Family Matters 6
By ISISDisclaimers and Notes: see part 1
The week following Aeryn's departure was an agony for John. Every minute he waited for word, afraid that Pilot's voice would come across the comm, telling him sadly that Aeryn had succumbed to the Living Death. At first he did not sleep at all, lying awake with the comm badge around his neck, afraid to miss Pilot's hail. When he did sleep, he was tormented by nightmares of Aeryn dying or worse, lying senseless in the Living Death. He had made so many promises to her. He had promised to keep her safe; he had promised that they would never be parted; he had promised to release her from her race's worst fate. Now he was powerless to keep any of them.
The week soon dragged into two and then a month. Jack tried to keep his despondent son's spirits up by constantly telling him that it was a good sign. Pilot had reached Delvia in time and Aeryn was recovering. But John wondered in his heart why Moya had not returned to at least tell him of her recovery. The only thing that would take John's mind off Aeryn was his feverish work on the Farscape module. John had gone to IASA and begun frantic efforts to rebuild the dissected craft. He vowed that the module would be ready for him to rejoin Aeryn onboard Moya the minute the Leviathan returned. He had worked out a plan with DK to steal the craft whenever it was time.
Six weeks later, Farscape was flying again, but there was still no sign of Moya. John's thoughts shifted from visions of Aeryn lying in the throes of the Living Death to thoughts of her captured by PeaceKeepers or mind-cleansed by Nebari. The scenarios that John's mind contemplated during the day returned to haunt his dreams at night. He regularly awoke screaming, calling out Aeryn's name.
As time passed, the reporters finally drifted away. They had commented on the sudden change in the astronaut from happy, energetic hero to depressed and withdrawn loner. Many of the tabloids put the change down to the disappearance of the mysterious dark-haired woman, coming closer to the truth than they realised. The sudden outbreak of fighting in the Mideast combined with a sensational sex scandal in Hollywood, had finally removed the last photographer from the Crichton doorstep.
By midsummer, John had resigned himself to the fact that Aeryn would not return. By then his mind had concluded that she had in fact recovered but had no desire to see him again. He had finally gleaned from his sister what she had told the unfortunate Sebacean. At first he had been resentful, but he soon made his peace with his meddling sister. Marion had had the best of intentions, wanting only his happiness. John had persuaded her that it was not her fault. He and his father should have confided in her that first day and then none of it would have happened. Marion burst into tears at John's words and together, they mourned the loss of his love. When Marion had fiercely vowed to knock Aeryn into next week for causing her brother so much pain, John had laughed, imagining the ease with which his Aeryn would deal with his belligerent sister.
The election in November had placed John Crichton once more in the public eye. In an effort to be seen keeping his compaign promises, the re-elected President had offered John the position of head of interstellar research and development at IASA, a new area of study made possible by the advanced technology he had brought to Earth on his module. John had politely declined but had asked that the President consider DK for the job. The President had shown himself to be a shrewder man and more compassionate than his public image. He had listened to John's suggestions and promptly put them into action. John had agreed to remain with the division in a consulting capacity. The promotion was a welcome wedding gift for DK and his bride.
Soon the holiday season was upon them. After three years without Christmas, John threw himself into the preparations with an almost reckless abandon. The entire family was due to congregate at the Crichton homestead as usual. John had gone wild, purchasing gifts for his family and especially the children, looking forward to the noise and mayhem of Christmas with children. The festivities were going to include John's extended family. DK and Patricia were back from their honeymoon with the news that Patricia was pregnant. Since her parents were visiting her brother in California and DK wasn't able to get away from his new job, they were going to spend Christmas day with the Crichtons.
Alex and her son, along with her parents, were invited as well. Alex and John had settled into a close friendship after the Memorial Day drama. In fact, over coffee while Christmas shopping together, Alex had confided in John about her new boyfriend. In the storm of the publicity surrounding Alex's relationship with John, the press had focussed again on the Stanford scandal. Out of the blue, a lawyer had contacted Alex, offering his time and efforts to clear her name, telling her frankly that he believed that she had been as much a victim of Dr Troy Saxon as anyone else. Robert had worked tirelessly on her behalf, finally restoring her tarnished reputation and getting the fraud accusations reversed. A few weeks after the conclusion of the case, Robert had called Alex up, this time to ask her out on a date. John had shared Alex's laughter at how unsure the lawyer had been, so unlike his fiery confidence in court. They had been seeing each other regularly for nearly five weeks and Alex's face clearly showed her contentment. With Robert in her life and the offer of a research position nearby, Alex's life was turning around at last.
That night, John sat in front of the fire, sipping a brandy and considering where his life was going. His life had been on hold for nearly four years now, first out in the Uncharted Territories and then here on Earth. He sighed. It was time to move on, set some goals and set about achieving them. He knew in his heart that it would be a long time before he would be ready to share his heart with anyone. He honestly believed it would never happen. He still reached for Aeryn in the night, waking up with an aching emptiness in his heart. But there were other things to do. He was still living at his father's home, afraid to leave in case Aeryn ever returned. That would have to change. He had already begun searching for a place of his own. And while he was making a good wage as a consultant to DK's department, it did not fill his time completely. Recently, he had been asked to go on a two year lecture tour of universities and colleges and he was seriously considering it. The chance to share his knowledge and experiences with young up and coming scientists was too good to pass up. One of the Universities had even hinted at a Chair in astrophysics. John had discussed the offer with his father who agreed it was a fine way to get back into a nomal life*. John finished his brandy, resolving to contact the organizer the first business day after Christmas.
Christmas day dawned bright and clear, the sun shining down on the yard warmly. After a lazy morning, John and his father had prepared for the onslaught. The tree was beautifully decorated and barely large enough to contain the vast array of brightly coloured packages under it. The adults had been hard-pressed to contain the enthusiasm of the children as they held them back from falling on the presents until everyone had arrived. Then it was bedlam. Paper flew, people squealed with delight at gifts, children giggled and laughed and eggnog and cider flowed. Finally the dust settled. The children moved out into the yard to play with their new toys as the adults cleaned up and then joined them with their coffee as the turkey cooked.
John was just explaining to Sue's husband Mark about the lecture tour offer when a movement in the trees caught his attention. Indicating that Mark should stay seated, John marched over to the brush, angry that a reporter was interrupting his family's Christmas. He stood at the edge of the lawn, angrily challenging whoever it was to leave. He was about to go in after the intruder when someone stepped out of the woods to his right. John turned and his heart nearly stopped.
Aeryn stood in front of him, dressed as he remembered her in her black leather vest and pants. She looked thinner, almost gaunt. Her face was drawn and her eyes burned like blue gems. She looked at him, her posture suggesting she was ready to run at the slightest hint of rejection. "John," she said finally, her heart in her eyes.
John groaned and then crushed her in his arms. "Aeryn! Oh, God, Aeryn! You're all right! You're alive! Oh my love, my dearest love, you're alive!" He felt her arms wrap around him and her body press against his, trembling uncontrollably. He cupped her face in his hands and looked down into her tear-filled eyes before crushing her lips beneath his. She kissed him back, responding to his deep and passionate kiss with hungry longing. He tasted the salt of her tears as they streamed unchecked down her cheeks. John raised his head to stare down into her beloved face. "Aeryn, I missed you. I thought you were dead, or captured. I thought maybe you didn't want to be with me any more. Oh God, I was dead inside, imagining you in the Living Death and me not there to help you as I'd promised." He kissed her again, his mouth angling over hers like a starving man at his first meal in weeks.
Aeryn surrendered herself to his kiss desperately, then she pulled away."John, I'm sorry, it's all my fault. I should have realised, but we're not told ...," She stared up onto his eyes with such yearning. And looked away uncertain.
"John! Is everything all right?" Mark called from behind him. "Who's there?"
John wrapped his arms around Aeryn's waist intending to pull her forward towards the house. But she resisted. "Aeryn, it's okay. Everyone's here, Dad, DK, Marion and Sue. And they know all about you. It's safe." He tried to lead her forward again, but she pulled away, staring at him anxiously. "Aeryn, what is it?"
"Wait, John. There's something I have to tell you. Zhaan's here."
John looked up, staring into the woods searchingly. "Zhaan? Where?"
"Right here," a voice said and the Delvian priestess stepped forward, dressed in her elegant blue robes with something small in her arms. "Does he know, Aeryn?"
Aeryn looked at her friend uncertainly and shook her head.
"Know what? What's wrong? Is something the matter with Aeryn, Zhaan?" John asked, a chill gripping his heart. He watched her walk over to Zhaan and gather the small bundle into her arms, then she turned and made her way over to John, a strange look on her face.
"I wasn't sick, John. Well, not really. I was ... I was pregnant. I just didn't know it," she said watching his face very carefully. Aeryn stood to face him. "We have a son, John." She spoke softly, her voice full of pride. Then she looked down at her bundle tenderly.
John's heart stopped as he stared at her. Then his face cracked into a massive grin. "A son? Our son? Aeryn!" He leaned forward to lift the blanket away from the child's face, his grin growing wider as he beheld the small, red face of the new-born child, sleeping peacefully in Aeryn's arms. He wrapped his arm around Aeryn's shoulder and pulled her against him, pressing a tender kiss to her cheek. "He's beautiful, Aeryn!" he breathed in wonder.
Aeryn looked up at him, her eyes searching his, "You're happy, John?" she asked.
John's heart went out to her and he pulled her closer again, reaching out to brush the baby's velvet soft cheek tenderly. "Yes, Aeryn, I'm very happy. I love you. And I love him."
Aeryn's eyes filled with tears of relief and she caught her breath in a sob. She looked over at Zhaan who gave her a clear 'I told you so' look. John kissed her tears away tenderly, "How could you ever doubt it, Aeryn?" he asked before capturing her mouth in a gentle kiss full of desire and promise. John led her forward, his arm tight around her waist. He reached out his other hand to Zhaan, who took it and it squeezed it happily. "Come on, it's time for my son to meet the rest of his family."
Jack Crichton had just come out into the yard to tell everyone that dinner would be ready in a half hour and to ask John to help him in the kitchen when he saw his son stepping out of the woods behind the house with a black-clad Aeryn and a strange bald blue woman. Mark had pulled his sons back in alarm and Marion's head swivelled around, trying to locate her children. John was smiling like a maniac and Aeryn looked embarrassed, carrying something in her arms. The adults' eyes widened nearly as much as the children's at the sight of the tall blue Delvian priestess. Jack walked forward to meet them. "Aeryn, my dear, thank God you're okay! You had us all so concerned. John was a wreck." He turned to the Delvian, holding out his hand. "You must be Zhaan. Do we have you to thank for Aeryn's life?"
Zhaan smiled at him graciously, passing her hands over her head and neck gracefully before smiling at him and taking his hand in hers. She nodded to his question, then looked deliberately at the child in Aeryn's arms. Jack Crichton's eyes widened then he smiled almost as wide as his son.
"I'm a dad, Dad," John said foolishly.
"So it would seem," Jack bent forward to gaze at the sleeping infant, then kissed Aeryn on the cheek. "Congratulations. What a wonderful Christmas present!"
Aeryn and Zhaan looked at him confused. John laughed. "Come in, I'll explain. But first, we eat!"
The Christmas dinner was beyond festive. After their initial shock, John's friends and family readily accepted Zhaan and Aeryn. The children were quick to warm to the Delvian, believing her to be some sort of Christmas fairy. Everyone cooed over the baby and congratulated John. Marion took one look at the Sebacean she had caused so much pain and grabbed her in a tight hug, bursting into tears. Aeryn had gazed helplessly at John where he stood with his son in his arms, then had hugged John's sister back, nodding frequently as Marion apologised profusely. They had all settled down to the meal, John keeping Aeryn by his side as if to never let her go. When the baby awoke and began to fuss, Aeryn looked at John asking for a place to feed the baby. John led her down the hall to his room. Aeryn expertly opened her vest and settled her hungry son at her breast. John felt tears spring to his eyes at the sight. Aeryn smiled at him radiantly, elated to be with him once more.
"What happened, Aeryn? Was it the Heat Delirium?" John asked, watching the baby suckle contentedly.
Aeryn sighed. "It seems that this little furnace of a son of yours has a higher core temperature than I do. His body heat made me go into the heat delirium. It wasn't your fault. It wasn't anyone's fault. We couldn't have known." She gazed down at her feeding son lovingly. "You saved my life and his, John. You told Moya to lower the internal temperature. Otherwise my body would have expelled the child. I would have lost him, and probably bled to death. But Pilot and Moya got us to Zhaan in time." She looked at John, seeing the lingering traces of the pain he had endured, not knowing her fate. "We couldn't come back. Zhaan wouldn't even risk moving me. I was trapped on Moya and she couldn't risk starburst or anything. Even then, he was born prematurely. If we could have contacted you, we would have. I'm so sorry, John."
John caressed the baby's cheek, then kissed Aeryn tenderly. "It's okay, Sunshine, you're here now and everything is going to be all right." The new parents returned to the table with their now sated son and the rest of the evening was a celebration of family and friends.
Zhaan left early the next morning to return to Moya, unwilling to risk endangering Aeryn or John by her obviously alien appearance. John began to make arrangements to leave Earth. He arranged his affairs in such a way that he could return if necessary. He also made sure that Aeryn would have a place to come to safely should the need arise. He called the lecture organizer to decline the job, saying that he had an offer to do research elsewhere. DK prepared a plausible explanation for his disappearance as well. A couple of weeks later, everything was in place for his departure. There was only one thing left to do.
John desperately wanted his family and friends to meet Moya and Pilot and see what his life had been like and why he was going back. He talked to his sisters and their husbands very seriously. Alex was included also. They decided that they wanted their children to experience the trip to Moya, even though they ran the risk of the children blurting out what they had seen and done. John herded them all aboard a transport pod that Zhaan pilotted to Earth, then took the controls himself, flying them expertly out to the Leviathan. Even though he had described it to them, Jack and DK could not believe the size of the living ship. The Humans had been awed by Pilot's sheer size and appearance. The children had all wanted a DRD when they saw them buzzing around at their duties. John had 'treated' them to foodcubes in the central chamber and then led them to the terrace where Zhaan had made arrangements for the naming ceremony.
DK had helped John into the bright red robe that Aeryn had insisted he wear, grinning ruefully at his friend. Then DK had escorted him to the terrace where the others waited. Aeryn was already there, dressed in a long red gown, the baby in her arms. John's eyes had widened appreciatively at the sight of her, and she had blushed slightly. Zhaan then began to perform the naming ceremony that was a strange combination of Delvian , Sebacean and Human customs. Finally, under the stars she had asked John and Aeryn to come forward to announce the child's name to those assembled.
"Our son shall be called Daniel John Talyn Crichton," John said in a ringing voice. Aeryn nodded and smiled at Zhaan. DK's eyes widened in shock and then pleasure that John had used his name. Zhaan had blessed the child and the ceremony was over. Daniel had yawned, bored by the whole thing.
Then it was time to say goodbye. John had hugged his weeping sisters and promised their children he would see them soon. He had hugged DK and his wife, telling them he would visit soon after their own child was born. Then he had faced his father. "Dad," he said, choking up.
"I know, son, I know. I'll see you soon," Jack declared. "I know you're alive and well, and loved. I couldn't ask for more than that, even on Earth. Take care of Aeryn and Daniel." he saud then stepped onto the transport pod. Zhaan had offered to fly them back to Earth, knowing how difficult it would be for John.
A couple of solar days later John had a strange sense of deja vu. Here he was almost a cycle later, bidding farewell to Zhaan again. His mind reeled at the thought of what had happened in the time since. He gazed over at Aeryn standing proudly by his side with their son. Then he kissed Zhaan on the cheek. "I told you we'd be back to see you, Zhaan," he said with a grin.
"Indeed you did, John. I can't wait for your next visit," she said, gazing at Aeryn. Then she grinned wickedly. "Give her a little time to get used to motherhood, John."
John looked at Aeryn who returned his speculative look questioningly. "I will, but not too much time. We have a whole Leviathan to fill with little boys and girls." He kissed Zhaan again and led Aeryn over to the transport pod and back to Moya.
That night, after they settled Daniel into his crib, John led Aeryn to their bed. She turned to face him, wrapping her arms around him lovingly. "Are you happy, John?" she asked, traces of her old insecurity returning.
"Ecstatically," John grinned. He bent and gave Aeryn a tender kiss. He revelled in the feel of her, as her arms tightened around him and her body rose to press against his in growing passion. He lowered her to the bed, intent on showing her the intensity of his love for her.
FIN