Chapter Ten: Love and Fear



An arn later, Chiana watched the transport pod departing from Moya on the main view screen. She quietly cursed the luck that made it her turn to watch the ship while the others were away having fun on the planet below. Worst of all she had Aeryn to keep her company and lately she wasn't exactly up to friendly chit-chats.

Pacing about on the command deck, Chiana looked at Aeryn who was manning the main console with her back to her.

There they go, Chiana said with a sigh of envy. Off to the planet and to enjoy the sights.

What sights? Aeryn said with a hint of boredom, not bothering to face Chiana. It's a tiny backwater colony. They'll be back in a couple arns.

The Nebari stared hard at the back of Aeryn's head and finally decided to have it out with her. Even if the former Peacekeeper killed her for it.

Oh, yes. And when John does get back, you can go back into hiding into your quarters or treating him like dirt.

The silence that followed was deafening. Aeryn didn't move for several seconds and then she finally turned to face Chiana. The Nebari received an icy stare from the Sebacean.

What did you say?

Nothing! Chiana wanted to cry out innocently and immediately flee from Command, but she was determined not to back down.

You heard me. I understand what you went through with your John, but you're not stopping to think about what you're doing to our John. You're hurting him.

Aeryn's icy stare turned to instant rage as she stepped towards Chiana. What the frell do you know what I went through! Do you know what it's like to give your heart and soul to the man that you love, only to watch him die later and to know you couldn't do a damn thing to save him! Then to make matters worse is to come back to Moya and face his ghost!

Terrified, Chiana stepped around to put a console between them. She tried to shake the fright from her voice. He has a name and I'm not asking you to date him, just acknowledge his existence.

Shut the frell up! Aeryn spat. Everything is so easy for you! Life is a big game for you, isn't it?

Since when is life easy for any of us? Chiana said in bewilderment. Are you that willing to push him away, right out of your life, into the arms of another woman?

I don't have to stay here and listen to this dren! Aeryn turned to leave.

Determined not to let Aeryn to get away that, easily, Chiana shouted after her. You want him to go, don't you?

To her surprise, Aeryn stopped. Taking in a breath, Chiana went on. What happened yesterday when you chased after John when Sheba offered to take him with her? He came back a few moments later to accept her invitation.

I told him to go home. Aeryn admitted slowly, turning to face Chiana again. And that nothing will happen between us.

What are you doing, Aeryn! Chiana pleaded. You're throwing away your second chance.

When the former Peacekeeper started to leave again, Chiana screamed out.

WILL YOU LISTEN TO ME!!

To her amazement, Aeryn stopped again. Not knowing how long she had her attention, Chiana quickly said.

If your John were here, would he want you to treat him the way you are now? Wouldn't he prefer to see you be happy? To live? Don't you see you're setting yourself up for another fall?

To Chiana's surprise, Aeryn hadn't tried to leave yet but she wasn't turning around to face her either. Taking another breath, she went on.

John, our John hasn't seen you for over half a cycle and he's missed you fiercely all that time when you were away. He loves you, but he won't wait forever, especially if you keep driving him away every time he tries to get close to you. Sheba is starting to become a factor now. I see them together. They have a connection, a commonality, between them that you and John don't. He's resisting it. But I can honestly tell you that if you don't do something, sooner or later you will loose him, Aeryn.

Finally, Aeryn looked back with a tears welling in her eyes. I'm... I'm terrified that I don't want to see him die again.

Don't you think the same thought crosses his mind? You drowned and died, Aeryn and something like that didn't had an effect on him too? When you were away on Talyn, he spent a lot of long restless night worrying about you.

For a moment, Chiana thought she'd finally reached Aeryn when Pilot suddenly picked an awful time to interrupt them.

I'm sorry but Moya has detected something.

Wiping her teary eyes, Aeryn stepped by Chiana to face Pilot holo-imagine. What is it Pilot?

Something has latched onto Moya's hull but sensors shows that nothing is there but Moya insists that something is on her.

Give me it's location and I'll check the spot out in my Prowler.

Pilot nodded and started to give her the co-ordinates when he suddenly panicked, shouting. Moya is in pain!! It's cutting into her now.

Where's it cutting into Moya? Aeryn said, realizing that Moya might be about to be boarded. Peacekeepers Commandos routinely cut through ship's hulls to board them if needed. It was the only logical explanation as to what was happening.

Upper most level, tier 1. Pilot reported.

I'll grab some weapons, Aeryn said, then turned to Chiana. Contact Crichton and get them to turn their transport around and get back up here fast.

As soon as I get them, I'll grab a weapon and join you.

No, stay in Command and hold the fort here. Aeryn said as she raced out of the room, but not before shouting out one last time to Chiana. I mean it!