Return pt 2

Author: ISIS

Email: louiseboyden@earthlink.net

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

Rating: PG

Category: PG-13

Summary: Aeryn has to make some serious decisions.

Disclaimer: Farscape is the property of Rockne S O'Bannon, Jim Henson Company et al. I borrow only. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Author's Note: Acknowledgements: Special thanks to Quilt Lady for her helpful suggestions and careful editing.
 

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RETURN Part 2
As soon as John landed the Farscape One, he was surrounded by heavily armed commandos. He stayed in his capsule for a moment, then cautiously opened the canopy. Giving the commandos time to react to his movements, he slowly raised the hatch and stood up, his hands in the air. He was immediately approached by several commandos in hazmat suits. He let himself be removed from the spacecraft and bundled into a waiting containment truck. No words were spoken, and he did not initiate conversation, deciding that it was better for them to come to their own conclusions about his identity, rather than trying to convince them of who he really was.

It took IASA several weeks before they were satisfied that he was in fact the John Crichton who had flown from Earth and disappeared two years previously. During those weeks he was transferred to the IASA Space Centre and subjected to every manner of testing and prodding that he could imagine. He was extremely troubled that it resembled the false Earth nightmare so completely. *I guess I nailed that scenario,* he thought to himself, during a break in the incessant questioning that followed the medical tests. Aeryn was never far from his thoughts. *At least you're not here with me now.* he thought, though it still caused him pain. But he remembered that for a time, he had believed that both of them could live on Earth in peace, undetected. He had almost convinced her. *Aeryn, I still don't understand why you did what you did, but at least I'm spared the pain of seeing you destroyed by my own people.* He let his head fall forward into his hands in despair.

He did not raise his head when the door opened and yet another interrogator entered. Finally, he decided he had had enough. "I want to see my father. I've been more than cooperative, and patient. but I think it's time you people started cutting me some slack. The wormhole was an accident. The aliens I who abducted me are long gone. They pose no threat. Why else would they have sent me back to Earth?" He raked his hands through his hair once more and sighed. "Give me a break, guys. It's been over two years."

"Quite right, Crichton," an unwelcome voice answered. "You should have listened to me in the first place."

John raised his head and a smirk crossed his lips. "Martin Fisher. Excuse me, Assistant Director Martin Fisher," he said sarcastically. "I understand you've been promoted. I guess my unexpected departure from IASA left a hole in more than just space. They had to fill it with someone."

Fisher's nostrils flared at the insult but he chose to ignore it. "I wouldn't be so cocky, Crichton. Daddy isn't here to defend you this time."

"No, he isn't. It's just you and me. What do you want?"

"I want to know where you've been all this time. I don't believe your cock and bull story about alien abduction."

John looked at him directly. "Why not? Oh, that's right -- you don't believe that there could be life out there, you geocentric idiot. Well, guess what? That's another one of your pitiable theories blown all to hezmana. I mean hell."

"You can be as insulting as you want, but you're not going anywhere until you cooperate." Martin Fisher held up a tape in front of John's face, deliberately taunting him. John looked at the tape, trying to keep his expression neutral. But Fisher pushed him further. "I've heard these tapes. There's an interesting story here. Peacekeepers, living ships, aliens, wormholes, biomechanoid technology, Delvians, Luxans, someone called Aeryn?" At his last statement, John lunged forward and tried to grab the tape out of his hands. "Ah, I obviously hit a nerve there. Who is Aeryn, Crichton? Why are you lying to protect these creatures?"

"For the last time, there were no creatures. I was taken aboard a space ship by aliens and subjected to tests, then let go. I made no contact, and they left. End of story."

Martin leaned forward until he was right in font of John's face. "You're lying, Crichton. For one thing, your module has a great deal of alien technology on it. Not exactly factory specs. Care to change your story?" Fisher stood up and smirked. "When you're ready to tell us the truth, we'll be waiting. In the meantime, there's someone here who would like to speak to you." Fisher turned towards the door.

A petit blonde haired woman stepped in and stood uncertainly by the door. "John?" she said, hesitating. Fisher slipped out at her entrance.

"Alex?" John replied, stunned. "What are you doing here? I thought you were in California"

"When you were found, IASA contacted me. I wanted to see you. Are you all right?" Alex came closer to him.

John stood up from his bunk and took her hands in his. "Yes, Alex, I'm all right. It's good to see you again."

Alex wrapped her arms around him and clung to him in a desperate embrace. "Oh, John. I thought you were dead. I went to your funeral. Your dad was devastated. And DK blamed himself for the accident." She reached up to kiss him, but John turned his head at the last minute so that her lips merely brushed his cheek. Alex looked at him questioningly, but did not say anything.

"Alex, how much clout do you have here? I've got to get out of here. I don't think Dad or DK even know I'm alive. They're keeping me here as a precaution, I know, and I understand. But I'm afraid that the longer they keep me from my family, the more likely it is that I may just disappear. Please help me," John pleaded, looking down into the eyes of the woman he had one day thought he might marry.

"I don't have much say. IASA thought I would be a good liaison for you, considering our past. Fisher pretty much thinks I'll be his spy. Wrongly, I might add but Fisher is in charge. I'll do my best." She stroked his cheek. "Is it true what they're saying? Were you living with aliens all this time?"

John hesitated, then decided to tell her the truth, knowing full well that Fisher and his crew were outside somewhere monitoring their conversation. "Yes, I was. There's so much to tell you, but basically I was rescued by a group of escaped prisoners aboard a living ship and for the last two years or so, we've all spent our time trying to find a way home and avoid the crazies chasing us, wanting our heads." John leaned down to kiss Alex's cheek. "I guess the cat is out of the bag, if Fisher has my tapes." He placed his hands on her shoulders and turned her to look at him. "I need your help, Alex. Please try to get word to Dad and DK. They should be notified."

Alex covered John's hands with her own, "I will. It's criminal that they haven't been told already." She reached up and kissed John's cheek once more. "I'll see what I can do." Then she turned to leave. A single knock on the door allowed it to open, and Alex exited. A moment later, Fisher returned to the cell. "So, you finally admit that your alien abduction story is a load of bull."

"Yeah, Fisher, it's a load of bull, But you're never going to hear the whole truth until I see my father and get back to some semblance of a normal life. Capisce?"

Fisher looked annoyed that Crichton appeared to once more have the upper hand. "Capisce," he replied in an ill-humour.

**********************'

Back on Moya, several light-cycles away, the remaining crew of the Leviathan Moya was still missing the Human companion that they had all come to consider a member of the family. Relations between Chiana and Aeryn were still strained. Chiana had been particularly upset at Aeryn's actions and had not missed an opportunity to tell her as much.

Zhaan and D'Argo were becoming increasingly worried about Aeryn. The Sebacean woman was looking wan, with dark circles under her eyes. Pilot reported to Zhaan's quiet inquiries that she spent most of the night wandering the ship, or down in his chamber, not really talking, but just not sleeping. Several times, D'Argo had relieved Aeryn from her watch and seen traces of tears on her face which she tried very hard to hide. Her actions were automatic and listless. She had even started to abandon the more rigorous elements of her training, merely going through the motions. However, any attempt to draw her out was rebuffed, She was effectively cutting herself off from all but Pilot, and he felt that there was a lot she was not telling him. Even Rygel missed the vibrant ex-Peacekeeper that had been Aeryn before John's departure.

Finally, Zhaan and D'Argo decided to confront Aeryn and force her to face her sorrow and deal with it somehow. They found her in the cargo bay, going through her training exercises. As they approached they didn't hear the usual sounds of her routine. Instead, they heard soft crying. Zhaan looked at D'Argo, her eyes full of pity for her shipmate. They deliberately made a noisy entrance. Aeryn recovered quickly, jumping up and beginning her exercises once more, but with a noticeable lack of vigor.

"Good morning, Aeryn," Zhaan began. "How are your exercises progressing this morning?"

"Very well, thank you, Zhaan," Aeryn grunted out, not pausing in her routine. "Is there some problem?"

"No problem," D'Argo answered. "We just wanted to talk to you about something."

Aeryn paused and looked at him, giving a derisive snort. "Talk, D'Argo? You're not usually the talking kind." She returned to her exercises.

D'Argo and Zhaan exchanged looks. "We wanted to talk about you, dear. We're concerned about you."

"Well, there's nothing to worry about. Or talk about. I'm fine."

"You're not fine, Aeryn, and you know it. We all know it." D'Argo said, watching as Aeryn's exercises became increasingly more erratic. "We all miss Crichton, but we've come to be thankful that at least one of us has found his way home."

Aeryn continued her routine, but said nothing.

"Listen, Aeryn, regardless of what Chiana says, we believe that you did the right thing. John would have stayed with us, with you, and this is no life for anyone. He has his chance to be happy now and he has you to thank for that." Zhaan said quietly.

Aeryn was beginning to slow down, faltering in her lunges and jabs. Her two companions could clearly see the tears running silently down her cheeks.

"It's you we're worried about. I know what it's like to lose someone you care about. But you need to console yourself with the fact that John has now what we all hope to have someday, and it is because of you." D'Argo said. "You have to unburden yourself of your grief and guilt. It's killing you."

Aeryn finally stopped and stood looking at them, her eyes dark blue gems in her drawn pale face.

D'Argo walked over to her and took her hand. "And you must believe that you were right not to go to Earth with him, Aeryn," She looked up into his concerned eyes, her own full of misery. "We both know that what happened on the false Earth would have happened in reality. Or worse. And John would be suffering guilt and fear, rather than being able to return to his old life."

Zhaan joined them and put her arm around Aeryn, who did not flinch away. "Please, Aeryn, let me help you deal with your feelings. You have to let him go."

At her words, Aeryn angrily shrugged off her arm and returned to her exercises. "I wish it were that easy," she ground out.

"What do you mean?" Zhaan was growing alarmed at the desperation with which Aeryn now attacked the punching bag.

When she didn't answer, D'Argo finally went over and physically restrained her. Aeryn fought him for a microt then slumped against him. Zhaan came over to her, concerned. Aeryn lifted her head wearily and looked at her two shipmates. "I¹m pregnant, Zhaan. I'm carrying John's child."

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

John's reunion with his Father and DK was everything he could have wanted. Silently he thanked Aeryn for giving him this. His father had grown greyer in the time he had been lost, and even DK was showing some grey hair. Alex stood by quietly, giving father and son and boyhood friend time to catch up.

"Oh, Dad, there's so much I have to tell you. And DK, there's so much out there. It's unbelievable," John said. "I recorded tapes to help me remember. Letters to you two to help me stay sane at times." His face clouded over. "A lot of unpleasant things happened as well. But I found a new family, people - well sort of people - to care about, to lo..." He stopped abruptly, lost in thought. "People who cared about me."

His father pulled him into his embrace once more. "It's good to know that some things are universal, son." He clapped him on the back, then pushed him away to look once more into his son's face. "Oh God, John. It's good to have you back."

"Well, not quite back, Colonel." Fisher's voice interrupted. He entered the room with two obviously National Security types. "What is the meaning of this?" he demanded, scowling at Alex. "Dr. O'Connor, you know Commander Crichton was to remain isolated!" He turned to Alex, "By whose authority did you get these two in here?" he demanded.

"By mine, Fisher," Director Alan Johnston answered from the door. "Dr. O'Connor came to me to ask permission for Colonel Crichton and Dr. Kendall to visit Commander Crichton. And I gave it."

"Excuse me, sir, but do you think that was wise? " one of the NSA agents spoke up.

"Agent Lawrence, wise or not, the man deserves to see his family after so long. And Commander Crichton's return could not be kept from his father." Johnston looked meaningfully at John's father and his friend. "They understand the seriousness of the situation. They have been sworn to secrecy and will not break their oath."

Jack Crichton answered him. "Yes, Director Johnston. We will keep our word." He turned to the two NSA agents. "There is no need for you to threaten us with National Security. I'm just glad to see my son alive."

Johnston turned to Fisher. "I will not interfere with you in the handling of this case unless I perceive that there is a problem. It is a delicate and unusual situation. I believe you know what is right. So do it." He looked at John who thanked him, then he left.

John could not help a dig at Fisher. "So when do I get out of here, Fisher?"

"Out of here?" Fisher snorted. "What makes you think you're ever leaving here. Despite what the Director thinks, you are a threat to national security. You've already lied to us about where you've been for the last two years. Your body is carrying alien microbes. And I just don't think I can trust you. Or your friends here."

John finally lost his temper. "Enough! I've been more than cooperative with you, Fisher since then. I've been poked and prodded, tested and questioned, and I've had enough. You know the microbes pose no threat to anyone. You know it's me! You know I pose no threat to anyone! And you know the aliens aren't coming back! So give it up! Let me out of here to go back to whatever life I can salvage. I've been gone for two years and the only thing that kept me sane was faith in the belief that I could someday return!" He began to pace around his cell-like room. "But not to this sterile prison. I could have done that out there. I did do that out there. No! Let me return to Earth, to my life, to my family and friends! Let me out of here!" His voice broke. His father put his hand gently on his arm. "Let me out of here!" he repeated.

"Very impassioned, Crichton," Fisher sneered. DK started forward towards him menacingly. The two security agents made as if to restrain him, but a look from John stopped him.

"What more do you want from me?" John asked wearily.

"Well, for one thing, we want the technology that you brought back from space on your Farscape craft." Fisher came and stood in front of him. "You see, contrary to what you just said, we're not sure the aliens won't come back. And we want to be ready if they do. Even if they don't, that technology will make spaceflight possible. But we can't figure it out without your help. We've listened to your tapes over and over. We've pulled everything apart and analysed it to the nth degree, but we can't understand it. And you're not leaving here until we do."

John looked at him defiantly. "You need my help, but you're going to keep me a prisoner here." He laughed derisively at the absurdity. "It seems to me that you're not going to get it that way."

Colonel Crichton stepped forward. "You can't keep him here against his will and expect his cooperation. Hell, you can't keep him here at all. This is America, not some dictatorship!"

"Very patriotic, Colonel," the other security agent Sisler spoke up. "But Commander Crichton can be ruled a security risk and then we will be able to keep him for as long as we need him."

"Not if I have any say about it!" Jack Crichton ground out.

"I know, I know," Fisher derided. "You'll use your not inconsiderable influence to save your son. You may find that plan will backfire on you. National Security is National Security, Colonel. Even Director Johnston cannot override that.You don't want them coming down on you and DK here too, do you?"

"Look, Fisher, how about a compromise?" John said. "I will help you to understand the Moya technology if you let me leave here. Let me go back home, give me a lab, and ..., " he glanced at his friend and at Alex, "and DK and Alex, and I'll help you learn about the add-ons. Deal?"

"Compromise? That sounds more like demands!"

John looked back at him steadily. "That's the deal or I give you nothing. And believe me, without my help you have a snowball's chance in hell of ever understanding that technology." He stood and waited, watching the indecision flash across Fisher's face.

"I'll have to clear it, but I'll tell the powers that be what you want." He turned to walk out. "No guarantees, Crichton," he said as he and the two agents departed.

John dropped down into a chair, and wearily ran his hands through his hair. "Whew, that was like talking to Crais, for God's sake." He looked up at his father and friends. "Do you think they'll go for it?"

Alex answered him, "I think they will come around, John. They want that technology. Badly." She came over and slid her hand along his shoulders, comfortingly. "It'll be all right, John. We'll get you out of here."

"You're damn right we will!" DK agreed vehemently.

It was a tense and frustrating week later, but John Crichton finally got to go home. He rode up to his front door in his father's old pick-up truck, with Alex beside him. DK followed in his own car. That evening, they indulged in all the junk food that John had been craving for so long. He regaled them with stories from his two years away, describing Rygel, Zhaan, Chiana, D'Argo, Moya, Talyn and Pilot, Crais and Scorpius, and all the creatures he had encountered, the bad times spent fighting for their lives, and the good times spent celebrating their friendships. They came to know his fear, his joy, his despair and triumphs. The only person he did not share with them was Aeryn. He wasn't ready to talk about her yet, even to his father.

Fisher had relented, or had been ordered, to give him full access to Farscape. He was given an isolated lab at IASA and DK and Alex as lab assistants. He was still followed everywhere he went, and he knew that they didn't trust him, but he had some semblance of his old life back and after a few weeks, things settled down into a regular routine.

One warm June night, as John sat out in the backyard, enjoying a beer and looking up at the stars, his father came out to join him.

"Pull up a chair, Dad. Join me."

He heard the sound of a beer can being opened and for a moment closed his eyes and smiled. "Now there is a sound I thought I might never hear again."

His father laughed, and sat down. After a moment, Jack Crichton said quietly, "All right, who is she, son?"

John looked at his father in surprise, "Who is who, Dad?"

"Who is the woman you're mooning over?" At his son's laugh, he went on. "I know you, son. Even with all you've been through, you haven't changed that much. You haven't been like this since Alex turned you down to take the Stanford job. So who is she?"

John sighed, "There was someone else out there, Dad," he began. "Someone I never told you about."

"Aeryn."

John looked at his father again in shock. "How did you know about her?"

"Alex finally managed to wrest those tapes of yours away from Fisher. I heard what you said about her. You love her, don't you?"

"Yeah, Dad, I do. And she's the reason why I'm here." He went on to tell his father the full circumstances of his return to Earth. His father listened carefully, hearing the love in his son's voice when he spoke of this alien woman.

"But she sent me away, Dad. And I don't understand why. We could have been together on Moya, and happy. But she sent me back here alone." He looked back up at the stars. "She's out there somewhere, and I'll never see her again. I'll never know what happened to her." He groaned and dropped his head into his hands. "Oh God, Aeryn, why did you send me away?"

"Because she loved you," Jack Crichton answered simply. John turned his head to look at his father in astonishment. "Look, John, when your mother first got sick, she hid it from me for a long time. She hid it from you, too. She did it because she loved us and couldn't bear to see us in pain. It sounds like Aeryn was afraid that if you stayed with her, eventually one of the crazies you were running from would catch up with you. She probably couldn't bear the thought of you in pain or dying."

"But we had been in danger so many times before and things always worked out. And even if we died, it would have been together."

"You can't get caught here on Earth. It seems to me that Aeryn was protecting you the only way she knew how."

"Then why didn't she come with me?"

Jack Crichton looked at his son sadly, wanting to erase the pain. "I think you know the answer to that, John. Look what they've put you through, and you're Human. Imagine if they got their hands on Aeryn, a real live alien. If she survived in their custody, you and she would be prisoners for the rest of your lives. And that's only if they allowed you to stay together. Chances are you would be separated and you'd never see her again, or know what happened to her."

"You're right, Dad. We already experienced that on the false Earth I told you about. It was hell." John straightened up and sighed. "At least this way, I know she's with others who care about her and who she cares about."

"You said that Zhaan and D'Argo, Chiana and Rygel, Pilot, Moya and Talyn had become like family to you. Just tell yourself that she's with your other family." Jack reached over to take his son's hand in his own.

"God, Dad," John said, squeezing his father's hand. "It's times like this that I missed the most on Moya. This what I wanted to come home for."

Jack Crichton returned his son's sentiment. "I missed our talks as well. I'm glad Aeryn sent you back to me. She sounds like a wonderful person, John. I wish I could have met her."

"Me, too," John said, looking once more up at the star-filled sky. "You really would have liked her."

****************'

"The tests confirm it, Aeryn," Zhaan said quietly. "You are about eight weekens pregnant. The fetus is very healthy and bears both Human and Sebacean DNA. It is a male child." She looked at her patient in concern.

Aeryn absorbed the news without any outward reaction. She sat on the examining table, lost in thought. Then giving herself a mental shake, she looked at Zhaan, an unspoken question in her eyes.

"Yes, Aeryn. I have the means to end the pregnancy. Some of my herbs will induce a spontaneous abortion. Is this what you want?" Zhaan watched her carefully.

Aeryn did not answer, and she unconsciously placed her hand almost protectively over her womb where John's child lay.

*She will bear this child,* Zhaan thought with some certainty. *Oh, John, I wish you were here for her. She's going to need you more than ever.*

"I will have to think about it. It seems the most logical thing to do under the circumstances." Aeryn said, breaking into Zhaan's thoughts. "What kind of a life can I offer to a child? We are fugitives. And if any Peacekeepers ever catch us, they will destroy my child as an evil half-breed. I sent John away so that I would not have to see him suffer, and now I face the same decision for our son." Aeryn lowered her head.

Zhaan went over and folded her in her arms. "Whatever you decide, Aeryn, know that is your decision alone. Seek advise, but do not let the opinions of others influence you. In the end it is what is right for you that counts."

Aeryn returned Zhaan's embrace. "Thank you, Zhaan," she said. Then she turned and left the infirmary.

Aeryn made her way down to Pilot's chamber. Of all of Moya's crew, she felt closest to Pilot, a relationship that had begun when she was injected with some of his DNA and which had continued since. She found him busily monitoring Moya's functions as she glided gracefully through empty space. He looked up at her entrance, but said nothing. Aeryn came over to lean against his console.

"As I'm sure you are aware, Pilot, I'm pregnant," she said without any preamble.

"Yes," Pilot replied. "Moya and I are aware of the results of Zhaan's tests. Are congratulations in order?"

"I don't know," Aeryn answered honestly. "Pilot, please tell me what Moya felt when she first knew she was pregnant.?"

"Well, she was scared, but elated. Concerned about the child's future, but confident that she could be a good parent."

Aeryn smiled at his words. "Pilot, that's exactly how I feel. I'm afraid, very afraid. There is a living presence within me, depending on me as no one has ever depended on me before, and the feeling is frightening yet oddly enlightening. I'm afraid for the future, but at the same time, I'm looking forward to it; to meet this new life that John and I created, to protect him, and teach him and share so many things with him. Pilot, I've never felt these things before."

Pilot watched her face, delighted at the many emotions that softened her expression. Then he saw her eyes darken in sorrow. "Aeryn, what is it?"

Aeryn lifted eyes filled with tears to Pilot's concerned gaze. "It's John. This life within me is a part of him as well. John will never know him. And our son will never know his father. Can I condemn a child to that uncertainty?"

Pilot reached out his claw and gently stoked Aeryn's arm. "I miss him too, Aeryn. Be thankful that you have this part of him at all."

Aeryn gave him a watery smile. "Pilot, can you tell me where D'Argo is right now?"

"He's in command at the moment. Alone."

Aeryn smiled at Pilot's accurate reading of her intentions. "Thank you, Pilot," she said as she left to find her Luxan shipmate.

Aeryn found D'Argo on his duty watch in the command. He did not seem to hear her enter, but she forgot about his very sensitive nose.

"Your scent is just like Lo'Laan's scent when she first told me that we were going to have a child," he said. He turned to look at her. "You are pregnant, aren't you?"

Aeryn smiled at him, "Yes, I am, D'Argo." She came over and stood beside him.

"So, will you keep the child?" he asked bluntly.

"I don't know," she answered truthfully. "What was it like to be a parent, D'Argo?"

"It was the scariest thing I have ever done." He said and looked down at her shocked expression. "No, really. I would rather have faced a whole regiment of Sheyangs with Chakan oil strapped to my back than face some of the days that I did as a parent."

Aeryn laughed at his comparison.

"It was frightening, and all new. It was tiring and exhilarating. I would not have missed it for the world." D'Argo's expression darkened in pain. "I'm missing it now."

Aeryn placed her hand on D'Argo's arm in comfort. He looked down at her hand and smiled his gratitude at her concern.

"It was truly a wonderful experience. When Jothee was a baby, we would fuss over him and treat him with kid gloves. Then every night, Lo'Laan and I would relive the day, going over every action and decision, looking for ways to improve. Military training was a breeze in comparison to the rigorous self-examination we put ourselves through." D'Argo paused again, lost in his memories.

"Do you think you could have done it alone?" Aeryn asked quietly.

D'Argo answered quickly, still lost in his memories. "No, I needed Lo'Laan every step of the way." He suddenly realised what Aeryn was asking and stopped. "I mean, yes, I could have done it alone, but it was much more fun with Lo'Laan." He stopped again, worried that he had again said the wrong thing. "I mean..."

Aeryn stopped his sputtering with a smile. "I understand what you mean, D'Argo, Don't worry." She turned to leave the command. "I'll see you at the evening meal."

D'Argo watched her slender figure with some concern as she left the command.

Later at the evening meal with Zhaan, D'Argo, Chiana and Rygel, Aeryn stood up to make an announcement. "As some of you know, I am pregnant with John Crichton's child." She looked around. Chiana's face registered surprise and pleasure. Rygel just looked bored. "I want you all to know that I have decided to keep the child. I want to bear John's child. I know that this will place a strain on our resources and our ability to defend ourselves. But I have made my decision. I hope you will support me in this." She sat down again abruptly.

Zhaan was the first to speak. "My dear, please do not worry. We will do everything in our power to make this time as easy and enjoyable for you as we can." She looked around at the rest of Moya's ragtag crew.

Chiana piped up. "Certainly. I'm looking forward to finding out what traits of John's we will see in the baby."

"I hope the child doesn't learn to talk too soon. If he's anything like John, he'll never shut up." D'Argo joked.

"Oh, frell. Another pregnant female to deal with," Rygel said in disgust. "Well, at least we won't have to put up with unexpected starbursts." The rest of the crew laughed at his expression.

Suddenly, D'Argo snorted at a private thought of his own. "Care to share the joke, Luxan?" Rygel demanded.

"If Aeryn's anything like Lo'Laan was, you might wish for starbursts instead."

*****************'

"That's the last of the propulsion system analyses." Alex said wearily. She looked at John who was still pouring over the read-outs from their latest series of tests. "I think it's time to call it a night, John."

John merely huffed in distracted acknowledgement of her comment. He continued to study the read-outs. Finally, exasperated, Alex went over to him and forcibly removed the papers from his hands. John looked at her, uncomprehending.

"Look, Starman, it's time to pack it in. DK went home over four hours ago." Alex looked at John speculatively. "He said something about a hot date," she said casually.

John snorted in disbelief. "DK on a hot date? Now that's something I'd like to see." He laughed again at the images that statement conjured in his mind.

Alex walked over to John. "It's Friday night," she ventured. "How about joining me for a late-night pizza and a beer?"

John looked at her in astonishment. "Are you asking me out on a date?" he teased.

Suddenly serious, Alex said, "I know things can never be the same as they were between us before I went to Stanford and you went to...to..."

"To the other end of the universe." John said, smiling gently.

"Yes, but could we perhaps try again?" Alex asked him uncertainly. "Maybe start over?"

John sighed. Here was the woman he had once wanted to share his life with, pleading with him for a second chance. But the only image he could see was one of him with a beautiful, alien woman. He looked up at Alex and sighed again.

"Sure, Alex. I think I'd like a pizza. My treat." He tucked her hand into the crook of his arm and together they left the darkened hall of the IASA lab. *****************'

Unable to sleep, Aeryn found herself on Moya's terrace, watching the stars as Moya slid through the dark velvet space of the Uncharted Territories. For a time after John's *departure*, Aeryn had been unable to come to the terrace. It had been John's favourite place on Moya, and eventually hers as well. But now she found herself needing to feel closer to John, to help her with the next decision she felt she had to make.

Aeryn's mind went back to her childhood, and her encounter with her mother. She remembered telling John about it when their future had seemed most bleak. Her mother had comforted her with the news that she had been born from a caring relationship. Just as her child was. Her son with John. She rubbed her hand across her slightly rounded belly.

Then her thoughts flew back to other times in her life when she had wanted so desperately to know her father, to know more than his name. She had grown up wanting to meet him, to talk to him, to ask him questions that no one else could answer. But he had not been there. And no matter how much comfort she got from the knowledge that he had wanted her and loved her mother, his absence from her life had affected her profoundly.

She looked down at her womb, where John's child was cradled. "Will you want to know your father as desperately as I did? Will you resent me because I sent him away? Will you leave me to search for him? Is this what our future relationship will be destroyed by? Will you hate me because I raised you without a father?" Her mind shied away from the answers to her questions.

She sat on the terrace for some time, then finally came to a conclusion. Rising, and feeling more confident, she headed towards her quarters. Tomorrow would be a busy day.

The next day, Aeryn made another shocking announcement to her crewmates.

"I've asked Pilot to return us to Earth. I'm going to join John on Earth." There was stunned silence as the impact of her words sank in, then they all tried to talk at once.

"Aeryn, do you realise what you are doing?" Zhaan asked urgently. "You are risking your life. And the life of your son."

Aeryn looked at her serenely, "Yes, Zhaan, I know. But I have to do this. I want John to know that he is a father, hopefully to know his child. And I want my son to know his father."

Rygel glided over to face Aeryn, "What about John's people, his government? They will destroy you. You saw it done from his own memories. Will you risk your life and your child for that?"

Aeryn looked at Rygel, "Yes. I grew up without knowing my father. I will not subject my child to that. Besides, I'm hoping to avoid contact with John's government. We had talked about strategies to avoid detection before. I can do this. I have to."

D'Argo had been silent during the whole exchange. Aeryn turned to him, wanting his opinion. "D'Argo, what do you think?" she asked apprehensively.

D'Argo looked at her for a few moments, then he took her hand in his. "I believe you are taking an incredible risk. You may die, and John's child with you." Aeryn looked down, but D'Argo lifted her chin in his gentle grasp. "But I agree with you. A son should know his father. And a man should know his child."

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

"Good night, you two. Don't stay too late." DK's jaunty farewell pulled John out of yet another reverie.

"'Night, DK." Alex called from the other side of the lab.

"Hey, what's your rush? Got another hot date?" John grinned at his friend, who seemed so anxious to get out of the lab where they had been spending all their waking hours.

DK returned his grin. "You betcha. Monique and I are going to the opera."

"Opera? You?" John snorted in disbelief. "Man, this Monique must be really something."

DK became serious for a moment and walked back over to where John sat at his computer. "She is, John. I really like her, and I don't want to mess things up. She's beautiful inside and out, smart, independent, and loyal."

John's thoughts went back to someone else he would have described using those same words. "Then hang on to her, DK. Whatever the cost."

DK was startled by the vehemence in John's tone. Then he looked back at where Alex sat, bent over some papers. "Oh, I get it. You two going to try to make a second go of it?"

John looked confused at his question, then followed his gaze back to Alex. "Oh, no, DK. We're just friends."

DK laughed, "Famous last words, my friend. I don't think that Alex wants to be 'just friends'" He looked at his watch. "Oops, gotta go. La Boheme and Monique await." He turned and bounded out the door. John sat, grinning at his enthusiasm. Then he turned and watched Alex working. She looked up suddenly and caught him watching her. She gave him a brilliant smile and returned to her papers.

A few hours later, they decided to pack it in. "Care to join me for a junk food fest and a stroll? It's a beautiful night." Alex asked, a little too casually as they walked towards their cars.

John looked at her, then up at the stars, then back at her. "Okay," he agreed with a smile.

After a feast of hot dogs, fries and whatever else they could find from vendors, who never seemed to sleep, John and Alex walked in companionable silence along the boardwalk. The heavy warm air was filled with smells of the ocean. It was peaceful to hear the waves rolling in under a clear sky. Alex suddenly stopped him. She turned to face him and slipped her arms up around his neck. "John," she said softly, before reaching up to place a tender kiss on his lips.

For a moment, John allowed himself to respond, to try to wipe out the years since he had asked her to marry him. He wrapped his arms around her, and returned her kiss. But when she tried to deepen the kiss, he suddenly pulled away from her. She stepped back from him and asked, "John? What's wrong?"

He looked at her sadly for a moment, then took her hand and guided her unresisting to a park bench. "There's something I need to tell you, Alex. I told my father but no one else."

"What is it, John?" Alex said, growing alarmed.

"I told you about everyone that I encountered out there on Moya and in the Uncharted Territories. But there was someone else, a woman. Her name was Aeryn. She was a Sebacean, a Peacekeeper like Crais."

"You mean those creeps who were chasing you, who put you in the Aurora Chair?"

"Yeah, them. But Aeryn wasn't a creep. She was beautiful, strong, independent, and she saved my life time and time again. She lost everything standing up for me against her Captain Crais." He sighed. "She became a fugitive like the rest of us because of me."

Alex took his hand and squeezed it, "She sounds like a wonderful person."

"She was -- is -- at least I hope she still is. Oh God, Alex, the not-knowing is killing me." He turned to face Alex. "I... I fell in love with Aeryn, Alex. And she was in love with me. When we found Earth, I asked her to come with me. I wanted to be with her more than anything else. But here I am, and she is somewhere else."

"She refused you?" Alex asked, somewhat hopefully.

"No, not exactly. She knocked me out and put me in Farscape One. Then she sent me to Earth, alone."

Alex looked at him in astonishment. "She knocked you out?"

John grinned ruefully, "Yeah, well, Aeryn was a little physical sometimes." He was lost for a time in his memories.Then he roused himself and looked back at Alex. "I don't want to hurt you, Alex. I know you want our relationship to start over. I thought you should know that I was in love with someone else. That I'm still in love with someone else." He looked up at the stars again.

Alex sat in silence for a time, then she took his hand again and pulled him up. "Thank you for your honesty, John. I wish I could have met Aeryn. She sounds like just the kind of woman I would have picked out for you."

John looked back down at her. "No hard feelings?"

Alex smiled up at him and reached up to kiss his cheek lightly. "No. Let's just be friends. For now."

He looked back down at her steadily then they turned and continued their walk.

******************'

Moya's starburst ended just outside the orbit of Neptune. Aeryn hastily packed her few belongings as Moya approached Earth once more. She had dressed herself in the flowered dress that she had kept from their encounter with the false Earth. Zhaan had been able to adjust the dress to accommodate her swelling figure, subtle as it was at this point in her pregnancy.

When they had entered orbit, once again undetected on the dark side of the moon, Aeryn went to Pilot's chamber for the last time.

"Pilot, please tell Moya how honoured I have been to be a member of her crew." Aeryn's eyes were filled with tears. "I have come to consider you my family," she said, gently caressing Pilot's brow. "I will miss you and Moya and Talyn. Perhaps someday, you can return to Crichton's Earth and be welcomed."

Pilot looked at Aeryn, his expression unfathomable. "Aeryn Sun, Moya and I wish you and Crichton every happiness. But please remember this; if you are unable to find him or if for some reason you need to return to Moya, we will be waiting. We will wait until you have contacted us. If there is a problem, we will stay here until it is resolved or until you return to Moya."

"Pilot, you cannot place yourself and the others in such peril." Aeryn said, visibly shaken at the loyalty the others were showing her.

"This is the consensus of the crew. We will remain in this hidden orbit until you are able to contact us and tell us that all is well. Take a communicator with you. You can wear it as if it were a piece of Earth jewelry."

Aeryn once more reached out and caressed Pilot's brow. "Thank you, Pilot. And thank you, Moya."

Her departure a few arns later was filled with emotion. D'Argo looked as if he would not let her go. Zhaan blessed Aeryn and her unborn child. Chiana hugged Aeryn tightly and gave her messages for John. Rygel remained aloof but involved. Pilot and Moya had already said their good-byes. With her dark flightsuit over the sundress, Aeryn climbed onto the cockpit of her Prowler. She looked at Moya's misfit crew of fugitives for one last time then closed the canopy of her Prowler.

She pilotted the craft skilfully out into the emptiness of space and headed towards John's Earth. Once she located her proposed landing site, as close to the IASA centre as she could get safely without being detected, she flew directly into the atmosphere, dropping like a meteor towards Earth's ocean. The Atlantic Ocean, she recalled John telling her, pointing out things on a crude map he had drawn once. As soon as she was below radar range she turned her ship and headed towards her landing site. The night concealed her flight from detection and she landed in a deserted field, far from lights and habitation. She lifted the canopy and hopped out of the craft as quickly as she could. Looking around, she saw a dilapidated building with a large open entrance and another ruined building, some kind of habitation, sagging on its foundations. There were no signs of Humans anywhere. Satisfied that this piece of property was uninhabited, she returned to her Prowler and guided it into the barn. Leaving the cockpit once more, she looked around and found several mouldering squares of some vegetation. She piled them around her Prowler, to conceal it as best she could. Then she removed her flightsuit and retrieved her pack.

Stepping out of the barn, she stopped momentarily. *I'm really here,* she thought. *This is really John's Earth.* She placed her hand over her belly and spoke to her son. "This is your father's home. We'll find him and be together again. I promise."

Then she turned on her communicator. "Pilot, I've landed safely and apparently undetected. I will not signal again until I find Crichton, in case they are able to trace this signal."

"I will not try to contact you," Pilot said. "Turn off your communicator, until you are ready to signal me." Aeryn did as Pilot said, then stood looking around her.

The air around her was warm, but not alarmingly so. She reached down into her pack and pulled out several pieces of writing. John had passed some of the long hours on Moya trying to teach Aeryn to read. It hadn't worked. With the translator microbes, she was unable to sound out English letters. The best he had been able to do was teach her to write and recognise his name, IASA, her name, and a few other key words. She was counting on that now to help her find John. She had the coordinates to his town and IASA and one of Moya's compasses. Reading it now, she took her bearings and began walking.

*****************'

End of Part Two