Heart of Hearts

by Sharon Shoji

Disclaimer: The characters of the TV series “Farscape” are the property of creator Rockne S. O’Bannon. I have borrowed them with love and respect but not permission.

And my thanks to the talented actors and puppeteers who have given these characters so much life and personality that they now *demand* that I write about their continuing adventures!

 Last but not least, my thanks to Elyssa for her creative spark, to Joy and Steph for their invaluable feedback and support and my sister Maria, who is my own Heart of Hearts.

 The following adventure takes place sometime after “Durka Returns” and shortly after my previous story, “A Daisy, A Baby and A Hynerian Stork.”

---

 

 John blinked his eyes against the sweat running down his face and shook his head.

 “Crichton!”

 “Oh. Sorry, D’Argo, I didn’t mean to fling my hard earned sweat atcha.”

 D’Argo made a low rumbling noise that John had come to recognize as the Luxan equivalent of a chuckle.

The heat in the lower level of Moya’s amnexus system was oppressive, yet John could detect only a slight sheen of perspiration on D’Argo.

 “Don’t you ever sweat?” John asked in amazement, sitting back on his heels to catch his breath.

 “This heat is no more than a pleasant afternoon on my home world,” he commented. Pausing, he lowered the long tool he had been using to loosen the amnexus blockage and looked at John’s hotly flushed face. “I can finish these adjustments if it is more than you can tolerate.”

 John grinned and moved back into place, kneeling beside D’Argo. “What? And let you tell everyone what a lightweight I am?”

He wiped his hands on his sweat soaked tee shirt, then reached over and added his weight to the tool D’Argo had wedged into the blockage cause by Moya’s present state of pregnancy. As they both pushed down, the plug of waste abruptly gave way and steam, sludge and amnexus debris shot out, knocking them both over.

 “Jee-zus!”

“Hezmana!”

 The two sat in silence, staring at each other as the steam cleared.

 “I am *totally* grossed out,” John muttered, looking down at the thick slime that covered his chest. “And I don’t ever want to know what this crap is.”

 Standing, D’Argo snorted loudly. “Actually, that’s exactly what it is,” he said, shaking his head gingerly to dislodge the sludge from his beard and tentacles.

 John grimaced as he got to his feet. “Thanks, Big Guy. Just what I needed to know before dinner.”

 As they crawled out of the access door and into the hallway, they found Zhaan waiting for them.

 “Pilot said...” she stopped and clapped her hand over her nose and mouth, her blue eyes wide.

 “Amnexus blockage,” John said succinctly.

 “I see,” Zhaan mumbled, backing away and coughing slightly. “Perhaps we can all meet in the dining area. We can discuss Pilot’s news then. After you’ve showered.”

 John watched as Zhaan hurried off and turned to D’Argo. “We smell *that* bad?”

 “You, worse than I,” he replied, heading down the hall toward the showers.

 “Oh. Right,” John said irritably, jogging to keep up with D’Argo’s long strides. “I forgot. Luxans don’t smell. Even when they’re covered with Leviathan shit.”

 “We do not. Humans on the other hand, have a peculiar....scent.....”

D’Argo and John stopped abruptly at the sound of shouting and bare feet running toward them from a cross corridor.

 “Daisy! Come back here! You thieving little fapooter!”

 The two men grinned as Daisy dashed across their path, dragging a towel and galloping as fast as her short legs could carry her. Then their amusement turned to astonishment as Aeryn flew by, still dripping wet from her shower.

 John stared slack-jawed after her until she rounded the curve in the hallway and disappeared from view.

“I see it is a good thing that you do not have a Luxan’s tongue,” D’Argo rumbled loudly as he thumped John on the back. “Otherwise you would be standing on it right now.”

 ~ 2 ~

 “We’ve found them, sir.”

 “About frelling time.”

 “Yessir.”

 “Are we able to intercept them?

 “No, sir. But they are headed for a commerce planet in the Torahl system.”

 “Lay in a flight plan immediately.”

 “Already done, sir.”

 “Estimated time?”

 “Twelve arns, sir.”

 “Keep me apprised.”

 “Yessir.”

 He watched as the door slid closed, then sat back in his chair. “At last,” he breathed with grim satisfaction. “And with his death, my blood vow is fulfilled and honor will be restored to my family’s name.”

 ~ 3 ~

 “All right, where is she?”

 Zhaan looked up from her conversation with Rygel, arching an eyebrow in inquiry. “Chiana? She’s on her way.”

 “Not that brat, the four-legged one,” Aeryn said, sitting down. She pulled a platter of long, root-like vegetables toward her and started piling them onto her plate.

“Hey, watch that!” Rygel exclaimed. “Leave some for me!”

 Aeryn rolled her eyes and shoved the vegetables back toward him. She turned as John and Chiana entered, her eyes narrowing slightly as she watched them. As usual, the young Nebari was trying to wheedle something from him.

 “Aw, c’mon,” she said, tilting her head to look at him coyly. “I'll bathe Daisy for you...”

 “Park it, Pip,” he said, giving her a good-natured shove toward the table. “We’ll talk about it later.”

 He slid into the seat next to Aeryn and grinned. “Doesn’t look like you got your towel back,” he commented, reaching out to tuck a strand of wet hair behind her ear. “But I like the way you air dry yourself.”

 She snorted softly and batted his hand away. “And thanks to that thieving little creature of yours...."

 "Mine?"

 "...I no longer have a grey tee shirt either."

 "Oh, you mean the grey tee shirt that belongs to*me*...."

 "Yeah," Chiana piped up from across the table. "That's the one I want!"

 "Get your own," Aeryn growled, glaring at her.

 "I'm trying to. I've even offered to take if off him myself...." she stopped mid-sentence and yelped as a tiny Sebacean dagger embedded itself into the table by her hand.

 "Aeryn," Zhaan said warningly.

"Sorry. I thought she might need it to cut her vegetables," Aeryn mumbled, reaching across the table to retrieve it.

 "Females can be so annoyingly territorial," Rygel huffed. "My wives were constantly fighting over who would be the one fortunate enough to...."

 "Slit your throat?" Aeryn finished.

 "Strangle you?" Chiana offered.

 "Crichton, how can you just sit there when I came to your defense?" Rygel said in aggrieved tones.

 John leaned back and grinned. "You actually expect me to side with you against them?"

"D'Argo!" Rygel cried as the tall Luxan strode into the room. "At last! A fellow male..."

 "Do not include me in any category with yourself, Hynerian," he said, sitting down at the head of the table. “We have nothing in common,” he stated, curtly nodding his thanks as Aeryn passed him the serving dish. “Least of all, being male.”

 Rygel’s ears flattened and he hissed angrily, but before he could respond, Pilot shimmered into focus on the holo-imager.

“I see that everyone is present.”

 The crew turned and murmured their greetings as Pilot nodded his head. “I have detected a Class Four Commerce Planet within our range. Highly commercial and well trafficked.”

 “We could certainly use more food and medical supplies,” Zhaan said.

 “And Moya needs some Sutil to help with her amnexus buildup,” Pilot added.

 “Amen to that,” John said in heartfelt tones, exchanging a speaking look with D’Argo.

 Chiana shivered involuntarily. “Class Four? Too cold for me!”

 “How about if Aeryn and I go planet side this time?” John asked, looking around the table.

“An excellent idea,” Rygel exclaimed, heading for the door. “I’ll make a list...”

 “Oh great. We’ll be stuck with those stinking Majols again,” Chiana griped under her breath as she got up from the table.

 “I will go as well,” D’Argo said, rising with the rest of them.

 “Class Four is pretty damn cold,” John began. “Why don’t you stay on Moya...”

 “And have the rest of you think I’m a ‘lightweight?’”

 John tipped his head back to look up at the imposing Luxan. “D’Argo, even in a Fellip Nectar stupor, I would *never* think of you as a lightweight.” He paused as his attention was caught by a movement in the tentacles that hung over D’Argo’s shoulder. Suddenly a tiny wedge shaped head popped out from under the thick reddish side whiskers and looked impishly at him.

 “There she is!” Aeryn exclaimed. She stepped forward, reaching up to take Daisy from her perch on D’Argo’s shoulder.

 “She is fine where she is,” D’Argo said gruffly, stepping back. He put a large hand up to steady the tiny creature, then turned and walked out of the room.

 “Yup,” John said, nodding in satisfaction. “I knew it. Just a big ‘ol Luxan marshmallow inside.”

“Marshmallow?” Aeryn repeated curiously.

 “An Earth delicacy. Soft, sweet and fluffy. Just like you,” he added, catching her hand and pulling her toward him.

 “Soft? Sweet?” she sputtered, pulling away to glare at him. “And what the frell is ‘fluffy’?”

As she caught the laughter in his eyes she huffed in annoyance. “Why do you say such foolish things to me, knowing they are untrue? Is this a human thing? Or a Crichton thing?”

 John shrugged. “That would be like me asking if having no sense of humor is a Sebacean thing or just you.” As Aeryn shot him an indignant glare, John leaned in and dropped a swift kiss on her mouth.

 “That was a joke, Darlin’,” he said, then turned and jogged off into the hall. Looking back over his shoulder, he added, “Kind of...” then took off as Aeryn started sprinting toward him.

 “Crichton, you irritating yutz! Wait until I get my hands on you!”

 “Promises, promises,” he taunted, skidding around a corner and running down Moya’s golden hallway as fast as he could, Aeryn in laughing pursuit.

 ~4~

 He looked at the holo-images again, clicking on various family scenes. The smiling face looking back at him, only served to remind him of happier times.

 “I know his death will not bring you back, but perhaps it will ease this weight I carry in my heart.”

 At the sound of respectful tapping at his door, he quickly shut down the holo-images and composed himself.

 “Come.”

 “Sir, you asked to be apprised of our progress. We have located him in a small eating establishment at the outskirts of the city.”

 “Good,” he grunted, rising to his feet. “Prepare a transport pod. I will lead the landing party myself.”

 “Very good, sir.”

 ~ 5 ~

 “Crichton!”

 John popped the chunk of sweetfruit he’d snitched from Aeryn’s plate into his mouth and grinned.

 “Why do you take food from me when you have your own?” she asked in annoyance looking pointedly at his full plate.

 “Just being friendly,” he said innocently.

Aeryn leaned back into the small booth. “You take a great risk with such liberties,” she commented sternly. “Peacekeeper training is very self-focused. I was not raised to share.”

 “Suits me,” John said, catching the twinkle in her eyes that betrayed her amusement. Holding her gaze, he stretched out his legs underneath the small table and let them come to rest warmly against hers. “There are some things I have no intention of sharing either.”

 He continued to eat, watching with amused affection as her face flushed slightly and she glanced self-consciously around the small tavern’s dining room.

“Um, John,” she began awkwardly. “This teasing that you do....”

 “It’s called flirting.”

 Aeryn frowned slightly. “What’s the difference?”

 Reaching across the table, he took one of her hands in both of his and gently stoked the back. “I tease D’Argo or Chiana or Rygel.” Turning her hand over, he began slowly rubbing his thumb across her open palm. “You, I flirt with,” he murmured.

 Aeryn’s eyelids fluttered as a tiny sigh escaped from her lips. “But I still don’t understand the purpose.”

 “It’s kinda like kissing, I think.”

 John and Aeryn sat up abruptly and turned to find a small face peeking at them from the next booth. The youngster was warmly bundled against the cold but his green eyes peered at them with intense curiosity. “My father and mother kissed a lot. Do you?”

 “Well, that’s kind of a personal question,” John said with a smile. “Are you here by yourself?”

 The bright eyes flicked toward the back of the tavern. “No. Chixsa just left for a few microns. Told me to wait for her.”

 “Is Chixsa your mother?”

The small head dipped down, shaking slowly then raised to stare at Aeryn. “No. My mama was beautiful like you.”

 John smiled as Aeryn fidgeted with embarrassment. “Kid’s got good taste,” he commented, giving Aeryn’s hand a squeeze.

 Suddenly a frantic chattering interrupted their conversation as a stocky, darkly furred creature rushed up and grabbed the youngster. “These of all, you should not be speaking to,” she chittered urgently as she tried to pull the child away.

 “No, Chixsa, they’re nice. And see how she looks like mama?”

 The small creature paused, wrapping her bushy tail protectively around her charge as she stared at Aeryn, her tufted ears swiveling in consternation. Her eyes darted to John, then widened in surprise as she wrinkled her nose delicately and sniffed.

 “You are not Sebacean,” she said, her voice sharp and clipped.

 John shook his head. “And I mean you no harm. Neither does my friend here,” he added, nodding at Aeryn.

 Chixsa looked from one to the other, nodding curtly but keeping her paws firmly on the youngster’s shoulders. “If that is true, then think no more of us.” She turned to go, urging the child along but as they hurried out of the tavern, the youngster turned and lifted his hand in farewell. And as his hood fell open, Aeryn lurched to her feet, the sight of the slender tentacles abruptly reminding her where she had seen similar green eyes.

 “Aeryn, what is it?” John asked, grabbing at her arm.

 She shook free of his grasp and snatched up her pulse rifle and coat. “Call D’Argo,” she said breathlessly, her grey eyes large with shock. “I think that was Jothee.”

 ~ 6 ~

 “What are you doing?”

 Chiana whirled around, crossing her arms over her chest casually as she leaned back, quietly bumping the drawer closed with her hip.

 “Nothing.”

 “Liar.”

 “Takes one to know one.”

 Rygel moved his throne sled into D’Argo’s room. “You are clever, Nebari. I have never been able to circumvent his security locks.”

 “Let’s just say, I’m good with my hands,” she whispered, lifting her eyebrows suggestively.

 “Bah! Ply your disgusting skills elsewhere.” Rygel snorted, gliding in closer. “All I’m interested in, is what you’re trying to hide behind that skinny white butt of yours.”

 Chiana shrugged and moved away. She watched as Rygel examined the chest of drawers then laughed softy as he tugged at them and snorted in frustration.

 “You think D’Argo would leave anything unlocked around *your* sticky fingers?”

 Rygel turned and stared speculatively at her. “We share a desire for acquisition. Think what we could achieve if we formed an alliance.”

 “Sorry, your Royal Highness,” she said, giving him a sarcastic bow. “I’ve been used by the best and you’re not even close.”

 Rygel sniffed and shrugged his shoulders, running his hands down the rich fabric of his robes. “Please yourself,” he said, turning to leave.

 “I always do,” she threw after him.

She waited until she heard the grate on Rygel’s door slide close, then slowly uncrossed her arms. Opening her hand she stared at the slim data crystal.

“What could be on this, that D’Argo would go to such pains to hide it?” she said thoughtfully.

~ 7 ~

 “D’Argo, for chrissakes! If you ask me one more time....”

 “But you saw him too. Did you also think it was Jothee?” he asked his voice tight with anguish.

 “All I saw was a friendly kid. Aeryn was the one who thought it was Jothee. Said something about his eyes and you.” John looked up at D’Argo and saw his features soften then just as quickly grow fierce.

 “We should not be standing here idle!” he barked, turning to leave the tavern. “We should be looking for him.”

 “Aeryn said to stay here,” John said firmly, moving to block his path. “If we leave, how will she find us....”

He stopped and stared at D’Argo. The Luxan's face was hard and his eyes burned with hatred. The low growling noise he was making was one that John had never heard before. It was guttural and taut and frankly scared the crap out of him.

 “D’Argo?” John whispered tentatively, turning his head to follow D’Argo’s gaze. “Who are they?" he asked, looking out of the window at the men filing down the street and fanning out as they approached the tavern. At their center was a tall broad shouldered man, handsome and dark haired, his features grim.

 “Macton Towl,” he spat, reaching over his shoulder to draw his Qualta Blade.

 “No!” John grabbed D’Argo’s arm and was promptly hauled off his feet as he hung on.

 “Stand down or die with him,” D’Argo swore as he shook John off.

 “D’Argo! Listen to me! Stop thinking of yourself - think about Jothee!”

“What about him?” D’Argo asked, pausing mid-stride.

 John picked himself up and moved to stand in front of D’Argo. He swallowed hard, the sight of seven feet of battle-ready Luxan up-close and personal was more than he had bargained for, but he was determined to speak his mind.

 “Killing him would only satisfy yourself,” John said, jerking his head toward the man quickly approaching the tavern. “Which do you think Jothee would want? The cold comfort of Macton’s death and yours? Or having his father, alive, to love him?”

 D’Argo looked at John and nodded slightly, the fire in his eyes slowly banking.

 “This way,” he said, grabbing John and dragging him into a side room. Gesturing him to silence, D’Argo pressed his ear against the closed door, listening intently. They heard a low voice describe the two John and Aeryn had met and ask their whereabouts. Evidently the answer was not pleasing and the sound of scuffling ended in a short burst of a disruptor.

 “Is there anyone else here who might be able to assist me?” Macton continued smoothly. A few voices answered, directing them back out into the street.

As the door slammed behind Macton and his men, John let out his breath. “So, what do we do next?”

 “There is no ‘we’ this time, John,” D’Argo said gruffly. “This is for me to make right.”

 “Oh no, you don’t. We’re all in this together and....D’Argo, what the hell do you think you’re doing?”

 D’Argo had taken off his belt and grabbing John’s hands, quickly bound them and tied him to a nearby storage shelf.

“Your heart is big and your courage and loyalty unfailing, my friend, but I cannot risk your life or the lives of the others in this.” Closing his ears to John’s protests, he turned and slipped out of the room.

~ 8 ~

 “Chixsa, I’m tired. Can we go back to our room?”

 “Not yet, Jothee. I don’t think it’s safe.” The Sciurian nervously scanned the crowd jostling by them in the bazaar, then ducked into a dark booth nearby. She led him to the back and sat down on a stack of cushions in a corner, gathering him to her as she ordered hot drinks for them both.

The young boy burrowed his face into her soft chest fur, sighing contentedly as she wrapped her bushy tail snugly around him. “I’m glad I have you.”

 “I watched over your father, it is only right I do the same for you,” she answered gruffly, hugging him with her tail.

He nestled against her, the warmth and scent of her the one constant in his life for the last eight cycles.

“Tell me again about them.”

 Chixsa handed him his drink and then shifted, settling herself around him.

“Do you never grow tired of hearing these stories?” she teased, blowing over her mug to cool the hot sweet liquid.

 “Never,” he grinned, warming his hands on his drink.

“Well, let’s see...” she began, twitching her ears as she pretended to think.

 “They loved each other very much.” Jothee prompted. “So much that they had me.”

 Chixsa made little grunting noises of laughter as she looked down into Jothee’s upturned face. “Yes, they did indeed.” She reached up to stroke the slender tentacles that hung gracefully from his head.

“You look very much like your father,” she said, moving her tiny paw to his eyebrow ridges and smiling into his green eyes. “But also like your mother,” she added, tweaking his nose.

 “I wish I could be with them,” he murmured, his eyes suddenly too bright. He ducked his head and Chixsa saw a tear fall into the cup he held in his hands.

 “I know I’ll never see mama again,” he said, his voice thick. “But maybe, one day, my father....” his voice trailed off painfully.

 “Yes, dear one, one day,” she murmured soothingly, wrapping her tail more tightly around him. He finished his drink and nestled back against her.

 “Chixsa?”

 “Yes, Jothee.”

 “If we have to keep running away from my uncle, how will my father ever find me?”

 “Have faith in his love for you,” she said softly. “He will find you.”

 ~ 9 ~

Joris stood stiffly at attention, not even daring to blink as a data pad flew by his head.

“Useless! Reports of nothing!” Macton stormed, grabbing another data pad and flinging it at the wall.
“How can a child and an old nursemaid elude a team of trained professionals?” He stopped his pacingto glare at the hapless man. “Well?”

“Yessir.” He took a deep breath, keeping his eyes focused on the wall beyond Macton’s shoulder.“They have, for the moment, eluded our search, but I believe we have found the inn where they arestaying. They are not there now, but my men have the area under tight surveillance.”

He ventured a quick glance at Macton’s face, and seeing it unchanged, hurriedly returned his gaze to the wall.

“I will let you know as soon as we have any news, sir.”

“And the equipment I transported to the planet’s surface?”

“Set up and ready, sir.”

Receiving a curt nod of dismissal, Joris turned and walked out as quickly as protocol would allow. AsMacton's door closed behind him, he sagged against the corridor wall, trying to catch his breath. Heleaned his head back against the cool metal, wondering as always, how Macton managed to suck theoxygen out of a room, just by being in it.

~ 10 ~

“Okay. You’ve both had another laugh at my expense. So give me a break.”

Aeryn and Zhaan exchanged an amused glance.

“I don’t know, Aeryn,” Zhaan said, ignoring John, whose hands were still firmly anchored to thestorage rack by D’Argo’s belt. “He wouldn’t get into any trouble this way.”

“Mmm. You’re right, Zhaan. Maybe we should just put him, rack and all, onto the transport pod andsend him back to Moya.”

John jerked his hands, rattling the storage rack and sending the contents onto the floor. “C’mon, youguys....”

“Guys?” Aeryn arched an eyebrow. She looked down at herself, then ran her gaze up Zhaan’sgenerous curves. “Do you think our translator microbes are malfunctioning or is this lack of ability todifferentiate between sexes, a side effect experienced by human males who have been in space toolong without....”

“Aeryn!” John hissed indignantly.

“...anything but food cubes to eat,” Aeryn finished with a grin as reached up and gave the belt a sharptug, releasing John’s hands.

“Very funny,” he muttered as he rubbed the circulation back into his wrists.

“I see that teasing is not so enjoyable when your feet are in another’s shoes,” Aeryn said smugly.

“When the shoe is on the other foot,” John corrected.

Aeryn frowned and looked down at John’s boots. “But....”

“Perhaps we should set aside this discussion for another time,” Zhaan interjected, recognizing the signsof another imminent argument. “I didn’t transport down here for the pleasure of this planet’s climate.”She shivered and wrapped her heavy cloak more tightly around her as they walked out into the chillydining room.

“I sure wish Pilot could help us locate D’Argo,” John said.

“He can’t pinpoint him because he turned off his com badge,” Aeryn reminded him. “Besides, withMacton’s ships in orbit, we can’t risk giving our presence away.

“Well, we’d better get going,” John urged, looking out the window. “I don’t know how much moredaylight we have.”

“Let’s split up then,” Aeryn suggested. “Zhaan, you stay around the tavern area just in case D’Argocomes back here. John and I will look through the bazaar and meet you back here in say, four arns.”

“I’ll let Pilot know what we’ve planned,” Zhaan said, nodding her head in agreement. “May Nahalianguide your efforts,” she called after them as they left. Then lifting her hand she added softly, “and keepsafe those we love.”

~11 ~

As she approached the inn, Chixsa paused and hefted Jothee to her other hip, trying to settle him more comfortably.

“You are getting far too big to carry like a baby,” she fussed. Looking down into his sleeping face, she smiled and leaned down to nuzzle his forehead. “It is a good thing for you, Sciurians are strong.”

She lifted her head as a sudden shift in the wind brought a scent that raised the guard hairs on the back of her neck and bristled her tail. Moving quickly to a nearby wall, she eased Jothee down, clamping her paw over his mouth as he woke and started to question her.

Her ears swiveled in agitation and she moved her head from side to side, her mouth open slightly totaste the wind. A faint rustle of clothing caught her attention and she turned to face the men who slowlyemerged from the shadows.

“Hold your fire,” a voice commanded. “We can’t risk injuring the boy.”

Two men stepped forward, one swinging his rifle at her as the other tried to move past her.

Chixsa snarled and grabbed the rifle, jerking the man off his feet and throwing him onto the man tryingto reach for Jothee. As they landed in a crumpled pile of limbs, two more men launched themselves ather. She put up a fierce fight, but one man managed to get in a vicious blow to her head.

“Run, Jothee!” she gasped, as they wrestled her roughly to the ground. As she fell, she heard him take off and a voice order the men to follow him.

“Sir, what about her?” one of the men holding Chixsa asked.

“Leave her, we’ve already attracted enough attention,” he said, noticing lights going on in the inn and several people running out into the courtyard.

Chixsa tried to rise but fell back as a wave of dizziness hit her. “Jothee,” she whispered as darknessenveloped her.

~ 12 ~

Rygel sat in the middle of his bed, lovingly counting his hoard of Hynerian Majols. Periodically, he would lick his fingers, sighing as he savored their pungent taste.

“Gods! What the frell died in here?”

Rygel hurriedly scooped the sticky delicacies into a sack then turned to glare at Chiana who wasleaning against his doorway. “I don’t recall granting you permission to enter my quarters,” he saidhaughtily.

Chiana shrugged and walked over to sit on the edge of his bed. “I said before, I please myself.”

Leaning forward, she reached out a pale hand and slowly stroked the lapel of his ornately decoratedrobe. Rygel grimaced but before he could pull back, she suddenly grabbed his collar and jerked himtoward her, at the same time flicking open a palm dagger and pressing it against his throat.

“Where is it?” she whispered, her voice softly dangerous.

“Where is what?”

“The data crystal.”

“Chiana!” Rygel exclaimed as he tried to struggle out of her grasp. “I swear I don’t know what you’retalking about!”

She stared into his eyes and seeing the truth of what he spoke, sat back, pocketing the small dagger.

Rygel scrambled backward, out of arm’s reach, clutching his neck as he watched her warily. “Is thatwhat you stole from D’Argo’s room? A data crystal?”

Chiana shrugged and started to rise from the bed when her attention was caught by a soft clinkingsound. Turning toward the door, her darks eyes widened at the sight of Daisy, sitting in the doorway,the slender data crystal at her feet.

As Chiana and Rygel stared at her, Daisy tilted her head to eye the crystal and then began to lightly bat it back and forth with her front paws.

“Now, Daisy, be a good girl,” Chiana crooned, moving slowly toward her.

Daisy stopped and looked at her.

“Yes, be a good girl and give it to me,” Rygel said. He’d climbed onto his throne sled and was gentlyeasing his way past Chiana and toward Daisy. “I’ll give you a Majol,” he coaxed, holding out one ofthe sticky treats.

Daisy craned her neck and sniffed.

Chiana darted forward, slapping Rygel’s hand out of the way as she dove for the crystal. But Daisywas faster and snatching it up in her mouth, she turned and galloped out into the hall.

“You stupid farquat!” Rygel snapped at Chiana, angling his platform through the doorway.

“Toady yutz,” Chiana, retorted, knocking him aside as she took off after Daisy.

The two of them raced through Moya’s hallway, pushing and shoving each other out of the way as theytried to catch up with the small creature barreling ahead of them. They followed her down through thevarious levels until they lost her in the vicinity of Pilot’s room.

“Pilot,” Chiana gasped, leaning heavily against his control hub. “Have you seen Daisy?”

“Why do you seek her?” Pilot asked in his flat clipped voice, tipping his large domed head toward her.

“She has something of ours,” Rygel said, floating in and ignoring the glare Chiana directed at him as she tried to catch her breath.

Pilot continued to tap and adjust various controls, his arms and hands constantly moving over thecontrol panel. “What does she have?”

“Nothing really,” Chiana said, trying to sound casual. “A small thing. Slender and clear. Looks kinda like a....”

“Data crystal?” Pilot asked. He moved one of his large pointed hooves to reveal Daisy, perched on thecontrol panel. As she rolled the data crystal forward, Pilot plucked it from her paws and dropped itinto one of his input ports. He pulled up a monitor and stared at the screen, nodding as Daisy warbledin surprise.

“What is it?” Rygel asked, moving in closer.

“Yeah, what are those funny symbols? What kind of writing is that?” Chiana added, leaning over thecontrol hub.

“It’s Sciurian and heavily encrypted,” Pilot said. Leaning back, he turned to stare at Chiana. “Andwhere would you get such a document?”

~ 13 ~

“About the rooms...” the thin alien began hesitantly, his eye stalks bobbing apologetically.

“I still don’t know,” Zhaan said. “I am waiting for my friends. They should be here soon.”

He shrugged and gestured with two of his long arms to a couple at the desk. “I have need of one of the rooms, unless you can pay to hold them both.”

Zhaan sighed and shook her head. “I cannot. We will just have to make due when they arrive.” Shewatched him scuttle off, then turned to huddle closer to the fireplace.

She’d had some success in finding people who had seen someone matching D’Argo’s description, butno one had taken any notice of what direction he had been heading. “I can only hope John and Aerynhave had better luck,” she murmured. She looked around the empty room and sighed again.

A Server came by and refilled her mug with a hot spicy beverage and as she nodded her thanks, aslight movement in the shadows caught her eye. Sitting quietly, she kept her gaze on the fire andhummed softly, concentrating on feelings of good will. After a few moments, she looked over towardthe dark corner.

“Don’t be afraid, Jothee,” she said in a soothing voice. “I’m a friend of your father’s.”

She heard a sharp intake of breath and then a small face emerged from the darkness, fixing her with a gaze half hope, half disbelief. “You know my father?” he asked, his eyes searching hers.

Zhaan nodded. “Come here,” she coaxed. As he edged forward, she offered him her drink. “I betyou’re cold.”

He moved closer, his eyes dark and anxious. But Zhaan’s gentle expression and the kindness sheradiated reassured him and he took the hot drink and gave her a grateful nod.

“Is he here? Has he come for me?” he asked breathlessly. “How did he find me?”

“Yes, yes and Aeryn,” Zhaan answered, laughing softly.

“Aeryn?” he repeated, tilting his head in way that was so like D’Argo that it made Zhaan smile.

“She’s the ‘how’, Jothee. You met her when she was having dinner here,” Zhaan explained. “Sherecognized you from a holo-image and told your father you were here.”

“But where is he?”

“A question I would like the answer to myself,” a silky voice said.

At the look of fear in Jothee’s eyes, Zhaan knew without a doubt, who was standing behind her.

“Macton Towl,” she said flatly, rising to place herself between him and Jothee.

“After we disposed of that interfering nursemaid, I knew he would come here.”

With an anguished cry, Jothee rushed at Macton. Zhaan tried to grab him but was caught by two ofMacton’s men. She easily threw them off and was about to reach for Jothee again when she sawanother man holding a disrupter to his head.

“That’s better,” Macton said, nodding for one of the men to handcuff Zhaan. “And you, ‘nephew’,” hesaid, lips curling with disdain, “will I have to handcuff you too?”

When Jothee remained silent, he threaded his hand into the young boy’s tentacles and squeezed themroughly. “Answer me,” he ordered.

Jothee bit his lip but glared defiantly at him. Macton’s face darkened and he raised his hand to strikehim but was suddenly hit by a sharp force and pushed back.

“So, you have the Pau’s Ability to Protect,” he said, looking at Zhaan appraisingly. “Well, this willmake my little test for D’Argo even more interesting.”

~ 14 ~

D'Argo stopped and stared at the inn. It was small and secluded but the dense foliage surrounding it, made it an unlikely possibility. "But she may not have had a choice," he said aloud, reflecting on the other lodgings he'd seen.

He walked up the narrow entrance path and as he turned into the courtyard, he felt his blood run cold.The combination of an old familiar scent and the sight of a small crowd gathered worriedly over aprone body with a dark bushy tail suddenly spurred him into a frantic sprint.

"What happened here?" he snapped, his voice booming in the small courtyard. He dropped to hisknees and gently touched Chixsa's face as an assortment of aliens gathered around him and beganhurriedly talking at the same time.

"We heard noises..."

"Fighting..."

"And when we looked out..."

"She was on the ground...."

"And they were gone."

Chixsa’s eyelids fluttered open. “Dear Ka,” she breathed, reaching up to touch his cheek with a shakypaw.

He grasped it in his large hand and pressed it to lips. “You are injured. I must get you back toMoya....”

“No,” she gasped, struggling to sit up. “Jothee...Macton’s men....”

At the sound of hurried footsteps running toward the courtyard, D’Argo was on his feet, his Qualtablade in his hands.

Joris stopped and stared at D’Argo. The look in the Luxan’s eyes and his battle ready stance left no doubt as to his willingness and ability. And even with four armed men behind him, the squadron leader knew their chances of surviving, much less capturing D’Argo alive, were slim to none.

He watched D’Argo’s head move minutely as the Sciurian behind him tried to rise. Perhaps, he thoughtto himself quickly, if that creature was also of importance to D’Argo...

“We have your son, General,” he said. “We can also see to the Sciurian’s injuries, provided you comewillingly with us.”

“My son. He is unharmed?”

Joris nodded. “He and the Delvian female with him are in Macton’s custody. Their well-being dependsentirely on your cooperation,” he answered.

D’Argo stared into the man’s eyes. “They will be released if you bring me to Macton?”

“I only know they will die if I do not,” he answered truthfully.

D’Argo studied the man’s face, then nodded curtly. Sheathing his sword, he turned to pick up Chixsa.Behind him, he heard the squadron leader order his men to stand down.

Flanked by Macton’s men, D’Argo walked out of the courtyard, Chixsa’s limp body in his arms.

~ 15 ~

“I’m surprised she isn’t waiting for us,” John said, looking around the empty dining room.

“We’re late. I’m sure she’s already sound asleep.” Aeryn nodded at the small alien who scuttled overto them.

“You wish a room tonight? You are indeed fortunate. I have one left,” he said, his eye stalks bobbingsleepily. “This way, please.” He started down the hallway, then stopped as he realized the two had notmoved.

“You do not want the room?” he inquired, his eyes swiveling from one to the other.

“Ah, that’s ‘room’ as in one and only one room?” John asked carefully.

“It is all I have. I was holding it for someone else, who left without saying a word to me,” he clicked in irritation.

“Maybe we should go somewhere else, Aeryn,” John whispered.

Aeryn shook her head. “At this time of night? We won’t have any better luck.” Turning to the alien, she said, “We’ll take it.”

“We will?” John said incredulously.

Aeryn threw him a quelling look as she followed the alien down the hall. “I’m sure there is a chair in the room that I can sleep in,” she said pointedly.

“Here you are,” the alien said, opening the door and gesturing around the small room with his otherarms. “Bed, light, shower....”

“And no chair,” John added.

~ 16 ~

“Jothee, are you all right?”

The young boy opened his eyes and gingerly sat up. “Where are we?” he asked, looking around at theequipment filled room. He rose unsteadily to his feet and started to move toward Zhaan.

“No! Don’t move!”

Jothee froze, his eyes wide. “Why?”

“Look down at the floor,” Zhaan instructed. “Can you see that faint line where the light looks different?It’s the edge of a force field.”

He nodded as he turned and looked around him. “What will it do if I touch it?”

“There’s one way of finding out,” Macton said, as he walked into the room.

Zhaan rose to her feet, her eyes following him intently as he circled them.

“An ingenious device,” he began conversationally. “Two energy fields, set at opposing frequencies.Close enough to resonate off each other but if the barrier of one is broken, it will result in anexcruciatingly painful death for the other as well as the one who breeches it. ”

Stopping in front of Zhaan, he returned her stare. “And of course, I can increase the frequency to raise the resonance.” He raised his hand to signal a nearby technician and a low hum slowly began to build.

Zhaan turned as Jothee whimpered and sank to his knees, clutching his head. She reached out with hermind to protect him but abruptly staggered back as a wave of pain rippled through her.

“As you can see, even the energy of your thoughts have repercussions,” he continued smoothly.

“And what do you intend to accomplish by this vile treatment of us?” Zhaan said tightly, trying to catch her breath.

Macton flicked his hand at the technician and Jothee and Zhaan sagged to the floor gasping in relief.

“To make D’Argo beg for the mercy of your deaths,” he replied.

~ 17~

Aeryn shifted, trying not to jostle against John.

“Can you move over?” she said irritably. “I’m almost falling off the edge.”

“Like, I have so much room myself,” he retorted, scooting over a little. “Geez, you’d think an innwould at least have a double bed.”

“A double bed?” Aeryn repeated curiously.

John grinned in the dark. “Don’t tell me Sebaceans only have one size bed to sleep in.”

“I don’t know. I grew up on a ship and we all had the same size bunks.”

“Bunks? That doesn’t sound like you had much privacy,” John chuckled.

“I don’t need privacy to sleep.”

“Uh...I wasn’t referring to sleeping, Aeryn.”

“Oh. You mean mating? There were rooms in the Recreational Area for that.”

“Rooms in the Recreational Area? Now, that sounds real romantic.”

“Romance? What does that have to do with mating?” Aeryn said in exasperation.

“But, didn’t you choose...I mean, the guy you were with...?”

“You could choose someone in particular if you wished, but that was discouraged within theCommando ranks.”

“Why?”

“Forming specific relationships takes away from your concentration. You can’t function in battleefficiently if your mind is on protecting someone other than yourself.”

John was silent as he digested this information. He’d known Aeryn’s training had focused on keepingthem emotionally detached from each other but he was just discovering how extensive that control hadbeen in their lives.

Aeryn was unsettled by John’s silence. As much as she hated to admit it, his opinion mattered a greatdeal to her. From what he’d told her of his previous relationships, she knew that humans often wentthrough a complicated courtship ritual. She’d once commented that she thought the process confusingand illogical and was surprised when John had agreed. But the smile that accompanied his remark hadpiqued her curiosity and she’d often found herself wondering...

*Frelling human,* she thought to herself angrily. *Always talking about romance and love. Uselessemotions....* Grabbing the comforter, she rolled onto her side, her back toward John. As another blastof frigid wind rattled the small bedroom window, she shivered and pulled herself into a tight ball.

“Hey, c’mere,” John said, curving his body around her as he slipped his arm around her waist.

“I’m not in the mood to mate,” Aeryn snapped, pushing at his arm.

“Well, neither am I, so just shut up and go to sleep.”

She paused and turned her head toward John. “You’re not?”

John laughed softly. “Well, I wouldn’t turn you down if you offered, but since you’re not, I’ll settle for keeping warm together.”

Aeryn nodded slightly, tentatively relaxing as he snuggled her up against him. The sound of John’s evenbreathing in her ear and the solid warmth of him surrounding her, filled her with a sense of comfort that she found oddly reassuring. She flashed briefly on the memories of past partners but couldn’t recall a single one who had held her like this. Closing her eyes, she sighed and drifted off to sleep.

~ 18 ~

"Leave her here, General," Joris said, indicating a small room. "I will have one of my men bring a med tech."

He watched as D'Argo gently laid Chixsa down on the floor, then took off his jacket to cushion herhead. The Luxan's obvious concern for this creature who had cared for him as a child was puzzling toJoris. He barely remembered his own parents and wondered how it was possible to care so much foranother who was not of your own bloodline, much less species.

Listening to their low voices, he was surprised to hear the Sciurian's first words were to ask of the boy. And even more amazing, he watched as D’Argo held her paw and spoke comfortingly to her.

He frowned slightly in confusion. He’d heard Macton’s tirades and condemnation of the Luxan eversince he’d been assigned to his command. His vehemence had made Joris curious and he'dsurreptitiously looked up D'Argo's records. He was surprised to discover that the Luxan's family wasold and well respected and D'Argo's own military career impressive, even by Peace Keeper standards.

But Joris's training was deeply ingrained. Until he'd met D'Argo, he'd never considered the possibilitythat a non-Sebacean would be capable of those qualities he'd been taught were unique to his species.Yet here was an alien, from a race the Peace Keepers considered savage and crude, who was willingto take on overwhelming odds for the sake of a son he hardly knew. And who had shown the kind ofpersonal honor and bravery that Joris found himself grudgingly admiring.

"Macton will be arriving soon, sir," Joris said. "If you wish time alone with your son, this would be the best opportunity."

D'Argo looked over his shoulder at the squadron leader, surprised by his offer. He stared suspiciouslyat the man's face, wondering if there was a trap behind his words.

"Judge this man with your heart, not your memory of Macton," Chixsa said quietly.

D'Argo nodded, thinking of a similar conversation he'd had with John. Turning back to her, he strokedChixsa's cheek then let his hand rest on her neck. He stared into her eyes as he touched the small com badge buried in her thick fur, nodding imperceptibly as she gave him a small smile.

Standing, he straightened his shoulders and faced Joris. “Take me to my son.”

~ 19 ~

Pilot turned from Chiana as one of his monitors began emitting a series of soft blips.

“What is that?” Rygel asked, moving his throne sled closer.

“D’Argo has turned on his com badge!” Pilot exclaimed, looking closely at the monitor. “I will contacthim and ...”

“No, wait!” Chiana lunged across the control panel and grabbed Pilot’s wrist.

“What the frell do you think you’re doing?” Rygel snapped. “Crichton, Aeryn and Zhaan have beentrying to find him and....”

“Exactly,” she said, straightening and looking from one to the other. “D’Argo turned his com badge offon purpose. It figures he’s turned it on for a reason.”

“Yes, to contact us,” Rygel said impatiently.

“Did he?” she asked, staring at Pilot. “Did he contact us or just turn his com badge on?”

Pilot nodded his head slowly. “I see your point.” His hands moved across the various controls as hewatched the communications monitor. Frowning slightly, he pulled up another screen. “This is odd,” hemuttered. “The com badge is not on D’Argo. The body signature it is picking up is unlike any of thecrew.”

Rygel moved forward. “Try Sciurian.”

“That is it!” Pilot said, nodding in satisfaction as he adjusted the monitor. “How did you know?”

“Just a hunch,” he said, looking over at Chiana who glowered back at him.

“I must alert Commander Crichton and Officer Sun,” Pilot said. “They are not far from the location ofthis signal.”

He tapped their com lines, waited, then tapped them again. “Commander! Are you there? Officer Sun!Please respond.”

“Okay, okay. Hold onto your pants...or whatever...”

“Ah! Commander, I have news....

“Is that Pilot?” asked Aeryn's sleepy voice.

Pilot’s eyebrows shot upward as he looked at his monitor and saw that only John’s com badge wason. Glancing over at Rygel and Chiana, he noticed they appeared to be having a heated argument.

“Er, Commander, I am sorry to ...intrude,” he said, pitching his voice low. “But Rygel and Chiana are here with me,” he continued pointedly, “and we may have news of D’Argo’s whereabouts.”

“Oh. You’re all there? Great. Uh, we...er, I’m getting dressed right now,” came the muffled reply.“Can you download the information into our palm map?”

“Already done,” Pilot replied crisply. “The com unit being tracked is D’Argo’s but appears to be on aSciurian female.”

“That would be Chixsa. She was with Jothee when we first saw him.” There was the murmur of lowvoices, which Pilot muted with one hand as his others continued to rove over the controls.

“Was he talking to someone?” Chiana asked as she walked up and tried to peer over the top of Pilot’scontrol console.

“I believe he was updating Officer Sun,” Pilot replied, watching the monitor. As he saw her com badgeactivate, he opened both lines.

“Officer Sun, your palm map should be showing the coordinates of D’Argo’s com badge.”

“Yes, I see it. We are leaving now.”

“We’ll keep in contact. And ... thanks, Pilot,” John added.

“You are welcome, Commander.”

Chiana’s eyes narrowed. “Why do I feel I just missed something?”

~ 20 ~

As they stepped into the hall, two of Joris’s men flanked D’Argo, their weapons drawn.

“That will be unnecessary,” Joris said shortly, gesturing to them to holster their weapons. “I willpersonally escort him.” He ordered one of the men to remain on guard and sent the other to summon amed tech for Chixsa.

Joris and D’Argo walked down the narrow corridor in silence until they reached a doorway guardedby two more of Joris’s men. They snapped to attention as he passed between them, eyeing D’Argocuriously, but too well trained to question their squadron leader’s actions.

As the door slid shut behind them, Joris nodded curtly at the tech on duty. “You are relieved,” heordered.

“But sir, Macton said...”

Joris paused and stared at the young Sebacean. “Granted, you are a tech,” he said icily. “but I believeyou are still answerable to command orders.”

“Y-yessir,” she stuttered, jumping to her feet and scurrying away.

While Joris was dismissing the technician, D’Argo had approached the two force fields, sinking to his knees as he faced his son.

“You have grown,” he said awkwardly, suddenly overwhelmed by the emotions that flooded throughhim. He looked at his son’s face, catching his breath as he fought the urge to reach through the forcefield to sweep him into his arms. “You probably don’t even remember me.”

Jothee took a hesitant step forward. “It was hard to remember sometimes,” he said, tilting head as he frowned slightly. “You were gone so long...”

“I know, Jothee,” D’Argo said. “But there wasn’t a single day that I didn’t think about you.”

“Then why didn’t you come sooner?” he asked, his eyes bright with pain. “If you loved me...”

“I do!” D’Argo groaned. “You are the most important thing in this universe to me. When I had to sendyou away, I felt as if I was tearing the very soul from my body,” he said roughly, his voice breaking.“But I had no other choice.”

He bent his head, gasping as he fought the tears that blinded him. “And the hope that you were safeand that one day I’d find you, was the only thing that kept me strong.”

Jothee looked over at Zhaan miserably. She edged as close to him as possible and smiled warmly athim.

“Let your father know what kept *you* strong,” she urged.

The young boy looked at her thoughtfully, then turned to D’Argo. “Chixsa always said you and mamaloved each other very much,” he began, swallowing against the tightness in his throat. “And that’s whyyou had me.”

D’Argo looked up and smiled. “That your mother could love me, never ceased to amaze me. But youwere a precious gift we were both blessed with, Jothee. You were born of our love and will always bethe heart of my hearts.”

“Excuse me, sir,” one of the guards said to Joris. “You asked to be informed. Macton’s transport has just landed.”

~ 21 ~

“Any luck with the data crystal?”

Pilot shook his head. “I have broken through several layers but I will need a key code to release the information matrix.”

Rygel pursed his lips in thought. “What do you know of the Sciurians?”

Pilot switched to another screen and scrolled through the information that appeared. “Not much inMoya’s data banks.” He began reciting. “Highly intelligent, extremely fierce and fearless in battle, highly developed language....”

“What kind of language?” Rygel asked.

“What difference does it make?” Chiana griped. “You heard Pilot -- we need a code to crack thecrystal.”

Rygel shrugged. “I was just thinking of the time I fooled my greedy vartog of an uncle. I encoded atreasure box with a vocal lock and used my pet Davibird’s voice as the key.”

“Sciurian could certainly qualify in that sense,” Pilot said. They listened as a series of chittering noises played. “I must admit to never having heard anything like it.” As he re-played the language sample again, he noticed Daisy’s rapt attention.

“Daisy? Is this familiar to you?” he asked.

“What the frell are you asking that creature for?” Chiana exclaimed. “She’s just John’s pet...”

“She’s an Arbiter,” Pilot corrected, frowning. “She is staying with us as a Marker....”

“You believe that dren?” she hooted. But her laughter died as Daisy began chittering in Sciurian.

Pilot quickly pulled up another screen and showed her the data crystal's encryption lock. As Daisyclicked and chittered a short series of phrases, the screen slowly cleared.

“What is this?” Chiana asked, peering over the console.

“A security visual,” Rygel answered. “I had floating spy disks like this in every one of my rooms at the palace.”

They watched in silence as two people argued then struggled. There was a flash of a knife, then thewoman fell to the ground. As the man ran off through the dense foliage, a darkly furred creature rushedforward from another direction and knelt down, keening sharply over the woman’s body.

“What did we just see?” Chiana whispered.

Rygel grinned triumphantly. “If I’m not mistaken, we’ve just seen the evidence that will clear D’Argo of the murder of his wife.”

~22 ~

“The signal from D’Argo’s com badge is coming from below that building,” Aeryn said, looking upfrom their palm map and pointing across the street.

“And Pilot said he’s been tracking an inordinate amount of energy being used at these coordinates,”John added as he peered over her shoulder.

“But why would Macton risk being here rather than stay on his ship?”

John shrugged as they angled around to the back of the building. “From the spikes of energy Pilot saidhe saw, I’d have to guess that Macton needs the gravity of this planet to keep his little chemistryexperiment from blowing up.”

Aeryn gestured toward a small, darkened doorway. "That looks like the only entrance back here."

"Great," John grumbled. "Another damn Star Trek door." He stood and stared at the smooth, flatsurface. "Are humans the only species with a concept of doorknobs?" he complained. He glancedaround as Aeryn fiddled with a small control pad on the doorframe. “You know it’s funny that thereisn’t a guard around ....”

Suddenly the door panel whooshed open and John and one of Joris’s men abruptly found themselvesstaring at each other.

"Frell!" they both blurted simultaneously.

The guard swung but Aeryn was quicker. Grabbing John by the back of his vest, she jerked him out of reach and soundlessly dispatched the man with a swift Pantac Jab.

“This way,” she said, matter-of-factly as she stepped over the fallen body.

John blinked. "Thanks," he said, following her into the narrow hallway.

“As you say, we watch each other's backside, yes?"

"For once, you are more correct than you'll ever know," he murmured, letting his eyes wanderdownward as he walked behind her.

Aeryn stopped as the palm map beeped softly. Flipping it open, she checked the bright pinpoint offlashing light.

"Down that hall and around the corner," she whispered, jerking her head to the left.

They moved quietly, staying close to the wall. As they came even with a cross corridor, Aeryn pausedand adjusted her occulars, bending the flexible lens stalk so that she could see around the corner.

"One guard in front of the door," she whispered.

"Okay. Time to make the donuts," he said, moving by her.

"Say bro, I'm lost," John said, strolling down the hall and looking around. "Can you tell me where the bathroom is?"

"Who are you?" the guard said suspiciously, keeping his eyes and weapon trained on John as hewalked by.

"Your worst nightmare," John replied with a grin. "A guy with a girlfriend who's gonna kick your ass."

"What the...."

John grimaced in sympathy as the man gasped and crumpled into a heap at Aeryn's feet.

"Girlfriend?" she repeated, giving him an exasperated glare.

"Just a figure of speech," he said innocently as he dragged the unconscious man into the room. Standingup, he brushed his hands against each other and smiled at the creature who watched them intently, herears twitching in surprise.

"Hey Chixsa. Know where I can find a good, used Qualta Blade?"

~23 ~

Macton walked into the room and glared at Joris. "I don't recall ordering you to bring D'Argo here."

Joris dipped his head slightly. "Then that was my error, sir," he replied smoothly.

Macton scowled, then turned to stare at D'Argo. "I liked seeing you better when you were chained anddragged from my sight." His eyes fell on the two rings that pierced D’Argo’s clavicles. "I see you still have a little reminder of your stay with the Peace Keepers," he said with a cold smile.

D'Argo rose to his feet and faced Macton squarely. "I chose to keep them," he growled, his eyes clearand fearless. "It is a reminder to you and those like you that you may cripple my body but you willnever touch my spirit."

"Such brave words," Macton said sarcastically. Moving closer he gestured to Zhaan and Jothee. "Butwhat if it's not *your* body I wish to harm?"

He turned to signal the tech, then frowned as he saw an empty console. “Where the frell is she?” hedemanded.

"I have no idea where she might be," Joris replied. "But I'll send one of my men to look for her, if you wish."

Macton’s eyes narrowed as he considered Joris. "That won't be necessary," he said, walking to thecontrol panel. He tapped in a command, nodding smugly as an insistent hum filled the small room.

"So, brave Luxan, who do you choose to save?" Macton asked, as Zhaan and Jothee dropped to theirknees, gasping in pain. He increased the resonance, watching as D'Argo clenched his hands at Jothee'swhimper and Zhaan's soft cry. "If you reach in, you can use your body to divert the energy field andpull one of them to safety. But in doing so, you will condemn yourself and the other one to a verypainful death.

"Or you can beg me to kill them both now," he offered. "It will be mercifully swift -- I give you my word on that."

"Your word?" D'Argo growled harshly. "You are a man without honor," he spat. "Your word ismeaningless."

"You challenge my honor?" Macton laughed. "You are a criminal. Charged with your wife's murder...."

D'Argo crossed the floor in two strides. He tossed Joris aside easily, then grabbed Macton, pushinghim up against the wall and encircling his throat with a strong hand. "Have you told so many lies, even your own heart no longer knows the truth?" he asked his low voice taut with anger.

"Better ease up, Big Guy," John said as he walked into the room with Aeryn and Chixsa. "I'm notfamiliar with Sebacean physiology, but I think they need air in order to talk."

As D'Argo stepped back, reluctantly releasing Macton, Aeryn hurried past them to the control panel.With Pilot's guidance, she quickly disabled the force fields while Chixsa held D’Argo’s weapon onMacton and Joris.

“Good job,” John said, coming up behind Aeryn and putting a hand on her shoulder. She smiled inpleasure then turned to watch as D'Argo rushed to Jothee and swept him up into his arms.

Macton coughed painfully, touching a hand to his throat. “You’ll regret this, D’Argo.”

“The regrets will be yours if you continue to pursue D’Argo and Jothee,” Chixsa said, her ears back as she glared balefully at Macton. Turning to D’Argo she tapped her tail apologetically. “I understand from your shipmates, that the data crystal I gave you has not only been found, but decoded.”

“Why do Chiana and Rygel suddenly come to mind,” D’Argo muttered, shaking his head.

“What data crystal?” Macton asked, his eyes flicking nervously between Chixsa and D’Argo.

“From the security monitor in the garden,” D’Argo answered, watching in satisfaction as Mactonpaled.

“And what do you intend to do with the...information?”

“It would give me great pleasure to ruin you and your entire House,” D’Argo said, his voice hard. Butas he glanced down into Jothee’s face, his eyes softened.

“But Lo’lann was of your House, and I would never dishonor her memory by being the cause of herfamily’s ruin.”

“So what do you want in exchange for that data crystal?”

D’Argo growled and shot a glare at Macton. “The crystal stays with me. But I will keep theinformation private, provided that you no longer pursue us.”

“Agreed,” Macton said, nodding his head. He watched as the others gathered around D’Argo and hisson, smiling and talking with them. “Disgusting,” he breathed as he saw the affection and friendship with which they hugged and touched each other.

“Joris,” he rasped, keeping his voice low. “Leave with me but get your men and come back here. Theyare so preoccupied, they will never expect an attack.”

“Attack, sir?”

Macton nodded. “And I don’t want any witnesses left.” Looking into Joris’s eyes, he added, “Noteven your men. Is that clear?”

Joris nodded, his mouth suddenly dry.

“Then let’s go,” Macton snapped.

~ 24 ~

Pilot tilted his head as he listened to the jumble of conversations coming through the com links.

“What are they all talking about?” Chiana asked curiously. Leaning across Pilot’s control panel, shestroked Daisy who lay sprawled, fast asleep on top of one of his monitors.

“Evidently, Macton has agreed to stop his pursuit of D’Argo and Jothee,” Pilot answered. He adjustedthe com lines as he attempted to further sort out the voices.

“Is that Macton’s transport leaving the surface?” Rygel asked suddenly, hovering over Pilot’s shoulderand pointing to an outside visual on one of the screens.

“Yes, why do you ask?”

“Just wondering why the other transport pod hasn’t left yet.”

~ 25 ~

Joris paused outside the room. “Are you sure?” he asked, looking at each man in turn.

“We have always followed you without question, sir,” one of them answered, “and intend to do so as long as we are able.”

“Then let us proceed,” Joris said, sliding the door open and entering the room.

“General, I have been ordered to clean up here.”

D’Argo raised his eyebrows as Aeryn turned and stared. “That is an order that is carried out, notannounced,” he commented, looking curiously at Joris.

The squadron leader shifted uneasily. “My order included my own men.” He glanced at them andshook his head. “I couldn’t do it.”

“You are aware of the consequences of disobeying such an order,” Aeryn said sharply.

Joris nodded. “We know we would face a dishonorable discharge and death if we stayed.”

“If you stayed?” Zhaan prompted.

“I understand you travel on a Leviathan. We could not afford to pay for passage to another territory or system, but perhaps our assistance in helping you escape from Macton would be sufficient.”

He took a deep breath and looked at each of them in turn.

“I vote yes,” John said.

“Yes,” Zhaan added.

D’Argo nodded.

Aeryn stepped forward. “You realize that if you choose this path, you can never go back,” she saidquietly, searching their faces.

Joris nodded. “What I know now of others,” he said looking at D’Argo and Jothee, “has made mequestion what I thought was true. And in turn, has made me realize, I no longer *can* go back to theway I was.” He looked back at Aeryn and frowned slightly. “I don’t know if that makes sense...”

Aeryn nodded in satisfaction and stepped back to stand with her shipmates.

“I vote yes also.”

~ 26 ~

D’Argo smiled as he watched Jothee try to coax Daisy to take a piece of breadpod from his hand.

“She likes sweet things,” D’Argo said. “Put some fruit syrup on it.”

Jothee liberally coated the chunk of breadpod with the sticky sauce and held it out to Daisy. Shestretched her neck forward, sniffing delicately. Swiveling her head, she eyed Jothee, then the treat he held.

“That’s it,” he urged softy as she sidled closer. She flicked out a tiny pink tongue to taste the syrup,then satisfied with what Jothee was offering, she took it from his fingers. “Did you see that?” he asked,turning a delighted face to D’Argo. “She liked it!”

D’Argo rumbled happily and patted Jothee’s shoulder. “Yes, she did.” He looked down into Jothee’sface, smiling as he saw him trying to stifle a yawn..

“I think it’s time you went to bed,” he said, rising from the table and holding out his hand. “We can talk more tomorrow.”

“And play with Daisy?” he asked sleepily, putting his hand in D’Argo’s.

“If she wishes. Now say goodnight.”

Jothee nodded. “Goodnight, John. Goodnight Aeryn.”

“G’night, buddy.”

“Sleep well, Jothee.”

As they walked out of the dining room, they ran into Chixsa.

“What have you got there?” D’Argo asked, sniffing at the hot drink she held.

“Something for Zhaan. She said she wasn’t feeling well.”

D’Argo creased his brow. “What’s wrong?”

“She assures me it’s nothing, but perhaps she might talk to you,” Chixsa said, handing him the hot drinkand taking Jothee’s hand.

Stooping down, D’Argo hugged and kissed his son goodnight, then rose and headed for Zhaan’sroom.

“May I come in?” he asked.

“Yes.”

He slid the door open, pausing as he saw Zhaan standing by the small window.

“Chixsa made something for you,” he said. “I don’t know what it is, but it smells good,” he rumbledwalking over to hand it to her.

“Thank you.” She took a sip and turned back to look out the window.

D’Argo moved behind her, placing his hands on her shoulders. “What troubles you, Zhaan?” he asked,sensing her distress. “Tell me.”

She sighed and leaned back against him, wrapping her hands around the warm mug. “I hated thatMacton was trying to make you choose between saving Jothee’s life or mine.”

“It is how he deals with resistance. When Lo’lann refused to do as he wished, he made her chosebetween her family and me.”

Slipping his arms around her, he pulled her closer. “But what he’ll never understand is that thosechoices have nothing to do with loving one person over the other.”

“What do you mean?”

“Love isn’t a commodity that can be measured and compared. It just is,” he said, leaning his cheekagainst hers.

~ 27 ~

“I bet you’re glad to be back on Moya where it’s nice and warm,” John said as they walked down thehallway to their quarters, Daisy trailing after them.

Aeryn nodded. “I won’t miss that cold weather.”

As they stopped at her doorway, she slanted a glance up at John. “Although sleeping together forwarmth was quite enjoyable.”

“Glad you think I’m useful for something,” John said softly as he moved in closer and put his handslightly on her hips.

Aeryn tilted her head and gazed thoughtfully at him. “When I first met you, I thought what a strangecolor your eyes were,” she said, reaching up to stroke his eyebrow. “It made you seem....”

“Alien?” he offered, the corners of his mouth twitching in amusement.

She smiled and nodded. “At first I welcomed it. It reminded me that despite how you looked, youweren’t Sebacean.”

“And that was important?” he asked curiously.

“It was then.”

“And now? Do you see me as human?”

Aeryn slid her arms around his neck. “I just see you as...you.”

“Good,” he said, pulling her close. “I’d hate to think you liked me just ‘cause I’m the least alien looking male around here,” he said, half-jokingly.

“Well, it would certainly be easier if you were Sebacean,” she said, arching an eyebrow. “But I doubt it would be as ...interesting.”

John leaned in and brushed his lips across her cheek. "Are you flirting with me?" he murmured inamusement as he kissed his way to her mouth. He paused, his lips hovering over hers.

"Aeryn?" he asked softly.

Her answer was a kiss, so sweetly urgent and warm with invitation that it caught John by surprise. He returned her kiss, wrapping his arms tightly around her, as if he were afraid she might change her mind. But she pressed against him, leaning into his kiss with a passion that both pleased and reassured him.

Daisy watched as the couple kissed, then slipped into Aeryn’s room. As the door slid shut, she cockedher head, her ears twitching as she listened. When the sounds of faint laughter changed to a lowmurmur of voices, she nodded her head as if in satisfaction, then turned and trotted off down thehallway.

###