Author's Note: Thank you to everyone whose reviewed! Such positive feedback is more than I deserve. Keep the reviews coming and anyopinions on where you believe the story should go is welcomed. I'm always open to hearing where others would take this. Cheers!

P.S : Quick shout outs:

BirgitM: Let's just assume that 'arch-nemesis' is one of those earthism's that Aeryn has picked uip from John.

ScaperDeage: Thanks for the tip regarding Terra Firma. Applause all round.

Chapter 2: A Heated Argument

After leaving Aeryn and Stark to sort through the information Scorpius attached to his final corruption from beyond-the-grave, John found himself outside Moya's galley. Upon entering, he was immediately assaulted by a distinct range of smells issuing from the numerous pots and pans gently simmering or violently boiling over scattered about the room. Whatever Noranti was cooking up today, the combined fumes were making John's eyes water.

"Whoa! Grandma! This better not be tonight's dinner!" John tossed lightly to the old woman who was currently occupied by stirring a black powder into a pot containing a substance that was turning a violent shade of pink.

"Oh no no no no no, don't be silly Crichton! I'm simply experimenting with a few rare herbs I was able to pick up at that last planet we stopped at, what was the name again? Tu'Pau? Marvelous climate for Konari flowers, the pollen of which can be made into a powerful healing salve. At least I believe so…" Noranti paused in her bustling to give John an inquiring look as he took at seat at the counter, "and how are you John? How is Aeryn? I can't imagine the amplitude of emotions you must be experiencing. What a remarkably inconceivable turn of events. Do we have a plan?"

John shifted uncomfortably in his seat, Noranti's probing gaze unfaltering through the smoky kitchen. "Aeryn and Stark are sifting through the data on… her. We're trying to find out as much as we can before rushing into anything…"

Noranti smiled conspiratorially, "ahhh… yes yes yes, I see. Discover if this creation of Scorpius' has anything to offer us before taking action… a wise strategy."

John was taken aback, "what! No! No, that's not it-"

Noranti quickly interrupted, moving across the counter from John, "So then you are struggling to ascertain whether or not it poses a threat?"

His frustration rising, John felt he was beginning to lose his barely maintained cool on this whole situation. There was only so much he should be expected to deal with in one day. "No! We're just trying… we're just trying to find her, that's all. She's my DNA for Christ's sake! Just a girl… just an innocent girl…"

Noranti pushed her face across the counter until it was inches away from Crichton's. She narrowed her eyes and when she spoke it came out as a harsh whisper: "You have never been more wrong in your life Crichton. Never. And mistakes like the one you are making now could kill you, Aeryn and your son. Do not allow human emotions and the sting of hopeless revenge cloud your ever-questionable judgment. This child, this girl… granted, she may be the result of combining your DNA with Aeryn's, she may be your flesh and blood, all your memories of earth and your family, of wormholes and distant galaxies and notions that you yourself could not possibly explain to any other being, could now be held within the mind of this eighteen cycle old female. For frell's sake, she may even look like you. The opportunities are endless and exciting, but you cannot allow yourself to lose sight of the facts, Crichton. She is not just an 'innocent girl'. She is first and foremost a creation of Scorpius. That alone is reason enough to destroy the transmission and data and forget all about this whole -"

John felt the need to break in at this point, "No. There's no way I'm just 'forgetting all about this"… This girl is my daughter, created by Scorpius or not, I'm going to find her and-"

"And what exactly John?" Noranti questioned. "Bring her aboard Moya? Give her a room with a view and free run of the place? Allow her near your infant son?Has it even occurred to you that this may be another one of Scorpius's traps? He said so himself that he implanted this girl with vital knowledge: combat training? Tactical science? Who knows what else he could have inseminated into that child's mind!"

John had had enough. "What would you have me do?" His voice, fraught with anger, rose into a hoarse shout: "Leave her alone out there! Leave her to wander from planet to planet, wondering who she is, what she is, trying to deal with memories that aren't hers, knowledge she can't understand, enemies she never provoked? If I left her out there, having to live every day, never fully knowing… never truly understanding… I'd be no better than Scorpius..." John finished, turning from the old healer and walking purposefully towards the door.

"You scurry into this dilemma with what John? The dream that she will rush to your outstretched arms and all will be well? The ideal that you and Aeryn will have a happy little family?" Noranti threw at John's retreating back.

Crichton trigged the door to slide open and stepped out into the hall, but turned back one last time. He suddenly looked very, very tired. "You know Grandma, my only hope is that one day, she might forgive me for all this…"

With those words the door slid closed, leaving Noranti suddenly feeling very ashamed.