Title: Surprise Surprise
Chapter 11: Surprising Reactions
Rated: R
***
"Why do you always call him Crichton?"
Crais glanced over at Cassandra. She sat on the floor looking out at the broad expanse of stars. Crais
stood silent a moment before replying, "Because we were enemies once."
"Ah, so it's a habit now." She glanced over at him. 'Damn he looks good,' she thought. She pushed that
thought away and spoke again, "Why don't you call me Crichton?"
"For one: it wasn't what Crichton called you when he introduced us, and two: it would be easy to confuse
the two of you, unless you hold rank?"
Cassandra smiled. "That won't help you out either. We hold the same rank: Commander."
"Are you a soldier or a tech?"
"Both."
"Both?"
"Both." Cassandra glanced up at him and saw his puzzled expression. "Is that surprising?"
"In the Peacekeepers you are either a tech or a soldier, there is no both."
"Oh." She was silent a moment. "I don't think I could pick. I love using my brain and my muscles."
She smiled at that thought. "Did you chose to become a soldier?"
"No."
"Were you drafted or something?"
Crais looked at her confused. "Drafted?"
"Oh, you know, pulled into service because of a war or something."
Crais frowned. "Something like that."
"What do you mean?"
"You don't know much about Peacekeepers do you?" Crais asked quietly.
Cassandra shook her head. Crais began explaining the Peacekeeper history. Throughout his explanation,
Cassandra remained quiet and attentive. When he finished, they were silent. After awhile Cassandra
looked up at him again. "Why don't you sit down? I'll tell you my life's story."
Crais tried to stop the smile that wanted to stretch across his face at her cheerful invitation, but
failed. He sat down up against one of the bulkheads, somewhat stiffly since he wasn't use to sitting on
the floor on purpose. Cassandra began talking and Crais began relaxing. He wasn't sure what it was about
the Human woman that interested him so, but something had him listening to her words with true interest. He
laughed at the funny stories she told him. He was sure she included a few of Crichton's more embarrassing
ones on purpose, probably trying to make him see that Crichton could be more than just an ally. He already
knew that though, it was just difficult for them because of what happened to Tauvo.
They had been talking for arns and the longer they talked the more comfortable Cassandra had gotten. She
was sprawled out on the floor still chattering though sleepily. Crais was feeling sleepy himself, and it
took a moment to realize that Cassandra had fallen silent. He glanced over at her and found her fast asleep.
If it was possible, she looked even more beautiful in sleep. The idle thought that ran through his mind
saying she wasn't Sebacean was easily dismissed. She looked like a Sebacean, and he guessed that's what
made it easier. He didn't believe in inter-species mating, but Humans and Sebaceans didn't bother him
anymore. While she did look beautiful sleeping, she was laying on the floor, and he probably should wake
her up and send her to the room she was sharing with Jool. He closed his eyes a moment, just to rest for
a bit before he woke her up. He didn't notice when he fell asleep.
***
John knocked on the door to Cassandra's and Jool's room. "Yo! Cass, Jool, you guys awake?"
"Go away, John!" Jool yelled.
John laughed. "Come on, Jool, wake up and get out of bed. Cass?"
"She's not in here."
John frowned. "Where is she?"
"How am I suppose to know?! I'm not her mother!" Jool paused a moment as she looked at Cassandra's bed,
"She didn't come in last night."
"Where the frell is she then?" John wondered. He glanced back at the closed door. "Wake-up, Jool. We are
going to begin scanning for the K'lar'in soon."
John walked into Command to find it empty. "Where is Cass?" he asked aloud. He looked in the central
chamber but it was empty. He began searching the ship. He finally found the room that would become the
Terrace. Cassandra was sprawled on the floor, fast asleep. He grinned and glanced around the room. He
spotted Crais asleep against the wall. A brow raised slightly in confusion, 'Why was Crais here?' He saw
Cassandra shift in her sleep and knew that she'd soon be waking.
When Cassandra opened her eyes, stars swam into focus. She frowned, "What am I doing here?" she asked
softly. She glanced around and saw Crais. She grinned. She rolled over onto her belly and reached out
grabbing his leg. She shook it slightly and said, "Crais, wake-up. We fell asleep."
He opened his eyes and stared at her a moment confused. His face then relaxed as last night's memories came
to the surface. He smiled at her. She laughed suddenly and then asked very seriously if she'd bored him to
sleep. He grinned and answered yes. She laughed again.
John stared at the two in complete confusion. 'Crais and Cassandra? This is one frelling weird universe...
Wait a minute! CRAIS AND CASSANDRA!' John walked into the room and the two looked up at him. "What are you
two doing?"
"Good morning to you too, John," Cassandra said grinning up at him. "Did you sleep well?"
"I've slept better... wait a microt... you didn't answer the question. What. Are. You. Two. Doing."
Cassandra stood groaning as stiff muscles protested the action. "Ow," she said and stretched, her joints
popped audibly. She looked at John and grinned again. "Quit worrying, John, nothing happened. We just talked
for a bit." She turned and held out a hand to Crais.
Crais stood with her assistance and rubbed the base of his neck. He was silent a moment then turned to
Crichton. "Talyn says we have reached the K'lar'in ship's last known coordinates; he is ready to begin
scanning."
"Fine."
Crais left the room and headed up to Command. John stared in silence at Cassandra. "What?" she finally
asked.
"Crais?"
"Oh, give me a break." She started to leave the room.
"Cass." She turned and looked at him. "Crais?" She rolled her eyes and left the room. John ran after her.
He caught up with her in the hallway. He continued to pester her with questions which she continued to ignore.
She was walking fast enough to catch up to D'Argo and Jool long before they got to Command. By the nature of
John's questions, Jool and D'Argo were able to understand something had happened between Cassandra and the
ever-popular Crais.
Finally Jool couldn't take the suspense any longer, "You slept with Crais?"
Cassandra stopped dead in her tracks. Jool backed up, figuring Cassandra was going to go for her. Instead
the Human woman turned on her brother. She slugged him across the jaw and he fell to the floor. She turned
blazing eyes on Jool. "No. Nothing. Happened." She glared at her brother. "I appreciate that you are
concerned about me, but you are TRYING MY PATIENCE!" She turned away, letting out a small scream of
frustration. She stalked off to Command.
John sat up rubbing his jaw. "Why am I suddenly reminded of her first boyfriend?"
D'Argo looked at him confused. "Boyfriend?"
John held up a hand and D'Argo helped him up. "A boyfriend is like a potential mate for a girl. A boy would
have a girlfriend."
"So Aeryn would be your girlfriend?" Jool asked.
John stared at her a moment, then gave a slight smile, "Yeah." The three walked to Command in silence.
When they arrived, Crais turned to Talyn's center. "Talyn begin scan."
Talyn's sensors switched over with an audible beep. A low hum accompanied the scans. They scanned the sector
for arns, every quarter of an arn, they switched back over to scan for Peacekeepers. As time continued to
pass, the small crew began to feel the beginnings of hopelessness. No one had spoken in over an arn; the
steady hum of the scans the only sound in Command. When the soft hum switched to a sharp beep, everyone was
slightly startled. "It's a K'lar'in ship," Crais confirmed.
"Are we sure it's the right one?" D'Argo asked.
Cassandra, John, and Crais were silent a moment before Cassandra reluctantly revealed there was no way of
knowing if it was the right ship.
***
After much debating, the crew decided to go ahead with the rescue mission. Crais and Jool would remain on
Talyn; John, D'Argo, and Cassandra would fly D'Argo's ship towards the K'lar'in, hoping they would be unable
to resist picking the crew up. The ship seemed to be staying put, so the crew decided to wait until the sleep
cycle passed before beginning. They had all spent the day tense and anxious, each was now exhausted, not the
best condition to be in for a rescue mission.
Three arns into the sleep cycle, Jool woke to a soft mumbling. It took her a few microts, but she soon
realized that the sounds were coming from Cassandra.
"Cassandra?" she said, trying to wake the fitfully sleeping Human.
Cassandra's mumblings soon began to increase in volume and clarity. Jool stood and quickly left the room,
Cassandra was having a nightmare, and Jool would need John to snap her out of it. Jool quickly woke D'Argo
and John, and the three started back for Cassandra. They hadn't reached the room before an ear-splitting
scream sounded. The three ran into the room.
"NO!" Cassandra sobbed, "I AM NO ONE'S PET!" John ran to her side and tried to wake her. Cassandra, just
waking, didn't register that her brother was standing over her, so her fist flew with painful accuracy.
John's head snapped back as her fist smashed into his jaw. D'Argo quickly went to his assistance, and they
tried to pin the frightened Human to her bed. Her screams increased. She struggled against them, kicking,
punching, and she succeeded in biting D'Argo's hand when it came to close to her mouth.
Crais stumbled into the room to see Jool watching D'Argo and Crichton try to restrain Cassandra. He stared
dumbfounded as Crichton tried to reassure her that she was 'okay,' that he wouldn't allow anything to happen
to her. He repeatedly told her that he loved her and that she had been dreaming. Finally she began to
quiet. Her screams fading into soft sobs. She kept repeating one thing over and over, "I am no one's pet.
I am no one's pet." Crichton held her till sleep claimed her again.
When her eyes closed and her body relaxed, John let out a sigh of relief. He looked up at his three
observers. "Jool, why don't you go sleep in my bed. I'll stay with her tonight, she might have another
nightmare."
Jool nodded. "Will you be alright, she hit you pretty hard."
"I'll live," he said and touched his tender jaw. "I'll have matching bruises." His mouth quirked up in
something reminiscent of his usual grin, and he wrapped his arms around Cassandra again. She burrowed
deeper in his embrace.
"John, has she told you anything about her imprisonment?" D'Argo asked hesitantly.
John sighed, "No, she doesn't want to talk about. She says she's not ready yet." He paused, leaning his
head back against the wall before looking back at them. "I didn't want to push her."
"So you don't know why she keeps talking about being someone's pet?" Jool asked.
"The K'lar'in that took Aeryn called her 'My Lord's Pet,'" D'Argo noted.
"No, I don't know what it means," John replied.
Crais took his eyes off Cassandra, for the first time since he walked in, to look at Crichton. "I think you
should ask her, *before* you rescue Aeryn."
John stared at Crais a moment before finally nodding in acquiescence. D'Argo, Jool, and Crais left after
that. John stared at his sleeping sister. "What happened to you?" he asked softly.
"No one's pet," she mumbled before sinking deeper into sleep.
***
TBC
WELL... what do ya think? Please review or send me an e-mail!
Thanks to the peps that are reviewing! I really need all the ego boosts I can get for this one since it's my first
Farscape fic, I'm glad to know that it's being well recieved!
~Artemis Luna Diana~
Chapter 11: Surprising Reactions
Rated: R
***
"Why do you always call him Crichton?"
Crais glanced over at Cassandra. She sat on the floor looking out at the broad expanse of stars. Crais
stood silent a moment before replying, "Because we were enemies once."
"Ah, so it's a habit now." She glanced over at him. 'Damn he looks good,' she thought. She pushed that
thought away and spoke again, "Why don't you call me Crichton?"
"For one: it wasn't what Crichton called you when he introduced us, and two: it would be easy to confuse
the two of you, unless you hold rank?"
Cassandra smiled. "That won't help you out either. We hold the same rank: Commander."
"Are you a soldier or a tech?"
"Both."
"Both?"
"Both." Cassandra glanced up at him and saw his puzzled expression. "Is that surprising?"
"In the Peacekeepers you are either a tech or a soldier, there is no both."
"Oh." She was silent a moment. "I don't think I could pick. I love using my brain and my muscles."
She smiled at that thought. "Did you chose to become a soldier?"
"No."
"Were you drafted or something?"
Crais looked at her confused. "Drafted?"
"Oh, you know, pulled into service because of a war or something."
Crais frowned. "Something like that."
"What do you mean?"
"You don't know much about Peacekeepers do you?" Crais asked quietly.
Cassandra shook her head. Crais began explaining the Peacekeeper history. Throughout his explanation,
Cassandra remained quiet and attentive. When he finished, they were silent. After awhile Cassandra
looked up at him again. "Why don't you sit down? I'll tell you my life's story."
Crais tried to stop the smile that wanted to stretch across his face at her cheerful invitation, but
failed. He sat down up against one of the bulkheads, somewhat stiffly since he wasn't use to sitting on
the floor on purpose. Cassandra began talking and Crais began relaxing. He wasn't sure what it was about
the Human woman that interested him so, but something had him listening to her words with true interest. He
laughed at the funny stories she told him. He was sure she included a few of Crichton's more embarrassing
ones on purpose, probably trying to make him see that Crichton could be more than just an ally. He already
knew that though, it was just difficult for them because of what happened to Tauvo.
They had been talking for arns and the longer they talked the more comfortable Cassandra had gotten. She
was sprawled out on the floor still chattering though sleepily. Crais was feeling sleepy himself, and it
took a moment to realize that Cassandra had fallen silent. He glanced over at her and found her fast asleep.
If it was possible, she looked even more beautiful in sleep. The idle thought that ran through his mind
saying she wasn't Sebacean was easily dismissed. She looked like a Sebacean, and he guessed that's what
made it easier. He didn't believe in inter-species mating, but Humans and Sebaceans didn't bother him
anymore. While she did look beautiful sleeping, she was laying on the floor, and he probably should wake
her up and send her to the room she was sharing with Jool. He closed his eyes a moment, just to rest for
a bit before he woke her up. He didn't notice when he fell asleep.
***
John knocked on the door to Cassandra's and Jool's room. "Yo! Cass, Jool, you guys awake?"
"Go away, John!" Jool yelled.
John laughed. "Come on, Jool, wake up and get out of bed. Cass?"
"She's not in here."
John frowned. "Where is she?"
"How am I suppose to know?! I'm not her mother!" Jool paused a moment as she looked at Cassandra's bed,
"She didn't come in last night."
"Where the frell is she then?" John wondered. He glanced back at the closed door. "Wake-up, Jool. We are
going to begin scanning for the K'lar'in soon."
John walked into Command to find it empty. "Where is Cass?" he asked aloud. He looked in the central
chamber but it was empty. He began searching the ship. He finally found the room that would become the
Terrace. Cassandra was sprawled on the floor, fast asleep. He grinned and glanced around the room. He
spotted Crais asleep against the wall. A brow raised slightly in confusion, 'Why was Crais here?' He saw
Cassandra shift in her sleep and knew that she'd soon be waking.
When Cassandra opened her eyes, stars swam into focus. She frowned, "What am I doing here?" she asked
softly. She glanced around and saw Crais. She grinned. She rolled over onto her belly and reached out
grabbing his leg. She shook it slightly and said, "Crais, wake-up. We fell asleep."
He opened his eyes and stared at her a moment confused. His face then relaxed as last night's memories came
to the surface. He smiled at her. She laughed suddenly and then asked very seriously if she'd bored him to
sleep. He grinned and answered yes. She laughed again.
John stared at the two in complete confusion. 'Crais and Cassandra? This is one frelling weird universe...
Wait a minute! CRAIS AND CASSANDRA!' John walked into the room and the two looked up at him. "What are you
two doing?"
"Good morning to you too, John," Cassandra said grinning up at him. "Did you sleep well?"
"I've slept better... wait a microt... you didn't answer the question. What. Are. You. Two. Doing."
Cassandra stood groaning as stiff muscles protested the action. "Ow," she said and stretched, her joints
popped audibly. She looked at John and grinned again. "Quit worrying, John, nothing happened. We just talked
for a bit." She turned and held out a hand to Crais.
Crais stood with her assistance and rubbed the base of his neck. He was silent a moment then turned to
Crichton. "Talyn says we have reached the K'lar'in ship's last known coordinates; he is ready to begin
scanning."
"Fine."
Crais left the room and headed up to Command. John stared in silence at Cassandra. "What?" she finally
asked.
"Crais?"
"Oh, give me a break." She started to leave the room.
"Cass." She turned and looked at him. "Crais?" She rolled her eyes and left the room. John ran after her.
He caught up with her in the hallway. He continued to pester her with questions which she continued to ignore.
She was walking fast enough to catch up to D'Argo and Jool long before they got to Command. By the nature of
John's questions, Jool and D'Argo were able to understand something had happened between Cassandra and the
ever-popular Crais.
Finally Jool couldn't take the suspense any longer, "You slept with Crais?"
Cassandra stopped dead in her tracks. Jool backed up, figuring Cassandra was going to go for her. Instead
the Human woman turned on her brother. She slugged him across the jaw and he fell to the floor. She turned
blazing eyes on Jool. "No. Nothing. Happened." She glared at her brother. "I appreciate that you are
concerned about me, but you are TRYING MY PATIENCE!" She turned away, letting out a small scream of
frustration. She stalked off to Command.
John sat up rubbing his jaw. "Why am I suddenly reminded of her first boyfriend?"
D'Argo looked at him confused. "Boyfriend?"
John held up a hand and D'Argo helped him up. "A boyfriend is like a potential mate for a girl. A boy would
have a girlfriend."
"So Aeryn would be your girlfriend?" Jool asked.
John stared at her a moment, then gave a slight smile, "Yeah." The three walked to Command in silence.
When they arrived, Crais turned to Talyn's center. "Talyn begin scan."
Talyn's sensors switched over with an audible beep. A low hum accompanied the scans. They scanned the sector
for arns, every quarter of an arn, they switched back over to scan for Peacekeepers. As time continued to
pass, the small crew began to feel the beginnings of hopelessness. No one had spoken in over an arn; the
steady hum of the scans the only sound in Command. When the soft hum switched to a sharp beep, everyone was
slightly startled. "It's a K'lar'in ship," Crais confirmed.
"Are we sure it's the right one?" D'Argo asked.
Cassandra, John, and Crais were silent a moment before Cassandra reluctantly revealed there was no way of
knowing if it was the right ship.
***
After much debating, the crew decided to go ahead with the rescue mission. Crais and Jool would remain on
Talyn; John, D'Argo, and Cassandra would fly D'Argo's ship towards the K'lar'in, hoping they would be unable
to resist picking the crew up. The ship seemed to be staying put, so the crew decided to wait until the sleep
cycle passed before beginning. They had all spent the day tense and anxious, each was now exhausted, not the
best condition to be in for a rescue mission.
Three arns into the sleep cycle, Jool woke to a soft mumbling. It took her a few microts, but she soon
realized that the sounds were coming from Cassandra.
"Cassandra?" she said, trying to wake the fitfully sleeping Human.
Cassandra's mumblings soon began to increase in volume and clarity. Jool stood and quickly left the room,
Cassandra was having a nightmare, and Jool would need John to snap her out of it. Jool quickly woke D'Argo
and John, and the three started back for Cassandra. They hadn't reached the room before an ear-splitting
scream sounded. The three ran into the room.
"NO!" Cassandra sobbed, "I AM NO ONE'S PET!" John ran to her side and tried to wake her. Cassandra, just
waking, didn't register that her brother was standing over her, so her fist flew with painful accuracy.
John's head snapped back as her fist smashed into his jaw. D'Argo quickly went to his assistance, and they
tried to pin the frightened Human to her bed. Her screams increased. She struggled against them, kicking,
punching, and she succeeded in biting D'Argo's hand when it came to close to her mouth.
Crais stumbled into the room to see Jool watching D'Argo and Crichton try to restrain Cassandra. He stared
dumbfounded as Crichton tried to reassure her that she was 'okay,' that he wouldn't allow anything to happen
to her. He repeatedly told her that he loved her and that she had been dreaming. Finally she began to
quiet. Her screams fading into soft sobs. She kept repeating one thing over and over, "I am no one's pet.
I am no one's pet." Crichton held her till sleep claimed her again.
When her eyes closed and her body relaxed, John let out a sigh of relief. He looked up at his three
observers. "Jool, why don't you go sleep in my bed. I'll stay with her tonight, she might have another
nightmare."
Jool nodded. "Will you be alright, she hit you pretty hard."
"I'll live," he said and touched his tender jaw. "I'll have matching bruises." His mouth quirked up in
something reminiscent of his usual grin, and he wrapped his arms around Cassandra again. She burrowed
deeper in his embrace.
"John, has she told you anything about her imprisonment?" D'Argo asked hesitantly.
John sighed, "No, she doesn't want to talk about. She says she's not ready yet." He paused, leaning his
head back against the wall before looking back at them. "I didn't want to push her."
"So you don't know why she keeps talking about being someone's pet?" Jool asked.
"The K'lar'in that took Aeryn called her 'My Lord's Pet,'" D'Argo noted.
"No, I don't know what it means," John replied.
Crais took his eyes off Cassandra, for the first time since he walked in, to look at Crichton. "I think you
should ask her, *before* you rescue Aeryn."
John stared at Crais a moment before finally nodding in acquiescence. D'Argo, Jool, and Crais left after
that. John stared at his sleeping sister. "What happened to you?" he asked softly.
"No one's pet," she mumbled before sinking deeper into sleep.
***
TBC
WELL... what do ya think? Please review or send me an e-mail!
Thanks to the peps that are reviewing! I really need all the ego boosts I can get for this one since it's my first
Farscape fic, I'm glad to know that it's being well recieved!
~Artemis Luna Diana~
