Part 4: Unrealized Truths
"When it came to pilots, Aeryn Sun was the best we had. She rapidly moved through the ranks to command one of the exceptional squadrons, but I could tell her heart just wasn't in it, " Sky'leen Orin was staring off in the distance as she told John her story. "You wanted to ask me if Aeryn had been close to anyone.Josef Trusoe comes to mind."
John watched her for a moment then quickly looked away. Sky'leen didn't miss the action. "I am not going to lie to you, Crichton. Do you want to know or not, it's up to you?"
He looked back over at her. "Tell me what you can. I need to know."
She leaned back against the wall as she returned to her narration. "Josef was her second in command..
**************************
Planet: Novato
The campaign had been horrendous. The demands of flying rarely and briefly left little room for emotions or extraneous thought. There was an air of numbed unreality about us, with the death of Captain Kal Emot. He was the squadron's first combat loss ever.
As a peacekeeper you expect to die doing your duty. It is a great honor to do so without thought. Now it is different, when everyone's life counted because you are a small group. The Captain had taught us that.
Aeryn admired the Captain. He was the first to accept her. She had taken his death more personally than the rest of us. Josef observed this, and hated to see her suffer. Aeryn had an air of great sadness about her.
The pilots headed to the briefing room for the inescapable debriefing. The mission had been a victory. Aeryn Sun moved up in rank with Josef Trusoc. They were to take over a new unit called Spec Ops. This unit was to work closer to the rebel's in high command.
(It was) Late after (the) briefing when everyone was dismissed, Aeryn would always go to quarters to clean up then she would find her way to the training room. Josef knowing her pattern, waited for her. He was attracted to her, but, she always held back not wanting to get close to anyone. She walked in saw him without his shirt on working out, and froze.
Aeryn didn't know if she wanted to run or stay. She just stared at this handsome man. She could feel an attraction to him, as John would say they clicked. Forcing her eyes away from him, she started working out. Neither spoke for an arn when Josef stopped, picking up a cloth he wiped the sweat away while watching Aeryn.
Throwing the cloth down he walked over to the practice dummy. "I'm sorry that the Captain died. I understand you feel for his loss."
She didn't stop, but hit the bag harder. "Aeryn, it's all right to express your feeling if you want." He tried again.
He couldn't really understand, Aeryn thought. Every time she felt something for any one they died. It had never hurt before. Now with these emotions, the pain cut deeper. She kicked the dummy once, twice. Abruptly she stopped. Her head and shoulders hunched in defeat.
Josef went to her taking her in his arms. All he thought of was being there for her. She didn't pull away, but leaned into him letting his warmth give her the comfort and security she was starving for. Kissing her ear, Josef whispered softly, "Could you just let me take care of you, Aeryn?" He cajoled.
His warm breath stirred shivers along her flesh, and a curious excitement tingling in her breast. The tensions of the day had certainly had its effect on her, she thought, for her senses reeled in drunken pleasure. Josef kissed her on the side of her neck.
"Please, Aeryn, I'll be gentle with you," Josef sighted pressing his lips to the tempting corner of her mouth. "Let me hold you and care for you as I long to do. Let me touch you-have you-"
"Josef," she gasped breathlessly and avoided his kiss. "Please let me go."
"We need each other, Aeryn, let me have you."
She started to push him away, but his mouth smothered her protests. Her head whirled in an ever-quickening eddy, and she struggled against the intoxication of his kiss.
"Josef.wait!" Aeryn gasped as his lips lifted from hers. His fingers were freeing her breasts from her vest.
"No, Aeryn. Yield to me now," he murmured thickly against her throat. His face lowered. His mouth was scalding upon her breast, and she was devoured in a searing, scorching flame that shot through her like a pulse blast.
"John," she panted in a whisper. "Oh, don't---please----" she could not draw a deeper breath. "Oh, John-don't stop-"
Josef raised his head, realizing who she had called him. Then he heard another voice coming over their comms. "Frell you deceiving little bitch!" He pushed her away. "You frelled that damn human!"
Aeryn came out of her dreamy haze pulling her vest closed with shaky fingers. She moved away from him. He vented his wrath in searing words as he pulled his shirt back on.
Aeryn ignore him when she hard her comm go off. Gathering her breath she answered. "Yes, Lieutenant."
"Officer Sun, I need you to report to me immediately in command."
"Yes, sir." She glanced back over at Josef not really knowing what to say. He had his back to her as he moved away. She left.
Josef was revolted that his Aeryn would let herself be touched by a lesser species. A ragged growl tore from his throat; he launched himself, feet first, against the practice dummy. The force of his attack sent it into the bunker wall. It was several microts before he subdued his rage.
A small voice whispered to him. You and she are no longer peacekeepers, why should it matter any more? This human is the past, and you could be the future; when the peacekeepers make him a hero. He thought sarcastically. No, Aeryn loved this human and there would never really be any place for him. It was going to take time for him to except this idea. Certain of one thing, he didn't want to let her go so easily.
**********************
Present:
John staggered to his feet. His back was to the room facing the wall his head and shoulders slumped in defeat. This was more then he wanted to hear- he needed to hear-it. It felt as if another piece of his heart was breaking. How many pieces will she keep chipping away? Why couldn't he just let her go like D'Argo advised?
He heard movement behind him, a hand on his arm. Straightening up, he couldn't face the person behind him. Feeling him tense up, Sky'leen let her hand drop.
"What I am telling you is true? I do know for a fact that Aeryn and Josef never recreated."
He turned sharply and snarled. "How do you know that? Where you there 24- 7? Did you put a chastity belt on her and keep the key? Aeryn does what Aeryn wants.I should know, lady. She has done it to me to many times."
Sky'leen's eyes narrowed. "Oh! And you want Aeryn to tell you every little detail about her time away from you because you can't trust her with your heart. Well that kind of trust goes both ways." She got in his face. "What about your time with Grayza? Have you shared that information with Aeryn?"
John stumbled back from her. His eyes grew large. What the frell? How could she know."You're a mind reading alien.get out of my head! Damn you!"
Sky'leen stood there looking at him sadly. She had been overwhelmed by his emotional outburst causing her to reveal more than she wanted. Cursing under her breath, she tried to calm him.
"John, I'm sorry you are right I shouldn't have said that."
"How in the frell did you know?" He snarled.
"Did you ever wonder why the peacekeepers are after me? Why I deserted?" She declared. "My genetics' were contaminated. When this was discovered, the PK's tried to make me their living experiment. They wanted to know if my abilities could of use to them. I deserted because I wanted to live. I had a strong desire not to become someone's lab creature." She moved away from him. Looking tired. "It would seem John Crichton we all have hidden truths."
Sky'leen leaned her back against the wall sliding down to set on the floor. She looked up at John standing in the middle of the room. "Everything I have told you is true. I have no reason to lie to you."
John stood looking into the distance not sure what he believed. This universe just kept throwing these crazy curve balls. Clearing his throat he asked. "How did you know about what happen in the practice room between Aeryn and Josef?"
"Peacekeepers like to keep you under surveillance. The rebels were no different. I knew what was going on. That was why I commed for Aeryn to come to me. It wasn't until later that I was able to talk to Josef. Aeryn loves you beyond all comprehensions. She doesn't understand, so she runs. You can't trust the truth, so you need impossibilities. The question now remains, John Crichton, where does that leave you and Aeryn Sun?"
"When it came to pilots, Aeryn Sun was the best we had. She rapidly moved through the ranks to command one of the exceptional squadrons, but I could tell her heart just wasn't in it, " Sky'leen Orin was staring off in the distance as she told John her story. "You wanted to ask me if Aeryn had been close to anyone.Josef Trusoe comes to mind."
John watched her for a moment then quickly looked away. Sky'leen didn't miss the action. "I am not going to lie to you, Crichton. Do you want to know or not, it's up to you?"
He looked back over at her. "Tell me what you can. I need to know."
She leaned back against the wall as she returned to her narration. "Josef was her second in command..
**************************
Planet: Novato
The campaign had been horrendous. The demands of flying rarely and briefly left little room for emotions or extraneous thought. There was an air of numbed unreality about us, with the death of Captain Kal Emot. He was the squadron's first combat loss ever.
As a peacekeeper you expect to die doing your duty. It is a great honor to do so without thought. Now it is different, when everyone's life counted because you are a small group. The Captain had taught us that.
Aeryn admired the Captain. He was the first to accept her. She had taken his death more personally than the rest of us. Josef observed this, and hated to see her suffer. Aeryn had an air of great sadness about her.
The pilots headed to the briefing room for the inescapable debriefing. The mission had been a victory. Aeryn Sun moved up in rank with Josef Trusoc. They were to take over a new unit called Spec Ops. This unit was to work closer to the rebel's in high command.
(It was) Late after (the) briefing when everyone was dismissed, Aeryn would always go to quarters to clean up then she would find her way to the training room. Josef knowing her pattern, waited for her. He was attracted to her, but, she always held back not wanting to get close to anyone. She walked in saw him without his shirt on working out, and froze.
Aeryn didn't know if she wanted to run or stay. She just stared at this handsome man. She could feel an attraction to him, as John would say they clicked. Forcing her eyes away from him, she started working out. Neither spoke for an arn when Josef stopped, picking up a cloth he wiped the sweat away while watching Aeryn.
Throwing the cloth down he walked over to the practice dummy. "I'm sorry that the Captain died. I understand you feel for his loss."
She didn't stop, but hit the bag harder. "Aeryn, it's all right to express your feeling if you want." He tried again.
He couldn't really understand, Aeryn thought. Every time she felt something for any one they died. It had never hurt before. Now with these emotions, the pain cut deeper. She kicked the dummy once, twice. Abruptly she stopped. Her head and shoulders hunched in defeat.
Josef went to her taking her in his arms. All he thought of was being there for her. She didn't pull away, but leaned into him letting his warmth give her the comfort and security she was starving for. Kissing her ear, Josef whispered softly, "Could you just let me take care of you, Aeryn?" He cajoled.
His warm breath stirred shivers along her flesh, and a curious excitement tingling in her breast. The tensions of the day had certainly had its effect on her, she thought, for her senses reeled in drunken pleasure. Josef kissed her on the side of her neck.
"Please, Aeryn, I'll be gentle with you," Josef sighted pressing his lips to the tempting corner of her mouth. "Let me hold you and care for you as I long to do. Let me touch you-have you-"
"Josef," she gasped breathlessly and avoided his kiss. "Please let me go."
"We need each other, Aeryn, let me have you."
She started to push him away, but his mouth smothered her protests. Her head whirled in an ever-quickening eddy, and she struggled against the intoxication of his kiss.
"Josef.wait!" Aeryn gasped as his lips lifted from hers. His fingers were freeing her breasts from her vest.
"No, Aeryn. Yield to me now," he murmured thickly against her throat. His face lowered. His mouth was scalding upon her breast, and she was devoured in a searing, scorching flame that shot through her like a pulse blast.
"John," she panted in a whisper. "Oh, don't---please----" she could not draw a deeper breath. "Oh, John-don't stop-"
Josef raised his head, realizing who she had called him. Then he heard another voice coming over their comms. "Frell you deceiving little bitch!" He pushed her away. "You frelled that damn human!"
Aeryn came out of her dreamy haze pulling her vest closed with shaky fingers. She moved away from him. He vented his wrath in searing words as he pulled his shirt back on.
Aeryn ignore him when she hard her comm go off. Gathering her breath she answered. "Yes, Lieutenant."
"Officer Sun, I need you to report to me immediately in command."
"Yes, sir." She glanced back over at Josef not really knowing what to say. He had his back to her as he moved away. She left.
Josef was revolted that his Aeryn would let herself be touched by a lesser species. A ragged growl tore from his throat; he launched himself, feet first, against the practice dummy. The force of his attack sent it into the bunker wall. It was several microts before he subdued his rage.
A small voice whispered to him. You and she are no longer peacekeepers, why should it matter any more? This human is the past, and you could be the future; when the peacekeepers make him a hero. He thought sarcastically. No, Aeryn loved this human and there would never really be any place for him. It was going to take time for him to except this idea. Certain of one thing, he didn't want to let her go so easily.
**********************
Present:
John staggered to his feet. His back was to the room facing the wall his head and shoulders slumped in defeat. This was more then he wanted to hear- he needed to hear-it. It felt as if another piece of his heart was breaking. How many pieces will she keep chipping away? Why couldn't he just let her go like D'Argo advised?
He heard movement behind him, a hand on his arm. Straightening up, he couldn't face the person behind him. Feeling him tense up, Sky'leen let her hand drop.
"What I am telling you is true? I do know for a fact that Aeryn and Josef never recreated."
He turned sharply and snarled. "How do you know that? Where you there 24- 7? Did you put a chastity belt on her and keep the key? Aeryn does what Aeryn wants.I should know, lady. She has done it to me to many times."
Sky'leen's eyes narrowed. "Oh! And you want Aeryn to tell you every little detail about her time away from you because you can't trust her with your heart. Well that kind of trust goes both ways." She got in his face. "What about your time with Grayza? Have you shared that information with Aeryn?"
John stumbled back from her. His eyes grew large. What the frell? How could she know."You're a mind reading alien.get out of my head! Damn you!"
Sky'leen stood there looking at him sadly. She had been overwhelmed by his emotional outburst causing her to reveal more than she wanted. Cursing under her breath, she tried to calm him.
"John, I'm sorry you are right I shouldn't have said that."
"How in the frell did you know?" He snarled.
"Did you ever wonder why the peacekeepers are after me? Why I deserted?" She declared. "My genetics' were contaminated. When this was discovered, the PK's tried to make me their living experiment. They wanted to know if my abilities could of use to them. I deserted because I wanted to live. I had a strong desire not to become someone's lab creature." She moved away from him. Looking tired. "It would seem John Crichton we all have hidden truths."
Sky'leen leaned her back against the wall sliding down to set on the floor. She looked up at John standing in the middle of the room. "Everything I have told you is true. I have no reason to lie to you."
John stood looking into the distance not sure what he believed. This universe just kept throwing these crazy curve balls. Clearing his throat he asked. "How did you know about what happen in the practice room between Aeryn and Josef?"
"Peacekeepers like to keep you under surveillance. The rebels were no different. I knew what was going on. That was why I commed for Aeryn to come to me. It wasn't until later that I was able to talk to Josef. Aeryn loves you beyond all comprehensions. She doesn't understand, so she runs. You can't trust the truth, so you need impossibilities. The question now remains, John Crichton, where does that leave you and Aeryn Sun?"