Crossroads---Part XI
Moya's crew gathered in command along with Velorek, who was adorning a pair of peacekeeper handcuffs. Aeryn had been able to ease Moya and Pilot's concerns over having Velorek on board.
Jool was keeping an eye on Jack in John and Aeryn's chambers.
Aeryn: "I have been speaking with Velorek and he has told me of a genetic facility that was designed during his captivity for the breeding of gun ships such as Talyn."
John looked at Velorek.
John: "Have they been able to duplicate another gun ship?"
Velorek: "Not successfully. Either both ships have died in the process or the baby has come out so deformed or deranged, it had been destroyed."
Rygel: "Is that why you were trying to destroy Talyn?"
Velorek: "They will be coming after Talyn even harder now because they need to study him as a prototype to see what they are doing wrong."
D'Argo: "Can you image what kind of dominance the peacekeepers would have if they could design a fleet of ships with Talyn's capabilities?"
Chiana: "They would be unstoppable."
John: "Losing you must have seriously set back their research, right?"
Velorek: "Yes but they have my technology. It is just a matter of time before they find someone with my talents and succeed in their endeavors."
Aeryn stood up. She moved over to the window. It was obvious she had something weighing on her mind.
John: "Aeryn, what's up?"
She turned back towards them.
Aeryn: "We can not let them succeed. Without Velorek's technology, they will not be able to create anymore ships like Talyn."
D'Argo: "Where is this base?"
Velorek: "It is in peacekeeper territory. Dareka IV to be exact. They did not want to risk setting it up out here in the uncharted territories. They wanted it in an environment that was under their control."
Rygel: "How the frell are we suppose to destroy a facility that is deep in peacekeeper territory? If any of us risk going back there, we will be killed or worse. I will not be imprisoned again!"
Chiana: "Ryg is right."
Aeryn: "There is a way."
John stood up and walked over to Aeryn. He stood face to face with her.
John: "Talk to me Baby. What are you planning?"
Aeryn laid her plan out for the group. She and D'Argo had been talking and came up with a complicated, dangerous yet workable plan which involved Crais and Velorek as well. John listened intently. Once she was done he started to shake his head. He was obviously agitated.
John: "No. No! I don't like it."
Aeryn: "John there is no other way."
John: "What makes you think this will even work?"
Aeryn: "Because we have two things they want more than anything, Talyn and Crais. They will welcome us into the facility with open arms, if they think we are coming to cooperate. Then once inside we can destroy the technology. We will rendezvous with Moya at Tarsus in three weeknens."
John: "You expect me to let my wife, the mother of my son, fly off into peacekeeper territory with Captain Crunch and the mad scientist without me."
Aeryn: "You can not risk going into peacekeeper territory. High command knows about the knowledge in your head and they still want it. Scorpius or no Scorpius."
John: "That is a risk I am willing to take."
Aeryn: "I am not."
John: "Aeryn..."
Aeryn: "D'Argo will be with me. Besides Jack needs one of his parents here."
John looked at D'Argo then back at Aeryn. D'Argo stood up and pulled Velorek to his feet.
D'Argo: "Lets give them some privacy. Everybody out."
Everyone got up and left them alone. John stood by the window staring out at the stars. Aeryn walked up behind him and slipped her arms around his waist. She kissed the middle of his back and laid her forehead between his shoulder blades. He laid his hands on top of hers.
Aeryn: "John, I need you to understand this."
John: "I do understand. I just don't like it."
She moved around so that she was facing him. He looked in her eyes.
John: "I don't trust Velorek or Crais as far as I can throw them."
Aeryn: "There is no other way. D'Argo will be close by encase things fall apart."
John: "He won't be on the base. What if something happens and you can't get to him?"
Aeryn: "John, we can't let them use that technology. You have seen Talyn's firepower. He is fierce when he needs to be. Now imagine if that power was being wielded by the peacekeepers against other races."
John: "I hear what you are saying but I would feel better if I could go on D'Argo's ship and wait encase you run into some trouble."
Aeryn: "John, I have never been away from Jack for any long period of time. No longer than a few arns. He is going to frightened and will need you there to sooth him. I need you to do this for me. I need to know that if something should happen that he is with you."
John looked in her beautiful eyes.
John: "Why is it that every time we finally reach a point of calm something always comes along to destroy it?"
Aeryn: "Nothing is destroyed. I will be back before you can even miss me."
John laid his hand on her smooth cheek.
John: "I miss you when you leave a room."
She smiled slightly and leaned her head forward. John laid his forehead against hers.
Aeryn: "When you went back to earth there were times I missed you so much I didn't know how I would make it from one microt to the next."
John: "How did you?"
She looked up into his hauntingly perfect face.
Aeryn: "I held on to Jack. I would talk to him about his father. Of course he was just a baby and too young to understand but it eased the pain to talk about you. To share your essence, your spirit with the child that we created together."
She laid her hands on John's firm chest.
Aeryn: "That is what I want you to do while I am gone. I want you to hold on to Jack and you tell him how much his mother loves him. You tell him about some of the adventures we have had. In the very worse moments, just hold on to him and just keep saying I love you, I love you, I love you."
John: "Is that what you did?"
Aeryn: "Every night until I could say it to you in person."
John slipped his arms around her waist and held her close.
John: "When are you leaving?"
Aeryn: "Four solar days. Velorek is putting together a schematic of the facility, as much as he can remember of it."
John let out a deep breath.
John: "You better come back to me Aeryn Crichton."
She smiled at him.
John: "What?"
Aeryn: "That is just the first time I have heard anyone call me that."
John took her left hand in his and kissed her ring.
******
D'Argo was running systems on his ship to make sure everything was in working order. John walked up a couple of steps.
John: "Do you mind if I come in?"
D'Argo: "Have a seat."
John walked up the short staircase and sat down.
D'Argo: "I just wanted to give the ship a look over to make sure everything was in working order."
John: "Is it?"
D'Argo: "Yes."
John cut the small talk.
John: "Why didn't you tell me what you and Aeryn were planning `D'?"
D'Argo lowered his hands from the controls. He looked over at Crichton.
D'Argo: "Aeryn wanted to be the one to explain. She knew how you would react to it."
John: "How would you react?"
D'Argo: "The same as you."
John: "You know that Velorek and Crais have their own agendas when it comes to Aeryn."
D'Argo: "I know."
John: "I am depending on you to take care of her."
D'Argo: "I will protect Aeryn. With my life, if necessary."
Their eyes met in a long gaze. John shook his head in acknowledgement. He got up and tapped D'Argo's chest. He left the ship without another word. D'Argo went back to checking his ship's systems.
*****
Aeryn was sitting on her bed holding Jack in her lap. Jack's legs were wrapped around her waist. Jack was playing with the ring hanging on the chain around Aeryn's neck. Aeryn gently stroked his silky hair.
Aeryn: "This belonged to your grandfather, Jack. He gave it to your Dad before he left Earth."
She slipped the chain off her neck and put it around Jack's neck. She kissed his forehead. He continued to play with the ring.
Aeryn: "I know that we have never been apart like this before but you have your dad here and he is going to tell you stories at bedtime and play with you. You have Chiana and Jool and (hesitating slightly) Rygel."
John was standing in the corridor listening to Aeryn trying to say goodbye to their son. His eyes were glazed over with unshed tears.
Aeryn: "I love you so much Jack. Bringing you into this world has been my greatest joy and my greatest accomplishment."
Jack laid his tiny hands on his mother's cheeks as if he understood what she was saying to him. He smiled at her. She couldn't help smiling back. She tickled his tummy. He laughed and wrapped his arms around her neck. She held him close. John looked in and saw them. He walked away briskly and headed for the cell chamber where they had Velorek locked up.
******
By the time he reached the cell he had a full head of steam going. He opened the cell. Velorek was working on the schematics.
Velorek: "Crichton, is there a problem?"
Crichton grabbed him the collar and slammed him up against the wall. He spoke through clinched teeth.
John: "I want you to listen to me and I want you to listen really good. If anything happens to Aeryn, your fault, her fault, Crais' fault or an act of Goddess, you better put your head between your legs and kiss your ass goodbye because I will hunt you down peacekeeper territory or no. I will not stop until you are dead. Do we understand each other?"
Velorek: "We do."
When Crichton let him go, Velorek's body slumped to the floor. He laid his hand on his bruised neck. John looked down at him with a steely gaze. Crichton walked over to the cell door and opened it.
Velorek: "Crichton."
John looked back at him.
Velorek: "I will make sure that Aeryn comes home for her son's sake."
John: "You do that."
John walked out and closed the cell door.
******
Aeryn and Chiana were sitting in the food court. Aeryn was holding Jack. He was nibbling on a food cube.
Aeryn: "Chiana, I have a favor to ask of you."
Chiana: "Anything."
Aeryn: "I want you to help John with Jack."
Aeryn was stroking Jack's hair.
Chiana: "Until you get back you mean, right?"
Aeryn looked up at her. Chiana's familiar smile faded.
Chiana: "Aeryn?"
Aeryn: "I have no illusions about where I am going or what might happened when I get there. I am going to do everything in my power to return to Jack and John. But if I don't, I want you to help John take care of our son. I want you to make sure that as he grows, Jack always remember that inner child inside of him."
She continued to stroke Jack's hair.
Aeryn: "I want you to keep his innocence alive and keep reminding him to laugh. I don't want him to lose who he is right now. He has this incredible spirit. I don't want him to lose that."
Aeryn reached out and touched Chiana's hand. A gesture which surprised Chiana.
Aeryn: "You were there when he was born. You held him before I did."
Chiana: "What are you asking me to do Aeryn?"
Aeryn: "I am asking you to watch over my son and his father. They will need you if I don't return."
Chiana looked at Aeryn then at Jack. Jack smiled at Chiana. Chiana smiled back and touched Jack's cheek. She looked back up at Aeryn.
Chiana: "I would be honored."
Aeryn smiled.
Aeryn: "Thank you."
Aeryn kissed the top of Jack's head.
Chiana kept Jack for the sleep period so that John and Aeryn could have time alone.
*****
John and Aeryn lay in each other's arms. Their exhausted naked bodies entangled together underneath a red wooly blanket. John was stroking Aeryn's mane of soft hair. He buried his nose in her hair trying to take in her smell.
John: "How am I going to let you go?"
Aeryn: "We still have a few more arns. Don't let go yet."
He tightened his arms around her. She buried her face in his chest. They laid there in silence for a few microts. Aeryn was rubbing her hands up and down his back.
John: "Chiana told me about your request."
Aeryn: "Are you mad at me?"
John: "A little."
She looked up into his eyes.
Aeryn: "I don't want to go with you being mad at me."
She started kissing his chest and up his neck. He smiled.
John: "Stop trying to distract me from what I am feeling."
Aeryn smiled to herself.
Aeryn: "I wouldn't dream of trying to distract you."
She kept kissing him. He smiled. Aeryn moved on top of John. She looked down into his face. She ran her fingertips along his chiseled features. John saw this look in her eyes.
John: "What is it?"
Aeryn: "Nothing, I just don't want to forget how beautiful you are."
John: "I love you."
Aeryn: "I love you too."
She kissed his lips softly.
Aeryn: "Beyond hope and reason."
John slipped his arms around her. She lowered her mouth to his. They shared a deep passionate kiss. They made love again before falling asleep in each other's arms.
Moya's crew gathered in command along with Velorek, who was adorning a pair of peacekeeper handcuffs. Aeryn had been able to ease Moya and Pilot's concerns over having Velorek on board.
Jool was keeping an eye on Jack in John and Aeryn's chambers.
Aeryn: "I have been speaking with Velorek and he has told me of a genetic facility that was designed during his captivity for the breeding of gun ships such as Talyn."
John looked at Velorek.
John: "Have they been able to duplicate another gun ship?"
Velorek: "Not successfully. Either both ships have died in the process or the baby has come out so deformed or deranged, it had been destroyed."
Rygel: "Is that why you were trying to destroy Talyn?"
Velorek: "They will be coming after Talyn even harder now because they need to study him as a prototype to see what they are doing wrong."
D'Argo: "Can you image what kind of dominance the peacekeepers would have if they could design a fleet of ships with Talyn's capabilities?"
Chiana: "They would be unstoppable."
John: "Losing you must have seriously set back their research, right?"
Velorek: "Yes but they have my technology. It is just a matter of time before they find someone with my talents and succeed in their endeavors."
Aeryn stood up. She moved over to the window. It was obvious she had something weighing on her mind.
John: "Aeryn, what's up?"
She turned back towards them.
Aeryn: "We can not let them succeed. Without Velorek's technology, they will not be able to create anymore ships like Talyn."
D'Argo: "Where is this base?"
Velorek: "It is in peacekeeper territory. Dareka IV to be exact. They did not want to risk setting it up out here in the uncharted territories. They wanted it in an environment that was under their control."
Rygel: "How the frell are we suppose to destroy a facility that is deep in peacekeeper territory? If any of us risk going back there, we will be killed or worse. I will not be imprisoned again!"
Chiana: "Ryg is right."
Aeryn: "There is a way."
John stood up and walked over to Aeryn. He stood face to face with her.
John: "Talk to me Baby. What are you planning?"
Aeryn laid her plan out for the group. She and D'Argo had been talking and came up with a complicated, dangerous yet workable plan which involved Crais and Velorek as well. John listened intently. Once she was done he started to shake his head. He was obviously agitated.
John: "No. No! I don't like it."
Aeryn: "John there is no other way."
John: "What makes you think this will even work?"
Aeryn: "Because we have two things they want more than anything, Talyn and Crais. They will welcome us into the facility with open arms, if they think we are coming to cooperate. Then once inside we can destroy the technology. We will rendezvous with Moya at Tarsus in three weeknens."
John: "You expect me to let my wife, the mother of my son, fly off into peacekeeper territory with Captain Crunch and the mad scientist without me."
Aeryn: "You can not risk going into peacekeeper territory. High command knows about the knowledge in your head and they still want it. Scorpius or no Scorpius."
John: "That is a risk I am willing to take."
Aeryn: "I am not."
John: "Aeryn..."
Aeryn: "D'Argo will be with me. Besides Jack needs one of his parents here."
John looked at D'Argo then back at Aeryn. D'Argo stood up and pulled Velorek to his feet.
D'Argo: "Lets give them some privacy. Everybody out."
Everyone got up and left them alone. John stood by the window staring out at the stars. Aeryn walked up behind him and slipped her arms around his waist. She kissed the middle of his back and laid her forehead between his shoulder blades. He laid his hands on top of hers.
Aeryn: "John, I need you to understand this."
John: "I do understand. I just don't like it."
She moved around so that she was facing him. He looked in her eyes.
John: "I don't trust Velorek or Crais as far as I can throw them."
Aeryn: "There is no other way. D'Argo will be close by encase things fall apart."
John: "He won't be on the base. What if something happens and you can't get to him?"
Aeryn: "John, we can't let them use that technology. You have seen Talyn's firepower. He is fierce when he needs to be. Now imagine if that power was being wielded by the peacekeepers against other races."
John: "I hear what you are saying but I would feel better if I could go on D'Argo's ship and wait encase you run into some trouble."
Aeryn: "John, I have never been away from Jack for any long period of time. No longer than a few arns. He is going to frightened and will need you there to sooth him. I need you to do this for me. I need to know that if something should happen that he is with you."
John looked in her beautiful eyes.
John: "Why is it that every time we finally reach a point of calm something always comes along to destroy it?"
Aeryn: "Nothing is destroyed. I will be back before you can even miss me."
John laid his hand on her smooth cheek.
John: "I miss you when you leave a room."
She smiled slightly and leaned her head forward. John laid his forehead against hers.
Aeryn: "When you went back to earth there were times I missed you so much I didn't know how I would make it from one microt to the next."
John: "How did you?"
She looked up into his hauntingly perfect face.
Aeryn: "I held on to Jack. I would talk to him about his father. Of course he was just a baby and too young to understand but it eased the pain to talk about you. To share your essence, your spirit with the child that we created together."
She laid her hands on John's firm chest.
Aeryn: "That is what I want you to do while I am gone. I want you to hold on to Jack and you tell him how much his mother loves him. You tell him about some of the adventures we have had. In the very worse moments, just hold on to him and just keep saying I love you, I love you, I love you."
John: "Is that what you did?"
Aeryn: "Every night until I could say it to you in person."
John slipped his arms around her waist and held her close.
John: "When are you leaving?"
Aeryn: "Four solar days. Velorek is putting together a schematic of the facility, as much as he can remember of it."
John let out a deep breath.
John: "You better come back to me Aeryn Crichton."
She smiled at him.
John: "What?"
Aeryn: "That is just the first time I have heard anyone call me that."
John took her left hand in his and kissed her ring.
******
D'Argo was running systems on his ship to make sure everything was in working order. John walked up a couple of steps.
John: "Do you mind if I come in?"
D'Argo: "Have a seat."
John walked up the short staircase and sat down.
D'Argo: "I just wanted to give the ship a look over to make sure everything was in working order."
John: "Is it?"
D'Argo: "Yes."
John cut the small talk.
John: "Why didn't you tell me what you and Aeryn were planning `D'?"
D'Argo lowered his hands from the controls. He looked over at Crichton.
D'Argo: "Aeryn wanted to be the one to explain. She knew how you would react to it."
John: "How would you react?"
D'Argo: "The same as you."
John: "You know that Velorek and Crais have their own agendas when it comes to Aeryn."
D'Argo: "I know."
John: "I am depending on you to take care of her."
D'Argo: "I will protect Aeryn. With my life, if necessary."
Their eyes met in a long gaze. John shook his head in acknowledgement. He got up and tapped D'Argo's chest. He left the ship without another word. D'Argo went back to checking his ship's systems.
*****
Aeryn was sitting on her bed holding Jack in her lap. Jack's legs were wrapped around her waist. Jack was playing with the ring hanging on the chain around Aeryn's neck. Aeryn gently stroked his silky hair.
Aeryn: "This belonged to your grandfather, Jack. He gave it to your Dad before he left Earth."
She slipped the chain off her neck and put it around Jack's neck. She kissed his forehead. He continued to play with the ring.
Aeryn: "I know that we have never been apart like this before but you have your dad here and he is going to tell you stories at bedtime and play with you. You have Chiana and Jool and (hesitating slightly) Rygel."
John was standing in the corridor listening to Aeryn trying to say goodbye to their son. His eyes were glazed over with unshed tears.
Aeryn: "I love you so much Jack. Bringing you into this world has been my greatest joy and my greatest accomplishment."
Jack laid his tiny hands on his mother's cheeks as if he understood what she was saying to him. He smiled at her. She couldn't help smiling back. She tickled his tummy. He laughed and wrapped his arms around her neck. She held him close. John looked in and saw them. He walked away briskly and headed for the cell chamber where they had Velorek locked up.
******
By the time he reached the cell he had a full head of steam going. He opened the cell. Velorek was working on the schematics.
Velorek: "Crichton, is there a problem?"
Crichton grabbed him the collar and slammed him up against the wall. He spoke through clinched teeth.
John: "I want you to listen to me and I want you to listen really good. If anything happens to Aeryn, your fault, her fault, Crais' fault or an act of Goddess, you better put your head between your legs and kiss your ass goodbye because I will hunt you down peacekeeper territory or no. I will not stop until you are dead. Do we understand each other?"
Velorek: "We do."
When Crichton let him go, Velorek's body slumped to the floor. He laid his hand on his bruised neck. John looked down at him with a steely gaze. Crichton walked over to the cell door and opened it.
Velorek: "Crichton."
John looked back at him.
Velorek: "I will make sure that Aeryn comes home for her son's sake."
John: "You do that."
John walked out and closed the cell door.
******
Aeryn and Chiana were sitting in the food court. Aeryn was holding Jack. He was nibbling on a food cube.
Aeryn: "Chiana, I have a favor to ask of you."
Chiana: "Anything."
Aeryn: "I want you to help John with Jack."
Aeryn was stroking Jack's hair.
Chiana: "Until you get back you mean, right?"
Aeryn looked up at her. Chiana's familiar smile faded.
Chiana: "Aeryn?"
Aeryn: "I have no illusions about where I am going or what might happened when I get there. I am going to do everything in my power to return to Jack and John. But if I don't, I want you to help John take care of our son. I want you to make sure that as he grows, Jack always remember that inner child inside of him."
She continued to stroke Jack's hair.
Aeryn: "I want you to keep his innocence alive and keep reminding him to laugh. I don't want him to lose who he is right now. He has this incredible spirit. I don't want him to lose that."
Aeryn reached out and touched Chiana's hand. A gesture which surprised Chiana.
Aeryn: "You were there when he was born. You held him before I did."
Chiana: "What are you asking me to do Aeryn?"
Aeryn: "I am asking you to watch over my son and his father. They will need you if I don't return."
Chiana looked at Aeryn then at Jack. Jack smiled at Chiana. Chiana smiled back and touched Jack's cheek. She looked back up at Aeryn.
Chiana: "I would be honored."
Aeryn smiled.
Aeryn: "Thank you."
Aeryn kissed the top of Jack's head.
Chiana kept Jack for the sleep period so that John and Aeryn could have time alone.
*****
John and Aeryn lay in each other's arms. Their exhausted naked bodies entangled together underneath a red wooly blanket. John was stroking Aeryn's mane of soft hair. He buried his nose in her hair trying to take in her smell.
John: "How am I going to let you go?"
Aeryn: "We still have a few more arns. Don't let go yet."
He tightened his arms around her. She buried her face in his chest. They laid there in silence for a few microts. Aeryn was rubbing her hands up and down his back.
John: "Chiana told me about your request."
Aeryn: "Are you mad at me?"
John: "A little."
She looked up into his eyes.
Aeryn: "I don't want to go with you being mad at me."
She started kissing his chest and up his neck. He smiled.
John: "Stop trying to distract me from what I am feeling."
Aeryn smiled to herself.
Aeryn: "I wouldn't dream of trying to distract you."
She kept kissing him. He smiled. Aeryn moved on top of John. She looked down into his face. She ran her fingertips along his chiseled features. John saw this look in her eyes.
John: "What is it?"
Aeryn: "Nothing, I just don't want to forget how beautiful you are."
John: "I love you."
Aeryn: "I love you too."
She kissed his lips softly.
Aeryn: "Beyond hope and reason."
John slipped his arms around her. She lowered her mouth to his. They shared a deep passionate kiss. They made love again before falling asleep in each other's arms.