Present
"And that was about eleven cycles ago," Crais concluded.
"Then when did you two..." Aeryn was curious to know when they bonded.
Crais smiled, "Not for another cycle. Lyane could be so annoying, jumping from one subject to another, sometimes even in mid-sentence, and then pick it up again topics or arns later. It was most... bewildering. Especially after having been on my own for so long. It took me a while to get used to it. She had to get used to my tempers too, and my commitment to Talyn and our safety."
Crais stood up and started pacing the Galley, stopping only to gaze out of the view-port once in a while, probably looking at Talyn, "Customs in the far reaches of the Uncharted Territories are not that much different from Sebacean societies closer to the edge of Peacekeeper-territory. What it does differ in is their bonding customs. We can re-bond after our partner dies. It is more practical in that respect. Also," he looked outside, "they allow inter-species bonding."
"Does that mean that Lyane..."
"No, she is purebred Sebacean. She will see no problem in you and Crichton getting bonded."
Aeryn looked down at her hands, "But you still find it difficult to accept."
Crais stepped back to the table and sat down again, placing his hand over hers, "No Aeryn, I have accepted that since Dam-ba-da. I had come to accept your bonding but accepting is not the same as understanding. Lyane taught me that."
Aeryn looked up and saw the gentle smile on his face.
Aeryn cocked her head at him, "Are you happy Crais?"
Crais looked confused, "Yes, why do you ask?"
"Is this a bonding of love or of convenience? If it is the latter then I'm wondering if you are happy."
Crais' smile was gentle, "Thank you for your concern, Aeryn. It might have started as convenience, maybe there was some love and some lust involved, but now, and certainly after the birth of the twins, it has evolved into love. Lyane is now bonded to Talyn as well. There are no secrets between us."
Aeryn's face fell when she learned of Lyane's bonding to Talyn, "No secrets whatsoever?"
Crais smiled, "None. To keep a secret, even for a short while, full privacy mode has to be used, unless one has the cooperation of one of the participants in the link or one could take the transponder out. There is some degree of privacy but not much."
"Oh!"
Crais could understand Aeryn's disappointment; his face was serious when he looked at her, "Aeryn, a three way bonding with Talyn would not have worked with you and me in the long run."
"Why not," Aeryn was adamant, "When I was bonded to Talyn for a while we did not have that problem?"
"Not for such a short while, but the link would have grown stronger. Privacy mode would have become more difficult to maintain. Aeryn, there are no secrets, no lies, no lone thoughts in the link. It is almost like having one mind shared by three people, but stronger. You share your mind, every thought, every feeling. And the longer the link exists the stronger the bond."
"And?"
"Aeryn, you loved... love John Crichton. Do you know what your thoughts and feelings could have done to Talyn... and me? It would have confused us. Or imagine the effect of you two recreating while I'm in Command and Talyn is preparing for StarBurst?" There was an amused smile around his lips.
Yes, Aeryn could understand, she just never thought she would have to face that fact.
Crais touched the side of her cheek gently, "You might not be bonded to a Leviathan but is Talyn right? Will you be bonded soon to Crichton because of his child?"
Aeryn looked at him open-mouthed, "How do you know?"
"Our Fighter took a reading."
"Crais!"
"Yes Aeryn?"
"You can't just..."
Crais smiled his little enigmatic smile, "No secrets Aeryn."
Aeryn blushed, "I see what you mean. But where is the fun in surprises?"
"I have never liked surprises," replied Crais, "Although Talyn and Lyane had kept the pregnancy with the twins a good secret until she was sure and was ready to tell me. So, you see there is a little privacy but it should have at least two participants. Keeping a secret on one's own will make the others suspicious. You don't want that in a relationship. Fact is, they conspired against me."
Aeryn had to smile, "That must have been a Hezmana of a surprise Crais."
"It was, Aeryn. I am not sure which was the bigger surprise, knowing that I was going to be a father, or Talyn and Lyane conspiring against me."
Aeryn smiled.
They could hear the sounds of the others returning.
+++++
Crichton was the first to enter. For a moment his eyes drew together when he saw them talking, then he smiled brightly, "Your mate is something else, I tell you Crais."
"No, she is Sebacean and my mate," said Crais confused.
"No. What I mean to say is that she is more than I would have expected."
"In what way Crichton?"
"Apart from being gorgeous, if you don't mind me saying so, she is also very intelligent. Is there anything she doesn't know?"
"She doesn't know much about gardening and eco-styling. We had thought of installing..."
Crichton shook his head, "You are still too serious Crais."
Crais cocked his eyebrow.
"I was only complimenting your mate on her abilities and she has many."
Crais inclined his head.
Tauvo and Tyrek ran into the room and straight to their father, "Moya is much bigger than Talyn, Father, but she is so different."
"How," asked Crichton before Crais could say a word.
"She doesn't want to talk to us," said Tauvo surprised.
"She is not used to talking to anyone else other than Leviathans and Pilots," explained Crais.
"Oh," said Tyrek crestfallen but almost immediately brightened up, "Can we go to the Observation Deck and watch Talyn?"
"You have to ask the people who live here on Moya if you can, it is their ship," said Crais.
Two sets of dark innocent eyes looked at Aeryn and Crichton, "May we? Please?"
They were given leave to go.
Crais spoke softly with Lyane, who nodded.
Crichton asked, "Any secrets Crais?"
"No, Crichton. I just wanted to know if she had enjoyed her trip around the ship."
"Why shouldn't she, Crais?"
Crais sighed. For him twelve cycles had passed. For Crichton, Crais and he still had a past with Tauvo's accident. "I am glad she enjoyed herself," said Crais evading the question.
"So, what are you going to do? Stay around for a little while longer? Or leave immediately," Crichton asked.
"We are not in a hurry," replied Crais.
"Ah," remarked Crichton.
"Would you and your family share a repast with us," asked Aeryn.
"We were only an emergency that distracted them, Aeryn," replied Crichton, "Maybe Crais and the others were on their way somewhere when they encountered Moya's distress signal."
Lyane could feel Crais' hurt at Crichton's words through the link as she turned with a smile to Aeryn, "We would love to. Talyn is so excited speaking to his mother for the moment. He has missed her for twelve cycles."
Crais smiled. It saved Aeryn feeling embarrassed by Crichton's rude behaviour.
Unfortunately Crichton wasn't so gracious, "Chiana isn't able to cook right now and the rest of us are terrible cooks."
Lyane smiled again, "Then you are in luck. Bialar tells me I am a great cook and I would love to cook for all of us, just point me to the right ingredients." She stood up gracefully and smiled at everyone in the Galley. Aeryn showed her where all the supplies were kept.
While Lyane and Aeryn were cooking, Crais gave the others an abbreviated version of his survival from the Command Carrier through to finding his mate and his wanderings since then.
The others listened with rapt attention; only Crichton seemed to take it in with scepticism. Crais grew annoyed with Crichton's behaviour. He had done nothing to be subjected to this, quite the contrary and it was wearing on his good mood. Finally he came to end of his story.
"That was drad!" Everyone agreed with Chiana's opinion.
"So Cap'n Crunch flies again," said Crichton.
Crais flinched. In the last twelve cycles, the nicknames Crichton had chosen for him were what he had missed the least.
"Talyn's unique make-up saved the day then?"
"Yes."
"You knew this all along, didn't you?"
"No, I did not Crichton."
"Sure you did."
Crais' brows furrowed and Lyane turned around to look at him. The danger-signs of his temper flaring reached her through the link. Aeryn had also turned to look at the two men. She didn't need the link to feel the animosity.
Crais' voice changed pitch slightly, drawing Aeryn's attention even more, "Talyn and I had already resigned to certain death. That we lived through it was a bonus we didn't expect."
"But you must have calculated it in your equations of survival."
"There was a slim possibility..."
"So, your alleged sacrifice..."
Crais had enough. Crichton never saw him move. The next thing he was aware of was Crais' hand over his windpipe, lifting him effortlessly out of the chair, lifting him off the ground. Crichton's face slowly turned purple while he clawed his hands over Crais' hand, to no avail. Crais' grip was strong but not crushing, yet.
It took a couple of microts before the others reacted. At just that moment the twins happened to return to the Galley. Crais' eyes flashed dark with rage.
"Father..."
"Bialar..."
"Crais..."
All called out to him to stop him from injuring Crichton. It wasn't obvious who finally managed to penetrate the fog of anger. Crais simply opened his hand and Crichton fell to the floor gasping for air, "You Frellnik! What were you trying to do? Kill me?" Crichton rubbed his neck where the mark of Crais' hand was already showing.
Crais breathed deeply but had his anger quickly under control. It hadn't completely escaped him yet and a small tremor was present in his voice, "Had I wanted to do that, Crichton, you wouldn't be breathing now."
His children looked at Crais in shock and Crais regretted that they had been witness to his anger. His head lifted and he searched for Lyane's eyes. He found that shock was written on her face too. She knew about his temper but thought he had lost it over the cycles. He saw the same shock on everyone else's face and when he looked at Crichton again, he imagined he saw a smirk there. The urge to throttle the human still hadn't left him but he kept himself in check.
~Why Bialar?~ Lyane's voice reached him through the link. Tauvo and Tyrek clung to her.
~Many things. I wonder why I bothered to save him. He doesn't trust me. He insults me in front of you. I think I've had enough~
Crais looked up and over to Crichton, his face and voice were dangerously calm, "It is obvious from your remarks that I am not welcome here. I will leave." He moved away from the table.
Crichton smiled his sweet little smile, "You are still quite touchy."
For a moment, Lyane could feel the heat of anger rise in Crais again but it was squelched almost immediately.
Crais ignored Crichton and turned to the others. Embarrassment was on their faces. Aeryn stood in front of Crais, "Please stay. Don't let John get under your skin. The others and I appreciate what you have done for us."
Crais shook his head, "Lyane and my sons can stay if they wish but I will return to Talyn."
Aeryn understood and nodded, "Will we see you again?"
"Talyn will visit his mother when we are near," Crais answered evasively.
Lyane made as if to move towards Crais but he turned around to her ~Please stay! We have been without company of others for a long time now. It will be good for the boys to interact with other people. Ignore Crichton and enjoy the company of the others~
~But my place should be with you~
Crais nodded ~For now, I want you to stay here. Enjoy yourself. I still have work to do~
Crais picked up his helmet and flight jacket, donned the jacket and left the room.
+++++
With a last scowl at Crichton, Aeryn ran after Crais, "Crais, come back."
"What for, Aeryn," Crais turned around slowly, "It is obvious that Crichton doesn't want me here. I don't have to sit and be insulted in front of my family without reacting. At least my family can enjoy your company for a while."
"And what about you Crais," Aeryn asked softly.
"I will enjoy my family's company when they are back on board," Crais replied and added, "Besides I have work to do. It was interrupted when we heard Moya's cry for help."
Aeryn looked down, "John should not have..."
Crais lifted Aeryn's chin by his finger, his voice was soft, " For Crichton, only a cycle has passed and he didn't trust me then. For me, twelve cycles have passed and I had grown to believe I had controlled my temper. I guess both of us were wrong."
"You have changed so much Crais."
He smiled, "Thank you, Aeryn. That you believe that means a lot to me. I have to go now. Treat my family with kindness."
"We will." She placed a gentle kiss on his cheek.
She watched him don his helmet and get into his Fighter. Before joining the others she went to the observation Deck. She had not had the chance to fly the other ship. She sighed with regret when she saw him leave Moya. Then she got a glimpse of Talyn and gasped in wonderment. Talyn had been beautiful as a young Leviathan and he was even more beautiful now. His hide was almost as black as space itself and she realised that the only reason she saw him was because he made no attempt to hide from them. He was almost as big as Moya. She watched Crais' Fighter approach Talyn. For a moment, it seemed as if the Fighter disappeared when Crais changed the angle to Dock. Aeryn smiled. At the right angle, Talyn would be a formidable gunship who could conceal himself from his enemies. Crais would have taught him well.
She sighed. She would have liked to visit Talyn again.
She turned away from the view port and returned to the Galley.
She saw Chiana and the two boys leave the Galley. They chatted happily and were on their way to Pilot's den. A feeling of unease crept up.
"And that was about eleven cycles ago," Crais concluded.
"Then when did you two..." Aeryn was curious to know when they bonded.
Crais smiled, "Not for another cycle. Lyane could be so annoying, jumping from one subject to another, sometimes even in mid-sentence, and then pick it up again topics or arns later. It was most... bewildering. Especially after having been on my own for so long. It took me a while to get used to it. She had to get used to my tempers too, and my commitment to Talyn and our safety."
Crais stood up and started pacing the Galley, stopping only to gaze out of the view-port once in a while, probably looking at Talyn, "Customs in the far reaches of the Uncharted Territories are not that much different from Sebacean societies closer to the edge of Peacekeeper-territory. What it does differ in is their bonding customs. We can re-bond after our partner dies. It is more practical in that respect. Also," he looked outside, "they allow inter-species bonding."
"Does that mean that Lyane..."
"No, she is purebred Sebacean. She will see no problem in you and Crichton getting bonded."
Aeryn looked down at her hands, "But you still find it difficult to accept."
Crais stepped back to the table and sat down again, placing his hand over hers, "No Aeryn, I have accepted that since Dam-ba-da. I had come to accept your bonding but accepting is not the same as understanding. Lyane taught me that."
Aeryn looked up and saw the gentle smile on his face.
Aeryn cocked her head at him, "Are you happy Crais?"
Crais looked confused, "Yes, why do you ask?"
"Is this a bonding of love or of convenience? If it is the latter then I'm wondering if you are happy."
Crais' smile was gentle, "Thank you for your concern, Aeryn. It might have started as convenience, maybe there was some love and some lust involved, but now, and certainly after the birth of the twins, it has evolved into love. Lyane is now bonded to Talyn as well. There are no secrets between us."
Aeryn's face fell when she learned of Lyane's bonding to Talyn, "No secrets whatsoever?"
Crais smiled, "None. To keep a secret, even for a short while, full privacy mode has to be used, unless one has the cooperation of one of the participants in the link or one could take the transponder out. There is some degree of privacy but not much."
"Oh!"
Crais could understand Aeryn's disappointment; his face was serious when he looked at her, "Aeryn, a three way bonding with Talyn would not have worked with you and me in the long run."
"Why not," Aeryn was adamant, "When I was bonded to Talyn for a while we did not have that problem?"
"Not for such a short while, but the link would have grown stronger. Privacy mode would have become more difficult to maintain. Aeryn, there are no secrets, no lies, no lone thoughts in the link. It is almost like having one mind shared by three people, but stronger. You share your mind, every thought, every feeling. And the longer the link exists the stronger the bond."
"And?"
"Aeryn, you loved... love John Crichton. Do you know what your thoughts and feelings could have done to Talyn... and me? It would have confused us. Or imagine the effect of you two recreating while I'm in Command and Talyn is preparing for StarBurst?" There was an amused smile around his lips.
Yes, Aeryn could understand, she just never thought she would have to face that fact.
Crais touched the side of her cheek gently, "You might not be bonded to a Leviathan but is Talyn right? Will you be bonded soon to Crichton because of his child?"
Aeryn looked at him open-mouthed, "How do you know?"
"Our Fighter took a reading."
"Crais!"
"Yes Aeryn?"
"You can't just..."
Crais smiled his little enigmatic smile, "No secrets Aeryn."
Aeryn blushed, "I see what you mean. But where is the fun in surprises?"
"I have never liked surprises," replied Crais, "Although Talyn and Lyane had kept the pregnancy with the twins a good secret until she was sure and was ready to tell me. So, you see there is a little privacy but it should have at least two participants. Keeping a secret on one's own will make the others suspicious. You don't want that in a relationship. Fact is, they conspired against me."
Aeryn had to smile, "That must have been a Hezmana of a surprise Crais."
"It was, Aeryn. I am not sure which was the bigger surprise, knowing that I was going to be a father, or Talyn and Lyane conspiring against me."
Aeryn smiled.
They could hear the sounds of the others returning.
+++++
Crichton was the first to enter. For a moment his eyes drew together when he saw them talking, then he smiled brightly, "Your mate is something else, I tell you Crais."
"No, she is Sebacean and my mate," said Crais confused.
"No. What I mean to say is that she is more than I would have expected."
"In what way Crichton?"
"Apart from being gorgeous, if you don't mind me saying so, she is also very intelligent. Is there anything she doesn't know?"
"She doesn't know much about gardening and eco-styling. We had thought of installing..."
Crichton shook his head, "You are still too serious Crais."
Crais cocked his eyebrow.
"I was only complimenting your mate on her abilities and she has many."
Crais inclined his head.
Tauvo and Tyrek ran into the room and straight to their father, "Moya is much bigger than Talyn, Father, but she is so different."
"How," asked Crichton before Crais could say a word.
"She doesn't want to talk to us," said Tauvo surprised.
"She is not used to talking to anyone else other than Leviathans and Pilots," explained Crais.
"Oh," said Tyrek crestfallen but almost immediately brightened up, "Can we go to the Observation Deck and watch Talyn?"
"You have to ask the people who live here on Moya if you can, it is their ship," said Crais.
Two sets of dark innocent eyes looked at Aeryn and Crichton, "May we? Please?"
They were given leave to go.
Crais spoke softly with Lyane, who nodded.
Crichton asked, "Any secrets Crais?"
"No, Crichton. I just wanted to know if she had enjoyed her trip around the ship."
"Why shouldn't she, Crais?"
Crais sighed. For him twelve cycles had passed. For Crichton, Crais and he still had a past with Tauvo's accident. "I am glad she enjoyed herself," said Crais evading the question.
"So, what are you going to do? Stay around for a little while longer? Or leave immediately," Crichton asked.
"We are not in a hurry," replied Crais.
"Ah," remarked Crichton.
"Would you and your family share a repast with us," asked Aeryn.
"We were only an emergency that distracted them, Aeryn," replied Crichton, "Maybe Crais and the others were on their way somewhere when they encountered Moya's distress signal."
Lyane could feel Crais' hurt at Crichton's words through the link as she turned with a smile to Aeryn, "We would love to. Talyn is so excited speaking to his mother for the moment. He has missed her for twelve cycles."
Crais smiled. It saved Aeryn feeling embarrassed by Crichton's rude behaviour.
Unfortunately Crichton wasn't so gracious, "Chiana isn't able to cook right now and the rest of us are terrible cooks."
Lyane smiled again, "Then you are in luck. Bialar tells me I am a great cook and I would love to cook for all of us, just point me to the right ingredients." She stood up gracefully and smiled at everyone in the Galley. Aeryn showed her where all the supplies were kept.
While Lyane and Aeryn were cooking, Crais gave the others an abbreviated version of his survival from the Command Carrier through to finding his mate and his wanderings since then.
The others listened with rapt attention; only Crichton seemed to take it in with scepticism. Crais grew annoyed with Crichton's behaviour. He had done nothing to be subjected to this, quite the contrary and it was wearing on his good mood. Finally he came to end of his story.
"That was drad!" Everyone agreed with Chiana's opinion.
"So Cap'n Crunch flies again," said Crichton.
Crais flinched. In the last twelve cycles, the nicknames Crichton had chosen for him were what he had missed the least.
"Talyn's unique make-up saved the day then?"
"Yes."
"You knew this all along, didn't you?"
"No, I did not Crichton."
"Sure you did."
Crais' brows furrowed and Lyane turned around to look at him. The danger-signs of his temper flaring reached her through the link. Aeryn had also turned to look at the two men. She didn't need the link to feel the animosity.
Crais' voice changed pitch slightly, drawing Aeryn's attention even more, "Talyn and I had already resigned to certain death. That we lived through it was a bonus we didn't expect."
"But you must have calculated it in your equations of survival."
"There was a slim possibility..."
"So, your alleged sacrifice..."
Crais had enough. Crichton never saw him move. The next thing he was aware of was Crais' hand over his windpipe, lifting him effortlessly out of the chair, lifting him off the ground. Crichton's face slowly turned purple while he clawed his hands over Crais' hand, to no avail. Crais' grip was strong but not crushing, yet.
It took a couple of microts before the others reacted. At just that moment the twins happened to return to the Galley. Crais' eyes flashed dark with rage.
"Father..."
"Bialar..."
"Crais..."
All called out to him to stop him from injuring Crichton. It wasn't obvious who finally managed to penetrate the fog of anger. Crais simply opened his hand and Crichton fell to the floor gasping for air, "You Frellnik! What were you trying to do? Kill me?" Crichton rubbed his neck where the mark of Crais' hand was already showing.
Crais breathed deeply but had his anger quickly under control. It hadn't completely escaped him yet and a small tremor was present in his voice, "Had I wanted to do that, Crichton, you wouldn't be breathing now."
His children looked at Crais in shock and Crais regretted that they had been witness to his anger. His head lifted and he searched for Lyane's eyes. He found that shock was written on her face too. She knew about his temper but thought he had lost it over the cycles. He saw the same shock on everyone else's face and when he looked at Crichton again, he imagined he saw a smirk there. The urge to throttle the human still hadn't left him but he kept himself in check.
~Why Bialar?~ Lyane's voice reached him through the link. Tauvo and Tyrek clung to her.
~Many things. I wonder why I bothered to save him. He doesn't trust me. He insults me in front of you. I think I've had enough~
Crais looked up and over to Crichton, his face and voice were dangerously calm, "It is obvious from your remarks that I am not welcome here. I will leave." He moved away from the table.
Crichton smiled his sweet little smile, "You are still quite touchy."
For a moment, Lyane could feel the heat of anger rise in Crais again but it was squelched almost immediately.
Crais ignored Crichton and turned to the others. Embarrassment was on their faces. Aeryn stood in front of Crais, "Please stay. Don't let John get under your skin. The others and I appreciate what you have done for us."
Crais shook his head, "Lyane and my sons can stay if they wish but I will return to Talyn."
Aeryn understood and nodded, "Will we see you again?"
"Talyn will visit his mother when we are near," Crais answered evasively.
Lyane made as if to move towards Crais but he turned around to her ~Please stay! We have been without company of others for a long time now. It will be good for the boys to interact with other people. Ignore Crichton and enjoy the company of the others~
~But my place should be with you~
Crais nodded ~For now, I want you to stay here. Enjoy yourself. I still have work to do~
Crais picked up his helmet and flight jacket, donned the jacket and left the room.
+++++
With a last scowl at Crichton, Aeryn ran after Crais, "Crais, come back."
"What for, Aeryn," Crais turned around slowly, "It is obvious that Crichton doesn't want me here. I don't have to sit and be insulted in front of my family without reacting. At least my family can enjoy your company for a while."
"And what about you Crais," Aeryn asked softly.
"I will enjoy my family's company when they are back on board," Crais replied and added, "Besides I have work to do. It was interrupted when we heard Moya's cry for help."
Aeryn looked down, "John should not have..."
Crais lifted Aeryn's chin by his finger, his voice was soft, " For Crichton, only a cycle has passed and he didn't trust me then. For me, twelve cycles have passed and I had grown to believe I had controlled my temper. I guess both of us were wrong."
"You have changed so much Crais."
He smiled, "Thank you, Aeryn. That you believe that means a lot to me. I have to go now. Treat my family with kindness."
"We will." She placed a gentle kiss on his cheek.
She watched him don his helmet and get into his Fighter. Before joining the others she went to the observation Deck. She had not had the chance to fly the other ship. She sighed with regret when she saw him leave Moya. Then she got a glimpse of Talyn and gasped in wonderment. Talyn had been beautiful as a young Leviathan and he was even more beautiful now. His hide was almost as black as space itself and she realised that the only reason she saw him was because he made no attempt to hide from them. He was almost as big as Moya. She watched Crais' Fighter approach Talyn. For a moment, it seemed as if the Fighter disappeared when Crais changed the angle to Dock. Aeryn smiled. At the right angle, Talyn would be a formidable gunship who could conceal himself from his enemies. Crais would have taught him well.
She sighed. She would have liked to visit Talyn again.
She turned away from the view port and returned to the Galley.
She saw Chiana and the two boys leave the Galley. They chatted happily and were on their way to Pilot's den. A feeling of unease crept up.