Chapter 4: Infinite Possibilities and trying not to change any of them

Jess laid face up in the maintenance bay floor, recovering from the circuit she had just completed. It had been a few days since Crais injured her shoulder and it was nearly back to 100%. Whatever that patch was, it was magic and without a doubt, accelerated the recovery. She sighed at the memory of him brushing her hair off her shoulder, trailing his hand down her arm, his dark eyes filled with desire, his lips…

They hadn't encountered each other much since she walked away from him, but the times they had, he acted as though nothing had happened. She supposed the Peacekeeper training meant he could easily push emotions and feelings aside. She laughed to herself, 'feelings' what was she thinking. Crais wouldn't have feelings for her, Peacekeepers recreated, just casual, friends with benefits style. Hell, he had only kissed her because he took kiss and make up literally. Then again, she remembered the conversation Crais had with Aeryn at the end of season 2, telling her he valued the traits from his upbringing. She knew about his relationship with Larrell too.

She sat up to start stretching when he favourite song, P!nk, Try, started next on the playlist. As normal she sang along. "Ever wonder 'bout what he's doing. How it's all turned to lies. Sometimes I think that it's better, to never ask why. Where there is desire, there is gonna be a flame. Where there is a flame, someone's bound to get burned. But just because it burns, doesn't mean you're gonna die. You gotta get up and try…. And as normal Crais chose that moment to come in interrupting her. He held another DRD under his arm as he set it down on the bench to work on.

"Yet another Earth song? How many have you got on there?"

Jess looked up smiling, "hundreds! But this one is my favourite." As it continued to play in the background. "I finally got to see her on tour last year."

"Tour?"

"Yeah, she travelled around the world performing her songs, here look." As she scrolled through to show him the pictures on her phone. "70,000 people in the stadium all enjoying a common interest."

"And why this one?"

"This one what?"

"You said this song was your favourite."

"Oh, I don't know, it's catchy, good video. It's got a poignant meaning too."

"What is the meaning?" looking intently at her.

"Um, well, love. You have to try with love. Take risks no matter the consequences."

"I see" with a blunt tone. He continued to work on the DRD, knowing full well there wasn't anything that needed doing to it. It just gave him an excuse to talk with Jess.

Jess frowned, what the hell was with that tone. Shaking her head, as she turned to finish stretching. Was that a dig at her? Turning again, hands on her hips "What's your problem?"

Without looking up Crais replied, "What?"

"Your problem? I See!" mimicking his tone. "What's with the tone?"

Crais let out a frustrated sigh, banging his tools down. Frowning at her, "you say it has a poignant meaning. Taking risks, no matter the consequences. Yet you do not observe these words yourself."

Jess was taken aback by his response and stared at him. Was he talking about them? They stood in a silent standoff. Before she rolled her eyes. "In normal circumstances I do, but these are hardly normal conditions are they."

Crais picked up the tools and carried on adjusting the DRD.

"Crais?" Pausing his work, he looked up at her. "You said you trusted me." Pursing his lips in thought. Jess walked up to him biting her lower lip and placing her hand over his. "Then please, trust me with this." A faint smile crossed his face as he nodded in acknowledgment. "Thank you." Smiling back at him. "I'm just going to use your shower if that's ok?"

"Of course."

They stood gazing at each other in silence, acknowledging the situation for a few microts before Jess gentle squeezed his hand and turned, walking out. Crais continued to watch her and smiled as she glanced back at him. Maybe best for a colder shower she thought as her heart thumped in her chest.

Jess joined Crais and Rygel on command just as Rygel shouted "Oh no! Not again!"

"Have you seen this before?"

"Unfortunately, yes and so has Crichton."

"Yes, Talyn. Appearances to the contrary, this planet seems to have no mass. It must be an illusion."

Jess felt a sudden wave of sadness come over her, knowing the fate of Crichton just as he marched in with Aeryn.

"It's a billboard. It means we've found what we're looking for. Hello anybody out there? Ancients? Jack, whatever you want to call yourself. This is John Crichton. Hello. Come out, come out wherever you are."

All of a sudden Talyn jolted forwards causing them all to stumble and Jack appeared.

"I'm here."

"Talyn" as Crais instinctively pulled his pulse pistol.

"Crais, no! I know this guy." Holding onto his wrist.

"And I thought I knew you. I may have been wrong. If I was, I may have to kill you." Raising his hand and entering Crichton's mind.

"Let him go, or I will shoot." Raising her pulse pistol. Aeryn quickly glanced at Jess, a helpless look in her eye. Jess gave her a reassuring smile.

Jack released Crichton after a few microts.

"He's unhurt Aeryn Sun. We may have misjudged you. I hope we did."

"Who are you?"

"My given name is" Jess laughed quietly to herself as Jack recited his real name and the confused look on Crais's face. "You may call me Jack."

"How did you get on board?"

"Save it Crais. We've got bigger fish to fry. Jack show 'em the postcard. Maybe they can identify the pilot." As Jack showed the Charrid Rygel gasped. "You guys know what that critter is?"

"I don't recognize the species. Crais?"

"I'll just check Talyn's data banks."

Rygel whispered "Fa-pu-Tah. It's a frelling Charrid." As he flew out of command.

"Talyn, search the data for any information on Charrids. Jess do you know the species?"

Jess nodded.

The others smiled recognising Jess would probably be hiding herself away any microt. While Jack turned, "What do they know about wormholes?"

"Um" folding her arms across her chest "well you see; I can't tell you."

"What do you mean you can't tell us? Do you know how serious wormhole technology is in the wrong hands?"

"Yes, um, but I can't tell you what I know."

Jack looked at Crichton for support.

Jess headed out of command, "here, come with me. I've actually got some questions; you might be able to help me with." As Jack followed her off down the corridor as Jess explained how she came to be there and how she knew the Charrids. Jack listened carefully.

"So, you see, I'm a bit lost and trying not to frell everything up."

Jack paused and nodded. "Unskilled wonderings through wormholes can create unrealized realities."

"Yeah Einstein, I know that bit. I've gone backwards in time but not really in my reality. There's been the odd alteration but I've corrected things so they continue on the same path."

"Well the fact that you have spent this much time here indicates this is your reality now."

Jess was stunned. "You mean I can't ever get back to my reality?"

"It's not impossible, but the probability is so remote as to be mathematically disharmonious."

Talking to herself, "yeah that's what Einstein tells Crichton." Feeling dizzy with shock Jess leans back against the bulkhead to support herself. Rubbing her face with her palms. "Ok, help me with this one then. Can I change the course of things to come here?"

"Essentially yes, if events are matched closely enough to course, they have a way of restructuring themselves to familiar outcomes."

"Ok, familiar outcomes is good. How do I guarantee the same outcome, say, without the same sacrifice?"

"You can't. If that sacrifice is to be made and you alter the situation. It will likely to occur in another method."

Jess bit down on her lip, fighting back the tears forming, just as Crichton rounded the corner. Jack squeezed Jess's shoulder in support before following Crichton. "Lay it on me Jack. Why are you so afraid of a Halloween mask in a tiny module?" As his voice drifted off in the distance, Jess sunk to the floor. The tears that were forming, escaped and rolled down her face. Not only was she likely to be stuck here, there was no way she could save this Crichton, Talyn and Crais, the man, despite her best efforts, she was slowly falling for.

Aeryn walked up seeing Jess squatting down on the floor "Jess?" Causing her to jump out of her daze. "You ok?" Noticing the tears and holding out a hand to help her up.

"Um, yeah, I will be." As she accepted Aeryn's hand, pulling herself up.

"You sure?" Not believing Jess was being truthful.

Jess walked off leaving Aeryn to wonder what dren they'd be walking into on Dam-Ba-Da, deciding to go collect all the weapons she could.

Jess was left on Talyn but it wasn't long until she felt Talyn banking sharply before descending down towards the planet just as a solar flare flashed. Talyn shuddered violently. Jess ran towards command.

"Talyn, listen to me, it's going to be ok. You'll be ok. Keep calm. Crais is on his way back." As he shuddered again causing her to stumble. It wasn't long until Jess saw the transport pod coming towards Talyn. "Hey Talyn, they're nearly here. It's going to be ok."

Stark guided Crais onto command. Jess rushed over to help. "Hey!"

Crais turned from Stark to face in the direction of Jess holding her arms "Talyn and I are blinded." Panic in his voice.

"I know."

"Talyn is panicking. Is this permanent?" Jess shock her head, forgetting he wouldn't be able to see. "Is this permanent?" Pleading with her.

Breaking an arm free from his grasp, she reached up to hold his cheek, stroking it with her thumb. "No. No, it's going to be ok." As he turned to find his way to the controls.

"You sure you don't need my help?" Stark questioned

"I don't need your help! Talyn can you hear me?"

"Nothings happening. Well, apart from the tossing and turning."

"He's overcompensating for his manoeuvres, because he can't tell what's going on. I'll have to take over."

"What are you looking for?"

"Manual override."

"Here" as Stark guided Crais.

"Talyn, I'm taking control. I will get you stable, so you can calm down and heal your senses. You heard Jess, it's not permanent."

"It's working, I think. It's working, working."

"Is the navigation console responding?"

"No but I'm feeling better."

"Something doesn't feel right. Must be the docking control."

"It looks alright."

"Try the comms again. Boost Talyn's signal to maximum."

As Stark moved over to another console Jess moved over to Crais, holding his arm and placing a hand on his chest. Whispering softly to him "Crais, I have to go now." As he nodded towards the direction of her voice, she glanced to check Stark wasn't looking before kissing him on the cheek quickly and leaving. "Take care of them Stark!"

"Yes, yes, I will, will."

Jess sat in the corner of her quarters, hidden out of the way but keeping an eye on the door just in case the Scarren, she knew was boarding, came along. Talyn shuddered again. The movements were making her feel queasy. Suddenly Stark came over the comms "Jess, Jess, you have to come to command." Knowing it probably wasn't long until the Scarren arrived she ignored his plea. "Jess, Jess, can you hear me? Jess?" Jess slowly stood up, wondering if she should reply when she heard Crais's voice.

"Jess, you need to come to command. The Scarren scanned Talyn before boarding he knows there are three lifeforms onboard. He will kill us all if you do not come."

"Shit!" as she sighed to herself. "On my way." Running for command, her heart pounding nervously in her chest. She slowed as she got towards the entrance, hearing Stark groan under the Scarren's interrogation. She stepped into command, "I'm here."

The Scarren turned and radiated the heat probe on Jess sinking her to her knees causing her to cry out.

Crais winced at her cries "Stop, leave her!"

The Scarren stopped his attack on Jess causing her to fall forwards onto all fours as he interrogated Crais again.

"Is this your female?"

"No" Crais groaned.

"But you care for this one?"

Crais groaned again trying to hold back his response and revealing his feelings in front of Stark, before he could fight no longer "yes." The Scarren releasing him.

"You will make this ship operational or I will make you watch her slow death." Turning and pulling Jess to her feet, dragging her out of command along the corridor. "Where is the Pilot's den?"

"I don't know."

The Scarren knocked her to the ground "take me to the den or I will kill you." Jess slowly stood, having had the wind knocked out of her before nodding and heading towards the empty den. When they arrived the Scarren realising there was no Pilot aimed his heat probe at her again. "Where is the Pilot?"

"There isn't one!" crippling her to the floor.

"Why?"

Somehow managing to force a lie through gritted teeth, "I don't know."

Snarling, the Scarren dragged her to her feet and off back to command throwing her to the floor as they entered. "I can find no Pilot on board this Leviathan."

"There isn't one. It doesn't need it. There is a direct interface."

"Stark!"

"Let him speak."

"Shut up! The best way to operate this ship is via a neural transponder. Look." Grabbing hold of Crais. "Here's the socket. You see? His transponder was damaged, so we had to remove it. But the ship can construct a replacement."

"You will have the ship make one for me."

"Yes, yes whatever you say." As the Scarren left. "I had to tell him. He would have forced it out of you anyway."

"You did well. Instruct Talyn to prepare a neural transponder. Two in fact."

"Two?"

"One for me and one for the Scarren." Turning towards the door, "Jess?"

"Yeah" she groaned as Stark crouched down beside her.

"Oh, your head, your head?"

Reaching up to the pain coming from her forehead realising she was bleeding as she looked at the blood on her hand.

"What's wrong" Crais unable to hide the concern in his voice.

"It's fine, just a little cut. I'll be fine."

"You need to dress it."

"Stark you stay here and help finish the transponder. Jess come with me, lets clean the wound." As he let her guide him out of command.

Before they could get far the Scarren strode up towards Crais and Jess in the corridor. Pushing Crais to the floor. "Feeble Sebaceans. You believe that even with vessels like this, you can defeat Scarrens?" Hearing the Scarren, Stark came hurrying along the corridor. "Slave. The neural transponder?

"Soon. Nearly finished. Soon."

"It will give me absolute control of the ship?"

"Yes, yes. You will think as one."

"Assist your captain and the female."

"Yes, yes." Helping Crais to his feet. They carried on to dress Jess's wound before returning to command.

Stark whispered to Crais as the Scarren walked in "Ready?"

"Where is the neural transponder? Why do I not yet have control of this vessel?"

"Because, because, because, I'm still, ah, these controls! See for yourself."

"Are you subverting my commands?"

"No, truly…"

"Scarren. I subvert your commands."

"You deny me the transponder?"

"Do you still want it?"

"Without delay"

"Then you shall have it!" As Talyn injected the transponder. "Talyn! Fire!"

Jess ducking out of the way as Talyn opened fire on the Scarren.

"Crais get down." Stark pushing Crais out the way.

"Thank you."

"It may not happen again."

"Jess, are you ok?"

"Yeah, I'm good."

"Crichton, Aeryn, Rygel. What is your status?"

"Frelled. Mivonks on a plate, frelled. What's your status?"

"I am partially sighted. Talyn has recovered sufficiently to attempt Starburst."

"Well pick me up and let's go!"

"Crichton, Aeryn?"

"Crais, we got one shot at this. The, uh, displacement engine will take out the Scarrens. You need to pick up Sparky and get the hell out of here."

"Yes. Starburst immediately."

Crais turned to Stark and Jess. Both shaking their heads in unison "No". "It is unanimous. We stay."

"Oh, damn it, Crais, knock it off. You're gonna make me start liking you."

"Is there anything we can do?"

"Yeah. It would be helpful to have the Dreadnought, uh, directly in line with the mouth of the wormhole."

"What wormhole?"

"The one I'm about to rustle up."

"We will attempt to lure them. Good fortune."

"Scarren Dreadnought. This is Captain Bialar Crais. Peacekeeper. Approach any closer, you will be engaged and destroyed."

"They must be terrified."

Jess smirked.

"Crais, where is it? I can't see that damn Dreadnought anywhere."

"Closing fast on an intercept vector with Talyn. But Crichton, there is no wormhole to manoeuvre them." As a flare flashed, they shielded their eyes.

"Close. Close. Very close."

Jess's heart raced, although she knew Crichton would succeed, she still felt anxious, the Dreadnought was massive. Just as Talyn's targeting alarm bleeped.

"This is?"

"We're being targeted. Scarren Dreadnought, withhold your fire. We surrender. I repeat, we surrender. Talyn, stand down your weaponry. Make them believe. Draw them in."

"The wormhole is touching the star. It's touching the star."

Jess stood alongside Crais and Stark. Resting her hand on Crais's shoulder. He glanced down covering her hand with his while the watched through the viewpoint. The star suddenly engulfing the Dreadnought as they all shielded their eyes from the explosion before the wormhole closed again.

"I have no prayer for that. As he looked on in disbelief. "What now?"

"Nothing. Crichton's dying." As a single tear trickled down Jess's face.

"What? No, how?" Stark whispering in disbelief.

"Radiation."

"I'll gather Talyn's radiation sickness treatment."

As they all left for the docking bay to await the others return.

Aeryn jumped out of Crichton's module striding up to Jess, punching her across the face and shoving her into the wall "You! You knew this was going to happen. Why didn't you stop it?"

"Aeryn" Crichton yelled before coughing as he clambered out the module. "She can't change things."

Tears streaming down her face "I'm so sorry Aeryn." As she looked around to the others. Before closing her eyes and sighing.

Crichton collapsed to the floor and they all apart from Jess rushed to help him.

"No, it's ok. I got this. Jess. Come here." Jess walked over. "Guys, leave us."

"John?" Aeryn questioning.

"Go, please." As the others slowly left. "Tell me." His breathing laboured "Am I the clone?"

Jess shock her head. "No." Crichton sighed looking down. "And neither is he. You're both you. Equal and original."

Looking up and smiling at her. "Aeryn. Will she be?" His voice cracking, unable to finish the sentence.

"Yeah" Smiling back. "Yeah, she's going to be fine. You both will be fine in the end. You'll be happy."

Crichton nodded, appreciating the reassurance. "Hey" he smiled, what happened before, with you and Crais, your arm?"

Jess laughed. "He just injured it and then took kiss and make up, literally!" Rolling her eyes.

Crichton laughed causing him to cough again. "God, poor you!" as he looked up to see the grief in her eyes, frowning "you like him?" A faint smile crossed her lips as tears filled her eyes. "Does he know?"

Shaking her head "it doesn't matter."

He cupped her chin making her look at him "it always matters. Tell him."

Jess pulled her head free as the tears fell. Sighing as she looked at Crichton again. He smiled sweetly back at her. She leaned forward to whisper Crais and Talyn's fate, not wanting Talyn to overhear the conversation. As she finished Crichton pulled her in for a hug before his breathing strained once more. She looked at him "I'm so sorry."

"Don't be, it's not your fault."

Jess commed the others to help move Crichton to the quarters. As he lay on the bed, she lent in to kiss him on the cheek, fighting back the tears "goodbye John."

He nodded at her "good luck!" She smiled back and left the others to say their goodbyes.

Jess sat crying on her bed looking at the floor. That scene would always get to her when she watched it, but real life was so much more painful. They'd given Crichton a burial in space, in his module. Aeryn had looked dazed and numb, her eyes red and puffy from the crying. Stark recited an appropriate prayer, then they all left silently to their own quarters.

Jess looked up at the sound by her door, Crais stood there with a heart rendering look across his face. She looked back down to the floor as he walked in, crouching down in front of her, his hands on her knees. As she lifted her head, her eyes slowly met his and there was no doubting the intent that filled them. She opened her mouth and paused, exhaling slowly, licking her lips before whispering "Bialar." It was just the invitation he needed as he leaned upward pulling her in, passionately claiming her mouth as she moaned against his lips. Holding the back of his head with one hand, the other wrapped round his waist she leaned backwards pulling him down with her.

Crais woke abruptly in the middle of the sleep cycle, his back ached, Jess's bed wasn't very comfortable. As he rolled over, he noticed the other side of the bed was empty. Searching the room quickly he reached to his transponder and took it off of privacy mode to see where Jess was.