Part 9
Crichton had spent a long time staring out the window at Talyn. He was trying to figure out what had happened to cause him to lose Aeryn. Try as he might he could think of nothing that he did. She just hadn't been the same since Talyn and Moya met up after their long separation. He then decided to go wandering. He found himself almost missing Harvey. The neural clone had been annoying, but he was rarely dangerous and sometimes provided decent advice. He wasn't paying much attention to where he was going.
"Ah, John. What brings you to my little corner of the Leviathan?" Scorpius had walked up to his cell door.
Crichton looked around, just now realizing where he was. He answered distractedly, "Nothing, Scorpy. Just wandering."
"I doubt that very much. You are distracted by something, otherwise you would have avoided this area of the ship, as does everyone else."
"Except Sikozu."
"I haven't seen much of her the last few solar days. She has been engrossed in curing Talyn. I'm actually quite glad that you have come. It gives me an opportunity to have a conversation. What's troubling you, John?"
"Why should I tell you?"
"I have no desire to harm you, quite the opposite, in fact. I intend to see that no harm comes to you, be that physical or mental. Something is bothering you, I am here to help."
"There's nothing you can do to help."
"Ah, the problem must be with Officer Sun. Has she still not regained your confidence?"
"My personal life is none of your business."
"Yes, that confirms that is Officer Sun. Given your feelings for her I would have thought that you would have forgiven her by now."
"Maybe what she did is unforgivable."
The wheels began turning in Scorpius' head, "Hmm.I doubt that. I know how strongly your feelings for her run." The half-breed began pacing, "Unless.She has learned who the father of her child is and it isn't you. Am I correct?" Scorpius seemed quite pleased with his deduction.
Crichton knew he couldn't lie to Scorpius. He knew he could refuse to answer, but Scorpius would find out anyway. "Pretty good analysis, Sherlock. Can you go two for two?"
Scorpius ignored this odd comment. He had grown used to Crichton addressing him by strange names and use strange phrases. "There is only one man who could cause you this level of distress. It must be Crais."
"He hits a home run and the crowd goes wild." Crichton imitated the sound of a crowd over the radio.
Scorpius ignored the outburst. "This is an interesting turn of events. What do you intend to do?"
"What can I do? It's her child. She can do whatever she wants."
"It hurts when a loved one betrays you, doesn't it?"
"Oh, yeah. Like you would know about that," Crichton retorted.
"Actually I would, but you aren't here to talk about my past. You came to talk about your present."
"I don't even know why I'm here. I don't trust you and I can't believe that I told you what I did." Crichton began to walk away.
"If you ever need to talk again you know where to find me, John," Scorpius called to the human's retreating back. Scorpius leaned back against the door to his cell and considered what he had heard and what he had surmised. Crais as the father of Aeryn's child, he wondered when that had happened. Perhaps when they served together. Aeryn was quite attractive. Obviously, Crichton had taken this news poorly. This could be a bad thing. If Sikozu succeeded in healing Talyn, it would not take long before Crais left. If Crichton was driving Aeryn away there was a good chance she would choose to leave on Talyn. If that happened, her promise of asylum would no longer bind those remaining on Moya. This was not a good turn of events. He would have to convince Crais to leave Aeryn behind.
Chiana came into command and found D'Argo sitting on the table, lost in thought. "Did you talk to him?" she asked.
"A little. He didn't say much. I found out that he is not the father."
"Aeryn said he might not be. Did he say who it was?"
"He said it was up to her to tell us."
"I saw her earlier. She doesn't look good. She's avoiding me."
"I think she's avoiding all of us." The two of them sat in silence, trying to decide what they could do to help their friends.
Sikozu returned to Moya muttering to herself about the stupidity of everyone she had encountered on this Leviathan. Well, almost everyone. At first she had thought that Crais had promise. After all, he had masterminded the hybrid Leviathan program. She was thinking of changing her opinion since he chose Aeryn to remain on Talyn. She had to speak with Scorpius. He was the only person onboard this Leviathan who was her intellectual equal. When she arrived outside his cell she found him pacing in contemplation. "Is there a problem?"
"Ah, Sikozu. Have you finished your repairs to the hybrid?"
"I think so. Is everyone on this Leviathan fahrbot?"
"Quite possibly. Which of them is it this time?"
She ranted, "I had thought that out of all of them Crais had promise. But when we finished repairs and he decided to stay and monitor Talyn' progress, he chose Aeryn to stay with him. What does she know about Leviathans? If something went wrong I could be of assistance. Instead I was banished."
Scorpius spoke softly, "The picture grows clearer."
Sikozu moved forward eagerly, "What do you know?"
"Crais is the father of Officer Sun's child. John came to me earlier, quite visibly upset. I was able to pry it out of him. This is an unfortunate turn of events."
"How so?" she wondered why the scientist cared about the interpersonal relationships of these drannits.
"Officer Sun is my protection here. If she leaves, it leaves with her. You are the only one who has shown me any measure of trust. The others would just as soon see me dead."
"After all the help you have given them, they would kill you?"
"In a microt. We must keep her from leaving."
After about two arns Crais had determined that Talyn was stable. He and Aeryn had used that time to discuss the plan that he and Talyn had for deep- space exploration. "When do you think you might be leaving?" she asked.
"I don't know. It is Talyn's decision. I will allow him as much time as he needs to recover. I have subjected him to too much trauma in his short life."
Aeryn placed a hand on his arm, "You did what you felt was right. You did an excellent job raising him. Even though he was bred for violence, you showed him another way."
"Thank you for your praise. I believe we can return to Moya now."
"Of course." Aeryn didn't really sound like she wanted to leave. She ran her hand along Talyn's ceiling as she walked by.
Crais could feel Talyn's contentment. The youngster was pleased that Aeryn would apparently be joining them. He had always enjoyed her company. She never saw him as just a ship. He was also intrigued by the prospect that the two of them would be raising a child onboard. He had asked Crais many questions about children, but Crais did not have many answers. Talyn had asked Moya, but she had very little experience with the children of the bipeds.
Chiana went looking for Crichton. She found him in his quarters sitting on his bed. She sat next to him and put her arm around him. She didn't want to tell him what D'Argo had told her. "You look like you could use a friend?"
"I could. Why is life so unfair?"
"Maybe life likes change?" Chiana wasn't much of a philosopher. She knew she liked new experiences in her life. To a point, stability frightened her.
"It sure seems like it." They sat in silence a few microts. "I'm not the father."
Chiana did her best to act like this was the first time she had heard that news, "Well, Aeryn said it might not be yours."
"I know. I just wish that it hadn't been true. Even it was the other me, it wouldn't have bothered me."
"Did she tell you who the father is?" she asked gently.
"Yeah." He paused, well, he'd already told Scorpy, who he was sure would tell Sikozu. He might as well tell Chiana. "It's Crais."
Chiana was in shock. "Crais?" she asked weakly.
"Yeah, that was my reaction."
"Did she say when?"
"No. It kinda floors me. I mean I knew he always liked her, but she didn't seem to see him that way. I don't know if it happened before or after we met. I think that since she won't tell me, it's been since we met. She's still hiding things from me. I don't think I can trust her anymore. And now she's spending all kinds of time with him."
"What are you going to do?"
"I don't know, Pip. We've been through so much heartache and pain. Sometimes I think she wants to be with me. Other times I think that she wants a clean start."
"What do you want?"
"I thought I wanted her, but I want the Aeryn that left Moya nearly a cycle ago and I don't know if she exists anymore."
"Have you asked her what she wants?"
"How do you ask someone something like that? The last time we spoke I pretty much told her to go ahead and leave with him. I think I burned that bridge. I think it's really over between the two of us." He hugged her for support. She returned his embrace. She knew the pain he was feeling. She had felt it when she betrayed D'Argo's love. In this respect they were kindred spirits.
No one had been there to meet them when they returned from Talyn. Crais hadn't expected anyone to be there. They stopped by the center chamber to grab something to eat. Crais didn't eat much of whatever it was. Sometimes Noranti did a good job with the meals. Other times it was nearly inedible. This was one of the latter. A part of him wished they had eaten on Talyn. At least the food would have been edible. He was trying to conserve his stores in case he had to make a hasty departure. He knew the Moya crew's tolerance of him was fickle in the best of times. These were not the best of times. While they were eating Chiana came in and gave the two of them a strange look. Aeryn wasn't paying any attention. Crais spoke to her softly, "I believe word that I am the father has gotten out."
Aeryn looked over at Chiana, who immediately averted her gaze. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Crichton walk up to the door and turn around when he saw her. "I think you're right. I guess it's time to get it out in the open." She tapped her comms badge, "Pilot, can you ask everyone to assemble in the center chamber?"
~Of course, Aeryn.~
It didn't take long for everyone to assemble. Scorpius was the only one missing. Crais stood off to the side, everyone else lined up across from Aeryn. Crichton stood near the door, with Chiana at his side.
Aeryn began, "While we were on the planet I went to a medical clinic. I found out who the father of my child is. I am aware that some of you already know. For those of you that don't, it is Crais." She gave a few microts for that to sink in. By everyone's reactions, D'Argo, Rygel and Noranti had not been aware of that fact. When no one said anything she left. Crais waited a few microts in the awkward silence before also departing.
Noranti cocked her head to the side and mumbled, "Unexpected." She then left to go about whatever it was she did all day.
D'Argo put his hand on John's shoulder, "John, I'm so sorry. I had no idea."
"Yeah, D, I don't think any of us did." Crichton sounded resigned. "I guess it's really over. Time to move on. I guess it had happened earlier, just neither one of us was willing to admit it." He walked out, eager to be alone with his thoughts. He knew his friends would be there when he needed them. Perhaps he should have been more forgiving and accepting of the trauma Aeryn had experienced while she was away. He just couldn't get rid of the nagging feeling that something important had happened while she was with the mercenaries.
Crais went back to his quarters, eager to get some rest. It had been a demanding and highly unusual day. He was rubbing the bridge of his nose as he approached his quarters. He was reaching over to unfasten his jacket as he entered his quarters. He saw a black shape sitting on the chair in his quarters. Quickly he pulled out his pulse pistol and took aim, "What are you doing out of your cell?"
A/N: Okay you lurkers, I know you're out there. A little feedback would be greatly appreciated. If you don't want to submit a review please drop me an e-mail. BTW, hold on for the ending. Right now the next chapter will be the last unless my muses go wild on me.
Crichton had spent a long time staring out the window at Talyn. He was trying to figure out what had happened to cause him to lose Aeryn. Try as he might he could think of nothing that he did. She just hadn't been the same since Talyn and Moya met up after their long separation. He then decided to go wandering. He found himself almost missing Harvey. The neural clone had been annoying, but he was rarely dangerous and sometimes provided decent advice. He wasn't paying much attention to where he was going.
"Ah, John. What brings you to my little corner of the Leviathan?" Scorpius had walked up to his cell door.
Crichton looked around, just now realizing where he was. He answered distractedly, "Nothing, Scorpy. Just wandering."
"I doubt that very much. You are distracted by something, otherwise you would have avoided this area of the ship, as does everyone else."
"Except Sikozu."
"I haven't seen much of her the last few solar days. She has been engrossed in curing Talyn. I'm actually quite glad that you have come. It gives me an opportunity to have a conversation. What's troubling you, John?"
"Why should I tell you?"
"I have no desire to harm you, quite the opposite, in fact. I intend to see that no harm comes to you, be that physical or mental. Something is bothering you, I am here to help."
"There's nothing you can do to help."
"Ah, the problem must be with Officer Sun. Has she still not regained your confidence?"
"My personal life is none of your business."
"Yes, that confirms that is Officer Sun. Given your feelings for her I would have thought that you would have forgiven her by now."
"Maybe what she did is unforgivable."
The wheels began turning in Scorpius' head, "Hmm.I doubt that. I know how strongly your feelings for her run." The half-breed began pacing, "Unless.She has learned who the father of her child is and it isn't you. Am I correct?" Scorpius seemed quite pleased with his deduction.
Crichton knew he couldn't lie to Scorpius. He knew he could refuse to answer, but Scorpius would find out anyway. "Pretty good analysis, Sherlock. Can you go two for two?"
Scorpius ignored this odd comment. He had grown used to Crichton addressing him by strange names and use strange phrases. "There is only one man who could cause you this level of distress. It must be Crais."
"He hits a home run and the crowd goes wild." Crichton imitated the sound of a crowd over the radio.
Scorpius ignored the outburst. "This is an interesting turn of events. What do you intend to do?"
"What can I do? It's her child. She can do whatever she wants."
"It hurts when a loved one betrays you, doesn't it?"
"Oh, yeah. Like you would know about that," Crichton retorted.
"Actually I would, but you aren't here to talk about my past. You came to talk about your present."
"I don't even know why I'm here. I don't trust you and I can't believe that I told you what I did." Crichton began to walk away.
"If you ever need to talk again you know where to find me, John," Scorpius called to the human's retreating back. Scorpius leaned back against the door to his cell and considered what he had heard and what he had surmised. Crais as the father of Aeryn's child, he wondered when that had happened. Perhaps when they served together. Aeryn was quite attractive. Obviously, Crichton had taken this news poorly. This could be a bad thing. If Sikozu succeeded in healing Talyn, it would not take long before Crais left. If Crichton was driving Aeryn away there was a good chance she would choose to leave on Talyn. If that happened, her promise of asylum would no longer bind those remaining on Moya. This was not a good turn of events. He would have to convince Crais to leave Aeryn behind.
Chiana came into command and found D'Argo sitting on the table, lost in thought. "Did you talk to him?" she asked.
"A little. He didn't say much. I found out that he is not the father."
"Aeryn said he might not be. Did he say who it was?"
"He said it was up to her to tell us."
"I saw her earlier. She doesn't look good. She's avoiding me."
"I think she's avoiding all of us." The two of them sat in silence, trying to decide what they could do to help their friends.
Sikozu returned to Moya muttering to herself about the stupidity of everyone she had encountered on this Leviathan. Well, almost everyone. At first she had thought that Crais had promise. After all, he had masterminded the hybrid Leviathan program. She was thinking of changing her opinion since he chose Aeryn to remain on Talyn. She had to speak with Scorpius. He was the only person onboard this Leviathan who was her intellectual equal. When she arrived outside his cell she found him pacing in contemplation. "Is there a problem?"
"Ah, Sikozu. Have you finished your repairs to the hybrid?"
"I think so. Is everyone on this Leviathan fahrbot?"
"Quite possibly. Which of them is it this time?"
She ranted, "I had thought that out of all of them Crais had promise. But when we finished repairs and he decided to stay and monitor Talyn' progress, he chose Aeryn to stay with him. What does she know about Leviathans? If something went wrong I could be of assistance. Instead I was banished."
Scorpius spoke softly, "The picture grows clearer."
Sikozu moved forward eagerly, "What do you know?"
"Crais is the father of Officer Sun's child. John came to me earlier, quite visibly upset. I was able to pry it out of him. This is an unfortunate turn of events."
"How so?" she wondered why the scientist cared about the interpersonal relationships of these drannits.
"Officer Sun is my protection here. If she leaves, it leaves with her. You are the only one who has shown me any measure of trust. The others would just as soon see me dead."
"After all the help you have given them, they would kill you?"
"In a microt. We must keep her from leaving."
After about two arns Crais had determined that Talyn was stable. He and Aeryn had used that time to discuss the plan that he and Talyn had for deep- space exploration. "When do you think you might be leaving?" she asked.
"I don't know. It is Talyn's decision. I will allow him as much time as he needs to recover. I have subjected him to too much trauma in his short life."
Aeryn placed a hand on his arm, "You did what you felt was right. You did an excellent job raising him. Even though he was bred for violence, you showed him another way."
"Thank you for your praise. I believe we can return to Moya now."
"Of course." Aeryn didn't really sound like she wanted to leave. She ran her hand along Talyn's ceiling as she walked by.
Crais could feel Talyn's contentment. The youngster was pleased that Aeryn would apparently be joining them. He had always enjoyed her company. She never saw him as just a ship. He was also intrigued by the prospect that the two of them would be raising a child onboard. He had asked Crais many questions about children, but Crais did not have many answers. Talyn had asked Moya, but she had very little experience with the children of the bipeds.
Chiana went looking for Crichton. She found him in his quarters sitting on his bed. She sat next to him and put her arm around him. She didn't want to tell him what D'Argo had told her. "You look like you could use a friend?"
"I could. Why is life so unfair?"
"Maybe life likes change?" Chiana wasn't much of a philosopher. She knew she liked new experiences in her life. To a point, stability frightened her.
"It sure seems like it." They sat in silence a few microts. "I'm not the father."
Chiana did her best to act like this was the first time she had heard that news, "Well, Aeryn said it might not be yours."
"I know. I just wish that it hadn't been true. Even it was the other me, it wouldn't have bothered me."
"Did she tell you who the father is?" she asked gently.
"Yeah." He paused, well, he'd already told Scorpy, who he was sure would tell Sikozu. He might as well tell Chiana. "It's Crais."
Chiana was in shock. "Crais?" she asked weakly.
"Yeah, that was my reaction."
"Did she say when?"
"No. It kinda floors me. I mean I knew he always liked her, but she didn't seem to see him that way. I don't know if it happened before or after we met. I think that since she won't tell me, it's been since we met. She's still hiding things from me. I don't think I can trust her anymore. And now she's spending all kinds of time with him."
"What are you going to do?"
"I don't know, Pip. We've been through so much heartache and pain. Sometimes I think she wants to be with me. Other times I think that she wants a clean start."
"What do you want?"
"I thought I wanted her, but I want the Aeryn that left Moya nearly a cycle ago and I don't know if she exists anymore."
"Have you asked her what she wants?"
"How do you ask someone something like that? The last time we spoke I pretty much told her to go ahead and leave with him. I think I burned that bridge. I think it's really over between the two of us." He hugged her for support. She returned his embrace. She knew the pain he was feeling. She had felt it when she betrayed D'Argo's love. In this respect they were kindred spirits.
No one had been there to meet them when they returned from Talyn. Crais hadn't expected anyone to be there. They stopped by the center chamber to grab something to eat. Crais didn't eat much of whatever it was. Sometimes Noranti did a good job with the meals. Other times it was nearly inedible. This was one of the latter. A part of him wished they had eaten on Talyn. At least the food would have been edible. He was trying to conserve his stores in case he had to make a hasty departure. He knew the Moya crew's tolerance of him was fickle in the best of times. These were not the best of times. While they were eating Chiana came in and gave the two of them a strange look. Aeryn wasn't paying any attention. Crais spoke to her softly, "I believe word that I am the father has gotten out."
Aeryn looked over at Chiana, who immediately averted her gaze. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Crichton walk up to the door and turn around when he saw her. "I think you're right. I guess it's time to get it out in the open." She tapped her comms badge, "Pilot, can you ask everyone to assemble in the center chamber?"
~Of course, Aeryn.~
It didn't take long for everyone to assemble. Scorpius was the only one missing. Crais stood off to the side, everyone else lined up across from Aeryn. Crichton stood near the door, with Chiana at his side.
Aeryn began, "While we were on the planet I went to a medical clinic. I found out who the father of my child is. I am aware that some of you already know. For those of you that don't, it is Crais." She gave a few microts for that to sink in. By everyone's reactions, D'Argo, Rygel and Noranti had not been aware of that fact. When no one said anything she left. Crais waited a few microts in the awkward silence before also departing.
Noranti cocked her head to the side and mumbled, "Unexpected." She then left to go about whatever it was she did all day.
D'Argo put his hand on John's shoulder, "John, I'm so sorry. I had no idea."
"Yeah, D, I don't think any of us did." Crichton sounded resigned. "I guess it's really over. Time to move on. I guess it had happened earlier, just neither one of us was willing to admit it." He walked out, eager to be alone with his thoughts. He knew his friends would be there when he needed them. Perhaps he should have been more forgiving and accepting of the trauma Aeryn had experienced while she was away. He just couldn't get rid of the nagging feeling that something important had happened while she was with the mercenaries.
Crais went back to his quarters, eager to get some rest. It had been a demanding and highly unusual day. He was rubbing the bridge of his nose as he approached his quarters. He was reaching over to unfasten his jacket as he entered his quarters. He saw a black shape sitting on the chair in his quarters. Quickly he pulled out his pulse pistol and took aim, "What are you doing out of your cell?"
A/N: Okay you lurkers, I know you're out there. A little feedback would be greatly appreciated. If you don't want to submit a review please drop me an e-mail. BTW, hold on for the ending. Right now the next chapter will be the last unless my muses go wild on me.