Desperate Solutions- PART 4
Phi Phi 'Le Trelk'
EARTH/ MALDIVES…
John stared around at the damage caused by gunfire. "Jesus this is a mess!"
D'Argo moved toward the entrance of the house. Pushing the door open he moved cautiously into the darkened hallway. "I'll check the downstairs."
Chiana followed D'Argo. "I'll help." The two moved through the downstairs glancing around each ransacked room. "It looks like they tore the place apart. Do you think Scorpius did all this?"
John stood in the entrance. "No…not Scorpius, IASA. This is definitely IASA's handy work. There's nothing here Scorpius would want. Correction Scorpius already has what he wants, Aeryn in his clutches and me on a hook. Man we must be fate's favorite guy and gal team!" John leaned back against the doorframe and slid slowly down into a sitting position. Cradling his face in the palms of his hand, he whispered raggedly. "D…I'm loosing myself."
D'Argo walked through the clutter and stooped near John. Before speaking he turned to Chiana. "Hey do me a favor. Comm Noranti and Rygel...let them know what we found. Tell them to stay put on Moya. We'll get back as soon as we can. And then check out the kitchen."
Chiana took one solemn look at John, nodded and took off for the kitchen. When they were alone, D'Argo grabbed John's arm. "We didn't come this far…just to fall apart ad give up now. Scorpius has Aeryn, yes but he wants you more. All we have to do is what we do best. We find…retrieve and then we blow something up."
"Huh…yeah…our callin' card." John mumbled. "Thanks D." Using D'Argo's as leverage, he pushed himself back up to his feet. "I'm going to check upstairs…see what damage IASA has left behind."
D'Argo watched the man he considered his best friend trudge dejectedly up the stairs. He called out quietly. "John?"
John stopped midway and glanced down at D'Argo "Yeah D?"
"We will find Scorpius and we will get them back…all of them.
"But at what cost?" he continued up the stairs, making his way to the room that he and Aeryn once shared. He walked through the door. Glancing around he could see that IASA left nothing untouched or turned. He caught sight of something black hanging from one of the dresser drawers. Moving closer, he recognized Aeryn's leathers. Pulling the drawer open further he freed them for the tangle of cloths left inside.
He stood for a moment almost lost. Moving slowly…almost painfully he walked to the bed…their bed. He crawled across the bed and curled into a fetal position, wrapping the leather pants around his arms and torso. Smiling softly, he closed his eyes to remember. Immediately vivid images of Aeryn giving up her leathers for looser more comfortable clothing began to flood his mind.
MONTHS EARLIER…
John stood in the doorway watching Aeryn. She stood at the foot of their bed, her head bowed, glaring at the opening of her leathers. "Babe wha cha doin'?"
Aeryn growled down at the offending apparel. "Frelling things won't close!" Giving in Aeryn threw herself backwards onto the bed. She kept her face turned towards the balcony doors.
John smiled gently and moved silently over to foot of the bed. He stared at the frustration on Aeryn's face. Tears, they were close. He could tell. Over the past few weeks, Aeryn had been suffering from hormones and they were giving her the fits. Crying…so alien to her was now her escape. Something that seemed so insignificant to others was monumental to Aeryn.
Bracing his arms on either side of Aeryn's hips, he leaned over her gently rounded belly and pressed his lips to the soft skin. "Poor little fella. Is mommy trying to smash you?"
"Mommy's trying to find a frelling pair of pants that will fit us both. I can't believe nothing fits. This was the last pair." Aeryn mumble.
John crawled further up her body bringing his lips level with her ear. "It's more then that babe. Aeryn talk to me. Tell me what's going on in that gorgeous head…please."
Aeryn turned her face bringing her lips in close contact with his. "I feel like I'm loosing me. Everything is different now. I've…we've had to endure so much…to make so many changes. I just wasn't ready to make this change just yet…to give up my leathers. They're who I am I guess."
John shook his head. "No…no they're not who you are. You choose to wear them because you think that they somehow define you but they don't. You are a beautiful, strong and caring woman…my woman and no pants, leather or denim can define that." When Aeryn began to turn her head away, John grasped her chin and held her face steady. "Do you understand me?" When she finally nodded, he continued. "Babe we can pack the leathers away…yours and mine. Tell ya what, you give up your leathers, I'll give my leathers."
That brought a quick smile and chuckle to Aeryn's lips. "I don't know about you going back into Space without the correct gear."
"Okay I'll wear them after I'm aboard Moya again but as long as I'm here no leathers. I may not be able to make all the sacrifices but I can make a few. How's that?" John nuzzled Aeryn's nose with his own.
"I'm completely humbled by your sacrifice." Aeryn whispered, capturing John's lips with her own. Coaxing his lips apart, she deepened the kiss passionately, stroking the walls of his mouth with her tongue.
Growling, John took control, devouring her mouth like a starving man. He whispered into her open mouth. "Undress for me."
Aeryn quirked an eyebrow, smiling gently at John. "You first."
Placing another kiss on Aeryn's lips, John pushed himself up from the bed. Grabbing Aeryn's hands, he helped her sit up. "What my lady wants, my lady gets." Shuffling backwards out of his gym shoes, John began humming the tune to 'Copa Cabaña'. Grabbing the bottom of his IASA t-shirt he pulled it slowly up over his stomach, exposing the flat taut expanse of skin. Aeryn whistled watching more skin appear.
John twirled the t-shirt above his head and tossed it to Aeryn, who caught it and buried her face in the material, inhaling John's scent. John cleared his throat getting Aeryn's attention once again. He struck another humming rendition of 'Copa Cabaña' he pulled his belt slowly through the hoops. Freeing the belt he allowed it to fall from his hand. His fingers casually unsnapped the top button and moved the zipper down. Swirling his hips rhythmically, he linked his fingers into the top of his jeans and shimmied out of them. Pulling each leg from the denim jeans he wore, he used a toe to flick the pants aside. Pumping his bottom and doing a little two-step John jumped onto the bed still humming. Raising his arms above his head, he swayed to his own vocal music. Aeryn took her cue and moved over, kneeling in front of John she ran her hands up his legs. Grabbing the elastic trim, she tugged down steadily until the underwear lay at his ankles. Grabbing the backs of his thighs, Aeryn leaned forward kissing the delicate skin of his aroused penis and brushing her face gently into the coarse pubic hair, inhaling his scent, the scent she craved.
John's humming turned into heavy sighs. He rubbed himself against her face and slowly inched his bulbous head between her lips. Enclosing the tip within her hot moist mouth and began sucking eagerly. John could only drown in the wave of her sensual sucking. Her busy mouth almost seemed to swallow him. Thrusting his hands into her hair, John guided her movements into a familiar rhythm. John's sighs became moans of pure ecstasy. Releasing him from her moist grip before he erupted, Aeryn licked the full length with slow deliberate strokes. John released his grip caressing instead, the dark curls he loved so much. "Now it's my turn." He smiled down into her upturned smiling face.
Aeryn scooted of the bed. "So can I choose my own song, or do I have to use yours?"
John kneeled as quickly as his over aroused flesh would allow him. "Baby…you can choose whatever you like. But don't take to long. I don't know how much longer I can last."
Aeryn's lips creased into a seductive grin. She began to hum 'The Look of Love', swaying gently from side to side. Placing her hands on the band of her open leathers, undulating her hips she pushed the pants slowly down her legs. Stepping out of them she kicked them to the side with a barefoot. Still humming she pulled her arms from the t-shirt, before pulling it over her head. Standing in her bra and panties she ran her palms over the curve of her stomach.
"God, you're so beautiful." John breathed, watching her bare her full breast for his pleasure. He couldn't take it any longer! Rushing over to Aeryn, he swung her up into his arms and carried her back to their bed. Laying her flat on her back he followed with kisses. Starting with a gentle kiss upon her forehead and working his way down to her breast. Taking his time he nursed each one, drawing the nipples into his hot mouth. Aeryn whimpered at the pleasure pain. Her breast had become extremely sensitive since her pregnancy and John's attention was often painful, but the pain always ended in intense pleasure. John's lips left her breast and traveled over the curve of his child where he laid kisses upon the cherished mound. "Kid the best place to be is inside your mother and I'm about to join you and a few microts." He whispered. Kneeling back he drew her underwear down her legs. Bringing the small slip of material to his face, he inhaled before tossing the underwear over his shoulder. "Ahhh the scent of my woman."
Aeryn's soft giggles filled the quiet room. "You're farbot you know." She spread her legs to accommodate John's torso as he settled between her thighs.
"And you love me. I can tell." He drew a single finger down her damp cleft. "Somebody's getting wet." He slipped the finger between her nether lips, deep into the creamy dampness. Smiling at the answering thrust of her hips, he added a second finger. Twisting his fingers deep inside her, he explored the dark moist depths he'd come to know. She rode his fingers, sinking deep into the sensual ravishment; her hips continued undulating wildly as she sought the hardness of his fingers.
John pulled his fingers completely out of her soaked passage. Staring down into Aeryn's eyes he licked each finger clean. Then he pushed a single leg up, and lowered his dark head so he might taste her at his leisure.
Aeryn's leg lay partly over his shoulder and neck. She almost fainted from the pleasure his mouth created. John's tongue tasted, teased and drove her to the edge of rapture. She felt his hands cup her buttocks, raising her closer to his mouth. His tongue pushed itself slowly into her wet passage, moving back and forth rhythmically. Withdrawing completely he began to flick the sensitive bud nestled between her nether lips. Aeryn's lower body jerked in arousal. "John pl…pl…please stop!"
John lifted his head. "Oh no baby…we can't stop now. But we can switch it up!" He reared up and entered her forcefully. She was slippery wet, hot, sleek and deliciously tight, so they both felt the deep penetration with particular piquancy.
Aeryn clung to him, every heated cell in her body welcoming him. Her only thought of him, his body filing hers. He withdrew and plunged forward and withdrew again slowly. Penetrating deeply, touching the mouth of her womb. Leaning forward, pressing a little further, he whispered into her ear. "I love you."
Aeryn simply caressed his face, unable to speak. She allowed john to shift her leg fully onto his shoulder. Shifting his position inside her, he smiled as moaned softly. He lifted her other leg, placed it on his opposite shoulder and withdrew a small distance so the crest of his penis was lodged against the front wall of her passage.
Aeryn gasped and shut her eyes, the fevered sensation almost too much to bear. "J…John."
"I'm comin' babe." John began thrusting and pumping in earnest, a madness overtaking him. He groaned loudly when the walls of her passage tighten around his hard flesh. Giving into the lascivious desire coursing through his body, John's thrust became almost frenzy as he rode her with a ferocity that he couldn't control. She met him thrust for thrust, her wildness matching his. John came, in one in one long volcanic spew he came and he took her over the edge with him. "So I guess this means we've got to buy you new jeans huh?" he laid a gentle kiss on her quivering lips…
"John…John!" D'Argo's voice broke into John's reverie.
He cleared his throat before answering. "Yeah D?" He had no idea how long D'Argo had been calling him and he wished that the Luxan would just go away and leave him to his memories.
We checked the entire house, no ones here. I think we should leave now and go after Aeryn.
John nodded faintly. "You're right. Let's go." He stood and joined D'Argo in the doorway. The Luxan frowned at his friend. "We will find her John. We'll find all of them."
They joined Chiana at the foot of the stairs. "Pilot's tracing Scorpius position from his last communication. He says that Aeryn's comm is still working."
D'Argo frowned. "If Aeryn's comm is sill traceable that means…"
John nodded slowly. "That means that Scorpius wants us to trace the signal and that's just what we're going to do."
"B…b…but he'll have you then!" Chiana stuttered, shaking her head. "He…he…he'll have all of us!"
"Chiana my sweet, there is an old human saying. Be careful what you wish for, you just may get it." John guided the Nebari to the door. "And Scorpius is about to get it…oh is he gonna get it!"
"If we go after him John, we'll be on his ground. The Carrier…there's no outlet." D'Argo followed the two.
"D'Argo, when has a little thing like four walls and a platoon of Peacekeepers kept us from finding or making our own exit?" John answered, so caught up in his memories and conversation that he failed to notice the sunlight reflecting from an object hidden in the bushes. "D'Argo…Chi heads up! We've got company!" The three hit the ground just as warning shots were fired above their head.
The voice that followed was a familiar one. "COMMANDER JOHN CRICHTON STAY WHERE YOU ARE!"
From his position on the ground, John glanced over Chiana's head at D'Argo. "Holt! Damn…we do not need this, not now."
"What do you want to do? Fight or surrender?" D'Argo asked, his warrior instincts telling him to fight, his common sense telling him to surrender.
"Surrender, it's the only way I can find out what really happened down here…or at least IASA's part in it." John spoke softly; he could hear footsteps coming closer.
Chiana's silver head shifted quickly, left to right staring at both John and D'Argo. "Don…don't I get a vote?"
"This isn't a democracy." John answered before yelling out. "COOL YOUR HEELS HOLT! WE GIVE!" John stood slowly with his hands in the air. D'Argo and Chiana followed suit, allowing themselves to be taken into custody.
John knew he didn't have much choice. IASA had the upper hand. But time was running out for them all.
SCORPIUS' COMMAND CARRIER…
"Where is Aeryn? Answer me dammit!" Jack Crichton shouted at the two Peacekeepers standing guard. They had been led to a Common room and left.
"Dad calm down! This isn't helping any of us." Olivia ran her hand down her father's back in a soothing motion. Her mind was in chaos. They were in space on a hostile ship and Aeryn…the only one of their group who could possibly explain what was going on had been taken away.
"Your daughter is right Jack Crichton. You're emotional behavior is helping no one." Scorpius answered entering the Common room.
Jack immediately turned on Scorpius. "Where the hell is Aeryn Scorpius?"
Scorpius took his time answering. "Officer Sun is in surgery."
"How is she?" Bobby spoke up. Susan grabbed his arms pulling him back when he made a move toward Scorpius.
"At the moment she is fighting for her life. But the surgeons will heal her quick enough." Pausing he walked around the room glancing at each person. "As you will all be my guest until John Crichton arrives, I have taken the liberty to assign you rooms. Since I'm sure you would like to stay together, I have given you a block of rooms. Please follow the officers. Jack Crichton I…will come for you in a half an arn…hour."
Jack frowned. "Why?"
"The surgeons should be finished working on Officer Sun. I thought that you would like to see her." Scorpius answered smoothly.
Jack nodded. "Fine, I'll be ready. Thank you."
Scorpius moved toward the door. He turned before leaving. "You can all calm yourselves. I have no intention of hurting any of you. As I said before, you are simply my guests." He left without further words.
"Dad, maybe I should go with you." Olivia spoke up into the silence left behind by Scorpius' exit.
Jack shook his head. "No honey, not this time; I'll go alone first.
"I hope she's okay. There was so much blood." Bobby whispered.
"We can pray Bobby." Jack answered.
"Were you able to stop the bleeding?" Scorpius asked the surgeon. His gaze followed the line of nurses.
"Yes. We've closed her wound. She's stable but unable to breath on her own at the moment." The surgeon responded. "Their crude Earth weapons may not hold up to a pulse rifle, but they can do serious damage. I've never known a Sebacean to bleed out."
"And her child is it okay?"
"The child is suffering from a mild case of oxygen deprivation but it will recover within the next few arns."
"What is your estimate on Officer Sun's recovery?" Scorpius followed the surgeon into Aeryn's room. Standing next to her bed her stared down at the near lifeless woman.
"Because of the pregnancy, I can't be absolutely sure. The child's DNA is integrating itself into hers. It's almost as if they are one being. The average Sebacean would recover fully within a monen or two. But Officer Sun is no longer the average Sebacean. Her wound is healing rapidly. If it continues on at this rate she should be back to normal within two weekens."
"Amazing." Scorpius brushed a tendril of hair away from Aeryn's face. Laying his hand on her swollen stomach he felt the baby move. Bending down he whispered in her ear. "You and your offspring are about to make Peacekeeper history Officer Sun."
"If she survives." Grayza's voice interrupted.
"Why are you here?" he asked, standing almost protectively over Aeryn.
"There was a rumor that you'd brought John Crichton's family and a wounded Aeryn Sun aboard. I had to come and see for myself." She glanced down at Aeryn. "For once the rumors were right. She's pregnant…John Crichton's I presume. Since he's not aboard I can only assume that he'll be coming here to the Carrier." She paused for a moment. "Actually, there's no assumption at all. You have her, he'll come and you know what happened the last time John Crichton was aboard a Command Carrier."
"This meeting will be much more sedate. He won't put Officer Sun and their child in danger. No… John Crichton will come quietly."
"Always trying to outthink the masses aren't you Scorpius?"
EARTH/ IASA…John ran the fingers of one hand through his already tangled hair. The other he slammed down on the table that separated him from Holt. "FOR THE LAST TIME! I DID NOT SNEAK DOWN HERE TO PLAN AN ATTACK!"
"THEN WHY ARE YOU HERE?" Holt snarled.
John decided to take the calmer approach, although it hadn't helped earlier. "Look we aren't getting anywhere with this. I keep answering and you keep not believing…I'm beginning to sense a vicious cycle."
"We would make progress if you would tell me the truth Commander Crichton." Holt barked.
"See…now here's the problem, I've been telling you the truth, but you just won't hear it. So for the sake of your blood pressure and the management of my ever growing anger, we'll try it again." John sat up and leaned forward as if to draw Holt into some great conspiracy. "We brought Aeryn…Officer Sun here after she suffered injuries at the hands of the Scarrans. Earth was safest place for her, until we could take care of the Scarrans."
"You left out her pregnancy…" Holt interrupted.
"Now see…there you go! Stop interrupting and let me finish!" John slashed his hand through the air when Holt made to interrupt a gain. "QUIET! Yes Aeryn is pregnant and no it is not an attempt to infiltrate the Earth's population. We finished with the Scarrans and were on our way, back when we caught wind of a gun battle down here. By the time we arrived there was no sign of Aeryn or the rest of my family."
"Your family fought against us and then left with the relief that showed up. I lost more than half my men in the skirmish!"
John glared at the man. "Yeah…about that…" Before he could finish, the door open to admit D'Argo, Chiana and five of Holt's men.
"They refuse to answer any of our questions…in English or otherwise." One of the agents who'd received translator microbes on John's first visit back to Earth groused. Holt stood and preceded the men to a far corner to speak.
D'Argo held out a seat for Chiana then seated himself next to her before speaking quietly to John. "Are you okay John?"
"Yeah D I'm fine, but this little interrogation isn't helping. Were you able to find anything out?"
Chiana shook her head. "No, no one's said a word. They're full of questions though. I ma…ma…managed to contact Pilot and let him know what was going on. Using a voice recording he recalled Lo'La to Earth's orbit. Rygel and Noranti are taking a pod to retrieve her."
"Where did they get my DNA?" D'Argo asked.
John held up his hands. "Do you really…really wanna know? Lord knows I don't" He shuddered at the thought.
D'Argo groaned. "Now that you mention it…no I don't"
Chiana glanced over at Holt and his men. "I did here a couple of the men talking about Aeryn. They said she was wounded pretty badly. They said that there was no way she could have survived."
John sighed heavily. "Chi, Aeryn isn't dead. We didn't come this far for her to succumb now. Did they describe her wounds?"
Chiana nodded. "Uh huh…they said that she was shot in the chest."
John's gaze widened. "Pulse pistol or semiautomatic…Earth weapon?"
"I…I…I don't know. They moved out of hearing range." Chiana answered. "Why a wound is a wound?"
D'Argo shook his head. "No. If she was shot with a semiautomatic the wound will bleed out. A Pulse Pistol has a more cauterizing affect."
"Ye...yeah well to me a chest wound is a chest wound." Chiana stop talking when she noticed Holt was moving in their direction.
"I've decided that you and your friends here will remain guest of IASA a while longer." Holt informed the trio, gesturing to the waiting men
John stood slowly, his eyes trained on Holt. "One question; which one of you sons of bitches shot my wife?"
Holt smirked. "So you and the alien were lovers all along. I guess I can assume that the baby she's carrying is yours as well."
"Why not? As you've already reinvented yourself as an ass I can't see how assuming can hurt you." John moved closer. "But you still didn't answer my question. Who shot her?"
"Agent Raemond, but he was one of the men killed." Holt answered.
John clicked his tongue. "To bad, I was going to add to my body count." He turned and followed the men out. His mind in turmoil, D'Argo was right, semiautomatic could do a hell of a lot more damage then a pulse pistol going in. Aeryn…
-------------
"So he admits that the baby is his?" Secretary of defense, Matthew Vincent asked Holt.
"Yes, he also admits to marrying her." Holt addressed all of the men at the table. "He says that she was simply hiding here on Earth…that they were not planning a takeover."
"Marrying her…do you believe him?"
"From what I remember of him from his last visit, he seems to be sincere." Holt answered.
"Could he be under mental influence? We know nothing about these aliens or their capabilities." General Ellis asked. He'd never trusted the aliens and now after this he was sure that they were planning a takeover.
Dr. Charles Gerring head of Biogenetics answered. "I somehow doubt that Ellis. But the most important piece here is that baby. Do any of you realize what an opportunity this is? John Crichton is human, that gives us at least partial ownership to that child."
Holt stared at him in fascinated horror. "What on earth do you want with the child? It may have been simply created to destroy us…some sort of genetic sabotage!"
Dr. Gerring ignored Holt, instead addressing Vincent. "Matthew, this would be the find of the century and just think, the US will have the upper hand. Imagine what we will be able to learn from studying this child's DNA."
"Exactly how are we going to get our hands on the child? Aeryn Sun is no longer on Earth. Besides which neither parent will willingly hand the baby over." Holt demanded. "We can't be sure that Aeryn Sun is even alive. According to our reports, she received a severe chest wound."
"According to our earlier studies on the alien technology and medicines, the Sebaceans should be able to repair the damage with an ease we may never acquire." Gerring answered.
General Ellis frowned. "That doesn't answer the question of how we will be able to get our hands on the child. While Aeryn Sun has disappeared into the void of space, John Crichton is screaming for his rights and pretty soon those screams are going to make it to the media."
Vincent raised his hands for silence. "Public knowledge gentlemen…that is something we simply can not allow to happen."
Holt turned to Vincent. "So what do we do? Ask Commander Crichton to play nicely, when we haven't?"
Ellis answered instead. "We could just silence the Commander." He caught Vincent's unbelieving stare. "The US government can't afford another upset right now. We're still up to our neck in this Iraq business. All we need is for the public to find out that government agents fired on a human household that was harboring what…an alien…one in the final stages of pregnancy?"
Holt objected. "NO! A human household that was secretly harboring an alien who shouldn't have been here! One who snuck back onto Earth without anyone's knowledge and who may or may not be threat to national…global security!"
Gerring broke in. "You're forgetting one thing, Holt…Ellis."
"What?" Holt snapped.
"What?" Ellis barked.
Gerring continued. "You keep calling Aeryn Sun an alien…and she is. But…humans are extremely peculiar. They may not necessarily see an alien when they are watching her or talking to her…I didn't. Not in the same way they see the Luxan or the Nebari. She looks human and a picture of her in an advance state of pregnancy makes her even more humanlike and vulnerable in appearance. A picture of her with a gun wound to the chest is not going to help our image one bit!"
Vincent sighed. "The public out cry may not be what we think." shaking his head as if to clear his thoughts. "Enough! Have Commander Crichton brought here, now!" he ordered two marines standing on guard.
"What do you want from him?" Holt asked.
Vincent smiled at him. "A compromise. Gentlemen, if this child is all Dr. Gerring seems to think it is. Then we need Commander Crichton's help in obtaining it."
"We've already been through this. He won't give us his child!"
"No agent Holt he won't, but he will take us to it." Vincent smiled.
"What?"
"You'll see..." He stopped his words as John entered the room.
John glanced around the room, his gaze taking in every occupant. Cupping his hands together against his cheek, he gushed. "Oh my…do I finally get to sit at the big boy's table now dad?"
Vincent grimaced before standing. "Commander Crichton, please join us."
John chuckled glancing over his shoulder at his armed guard. "Now do I really have a choice?"
"Commander Crichton I am Secretary of Defense, Matthew Vincent, General Ellis, Dr. Charles Gerring and of course you are already acquainted with Agent Holt." He gestured at each man.
John took a seat before speaking. "Hmmm the Secretary of Defense eh? Boy I must really be important. So what do you want?"
"It's not what we want, it's what you want." Vincent answered.
"You know what I want. I want out of here. I want you to cut me and my friends loose, so that we can find my family!" John growled, his patience long gone.
"We can cut you and your friends loose on one condition."
"And what might that one condition be Mr. Secretary?"
"You allow four of my men to accompany you and your friends in your search for your family." Vincent offered.
John titled his head in inquiry. "Now why would you want to do that Mr. Secretary?"
"Simple Commander, you are the first human in history to mate with an alien race and father a child from the union. We want to be there when it's born. We want the birth documented for Earth."
"Let me get this straight. You'll let us leave, if I agree to turn my life into a reality show for the ratings?"
Dr. Gerring tried a hand at convincing John. "Commander Crichton, we stand to learn so much from studying the development of your child…"
"Excuse me! Study the development? No…no…no my child was not created as a special project!" John yelled. "What is it with you people and your 'God Complex'?"
"You have no other option Commander. If you wish to leave this planet then you'll have to agree." Vincent didn't bother to raise his voice. He knew that John had no other choice.
John stared around the table. "You know I spent four years explaining to Moya's crew…my friends, how compassionate humans were. I must have been a fool."
"Well Commander?"
"As if I have a choice."
SCORPIUS' COMMAND CARRIER…
"Come on babe open your eyes. Aeryn I need you to open your eyes for me…please Aeryn." Jack pleaded until Aeryn's eyelids fluttered. "That's my girl." Bending over her he placed a gentle kiss on her forehead before sitting back down. "How ya feelin'?"
Aeryn took a quick mental check. "Like I was just caught in a Wormhole without a ship." She groaned.
Jack smiled at the raspy voice. "Well, it's good to see those beautiful eyes open. You've been asleep for a longtime sweetie. We were afraid we might loose you."
Aeryn smiled slightly, still a bit disoriented. "It's not that easy." Eyes flaring, Aeryn ran her hands over her swollen abdomen, sighing in relief at the size. She turned once again to Jack. "The baby?"
Jack covered her hands with one of his own. "The baby's doing fine…just fine. You were the one we were worried about."
"Where are we?" Aeryn asked quietly.
"We're on Scorpius' Command Carrier." Jack answered.
"How long have we been here?"
"About eight days."
"Eight days? Has there been word from Moya…John?" Aeryn tried to sit up, gasping as a sharp stab of pain spread throughout her chest.
"Hey you can't move so fast. You're still healing!" Jack helped Aeryn into a more comfortable position, adding more pillows behind her back for support. "We haven't heard anything yet, but I'm guessing he was waylaid on Earth."
Before Aeryn could answer the door to her room opened to admit Scorpius. "Officer Sun, it's good to see you awake at last."
"Scorpius." Aeryn growled softly. "Why are we here…never mind. You're after Wormholes…you're always after Wormholes."
"Not always, sometimes it's not what I want but who I want." Scorpius answered. He glided casually around the room until he faced the monitors that lined one side. Checking the readings he smiled. "You seem to be improving quite rapidly."
Aeryn grimaced at the tightening throb in her chest. "You want John! That's also no secret!"
"Hmmm…I must admit, John has been my peak of interest for sometime now but my true obsession is Wormholes. In that you are correct." Scorpius responded.
"Which leads us back to John." She sneered. She was completely fed up with this Peacekeeper…Scarran dren. When would they just leave them alone?
Scorpius shook his regarding Aeryn carefully as he spoke. "No…not John this time, although he is definitely a prize. He's not the only one."
"Correct me if I'm wrong but weren't you the one who called him unique in all of the Universe?"
Scorpius stared directly into Aeryn's eyes as he answered. "Yes, but it would seem he is no longer."
"Then who?" She shot back.
"You Officer Sun."
Aeryn's indelicate snort filled the quiet room. "You've gone completely farbot."
"Have I?" Scorpius perched on the corner of Aeryn's bed. "Consider this Officer Sun…Aeryn. In most of your Wormhole encounters who piloted the craft? You" He answered for her. "To date no Peacekeeper has ever accomplished wormhole travel successfully with the exception of you that is."
"That means nothing Scorpius. You've become rattled with ridiculous theories."
"It means everything Officer Sun. At first our studies led us to believe that it was the shielding but it wasn't. Even after we compensated for that our pilots still suffered cellular deterioration. All accept you. Why I asked. Then I realized that each Wormhole has its own set of rhythmic wave patterns and you traverse them quite effortlessly."
"Scorpius…I don't know what you're talking about." Aeryn's breathing became erratic. She pressed her hand flat to her chest, trying to alleviate the tightening pain.
Jack noticed the movement and decided to put an end to Scorpius' meeting. "That's enough! Leave her alone. Can't you see she's still in pain?"
"We must all learn to live with pain." Scorpius shook his head slowly, staring at Jack for a moment before turning his determined gaze back to Aeryn. "Officer Sun and I will continue this conversation another time." He turned and left the room.
Jack watched him leave. "He won't stop will he?"
Aeryn answered quietly. "No he won't. High Command can't afford to let him. They need to destroy the Scarrans and Wormhole technology is the only thing that will work."
"Aunt Olivia, granddad commed. He said that Aeryn's awake and that we could come and see her." Bobby answered.
Olivia smiled for the first time since they'd been brought aboard the Carrier. "That's good news Bobby. We can go now…you ready." Jumping up she followed her nephew to the door. Stopping she turned toward her sister, who remained sitting. "Susan?"
"I'll stay here…Bobby you too." She frowned at her son. Since arriving aboard the Carrier she'd remained inside their rooms and only allowed Bobby to leave when accompanying his grandfather.
Olivia stopped Bobby's protests. "Susan, I am going to see Aeryn and I'm taking Bobby. Now you can come or not, that choice is yours."
Susan jumped to her feet, her gaze filled with indignation. "Bobby is my
son!"
"Oh believe me…no one is challenging that. But Bobby wants to see Aeryn and I'm sure she would like to see him." Olivia moved to the door. "Come on Bobby."
Susan glared at her younger sister. "You actually trust her and these…these Peacekeepers?"
Olivia sighed heavily. "Susan, Aeryn is as unwanted here as we are. She's no longer part of the Peacekeepers." She followed Bobby from the room.
Bobby spoke once they were in the hall. "Do you think mom will ever be able to get past this bias she has where Aeryn is concerned?"
Olivia shook her head slowly. "I don't know Bobby…I really don't know."
"Excuse me…Olivia Crichton right?" Captain Milosh Braca joined the two.
Olivia turned to find the Peacekeeper Captain they'd met upon boarding the Command Carrier. He'd been extremely helpful and Olivia found herself more than slightly attracted to his perfect manners and handsome visage. "Yes…Captain…Braca right?"
Braca nodded. "Yes. Aeryn has regained consciousness. I thought you might like to know."
Olivia nodded. "Thank you, my father commed us to let us know. We're on are way to see her now."
"Well if you don't mind I will accompany you both to the Medical Lab." Braca offered.
Olivia smiled shyly at the handsome Captain. "Thank you Captain Braca." She answered softly, gentle attraction apparent in her eyes.
"My pleasure, Madame Crichton." Braca smiled in return, his own eyes returning the attraction.
"Olivia…um…please call me Olivia."
"My pleasure Olivia." Braca continued to smile, noticing Bobby's somewhat irritated stance he rushed on. "Oh..um…please follow me."
"Bout' time." Bobby grumbled under his breath, but loud enough to be heard. Which resulted in a shove from his aunt.
"We've been aboard this Carrier much too long without answers." Dominar Bishan complained.
"Scorpius told you why we're here." Novia answered, less interested in the tiny potentate and more interested in the missive she'd just received from the Royal Planet.
"You actually believe that bit about John Crichton and Wormholes?" Bishan shot back. He didn't like being ignored.
"What Scorpius says about John Crichton and Wormholes is true. I have heard of his exploits throughout the Uncharted Territories and Tormented Space. What he touches he destroys. No one including Scorpius has been able to control him." Novia responded.
"Not only heard Novia…hmmm? If memory serves me right, there was a rumor that John Crichton was and is actually married to your daughter and will be the father of the next prince." Bishan whispered slyly, gliding his sled throne closer to Novia.
Novia's gaze cut downward into the smug features of the Dominar. "Be careful Dominar, rumors have been known to cause deaths."
Bishan took the hint and glided quickly away. Once at a safe distance he continued. "I have outlived many threats and more attempts than you ever will, so please save your veiled threats for a more weaker opponent."
"Hmm…an opponent Dominar? Is that how you see yourself?" Novia glared at the Hynerian.
"Well…not exactly, more of an ally if you will. There is no need for you and I to oppose each other in this wild venture of Scorpius'. If he is to be believe then we are to all become friends and allies." Bishan responded.
"Friends? I doubt it. Allies, it may be possible. But if I know the other participants and I do. They will want more than Scorpius' assurance protection from the Scarrans. I myself would be interested in a side bargain, it can only help." Novia smiled slyly. She didn't care for Bishan, in fact if she preferred his cousin the rightful heir, Dominar Rygel a more polished negotiator.
"As would I." A voice spoke from the doorway.
Bishan and Novia turned to face the uninvited eavesdropper. Novia was the first to speak, never bothering to cover up their conversation. "Kernig, is it a habit of the munificent Nebari to spy on others?"
Kernig moved further. "Please Queen Novia, I was merely passing and couldn't help but over hear you and the Dominar. Your conversation was quite interesting. We, the Nebari are also un-inclined to believe Scorpius…or any Peacekeeper for that matter."
Bishan glared at Nebari. "Well at least, we agree on some things."
Kernig smiled. "Yes Dominar we do. But there is the threat of Scarrans dominance and as much as the Nebari despise the violent ways of the Peacekeepers, we do realize that their help is needed in destroying the Scarrans threat."
"Destroy… hmmm and by the Nebari's own words you claim to abhor violence." Novia purred.
Nodding Kernig gave a simple answer. "We abhor violence but we believe in the greater good. The Scarrans must be stopped and we will join the Peacekeepers in this battle, however we will not fall under Peacekeeper domination when it is over. I have been given special dispensation to act in the Nebari's best interest and I see the Dominar's pact as such.
"Then it is agreed. The Royal Planet, Nebari Prime and the Hynerian Worlds enter a pact to oppose any Peacekeeper threat after the Scarrans are defeated." Novia laid out the plan.
Bishan nodded. "Agreed."
"Agreed." Kernig smiled slyly. The Nebari plot for domination would begin sooner than thought. He would notify the Nebari leaders immediately. According to the reports the contagion had spread quite nicely and had infected a wide population. They would strike as soon as the Scarrans were defeated.
MOYA…
"Pilot have you located Scorpius yet?" D'Argo asked, approaching Pilot's chamber. He found John already there. "John agent Holt is looking for you."
"I swear that man is getting on my last nerve!" John growled watching Pilot's constantly moving claws. "With any luck we'll hit Scorpy-Sue's boat before I have to kill the man."
D'Argo answering snort filled the chamber. "When have we ever had luck?"
Pilot chose that moment to answer D'Argo's earlier question. "Moya has dispatched a message beacon to the coordinates left by Scorpius. But so far our senses have picked up no sign of Scorpius' Carrier."
"Great." John sighed. "Jus…just let us know when Moya catches the scent." He turned to leave. D'Argo stopped him at the door.
"John, we will find her." D'Argo tried to assure his friend.
"Yeah, I don't doubt that D. But what state will she be in. What if she…and…and I'm not there?"
"Don't John." D'Argo stopped John's words not wanting to hear the possibility of death again.
Pilot interrupted again. "Commander Crichton, Moya and I assure you that we will find the Carrier and Aeryn in good health."
John's lips formed a weak smile. "Thanks Pilot and thank Moya for me." Waving at D'Argo he left.
Pilot addressed D'Argo. "Captain D'Argo, do you believe that Commander Crichton and Officer Sun will ever find happiness and peace?"
D'Argo's head shook slowly. "I don't know Pilot. One can only hope and pray. They both deserve it."
Pilot stared at D'Argo silently for a moment, before placing a claw on the Luxan's shoulder. "As do you all."
D'Argo raised a hand to the claw. "You and Moya as well. When this over, maybe we'll have that peace and happiness."
"Commander Crichton, how soon before we reach this Command Carrier?" Holt asked, joining John in command.
John glanced sideways at the IASA agent, wondering for the umpteenth time, how a team of three doctors and seven IASA agents had managed to weasel their way aboard Moya. "Like I told you before and the time before that and the time before that…HELL like I told you before we left Earth. I have no idea. This is space…you find it when you find it and just pray it doesn't find you first."
"That is not an accurate measure of time and is unacceptable." Holt answered arrogantly.
"Yeah well it's all I got." John continued monitoring Moya's systems.
"Again unacceptable."
"Look Holt, you and the other junior 'G' men wanted to come along on this hayride, so I suggest you all just sit back and enjoy it…chew on a little hay. Because once the bonfire's lit…somebody's getting roasted and you'll pray it's not you." Having made his point John returned to the console, leaving Holt unsatisfied and frustrated.
Shaking his head in irritation, Holt turned and left John, as he'd found
him.
Dr. Gerring greeted Holt outside of Command and the two made their way to the private chamber they'd turned into a meeting room. Once there the doctor turned to Holt. "Well?"
"Nothing. They have no idea long it will be before we find the carrier." Holt answered.
"Or could he just be lying to you." Dr. Gerring groused. "What would he gain by taking us to the female alien. He has to know…or at least feel that we may have ulterior motives. Commander Crichton is anything but a fool."
"What would our motives matter?" We're in his territory now…at his mercy." Holt turned his eyes moving to stare out at the dark empty space, surrounding them.
SCORPIUS' COMMAND CARRIER...1 weeken later…
"You actually lived…were raised on this carrier?" Jack asked as he and Aeryn strolled slowly through the habitat field, having just left the Planetary Terrain Reconstruction. Jack still couldn't believe that the reconstruction was not on real land. Earth could truly learn from the Sebacean.
Aeryn smiled softly, looking around with pride. "Well not this Carrier exactly. But yes one like it."
"Didn't you miss land, grass…sunshine?" Jack stared around at the simulated field. He noted the few hostile stares from the off duty officers.
Aeryn noticed as well. "You don't miss what you've never had." To the Peacekeepers she was considered a traitor. She's betrayed every code instilled in her by the Peacekeepers as wells as her own people and would never be considered one of them again, especially now that she was pregnant with a child that was only half Sebacean. No she would never be fully accepted again by her old family, but she had a new family now…one full of love.
Jack knew Aeryn was talking about more than sunshine, grass and land. "Well there are some things that you won't have to miss anymore." Gathering Aeryn in a one-arm hug, he guided her on.
Aeryn moved along slowly beside Jack. "I can't believe I'm back here. I swore to myself that I wouldn't come back. I don't want my child born here."
"You didn't choose to come back Aeryn. The choice was taken from you…from all of us. Don't worry John will find us in time." Jack tried to comfort Aeryn while keeping his own anxiety at bay.
"Dad, can you and Aeryn come to our quarters! Bobby's been hurt!" Olivia's frantic voice screamed over the comms. Jack and Aeryn headed for their quarters immediately.
Jack and Aeryn rushed into their quarters, stopping short at the sight of a very battered Bobby. Jack was the first to speak.
"WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO HIM?" He shot the question at Susan, anger over his grandson's appearance over coming him.
Susan handed Olivia the cold cloth she'd been using to wipe Bobby's battered face. "You want to know what the hell happened? I'll tell you what the hell happened!" She rushed over to her father before continuing her tirade. "He was out unescorted…at your suggestion…wandering around this god forsaken ship! They attacked him for no reason!"
Bobby's muffled yell was followed by a hiss of pain. "Mom!"
Jack cut into Bobby's outburst. "They? They…who?"
"Those…these aliens!" Susan almost screamed in hysteria. "Why are we here? They don't want us here?"
"Susan, calm down!" Jack grabbed Susan by the forearm and shook her firmly. "This is not helping!"
"Oh and shaking me senseless will?" Susan snarled, snatching her arm away from her father's grip.
Aeryn ignored both Jack and Susan deciding instead to speak to Bobby. She moved around the room, grabbing the med kit on her way to Bobby's side. Sitting down gingerly she began questioning Bobby quietly. "How did this happen Bobby? Were you attacked?"
"WAS HE ATTACKED? ARE YOU BLIND? LOOK AT HIS FACE!" Susan shouted across the room.
Aeryn's glacial expression caused more than Susan to shudder. "I was talking to Bobby." She turned back to the injured boy. "What happened?"
"I was hanging out in the habitat area and got into it with a couple of cadets. They said some, I said some things and the next thing I know, we're on the ground fighting." Bobby mumbled.
"Do you know their names?" When Bobby shook his head Aeryn sighed. "They are soldiers in training Bobby. They know better than to attack an unarmed civilian." Aeryn tapped her comm. Lightly. "Scorp…"
Bobby stopped her before she could finish speaking. "What are you doing?"
"I have to report their behavior to Scorpius. He will see that they are punished." Aeryn answered.
"No! Don't! I don't want them to think that I'm some kind of wuss!"
"It's not about being a wuss Bobby. Those cadets know the rules. High Command is quite strict when it comes to the behavior of its soldiers."
Bobby decided to us his last option, begging. "PLEASE…PLEASE don't Aeryn."
Against her better judgment Aeryn decided to let the matter drop and began treating Bobby's wounds.
Sighing Bobby began to relax. "Thanks."
"You're welcome, but I still think that we should notify Scorpius. What if they attack you again?" Aeryn answered not realizing that Susan had moved to stand before her until she'd snatched the medicinal cleanser from Aeryn's hands.
"Get away from him. I don't trust you anymore than the rest of these…these…"
Jack's voice hit Susan in mid sentence. "Be careful."
Throwing her father a frustrated look. "These Peacekeepers. I want Bobby to stay away from them and YOU!"
Olivia shouted in disbelief. She'd never known Susan to be so hateful or out and out mean. "SUSAN!'
Jack simply closed his eyes, knowing that Susan was about to go too far.
Aeryn stood slowly facing the one person in John's family she'd been unable to connect with. She'd tried to understand, but her patience already thin was now nonexistent. "Oh don't stop, I'm sure there's more in there just dying to get out."
"You're damn right there is. Lets start with my brother. Why couldn't you have chosen someone else? This is like some bad movie that just won't end! He goes through a DAMN Wormhole and we don't hear from him for what…almost four years! And when he does finally come back, he brings every alien he's met with him! Including one who manages to wreck my father's house. He leaves again only to come back and for what? To drop off his pregnant wife…OH! Did I forget to mention that she's not even human! He couldn't have found a woman on Earth…No! He goes off and finds one from space. "I wish John had never met you! Life has been nothing but a nightmare since…for him…or all of us! You people have poked, picked and screwed with his head so much that he can't tell family and friends from foe!" Susan moved closer to Aeryn. "I hate you!" Spying her mother's ring she grabbed Aeryn's wrist. "You don't deserve my mother's ring! Take it off!"
Olivia started forward trying to put herself between Susan and Aeryn, only to be shoved out of the way by her sister." Susan what the hell are you saying? You have NO right…"
"Stop Olivia!" Aeryn shook her head. "Let her finish."
"Finish? There is no finish. I want my mother's ring back! And I want you take off NOW!" Susan demanded.
Aeryn glanced down at her ring. Looking back at Susan she shook her head slowly but firmly. "No! I won't give it to you. If you want it, you'll have to remove it from my finger yourself."
"As if you'll stand there and let me. I'm no fool!" Ignoring her sister's snorting response to her last statement she. "I know your skills and you'll probably use them the minute I take the ring."
Aeryn's voice remained calmed, almost serene. "No I won't. You want this ring, then take it. I will never willingly remove this ring from my finger. Your brother and I have gone through things you would never be able to imagine nor would you survive them if you could. Worlds have tried to destroy us yet here we are. We've been chased, captured and tortured but we survived. If you think this ring epitomizes our struggles…our relationship…our destiny…our love, then you are completely wrong. Aeryn's eyes touched on the ring her lips formed an almost whimsical smile. "This ring means a lot to John. In the middle of a lake in a tiny boat, he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him." Sighing softly at the memory, she continued. "You can take the ring Susan, but that will only bind us together, it won't destroy us. You can't destroy what is meant to be. Take it, I won't fight you for a ring but I will fight you for John." Holding her hand out she watched Susan snatch the ring roughly from her finger, scratching the skin as she did. Though Susan actions were meant to cause pain, Aeryn never made a sound even as her heart was breaking.
"John meant for Aeryn to wear that ring!" Olivia snatched the ring from Susan and handed it back Aeryn. "I can't believe you Susan. You've gone much too far now!"
Aeryn refused to take the ring. "No." she responded quietly, stepping out of Jack's reach as he tried to put the ring back on her bruised finger.
"Aeryn John wanted you…wants you to wear this ring." Jack spoke, tears gathering in his eyes at the young woman in front of who almost seemed to show no emotion. He remembered John telling him how Aeryn would revert back to an emotionless state when pain became too much for her. "Baby let put the ring back where it belongs. John wants it there and so do you"
"I know, and until he can put it back on my finger. It's hers." She took the ring from Jack and placed it gently in Susan's palm. "You took the first step down the wrong path Susan and I refuse to follow nor will I help you back. You're on your own. I'm through reaching out to you. I have a husband and a baby to worry about now." Cradling her naked hand she left the room.
Jack watched Aeryn leave before speaking. "She's right. You're on your own."
Olivia stared at her older sister. "Unbelievable. I don't even know you!" Olivia pointed her index finger in her sister's direction. "Just for the record I gave John the ring to give to Aeryn. I wasn't sure mind you but I had a feeling there was something between them. I remember saying how considerate John had become and she's the reason why. You didn't see them down in the Maldives. I did! He loves her and he doesn't care about her race…or species. He simply loves her." Shaking her head she change the direction of the conversation. "You know what Aeryn's right, you keep the ring. Because when our brother gets here, I can't wait to hear you explain to him why that ring isn't on his wife's finger."
MOYA…
"JOHN!" D'Argo's voice jerked John out of a restless sleep. "JOHN WAKE UP!"
"What?" He whispered a bit groggy. His whisper went unheard as D'Argo's next shout caused John to jerk out of the bed, landing on his butt. "I'm up…I'm up…I'm up! WHAT?"
"Pilot has received a message from Scorpius' Command Carrier."
"How long…" John hopped around putting his boots on. "How long before we meet up with them?"
"Pilot estimates that we should meet up with the Carrier in ten arns. "D'Argo announced.
John left his quarters bumping into Rygel on his way out. "SPARKY! Pilot found Aeryn! He reached down and hooked an arm around Rygel's neck almost jerking him from his sled thrown.
"YOU FARBOT! WATCH IT!" Rygel growled doing his best to try and pull away.
"I love you too Sparky!" John gave Rygel a loud smacking kiss on the head and took off in the direction of Pilot's den.
Chiana and Noranti joined Rygel. "What's going on Ryg?"
"Pilot has found Scorpius' Command Carrier and is on a course to intercept." Rygel answered, much more interested in straightening his robes then imparting information.
"CHAAA! We're getting Aeryn back!" Chiana jumped up and down excitedly.
"Yes and you don't think that Scorpius will have a trap set for us?" Rygel snapped.
"Well it's Scorpius Ryg. He's always got a trick up…somewhere." Chiana shrugged. She refused to let Rygel ruin her happiness.
Noranti smiled benignly as if Rygel's words meant nothing. "Of course he will. But we've been able to thwart him at every turn so far. Besides Crichton won't let Aeryn and his family down." Noranti answered smoothly.
Rygel grimaced. "He feels he already has."
Noranti glanced sideways at the Hynerian. "He'll be…we'll be ready for Scorpius."
"Hmm…yes we will be. As you said, we always are. But unfortunately every time we manage to thwart him, he manages to raise the stakes and this time he has Aeryn." Closing his eyes for a moment, he thought of Aeryn. "But it will be good to see her again." Without waiting for a response from either woman, he sped off in Crichton's direction.
Noranti stared off after the Hynerian. "He's right Scorpius does hold the key. But that will only serve to make Crichton more focused on the task at hand."
Chiana smiled. "And we may get to blow something up! You know…how he is when he's focused. Things get blown up! I'm beginning to like this destruction business!"
"Yes it is rather exciting." Noranti answered distractedly.
"We've made contact with the crew of Moya." Braca informed Scorpius.
"How soon before they arrive?" Scorpius asked. He watched Braca steadily, his excitement hidden.
"They should reach us within ten arns." Braca smiled. "This time you have all the pieces."
"Hmmm…yes, Aeryn, their unborn offspring, and the Crichton family." Scorpius stared out at the black space surrounding them. "But John Crichton always manages to get the upper hand. Beware Braca. John Crichton is an opponent we would do wise not to underestimate."
TO BE CONTINUED…