Chapter 9: Drifting Home
The planet below stretched across Crichton's field of view. It was a silent jewel, forever performing in an ancient dance as old as time itself. Its magnificent rings embraced it as a crown upon a king, and were no less impressive. He smiled a genuine smile; such things were rare these days, and he treasured it more than any material good. 'I've found just what I was looking for,' he thought to himself. "Thanks Pilot," he murmured gratefully.
"You're welcome," buzzed the response through John's comms.
Startled, he looked down at the device. "Are these always on for you to listen in on us?"
"Not all the time," answered the grey crustacean-like creature.
"I sure as hell hope not." John muttered.
"Commander, I would just like to say that the story involving that creature you called a cow w--"
"Pilot! Uh...let's not get into that right now shall we?" shouted Crichton his face turning a deep shade of crimson.
"As you wish Commander." For some eerie reason, John felt that he could hear Pilot snickering. Feeling self-conscious, he walked away to gather the things he needed.
Standing in front of Farscape 1, Crichton found a crowd of one waiting to see him off. "You're sure you don't want anyone to come down with you?" asked a concerned Aeryn. "It wouldn't be a problem; I'm sure D'Argo, or maybe even Gilina, would love to go visit the planet."
"No, no, it's alright, I'd rather go on alone, Sunshine. I need time to myself. My life's been frelling hectic, and I need a break, a change of scenery, y'know what I mean?"
Aeryn pursed her lips. "No, but then I stopped trying a long time ago."
Sighing, John slung the bag with all his measly belongings into the Farscape.
Looking back at Aeryn, he gave her a small smile. "Don't worry, I'll only be gone a little while. I doubt too much could go wrong down there."
Aeryn looked at him incredulously. "I can't believe you just said that."
Shaking his head in disbelief he replied, "Neither can I." Looking back into her eyes, tracing every curve of her face and committing it to memory, he finally said, "Goodbye, Aeryn." Jumping into the module he sealed the cockpit, got everything ready for launch, and sped away into cold space. Aeryn noticed a small object John had placed in his pocket, but thinking nothing of it, she walked away.
Aboard Moya, another John Crichton was bored, with nothing to do. "Why does he get to go the planet and I have to stay here?"
"What, you're saying you're regretting spending more time with me?" asked a slightly naked Gilina.
"No, of course not. It's just, I don't know, that planet looks like home, except for the rings, of course, and the...never mind. I guess I'm just feeling homesick."
Gilina wrapped him in a warm and comfy embrace. "This make you feel better?"
With a silly smile on his face, John nodded dumbly. Suddenly a loud rumble broke the comforting silence. "John?"
Embarrassed, he responded weakly, "Uh...that was my stomach. I'm starving, haven't eaten all day."
Walking into the empty mess hall John saw something on the table. It was a glass of some strange bluish-green liquid. He eyed it suspiciously. Below was a note, scribbled roughly as if in a hurry. It read:
"Dear John, I've always wanted to write a Dear John letter! Here's a little something concocted to make the days go by a little more pleasurably. I've got the recipe stashed in my quarters somewhere. Don't worry 'bout the colour, it's perfectly drinkable...I hope. Well, at any rate if I drop dead by the time you receive this note then I probably wouldn't drink it. Hope things keep looking up for you. Here's looking at you, kid.
"Signed, John Crichton, The Han Solo of the Uncharted Territories."
Setting the note down, John picked up the strange-looking flask. "Why the hell not?" he whispered and kicked back a shot. His taste buds lighted up to the familiar flavour. "Well I'll be...a damned margarita shooter." With a smile, he took another sip.
The cool water engulfed his body and caressed his hot skin. Gently floating atop the clear lake, he looked up into the sky. The blue above was the same colour as the liquid that had embraced him with the gentleness of a loved blanket. Diving below the water, John felt as if he were flying. His head broke the serene surface and he looked back upon his surroundings. A white pristine beach ran across the shore. The beautiful forest seemed friendly with its autumn-like colours. The giant trees stood from the ground, greeting those who stumbled upon this oasis of beauty. Taking in a deep breath, he let the air saturate his blood and flow throughout the body.
'What is it I'm missing?' John thought, mildly depressed. Even with all the beauty surrounding him, he still felt barren inside. He started swimming to shore.
Sundown was coming rapidly. Setting up the job he'd be working on in the maintenance bay, he looked upon it with pride. "At last, the first recliner in the Uncharteds," he spoke aloud. Moving back towards the Farscape, he grabbed a cooler with a bizarre concoction he had made earlier. "I wonder if the other me has found his yet?" John asked the breeze. "Hope it doesn't kill him," he added.
Turning around, he stifled a gasp. The sun had fallen to the horizon, and from the rocky ridge he had situated himself upon, he could see the whole valley down below. The oranges, reds, and golds bounced off the sparkling lake. The golden hues bathed everything in sight with their brilliance. The forest swayed as if alive. It was breathtaking.
Suddenly out of the corner of his eye, he saw something move. Cautiously he pulled out Winona from it's holster. His body tensed waiting to throw itself into action at the slightest threatening movement. At last the creature came into full view. It was a cross between a football and a loaf of bread. The bug-like thing had two stalks protruding from the front. It was coloured red, white, and blue, with the numbers 1812 painted on the side.
"Holy mother of pearl!" cried John, with a sigh of relief. "You're here? You scared the bejeezus outta me? But you were on Elack, weren't you? Leave it to Mother Teresa to have you keep your ey...stalks on me." With a grin, Crichton walked to and sat in his recliner. "Get over here, you! Don't you scare me like that again," he told the small DRD while he waved his finger at it.
Somewhat hesitantly the small DRD complied. Tentatively picking up the small lovable robot, he held it in his arms like a child and stroked it's metal shell.
Opening the cooler next to him, he pulled out a bottle with a bluish-green coloured liquid. Taking the small capsule he had placed in his pocket, he dropped it in and heard it sizzle as it dissolved. Putting the bottle to his lips, he took in a sip. "Oh yeah, now this is the good stuff. I got the sun, the stars, a recliner, the woods, my dog, and alcohol, what else could I possibly want?" He didn't even bother to voice the answer.
Looking back upon the beautiful sunset, with the rainbow of purple, red, orange, and gold, he looked down at the small robot and whispered slowly "Play for me." Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture echoed through the forest.
"Officer Sun! You're needed in Zhaan's quarters, right away!" shouted Pilot through one of the clamshell holo projectors.
Startled, Aeryn acknowledged and ran down the corridor. "What's wrong Pilot?" she asked apprehensively.
"I don't know. She just started damaging the room. It's unlike her. I tried to contact her, but she doesn't respond. Be careful, Officer Sun, she's extremely volatile."
"I know Pilot, thanks," she replied absently stroking her neck.
Moving in front of the golden gate, she opened the door. What she found scared her. Tables and chairs were flipped over, potions and broken glass covered the floor. The lights were dim and everything was covered in shadow. It looked menacing.
"He's going! He's going! No, no, no! Can't be, mustn't be! Why is he leaving? Must stay, stay he must! Can't go! Not yet!" Zhaan shrieked and wailed. Looking over, her eyes found Aeryn. She started walking towards her. The sound of crunching glass reverberated off the walls.
Suddenly a stray moment of lucidity cleared Zhaan's mind. "He's going, you know."
Speaking slowly and carefully Aeryn asked, "Who's going?"
"John, who else?"
Aeryn's eyes widened. "He's going home?"
Zhaan laughed madly. "He's going to die. That was the secret. The one behind the golden door! Death lurks everywhere and it has found him!"
Aeryn sighed in relief; Zhaan was still crazy.
"I'm not overly mad, child! I know what I know, and John will die! Go to him, young one. GO NOW!" she shouted. Yelling, she swept the cupboards and shelves with her hand. Glass shattered. The noise was deafening. "He has a pill, you know of what I speak, placed it in his pocket. It's poison," Aeryn moved back slowly. "That's right! Poison! Run child," Zhaan muttered. "When the sun hits low, the pill will show and we ask him why, with a sigh, he says he's going to die," she shouted, in singsong. She broke out in a sick laughter.
Filled with dread, Aeryn paled. Turning around, she broke into a dead run to her prowler.
She landed her prowler on the ridge where Farscape 1 was. Jumping out as quickly as possible, she ran towards the module. Then she saw him. He was sitting on some strange contraption with a drink of sorts in his hand. Strange music drifted to her from where he sat. It was low, and unmistakably sad.
"Come enjoy the view," asked the frail human in a barely audible whisper.
Standing next to him, she looked at the horizon. The sun was almost gone, but dazzling shades of purple and blue stretched out touching everything, with only the slightest touch of red. "It's beautiful," she managed.
"Shush, just watch," he replied gently. The sun continued to dip below the far horizon. Stars exploded up above them, twinkling in greeting. There were so many! Vast clusters everywhere. The lake below sparkled as starlight bounced off the surface. "And not a single constellation recognized," John said sadly.
The sweet music of chirping nocturnal birds floated about the area. The moon appeared, large as it was it took a large portion of the sky. The rings themselves could be seen above them, each glittering themselves. Aeryn saw the view with John's eyes and it was stunning. Turning around, she saw a tear fall down his cheek as the oddly painted DRD snuggled against him.
"Zhaan said you were dying," she told him shakily.
"Perceptive woman. She probably ripped that from my memories."
Aeryn dropped to her knees. "It's true then? You...you're dying?"
John turned his head to look at her. "I've been dying for a long time. Heartache, torture, mind frellings, constant beatings and knockouts -- they take their toll on someone after a while. My body is falling apart. Sorry Sunshine, I don't think you helped any," he said with a tiny grin reserved only for her. "I had been in remission for a bit, but it will come back, even worse than before."
A look of understanding passed Aeryn's face. "Those times that blood ran from your nose and mouth."
John nodded and continued. "I met a doctor before I came here. He told me I was dying and he couldn't stop it, nothing could. I'm sorry, but my deficient human self can't take any more and this time, in the literal sense."
Anger flashed within Aeryn. "Never call yourself deficient!" she shouted.
Taken aback, John looked at her with obvious surprise.
"Nobody I love should be considered deficient," she continued in a whisper.
Crichton raised an eyebrow with the addition of a smile. "You tell me this now? Great, just great," John muttered. "You have awesome timing Sunshine. You sure this ain't a mercy I love you? Leave the dead guy with a going away present sorta thing." He removed any malice by his tone of voice, which was in mock bitterness.
A small sad smile was on Aeryn's lips. "I...I know you. When Zhaan gave me pieces of your memories, I heard your thoughts. I felt your love, it did something to me; it changed me. The experience was beyond anything I could possibly imagine. Without it, I felt empty, but with you around the feeling returned. It was then I realized I love you." Aeryn looked back at the sky. "That day after I was with Zhaan, you could've stayed. Why didn't you?"
John sighed. "It wouldn't have been fair. I also couldn't have gone through with this."
Aeryn's pulse quickened. "What have you done?"
"Taken the pill."
Her heart stopped dead.
"But that's poison. Zhaan said it was poison."
"Yeah it is. Trust me, it's better this way. If I let it run its course, I'd soon become crippled. After that, I would be paralysed. Eventually I'd be unable to speak, or breathe, or eat on my own. Most likely, I'd end up dying from loss of blood. It'd be as bad as any living death. I saw my mother die that way and I vowed I would never want to go like that, I wouldn't want to put the rest of you through that. Please try and understand," he pleaded.
Aeryn didn't reprimand him or yell at him or call him a coward. She kissed him. Crichton was lost in the sweetness of her soft lips. He drank her in as the sweetest nectar on the prettiest flower; he couldn't stop himself. Her exotic taste fell on his tongue and moved into his entire being. He felt whole again. Then they broke apart.
Making room for herself on the chair he had built, she sat next to him. Putting his arm around her John felt Aeryn snuggled against his chest. She felt so soft. Tears stung his eyes as they did hers. Aeryn looked up at the stars, enraptured by their beauty. She caught Crichton looking at her. "What are you looking at?" she asked tenderly.
"The most beautiful thing on this planet to see," he replied truthfully, fully aware of its corniness but that seemed trivial now.
Aeryn smiled, the smile that made life worth living in John's opinion. They sat there unmoving for over an arn, but for them seemed like only a microt.
"It's time," John whispered.
"What?" Aeryn asked concerned.
"The pi ... ill ... pill is tak ... taking effect." He said with much effort. "It paralyses muscles, and finally stops the heart and ceases brain activity." John spoke each word with much care. "I'm going," he whispered.
"No you can't, you can't go! I love you John, don't leave me." Aeryn whispered shakily. Tears fell uncontrollably.
"Fate looks as if it has other plans," replied Crichton.
"Please, you have to stay. I don't want to be alone," Aeryn cried.
"Just hold me Aeryn. I'm frightened."
John felt his life drain from his limbs. All his strength disappeared. It felt as if he were fading, like a shade. Aeryn's tear-stained face filled his vision. Oh, how he wished he could soothe her.
His vision started to fade; all was going dark around him. Memories of life flashed before his eyes. He saw it all, every experience, every movie, every date, everything he'd ever seen or done. It was incredible. He looked up at the sky. Lights blurred and swirled as his synapses started to fire randomly.
Aeryn's tear blurred vision saw Crichton turn towards the sky as she held him close. "Oh my god, it's full of stars," he whispered. His body then turned limp beneath her.
"No, please no, it can't be!" Aeryn's grief stricken sobs joined the symphony of the forest below. The small DRD began to play once again.
His burial ceremony was a solemn event. The news of John's death came as a surprise to most of the crew. Gilina stood in the corner, crying uncontrollably. The other Crichton held her, his face grave during the sombre occasion. D'Argo stood as hard as a rock, looking as if he were a guard protecting the body from any unseen foes. Rygel sat regally in his throne sled, looking down at the proceedings, trying not to look as if he cared, though he did deeply. Pilot, unable to attend in person, watched through his clamshell projector. Aeryn hovered over the body, her face set in stone while normally unseen tears flowed freely.
Zhaan performed the ceremony; she was now recovering from her ordeal from unity with John. It seemed her link to Crichton never really broke, and that was what had been driving her slowly mad. Now, with his death, the dark shroud had finally lifted, but this gave her no consolation. When she finally finished, she crumpled to the deck, weeping without reservation. D'Argo helped her up and supported her against his strong frame.
Wordlessly, Aeryn lifted Crichton off the table he had been laid upon. Slowly and gently, she moved him into the cockpit of Farscape 1 and gingerly strapped him in. The small DRD known as 1812 was already waiting and moved against his friend's leg like a cat. Picking the DRD up Aeryn placed it in John's lap and gave it a small affectionate smile. "Take care of him." She whispered. The two eyestalks seemed to nod an affirmative. Setting in the coordinates and auto launch sequence, she closed the cockpit and stood back. Farscape 1's thrusters fired up and the small module returned to the barren desert known as space.
Standing upon a white sandy beach, a man could see palm trees stretching across the sandy expanse. The crashing of waves combined with the familiar sound of seagulls. A small wood stained house could be seen in the distance. In this distance, somewhere in front of the house, a figure could be seen. She had long raven black hair and her beauty seemed to radiate even to where the man was standing. He smiled and his sparkling blue eyes twinkled. He had gotten what he had wished for; he was at peace. He had gotten his one good day.
THE END
The planet below stretched across Crichton's field of view. It was a silent jewel, forever performing in an ancient dance as old as time itself. Its magnificent rings embraced it as a crown upon a king, and were no less impressive. He smiled a genuine smile; such things were rare these days, and he treasured it more than any material good. 'I've found just what I was looking for,' he thought to himself. "Thanks Pilot," he murmured gratefully.
"You're welcome," buzzed the response through John's comms.
Startled, he looked down at the device. "Are these always on for you to listen in on us?"
"Not all the time," answered the grey crustacean-like creature.
"I sure as hell hope not." John muttered.
"Commander, I would just like to say that the story involving that creature you called a cow w--"
"Pilot! Uh...let's not get into that right now shall we?" shouted Crichton his face turning a deep shade of crimson.
"As you wish Commander." For some eerie reason, John felt that he could hear Pilot snickering. Feeling self-conscious, he walked away to gather the things he needed.
Standing in front of Farscape 1, Crichton found a crowd of one waiting to see him off. "You're sure you don't want anyone to come down with you?" asked a concerned Aeryn. "It wouldn't be a problem; I'm sure D'Argo, or maybe even Gilina, would love to go visit the planet."
"No, no, it's alright, I'd rather go on alone, Sunshine. I need time to myself. My life's been frelling hectic, and I need a break, a change of scenery, y'know what I mean?"
Aeryn pursed her lips. "No, but then I stopped trying a long time ago."
Sighing, John slung the bag with all his measly belongings into the Farscape.
Looking back at Aeryn, he gave her a small smile. "Don't worry, I'll only be gone a little while. I doubt too much could go wrong down there."
Aeryn looked at him incredulously. "I can't believe you just said that."
Shaking his head in disbelief he replied, "Neither can I." Looking back into her eyes, tracing every curve of her face and committing it to memory, he finally said, "Goodbye, Aeryn." Jumping into the module he sealed the cockpit, got everything ready for launch, and sped away into cold space. Aeryn noticed a small object John had placed in his pocket, but thinking nothing of it, she walked away.
Aboard Moya, another John Crichton was bored, with nothing to do. "Why does he get to go the planet and I have to stay here?"
"What, you're saying you're regretting spending more time with me?" asked a slightly naked Gilina.
"No, of course not. It's just, I don't know, that planet looks like home, except for the rings, of course, and the...never mind. I guess I'm just feeling homesick."
Gilina wrapped him in a warm and comfy embrace. "This make you feel better?"
With a silly smile on his face, John nodded dumbly. Suddenly a loud rumble broke the comforting silence. "John?"
Embarrassed, he responded weakly, "Uh...that was my stomach. I'm starving, haven't eaten all day."
Walking into the empty mess hall John saw something on the table. It was a glass of some strange bluish-green liquid. He eyed it suspiciously. Below was a note, scribbled roughly as if in a hurry. It read:
"Dear John, I've always wanted to write a Dear John letter! Here's a little something concocted to make the days go by a little more pleasurably. I've got the recipe stashed in my quarters somewhere. Don't worry 'bout the colour, it's perfectly drinkable...I hope. Well, at any rate if I drop dead by the time you receive this note then I probably wouldn't drink it. Hope things keep looking up for you. Here's looking at you, kid.
"Signed, John Crichton, The Han Solo of the Uncharted Territories."
Setting the note down, John picked up the strange-looking flask. "Why the hell not?" he whispered and kicked back a shot. His taste buds lighted up to the familiar flavour. "Well I'll be...a damned margarita shooter." With a smile, he took another sip.
The cool water engulfed his body and caressed his hot skin. Gently floating atop the clear lake, he looked up into the sky. The blue above was the same colour as the liquid that had embraced him with the gentleness of a loved blanket. Diving below the water, John felt as if he were flying. His head broke the serene surface and he looked back upon his surroundings. A white pristine beach ran across the shore. The beautiful forest seemed friendly with its autumn-like colours. The giant trees stood from the ground, greeting those who stumbled upon this oasis of beauty. Taking in a deep breath, he let the air saturate his blood and flow throughout the body.
'What is it I'm missing?' John thought, mildly depressed. Even with all the beauty surrounding him, he still felt barren inside. He started swimming to shore.
Sundown was coming rapidly. Setting up the job he'd be working on in the maintenance bay, he looked upon it with pride. "At last, the first recliner in the Uncharteds," he spoke aloud. Moving back towards the Farscape, he grabbed a cooler with a bizarre concoction he had made earlier. "I wonder if the other me has found his yet?" John asked the breeze. "Hope it doesn't kill him," he added.
Turning around, he stifled a gasp. The sun had fallen to the horizon, and from the rocky ridge he had situated himself upon, he could see the whole valley down below. The oranges, reds, and golds bounced off the sparkling lake. The golden hues bathed everything in sight with their brilliance. The forest swayed as if alive. It was breathtaking.
Suddenly out of the corner of his eye, he saw something move. Cautiously he pulled out Winona from it's holster. His body tensed waiting to throw itself into action at the slightest threatening movement. At last the creature came into full view. It was a cross between a football and a loaf of bread. The bug-like thing had two stalks protruding from the front. It was coloured red, white, and blue, with the numbers 1812 painted on the side.
"Holy mother of pearl!" cried John, with a sigh of relief. "You're here? You scared the bejeezus outta me? But you were on Elack, weren't you? Leave it to Mother Teresa to have you keep your ey...stalks on me." With a grin, Crichton walked to and sat in his recliner. "Get over here, you! Don't you scare me like that again," he told the small DRD while he waved his finger at it.
Somewhat hesitantly the small DRD complied. Tentatively picking up the small lovable robot, he held it in his arms like a child and stroked it's metal shell.
Opening the cooler next to him, he pulled out a bottle with a bluish-green coloured liquid. Taking the small capsule he had placed in his pocket, he dropped it in and heard it sizzle as it dissolved. Putting the bottle to his lips, he took in a sip. "Oh yeah, now this is the good stuff. I got the sun, the stars, a recliner, the woods, my dog, and alcohol, what else could I possibly want?" He didn't even bother to voice the answer.
Looking back upon the beautiful sunset, with the rainbow of purple, red, orange, and gold, he looked down at the small robot and whispered slowly "Play for me." Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture echoed through the forest.
"Officer Sun! You're needed in Zhaan's quarters, right away!" shouted Pilot through one of the clamshell holo projectors.
Startled, Aeryn acknowledged and ran down the corridor. "What's wrong Pilot?" she asked apprehensively.
"I don't know. She just started damaging the room. It's unlike her. I tried to contact her, but she doesn't respond. Be careful, Officer Sun, she's extremely volatile."
"I know Pilot, thanks," she replied absently stroking her neck.
Moving in front of the golden gate, she opened the door. What she found scared her. Tables and chairs were flipped over, potions and broken glass covered the floor. The lights were dim and everything was covered in shadow. It looked menacing.
"He's going! He's going! No, no, no! Can't be, mustn't be! Why is he leaving? Must stay, stay he must! Can't go! Not yet!" Zhaan shrieked and wailed. Looking over, her eyes found Aeryn. She started walking towards her. The sound of crunching glass reverberated off the walls.
Suddenly a stray moment of lucidity cleared Zhaan's mind. "He's going, you know."
Speaking slowly and carefully Aeryn asked, "Who's going?"
"John, who else?"
Aeryn's eyes widened. "He's going home?"
Zhaan laughed madly. "He's going to die. That was the secret. The one behind the golden door! Death lurks everywhere and it has found him!"
Aeryn sighed in relief; Zhaan was still crazy.
"I'm not overly mad, child! I know what I know, and John will die! Go to him, young one. GO NOW!" she shouted. Yelling, she swept the cupboards and shelves with her hand. Glass shattered. The noise was deafening. "He has a pill, you know of what I speak, placed it in his pocket. It's poison," Aeryn moved back slowly. "That's right! Poison! Run child," Zhaan muttered. "When the sun hits low, the pill will show and we ask him why, with a sigh, he says he's going to die," she shouted, in singsong. She broke out in a sick laughter.
Filled with dread, Aeryn paled. Turning around, she broke into a dead run to her prowler.
She landed her prowler on the ridge where Farscape 1 was. Jumping out as quickly as possible, she ran towards the module. Then she saw him. He was sitting on some strange contraption with a drink of sorts in his hand. Strange music drifted to her from where he sat. It was low, and unmistakably sad.
"Come enjoy the view," asked the frail human in a barely audible whisper.
Standing next to him, she looked at the horizon. The sun was almost gone, but dazzling shades of purple and blue stretched out touching everything, with only the slightest touch of red. "It's beautiful," she managed.
"Shush, just watch," he replied gently. The sun continued to dip below the far horizon. Stars exploded up above them, twinkling in greeting. There were so many! Vast clusters everywhere. The lake below sparkled as starlight bounced off the surface. "And not a single constellation recognized," John said sadly.
The sweet music of chirping nocturnal birds floated about the area. The moon appeared, large as it was it took a large portion of the sky. The rings themselves could be seen above them, each glittering themselves. Aeryn saw the view with John's eyes and it was stunning. Turning around, she saw a tear fall down his cheek as the oddly painted DRD snuggled against him.
"Zhaan said you were dying," she told him shakily.
"Perceptive woman. She probably ripped that from my memories."
Aeryn dropped to her knees. "It's true then? You...you're dying?"
John turned his head to look at her. "I've been dying for a long time. Heartache, torture, mind frellings, constant beatings and knockouts -- they take their toll on someone after a while. My body is falling apart. Sorry Sunshine, I don't think you helped any," he said with a tiny grin reserved only for her. "I had been in remission for a bit, but it will come back, even worse than before."
A look of understanding passed Aeryn's face. "Those times that blood ran from your nose and mouth."
John nodded and continued. "I met a doctor before I came here. He told me I was dying and he couldn't stop it, nothing could. I'm sorry, but my deficient human self can't take any more and this time, in the literal sense."
Anger flashed within Aeryn. "Never call yourself deficient!" she shouted.
Taken aback, John looked at her with obvious surprise.
"Nobody I love should be considered deficient," she continued in a whisper.
Crichton raised an eyebrow with the addition of a smile. "You tell me this now? Great, just great," John muttered. "You have awesome timing Sunshine. You sure this ain't a mercy I love you? Leave the dead guy with a going away present sorta thing." He removed any malice by his tone of voice, which was in mock bitterness.
A small sad smile was on Aeryn's lips. "I...I know you. When Zhaan gave me pieces of your memories, I heard your thoughts. I felt your love, it did something to me; it changed me. The experience was beyond anything I could possibly imagine. Without it, I felt empty, but with you around the feeling returned. It was then I realized I love you." Aeryn looked back at the sky. "That day after I was with Zhaan, you could've stayed. Why didn't you?"
John sighed. "It wouldn't have been fair. I also couldn't have gone through with this."
Aeryn's pulse quickened. "What have you done?"
"Taken the pill."
Her heart stopped dead.
"But that's poison. Zhaan said it was poison."
"Yeah it is. Trust me, it's better this way. If I let it run its course, I'd soon become crippled. After that, I would be paralysed. Eventually I'd be unable to speak, or breathe, or eat on my own. Most likely, I'd end up dying from loss of blood. It'd be as bad as any living death. I saw my mother die that way and I vowed I would never want to go like that, I wouldn't want to put the rest of you through that. Please try and understand," he pleaded.
Aeryn didn't reprimand him or yell at him or call him a coward. She kissed him. Crichton was lost in the sweetness of her soft lips. He drank her in as the sweetest nectar on the prettiest flower; he couldn't stop himself. Her exotic taste fell on his tongue and moved into his entire being. He felt whole again. Then they broke apart.
Making room for herself on the chair he had built, she sat next to him. Putting his arm around her John felt Aeryn snuggled against his chest. She felt so soft. Tears stung his eyes as they did hers. Aeryn looked up at the stars, enraptured by their beauty. She caught Crichton looking at her. "What are you looking at?" she asked tenderly.
"The most beautiful thing on this planet to see," he replied truthfully, fully aware of its corniness but that seemed trivial now.
Aeryn smiled, the smile that made life worth living in John's opinion. They sat there unmoving for over an arn, but for them seemed like only a microt.
"It's time," John whispered.
"What?" Aeryn asked concerned.
"The pi ... ill ... pill is tak ... taking effect." He said with much effort. "It paralyses muscles, and finally stops the heart and ceases brain activity." John spoke each word with much care. "I'm going," he whispered.
"No you can't, you can't go! I love you John, don't leave me." Aeryn whispered shakily. Tears fell uncontrollably.
"Fate looks as if it has other plans," replied Crichton.
"Please, you have to stay. I don't want to be alone," Aeryn cried.
"Just hold me Aeryn. I'm frightened."
John felt his life drain from his limbs. All his strength disappeared. It felt as if he were fading, like a shade. Aeryn's tear-stained face filled his vision. Oh, how he wished he could soothe her.
His vision started to fade; all was going dark around him. Memories of life flashed before his eyes. He saw it all, every experience, every movie, every date, everything he'd ever seen or done. It was incredible. He looked up at the sky. Lights blurred and swirled as his synapses started to fire randomly.
Aeryn's tear blurred vision saw Crichton turn towards the sky as she held him close. "Oh my god, it's full of stars," he whispered. His body then turned limp beneath her.
"No, please no, it can't be!" Aeryn's grief stricken sobs joined the symphony of the forest below. The small DRD began to play once again.
His burial ceremony was a solemn event. The news of John's death came as a surprise to most of the crew. Gilina stood in the corner, crying uncontrollably. The other Crichton held her, his face grave during the sombre occasion. D'Argo stood as hard as a rock, looking as if he were a guard protecting the body from any unseen foes. Rygel sat regally in his throne sled, looking down at the proceedings, trying not to look as if he cared, though he did deeply. Pilot, unable to attend in person, watched through his clamshell projector. Aeryn hovered over the body, her face set in stone while normally unseen tears flowed freely.
Zhaan performed the ceremony; she was now recovering from her ordeal from unity with John. It seemed her link to Crichton never really broke, and that was what had been driving her slowly mad. Now, with his death, the dark shroud had finally lifted, but this gave her no consolation. When she finally finished, she crumpled to the deck, weeping without reservation. D'Argo helped her up and supported her against his strong frame.
Wordlessly, Aeryn lifted Crichton off the table he had been laid upon. Slowly and gently, she moved him into the cockpit of Farscape 1 and gingerly strapped him in. The small DRD known as 1812 was already waiting and moved against his friend's leg like a cat. Picking the DRD up Aeryn placed it in John's lap and gave it a small affectionate smile. "Take care of him." She whispered. The two eyestalks seemed to nod an affirmative. Setting in the coordinates and auto launch sequence, she closed the cockpit and stood back. Farscape 1's thrusters fired up and the small module returned to the barren desert known as space.
Standing upon a white sandy beach, a man could see palm trees stretching across the sandy expanse. The crashing of waves combined with the familiar sound of seagulls. A small wood stained house could be seen in the distance. In this distance, somewhere in front of the house, a figure could be seen. She had long raven black hair and her beauty seemed to radiate even to where the man was standing. He smiled and his sparkling blue eyes twinkled. He had gotten what he had wished for; he was at peace. He had gotten his one good day.
THE END