Chapter 7 – The Swim

 Chapter 7 – The Swim

   

"So tell me again how far apart these air pockets are?" 

"Hailen says roughly every 150 metras and there's a current which will help speed us along."  Crichton said, tying a cord around her waist, then stepping back to measure out some slack before cutting the cord and tying the cut end around his own waist. "Relax, Aeryn.  I won't let you go.  All you have to do is hold your breath and kick your feet."

"Yes, so you've said." 

Aeryn watched as D'Argo, Jothee and Chiana approached the pool.  Most of Hailen's people had already gone, leaving just a few people in the underground chamber.  Crichton didn't want them to go last, just in case something went wrong so they were to go after D'Argo. Rygel, for once completely unconcerned as befits an aquatic species, would go after them and Hailen and Damor would bring up the rear. 

D'Argo turned to look at his friends.  "We are ready, John."

"Yeah, we'll see you at the other side."  He smiled, thumping D'Argo lightly on the back as he knelt down beside him.  Aeryn hung as far back as the rope would allow.  D'Argo took a quick look at her then shot a concerned look at Crichton.

"Perhaps I should help you bring her through."  He said quietly.

Crichton shook his head.  "Thanks Big Guy, but we're good here.  She's already embarrassed that she is going through tied to me.  Besides you have Jothee to worry about." 

D'Argo nodded.  "Good luck, John."  He took a deep breath and slipped into the water, closely followed by Jothee.

"See ya, old man."

"Get goin', little girl."  He smiled at Chiana fondly.  She slipped into the water and he watched until she disappeared from view.

"Crichton!" 

He turned to see Rygel coming towards him wearing the plain white robe that he usually slept in. "Guido!  Hey, nice swimsuit.  Where's your kaftan?" 

"Never mind that, will you tell these idiots that someone must take my throne sled with them.  I insist!"

Crichton shrugged at Damor.  "Man needs his throne sled."  While Rygel continued to argue with Damor about who should carry his things, Crichton looked up at Aeryn. "Ready?"  She raised her chin jerkily in what he assumed was meant to be a nod.  She looked terrified.  "C'mere."  She walked over to him and sat down at the pool's edge.  "This is gonna be a piece of cake, Aeryn.  Deep breath, kick your legs, stay close to me and give the rope a tug if you are in trouble.  OK?"  She nodded. 

"I'll keep watch on you from behind.  Nothing will go wrong."  Rygel said sincerely.

"Thanks Rygel."  Crichton gave the Hynerian a small smile to show his gratitude, and watched as he turned back to Damor who was packing away his throne sled.

"Nothing will go wrong, Aeryn."  He said checking the ropes once more.  He slung the backpack with their stuff in it over his shoulders. "OK, deep breath…"

Just as he was about to go she stopped him.  "I love you."

"No!  This is not going to be like the last time, Aeryn!  Don't you dare say goodbye to me!"  He said fiercely.  "Now, take a deep breath."   He watched her comply then grabbed her hand and pulled her in with him.

Immediately she was underwater, Aeryn's first reaction was to try and claw her way back to the surface of the pool, but something kept dragging her downwards.  She looked around desperately and saw Crichton tugging hard on the rope about her middle.  She shook her head and her hands started to try and undo the rope.  Crichton reached out to her to try and calm her down, but quickly saw it was useless.  He led them to the pool's surface.  Aeryn grabbed the rocky side immediately and began to climb out, but Crichton grabbed her vest and kept her in the water.

"Come on, baby.  You can do this.  You can.  Just hold your breath and kick."  He smoothed her hair back from her face as he spoke.

She shook her head. "No.  It was horrible, John.  I kept struggling, although I knew that it would make no difference.  I held my breath for as long as I could, but my body was fighting against me."  Her voice broke.

Crichton suddenly realised that she wasn't talking about her experience in this pool.  He moved closer to her, cupping her cheek in his palm, until they were nose-to-nose, eye-to-eye.  "Tell me."  He said softly. 

Her face twisted in anguish as she relived her death.  "I knew it would kill me, but my body first made me breathe out and then made me take a deep breath in.  I couldn't do anything about it.  My mind was screaming "No!" but my body wouldn't listen.  I hadn't breathed in very much when my body began to reject the water.  But it was too late.  The more it tried to expel it, the more water I swallowed.  I kept clawing at the straps on the chair, but I couldn't get free.  I could see the surface above me get darker and darker.  And I was so cold.  I died scared and completely alone."  She wiped at the hot tears running down her face. " I am not afraid to die, but I will not die like that again."

Crichton pulled her into a hug.  This was not going to work.  He felt her shiver and pulled back to lift her until she was sitting on the edge of the pool.  He sat himself down beside her and watched as she immediately began untying the cord around her waist with shaking hands.  This was definitely not going to work.

Crichton pinched the bridge of his nose.  "The rest of you better get going."  He said to Rygel, Hailen and Damor.

"But, what are you going to do?"  Hailen said.

He got to his feet.  "Aeryn and I are staying."

Aeryn looked up at him quickly.  "There is no sense in us both staying, John."

"Yeah.  Well.  Maybe not.  But I'm not leaving you. "

Hailen rushed to his side.  "No, she's right.  There is no sense in you staying.  She has made her choice and eventually she will die here.  That will not change whether you stay or go." 

"This is not open for debate, Hailen."  Crichton said firmly.

She whirled around to face Aeryn.  "See what your cowardice has done!  He will die because of you!" She snapped at the ex Peacekeeper.  Before she could say anything else, a hand grasped the top of her arm and pulled her away.

"Just, back off!"  Crichton said angrily. " You don't know anything about her, or what's going on here, so you can keep your two cents and keep your mouth shut!" He took a deep breath to calm him down.  "Maybe we can go another way…" He looked at Damor.  "We could try building a raft, we could get lucky, like the last time."

Damor shook his head slowly. "You saw how many there were.  It must have been your paddling that first attracted them.  To try and cross the water would mean almost certain death."

"You could create a diversion for us from the other island.  Draw them away from our path."

"There are too many for that."  Hailen said.

"We could wait until they disappear."

"We have lived here all out lives.  We know what we are talking about.  They never go away.  That you came across without getting killed is a miracle.  I have never heard of anyone being able to do so.  You will not make it back.  You will be drowned or eaten."

"OK, what about Sparky's throne sled.  We could hang onto it and float across."

"It won't hold both you and Aeryn."  Rygel said glumly.  "I doubt it would even hold one of you high enough or long enough to get across that water without attracting unwanted attention."  He lowered his voice. "This is the only way.  We need to get her through that tunnel."

"Well, I'm open to ideas, Rygel." Crichton snapped back.

"STOP IT!!"  Aeryn shouted.  "Stop talking about me as if I wasn't here."  She rose to her feet.  "Crichton.  It's madness for you to stay.  Just go.  Please."

"No." He looked at her "You stay, I stay."

"John, I don't want to be responsible for you throwing away your life like…" Aeryn stopped abruptly, but they both knew how that sentence was going to end.

"Then we need to go now, Aeryn."  Sensing a chink in her resolve he went over to her. "This is the only way I can see us both getting out of this.  Please try again.  I'm beggin' you, baby, just one more try.  Just one more."

"John…" she started, then she saw the look on his face.  "Fine."  She sighed. "I'll try." 

Crichton reached out and brought the side of her head to his lips, kissing her hair before enveloping her in a hug.  He could feel the fear coming of her in waves.  He reached for the rope again.  "Rygel, this time you lead her and I'll go alongside her."  He looked at her. "OK?"

"Yes, yes.  Let's go before I change my mind."  She said impatiently.

Crichton gave the rope to Rygel.  "Remember to stop at every air pocket, Ryg."  The Hynerian nodded.  Crichton took Aeryn's hand. "OK, try not to panic.  I'll be with you the whole time.  Just kick your feet, keep your eyes on Rygel's little Hynerian ass and you'll get through this fine.  Easy as pie."

"Will you stop babbling on about pies and cakes and logs and tell me something useful!"  She snapped.  "Tell me I'm not going to drown!"

Ah, there was his girl!  He couldn't help flashing her a cocky grin.  "You are not gonna to drown, darlin', I swear."  He told her, raising her hand to his lips and kissing her palm. "I swear I won't let it happen."  He said more seriously, he held her gaze for a moment, then " Ready Ryg?"

Rygel entered the pool and waited for them.

Aeryn opened her mouth to say something but Crichton cut her off.  " Tell me at the other side."  They took a deep breath and then jumped into the water.

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To be continued.