Chapter 9

For hours Crichton stared out the portal and watched as stars seemed to float by. The view was unlike anything that he had ever hoped for and he stroked his chin as he considered the position that he was in. He couldn't begin a relationship with Aeryn if she wouldn't release his daughter from a life of servitude. But if he sided with Kate, he would be condoning Maddia's murder and whether Kate was tortured or not, Maddia was still dead. He was surprised by a cool hand on his cheek and he turned his head to find Chiana standing beside him.
Hey, hope you don't mind company.
If you can call a sulking son of a bitch company.
I take it you just discovered the Kate-Aeryn problem.
Yeah. Wish someone had mentioned it before I--before I got involved with Aeryn.
Would it have made any difference?
Well yeah, I wouldn't have had sex with her. Maybe I would have tried to reason with Aeryn- I don't know, get her to let Kate marry D'Argo. It doesn't bring Maddia back for her to punish Kate. But on the other hand, Kate needs Aeryn's forgiveness, Aeryn's the only mother that she's ever had. I feel as if Aeryn is holding that over Kate's head and it's hurtful that she's using Kate's intense desire for a mother against her.
If you ask me, Aeryn's taking this life debt thing too seriously. Aeryn owes Kate. She would have died on that command carrier if it weren't for Kate bringing her back from the edge. She didn't have to accept Kate's proposal of the Bonding Tattoos. Zhaan only suggested it so that the two of them would work through this. Aeryn's using this as an excuse because she hates herself for killing her husband. This is not really about Maddia or Kate you know.
But Kate did kill her daughter.
So what! You don't think Aeryn killed someone's daughter or son in her duties as a Peacekeeper? Sure she did, what makes Maddia so special? You know, space is cold and cruel, you get over it and you get by, and that's what Kate did. It's what Aeryn did when she killed Waru. It's awful that Scorpius put them both in a situation that was frelled from the start, but they had a chance to rectify it. Now it's too late. They are on their way to hating each other, and that's too bad because Kate loves Aeryn.
This is so screwed. I finally found someone I can connect with and...
I don't come with any strings, so you just keep that in mind...
Thanks Chiana.
Glad to finally meet you. She kisses him gently and slides her fingers through his hair before she steps quietly out of the room.

Crichton puts his head down on the table for a moment and promptly falls asleep.


Several hours later, Crichton is awakened by D'Argo, who hands him a pulse pistol and a stack of folded clothes. Crichton dresses and tucks the pistol into a thigh holster, as he has seen Aeryn wearing hers. He stands in front of a full length mirror and practices pulling the pistol, adapting to the spring that thrusts the weapon into his hand as if by telekinesis. He stares at his reflection dressed in black, a male copy of Aeryn Sun. He runs his hand across his stubbled chin wondering briefly how to shave in outer space. Aeryn approaches, and places her hands on his waist, pulling him down to her for a kiss.
You didn't come back to me, I was worried about you.
I had to talk to Kate. I needed to think. Besides, you were sleeping, I didn't want to bother you. He pulls out of her grasp and takes a step backward. She senses his discomfort and pulls a chair out, mounting the chair as she had Crichton. She rests her forearms on the back of the chair and stares at him.


So, did you sleep well? Crichton asks her reflected image.
Not really, I kept hoping to find you there with me. Is there something wrong, Crichton?
This just isn't what I expected at all.
Regretting your decision to leave Erp already?
No, regret is something I've lived with far too long, I won't do it anymore.
Then you've discovered the secret to a happy life. I envy that.

Crichton walks towards her and takes her hand.
Aeryn, I--I need to talk with you about something.
Is this the part where you tell me that you don't want anything to do with me?
Is that what you're expecting to hear? Or is that what you want to hear?
You're being childish, John, answer the frelling question.
Then yes, this is the part where I tell you that I don't want anything to do with you.

Aeryn takes a deep breath and sighs, unsure how to proceed. Crichton turns away from her, and takes a step towards the portal as he stares out into the cold recesses of space.
May I ask if this is about Kate? Or about us?
As if the two could be separated.
Well, I can't do anything about that.
He turns around to face her. Why are you doing this to her?
You know why.
Do you think that maybe you should have explained why you're keeping my daughter as your servant because of something she was forced to do? Do you think that it's possible that you knew that I wouldn't want you under those circumstances, and maybe you decided to omit that part, hoping I would fall in love with you and it wouldn't matter?
Have you fallen in love with me Crichton?
Now who's being childish?
Aeryn rolls her eyes at him, and bites her lower lip.
Look, you've got this sick revenge thing going on, and it's not where I'm at. Kate and I are leaving, you can fight your own damned battles.
She is not going anywhere. She owes me. And so do you.
How do you figure?
This was your only opportunity to see space, am I right?
Lady, you've got stones, I'll give you that. But as far as the rest of it is concerned, Kate and I are leaving as soon as possible. He steps around her and she stands, throwing her chair over.
You don't have any say. She owes me. You can not take someone's life with impunity.
Have at it, you're welcome to punish yourself for killing Waru, but you can't do this to Kate anymore. She would do anything for you, she loves you, and you're using that against her. She's said that she was sorry but that's not good enough for you.
I have forgiven her--
I want to know why me? Why did you start this with me? I told you that I'd stopped dreaming; I wished impossible things. You said you could give these things to me...if I'd only love you. Well, I --
Don't say something you don't mean.
What did you think was going to happen Aeryn? That I'd fall madly in love with you and that would be enough?
There are consequences to our actions.
You just made my argument. I don't think we should see each other anymore.


Aeryn storms out of the chamber and Crichton smashes his image in the mirror. D'Argo, comes in and sets the chair back on its legs.
Sounds like you've stepped into a Tu' kah's nest.
Whatever the Hell that means.
You gonna be all right?
You know D'Argo, a couple of days ago, I was just a scientist. My wife was dead, my daughter was missing, and I made do with what I had. The dream was too big, so I let it go. And then my daughter came again, and she gave me a gift, but it had a huge price tag attached and I don't know if it's a price I'm willing to pay.
What price is that exactly?
You know, something just occurred to me. After witnessing Aeryn's reaction to my rejection, I've got a hunch that I was supposed to take Kate's place. I get the feeling I'm being had here, and neither of them is aware that the other is scamming.
I don't follow you. D'Argo hands Crichton a mug of glowing blue liquid, and Crichton swallows in one long draught.
Women, D. See, Kate figures that I wanted to be out here so badly that I'd be willing to shack up with any hot babe that came along. Well, that's partly true. Aeryn releases Kate from her servitude, and she gets the family she's always wanted. Tiny problem--Aeryn's existing feelings for a man she had never met; me. See, Aeryn's been listening to stories about the great Dr. Crichton for the last four years and she's romanticized me to the point that she thinks she's in love with me. Aeryn and Kate are both wondering why I won't just play along, everybody gets what they want in the end right? I'll bet that if I did agree to be with Aeryn, she'd release Kate from her duty.
You are either the most arrogant being that I have ever encountered, or you've hit on something.
I'm not arrogant, I just know what motivates people. Aeryn told me that she used stories about me as a motivation to endure the command carrier. Kate knows that she can't get out of her service to Aeryn unless Aeryn has an heir. Fix up single dad with single mom and stir. Wait for baby to arrive, and sign off. Here's my question for you, do I give in and let them each have what they want? Or do I expose their game and settle down on some odd world, let my toenails grow long, pick the food out of my beard, you know.
I can see where you'd draw these conclusions, but I don't think they are consciously plotting against you.
No, I don't think it's conscious either. But I'm willing to bet money that Kate has been thinking of me as the pinch hitter for a long time. What could be wrong with it? I would finally have someone to love, she would have a mother. Hell, I can't say I wouldn't have dreamed up a scheme like this if I was in her situation. It's so simple it almost makes you sick.
Except there's nothing wrong with spending the rest of your life with a woman like Aeryn.
Oh, nothing at all wrong with that. I could easily settle down with her. If, and only if, she let's Kate out of her service.
Are you up to providing an heir?
I'm a little out of practice but I'm certainly up to trying.






Author's note: Given the current climate, I had to lighten things up a bit. I apologize if it doesn't sit well with you, I'm just too sad to end things on a bum note. There will be a happier ending than I originally intended, but for the moment I am just devastated by the unexpected loss of this wonderful show. I urge everyone to do everything in his/her power to let the powers that be know that they've crossed the wrong group of fans. Please contact http://www.savefarscape.com

More to come, I'm busy campaigning for the show.