Chapter 4
Crichton had spent the whole night beside Aeryn's bed, holding her hand and stroking her hair. At some point though, she has woken in a hot sweat and began to feel nausea again. She had vomited to the moon and back, well John had thought so anyway. It seemed to him that she was getting worse by the solar days. She had hardly the strength to keep food down, mostly consisting of food cubes. These tasted of nothing. He just sat there holding her hand and praying, praying that they would find a cure before the five solar days were up.
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Zhaan had asked that everyone assemble in the mess hole for a meeting on Aeryn's condition. The news she was about to say was both good and bad.
"Well according to this book" explained Zhaan, showing the book to everyone "These creatures are called 'Jarred Scypernites.'
"So" asked D'Argo, "What do these 'Jarred Scypernites' do?"
"Well from the picture here, these spikes embed themselves into the victim. The spikes unleash deadly venom, which in five solar days will kill the victim."
"Oh god!" cried John, as tears welled up in his eyes.
Chiana patted John on the shoulder.
"Its okay, Old man. Aeryn is strong. She'll pull through."
Critchon turned to look at Chiana and smiled at her for her support.
"Well according to this book, Aeryn will endure large amounts of nausea and vomiting. She will also experience a fever, possible dizziness and hallucinations. Some of these we have seen already."
"Any good points" asked Rygel, starting to realise that his shipmate was in more serious danger than he thought.
"Yes. There is a cure in this book, however I can't provide the cure's ingredients here. The planet 'Trillion' holds the answers. You will only have five solar days to get it.
"Yotz, Five Solar days!" cursed Rygel.
"I'm afraid so. Although Aeryn is strong, I doubt whether she was last for more than the time she has left."
"I vouch we head to the planet" announced D'Argo. " Aeryn needs our help."
"Pilot" alerted Zhaan.
"Yes, Zhaan"
"Please set a course for co-ordinates E51249. To the planet 'Trillion'
"As you wish Zhaan."
Pilot set the co-ordinates for the planet and soon Moya was flying off into the stars to save Aeryn.
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"I'm going to stay here with you, Aeryn" said Crichton as he sat by Aeryn's bedside.
"No" she protested, "No, you need to go with D'Argo and Chiana. Zhaan, Pilot and Rygel are staying on Moya. I'll be okay."
"Aeryn, I can't leave you. What happens if you get sick and die? What if I am not there?"
"John I'm already sick! It would worry me if you were here. I just don't want you to see me look so ill."
"I don't care what you look like. You are Aeryn Sun…and….and I love you."
Crichton's words were broken. It was the first time he had admitted he loved Aeryn. A smile spread across her face and tears formed in her eyes.
"I love…Ugh!" Aeryn reached for the bowl, vomiting a couple of times into it.
Crichton took her into his arms and rubbed circles around her back until she felt better.
"I love you too" she finally said "And promise me something?"
"Yeah, what?"
"Promise me that if you don't find the cure you'll….take good care of my pulse pistol"
"Pulse pistol!" cried John.
"Yes, my pulse pistol. Make sure you keep it safe and don't let Slug-head steal any of my possessions either."
"I won't Aeryn, I promise. I'm going to find that cure, Chiana, D'Argo and I will."
Aeryn smiled and Critchon brought his hand up to wipe the tears away from her face. He felt how hot she was and applied a cool piece of cloth to her forehead.
"You want Pilot to turn the temperature down?," he asked, worried about her being hot.
"No, I'm okay. I'll tell Zhaan if I feel too hot."
"Okay"
Just then Chiana came prancing into the room.
"Hey Aeryn, how you feeling?," she quizzed, knowing the answer already.
"Bad" she replied "Well like total dren!"
"Sorry to cut the chat short Crichton but we gotta go. We're near the planet and D'Argo is ready. I'll meet you by the transport pod okay?"
"Yeah, Chi. Just give me a few microts."
Chiana smiled at Aeryn and left.
There was a moment of silence before Aeryn spoke.
"When I was a Peacekeeper I was trained to fight, to hold back my emotions…to be not afraid to die….John I'm scared" she admitted.
John caressed Aeryn in his arms.
"Go to sleep Aeryn. When you wake up I'll be here with the cure, making you better. Okay?"
Aeryn nodded.
"Just be careful, John. I don't want both of us to be dead."
"I will Aeryn. I love you"
"I love you too Crichton. For ever."
John didn't want to let Aeryn go. He didn't want to lose her. He loved her so much. He kissed her forehead before leaving the room
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"John, you ready to go?" asked D'Argo as John stepped into the transport pod.
"Ready as I'll ever be, Heavy D," he replied.
John turned to watch the transport pod door shut as a tear slipped passed his eye.
"Powering up the engines!" announced Chiana, hitting a few buttons. The transport pod flew into the stars.
