Part VI: Closer Then You Think

Peace was a word John Crichton never thought he would hear much less feel, since living on MoNod. The planet in its bizarre way remained John of earth. MoNod was so different from Van Prime, the more high tech commerce planet; whereas this beautiful world was more on natural farming scale. He could understand why the Premier liked living here. The small confederacy seemed to work well together. The MoNod populace outside the forest village didn't even know that two offworlders lived amongst them. Chinook and his clan had adopted them as part of their family.

John and Aeryn found out one day, why the MoNodity had offered to keep them safe. The explosion on Vander Prime had killed one of their people, the favorite wife of the Premier of MoNod. After Aeryn and John had recovered from the explosion that had destroyed the building behind them, they returned fire at the Norse, killing the bounty hunter who had his sites targeted on the small daughter of the Premier. Kamble, the personal guardsman to the child had witnessed it all.

Custom dictated that the saving of a child's life created a blood bond between the two families. Premier Karo would reimburse them by any means. He ordered his family to take these people in with no questions asked and to protect them with their lives if necessary. Chinook, his younger bother, had agreed to take care of the young couple for as long as they stayed on the planet.

Reports had come in that a Peacekeeper presence was near, and that the Norse lay in wait for John and Aeryn. The Premier's forces had tracked the Norse on Vander Prime and eradicated them.

Chinook had built a cottage hidden away in the forest. He gave it as a present to the couple. Thanking him, John was excited, saying it remind him of his homeworld. Aeryn looked around not saying anything. Chinook had learned that she had been born in space, and lived there all of her life. Indeed, he marveled at the way she had adjusted to being planet bound.

The next day a tracker and his handler arrived. It was the most hideous creature John had ever seen. John decided that it looked like something cross between a werewolf and a sabertooth nightmare. The species known as a Panthra- Taro was a huge, saber-toothed lion with a black mane. Once the tracker got a scent, it would not stop. The animals were not aggressive after they had been fed -once a cycle. John asked if the Hunters used these creatures. Chinook, watching the creature answered, "The Hunters love to track their prey, to outwit them. They find it a mental challenge, whereas the tracker goes directly to them. There wouldn't be any sport in it."

The creature walked around the thicket area. It made an eerie sound that sent chills down John's spine. 'An they're off.' John mouthed as the tracker and its handler took off into the forest lost amongst the trees. . "Come, my friend. When the tracker has found its prey we will know." Chinook said turning back to the village. John hurried to join him. "How long will it take for this tracker to find the responsible party?"

"Depends if the prey is still here. It has been known to take a few microts to a few arns. Why are you so concerned?"

"Aeryn. It was pretty hard to keep her out of it," John explained.

"Out of it?" Chinook looked puzzled.

"Yeah, she's pretty mad. She has this thing of doing her own hunting and retribution."

Chinook laughed. "She'll get her chance at retribution when the guards bring him back."

Later...

John and Aeryn stayed at cottage with Aeryanna- just enjoying each other's company. John leaned back on the couch watching the wind blow the leaves around, letting his mind wonder. He knew their wedding anniversary was coming up. He wondered how he was going to explain to Aeryn about an anniversary when he had such a time trying to get her to go through with the ceremony.

Argument was the word of the day; then the embarrassment of Mora wanting to...lets not go there he thought. Aeryn had done a hundred eighty degree turn, and demanded that he wed her. John's thoughts drifted back to that time- Aeryn had stormed out of Chinook's house shortly after they had words about the wedding ceremony...

Aeryn paced restlessly to and fro in front of the large, gray boulder, kicking aimlessly at any small stone in her path. The weak sun had failed to assert itself and was retreating behind the distant hills. The pale light faded as the cold wind whipped around her, feeling like a cool balm on her flushed cheeks and disquieted nerves.

The midday meal at Chinook's house with his wives, Mora and Naiad, had been a disaster with John's continuous pouting. Aeryn's anger-had smoldered dangerously- since John had dared to give his opinion of her feelings on the marriage ceremony. Finally, unable to take any more, she had stormed out of the dining room. Leaving her food uneaten, not caring about anyone's look of offended outrage.

She made her escape from the tense and uneasy atmosphere of Chinook's house- without a word to anyone. She marched away defiantly off into the storm- threatened afternoon. Aeryn had no idea how long she had been wandering about the outcropping of rock watching the village below.

The scenes played in her mind. John had been so instance in wanting to go through with this wedding ceremony. In her heart, they were already mates.

"Aeryn, I want us to go through the ceremony with a priest and all."

"No."

"Yes."

"I can't."

"Yes, you can."

"We are already mated. I don't want to go through some earth ceremony."

He couldn't understand why she was so dead against this when she admitted they were mates. He had to shake his head. "You damn well do," he told her.

"Oh? And why is that?"

"You trust me."

Of all the reasons he could have given her, of course she did.

"You'll have to come up something better then that."

"I love you. You love me."

He leaned down and kissed her. "I have never wanted anything more then go through this ceremony with the only woman I will ever love."

She couldn't argue with him about the trust and love they shared, but the ceremony...

Aeryn pulled away from him. "I will not go through this stupid earth custom of yours. We are mated and that is all. I won't parade myself down in front of people we barely know. No, I can't."

"Aeryn?" He whined.

With a final shake of her head she had walked out.

A distance sound broke her out of her reverie. When she heard the whine of a hovercraft, she turned expecting John's thunderous brow. Instead, she saw the dainty figure of Naiad. The craft came to a stop just a few metras away.

"Good eve," she said as she came closer to Aeryn, who was now halted in her tracks watching the approaching woman. Naiad was slight with green-blue hair and smoky-gray eyes.

"I am glad I found you before the storm comes in."

Aeryn watched her a few microts then turned her head without saying a word.

"I am sorry about Mora's attitude. Chinook has spoken with her. She will not bother you again but I am afraid you have made an enemy of her; not that it's a great lost."

Aeryn could not help but smile. Turning her head, she said. "It is nothing new. John and I have a way of making enemies."

"Mora is young, and she overheard the disagreement you and Crichton had. Where she got the idea that you were in disfavor, and that she could get his attention is beyond my comprehension."

Naiad smiled in genuine friendliness at Aeryn. Aeryn couldn't help but to return the smile. She was puzzled by Naiad's obvious delight over discussing Mora.

A loud clap of thunder rumbled, causing Naiad to look up. "I think we should go back before this storm comes down upon us," Naiad remarked apprehensively.

"Come let us get back," Aeryn said. They raced their hovercrafts toward Chinook's house, standing mistily in the rain in the distance.

They made it into the small bay area when another clap of thunder sounded and the sky opened up with heavy rains. Both women stood in the entryway watching the rain when Naiad dared to ask.

"Why do you turn down John Crichton's offer on the wedding ceremony?"

Not quiet sure if she really wanted to discuss this Aeryn kept her eyes forward. As the time lengthened, Naiad bowed her head and said in sorrowful voice. "I apologize for my question."

Turning to face the woman, "No. No, it is all right. I just not sure I know how to answer the question."

"Are you not mated with him and expecting a child?"

"Yes, but it's..." Uncomfortable, but feeling the need to talk, she forged on. "I was born a Peacekeeper, and we didn't take long time mates. This is his custom, and I just don't like the way he keeps pushing me into it."

"Do you love him?"

"Yes."

"Then why is it so hard just to agree. I love Chinook, but it was not to my liking to be his third wife. If I wanted to spend my life with him I had to adapt." She explained.

"Why does it matter if we go through this ceremony or not? We love each other. We have lived together so long he is now my mate. We are even going to have a child. I just don't understand this need of his."

"Is understanding the need so important that it causes you to argue? If you love him and in your heart you are his mate, why not just grant him this desire out of love?"

Aeryn gazed at the woman in amazement. Why was she making an issue out of this simple request? Hadn't John given up going back to his home to make a new one with her? She felted a new understanding awake in her. Aeryn had to find John, and let him know of her decision.

John stood in the great room watching the storm rage outside. He had wanted to go after Aeryn when she had stormed out. He knew he had pushed her to hard, but damnit, he wanted to do this with all of his heart. About to go after her, Chinook laid his large hand on John's arm. "Wait Naiad has gone to talk to her. Women sometimes need another woman to speak to."

He couldn't quite picture Aeryn doing the Dear Abby advice column. "Wait, Naiad has a way to get even a warrior to speak to her. You'll see."

Aeryn entered the room an arn later. John wasn't paying any attention to anyone but Aeryn. He'd decided that there was something different about her, but he couldn't seem to put his finger on what that might be.

"We're getting married in ten microts, John. If you're still wearing that...that whatever, you'll be wed in it." Aeryn claimed.

'I don't think it's a good idea to get married today," John whispered.

"Ten microts," Aeryn repeated.

The set of her jaw told him she wasn't going to listen to reason. He still gave it one last try. "No," he announced, his expression mutinous.

She leaned over until she was just drenches from his face. "Yes."

He let out a sigh. Then he nodded. Aeryn was so pleased he had finally decided to cooperate; she gave him a hard kiss. Then she turned and walked toward the doorway.

John realized what was different. Aeryn's acceptance of this earth custom of marriage because she finally understood how deep her love for him. He laughed aloud as the absurdity of Aeryn's thinking a wedding can take place within microts hit home.

The pure sound of laughter stunned Aeryn. She turned around; saw the tears streaming down his face as he held his sides.

The ceremony took place an arn later, John stood with Chinook in front of the priest. His nervous was mounting as he waited impatiently for her. What if she had bolded out the back door? What if... Snapping down his anxious feelings he felt a large hand patting him on the back.

"Relax, Master Jon. This is your wedding; your bride is still with us. Quit scowling." Chinook said.

John wasn't in the mood to accommodate Chinook. His mind was occupied thinking about all the things that could go wrong.

The women of Chinook's family accompanied Aeryn into the room. His gaze was centered on his bride. The closer she came the more his composure returned. A feeling of contentment replaced his worry, and by the time she reached his side he wasn't scrolling at all.

Aeryn wore an ivory-colored silk gown, given to her by one of Chinook's pregnat wives. The cut was simple, yet elegant. The neckline wasn't overly revealing, but it was still provocative. She wasn't wearing any jewels, she didn't carry any flowers in her hands, and her hair wasn't confined. The dark curls that gently swayed around her shoulders when she moved were all the adornment she needed.

Their eyes locked. She couldn't look away. As their new friends gathered around them, Aeryn almost bolted immediately. She felt trapped, overwhelmed, and terrified. Why in the frell she felt all this she really didn't know. It wasn't until John took her hand in his, and tightened his hold on her. Odd, but his touch was all the reassurance she need. Her nervousness eased as another emotion took its place, the warm feeling of love.

She was in control now. Her voice was firm when she answered the priest's questions. She noticed that as soon as she agreed to become John's wife, he visibly relaxed. She looked up at him then and found him smiling at her. The sparkle in his eyes made her heart pound a bit quicker.

When it came time for John to answer the priest's questions, he did so with a strong voice. It was finally over; John gently turned her to face him, and leaned down to kiss her. Everyone cheered, and John had only just brushed his mouth over hers when he was pounded on his back, and was pulled away to be congratulated.

He pulled Aeryn with him. He wasn't going to let her out of his sight...or his touch. He put his arm around her waist and smuggled her up against his side. Aeryn didn't remember much of the celebration that followed the ceremony. She felt as though she were walking around in a fog. Toasts were given before, during and after the meal, but she couldn't remember anything that was said. Newly made friends surrounded her, and their immediate acceptance was both pleasing and overwhelming.

John decided it was time to take Aeryn home. She didn't argue, and in fact seemed relieved. It took them twenty microts to say thank you, farewell, and just when John's patience was all used up, they were in a hovercraft on their way back to their cottage.

The silence inside the vehicle was a stark contrast to the chaos they'd just left. John grinned thinking about the wedding night.

A soft warm smile played around Aeryn's lips also thinking of their wedding night.

Back in the future:

On the sofa, John woke a jolt. "What?"

Aeryn's unsmiling eyes looked deep into his. "They found him-the attacker."

"When...who?" His mind fired up slowly, then in a flash. "Where?"

"In the village. Arrack and some of the guardsmen are waiting to take us there." She straightened up. John noticed Aeryn had Aeryanna wrapped in her body slink protected by the special cloth.

The villagers stood around watching the chained prey fight against his tormenters. Blood ran down the side of his face. He spit out cruses. It wasn't until John and Aeryn came into view, that he stopped dead glaring at them.

"You are walking dead. Reward is high. We will have you." He snarled.

Chinook joined them. "He was hiding in the hills not far from here. There were signs that others had been there. The Guardsmen are looking for them now. The Premier is angry that they dared to come to our world after what they did on Vander Prime."

John just shook his head. "We are worth..."

Chinook broke in, stressing each word. "We know what each of you are worth in bounty."

John and Aeryn looked at him. "We have seen the wanted beacons. The Premier ordered them all destroyed. He let it be known that if anyone betrays your whereabouts they will die a horrendous death. Believe me no one has that kind of death wish."

"What will happen to him?" Aeryn asked. She was all Peacekeeper now. The Norsen had shot at her, her friend and Aeryanna. She felt the need for retribution.

"Aeryn?" John inquired softly. He could understand her desire, but she had come too far to fall back on her old Peacekeeper ways.

Chinook glanced between them. "It will depend. The Premier wants him, but he ordered the first choice must be up to you. If you desire to kill the thing you have his blessing to do so."

"What will the Premier do to him?" John asked.

"Let us just say you would not want to be him." Chinook shuddered.

Aeryn turned away from the Norse... "Tell the Premier he is welcome to him. Whatever he does will be punishment enough for me."

John and Aeryn walked away.