Chapter Six
Morgan came to with a start, extremely disoriented and confused. She stood up quickly, fighting the wave of dizziness that threatened to drop her back to the steelskin deck, her eyes searching the cell she was in. She didn't know where she was and she marched to the door, wrapping her hands around the vaguely familiar grill. "Hey!" she yelled, shaking at the door. "Let me out of here!"
Crichton ran towards the cell at his cousin's voice. He had been on his way to see her when she cried out. "She's awake!" he yelled behind him as he skidded to a halt before her, a grin on his face. "You are a sight for sore eyes," he whispered, reaching out to stroke her face.
"John? What are you doing here? What is going on? Where am I?" Morgan asked, backing away from him as he unlocked the cell. The paleness of her face and confusion in her eyes startled him.
Crichton looked at her as he walked in slowly, observing her. She had been unconscious for nearly two days, ranting incoherently in her sleep. Both Braca and Terrick told them that she had eaten on the gunship, slipping in and out of exhausted sleep and unconsciousness as the ship carried them to the preset meeting point. "Morgan you're on Moya. Don't you remember?" he asked, reaching out to her.
Morgan looked at him confused. "I remember coming after you and…being brought aboard some ship." She shook her head, grinding the heels of her hands into her eyes as she turned around. "I can't think. Everything is……jumbled up in my head. I…"
"Morgan?" Crais said softly standing in the cell's doorway, Tauvo and Zhaan behind him. He gazed at his wife, wanting to draw her into his arms and wipe away the haunted look in her eyes. Crais took a step towards her.
She screamed, backing away from him, pulling Crichton in front of her, clasping his shirt as she shook in panic. "Stay away from me!"
Crichton turned around, gently taking her by the wrists as she looked up at him. "Morgan what's the matter with you?"
She looked up at her cousin in stark terror. "He…I saw him hurt you. I saw him beating on Terrick and then on me!" Tears streamed down her face. "He's a murderer and he's gonna kill you!" she screamed.
Crichton peered over his shoulder at Crais, then back to his cousin. "Morgan, get a grip." He grasped her face in his hands, forcing her to look at him. Blue eyes met blue as she shuddered against Crichton. "Hey, listen to me. Crais never hurt you. He never beat you. Calm down." Crichton licked his lips, smiling reassuringly. "Don't you know who he is?"
Morgan trembled, her whole body shaking like a leaf. "He's a Peacekeeper and he wants to kill you."
"No." Crichton shook his head. "No, Morgan." He canted his head towards her. "Crais isn't a Peacekeeper anymore. He hasn't been for a long time. Crais is your husband. Don't you remember?" Tears welled up in the corners of Crichton's eyes as he stared at Morgan. This was not the cousin he knew. Morgan had left a strong, independent woman who was fiercely in love with his former nemesis and returned with her spirit shattered to pieces.
Morgan peered at Crais over Crichton's shoulder, her blue eyes wide. "No. No. NO!!" She broke down into terrified sobs, hiding her face in Crichton's chest. He enfolded her in his arms, burying his own tear- streaked face in her hair.
"What did he do to you?" Crais whispered in horror. He turned away, striding down the corridor towards the cell they had locked Braca in. "What did he do to her?" he yelled as he walked through the door, pointing down the corridor. He grabbed Braca by the jacket, slamming him against the bulkhead. "He put her in the chair, didn't he? Answer me!"
Braca looked at Crais, his face a pasty white. "Yes, Captain. Scorpius said he was trying something new with the chair. I…tried…to talk him out of it, but he wouldn't listen." Braca swallowed as Crais slammed him against the wall again.
"You…had…better…start talking, Braca!" Crais yelled, drawing Zhaan and Tauvo to his cell.
"Scorpius…tried to…reprogram her mind…She wouldn't…give him the formula." Braca's teeth rattled in his head as Crais slammed against the wall again. "He…wanted…to break…her."
"By the Goddess," Zhaan whispered.
Braca wrapped his hands around Crais' wrists. "As…soon as I…realized what he…was doing, I…got Morgan out of there…Terrick helped…after I…killed Raseen…She…too was…poisoning Morgan's…mind."
Crais dropped Braca, his breathing labored. "Why?"
"As I said, Morgan was fighting him." Braca pulled himself up straight. "Even though she wanted to give him the formula, she couldn't. Something stopped her." He swallowed nervously at the look of absolute rage in Crais' eyes. "We took the fastest ship available to get Morgan away from him before he could kill her."
"It's true Father," Terrick said softly from the opposite cell. His own eyes were haunted, the Peacekeeper attitude faded as he gazed upon his father and uncle. "Scorpius wanted her to hate you so that he had a pawn in his sick and twisted game."
Crais stared at each of them, feeling like a fist was squeezing his heart. He swallowed hard. "Well…he succeeded, didn't he." He marched from the cell, disappearing around the corner.
Crais walked onto Talyn's bridge and stopped, his mind numb as he gazed around the quiet Leviathan. Even the gunship was shocked at Morgan's behavior, having seen everything through Crais' eyes. All either of them had thought about was getting Morgan and Suleah back. And now that Morgan was safe, she was farther from them than before. Braca had found out where Suleah was after Terrick discovered the child was gone as they were making their escape and Crais wondered if the lieutenant was telling the truth even though in the back of his mind Crais knew Braca had always been honest to a fault.
He sank to his knees, the pain in his heart finally overwhelming the ex- Peacekeeper. Crais closed his eyes, his shoulders shaking violently as he sobbed, leaning forward to rest his head on the deck as an anguished scream ripped from his throat. Crais had no idea how long he stayed there, looking up when a soft, cool hand landed lightly on his neck above his transponder. His eyes were puffy, red rimmed as he gazed at Zhaan's serene face. "I will never get her back, Zhaan. She's gone from me."
Zhaan leaned back and reached out, cupping Crais' cheek. "She's confused, Crais. Scorpius tortured her and tried to break her, but you must have faith that Morgan is in there somewhere. You must believe that," she soothed. "It will take time."
Tears streamed freely from his eyes. "I've lost my daughter and now my wife." He swallowed. "I need her Zhaan. I want my strong, feisty, human wife back," he whispered through clenched teeth. "I need her. We…" he paused, closing his eyes before continuing, the pain wrenching his heart. "Talyn, our son and I need her." He looked at Zhaan. "I never realized how much until I thought I lost her on the gammak base. And now…" Crais closed his eyes again, the emotions overtaking him as tears drenched his face. Zhaan pulled her former captor into her embrace, stroking his hair as he stopped fighting the emotions that welled up inside of him, allowing the grief and anger run its course.
Crichton paced Moya's corridors, chewing his thumbnail, feeling as helpless as Crais. He was the only one besides Zhaan that Morgan would let near her. There was something about the Delvian woman that calmed his cousin. Crichton wandered into the cellblock, finding Stark standing outside of Morgan's cell, watching her. Terrick and Braca had been taken to the surface as soon as they arrived at Zorosa 3, Shantar making sure the two men were in guarded custody until Crais figured out what to do with them. Crichton stopped, gazing down at her, lying curled up in the corner, restlessly sleeping. "Hey Poptop, he sighed, leaning against the cell door. They all agreed the holding cell was the safest place for her after she had a fit of violent rage when Crais came to see her earlier. "She talk to you?"
Stark shook his head, the Bannik gazing sadly at her. "She hasn't said a word. She usually just sits there rocking back and forth, back and forth."
Morgan moaned in her sleep, her head tossing on the pillow as she began to thrash wildly on the cot.
"Shit!" Crichton muttered. "Pilot! Open the door!" he yelled.
Zhaan and Crais jogged down the corridor at Pilot's alert, arriving as the door slid open, Crichton and Crais moving to Morgan. "C'mon, Dorothy! Wake up! You're back in Kansas," Crichton urged as she sat up, her eyes still wild.
Crais took her in his arms. "Morgan, please!"
Morgan's eyes were filled with blind terror, whether from the dream or from being held by her husband, Crichton couldn't determine. She lashed out at Crais, slapping his face as she screamed. "Get away from me, murderer!" She clawed at him, her nails raking across his stubbled cheek as she shoved him away with a feral growl. Morgan pushed past them all, taking off down the corridor like a frightened animal, running right into Aeryn.
The ex-Peacekeeper caught the distraught human, pinning her against the bulkhead. "Crichton!" she called as Morgan struggled against her hold, kicking Aeryn in the shin. Aeryn turned her around, wrapping one arm around Morgan's neck, holding tightly as Morgan curled her hands around Aeryn's arm, grunting as she tried to break free of the Sebacean's hold. She kicked out as Crichton came forward, her booted foot taking him in the groin. Crichton went down with a gasp of pain as Morgan turned her head, sinking her teeth into Aeryn's arm. She bolted away as soon as the ex- Peacekeeper released her, ducking under D'Argo's outstretched arm as he came up the corridor to help.
The whole ship had been alerted to Morgan's fit of panicked agitation and Crais took off after her, sandwiching his wife between himself and Tauvo as his brother came from the opposite direction. It took both of them to hold her, dragging her kicking and screaming back to the holding cell.
"Zhaan, we must sedate her," Crais yelled, jerking his head to the side as Morgan spit on him. Tauvo and Crais wrestled her back into the cell, the door sliding closed with a clang of finality. He made the mistake of leaning against the door, Morgan's arm slipping through the grill and wrapping tightly around his neck.
"I'll kill him" she spat, grasping her wrist with the other hand and squeezing. She was out of control.
"Get…her…off…of…me!" Crais choked, his eyes wide in worry as she tried to cut off his circulation.
Morgan growled as D'Argo grasped her hand, using his strength to pull her arm from around Crais' neck. She slipped back into the cell, her eyes darting around as she sunk in the corner, curled into a ball.
Crais rubbed his neck, panting, as he leaned against his brother, all of them staring at Morgan in shock, wondering what to do next.
Crichton wiped the back of his hand across his eyes, swinging his legs slightly as he sat on the ledge next to Pilot. He sniffed, gazing up at Moya's symbiotic partner. "I don't know what to do, Pilot."
Pilot looked at him, his eyes blinking. "Moya and I…are very concerned about her as well, Crichton. And Talyn…blames himself for not following her." He tilted his head. "There may be a way to help her."
"I hope so." Crichton leaned his head in his hands, scrubbing his face before peering at Pilot above his fingertips. "There have been very few women in my life who I…" he paused, sniffing again, wiping his nose with his fingers. "…who I would die for. My mother, my sisters, Aeryn." He smiled fondly. "Morgan." He leaned back, gazing up the shaft that housed Pilot's chamber. "She's always been there for me. We've always been there for each other, even in the Uncharted Territories."
Pilot paused his movement, turning slightly to face the human. "Crichton, Talyn wants you to bring Morgan on board," Pilot insisted. "He…thinks he can help calm her and help sort out her memories. Moya and I agree."
Crichton shook his head. "No. She's a loose cannon Pilot. She could hurt herself and Talyn," he pointed out. "Crais would never go for it and for once I agree."
Pilot listened to Moya, the huge Leviathan pleading her case. "Moya feels that in Morgan's current condition, she would be too scared to attempt anything that would hurt Talyn. She agrees that Talyn could help her through the neural link and I agree too," he reemphasized. He blinked, cocking his head as he waited for Crichton's answer.
The human regarded Pilot for a moment, chewing his lower lip in thought. Finally he nodded. "Alright. I'll take my own advice to Crais and not give up on her. We have nothing to lose, right?" He ran his fingers through his hair. "What did Talyn have in mind?"
Morgan sat in the cell, her arms wrapped around her as she shivered. She clenched her eyes shut tight, trying to make the nightmare go away. But it kept returning in the form of a leather-clad half-breed Peacekeeper scientist with rotting teeth and black lips. Her eyes snapped open and she stared vacantly through the lattice work of the cell door. Images flashed through her mind, things that simply did not make sense. One minute she saw herself kissing that murderer Crais, the next holding two small babies. She moaned, laying her head on her knees and began to rock, softly whimpering.
Zhaan's heart was breaking at the sight of her and she turned away, walking back up Moya's corridor. She set the tray of food down, staring at the others gathered in the galley of the huge Leviathan. Morgan had become one of their own, her current state and last terrified outburst having affected them all. Crais still stood at the viewport, back ramrod straight, hands clenched so tightly behind his back that his knuckles were white. D'Argo sat with his Qualta blade before him, the cleaning rag forgotten as he stared at the weapon. Tauvo paced, assuming his brother's usual duties in that department. Aeryn leaned against the bulkhead, silent, Stark mumbling to himself next to her. Even Chiana and Rygel were quiet, half-heartedly playing a game.
"How is she?" D'Argo asked softly, voicing the question on everyone's mind.
Zhaan sat down. "No better. She won't even let me near her now." Zhaan looked at Crais, then back to D'Argo. The Luxan simply shook his head at her unspoken question. Of all of them, Morgan's outburst had affected the Captain the worse.
Tauvo sighed and turned to his brother. "Bialar, there's nothing you can do here right now. She's in good hands and your son needs you. Come with me down to the planet," he begged softly.
Crais' jaw set, his eyes narrowed as he gazed straight ahead, the scratches on his face from Morgan red and ugly. "I am not leaving her. Allan is safe with our parents and they are now well guarded," he answered sharply, his tone strained. He swallowed hard, never moving.
Tauvo turned as Crichton walked in. "I think we got a way to help Morgan."
"What is it John?" Aeryn questioned.
Crichton gazed at Crais, his eyes never leaving the former Peacekeeper. "Well, Talyn actually came up with it. He thinks that if we can get Morgan onto him, and get the transponder back in, he might be able to help."
Crais slowly turned and looked at Crichton. Talyn was not happy with the entire situation and the gunship simply wanted his family back. Crais knew the Leviathan would do anything for Morgan. "How will you get her aboard?" he asked softly.
Crichton looked at D'Argo. "I was hoping you could help with that, big guy," he asked.
D'Argo simply nodded, standing up and sheathing the Qualta blade. He left the galley, striding with purpose up the corridor.
They stood frozen, waiting as Morgan screamed in terror. Crais closed his eyes, turning his head away as Tauvo laid his hand on his shoulder, squeezing gently. D'Argo returned, Morgan's limp form in his arms.
Morgan slowly opened her eyes and looked around. She was lying on a strange deck, no longer in the cell aboard the ship the others called Moya. The deck beneath her glowed with red and white lights, the room she was in softly lit with a red tint.
~ Morgan? ~
Morgan stood up, her breath coming fast in fright. "Who's there?" she called. She turned in a slow circle, looking around for the source of the voice and finding no one else on the bridge.
~ It's Talyn, Morgan. ~
Morgan looked up at the ceiling as it pulsed in time with the words she was hearing, an odd chirping noise accompanying them. Spooked, she ran to the doors, trying to pry them open, finally sliding down them onto the floor in defeat, her eyes darting around the bridge. "Who…who…are you?" she whispered.
~ A friend. A brother. A son, even. A being who loves you very much and wants to help. ~
"Where are you?" Her voice quavered in fear, as she looked around. The setting seemed familiar, disjointed images flashing in the back of her mind, images of her and that murderer Crais working together in this same room.
~ I'm all around you. And…I'm part of you, as you are part of me. ~
"How can that be?" Morgan pulled her knees to her chest, trying to make herself as small as possible, hoping this Talyn being would forget she was there.
~ Reach your hand back to your neck, ~ he instructed. Talyn waited as she felt the transponder, the plastic and metal cold against her fingertips. ~ That is how. That device is how you can hear and sense me. ~
Morgan tried to pull the transponder from its spot, but Crichton had anticipated her actions, fusing the removable piece in place. He knew they could fix it later. "Get it out! GET IT OUT!" She paniced.
~ On one condition, ~ Talyn answered, taking a lesson from Crais and letting his voice harden. ~ You let me show you what your life is like here. With Crais and me. ~
Morgan fell back against the door, biting her lower lip. Something told her to give this strange being a chance. "Why?" she whispered as she clutched her arms around her knees.
~ Because there is no reason to fear us. Scorpius did that to you. He messed with your mind. Please. If it doesn't help and you still want the transponder gone, I will take care of it for you. ~ Talyn waited, watching her, even though in the confused mental state she was in, she didn't realize that he could see her. It was all he could do to override the feelings she was sending to him through their limited link. Crais had advised blocking her emotions as much as possible and the gunship wondered if the Captain would be able to keep himself under control once he started to receive Morgan and the ships combined feed. ~ Sit over here, please? ~ he asked, lighting up the deck in the middle of his bridge.
Morgan shivered, afraid to move, yet curious as to this unusual being that was being patient with her. She crawled to the center of the bridge. "Alright, I'm here. Now what?"
~ Close your eyes. ~ Morgan closed her eyes, laying her head on her knees. Talyn slowly reestablished their connection, soothing her as he went, trying to keep her calm, drawing upon as much of Crais' own fragile control as he dared. ~ There. Now that wasn't so bad was it? ~ he asked.
"No." She looked around, seeing herself frightened and beaten on the floor. "How…"
~ You're looking through my eyes. This is how it is between us. ~ He paused. ~ This is how it has been for the better part of two cycles. Ever since you linked with us and took away my ability to hurt Crais. ~ He showed her the day he hurt Crais, the day she took the transponder and adjusted it, testing it the only way she knew how.
"Promise you'll never lie to me Talyn," Morgan heard herself say. She saw herself as a strong, confident human woman kneeling on the bridge, her eyes filled with life and wonder.
~ Do you remember that day, Morgan? ~ he whispered. ~ That was the day you changed everything for Crais and I. The day you changed our lives as we knew it. ~ She nodded silently. The image shifted again as Talyn replayed the events for her, slowly, with patience and care. When he got to the day Scorpius came aboard to help rescue Crais, he felt her mental shields go up. If Talyn could've smiled, he would've. It was a good sign and he could feel the fire within her still smoldering deep inside. He kept going, until he got to the kiss, this kiss that finally convinced him Crais' love for Morgan was real and the first time they ever made love, transmitting to her the feelings that they had given him. ~ He would never hurt you, Morgan. ~
"How…how…do I know you're not lying now?" Morgan whispered, laying down on the deck in a ball, tired and weak. She didn't want to fight anymore, hating the pathetic individual she had become after seeing how she used to be.
~ I promised that I would never lie to you. ~ He stopped. ~ And neither would Bialar. The only person that has lied to you is Scorpius. ~ He paused, sending waves of warmth to her, striving to make her feel safe, attempting to regain her trust. ~ We love you Morgan. And we need you. ~
Tears slid from her eyes. "Show me more," she cried, softly, shivering. "Help me, please." Two DRD's rolled over to her, dragging a blanket over her as Talyn had commanded.
Talyn waited until he she settled back down, continuing to send soothing feelings to her. He showed her the past, her life aboard him with Crais, the memories he pulled from the ex-Peacekeeper of their bonding ceremony, the birth of their children. He slowed when he realized that she had fallen into a peaceful sleep, curled up on his deck, knowing that it was a good start and regaining her trust. The hard part would be helping her sort through the evil memories Scorpius had implanted in her mind.
Talyn was determined to destroy those memories, no matter how long it took.
Morgan came to with a start, extremely disoriented and confused. She stood up quickly, fighting the wave of dizziness that threatened to drop her back to the steelskin deck, her eyes searching the cell she was in. She didn't know where she was and she marched to the door, wrapping her hands around the vaguely familiar grill. "Hey!" she yelled, shaking at the door. "Let me out of here!"
Crichton ran towards the cell at his cousin's voice. He had been on his way to see her when she cried out. "She's awake!" he yelled behind him as he skidded to a halt before her, a grin on his face. "You are a sight for sore eyes," he whispered, reaching out to stroke her face.
"John? What are you doing here? What is going on? Where am I?" Morgan asked, backing away from him as he unlocked the cell. The paleness of her face and confusion in her eyes startled him.
Crichton looked at her as he walked in slowly, observing her. She had been unconscious for nearly two days, ranting incoherently in her sleep. Both Braca and Terrick told them that she had eaten on the gunship, slipping in and out of exhausted sleep and unconsciousness as the ship carried them to the preset meeting point. "Morgan you're on Moya. Don't you remember?" he asked, reaching out to her.
Morgan looked at him confused. "I remember coming after you and…being brought aboard some ship." She shook her head, grinding the heels of her hands into her eyes as she turned around. "I can't think. Everything is……jumbled up in my head. I…"
"Morgan?" Crais said softly standing in the cell's doorway, Tauvo and Zhaan behind him. He gazed at his wife, wanting to draw her into his arms and wipe away the haunted look in her eyes. Crais took a step towards her.
She screamed, backing away from him, pulling Crichton in front of her, clasping his shirt as she shook in panic. "Stay away from me!"
Crichton turned around, gently taking her by the wrists as she looked up at him. "Morgan what's the matter with you?"
She looked up at her cousin in stark terror. "He…I saw him hurt you. I saw him beating on Terrick and then on me!" Tears streamed down her face. "He's a murderer and he's gonna kill you!" she screamed.
Crichton peered over his shoulder at Crais, then back to his cousin. "Morgan, get a grip." He grasped her face in his hands, forcing her to look at him. Blue eyes met blue as she shuddered against Crichton. "Hey, listen to me. Crais never hurt you. He never beat you. Calm down." Crichton licked his lips, smiling reassuringly. "Don't you know who he is?"
Morgan trembled, her whole body shaking like a leaf. "He's a Peacekeeper and he wants to kill you."
"No." Crichton shook his head. "No, Morgan." He canted his head towards her. "Crais isn't a Peacekeeper anymore. He hasn't been for a long time. Crais is your husband. Don't you remember?" Tears welled up in the corners of Crichton's eyes as he stared at Morgan. This was not the cousin he knew. Morgan had left a strong, independent woman who was fiercely in love with his former nemesis and returned with her spirit shattered to pieces.
Morgan peered at Crais over Crichton's shoulder, her blue eyes wide. "No. No. NO!!" She broke down into terrified sobs, hiding her face in Crichton's chest. He enfolded her in his arms, burying his own tear- streaked face in her hair.
"What did he do to you?" Crais whispered in horror. He turned away, striding down the corridor towards the cell they had locked Braca in. "What did he do to her?" he yelled as he walked through the door, pointing down the corridor. He grabbed Braca by the jacket, slamming him against the bulkhead. "He put her in the chair, didn't he? Answer me!"
Braca looked at Crais, his face a pasty white. "Yes, Captain. Scorpius said he was trying something new with the chair. I…tried…to talk him out of it, but he wouldn't listen." Braca swallowed as Crais slammed him against the wall again.
"You…had…better…start talking, Braca!" Crais yelled, drawing Zhaan and Tauvo to his cell.
"Scorpius…tried to…reprogram her mind…She wouldn't…give him the formula." Braca's teeth rattled in his head as Crais slammed against the wall again. "He…wanted…to break…her."
"By the Goddess," Zhaan whispered.
Braca wrapped his hands around Crais' wrists. "As…soon as I…realized what he…was doing, I…got Morgan out of there…Terrick helped…after I…killed Raseen…She…too was…poisoning Morgan's…mind."
Crais dropped Braca, his breathing labored. "Why?"
"As I said, Morgan was fighting him." Braca pulled himself up straight. "Even though she wanted to give him the formula, she couldn't. Something stopped her." He swallowed nervously at the look of absolute rage in Crais' eyes. "We took the fastest ship available to get Morgan away from him before he could kill her."
"It's true Father," Terrick said softly from the opposite cell. His own eyes were haunted, the Peacekeeper attitude faded as he gazed upon his father and uncle. "Scorpius wanted her to hate you so that he had a pawn in his sick and twisted game."
Crais stared at each of them, feeling like a fist was squeezing his heart. He swallowed hard. "Well…he succeeded, didn't he." He marched from the cell, disappearing around the corner.
Crais walked onto Talyn's bridge and stopped, his mind numb as he gazed around the quiet Leviathan. Even the gunship was shocked at Morgan's behavior, having seen everything through Crais' eyes. All either of them had thought about was getting Morgan and Suleah back. And now that Morgan was safe, she was farther from them than before. Braca had found out where Suleah was after Terrick discovered the child was gone as they were making their escape and Crais wondered if the lieutenant was telling the truth even though in the back of his mind Crais knew Braca had always been honest to a fault.
He sank to his knees, the pain in his heart finally overwhelming the ex- Peacekeeper. Crais closed his eyes, his shoulders shaking violently as he sobbed, leaning forward to rest his head on the deck as an anguished scream ripped from his throat. Crais had no idea how long he stayed there, looking up when a soft, cool hand landed lightly on his neck above his transponder. His eyes were puffy, red rimmed as he gazed at Zhaan's serene face. "I will never get her back, Zhaan. She's gone from me."
Zhaan leaned back and reached out, cupping Crais' cheek. "She's confused, Crais. Scorpius tortured her and tried to break her, but you must have faith that Morgan is in there somewhere. You must believe that," she soothed. "It will take time."
Tears streamed freely from his eyes. "I've lost my daughter and now my wife." He swallowed. "I need her Zhaan. I want my strong, feisty, human wife back," he whispered through clenched teeth. "I need her. We…" he paused, closing his eyes before continuing, the pain wrenching his heart. "Talyn, our son and I need her." He looked at Zhaan. "I never realized how much until I thought I lost her on the gammak base. And now…" Crais closed his eyes again, the emotions overtaking him as tears drenched his face. Zhaan pulled her former captor into her embrace, stroking his hair as he stopped fighting the emotions that welled up inside of him, allowing the grief and anger run its course.
Crichton paced Moya's corridors, chewing his thumbnail, feeling as helpless as Crais. He was the only one besides Zhaan that Morgan would let near her. There was something about the Delvian woman that calmed his cousin. Crichton wandered into the cellblock, finding Stark standing outside of Morgan's cell, watching her. Terrick and Braca had been taken to the surface as soon as they arrived at Zorosa 3, Shantar making sure the two men were in guarded custody until Crais figured out what to do with them. Crichton stopped, gazing down at her, lying curled up in the corner, restlessly sleeping. "Hey Poptop, he sighed, leaning against the cell door. They all agreed the holding cell was the safest place for her after she had a fit of violent rage when Crais came to see her earlier. "She talk to you?"
Stark shook his head, the Bannik gazing sadly at her. "She hasn't said a word. She usually just sits there rocking back and forth, back and forth."
Morgan moaned in her sleep, her head tossing on the pillow as she began to thrash wildly on the cot.
"Shit!" Crichton muttered. "Pilot! Open the door!" he yelled.
Zhaan and Crais jogged down the corridor at Pilot's alert, arriving as the door slid open, Crichton and Crais moving to Morgan. "C'mon, Dorothy! Wake up! You're back in Kansas," Crichton urged as she sat up, her eyes still wild.
Crais took her in his arms. "Morgan, please!"
Morgan's eyes were filled with blind terror, whether from the dream or from being held by her husband, Crichton couldn't determine. She lashed out at Crais, slapping his face as she screamed. "Get away from me, murderer!" She clawed at him, her nails raking across his stubbled cheek as she shoved him away with a feral growl. Morgan pushed past them all, taking off down the corridor like a frightened animal, running right into Aeryn.
The ex-Peacekeeper caught the distraught human, pinning her against the bulkhead. "Crichton!" she called as Morgan struggled against her hold, kicking Aeryn in the shin. Aeryn turned her around, wrapping one arm around Morgan's neck, holding tightly as Morgan curled her hands around Aeryn's arm, grunting as she tried to break free of the Sebacean's hold. She kicked out as Crichton came forward, her booted foot taking him in the groin. Crichton went down with a gasp of pain as Morgan turned her head, sinking her teeth into Aeryn's arm. She bolted away as soon as the ex- Peacekeeper released her, ducking under D'Argo's outstretched arm as he came up the corridor to help.
The whole ship had been alerted to Morgan's fit of panicked agitation and Crais took off after her, sandwiching his wife between himself and Tauvo as his brother came from the opposite direction. It took both of them to hold her, dragging her kicking and screaming back to the holding cell.
"Zhaan, we must sedate her," Crais yelled, jerking his head to the side as Morgan spit on him. Tauvo and Crais wrestled her back into the cell, the door sliding closed with a clang of finality. He made the mistake of leaning against the door, Morgan's arm slipping through the grill and wrapping tightly around his neck.
"I'll kill him" she spat, grasping her wrist with the other hand and squeezing. She was out of control.
"Get…her…off…of…me!" Crais choked, his eyes wide in worry as she tried to cut off his circulation.
Morgan growled as D'Argo grasped her hand, using his strength to pull her arm from around Crais' neck. She slipped back into the cell, her eyes darting around as she sunk in the corner, curled into a ball.
Crais rubbed his neck, panting, as he leaned against his brother, all of them staring at Morgan in shock, wondering what to do next.
Crichton wiped the back of his hand across his eyes, swinging his legs slightly as he sat on the ledge next to Pilot. He sniffed, gazing up at Moya's symbiotic partner. "I don't know what to do, Pilot."
Pilot looked at him, his eyes blinking. "Moya and I…are very concerned about her as well, Crichton. And Talyn…blames himself for not following her." He tilted his head. "There may be a way to help her."
"I hope so." Crichton leaned his head in his hands, scrubbing his face before peering at Pilot above his fingertips. "There have been very few women in my life who I…" he paused, sniffing again, wiping his nose with his fingers. "…who I would die for. My mother, my sisters, Aeryn." He smiled fondly. "Morgan." He leaned back, gazing up the shaft that housed Pilot's chamber. "She's always been there for me. We've always been there for each other, even in the Uncharted Territories."
Pilot paused his movement, turning slightly to face the human. "Crichton, Talyn wants you to bring Morgan on board," Pilot insisted. "He…thinks he can help calm her and help sort out her memories. Moya and I agree."
Crichton shook his head. "No. She's a loose cannon Pilot. She could hurt herself and Talyn," he pointed out. "Crais would never go for it and for once I agree."
Pilot listened to Moya, the huge Leviathan pleading her case. "Moya feels that in Morgan's current condition, she would be too scared to attempt anything that would hurt Talyn. She agrees that Talyn could help her through the neural link and I agree too," he reemphasized. He blinked, cocking his head as he waited for Crichton's answer.
The human regarded Pilot for a moment, chewing his lower lip in thought. Finally he nodded. "Alright. I'll take my own advice to Crais and not give up on her. We have nothing to lose, right?" He ran his fingers through his hair. "What did Talyn have in mind?"
Morgan sat in the cell, her arms wrapped around her as she shivered. She clenched her eyes shut tight, trying to make the nightmare go away. But it kept returning in the form of a leather-clad half-breed Peacekeeper scientist with rotting teeth and black lips. Her eyes snapped open and she stared vacantly through the lattice work of the cell door. Images flashed through her mind, things that simply did not make sense. One minute she saw herself kissing that murderer Crais, the next holding two small babies. She moaned, laying her head on her knees and began to rock, softly whimpering.
Zhaan's heart was breaking at the sight of her and she turned away, walking back up Moya's corridor. She set the tray of food down, staring at the others gathered in the galley of the huge Leviathan. Morgan had become one of their own, her current state and last terrified outburst having affected them all. Crais still stood at the viewport, back ramrod straight, hands clenched so tightly behind his back that his knuckles were white. D'Argo sat with his Qualta blade before him, the cleaning rag forgotten as he stared at the weapon. Tauvo paced, assuming his brother's usual duties in that department. Aeryn leaned against the bulkhead, silent, Stark mumbling to himself next to her. Even Chiana and Rygel were quiet, half-heartedly playing a game.
"How is she?" D'Argo asked softly, voicing the question on everyone's mind.
Zhaan sat down. "No better. She won't even let me near her now." Zhaan looked at Crais, then back to D'Argo. The Luxan simply shook his head at her unspoken question. Of all of them, Morgan's outburst had affected the Captain the worse.
Tauvo sighed and turned to his brother. "Bialar, there's nothing you can do here right now. She's in good hands and your son needs you. Come with me down to the planet," he begged softly.
Crais' jaw set, his eyes narrowed as he gazed straight ahead, the scratches on his face from Morgan red and ugly. "I am not leaving her. Allan is safe with our parents and they are now well guarded," he answered sharply, his tone strained. He swallowed hard, never moving.
Tauvo turned as Crichton walked in. "I think we got a way to help Morgan."
"What is it John?" Aeryn questioned.
Crichton gazed at Crais, his eyes never leaving the former Peacekeeper. "Well, Talyn actually came up with it. He thinks that if we can get Morgan onto him, and get the transponder back in, he might be able to help."
Crais slowly turned and looked at Crichton. Talyn was not happy with the entire situation and the gunship simply wanted his family back. Crais knew the Leviathan would do anything for Morgan. "How will you get her aboard?" he asked softly.
Crichton looked at D'Argo. "I was hoping you could help with that, big guy," he asked.
D'Argo simply nodded, standing up and sheathing the Qualta blade. He left the galley, striding with purpose up the corridor.
They stood frozen, waiting as Morgan screamed in terror. Crais closed his eyes, turning his head away as Tauvo laid his hand on his shoulder, squeezing gently. D'Argo returned, Morgan's limp form in his arms.
Morgan slowly opened her eyes and looked around. She was lying on a strange deck, no longer in the cell aboard the ship the others called Moya. The deck beneath her glowed with red and white lights, the room she was in softly lit with a red tint.
~ Morgan? ~
Morgan stood up, her breath coming fast in fright. "Who's there?" she called. She turned in a slow circle, looking around for the source of the voice and finding no one else on the bridge.
~ It's Talyn, Morgan. ~
Morgan looked up at the ceiling as it pulsed in time with the words she was hearing, an odd chirping noise accompanying them. Spooked, she ran to the doors, trying to pry them open, finally sliding down them onto the floor in defeat, her eyes darting around the bridge. "Who…who…are you?" she whispered.
~ A friend. A brother. A son, even. A being who loves you very much and wants to help. ~
"Where are you?" Her voice quavered in fear, as she looked around. The setting seemed familiar, disjointed images flashing in the back of her mind, images of her and that murderer Crais working together in this same room.
~ I'm all around you. And…I'm part of you, as you are part of me. ~
"How can that be?" Morgan pulled her knees to her chest, trying to make herself as small as possible, hoping this Talyn being would forget she was there.
~ Reach your hand back to your neck, ~ he instructed. Talyn waited as she felt the transponder, the plastic and metal cold against her fingertips. ~ That is how. That device is how you can hear and sense me. ~
Morgan tried to pull the transponder from its spot, but Crichton had anticipated her actions, fusing the removable piece in place. He knew they could fix it later. "Get it out! GET IT OUT!" She paniced.
~ On one condition, ~ Talyn answered, taking a lesson from Crais and letting his voice harden. ~ You let me show you what your life is like here. With Crais and me. ~
Morgan fell back against the door, biting her lower lip. Something told her to give this strange being a chance. "Why?" she whispered as she clutched her arms around her knees.
~ Because there is no reason to fear us. Scorpius did that to you. He messed with your mind. Please. If it doesn't help and you still want the transponder gone, I will take care of it for you. ~ Talyn waited, watching her, even though in the confused mental state she was in, she didn't realize that he could see her. It was all he could do to override the feelings she was sending to him through their limited link. Crais had advised blocking her emotions as much as possible and the gunship wondered if the Captain would be able to keep himself under control once he started to receive Morgan and the ships combined feed. ~ Sit over here, please? ~ he asked, lighting up the deck in the middle of his bridge.
Morgan shivered, afraid to move, yet curious as to this unusual being that was being patient with her. She crawled to the center of the bridge. "Alright, I'm here. Now what?"
~ Close your eyes. ~ Morgan closed her eyes, laying her head on her knees. Talyn slowly reestablished their connection, soothing her as he went, trying to keep her calm, drawing upon as much of Crais' own fragile control as he dared. ~ There. Now that wasn't so bad was it? ~ he asked.
"No." She looked around, seeing herself frightened and beaten on the floor. "How…"
~ You're looking through my eyes. This is how it is between us. ~ He paused. ~ This is how it has been for the better part of two cycles. Ever since you linked with us and took away my ability to hurt Crais. ~ He showed her the day he hurt Crais, the day she took the transponder and adjusted it, testing it the only way she knew how.
"Promise you'll never lie to me Talyn," Morgan heard herself say. She saw herself as a strong, confident human woman kneeling on the bridge, her eyes filled with life and wonder.
~ Do you remember that day, Morgan? ~ he whispered. ~ That was the day you changed everything for Crais and I. The day you changed our lives as we knew it. ~ She nodded silently. The image shifted again as Talyn replayed the events for her, slowly, with patience and care. When he got to the day Scorpius came aboard to help rescue Crais, he felt her mental shields go up. If Talyn could've smiled, he would've. It was a good sign and he could feel the fire within her still smoldering deep inside. He kept going, until he got to the kiss, this kiss that finally convinced him Crais' love for Morgan was real and the first time they ever made love, transmitting to her the feelings that they had given him. ~ He would never hurt you, Morgan. ~
"How…how…do I know you're not lying now?" Morgan whispered, laying down on the deck in a ball, tired and weak. She didn't want to fight anymore, hating the pathetic individual she had become after seeing how she used to be.
~ I promised that I would never lie to you. ~ He stopped. ~ And neither would Bialar. The only person that has lied to you is Scorpius. ~ He paused, sending waves of warmth to her, striving to make her feel safe, attempting to regain her trust. ~ We love you Morgan. And we need you. ~
Tears slid from her eyes. "Show me more," she cried, softly, shivering. "Help me, please." Two DRD's rolled over to her, dragging a blanket over her as Talyn had commanded.
Talyn waited until he she settled back down, continuing to send soothing feelings to her. He showed her the past, her life aboard him with Crais, the memories he pulled from the ex-Peacekeeper of their bonding ceremony, the birth of their children. He slowed when he realized that she had fallen into a peaceful sleep, curled up on his deck, knowing that it was a good start and regaining her trust. The hard part would be helping her sort through the evil memories Scorpius had implanted in her mind.
Talyn was determined to destroy those memories, no matter how long it took.