Four solar days later Aeryn, John, Stark and Rainne decided to return to Moya. Rainne had decided to move to Talyn, she was only going back to Moya to collect her things. D'Argo, Chiana and Jool had taken the transport to the nearest commerce planet when he had calmed down a bit. They were not to return for at least four more arns. The bruise on Rainne's arm had changed to a sickly purple and green but John assured her it was healing. Her shoulder was finally completely healed.
~~~
Crais held Rainne in his arms before she boarded the transport pod with Aeryn, John and Stark.
"Rainne, are you certain?" he asked. "Would you like me to accompany you?" Crais searched her face with his eyes, hoping to see a glimmer of resistance, something that could justify his accompanying her back to Moya.
"No. I must face him alone. Settle this once and for all. I believe I was in some kind of prison where I came from, I have been imprisoned by my dreams many times since I was found by all of you, but I will not let D'Argo's obsession imprison me as well." Her voice rose. When he flinched Rainne touched his cheek and kissed him quickly. "Bialar, let me do this."
"What if he does not listen?" The emotion showing plainly on his face. He wanted to accompany her, protect her, but he knew she would not allow it.
"Then it is his loss I feel. I promise I will return to you, beloved. I do not fear him anymore. I do not believe he meant to hurt me." Rainne smiled at him and pulled away. Talyn whistled as she left.
I understand Talyn, but we must let Rainne do as she wishes. It is the only way to assure she comes to us freely…and stays.
~~~
Rainne changed into some clean clothing, and packed up her belongings before going to the cargo bay with the remains of the vessel she was found in, she decided to spend the time opening one last locked compartment. The dismantling seemed to keep her occupied. She knew that D'Argo and the others had not returned. The DRD's had removed more of the items. She grabbed a wrench and went inside. Rainne tried removing the hinges on the cover of the compartment to no avail. She directed the DRD to burn out the lock and it did so quickly, still the door would not budge. Rainne went out and got a pry bar from the tools and forced it under the edge. By putting all her body weight into it she was able to finally pry it open. The door flew off and crashed behind her. The pry bar was flung as well. She bent over to stick her head into the compartment to see if there was anything in it when part of the interior roof panel and wiring harness fell on her.
Rainne came to lying on her stomach hanging half in and half out of the bin she had opened when she pulled the panel off. The roof and wiring harness were pinning her legs and right arm down. Her left ankle was burning and her toes were numb. Her ribs hurt and it was hard to take a deep breath. Rainne heard a DRD squirming under the debris as well. The feeling of someone pinning her arms and legs began to panic her, suddenly a memory washed over her:
Rainne recalled being in a laboratory, being strapped into a chair with electrodes on her forehead. She remembered feeling a burning in her hands, looking down she could see that they were glowing. The doctor was showing her pictures of frightening things, creatures, mutated children from his experiments. She remember the security guard touching her breasts while she was strapped in the chair, how she wanted to free herself and hurt him. It was the same security guard from the other memories.
Rainne heard someone calling her name. Low and soft. It was D'Argo. She tried to move, but the pain was unbearable and the darkness overtook her again.
She came to with Stark and Aeryn standing over her.
"Rainne. Are you with us?" Aeryn asked.
"Yes. What happened?"
"You were pinned in your vessel. Do you remember any of it?"
"I was looking in a panel. Then I heard a crack, when I came to I was stuck beneath some debris. I had a dream about being strapped in a chair…" She told them the whole vision. "I heard someone calling my name. It was D'Argo. Then I woke up here."
"D'Argo found you and brought you here."
Rainne tried to sit up, Stark held out his arm.
Aeryn patted Rainne's hand. "Can you remember anything else?"
"No."
"Well. Stark ran the scanner over you and far as we can tell you have no major injuries, however you have more bruises and a sprained ankle, Stark has immobilized it." Rainne looked down at her left leg, it was encased in a cooling jelly like substance, she reached down to touch it. It was solid on the outside but felt soft on the inside, about one half inch thick. She could see her ankle was purple and black and her toes were swollen and changing color as well. "I know you are going to return to Talyn. We will have the DRD's complete the dismantling of your craft. I don't think it is going to help you, and we don't want you to get hurt again. I have already contacted Crais."
"I can not leave yet." Rainne replied.
"Why?" Aeryn asked.
"I need to speak with D'Argo, alone, before I leave."
"Fine you will stay here tonight, you can speak with him in the morning."
Rainne heard familiar footsteps in the corridor. She turned her head as the door opened. It was Crais. He walked quickly to her side. "Rainne. Are you all right?" he asked taking her hand.
"Yes. Just a few more bruises and a sprained ankle." Rainne replied tiredly. She was feeling drowsy.
"What happened?" Crais asked. Rainne didn't have the strength to reply and she was unsure anyway.
"A support beam in the interior of her craft collapsed and she was pinned under some debris." Aeryn replied. "We have scanned her and she has no major injuries other than her ankle. She will be sore for a few days. I have told her to rest. The DRD's will finish the dismantling." Aeryn turned to Crais. "Captain, would you take her back to her quarters? She refuses to leave until she has spoken with D'Argo. I have asked her to rest until tomorrow."
"I will take her and make sure she stays in there." Crais replied caressing Rainne's arm.
"Thank you, we will leave her in your capable hands."
"As you wish." When they left the room Crais actually smiled at her. "Well come now. I have my orders."
"Who put you in charge?" Rainne asked returning the smile while sticking her finger on his chest. Crais noticed her eyes sparkling, the green intensified.
"Officer Sun." Crais picked her up and carried her to her quarters. He tenderly placed Rainne on the bed. Crais grabbed the extra cushions from the bench and propped her up. "Do you need anything?" he asked as he sat next to her.
"My memories, a purpose." Rainne replied quietly.
"Memories I can not help you with, and a purpose will come along when you are ready to recognize it. Would you like some food?"
"Sure. I can't do anything else."
"You had better be right where you are when I return."
"No I thought I would go for a stroll." She winked at him. Crais returned a half smile, spunky as ever he thought as the turned.
Crais walked out of the room. Rainne laid her head back on the pillows. She thought about all that had happened in the past month. How Crais had been the strong silent support. D'Argo on the other hand was always watching her, bossing her, trying to rule her. Rainne remembered what Aeryn had said, he was trying to conquer her and felt Crais was a threat. She knew that D'Argo never meant to hurt her on purpose and would never cause her any real harm. She would always care for him but he was not the right choice for her. Rainne thought back to her memories of Dorian and was certain that he had been her soul-mate but she was also very certain he was dead. Crais walked back in with a plate of food and one cup. He set the plate on the small table and pulled it over to the side of the bed. He handed her a cracker with a white substance spread on it. The spread was sweet and salty at the same time with a hint of spice.
"Bialar." She said softly, looking into his dark eyes as he sat next to her on the bed.
"Yes Rainne." He replied.
"I still have not had a chance to speak with D'Argo."
"I know." Rainne could see him trying to conceal his anger at hearing the Luxan's name. "I promised I would let you try, but I request that you rest first."
"I will." She smiled lifting his hand and pulling his glove off. She put his hand on her cheek. "I promise I will speak to him tomorrow."
"As you wish."
~~~
The dream began again.
Rainne turned to look over her shoulder, the huge creature roared again. It slashed out at her, barely missing her back. She ran through a building she did not recognize. The creature roared again. This time she could feel the creature's putrid breath against her neck; this time when it slashed, out it caught her right shoulder. Rainne could feel the blood running down her arm. Her lungs felt as if they would explode. She stopped and faced the creature. It was massive, with an oily sheen. The wound on her shoulder burned as if acid had been poured on it. When the creature realized she had stopped, it stopped also. Suddenly she had the urge to reach out to touch it, suddenly she was no longer afraid, Rainne felt the fear and hatred leave her body like a flame; she closed her eyes but felt the flame strike the creature. She heard the creature scream as it fell to the ground. When she opened her eyes again, Stark was lying there dead in front of her.
~~~
Rainne woke to John calling her name. "Stormy wake up. It is only a dream. Wake up."
She couldn't talk, all she could do was sob. John soothingly embraced her, putting his arm around her shoulder. Her body hurt, the ankle felt as if it were on fire. Rainne was taking great gasping breaths between each sob. What was happening to her? What happened to Dorian?
"Thank you Chricton." she was able to choke out. "I should be okay now. It usually only happens once each evening."
"No problem." John stood and quickly left the room. Rainne fell asleep trying to think of Dorian. If she dreamt anymore that night she did not remember it.
Rainne awoke the following morning alone and aching. Her ankle hurt more than it did the day before. She wanted to use the facilities but was not supposed to get up. Rainne decided to try to hobble to the bathroom alone. She did not want anyone helping her. Rainne stood putting her weight mostly on her right ankle, she tried to place her left foot on the floor. The pain was so bad she almost passed out. She sat quickly on the bed and commed Aeryn.
"Yes Rainne."
"I need some help. I prefer if it was you rather than Stark. It is a personal matter."
"Understood. I will be there shortly."
~~~
When Aeryn had gotten Rainne safely back to the bench and helped her prop the leg up Rainne asked Aeryn, "Could you ask D'Argo to come to see me."
"Yes. You could just comm him."
"I don't want anyone else to hear. It is of a personal matter."
"I see. I will find him now."
"Thank you Aeryn, for everything."
~~~
Rainne looked up when the door swooshed open, D'Argo stood just inside. "You wanted to see me?" he looked at her awkwardly. Once he had calmed down he remembered what he had done. He was mortified at his own behavior.
"Yes. D'Argo, please come over here and sit." Rainne replied. D'Argo stiffly walked to the bench and sat at the far end. "First I would like to apologize. I was wrong to scream at you the other day. I have had a lot on my mind. My memories are slowly returning and I am dismayed at some of the things I have done in my past. I forgive you for the bruises. I have been assured that this is not a normal reaction from you, even when you are in the hyper-rage. I have discovered that I am telepathic and my own emotions may have increased your rage without either of us knowing." Rainne paused to catch her breath. "I thank you for caring for me when I first arrived, for being there when the nightmares plagued me…"
She slid closer to him as he tried to say something. Rainne placed her finger to his lips. "Let me finish." She told him of the flashback she experienced when he was holding her arms and the nightmare she had while on Talyn the first night. She left out the part about waking in Crais' arms, nuzzled against his shoulder. Rainne took his hands in her own and looked him in the eye. "D'Argo, what I am about to say is going to distress you. You are the last being aboard Moya I want to hurt." She looked at him, D'Argo could see her eyes change as emotions washed over her. "If circumstances had been different perhaps, the outcome would be as well…" She paused, searching his eyes for a sign that he was listening to her. "I am moving to Talyn to be with Bialar, to be his companion…" she paused. "I love him, and believe that he loves me."
D'Argo looked at her and shook his head. He roughly pulled his hands away. He stood and began pacing.
"Rainne. I think you are making a big mistake." D'Argo replied. "He was a Peacekeeper. They do not understand love."
"Why can you believe that Aeryn can change but not Crais?" Her frustration with him was beginning to build. She realized he was not going to listen, regardless of how she posed the statement. She could feel tingling in her hands. She took a deep breath as she tried to calm herself. Rainne could see there was no arguing the point with him. "D'Argo, I did not want to leave with such a large chasm between us, I wanted to remain your friend but I can see that you will not let that happen..." Rainne turned away from him and closed her eyes. She hoped he would not see the solitary tear run down her cheek. Rainne heard him move away from her, sighing as he paused at the door.
~~~
Rainne was still in a sour mood when Crais came to collect her. She was bored and lonely, her talk with D'Argo had not gone well. The door slid open and she looked up from the writing pad John had given her to try to record her memories. She had only written "Dorian" on it and then stopped. Crais walked in very solemnly. He was wearing his full uniform and his hair was pulled back as he normally wore it. "Bialar." She said quietly.
"C'thha."
"Take me to Talyn. Help me find a purpose."
"You have a purpose." He took her other hand. "You will be my companion. You can learn to command Talyn." Crais pulled her closer. He helped her up and grabbed her duffel. Rainne took one last look around as she walked into the corridor. Silent tears slid down her cheeks, she was happy and sad all at the same time. As they walked to the transport pod Rainne ran her hand along the wall.