of High Command that the system will remain under your control once we have left."
"No." Scorpius was taken aback. Surely, what he had offered had been the bargain this contemptible Gua had desired. There could be no other explanation for the assistance from this rival alien species.
"No?"
"No. You will never see the system. I contact you now with an order to cease and desist searching for it."
"You do not order me, Acolyte Raven," Scorpius growled, becoming angrier when Raven smiled at his frustration and rage.
"Yes, Commander Scorpius, I do. If you want this human, you will obtain him through us...or never. His location is so remote from yours that even with a leviathan's life span, you would never find him. Here is the bargain. You will accept, or we will take the human for our own purposes." Accepting temporary defeat, Scorpius nodded and waved for Raven to begin.
"One, the redress of our lost ship."
"Done."
"Two, neither you or any other Peacekeeper force will ever attempt, after the human is returned to you, to find the planet known as Earth...ever."
"Done." Scorpius knew such a condition would never be upheld, but High Command would allow for this ruse.
"Three, the warship will be turned over, provided it survives our attack."
"What of the leviathan mother?" Raven shook her head.
"No signs, Commander. We can only offer the warship. It has your markings, and we will turn it over, you have mine and the Assembly's word on this matter." Scorpius nodded, assured this promise would mean nothing, or at least as much as his own promise. The Acolyte had only said the ship would be given over if it lasted. This meant the ship would be taken and reported destroyed. As he and his crew were unable to see the event, thanks to the provision that they not be involved in the affair, no one would be able to challenge the Gua's record of the fight. The leviathan's child was not important to Scorpius anyway, so he agreed.
"The warship then, so long as it survives."
"Last condition."
"Go on, Acolyte Raven."
"Any other beings that are taken with the human belong to us. You will see to it that they are pronounced deceased."
"For what purpose, Acolyte Raven?"
"That is classified, Commander Scorpius. Do you accept the conditions as I have presented them?"
"I do."
"And you will have your Peacekeeper High Command's approval?"
"I will." Raven nodded, seemingly ready to end the conversation.
"Commander?"
"Yes?"
"Why is this human important to you?"
"As you said, Acolyte Raven, it is classified." Satisfied or not with that answer, Raven prepared to end transmission. "Wait! Acolyte!"
"Yes, Commander?"
"How do I know you speak the truth?" The Acolyte was prepared for this question, her only surprise seemed to be that he had not asked it sooner. Instead of speaking, Acolyte Raven disappeared, a new stream of imagery replacing her face. Her voice came back as Scorpius watched the feed.
"Recognize anyone?" The feed was primitive, black and white video that would never have passed on any other planet. There was a figure lying on a bed. The recording device zoomed in on the being there.
"Crichton."
"Bargain accepted, Commander Scorpius?"
"Accepted, Acolyte Raven."
End of Part 7