Family Matters 4
By ISISDisclaimers and Notes: see part 1
Down on earth, John scowled out the window at the circus of reporters and the curious still camped out on his father's front lawn. He was growing increasingly upset and anxious as the days passed without an abatement in their scrutiny of his every move. Unless it eased, there would be no way for him to bring Aeryn down from Moya. He cursed, seeing that his oh-so-clever plan had turned into a trap. They followed him everywhere. No matter what he did, there was always some photographer or reporter there to record it, even when he thought he was alone. His jaw tightened angrily and he bit at his thumb, thinking back to two nights ago. He and Alex had thought they were alone. After many times together, where she had graciously agreed to be his date for the many functions he found himself obliged to attend, she had finally told him about the scandal at Stanford and about her son, Jonny. He had been shocked at the miserable turn her life had taken and had hugged her, pressing a friendly kiss to her lips to comfort her. That's when the flashes began. Some skinny, greasy-haired kid with a massive camera had leaped out of the bushes behind them, snapping shot after shot. John had roared in impotent anger then hurried Alex away, but the damage had been done. The resulting photos had appeared the very next day, gracing the front of every rag in every grocery checkout. Headlines proclaimed everything from a torrid affair to hints that his story, like her data, was fabricated. John cursed again. The phone had rung so often that finally Jack had taken it off the hook.
Worried about his son, Jack came silently into the room, seeing the despairing slump of his shoulders as he peered out the window unseeing. Suddenly there was a crackle and a rapid staccato of sound that sounded like a voice. Unaware of his father's presence, John reached down under his shirt and pulled out the device he had claimed to be a Delvian necklace which he wore constantly. He lifted the golden metallic device to his lips and spoke, stepping back from the window. "Yes, Pilot, what is it?" He listened to a steady stream of unintelligible syllables, before cursing again, more vehemently this time. "Is she there, Pilot? Can you put Aeryn on?" The voice replied with the same strange language. John's face went from angry to worried. "She's sick? What's the matter with her? Pilot, maybe I had better get back up there to you." The staccato continued, more urgent than before. "I understand. I'll try to find a way to get her down here unseen. I'll try to figure out something for tonight. Thanks, Pilot, I'll be in touch. And thank Moya for me." John hit the badge again and turned around, standing stock still at the sight of his father motionless behind him, Jack's face registering his own shock at what he had just heard. John grinned sheepishly at his father, looking for all the world like he had just been caught sneaking in after curfew with alcohol on his breath. "You heard that, didn't you, Dad?"
Jack stared at his son, "Yes, I heard it. But I only understood your half of the conversation." He closed his eyes, "What the hell is going on, John? What was that voice I heard?"
John smiled again, "That was Pilot."
"You mean the alien that flew Moya? But I thought you said the Leviathan dropped you off on Earth and then went to join your friend Zhaan on Delvia."
"Yeah, Dad, I did say that, but I lied. You better sit down. I have a lot more to tell you." John grabbed his father's arm and led him unresisting to the sofa. Before he could speak, there was a knock at the door. The younger Crichton opened it to see DK frantically fighting off questioning reporters. Cameras flashed as John swiftly pulled his childhood friend into the house and slammed the door. DK leaned against the doorjamb wearily, then he saw the scowl on John's face and the stunned look on Jack Crichton's. Before he could ask what was the matter, John hauled him unceremoniously into the room and pushed him down on the sofa. "I need you to hear this too, DK, because I think I'm going to need your help." John then proceeded to fill his father and friend in on the situation high above Earth.
An hour later, Jack and DK were still staring at John in astonishment. "So you're telling me that Aeryn has been up there waiting for you on Moya all this time. She's been monitoring the television and radio to make sure you're okay? And now you want to bring her down here?" DK asked.
John dropped his head wearily into his hands, raking his fingers distractedly through his hair. "Yeah, that's about the size of it. Do you think we can do it?"
Jack looked at his son apprehensively. He had seen the love in his eyes, heard it in his voice when he spoke of this alien woman called Aeryn. He had never seen such intense emotion in his son, not even on the night John had divulged his plan to ask Alex to marry him. "Son, I know you want her to see Earth, to see your homeworld, but do you think it's safe? What about those vultures outside? Even if they don't find out about Aeryn being an alien they won't let you alone. You've become quite a celebrity. How will you even sneak away to meet her?"
John sighed, "I have to find a way, Dad. You don't know Aeryn. The longer I'm gone the more insecure she will become. Pilot already told me she saw some tabloid show this morning and she's making herself physically ill with worry. She's never been alone before, Dad. She was raised in the military, regimented her whole life." He stood up and began pacing. "Even after we ended up on Moya, we've almost never been apart. I promised her! I promised her I'd never leave her. I need her here, Dad. I love her."
Jack stood up and placed his hands on his distraught son's shoulders, shocked at the state he was in. "Okay, John, calm down. We'll think of something." Jack looked back at DK, an idea beginning to form in his head. "What tabloid show, John?"
John looked at his father blankly, "What?"
DK understood where the elder Crichton was going. He reached over and flicked on the TV. The newscast8s celebrity reporter appeared. John watched horrified as she repeated the story, showing the guilty picture of John kissing Alex. DK grimaced apologetically. "It's on nearly every channel, replayed almost hourly."
John closed his eyes in despair, "Oh, dear Lord, Aeryn, I'm so sorry!" he groaned.
"No, John, I think we can use it to our advantage. Here's what I propose."
Across town outside the O'Connor residence, the same skinny greasy-haired kid photographer was stationed outside the home of John Crichton's 'girlfriend'. While his compatriots had staked out the Crichton home, 'Flash', as he was known in the business, had taken a different tack. One that appeared to be paying off. He had already taken several shots of Alex O'Connor and her parents playing with a brown-haired child of about four with startling blue eyes who bore a passing resemblance to John Crichton. He was already calculating the money he would make auctioning off those photos. True or not, the speculation about the hapless astronaut's love child would sell tabloid newspapers like hotcakes. He raised his camera to his eyes and focussed the lens. Alex was just putting down the phone and then she hurried out of the room. A short while later, she returned dressed for the evening. She kissed her son on the cheek and then bid her parents good-bye. Five minutes later a black towncar with darkened windows arrived and she climbed in with the photographer in hot pursuit.
The towncar inched slowly through the seething mass of reporters up the long driveway to the Crichton home. The door opened and a man, swathed in a trenchcoat and dark glasses climbed in. The car backed out the driveway and headed off, followed by the majority of the reporters and photographers.
Meanwhile, seeing the reporters take off after DK and Alex like hounds after a fox, John pulled out his comm and signalled up to Moya. "Pilot? Pilot, are you there?"
John's heart twisted as he heard Aeryn's beloved voice answer. Jack Crichton listened in fascination to the melodious voice speaking a language of liquid syllables punctuated by strange clicks. "Aeryn! Are you ready to join me, sweetheart?" John asked anxiously. He was very much afraid that the damage done by the frelling tabloid TV show would prompt Aeryn to refuse to join him out of anger and hurt. He held his breath, waiting for her answer. She hesitated for a microt then answered softly, "Yes, if you still want me to." He closed his eyes, hearing the insecurity and hurt in her voice. He desperately needed to hold her and reassure her that everything was all right. "Of course, I still want you to, Aeryn. It's not perfectly safe down here, but I can't wait any longer. I need to see you. I miss you so much, Aeryn."
"I miss you too, John," she replied quietly.
John proceeded to give her precise instructions on how to bring the Prowler down safely, avoiding the inevitable radar. Then he told her where to land, describing a deserted field not too far from his father's home. There was a moldering old barn that would provide a perfect hiding place for the Prowler. "I'll meet you there in two arns, after dark. Oh and Aeryn? Do you still have the sundress from the false Earth?"
Aeryn's voice registered her confusion at his question, "Yes, I still have it. Why?"
"Would you mind wearing that instead of your leathers?" John asked nervously. "You will blend in better in that dress. And no pulse rifle." John grinned as his father blinked in shock at his request.
Aeryn gave him her grudging consent, then signed off. John sighed then sat back, looking forward to the evening ahead with a mixture of excitement and anxiety.
John managed to sneak out the back door of his house, past the few bored reporters who had remained behind. He had to grin when he thought of the merry chase DK and Alex were leading the others on. The towncar belonged to a friend of DK's, and the three of them had decided that they had to go at least to Atlantic City, planning to lose the reporters in the casinos. John made his way swiftly to the field, doubling back three times to make competely sure he was not being followed. But it looked like his father's plan had worked. He sat out under the stars and nearly full moon, waiting nervously for Aeryn's arrival, shivering anxiously in the cool night air. Then he heard the familiar whoosh of the Prowler, flying unseen in the night. There was a slight flare and the craft landed not too far from where he waited. He arrived at the sleek fighter craft just as Aeryn climbed down. He could just barely make out her form in the white flowered sundress as she stood uncertainly beside her flyer. Knowing her eyes were better in the dark than his, he stepped forward, whispering her name urgently. She moved warily, her eyes fixed on him. He grabbed her hand and pulled her out into the moonlight, staring down at her eagerly.
He was shocked by her appearance. Pilot had not been exaggerating. Aeryn had lost weight. The sundress nearly hung on her. Her face was drawn and her beautiful blue eyes were like dark pools in her pale face. She did not say anything, staring up at him, her eyes full of pain and loneliness. John groaned and then pulled her into his arms, crushing her to him. "Oh, God, Aeryn, I missed you! I should never have left you! It's been Hell here without you!"
He felt her stiffen in his arms, then she wrapped her arms around his neck, clinging to him fearfully. "John!" she whispered, before she pulled his head down to press her lips against his urgently. John slid his hand into her hair, while his other arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her slender body even closer to his. He kissed her deeply, hungrily, his mouth angling passionately across hers. Aeryn met his need with a fire of her own. Soon John was lost in the taste of her sweet mouth, the ardent press of her body against his, the caresses of her hands as they slid under the edge of his shirt to stroke the naked skin of his back. Unable to stop himself, he pushed her down onto the soft fragrant grass, intent on wiping out the pain of the last two weekens of separation and loneliness.
Afterwards, Aeryn lay wrapped in John's arms, happy to be once again with her lover. John lay back, gloriously exhausted. Then he groaned and sat up, pulling her with him. His face registered his consternation. "Aeryn, I'm sorry. I ... I couldn't help myself. I missed you so much." He grinned down at her sheepishly. "You make me lose control."
Aeryn beamed happily up at him, her hand gently caressing his cheek, "I missed you too, John," she said softly.
He kissed her tenderly then groaned as he felt her eager response to him, a response that threatened to make him lose himself in her again. He pulled his mouth reluctantly from hers and groaned again. "God, Aeryn, what have you done to me? I can't get enough of you." He rose to his feet and began to look around for his clothes and hers.
Aeryn watched him lovingly, for once unembarrassed by her nakedness. John caught the wicked gleam in her eyes and nearly surrendered to her again. He pulled her to her feet and wrapped the sundress around her, staring down into her eyes with shining happiness. He didn't trust himself to button the dress up. Instead, he pulled on the rest of his clothes and went over to the Prowler. Aeryn joined him soon after and together they pushed the craft into the dilapidated barn, satisfied that it was well-hidden. Then he took her hand, "Come on, my love. It's time to meet my father, for real this time."
John and Aeryn laughed together triumphantly as they slipped back into the house unseen. Jack Crichton heard them and stood to meet the woman his son loved so well, who had saved his life repeatedly in the treacherous Uncharted Territories. Despite John's description of her, Jack was unprepared for the beauty of the Sebacean woman. She stood nervously beside his son, almost as tall as he was. Her eyes flashed sapphire. Her long dark hair lay loosely about her bare shoulders. Jack understood what John had described as her mixture of strength and vulnerability. Without a word, Jack's eyes flickered to the pieces of grass and twigs still caught in her lovely hair. John followed his father's gaze down and unbelievably blushed. Instead of chastising them for the nerve-wracking delay, he smiled at the woman his son gazed down at so proudly. "Aeryn Sun, it's a pleasure to finally meet you," he said sincerely. He reached out and took her two hands in his.
Aeryn smiled up at him radiantly, her whole face glowing. Jack jumped when she spoke in her melodious alien tongue. "She says she's happy to finally meet you, the real you, as well." Jack looked at him in confusion. "Don't worry, Dad, I'll tell you later."
Jack chuckled nervously. "This language thing is going to take some getting used to," he said.
Aeryn smiled at him and nodded. She turned to John and said something. "She says she should have thought to bring along some translator microbes." John bent to gently kiss her lips. "There will be time enough for that later, Aeryn." He grinned down at her. "Hungry?" She nodded. "Dad, do you think those vultures out there would let the pizza delivery guy through? I've vowed that Aeryn will get a chance to try everything that Earth has to offer, starting with pizza." He kissed her again, much to her embarrassment. Then he leaped up and headed for the phone.
Jack looked at Aeryn with an expression close to sympathy. "I'm afraid you're in for quite a ride, my dear," he told her. Aeryn rolled her eyes to show she fully agreed.
John bounded back into the room and leaped onto the couch next to Aeryn. "The pizza will be here in a few minutes. Get ready for the taste sensation of the universe." He leaned in to kiss her once again.
Aeryn avoided his kiss skilfully, missing Jack's carefully hidden smile. Then, unfortunately for his son, she reached up to push a strand of her hair out of her eyes. Her fingers came in contact with something in her hair. She deftly untangled the twig, staring at it in horror. Her eyes slid to John's father, who tried his hardest to keep a straight face, then she glared at John, her cheeks flaming. "Crichton!" she cried, "What the frell is this?" She ran her fingers through her hair, coming up with more momentos of their 'close encounter' in the woods. John tried his best to look innocent but failed miserably. "How could you, John? Now your father will think I'm the worst trelk in the universe!"
John tried his darndest to placate her, but she pushed him away furiously. She stormed out of the room, her eyes flashing fire. Jack watched her go in amazement. "Does this happen a lot?" he asked his son.
"Oh, yeah. Life with Aeryn is always a challenge. If she doesn't kill me, I'll be back in a microt, er minute." John followed the irate alien out of the room. Jack listened unabashedly to the furious whispers that emerged from the hall. Suddenly there was a gasp and then silence. By the time the pizza delivery boy arrived, John had returned to the living room with Aeryn. Her cheeks were flushed again, but with a different kind of fire. John was looking very smug. Jack refused to think on it further.
The trio shared a very pleasant evening. Over the pizza, Jack asked Aeryn a number of questions, with John interpreting her answers. She asked Jack a number of searching questions about John, much to his son's embarrassment, but Jack willingly answered them and offered more, knowing that John had caused more than his fair share of Aeryn's blushes that night. When John wasn't looking, Aeryn gave Jack a distinctive wink, acknowledging his role as co- conspirator.
Soon, Aeryn was having trouble hiding her exhaustion. Things got a little tense when John suggested that Aeryn should retire. He looked at his father in confusion, uncertain what sleeping arrangements to suggest. Jack walked over to his son and slapped him on the back. "John, we're all adults here, " he said. "I like her. I like her a lot." he whispered. Then he added out loud, "Well, Aeryn, I'm with you. It's definitely time to call it a night. If I know John, he's got a full day planned for you tomorrow." He bent and risked kissing the Sebacean woman on the cheek. "Good night, my dear. Sleep well."
When he was gone, John slid over to join Aeryn on the couch. He pulled her unresistingly into his arms and kissed her soundly. She sighed and relaxed against him happily. John sat that way for a time, revelling in the feel of her in his arms. When he bent his head to tell her how much his father had liked her, he found her asleep, snoring softly. John kissed her again, then lifted her into his arms, momentarily troubled by how light she was. He carried her down the hall to his room, slipping the shoes from her feet as he laid her on his bed. Aeryn stirred slightly as he pulled the covers out from under her and tucked them in around her. Then he went back through the house to check the locks and turn out the lights. Closing the door to his room, he shed his clothes down to his customary sleeping garb and slid into the bed, drawing the sleeping Sebacean into his arms before drifting off to sleep himself.
Aeryn awoke in the pink light of dawn to find John watching her, his blue eyes filled with love and desire. She smiled lazily at him with a murmured "Good morning." John pulled her closer, his lips finding hers in a kiss that was at first tender, then demanding. With a sigh, Aeryn surrendered herself to his caresses, loving the sensation of waking up once more in John's arms. When the storm of passion subsided, they slept again, content in each other's embrace.
When John awoke later, the sun was fully up. He heard his father already moving around in the kitchen. The bed beside him was empty. Sitting up, he saw Aeryn going through his chest of drawers, pulling out a pair of his Calvins in triumph. "Hey, you little thief, what the hezmana are you up to?" he cried teasingly. Aeryn jumped guiltily and then turned to face him defiantly. "I don't have anything to wear, Crichton," she declared, unconsciously echoing the age old lament of Human women everywhere. "You insisted I wear that frelling thing and now what do I do?" Aeryn flicked her hand contemptuously at the now wrinkled cotton sundress.
John lay back, enjoying the view of his Aeryn clad only in a pair of his Calvins. "I don't know. I think you look fine the way you are."
Aeryn called his bluff, marching purposefully toward the door of the room. "Then you won't mind in the slightest if I go out and wish your father a good morning dressed like this." Her hand was on the door handle before John pulled her back.
"Okay, okay. You win." John searched through his own meagre wardrobe and pulled out a pair of jeans and one of his old MIT sweatshirts. Aeryn practically swam in the clothes. John had to pull out a belt and cinch it around Aeryn's waist twice to hold up her jeans. He helped her roll up the sleeves of the sweatshirt. She turned to face him, looking very much like a child dressed in her father's clothes. They both stared down at her bare feet. Shoes were going to be another problem. Aeryn absolutely refused to put on the flimsy pumps that went with the sundress ever again. John sighed and dressed himself, then taking Aeryn's hand, he led her out into the kitchen where his father had prepared an enticing breakfast for them.
John watched Aeryn pick at her food, all traces of her previously healthy appetite gone. He caught his father's eye, sharing his concern. Aeryn looked up and intercepted the exchange between father and son. She gazed at John, her eyes full of guilt. Her melodious voice conveyed her apology. John turned to his father. "Aeryn wants you to know that she loves your cooking. She's afraid she's just off her food right now. It's probably the stress." John looked at his father, his eyes showing his worry.
Jack smiled reassuringly. "It's all right , Aeryn. You've had to deal with a lot over the past few days. Don't worry. Soon you'll be eating like a horse." He turned to his son, missing Aeryn's confused expression. "So I guess today's project is shopping, huh John?" Jack teased, knowing how much his son loathed shopping and shopping malls in particular.
John slumped dejectedly in his chair. "Yeah, Dad. Aeryn needs some things and frankly, so do I."
"Do you mind if I make a suggestion?"
John looked up at his father in surprise, "No, what is it, Dad?"
"How about calling your sister Marion in on this little expedition?" Jack raised his hand before John could protest. Aeryn watched the two of them nervously. "I know, I know. You and Marion don't always see eye to eye. But John, you really need a woman's touch here. You can't be helping Aeryn pick out underwear, now can you?" Jack saw the amused exchange between his son and the alien. "What?" he asked impatiently.
John grinned "It's a private joke," catching Aeryn's eye and making her blush. Then he sighed. "But you're right, Dad." John turned to Aeryn, anticipating her protests "Aeryn, there are some places you're going to have to go and some things you're going to have to buy that ... well, it just wouldn't be right for me to be there with you." He reached over and caressed her cheek softly. "I know it's the twenty-first century. Can I help it if I'm an old-fashioned kind of guy?"
"Primitive, Crichton, not old-fashioned," Aeryn smirked impudently. Then her eyes grew worried. "Will you tell your sister the truth about me?"
John translated her question for his father. Jack met her eyes sincerely, "We had better not, Aeryn. I love my daughter dearly, but she's apt to blurt out something at the wrong time, in the wrong place. We can't risk it. We'll just tell her you're mute, unable to speak."
John looked at his father, not entirely convinced of the viability of his plan, "You know Marion, Dad. You'd better have a complete dossier ready, or she'll never stop asking questions."
Jack Crichton smiled ruefully, "You're right, John. You and Aeryn work something out while I go give her a call."
Aeryn stared at John in confusion, "John?" she asked growing increasingly nervous.
John reached over and squeezed her hand reassuringly. "It will be all right, Aeryn, I promise." John sighed. "Marion's my older sister. Ever since Mom died, she feels it's her duty to mother me and my younger sister. That includes checking out all potential mates." Aeryn's eyes flew to John's in horror. "No, relax, Aeryn. It will be all right. Dad and I will be there with you. Most of the time. Just pretend you can't answer her questions." John grinned wickedly. "The PeaceKeepers taught you how to resist an interrogation, didn't they?" Aeryn nodded, bewildered. "Well, just use the same techniques." The Sebacean hit the Human playfully. "Hey, no hitting!" John laughed, then he pulled Aeryn into his arms. "Only kissing," he quipped before covering her mouth with his.
It was a very nervous Sebacean who sat waiting for John's sister to arrive to accompany them on their shopping expedition. John and his father had managed to pull together a pair of tennis shoes for Aeryn but even then, she felt uncomfortable in her outfit. Their story was that Aeryn was visiting from Europe, some country called Bell Jump, Aeryn recalled. And her belongings had been lost at something called an airport. John had drilled her in all the particulars of when and where they had met, so much so that Aeryn was now a nervous wreck, at least as much of one as she ever was."I would much rather be facing the entire Scarran army, John," she told him. "At least then I would feel that I had half a chance." John grinned at her and then drew her into his arms, kissing her passionately, his hands moving over her body searchingly, pushing her clothes aside with desire.
Unfortunately, Marion chose that very second to burst through the door unannounced. A few photographers even managed to reel off a few shots of the couple on the couch before John leaped up and slammed the front door shut in their faces. Aeryn pulled herself together, her cheeks flaming with embarrassment.
"Damn it, Marion. Can't you knock?" John raged, rounding on his sister.
"This is my home too, John Crichton! I've never felt the need to knock until now!" Marion cried, her eyes narrowing at the dark-haired woman in suspicion. Aeryn closed her eyes, mortified.
Hearing the commotion, Jack came in and draped his arm around the alien, trying to comfort her. Unfortunately, his actions inflamed his daughter even more. Though she said nothing, her thoughts were clear in her outraged face.
John turned to his father in despair. "Dad, maybe we'd better forget this whole thing!"
"No!" Jack said, his tone clearly brooking no resistance from his children. "Marion, this is Aeryn Sun. She is a friend of John's from Belgium. A very good friend. She worked with him on the Metricon satellite project in '95. She's here in the US, visiting for a few months but unfortunately her luggage was lost on the way over here." Jack pleaded with his oldest daughter. "She heard about John's return and came to pay her respects." Over Marion's shoulder, John winced, seeing the thundercloud pass over his sister's face at their father's use of the term 'respects'. "She's a stranger to the US, Marion. And she's mute. She can understand English when it's spoken to her but because of ... of ... meningitis she suffered from as a child she is unable to speak," Jack finished weakly. "Look, Marion," Jack said quietly, "I told John we would help her purchase a few items until her luggage was recovered." Seeing the stubborn look still on her face Jack grew impatient with his eldest child. "Marion Crichton Kirby! I'm sure your mother and I raised you better than to leave a stranger hanging."
Aeryn and John saw Marion hang her head at her father's criticism. The strawberry blonde woman with John's incredibly blue eyes reached out her hand to the tall dark-haired woman standing so close to her brother. "Pleased to meet you, Aeryn. How do you like the 'States so far?" Aeryn looked up at John helplessly.
"Uhh, Marion, you have to ask her yes or no questions, remember?"
Marion looked at the woman, her blue eyes hard. "Yes, John, I remember." Then her eyes swept up and down the dark-haired visitor, her eyes widening in horror. "My God, Aeryn, you really don't have a thing to wear, do you? Did you lose everything? You should sue that airline. Nobody should have to wear my brother's cast offs," she said with a smirk. Her eyes swept over her brother with equal contempt. "And you, John. You look like a refugee from a prison camp. At least Aeryn has an excuse." Marion turned just in time to catch the intimate look pass between her brother and the mysterious woman who was no more Belgian that she was. * I will get to the bottom of this, * she vowed to herself.
A few arns later, Aeryn stood on what Marion had called an escalator, in a mass of Humans, moving slowly up to the second floor of a bright and crowded covered market. The rough handles of the bags she had in her hands chafed her skin. A Human child pushed roughly past her, nearly making her lose her grip on the bags. In an effort to hold onto them, Aeryn teetered into the Human standing directly below her. The woman glared at her, then returned to her conversation on the hand-held comm device that Aeryn had seen everywhere. Beside her, John's sister continued the nearly non-stop stream of talk that had started shortly after she had joined them in the parking lot of the mall. Aeryn closed her eyes. *I will never accuse John of talking too much, ever again,* she vowed. Her mind automatically shied away from contemplating how long 'ever' would be.
Marion's eyes had registered her disapproval of John's decision to take his own car with Aeryn while Marion travelled with her father. But Jack had agreed, letting John take a more roundabout route in an effort to lose the photographers tailing them. John had used the trip as an opportunity to show Aeryn a bit of his world, pointing out some of the landmarks he had told her about aboard Moya. Aeryn enjoyed herself, as much from viewing the sights as from seeing the joy on John's face as he raved about his world. By the time he wheeled into the parking lot, Aeryn was feeling much more relaxed.
In truth, the shopping expedition was not too different from the many supply runs that Aeryn had participated in with the rest of Moya's fugitive crew. The shops were crowded, the salespeople anxious to make sales, the shoppers searching for a bargain, much like on the numerous commerce planets that she had visited. John had strolled through the wide aisles, taking Aeryn's hand occasionally to point out item after item, sometimes leaning in close to whisper reminders of some past encounter to his Sebacean friend, drawing chuckles from her.
There were a number of distinct differences however, one of which being the currency used on Earth. John had explained dollars and coins to Aeryn a long time ago during a quiet period on board Moya. He had even gone so far as to draw crude pictures of his country's paper bills and impressed metallic coins. But to Aeryn's confusion, almost no one seemed to actually use the currency. Transactions were completed by swiping thin, square, multicoloured cards of a pliant material in machines that spewed out long strips of paper to which the purchaser added a signature. Or sometimes, no signature was required. Aeryn's head hurt trying to figure it out. No one bartered or haggled. *Rygel would be extremely disappointed,* Aeryn thought.
Marion's face had registered her disapproval of the 'Belgian' when John had used one of his cards to pay for a couple of black cotton shirts for Aeryn. "Did you lose your money along with your luggage?" she asked Aeryn snidely. Aeryn nodded, not completely understanding. "I'm surprised at you, Aeryn. You're obviously a seasoned traveller. You must have lived in a number of countries because of your job. Even the most naive tourist knows you never put your money in with your luggage." Marion laughed harshly and turned away. Aeryn watched her, growing concerned at her behaviour. Despite John's father's decision, Aeryn wished they had told the woman the truth. She was clearly suspicious and bound on getting to the truth about her brother's relationship with this mysterious stranger.
Marion's eyes grew harder and harder as John paid for more and more clothes and other items for Aeryn. *My brother has fallen into the clutches of a gold- digger, and Dad is too much of a gentleman to do anything about it,* she raged inside. She watched as her father smiled gently at the woman, leaning closer to her to point out the huge fountain in the centre of the mall, watching Aeryn's eyes widen in delight at the jets of water that shot high into the air. *God, I wouldn't put it past her not to try to seduce Dad too. Men!* She watched her brother carefully. When Alex had appeared out of the blue, Marion had been delighted to hear from her old friend. She had prided herself on being the one who had introduced Alex to John. She had been as devastated as her brother when Alex had taken off to work in Stanford. Marion had had such hopes for them. Hopes that had been renewed with John's return and Alex's reappearance. Hopes that she was not about to allow this little opportunist dash. She noticed the way John stayed almost constantly at Aeryn's side, touching her hand and bending in to whisper to her. Marion knew it was up to her to set things right.
When John insisted on taking a break in the food court of the mall, Aeryn agreed readily, feeling uncharacteristically tired. With aching groans, the little group fell into the hard seats around a red and white plastic table. Then John got up and took everyone's order. John's father and his sister settled on just coffee. Marion started to ask Aeryn what she wanted, changing her question to list several items in the now familiar yes or no pattern. "Don't bother, Marion. I already know what Aeryn's having." John bent over the dark-haired woman, grinning wickedly. "Ready for the second taste sensation of the universe?" Aeryn looked up at him apprehensively, while Jack chuckled at her nervous expression. She looked over at John's father for support as John bounded away, but all he would do was shrug, his face cracked into an infectious grin so like his son's.
Aeryn was relieved when John returned a few microts later, balancing a tray with multi-coloured cups of the steaming aromatic coffee and a large dish filled with a dark substance that resembled a thick brown foodcube, covered in round creamy balls of a cold substance. The whole thing was drizzled with a dark brown liquid and topped with a rippled white pyramid of a fourth substance and a red orb. Two spoons stuck out of the conglomeration. John wagged his eyebrows at Aeryn promisingly. "Aeryn, prepare to experience the famous fudge brownie sundae. It's chocolate, Aeryn." Aeryn recalled John's statement that this was one of the reasons why he wanted to return to his Earth. He had searched the Uncharted Territories, but declared that there was nothing even remotely similar. She watched him take a spoonful of the dessert and down it, an expression of ecstasy crossing his face.
Marion sipped her coffee and stared at her brother in disgust. "Honestly, John, you must have a cast iron stomach to eat that. Besides, why would Aeryn be impressed by chocolate. She's Belgian, remember!" Her tone of voice dripped with sarcasm. "Even I remember how you raved about the quality of Belgian chocolate when you got back from that project, John." She turned to Aeryn. "I'm afraid you're going to be disappointed with American chocolate, Aeryn."
Jack stared at John uncomfortably, uncertain what to do when Marion was so close to catching them in their lie. Aeryn suddenly broke the tension by seizing the other spoon and shovelling a rather large helping into her mouth. John watched her closely as the flavours melded together in her mouth. Her eyes widened in astonishment and delight, then she smiled at him, one of her radiant smiles that John lived for. "Do you like it, Aeryn?" he asked anxiously. Aeryn beamed at him and nodded enthusiastically, grabbing the spoon and helping herself to another bite. John leaned in to whisper in her ear. "Some people even say it's better than sex," he confided wickedly, grinning when Aeryn blushed scarlet. Her eyes flashed with frustration, knowing she couldn't reply in front of his sister
Marion watched her in contempt as the dark-haired interloper demolished the rich dessert with John. "Did you really think Aeryn wouldn't like it, John," she asked skeptically. "There isn't a woman in this world who can resist chocolate."
She saw John share a secret glance with Aeryn and his father. "Not even in this Universe," he added, "Or any other." Jack snorted and suddenly Aeryn joined in their laughter, her chuckle deep and rich and throaty.
Marion stared at her in astonishment. *People who are mute can't make a sound when they laugh,* she thought, her eyes narrowing again in distrust. John's sister decided to stir things up a bit. "John, I was so upset to see that tabloid picture of you with Alex. It's really appalling how the press have hounded you since your return. You can't even go out on a date without some lousy paparazzi ruining your evening. I hope Alex wasn't too upset. Things seemed to be going along so well between you two lately. Any chance of a reconciliation, John?" Marion asked innocently, pleased to see the other woman lay her spoon down as if her appetite had suddenly deserted her. She pressed on. "Have you had a chance to meet Alex yet, Aeryn? She's such a wonderful girl. I was the one who introduced her to John." She smiled blandly into her brother's glaring eyes. "They were such a perfect couple. I was devastated when she left for California. So was John. It took him quite a while to get over her." Marion lifted her eyes to face her brother, a look of challenge on her face. "I don't know. Did you ever really get over her, John?"
"Marion!" her father interrupted loudly. He glanced at his son's thunderous expression. Before he could say anything, he noticed that their little group was attracting quite a bit of attention. People around them were starting to realise who John was. Some were pulling out cameras and cellphones. Jack reached over and touched his son's arm, drawing his attention to the growing crowd of curious shoppers. John pulled Aeryn to her feet and quickly collected their packages. He hustled them out of the mall and to his car just as a couple of photographers appeared, intent on getting shots of the mysterious woman with the newsworthy Commander Crichton.
Aeryn sat quietly beside John as he raced away, driving somewhat recklessly. He cursed and smacked the steering wheel angrily. Then he looked at the silent Sebacean. "Aeryn, I'm so sorry about that. I don't know what's gotten into Marion."
Aeryn sighed, "She's suspicious, John. You and your father should have told her the truth about me."
John stared straight ahead at the road in front of him. "Yeah, I'm afraid you're right. Knowing Marion, she'll be like a dog with bone until she finds out the truth." He reached over and took her hand. "I'll talk to Dad. We'll have to find a good opportunity to tell Marion and her husband Sean. I guess we'd better fill Sue and Mark in as well." He grinned, "It'll be a Crichton family affair, Aeryn."
Aeryn smiled weakly at him. "And what will they say, John? Will they believe you? Will they be pleased? Or will the thought of you with an alien woman repulse them? It's obvious Marion would rather see you with Alex." Her voice got louder as she grew more agitated. "And what then, John? Even if they accept me, is it fair to them to place the burden of this secret on them, forcing them to hold their tongues and constantly watch what they say in case they reveal something unintentionally?" She turned away from him in despair, pulling her hand out of his. "Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. I should just go back to Moya and ... and ...," she stopped. *And wait for you?* she thought but didn't say.
John slammed the steering wheel again in impotent rage, startling Aeryn. "No way, Aeryn! You're not leaving! You can't go! I won't let you!" He glanced sideways at her, seeing the PeaceKeeper mask settle back over her features. His voice softened. "Please, Aeryn, give it a chance. You just got here. There's so much I want to show you, to share with you. Please, don't think about leaving," he pleaded. "Not yet." He took her hand again, raising it to his lips and pressing a warm kiss against her palm, before rubbing his cheek against her soft cool hand lovingly. He took his eyes from the road to look at her. She was gazing at him, her eyes troubled. He smiled to reassure her, seeing her lips curve in a slight smile before turning back to concentrate on his driving. "That's it, babe. Everything will be all right. I promise." He kissed her hand again, before laying it gently in her lap. "So what shall we do first? Disneyland? Marineland? The beach?"
The next few days were a whirlwind of activity. John decided to throw caution to the wind and appear in public with Aeryn. Her presence in his home had been revealed by the end of the day of their shopping expedition. Pictures of them racing out of the mall and trying to get through the reporters at his home, along with a few suggestive shots of him kissing Aeryn in his home, had been broadcast on the evening editions of the tabloid TV shows and grocery store rags screamed with headlines speculating on who the dark-haired woman was, and whether she had replaced Dr O'Connor in the handsome astronaut's affections. John publicly escorted Aeryn to dinner, out dancing one night and to all the tourist attractions within driving distance of his home. He had even risked asking permission to give her a tour of IASA. Aeryn watched the Human work with the scientists who were analysing the technology on his Farscape module, losing himself in correcting some of their assumptions and data. Her fingers had itched to help him but she knew she could not, that it would reveal too much about her to the watching scientists and ever-present aide to General Anderson. John had ended his visit by making arrangements to return to IASA to guide the engineers and astrophysicists in their work trying to duplicate the new technology.
The only dark cloud was John's ongoing refusal to make any definite plans with Aeryn about what they were going to do next. *All right, avoidance, not refusal,* she told herself. Much in all as she was enjoying being on Earth with John, Aeryn really needed to know what they were going to do. She did not want to consider the possibility that they would part. Her heart lurched at the very thought of it. But she needed to have the question settled once and for all, as much for her sake as for Pilot and Moya's. The Leviathan and her symbiont were being incredibly patient with the remaining members of their crew. Moya was fascinated still by all she was learning about Earth from monitoring its myriad transmissions. John spoke to them daily, always answering the numerous questions Pilot asked on Moya's behalf. But soon, a decision would have to be made. Aeryn gasped as a wave of nausea passed over her at the thought. She sat down on the side of John's bed, wrapping her arms around her stomach, hating the illness that her ragged emotions had aroused in her lately.
When the bout of nerves passed, she resumed dressing for yet another evening out with John. This time, she and John were joining DK and his fiancée for dinner and another night of dancing. Aeryn smiled. She really liked this Human practise of dancing, loving the feel of John's arms around her, guiding her as he smiled down into her eyes. She looked at herself in the mirror. John had bought this dress for her. It was black and knee length. The top was simple, sleeveless and cut in a deep vee similar to her preferred black vest. Her legs were encased in very sheer black leggings that John called stockings. She remembered how he had laughed at her frustration when she had ruined several pairs of the flimsy things trying to learn how to put them on without putting her finger through the gossamer fabric. Since then she found herself liking the freedom of having nearly bare legs. The only drawback was the shoes. John had finally convinced her to wear the strappy sandals. He had wisely not pushed her to try to teeter around on the stiletto heels the saleswoman had tried to get him to buy. Even these things with a modest heel were pushing her limits of tolerance. But she wore them, delighted at the pleasure she saw in John's face when he saw her. She bent down to fasten the straps, sighing. *I really miss my boots, * she thought to herself.
She was just about to push the door open and join John and his father for a drink that John called 'a pair of thieves', or some such, when something John said caught her attention. She leaned against the door, listening.
"Dad, I'm really scared about Aeryn. Things have been going quite well. The press seems to be letting up. It's only the gossip mongers and tabloids that are hanging around. But they're dangerous. They're not going to let up until they find out who Aeryn is. I caught some guy going through our garbage earlier. What if he had gotten something that told him Aeryn was an alien? Or what if they bug the house and hear her speak?"
"Do you think they would go that far for a stupid story?" his father asked incredulously.
John sighed. Aeryn could hear him pacing back and forth. "I don't know! But I'm not willing to risk it. They're all over DK, you, Alex. What about Marion? Have you had a chance to talk to her yet?"
"No. I thought I'd wait until this weekend. I've invited the whole family over for a barbecue. I thought we could tell them all then. Do you think DK and Patricia could come?"
"Yeah, I'll ask them tonight." John sighed again.
Jack reached over the touch his distraught son's arm. "Is there something else bothering you, John?"
"Yeah, Dad. I'm worried about Aeryn. She doesn't look well. Pilot said she was ill before, up on Moya. I thought it was just stress but it's not going away. Aeryn's never ill. Her race has been inoculated against all forms of infectious disease." John began pacing again. "What if there's something here on Earth that's affecting her? And what if she gets really sick? We can't just take her to our family doctor now, can we?"
Jack looked at his son, knowing where he was leading. "You don't think she can stay here, do you, son?" he asked quietly.
Aeryn held her breath, waiting for his answer.
"No, I don't. Aeryn keeps asking me what we're going to do next. Pilot and Moya are waiting. I have to make a decision. I ..." Whatever he was going to say next was interrupted by DK's arrival with his fiancée.
Aeryn closed the door quietly and lay back against it, gasping for breath to calm the racing of her heart. She took a few microts to calm herself before going out to join John and the others, her mask in place to hide the turmoil of her thoughts.
***************
End of Part Four