The Planet and the Stars
By: DekotaSkye
DISCLAIMER: I don't own the characters, the Jim Henson Company does, and.whoever else. I'm just using the characters for a moment in fun and entertainment. Special thanks to Andromeda for her hard work in keeping me straight. Corrections after Beta all mistakes are mine. Spoilers: Parts of the discussion was taken from Terra Firma. It takes place after Bad Timing and shortly after the beginning of the fifth season Earth time. Rated: G
Part 3: Bittersweet
The stars seemed extra beautiful tonight. Glittering like jewels in satin. Looking out the window, he could almost picture Moya gliding in and out. A harsh ironic barking laugh escaped before Jack Crichton took another drink of whiskey. The reality of space was that it was cold. It was filled with dangers he couldn't even begin to comprehend, and John faced them everyday. Jack had begun to understand why John changed; he had to stay alive. Finishing the drink off, Jack forcibly set the glass down harder then he meant. He stared at the blank television thinking bitterly; here he sat safe and protected on his backward little planet while all he wanted was be with.
My son, my son. What have they done to you? What have you been force to do? The changes screamed of hardships that he had to face. Jack had always seen the best of himself and his wife in John. John had been an honorable and much loved man by his family and friends before his disappearance. After his return no one hardly recognized him as the same man, what horrific reasons changed you so?
Bowing his head Jack wiped a stray tear from his cheek. It had been a little over two months since they had retrieved the information John had left on Serenity Base. The officials in IASA had been both irate and distressed over the loss of the wormhole. When the truth became known why John had been forced to destroy it, the reaction was split; some revered him as hero for his self-sacrificing act to protect his homeworld. While others condemned him for denying Earth the advantage the wormhole could provide. Stupid, arrogant people. What did it take for them to realize that if John felt it necessary to close the wormhole than what waited for humanity out there was as close to hell as one could get. Who were they to judge when they haven't even left the safety of their planet? Still all in all, they were ecstatic just to have the technology John had left them. Jack gave another bitter laugh; if the eggheads ever figure it out...
Jack grabbed the Jack Daniels bottle and upended the rest of the liquor into his glass. Picking up the remote, he pressed the play button and watched as John's face spring to life.
"Hey, Dad. I hope you receive this tape. I am more then sure the suites will try to open the box." John laughed. "Any way I took the idea from D'Argo's ship, only you can open it by way of your DNA."
John sat down on what looked like a bed, and a solemn look settled on his face. "There was so much I wanted to tell you but. Olivia told me I should just talk to you. Well, I'm sorry now I didn't get chance to do so. I wanted to let you, Livvy, and Susan know that I'm alive and well."
John looked down, pausing. "I would have stayed on Earth but." He glanced back up, clearing his throat choked with emotion. "I just don't feel like I belong there any more. So much has happened.I had to change. I guess I can say that Moya has become my home. My friends.D'Argo, Chiana, Pilot, Aeryn.and even Rygel have become a part of my extended family."
Chuckling John's face relaxed for a moment. "Ha! I bet you never believed you might find yourself on a first name basis with a bunch of aliens. Weird ha?"
Sobering John stared into the screen. "I miss you, Dad. When I felt lonely, I would talk to you and D.K." a glimpse of pain flashed across John's face. "DK and Karen. Gawd, Dad, I wish.I never wanted that to."
John grew quiet trying to collect himself. His breathing ragged. A hand came into view touching him on the shoulder. Jack leaned forward pressing the pause button. Long taper fingers on a very slim feminine hand. He wondered if John and Aeryn had worked out their problems. Flicking the button again he took a drink before he leaned back.
The hand disappeared, and John's mask was back in place. "I'm really am sorry they had to become victims to one of the horrors that lives on this side of the universe. This is what I wanted.I tried to explain to you.to the others why it is important for Earth to come together. There are great wonders out here, but there are also dangers that even the scifi guys couldn't begin to comprehend. Earth is just not ready. I hope one day." John nodded his head. "Yeah, maybe one day it will be."
"Well, I'm running out of time, more shit is about to hit the fan, and I don't want to be on the receiving end, so."
John glanced off screen, an amused smile settled on his face. "Now for the more personal stuff. Ah, Dad, I wanted you to know that you were right about Aeryn and me."
John was facing the screen again. "Aeryn told me what you had said to her in the prowler. I wanted to think you for that. Our relationship is complicated at best. We've gotten back together and." Breaking off, John held out his hand. The same feminine hand, Jack had seen earlier, appeared leading to Aeryn sitting next to John on the bed. She smiled shyly at the screen. One thing Jack noticed on Aeryn's hand. He hit the paused button again.
Jack leaned forward taking a harder look. Something sparkled on the third finger of her left hand. Damn. His wife's diamond ring that Livvy had given John. It would appear his son and Aeryn finally got it together. Excitedly he hit play button.
"I just wanted you to know that Aeryn and I are together and hopefully in a few months time you'll be able to welcome a new member into the family." John smiled. Aeryn leaned over and whispered in his ear. Nodding his head John's smile exploded. "Well make that two new members."
Aeryn gave one of her radian smiles. Jack breath caught in the back of his throat. Damn, she's gorgeous.
John brought up Aeryn's hand to his lips and kissed it. "I remember Mom saying that you have a soul mate in this universe somewhere, you've just got to look for them. Well, I guess you said I found mine even though I had to go through a wormhole to do it. We do love each other, and Aeryn has consented to become my wife. Now for the second member."
John paused looking at Aeryn and whispered something in her ear. Frowning, Aeryn said something else causing John to sit up straighter-finally nodding his head. Aeryn shook her's again.
Jack found himself sitting on the edge of the coach mumbling to himself. "Come on, guys, talk."
Finally Aeryn shrugged her slender shoulders and faced the screen with a smile and said in clear English. "We wanted you to know that you are going to be a Grandfather. We are going to have a baby and hope that one day you will get to meet her."
"We wanted you and the girls to know. Hell, Dad, you never know we might find our way back to you sooner then you think."
Jack hit the rewind then play button. Aeryn and John repeated the news again. Hitting the pause button he sat back with a gasp. He, Jack Crichton, was going to be a grandfather. His son John was going to be a father. An Aeryn Sun was going to be his daughter-in-law and mother of his new...
Reaching for his glass he swallowed the whiskey down in one gulp. Coughing slightly he looked around for another bottle of Jack Daniels. His mind was grappling with the reality that his grand child would be a real half alien .looking back at the screen he studied Aeryn.really studied her as he remembered the words he had said to her. "I don't see you as an alien." He pressed the play button.
Sobering, John said, "We've got to go. The Scarrans are not happy with us right now and the Peacekeepers are on the hunt. We're heading to where no man has gone before. Well deeper into the Uncharted Territories. Please, Dad, know that we will. " Falling silent John stared at the screen in silence for a moment. "Everything will work out, and that I've got a family here now. I love you, Dad. We'll be seeing you around soon."
John whispered to Aeryn. She raised her hand and waved, flashing her gorgeous smile again. The picture went blank. After a few minutes Jack cut the VCR off and tossed the remote down and simply sat back on the coach trying to take in what he had just been told. He was going to be a father- in-law and most of all a granddad.a grandchild.. Jack mind latched onto what Aeryn had said. A girl. He was going to get a granddaughter from John and Aeryn.
Coming back to reality he reached over to the phone and dialed. After a brief pause he said. "Olivia, are you doing anything right now? I got a message in a bottle from your brother, and I though you.yeah sure I'll be waiting for you. Ok honey, I'll be here."
Putting the receiver back Jack picked up the remote and rewound the tape. Damn, John was getting real good at surpassing his old man. Sitting back Jack once more watched his hero.
Finis
By: DekotaSkye
DISCLAIMER: I don't own the characters, the Jim Henson Company does, and.whoever else. I'm just using the characters for a moment in fun and entertainment. Special thanks to Andromeda for her hard work in keeping me straight. Corrections after Beta all mistakes are mine. Spoilers: Parts of the discussion was taken from Terra Firma. It takes place after Bad Timing and shortly after the beginning of the fifth season Earth time. Rated: G
Part 3: Bittersweet
The stars seemed extra beautiful tonight. Glittering like jewels in satin. Looking out the window, he could almost picture Moya gliding in and out. A harsh ironic barking laugh escaped before Jack Crichton took another drink of whiskey. The reality of space was that it was cold. It was filled with dangers he couldn't even begin to comprehend, and John faced them everyday. Jack had begun to understand why John changed; he had to stay alive. Finishing the drink off, Jack forcibly set the glass down harder then he meant. He stared at the blank television thinking bitterly; here he sat safe and protected on his backward little planet while all he wanted was be with.
My son, my son. What have they done to you? What have you been force to do? The changes screamed of hardships that he had to face. Jack had always seen the best of himself and his wife in John. John had been an honorable and much loved man by his family and friends before his disappearance. After his return no one hardly recognized him as the same man, what horrific reasons changed you so?
Bowing his head Jack wiped a stray tear from his cheek. It had been a little over two months since they had retrieved the information John had left on Serenity Base. The officials in IASA had been both irate and distressed over the loss of the wormhole. When the truth became known why John had been forced to destroy it, the reaction was split; some revered him as hero for his self-sacrificing act to protect his homeworld. While others condemned him for denying Earth the advantage the wormhole could provide. Stupid, arrogant people. What did it take for them to realize that if John felt it necessary to close the wormhole than what waited for humanity out there was as close to hell as one could get. Who were they to judge when they haven't even left the safety of their planet? Still all in all, they were ecstatic just to have the technology John had left them. Jack gave another bitter laugh; if the eggheads ever figure it out...
Jack grabbed the Jack Daniels bottle and upended the rest of the liquor into his glass. Picking up the remote, he pressed the play button and watched as John's face spring to life.
"Hey, Dad. I hope you receive this tape. I am more then sure the suites will try to open the box." John laughed. "Any way I took the idea from D'Argo's ship, only you can open it by way of your DNA."
John sat down on what looked like a bed, and a solemn look settled on his face. "There was so much I wanted to tell you but. Olivia told me I should just talk to you. Well, I'm sorry now I didn't get chance to do so. I wanted to let you, Livvy, and Susan know that I'm alive and well."
John looked down, pausing. "I would have stayed on Earth but." He glanced back up, clearing his throat choked with emotion. "I just don't feel like I belong there any more. So much has happened.I had to change. I guess I can say that Moya has become my home. My friends.D'Argo, Chiana, Pilot, Aeryn.and even Rygel have become a part of my extended family."
Chuckling John's face relaxed for a moment. "Ha! I bet you never believed you might find yourself on a first name basis with a bunch of aliens. Weird ha?"
Sobering John stared into the screen. "I miss you, Dad. When I felt lonely, I would talk to you and D.K." a glimpse of pain flashed across John's face. "DK and Karen. Gawd, Dad, I wish.I never wanted that to."
John grew quiet trying to collect himself. His breathing ragged. A hand came into view touching him on the shoulder. Jack leaned forward pressing the pause button. Long taper fingers on a very slim feminine hand. He wondered if John and Aeryn had worked out their problems. Flicking the button again he took a drink before he leaned back.
The hand disappeared, and John's mask was back in place. "I'm really am sorry they had to become victims to one of the horrors that lives on this side of the universe. This is what I wanted.I tried to explain to you.to the others why it is important for Earth to come together. There are great wonders out here, but there are also dangers that even the scifi guys couldn't begin to comprehend. Earth is just not ready. I hope one day." John nodded his head. "Yeah, maybe one day it will be."
"Well, I'm running out of time, more shit is about to hit the fan, and I don't want to be on the receiving end, so."
John glanced off screen, an amused smile settled on his face. "Now for the more personal stuff. Ah, Dad, I wanted you to know that you were right about Aeryn and me."
John was facing the screen again. "Aeryn told me what you had said to her in the prowler. I wanted to think you for that. Our relationship is complicated at best. We've gotten back together and." Breaking off, John held out his hand. The same feminine hand, Jack had seen earlier, appeared leading to Aeryn sitting next to John on the bed. She smiled shyly at the screen. One thing Jack noticed on Aeryn's hand. He hit the paused button again.
Jack leaned forward taking a harder look. Something sparkled on the third finger of her left hand. Damn. His wife's diamond ring that Livvy had given John. It would appear his son and Aeryn finally got it together. Excitedly he hit play button.
"I just wanted you to know that Aeryn and I are together and hopefully in a few months time you'll be able to welcome a new member into the family." John smiled. Aeryn leaned over and whispered in his ear. Nodding his head John's smile exploded. "Well make that two new members."
Aeryn gave one of her radian smiles. Jack breath caught in the back of his throat. Damn, she's gorgeous.
John brought up Aeryn's hand to his lips and kissed it. "I remember Mom saying that you have a soul mate in this universe somewhere, you've just got to look for them. Well, I guess you said I found mine even though I had to go through a wormhole to do it. We do love each other, and Aeryn has consented to become my wife. Now for the second member."
John paused looking at Aeryn and whispered something in her ear. Frowning, Aeryn said something else causing John to sit up straighter-finally nodding his head. Aeryn shook her's again.
Jack found himself sitting on the edge of the coach mumbling to himself. "Come on, guys, talk."
Finally Aeryn shrugged her slender shoulders and faced the screen with a smile and said in clear English. "We wanted you to know that you are going to be a Grandfather. We are going to have a baby and hope that one day you will get to meet her."
"We wanted you and the girls to know. Hell, Dad, you never know we might find our way back to you sooner then you think."
Jack hit the rewind then play button. Aeryn and John repeated the news again. Hitting the pause button he sat back with a gasp. He, Jack Crichton, was going to be a grandfather. His son John was going to be a father. An Aeryn Sun was going to be his daughter-in-law and mother of his new...
Reaching for his glass he swallowed the whiskey down in one gulp. Coughing slightly he looked around for another bottle of Jack Daniels. His mind was grappling with the reality that his grand child would be a real half alien .looking back at the screen he studied Aeryn.really studied her as he remembered the words he had said to her. "I don't see you as an alien." He pressed the play button.
Sobering, John said, "We've got to go. The Scarrans are not happy with us right now and the Peacekeepers are on the hunt. We're heading to where no man has gone before. Well deeper into the Uncharted Territories. Please, Dad, know that we will. " Falling silent John stared at the screen in silence for a moment. "Everything will work out, and that I've got a family here now. I love you, Dad. We'll be seeing you around soon."
John whispered to Aeryn. She raised her hand and waved, flashing her gorgeous smile again. The picture went blank. After a few minutes Jack cut the VCR off and tossed the remote down and simply sat back on the coach trying to take in what he had just been told. He was going to be a father- in-law and most of all a granddad.a grandchild.. Jack mind latched onto what Aeryn had said. A girl. He was going to get a granddaughter from John and Aeryn.
Coming back to reality he reached over to the phone and dialed. After a brief pause he said. "Olivia, are you doing anything right now? I got a message in a bottle from your brother, and I though you.yeah sure I'll be waiting for you. Ok honey, I'll be here."
Putting the receiver back Jack picked up the remote and rewound the tape. Damn, John was getting real good at surpassing his old man. Sitting back Jack once more watched his hero.
Finis