When You Least Expect It Part 4

Disclaimer: I don't own them

Thanks to Neuroscpr for reading



In the back room of the bar several men were gathered.

"What did you find?" Darion asked his men.

"A very primitive ship. Definitely not a Peacekeeper vessel sir."

Darion looked down at the man who called himself John.

"Perhaps we have made a mistake. Maybe he spoke the truth." Darion replied rubbing his eyes.

"Sir you know we couldn't take the chance of losing everything again!"

"I know that! Leave me and let me think."

The others left as Darion sat down in deep thought, looking at John, 'what do we do with you now?'

John was drifting in and out of consciousness. He didn't want to wake fore every bone in his body ached. It hurt to breathe. He just wanted to sleep.

He dreamt of Aeryn, which calmed him. He was remembering when she loved him and their moments together. Then the other intruded in his thoughts and his dream became a nightmare.

He started fighting against his restraints and crying Aeryn's name. "Aeryn, Aeryn, don't go! I need you! Nooo don't leave me!"

Darion's thoughts were broken by John's outburst. He moved to his prisoner and tried to quiet him.

John just groaned now in pain. He opened his eyes and shut them, when the light cut through his head like a knife.

John tried to focus again despite the pain. He finally managed to focus on Darion's face.

"Why?" John whispered. His breath caught in his throat from the simple question. He closed his eyes in pain.

"We were just protecting what was ours," Darion said. "I know we made a mistake. You aren't a Peacekeeper."

John started to laugh, but he lapsed into intense coughing. His breathing was becoming more labored. When the coughing fit stopped John lay back exhausted.

"Who is Aeryn, John?" asked Darion.

John just closed his eyes. 'Hell it hurt too much to talk.'

"John! I need to know! Is this Aeryn person going to come looking for you?" Darion persisted.

John's heart ached with Darion's question. He wanted to say yes, but he knew better. She wouldn't miss him. She had no room in her life for him anymore.

John pressed his lips together and shook his head. A tiny row of tears rolled out of the sides of his eyes. He felt the stinging as his tears and blood mixed together.

"Good. We don't need anymore trouble." Darion replied lifting a syringe from the table.

"I have to leave for a while. This will help you sleep."

John's eyes widened when he saw the syringe. As he tried to fight Darion, he found his voice if only briefly. "No don't do this," he screamed as he tried to back away from the syringe.

Darion held his arm and inserted the needle. He watched as John's body relaxed and he fell into a deep sleep.

xxxxx



Chiana, Jool and Rygel joined Aeryn and D'Argo in command.

"Anything from Crichton yet?" Rygel asked.

"Nothing Rygel. Pilot still can't locate his signal," D'Argo replied in a tired voice. He had not slept since John had left the ship.

"Well don't you think it's time we go find him?" Rygel asked indignantly.

Chiana raised her eyebrows, "Well Ryg, are you finally volunteering for something?" She smiled now. "Or are you finally admitting you care about Crichton?"

"Ok, Chiana. I will say it. I miss him and all his incessant chattering," Rygel said sincerely. " If need be, yes, I will go down and find him."

This brought and a smile to Aeryn's lips.

"Don't worry Rygel, we'll find him," Aeryn said with a lump in her throat.

"Aeryn?" Rygel asked with hope in his voice. "Are you saying.you miss him too?"

Aeryn hesitated for a moment, "Yes Rygel, I miss him, and it is my fault he is gone."

Rygel grinned thinking, 'maybe things will be alright after all.'

"Oh yes, and Jool. Don't ever think you can talk to me that way again. Is that clear." Aeryn said lapsing into her Peacekeeper mode.

"Of course," Jool replied smiling. "Whatever you say Aeryn."

"Is the transport ready Aeryn?" D'Argo asked.

Aeryn nodded.

"We go in 2 arns," D'Argo said. "You three will stay on Moya. Chiana if we need help we will let you know."

D'Argo just hoped John was not in any danger. He wanted to show John he trusted him by granting his wish. He hoped he had not made a mistake.

xxxxx



John woke in a confused state, 'where am I?' He tried to move. The pain came rushing back along with his memory.

'Hell I'm really frelled,' John thought remembering everything. 'No one is even going to look for me, since I told them I would contact them.'

As his mind cleared with the realization of his predicament, he could hear the men arguing beyond the door. Then silence.

John held his breath waiting for what would come next. He knew he would have to get out of this by himself.

The door opened and Darion entered the room..

"Ah, John. You are awake. Good. Would you like something to drink?"

"I think I've had enough of your drinks," John replied slowly.

Darion laughed. "Just water, I promise." Darion filled the glass and helped John lift his head.

The liquid felt glorious going down John's parched throat. He started coughing again and groaned.

"Enough," Darion said. "I don't need you getting sick."

John dropped his head back exhausted and closed his eyes. "How about untying me. I don't think I can harm you in my condition."

Darion nodded his head as he released John from his restraints.

"Try anything, and I'll restrain you again.

John nodded rubbing his wrists.

"What now Darion?" John asked through pained lips. "You know I'm not a Peacekeeper. Just let me go and I'll forget this whole thing happened."

"If I should do that, where would you go?" Darion asked.

"Back to my friends on Moya." It was hurting more and more to talk. 'I gotta get out of here.'

"Ah, so you are not alone!"

John shook his head. "I just came alone to get away for awhile."

"How do I know we won't have more trouble from your friends?" Darion asked. "After all, we injured you. Your friends might want revenge."

John started to speak, "I promise we., John grabbed his midsection and groaned. He was breathing heavily now.

"Darion...I. I.think I need some help.here." John was curled into a ball still holding his midsection. Sweat was pouring down his face.

"Sorry John, there is nothing I can do for you."

"Yeah there is. Just get me a cool towel. That's all I need."

Darion nodded and wet a towel in the cool water. He leaned over John to place it on his head. John grabbed Darion with what little strength he had. He kneed Darion in the face, and kicked him into the wall. Darion slumped down the wall.

'Well not exactly as I had planned, but it got the job done' John thought struggling to his feet. The dizziness overwhelmed him and he grabbed the table to steady himself until his mind could clear.

Still bent over and holding his midsection, John looked for the exit. He saw a window in the back of the room. 'Looks as good as anything else at the moment.'

John looked out the window, looking for the others. No one was in sight. He pulled himself through the window falling to the ground. He groaned as he hit the ground, stunned for a moment.

He shook his head and said to himself, 'get up John, you gotta get out before he wakes and calls the others.' His body was fighting what his mind wanted. 'Now John or you are really frelled.'

John got to his knees and slowly rose. He tried to straighten his body, but the pain was too much. He slowly limped, body bent in the direction away from the town. He hoped in the direction of his module.