Title: THE RETURN OF MALDIS

Author: by ISIS

Email:

Archive: You¹re welcome to it; please tell me where it's at. (louiseboyden@earthlink.net) Acknowledgements: Thanks again to Barb for her helpful suggestions and constructive comments.

Rating: PG

Category:

Summary: The title says it all. Moya's crew must defeat an old enemy with the help of other old enemies.

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:

Spoilers: "That Old Black Magic" ,"Rhapsody in Blue" & "A Human Reaction"

The Return of Maldis

Enjoy*Rage. Frustration. Above all, hunger.* The disparate molecules began to coalesce, moving together in space and time. Emotions first. Then memory. *A planet. Slaves. A constant food supply. Boredom. Then, new blood. An unknown species. A conflict. A feast of negativity. Then suddenly, pain and dispersal.* The molecules continued to come together into a red, flaming cloud. Finally, intelligence. *Revenge. And a plan.* The flaming cloud floated off in its search.

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

Aeryn Sun sat on the floor of the terrace, with her arms wrapped around her legs, trying to ignore the voices of her past that berated her. She was still dressed in the absurd costume Crichton had provided for her. A sundress, he had called it. Less than an arn ago, she and D'Argo and Rygel had returned from the false Earth of Crichton's memory in the transport pod, no longer the subjects of the Ancient's experiment. No longer at the mercy of John Crichton's memories of his Earth. Crichton had followed in his Farscape module. Since then, she had gone out of her way to avoid him, knowing that he would want to indulge in his favourite Human pastime of talking.

Aeryn sighed and ran over the events of the last *two days* in her mind. She had watched in pain as Crichton had left Moya and descended into his wormhole. She had told him she could not go with him, because she was afraid. She, a Peacekeeper commando, trained from birth, had been afraid, afraid of the unknown, of not fitting in, of Crichton himself and the unexpected feelings he aroused in her. She had watched him take his leave of the others. She could still see the look he gave her as he said his brief good-bye to her. Then he had left, left Moya, left her.

When his Earth disappeared, they had followed and been pulled into the wormhole after him. She would have gone alone, to join him, regretting her earlier decision, but D'Argo and Rygel had insisted on coming along, and that avenue was closed to her. She had almost been pleased when they had been trapped by the wormhole. It meant that she might see Crichton again.

Then had followed the nightmare. Rygel's death, D'Argo's disappearance, John's seeming defection. It had been more than she could take, and she had once more rejected him. Fear had again made the decision for her. She could still see the look of pain and defeat on his face when she had ordered him to go.

Her heart lightened slightly at her memory of his declaration that he was with her. Despite her fear and resolution not to be taken and suffer the same fate as Rygel and D'Argo, she was gladdened by his help. He had helped her get away, protected her, supported her, turned against his own people to save her. He had "stood up" for her, as he had explained the term that day on Moya almost a cycle ago. "Stood up" against his own as she had done for him.

And she had experienced the beauty of his world. She had finally come to understand what drove him to try to return to the planet that she and the others had dismissed as a primitive, pathetic rock. The rain, the sunlight. They were all new to her and beautiful. She knew now that she had experienced it through his memory, which made it that much more beautiful for her.

Her thoughts turned to the disturbing events that had followed their escape. That night in the hotel room. She frowned at the memory. Her whole training screamed at her that she had committed the ultimate sin, but her heart told her that that was wrong.

It had started out with an innocent kiss, shared between two people who were tired and frightened and facing an uncertain future. But it had deepened into something so much more. She could still feel his hands on her body, caressing, arousing. The taste of him, the feel of him. Her own willing response to his increasing demands. Her own demands of him. Her surrender and the pleasure they had shared, again and again.

"Irreversibly contaminated!" Crais' condemnation ran in her mind. Until now she had been able to believe that those words were untrue, the misplaced judgment of a bitter and insanely driven Captain. But now, after last night, those words were true. She could not deny that she had indeed become what she had always been able to say she was not. And her mind reeled away from the idea.

She jumped to her feet when she heard the door to the terrace open. Moving swiftly, she hid herself behind the shadow of the opening door. She heard rather than saw Crichton enter the terrace, looking for her.

"Aeryn? Aeryn, I know you're here. We really need to talk."

For a moment, she was tempted to step out into the light and confront him, talk to him. But her heart was still heavy and she was still afraid. When he walked into the centre of the room, she tried to slip silently out the door and down the passageway. John turned suddenly and caught her. Moving surprisingly quickly, he raced over and grabbed her arm, pulling her back onto the terrace.

"Aeryn!"

She finally turned and looked at him, trying to keep a neutral expression on her face. "Yes, Crichton?"

John winced at her tone but waded in anyway. "Look, Aeryn, I think we have something to discuss."

"There's nothing to talk about. It was a perfectly understandable thing, given the circumstances. You and I had sex. Enough said."

John looked at her steadily. "Is that all it was, Aeryn? Sex?"

"Yes, what else could it be?"

"Were there no feelings between us, no emotions?"

"Well, perhaps apprehension at what would happen in the morning. Should there have been something more?" Aeryn asked blandly.

John watched her carefully for a moment, then sighed. "No, I guess not. I guess Peacekeepers don't get emotionally involved with their partners, do they?"

Aeryn flinched inside at his tone but kept her emotions in check. "No, it is frowned on. Sex is allowed as a release of tension." She looked at him, then looked away quickly. "And we were under alot of pressure last night."

John grabbed her arm suddenly and pulled her up against him. His face was hurt and angry. "A release of tension, huh?" He laughed without humour when she would not meet his eyes. "Come on, Aeryn, admit it. There was more going on between us last night than a release of tensions. Let go of your precious control for one moment and think about what really happened." His tone softened and he lifted his hand to gently caress her face. "Allow yourself to feel what is really going on here, Aeryn. You'll find that you might just enjoy it." He cupped her head and started to lower his lips to hers, slowly, watching her the whole time.

Her eyes widened in fear and she tensed in his embrace. Her whole training screamed at her to get away, but her heart cried to her to give in, to feel again those sensations and emotions from the night before. When his lips touched hers, she closed her eyes and surrendered herself to him once more. Her arms slid up over his shoulders and around his neck. She kissed him back desperately, passionately, her ardour surprising even John. His arms tightened around her and she pressed herself against him longingly. Then, sanity returned and she tore herself away from him. Aeryn stood staring at John in horror then turned and fled down the corridor. John remained alone on the terrace, running his hands through his hair in agitation.

"Damn!" he cursed before going after her.

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

*Finally,* the intelligence within the searching red cloud thought, *I have found them.* Space ahead of him was filled with the sight of a Leviathan transport, pregnant. The malevolent being swiftly caught up with the beast. Entering through one of her vents, it glided through the empty corridors undetected in its incorporeal form. The scent of strong, negative emotion fed its hunger and the cloud of molecules was drawn to a dark-haired figure running down the corridor. The cloud swiftly settled about the female, and began to feed off her pain and confusion.

On her way back to her quarters, Aeryn suddenly felt as if she had stepped into a chilled room. She gasped and fell against the wall as all her despair and fear and confusion welled up within her. Her knees buckled suddenly and she collapsed. Then, as unexpectedly as the sensation had overcome her, it was gone, leaving her feeling emotionally drained and exhausted. She staggered to her feet and just made it to her quarters. Palming open the door, she fell onto her bed and was asleep within microts of her head hitting the pillow.

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

"Pilot, where is Aeryn now?" John Crichton asked, his tone becoming increasingly concerned. He had tried to follow her from the terrace, but she was too fast for him.

"She is now in her quarters. It appears that she is asleep. Do you want me to call her?" Pilot asked, ever helpful and not really understanding the strange ways of his crew.

"No, Pilot. Let her sleep. I'll see her later." John cut off the transmission, then changing his mind, he turned and moved purposefully towards Aeryn's room. When he reached her quarters, he tentatively tried the door. Surprisingly, it was unlocked. He slipped into the room and went over to look down on her sleeping figure.

She was still dressed in the flowered sundress from the false Earth. Given her reaction to the costume, he'd have thought she would have removed it as soon as got back to her quarters. Her hair was unbound and cascaded about her face and neck. Her face registered exhaustion and his heart twisted in his chest.

She was so beautiful, lying there asleep. His mind replayed the night before, when she had lain asleep in his arms, deliciously spent after their lovemaking. He hadn't intended it to go as far as it did, but the kiss he had initiated had quickly deepened into something more. They had made love tenderly, passionately, throughout the night, desperately denying the danger of their situation.

The harsh light of morning had returned them to the cold truth of their plight. They had not talked about what had happened then. They had not been able to. John's stomach turned somersaults when he remembered the way he had later accused her of being part of the simulation set up by the Ancients.The way he had abandoned her, for the second time. And then, the circus was revealed to him and he was back in Farscape, following the transport pod back to Moya.

Now he stood here, looking down on her sleeping once again. The way she was avoiding the issue so far did not bode well. Aeryn was an expert at avoiding emotions, but John was equally expert at confronting them. He was convinced that their time together on the false Earth had meant more to her than the release of tension she was claiming. He knew from her response to him last night. He could see it in her avoidance of his eyes, and in that last kiss they had shared on the terrace. He was determined to make her realise it too. He bent towards her and tucked the slipping cover about her bare arms and shoulders, letting his fingers trail softly over her flawless skin. Then, gently kissing her lips, he turned and left the room.

On his way out the door, John experienced a sensation that felt vaguely familiar. There seemed to be a chill hovering around the entrance to Aeryn's room. For a moment, he felt all his worry and despair and confusion well up within him. But as he left the room and moved down the corridor, the sensation dissipated. Suddenly he was left with a numbing emptiness. Running his hand through his hair, he quickly went into his own room and within microts was asleep.

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

*John Crichton! *The malevolent intelligence that was fast becoming Maldis was pleased that he had found the source of his defeat and the object of his revenge. He had fed on the Sebacean female's despair and pain. And he had tasted once more the strong emotions of the Human. A little more feeding and he would be ready to materialise and put his plan into action.

The red cloud moved once more into the Sebacean female's room. It settled over her as she lay sleeping on the bed. But it found that she was still emotionally drained from their previous encounter. Frustrated, it left her, and moved off down the corridor, in search of the emotion it needed to restore its strength.

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

Zhaan sat in her quarters, meditating. Her soft chant filled her thoughts, calming her and revitalizing her. After what D'Argo had told her of their encounter on the false Earth, she knew that things on Moya were going to be strained. John would have to deal with his disappointment over not finding home. And apparently, a great deal of disillusionment as well. The actions of the Earth people, even simulated as they had been, were xenophobic and cruel. Since they had encountered him, John had prided himself on his rationality and openness, traits he had obviously believed to be universal. He would have to come to an understanding about himself and his home world.

And Aeryn. Zhaan knew that there was something growing between the Human and Sebacean. And neither one of them was emotionally equipped to handle their relationship, especially under their difficult circumstances. D'Argo had hinted that something significant had occurred while the two were down on the false Earth. And Aeryn had been literally hiding from Crichton since her return. Her counselling skills were going to be needed after this little side trip.

She took a deep breath, bowed her head, and completed her meditation. She did not see the red cloud as it entered her room. All she felt was a chill, and a sudden uncharacteristic attack of anxiety. Fighting the despair and fear that inexplicably engulfed her, she sat once more and tried to regain the calm of meditation that she had felt only moments before. As she let herself drift down into peaceful meditation, she became aware of what felt like a presence, an intelligence, hovering just outside the edge of her consciousness. There was something familiar about its anger and hostility. For a moment, she wondered if the Delvians on the New Moon of Delvia were trying once more to reach her. As she sought to make stronger contact with the mind, it suddenly broke the connection and fled. Zhaan's eyes flew open and she sat in disturbed silence in her now warm room, her face troubled.

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

*A Delvian!* Maldis was triumphant. He had identified the source of the power that had made him tangible and vulnerable to Crichton's attack.* Pa'u Zotoh Zhaan,* he thought. *You and I have some unfinished business between us.* Feeling renewed in strength, Maldis made his way down the corridor, finally coalesced into his corporeal form. *This Leviathan and her crew will provide me with quite a bit of nourishment and pleasure,* he smirked. * I will start with the tasty Sebacean. She seems to be in as emotionally unstable a condition as that Peacekeeper Crais was. Again, because of Crichton.* He laughed to himself, *Ah, Crichton, you do make my job easier with Sebaceans. Wait until you see what I have in store for you.* He faded back into his cloud-like form and flew off down the passageway to Aeryn's quarters.

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

Aeryn's dreams were filled with images of her past life on Crais' ship. She saw again her old comrades from Pleisar Regiment; Karanda, Karris, Gathar, all the other Peacekeeper soldiers she had trained and fought with. They had been her back-up, her purpose, her "family". And now they all stood, pointing fingers at her and shouting, "Irreversibly contaminated!" Crais himself stood at the head of the group,

"You know, Officer Sun, I might have been able to overlook possible insubordination on your part, but now you have become anathema. A vile, loathsome creature. You have broken our most sacred injunction, and all for a few moments of pleasure." He spat as he looked at her, and then added, "You had better hope that there are no evil consequences from your night with the primitive Human.Your life is already forfeit to your demoted former comrades. If you should produce mongrel offspring from this union, those abominations will be hunted down and destroyed as well."

Aeryn had stood stoically facing her accusers, half convinced in her heart that they were right. But when Crais mentioned the idea that she and John might have a child between them, a legacy of that night, her thoughts had returned to her feelings for him, and suddenly, she had felt herself find the strength to rethink her training, and fight back. Her heart was filled with outrage at Crais' threats, "If I do have John's child," she declared in defiance to the surrounding Peacekeepers, "I will do everything in my power to protect and raise it. You will not take my child from me as you have taken so many others." She drew some satisfaction from seeing Crais flinch at her words. "I will keep my child from you with my dying breath."

*Not the right tact to take, I think,* Maldis thought, seeing her spirit renewed and her emotions become more positive, with love and maternal instinct. *Time to try something else.*

The Peacekeepers faded from her dream and suddenly, Aeryn awakened to find *John* in her quarters on Moya. She rose from her bed to face him, her dark hair falling around shoulders bared by the straps of the sundress. John said nothing, just stood watching her. His blue eyes passed over her body. Aeryn was a little uncomfortable at his enigmatic expression.

Finally, he broke the tense silence. "You sure do look good in that dress, Aeryn. I'm surprised you're still wearing it. I would have thought you'd take it off the first chance you got." He started to come closer to her. "But I'm glad you didn't." He reached out his hand to her.

*Now for the hook,* Maldis thought in triumph.

"I want to apologise for what happened earlier. Come here," *John* said, reaching out his hand to her.

Maldis watched in anticipation.*Take his hand. Accept his offer. Put yourself under my control.*

Aeryn hesitated a moment, then placed her hand in John's. She felt an unpleasant charge race through her body, but forgot about it as John hauled her roughly into his arms and covered her mouth in a demanding kiss. She gasped at his aggressiveness. His hands were everywhere, pressing almost hurtfully. He ground his hips into hers, his need very evident. Aeryn recovered from her initial shock at his heavy-handedness, and tried to push him away.

"No, John. You were right. We do need to talk first," she gasped. "John, no!"

John lifted his head and stared down at her. Aeryn's heart sank at the level of anger and hurt in his eyes. "Talk? You! We had our chance to talk about what happened. I thought we had cleared the air on the terrace there.You seemed to be very clear about what you wanted." He bent his head to press his lips against her throat. "I thought you just wanted this," he said, his voice filled with anger. "And this." He roughly caressed her breast through the light covering of her dress. "And this." He ground his hips into her once more and began to back her towards the bed. "A release of tension. I can do that. I'm feeling very tense, and so are you."

Aeryn felt confusion and despair well up within her. She struggled to free herself from John's crushing embrace. Maldis, observing his little scenario unfold, drank in her negative emotions with glee.

"John, please. I can't..." she pleaded. She desperately need to make him understand, to remove that tone of angry hurt from his voice.

He raised his head to look down into her eyes again. "Why can't you, Aeryn? You could last night, several times in fact." She closed her eyes at his hurtful words. "Why can't you? Do I contaminate you? Your precious racial purity!" He grinned in wry amusement when he saw that his words had hit home. "Oh, so that's it. You don't want to be with me because I'm not Sebacean. Well, honey, I want to be with you and you're not Human. I was prepared to stand with you against my whole planet." He laughed harshly and bent towards her again. "I think you owe me big time, Miss Sun." He leered down at her. "And I think now's as good a time as any to collect." Aeryn tried once more to push him away without hurting him. He grabbed both her arms and dragged them behind her, his grip bruising her, crushing her against him. He pressed his lips to hers again. When she did not return his kiss, he forced his way into her mouth. Aeryn tried to free her arms, confused and upset at his anger and aggressiveness. Turning her head away, she tried to reason with him once more.

"John, please don't do this. I'm sorry if I hurt you."

He lifted his head to look at her again, a stony expression in his eyes. "For you to hurt me, I would have to care. I don't. I think the Peacekeepers have the right idea." And he lowered his mouth to her throat, biting at her delicate skin, and started to lower her to the bed.

Desperate, scared and now angry at his lack of understanding, Aeryn finally fought back, this time putting all her commando training into practise. She managed to break John's hold on her arms while stepping down heavily on his foot. Then she jumped back and adopted a defensive stance. "Get out, John!" she warned him. "Go somewhere and calm down. We'll talk about this again when you're not so angry and hurt." When he did not leave immediately, she said quietly. "I mean it. I will force you to leave if I have to."

He looked at her with an unreadable expression. Aeryn shrank from his gaze but did not relent. "This isn't over yet, Aeryn. You can't treat me like this and expect it to all go away." *John* turned and left.

Aeryn waited until he was gone then ran over to the door and locked it. Then she gave in to the hurt and fear she had been feeling. She stood in the middle of her room, going over the confusing incident again and again in her mind. A chill settled over her and she began to shake uncontrollably. The emotions she had been feeling seemed to drain out of her, leaving behind a mind-numbing weakness. Maldis hovered over her, unseen, drinking in her pain and despair until she collapsed once more onto her bed, unconscious.

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

When Aeryn did not appear at breakfast the next morning, John decided that enough was enough. *I¹m going to have to confront her about that night and what happened on the terrace.* he thought with growing dread. *We have to deal with this or it will destroy our relationship.* He got up without a word and left the central chamber. Zhaan watched him go, aware of the determined look on his face. She exchanged a knowing glance with D¹Argo, then sighed and resumed her meal.

John made his way through the passages to Aeryn's quarters. He was surprised to see her still asleep and still clad in the sundress. Her door was locked. He stood watching her sleep for a few minutes then finally, called out to her.

"Aeryn. Aeryn! Come on, Aeryn, wake up!" He watched for a reaction. Then he frowned. "Aeryn!?" He waited for her to arouse but she did not even move. *She's usually a light sleeper,* he thought with growing concern. "Aeryn! Wake up!"

He tried the lock on her door then hit his commline. "Pilot! Open the lock on Aeryn's door! I think there's something wrong!"

"Commander Crichton?" Pilot's voice came back. "What is the problem?"

John saw Aeryn's door slide open and he raced in to her bedside. She lay unmoving on her bed. He grabbed her hand and tried to awaken her but she didn't respond. He pulled her upright but she remained unconscious, her head rolling back and her eyes closed.

"Zhaan! D'Argo! Get up here! There's something wrong with Aeryn. She won't wake up!"

John pulled her into his arms and shook her gently, but she stayed in her unnatural sleep. John hugged her to him, his heart filled with fear. He became aware of that same cold draining feeling that he had felt outside Aeryn's quarters the day before. He laid Aeryn back on her bed and wandered around the room, searching for something that seemed elusively familiar. Then he went back to the Sebacean lying on the bed and did a cursory examination to see if she was suffering from any injury. There were darkening bruises on her arms and marks on her neck.

Zhaan and D'Argo arrived swiftly. Chiana followed cautiously. Zhaan examined Aeryn more closely but was unable to find any cause for her condition. Her eyes met John's in concern.

"What happened down on the planet, John? Anything that could have caused this?"

John looked down at Aeryn, his mind racing. "No, nothing. I mean we... we ... spent the night together." He refused to meet Zhaan's knowing gaze. "But that couldn't cause this, could it?"

"No," D'Argo said.

"She was avoiding me, upset, I think, about what happened." John looked at his two companions. "Then we had an argument on the terrace yesterday and she ran away from me. I came to talk to her. You know how she can be," he said lamely.

Zhaan indicated the bruises and marks, and looked at John accusingly. "Did you do this?" she demanded.

John looked upset. "No, Zhaan. I wouldn't hurt Aeryn for anything in the world. Our ... our love...intimacy was sweet, tender. Not this." He was obviously embarrassed to discuss such a private thing. John knelt beside Aeryn and took her hand in his, pressing his lips to her palm.

"Perhaps these happened after you left her alone on the planet? While you were talking to the aliens?" D'Argo suggested.

"No," John said. "I came in to see her last night. She was fine. These marks were not there."

Suddenly, tears started to slip from Aeryn's closed eyes and stream down her cheeks. John bent and, with a gentle finger, traced the trails left by her tears on her cheeks. Aeryn still did not respond. John looked back up at Zhaan and D'Argo. "What's the matter with her?" he asked in despair.

"I honestly don't know," Zhaan said. "Let's get her to the infirmary. I want to run some tests."

John lifted Aeryn into his arms and started to carry her out of the room. He shivered again and held Aeryn to him protectively. "Do you feel that?" he asked Zhaan and D'Argo who were following him out to the passageway.

"Feel what?" D'Argo inquired. Zhaan looked at the Human uncomprehendingly.

"That chill. I felt it here last night and again just before you guys got here." John looked troubled. "There's something about it ..." he turned and headed out the door to the infirmary with Aeryn clasped in his arms.

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

"John, you need to get some sleep," Zhaan said wearily. She looked at the Human who had not left Aeryn's side since they had brought her into the infirmary that morning. He was going over the results of their tests for the umpteenth time, still unable to find a reason for Aeryn's continued coma. Suddenly he turned and flung the scans down on the floor with a curse.

"What the hezmana is causing this, Zhaan?" he demanded. "Why won't she wake up?" He ran over to Aeryn's still figure and dragged her upright, shaking her again desperately. "Come on, Aeryn! Wake up!" He pulled her once more into his embrace. "Come on, love, I need you. Wake up!" he whispered harshly against her hair. But she remained asleep. He held her for a moment more then lowered her gently back to the bed, covering her carefully with the gold blanket. His fingers gently caressed her cheek, then he stepped back. Zhaan came over to him and gently placed her hand on his arm.

"Come on, John," she said, gently guiding him to the door. "You need to rest. Your experience on the false Earth was traumatic and you haven't recovered yet. Aeryn will need you well rested if we are to figure out what is causing this and cure it." For a moment, Zhaan thought John would refuse her suggestion, but he lifted his worried gaze to hers and smiled. "Chiana can assist me if I need any help."

"You're right as always, Zhaan," He covered her hand with his, then turned to leave the infirmary. "Please call me if..."

"Of course, John," Zhaan interrupted. She watched his slumped figure as he left, then turned back to her confusing patient.

Maldis stepped into the infirmary, unseen by Zhaan who bent over Aeryn¹s prone body. "Hello, again, Pa'u Zotoh Zhaan," he said menacingly. "We never really had a chance to be formally introduced. I'm Maldis." he made a brief gesture and Zhaan slumped over Aeryn¹s body, her soul ripped from her.

**************** Back in his own quarters, John's thoughts were fixed on helping Aeryn. He desperately went through every possible reason for her condition. Suddenly he remembered the chill he had felt in her quarters. It had seemed familiar, but he was unable to put his finger on the elusive memory. The more he tried to bring it back, the farther it seemed to go from his grasp.

*Relax, don't think about it.* he told himself as he removed his clothes, preparing to sleep. *It will come back to you.* He lay on his bed and drew the covers up to his chest. *Relax.* He closed his eyes and tried to sleep but his mind was a jumble of images and ideas. *Aeryn, what is wrong with you? You look like you're dead. Dead?* he sat up in bed suddenly. "Maldis!" he cried, as the memory of the chill draining his emotions came back to him.

"Quite right, Crichton." Maldis smirked from the corner of his room. "So good to see you again."

"Maldis! you bastard!" John exclaimed leaping out of his bed. "What are you doing here? What have you done to Aeryn?" He backed away from the dark figure and reached for his commlink. "Pilot, red alert! We have an intruder!"

Maldis did not come any closer, but stood smiling at him. "I have returned from the insensible hell in which you placed me, John Crichton. I finally managed to coalesce and I tracked you and your pathetic friends down here on the Leviathan." He looked up as D'Argo raced into the room with Chiana and froze them where they stood. "I plan to use all of you for my sport and nourishment. Then I will take this Leviathan and find another world that I can dominate and feed off. You owe me, Human. You ruined my plans to use the Peacekeeper Command Carrier." He started forward threateningly. "And I plan to collect. Starting with your pitiable Sebacean. You really leave a swathe of turmoil among Peacekeepers, Crichton. You're more destructive to them than I could ever be."

John started forward,"You leave Aeryn alone, you..." but he was talking to empty air. Behind him, D'Argo and Chiana were released from their frozen state.

"Crichton,what's going on?" D'Argo demanded.

"What the frell was that, Crichton?" Chiana cursed, looking around her in fear.

John hauled his clothes on as he spoke. "It's Maldis. He's back. And he's got Aeryn. Frell, I should have recognised that chill earlier!" John raced out of his quarters with D'Argo close on his heels.

"Who's Maldis?" Chiana began, to be silenced by an impatient gesture from D'Argo

"Pilot, contact Zhaan!" D'Argo instructed.

"I have tried, but she is not responding." Pilot's voice was anxious. "What is going on?"

"We've got a big problem." John said as they approached the infirmary. " We need Zhaan to..." He stopped speaking when he saw Zhaan slumped over Aeryn's bed. "Oh, no, Zhaan!"

"Zhaan!" D'Argo cried and raced over to her. He picked her up and carried her over to the other bed, as John hovered over Aeryn, checking to see that she had suffered no new bruises or injuries. Chiana examined Zhaan as best she could, her face starting to register real fear.

"What will you do now, Human?" Maldis mocked him. Chiana crouched behind Zhaan's bed. D'Argo turned in blind anger and charged the dark, elaborately dressed figure. With a wave of his hand, Maldis flung the enraged Luxan warrior across the room. John looked on helplessly as D'Argo jumped up and charged again. "You had better educate your friend here." Maldis flung him backwards again. "Or I will." He gestured once more and D'Argo was caught again in an immobilising field.

"I ask you again, Crichton. What will you do now?" Maldis laughed. "I have removed the only member of your crew who might have had the slightest chance against me." Maldis threw his head back as waves of John's despair washed over him. "Ah, very good. Despair is a fine feast. As is pain." Maldis gestured and Aeryn began to convulse under John's hands. John drew her helplessly into his arms.

"Stop it!" he yelled. "It's me you have a beef with. Leave the others alone!" He tried desperately to calm Aeryn's seizure. "I said stop!"

Maldis gestured again and Aeryn relaxed. "That was good." He licked his lips disgustingly. "Pain with fear, a double delight."

John laid Aeryn back down and turned to face their tormenter. "I mean it, Maldis. Let the others go. I will go with you and be your slave, appetizer, whatever sick idea you have in mind. Call Crais again and we'll stage a little rematch for you. I don't care. Just keep it between you and me. Let the others go."

Maldis laughed at his helplessness. "Oh no, Crichton. You owe me more than just yourself. I want your shipmates too. I've already told you my plan. You can't bargain with me." He laughed as he started to fade away. "And you certainly can't win against me. Not this time. Not without the Delvian." He disappeared but his voice lingered. "Enjoy the time you have left, John Crichton."

D'Argo was once more released from his stasis with Maldis¹ departure. He looked around, his blade drawn ready to do battle but found no enemy. Sheathing his blade, he came over to where John was slumped over Aeryn's bed.

"What are we going to do, D'Argo?" the Human asked him dejectedly. "Zhaan was the only one of us with the slightest chance of battling Maldis."

"Well you better think of something quick, Human." Chiana said. "That guy looks like he means business." She bent once more over Zhaan's unconscious form.

D'Argo looked down at Aeryn. More bruises began to appear on her arms and shoulders. "What is he doing to her?" He walked over to Zhaan but found her untouched. He looked back at John. "You experienced Unity with Zhaan. Is there no way you can reestablish that connection and contact her?"

"No," John sighed. "I wouldn't have the faintest idea how to go about it. Zhaan did all the work back on the New Moon of Del..." He stopped suddenly, as an idea struck him. "Wait a minute. Zhaan's not the only Delvian out here." He started to activate his commlink, then looked around suspiciously.

Chiana started to ask him what his plan was, but his expression silenced her. She looked to D'Argo who seemed to understand John's motions to go to Pilot's chamber. Indicating that she would stay with Zhaan and Aeryn, she watched John and D¹Argo leave, her heart filled with trepidation.

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

Zhaan awakened from her encounter with Maldis to find herself still in the infirmary, but alone. She immediately tried her commlink but was not surprised to find it dead. She moved cautiously around the room, then out into the corridor. Finally the being she had been searching for came striding confidently down the hall.

"Welcome, Pa'u Zotoh Zhaan. I'm glad to finally make your acquaintance. I think it's always good to meet the people who try to destroy us, don't you?" he said, his voice becoming harsher as he spoke. He smiled mirthlessly as Zhaan cautiously backed away from him. "Oh, don't worry. I'm not going to hurt you, at least not yet. I have someone else on my plate at the moment, and I can't afford to be greedy."

"Aeryn!" Zhaan exclaimed. "What are you doing to her?"

"Just making her feel all those nasty emotions that she has been trying to control for so long." He smirked. "Consider it therapeutic." He gestured suddenly and Zhaan found herself locked inside one of the cells. She tried the door but knew it would be futile. "I'll even let you watch, if you like."

Zhaan watched as Aeryn came down the corridor, lost in thought. She tried to call out to her, but Aeryn moved on as if she could not hear her.

"She can't hear you so save your breath," Maldis said in triumph. "She doesn't even know that I have her soul. She thinks she's back on Moya, safe and sound." Maldis laughed at Zhaan's expression. "Such a confused little Peacekeeper, her emotions in turmoil. It doesn't help her that my version of John Crichton is causing her even more turmoil." Maldis licked his lips in anticipation. "Time for the second course."

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

Aeryn walked around Moya's corridors, thankful that she had not encountered any of her fellow fugitives. She was still lost in thought about John's confusing behaviour of the night before. The more she thought about it the angrier she became. *How dare he come into my room like that and attack me.* she raged. * I gave in to my impulses on the terrace but so had he. He couldn't blame her, could he?* She marched on, dressed once more in her comfortable Peacekeeper outfit and its familiarity helped her to cope with unfamiliar feelings.

Then she felt a little guilty. *John did in fact give up everything to be with you, as he said,* she thought. She remembered the pain on his face when she had told him to go, down on the false Earth. Even after her rejection, he had stood by her against Wilson and Cobb. *He's still not coping with his disillusionment over not finding Earth,. He saw his father, and then found out it was all a simulation. You wouldn't react any differently,* she convinced herself. *And your behaviour isn't helping him,* she told herself. *He just needs time, and everything will be back the way it was, before the wormhole, before the simulation, before that night.* But a little voice in the back of her mind nagged her. *Do you want it to be the way it was, or do you now want more?* Her mind shied away from the question while her heart wanted to confront it. * "Irreversibly contaminated," * another voice whispered again, a voice that she still fought to ignore.

She rounded the corner and ran right into *John*, sending them both sprawling. She quickly picked herself up from the floor then turned and offered her hand to John to help him.

He refused her offer and got up without her help. "Oh so now you don't mind my touch." he said angrily. "What has changed since last night?"

Aeryn was surprised at the anger still in his voice, but chose to ignore it. " John, I know you're upset about what happened on the false Earth. I've been thinking about it and I think I understand now what you're feeling. I..."

"Hah!" John's harsh laugh interrupted her. "What a laugh! You understand what I'm feeling? That would mean you have feelings, Miss Peacekeeper." He looked at her carefully. "Peacekeepers don't have feelings remember? They just have tensions."

Aeryn reacted in anger," Are you going to keep referring to that every time we're together?" she demanded. "I'm sorry I ever said that." She hesitated, then added,softly "You were right, last night. The whole 'racial purity thing' as you put it does bother me." She watched his face for some sign of understanding. Seeing none, she plunged on. "John, Peacekeepers are taught from birth to keep the bloodlines pure. That night...with you... I ... I broke our most important taboo. Until then I could tell myself that Crais was wrong, that I was not contaminated, but after...after being with you, my entire training told me that now I was contaminated, that there was no going back." She looked up into his hard eyes. "Please, John, give me time. I need to deal with this my own way."

She looked down, waiting for his understanding.

"You are really some piece of work, lady!" John ground out. Aeryn's eyes flew to his in shock at his harsh tones, not understanding what he was saying. "You just said to me that I contaminate you, and you want me to give you time? Time for what? To convince yourself that I will just sit back and let you work things out so that when you decide that you want to get physical again, it won't feel like an affront to your entire race?" He looked at her with hurtful contempt. "What makes you think I would even want to get close to you ever again? Maybe I'm starting to think that you contaminate me!" he spat out at her. Aeryn flinched but did not move away. *John's* eyes raked over her body. Then a cruel look came into his eye. "Well, on the other hand, beggars can't be choosers." Catching her off guard, he lunged at her, grabbing her arms and pinning her against the wall. "Might as well be hanged for a sheep as a lamb." he said, then ground his mouth cruelly against hers.

Aeryn didn't react for a moment, shocked at John's uncharacteristic behaviour. Then anger and shame washed over her and she fought against his restraining hands. Pulling her mouth from his, she cried out," Stop it, John!", but he wouldn't, forcing her back against the wall once more, imprisoning her wrists in his in a surprisingly strong grip.

Aeryn let her anger take hold of her once more. Using all her training, she managed to free herself from John's arms, pushing him back against the opposite wall. She watched in horror as he prepared to come at her once more.

"Don't do it, Crichton," she warned him, wanting to just get away from his anger. "I don't want to hurt you."

*John* snarled at her, "You hurt me? Hah, that's a laugh. Come on, Aeryn. You can't hurt me any more than you already have."

From their vantage point in Zhaan's cell, Maldis rubbed his hands together. " Oh very good. Now for the main course."

Zhaan watched in horror as the phony John attacked Aeryn once more. She struck out at him, her jab connecting with his chin. Maldis made a slight gesture and the figure dropped to the floor with a resounding thud. It lay unmoving.

Aeryn looked on in horror as John remained unmoving on the floor, dropped by her jab. She approached him cautiously and fell to her knees beside him. Her hands passed over him, looking for the cause of his continued lack of consciousness. Her mind reeled as she felt no pulse, saw no signs of breathing. "John! John?" she called out. "No, John, don't do this! I didn't hit you that hard! John?"

Remembering his Earth CPR, Aeryn straddled him and began pressing down on his chest as she had on the transport in the Flax. She bent and breathed into his mouth as he had taught her. She hit her commlink repeatedly, growing frustrated at the lack of response, but she wouldn't leave John to find out what was the matter. Zhaan watched her grow more and more desperate as he remained unmoving, despite her efforts to revive him. Maldis stood beside her, relishing the waves of emotions pouring from the frantic Sebacean.

Finally, Aeryn stopped, realising that he was not going to recover. She stood up and backed away from his body in horror. "John? Oh John, what have I done?" She crouched against the opposite wall in shock. Maldis hovered over her in glee, draining her further.

"Maldis, you monster, stop this!" Zhaan demanded. "You'll kill her."

"That's the idea."

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

D'Argo followed John impatiently through the corridors. "What is your plan?" he demanded.

John turned and pressed his finger to his lips. "Not here. Wait until we get to Pilot's chamber." He looked around suspiciously. "The walls may have ears."

"What?"

"Never mind, just follow me."

Once in Pilot's chamber, John signalled to D'Argo to come closer. "I have no way of knowing if Maldis can hear us. I'll just have to take this chance." Turning to Pilot, he asked "Does Moya still have the coordinates to the New Moon of Delvia?"

"Yes, but why would we want to return to that twisted colony?" D'Argo demanded.

"Because, as you yourself said, we can't defeat Maldis without Delvian help. Since Zhaan is unavailable, maybe Lorana will help us."

D'Argo snorted in disbelief. "You would trust that bunch?"

"Not completely, but they're the only solution I can come up with. Do you have a better idea?" John challenged.

"No," D'Argo said reluctantly.

"Alright then, it's settled. Pilot, have Moya take us back to the New Moon of Delvia. How long will it be without starburst?"

"About twenty arns."

John looked at D'Argo. "We have to find a way to distract Maldis, and keep him off Aeryn and Zhaan. Any ideas?"

"He feeds on negative, destructive emotions, correct?" D'Argo said. John nodded. "Then let's give him some negative emotions. Are you up to a little fight? Perhaps a little hyper-rage?"

John looked at D'Argo apprehensively, then grinned when he saw the direction the Luxan's thought were taking. "Sure, why not? I hid before, I can do it again."

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

Zhaan watched helplessly as Maldis approached Aeryn's figure curled up against the wall opposite *John's* body. "It's not really him!" She called in vain. Maldis turned towards her at her outcry and smirked as Aeryn remained curled in misery, deaf to Zhaan's warnings.

"What have you done?" Maldis taunted the stricken ex-Peacekeeper. "You've killed your lover, the only person who cared about you."

Zhaan saw Aeryn flinch at his hurtful whispers. "Aeryn, please. Don't listen to him."

"He loved you and you killed him."

"It was an accident." Aeryn's voice was hoarse with pain. "I didn't mean to kill him. I only wanted to... to..."

"To what?" Maldis continued, "To push him away, when he needed you the most." He leaned over her, drinking in her pain. " Very Peacekeeper-like of you."

Aeryn closed her eyes and curled more closely into herself, instinctively trying to protect herself from the bitter chill surrounding her. "John," she whispered, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it. It was an accident."

Zhaan saw where the malevolent Maldis was leading Aeryn and she was very afraid. "Please, Maldis. Don't do this to her," she pleaded. Maldis caught her eye and smirked. "The main course, Zhaan," he replied and turned his attention back to Aeryn.

"It was no accident, Aeryn," he whispered. "You meant everything you said and everything you did." Aeryn cringed away from his accusations. "You were contaminated by Crichton. Remove Crichton and remove the contamination."

"No!" Aeryn cried, answering the accusing voice in her head. "No, I never wanted to hurt John. I would never hurt him. I...I loved...I loved..."

"Hah! You can't even say it now. Even now that he's gone. Even now that you've killed him." Maldis pressed on, feasting on the emotions that his words aroused in the grieving Sebacean. He paused then added, "You don't deserve to live."

Aeryn raised her head from her arms and looked at the body she believed was John's . "I don't deserve to live." she repeated.

Zhaan watched in horror as Maldis began to urge Aeryn towards death. "John is dead. He loved you. He risked his life for you, time and time again. He declared his love for you. And you repaid him by killing him. You don't deserve to live. " Maldis whispered in Aeryn's ear. "You should die. You can be with John then and apologise to him. Be together with him in death where you could not in life."

*Don't listen to him, Aeryn,* Zhaan prayed. *He's a monster and a liar.*

Suddenly, Maldis seemed distracted. His head went up like a hyena on a new carrion scent. He seemed torn between the despairing Peacekeeper and some other emotional feast. For a tense moment, Zhaan was afraid he would return to his taunting of Aeryn , but he suddenly straightened and walked away from her figure, still curled in misery and shock against the wall. As he passed Zhaan, still locked in her cell, he taunted, "Luxan hyper-rage. A rare delicacy. I cannot pass this by, even though I know it is a feeble attempt to distract me. John and D'Argo cannot prevail against me, not without your help, Delvian. I will enjoy the Luxan's rage, then I will return to finish the Sebacean, and then you, Zhaan." Zhaan watched helplessly as Maldis disappeared into a red cloud once more.

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

John watched silently from his hiding place as D'Argo marched down the hall, roaring in the throes of Luxan hyper-rage. Even though he understood that this time it was a mutually agreed upon solution to their problem, it was still daunting to think what D'Argo might do if he ever caught up with the Human. He silently thanked Chiana and her special talent at hiding for suggesting several D'Argo-proof possibilities. He hoped that the Nebari was safe from D'Argo's hyper-rage, then realised that Chiana was probably the safest of all. John waited patiently until he was sure that D'Argo was nowhere around then he made ready to slip quietly out into the corridor and down to the docking bay where Pilot had prepared a transport pod. Suddenly, the same ominous chill descended and he stopped in his tracks. *Maldis,* he thought in triumph tinged with fear. *Get ready, D'Argo. He's taken the bait.* He waited until the chill had passed, then boarded the transport pod and flew down the the New Moon of Delvia.

His arrival there was met with a certain amount of suspicion, understandably. His last act before leaving with the restored Zhaan had been to destroy their sacred tree, growing within the confines of their sunken temple vessel. He stood uncertainly, until he recognised Lorana, approaching him through the gathered crowd.

"John Crichton," she said and her welcome was warm. She turned to her fellow pilgrims and said, "Please, put aside your distrust. This Human did help us, even though you may not agree with his methods. He helped us to understand the error of our ways and to recognise the dangers of blindly following Tahleen¹s misguided leadership." She turned and smiled warmly at John. "And above all else, he was willing to risk his life to save the sanity of one of our race, namely Zhaan." She reached out to cup his head and he gratefully returned the gesture. The watching Delvians bowed to him then returned to their chores and worship.

"Come, John." Lorana said, leading him away. "Tell me what is the reason for your return to us."

"I need your help, Lorana, and the help of your people." John answered. "And not just me; Zhaan, Aeryn, Moya's entire crew is in danger from a creature who can only be defeated by your powers." He went on to relate to her the circumstances of their original encounter with Maldis. Lorana listened to his story in concern.

"And you want me, us to send you into Maldis' otherworld to make him tangible once more and defeat him." Lorana said, as Hasko approached to join in their conversation.

"Yes," John replied. "I believe that your people's combined powers will be no match for Maldis. "Despite the time he has had aboard Moya, I think he is still weakened from his encounter with Zhaan. You should be able to overcome his barriers quite easily."

Hasko spoke, "We appreciate your faith in us, but why should we place ourselves at risk for you and your friends? What is to say that this Maldis creature will not coalesce again and come after us this time instead of you?"

John looked at Hasko in disgust but wisely refrained from saying what he really wanted to about the supposed priest's selfish motives. "I believe that your combined strengths will be able to destroy him this time, not merely incapacitate him as Zhaan and Nikar did. " He stopped and faced Lorana and Hasko, a look of despair in his eyes. "This Maldis has victimized I don't know how many races and worlds. He needs to be stopped, permanently. Will you do it? If not for Zhaan and my friends then for other beings in this universe?"

Lorana's face was troubled as she wrestled with her decision. Hasko turned to her. "I believe that this is a decision for the entire colony to make together." He turned back to John when Lorana nodded reluctantly. "I will call a meeting and present your case to our group. We will let you know our decision. Tell me now what you propose so that I may explain your plan to the others."

John fought down his impatience and outlined his plan to Hasko. When he walked away, and sounded the gong to draw the rest together into a meeting, John reached out and gently held Lorana by the arm. "Please, do not take too long. We are running out of time on Moya." Lorana met his troubled gaze, and nodded before joining the other pilgrims.

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

D'Argo slumped to the deck of the Leviathan, feeling the last of his hyper-rage drain out of him, along with his strength. The chill he felt surrounding him grew deeper, more menacing, and he knew that Maldis had taken the bait. But he was too weakened to fight back. As he lay there helplessly, he saw Maldis materialise in front of him, a smirking grin on his face.

"Ka D'Argo," he exclaimed. "I'm so glad to finally make your acquaintance. I would like to thank you for the exquisite gift of your hyper-rage. It has been so long since I tasted anything so delicious. I believe the last time was the Fourth Luxan Campaign against the Scorvians." Maldis watched in satisfaction as the spent Luxan reacted with a weak groan. "Ah, you know of that campaign?"

"So many Luxans died inexplicably in that campaign." D'Argo managed to gasp out. "That was your doing?"

"Yes, one of my greater accomplishments. I even had to cut back after my rich diet during that cycle." He pirouetted before the prone warrior. "Can't let myself get too fat now, can I?"

D'Argo tried to retaliate but could only lie on the floor, exhausted.

"Oh, don't get up. Lie back and regain your strength. I will be back for you later." He started to fade back into his other form. "I will finish up the Sebacean female, then return for you."

Maldis returned to where he had left the ex-Peacekeeper and was pleased to see her still curled up before the body of her murdered companion. His repeated attacks had left her drained and confused, not thinking straight. Behind him, he heard Zhaan try to turn him away from Aeryn and his killing stroke.

"Maldis, leave her alone. Haven't you done enough to her already?" Zhaan pleaded, unheard by Aeryn. "She has nothing more to give you. You've drained her of everything!"

At her last statement, Maldis turned back to his captive Delvian. "Not completely correct, Pa'u Zotoh Zhaan. She still has her life. That is the main course, and I am ready to dine."

"Noooo!" Zhaan cried in despair as Maldis made his way back over to Aeryn, who was still curled on the floor in shock.

Bending over her, Maldis said very quietly, "Have you decided what to do? Will you join John to try to make him understand?"

Aeryn stirred slightly at the sound of his voice. "John," she murmured. "Do you want to see me? Will you forgive me?"

"He will," Maldis urged. "Join him in death, and tell him the truth about what you feel, what you did."

"Death?" Aeryn's face crumpled in indecision. "Death, no. John would never want me to die." She started to come out of her shock. "John loved life more than anything. He would not want me to die, no matter what I did. And the others. I must stay alive for them. They will despise me for what I have done but they need me to help them survive." She looked around to find the source of the voice urging her to die. "No, I must live." She started to rise.

Maldis growled in fury at the turn his plans were taking. Zhaan could not help but smile at the strength of her Sebacean crew mate. *That's it, Aeryn. Don't give in to him. Fight. Fight to stay alive,* she thought.

But Maldis obviously read her thoughts because he turned to her and smiled evilly. "I have one more card to play, Delvian. I'm not defeated yet." He made a slight gesture and the body in front Aeryn began to stir.

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

*Come on, Lorana,* John thought impatiently, and he paced outside the meeting rooms aboard the buried Delvian temple ship. *Time is running out for Aeryn and Zhaan.* He jumped suddenly as the meeting room doors swung open and several Delvians exited, some of them looking at John with hostility and others with pity. *This doesn't look good,*John thought with a sinking heart.

Finally Lorana and a few others came out of the room. John looked at them expectantly, his eyes pleading.

Lorana sighed. "The council was not happy with your request. They do not wish to be involved in your dispute." John started to turn away from Lorana in complete despair. Her hand on his shoulder stopped him. "But they have agreed to let a few of us attempt to pull this Maldis out of his protected state. The final battle will be between you two, but we will even the odds for you, placing you both on the same physical plane." Lorana smiled at the relief she saw in John's eyes. "The war is not won yet, John Crichton.You must still defeat him."

John grinned at her. "I did it before. I can do it again." He reached out to cup her head in his hand once more in thanks. "Besides, I've had a lot of combat instruction from some of the best since my first encounter with this monster. He's going down, for good, tonight."

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

Aeryn watched in horror as John's body began to moan and stir in front of her. His color paled and his movements were jerky. Suddenly the body sat up but the eyes remained unfocussed. A deep and painful moan escaped his colorless lips.

"John?" she said softly.

A deep and sepulchral voice answered her, "Aeryn, what did you do to me?" The body turned towards her. The dead eyes fixed on the ex-Peacekeeper, who slowly rose.

"John? John!" she repeated in surprise. "This can't be. You were dead. You have been dead for over three arns."

The dead eyes looked at her again. Maldis manipulated the corpse like a puppet.

"I am still dead, Aeryn. Thanks to you." The voice, so unlike John's, still managed to convey a tone of accusation. Aeryn flinched back from the unbelievable sound.

"No, John... I didn't..." she began.

"Yes, you did!" the corpse interrupted. "You did kill me!"

"But, it was an....an accident!" Aeryn stammered. "I would never... I could never...hurt you, John. I ... I ....love ... "

"Love me!" the voice accused. "And this is how you show it? You refuse me, reject me, then kill me. And now you want me to forgive you?" The ghost laughed scathingly. "While you still live, I can never forgive you."

Aeryn cringed back from the hatred in its voice. "You want me to die?" she asked softly. "Is that what I have to do for you to forgive me?"

"Yes," the voice softened a little. "Aeryn, join me here in death. Show me you really do feel something for me. Do not let my last experience with you be one of violence." The ghost pleaded. Maldis gestured and a knife appeared, suspended between Aeryn and the treacherous simulacrum.

Zhaan watched in horror as Aeryn reached out and grasped the knife in her hands. She fixed her gaze on the ghost's face, and a hint of resolve came over her countenance.

"No, Aeryn!" Zhaan called. "Don't do it! It's not real!" She saw that Maldis was licking his lips in anticipation of the feast to come.

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

John returned quickly to Moya and raced down to the infirmary. Aeryn lay still on the cot next to Zhaan's. John saw that there were traces of fresh tears on her face, that had escaped from beneath her lashes. He found D'Argo already in place, helped there by Chiana. Both of them were hovering anxiously around Zhaan's inert form. D'Argo looked at John expectantly. "Are you ready?" he asked, his voice filled with weariness.

"Yes, D'Argo." John said speaking with more confidence than he was feeling. He tested the weapon he had chosen, one of Aeryn's prized daggers.

"I will not be able to help you," D'Argo ground out, frustrated by his weakened state.

"Don't worry," John said, resolutely. "You've done enough already. This is between Maldis and me." He reached up and activated his commlink. "Pilot, please tell Lorana and the others that I am ready for them to begin."

In his other dimension, Maldis watched in anticipation as Aeryn slowly caressed the knife then began to turn it on herself, preparing to plunge it into her heart. Zhaan turned away, unable to witness the senseless death of her comrade. Suddenly, she sensed the presence of others in Maldis' world. Behind Maldis, several blue figures shimmered into being. They surrounded his form and the first of them reached out and grasped his arm.There was a sudden, silent explosion and Maldis disappeared. The simulacrum vanished and Aeryn and Zhaan's spirit forms collapsed.

ohn started when Maldis' body coalesced in front of him. Then he crouched in the defensive stance Aeryn had been drilling into him. "Maldis," he said, his voice quiet with anger. "Surprised to see me?"

Maldis staggered at his sudden return to John's dimension, but quickly recovered. "How did you do that?" he demanded, playing for time.

"Zhaan isn't the only Delvian out here in the Uncharted Territories, you monster!" John replied. "She better be all right."

Maldis smirked. "She's okay. But your little Sebacean friend is in bad shape."

John lost his temper, and unwisely glanced over at Aeryn's still unconscious form.

"Crichton!" D'Argo cried, seeing his distraction. Maldis lunged suddenly. John was caught off-guard but quickly recovered.

The two adversaries danced around each other. Over Maldis' shoulder, John could see Zhaan start to stir and D'Argo try to enter into the fight, but Chiana wisely held him back. John evaded Maldis' attacks again and again and lunged futilely at the vampire in return. Neither managed to make contact. Then finally, Maldis turned at the sound of Aeryn's voice, calling to John. John turned towards her also, but Chiana's warning turned him back just as Maldis reached forward to grasp the knife. John spun and plunged his weapon into the now corporeal magician. Maldis staggered back against Aeryn's bed, the knife buried fatally within him. His form began to dissolve once more into red mist, but this time, it did not disperse, but seemed to burn itself out, fuelled by the unnatural life force of the malevolent creature. The knife, freed from the dissolved being, fell to the bed beside Aeryn.

John dropped to his knees on the floor, gasping for breath after his battle. Chiana helped D'Argo drag himself over to the bed where Zhaan lay, her eyes open once more. The Delvian reached out and gently took their hands in hers, thankful for a real living touch. She turned her blue gaze to John where he slumped on the floor. "Thank you, John," she said weakly. Then she looked at Aeryn who was stirring on the bed beside her. Her smile turned to a look of alarm as she saw Aeryn snatch up the fallen knife and sit up in the bed. "John!" she called. "Aeryn...!"

John lifted his head to see Aeryn sit up, a wild expression in her eyes, and the knife that had killed Maldis grasped in her hand. She swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood up, the knife turned towards her breast. Her beautiful blue eyes were filled with infinite sorrow as she looked at his form struggling to rise from the floor.

"John," she said. "Please forgive me." she pleaded. "I will join you. I don't want to be without you in life."

John used the last of his strength to launch himself from the floor and grab the knife from Aeryn before she could stab herself with it. For a moment, he felt her struggle against him, still trying to complete the death pact that Maldis had instilled in her. Then the knife slipped from her slack fingers. She slumped against him, and shook with reaction. John kicked the knife away, then pulled her into his arms and,dragging them both to the floor, cradled her shuddering body against him. He raised his head and met Zhaan's concerned gaze.

"Maldis convinced Aeryn that she had killed you," she explained.John looked down at the stricken Sebacean. "He made her believe that you attacked her and she killed you."

John looked down at Aeryn who now lay quietly in his arms, his eyes filled with tenderness and pity. "Aeryn," he said softly. "Look at me." When she would not raise her head, John gently slipped his finger under her chin and lifted her face towards his. His heart nearly broke at the look of pain and lingering guilt in her eyes. "I'm alive. You didn't kill me. It was all a terrible nightmare. It was Maldis," he explained.

Aeryn's brow wrinkled in confusion. "Maldis? The magician?" She searched his face for answers. "but I thought you and Zhaan killed him on the planet." Her hand came up to touch his face, to assure herself that he was really alive.

John hugged her tighter to him and smiled. "No, we only dissolved him." John's face took on a fiercer aspect. " But we've finished the job now. He's gone, Aeryn. He can't hurt you anymore. He can't hurt any of us any more."

Aeryn started to shake again. "I... I thought I killed you, John. He made me believe that you and I fought and I ... I killed you. You were dead and it was my fault." She shuddered again.

"Well, it wasn't true." John said, leaning his cheek against her hair and hugging her once more, enjoying the feel of her in his arms. Then he pulled back and started to get up, turning and helping Aeryn to her feet. He stood facing her once more, his hands still on her arms, searching her face. "Are you all right now?"

Aeryn gave herself a mental shake and straightened. She looked down in confusion to see herself still dressed in John's ridiculous Earth dress. Then she cast John a questioning and slightly accusing look. John smiled to see the return of the strong Aeryn he had come to feel so much for. She returned his smile and said, "Yes, I'm fine." Her eyes met his for a brief moment and she said more softly, "Thank you, John."

John squeezed her arms gently then turned his attention to Zhaan. "And are you okay, Zhaan?"

Zhaan got up from the bed with D'Argo's help. "Yes, I'm fine too, John. Thanks to you." Then a puzzled expression crossed her face. "How did you pull Maldis into this reality? Did I sense...others?"

John started and quickly hit his commline, "Oh no, I forgot to contact Lorana in all the confusion. Pilot, can you reach the planet?"

"Already done, Commander Crichton." Pilot's voice replied.

"Lorana? Are you there?"

Lorana's image appeared on the clamshell monitor." Yes, John Crichton. Were we successful?"

"Yes, thanks to you and your group, Maldis is no more. You can assure the other members of your council that Maldis is dead, destroyed for good this time. You don't need to fear reprisals."

Lorana's face registered her pleasure at his words. "And are all of your crew safe?"

"Yes," John said then stepped aside to let Zhaan address Lorana.

"Pa'u Lorana, it is good to see you again."

"As it is good to see you, Pa'u Zotah Zhaan." Lorana bowed slightly to Zhaan's image. When Zhaan hesitated a moment, Lorana anticipated her question, "Tahleen has succumbed even further to the madness, I'm sad to say. But our abandonment of her methods has prevented any more of us from falling victim." Zhaan bowed her head in sorrow at the news. "I am glad that John Crichton gave us the opportunity to repay our debt to you." Lorana bowed again and passed her hands over her head. Zhaan returned the gesture with great dignity.

"May the Goddess keep you well, Lorana"

"And you, Zhaan." Lorana looked again at John. "All of you. Safe travels."

"Thanks again," John said and signed off.

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

John wisely let several normal days pass on board a now quiet Moya before confronting Aeryn once more about their night on the false Earth and Maldis' attack. He found her again on the terrace, but this time she did not attempt to run away. *That's a positive sign.* John thought as he came onto the terrace. She remained sitting on the floor, her arms clasped around her knees, lost in contemplation of the passing stars. John walked over to her softly.

Hey!" he said lightly.

A ghost of a smile crossed Aeryn's face before she said, "Hey."

John took that as yet another positive sign and sat down beside her, close but not quite touching. Without looking at her he asked, "Can we have that talk now?"

Aeryn sighed then replied, "Yes, John. I think we need to." He waited patiently for her to continue. When she said nothing further, he turned to her. She met his questioning gaze and smiled slightly, "Oh, you mean I have to do the talking?"

John grinned at her expression and reached out to lightly touch her arm. When she flinched away from him, his grin faded and he withdrew his hand, "I'm sorry."

"What for?" Aeryn asked and then blushed as the words conjured up images of what had followed his previous apology.

John looked at her steadily, aware of the direction of her thoughts, "For whatever I did to make you have to defend yourself against me."

Aeryn's eyes flew to his in disbelief. "You don't have anything to apologise for. That was all Maldis, not you. He set up that whole scenario, and I fell for it." Her snort indicated her disgust at her gullibility.

"But I put you in a position on the false Earth that left you vulnerable to his suggestions." John turned his body so that he was facing her. "I never intended what happened to happen, Aeryn. But I don't regret it." He looked at her, his feelings for her written all over his face. "I enjoyed being with you, and our intimacy." He reached out and gently cupped her face. "And I would very much like it to happen again." Aeryn's eyes flew to his. He smiled. "Not right away. Not before you're ready." His thumb gently caressed her cheek. "Just again."

Aeryn looked at him, then closed her eyes and turned her head into his hand, enjoying his touch. The rightness of it finally dispelled all her culturally ingrained sense of *contamination.* She opened her eyes and looked back at John, smiling. His heart raced to see the last traces of regret and confusion gone from her eyes. She said nothing, but leaning into him, placed her hand around the back of his head and drew his mouth to hers in a tender kiss. John pulled her gently into his arms, and returned her tenderness, enjoying the opportunity to simply hold her again. Breaking the kiss, he pressed his forehead against hers for a moment, then shifted around behind her and drew her back against him, wrapping his arms around her once more. They sat like that watching the stars, until D'Argo informed them that dinner was prepared.

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

On a distant planet, a malevolent being stirred from its eons of sleep, awakened by the death throes of its child. *Maldis, my son,* the intelligence cried. *Sleep in peace. Your death will be avenged.* And the red cloud burst from the planet and sped away into space.

FIN

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