Bonding

Moya's remaining crew was glad to hear that all went well with the retrieval of Tyren. John was more anxious than most.

Pilot: "Commander Crichton, Talyn has arrived. Officer Sun and Ka D'Argo should be arriving in less than 20 microts."

John: "Where?"

Pilot: "They are docking near the medical bay. Aeryn Sun wants Jool to check Tyren out."

John: "Was he hurt?"

Pilot: "It doesn't appear so."

John: "Thanks Pilot."

*****

When John approached the medical bay he heard the sound of child's laughter and the unmistakable sound of Aeryn's laugh. A sound he hadn't heard since she left Moya with the other John. He walked into the medical bay. Aeryn was sitting on the table with Tyren while Jool was examining him. D'Argo was standing near by with Chiana and Rygel in toe. Aeryn looked up with a smile on her face and saw Crichton. He smiled at her.

Aeryn: "Come in."

John walked over. Tyren looked up. John could see Aeryn in this beautiful boy's face.

Aeryn: "Tyren, this is another friend of mines. His name is John Crichton."

Tyren: "You are Sebecean, like us, and Crais."

John: "Not exactly little partner."

Tyren smiled at him. John looked at him and then at Aeryn. He saw how she was looking at him.

Jool finished examining Tyren.

Jool: "Well, aside from a couple of normal scrapes and bruises, you looked to be in perfect health to me."

Tyren: "I told you Aeryn. I am a big boy. I am fine."

Aeryn smiled at him and stroked his hair.

Aeryn: "Yes you are."

Chiana stepped forward.

Chiana: "Hey Tyren, why don't you come with me and I will show you around Moya? It has some great hiding places."

Tyren: "Okay."

He looked up at Aeryn as if asking if it were okay.

Aeryn: "Are you hungry or anything?"

Tyren: "No."

Aeryn: "Go ahead then."

Chiana: "Come on Ryg."

Chiana took Tyren's hand. They left with Rygel.

John saw Aeryn's shoulder.

John: "What happened?"

Aeryn: "Nothing, it is fine. Jool took care of it."

Jool: "She will be fine in a couple of days."

Aeryn slid off the table. She looked at D'Argo and Crais.

Aeryn: "Thank you. Both of you."

They nodded to her. Aeryn looked at John.

Aeryn: "Can we go and talk?"

John was surprised. It has been a while since she has just wanted to sit and talk with him alone.

John: "Of course."

They left the medical bay together. Jool saw the look on D'Argo and Crais' face.

Jool: "What's up?"

D'Argo: "Aeryn has asked Pilot and Moya to find a planet where Tyren can live safely amongst other Sebeceans."

Jool: "She is leaving the ship?"

Crais: "No, her being with Tyren would not be safe for the boy."

******

Aeryn and John ended up on the terrace. Aeryn stood and looked up at the stars. John stood beside her watching her waiting for her to speak.

John: "Aeryn?"

She looked at him.

John: "You didn't tell Tyren that you are his mother, did you?"

Aeryn: "No."

John: "Why?"

Aeryn: "Because I can't keep him."

John: "What?! Why, I don't understand. You just got him back."

Aeryn: "Look at me, John, what kind of mother can I be to him. I am a fugitive with a list of enemies as long as my leg…"

John: "Arm."

Aeryn: "What?"

John: "As long as your arm…"

He shook his head.

John: "Never mind. Look Aeryn, we can protect Tyren."

Aeryn: "We have barely been able to protect ourselves."

John lowered his eyes from her longing stare.

John: "Do you want to leave with him?"

He looked up at her.

Aeryn: "If I thought my presence wouldn't endanger him, I would find a world with sunshine, grass, trees, and lake. A world like you told me about and I would make a home for him but we both know Scorpius will never let that happen. As soon as he finds out that Tyren is gone, it is just a matter of time before he tries to think of another way for him to get to you through me or others that you care about. This is better Tyren, if I didn't believe that I could never let him go."

John took Aeryn in his strong arms.

John: "I am sorry, Babe."

Aeryn: "I need a favor."

John: "Name it."

He looked in her face.

Aeryn: "Tell me about human bonding with their offspring. I want to know my son before I walk away from him forever."

John saw the tears roll down her cheek. He held her close. His heart breaking for the woman he loved so very much.

******

The five solar days since Tyren came aboard Moya were filled with the lighthearted craziness that comes with having a child around. Aeryn spent a great deal of time with him teaching him, laughing with him, playing with him, and just absorbing as much of his essence as she could.

Chiana was Tyren's playmate. They would play all over the ship getting into much trouble often. They particularly took great pleasure in teasing Rygel and Jool.

Tyren was obviously in awe of D'Argo and although he liked to watch, he was a little standoffish with him. As far as John, he always had a way with children. Tyren took John right away. Tyren spent time when he should have been sleeping with Crichton either working on his module, or learning how to draw star charts, playing chess, which Crichton taught him, or just laying on their backs on the terrace staring up at the stars making up stories for each other about the people that live there.

This little boy was on Moya for a short time but he captured everyone's heart.

Aeryn was standing in the passageway outside listening to Tyren laughing and playing while he was eating. John caught a glimpse of her and went out there. He need only look in her face.

John: "What is it? What has happened?"

Aeryn gulped air as if trying to clear her throat to speak.

Aeryn: "Pilot has found a planet."

John looked in her face. Her eyes brimming with tears searching his eyes for some reassurance. He took her in his arms.

Aeryn: "How can I let him go? He is a part of me."

John looked back towards Tyren.

John: "Come on."

He took Aeryn away so that Tyren didn't see her crying.

*****

John took Aeryn to his quarters. He sat beside her on the bed.

Aeryn: "This planet is two solar days away. It is everything I wanted for him. It is a peaceful Sebecean colony that has broken free of the peacekeepers. He will be safe there."

John: "What did Pilot tell them?"

Aeryn: "He told them that we came across a little boy in our travels and that he has no one to take care of him. They welcomed him to live there. Of course I am going to go check it out first before I tell him."

John: "Of course, I will go with you."

She lowered her eyes from his. John reached up and stroked her hair.

John: "Aeryn, I wish there was something I could say."

She looked up at him.

Aeryn: "You know peacekeepers treat having a child like such a little thing. A duty and once that duty is done it is over and you are suppose to forget about it. Forget about this little person that is part of you. Little things mean a lot."

He took her in his arms. She laid her head on his shoulder and cried. John knew there was nothing he could say that would make her pain any less. He knew the same pain every time he thought about the daughter he would never meet on the Royal Planet.

John: "He is a beautiful boy, Aeryn. A superior kid."

She looked at him and with a mother's pride.

Aeryn: "He is, isn't he."

John laid his forehead against hers. Her eyes closed as tears streamed down her face.