Neuroscpr and I are writing this story together. This is our own idea of what could, but probably won't happen at the beginning of season 4. Thanks for reading, hope you like it. Look for new chapters on Mondays and Wednesdays.



Fic: Nothing's Quite The Same

Story by: Neuroscpr and Can

P2 by: Can

Setting: After DWTB, spoilers up until that ep.

Rating: R

Summary: John and the other displaced members of the crew embark on their own missions as Moya heads into unknown territory.





The water dripped down the alley walls as Chiana cautiously walked to her destination. She felt sure someone was following her, as she glanced over her shoulder. 'Nothing.'

The unease crept into her the deeper she went into the alley.

"I should have known better than to listen to someone who was about to throttle me," Chiana whispered to herself, wishing she hadn't trusted the captain now. As she looked at her directions again the walls seemed to crash around her ears, as the men surrounded her.

"What the frell!" Chiana looked quickly for an escape route. Seeing none she calmed herself, ready to use her wiles if necessary.

"Search her!"

Chiana was held as two of the men searched for weapons. She made it hard for them as she struggled against them.

"What do you want with me? I haven't done anything to deserve this treatment!" She was shouting as she kicked the man holding her in the shin.

His grip loosened as he gasped and Chiana slipped away from him, only to be grabbed by one of the other men and slammed against the wall. She hit hard as the air was knocked out of her.

"She's not armed, sir. What do you want to do with this tralk?"

At the mention of the word, Chiana's anger rose, "I'm no one's tralk!"

The one who had been issuing the orders turned to stand directly in front of Chiana. "Then who are you and why did you come here?"

Chiana looked up at the man. She shivered slightly as she looked into his face. It reminded her of pure evil. 'What have I gotten myself into?'

"I was told you could help me get to Nebari Space. If I'm wrong, just let me be on my way," Chiana replied nervously.

The man looked at her quizzically. "Just looking at you, I would assume you have escaped from them. We don't get many Nebari here, but the few that do come don't ever want to go back. So that means you are either fahrbot or a spy!"

"No..no," Chiana answered hastily, wringing her hands. "I need to go back to find my brother. I escaped many cycles ago, but it's time for me to return."

The sebacean turned his back on her, hands folded behind his back. "Who told you about us?"

"Um…I…I don't know if I'm allowed to say. He was…"

He roughly held her within inches of his face, "Who?"

Chiana felt real fear now. "I…I…don't know his name. He captains a ship, but he refused to go near Nebari space. He…said…you could help me."

He studied her face a moment before flinging her away from him. "Who's your brother?"

"Nerri."

The sebacean cocked his eyebrow upon hearing the name. The other men just stared in surprise.

"Ah, Nerri," he replied, "I haven't heard his name in awhile now. If what you tell me is true, I will help you. But let me warn you, if I find it to be a lie, I will slit your throat myself. Follow me."

Chiana found her hand on her throat, finding it hard to swallow. She felt a push from behind and followed behind the man.



xxxxx



It still seemed unreal. For all intents and purposes he should be dead, but here he was walking in a field on the outskirts of a peacekeeper colony.

The ancients were true to their word. They had repaid him by finding this colony. He only hoped it would be the one Aeryn had chosen. He desperately needed to find her; she was all he had left in his meager existence.

John knew he had frelled up as soon as she left Moya. He shouldn't have let her leave. Stupid coin toss. 'Why can't I ever learn?'

He could see the colony just beyond the trees. John knew he would have to be careful. The ancients told him there were different factions of peacekeepers on the planet. Most were peaceful, but not all. It was imperative for him not to bring any attention to himself.

John entered the colony as casually as possible. He walked through the town observing the many faces and movements about him, looking for a place to stay. He inquired of the first merchant he saw. The man motioned to a building to his right.

As John entered the building he looked for Aeryn, hoping beyond hope. 'No such luck,' he thought to himself as he approached the counter.

After settling with the merchant John asked, "Do you have a women by the name of Aeryn Sun staying here? She's tall, black hair. Looks like a peacekeeper soldier."

The man eyed John suspiciously, "I wouldn't remember. We have too many come through here, and I don't ask names."

John nodded in thanks as he headed up to his room.

His whole body ached and he was tired. 'Probably from lack of oxygen,' he thought to himself as he entered the room. The bed looked so inviting as he plopped himself on it fully clothed. He immediately fell into a deep sleep.



xxxxx



"I tell you I don't know what he wants with her. He just asked if she was staying at my lodge."

"You didn't tell him anything did you?"

"No, of course not! You should have more trust in me by now!"

"Very well. Return to the lodge and we'll take care of the rest…and thank you," Torvald replied dismissing him.

Torvald paced the floor wondering who was inquiring about this peacekeeper he had so recently met. She could prove to be an asset to their mission. He didn't need anyone to get in the way of her recruitment.

He would gather his men and this stranger would be dealt with, in time. He had no need to worry for the time being. She was safely tucked away for now.



xxxxx



Chiana looked around the room they had put her in, seeing no way to escape. "Frell!" she said out loud.

The footsteps echoed and suddenly stopped in front of her cell. She saw the door creep open and their leader enter.

"I think it's time for introductions since I'll be transporting you to Nebari space. You may call me Gridon. And what do you use?"

"Chiana," she replied smiling. She felt the fear being replaced by happiness, knowing she would soon see Nerri. "When do we leave?"

"Now," Gridon replied motioning for her to proceed ahead of him. "I will warn you, this could be very dangerous, but I have penetrated their space many times undetected. We will hopefully unite you with your brother without any mishaps."

As Chiana walked ahead of him she was puzzled. "Why the change of heart, Gridon?"

"You are who you say you are and I respect Nerri for all he stands for. I just hope you know what you are doing. He may not welcome you."

"I'm aware of that," Chiana replied smiling smugly, "But once I'm there what is he going to do about it?"

"As I said, I hope you know what you are doing."

As they entered the ship, Chiana looked in amazement around her. It definitely wasn't Moya, but it was sophisticated.

Chiana nodded her head as she spoke, "Very nice Gridon. I'm impressed."

Gridon ignored her comments as he did a systems check. "On this ship, I am in command and you will stay out of my way. You will do as I and my men say! No arguments! Agree or we will go no further."

Chiana noticed the change in his voice and knew she had to agree. She knew he meant what he said. "I promise."

The ship shot out of the bay with a force Chiana was not ready for. She gripped her seat tightly, and held her breath only to let it out when the ship finally leveled off.

"Whew! That was some take off!"

"This ship can out run most Nebari vessels. That's what it was designed for."

"It sounds like you have a vendetta against the Nebari's," Chiana replied, undoing her seat straps.

Gridon ignored her last statement. "We should be there in an arn as long as we don't encounter any patrol ships before we enter their air space."

Chiana knew without a doubt he was trying to avoid any conversation of the Nebari race.

She pressed him now. "You didn't answer my last question. Why?"

"It's simply something I don't wish to discuss. Lets suffice it to say, I will get you where you want to go and leave it at that," Gridon replied in an exasperated tone. "I don't need to explain anything to you."

Chiana left well enough alone with his last statement. She knew he was aggravated with her. She didn't want to press him anymore. Seeing Nerri again was her goal, and he was the only one who could make this possible.

"Frell!" Gridon yelled. "Nebari patrol in sight!"

"What? What!" Chiana asked in a panicked voice.

"We have problems my friends. Get ready for full power. We need to get the frell out of here!" Gridon replied setting the controls. The ship rocked as it took on fire from a Nebari ship he hadn't detected.

Gridon realized it had hit one of his main thrusters and that would be trouble for them. "Frell! I should have seen him coming!"

He saw the rest of the Nebari patrol line themselves up to box them in.

"No way is this going to happen!" Gridon would take his chances with one thruster over being taken by the Nebari.

"Strap yourselves in now! This could get rough!"

Chiana was scared as she quickly followed Gridon's orders. She held on for dear life as he engaged full power.

The ship pitched forward first and then spiraled uncontrolled through the Nebari fleet.



xxxxx



He woke startled, trying to remember where he was. He swung his legs over the side of the bed, cradling his head in his hands, rubbing his face. 'Hell, where am I?'

John lifted his head and looked around the room, his thoughts coming together. 'The Ancients, Aeryn.'

He rose to his feet focusing on a much-needed shower. At least it would clear the cobwebs from his mind so he could think clearly again.

Suddenly his door burst open. Before he could react he was attacked. He fought against his attackers, but to no avail as they continued to pound him with their fists, as he was outnumbered.

They had him pinned down on the floor of the room, demanding answers. The first assault on his body was enough. He couldn't comprehend their questions, so the assault continued. All he heard was the name Aeryn Sun as they left him beaten to a pulp.

He knew he was bleeding all over the floor, but he couldn't get his body to respond to his mind.

'Come on John, you gotta get up.' John slowly turned on his side, determined to at least get to his knees. The pain in his ribs caused a slight gasp to escape his lips as he got to his knees. He leaned forward on his elbows cradling his head, feeling the blood ooze from several deep gashes.

John attempted to stand but his legs wouldn't cooperate. He slowly crawled on all fours towards the shower. He sat on the floor against the wall, trying to examine his wounds. As much as he tried to protect his face, he could feel his left eye swelling shut.

"Damn, another fine mess!" John said aloud, snickering slightly. As he rose to strip and enter the shower his body protested every movement.

The warmth of the water eased some of the pain in his muscles as he watched the blood wash away. He thought about the only thing he remembered, Aeryn's name.

John knew she had to be here. That had to be the reason for the beating. Is it possible she found out he was here looking for her and sent them? John pushed that thought away. He couldn't believe she would do something like that.

He was more determined than ever to find her as he exited the shower, moving better than before. His eye was still swollen shut, but he could see well enough as he dressed and left the room.

As he exited the lodge the light blinded him as he winced in pain. "Frell!" He dropped his head using his hand to shield his eyes from the bright light. He opened them slowly as he felt his eyes adjusting.

John walked through town questioning several merchants about Aeryn. Had they seen her? Did they know anything about her? By the end of the day, he felt weary and disappointed. He was tired of hearing the same answer, 'No'.

He could see the light start to fade as he headed back to the lodge. He was in deep thought as one of the merchants he passed called after him. "Peacekeeper. I think I can help you."

John stopped, turning towards the merchant. "Have you seen her? Is she here?"

"Yes," the merchant replied in a hushed tone. "She's with the peacekeeper rebels. They are a very dangerous group."

"I suppose they're the ones who left their calling card on my face," John motioned to his swollen eye.

The merchant nodded in ascent. "As I said, dangerous."

"I need to see her. Can you help me?" John asked, eyes pleading.

"I wish I could peacekeeper, but I don't know where they are and I don't want to know. If you know what's best for you, you will leave it alone. I can assure you she would not be there if she did not choose it. They only accept those who volunteer."

The merchant suddenly looked wide-eyed as he started to pull his tent shut.

"Hey, we're not finished here! What are you doing?" John exclaimed in a raised voice.

"Go now!" The merchant replied in a panicked voice looking over John's shoulder.

John saw the look and glanced over his shoulder. "Frell no!" He quickly looked for somewhere to hide. As he headed for the side of the building, he heard the words he so dreaded.

"There he is sir! John Crichton!"

John took off at a dead run.