Gone but not forgotten

By ISIS
Rated PG-13 | 71KB | Archived 03.22.99
Spoilers: S1
Summary: When John is trapped in a parallel dimension, the rest of Moya¹' crew struggles to come to grips with his apparent death. Sometime after "Through the Looking Glass".
Disclaimers: Farscape is the property of Rockne S O'Bannon, Jim Henson Company et al. I borrow only. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Archiving: Yes, if you wish. Please let me know where it's at: louiseboyden@earthlink.net Enjoy

---

Commander John Crichton entered the centre chamber with a jaunty good morning to its occupants.

"You seem in particularly good spirits this morning, John," Zhaan smiled at him.

"Well, why not? It's been clear sailing for nearly a weegen now. No Peacekeepers, no rapacious aliens, no unexpected starbursts -- no crises at all," he said, settling himself in beside Aeryn. He looked at his tray of uninspiring food cubes. "Even the food cubes look good this morning."

Aeryn gave him one of her sidelong glances, but did not add her usual comment about his oddness. With an uncomprehending shake of her head, she returned to her food.

D'Argo, never at his best in the morning, growled, "Well, don't jinx it by listing all the things that have gone right."

Beside him, Zhaan caught Crichton's eye and grinned, but said nothing.

"Does anyone have a needle and thread?" He indicated the small piece of colourful cloth he tossed on the table. "My insignia tore off my jacket."

"What does it say?" Chiana asked, looking at the red, white and blue flag and English letters.

"IASA, and that's the flag of the country where I was born."

"What's a flag?" Chiana inched closer to John, and reached out to take the piece of fabric.

"It's a cloth symbol of a country. A very important symbol to humans," John answered, munching on his breakfast. He took the insignia from Chiana. "This one is called the Stars and Stripes. There is a star for every state in the United States."

"States, countries, flags," D'Argo growled. "You humans are so primitive."

Instead of being offended, John merely grinned at D'Argo's obvious ill humour. "Did you get up on the wrong side of the bed this morning, Big Guy?" D'Argo looked at him, uncertain whether John was making fun of him or not. John wisely let it drop. "So, no needle and thread, huh? My clothes sure are taking a beating in your corner of the universe. I've got to get back to Earth soon, or I will have nothing but rags to wear."

Chiana laughed and slid against him, like a cat. "That might not be so bad," she purred suggestively. John grinned down at her. Aeryn merely glared at her.

"I will lend you a compound to repair your clothes. Come down to my workroom later." Zhaan said. John nodded his thanks to her and the group continued their meal in companionable silence.

Finally, a little too casually, John said to Aeryn, "What have you got on this morning, Miss Sun?"

"Got on? What I always wear? Have you no eyes in your head, Crichton?" Aeryn snapped.

Unfazed, John continued, "Let me rephrase that. Do you have anything planned for this morning? Any chores?"

"Why?" Aeryn asked, her tone and expression conveying her suspicion.

"Weeelll, we are in the middle of nowhere and I thought that we could take Farscape out for a run to test that new Moya accelerator I finished installing. Pilot assures me that there are no systems, ships or anomalies anywhere near us." At her direct look, he pleaded, "Please, Aeryn. It's a perfect opportunity to try it out, and I need your input."

"Oooh, no, Crichton. Not again. The last time you tried this, we were nearly captured by thoseVorkarian bounty hunters on Dam-Ba-Da."

"I object as well," D'Argo added. "The last time the two of you went out in a vehicle, you got caught in the Flax."

*And we all know where that led,* John thought , a secret smile crossing his face. As if aware of the direction of his thoughts, Aeryn refused to look at him.

"No, I forbid it. No more unnecessary flights." D¹'Argo's voice broke into John's thoughts.

"You FORBID it?" Aeryn's temper was immediately aroused. "You don't order us around, D'Argo."

Zhaan quickly moved to calm the increasingly heated discussion. "Aeryn's right, D'Argo. We decide by votes." D'Argo challenged her, then turned away, muttering to himself about stupid voting. "However, John, D'Argo is also right. These little trips of yours have led us into trouble more times than enough."

John was discouraged at the way his request was turning out.

"May I make a suggestion?" Pilot's image appeared on the clamshell communications monitor.

"Yes, Pilot. What is it?" Zhaan said immediately, glad of the interruption.

"Commander Crichton is correct. There is nothing for light-cycles in any direction. Moya and I have been monitoring since he suggested this test. This is a very good place to try the Moya components. And frankly, I am curious to find out the results, as is Moya."

"You can only monitor what you can see, Pilot," D'Argo said. "We never could detect the Flax."

"Correct, Ka D'Argo. Therefore I propose that Officer Sun accompany Commander Crichton on his test flight. Not in the Farscape module, but with him, in her Prowler. The chances of both vehicles coming to any harm are greatly reduced."

Aeryn was impressed by Pilot's suggestion. John looked at her hopefully. "Very well, Pilot. An excellent suggestion. Let's get this test run over with." Zhaan nodded her agreement. John grabbed the insignia and quickly left the room to make his preparations before they could change their minds.

Still unconvinced, D'Argo muttered darkly, "Something bad will happen. Something bad always happens."

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

"What exactly have you added to your pathetic craft, now, Crichton?" Aeryn asked, as they walked down to the docking bay a short time later .

"It's an accelerator, from Moya. It will increase Farscape's speed by a power of ten, I hope. It runs on the same batteries as the transport pods." He looked at her, then added, "Soon I'll be able to take on your Prowler in a race."

Aeryn snorted in disbelief. "I don't think so, Crichton."

John grinned at her infectiously. "Don't be too certain there, Sunshine. I can take you with one hand tied behind my back."

Aeryn stopped abruptly. With wicked gleam in her eye, she suddenly stepped close to John, invading his space as he did so often with her. John suddenly found himself holding his breath. Leaning into him but without touching him, she whispered in his ear, "Don't make promises you don't intent to keep, Crichton." She spun away from him quickly before he could react and hurried down the corridor.

Dumbfounded, John let the breath he had been holding out of him in a rush. Grinning broadly, he followed her.

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Aeryn watched, impressed as the Farscape One raced along in front of her Prowler. ''He handles that craft well,'' she thought. ''And the added components do make it almost as fast as a Prowler.'' She smiled to herself as his joyful shout came across the commline.

"Woohoo! What a rush! I told you this thing was fast. What do you think, Aeryn? Ready to race?"

Aeryn's smile was evident in her voice as she answered, truthfully. "Very impressive flying, Crichton. Certainly better than your pitiful handling of the transport pod."

"I told you I'm not just a pretty face." John smirked when he heard her derisive shout of laughter.

"That was never something I would have accused you of." The two craft turned as one and headed back towards the waiting Leviathan ship. "It's time we were getting back. How much battery power do you have left?"

"Enough for one more run. I want to see how fast this thing will go, full out."

"Please be careful, John." Aeryn cautioned.

"No problem. Watch and learn, babe."

The Farscape module pulled away from hers. Aeryn deliberately hung back to allow John room to open the accelerator up full. The modified Earth craft increased speed, streaking away into the starry blackness of space. John watched his instruments carefully, to make sure they were recording data for him to analyse and share with Pilot. Suddenly, there was a shuddering and a flash of light. Blue lightning-like bands of energy whipped across the module from nose to tail. Farscape One shuddered once more, then settled into a smooth flight. John immediately slowed and glanced around him. He disengaged the accelerator and checked the empty space around him visually. In the distance he could see Moya, her sleek shape suspended against a curtain of distant stars and galaxies. Shifting around he could see the fast approach of Aeryn's Prowler behind him. He heaved a sigh of relief. ''Whoa, I wonder what that was?''

Opening his commline he signaled to Aeryn, "Hey there, you still with me?" but the line was dead. "Aeryn. Aeryn?" He looked around and assured himself that her ship was still following him back to Moya. "Pilot. Pilot? Are you there? Pilot?" *Damn! Whatever that was, it took out the communications. Oh well,* he thought as he approached Moya, *Back to the drawing board.* He carefully piloted the silenced craft back through the open doors of the Leviathan¹s hangar. Once back aboard Moya, he leaped out of his module, secured it in the maintenance bay and began immediately to tinker with the communications system.

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

The Farscape module pulled away from hers. Aeryn deliberately hung back to allow John room to open the accelerator up full. The modified Earth craft increased speed, streaking away into the starry blackness of space. Suddenly, the little craft began to shudder. Blue streaks of lightning-like energy whipped back and forth across its hull. Aeryn immediately signaled to John, "Crichton, what's happening!? Crichton?" The beams of light sped from nose to tail. "John, answer me. John? Are you alright.? Ease up? JOHN!"

Before her horrified gaze, the Farscape module, and its pilot, disappeared.

"John! JOHN! Answer me!" Aeryn alternately checked her instruments and swiveled around to make a visual search for the missing module. But nothing appeared. She flew to the place where she had last seen John's ship and began to take what readings her Prowler was capable of. Nothing.

"Pilot. PILOT! I have an emergency. Can you detect Farscape One anywhere?"

"No, Officer Sun, there is no sign of it. What happened?"

"I have no idea. I'm going to keep searching."

"Zhaan. D'Argo. We have an emergency. Please report to command."

"Pilot, what's happening?" Zhaan asked, as she and D'Argo raced into the command room.

"I knew something would go wrong," D'Argo said, to no one in particular.

"I have Officer Sun. Farscape One has disappeared."

Aeryn's panicked voice came across the comm. "He's gone. I can't find him anywhere. There was no explosion. There's no debris. Nothing. One microt he was there and the next microt..."

Sensing Aeryn's distress, D'Argo said, "Establish a search grid, Aeryn.. He must be out there somewhere."

Somewhat calmer, Aeryn answered, "Understood." and signed off.

"Pilot, is Moya sensing any wormhole activity?" Zhaan asked.

"No, Zhaan. There is nothing in the reading to indicate the presence of any wormhole or other spatial phenomenon. Commander Crichton is just... not there anymore."

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
"Aeryn, you must return. Your Prowler needs to be refuelled. Aeryn?" Zhaan's voice was concerned. "We can't afford to have something happen to you too. D'Argo will continue to search with Chiana in the transport pod.You've been looking for over an arn."

"Zhaan, I won't give up on him," Aeryn's voice was dark with emotion. "He's got to be found. He was low on power when he disappeared." Her voice broke but she continued. "Zhaan, he'll be without life support in less than an arn."

"I know, Aeryn. I'm worried too. We will not give up the search."

"Pilot," Aeryn called. "Are you sure there are no planets around here where he could have landed?"

"Moya and I have checked and rechecked the data. There are no star systems, asteroids, ships, nothing where Commander Crichton could have landed." Pilot sighed, "I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault, Pilot. Don't worry. We'll find him." Aeryn signed off.

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

John had been working on his communications system for over an arn, when he realized he was hungry. He also realized that Aeryn had not returned in her Prowler. *Probably enjoyed the freedom so much she decided to take a longer spin. Ha! And she criticizes me for wanting to get out every so often.* He hit his commbadge. "Are you ever coming back in or are you just going to fly to the next commerce planet on your own, Miss Sun?" There was no response from the communications. "Aeryn? Pilot? Zhaan, D'Argo? Anybody?"

"Damn," he swore. "Whatever took out Farscape's system fried my commbadge as well." He was annoyed with himself for not checking both systems. He began to make his way to command.

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Aeryn brought her Prowler into Moya's docking bay, secured it quickly and raced to the command room. Zhaan and Rygel were already there waiting for her.. "Any sign of him?" she asked anxiously.

"No, nothing yet," Zhaan said.

"How the yotz did this happen?" Rygel hovered nearby. "Was it another frelling wormhole?"

"Pilot says no. There are no readings to indicate the presence of a wormhole anywhere near here."

"Aeryn, tell us what you saw again," Zhaan instructed.

"I don't know what I saw. John was racing towards Moya, pushing the accelerator to maximum. There was a lot of blue light, then he was..he was gone."

D'Argo's voice came over the comm. "We are going to have to return to power up the batteries. Pilot, open the docking bay doors."

Shortly after, D'Argo and Chiana appeared. "The DRD's will have the transport recharged in a quarter arn. We will resume the search."

Zhaan cautioned D'Argo, indicating Aeryn who stood aloof from the rest and obviously troubled. D'Argo approached her. He placed his hand gently on her arm. "We will not give up on him."

Aeryn looked up at him, keeping her features under control with some difficulty. With a slight smile, she said, "I know."

D'Argo looked at her steadily for a few more moments, then turned back to the command table.

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

John arrived in the command room to find Zhaan and Pilot in deep discussion, with Rygel hovering in his thronesled nearby. One look at their faces told him that something was wrong. His first thought was that Aeryn had run into trouble. He quickly scanned the room and saw her standing off by herself, her arms wrapped around her.

"Okay, people. What's wrong?"

Nobody answered him.

"Come on, talk to me. What's going on?" He came up to Zhaan, who pointedly ignored him, turning away. "Zhaan?" He moved to Rygel, who appeared to not see him. "Rygel?" Really scared now, he finally raced over to Aeryn. "Aeryn. AERYN ? What's happened? Is it Moya? Aeryn?" He reached out to touch her arm.

AND HIS HAND PASSED RIGHT THROUGH HER.

Stunned , he stumbled back from Aeryn, at first believing that she was somehow the cause. He tried to touch her again and again, and each time his hand passed right through her. After his repeated passes through her arm and cheek, he saw her finally react. "John," she whispered, looking up.

"That's it, Aeryn, see me, hear me," he said, right up to her face. But she did not respond to his voice.

D'Argo and Chiana came in. "The DRD's will have the transport recharged in a quarter arn. We will resume the search."

"Search?" John looked from one to the other, a horrible realization coming to him. "Frell, they're searching for me." He began to run around the room, shouting in the faces of his crewmates, but to no avail. He watched D'Argo walk over to Aeryn, place his hand on her arm and assure her that they would not give up.

"Thanks, Big Guy. For not giving up on me. Or her."

He moved once more to stand beside an obviously devastated Aeryn. "Don't give up on me yet, babe. I told you I would never leave you. I'll find out what has happened. And I'll fix it." He reluctantly left the command room to return to Farscape and study the flight recorder data.

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Several arns later, after more exhaustive searching, the motley crew of the Leviathan
were slowly coming to the realization that their human shipmate was lost to them. In need of comfort, they all eventually wandered down to Pilot's chamber. Chiana was the first to speak. "It was probably a wormhole, a little one, that Moya can't detect. Yes, that's it exactly."

Zhaan looked at Chiana and gave her a weak smile. "You're probably right, Chiana. John did have a knack for creating those anomalies wherever he went."

Rygel broke in, "That's it exactly. The lucky propacto is probably back home, basking in his sun and eating that chocolate he missed so much." He glanced at Aeryn who said nothing. "I know that's where he is," he added weakly.

"Quite right, Dominar Rygel. There are many forms of wormholes. Moya can't be expected to be able to..to..." Pilot's voice trailed off.

Finally, Aeryn said, softly, "No. He's dead. I know it. I feel it. I feel him here. But he's not here."

D'Argo moved closer to her. "Yes, Aeryn, I believe you're right," he said softly. "We must finally face the truth."

Tears began to stream down Zhaan's face. Chiana turned away, trying to maintain her composure. She moved closer to Zhaan and, at last, put her arm around her shoulders. Zhaan gratefully and tearfully acknowledged her presence and gave in to her grief. D'Argo looked at Aeryn with some concern. He lifted his arm as if to draw her into his embrace, but let it drop and turned away from her, to fold Chiana and Zhaan in his arms. Aeryn stood stiffly apart from the others, who were comforting each other. She sagged imperceptibly towards Pilot, who watched her carefully. Finally, she looked down to see a DRD bumping gently against her ankle. She swiveled suddenly and met Pilot's knowing eyes. A single tear escaped and trailed slowly down her cheek. He reached out gently and captured the tear in his claw, but said nothing.

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

In the maintenance hangar, John was frantically working to analyse the flight recorder data. "If it wasn't a wormhole, what was it?" he said to himself. His work was hampered by the fact that he was unable to use any of Moya's instruments. He found he could not touch or pick up anything that had not been on the Farscape module. His hands just passed right through them. *Shades of Patrick Swayze in "Ghost",* he thought. He had even tried concentrating a la "Ghost" and trying to move the objects around him, but it hadn't worked. Finally, he had found what he was looking for.

"Eureka!" he shouted. "I've created a sort of starburst and I've entered another dimension."

To the best of his limited knowledge of starburst, (most of the dimensional physics gleaned from Moya's recent and ill-timed pregnant starburst and subsequent collision with the other dimension), he was stuck in a parallel dimension. He remembered that Pilot had explained the principles of a Leviathan's starburst as sliding between the dimensions. Somehow, the Moya accelerator on his tiny craft had sent him into a parallel dimension that occupied the same space as his own. *That explains why I'm not falling through the floor. Moya's mass, both in my dimension and this one, is keeping me from being totally lost,* he thought. "All I have to do is go back out there and reverse the process. I've got all the coordinates. If I fly back through the same point in space, I should pop out back in my own dimension." He looked at his Farscape module, then at Moya's closed hangar doors. *I've got to get those hangar doors open,* he thought.*I've got to find a way to communicate with Aeryn and the others* He thought back to Aeryn's reaction to his 'touch' in the command room. "Maybe there is a way to reach them," he said hopefully to himself.

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Exhausted, Aeryn had finally let herself be convinced to sleep. Chiana had solicitously led her to her quarters and checked to make sure that she actually went in. With a final glance, she had left the silent ex-Peacekeeper and made her way to her own quarters. Aeryn had stood, lost, in her own quarters for a time, then suddenly she turned and left. She walked purposefully towards John's quarters, palmed the door open and entered. She wandered aimlessly around the room. John's things were put away neatly, waiting for his return. She touched his brush, his neatly folded small pile of clothes. Her eye fell on the torn piece of cloth. The insignia. She ran her hand lightly over it.

On a table beside John's bed, she found his absurdly backward recording device. Picking it up, she flipped its play button with her thumb. Immediately the room was filled with John's voice. Aeryn¹s heart felt wrenched out of her chest.

''Well, D.K. It's been a monen, I mean month, since we left the false Earth. You know, I've spent every minute since I got here trying to get back home, but this last week, I've started to wonder if I can ever really go home again. I mean, if I ever found Earth, could I just abandon my friends and go home? Could I ever go back to the life I knew after what has happened to me? And Aeryn. I could let Zhaan and D'Argo, Chiana and Rygel , even Pilot and Moya go, knowing that they would find homes and be happy, but Aeryn. Where can she go? I offered to have her join me on Earth, but this last experience has shown me that that probably wouldn't work out. I want to know where Earth is, that you and Dad are alright, but I think I'd leave it all to stay with her. I told her recently I'd never leave her, and, you know, D.K., I know now that I really mean that.

Aeryn covered her mouth with her hand at his words, her eyes filled with pain. She flipped off the recorder and set it down. Approaching the bed, she suddenly felt all her grief well up and overcome her. She fell to her knees at the side of John's empty bed. Her body was wracked with sobs as she buried her face in the neatly folded gold sheets of his bed. The sheets still carried his unique scent. She had never realised how much she had been aware of how John smelled until this moment. Sobbing out her pain and loss until she was exhausted, she crawled into his bed, dragged his sheets around her, and fell into a troubled sleep. And began to dream.

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

John reached Aeryn's quarters to find them deserted. ''Come on, Aeryn, where are you? I need you.''

He hunted all over Moya and finally found Aeryn sleeping in his bed. The signs of tears still on her cheeks moved him profoundly. ''Hang in there. I'll be back soon.''
He reached down to touch her face gently. As his hand passed through her, she stirred gently in her sleep. A slight smile crossed her face. "John," she murmured.

"That's right, Sleeping Beauty," he smiled, "I'm right here. Prince Charming is right here."

He bent down to 'kiss' her. As he brought his face closer to hers, he could 'hear' her thoughts. Aeryn's dreams were a jumble of images, sounds, and sensations. Her first encounter with John. His voice telling her she could be more. His hands calming her while she fought Namtar's genetic manipulation. His grin when he teased her. His concern over her blindness on Dam-Ba-Da.The look on his face when he had left her to return to his "Earth". And finally, his lips when they had pressed against hers in the 'motel room' on the fake Earth. The taste of him when they had kissed in the transport pod caught in the Flax. Aeryn stirred restlessly in her sleep.

Curious, he leaned closer until he felt himself meld with Aeryn. ''This is better than Zhaan's Unity,'' he thought. Carefully, he stretched himself out on his bed and joined his body with Aeryn's.

Suddenly, John was there with her. They were in some dream-created nowhere, just the two of them. "Hey," he said, and grinned that infectious grin.

Her heart leapt at the sight of him. "Hey," she answered and smiled back.

"You miss me?" he said.

"Miss you? We're overjoyed to get rid of you." Aeryn tried to tease him back, but then her face fell. "Oh, John," she said, with tears streaming down her face. "You promised you would never leave me. But you're gone, GONE. Why did you leave me?"

John gazed at her with a look of profound sadness. "I'm sorry, Aeryn. I truly am. I never would have put you through this. But I'm here now. And we'll be together again. I'm not far away. I need your help." He came closer to her, and caressed her face with his hand, happy to be able to touch her in this dream world.

Aeryn leaned into his touch and closed her eyes. "Whatever you need, John, I'm here."

"I know," he replied, and leaned in to kiss her tenderly. "I need to let you know. I'm in another dimension. My accelerator caused a form of starburst. I need to go back to where I disappeared and reverse the process." He kissed her again. "I want to be with you again. Please, Aeryn, remember this when you awaken. Please help me." He stepped back away from her. "Remember, Aeryn, remember."

John sat up and got off the bed from beside Aeryn. He stood looking down at her, asleep on the bed. She murmured his name once more and clutched the pillow as if to bring him closer to her. 'Touching' her face once more, he left her.

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

The next morning, Aeryn awakened feeling listless and empty. Her first thoughts on awakening were that John was gone, that she would never see him again. She straightened her clothes automatically and made her way down to the centre chamber, more out of habit than hunger. Zhaan, D'Argo, Chiana, and Rygel were there before her. No one spoke as they all sat dejectedly around the table, not touching the foodcubes on their trays. One seat was conspicuously empty, and they all made a point of averting their eyes from John's customary spot beside Aeryn.

John watched them all in misery, desperate to speak to them. He needed to comfort them in their grief as much as he needed their help to return to his own dimension. *Come on, Aeryn, remember,* he thought frantically. *Talk about your dream,* he urged her, then cursed himself for his stupidity. *Aeryn won't open up, even if she believes I'm still alive. I'm going to have to try something else.*

He moved around the room, passing through each of his former shipmates in turn. With each pass, each one reacted, looking around, shivering, mouthing his name. But none of them would speak of their experience with any of the others.

Pilot's image appeared on the communicator. "Excuse me, Zhaan, D'Argo. We may have a problem."

"What is it, Pilot?" D'Argo asked.

"Moya is detecting the distant signals of a Peacekeeper vessel. A Command Carrier it appears. And it is headed this way."

Zhaan spoke up, "Have they seen us?"

"No, I don't think they know we're here. And it does not appear to be Crais' ship. It looks like a cruiser on routine patrol."

"Is Moya capable of starburst yet?" Rygel asked, floating over to join D'Argo and Zhaan.

"No, not yet. But I believe we can leave the area safely without it. As I said, they don't seem to know we're here."

D'Argo spoke up authoritatively, "Okay, Pilot. Get us out of here as quickly as possible." He looked around at the others who nodded their agreement. Pilot's image disappeared.

At his words, Aeryn appeared to shrink even further, but said nothing.

"No, Pilot, not yet. Pilot. D'Argo, Rygel, Chiana? Come on, people!" John shouted in frustration. "Talk to each other. You can't just bottle it up." He walked over to Zhaan and passed through her once more. He hoped that the connection they had felt in Unity would let him communicate with her more readily.

She looked up suddenly, glancing around her, but said nothing. Her eyes settled on the uncharacteristically disheveled Aeryn, sitting slumped across from her, staring at her food with unseeing eyes. Reaching over, she placed her hand on D'Argo's arm. The two of them watched silently as Aeryn got up, cleared her untouched tray and left the room, moving like an automaton. Zhaan's eyes mutely indicated that D'Argo should meet her outside. The two of them left, unnoticed by Rygel and Chiana. John followed them, hopeful that something would happen to help him in his current predicament.

Outside the centre chamber, Zhaan turned to D'Argo. "I'm very concerned about Aeryn. She is taking John's ... death particularly hard. Unless she grieves for him, I'm afraid of what might happen to her."

"I am concerned also, Zhaan, but I don't know what I can do," D'Argo replied.

"Talk to her, D'Argo."

"Me, Zhaan? I think you are in a better position to help her than I."

"You are a warrior. She will open up to you more than me." Zhaan touched his arm once again and added gently, "And, sweet D'Argo, you have known the loss of a loved one. She will respect and understand your words. Once you have got her to face her feelings, I will be able to reach her. But you have got to get her to the first stage of grieving."

"I will do what I can for her, Zhaan," D'Argo said. He moved away and turned to go search for Aeryn. John watched Zhaan, who stood, lost in her own thoughts. He tried once more to reach her, passing his hand through her cheek slowly. Tears sprang to Zhaan¹s eyes. "John," she whispered. Then she dashed the tears from her face and went back into the centre chamber. John watched her go sadly, then turned to find D'Argo and Aeryn.

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

After a quiet conference with Pilot, D'Argo finally located Aeryn on the terrace. He entered without a word, and came to stand beside her where she stood staring out at the stars as Moya slid gracefully through space. For a moment, neither said anything, then Aeryn spoke quietly, "He used to come up here and stare out at space for hours, like he was looking for something. It was his favourite place on Moya."

"What do you think he was looking for?"

"His Earth. His future? Answers. I don't know. We never ever talked about it. There were a lot of things we never talked about."

"Aeryn, don't bury yourself in regrets about what you never talked about. Remember all the things you did talk about."

At that, Aeryn smiled weakly. "Most of what he said to me I didn't understand."

D'Argo looked down at her and smiled. "I know. Those Earth expressions he used to come up with were untranslatable. He must have driven the microbes crazy."

Aeryn's laugh turned to a sob, but she fought to control herself. D'Argo waited quietly beside her. "I miss him."

"I know. We all do, but I know that you and he had grown particularly close." Aeryn turned startled eyes to him, bright with unshed tears. D'Argo smiled gently at her shock. "I found you on the transport pod in the Flax, remember. I've got eyes in my head." Aeryn blushed slightly and looked down. D'Argo reached down and lifted her chin so that she met his concerned and kind gaze. "I've also lost someone that I loved. You must keep his memory close, but let go of the grief or it will tear you apart. And the guilt, Aeryn. It's not your fault that he died."

At his last words, Aeryn's composure broke. Tears began to run silently down her cheeks. "It is my fault! I teased him and challenged him to a race. He would not have pushed the accelerator to unsafe levels if I hadn't ... I did it...I..." Aeryn's body was suddenly wracked with wrenching sobs of pain and loss.

"No, Aeryn. No. Oh please don't beat yourself up," John said, his heart breaking at the sight of the former Peacekeeper soldier reduced to tears. He desperately longed to reach out to her and soothe her pain.

"Aeryn. No,Aeryn. It wasn't your fault. It was an accident. Nothing caused it. Not anything you did." D'Argo tried to calm her. Awkwardly at first, then more tenderly, he put his arm around her shoulders. Aeryn allowed him to pull her into a rough but comforting embrace. She finally cried out all her grief and feelings of loss against D'Argo¹s large chest. They stayed like that until D'Argo felt her begin to quiet, slumped in exhaustion against him. Over her head, his eyes met those of Zhaan, who had silently entered the room. She came over to them, took Aeryn by the shoulders and led her from the room without a word. D'Argo stood and watched them go. And John watched him, trying to figure out what to do next.

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

John walked briskly through Moya's darkened corridors, talking to himself.

"Okay, Crichton. You've got to make them understand that you're not dead. They have to take Moya back and open the hangar doors." He turned suddenly, moving towards Aeryn's quarters. "It looks like you can only communicate directly with them when they are asleep. Great, you're the sandman now." He stopped in front of Aeryn's door, but was not surprised to find the room empty. "Ah, Aeryn, are you never going to sleep in your own bed ever again?" He turned back and headed towards his quarters.

Predictably, he found Aeryn asleep once more in his bed, wrapped in his blankets. She had even dressed herself in one of his T-shirts. He stood looking at her, a tender expression on his face. "If I ever make it back, you and I are going to have a serious talk."
He laid himself down beside her on the bed. As if wrapping her in his embrace, he rolled over and melded once more with her.

John found himself on Moya's terrace with Aeryn. "Hey, remember me?" he said.

Without turning, she said, "I knew you would find me here, John." She turned and gave him a radiant smile.

"Hey, we've got to stop meeting like this."

For a moment, her smile faltered. "No, John. Let's always meet like this. I need to be with you." She walked over to him and caressed his cheek softly. He captured her hand and pressed a kiss against her palm.

"I know, Aeryn. I need to be with you too. That's why I need your help.."

Aeryn stepped closer and wrapped her arms around his neck. She pressed her lips to his, and for a moment, he let himself be lost in the feel, the taste, of her. She parted her lips and he deepened the kiss. She melted against him, and his arms tightened around her.

Finally, reluctantly, John gently put him away from her. "Much as I like this, I need you to listen. I'm not dead, Aeryn. I'm trapped in another dimension. Moya's accelerator caused a form of starburst. I'm right here with you on Moya. You need to go back to where I disappeared. Open Moya's hangar doors." He hugged her to him again. "Do that and I'll be back with you soon. I promise."

Aeryn looked at him, uncomprehending. "Another dimension. You're not dead? Are you sure you're not dead in another dimension?"

"No, I have the flight data from Farscape." John looked down at her. "Aeryn, please remember this when you wake up." He noticed with alarm, that she was fading. ''Frell, she's waking up'' "Aeryn, remember. And tell D'Argo, thanks for comforting you." She faded from his embrace and he found himself lying once more alone on his bed. He watched as Aeryn quietly left the room.

Rolling off his bed, he raced to Zhaan's room. She was meditating. ''It's not sleep, but it may work,'' he thought as he melded with her.

"Zhaan, Zhaan. Please help me. It's John. I'm not dead, I'm here on Moya, but in a different dimension. Zhaan!?"

Zhaan's image appeared in front of him. "John!" she exclaimed. "Oh, John, what happened?"

"Zhaan!" John reached out and cupped her head in his hand. "Zhaan. I'm not dead. I'm trapped in a parallel dimension. You've got to take Moya back and open the hangar doors. I can reverse the process. But you've got to hurry."

"John, you're not dead?" Zhaan was incredulous and began to fade. "John, where are you?"

"Zhaan, remember. Help me!" he called to her disappearing figure.

Stepping back from her, he watched with some hope as Zhaan's eyes flew open and she called his name. "Remember, Zhaan," he whispered, "Figure it out."

He left her quarters and repeated his desperate message to the others in their sleep. Finally, exhausted and hungry, he fell asleep on his bed.

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

The next morning, Aeryn entered the centre chamber to find Zhaan eating her breakfast alone. Taking her own tray, she took the seat next to the Delvian..

"How are you this morning, my dear?" Zhaan asked solicitously.

"I'm fine," Aeryn said a little abruptly, then repeated gently. "I'm fine, Zhaan. Thank you."

Zhaan looked at Aeryn, who was clearly not fine. Before she could say anything further, Aeryn suddenly asked, "What do Delvians believe happens to people when they die?"

Zhaan took a deep breath and answered, "We believe that the spirit is released from the body to join with a greater Unity. Death is not something to be mourned but celebrated. Why?"

"John once told me that humans believe that there is a bright light and the dead are reunited with all those who have died before them."

"That is a beautiful image. I'm sure that's what has happened to John."

Aeryn looked troubled. "I'm not."

"Why, what do Sebaceans believe?"

"It's not that. I have been having ... dreams. I see John. He's smiling and talking to me. He's saying that he's not far away and he needs help. It's all so real, Zhaan. I can feel his touch, hear his voice. And there's something else, something important that he wants me to remember, but it's gone when I wake up." Aeryn was becoming increasingly agitated. "And it's not just when I'm asleep. I get the impression that he is here, beside me, touching me." She shook her head. "It's so real that I look for him until I remember that he's gone. I don't know."

Behind her, unseen, John was starting to get his hopes up. "That's it, Aeryn. Talk about it. Remember. Save me."

"I don't know," she repeated. "Maybe it's just wishful thinking on my part. I want him back so badly that I create a false memory in my unconscious." She turned to Zhaan, who looked troubled. "What is it, Zhaan?"

"It's strange...I had..."

Her answer was interrupted by the entrance of Chiana and D'Argo. "What's strange, Zhaan?" D'Argo asked.

"Aeryn was just saying that she has been dreaming of John. They are very vivid dreams. The thing is, last night , as I was meditating, I thought John was there with me. He was asking me to remember something important."

*Yesss!* John thought.*Come on guys. Put it together. Figure it out*

Chiana piped up. "I dreamed of Crichton last night also. He wanted my help with something. " She looked around uncomfortably.

"D'Argo?" Zhaan inquired. D'Argo looked at her for a moment, then nodded also.

Aeryn spoke up, "He couldn't really still be here, could he?"

Rygel floated in at that moment. "Of course he could," he said, firmly. "His spirit is haunting us."

John groaned at the turn the conversation was taking.

Rygel continued. "In my culture, we believe that the spirit must be formally released to go to the Hallowed Realm. We have a very elaborate ritual, a Ceremony of Passage. If John's spirit is as lost as his body was, he probably has not been able to find his resting place or whatever. John is still tied to Moya, and to us, because we have not given his spirit its release."

Zhaan looked at Rygel with new respect. "Dominar Rygel, I believe you have hit on the very reason." She bowed to him, then turned to the others, who were looking at her skeptically."Even if it is not true that John needs a release, we do. We need to have some sort of formal farewell ceremony. It will help us to begin the healing process."

"What sort of ritual do humans have in these situations?" Chiana asked.

Aeryn answered her. "John once told me that humans have a 'funeral'. The person who has died is placed in a long box, covered with flowers. His friends and family gather around, say comforting words and share their memories. Then the body is buried in the ground or burned. Finally they all gather and have a feast. Later, a stone marker is set up and flowers are laid on the place where the body or ashes are buried. It all sounded very strange to me when he told me. But now I think Zhaan is right. We need to have one of these 'funerals' for John."

John sat down and placed his weary head in his hands. "No, no, no. Come on, guys. It's a lovely thought, but not what I need. Don't bury me, save me."

"But we have no body," D'Argo said. "Will it work without a body?"

"We can use something of Crichton's," Rygel said.

"What about the 'burying' part? Or burning? We can't do that on Moya?"

Pilot's image suddenly appeared. "Moya is quite willing to allow a small controlled fire. But there may be a better solution."

"What is it, Pilot?" Zhaan asked.

"The system we are approaching has a small planet that appears to be uninhabited and is green with vegetation, similar to what John described of his Earth. We believe it would make a fitting place to hold the ceremony."

"Thank you, Pilot. It sounds perfect." She looked around at the others who nodded. "Take us there at once." Zhaan turned to Aeryn. "My dear, would you mind choosing something of John's for the ceremony?"

Aeryn looked at her gratefully and nodded.

Chiana spoke up. "I will take care of preparing the feast."

John got up, and once more touched every one of them. They all shivered at his touch, and looked around, then dispersed to prepare for his funeral.

"Frell."

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

In the middle of a beautiful glade of trees, the small band of mourners gathered to pay their last respects to their fallen comrade, unaware that he was also in their midst. Despite his desperation, John was touched at the 'funeral' they had prepared for him. Aeryn had taken the torn insignia as the token. D'Argo had wordlessly come forward with a beautifully carved wooden box.. The box and its cloth contents were sitting on a large, white stone in the centre of the glade. Slightly orange sunlight filtered down through the turquoise leaves of the surrounding trees. The sounds of birds filled the warm air. Zhaan had gathered several colourful plants and placed them around the stone. One of Moya's DRD's scurried around. They had brought it so that Moya and Pilot could also participate in their makeshift ritual.
Throughout the entire trip to the planet in the transport pod, John had desperately tried to communicate with his friends, but any thought he was able to arouse in them, they now explained with Rygel's restless spirit story. John was feeling himself weaken from lack of water and food. ''If I don't get through to them soon, I'm going to be dead for real,'' he thought, and the idea terrified him.

Zhaan stepped forward to begin the ceremony. She quietly chanted the Delvian death chant, a mixture of sadness and hope. At the end, she bowed to the stone and passed her hands over her head and neck. Finally, she said quietly, "You carried a part of me with you, John. I will miss you. Be happy wherever you are." She bowed once more, laid a blue flower on the box and then stepped back to stand beside D'Argo.

Chiana spoke next. She laid an exotic flower on the stone and said, "I did not know you for very long. But you gave me something I have not had in a very long time. You gave me a chance. Not even my own race did that for me. And for that I thank you." She looked around awkwardly at the others then stepped back. John looked at the Nebari thief with new eyes. ''Still waters do indeed run deep,'' he thought.

Rygel piloted his thronesled forward towards the stone. "It is an unusual honour to have the Hynerian Ceremony of Passage performed once by a Dominar. You, Crichton, are having it performed twice. John Crichton, cherished friend and shipmate, may your spirit find its place in the Hallowed Realm. And I now claim all your...," Rygel was interrupted by a growl from D'Argo and a stern look from Zhaan. "Er, I now release your spirit from all material restraints. Go in happiness, John, to join with your honoured ancestors." Zhaan bowed slightly to Rygel's revised ritual. He floated down to lay his tribute on the stone then slipped back beside Chiana. John walked over to Rygel and said to his ear, "Thanks, Sparky. I do indeed feel honoured." He watched as D'Argo stepped forward and placed a bough of fiery red flowers on the stone.

"John, I hope your spirit will be able to join with all those loved ones we have all lost." He paused for a moment. "I have truly come to value our friendship and will feel your loss for a very long time." He stepped forward into the clearing, took his Qualta Blade from its harness and fired one shot up through the trees. For a moment, the startled cries of birds and animals filled the air, then the forest creatures returned to their normal activites. D'Argo ceremoniously lowered his blade and returned it to its harness. Then he stepped back to his place beside Zhaan.

Aeryn stepped forward and knelt on the ground beside the stone and its tiny box tribute. The DRD scurried forward, opened its tool bay, extended its arm and placed a tiny white blossom beside the others. Aeryn placed her hand on the DRD and spoke softly. "Pilot and Moya wished me to say that Commander Crichton had become a valued member of their crew. They feel his loss very deeply. Moya in particular is saddened that Commander Crichton will not be present to witness the birth of the child that he helped to save." She bowed her head, her beautiful dark hair falling forward to cover her face..

"And I wish to say that you were right, John. I could be more. And whatever I am now, I owe to you. Be happy in that white light." Her voice broke. "Please, look for me in the darkness when my time comes." She whispered and bowed her head.

John stepped up and knelt beside her, his heart aching for her. He placed his hand over hers where it lay still on the little DRD. His hand sank through hers and down into the DRD. Suddenly he became aware of all the circuits and impulses running through the little robot. Concentrating, he thought about extending the tool arm once more. To his surprise, the little DRD extended its arm. Encouraged, John thought to the robot to spin around in circles. The little yellow device sped away from Aeryn's hand and raced wildly around her, John working to keep contact with it.

"O God, this might be it!" John cried. Next , he commanded the DRD to go over to D'Argo and zap him. It did. "Eureka!" D'Argo growled and kicked at the DRD. The rest of the crew watched the little device with expressions of shock.

Zhaan tapped her communicator. "Pilot, what's affecting this DRD?"

"Unknown, Zhaan. There is something interferring with its electrical system."

D'Argo immediately drew his blade and looked around, alert to some unknown threat.

John moved the DRD over to the box. Aeryn bent down as if to stop it from damaging their little shrine, but John deftly manoeuvered the machine around her hands and over to the stone. Extending a cutter, he began to cut letters in the stone. REMEMBER. JOHN. HELP. STARBURST. The others looked uncomprehendingly at the words.

"Damn, it's English. It looks like it's time for pictionary." Concentrating so hard he began to sweat, John drew a crude picture to depict the Farscape module. He drew what he hoped they would read as a starburst. Then he drew a crude American flag. Then he drew three Moya-like objects, superimposed on one another and finally slashed a series of cuts, grouped in prime numbers. Exhausted, he released his control of the DRD. The others came forward to study the pictures.

"What is going on here?" Chiana asked.

Zhaan studied the pictures carefully. "This is the module. This is the flag from John's insignia. It's John. Somehow he's trying to communicate with us."

D'Argo looked around. "That's impossible. He's dead."

"Maybe he's not. Look at this." Zhaan indicated the prime numbers.. "The creature that helped us pull Moya out of her multidimensional trap communicated to John and me though prime numbers. Somehow, John is trapped in another dimension. That's what these Moya's all drawn on top of each other mean."

"John, where are you? Help us to find you." Aeryn looked up. John smiled weakly and went over to touch her face. She seemed to feel his presence because she turned her cheek into his hand. "Zhaan, he's here. He's with us. I feel him."

Rygel's tones indicated his disgust. "You mean I gave him the Hynerian Ceremony of Passage again and he's still not dead." Chiana smacked him.. "What? It's a very sacred ritual to be wasted twice."

"John, tell us what you need," Zhaan said.

Taking control of the DRD, John drew a crude Moya, with its hangar doors open and an arrow pointing back to the starburst.

"Pilot, prepare to return to where we lost John." Zhaan spoke into her comm. "Come on, let's get back to Moya." John made the DRD spin around in circles to indicate how correct she was.

The rest raced towards the transport, John trailing along with them. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Chiana slip back and retrieve the box. They piled into the transport pod and made ready to fly out.

"Wait!" Aeryn cried out suddenly. "John, are you with us?" Gratefully, John made the DRD spin around in circles again. ''Just like Lassie's Timmy's-down-the-well-go-get-help girl-dance,'' he thought joyfully.. He moved over to where Aeryn sat, tense and impatient. He caressed her cheek again. Attuned now to his 'touch', she whispered. "Stay with me, John. We'll get you back somehow."

"I know you will."

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Back on Moya, D'Argo remembered the Peacekeeper threat that had driven them from the accident site in the first place. "Pilot, is that Peacekeeper ship still in the vicinity?"

"Unfortunately, yes, Ka D'Argo."

He turned to the rest of the crew. "What are we going to do? We can't go charging back there or we'll be captured. And John will be lost."

Aeryn looked thoughtful. "I think I have an idea. Pilot, can you prepare a communications buoy?"

"Yes, Officer Sun."

"Good. I will record a message on it and we will leave it here on this world. I will try to make them believe I have changed my mind about giving up, and am prepared to turn you all in."

"What good will that do?" Chiana asked.

"I hope they will come charging over here, to take us into custody. We don't need a long time to get John back. It looks like he already knows what to do. We just have to get him back there safely, and be there to pick him up when he returns to our dimension." She looked around expectantly at the others.

"It's risky, but it appears to be John's only chance," D'Argo said. "Pilot, is Moya able to starburst?"

"Yes, she can. I can be ready to do so as soon as we have recovered Commander Crichton."

Aeryn looked at the others who nodded. "Alright then, I will send the message."

John turned from them and began to make his way to Farscape, to prepare for his return.

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

They returned cautiously to the coordinates of John's disappearance and found that Aeryn's ploy had worked. The area was free of any Peacekeeper presence. John strapped himself into Farscape's cockpit. Aeryn came down into the hangar and spoke to the air, hoping he could hear. "John, whatever happens, know that I will continue to do everything in my power to get you back. Please let this work. I need you back. We all do."

He smiled at her words. "I need you too, Aeryn," he said, then watched as she retreated and Moya's hangar doors opened. "Here goes nothing," he said then smiled ruefully. "Literally."

He flew his module out into the empty space, watching his instruments carefully to find the exact coordinates and reverse trajectory. Then he backed off, banked and began his run, opening the accelerator full out. As he reached his maximum speed, he once again felt the small craft shudder. Blue lightning once more streaked across his bow and over the ship. With a final shudder he felt himself slide through some unseen barrier. Immediately, he called to Moya. "Pilot, PILOT! Are you there?"

"Commander Crichton? Is that you? It's so good to hear your voice!"

"John! JOHN! Get back to Moya immediately!" Aeryn's urgent voice came across the comm. "We have company!"

John saw Aeryn's Prowler cut across his bow, followed by two others. "Pilot, tell me what's going on," John cried, as he banked to pilot his module back towards Moya.

"It seems our ploy didn't work well enough. The Command Carrier did indeed respond to Officer Sun's signal, but it left two Prowlers behind to patrol. They have now engaged Officer Sun."

"Pilot, tell me what I can do," John asked, his voice filled with concern.

Aeryn's voice interrupted him. "Nothing, Crichton. Get back aboard Moya and prepare for immediate starburst."

"Aeryn, I won¹t leave you!" John responded. He saw Aeryn's Prowler engaged in a dogfight with two Peacekeeper Prowlers. He marveled at her skill as she spun and outmanoeuvered them at every turn. Finally, he responded to the light indicating his batteries' drain and flew into Moya's docking bay. Securing the module, he immediately raced to Command. "Pilot, talk to me. What's happening?"

"Commander Crichton, prepare for immediate starburst," Pilot's voice came across the comm.

"Wait, Pilot. What about Aeryn!? She's still out there. She's in trouble!"

Her voice answered his question. "Forget about me, John. Get out of here. Pilot, Starburst now. NOW!"

"No, Pilot, Noooo..." John objected even as he was thrown to the floor by the force of Moya's acceleration into starburst. "Aeryn!" he called desperately.

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Aeryn banked sharply and came in behind one of the two Prowlers menacing Moya.
She quickly fired and one of the the Prowlers exploded into fragments. The other Prowler began a strafing run across Moya's bow. Aeryn quickly engaged the ship and drew its fire to herself. Glancing back, she saw that Moya had begun the starburst sequence. John's voice came across the comm, "Wait, Pilot! What about Aeryn?!"

Pilot answered, "Starburst in one microt."

Her voice answered his question. "Forget about me, John. Get out of here. Pilot, Starburst now. NOW!"

"No, Pilot, Noooo...²

Blue lightning flashed over Moya's hull. A seeming hole in the fabric of space appeared. Aeryn piloted her Prowler into that hole behind Moya, as she had done that day nearly a cycle previously.

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

The starburst ended with its customary jolt. John released his grip on the command table, as D'Argo and Zhaan ran into the room.

"John! JOHN! Kahallen be praised." Zhaan exclaimed. D'Argo came over and dragged John into a massive, crushing hug. John struggled out of his embrace and called immediately to Pilot. "Pilot, where's Aeryn?"

"Aeryn? John, what happened?"

"Unfortunately, Officer Sun did not make it back aboard Moya before starburst."

"What?" D'Argo's voice was incredulous. "Pilot, report, REPORT!"

"Just a minute. There's something..."

John's eyes lit up to see a single craft suddenly appear in Moya's wake. Aeryn's voice came across the comm. "Well, hello there. It's good to see you."

John answered her message, "It's good to see you too." And he raced out of the command down to the hangar.

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

That evening, the crew of the fugitive Leviathan Moya gathered in the centre chamber to celebrate the feast in honour of John Crichton's funeral. Chiana had outdone herself and prepared the favourite dishes of each member of the crew. Knowing their lack of resources, the honoured guests had wisely failed to question the ingredients that had been substituted. It was a truly festive occasion.

D'Argo raised his glass to John in an imitation of a human toast. "Here's to John. The one member of the crew that we cannot get rid of, even when he's dead."

Rygel agreed, "Here, here. The next time I honour you with a Hynerian Ceremony of Passage, I will make sure that you are in fact dead, even if I have to kill you myself." The rest of the crew laughed. "What? You don't think I would do that.?"

Chiana leaned forward, "I don't think you could do that."

Aeryn seconded the motion. "And if you did try it, you¹d have to get past me."

John leaned into Aeryn and whispered. "I need to talk with you later."

The feasting lasted well into the early hours of the morning. What had begun as a funeral feast ended up as a celebration of life, freedom and friendship. Eventually, each member of Moya's crew had wearily made their way back to their quarters to sleep. John lingered until only he and Aeryn were left. Aeryn pointedly ignored him, continuing her clean-up.

He stepped up to her and gently removed the last tray of food from her grasp. She opened her mouth to object, then looked into his eyes and was lost. He gently cupped her head and neck with his hand. Gazing into her eyes, he lowered his head until his lips were pressed against hers in a tender kiss. She responded immediately, parting her lips to allow him to deepen the kiss. For a time, each was lost in exploration of the other. The only sound was that of their sighs. John slid his arms around Aeryn's back, pulling her closer to him, molding her body to his. Aeryn's hands gently caressed his shoulders. Her arms slid up to circle his neck, her fingers entwining themselves in his silky hair. Finally, John lifted this head from hers.

"Aeryn, I know how hard this has been on you," he said, gazing into her blue eyes. "I promised you I would never leave you and I meant what I said."

"I know," she answered somewhat shyly. "And beside, I would never allow you to leave."

John grinned down at her, his infectious grin that made her heart tumble in her chest. "I'm beginning to realise that." He pulled her close and kissed her once more.

Finally, Aeryn pulled away from him. "John, it's late and you need your sleep." She pointedly avoided his lips as he tried to kiss her once more. "John."

"But where am I going to sleep?" he asked innocently, his arms tightening around Aeryn's waist, not letting her go.

"What are you talking about?You'll sleep in your own quarters, where else?"

"I got the impression that someone else had taken over my bed. I wouldn't want to make her move out." He tightened his arms once more and looked suggestively into her eyes.

For a moment, she blushed. Then a spark of mischief lit in her eyes. "I'll race you for it." And she turned and sped down the hall. John hesitated for a moment, then grinning broadly, sped after her.

Fin