Heart's Song

By ISIS
Rated PG-13 violence & sexual content | 47KB | Archived 03.22.99
Spoilers: S1
Summary: A recovery mission becomes perilous for John and Aeryn.
Disclaimers: Farscape is the property of Rockne S O'Bannon, Jim Henson company et al. I borrow them only. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Note: Please excuse the strange quotation marks. My word processor has developed a taste for substituting greek characters for quotation marks and apostrophes. So please bear with me until I right the problem. Enjoy

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

---

"A surveillance mission? Pah!" Officer Drask spat in disgust. "What kind of frelling dren is that!?"

"Tech support, like the rest of our regiment," Officer Kellar ground out, between clenched teeth.

"It's all we can expect, in our disgrace," Officer Prazzo said, fatalistically. The other two glared at him.

"OUR disgrace?! It¹s not OUR disgrace. It¹s that little...," Drask began.

"Yes, Drask, we know," another officer piped up, from his seat on the transport vessel taking them to their latest assignment. "You three were members of the elite Pleisar regiment, but because of one officer's defection, you are all in disgrace." He looked around, encouraging derisive laughter from the others. "Are you sure it's not because she once turned you down?"

"I heard it was more than once," another voice said, to raucous laughter.

Drask lunged at his tormenters, but was drawn up short by the abrupt call to order from the Lieutenant.

"We are about to enter the planet's atmosphere. Remember, this is a surveillance operation only. We are here to support and protect the Peacekeeper scout who is here to observe and collect information. To your stations."

Tech First Class Landry watched the Peacekeeper Officers move efficiently to their stations to prepare for landing. Landry completed his own last minute preparations, equally efficiently. *Though none of them would ever acknowledge it,* he thought bitterly. He had been on other missions with other squads, but felt that this one was going to be particularly onerous. Not only was the location a sensitive one for all Peacekeepers, but his accompanying military escort was a group that he could not respect. Especially those new transfers from the Pleisar Regiment. That Drask went on and on about this Officer Sun, the one that had caused such an uproar by her defection.

*I wish I had the nerve to ask him more about her,* Landry thought while the transport lurched in the final stages of landing. As a specialist in other races, he was intrigued by what was reported to be her choice to escape with aliens rather than face honourable punishment. *Irreversibly contaminated* was what Captain Crais had pronounced her.

As the transport vessel landed at its designated surveillance point, Landry dismissed all thoughts of disgraced officers and mentally prepared for his next infiltration.

****************************


Moya's unexpected lurch threw John Crichton against the side of Farscape One as he was tinkering with the Moya add-ons to its propulsion systems. Since her pregnancy, such lurches were commonplace and the crew of the Leviathan had come to expect them. Nevertheless, Crichton quickly hit his comm badge.

"Pilot, is everything alright up there?"

"Yes. Commander Crichton. Moya is just changing direction in response to unexpected radiation levels in this system. She perceives these elevated levels as a danger to her unborn child. I will attempt to make these course alterations as smoothly as possible."

"Fine, Pilot. Let me know if there are any more course changes anticipated. I'm trying to fine-tune these add-ons to Farscape and I wouldn't want to hit a wrong switch."

John relit the welding torch he was using and continued his work.


****************************

In Pilot's chamber, the final notes of an ancient Sebacean melody resounded along with the resonant tones of the Shilqulin drone. Aeryn Sun looked expectantly at her audience.

"Very fine work, Officer Sun," Pilot complimented her performance.. "I didn¹t think that Peacekeepers had much of a musical tradition."

"Not Peacekeepers, but Sebacean culture is full of beautiful ballads and love songs. D'Argo was good enough to teach me this one. It was one that he learned from his wife, Lo'Laan."

"It is indeed a compliment to you, Officer Sun, that he would share such a private part of his life with you."

"Yes. Pilot, I know." Aeryn looked away for a moment, also overcome by the honour the Luxan had bestowed on her. When she had first approached him, not without some trepidation, about having him teach her to play the beautiful and unique Luxan instrument , she had never imagined the bond it would create between them. That D'Argo had taught her the songs he had learned from his wife had been a demonstration of the friendship that had grown up not only between the former Peacekeeper and the Luxan, but between all of Moya's crew members. Over the last few months, through their many shared experiences, the crew had bonded in a way that their disparate species had not in cycles of contact.

"Have you learned any other pieces? I would be most interested in hearing them."

"Certainly, Pilot. I am pleased that you enjoy the music."

"I ask not only for myself. Both Moya and her child are pleased to hear these sounds. They are very soothing, particularly at this stage of her pregnancy."

"Then by all means, I will continue." Aeryn repositioned the beautifully carved instrument and began to play. The entire chamber began to resonate yet again to the drone and melodies of the Shilqulin.


****************************

Crichton had almost completed his work on the propulsion system when Moya lurched yet again. Because of his awkward stance, hanging literally upside down, reaching into the module, he dropped the still-lit welding torch. It fell down into the system and promptly began overheating the Peacekeeper battery he had installed to enhance the guidance systems. Desperately, he reached down into the module to retrieve or at least turn off the torch, but it was just out of his reach. Backing out of the spacecraft, he looked frantically around the hangar for an extinguisher or something to put out the torch but there didn¹t seem to be any such device. He hit his comm badge and was immediately greeted by music.

"Pilot?" There was no response as the music filled the hangar. "PILOT!!"

"Yes. John."

"Aaah, Pilot, I have a bit of an emergency here."

"An emergency?" At Pilot's words, the music abruptly ceased.

"An emergency? Crichton, are you alright?" Aeryn's voice cut in, deep with concern.

"Yeah. I dropped the torch and it's overheating the battery in my module. Where is the fire extinguisher?"

"The what??"

"The fire extinguish -- something to put out the fire"

"Fire?" Pilot's voice was raised in panic. "John, you know how afraid Moya is of fire!!"

"I know, I know. Just tell me what to use to put it..." His words were abruptly drowned out by the rising pitch of an overheating battery.

"Crichton!" Aeryn's voice cut in. "Get out of there!"

"No! I won't lose Farscape. I can't lose it!" The battery scream rose to a painful pitch.

"John!"

Above the shrill, deafening scream of the battery, John could hear the heavy sounds of the outer doors being opened. *Moya's expelling Farscape,* John thought, *Just as she did Durka's transport* He quickly turned towards the inner doors, already feeling the pull as the atmosphere of the hangar was blown out into the vacuum of space. Moya lurched again, throwing John to the floor. He began to slide towards the outer doors, and the cold emptiness of space.

"Crichton, what¹s happening!?" Aeryn called to him in panic. "John!!"

"Pilot! Close the outer doors. PILOT! CLOSE THE DOORS!!"

A DRD whipped past him and out into space. *Not again!* John thought. *Just like Durka* "PILOT, CLOSE THE DOORS!" Moya lurched yet again.

Suddenly, John heard the heavy sound of Moya's outer doors starting to close. He managed to stop his slide towards the opening by catching hold of the transport pod that was secured to the hangar. Behind him he saw the Farscape module slip out through the gap in the doors and into space. His heart stopped at the sight. * No!! Not like this!*

"John? JOHN!? Are you there? Answer!" Aeryn's voice was panicked.

"Crichton? What the yotz just happened?" Rygel's voice came through the comm, tinged with annoyance. "You wrecked my game with Chiana."

The voices of Zhaan and D'Argo soon followed. "Are you alright? What happened?"

"Yeah, I'm fine, but our morning-sick mothership just threw up my module. Moya just expelled Farscape One"


*****************************

"There's no point, Crichton. Admit it. Your pathetic spacecraft is gone!" D'Argo, always the *patient* member of the crew, refused to beat around the bush.

"Now, D'Argo, there's no need to be so blunt," Zhaan interjected, ever the peace-maker. "The module may be gone, but you don't need to be so obvious."

"No, D'Argo. The capsule, primitive as it is, may have successfully survived reentry into this planet's atmosphere..." Aeryn added, with a side-long glance at John's bleak expression.

"D'Argo is right," Rygel's harsh tones broke in. "I know how much that worthless, primitive piece of junk meant to you, Crichton, but it is gone now. Probably burned up in the atmosphere. It was an unfortunate accident but...."

"Excuse me, your Eminence, but that is not necessarily true..." Pilot's voice broke into the increasingly heated discussion in the centre chamber.

"Pilot, you have something to add to this *discussion*," said John, with a discernible amount of sarcasm in his voice. D'Argo and Rygel, wisely, held their tongues.

"Yes, Commander Crichton. The Farscape module entered the atmosphere at an optimal trajectory, by chance. It also seems to have landed in an uninhabited area of the planet's surface, making recovery a definite possibility."
"
"A definite possibility,² John echoed, with a measure of hope in his tone. "Well, ladies and gentlemen, how will we go about this *recovery*?"

"How?!" D'Argo snorted in derision. "I would say the question is more WHETHER we will...."

"I'll go with you," Aeryn piped up, momentarily silencing D'Argo's objections.

"Fine, it's settled then. Aeryn and I will, go and recover Farscape." Crichton added quickly, before anyone could object. "Pilot, ready a transport pod. If I can't fly her out, we'll bring the module back in the transport pod."


****************************


John and Aeryn hurried down the passageway towards the hangar. "Aeryn, I really appreciate the support. I thought I'd lost Farscape One this time. I..."

"Don't thank me yet, Crichton. I'm still not sure this is a good idea."

John looked at her in surprise. "If you didn't think this would work, why are you here?" His tone, despite his surprise, was one of anticipation. Aeryn couldn't quite meet his eyes.

"I feel somewhat responsible for the loss of your module. If I hadn't been with Pilot, perhaps he would have foreseen the course change and prevented the loss of Farscape."
She picked up her pace and turned swiftly down the next corridor. John thought for a moment about challenging her answer, then abandoned the plan.

Catching up with her (not without some effort) he said, "Well, whatever the reason, thank you."

Aeryn stopped abruptly and turned her startling blue gaze on him, but whatever she would have said was interrupted by Pilot's call.

"Commander Crichton. Officer Sun.Your presence is required immediately in the command."

John hesitated a moment, then responded. "We'll be right there , Pilot.."


****************************

"We have been able to identify the planet where the Farscape landed .... It is habitable, with a favourable climate..."

"*But...*, Pilot. Your tone implies a definite *but*...," John added. He, Aeryn, D'Argo, Zhaan, Chiana and Rygel were all in Moya's command. Rygel was munching on an indescribable *delicacy* from the last Commerce planet they had visited. Chiana lounged against the back wall.

"Yes, well. The planet below appears to be the home of the Reformers."

"Reformers? Pilot, are you sure?" Aeryn spoke up, startled. The facial expressions of both Zhaan and D¹Argo mirrored her surprise. Even Rygel was startled enough to stop, mid-chew. Chaina's expression was unreadable.

"The Reformers. How do you know this, Pilot?" Zhaan recovered first.

"There is an automated transmission coming from a satellite orbiting the planet. I will let you hear and see it."

Suddenly, Pilot's image was replaced with that of a man, vaguely Sebacean in appearance. "Approaching vessel, you are approaching the planet of Kythos. Your landing and contact is *UNWELCOME*. Please do not land. Kythos is a quarantined planet. Contact with outside species is forbidden. Do not land. Violation of our request will result in the immediate death of all living creatures aboard your vessel. Again, do not land. Contact with outside species is FORBIDDEN."

"Well, there's a welcoming species," John said. "What's up with them?"

"They are the ultimate Xenophobes, John," Zhaan said.

"They will not tolerate any species other than their own.Worse even than the Peacekeepers," D'Argo growled, with a somewhat accusing look at Aeryn.

Ignoring him, Aeryn spoke low, as if unable to voice the truth. "The Reformers were an ultra-conservative sect of Sebaceans about two hundred cycles ago."

"Ultra-conservative Sebaceans, huh? Right ," John said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Can there be anything more conservative than the Peacekeepers?"

"Let her finish," Zhaan interjected, unexpectedly.

"The Reformers found themselves a planet on which to live and practise their break-away beliefs in racial superiority, and ... other areas. They felt that any contact with outside races was a sacrilege, a contamination. They did not agree with the Peacekeeper philosophy of allowing themselves to be used for military purposes by other races."

"That's one way of putting it," Rygel said under his breath.

Aeryn glared at Rygel but continued. "Their beliefs were soon proved ironically correct. They had always maintained a *sterile* spaceport on their planet, so as to continue their profitable trade with neighbouring systems. However, one day a ship entered their spaceport bearing a deadly virus. Despite a planetwide quarantine, the disease spread to wipe out nearly half the planet¹s population. It seemed a final confirmation of their belief in the *evils* of extra-species contamination. And as a result, they quarantined themselves from any and all extra-planetary contact."

"A touching story, to be sure, but what does it have to do with my recovering Farscape?" John said. "I will not abandon my module."

"Well, the inhabitants of this planet are Sebacean descendants. That means John and Aeryn can go down, and blend in. But only John and Aeryn. Are you willing to risk it?" D'Argo said.

"I will risk it," John replied, without hesitation. He looked questioningly at Aeryn.

After a moment's hesitation, she answered, "I will go down and help you recover Farscape."


****************************

"Are you sure about this?" Aeryn spoke up, her voice full of doubt as she surveyed herself in the mirror in Zhaan's quarters. "I feel so naked."

"You look beautiful, Aeryn. And you are dressed exactly like the Reformers. You have to fit in or they will arrest and kill you. They will not tolerate ANY outsiders."

"But I have no place for a rifle. And my hair. What have you done to my hair?"

"Women do not carry rifles on Kythos, Aeryn. And I have dressed your hair according to Reformer custom." Zhaan added a final touch of the fragrant oil she had used to create the elaborate hairstyle that Aeryn was so dismayed at.

"How do you know so much about the fashions of Kythos?" Aeryn said, eyeing her appearance with even more trepidation.

Zhaan was somewhat evasive until Aeryn's look challenged her. "It seems that Chiana spent some time on the planet. -- No, wait, Aeryn!" Zhaan's voice stopped her as she immediately took offense and was set to go and hunt up the little thief. "I believe her stories and descriptions. I don't know how she did it, but she managed to live on Kythos, undetected, for close to three monens before somehow hitching a ride on an interstellar transport."

"Well, then, why doesn't she go down to the planet?"

"You really want her to go down there alone with Crichton?" Zhaan asked. Aeryn's expression was answer enough. "And besides, she claims that she would be recognized. I don't know what she did, but the Reformers want her badly; perhaps more than her own people."

Aeryn grinned at Zhaan's image in the mirror behind her. "Now that I would believe. So, tell me again, where did you get this outfit?"


****************************


"Aeryn, are you ready yet? Let's hit the road."

"Now don't forget, Crichton. Never let on that you are not a Reformer. That would be extremely bad." Chiana was relishing her role as advisor.. *Drill Sergeant was more like it*, John thought as he waited outside Zhaan's quarters. He was dressed in a Reformer
outfit consisting of a mesh vest over pants that fastened with a drawstring.. "Neat, trackpants," he had exclaimed when Chiana had produced them for him earlier. "I think I'm going to like this trip." That was before he had had to physically remove the Nebari thief from his quarters so he could change.

"What about language?" John asked. "Aren't they going to know I'm not a Reformer as soon as I open my mouth?"

"The Reformers were originally Sebacean, remember. They have translator microbes.Though why they never abandoned their use, I'll never understand."

³Aeryn, hurry it up in there. We¹ve got to get going.²

John turned away from the door of Zhaan's quarters to ask Chiana yet another question about Kythos, when he caught D'Argo¹s enigmatic expression. Turning, his jaw dropped at the sight in front of him. Aeryn stood in the doorway of Zhaan's quarters, looking somewhat uncertain and extremely uncomfortable.. She was dressed in a Reformer costume that was extremely revealing. The halter top of the dress left her back and shoulders bare and draped loosely in front. The skirt was elaborately draped and slit, showing quite an expanse of leg and thigh as she moved. The leather of a knife sheath could be seen quite clearly strapped to her upper leg. The entire outfit was of a pale blue silken material, trimmed with gold. The colour made Aeryn's eyes fairly glow. Around her waist, there was an elaborate and expensive-looking belt made of gold links and gemstones. Her hair was caught up loosely on the top of her head with small gold clasps, so that several long tendrils escaped and trailed down about her face and neck. Her hair gleamed with an oiled luster, and a delicate, enticing scent wafted from her. She turned quickly to Chiana, deliberately avoiding John's eye and D'Argo's appreciative gaze. Even Rygel appeared to be impressed.

"Well, will I do?"

"You'll do, alright. Maybe too well."

"What do you mean by that?" Aeryn challenged.

"Well, there is one more MINOR detail I forgot to tell you about." Aeryn started towards her in anger. "No wait, I'll tell you. You might even like this," she said. Then turning towards John, she added, "And you certainly will."

"Chiana," John said, with a vaguely threatening tone.

"Okay. On Kythos, women are all the property of men." Chiana looked expectantly at Aeryn.

"You thought I'd like that?" Aeryn sputtered.

"Yes, well, they're the property of men, but the men have to pay a dowry for their *possession*. And the dowry is negotiated by the woman and belongs to her. So basically the woman sets her own price."

"So women market themselves and sell themselves to the highest bidder." John said, with a sly look at the seething Aeryn.

"Yep. And certain skills, beside the obvious, are prized, such as cooking, cleaning, singing, dancing, and the ability to defend oneself, hence the dagger. You should be able to earn a great deal of money, Officer Sun," Chiana said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. She deftly skipped out the way of Aeryn's infuriated lunge, as Crichton dragged the
ex-Peacekeeper down the hall towards the docking bay.


****************************

"That little monster!" Aeryn was literally spitting with rage. "How could she let me get all decked out like this and then tell me that? Why, I'm no more than a, a ...." Aeryn quickly checked the preflight check of the transport pod, managing to slam several components around in the process.

"Aeryn, calm down. You're not a, a... well never mind, that's not what she meant at all," John said from the seat beside her.

"You are just defending her, as you have since she joined us." Aeryn turned her infuriated gaze on him. "If there is something you want to say, then just let me know." Turning away, she angrily piloted the pod out of the docking bay.

"Why, Officer Sun, I do believe that you are jealous," John teased, taking his life in his hands.

"Jealous, JEALOUS! Of that little ..." Aeryn fairly choked. Then she caught John's laughing expression. Deflated, she lapsed into a sulky silence.

After what he considered a safe pause, John said as casually as he could, "For what it's worth, I think you look fabulous in that outfit. Blue is definitely your colour."

"MY colour? What do you mean by that, Crichton?" Aeryn was still too caught up in her rage at Chiana.

John sighed heavily, thinking that this was going to be a long trip. "I just meant that you look very nice in that colour. Reformer fashions become you."

Aeryn's angry glare challenged him to be joking. Seeing the warmth of his gaze, she was surprised (and secretly pleased) to see that he was not. "Thank you, John." Aeryn said, grudgingly, casting a sidelong glance at him.

John's face took on a perplexed expression. "By the way, where exactly did you and Zhaan come up with these clothes?"

"It seems that Rygel is quite skilled with a needle."

John choked. "Sparky?"

"Yes. His mother was very skilled at sewing and crafts, and she insisted that all her sons be similarly skilled. Rygel fashioned these clothes out of blankets and robes of Zhaan's"

"Well, it seems that the little hair-ball has his uses after all." John looked at Aeryn and caught her eye. His look was direct and full of something deeper. "You definitely look very nice." he said, warmly.

Aeryn dropped her eyes to the controls in front of her, a hint of pink highlighting her cheek. John smiled at her reaction but wisely said nothing. Soon they were both concentrating on landing, undetected by the paranoid Reformers.


****************************

It didn't take them long to locate the downed module. By an incredible stroke of luck, it had landed in the lagoon of what appeared to be a remote, and thankfully, uninhabited island in the warm waters of a shallow inland sea. They landed the transport pod in a tree-covered glade and headed down the beach. Farscape was a little burnt and battered, but otherwise intact. Even the damage caused by the overheated battery was minimal. Moya's timely, if unexpected, expulsion had frozen the battery and prevented its destructive explosion. *My lucky stars are definitely in this system.* John thought to himself, with a happy grin.

"I think I can pilot the module out of here, Aeryn," John said. "I just have to replace this burnt out battery and we're out of here." He popped his head up through the open hatch and grinned wickedly. "Too bad. All dressed up and no place to go."

"What?" Aeryn looked back at him from her stance on the beach. "What do you mean by that? Is that another one of your unintelligible human expressions?"

He grinned at her again. "Well, you look so purdy, ma'am," he said with an exaggerated drawl. "It's too bad there's no hoe-down this Saturday." He disappeared once more into the module. He didn't need to hear her to know that Aeryn was again deciding that he was the most unusual creature.

Suddenly an unexpected sound made him pause. He heard Aeryn quickly climb up and into the seat beside him.

"What was that? I thought this place was uninhabited."

"It seems we were wrong. Those were definitely vehicles. I'm going to look around."

"Wait, Aeryn, no..." John whispered harshly, but she was already gone.

John waited for a few seconds himself, then cautiously poked his head out of the open hatch. Aeryn was moving up the beach slowly, towards a concealing stand of palm-like trees on a ridge. The sound of vehicles, many voices and music drifted down towards him from beyond the ridge. He watched, nervously as Aeryn carefully peeked over the sand ridge to scout the source of the sounds. She looked around for a few minutes, then backed away and returned to his side.

"There are definitely Reformers out there," she said, as she hunkered down in the seat behind him."They appear to be preparing for some kind of a celebration. I don't think they are going to try to come over here; they are all approaching from the opposite direction, but we might be wise to try to conceal the module as best we can. We can't afford to be discovered."

"Right. We'll just wait until this beach party is over, then fly Farscape out of here." John looked at the fronds of the palm trees, waving gently in the breeze. "Let's use some of those tree boughs to hide the module. I always thought this was a bit hokey in the movies, but it might work now."

Aeryn looked at him, puzzled. "Hockey? What does this have to do with some competition played on frozen water?"

"Never mind," John said, silently cursing the incompetent translator microbes. "Just help me cut some of those boughs."


****************************

"What is taking them so long? They should have been back by now!" D¹Argo growled impatiently at Pilot's image as he and Zhaan met in the command.

Zhaan sighed heavily. "They'll be back soon, D'Argo, rest assured. They have to be particularly careful to return to Moya without attracting attention to us. Despite their isolation, the Reformers have very impressive remote weapons to discourage any craft's approach. They will shoot at us if they find us. Isn't that right, Pilot?"

"Most certainly, Zhaan. Officer Sun and Commander Crichton need to fly from the planet and return to us carefully. And that takes time."

D'Argo remained unconvinced. "As long as that is all that is holding them up..."

As if in response to their discussion, the comm link opened."Pilot, are you there? " Aeryn's voice came over the comm. "We've run into a complication down here."

"A complication? What sort of complication? How long will it take?" D'Argo interrupted.

"We can't fly out right now. There are several Reformers around. They are preparing for some celebration, and we're caught in the middle of it. John and I are definitely going to have to wait until the morning to fly out of here undetected."

D¹Argo growled his displeasure.

"Are you and John alright?" Zhaan asked.

"We'll be fine. They haven't seen us. We'll stay out of sight tonight. Please do not contact us, in case the comm is heard. I'll try again as soon as it is safe in the morning. And Pilot, keep Moya out of range of the detection systems. Remember, they are based on Peacekeeper technology."

"I will, Officer Sun," Pilot answered, and added, "Be careful."


****************************

Having covered the Farscape module as best they could, so that it looked like a giant piece of flotsam covered in seaweed, John and Aeryn sat together on the beach, concealed by a short sand dune, the sounds of the obviously rowdy beach party reaching them. The sky was slowly darkening around them, turning from a delicate pink to a fiery red, as the twin suns of the system sank into the sea horizon. John was happy to have this quiet time with Aeryn, after the emotional stress of the past few weegens. *Weeks* he corrected himself. *Good Lord, I'm starting to think like them*

"Is this like your Earth?" Aeryn¹s question caught him off-guard. "Is this what it is like at the end of the day on your world?"

"Pretty much, except we have only one sun. But the colours are the same."

"It's very beautiful," Aeryn said. "First rain, and now this.. No wonder you want to go back there so desperately."

"Yeah. There are a lot worse places to be. Aeryn, I..."

Whatever he would have said was lost as the sounds of two voices approaching shook them out of their contemplation.

"Tuala, come on down here by the water. It's so warm and beautiful." The male voice was full of promise and not a little unsteadiness. Tuala's response seemed to be merely a giggle, then muffled murmurs.

"Damn," Crichton swore. "I was hoping that no one would come down here."

"If we just keep still, maybe these two won't notice us," Aeryn whispered at him. "They seem pretty preoccupied at the moment."

Unfortunately, their luck did not hold out. An obviously intoxicated male suddenly stumbled right into their hiding place, followed closely by a scantily clad female Reformer.

"Oops, sorry to intrude." He hiccupped. "We didn't think anyone was down here."

John quickly pulled Aeryn into his embrace. "No harm done. Try further on down the beach. The water is so warm, ... and stimulating." This last was said as John's hands began to caress Aeryn's bare back, and he started to lower his mouth towards hers. The Reformer couple moved on unsteadily down the beach.

Aeryn started to pull away from John. "Very quick thinking, Crichton."

"It wasn't quick at all, Miss Sun." John said, his grip tightening, so that Aeryn could not escape his embrace. She looked up at him, an unspoken question in her eyes. The exotic scent of her hair, filled his senses, as intoxicating as her closeness. John lowered his head slowly, until his lips brushed hers in a tender kiss. His arms tightened around her, and his hands continued to caress her naked back. Aeryn returned the growing passion of his kiss with a fire of her own. John was starting to lower her gently towards the warm sand when a voice spoke very close to them.

"Hey, you two. Break it up. Time to come back. The Joining ceremony is about to begin. There will be lots of time for that later," the voice said, with barely concealed amusement. They both looked up, to see yet another Reformer male watching them from the beach.


****************************

John and Aeryn reluctantly allowed themselves to be ushered up over the sand dune to the party. John's image of it as a beach party was essentially correct. The Reformers had built a large bonfire. The obvious remains of a feast were scattered around. There was evidence that not a small amount of intoxicating beverages had been consumed, from the containers strewn about to the giddiness of the partiers. Several more couples had been rounded up and were making their way back to take seats in the sands around the roaring blaze. There appeared to be few unattached males, who eyed the females speculatively. A small number of the females seemed to be returning their considering gazes, much to the chagrin of their male partners.

One young Reformer in particular was looking at Aeryn with an unreadable expression in his green eyes, almost as if he were trying to recall some important piece of information. John moved closer to Aeryn and put his arm very deliberately around her waist. Aeryn looked at him questioningly, but luckily did not challenge his possessiveness, remembering Chiana's descriptions of Reformer male/female relationships and customs. Catching her eye, John managed to surreptitiously direct her attention to the fair-haired, young Reformer. She looked quite deliberately at him, then just as deliberately, moved closer into John's embrace and placed her lips against his ear.

"I hope that proves to him that I'm unavailable. We don't need any further complications here. I just want to get through this evening, and get the module back to Moya as soon as we can."

"I second that," John said, tightening his arm around her waist.

Still maintaining the appearance of closeness, Aeryn hissed a warning into his ear, "Don't take undue advantage of the situation, Crichton."

John grinned at her but wisely released his hold to lead her to a seat by the fire.


****************************

"Zhaan, would you mind taking a look at the latest readings?" Pilot's voice interrupted Zhaan's meditation on the terrace.

"Certainly, Pilot. What is it that troubles you about them?"

"Moya has just completed a routine sweep of the planet's surface, and I believe we are looking at results that indicate the presence of Peacekeeper biosignatures."

"Peacekeeper?!" Zhaan's voice was filled with alarm. "Are you sure they are not just Reformers? They are Sebacean, remember."

"That is true, Zhaan, but in the two hundred cycles since their separation there have evolved subtle biological differences." Pilot answered.

"Goddess help us! Peacekeepers! How can that be? This planet is quarantined. Besides it offers no strategic advantage to the Peacekeepers. Why would they be here?"

"Unknown. But they are definitely Peacekeeper. About twelve signatures.. Shall I contact Commander Crichton and Officer Sun?"

"No, Pilot, not yet. There is no need to alarm them unnecessarily. The signatures are not on the same landmass as Crichton and Aeryn. Besides, contact at this time might compromise their identities. However, D'Argo and the others need to know this. If there are Peacekeepers here, there may be ships in the area..."

"Right on it, Zhaan."


****************************

"Welcome, all ,to this celebration of the Joining." A tall and obviously distinguished young Reformer addressed those seated around him. "I have met some of you, but every cycle our celebration grows, and there are new faces at every turn. My name is Jhothar. It is gratifying to see so many of you returning to the old ways, particularly the women." An appreciative murmur went up from the crowd. "We will begin our celebration shortly. Let us offer up praise in hope of the forging of new bonds, or the renewal of existing ones."

The assembled group solemnly bowed their heads and shared a moment of reflection. John was moved despite the obvious drunkenness of the participants. *This is clearly a back-to-basics sect or cult. I wonder what the basics are.*

As if reading his mind, Jhothar spoke once more. " The ruling body of our planet has allowed us to grow lax in our pursuit of our traditional values, particularly in the Joining. Fewer and fewer women are willing to participate in the free exchange of partners. This is a wrong that we will right here tonight by conducting a traditional Joining."

"A traditional Joining? I don't think I like this, Aeryn," John whispered.

"Be quiet, John. We will be alright. We will strive to be inconspicuous until we can slip away. Don't do anything to draw attention to us."

"Okay, Aeryn, but I think it's too late." Aeryn looked at him accusingly. "No way, Ms Sun. It's not me. It's you. You are definitely attracting attention." Again John indicated the young Reformer who continued to stare at Aeryn. As they watched, he turned to another obviously unattached male beside him and asked a question. That young male's eyes also found Aeryn. He looked at her closely for a moment then leaned towards the questioner with his answer.

Aeryn shifted uncomfortably. "John, I don't like this. Let's get out of here."

"No, Aeryn. If we leave now, it will only draw more attention to us. Let's play along and brazen this out."

Aeryn returned his look, her doubts clearly expressed in her face, but said nothing.

"Our first participant this evening is Tuala Rutall. She is seeking a new mate." From beside Aeryn and John, Tuala stood and entered the centre area. The tipsy Reformer from their earlier encounter looked devastated. "Tuala is beginning the bargaining at five hundred trachima, which I think you will find a bargain price."

The lithesome, scantily-clad female made a sexy circuit around the fire, pausing occasionally in front of those she obviously hoped would enter the bidding. Then, at a subtle signal to a group of assembled musicians, she began to dance, a slow, enticing dance. John was unable take his eyes from the spectacle. *A Sebacean dance of the seven veils* John thought. *I didn¹t know they even knew how to dance.* He glanced speculatingly at Aeryn who merely glowered at Tuala's performance. The dance and music increased in speed and intensity until Tuala spun herself into a frenzy and collapsed on the ground, exhausted.

The response of the audience was immediate, filled with encouraging applause, and hoots and catcalls. Jhothar stepped again to the centre of the circle and began an auction-like bidding war. Tuala herself upped the price on occasion. Finally, the bids were slowing down. Tuala's face reflected her disappointment, despite the fact that the last bid had been five thousand trachima.

Just as Jhothar was about to end the bidding, a voice rang out. "Ten thousand." Startled, Tuala spun towards its source and came face to face with her former partner.

"Karnat, are you sure?" she asked, her eyes fastened to his.

"More than sure. Are you willing to continue our relationship?" he pleaded.

Her answer came in the form of a passionate kiss. The watching audience went wild, even those who had been out-bid. Jhothar moved forward with what appeared to be contracts to sign. The couple each placed their mark on the document, then returned to their kissing.

"What a bizarre society!" Aeryn's voice came close to John's ear.
"
"Don't you find that even the most remotely romantic,² John said, his eyes still glued to the reunited couple. "Come on - it's Romeo and Juliet at its best."

"Rome and July? What are you talking about, Crichton?" Aeryn's voice was filled with exasperation. "It's utter nonsense!" She watched in disgust as the first couple moved away from the fire, with an obvious intent. Jhothar continued the festivities by announcing the next performer.

John turned to her, teasing. "Now don't tell me that you never indulged in any of the Sebacean romances I¹ve heard you people have."

"That dren!" Aeryn scoffed. "That's such a waste of time, and so untruthful. Why would I read any of that?"

"Alright, Miss Military-training-manual-for-Pulitzer-Prize." Aeryn glared at him yet again. "But how are you so sure it's not real?" He moved closer to her, invading her private space as he was so often wont to do. She started to move away from him but noticed the interested gaze of the green-eyed Reformer. Instead she moved closer and placed her bare arms around his neck. The hope that sprang into John¹s eyes was quickly extinguished when he followed the direction of her gaze towards the watcher. The blond man quickly turned his eyes away, but sat with a puzzled expression.

Aeryn whispered to John, her arms still around his neck, "We'll have to be more alert. Something doesn't feel right here."

John couldn't resist one more dig. "Oh, I don't know about that." He tightened his arms around her. "I think everything feels just fine right now."

Aeryn's look was furious. * But she didn¹t move away,* thought John. *That could be promising.* They both separated and settled down to watch the performances of dancing, singing and music by the women. Some were followed by bidding, others by passionate exchanges of kisses, indicating a renewal of contracts. John started to notice a disturbing trend, and he tensed.

Leaning in towards Aeryn, who was concentrating on one woman's performance on a strange elongated harplike instrument, he said, "I think we have another problem."

"What?" Aeryn said, sideways, without taking her eyes from the performer.

"It looks like they're coming around to us. They've gone right round the circle, and no one has refused to perform." Aeryn finally met his gaze, startled. "I think this is a command performance. They started with Tuala, who was right beside us, and we're going to be last. I mean... you are."

As if to prove his words, the woman beside them got up and entered the circle.

"What are we going to do?" Aeryn's voice was panicked.

"Maybe we can slip away," John suggested, but he knew that wouldn't work. Glancing around, he saw that not only was the green-eyed Reformer still watching them, but several other obviously unattached males eyed Aeryn with looks of anticipation. "This is not good. We'll be found out.."

Aeryn, on the other hand, seemed to have some other plan in mind. She leaned across the gap left by the current performer to whisper something to the woman who had played the harp. After a lengthy conversation, the woman smiled and passed Aeryn the elaborately carved instrument. Aeryn leaned back and began to run her hands over the strings, plucking and listening.

"What do you intend to do with that? Brain someone? Jhothar? It¹s not much of a weapon." John watched her adjust and tune the instrument with dawning horror. "Oh, no! No way! Aeryn? You're not going to play it, are you? Are you nuts?" John sputtered.

"I think I can pull this off," Aeryn said, with a calm assurance she was not feeling inside. John's voice was strangled beside her, but she cut off his objections as Jhothar approached. "Wish me luck," she said, as she rose, "But be prepared to run if this doesn't work."

"I'm sorry, I don't believe that we have met. I'm Jhothar, the organizer of this Joining."

"Ae... Iryna, um Sundance."

"Well, Iryna, welcome. Do you wish bidding?"

"No, I'm quite satisfied with my current partner."

Jhothar grinned. "Very well, though I must say there will be many disappointed to hear that...myself included," he added, with a flirtatious glance.

Aeryn smiled at him, but said nothing as she settled herself in the sand and adjusted the instrument in her lap.

"Our last performer is new to our group, Iryna. She does not request any bidding." There was a collective groan of disappointment and not a few envious looks directed towards John.

Aeryn's eyes found John's with an almost pleading expression, then she began to play.

The audience was stunned into silence as the instrument produced sounds and tones that they had not heard before. Under Aeryn's obviously skilled fingers, the instrument rang with a melody and drone of such beauty and emotion that many members of the audience felt tears spring to their eyes.

John felt the dread he had been experiencing melt away to be replaced with a pleasant feeling of surprise. *She never fails to amaze me,* he thought. *I never thought that she would ever be interested in music, let alone be able to play it. But I should have known* he thought with an inward smile and a feeling of pride. *Aeryn does everything she does well. Why should this be any exception?*

He watched her play. She seemed to be lost in her own world. The firelight cast delicate shadows across her features and shone in her hair. Her eyes were closed in concentration and an expression of some unnameable emotion filled her countenance. *She's so beautiful,* John thought. Astonishment, pride, desire and something deeper filled him.

Suddenly, she began to sing. In a deep, husky voice she sang of love found, love consummated and love lost. Many of the audience wept openly at the emotional song. When it ended, there was a silence, as those watching held their breath as one. Then applause rang out. Aeryn stood, embarrassed. The woman whose instrument she had played came forward to retrieve it from her. Aeryn passed it to her with a smile of thanks.

Jhothar came forward. "Exceptional, Iryna .. and very unusual."

Aeryn's eyes flew to his startled, but she recovered quickly. "My mate and I have traveled extensively in remote areas. I learned the song from a very old woman. It's very old, and probably forgotten everywhere but in her memory."

"And ours, now, too. Are you sure about the bidding? You could be very successful."

"No, thank you." Aeryn looked down from his inviting gaze. "I'm satisfied with my situation."

"Where is your partner? Why does he not congratulate you and claim you in front of the assembly?"

As if on cue, John appeared at Aeryn's side. He pulled her slowly into his embrace and bent his head towards her. The watching audience fell silent.

"Don't hit me, Aeryn. Just play along," he whispered as his mouth covered hers in a passionate kiss. His arms tightened around her naked back, as she slid her slender arms up his muscled shoulders to entwine about his neck. The audience heaved a collective sigh as the couple before them so obviously renewed their contract.

Oblivious to the watching assembly, John deepened the kiss. His hands spread out and began to caress Aeryn¹s back, running up and down along the silky skin of her spine. Aeryn¹s lips parted to allow his tongue to slide sensually into her mouth and dance with her own. Her breath started to come in short gasps, as she reveled in the sensations he was creating in her.

A sound behind her brought her reluctantly back to her senses. She gently pushed John away. For a moment, caught up in his own storm of sensation, he resisted. But reason took over and he broke the kiss.

"You are a very lucky man, uh ..." Jhothar said.

"Jonah," John supplied. "And yes I am." His heated gaze settled once more on a now visibly shaken Aeryn. She would not meet his glance. "As you know, we are new to the group. Is there somewhere we can find quarters for the night?"

"Certainly. You are welcome to stay at one of my cottages. We¹ll be leaving shortly." The sounds and bustle of departure surrounded them.

"Thank you," John said. Glancing once more at Aeryn, he added, "I don't think we want to be sleeping outside tonight. We'll need some privacy."

Jhothar laughed and shared a knowing glance with John.

Aeryn turned away, angered by John's so obvious boasting. *Males,* she thought, *Regardless of the species, they never change.* Suddenly she caught the eye of the green-eyed Reformer. He was standing in the shadows watching them. This time his expression was triumphant as if he had solved a great mystery. He deliberately nodded to her, almost a salute, then turned away. Aeryn felt uncomfortable and inexplicably worried.


****************************

"What is the problem now?" D'Argo demanded as he entered the command, followed closely by Chiana and Rygel. Zhaan looked up from the console.

"This." They all peered over her shoulder at the analysis displayed there. "There appear to be the biological signatures of twelve Peacekeepers on Kythos, not far from John and Aeryn's current position."

"No, Zhaan, that can't be right," Chiana piped up. "There are no Peacekeepers on Kythos. There is no one there but the Reformers. They are very protective of their privacy."

"I will run the analysis again, Chiana, but I'm sure that Moya's findings are correct. There are approximately twelve Peacekeepers on Kythos," Pilot said.

"And you are sure that they are not just Sebacean signatures? Remember the Reformers are a breakaway sect of Sebaceans," D'Argo said.

"No, Zhaan and I have definitely established that they are Peacekeepers," Pilot replied. Zhaann turned to show him the results. D'Argo finally agreed with their findings.

"In the meantime, shouldn't we be getting the hezmana out of here," Rygel pointed out.

"Not without Aeryn and Crichton," Zhaan said.

"Well, call them up and tell them to get up here," Rygel said. "Simple."

"Not so simple, Sparky," Chiana said derisively. Rygel huffed at her use of Crichton's nickname for him. "We can't call them. What if the comm is heard? Or traced? If those are Peacekeepers, they can do that."

"Chiana is right," Zhaan admitted reluctantly. Chiana started to crow at that but wisely stopped at Zhaan's challenging look. "We'll just have to continue our scans, and wait for Aeryn or John to contact us again.."

D'Argo and Rygel exchanged exasperated looks but said nothing.


****************************

"Wow. Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. This Jhothar sure seems to be a rich dude,² John marveled, as he and Aeryn were being driven to their quarters, in what John had whispered to Aeryn was a golfcart, a term that meant nothing to her. They had flown by some sort of personal airshuttle to a large island next to the one where the Farscape had landed. Aeryn had balked at being taken so far from the transport and having to stay in the company of the Reformers, but John had wisely pointed out that her performance had made it impossible for them to fade away, and the entire party was packing up to leave. The larger island appeared to be a private estate belonging to Jhothar. The main house was enormous. Most of the guests were quartered there. The island was exceptionally beautiful, green with lush trees and fragrant tropical flowers. The temperature was warm and humid. There were beautiful white beaches surrounding the entire estate, as well as ornate pools and fountains, constructed from the marble-like stone that made up cliffs overlooking the beaches on one side of the island. Jhothar had informed them that he had owned the island, and its companion, where the Joining ceremonies were held, for five cycles, but rarely had the time to enjoy them outside of the Joining.

"That's too bad. It's a shame not to be able to indulge in such beauty and peace," Aeryn had replied, sincerely.

"Well, you are welcome to stay as long as you desire, my beautiful harpist. I must leave in the morning along with the majority of my guests, but you and your mate are welcome to stay. I know you have been traveling for a long time."

Aeryn had smiled at him, but declined his offer. "We must also be on our way in the morning. We will need to borrow an aircar to return to the other island and repair our own craft."

"Certainly. Do you require any help with the repairs? There are several mechanics on my staff."

"No, we'll be fine," John had answered quickly. "Just some minor adjustments and then we're gone."

"Well, you are both welcome to join our group for the Joining celebrations next cycle."

"Thank you. Iryna and I will both be there," John said, with a glance at Aeryn, who nodded her agreement.

Now they were approaching a small cottage, set deep in the forest, beside a stream running from the high centre of the island. The servant driving the craft had opened the door for them and quickly left.

"I guess Jhothar got my message about wanting to be alone. Good man there," John had grinned at Aeryn.

"Oh, is that what you meant?" she asked sarcastically. "I thought you were just boasting."

John came closer to her and in a teasing, suggestive voice said, "Well,I have a reason to boast, don't I? I just went home with the prom queen."

Aeryn looked up at him and opened her mouth as if to argue, then sighed in resignation and turned away. "I wish you would stop using those frelling Earth terms. I have no idea what you're talking about, half the time. And I'm pretty sure that I wouldn't want to know. You are the..."

"... most unusual creature," he finished for her. "I know." He looked at her shadowed face and the tired slump of her shoulders. "Sorry for teasing you. I just can't help it sometimes." John looked around the cottage, at the large room dominated by an enormous but comfortable bed. There were bay windows overlooking the stream and a long padded window seat. Washroom facilities were in a small room to the left of the bed at the back of the cottage, and the room on the right held some sort of cooking appliances. "All the comforts of home. You take the bed, Aeryn. I'll sleep in the window seat."

"No, John." He started at her disagreement. "We need to share the bed. If anyone came in, our ruse would be discovered. There's room enough for two. And Jhothar has provided sleeping garments. So thoughtful." she said, pointing to a beautiful turquoise shift and silken drawstring trousers folded neatly on the bed. "I'm going to get out of this ridiculous dress."

"I'll take first shift in the washroom then," John said. *Man, this is going to be a challenge,* he thought, as he washed and donned the skimpy sleeping drawers. He came out of the back room to find Aeryn standing beside the bed, still trying to untie the ties of the halter dress and cursing. "Here, let me."

She started at the sound of his voice, so close to her but dropped her arms.. He brushed her thick hair away from the knot. "Bend forward slightly, so I can see it," he instructed.

He worked at the knot for a while without success. The exotic scent of her hair distracted him, making him all thumbs. *Zhaan, *he thought in frustration, *Why did you have to be so authentic?* Suddenly, out of the blue, Aeryn spoke through the thick curtain of her dark hair, her voice low and tentative.

"John, why did you kiss me like that at the Joining? Was it just to maintain the fiction of our relationship and protect our identities?"

John started at her question. Thinking that she wanted reassurance, he said, "Of course. I had to make sure that none of those other Reformers were going to think you were available, especially Jhothar and that blond guy."

Aeryn slumped further at his answer. "Oh," was all she said.

Suddenly, John managed to untie the halter ties. The silky material slid down, away from her shoulders and neck. Aeryn quickly grabbed the bodice to her bosom and started to move away. But John still had hold of her shoulders. He turned her around to face him. When she wouldn't look up, he cradled her head in his two hands and lifted her face towards his. Her blue eyes were unfathomable when they met his.

"That's not entirely true, what I just said," he admitted, holding her gaze with his own. "I kissed you for those reasons, but mostly because your music was beautiful," brushing her lips lightly with his; "You are beautiful." he pressed his lips more firmly against hers; "and I really wanted to." His lips captured hers in a tender, soft kiss. "And I really want to now. I don't want our relationship to be a *fiction*." His lips brushed hers yet again.

"No," Aeryn murmured, stopping John's lips from claiming hers entirely. He pulled away slightly and looked at her. Her eyes glued to his, she whispered, "No fiction," and smiled.

Answering her smile, John claimed her mouth in a long, tender kiss. His hands slipped from her face, one beginning to caress her naked back. The other slid around to cup the back of her neck. Pulling her closer, he deepened the kiss. With an answering sigh, Aeryn parted her lips to allow John's tongue to slide into her mouth. Her free hand slid up his arm to entwine in his short, soft hair, and pull him even closer. They both reveled in the taste and feel of the other. He tore his mouth from hers and began to trail his mouth down the side of her neck, kissing and nibbling the soft, white skin. He heard her whisper his name softly, drawing air in in little gasps of pleasure at his sensual progress down towards her naked shoulder. He continued to caress her back, both hands now running up and down along her spine. Her head fell forward and she nipped lightly at the curve of his neck. Her free hand slid down to begin an erotic exploration of his naked chest.

"Oh, Aeryn," he breathed, his lips trailing up her neck to her earlobe. He began to massage the delicate and sensitive skin behind her ear with the tip of his tongue and felt her whole body melt into his arms. Grinning against her neck, he whispered hoarsely, "You're not the only one who has been making the most of D'Argo¹s knowledge of Sebacean customs." He felt her shudder with longing as he returned to her most sensitive area.

Groaning, John confessed, "Aeryn, I want to do more than just kiss you.." He tightened his arm around her hips, bringing her up against him, to feel his arousal. "I want this to go farther. Let me love you," John almost pleaded against her lips.

The hand against his chest stilled. John groaned inwardly with disappointment as Aeryn firmly pushed him away, stepping out of the circle of his arms, back towards the bed.
This time, it was her hand that lifted his chin, her eyes that locked with his as she deliberately let the bodice of her dress drop. The shimmering material slid down to the floor, leaving her naked before him. Almost afraid to break eye contact, Aeryn grasped John's hand and brought it to her naked waist. Her other hand slid once more up to the back of his neck, to bring him fully against her, as she lowered herself, and him, to the waiting bed.


****************************

The scout returned to the Peacekeeper encampment. Lieutenant Perok noticed his confused expression. She quickly accosted him. "Is there a problem?"

Landry answered her challenge. "No, I don't think so. This surveillance is going well."

"Then why the perplexed expression?" she asked. *Techs,* she thought, *Useless bunch*

"Well, I appear to have observed an anomaly."

"An anomaly? In what way?"

Landry considered his answer. "We know these people are Sebaceans. But they have been out of contact with the Sebacean culture for over two hundred cycles, correct?"

Perok answered abruptly, "Yes, that is what we were told in the briefing. What's the problem?"

"I just heard a Reformer perform a song that I'm pretty sure was written only one hundred and fifty cycles ago."

"Music history?" Perok was incensed. "You are wasting my time with music history?"

"No, I assure you, it's more than that," Landry said quickly. "The performer, the Reformer female, there was something familiar about her..."

"Her?" The beginnings of an idea were seeded in Perok's brain. "Describe her..."

****************************


John awakened to find the bed beside him empty. Momentarily disoriented, he realized he was not on Moya. As memory flooded back, he looked around for Aeryn. He saw her, silhouetted against the light pouring in through the window from the two setting moons. She was sitting in the window seat, wrapped in a spare blanket, with her knees drawn up, lost in thought. John slid from the bed, wrapped himself in a blanket and came to sit behind her. Placing his lips against her naked shoulder, he said, "Regrets?"

Without turning, Aeryn answered, "No..."

"But..." John supplied. "What's the matter, Aeryn?"

"This -- this is all so new to me, John, and I don't know how to deal with it. All my life, I've been told that contact with other species is bad, dangerous. Not to mention...uh..."

"Sexual contact," John put in. "I know about the racial purity thing."

"Exactly." Aeryn turned to John. "I don't know what to believe anymore."

"Believe in yourself. Believe in me. Believe in us," John said as he wrapped his arms around her waist, drawing her back against him. "Believe in love. I love you, Aeryn." His lips grazed the side of her neck, and for a moment Aeryn let herself relax against him.

"What is love, John?" she asked, suddenly, almost desperately.

"Love is ... when your heart leaps into your throat when she enters the room. Love is being unable to bear any separation from her , even for the slightest second. Love is putting her needs and desires above your own. Love is sacrifice." He pulled her closer into his embrace, letting his arms slide around her waist. "Love is wanting, needing, having." His lips nuzzled her neck as she leaned once more against him. "Love is two hearts beating as one." His hands moved slowly up her ribcage, to rest over her heart. "Love is all."

Aeryn melted back against him, giving herself over to the sensations his hands were stimulating in her. And the emotions his words aroused.

"I love you, Aeryn. I have felt all these things and more for you since we met." John gently nuzzled her neck.

"John," Aeryn sighed. "I think I love you too. But I'm so confused."

John reluctantly abandoned his sensual exploration of her body. "I know you are confused. But that is what I love most about you." Aeryn turned her startled gaze to him, ready to protest. "No, let me explain." He drew her once more into his embrace, but more one of comfort than of desire.

"Everything that has happened to me since I arrived in your little corner of the universe has been new. Translator microbes, biomechanical ships, other living beings.... it's all new and exciting to me. You, on the other hand, have had to reevaluate everything that you already knew. You have had to redefine everything that you believed, knew, and understood. And you have done that. Because you're you. Your inner strength is what I love most. Your ability to redefine everything, to relearn everything, to reevaluate everything. That's you. I said once that you could be more, and everyday, you prove to me that I was right, in a dozen different ways. That's what I love most. That's why I love you, Aeryn."

John tightened his grip on Aeryn at the end of his impassioned speech. Aeryn did not react for a moment, during which John held his breath. Then she turned to him, her face breaking into the most dazzling smile.

"Thank you, John. That's the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me." She turned into his embrace, wrapping her arms around his neck and drawing his head down to hers. "I love you, too."

John swiftly lifted her into his arms and carried her towards the bed. "I think we have some unfinished business," he growled against her lips as he lowered her onto the bed and covered her body with his own.


****************************

"Aeryn Sun here? How can that be?¹" Drask¹s face broke into a triumphant smirk. "Can we be so lucky?"

Perok answered, "It's definitely her. Landry recognized her from the fugitive files on the transport. And it sounds like the human Crichton is with her. Very much with her," Perok sneered. "The others will not be far away."

Kellar answered with a nasty grin of his own. "Now we will be able to end our disgrace. Her death and Crichton's capture will return us to glory and Crais' favour."

"Not so fast, gentlemen," Lieutenant Perok's voice cut in. "Certainly, this traitor's death will restore your unit's honour. However, the glory of the capture of the human and the other escaped prisoners will be mine alone. Crais' favour will fall on me." Her underlings looked uncomfortable, knowing that they had crossed the line. She laughed harshly. "I'll make you a deal. I know that you have a lot to *explain* to Officer Sun. And I know how much you enjoy *interrogation*." She laughed at their startled expressions *The idiots think I don't know about their recreational activities,* she thought triumphantly."I will let you find the location of the Leviathan from her in your own way. She is yours to *question* as you will." She laughed again at the predatory look that came across their faces. *Better to let them deal with Sun. I need the loyalty and prestige of even former Pleisar regiment members to bring me to Crais' attention.*

"Drask, Prazzo, you're with me. Landry says they're in an isolated cottage above the stream. We'll take them quietly at dawn. Move out."


****************************

John awakened this time to find Aeryn snuggled up against him, her face buried in his shoulder, her lovely dark hair spread out along his arm. *God, she's beautiful,* he thought.

As if hearing his thoughts, she suddenly sighed, stretched against him like a cat, and opened her eyes, to smile into his. "Good morning," she whispered.

He answered her with a long tender kiss. As she started to press herself against him in response, he reluctantly muttered against her lips, "I'd love to continue our *discussion* from last night, but the suns are coming up, and we need to get out of here and back to the Farscape and Moya.²

Her answering groan of disappointment almost broke his resolve, but he laughed and rolled away from her. Her appreciative gaze at his naked form was almost tangible. He swiftly pulled on his costume of the night before. Looking back at her still sprawled in the bed, her blue eyes almost challenging, he said "Man, are you always this lazy the morning after?" and ducked as a pillow came flying his way. *I like this playful side,* he thought. Picking her dress up from the floor where it had fallen, he said, "You can have the shower first. I'm going out to signal Moya that we're alright and on our way. We're going to catch it from D'Argo as it is." The last words he heard from Aeryn were her puzzled "Catch what?" as he stepped out into the soft light of the early dawn.

He walked quite a way up along the stream to find a relatively high, open area from which to signal. "Gooood morning, up there. How are you all this fine morning?"

Pilot's voice answered quickly, "Crichton, CRICHTON, are you alright?"

Startled by the panic in Pilot's voice, John said, "Fine down here..actually better than fine. What's the problem, Pilot? Why the desperate..."

Zhaan's voice broke in, "Crichton, you and Aeryn get out of there! We've detected Peacekeeper biosignatures in your vicinity! Three of them are converging on you right now! GET OUT OF THERE!"

John didn't waste a moment. Turning, he raced back through the trees to the cottage. *Oh God, Aeryn. Be alright* Just as he was about to tear out of the concealing forest, he heard voices and dropped to cover. *No! NO!*

Three Peacekeepers were dragging a struggling Aeryn out of the cottage. Her dress was already torn, and split further as they threw her roughly to the ground. She had obviously been beaten already. There was blood coming from a split in her lip, and an ugly bruise was forming on her upper arm. As she lay sprawled on the ground, one of the men kicked her in the stomach. She groaned and curled around into a protective position. John's heart sank.

The female Peacekeeper began giving orders. "Search the cottage. Crichton has to be here somewhere. Landry was quite clear they were together."

One of the Peacekeepers went back inside. The Lieutenant strolled over to Aeryn. "Let me look at her." The other male grabbed Aeryn's hair and jerked her head up. "So you are the infamous Officer Sun," she sneered. "I've heard so much about you from some of your former teammates. Particularly Drask here." At the sound of his name, Aeryn pulled back, but Drask savagely dragged her forward.

"Yes, Aeryn, remember me." He reached down to lewdly caress her breast. She struggled to avoid his hand. "More than anyone, I am looking forward to our little reunion. Prazzo and Kellar are here too. We're all anxious to have a few *words* with you about the whereabouts of the human and the Leviathan. We're going to have a good time."

The other Peacekeeper came out of the cottage. "No sign of him."

"Well, we can't wait around here. Clean up the cottage so it looks like they have already left. We'll take her back to camp and interrogate her there. Move out."

Drask grabbed Aeryn's arm and hauled her to her feet. He bound her hands then the team moved out, dragging her along with them.

John moved stealthily through the trees, trailing. Every time Aeryn stumbled or was abused by the Peacekeeper Drask, he wanted to leap out of his concealment and go to her, but he knew that to do so would mean her death. They obviously needed her alive to tell them where he and the others were.

They came finally to a well-hidden base-camp. Everything was well camouflaged. If they hadn't been met by other Peacekeepers, he would not have known they were there at all. John swore when he saw the green-eyed Reformer of the Joining walk forward to meet the returning Commandos. The Lieutenant marched past him, unseeing. Drask dragged Aeryn into the centre of the camp and flung her down. The Reformer imposter started towards her, obviously disturbed at her appearance, but the Lieutenant barked at him. "Leave her alone, Landry. This is military business, not Tech. I thank you for telling us about her, but now it's time you got back to your surveillance of the Reformer mongrels. When we capture Crichton and learn the location of the Leviathan, we¹re leaving here to join with Captain Crais. So finish your miserable report." Landry stopped, looked at her as if to challenge her words then turned away.


****************************

³D'Argo, Zhaan, I think Commander Crichton and Officer Sun are in trouble. Look at the monitor." Pilot's image appeared in the command clamshell screen.

D¹'Argo and Zhan bent over the readouts. Rygel hovered nearby, while Chiana entered the command, demanding to know what was going on. D'Argo swore while Zhaan looked upset. "I believe you are correct, Pilot." Zhaan answered, concern filling her every word. "It looks like the three Peacekeeper signals have joined a fourth one, while John¹s human signature is separate. I can only think that the fourth signature is Aeryn's."

As if in answer to Zhaan, John's voice came over the comm badge. "Pilot, are you there? PILOT! We're in deep doodoo down here."

"John!" Zhaan and D'Argo cried out together."What's happened? Where's Aeryn?"

"The Peacekeepers have her."

D'Argo swore again. "Are you alright?"

"Apart from having to watch them abuse Aeryn, yeah, I'm just peachy."

"Abuse? What the yotz is going on?" Rygel interrupted.

"Rygel! They're trying to make her tell where Moya is." John said..

Chiana broke in, "We better get our tails out of here. If she gives us up we¹re..."

Surprisingly, it was Rygel who said, "No, she won't give us up. She'll die before she'll tell them where we are."

There was a moment of painful silence as the impact of Rygel's words washed over the crew.

"You're right, Rygel, she will die first," D'Argo agreed, "And we can't let that happen. I'm coming down there, John. I can pilot Aeryn's Prowler."

"No, D'Argo, not a good idea. If this planet's systems don't detect you, the Peacekeepers might. You had better take Moya away from here. There's no telling whether there are other Peacekeeper ships in the vicinity. This appears to be some kind of covert surveillance operation, but they may have supporting ships hiding nearby. And you can be damn sure these troops are going to go boasting to you-know-who, who'll be here in a heart beat, quarantine or not. No, hide yourselves."

"Commander Crichton, we will not leave you and Officer Sun in such peril," Pilot's voice answered.

"Thanks, Pilot, but you may have to. Hide yourselves, but stay close. I'm going to get Aeryn away from them somehow."

"John, what can you do against so many?" Zhaan cried.

"Whatever it takes. Pray for me, Zhaan." He signed off.

"John, NO!" Zhaan called, but he had already broken the contact.

"I'm sorry for his loss, but he was right." Chiana's voice was filled with determination.

"You little selfish..." D'Argo began.

"Yeah, maybe, but maybe John and Aeryn will need a safe place to escape to if they get away from those Peacekeepers. We'll be no use to them if we get captured." Her look challenged them to disagree. Grudgingly, D'Argo and Zhaan accepted the wisdom of her words.

"Pilot, take us into that asteroid ring, and increase scanning for any other ships."

"Done."

****************************


When John returned to his hiding place, he saw that Aeryn had been chained to a stake buried in the ground in the centre of the camp. She was slumped to the ground, her head down. As if sensing his gaze, she lifted her head and looked directly at his hiding place. "Get away, John," she mouthed to him."Leave me!" Her look was defiant and desperate. She let her head drop once more.

"No, my love, you're not getting rid of me that easily," John whispered and started to case the encampment. Buried deep in the forest, the camp was well concealed from any aerial view. Tents were camouflaged as were all signs of activity. Other than Aeryn's dejected figure, there was no sign of the Peacekeepers anywhere. *Off looking for me, I suspect,* John thought. * Crais' catch of the day*

Suddenly, the lieutenant and Drask approached Aeryn from one of the concealed tents. Drask carried some sort of injection very prominently. He knelt down in front of Aeryn and waved it menacingly in front of her eyes.

"On your feet, soldier!" In spite of her pain, Aeryn's response to the order was automatic. She got painfully to her feet and stood erect, swaying lightly, as if at attention. "We have found no trace of the human murderer called Crichton, nor of the escaped prisoners of the Leviathan Moya." At her words, Aeryn smiled triumphantly. Drask quickly backhanded her across her face, so hard that she stumbled.

"Enough!" the Lieutenant admonished. "There's a better way to get her to talk."

Drask moved forward again with the needle. "You see this, Sun? This is a little something we found on this miserable planet full of Reformer freaks. This little drug, from one of those oh-so-pretty flowers decorating your lovenest, brings on Heat Delirium." Instinctively, Aeryn pulled back from him. "Yeah, that's right, be afraid. If you don't tell us where Crichton and the others are, you're going to be a living shell in about three arns."

The tech Landry came up to the centre stake and studied Aeryn, his expression unfathomable.

Lieutenant Perok leaned in to her face. "Why protect those worthless prisoners?" Aeryn met her eyes defiantly. "When I heard about you from Drask and the others, I couldn't quite imagine that someone as well-trained as you, with every chance of promotion, could be so completely contaminated. I see that I was wrong. You threw away everything that I want."

"Maybe you shouldn't want it so much," Aeryn finally spoke, her voice quiet, but strong. "If you really think about it, you may find that it's nothing at all." Behind her, John saw the tech Landry react strangely to her words.

This time it was the Lieutenant whose hand smacked across her cheek. "You are truly *contaminated*. Give her the injection. Her contact with alien races will not prevent her from suffering a uniquely Sebacean agony."

Aeryn gasped as Drask stabbed the needle savagely into her exposed thigh, his hand lingering obscenely. Leaning in to her ear, he hissed, "Soon you will be unable to fight me off as you did so many times before. Prazzo, Kellar and I have some unfinished business with you." Aeryn collapsed once more to the ground, her heart constricting at Drask's use of John's phrase.. She began gasping for breath. "This stuff works fast. See you later."

As the lieutenant and Drask walked away, Landry started forward. Drask moved as if to stop him, but the Lieutenant ordered him away. As Landry bent towards the suffering Aeryn, Perok said, "Let him speak to her, Drask. His soft Tech ways may convince her to talk and tell us where the others are. You'll still get your chance with her. A deal's a deal."

Landry lifted Aeryn into his arms, trying to calm her convulsed movements. "I don't care what you've done. No one deserves to be treated like this.." He unchained her hands and lifted her into his arms. John watched, fascinated, as he carried her into the nearest tent. Seeing the Lieutenant and Drask smile triumphantly, he thought, *Uh, oh, Mister Tech. It looks like you've played right into their hands, you poor sucker.* He slipped quietly to a position as close to the back of the tent as he could, straining to hear..

Landry laid Aeryn carefully on the ground. "I'm sorry but I need to bind you again." He transferred the bonds to the centre pole of the tent. Then he knelt beside her. "Officer Sun." He grasped her head and turned her towards him. The Heat Delirium was already dulling her senses. "OFFICER SUN! Listen to me! It doesn't have to be this way! Tell them where the other prisoners are! They have an antidote to this drug! It will save you!"

"Save me?! Save me for what? Crais?" Aeryn struggled to stay conscious. "I won't betray them - Zhaan, D'Argo, Rygel, Moya and Pilot- they're my friends."

"But they're just aliens!" Landry said. "How can you sacrifice yourself to protect them?"

Aeryn gazed up at the blond-haired Peacekeeper, her eyes clouded with Delirium and pain. "Who are you?" she asked. "You're a Tech. What are you doing here with Drask?"

"I'm Tech First Class Landry, covert surveillance expert."

"You're a alien infiltrator?" Aeryn's weak voice registered her surprise. "You have had contact with many other races, close contact. How can you not understand?"

Landry's face showed his confusion. "I..I..I've been trained not to let contact affect me."

With sudden insight, Aeryn said, "But you find your training failing you." Landry nodded miserably. "Then, Tech Landry, don't question the aliens. Question the training." She convulsed once more and started to lose consciousness. Landry tried to still her shudders.

Aeryn began to murmur, "John, John - go. Leave me. I love... I won't tell. Please,Landry, kill me. Kill me. John" Then she collapsed once more.

* I think we have a potential ally here. Or at least someone I think I can take out.* John started to crawl forward into the tent from the back. Suddenly, Drask, Kellar, and Prazzo threw back the tent flap and entered.

"Tech Landry, have you gotten any further information from the prisoner?" Drask's voice was dripping with sarcasm.

Landry was startled, but recovered well. "No, I think the Delirium is preventing her from answering our questions. If we administer the antidote, she will be able to give us the information we..."

"Unfortunately, Lieutenant Perok does not agree with you," Drask said, with an oily grin. "You are a highly trained xenobiologist. Landry. However, this is a military matter. Officer Sun is also highly trained and able to withstand many forms of ³ information gathering². Lieutenant Perok believes that my men and I will have more success. Alone."

John's heart sank at the menace in his words. *Don't give up, Landry,* he prayed silently. *Don¹t leave her alone with them.* His prayers went unanswered as Landry laid Aeryn gently on the floor, rose slowly, and started towards the entrance flap. "I will speak to Lieutenant Perok further," he said, as he reluctantly left the tent.

After he left, Drask pushed Aeryn roughly with his booted foot. "And now for that unfinished business." He motioned to Prazzo and Kellar who untied her and pulled her obviously weakening body upright. While they held her between them, Drask cruelly grasped her chin and brought his face right up to hers.

Aeryn stared at him, defiant despite her illness and dread. "Aren't you afraid you will be *contaminated*? " she hissed at him. He laughed harshly and looked at the other two Peacekeepers, who smirked. His other hand began running roughly over her body. Aeryn closed her eyes and clenched her teeth, but could not stop the shudders of disgust that shook her. "Why should you *contaminate* me, Sun? None of the others ever did, did they, Prazzo?"

Prazzo bit her naked shoulder, drawing blood, slobbered his way up her neck and then said into her ear, "Nope. We've done this dozens of times. No one's ever complained before." He bit her earlobe painfully and laughed.

Kellar smirked on her other side, twisting her arm cruelly until she gasped.. "Not that they ever lived long enough."

Aeryn slumped as waves of pain washed over her from the Delirium. Tightly she said, "I always suspected that you guys were into rape and torture. I wish now that I'd seen you punished for that."

"I bet you do. Too bad." Drask ground his mouth against hers, his tongue forcing its way into her mouth, causing her to groan in revulsion. Her cries aroused him. With his free hand he grasped the material of her already shredded dress and tore the bodice from her body.
She struggled weakly against the cruel hands holding her, the mouth that was ravaging hers, the body that was forcing her to the ground, but to no avail. Her mind was slipping away. She was torn between giving in to the blackness of oblivion and fighting to remain conscious and defiant. But the blackness was winning.

"Let's get this over with, Drask," Kellar said. "She'll be unconscious from the Delirium soon and I want her awake. I want her to know what's happening to her."

Behind the tent, John started forward at the sound of her cries and the tearing of cloth. But somebody tackled him from behind and forced his head down.. John fought like a madman against the strong arms restraining him, but whoever it was managed to drag his arms behind his back.

"Stop fighting, human, and listen. If you want to save her life, stop fighting me."

John tried to throw the owner of the voice off his back once more, bucking and struggling desperately, then collapsed in defeat. "Okay, I'll listen."

"It's me, Landry. I know you've been watching and you know who I am."

"YOU!? What are you doing, you frelling snake. You led them right to us." A lewd comment followed by crass laughter came from the tent. "And you left her alone with them." John groaned and fought once more against Landry's grip. "Let me go. I've got to help her. Aeryn!" He cried, his heart ripped open when he heard the obscene sounds coming from the tent. "AERYN!! " John fought again against the restraints. "You're the reason for what's happening to her now, and you want me to believe you want to help?²

Landry sighed but retained his hold on John. "Believe what you want. I'm sorry about all this." The sound of tearing fabric, and a cry of pain reached them from the tent. Landry hung his head. "Nobody deserves this. Nobody," he said quietly. Then straightening, he spoke into John's ear. "If you want to save her...life, listen to me. I'm going to help you go. Don¹t fight me. We don't have much time."

Landry slowly released his grip on John's arms and moved away. John spun around, to lash out at Landry, but the further sounds of Drask's attack reached him. Instead he rolled over helplessly, pounding his fists into the ground in frustrated anger. "Oh God, Aeryn. AERYN!" He began to scramble up, to get to her, to punish her abusers, but found himself tackled once more, his face pressed into the ground.

"Stay with me, human. This won't help! I have the antidote to stop the Delirium. I'll give it to you. You need to inject it directly into her heart. I'll go and start a diversion. You sneak into the tent and give her the antidote immediately. Then get out when you can." John looked at him skeptically for a moment, then reluctantly nodded. "Believe me, Crichton, is it? I mentioned Officer Sun's performance by accident. I would not have said anything if I had known it would come anywhere near to this...this sadism. I guess, like her, I've become *irreversibly contaminated* by my contact with the Reformers."

They both looked up to see the Peacekeeper trio finally leave the tent, joking and leering, and pointedly straightening their uniforms. John felt ill at their expressions. *Hang on, Aeryn, I'm coming to get you ,* he thought.

Landry started towards the camp. "Wait until you hear a commotion, then get in there to her. Good luck." He headed away.

John inched forward towards the tent, but couldn't wait. The sound of a soft groan made him slide in under the back flap of the tent.

Aeryn was curled into a fetal position on the dirt floor, tied once more to the stake. She had dragged the shredded remnants of her dress around her naked form. John crawled over to her and dragged her into his lap, hugging her to him desperately, but she did not react. Her eyes were closed and she was in the throes of a high fever. Pulling out he injection he ran his hand along her ribcage to her heart. He was sickened by the blood and bruising all over her body. *Those bastards,* he raged helplessly. *Oh God, Aeryn, I'm so sorry.* After injecting her with the antidote he cradled her once more against his chest. She convulsed and shuddered in his arms, then went limp. Frightened, John checked her breathing and temperature. Her breathing had slowed, but her temperature was already falling. Soon, she was wracked with chills, shivering uncontrollably. John pulled her even closer against him. Finally, she opened her eyes slowly and looked up at him.

"Hi, there, sweetheart. Welcome back." He placed a soft kiss on her forehead.

"John, I ...Hurt. Cold...What happened?" She convulsed again and started to cry softly.

"Shhh. Everything's going to be okay. Hush," he whispered, calming her like a child. Looking around, he saw a cloth tarp covering some equipment in the corner of the tent. He grabbed it and quickly wrapped Aeryn in it, hoping to stop her shivers.

He stiffened when he heard the sounds of a commotion outside. Landry's voice came to him "Lieutenant, the Reformers have detected our camp. There's an anticontamination ship headed here right now. They will scorch this site in less than a half arn. We've got to break camp now."

Perok answered abruptly. "I'd say you're right. Now that we have the traitor Sun in our custody, we should get back to Captain Crais." The nearness of her voice startled John into sliding quietly out the back flap of the tent with Aeryn. "Drask, did you get anything out of her?"

Drask answered, "No, did you really think we would?"

Perok's voice was filled with contempt, "No, not really. You gave her the antidote?"

"No. I thought she was to die."

Perok exploded with rage. "Fool! We need her alive to tell us where the human is. I need to present that prisoner to Crais. I was an idiot to let you have her for your enjoyment. If she dies without telling us where the fugitives are, I will see you punished. Help the others break camp. I'll give her the injection. You better hope she's still alive."

John stumbled away from the tent and into the forest, carrying Aeryn in his arms. He hadn't gone far when he heard running feet behind him, and plunged on. However, Aeryn's unconscious form slowed him down. Several times, he stumbled over the ends of the tarp she was wrapped in.

"Stop, human!" Perok's voice ordered. He heard the sound of a pulse rifle being charged up.

John came to a stop, still holding Aeryn against him. He did not turn around.

"I knew that you would not be far away. I hope you enjoyed Drask's little *interrogation*. It served two purposes. It got them on my side and drew you out. This turned out to be easier than I thought. Now I don't even have to bother with the injection. I've got what I want, or rather what Crais wants." John turned slowly to face her. "So you're what all the commotion is about. I guess I see what Officer Sun sees in you. You're kind of attractive. Despite his evasiveness, I figured out from Landry how truly *contaminated* she has become." She moved closer to him and placed the muzzle of the rifle against his chest.

>From out of nowhere, Landry appeared. He swung a rifle, club-like, and Perok went down, unconscious. "Go on, now. Move. There's an aircar over the next hill. Go on. The anticontamination ship will be here any microt."

John hesitated a moment. "That's for real?"

"Yes, I reported the camp's presence to Jhothar's estate staff."

"Traitor!" Drask roared, and ran towards them, ready to fire. Landry dropped, grabbed Perok's weapon and fired. Drask went down, a gaping wound in his chest. His sightless eyes stared up through the trees.

"That's for Officer Sun, and all the others you have abused, you monster," Landry said, his voice shaking with contempt. John turned away from the fury in his voice. Without a backward glance, Landry led the fugitives to the waiting aircar.

"What will you do now?" John had to ask as Landry helped him get Aeryn into the aircar.

"I'll go back to my undercover life with the Reformers. My days as a Peacekeeper are over." He gently smoothed Aeryn's hair away from her face as John lifted her into the aircar. "I wish I could have talked to you more about what it's like," he said to the unconscious ex-Peacekeeper..

"You'll like it. It's definitely broadening." John swung himself into the aircar. "Thanks, and good luck."

****************************

John made his way purposefully through Moya's corridors towards Aeryn's quarters, carrying Landry's gift in his arms. Pilot had informed him that she was awake, and he had immediately dressed and left his own quarters.

A lot had happened in the two days since they starburst from Kythos. John had landed the aircar to find D'Argo impatiently pacing around the concealed Farscape module. He had sworn fiercely when he saw Aeryn's condition and vowed to kill every one of her abusers, but John had assured him that he was too late. He had seen the efficiency of the anticontamination ship that had purged the area around the camp. He didn't think any of the Peacekeepers could have escaped. They quickly pushed Farscape One into the transport pod and D'Argo returned to where he had hidden Aeryn's Prowler. John flew the transport pod recklessly back to Moya, one eye on Aeryn, who remained alarmingly oblivious and still beside him.

Zhaan took charge of Aeryn when they returned to Moya, ordering John to help secure the transport for starburst. Though loathe to let her out of his sight, he had done as she said, while Zhaan herself carried Aeryn into the make-shift infirmary they had set up, Chiana and Rygel trailing solicitously behind her.

As Zhaan treated Aeryn's battered body, she had alternately prayed for her recovery, and cursed the twisted monsters that had done that to her. Chiana silently helped, fetching bandages, water and whatever Zhaan required. Once or twice, Zhaan had looked inquiringly at her, questioning her uncharacteristic silence. Chiana only succeeded in avoiding her eye, and Zhaan wisely decided not to pursue the matter. John and D'Argo joined them as soon as Moya's starburst put them far away from any possible threat from either Peacekeepers or Reformers. They had all remained in the infirmary in silence, each one praying to his or her own deity for the life of their fallen comrade. Even Pilot¹s image was present in the clamshell communicator, and the DRD¹s around indicated that Moya had also joined their vigil.

Finally, after several tense arns, Zhaan's scan showed that Aeryn was out of danger. John was prepared to transfer her to her quarters, but Zhaan had suggested that D'Argo carry Aeryn to her quarters and that John himself needed rest. John had refused and followed D'Argo to Aeryn's quarters, insisting on remaining there until she awoke. However, he had fallen into an exhausted sleep shortly after Aeryn had been placed in her own bed. Sometime after he lost consciousness, someone had transferred him to his own quarters -- D'Argo, he suspected.

That had been two days ago. When he had finally awakened, disoriented at being in his own bed, he immediately signaled Pilot, who told him Aeryn was awake.

He reached her quarters and looked in, quietly setting his gift down in the corridor. She was seated on the side of her bed, dressed once more in her customary grey and black, staring at the shredded remains of her Reformer costume clenched in her hand. *Damn you, Chiana,* John thought, *You were supposed to get rid of that.* Then he immediately regretted his mental castigation of the young Nebari. More than anyone else, Chiana had seemed to be most profoundly disturbed at Aeryn¹s rape and torture. *There's alot about that one we still don¹t know,* John thought.

Moving forward so he could be seen, he said softly, "Hey."

The ghost of a smile crossed Aeryn's face. "Hey," she answered.

Grinning broadly, John said, "Can I come in?"

At Aeryn's answering nod, he opened the door and walked in, to crouch in front of her. Gently, he asked,"How are you feeling?"

Immediately, automatically, Aeryn said, "I¹m fine." But she would not look at him.

*Oh no, Sweetheart, you're not shutting down on me now,* John thought. Placing his hand on hers, he removed the torn and bloodied material from her. She finally looked at him, her blue eyes filled with bewildered pain. "You're not *fine* at all, are you?" he said.

"John... no...I'm...I...," Aeryn stammered, then her eyes filled with tears, and her breath came in tortured gasps. John knelt in front of her and gently pulled her into his arms. He whispered soothing words and gently stilled her shaking sobs with soft caresses and kisses.

Finally, Aeryn quieted and pulled back to look at him. "What happened, John? I don't remember anything. Just disjointed images, impressions, feelings of pain, dread and disorientation."

"What's the last thing you remember clearly?" John asked, his arms still around her in a comforting embrace.

Aeryn smiled shyly, then almost wickedly. "You. Us. The cottage. That night."

"Then hold on to that and don't worry about the rest," John said fiercely.

"But after that... It was Drask, wasn¹t it?"

John tightened his arms around her. "Yes. You were captured. They tried to find out where I was, and Moya. But you didn't tell them. They...they tortured you, but you still didn't tell. They gave you a drug to induce the Heat Delirium. But we had help and we got you away." John's words spilled out of him.

Aeryn placed her fingers against his lips, silencing him. Glancing at the torn dress, she said, "If it was Drask, then I know that he... what he....did to me, John."

John's heart sank at her words. He had hoped that the Sebacean Heat Delirium had wiped out Aeryn's memory of her violation at the hands of her former comrades. As if in answer to his thoughts, Aeryn said, "No, John. I don't remember what occurred. But I do remember what Drask used to do, to alien prisoners and even Sebacean females, if he could get away with it. I always suspected it, but I could never prove it and I never said anything. I should have."

*Thank God, you don't remember,* John thought, his own memories flooding back.

Suddenly, Aeryn's fingers gently pulled his face around until his eyes met hers. "You saw it, didn't you?" she demanded.

John tried to avoid her gaze. "No...," he answered evasively.

Her eyes blazing, Aeryn said, "Please, be truthful with me. I need to know, John."

"No, I didn't see." He paused. "But I heard everything.."

Aeryn sagged in his embrace. Misunderstanding her reaction, John rushed on. "It wasn't your fault. You fought them, but the Heat Delirium, the bonds...you couldn't avoid it."

Aeryn looked at him incredulously, a hint of her old spirit back. "What are you talking about, John? I know that it wasn't my fault. But it wasn't your fault either." He looked at her in amazement. Leaning in, she kissed him softly. "I know you, Crichton. You want to solve all the problems of the universe, and you blame yourself when you can't. Well, this is one problem you couldn't solve, and it's not your fault."

Happily, John's arms tightened even more about her. "You are so amazing. You're worried about me? God, I love you, Aeryn." He covered her mouth in a tender kiss. Sensing he was holding back, Aeryn's response was passionate. She parted her lips to allow him to deepen his kiss. For some time, the room was filled only with their soft moans of desire.

Finally, reluctantly, John pulled back. "You need time to rest and heal, Aeryn. There'll be plenty of time in the future for this. For us," he said, an unspoken question in his words.

Aeryn smiled at him. "Yes. There will."

John got up. "Oh, I almost forgot. You distract me." He started towards the door, opened it and reached around to retrieve the gift he had set outside. "Our ally on the planet wanted you to have this." He handed her a beautifully carved harp, similar to the one she had played on Kythos, that he had discovered in the aircar Landry had provided for their escape. Aeryn's face glowed, as she cradled the beautiful instrument, her hands running up and down its strings, plucking here and there.

"It's beautiful, John. How...who...?" Aeryn turned tear-filled eyes to him. He bent down and kissed her tenderly.

"I'll tell you later. Please, play it for me."

The corridors were soon filled with lovely ancient Sebacean songs of love discovered, love threatened, and love eternal.

Fin