DOWNWARD SPIRAL 2: REVELATIONS

By Donnie Thomas

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PART I

Zhaan sighed as she stood up from the chair beside Crichton's bed. It had been
almost two monens now since John had first lapsed into a coma, and he showed no
signs of waking up anytime soon. Zhaan was exhausted, she had spent every day of
the last two monens here beside the Human, probing his mind in an attempt to try
and help him emerge from the dark waters of his turbulent mind. Each time Zhaan
journeyed through John's mind, she became more concerned for his well being; the
images she encountered were powerfully disturbing.

An unexpected side effect of Zhaan's continual expeditions into Crichton's mind
was the strengthening of the bond she had shared with the Human ever since the
New Moon of Delvia. Whereas before she could only get a glimpse of his feelings,
Zhaan was now very aware of John's presence in her mind. Through this new, more
powerful bond, Zhaan could see and feel everything that had happened to John
since his first days aboard Moya. She saw and felt the agony of John's time in
the Aurora Chair as surely as if it had been she that Scorpius violated instead
of John.

Zhaan smiled as she looked down at Crichton's face, gently caressing his cheek
with the back of her hand. "I've never experienced a bond this strong with
anyone before, it should make our life more interesting."

Abruptly the smile faded as Zhaan leaned down to whisper in John's ear, "You
have to fight this John, we need you. Especially Aeryn, she is not taking this
well."

Zhaan closed her eyes to fight back the tears that threatened to fall, finally
she leaned even closer to John and in a barely audible voice continued. "You
have to come back to us John, you have to come back to me."

Surprising herself at her last statement, Zhaan just closed her eyes and laid
her head down beside Crichton's, taking his hand in hers before she let sleep
claim her.

PART II

"You're insane John." Scorpius sneered as he stood before Crichton, looking
down on him in contempt he continued. "Everyone else can see it, why can't you?"

John looked up in horror from where he lay on the sand. It was a bright and
sunny day, hot and humid typical Florida weather. Crichton had gone for a swim
in the ocean to beat the heat, then decided to relax on the beach and get a
little sun. He was just about to doze off.

That was when Scorpius appeared like something out of his darkest nightmares.
And if John let himself think about it, he probable was.

"What the hell are you doing here Scorpy?" John asked as he bounded to his feet,
looking for his pulse pistol that obviously was not there, it never occurred to
John that he should, in all probability still be aboard Moya.

"How the hell did you find Earth? Did you create a wormhole?" John asked
frantically, thoughts of a Peacekeeper invasion party in orbit around Earth
running through his mind.

Scorpius regarded the Human for a moment before shaking his head. "Don't be
ridiculous Crichton.

Scorpius laughed as he put his arm around John's shoulder, "I'm not really here,
and neither are you."

Leading John along the beach, waving his hands about him Scorpius continued.
"All of this is in your head John, that pitiful little thing you call a mind."

John stumbled, catching himself before he fell, and regarded Scorpius with a
confused frown. "What do you mean this is all in my head? It looks pretty
freakin' real to me."

Scorpius stepped away from John and shook his head; "I told you that you were
out of your mind, why don't you just admit it?"

Scorpius paused to let his words sink in before he continued, "You're only
fooling yourself, your friends aboard the leviathan know it, that's why they
keep their distance from you. Haven't you noticed how they all look at you now?"

The Scarren smiled a cold, predatory smile as he continued to torment Crichton,
"None of them care for you John, they are using you. You are insane, lost….and
utterly alone."

With those final words Scorpius vanished, oblivious to the heart-wrenching
scream of denial emitted from the Human as he sank to his knees in despair.

"No." John whispered, "It's not true, it can't be true."

But in his heart, John knew the truth, and it scared the hell out of him, for
now he had to admit the he, John Robert Crichton had finally lost his mind.

PART III

Zhaan stumbled into the center chamber, crying uncontrollably. The others all
stared at her in shock as she sat down heavily beside Aeryn.

"What's wrong Zhaan? Has something happened to Crichton?" Aeryn asked, fear
gripping her heart.

Zhaan looked around the table, making eye contact with each individual, before
locking eyes with Aeryn.

"He is in pain Aeryn, not physical pain, but a deep emotional pain, as if
something has been ripped from his heart." Zhaan whispered, voice shaky from
crying.

"It is almost overwhelming in its intensity." Zhaan continued, "I've never felt
anything like it."

The others looked at her confused, finally D'argo broke the uncomfortable
silence. "What do you mean, you've never felt anything like it? How can you tell
what Crichton is feeling?"

Zhaan looked down at the table and silently cursed herself for her slip, this
was for her and John alone, no one else had the right to share what they had.

"You are aware of the bond that was formed between John and myself after he
helped me on the New Moon of Delvia?" Zhaan asked, looking up from the table.

At their understanding nods, she continued, "These past two monens I have been
entering John's mind, trying to bring him back to himself. As a result of this,
our bond has gotten stronger.

Zhaan paused, taking a deep breath and whispered, almost to herself. "I can now
feel and see everything he does."

Zhaan locked eyes with Aeryn once again before continuing. I have also been able
to feel and see everything that has happened to him since he came through the
wormhole, almost as if I was there with him."

D'argo and the others just sat there in stunned silence, finally Aeryn stood up
and moved toward the exit. "If you will excuse me, I need to check my Prowler."

Before anyone could say anything, the Sebacean was gone.

EPILOGUE

Aeryn walked through Moya's empty corridors in shock, she couldn't believe what
Zhaan had just told them.

Troubled thoughts ran through Aeryn's mind, *What does this mean for my
relationship with Crichton?*

*Will I even be able to compete with the kind of bond that Zhaan and John now
shared?* Aeryn thought as she rounded the corner and neared her quarters.

Falling down on the bed, Aeryn rolled onto her side and sighed, *Frell, will
Crichton even wake up from his coma?*

These thoughts and others made for a very restless night for Aeryn Sun.

TO BE CONTINUED….