On Moya
"Permission? Is he in a really big hollow horse? Bearing gifts?" John
asked in response to pilot's query.
"No, Crais and Rainne are here to see Ashan and K'Tahli." Pilot responded.
Ashan's heart ached for the hope that flared in K'Tahli's face.
"I guess there are a lot of folks in hell strapping on ice skates."
Aeryn glared at John.
"Pilot, could you escort Crais and Rainne to the med station? We will meet them there."
"Assuming a lot aren't you?" John asked Aeryn.
"No. Regardless of Crais' business here, I would like to see Ashan at medical so we can monitor his condition as Moya continues to search databases for compatible donors on out-world planets."
The look John gave her told her he did not believe her.
K'Tahli held tight to Ashan's hand as they traveled the corridors.
They entered the med station. Rainne's face was tear stained but radiant. K'Tahli was thrilled to see her expression, but kept her features impassive.
"Aeryn Sun." Crais addressed her in a cool, clipped tone. "Prepare the donor graft of my paraphoral nerve tissues." He said nothing else, but strode to the med table, shrugged his jacket off and sat down. He handed his jacket to Rainne.
"Crais you old softie." John teased. Crais silenced him with a glare. John opted to discontinue his comments.
No one else spoke. The emotion in the room was palpable. Ashan wordlessly sat on the other table. Crais purposefully avoided Ashan's gaze. Ashan respected his unspoken wish, and did not push for contact. Rainne started crying again, deep, silent tears running down her face. She went to Crais' side, stood by him. His control was tenuous, so she did not touch him. She was there, he knew. That was enough for now.
K'Tahli had gone to the gurney with Ashan. He was pale, stoic. She gripped his hand as Aeryn prepared the injection. She extracted the necessary graft material from Crais and told him to stay seated for a few moments while his body concentrated its efforts at replacing the cells she harvested.
It seemed the room collectively held their breath when she injected Ashan.
"It is done." Aeryn crisply announced. She gathered up the instruments and prepared to leave. She looked down at Crais. Her smile reflected the pride and thanks. No words were necessary. She and John left the room.
K'Tahli had thrown her arms around Ashan and she was holding him so tightly the muscles in her entire body were shaking. Crais had closed his eyes and tipped his head back.
Rainne stroked his cheek and he opened his eyes and looked at her. She put his hand on her stomach and leaned close to his ear.
"We thank you." She whispered for his ears only.
He looked at her. His gaze was smoky with emotion. There was a powerful feeling that washed over him at giving of himself. Bolstered by the expression of total devotion on Rainne's face, he turned to look at K'Tahli and Ashan.
"I will never forget Tauvo." He began, never taking his eyes from Ashan. "Our bond was more than blood." His voice was unsteady, so he paused to collect himself.
"But you saved my son from death before I even knew he existed. I owed you a life. I have repaid that life." Rainne smiled over at K'Tahli as Crais was speaking.
Crais stood, facing Ashan.
"But my Rainne has shown me that you are not asking me to forget my brother, but to know you. Ashan Crais Ferrian, I would like that chance."
When Crais had begun to speak, Ashan had been certain he was telling him that he allowed the graft just because of the child. He was stunned by Crais' offer of friendship. He stood.
"I once accused you of being a killer, and claimed that was unforgivable. My wife pointed out that when I sought vengeance for the death of our community, I was prepared to kill as well. People can change, I know this now. I welcome the opportunity to know you as well. I thank you for my life."
Ashan and Crais stared at one another, sizing up the sincerity of the other. Their lives had changed, their paths reconnected. It would take some time for both to be fully comfortable with this new relationship. Reaching across the chasm that once was unbridgeable, Ashan and Crais embraced. It was a beginning.
Thus ends "What's in a name."
"No, Crais and Rainne are here to see Ashan and K'Tahli." Pilot responded.
Ashan's heart ached for the hope that flared in K'Tahli's face.
"I guess there are a lot of folks in hell strapping on ice skates."
Aeryn glared at John.
"Pilot, could you escort Crais and Rainne to the med station? We will meet them there."
"Assuming a lot aren't you?" John asked Aeryn.
"No. Regardless of Crais' business here, I would like to see Ashan at medical so we can monitor his condition as Moya continues to search databases for compatible donors on out-world planets."
The look John gave her told her he did not believe her.
K'Tahli held tight to Ashan's hand as they traveled the corridors.
They entered the med station. Rainne's face was tear stained but radiant. K'Tahli was thrilled to see her expression, but kept her features impassive.
"Aeryn Sun." Crais addressed her in a cool, clipped tone. "Prepare the donor graft of my paraphoral nerve tissues." He said nothing else, but strode to the med table, shrugged his jacket off and sat down. He handed his jacket to Rainne.
"Crais you old softie." John teased. Crais silenced him with a glare. John opted to discontinue his comments.
No one else spoke. The emotion in the room was palpable. Ashan wordlessly sat on the other table. Crais purposefully avoided Ashan's gaze. Ashan respected his unspoken wish, and did not push for contact. Rainne started crying again, deep, silent tears running down her face. She went to Crais' side, stood by him. His control was tenuous, so she did not touch him. She was there, he knew. That was enough for now.
K'Tahli had gone to the gurney with Ashan. He was pale, stoic. She gripped his hand as Aeryn prepared the injection. She extracted the necessary graft material from Crais and told him to stay seated for a few moments while his body concentrated its efforts at replacing the cells she harvested.
It seemed the room collectively held their breath when she injected Ashan.
"It is done." Aeryn crisply announced. She gathered up the instruments and prepared to leave. She looked down at Crais. Her smile reflected the pride and thanks. No words were necessary. She and John left the room.
K'Tahli had thrown her arms around Ashan and she was holding him so tightly the muscles in her entire body were shaking. Crais had closed his eyes and tipped his head back.
Rainne stroked his cheek and he opened his eyes and looked at her. She put his hand on her stomach and leaned close to his ear.
"We thank you." She whispered for his ears only.
He looked at her. His gaze was smoky with emotion. There was a powerful feeling that washed over him at giving of himself. Bolstered by the expression of total devotion on Rainne's face, he turned to look at K'Tahli and Ashan.
"I will never forget Tauvo." He began, never taking his eyes from Ashan. "Our bond was more than blood." His voice was unsteady, so he paused to collect himself.
"But you saved my son from death before I even knew he existed. I owed you a life. I have repaid that life." Rainne smiled over at K'Tahli as Crais was speaking.
Crais stood, facing Ashan.
"But my Rainne has shown me that you are not asking me to forget my brother, but to know you. Ashan Crais Ferrian, I would like that chance."
When Crais had begun to speak, Ashan had been certain he was telling him that he allowed the graft just because of the child. He was stunned by Crais' offer of friendship. He stood.
"I once accused you of being a killer, and claimed that was unforgivable. My wife pointed out that when I sought vengeance for the death of our community, I was prepared to kill as well. People can change, I know this now. I welcome the opportunity to know you as well. I thank you for my life."
Ashan and Crais stared at one another, sizing up the sincerity of the other. Their lives had changed, their paths reconnected. It would take some time for both to be fully comfortable with this new relationship. Reaching across the chasm that once was unbridgeable, Ashan and Crais embraced. It was a beginning.
Thus ends "What's in a name."