Title: IRREVERSIBLY CONTAMINATED
Author: ISIS
Email: louiseboyden@earthlink.net
Archive: You're welcome to it; please tell me where it's at. (louiseboyden@earthlink.net)
Rating: PG
Category:
Summary: My take on the reasons for Crais' declaration of irreversibly contaminated.
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: This story was inspired by two things about the Premiere that have intrigued me. One, why did Aeryn apparently disobey orders to break off the attack on Moya? And two, would she have known Tauvo Crais? Thanks as always to Quilt Lady for her great suggestions and criticisms.
Enjoy
Spoilers: The Premiere episode. Dialogue paraphrased form The premiere episode written by Rockne S.O'Bannon. Thank you for the inspiration.
Irreversibly Contaminated
He watched her as he had so many times before. His eyes were fixed on her lithe figure as she worked her way through the exercises with the rest of the squad. Her beautiful dark hair was escaping from the tight ponytail it was held in, making his hands itch to touch it, to release it from its confinement, to run his fingers through it. Her lips were parted slightly as she panted from her exertions, making his mind race with the thoughts he had been increasingly distracted by of late. He glanced around carefully to make sure no one was aware of his distraction, then turned back to his watching.
"Oh, Lieutenant," he told himself. "You've got it bad."
He shook his head, then signalled to the squad leader to bring the exercise session to a close and prepare his pilots for practice manoeuvres. The squad leader deferred to him, as everyone aboard the Command Carrier did, despite his new but lowly position as a second lieutenant. It wasn't his rank that impressed them. It was his name. The name that he shared with the Captain. Crais.
It was extremely unusual for Peacekeepers to even know who their siblings were. It was even more unusual to have any contact with them after childhood, if their whereabouts were known. The Crais brothers were a true anomaly in the Peacekeeper military, serving on the same Carrier. That, and their reported ruthlessness, were the elements that impressed their fellow shipmates. And made them wary.
Tauvo turned back to the squad as they prepared to leave the exercise area for the hangars. *She is singularly unimpressed though,* he thought. He watched until she left the room. His eye caught that of Officer Tarn, who cast him a seductive glance on her way past him. He smiled as he recalled their recent, enthusiastically exhausting nights together. His answering smile was full of promise to her that the experience would be repeated tonight. Then his smile faded. *Why isn't she interested in me that way,* he turned and followed the commandos out. *I'm not even sure she is aware of me at all.* He marched on in his frustration. He wasn't used to being ignored. But he wasn't sure what he wanted to do about it, not yet.
The Prowler pilots' successful practice manoeuvres were followed by a well-earned recreational period in the Carrier's rec hall. Fellip nectar flowed and music played in the background as the weary pilots and commandos put as much energy into recreation as they put into training and battle. Tauvo watched in amusement as several couples paired off and left the rec area, their intentions obvious. Officer Tarn had earlier reminded him of their rendezvous with a kiss that promised another night of physical satisfaction. But Tauvo still felt strangely restless. His eyes scanned the room. *You know who you're looking for,* he thought. *You know who you really want to be in your bed tonight.* His eyes finally settled on her, sitting alone, away from the rest of the group, studying a manual. Her dark hair was down, falling around her shoulders. She wore a thin black top over her regulation black trousers and halter style t-shirt. *Nothing impressive,* he told himself. But he was drawn to the way the colored lights of the rec area bounced off her dark hair, and made her exposed skin glow. He felt himself feeling again the urge to touch her, to walk over to her and pull her up against him. *What's holding you back?* he asked himself. *What is it about this female that is making you act so strangely? In the past, if you wanted a female, you simply asked, enjoyed and were done with it. What is so different about her, that you can't even approach her?* He turned his eyes away from her and returned to his drink. But his dark eyes were drawn inexorably back again.
Beside him, Lieutenant Solon Prala looked at the uncharacteristically silent Tauvo. His eyes followed the direction of his stare and lighted on the dark-haired Officer Sun, sitting alone, apart from the festivities as usual. He turned back to Tauvo with a wide grin on his face.
"So that's the reason you've been so quiet tonight," he said, smirking. "You want the Ice Queen. Good luck." he said, poking Tauvo in the ribs. "Though if anyone has a chance with her, it would be the Captain's brother."
Tauvo turned to meet his leering friend's gaze, somewhat embarrassed at being caught out in his reverie. "Ice Queen? Is that what they call her?"
"Yeah, several guys have tried to get something going with her, but she always refuses." Lieutenant Prala turned and the two men sat watching the unsuspecting Officer as she finished her drink and gathered her reading materials, preparing to turn in.
"Is she not interested in men? Does she prefer females?" Tauvo asked, surprised that the idea had not occurred to him.
"No, none of that. She turns everyone down," Prala said.
"What's her problem then?" Tauvo asked.
"I don't know. She's just different. Not interested in casual sex. Driven to be a good pilot and commando. Ambitious maybe." He turned back to Tauvo, "Which is why I say you have a better chance with her than most. Throw that Crais name around and maybe she'll change her mind." Prala looked at Tauvo almost enviously. "I'm sure you've seen it work in the past."
Tauvo grinned at his friend. "Yeah, being the Captain's brother has *opened a few doors* shall we say, in the past." Then his expression became serious. "But, with her..."
Prala observed his friend in astonishment. "Tauvo, my friend! You don't mean you're attracted to the Ice Queen!" He started to laugh uncontrollably. "Lieutenant, you've really got a problem!" He laughed so hard he nearly fell off his seat. The Peacekeepers around him looked on curiously. Finally Prala managed to catch his breath and smacked Tauvo across the back. "A word of advice, friend" he said, more seriously. "Get her out of your system. Proposition her, seduce her, force her if you have to, but have your fun with her and move on. None of us can afford to be caught up in any distractions right now. Even with the weight of your brother's influence behind you, there are too many hungry young Officers, looking for any opportunity to get promoted."
Tauvo looked at his friend, then smiled wryly as the truth of his words registered with him. Then he looked over his shoulder and saw Officer Tarn approaching from the other side of the room. "You're right, Solon." He rose as Nayla Tarn slipped her arm through his, her eyes beckoning. Tauvo turned, pulled her closer to him and slipped a hand down to caress her intimately, unseen by any but Solon, who grinned again, wolfishly. "I think Nayla here will help me forget." Then he turned and left with the beautiful, blonde and willing Officer.
The next weeken was fairly routine. The Carrier was engaged in escorting several troop carriers and battle cruisers to a new assignment just outside the Uncharted Territories and three Leviathan prison transports had joined up with them, on their way to the lifers' colony on Taran-Ra. Tauvo tried to take his friend's advice, but whenever he had the opportunity, he found himself always looking for ways to be wherever she was. He was always observing the exercise routine, supposedly to review their progress. He made a point of being in attendance whenever her squad returned from training manoeuvres. He personally reviewed their quarters, again unnecessarily. He had even designed and supervised additional training sessions for Ikarian company, a fact that had not endeared him to the squad. And all the while he had studied her.
What he saw was a dutiful and dedicated Peacekeeper commando. She was an excellent pilot, better than most of her squad at hand-to-hand combat, and knew her procedures inside and out. She was also a quick thinker. He had seen and heard of times when her innovative ideas, tactfully suggested, had improved her squad's performance and even saved a life or two in battle.She was friendly in her interactions with her fellow soldiers, obviously respected by many of them, but she didn't appear to have too many special friends among the crew. She was a loner, slow to accept overtures of friendship, and always keeping something of herself apart from the rest. And the more he watched her, the more he wanted her.
He felt he was being casual, his interest in Officer Sun unobserved. But on a couple of occasions, Solon Prala had shaken his head at some of his unusual decisions, a silent warning. Finally, he felt he had to do something or risk being called on his strange behaviour.
After a regular review of the latest training reports, Tauvo dismissed the commandos, then as casually as he could, asked Officer Sun to remain behind. Her beautiful blue eyes had registered surprise, but she had obeyed without question. She stood stiffly at attention, awaiting his request. Tauvo shuffled reports, nervous and hating the feeling.
Finally, he said, "I have been watching you, Officer Sun. I wished to commend you on your performance."
Aeryn Sun smiled slightly at his praise then quickly allowed her face to become neutral. "Thank you, Lieutenant Crais," she replied, not meeting his eyes.
"I think you are a gifted soldier, an asset to Ikarian company." Tauvo moved closer to her, his eyes sliding over her slender form.
Aeryn still stood at attention, waiting to see where his remarks were leading.
"I have great hopes for you," he continued. "What are your ambitions?"
Aeryn looked at him curiously, then turned her eyes back to the wall. "I hope to join a Marauder crew. I have put in my request for transfer to the Captain."
"Ah, yes," Tauvo said. "A fine ambition and one that I think you are well-suited for." He moved closer to her. He walked behind her and breathed in the scent of her hair. Aeryn's eyes started to register confusion at his behaviour. "I have been watching you for another reason," he said. Aeryn stiffened as she realised the direction he was going. "You are a truly beautiful woman, Aeryn Sun. I find myself curious to know if your talents in battle extend to talents in ... other areas." He reached out and placed his hand on her shoulder, turning her to meet his eyes. His heart sank as he saw the disappointment in her eyes. "I would be most interested in having you join me in my quarters this evening to explore this area of your skill." His hand slid across her collarbone and rested lightly just above her breast. His dark eyes never left her face.
Aeryn swallowed nervously, then met his gaze steadily. "Lieutenant Crais, I ... I am ...flattered...by your offer, but I must decline. Thank you..." she stammered, then looked down, waiting apprehensively.
Tauvo felt anger and frustration rise up within him, but before he could say anything further, the door opened and his brother's Lieutenant Teeg came into the room. If she saw anything strange about the scene she had interrupted, she did not let it register on her face. Tauvo moved back from Officer Sun and let his hand drop. "Yes?" he said, as casually as he could manage.
"Lieutenant Crais, the Captain requests that you join him tonight for dinner in his quarters." Her eyes studied the downcast face of the Officer in front of him then returned to his.
Tauvo turned once more to Aeryn, "Dismissed, Officer Sun," he said. She turned and left the room. Before she exited, he added, "We'll continue our discussion another time." Aeryn hesitated in her exit, then went out without a further word. Tauvo turned back to Lieutenant Teeg's carefully bland face. "Thank you, Lieutenant. Please tell my brother I will join him." She bowed her head to him, then turned and left as well.
Once the door had closed, Tauvo slammed his hand against the table in frustration.
Aeryn returned to her quarters, troubled by the events of the last arn. On her way she encountered Officer Tarn, who deliberately blocked her path, but said nothing. For a moment, their eyes caught and held each other's stare, Tarn's blazing with fury and Aeryn's saddened with disappointment. Aeryn tensed defensively as Tarn looked as if she would pursue her anger further in the deserted corridor, but the sound of approaching footsteps stopped her and she turned in rage and brushed roughly past Aeryn, walking on. Aeryn stood for a moment, watching her go, then turned back towards her quarters. Three or four commandos turned the corner from quarters, dressed casually, on their way to the rec hall, among them Officer Jendro Hass. He and Aeryn had developed a sort of friendship since she had joined Ikarian company. He saw the look on her face as she passed the group and signalled to his fellow Officers to go on ahead of him.
"Officer Sun! Aeryn!" he called, turning to follow her. She stopped and waited for him to catch up. "What's the matter?" he asked, without preamble. "What did Lieutenant Crais want?"
Aeryn hesitated, not sure whether to tell him of her disappointment. Then she sighed. "He wanted to commend me on my performance. We...we discussed my transfer request," she said evasively.
Jendro put a hand out lightly on her arm and said quietly, "Is that all he wanted?"
Aeryn looked at him, her eyes filled with shame and disappointment. "No ... he ... he asked me to join him in his quarters tonight."
Jendro grinned,"Well, well, I thought as much. I've seen him watching you for several weekens now. I figured it would come to that." He laughed when Aeryn looked at him in surprise. "You didn't notice?" He snorted with laughter. "You really are something, Aeryn. You can pick out a target at a greater distance than any one of us, but you can't see what's going on right in front of you when it comes to people. Tauvo Crais wants to have sex with you. He's wanted to for a long time. Lucky girl! Except you'll have to stay away from Tarn. She's not going to like Tauvo's change of partners. She had plans to exploit the Captain's brother's current interest in her to the fullest." He patted her on the back. "It looks like that transfer of yours is assured. I'm going to miss you." He paused, watching his friend's less than jubilant expression. "What's the matter? I thought you wanted this transfer?"
"I do,"Aeryn replied, "But not like this. I wanted to earn it on my own merits, not because I slept with the Captain's brother." She sighed. "I have no desire to have sex with him. I have no desire to have sex with anyone not of my choosing. I don't want to be forced into an empty relationship with a stranger. I want something more."
Jendro looked at her, troubled. "Aeryn, talk like that could get you into trouble around here. It sounds like you want more than physical contact. You want an emotional attachment as well. You know how High Command feels about such things. It is highly irregular. And it could hurt your career." He turned her to look at him. "Take your pleasure with Tauvo Crais. Accept what his attentions can do for your career. Get your transfer and move on. There's no shame in that. It's done all the time." He stood looking at her for a few more microts, then sighed. "Look, I have to go. Will you be all right?" Aeryn smiled weakly at him and nodded. "Good girl! Remember my advice," he called over his shoulder as he left.
Aeryn made her way on down the corridor to her quarters. Safely inside her tiny cabin, she removed her uniform jacket and threw herself down on her bed. *Jendro's right. Why can't I just be like everyone else and enjoy these encounters? Why do I always want something more?* She rolled over and stared at the ceiling, listening to the ever present hum of the Command Carrier's powerful engines. *A successful liaison with Tauvo Crais would indeed assure my transfer. So why don't I feel better about it?* she asked herself. *You know why,* a little voice said to her. *You don't want to be like all the other ambitious females. Or males, for that matter. You don't want everyone to think you got where you are by sleeping with the right person. You haven't so far, so why start now? You want to be recognised for your skill in battle, not in bed.* She sighed, covering her eyes with her forearm. *And that's not all,* the little voice persisted. *You crave something more from any relationship, something more than physical release. You need those forbidden emotions, don't you?* the voice demanded. *Admit it, you want to feel what your mother obviously felt with your father. You avoid these empty encounters, searching for the one person that you could actually feel something for. A dangerous pastime time, Aeryn,* the voice warned her. *Jendro was right. Give in to Tauvo. Do what you have to to get ahead.* She rolled off the bed and went to wash her face, to try to clear her mind. But the voice returned, *Besides, you saw his face when you refused him, the fury and the frustration. He won't give up until he's had you, with your consent or not. And then where will you be? You have the opportunity to have a Crais on your side. You cannot afford to have one against you.* Aeryn looked at her face in the tiny mirror above the sink. "Is maintaining your self-respect worth the risk?" she asked herself, already aware of the answer. She sighed again and left to go to the mess hall for the evening meal.
***************
Later that night, the brothers Crais dined in fine style in the Captain's quarters. At first, throughout the meal, while servers were coming and going, the talk was bland and routine. Bialar went over several routine matters. They reminisced about family and childhood. Bialar asked Tauvo to help him catch up on the inevitable gossip, usually items that never made it up to the Captain's notice. When the servers had cleared the table and left the two brothers alone to linger over their final Raslaq, Bialar pulled out a bottle of fine Luxan brandy.
Pouring himself one, and one for his brother, he said casually, "I'm hearing some strange things about your behaviour, brother." He recorked the bottle and sat down, his dark eyes meeting his brother's. Lifting his glass he saluted Tauvo in a silent toast. Tauvo returned the gesture. "Nothing too strange, but unusual enough to attract unwarranted attention." Bialar kept his voice quiet, watching his brother for any reaction. "Extra training sessions, unnecessary reviews, your presence in places where you do not need to be." He paused, waiting for an explanation. "Tauvo, what's going on? You cannot afford to do anything out of the ordinary, anything that can be criticized. You know how hard I've worked, how hard we've worked to get to where we are now; the odds we've had to overcome. What is leading you to jeopardize this now?"
Tauvo sighed, knowing that nothing he did would ever escape his brother's watchful eye. Then he grinned as the absurdity of what he was about to say struck him. "It's a woman," he answered, watching his brother for his reaction.
Bialar paused, caught off-guard by the answer. Then he snorted. "A woman?" He began to laugh "You're acting like this because of a female?" He laughed even harder. Tauvo smirked at him and then began to join in.
"I know, it's unbelievable!" Tauvo chortled. For a moment the two brothers were transported back to their youth, before the Peacekeepers came, to times when they had shared laughter huddled together in their bunks in their father's farmhouse.
Then Bialar sobered suddenly and grabbed the front of his brother's uniform, hauling him up from his seat, his eyes blazing with anger. "You would jeopardize your career, your very life, for a woman?" he demanded. "You would put everything we've worked for in jeopardy for a female?" He pushed Tauvo roughly back into his chair. "Are you out of your mind?"
Tauvo slumped down in his seat, rubbing his neck where his uniform had cut into his skin. "I don't understand it any more than you do."
Bialar sighed and reached over to pour them both a second brandy. "Well, who is she, this woman that is worth so much risk to you?"
Tauvo accepted the brandy. "Her name is Aeryn Sun. She is an Officer in the Ikarian company. I saw her a few weekens ago and since then I've been unable to get her out of my thoughts. She's very beautiful, in an uncommon way; dark haired, slender, blue eyes. Not like your blonde insipid Teeg."
Bialar grinned, "But does she satisfy you the way Teeg satisfies me?"
Tauvo looked uncomfortable. "I don't know. I've never had the pleasure," he told his brother wryly.
Bialar snorted in disbelief. "You said you saw her weekens ago. And you've never had her. What's your problem?"
"It's her. She refuses everybody. I've asked around. She doesn't engage in casual sex."
Bialar looked at his brother. "Well, she will with you. You are Tauvo Crais. No one could refuse you. Have some fun with her, get her out of your system and get over this, brother." he said, his words paralleling Prala's.
"She did refuse me," Tauvo said. "Today, before Teeg found me." He looked uncomfortable. "And I think your lieutenant realised what was going on."
Bialar's face darkened in anger. "Aeryn Sun, you say. How dare she refuse a Crais!" He looked at his brother's miserable face. "Tauvo, first, you don't need to worry about what Teeg saw. I will give her the word and she will say nothing. She is completely loyal to me." He smirked, his thoughts going back to the many ways Teeg demonstrated her loyalty. Then he returned his attention to his brother." Second, you will take your pleasure from this Aeryn Sun. Bed her, get her out of your system! You cannot afford such a distraction. We cannot afford you to get distracted." He waited until Tauvo looked at him. "I will not let you throw away everything over a worthless, foolish and stubborn female."
Tauvo nodded unhappily. "You're right, Bialar. I really don't know what's come over me." He grinned, "You know, Solon Prala said the same thing to me a weeken ago."
Bialar returned his brother's grin,"I've always liked Solon. He's a smart man."
Tauvo's face darkened,"But how am I supposed to *get her out of my system?* She refused me. She refuses everyone."
"Then order her. She cannot refuse that."
Tauvo looked uncomfortable,"You know that is against the regulations."
"Yes, but it is done by everyone," Bialar countered.
"What if she reports it?" Tauvo said.
"Who will she report it to, her captain?" Bialar smirked.
Tauvo still looked uncomfortable, "No, I had hoped she would accept me on her own."
Bialar studied his brother's face, worriedly, "Tauvo, you know emotional attachments are forbidden between commandos. You want more from this woman than just a night's entertainment?" He sighed. "We've come so far, shown everyone that our backwoods origins are in no way a detriment to our abilities. Don't prove them right by showing such weakness now."
Tauvo sighed again, then smiled. "You're right, Bialar, as always. No wonder you made Captain first." He laughed as his brother reached out to swat him playfully across the head.
"Well, if you don't want to order her, what can you use as a further enticement?" He reached over and activated his computer, calling up her records. He studied the face that appeared on the screen. *Too dark for my taste,* he thought and looked once more at his brother, curious about what had attracted him to this woman. Then a note in the record caught his eye. "She has applied for transfer to a Marauder team. Very ambitious." He turned off the screen and looked back at Tauvo. "Use that. Tell her that she will not have her application approved by the Captain until the Captain's brother is *satisfied* that she is worthy of the honour."
Tauvo still felt uncomfortable, but his dangerous obsession with this woman had to be appeased. He looked back at his brother, then grinned. He raised his glass to Bialar in a final salute. "To females," he said.
Bialar grinned and returned his toast.
Tauvo checked the roster early the next morning and found that Aeryn's squad was scheduled for a rest period following training maneuvers. Most of the pilots would spend it in the rec area. But he knew from his observations that Aeryn would remain in her own quarters, reading and studying. It was the perfect time to put his plan into action.
He made his way carefully down the passage way through the commando quarters to Aeryn's room. No one was around, and he passed no one in the hall. A special tournament of Tardek had been arranged that had drawn more commandos to the rec area, eager to wager on the outcome. Tauvo suspected his brother's hand in the welcome distraction. He finally reached Aeryn's door unobserved. Not pausing to knock, he opened the door and stepped swiftly into the tiny room.
Commando quarters were individual, and little more than a glorified closet. There was a cot and a sink, and a small table and chair. Aeryn lay reading on the cot, but sprang to her feet at Tauvo's entrance. "Lieutenant Crais?" she said, startled at his presence.
"At ease," he said automatically, smiling when he saw that she was anything but at ease.
"Can I help you?" Aeryn said, moving as far from him as the tiny room permitted.
Tauvo stepped forward, "Yes, Aeryn Sun, I think you can." He reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "I've come to continue our discussion from yesterday. Have you thought any more about my request?" Aeryn instinctively tilted her head away from his touch and moved away again. Tauvo¹s eyes darkened in anger at her reaction.
"Yes, no...I...No. Lieutenant Crais. I am honoured that you want to be .. to be *intimate* with me," she stammered. Tauvo smiled at her euphemism and discomfort. "But I must again refuse." She looked away from his dark eyes.
"Can you explain to me why you refuse?" Tauvo asked. "Why do you not want to be *intimate* with me, as you call it? Do you find me repulsive?"
Aeryn's eyes flew to his, "No, sir!" she said quickly, "It's just that ... that ... I have no desire to be with you in that way. I don't even know you."
"And you think knowing is necessary to be pleasured by physical contact? How interesting. Peacekeeper training clearly states that any emotional connection is dangerous and unwarranted." Tauvo moved over towards her again.
Aeryn swallowed nervously again, "I don't mean emotion... ," she tried to take back her words. "I mean..., I ... "
Tauvo interrupted her, moving closer to her again. Aeryn found herself backed up against the wall of her quarters. She looked up at Tauvo apprehensively. "Peacekeeper Command might frown on such thoughts. As will the Captain, " he said silkily. He reached out his hand to slide it into her dark hair, feeling the softness he had imagined for so long. "You are ambitious. You want to be a member of a Marauder squad, do you not, Aeryn?" His hand slid further into her hair and around the back of her head. He moved even closer to her, their bodies almost touching. " The Captain might not be able to approve the application of someone with such radical ideas."
Aeryn closed her eyes, her heart sinking at his words. His breath was hot against her cheek as he bent towards her. His hand tangled in her hair tilted her face up towards his. His other hand dropped to rest lightly on her hip. She tensed, wanting to use all her considerable training to defend herself against this threat. But her mind screamed at her that she couldn't. She willed herself not to fight back as he pulled her closer towards him.
Tauvo continued his threat. His breathing became faster as he felt her lack of resistance. "I could change the Captain's mind, if you proved my suspicions wrong," he whispered against her cold lips. Then he pressed his mouth to hers in a demanding kiss.
Aeryn felt his body press against hers and despair filled her. She wanted to fight him but knew it was futile. He was the Captain's brother, a superior officer, and he held the key to her ambitions in his hand. She whimpered in shame and helplessness as she realised what what he could do without her consent, what he was about to do, what she had to let him do, or lose everything.
Tauvo pulled Aeryn's unresisting body against his. Weekens of wanting her, of dreaming about this moment broke his control. His mouth devoured her, his hands were all over her. He ground his hips into hers, his need desperate and demanding. He heard her whimper softly. Somewhere in the back of his mind a regret that it had to be like this surfaced, but the taste of her, the scent of her, her softness, inflamed him and lust overcame his emotional attraction, his need for a connection with her that was more than merely physical.
He lifted his mouth from hers, and looked into her eyes. The infinite sadness he saw there gave him pause. For a moment, Aeryn felt hopeful. "Please, Tauvo," she pleaded, appealing to him by name. "Don't do this. Respect my wishes. Please!"
Tauvo hesitated, something deep inside of him wanting her respect, her consent. But then she made the fatal error of reaching out to touch his face, to strengthen her plea. Her soft touch only aroused him more. He pulled her once more to him. She whimpered again when she realised her mistake, but it was too late. His free hand started to reach up under her shirt, to strip the garment from her, as he pushed her down onto her cot.
Suddenly a klaxon sounded, startling them both. Tauvo jumped back from Aeryn, and training and instinct galvanized them both into action. Tauvo was angered by the obvious relief in Aeryn's face. "This is only a temporary reprieve," he ground out. "I'll be back tonight." and he turned and left.
Aeryn started to shake with reaction as she raced down the corridor to the hangar, joined by other pilots in response to the alarm. In her Prowler, battle training and the attack on the escaping Leviathan prison transport thankfully wiped the shame away and she had no time to worry about Tauvo's threats.
**************
"Frell!" Tauvo Crais cursed in frustration. "That didn't go the way I wanted it to at all!" He sat in his Prowler, his mind only half on the attack on the escaping Leviathan transport. He remembered the feeling of her in his arms, the taste of her and her softness as she gave in to him. His body tensed in anticipation of the night to come. *I will have you, Aeryn Sun.* he thought. He fired a volley of shots at the Leviathan, more in frustration at his interrupted pleasure than with any intention of recapturing a motley group of pathetic escapees.
Then his mind returned to Aeryn's plea. Somewhere in the back of his mind the little voice chastised him for forcing himself on her. *You wanted her to come to you willingly, remember.* He turned automatically, careful to avoid a piece of asteroid debris as he returned to fire again on the prison transport. * You don't want her like this. She deserves more from you.* He shook his head to rid himself of the accusing little voice. In doing so, he missed the sudden appearance of a strange white craft directly in front of him.
"Frell," he cursed again, frantically trying to avoid a collision. He almost managed it, but the wing of his Prowler hit the tip of the pod's flap. He was sent spinning end over end towards the asteroid. He fought to regain control, but the asteroid loomed large. His last thoughts were of Aeryn Sun and regret over what was not to be.
**************'
When the control collar came off the Leviathan, Aeryn knew that it would starburst momentarily. Then the call came through to break off the attack. A wave of helplessness washed over her, for the second time that day. *Not this time, * she thought and ignored the order, turning to make one more strafing run across the starbursting Leviathan. There was a blue flash and she was knocked unconscious as her Prowler was caught in the Leviathan's starburst, carrying her with it, away from the fleet.
*************'
Lieutenant Teeg approached her Captain cautiously. He had been acting strangely since she had shown him the circumstances of his brother's death, and the Sebacean male who appeared to be responsible. Such lack of emotional control was uncommon among Peacekeepers, and she was afraid that his judgment was affected. She knew that other members of the command staff felt the same way and looked to her to step in. But she owed Crais her loyalty, and she would stay by his side during this painful time for him. Besides, she too felt an emotional attachment to him, one that she tried to keep hidden, dangerous as it was under the circumstances.
"Captain, we're getting a signal from one of the outer systems. It's Aeryn Sun, the pilot we thought we had lost." Teeg watched the Captain start at the name. "She was taken prisoner aboard the Leviathan, but she's escaped. And she says she has the being from the white pod with her."
Bialar's thought were troubled. *The same Aeryn Sun who may have fatally distracted you appears to be the one who will help me avenge your death, my brother! You seem to have chosen well in this female. Perhaps I was wrong to advise you to force her. I must reward her when I have punished your murderer.* He called up her record once more as the Command Carrier raced to the coordinates she had transmitted. Reading further into her background, he smiled. *So very much like us, brother. That may explain your attraction to her. Taken from her mother when young, as were we. The future of the Peacekeepers depends on strong stock such as ourselves, not the weak, genetically birthed rank and file.*
Teeg interrupted his thoughts, "Captain, we have reached the commerce planet. Shall I send down a Marauder team?"
"No! I want to capture this murderer personally." Teeg looked about to protest, but wisely said nothing in the face of her Captain's almost insane anger. "Prepare a transport."
Crais marched through the pathetic lifeforms crowding the bazaar of the dark and filthy commerce planet to find Aeryn Sun and the murdering Sebacean confronting the Luxan prisoner, Ka D'Argo. He frowned as he noted the way the murderer was unconfined, and seemed to be working with Aeryn Sun. They both relaxed when they saw him approach with his team. The Luxan thought they were trying to trick him.
"You don't think I will fall for that old trick," he growled.
Crais saw the Sebacean male and Aeryn Sun exchange another glance. "And fall you will, Ka D'Argo!" he called out. "If the Luxan resists, kill him!" Then he focussed his attention on the strangely dressed Sebacean, his brother's murderer. When the Luxan was subdued, he walked over to inspect his brother's murderer. Aeryn Sun stepped forward but he ignored her.
"Your name?" he demanded. The creature appeared confused at his anger.
"It's John. John Crichton."
Bialar circled around him, noting that Aeryn Sun was standing back, clearly confused. "And where are you from, John Crichton?"
"Sir, he claims to be a Human, from a planet called Erp." Aeryn Sun answered for him. " He seems to be ..."
Crais again saw a look pass between them. *There seems to be something going on here, a certain understanding,* he thought and his rage flared. *The woman Tauvo desired and Tauvo's murderer?*
" To be what, Officer Sun? A spy? An accomplice to escaping prisoners? And my brother's murderer? " Crais accused.
Aeryn started at his words. *Tauvo's dead?* she thought in shock, unable to fight the relief that flooded through her. Then she saw the Captain's insane rage, directed against the Human. She heard John Crichton deny Crais' accusation. She watched the Captain circle the strange Human like a predator, accusing him of murder, threatening to pull him apart. The Luxan also watched from the side where he was confined between two guards, his opinions of Peacekeepers justified by Crais' insane threats. Her mind was in turmoil. This Human had helped her, defended her against the Luxan, worked with her to escape. She couldn't let him die, not for someone like Tauvo Crais. When Crais ordered the guards to cuff the Human, Aeryn heard herself speak up.
"Wait!" she interrupted.
Crais began to circle her as he had the Human. "You have something to add, Officer Sun?"
Aeryn looked at Crichton nervously. Crais was just at her shoulder. *He knows,* she thought in a flash. *He knows about Tauvo.*
"You know something about this alien?" Crais prompted.
"Only that I have spent time with him and I believe him when he says what happened with your brother was an accident. I don't believe that he is brave enough or intelligent enough to attack one of our Prowlers intentionally." Aeryn's words tumbled out of her.
Crais again noted the significant looks that passed between the Human and Aeryn Sun. His rage burned out of control within him. "And just how much time have you spent with this Human?"
"Not much, not much at all," the Human answered for her, clearly aware of her danger.
*They're defending each other!* Crais thought. *They're working together. Oh my brother, you have been betrayed!* "Because you know Officer Sun that Peacekeeper Command has very clear parameters regarding alien contact. " He noted in satisfaction that Aeryn was becoming increasingly agitated. "You may very well have exceeded those parameters."
"No, sir!"
"Which would make you irreversibly contaminated!" Crais finished. He watched with satisfaction as the Human alien's face registered his distress over what was happening to his traitorous partner.
"No sir!"
"Take them away! Take them all away!" Crais ordered, and watched as the treacherous female was led away in handcuffs with the others. *Tauvo, I will see her punished as well.*
****************
Aeryn watched in disbelief as the Human she had believed to be so useless actually overpowered the two guards and commandeered the keys to their handcuffs.
"Unlock me!" the Luxan demanded.
"No, me!" she countered. "Come on, we don't have much time."
She was shocked when Crichton turned to the Luxan over her. "Unlock me!" *What the frell is he up to?* she thought as she watched the by-play between the Human and the Luxan. Then her mind was staggered by his next words.
"And we take her too."
*What?!* She looked at him in astonishment. The Luxan seemed equally surprised, and tried to talk him out of it.
"Give it up, Officer Sun, and you may avoid a death sentence!" one of the guards called.
She stood watching the Human convince the Luxan to have her join them in their escape, her mind in turmoil. *No, I can't. Crais will understand. He's just upset at his brother's death, not thinking clearly. He'll reinstate me,* she thought desperately. *Maybe he doesn't know what happened between Tauvo and me. Everything can be the way it was before.* But the voice in the back of her mind told her she was fooling herself. *You will die, if you go back.*
Aeryn pulled away from the Human when he reached over to unlock her cuffs. "No! I will not come with you!" she cried as much to convince herself as him.
"You've been irreversibly contaminated," he said, pulling her close.
"It means death," the Luxan added.
"It's my breeding; it's what I've been trained for. It's what I am." she argued desperately.
The Human raised his eyes to her. "You can be more." and his words tore at her heart, summarizing in four simple words the very thing she had been struggling with for so long. She looked at him in shock. *How did he know?* her mind reeled. She relented and let him uncuff her hands. She didn't resist as the two escaped prisoners dragged her back to her Prowler and onto the Leviathan, unaware of the curious looks the Human cast her every now and then.
***************
Crais had just stepped onto the Command deck when Teeg reported that the Human, the Luxan and Aeryn Sun had escaped back to the orbiting Leviathan.
"Bring the ship about, Lieutenant!" He called and marched over to the control. "Prepare the frag cannons." He watched in disbelief as the Leviathan began to bank towards them and inexplicably descend into the planet's atmosphere. His hands moved over the gun controls. "We end this now!" He watched the Leviathan's flight in disbelief. The skill with which the living ship was being flown could only mean that the traitor Aeryn Sun was at the helm, but the manoeuver confused him. It was not anything used by Peacekeepers, or any of their known enemies. *It must be the Human's doing,* he thought to himself, blinded by rage. He watched helplessly as the Leviathan dove into the planet's atmosphere, gaining incredible speed from the gravity. Then at the last moment, she pulled out of the dive and shot away from them.
"They're off our scanner," Lieutenant Teeg announced unnecessarily. "We've lost them."
Crais stood, his gaze fixed on the empty space where the Leviathan had disappeared. "I will avenge your death, Tauvo, if it's the last thing I do. The Human and the traitor will die at my hands, I swear." He turned and walked off the bridge.
FIN