The Three Of Us
By Pickle
Summary: Concerns mount on Moya, as it seems Aeryn has a problem.
Disclaimers: I don't own them, though I sure wish I did!
Cert: This section PG
PROLOGUE
John watched Zhaan impatiently as she analysed the data, his blue eyes flecked with concern. Leaning over her shoulder he tried to make sense of the symbols on the screen.
"John," Zhaan sighed her voice full of exasperation, "You're not making things any easier for me."
"I'm worried about her Zhaan."
"As am I but Aeryn seems to be in no immediate danger, it could just be fatigue."
"Oh that's just beat. Aeryn collapses on a commerce planet and you say it could just be fatigue?"
"The tests will give me answers John, if you allow me to conduct them in peace and quiet."
"Haven't you noticed her lately Zhaan? She's been well, not herself."
"Then who has she been?"
"Cut the crap Zhaan," John groaned, "You know what I mean."
"I have not noticed anything unusual." John jarred her elbow and Zhaan's hand on the slide slipped. "John…"
"Ok, ok I get the message." He backed away. "I'm gonna go check on Aeryn."
"Pilot said she was in her quarters about half an arn ago."
"Thanks." John slouched heavily out of the room leaving Zhaan to conduct her work in peace and quiet. Approaching Aeryn's room John heard the uncomfortable sound of retching, followed by the repulsive sound of a person being sick. 'Just fatigue?!' Very doubtful.
"Aeryn?" he peered round the door, "Can I come in?"
Nodding her head between bouts of vomiting she waved him in. "What time is it?"
"It's still early morning." He approached her calmly. "You not feeling so good?"
"Its probably just a bug I picked up off the planet." She mumbled, swiping her dark hair back off her face. Standing behind her John held the dark mass of her sweat stained skin for her, rubbing her back gently as she heaved into the bowl grimacing; illness was not something she was used too and she felt so tired. Why? Leaning back against John's chest she allowed him to mop her forehead gently, guiding her to the comfort of her bed, his strong arms wrapped around her fragile frame. Beneath his muscular arms she felt so frail. Gradually the sickness passed and a smile tinted her sweat-tinted lips.
"Thank you." She whispered hoarsely and he kissed her hair lightly.
"S'alright." He nuzzled against her. "I don't mind."
Levering herself away she walked slowly to the edge of her cell. "I'm going to take a shower," she smiled. "I'll see you later." Nodding John watched her go. She seemed so pale. So tired. She hadn't been eating properly. And this sickness? Something she'd picked up off the planet? Doubtful. She'd been ill for quite a few days now, he'd heard her once before but by the time he'd entered her cell she had stopped and was denying ever having been ill. Something was not right. Something was making her sick. The food? But she hadn't really been eating lately, another thing that was worrying him. Since the aftermath of the incidents that led to her 'death' things had been better between them, she had not kept anything from him. Not physically, not mentally, but now? Perhaps it was her fear of what she did not know. After all peacekeepers had all but eradicated diseases, she could be angry that she had been struck by illness. Perhaps even embarrassed.
Rubbing his chin thoughtfully John ambled slowly down the corridor, his eyes wandering aimlessly over Moya's golden walls. Stopping briefly by the doors that led to the showers he allowed a half-smile to creep over his face, temporarily pushing the worrying thoughts aside. It had been how long since…? A month maybe? He thought longingly of her toned body and deep eyes. The problem with Moya was that with a schedule like theirs; peaceful one minute all hell broken loose the next, there wasn't much time for…for…intimacy. Well, putting it bluntly, for sex. Sliding down the wall he settled on the floor, his knees tucked into his chest, whistling tunelessly through his teeth.
"John," His comms burst suddenly into life and he jumped, startled.
"Yeah Zhaan, any news?"
"The results should be ready very soon. I just thought you might want to know."
"Thanks Zhaan. I'll get Aeryn and we'll make our way down together." Pushing himself to his feet he exhaled slowly and tapped on the door of the shower room with a knuckled fist. "Aeryn? Did you hear that?"
No response.
"Aeryn? Can I come in?"
Still no reply. "Alright Aeryn, I'm coming in." Opening the door he stepped quickly inside looking around nervously. What if she had collapsed and hurt herself again? What if she was sick? What if…
"John,"
Snatching his head round to her voice his eyes came to rest on her damp figure curled up on the bench in the corner. Her dark eyes were uncomfortably wide and her wet hair slung, click to her back.
"John I think I need to see Zhaan. I feel terrible." 'You have to stop worrying.' She scolded herself. 'You're making yourself feel worse.' But secreted beneath her usually indifferent exterior, worry was steadily eating her away inside. John had been right. She was afraid of the unknown.
"It's alright." John was by her side, easing her to her feet. "I was about to get you anyway. Zhaan says the results will soon be ready." He wrapped his arm around her waist and frustrated she accepted his support.
"Just lean on me Aeryn." He mumbled in her ear. "Zhaan'll soon tell us what's got you feeling so crap."
* * *
Looking up as Aeryn entered the room she was startled to see all of Moya's crew assembled in the infirmary. Pulling immediately away from John she glared at the others.
"What are you all doing here?"
"We're worried about you." D'argo said fixing his attention on Aeryn's pale face.
"Well you don't need to be. I'm fine. Still walking, still talking. I'm fine."
"Actually Aeryn," Zhaan sounded troubled. "I have the test results and I think you should sit down. Take the weight off your feet."
"I'm fine." Aeryn repeated defiantly.
Something in Zhaan's eyes made John realise something was seriously the matter and standing behind Aeryn he pushed her to the bed.
"Do as she says Aeryn."
Grudgingly Aeryn complied, seating herself awkwardly on the edge of the infirmary bed. Stonily she stared around at the circle of her friends feeling like a caged animal. John stood furthest away, near the door and she longed for his comforting presence. Nervously he watched, a sick feeling consuming his stomach, what if it was something real? Something serious? Masking his feelings he set his face to a look he hoped would appear comforting, reassuring.
Zhaan moved towards Aeryn, her calm blue eyes filled with concern.
"Zhaan, will you please just tell me what the frelling problem is?" Aeryn growled.
"You're not sick, Aeryn. You haven't caught any virus or been contaminated by any bacteria from the commerce planets we've passed."
"Then what's wrong with me?" She asked impatiently.
"You're carrying for two people now. That's why you feel so tired all the time."
Aeryn's face twisted as she tried to understand what Zhaan had just said. "What do you mean?" She asked, confused.
"I mean Aeryn, that you are one month pregnant."
The news hit her like a bombshell. Pregnant. Frell. Pregnant. She heard John gasp in surprise and watched everyone look automatically towards him. After all who else could be the father?
"Is it…?" John didn't want to finish the question in case the child wasn't his. Aeryn answered for Zhaan, her voice an emotionless whisper. "Of course."
John glanced around at the faces of his friends glued to his feeling a sudden sense of relief. Morning sickness, that was all it was. Then suddenly the full impact hit him. A Father? Slowly he moved towards Aeryn.
"I'm gonna be a father? I'm gonna have a child?"
"We're going to have a child, John." Aeryn said, allowing a smile to creep over her features. This was perhaps not her ideal situation, but it had happened and she was going to make the most of it.
Taking her hands in his John caressed her tender skin and leant forwards reaching for her mouth. Closing her eyes she met him, briefly tasting his soft lips until they pulled apart, a wide grin spread on her face, his mouth widening into a bashful smile as his friends watched the couple make they first public kiss. Placing his hands on Aeryn's stomach he rubbed her skin tenderly.
"Looks like I better start taking good care of the two of you."
To Be Continued.