Berret set the Wraith down by the crew's Transport Pod on the palace's landing pad. He'd paused only long enough to remove Hyril's dagger blade from where it had caught in his armor. The wound wasn't as deep as he first thought when he inspected it and he thought it could wait until later to be tended. The palace Elite Guards were on alert but gave them no trouble as he and Chiana's bother left the port and went directly to the Med-quarters. They however looked rather distrustfully at Nerri but didn't bother him as long as he was in Berret's company. D'argo, Jothee, and John were sitting in the waiting area quietly talking as the pair entered.
"Uh-oh," said Crichton as he caught sight of the Nebari and the Shrike in full armor. "There's a blast from the past," he muttered as his hand inched closer to his Pulse pistol. When it became obvious by Berret's attitude that Nerri was not a threat, the three crewmates relaxed. D'argo rose and met them halfway across the room, without being asked he said,
"There is still no change in Jalen's condition... and 'she' is in the mood I predicted."
He paused and gave a questioning look at Nebari man, not recognizing him. Berret thanked the big warrior and throwing a glance over his shoulder at Nerri simply said,
"Family," as he continued to walk toward his son's room and Chiana with Nerri following close behind.
Berret slowly eased the door open and at the sound, Chiana lifted her head from her arms were they rested along the side of Jalen's bed.
"Jared!" she said relieved to see him as he stepped into the room. Her face went from relief to anger as she rose from her seat. Berret stepped to one side and her brother filled the doorway behind him.
A stunned look came over Chiana's exhausted face as if she couldn't believe her eyes.
"Nerri?" she asked, and as the man grinned at her, she said more surely, "Nerri!" Her anger forgotten for the moment she ran into her brother's arms. Nerri lifted her off her feet as they hugged.
" 'Ana!" he repeated over and over. "It's so good to see you."
Berret left brother and sister to reunite and pulling off his armored half-gloves, walked over to his son's bed. He held one of the boy's hands and placed his other hand on his chest to reassure himself his son's heart still beat as his wife and Nerri talked excitedly for a few microns. Berret was lost in his own thoughts and worries over his son and didn't realize that Chiana had brought Nerri over to join him beside the med-bed until they spoke. Nerri brushed hair from his nephew's face and stroked his cheek.
"Don't worry, 'Ana. He will pull through this just fine, you'll see," Nerri assured her.
Chiana nodded and hugged her brother again, before pushing herself away from him.
"Ummm... Nerri, I need to talk to my bond-mate for a few microns. Will you please give us a some time in private?" she asked. Nerri told her he understood and walked out, closing the door behind him.
When they where alone in the room, Chiana stepped in front of Berret. The look on her face was caught somewhere between hot anger and equally hot tears. Her lip slightly trembled as she drew back her hand and slapped Berret across the face.
"You bastard!" she cried. "You left your son laying in a med-bed to go off on some personal vendetta! How could you do that?" she asked, her voice wavering in emotion. "I though we were past all that. He wasn't as important as our son."
"I know," said the Shrike, strangely her slap pained him a hundred times more then the healing slice along his jaw or the knife wound combined. It was the first time he could remember her ever striking him in real anger.
"Then why did you do it? Why did you leave us?" she demanded to know.
"Because I wanted us to be safe again. We couldn't be safe as long as Hyril lived," Berret answered quietly.
"That's pure dren and you know it!" she shot back. "You just wanted revenge."
"Yes... that too, but it still doesn't alter the fact that if nothing was done they still would have kept coming after us," he admitted looking back down at his son's still form. "Until they've taken everything I ever cared about," his voice drifting off as he finished the thought more to himself then his wife.
"If you felt that way, why didn't you tell me?" she asked. "We... are suppose to be partners, remember? You and I... together always, that's what we swore at our bonding." Chiana cocked her head, looking up at him waiting to see if he had something to say, but he remained silent. "We are suppose to be a family," Chiana swept her arm wide to include their son, "But as always, you chose to keep me in the dark, as if I don't have a choice about what happens to us."
She pounded both her fists against his chest in frustration, not caring about the armor plates.
"You are not the only one who matters, Jared. You don't get to make all the decisions for the rest of us!"
Berret caught her hands before the stubborn woman injured them against the metal covering his torso.
"I realize that, Chiana," he told her. "I made the wrong choices... but at the time they seemed the only ones I could make."
"Then why didn't you take D'argo with you instead of double talking him into a corner. You threw his customs and warrior's honor back in his face! Why did you make that choice?" she threw back at him.
"D'argo has a son, and Zhaan... who both need him," said Berret.
"And you have a son, a daughter, and me! You'll have to do better then that," she said crossing her arms in front of her chest as she glared at him.
"Don't you think I know that!" he snapped, startling Chiana. "You and the children are everything to me! It's because of me that Jalen is where he is now and that the Nebari almost killed the rest of us. Do you really think I could ask D'argo to put his life and his family on the line again to correct my mistake! I don't have that right to ask him to possibly die because I frelled up! This was all my fault," he told her.
Chiana had rarely seen Berret in this condition. He wasn't so much angry with her as he was so all out angry with himself and it began to concern her.
"What do you mean it was your mistake?" she asked, "How did you frell up?"
Berret turned from her and walked over to the nearest chair and flopped himself down in it, the chair slightly creaked from the weight of his body and armor. He took a microt to rub at his temples in the hope of relieving some of his pent-up tension and to gather his thoughts.
"Think, Pixie... I've handled the whole situation wrong from the beginning," he said in a calmer voice. "If I had done anything else but grabbed Hyril by the throat in the market place... none of this might have happened. Jalen would not have been hurt... and you, Chulee, and the others wouldn't have been put into danger last night. Instead I made it personal with him, a public insult... and now we're all paying for it," he finished sounding guilty. "This is all my fault. I put us in this danger because I didn't think before I acted."
"Oh?" said Chiana stepping closer to him, "and how and why do you think it could have turned out different? What could you have done?"
"I don't know... we could have talked our way out of it. We could have lied. Even just running away would have been better. Maybe it would have given him a good of enough laugh he would have forgotten about seeing a Nebari woman bonded to an alien man."
Chiana sat herself down on the arm of his chair. "For some of my people, that would be reason enough alone to come after us. Most of the upper class on Nebari Prime do not believe in interspecies mingling. Everyone must conform and live by their standards as happy zombies. I think running would just have encouraged him anyway, his type thrives on the fear of others," she said as she used her fingers to comb his hair from his forehead. Berret closed his eyes enjoying his wife's gentle caress.
"Don't get too comfortable... I'm still angry with you," she told him with a tiny tug on one of his locks.
Berret nodded his head. "I know and I am sorry," he told her and let her stroking go on for another few microts before opening his eyes again.
"Either way, I still didn't use my head and think things through in the market. I should either have tucked tail and run with all of you or killed him right then and there instead of hesitating. No matter what I frelled up."
"Yes, you don't use your head for a lot of things... like not telling me what you had planned, not accepting D'argo's help, or letting Rygel know what you were going to do either," she said. "Which by the way, I'm going to have the same talk with Pilot that I had with D'argo about helping or letting you run off to do stupid things. I know Pilot had the Wraith prepped for you and never said a word to the rest of us."
Berret winced at the statement. "You really gave it to D'argo, huh?" he asked.
Chiana was examining the cut along his jaw and shaking her head. "As a matter of fact, I did," she said tearing open a sterile cleansing clothe package and cleaning up the wound. "And when I was done with him, Zhaan had some things to say to him also."
Berret dropped his head down against the back of his chair and moaned out loud.
"Ohhhhhh... he's going to get even with me for this later. Isn't he?"
"I think that would be safe to say," replied Chiana. "I don't think I've ever seen a Luxan more thoroughly chewed out then the great Ka'D'Argo was. Now hold still, you fidget worse then Chulee. Honestly, I should just let you bleed to death if you don't stop acting like Crichton and rushing into things without thinking."
To Berret's horror he found himself becoming ashamed at the small woman's scolding.
"I guess maybe I shouldn't tell you about the knife wound then?" he said.
"I have three children instead of two," she said under her breath as she moved on to the next wound. Berret wisely remain silent for the next few microns as she worked at patching him back together.
"Rygel's upset too?" he asked when she was done.
"Well, it is his planet and he is trying for an alliance with my people against whoever wins the war. I can imagine he's not going to be happy about you living up to your title and going around and killing the Ambassador's staff," his wife reminded him. Berret though for a microt,
"No, I don't think Rygel will miss Hyril. He offered to help me hide the body," he said idly.
Chiana rolled her eyes, "I can see maybe I'll have to have a talk and maybe a little ear twisting with the Dominar too if he did know what you were up to."
Berret assured her that Rygel wasn't involved and the Nebari girl went on to say.
"It's not just me who's upset... it's the others too. You have to remember that it's not just you, me, and the kids who make up our whole family. We're all family on Moya and you have to learn to rely on the rest of us when you think you have a problem or something needs to be done. That's what hurt us most is you didn't ask for our help, we stand and fight together."
Chiana looked deep into his eyes, "Do you understand what I'm saying?" she asked him.
For the first time, Berret looked at the situation from the other crewmembers' point of view. It really didn't matter who was at fault, the end result was they all stood together no matter what and without realizing it, he'd walked away from their support. Not having anything he could say in his own defense, he nodded his head, surrendering to his wife's wisdom. He had a lot of apologizing to do, not just too D'argo, but to all his crewmates... his family.
The next day the crewmates were anxiously gathered in the waiting room of the Med-quarters as Zhaan and several Med-techs examined Jalen. It was the first time they'd all been together since Berret's return and Aeryn was taking the opportunity to give him a chewing out to equal the one the Luxan received. D'argo seemed content to wait until a later time to exact his own vengeance. Still he was obviously enjoying the spectacle of the Sebacean woman tearing the tall Shrike up one side and then down the other.
"That was really frelling stupid, Jared!" admonished Aeryn at the end of her lecture, "You should have waited and informed the rest of us of your intentions."
"I agree," said Rygel as he floated into the waiting room on his throne. "Tell me, Shrike... are you planning any more impromptu assassinations while you're here?" asked the Hynerian with an amused smile.
"It's not funny, Rygel. Now the Nebari will be on the hunt for us," said the ex-Peacekeeper fuming.
"I don't think so," drawled Rygel, "Lerris has been so busy trying to kiss my eema to make me believe that Hyril acted on his own without sanction from Nebari Prime that I don't think he'll ever want to hear any of your names again... not that he knows any of them except for our two pale Nebari siblings."
"Was any of the information Nerri provided of any use to you?" asked John.
Rygel clapped his hands together gleefully. "Let us just say... I have enough dren on the Nebari to keep them in line long beyond the time this war and the take-over will last. And besides, Lerris personally believes that Jared's visit to Hyril was my 'unofficial' retribution for the attack on the Palace."
Rygel began to chuckle. "The fool hasn't even considered the thought that the assassin and Chiana's bond-mate were one in the same... and of course if that is what he wishes to believe, who am I to correct him?"
A bemused smirk touched one side of Berret's lips and broke through the drawn look of concern that had occupied his face for so many arns.
"What are you smirking about?" asked Chiana quietly.
"Other then Hyril's personal stake in the matter, the Nebari's basic goal in this whole situation was to capture you, because... one, you were a carrier of the Contagion... but we and the Hynerian government have already know that for cycles... seeing Rygel is the ruler of Hyneria. Two... they wanted to use you to capture Nerri, who was practically roaming about under their noses. This whole thing would in fact be almost very amusing if it wasn't for what Stoma did to Jalen," he said with a look of depression settling back on his face at the thought of his injured son.
"Well, I guess you can say the Nebari are a long way from having their act together," commented Crichton.
"The Resistance has gone along way to see to it that they never do again," said Nerri. The Nebari man turned to his sister, "I am sorry, 'Ana, for what happened to Jalen. I'm also sorry that I let my part in the Resistance keep us apart for so long. I became so caught up in working for the cause that I forgot what we were fighting for. Maybe it's time I took a break and stepped back for awhile... and got to know my family again."
"I'd like that," said Chiana as she hugged him. "What do you think about having Nerri stay with us for a while, Jared?" she asked her bond-mate.
Berret twisted his face as if deeply considering the prospect.
"We do still have several things to discuss," he finally said giving Nerri a meaningful look. "But I believe the children would like a chance to get to know their Uncle. Of course, you'll have to ask Rygel if he can stay here on Hyneria, as you said before... it is his planet."
Chiana looked over at Rygel, "How about it Ryg? Would it be okay?" she asked giving him a small smile.
"I don't know," he said thoughtfully while tapping his stubby fingers on his chin. "With two Nebari here in the Palace, I'll have to double the usual guards on the vaults... ouch!" he said as Chiana playfully slapped him. "I was only thinking out loud!" he said in his own defense. "Of course your brother can stay," he told her.
Berret smiled seeing his wife banter with Rygel and Nerri, knowing that the Hynerian was purposely being annoying to distract her. Giving her a micron's respite from the long heartbreaking arns of sitting and waiting by Jalen's bed. Further conversation paused as Zhaan and the chief Medical Officer for the Medical Center entered the waiting area and approached the companions.
"If you're ready," Zhaan said to Chiana and Jared, "We've decided we are going to try to wake Jalen now."
Chiana reached over and grabbed hold of Berret's hand, giving it a squeeze, which he returned.
"We're ready, Zhaan," she said, all the weight of her worries settling back on her. Zhaan turned away and lead the group back toward Jalen's room. Chiana hooked Nerri's arm with hers as she passed, pulling him along into the room with the rest of Jalen's extended family.
"Jalen? Come on, Baby. Wake up..."
Jalen groggily opened his eyes. "Mom?" he asked the blurry pale shape before him in a weak voice.
"Yes, honey," Chiana said and the boy could almost hear the smile in her voice. "How do you feel?" his mother asked.
Jalen thought a few microts and then said, "I feel... 'funny'," trying to find the correct word to describe his light headed floating sensation.
"That's okay, sweetheart. Aunt Zhaan gave you something to make you feel better," she explained to her son.
"Where's Dad?" he asked as he started to remember bits of what happened to him.
"I'm right here, Jalen," said the tall dark figure beside the shape that was slowly turning into his mother as his eyes adjusted. The boy perked up at the sound of his father's voice.
"That man! What happ..." he started to say, his voice turning to little more then a croak in his excitement.
"It's all right, 'Len. That man can't hurt you anymore. Papa Rygel locked him in his prison where he'll never be able to hurt anyone again," his father assured him. "We're just happy you're all right."
After a few microts, Jalen's sight cleared enough for him to see the rest of the room and everybody in it. The rest of the crew called happy greetings and talked with the boy. Jothee gave him a small version of a Qualta blade that he and his father had made for him. Telling the boy that having been wounded in battle now made him a warrior in Luxan eyes. Berret caught D'argo's eye and the big Luxan assured him that the blade was non-functional and more a decoration than anything, still Jalen swelled with pride at the gift. A holo-comm had been set up in the boy's room and from it Pilot clamored for attention. Pilot spoke with the boy and relayed all of Moya's questions and good wishes. After a few microts an aid came in and handed Rygel a message. The Hynerian read the slip of paper and muttered to himself, " Oh, dren!"
"What's wrong, Rygel!" asked Aeryn fearing more bad news.
Seeing the ex-Peacekeeper fingering her Pulse pistol, Rygel held up his hand and gave a short chuckle.
"Nothing bad, nothing bad," he reassured. "It's only that now Moya seems to be jamming half the planet's communications... again."
"We are sorry, Rygel," said Pilot, "Moya is having trouble controlling her cries of happiness."
"Well, I guess that can be overlooked on this occasion.... but don't let her keep it up too long," Rygel warned.
"Jalen," said Chiana, "There's someone here I want you to meet."
The Nebari woman held out her hand and the crewmates parted to let Nerri go to her. At seeing the strange Nebari man, Jalen started to shrink back into his bed in fear.
"It's okay, honey," said his mother as she took Nerri's hand. "This is your Uncle Nerri. You remember me telling you about him, don't you? He's come a long way to visit you."
Jalen looked around at his father and the others. Seeing they weren't upset with the man's presence he concluded that he must be safe. He timidly held out his hand and the older Nebari man gently gripped his forearm in a warrior's greeting.
"How are you, little one? I've waited a long time to met you."
The man's smile was just like his mother's, Jalen thought.
Chiana and Berret stayed in Jalen's room that night. The Nebari woman was in much better spirits and kidded her husband about having the Elite guards manacle him to his chair so he wouldn't disappear again in the night. There was no need for that precaution since Joban had brought Chulee to the Med-quarters to see her brother that afternoon and she was now curled up asleep on her father's lap. Berret was as good as chained to his seat with his daughter's head resting on his chest. The little girl clutched not only her Nebari doll to her own chest but also a second doll, Nella, Joban's youngest daughter, had given her during her stay with the family. Berret tried to get the girl to set one doll aside so she'd be more comfortable but she refused saying the dolls were now sisters and would remain with her to help watch to make sure her Daddy didn't leave during the night again. Berret raised an eyebrow at his wife in silent question as to what she'd been telling their daughter, but Chiana would only answer him with a smile. Berret had a sinking feeling that, as Chulee grew older that she was going to be more like her mother... and that meant stubborn Nebari females would soon outnumber Berret. The thought made him smile and he decided that would be a burden he would gladly bear.
Chulee stirred slightly in his arms and one of the dolls slid down onto the chair's seat, though Berret couldn't see it to tell which one it was. He kissed the snow-white hair on his daughter's head and wrapped his arms around her a little tighter making the little girl murmur in her sleep. Across from him a smiling Chiana watched them through half hooded eyes. "Love you," she silently mouthed to him as she slid down in her own chair and propped her feet up to rest on his thighs.
"You too," he mouthed back to her as her eyes finally closed.
Berret looked over at his peacefully sleeping son. Zhaan had said that it may take awhile but the boy would recover, and the others were considering staying longer on Hyneria until he was well enough to travel with them safely on Moya. The Shrike glanced back over at his now sleeping wife. The last few days having exhausted her and with Jalen recovering, she was now able to sleep soundly even in the Med-quarter's chair. The rest of their friends were safe now in their temporary quarters. Berret gave silent thanks to the Goddess; they had survived the crisis as a whole and still remained an extended family. His wife and children around him, Berret gave himself over to sleep and his dreams were pleasant.
"Uh-oh," said Crichton as he caught sight of the Nebari and the Shrike in full armor. "There's a blast from the past," he muttered as his hand inched closer to his Pulse pistol. When it became obvious by Berret's attitude that Nerri was not a threat, the three crewmates relaxed. D'argo rose and met them halfway across the room, without being asked he said,
"There is still no change in Jalen's condition... and 'she' is in the mood I predicted."
He paused and gave a questioning look at Nebari man, not recognizing him. Berret thanked the big warrior and throwing a glance over his shoulder at Nerri simply said,
"Family," as he continued to walk toward his son's room and Chiana with Nerri following close behind.
Berret slowly eased the door open and at the sound, Chiana lifted her head from her arms were they rested along the side of Jalen's bed.
"Jared!" she said relieved to see him as he stepped into the room. Her face went from relief to anger as she rose from her seat. Berret stepped to one side and her brother filled the doorway behind him.
A stunned look came over Chiana's exhausted face as if she couldn't believe her eyes.
"Nerri?" she asked, and as the man grinned at her, she said more surely, "Nerri!" Her anger forgotten for the moment she ran into her brother's arms. Nerri lifted her off her feet as they hugged.
" 'Ana!" he repeated over and over. "It's so good to see you."
Berret left brother and sister to reunite and pulling off his armored half-gloves, walked over to his son's bed. He held one of the boy's hands and placed his other hand on his chest to reassure himself his son's heart still beat as his wife and Nerri talked excitedly for a few microns. Berret was lost in his own thoughts and worries over his son and didn't realize that Chiana had brought Nerri over to join him beside the med-bed until they spoke. Nerri brushed hair from his nephew's face and stroked his cheek.
"Don't worry, 'Ana. He will pull through this just fine, you'll see," Nerri assured her.
Chiana nodded and hugged her brother again, before pushing herself away from him.
"Ummm... Nerri, I need to talk to my bond-mate for a few microns. Will you please give us a some time in private?" she asked. Nerri told her he understood and walked out, closing the door behind him.
When they where alone in the room, Chiana stepped in front of Berret. The look on her face was caught somewhere between hot anger and equally hot tears. Her lip slightly trembled as she drew back her hand and slapped Berret across the face.
"You bastard!" she cried. "You left your son laying in a med-bed to go off on some personal vendetta! How could you do that?" she asked, her voice wavering in emotion. "I though we were past all that. He wasn't as important as our son."
"I know," said the Shrike, strangely her slap pained him a hundred times more then the healing slice along his jaw or the knife wound combined. It was the first time he could remember her ever striking him in real anger.
"Then why did you do it? Why did you leave us?" she demanded to know.
"Because I wanted us to be safe again. We couldn't be safe as long as Hyril lived," Berret answered quietly.
"That's pure dren and you know it!" she shot back. "You just wanted revenge."
"Yes... that too, but it still doesn't alter the fact that if nothing was done they still would have kept coming after us," he admitted looking back down at his son's still form. "Until they've taken everything I ever cared about," his voice drifting off as he finished the thought more to himself then his wife.
"If you felt that way, why didn't you tell me?" she asked. "We... are suppose to be partners, remember? You and I... together always, that's what we swore at our bonding." Chiana cocked her head, looking up at him waiting to see if he had something to say, but he remained silent. "We are suppose to be a family," Chiana swept her arm wide to include their son, "But as always, you chose to keep me in the dark, as if I don't have a choice about what happens to us."
She pounded both her fists against his chest in frustration, not caring about the armor plates.
"You are not the only one who matters, Jared. You don't get to make all the decisions for the rest of us!"
Berret caught her hands before the stubborn woman injured them against the metal covering his torso.
"I realize that, Chiana," he told her. "I made the wrong choices... but at the time they seemed the only ones I could make."
"Then why didn't you take D'argo with you instead of double talking him into a corner. You threw his customs and warrior's honor back in his face! Why did you make that choice?" she threw back at him.
"D'argo has a son, and Zhaan... who both need him," said Berret.
"And you have a son, a daughter, and me! You'll have to do better then that," she said crossing her arms in front of her chest as she glared at him.
"Don't you think I know that!" he snapped, startling Chiana. "You and the children are everything to me! It's because of me that Jalen is where he is now and that the Nebari almost killed the rest of us. Do you really think I could ask D'argo to put his life and his family on the line again to correct my mistake! I don't have that right to ask him to possibly die because I frelled up! This was all my fault," he told her.
Chiana had rarely seen Berret in this condition. He wasn't so much angry with her as he was so all out angry with himself and it began to concern her.
"What do you mean it was your mistake?" she asked, "How did you frell up?"
Berret turned from her and walked over to the nearest chair and flopped himself down in it, the chair slightly creaked from the weight of his body and armor. He took a microt to rub at his temples in the hope of relieving some of his pent-up tension and to gather his thoughts.
"Think, Pixie... I've handled the whole situation wrong from the beginning," he said in a calmer voice. "If I had done anything else but grabbed Hyril by the throat in the market place... none of this might have happened. Jalen would not have been hurt... and you, Chulee, and the others wouldn't have been put into danger last night. Instead I made it personal with him, a public insult... and now we're all paying for it," he finished sounding guilty. "This is all my fault. I put us in this danger because I didn't think before I acted."
"Oh?" said Chiana stepping closer to him, "and how and why do you think it could have turned out different? What could you have done?"
"I don't know... we could have talked our way out of it. We could have lied. Even just running away would have been better. Maybe it would have given him a good of enough laugh he would have forgotten about seeing a Nebari woman bonded to an alien man."
Chiana sat herself down on the arm of his chair. "For some of my people, that would be reason enough alone to come after us. Most of the upper class on Nebari Prime do not believe in interspecies mingling. Everyone must conform and live by their standards as happy zombies. I think running would just have encouraged him anyway, his type thrives on the fear of others," she said as she used her fingers to comb his hair from his forehead. Berret closed his eyes enjoying his wife's gentle caress.
"Don't get too comfortable... I'm still angry with you," she told him with a tiny tug on one of his locks.
Berret nodded his head. "I know and I am sorry," he told her and let her stroking go on for another few microts before opening his eyes again.
"Either way, I still didn't use my head and think things through in the market. I should either have tucked tail and run with all of you or killed him right then and there instead of hesitating. No matter what I frelled up."
"Yes, you don't use your head for a lot of things... like not telling me what you had planned, not accepting D'argo's help, or letting Rygel know what you were going to do either," she said. "Which by the way, I'm going to have the same talk with Pilot that I had with D'argo about helping or letting you run off to do stupid things. I know Pilot had the Wraith prepped for you and never said a word to the rest of us."
Berret winced at the statement. "You really gave it to D'argo, huh?" he asked.
Chiana was examining the cut along his jaw and shaking her head. "As a matter of fact, I did," she said tearing open a sterile cleansing clothe package and cleaning up the wound. "And when I was done with him, Zhaan had some things to say to him also."
Berret dropped his head down against the back of his chair and moaned out loud.
"Ohhhhhh... he's going to get even with me for this later. Isn't he?"
"I think that would be safe to say," replied Chiana. "I don't think I've ever seen a Luxan more thoroughly chewed out then the great Ka'D'Argo was. Now hold still, you fidget worse then Chulee. Honestly, I should just let you bleed to death if you don't stop acting like Crichton and rushing into things without thinking."
To Berret's horror he found himself becoming ashamed at the small woman's scolding.
"I guess maybe I shouldn't tell you about the knife wound then?" he said.
"I have three children instead of two," she said under her breath as she moved on to the next wound. Berret wisely remain silent for the next few microns as she worked at patching him back together.
"Rygel's upset too?" he asked when she was done.
"Well, it is his planet and he is trying for an alliance with my people against whoever wins the war. I can imagine he's not going to be happy about you living up to your title and going around and killing the Ambassador's staff," his wife reminded him. Berret though for a microt,
"No, I don't think Rygel will miss Hyril. He offered to help me hide the body," he said idly.
Chiana rolled her eyes, "I can see maybe I'll have to have a talk and maybe a little ear twisting with the Dominar too if he did know what you were up to."
Berret assured her that Rygel wasn't involved and the Nebari girl went on to say.
"It's not just me who's upset... it's the others too. You have to remember that it's not just you, me, and the kids who make up our whole family. We're all family on Moya and you have to learn to rely on the rest of us when you think you have a problem or something needs to be done. That's what hurt us most is you didn't ask for our help, we stand and fight together."
Chiana looked deep into his eyes, "Do you understand what I'm saying?" she asked him.
For the first time, Berret looked at the situation from the other crewmembers' point of view. It really didn't matter who was at fault, the end result was they all stood together no matter what and without realizing it, he'd walked away from their support. Not having anything he could say in his own defense, he nodded his head, surrendering to his wife's wisdom. He had a lot of apologizing to do, not just too D'argo, but to all his crewmates... his family.
The next day the crewmates were anxiously gathered in the waiting room of the Med-quarters as Zhaan and several Med-techs examined Jalen. It was the first time they'd all been together since Berret's return and Aeryn was taking the opportunity to give him a chewing out to equal the one the Luxan received. D'argo seemed content to wait until a later time to exact his own vengeance. Still he was obviously enjoying the spectacle of the Sebacean woman tearing the tall Shrike up one side and then down the other.
"That was really frelling stupid, Jared!" admonished Aeryn at the end of her lecture, "You should have waited and informed the rest of us of your intentions."
"I agree," said Rygel as he floated into the waiting room on his throne. "Tell me, Shrike... are you planning any more impromptu assassinations while you're here?" asked the Hynerian with an amused smile.
"It's not funny, Rygel. Now the Nebari will be on the hunt for us," said the ex-Peacekeeper fuming.
"I don't think so," drawled Rygel, "Lerris has been so busy trying to kiss my eema to make me believe that Hyril acted on his own without sanction from Nebari Prime that I don't think he'll ever want to hear any of your names again... not that he knows any of them except for our two pale Nebari siblings."
"Was any of the information Nerri provided of any use to you?" asked John.
Rygel clapped his hands together gleefully. "Let us just say... I have enough dren on the Nebari to keep them in line long beyond the time this war and the take-over will last. And besides, Lerris personally believes that Jared's visit to Hyril was my 'unofficial' retribution for the attack on the Palace."
Rygel began to chuckle. "The fool hasn't even considered the thought that the assassin and Chiana's bond-mate were one in the same... and of course if that is what he wishes to believe, who am I to correct him?"
A bemused smirk touched one side of Berret's lips and broke through the drawn look of concern that had occupied his face for so many arns.
"What are you smirking about?" asked Chiana quietly.
"Other then Hyril's personal stake in the matter, the Nebari's basic goal in this whole situation was to capture you, because... one, you were a carrier of the Contagion... but we and the Hynerian government have already know that for cycles... seeing Rygel is the ruler of Hyneria. Two... they wanted to use you to capture Nerri, who was practically roaming about under their noses. This whole thing would in fact be almost very amusing if it wasn't for what Stoma did to Jalen," he said with a look of depression settling back on his face at the thought of his injured son.
"Well, I guess you can say the Nebari are a long way from having their act together," commented Crichton.
"The Resistance has gone along way to see to it that they never do again," said Nerri. The Nebari man turned to his sister, "I am sorry, 'Ana, for what happened to Jalen. I'm also sorry that I let my part in the Resistance keep us apart for so long. I became so caught up in working for the cause that I forgot what we were fighting for. Maybe it's time I took a break and stepped back for awhile... and got to know my family again."
"I'd like that," said Chiana as she hugged him. "What do you think about having Nerri stay with us for a while, Jared?" she asked her bond-mate.
Berret twisted his face as if deeply considering the prospect.
"We do still have several things to discuss," he finally said giving Nerri a meaningful look. "But I believe the children would like a chance to get to know their Uncle. Of course, you'll have to ask Rygel if he can stay here on Hyneria, as you said before... it is his planet."
Chiana looked over at Rygel, "How about it Ryg? Would it be okay?" she asked giving him a small smile.
"I don't know," he said thoughtfully while tapping his stubby fingers on his chin. "With two Nebari here in the Palace, I'll have to double the usual guards on the vaults... ouch!" he said as Chiana playfully slapped him. "I was only thinking out loud!" he said in his own defense. "Of course your brother can stay," he told her.
Berret smiled seeing his wife banter with Rygel and Nerri, knowing that the Hynerian was purposely being annoying to distract her. Giving her a micron's respite from the long heartbreaking arns of sitting and waiting by Jalen's bed. Further conversation paused as Zhaan and the chief Medical Officer for the Medical Center entered the waiting area and approached the companions.
"If you're ready," Zhaan said to Chiana and Jared, "We've decided we are going to try to wake Jalen now."
Chiana reached over and grabbed hold of Berret's hand, giving it a squeeze, which he returned.
"We're ready, Zhaan," she said, all the weight of her worries settling back on her. Zhaan turned away and lead the group back toward Jalen's room. Chiana hooked Nerri's arm with hers as she passed, pulling him along into the room with the rest of Jalen's extended family.
"Jalen? Come on, Baby. Wake up..."
Jalen groggily opened his eyes. "Mom?" he asked the blurry pale shape before him in a weak voice.
"Yes, honey," Chiana said and the boy could almost hear the smile in her voice. "How do you feel?" his mother asked.
Jalen thought a few microts and then said, "I feel... 'funny'," trying to find the correct word to describe his light headed floating sensation.
"That's okay, sweetheart. Aunt Zhaan gave you something to make you feel better," she explained to her son.
"Where's Dad?" he asked as he started to remember bits of what happened to him.
"I'm right here, Jalen," said the tall dark figure beside the shape that was slowly turning into his mother as his eyes adjusted. The boy perked up at the sound of his father's voice.
"That man! What happ..." he started to say, his voice turning to little more then a croak in his excitement.
"It's all right, 'Len. That man can't hurt you anymore. Papa Rygel locked him in his prison where he'll never be able to hurt anyone again," his father assured him. "We're just happy you're all right."
After a few microts, Jalen's sight cleared enough for him to see the rest of the room and everybody in it. The rest of the crew called happy greetings and talked with the boy. Jothee gave him a small version of a Qualta blade that he and his father had made for him. Telling the boy that having been wounded in battle now made him a warrior in Luxan eyes. Berret caught D'argo's eye and the big Luxan assured him that the blade was non-functional and more a decoration than anything, still Jalen swelled with pride at the gift. A holo-comm had been set up in the boy's room and from it Pilot clamored for attention. Pilot spoke with the boy and relayed all of Moya's questions and good wishes. After a few microts an aid came in and handed Rygel a message. The Hynerian read the slip of paper and muttered to himself, " Oh, dren!"
"What's wrong, Rygel!" asked Aeryn fearing more bad news.
Seeing the ex-Peacekeeper fingering her Pulse pistol, Rygel held up his hand and gave a short chuckle.
"Nothing bad, nothing bad," he reassured. "It's only that now Moya seems to be jamming half the planet's communications... again."
"We are sorry, Rygel," said Pilot, "Moya is having trouble controlling her cries of happiness."
"Well, I guess that can be overlooked on this occasion.... but don't let her keep it up too long," Rygel warned.
"Jalen," said Chiana, "There's someone here I want you to meet."
The Nebari woman held out her hand and the crewmates parted to let Nerri go to her. At seeing the strange Nebari man, Jalen started to shrink back into his bed in fear.
"It's okay, honey," said his mother as she took Nerri's hand. "This is your Uncle Nerri. You remember me telling you about him, don't you? He's come a long way to visit you."
Jalen looked around at his father and the others. Seeing they weren't upset with the man's presence he concluded that he must be safe. He timidly held out his hand and the older Nebari man gently gripped his forearm in a warrior's greeting.
"How are you, little one? I've waited a long time to met you."
The man's smile was just like his mother's, Jalen thought.
Chiana and Berret stayed in Jalen's room that night. The Nebari woman was in much better spirits and kidded her husband about having the Elite guards manacle him to his chair so he wouldn't disappear again in the night. There was no need for that precaution since Joban had brought Chulee to the Med-quarters to see her brother that afternoon and she was now curled up asleep on her father's lap. Berret was as good as chained to his seat with his daughter's head resting on his chest. The little girl clutched not only her Nebari doll to her own chest but also a second doll, Nella, Joban's youngest daughter, had given her during her stay with the family. Berret tried to get the girl to set one doll aside so she'd be more comfortable but she refused saying the dolls were now sisters and would remain with her to help watch to make sure her Daddy didn't leave during the night again. Berret raised an eyebrow at his wife in silent question as to what she'd been telling their daughter, but Chiana would only answer him with a smile. Berret had a sinking feeling that, as Chulee grew older that she was going to be more like her mother... and that meant stubborn Nebari females would soon outnumber Berret. The thought made him smile and he decided that would be a burden he would gladly bear.
Chulee stirred slightly in his arms and one of the dolls slid down onto the chair's seat, though Berret couldn't see it to tell which one it was. He kissed the snow-white hair on his daughter's head and wrapped his arms around her a little tighter making the little girl murmur in her sleep. Across from him a smiling Chiana watched them through half hooded eyes. "Love you," she silently mouthed to him as she slid down in her own chair and propped her feet up to rest on his thighs.
"You too," he mouthed back to her as her eyes finally closed.
Berret looked over at his peacefully sleeping son. Zhaan had said that it may take awhile but the boy would recover, and the others were considering staying longer on Hyneria until he was well enough to travel with them safely on Moya. The Shrike glanced back over at his now sleeping wife. The last few days having exhausted her and with Jalen recovering, she was now able to sleep soundly even in the Med-quarter's chair. The rest of their friends were safe now in their temporary quarters. Berret gave silent thanks to the Goddess; they had survived the crisis as a whole and still remained an extended family. His wife and children around him, Berret gave himself over to sleep and his dreams were pleasant.