Chapter 3
Note:This is the last bit. I hope you liked it. I'm terrible at conclusions. And chapter titles(evidently, lol) Anyways, thanks for reviewing and reading. :)
Look to the East
7 Márta 2010
The dull glow of Moya cast no shadows on the lithe Nebari as she crept through the halls. Chiana was trying her best to be as silent as possible. Knowing her crewmates as she did, she knew it would only take a misplaced breath to awaken them. She did not want to be distracted from her course, and so padded along, cat-like, breathing kept to a minimum, dark eyes flitting here and there as she looked for possible obstructions.
It was times like these she was proud of her thieving life, if she had not been forced to learn to sneak and steal she would never be capable of slipping past the sleeping quarters of an insanely paranoid peacekeeper or sensitive sensed Luxan. She smiled grimly at herself and complimented her own skill.
She was slowly coming closer to John's quarters. Why everyone was so scattered on this ship, she did not know, but it suited her purposes fine, as hopefully nobody would hear her and John if they spoke quietly.
As she turned the last corner she stopped, body poised at attention. Through the gloom of Moya she could make out small sounds. Immediately she was on alert, and she cursed herself, inwardly thinking she had been caught just as she reached the finish.
She listened longer, straining to hear the noise for what it was. There was along exhale of breath and then a series of sniffs. Occasionally she thought she could hear what sounded like a hiccup interspersed. She stood still, in the same position as when she first discovered the noise. She was perplexed, it sounded like it came from the corridor in front of her, which meant that John could be in trouble, but wasn't one to go looking for danger.
It was a strange noise that sounded out of place with the gentle hum of Moya, and she was uncertain whether or not to continue. She liked John, that was true, but she liked being alive more, and knowing this ship the noise came from some carnivorous beast just waiting in the darkness to pounce on an unsuspecting Nebari girl.
She figured she had two choices, sneak back to bed and hope nobody heard her, or investigate the noise and perhaps get John to tag along. He was always ready for an adventure, she thought, unlike some of Moya's inhabitants.
Her inquisitive nature got the best of her and she silently crept forward again. Dench by dench she got closer to John's quarters, and the noise got steadily louder and louder, but still quiet enough that she couldn't really make out what it was.
Standing outside Crichton's door she realised the noise was coming from inside. She peered into the room, black eyes reflecting small stray bits of light. She was suddenly wary, not sure if she really wanted to follow through with her little adventure. There was a form sitting on Crichton's bed, she expected this was the monster and she was probably too late to save Crichton. But as she focussed on it she realised it was John himself sitting on his bed, still clothed in what he was wearing in the day cycle.
Feeling brave Chiana opened the door to John's room, and noted that he didn't even look up, seemingly unaware of her presence. She walked in, went over to where John was sitting, and pounced into his view.
"Gotcha Crichton!" She chuckled at him. "What are you doing sitting in the dark you fekkik? And why are you still dressed?" She flounced down on the ground in front of him, crossing her legs. John finally looked at her, seemingly only now realising he was not alone.
"Oh umm... Hey, pip. What 'ya doing here?" He rasped. He hoped fervently that Chiana would put down the odd tone of his voice to sleep. He hastily scrubbed his eyes, anxious that she not realise he was crying. He didn't want everyone to think any less of him than they already did.
"Just thought I'd come see you," She hazarded, suddenly unsure if she wanted to talk to him. There was something off about him and there was a voice in her head that told her to be concerned. She brushed it back though, she knew Crichton, nothing bothered him, he was the steadiest of all the crew, always acting in his crazy human way that was beginning to become predictable. She decided she may as well talk to him, so she turned slightly and ordered the lights to become a little brighter so they could see each other.
They both spent a couple of microts adjusting to the brighter room, and then Chiana turned back and looked at his face. She gasped.
"Crichton, what's wrong? Are you crying?" It was inconceivable, she thought. Crichton was strong, he didn't cry.
He looked a bit put out for a moment. "Uh no Chi, just, ya know, cleaning my eyes." He hoped she might think it was some strange human ritual and leave it at that, but this was Chiana.
"Oh, ok. Sure Crichton. So 'wha soup'? Why aintcha sleeping? We have to go to that commerce planet tomorrow, so you're going to want to be ready for a fight!" She grinned cheekily and waited for his response. When it didn't come, she looked more closely at him. He didn't appear to be paying attention to her, staring into the distance. His eyes seemed to be glistening more than a few microts ago.
"Hey Crichton, I think you're eyes are dirty again. What's wrong?"
He slowly looked at her again, staring at her for a while before answering, contemplating his response. "It's 'what's up'. And nothing's wrong Chi, I'm fine and dandy. Just spending a little time to myself, thinking."
"Oh, ok. You know you can tell me stuff? You're not alone in this frelled up ship." She was unsure of what to say. An apparently morose Crichton wasn't something she was prepared for. She had only come down here so he would comfort her, and she wasn't sure she could handle the opposite situation.
His expression changed whilst she spoke, the first signs of a smile appearing on his face.
"Thanks Chi." He went quiet again. He shook his head slightly and when he stopped he appeared to have gathered his thoughts, his expression becoming more like the Crichton she new. "I'm better now. I think I just wanted some company."
"Will I go get someone? Aeryn maybe?" There was a mischievous gleam in her eye, and when he laughed she smiled brightly.
"Naw it's fine Chi, we wouldn't want Ms Sunshine to miss out on her beauty sleep. You can stay for a bit if you want. You got something you wanna talk about?"
"Sure Crichton" With that Chiana hopped up and invited herself into his bed. He looked a bit surprised at first but then he only smiled and got into bed next to her. She curled herself into him like a kitten and began reciting her nightmare from a couple of arns before. He listened intently, slowly stroking her hair throughout, as if to remind her he was there. It was calming and she relaxed more into him, comforted by his presence. As her words slowly become quieter and more slurred under his ministrations.
She never reached the end of her story, falling asleep to the gently rhythms' of Johns breathing patterns. When she awoke in the morning, she was tucked into the bed in her own quarters, warm and comfortable. She smiled to herself and thanked Crichton for ridding her of the nightmare that had plagued her during the night.
She met John later in the galley when she was eating first meal. He came in and sat down beside her, not before ruffling her hair playfully.
"Thanks for talking to me last night old man"
"No problem kiddo. Thanks for keeping me company. Now, hows about me and you take the module to the commerce planet? The others went a couple of arns ago, but you weren't lookin pretty enough so I let you sleep." He grinned at her and stuck out his tongue as she hit him.
He turned serious after a moment and looked at her.
"Hey Pip?"
"Yeh old man?"
"Thanks for reminding me I'm not alone"
"Anytime. Now let's go before Lord Froggy spends all our credits!" With that, they both got up and headed for the maintenance bay, pushing and shoving each other as they joked.