THE VESSEL by ISIS Disclaimers: Farscape is the property of Rockne S O'Bannon, Jim Henson Company et al. I make no claim on them. I borrow only. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Rating: PG 14

Category: Drama

Summary: A Luxan ritual threatens to devastate the crew of Moya.

Spoilers: Vita Mortis

Archiving: You're welcome to it; please tell me where it's at. (louiseboyden@earthlink.net)

Acknowledgements: Thanks as always to Quilt Lady for her great suggestions and criticisms.

PART ONE OF FOUR

Enjoy

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John Crichton, very lost Human astronaut, wondered again what deity or fate-controlling entity he had offended that seemed intent on making his life a living hell. His pulse pistol primed and ready, he moved as silently as possible through the dimly-lit corridors deep within the dungeon-like levels of the Trovarian slave enclosure. The damp stone walls ran with a foul-smelling secretion and he had to step carefully so as not to slip on the slick, slime-covered floors. The passages echoed with the gibbering voices of the poor unfortunates who had lost their minds during cycles of captivity and abuse at the hands of cruel slave-owners. With every moan and pained cry, John could see D'Argo's face set into an increasingly murderous scowl. They had come to this world to rescue D'Argo's long lost son, but as time passed the chances of finding the youthful Luxan in anything but raving insanity diminished.

Ever since Stark had arrived on Moya with the picture of what appeared to be Jothee, D'Argo had been chafing at the bit, impatient with his crewmates and constantly on the verge of hyper-rage. It had taken the combined efforts of Zhaan and, surprisingly enough, Aeryn to prevent D'Argo from attacking every potential slaver and trade planet. After the devastating loss of Stark to the Plokavians, even Zhaan had been useless. With John still fighting his hallucinations of Scorpius, and Chiana afraid to approach her former lover, Aeryn had been alone, under a lot of pressure to hold the crew together. Against her will, she had had to largely abandon the Human to his own torments, forced instead to concentrate her endeavours on the Luxan and his search.

When they finally located four of the slave-owners, Aeryn 'unleashed' D'Argo on the them. The Luxan had killed three of them in fury before John pointed out to him that dead men tell no tales. The enraged Luxan had thrown the surviving slaver around his sumptuous villa, paid for with the agony and humiliation of so many souls. The dying creature had revealed the location of the slavers who had purchased the dregs of their 'merchandise'. His lamentable use of the term 'merchandise' had led to his demise, the term still on his lips as he breathed his last. Then D'Argo had fled the building with a roar. Aeryn had grabbed John and dragged him along after her, not completely sure that D'Argo would remember their presence. He was so focussed on his son's rescue that she didn't trust him not to leave without them.

A couple of solar days later they entered the Trovarian system. Moya had established an orbit synchronous with one of the planet's moons, making her undetectable. Aeryn had pilotted the Prowler down to the planet's surface while John followed with D'Argo in the transport pod.The plan had been for Aeryn to begin strafing the slavers' fortress from the air to provide a distraction, allowing John and D'Argo to enter the stronghold unseen and rescue Jothee. Even now he could hear the sounds of powerful explosions as Aeryn attacked the fortress from the air, drawing the slavers to their walls.

So it was that John found himself following his Luxan friend through a seemingly endless labyrinth of dank passageways. Finally, D'Argo grunted in triumph, locating the section that the hapless slaver had whispered with his dying breath. "D'Argo, wait up!" John hissed urgently, as the Luxan plunged into the darkness without a thought for possible guards or resistance. The sudden whine of a pulse rifle being primed had John fighting to focus his eyes in the half-lit corridor. There was a movement at the end of the hall. John raised his pistol and fired. The heavy thud of a falling body followed the agonized scream of the slaver. D'Argo stepped heedlessly over the body, and studied the markings on the cell walls, moving down the block swiftly. John heard the distinct sound of an alarm being raised. "D'Argo, move it! We're going to have company very soon."

Seeming to ignore his Human shipmate, the Luxan warrior moved on down the cellblock. Finally he came to a door at the far end of the corridor. D'Argo raised his Qualta Blade and fired at the lock. By the time the smoke cleared, the door gaped open to reveal a pair of Luxans; one, a slight young man with pale skin and dark eyes glaring out from beneath matted red hair and tentacles, cradled the other, a tiny Luxan female of advanced age. The younger Luxan tensed and peered into the smoke, trying to make out what was happening. D'Argo froze, stunned into immobility at the sight of the son he had been seeking for so long. Seeing his paralysis, John rushed forward. "Come on," he cried at the pair of shocked slaves, "We're here to free you!"

"Who are you?" the younger Luxan asked, distrustingly. He tightened his protective embrace around the weak female, ready to protect her from what appeared to be a PeaceKeeper.

"Look, Jothee, explanations later. Let's just get you out of here!" John replied urgently. The young Luxan started at the Human's use of his name. However, he too heard the sound of the approaching guards and decided to throw his lot in with the strange rescuers. With comforting words, Jothee lifted the ancient Luxan female into his arms and followed D'Argo and John out into the corridor.

The fugitives fled back through the damp passageways, rushing desperately to reach the surface where Aeryn waited in her Prowler guarding the transport pod. D'Argo led the way followed closely by Jothee. The Luxan warrior had tried to take the ancient Luxan female from his obviously weakened son, but Jothee had glared at the unfamiliar Luxan and tightened his grip on the woman. John had to intervene, "Come on, Big Guy! Let it be. We've got to get out of here, back to Aeryn. She won't be able to hold the slavers off forever," he whispered furiously. Father and son faced each other defiantly for a microt then D'Argo turned without a word and headed back to the surface. Jothee stumbled on after him, with John bringing up the rear. The Human stopped to fire at the slavers who poured out of a side passage, managing to hit one and drive the others back for cover. Then the escapees fled around the final corner.

Jothee blinked blindly as the bright sunlight hit his eyes for the first time in nearly a half cycle. He stumbled again, nearly losing his grip on the female. The ancient Luxan woman moaned softly. John watched as the teenage Luxan stopped at the edge of the wall and whispered encouraging words to the elderly woman. When she moaned again, he looked up helplessly at his rescuers, really seeing D'Argo for the first time. His eyes narrowed as he tried to place the Luxan, his appearance stirring unpleasant memories from his childhood. Then he turned to study the Sebacean, who reminded him so much of his mother's brother. John leaned forward and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, but Jothee shrugged it off. "Don't worry, son," John said softly. "We'll get you out of here and Zhaan will help your friend there." Then he looked up, seeing Aeryn waving to them from the open hatch of her Prowler. "Okay, the coast is clear! Let's move!" He nodded to D'Argo and Jothee. "You guys go first. I'll cover you!" D'Argo nodded agreement then pointed towards the opening door of the transport pod. "Okay, move! Now!" He pulled Jothee to his feet and together they carried the unconscious female along with them.

They had almost reached the door when pulse rifle fire broke out around them. The slavers had started to emerge from a second passageway down from where John still crouched. Another group were firing at them from the ruins of a guard tower overlooking the wall of the smoking citadel. Aeryn aimed her rifle at the slavers along from John while he fired at the tower. Suddenly, Aeryn's eyes opened in alarm, "D'Argo, get down!" she called. Jothee turned around, stunned at the name. "D'Argo! Father?" D'Argo roared and tackled his son and the ancient woman, knocking the two of them roughly to the ground just before a grenade of some sort exploded behind them. Aeryn fired and the slaver who was lobbing the grenades fell out of the doorway, more primed grenades rolling away from his hand in all directions. His comrades yelled and fled. "Crichton, look out!" Aeryn screamed, as one of the grenades rolled towards the concealed Human. John looked up, confused, then saw the grenade and leaped out of the doorway. "John!" Aeryn cried again as the passage where he had been microts before blew up in a torrent of flame and shrapnel. D'Argo lifted himself off his son and the Luxan female, and started to go back to retrieve his fallen comrade. "No, D'Argo! Get out of here! I'll get him!" Aeryn shouted. Seeing her friend hesitate, she called again, already halfway to the prone body of her Human companion. "No, go! Get Jothee out of here!" At Jothee's name, D'Argo snarled and grabbed his son and the other Luxan and dragged them onto the transport.

Aeryn raced over to John and knelt at his side. Her dark hair blew around her face as the transport pod lifted off. She ran her hands lightly over John's body, searching for serious injuries. The back of the modified PeaceKeeper uniform he wore was ripped and charred, but it seemed to have protected him from the worst of the explosion. His hands and arms were covered with burns and cuts where he had protected his head as he ran. Aeryn rolled him over gently and he groaned. There was a huge bump on his forehead and a large wound on his upper thigh that was bleeding at an alarming rate. Aeryn tore a piece off John's t-shirt and pressed down on the wound. "Don't you dare die on me, John Crichton," she threatened his unconscious form. She was about to raise her head to see where the slavers were when she felt the muzzle of a rifle press against her temple.

"John Crichton, you say?" a nasty, sibilant voice hissed. "So that must make you the elusive Aeryn Sun. Well, well, what started off as an expensive day has suddenly grown profitable once more. The PeaceKeeper bounty on both your heads will more than make up for the loss of two rather pathetic slaves and the damage you have done to my fortress."

Aeryn looked up at the mottled, green, leathery skin of the snaky Trovari slaver. His wide, toothless mouth was spread in a nasty grin. Then she felt a hand at her thigh. Letting her head drop as if in defeat, she saw John wink at her as he pulled her pulse gun from its holster. She threw herself forward over his legs as he fired, hitting the slaver square in the face. The creature dropped his rifle and then fell, his dying eyes a study in surprise. Aeryn straightened up and looked at John. He smiled at her, then grimaced as pain from his wound shot through him. Without a word, Aeryn quickly bound the leg and then helped John to his feet, half supporting him, half dragging him to her Prowler. She bundled him inside and strapped him in, before climbing in in front of him and streaking off towards Moya. As soon as they docked, she instructed Pilot to have Moya starburst as far away from the system as possible. Then she turned her attention to her wounded friend, requesting Chiana's assistance to get him down to Zhaan's infirmary.

Zhaan was already in the infirmary, struggling to save the elderly Luxan woman's life. Her scans revealed that the woman had been abused for several monens. Zhaan alternately cursed and prayed as she fought to heal the worst of her wounds. She didn't spare a glance for Jothee who hovered fearfully nearby, or for D'Argo, who watched his son forlornly. D'Argo had tried to get Jothee to at least lie down and let him treat his own wounds, but the young Luxan had shaken off D'Argo's hands, refusing to speak or even look at the man who he now knew to be the father he had not seen in nearly eleven cycles. D'Argo had wisely backed off, standing in the shadows of the infirmary, his heart aching at his son's distrust and pain.

When Aeryn and Chiana arrived with the wounded John, Zhaan left the Luxan, whom Jothee had told her was named Unaal. Jothee immediately bristled. "What are you doing? She still needs attention! You can't let her die!" He grabbed Zhaan's arm in a surprisingly strong grip. "Leave that other one, the PeaceKeeper! Let him die!" Jothee screamed unreasonably.

Zhaan looked at Jothee sympathetically, then at D'Argo as she removed Jothee's hand from her arm. D'Argo came forward to comfort his son, but the young Luxan backed away from him in horror. "No! Get away from me, murderer!" D'Argo stopped at his son's words.

"Jothee! I'm no murderer! It was Macton! He killed your mother! " D'Argo pleaded desperately with his tormented son. "You must believe me!"

"No! You're a liar as well as a murderer! I saw you arrested! I heard what they said! I know you were convicted!" Jothee looked around him frantically, seeking a weapon of some sort. "As soon as Unaal is well, we're getting out of here!" He turned again to Zhaan who was dressing John's wound. "Leave him alone. Help Unaal!"

Suddenly, Jothee found himself facing the wall of the infirmary, his arms dragged behind his back, a voice shaking with fury hissing in his ear. "You ungrateful little Zalkat! This man risked his life to rescue you! We all did! We should have left you there to rot!"

D'Argo snarled menacingly at Aeryn, who held his son in an angry grip. "Aeryn! Let him go! Or I swear I will ...!"

"You'll what, D'Argo?!" Sebacean and Luxan glared at each other. Then Aeryn flung Jothee away from her. The young Luxan stepped quickly away from the enraged ex-PeaceKeeper, rubbing his sore arms nervously. "I'm sorry, D'Argo, but I was looking forward to meeting your son! I expected a young man of honour and courage like his father, not this selfish, cowardly, little sack of dren!" Her sapphire eyes darkened in sorrow and distress as she turned back to John, who was coming to. "John?"

John Crichton moaned softly and lifted a hand to his aching head. "What's all the shouting about?" he groaned. He opened his eyes to see Aeryn's anxious face hovering over him and he smiled. "Hey, Sundance, did we get him? Did we get Jothee out?"

Aeryn glared at the hapless young Jothee then smiled at John. "Yes, Butch, we got him out."

"Hallelujah!" John quipped, then groaned as pain shot through his head again. "Score one for the good guys!"

Aeryn laid a gentle hand on John's forehead, her thumb unconsciously tracing along his brow. "Get some rest, John." She looked at Zhaan who nodded to her unspoken question that John would be all right, then she turned to go and check in with Pilot. She glared again at Jothee as she passed on her way out the door.

Zhaan prepared a sedative shot for John, but before she could administer it, John asked to meet Jothee. D'Argo grabbed his son rather roughly and hustled the startled Luxan over to John's bed. John stuck out his hand to the confused boy, then grinned, reaching out to take Jothee's right hand in his and shake it. "Glad to finally meet you, Jothee. I'm John Crichton. You've led your father a merry chase. Welcome to Moya and the Uncharted Territories 'most wanted'. You may wish we had left you back on Trovaria," John said with a grin.

"I already do!" Jothee raged, pulling his hand from the Human's as if it burned. He turned and pushed roughly past his father to return once more to Unaal's side.

"Uh oh, did I say something wrong?" John asked, confused.

D'Argo sighed and looked at his angry son. "No, John. It's me. Jothee still believes I killed his mother."

John twisted his head to look over at the young Luxan who was holding Unaal's hand anxiously. He groaned at the movement, prompting Zhaan to give him the injection. "Don't worry, D'Argo. He'll come around. Give him time," John said, drowsily as the sedative began to take effect. His eyes closed and he drifted off into a healing sleep.

Zhaan placed a gentle hand on D'Argo's arm. "John's right, sweet D'Argo. Give Jothee time. When he is satisfied that Unaal is out of danger, approach him again. Talk to him. Tell him the truth. He will believe you. He's just very angry and confused right now, as well as scared." Zhaan smiled serenely at the tall Luxan. D'Argo looked over at his son and saw him glaring at him accusingly, looking very pointedly at the beautiful Delvian's hand on his father's arm. D'Argo sighed again, then turned to leave. With near longing, he looked at Chiana, who was lurking in the corner of the infirmary, then left. Zhaan met Chiana's eye sadly. The little Nebari thief looked uncomfortable under her scrutiny.

"I'll ... I'll stay with Crichton until Aeryn gets back. You look after Unaal," Chiana said, moving over to John's bed with that walk that was so uniquely Chiana's. Zhaan watched her take the Human's hand and stroke his brow. Then she turned back to her treatment of the ancient Luxan.

Zhaan moved efficiently around the bed, seeming to ignore the young Luxan's presence. At first she wanted to defend her friend to his son, but one look at the stricken expression on Jothee's face as he waited for Unaal to regain consciousness told her now was not the time. Zhaan checked her scanner read-outs once more, then sighed.

Jothee looked at her in alarm. "What! What is it? She's going to be all right, isn't she?"

Zhaan looked up and smiled sadly. "Yes, she should be okay, but she's very old. Her body is weakened by her age. I'm afraid she will live but her chances of ever returning to a normal existence are slim. She may end up bed-ridden for the rest of her life. I'm sorry."

Jothee sobbed, bending his head over the limp, wrinkled hand clasped in his. "At least she'll live. I need her to tell me what to do."

"She's an orican, isn't she?" Zhaan asked quietly. Jothee looked up startled. Zhaan smiled again. "We have encountered oricani out here in the Uncharted Territories before."

"Yes, Unaal is one of the most powerful oricani. That is why she was taken as a slave. The slavers hoped to get a high price from someone who wanted to use her powers for themselves. But she refused to cooperate. Her last owner returned her to the Trovari, demanding a refund." Jothee caught his breath in remembered horror. "They nearly killed her with their constant beatings, but still she refused to cooperate." He raised pained green eyes, so like D'Argo's, to meet hers. "And through it all, she was worried about me. She never had a thought for herself. All she cared about was whether I would escape. She kept me going when I was ready to give up."

Zhaan placed a gentle hand on the young Luxan's arm, pleased that he did not flinch away from her touch as he had with the others. "She sounds like a fine person. You are lucky to have a friend like her." She took a deep breath and plunged on. "Just as we are lucky to have your father as our friend."

Jothee's demeanor quickly turned hostile. "You may think of him as a friend, but I know the truth. He is a coward and a murderer. He seduced my mother, got her pregnant, and when her family came to rescue her, killed her rather than let her escape from his clutches. Then he hid me away from my uncle, vindictively keeping me from any family I might have had. He would rather see me as a slave than let me rejoin my true family. He is a monster!"

Zhaan stepped back from the almost insane fury in Jothee's eyes. "No, Jothee, you're wrong. You have no idea. I don't know who told you these lies, but that's all they are. Lies. Your father was falsely convicted of your mother's murder. She died at the hands of her own brother, Macton, who then arrested D'Argo for the crime. He spent eight cycles in the most terrible prisons the PeaceKeepers have. The only thing that kept him alive was the need to find you and know that you were safe. If the 'family' you so desperately wish to rejoin ever got their hands on you, they would kill you as an abomination, a taint on their fanatical racial purity." Zhaan's voice rose uncharacteristically as she defended the noble Luxan she cared for so deeply. Chiana listened silently from her perch beside John's bed. "When we found out about your imprisonment by the Trovari, D'Argo was like a madman. He could think of nothing but rescuing you!"

Jothee spat contemptuously, "Madman! Yes, that I believe!"

Zhaan's pale blue eyes flashed with anger and frustration. "Young man! I am over eight hundred cycles old. Ka D'Argo is one of the the most honourable, courageous, and noble beings I have ever met!"

"Ha! 'Ka' D'Argo! Another lie! He's no more a general than I am. He wears those tattoos falsely." Jothee saw Zhaan hesitate. "Yes, you know I'm right! He is not entitled to the general's tattoos!"

Zhaan sighed, "Yes, you're right, but there is an explanation ..."

"And how do you know D'Argo is innocent of his crimes?" Jothee shot back, interrupting her.

"He told us, reluctantly, when he was hallucinating after being overexposed to the vacuum of space, but Captain Crais, the PeaceKeeper commander who falsely imprisoned him, confirmed his story. He knew that D'Argo was falsely convicted and he ..."

"Crais! I heard the slavers talking about that one! He's your corroborating witness? The man's as dishonest as my father!" Jothee spat out. " He's a despicable deserter and a murderer himself!" Jothee glared at the helpless Delvian. "No! Nothing you can say will convince me of my father's innocence. Father! I can only hope that I have inherited none of his repulsive characteristics. I would rather die!" Jothee challenged the Delvian to contradict him but Zhaan realised there was no point in arguing further. "As soon as Unaal is well enough to travel, I want to leave this 'prisoner transport'. I thank you and your friends," he glanced at the unconscious Human in the other bed," for freeing us, but I won't stay here. I should kill my father for his crimes, but like it or not, he is my sire. Our gods abhor patricide, no matter how justified." He turned away from her, clearly ending the conversation.

Zhaan sighed again and merely nodded. She returned to her scans, her heart heavy in the face of Jothee's misunderstanding.*Perhaps I can speak to Unaal,* she thought. *Jothee trusts her judgment. If I can convince her, perhaps she can show Jothee the error of his beliefs.*

A couple of arns later, Aeryn roused a dozing Chiana and sent her off to her quarters, taking her place watching over the wounded John. Moya's corridors were darkened for the sleeping cycle. Aeryn glanced briefly over at Jothee who still refused to leave Unaal's side. Zhaan had shared a sad look with her Sebacean crewmate before finally retiring to her own quarters wearily. Aeryn moved immediately to John's side. She placed her hand softly on his forehead, satisfied that his temperature was normal. She checked the bandages on his leg, again happy that they were clean, indicating the bleeding had stopped. Then, with a weary sigh, she settled into a chair beside the sleeping Human.

A few arns later, John began moaning in his sleep. Aeryn roused immediately, taking his hand in hers to calm him. The Human began speaking, talking in the grip of what was obviously a nightmare. "No, Scorpy, no! Not the chair! I'll tell you what you want, just don't put me back in the frelling chair!"

Aeryn rose, hovering over John anxiously. "John? John, wake up! It's me! It's Aeryn! You're safe. You're on board Moya! John!"

The Human thrashed around on his bed. "No! Scorpy! Leave me alone!" Then he stilled, his face registering some new horror. "No, Scorpy, not Aeryn! Leave her alone. I'll tell you everything, just leave her alone!" John's face contorted in panic. "No, Aeryn! Oh God, no!" he screamed.

Very frightened now, Aeryn threw herself on the Human, fighting desperately to keep him from throwing himself off the bed. Just as she was about to signal Zhaan for help, John awoke. He gasped for air, then stilled as he became aware of Aeryn's body pressed against his, her arms wrapped around him. He grinned suddenly, his nightmare forgotten. "Why, Aeryn, I had no idea," he teased weakly.

Aeryn stared down into his eyes, her fear quickly replaced by embarrassment at being caught in such a compromising position. She tried to straighten up but John's arms encircled her, holding her to him. "No, Aeryn. Please stay," he pleaded. She stared down into his beloved face and was lost. Slowly, deliberately, she moved closer to him. Her eyes closed moments before her lips met his. John's hand moved up to slip into her silky hair. His other arm snaked around her waist, holding her against him. His lips were warm and firm against hers. With a sigh, her lips parted to his seeking tongue.

Beside Unaal, Jothee was roused from his troubled sleep by the drama on the next bed. He saw the Sebacean woman struggle to subdue the strange alien who had identified himself as Human. John Crichton seemed to be battling some terrifying demons in his sleep. Jothee could sympathize . Aeryn levered her own body over John's in a effort to keep him from throwing himself off the bed. Then the Human had awakened and everything had changed. Feeling distinctly uncomfortable, but unable to pull his eyes away, Jothee watched the Sebacean woman surrender herself to the Human. They each gave themselves up to a passionate kiss. When they broke away from each other, Jothee had the distinct impression that they were surprised by their submission to such strong emotion. They stared at each other in shock. Then he saw the flash of a smile from the Human and the answering radiant smile from the Sebacean woman. With a sigh, she laid her head on the Human's chest. He wrapped her tightly in his arms and together they drifted off to sleep.

Jothee had the distinct impression that something significant had happened, but he was unable to figure out what it might be. His own thoughts were too filled with contradictory ideas; what he had been told battled with earlier impressions of his parents together. In a way, the tryst he had witnessed between the Human and the Sebacean reminded him of early, nearly forgotten memories of his mother and D'Argo; smiling at each other, touching each other, simply staring into each other's eyes as Aeryn and John Crichton had. He laid his own head down on the bed beside Unaal and drifted off to sleep, his dreams troubled by conflicting images of his father kissing then killing his beautiful Sebacean mother.

John awoke early the next morning, feeling calm and more refreshed than he had in a very long time. Other than a brief memory of Scorpius invading his dreams, his sleep had been restful. Something had changed. He shifted slightly, surprised by an unfamiliar weight on his chest. He looked down and saw Aeryn still sprawled across him, fast asleep. He smiled and tightened his arms around her, kissing the top of her head lightly. She roused immediately, starting at finding herself in such an awkward position, half on the bed with John, half in the chair. She would have sat up if John's embrace had not prevented it. Instead she lifted her head and found herself face to face with the grinning Human. "Good morning, Sunshine," he smiled, kissing her quickly before she could react. Aeryn responded unconsciously to his kiss, then he felt her pull back, embarrassed. John still would not let her go. "I could get used to this, you know?"

"Get used to what?" Aeryn asked, tossing her head to try to clear her tangled hair from her eyes.

John reached up with both hands, combing her hair back before cupping her beloved face. He gazed into Aeryn's beautiful blue eyes, a very serious expression on his face. Then he smiled again, a warm, tender smile that had Aeryn's heart tumbling in her breast. "Waking up with you," he whispered before drawing her mouth down to his. Aeryn sighed and responded to his gentle caress with growing ardour. The kiss deepened in mutual desire and longing until Zhaan's light step had Aeryn pushing away from John in guilty embarrassment. John saw the PeaceKeeper mask settle back over her features as she turned to face her Delvian shipmate, straightening her clothes self-consciously. He sighed and caught Zhaan's eye. She gave him a knowing look before checking his bandages for herself and beginning a scan.

Satisfied that he was on the road to recovery, Zhaan gave Aeryn permission to help John down to his quarters. The Human took full advantage of the opportunity to wrap his arms around Aeryn once more, leaning against her so completely that she cast him several suspicious looks as they made their way to his quarters. John merely met her eyes with an innocent expression and the occasional exaggerated groan of pain. Once he was settled John tried to grab Aeryn's hand, to keep her with him. He knew that she would not want to talk about what had happened, but he desperately needed to tell her how her presence had helped keep Scorpius at bay. Aeryn eluded his grasp however and with a mumbled statement about having to check on D'Argo, she slipped out of the room. John sighed and lay back, soon falling into deep sleep.

Here's part 2

Enjoy

Back in the infirmary, Jothee awoke to find the strange grey female watching him intently. The bed occupied by the Human was empty now. There were only the three of them in the infirmary. The Delvian was obviously busy elsewhere. Jothee met the dark gaze of the female defiantly.

"You're wrong, you know," she said suddenly.

"Wrong about what?" Jothee demanded.

"Wrong about D'Argo," came the reply. "He is the most honourable, noble creature I have ever met. He could no more kill his wife than a Flostrian gnat. Anyone he has feelings for he protects completely. Sometimes too well." The creature smirked as if at a private memory.

"And what would you know about who he cares about?" Jothee snarled.

Chiana smirked again. "D'Argo and I have grown very close since I came on board. He's saved my life more times than I care to count. He's saved all our lives. He fights for us and we fight for him."

"Well, isn't that just great for you!" the young Luxan sneered. "It's good to know that my father is so popular with the females. First the Delvian and now you. I can't wait to hear what the Sebacean will have to say about him!"

Chiana choked at the thought of Aeryn and D'Argo together. "She will say the same thing. They are friends, even in the face of all the obstacles that their respective races have placed between them."

Jothee turned away in disgust. He reached over and gently caressed the forehead of the still unconscious Luxan female.

"She's one of your mystics, isn't she?" Chiana asked, changing the subject.

"Unaal's an orican, yes. What do you know about them?" Jothee looked at the female in surprise, shocked at the pain he suddenly saw in her eyes.

"We ran into one out here in the Uncharted Territories not too long ago. Nilaam was impressed by your father. Maybe your Unaal will be able to tell you the truth? Would you believe her if she told you you were wrong?"

"I wouldn't believe my own mother's ghost!" Jothee vowed.

Chiana looked at the hurt Luxan youth, suddenly seeing a lot of herself in his defensive attitude. "Look, pal, I really don't care what you think, you know? All I know is what I've seen and heard. D'Argo has thought of nothing else but finding you. He was attacked by a parasite and you know what his last request was, when he thought he was dying? All he wanted was for the rest of us to find you. Maybe you should think about that!" Chiana snapped in frustration. "I know a little bit about living by your wits, trying to survive any way you can. I would have killed to have my father care so completely about me."

Jothee listened to the female's tirade in surprise. For a microt, he was tempted to believe her. Then his expression hardened. After living with the hatred for so long, Jothee was not prepared to give it up so easily. "Maybe he just wanted to find me to shut me up. He doesn't want the truth about his crimes revealed. And I'm living proof of his treachery."

"You really are a frelling Peznalk, you know that!" Chiana shot back. She turned on her heel and stalked from the room, leaving Jothee to his disturbing thoughts.

"You wouldn't believe your own mother's ghost about what?" a weak voice whispered. Jothee's head shot around to find Unaal staring at him. The orican coughed suddenly. Jothee immediately reached for a glass of water and lifted the fragile woman up, holding the glass to her lips.

"Unaal! You're awake!" Jothee's eyes filled with tears. "I was so worried about you!"

Unaal smiled sadly at the young Luxan who had come to mean so much to her during their imprisonment. "I know, Jothee, I know. But I'm here now. Where are we?"

Jothee's eyes hardened again. "We're on board some Leviathan. My ... my father rescued us from the slavers. We're here with a bunch of escaped criminals, his friends." Jothee spat out contemptuously.

Unaal's eyes widened in shock. "Your father? But I thought you told me he wanted you dead. Why would he rescue you?"

"I have no idea. The rest of them, they're all saying he's been in prison all this time. He's been searching for me ever since he and the others escaped from the PeaceKeepers."

Unaal studied the enraged and confused look on Jothee's face. "And you don't believe them?" she asked carefully.

"No! Why should I believe a bunch of murderers and traitors? I know what I know. I know what I saw and I know what I was told. My hatred for my father has been the only thing that kept me alive."

"Just as your father's search for you kept him alive," Unaal said softly.

Jothee looked at his friend stunned. "No! Don't be taken in by their lies, Unaal. You're sick and you're hurt. You can't know the truth." He grasped her hand. "As soon as you're well enough to travel, we're getting out of here." He stared at the door, unseeing. "'Ka' D'Argo rescued us, and for that I will let him live. But I will never believe that he is innocent of my mother's murder!"

Unaal was about to protest but she was overcome by a bout of coughing. Just then Zhaan came in and helped Jothee make his friend comfortable. Then she insisted that he retire to the quarters they had set aside for him. Jothee left Unaal to Zhaan's care reluctantly, but weariness and anguish overwhelmed him. He knew that he would need every ounce of his strength for the journey that still lay ahead of him.

Zhaan moved efficiently around the infirmary, working to make the wounded Unaal as comfortable as she could. She was well aware of the orican's eyes on her. But before the ancient Luxan could ask her any questions, D'Argo came in. His demeanor was one of pain and defeat. His eyes were averted respectfully. He approached the orican's bed hesitantly. Unaal studied him carefully for a few microts then spoke with a surprisingly strong voice. "Ka D'Argo, please come closer. It appears we have much to discuss."

D'Argo's face registered his astonishment. "Truly, I want to thank you for the friendship you have obviously shown my son."

Unaal smiled. "The friendship was mutual as was the support. Neither of us would be alive today without the other. You have a fine son there."

D'Argo's chest swelled a bit with pride. "Yes, I know. I am so relieved to have finally found him. But ...," D'Argo's voice faded.

"You are unsure how to deal with this hatred he feels for you," Unaal finished for him. She watched the Delvian move swiftly to his side and place a calming hand on his forearm. "Did you kill your wife, Lo'Laan?" Unaal asked pointedly.

The look of horror on D'Argo's face should have been enough to convince her. "No, Unaal, I did not. She was killed by her brother, a PeaceKeeper named Macton. Then he had me arrested and convicted of his crime. He vowed to destroy our family and he very nearly succeeded." D'Argo stopped again, his eyes filled with infinite sadness. "He may have yet achieved his goal. Nothing I or anyone else says seems to be enough to prove to Jothee that he has been lied to and deceived about what happened." D'Argo looked pleadingly at the orican. "I was hoping that I could convince you that I am innocent. Then perhaps you could persuade Jothee to at least listen." D'Argo stopped again, studying the ancient Unaal's face closely. "You are convinced I am innocent?"

Unaal spoke again, "Come closer." D'Argo approached the bed, somewhat tense, remembering his previous encounter with an orican. Unaal read his thoughts and laughed. "No, I will not test the truth of your words as my sister Nilaam did."

"Sister?" Zhaan exclaimed.

"In a spiritual sense only," Unaal reassured the Delvian. "But she was right. There is a great strength in you, Ka D'Argo. A force of will and honour. I have sensed the same in Jothee. But his centre is damaged, by abuse, distrust, and hate. It will take more than even my words to change his mind."

D'Argo slumped in despair,"Then there is nothing to be done."

Unaal's eyes flashed in anger, "I did not say that! There is a way, but it is dangerous and may be very disturbing."

"I am willing to try anything to restore my son's confidence in me and show him the truth."

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

"No! Absolutely not! You've got to be out of your mind!!" John glared at Aeryn from his bed. The Sebacean had come to his room that evening to tell him of Unaal's plan.

Aeryn bristled slightly at the vehemence of his objection. Then she sighed. "All right! I agree with you! To a point. I don't feel entirely comfortable with the idea. But Unaal assures me it will only be for a short time. And John, this is D'Argo's son we're talking about here. D'Argo has been searching for him for so long. And to find him in this state; it's devastating for him. We have to do something!"

"Well, too bad for Jothee. He'll just have to get over it." John's eyes were stubborn and scared at the same time. "Litigara was a planet of lawyers. Maybe we can find Therapeutia and get Jothee and D'Argo into family counselling!"

Aeryn looked at her Human companion sadly. She came over and sat on the bed beside him, staring into his eyes. "What's happened to you, John?" she asked softly. "You used to be so compassionate, so quick to offer help."

John met her sad gaze defiantly. "Your universe happened!" She flinched slightly. John sighed and reached out to touch her cheek gently. "We have an old saying back on Earth; 'once bitten, twice shy.' Didn't we learn our lesson about messing around with oricans and their powers from that episode with Nilaam? Not to mention magic in general. What about Maldis?" He saw Aeryn start to protest but he stopped her with a light finger on her lips. "I know, I know, Unaal is no Maldis." Unconsciously, he began to trace her lips with his finger. "But haven't we had enough people messing with our minds, from the Ancients, the Plokavians, the Halosians, the Delvians ...," he choked emotionally, "Scorpius!"

"This is D'Argo, John. He would do no less for any of us!" Aeryn protested. "And there's no danger. Zhaan said she has participated in similar rituals on Delvia."

"Then let Zhaan do it!" John argued.

Aeryn closed her eyes in despair. "It has to be me. Lo'Laan was a Sebacean. The vessel for her soul must be a Sebacean as well. Or the same thing that happened to us during the body switch will happen again."

She opened her eyes and John could see that her decision had been made. His hand slid around to gently cup the back of her head, his thumb lightly caressing Aeryn's cheek. He sighed in resignation. "I can see you've made up your mind to do it, despite what I say." She merely nodded, saddened by the pain her choice was causing the Human. "Then I want to be there." He gazed into her deeply blue eyes. "I couldn't stand it if anything happened to you, Aeryn. I've come too close to losing you too many times before. I ...I ...," he stopped, still afraid to tell her of the love in his heart. " I need you, Aeryn. I can't do this without you," he admitted.

Aeryn smiled into his worried eyes. Her cool hand gently caressed his brow. "I'll be fine, John. Zhaan and D'Argo won't let anything happen to me either." Her smile faded as she saw a strange look come over John's face. The pressure at the back of her neck increased subtly. Mesmerized by the intense emotion in John's eyes, Aeryn let herself be drawn forward until finally, she closed her eyes with a sigh and accepted John's kiss.

At first, it was the merest touching of lips, then Aeryn's hands slid sensually over John's chest and up to link around his neck. Surrendering again to her desire, Aeryn let herself lean into John, pressing him back onto his bed. The kiss deepened passionately, lips parting and tongues dancing, tasting, exploring hungrily. John's hand slipped into Aeryn's hair, tilting her head to angle his mouth more fully across hers. His other arm crept around her slender waist, pulling her more completely on top of him. Suddenly, with a groan, John rolled, twisting Aeryn under him, covering her body urgently with his.

"John!" she gasped as his mouth slipped down to taste the soft, warm skin of her throat. "Your leg!" Despite her protests, Aeryn's body moved against his sensually, aroused by his urgent caresses.

"My leg is fine," he growled. He pressed his hips into hers, pleased that she gasped again, then sighed with longing. "Other parts need attention, your attention, Aeryn," he groaned before covering her mouth with his once more. The tightening of her arms around him, the arch of her body into his were all the answers he needed. Soon, all thoughts of Luxans and rituals were gone. There was only their mutual need and desire, and their unspoken love for each other.

John awoke the next morning alone. He blinked as he came awake and looked hopefully around his quarters. But they were empty. The Human sighed in resignation, but was not really surprised. The night he had shared with his Sebacean shipmate had been heavenly, but he knew that the morning would bring problems and awkwardness. Aeryn was still not comfortable with the emotional side of their relationship. Waking up with her lover was too intense for her, raised in a society of male-female relationship taboos. John sighed again. It would take time, but in the end, he knew Aeryn would come around. *And the wait is definitely worth it,* John thought with a smile, recalling Aeryn's passionate and uninhibited response to his lovemaking the night before. He rose from his bed, grimacing slightly at the pain in his leg.

"Commander Crichton?" Pilot's voice came through his commlink.

John reached over to the side table where it sat and answered the hail. "Yes, Pilot, what is it?"

"Zhaan has asked me to tell you that they are ready to begin the ritual. Everyone is assembled in the infirmary."

John cursed and started to throw on his clothes. "Tell them to wait, Pilot! Tell them I don't agree to this! Pilot!"

Pilot's voice was resigned. "I agree with you, but unfortunately nothing I said could dissuade D'Argo or Aeryn." He gasped as he looked at the viewscreen from the infirmary. "They have already begun the ritual!"

John cursed again and grabbed up the metal pipe fragment he was currently using as a cane. He limped to the infirmary as quickly as his leg would allow, but he was too late. The necromancy ritual was well underway. John slipped into the infirmary, his eyes widening in horror. Zhaan and D'Argo both turned to stand on either side of him. He looked across the candle-lit room to see Jothee similarly guarded by Chiana and Rygel. For a microt John met Jothee's eyes in mutual fear and despair. Then John turned to watch the ritual unfold.

Aeryn was dressed in a simple, white shift of some soft, silky material. About her shoulders, she wore D'Argo's heavily embroidered,blood-red cloak. John recognised the garment from when D'Argo had worn it on the planet where they had first encountered an orican. Her lovely, dark hair was unbound and she knelt in front of the chanting orican. Her blue eyes were wide with fear and uncertainty, belying the confidence in Zhaan and D'Argo that she had professed to John the night before.

Unaal knelt facing her, chanting. The ancient orican was obviously fighting to keep control of her still unhealed body. Between them, she balanced D'Argo's Qualta Blade. The weapon stood on its end somehow, held there by the forces that those present could clearly sense gathering around the Luxan ancient and the Sebacean woman. Suddenly, Unaal grasped an ornate dagger, one that John recognised as a weapon that D'Argo carried in his belt. She swiftly grabbed Aeryn's right hand and swept the sharp edge of the dagger across her palm, leaving a bright red trail of blood. Aeryn hissed in sudden pain, but before she could react, the orican had repeated the cut on Aeryn's left palm. Grasping both of the Sebacean's bleeding hands in her two hands, Unaal placed them around the hilt of D'Argo's Qualta Blade. Aeryn gasped again and writhed in the grip of some unknown forces.The blood ran freely from her injured hands down the hilt of the blade. John watched in horror as Aeryn swayed dangerously, her eyes closed, her body responding to the increasingly urgent chants of the orican.

All at once, Aeryn began to convulse, caught in the throes of some magic-induced seizure. John leapt forward to help her, but was held back by both D'Argo and Zhaan. He struggled weakly against their restraining arms. Aeryn collapsed on the floor, obviously having trouble breathing. "No, let me go!," John protested, his eyes fixed on the writhing Aeryn. "Something's wrong!"

"No, everything's all right!" Zhaan insisted. "If you touch her now, you will undo all that Unaal is doing."

"But she's can't breathe. She'll die!" John complained, struggling again to reach the gasping Sebacean.

"Of course, John, she must die!" D'Argo whispered, surprised that his Human shipmate did not understand."In order for Lo'Laan's soul to enter Aeryn's body, Aeryn must surrender up her own soul."

John looked at his Luxan companion in despair. "Unaal is killing Aeryn? Oh God, no! Aeryn!"

John watched in despair as Aeryn reached out towards him in mute appeal. Then she sprawled on the floor of the infirmary. Her arm was still stretched out towards him. But no further breath came from her lips. Her eyes were closed and she lay frighteningly still. The smoke of the incense seemed to gather around her like the tentacles of some fantastic miasmic octopus. Unaal's chanting grew louder and more commanding. The hearts of those watching pounded in their bodies in fear. Then Unaal seized Aeryn's bloody, cold hands in hers and wrapped them again around the hilt of the Qualta Blade. The blood flowed more slowly from Aeryn's hands and mingled with Unaal's where she had sliced her own palms with the keen edge of the sword. Suddenly the orican shrieked as if in terrible pain and collapsed. This time, even Zhaan stepped forward in concern. But before she could, there was a groan and Aeryn began to stir.

The watching crew held their breath in apprehension as the Sebacean groaned again and struggled to lift her head. Painfully, she pushed herself up from the floor, her hair still flowing over her face as her head hung weightily on her neck. Finally, she lifted her face to the candlelight. John gasped in astonishment and dread. Aeryn's once sapphire blue eyes were darkened to a deep, coffee brown. They widened in fear as she saw first the Delvian then the seeming PeaceKeeper. Aeryn scrambled back, entangled frantically in the material of her robe and the cloak. She pushed herself back against the wall of the infirmary and whimpered in fear, her arms lifting to protect her head.

John jerked out of Zhaan's arms and started forward, but she grabbed him. "John, it's not Aeryn. Let D'Argo go to her. It's Lo'Laan!" Her heart ached at the look of utter despair he cast her, but he relented.

D'Argo was already halfway to the cringing woman on the floor. At his gentle touch she whimpered even more and tried to scoot away from him. D'Argo knelt before her and leaned close. "Lo'Laan! Lo'Laan! It's me, D'Argo! Don't be afraid. I'm here now, my love!"

Lo'Laan raised her head slowly, her eyes widening in shock at the sight of her husband in front of her, tears streaming freely from his eyes. "D'Argo?" She threw herself into the comforting and protecting arms of her husband, weeping bitterly from pain and fear. D'Argo crushed his beloved in his arms, whispering words of love and hope to her, all the while stroking her trembling body to calm her enough for him to explain what had happened.

Finally 'Lo'Laan' lifted her head from D'Argo's broad chest. Her eyes widened in fear as she saw first the Delvian and the PeaceKeeper standing off to the side then the ancient Luxan sprawled unconscious on the floor. "D'Argo, what happened? Where am I? Who ...?" she questioned. She took a deep breath and pushed hair out of her eyes, her mind momentarily caught at its unfamiliar length. Then she looked at D'Argo in mute appeal.

"Shhh, my love. It's all right. I'll explain everything." His eyes were warm and loving and 'Lo'Laan' smiled at him tenderly, feeling reassured by his presence. "What is the last thing you remember, dearest heart?"

'Lo'Laan's' eyes darkened once more in horror. D'Argo tightened his arms around her. "Macton! He found us!" She began to look around in terror. "He came at me, D'Argo. He had your knife!" She raised her hands, becoming aware of the pain of the knife wounds. "I fought him off. I wouldn't tell him where you were. And Jothee! He told me how much he would enjoy killing Jothee!" Tears ran from her eyes at the horrific memory. "I felt pain! Such incredible pain! I called your name! Then nothing!" She buried her face in D'Argo's chest again, weeping bitterly.

Tears streamed from D'Argo's eyes at her description of her death. He turned his head to watch his son's reaction. Jothee stared at him in horror, but then his eyes hardened, refusing still to believe the truth. "It's a frelling trick!" he cursed quietly. He watched the Delvian kneel down beside the stricken orican.

"It's no trick, Jothee. Unaal has raised your mother's spirit."

"No!" Jothee yelled. He tore himself from Chiana's hands and raced over to kneel beside Unaal with Zhaan. He grabbed her bleeding hand in his. "No! It's not her! It can't be her! It's a trick! Unaal! Wake up! Tell me it's just a trick!"

It was the bleak tone in John's voice and the despairing look in his eyes that convinced the young Luxan of the truth. "No, Jothee, you're wrong. That's not Aeryn. It must be Lo'Laan," he said weakly, his face desolate as he beheld Aeryn, yet not Aeryn, wrapped in D'Argo's loving embrace. He met Zhaan's sympathetic eye then looked over at Chiana, seeing some of his pain mirrored in her dark eyes. Rygel hovered beside the stricken Nebari, uncharacteristically offering what awkward comfort he could.

Hearing voices, 'Lo'Laan' tensed in her husband's arms. "D'Argo, where's Jothee? He was with you? Is he safe?" Before D'Argo could answer, her panicked gaze fell on the young Luxan kneeling beside the orican. "Jothee?"

"Mother?" Jothee felt the tears spring to his own eyes as he found himself looking into the eyes of his mother, shining with tears in the face of the ex-PeaceKeeper.

'Lo'Laan' pulled herself out of her husband's embrace and backed up against the wall once more. Her eyes went from her husband to her son in confused horror. "D'Argo?" she pleaded, "What's happened? Where am I?"

D'Argo felt the tears form in his eyes once more. He took her hand, his hearts wrenching when she flinched. "Lo'Laan, my dearest. I know what Macton did. I saved Jothee but I was unable to save you." He choked then went on. "You died, my love. Macton killed you, eleven cycles ago." He saw 'Lo'Laan' shake her head in denial. "Yes, my sweet. Look at our son. He is not three any more. He is a young man of fourteen cycles." When she still refused to believe, he hauled her up rather roughly, taking her over to the wall to face a mirror hanging at the entrance. "My love, I wish it were not so, but it's true! Unaal called your spirit up from death." He watched 'Lo'Laan' touch her face in shock, her fingers passing over the unfamiliar features. "You are inhabiting the body of my friend, Aeryn Sun. She is a former PeaceKeeper."

'Lo'Laan' turned at last to face her husband in anguish. "Why? Why did you do this to me, D'Argo? If I died, why did you not let me rest?"

D'Argo sobbed openly at her pain, grasping her bleeding hand. "For Jothee, my love, for our son. I was convicted of your murder."

'Lo'Laan' gasped in disbelief. "No! How could anyone believe that you killed me?"

Behind her, Jothee started in shock. D'Argo gazed at his son before going on. "Macton arrested me. He had me convicted by the PeaceKeepers. I spent the next eight cycles in prison. But I managed to get Jothee away, to hide him from your brother's murderous rage." He took his 'wife's' other hand in his, raising both to his lips. "But Jothee and I were separated for eleven cycles. I finally managed to escape, with the help of my friends here, including Aeryn. Yesterday, we found Jothee and freed him from the slavers. But he has been lied to for so long. He ... he still believes that I killed you." D'Argo bowed his head. 'Lo'Laan' pulled one of her hands free to stroke his cheek lovingly. Finally, D'Argo raised his head to continue, strengthened by 'Lo'Laan's' caresses. "We brought you back to convince him that I was innocent of your murder. To put his mind at rest and to help me re-establish my relationship with our son."

'Lo'Laan' gazed sadly at her husband, over at her confused son and then back at D'Argo. "And when he has been convinced? What then?" she asked, her expression already revealing that she knew the answer.

D'Argo's eyes filled with tears once more, "Then, my dearest love, you must leave. You must return to the realm of death." He sobbed helplessly, unable to go on.

'Lo'Laan' reached out once more to caress her beloved husband's face. "I understand," she said softly. She turned to face her son. "Jothee, come to me." The young Luxan moved as if in a dream towards his 'mother'. She reached out with a still bloody hand and caressed his cheek. "You are so like your father. You are almost the age he was when we first met. He was so young, so eager, so full of life and promise," she said almost absently. "Please, you must believe me. I am your mother, or at least the spirit of your mother." She smiled weakly. "I vow to you that your father is entirely innocent of my death. He knew that my brother was near. At my insistence, he took you with him to make arrangements for us to flee again, while I stayed behind to pack our belongings. We thought we had more time, that Macton was not as close as he was. But we were wrong. Macton found our home and burst in on me. He used your father's own knife to try to force me to tell him where you were. He was insanely intent on killing you, on ridding our family of the racial taint he felt I had inflicted on them." She choked at the remembered pain of his attack. "He stabbed me and I felt nothing more until this moment. I did not know I had died," she waved her hands helplessly to her face, "But it seems he managed to fulfill a part of his vow." Her dark eyes filled with tears as she beheld the pain her words caused her son.

"All these years, all the hatred, the lies!" Jothee ground out between clenched teeth. "Why?"

'Lo'Laan' turned to look at her grieving husband. "Macton hated you. He hated my love for D'Argo. He hated me." She took a shuddering breath. "He destroyed me, Jothee. Don't let him succeed in destroying you. Your father is the most wonderful, loving being. Accept that. Be like him. Go past the lies and the pain of the past. Create a future for yourself with him. Please, if you honour my memory, do this." She fixed her dark brown eyes on her son, waiting anxiously.

Jothee looked at her and saw the sincerity and truth emanating from her. With a sob, he flung himself into her arms. "Mother! I'm sorry!" he sobbed.

'Lo'Laan' wrapped her arms around her son and wept with him. She raised her head and appealed silently to her husband. D'Argo gathered the pair into his strong embrace and the reunited family hugged each other desperately, knowing their time together was short.

Finally, 'Lo'Laan' stepped away from her husband and son. She turned to face the orican who still lay moaning on the floor with Zhaan hovering over her. "All right, I'm ready." She turned back briefly to her love. With a gentle hand, she caressed his cheek a final time, tears running from her brown eyes. "D'Argo, my love, I will be waiting for you. Take care of Jothee."

She returned to kneel in front of Unaal. The ancient orican tried to kneel as well, but needed Zhaan's help. The look on the Delvian's face clearly showed that she was worried about the orican's ability to perform the ceremony yet again. But Unaal pushed her supporting hands away and began chanting. 'Lo'Laan' faced her bravely, but at the last microt turned to look back at her husband. D'Argo was weeping openly, comforted by his son. A sad smile spread across 'Lo'Laan's' face at the sight then she turned back to Unaal. Unaal reached out shakily for her hands, the knife poised to cut her palms again. Then with a moan, the ancient orican dropped the weapon and slid to the floor.

"Unaal!" Jothee cried and raced forward to lift the collapsed orican from the floor.

Zhaan ran her hands over the stricken Luxan and looked up at D'Argo and John who were hovering nearby. "She's barely breathing!" Together, the young Luxan and the Delvian lifted the woman from the floor and placed her once more on the bed she had occupied since her arrival. Zhaan began to run scans on her immediately, the grim look on her face betraying how truly worried she was about the ancient orican.

D'Argo stepped over to help 'Lo'Laan' to her feet, holding her in the circle of his arms comfortingly.

"D'Argo! What's happening?"

"Unaal is old and frail. The abuse she has suffered has weakened her further. The ritual was too much for her." D'Argo tightened his embrace around his 'wife'.

"So what does that mean?" an angry voice demanded harshly. D'Argo turned to see John shaking with pain and despair, leaning heavily on his makeshift cane. "How do we get Aeryn back?"

Zhaan looked at the Human with concern. "John, everything will be all right. Unaal just needs to rest before performing the ceremony again," she said with more conviction than she was feeling.

"And if she doesn't recover, what then? Can you do it, Zhaan? Can you send Lo'Laan back and return Aeryn? Or do we go on an orican hunt?" John's voice rose to near hysteria. Chiana moved to his side to try to comfort him, but he pushed her hands away angrily. He turned to face 'Lo'Laan', still held in D'Argo's embrace. His face crumpled and he stepped towards her with incredible longing. "Aeryn! Oh God, Aeryn, what have we done?"

Frightened by the intensity of the seeming PeaceKeeper's emotion, 'Lo'Laan' flinched back from him. John saw her movement and his eyes hardened. "You can't keep that body, Lo'Laan! I'll get Aeryn back, if I have to perform the damned ritual myself," he vowed harshly.

"John!" Zhaan called in distress while D'Argo growled menacingly at the Human's threat to his 'wife'. But John simply turned on his heel and limped away. The Luxan looked angrily after the departing Human, as 'Lo'Laan' buried her face in his shoulder. Jothee watched the pair from his place kneeling beside Unaal.

Zhaan also watched John leave, her face clearly showing the helplessness she felt at the increasingly tense situation. She turned her worried gaze to D'Argo, taking note of his protective arm around his Sebacean crewmate whose body was now the vessel for his wife's soul. There was a slight movement by her side and Chiana appeared. She placed a gently hand on Zhaan's arm. "I'll go after Crichton, make sure he's all right."

Zhaan smiled at her Nebari friend sadly. "Yes, Chiana, I think that's a very good idea. I'm very concerned about John. This incident might break his precarious hold on sanity. Aeryn ...," she paused, looking at 'Lo'Laan' in confusion. "Aeryn was very worried about him as well."

"Well, I'll do what I can for him, Zhaan, but you'd better get Unaal well enough to perform the ceremony. We both know who he really needs right now." She cast a miserable look at D'Argo. "And the longer Lo'Laan is here, the harder it will be for D'Argo to give her up."

Zhaan nodded as Chiana put into words the very fears she was experiencing. She watched the Nebari grab her Hynerian friend roughly and force him to join her as they searched for the suffering Human. She turned around abruptly and bumped into Jothee who hovered over Unaal in despair. "D'Argo, perhaps you would like to give ... uh ... Lo'Laan and Jothee a tour of the ship, then let them rest. I will attend to Unaal and tell you when she is well enough to perform the ritual."

D'Argo met her eyes, silently understanding her request to clear the infirmary so she could work to restore the orican as quickly as possible. He turned and held out his hand to his son, his other arm still about his 'wife's' shoulders. Jothee hesitated for a microt then accepted his father's hand. Both D'Argo and 'Lo'Laan' smiled and the temporarily reunited family left together.

Here's part 3!

Enjoy

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

Later that night, 'Lo'Laan' stood in the quarters of the ex-PeaceKeeper. After John Crichton left the infirmary, D'Argo had bound her cut hands in his quarters and then led his 'wife' and son on a tour of the Leviathan that had been first his prison and was now his home. He had taken them to meet Pilot, but 'Lo'Laan' realised that her presence was causing the gentle alien as almost much pain as she had seen the Human demonstrate. She felt a rising curiosity to learn something about this remarkable ex-PeaceKeeper who instilled such loyalty and caring in creatures she would have previously despised. The fact that the woman had even considered lending herself to a Luxan ritual amazed her even more. She had tried to ask D'Argo about her, but saw that questions about Aeryn coming from Aeryn's own lips disturbed her husband.

As the tour progressed, both 'mother' and son had begun to exhibit signs of weariness. D'Argo had shepherded them first to the quarters Jothee had been using and then on down the corridor. There had been a microt of awkwardness as they came to a pause before D'Argo's own cell. 'Lo'Laan' could clearly see the conflict in her husband's eyes. She wanted to join him as much as he obviously wanted to be with her. He had gazed at her with such longing that she had closed her eyes and swayed towards him. But once her brown eyes were closed, D'Argo saw only Aeryn, and pulled back uncertainly. 'Lo'Laan' had sighed as her husband led her instead to Aeryn's quarters, palming open the door and ushering her inside with a mumbled statement that she should rest. Then he hurried away as if afraid that he would be unable to maintain his control.

Too keyed up to rest, 'Lo'Laan' wandered around the sparsely furnished room, trying to find some evidence of the woman whose body she inhabited. Typical of PeaceKeepers and even Sebaceans, the room was spartan. The bed was made up with military precision. On a side counter, 'Lo'Laan' eyed the pulse rifle and gun in its holster, clean and secure but readily accessible. She moved over to the drawers and counter on the other side. There were no personal belongings anywhere, not even a brush. 'Lo'Laan' ran her hands through the long, silky, dark hair on her head. *The woman must have some toiletries, somewhere,* she mused. She opened the drawers idly, looking for other clues to the personality of Aeryn Sun.

*She has few clothes,* 'Lo'Laan' thought, finding a few black shirts and trousers and a leather vest and pair of pants, folded neatly in one of the drawers. In another, she found a couple of pairs of curious underwear, with unfamiliar writing on the elastic waistband. These too were folded and placed in such a way as to appear almost hidden. She knelt and opened the bottom drawer, finding it empty. But as she closed it, she felt something shift in the back of the drawer. Reaching in, she found a small case pushed out of sight at the back of the drawer. She looked around timidly, then pulled it out onto the floor.

The case was some sort of old storage container, probably for foodcubes. It opened easily, being without a lock. 'Lo'Laan' smiled as she finally found evidence that Aeryn was more than the PeaceKeeper automaton her quarters seemed to suggest. Folded neatly on top of the case was a white dress, with thin straps and a pretty floral pattern. Under it was a top of some unfamiliar material, a soft pastel blue, with long sleeves and buttons down the front. 'Lo'Laan' refolded the items and set them aside. Under the garments, she found several keepsakes, obviously precious to Aeryn. There was a large locket, very antique looking, on a chain. When she opened it, 'Lo'Laan' was disappointed to find it empty. She set it down beside the dress and continued her exploration. The next item was a set of PeaceKeeper Captain's identchips on a chain, a chain which was broken as if from a rough yank. 'Lo'Laan' turned them over to read the name. 'Crais, Bialar,' she saw. With a shudder, she thrust them from her as she remembered her brother's identchips jangling as he attacked her. She took a few breaths to calm herself, then continued on.

The next item was a beautiful blue bottle, with a delicate stopper. 'Lo'Laan' eagerly removed the stopper, delighting in the delicious scent that wafted up from the bottle. She smiled and touched the stopper to her wrists. Then she inhaled the scent, her smile widening even further as it pleased her. *You have fine taste in perfume, Aeryn,* she thought, feeling connected to the ex-PeaceKeeper in a new way. *This would drive D'Argo insane,* she thought automatically, then her face darkened as she realised what she was thinking. This body was not hers to use in such a way. However, needing to feel alive and sensual, 'Lo'Laan' hesitated only a microt before touching the enticing scent to her throat before replacing the stopper. She sniffed the scent at her wrist in satisfaction before setting the bottle aside with the other items and delving once more into the case.

The next item that she withdrew was a recording disk. She studied it curiously, wishing that she could see what was on it. It looked fairly old. The markings on its side identified it as a regulation PeaceKeeper surveillance disk, the date nearly four cycles old. As a civilian, 'Lo'Laan' was not familiar with most PeaceKeeper practices, but Macton's enthusiasm upon being accepted into the PeaceKeeper ranks had led him to brag about several aspects of his job to his family on his infrequent trips home. He had even boasted of the importance of his promotion to ship's intelligence officer, citing his latest arrest of his once best friend on a charge of sabotage. When Lo'Laan had heard the details of the unfortunate tech's crime, she had felt that Macton had invented much of his supposedly 'criminal' activity in an effort to boost his own standing with High Command. But he was her brother. Her father's eyes reflected his pride in his son's rapid rise through the ranks. She was not about to cast doubt on his integrity. 'Lo'Laan's' eyes teared as she remembered where her misplaced loyalty to her brother had led her. She examined the disk once more, wondering at the dark brown stains that marred its surface. *If I didn't know better, I would say it was blood,* she thought with a shudder, before placing it on the floor with the other items.

Her supposition was supported by the next item. 'Lo'Laan's' skin crawled as she held the item in remembered pain and fear. The long, curved, PeaceKeeper knife, covered with dried blood was a gruesome keepsake. 'Lo'Laan' dropped the knife in horror, feeling again a connection with the unknown Sebacean woman. Instinctively, she knew that Aeryn had kept the blood-stained weapon because it had been used on her. When she dared to examine the knife more closely, she saw the distinctive markings of PeaceKeeper Special Ops on its hilt. Her heart ached for the ex-PeaceKeeper. Like her, Aeryn had been attacked by one of her own kind.

The next item confused her. It was a very small vial of an amber liquid, its glass stopper sealed into it. The glass container was so small, 'Lo'Laan' almost missed it. She held the vial up and studied it. There was only the smallest amount of liquid in it. For a microt, 'Lo'Laan' was tempted to open it, thinking it may be another fine perfume like the earlier, larger blue bottle. Then a sense of guilt crept over her. Embarrassed by her prying curiosity, 'Lo'Laan' set the vial aside, reaching into the case for the last momento.

'Lo'Laan's' heart ached at the silent evidence of Aeryn's attachment to the Human John Crichton. The last item in her hidden treasure trove was a picture of John himself, a head shot, mounted curiously on a long, thin ribbon, as if designed to be worn around the neck like a necklace. 'Lo'Laan' studied the picture carefully. She noted with a smile that it was slightly ragged around the edges, mute testimony to constant handling. 'Lo'Laan' recalled her own constant scrutiny of the holo-image she had acquired of D'Argo shortly after their first meeting. Until they had begin a relationship, it had been her comfort and near obsession.'Lo'Laan' caressed the image lightly, then began to replace the items in the case. She felt more connected to Aeryn Sun now that she had found some clues as the woman she had been and obviously had become. These items, combined with the regard that D'Argo had for her and her willingness to risk her very life to allow Lo'Laan to live again, if only briefly, pointed to a unique and very un-PeaceKeeper-like Sebacean. 'Lo'Laan' sighed regretfully at the knowledge that she could never meet Aeryn. She wished she could speak with her and share her own experience of a forbidden relationship with her.

The Sebacean woman had only just finished replacing the case in its hiding place when there was the sound of someone outside the door. She spun around in fear, still nervous in her unfamiliar surroundings. Through the grill of the celldoor, she saw the Human John Crichton. He looked in at her without a word. 'Lo'Laan' felt her throat tighten achingly at the pain and silent longing on his face. His whole demeanor was one of defeat. She slowly approached the door and stood gazing out at him.

"Uh, Aer ... I mean, Lo'Laan, can I come in? I promise I won't hurt you."

'Lo'Laan' stared at him for a microt then swiped the doorlock and stepped back with a sigh. John moved carefully into the room, approaching her as if she were some timid untamed animal. He deliberately did not close the door behind him, trying to put her at her ease. He stared at her, obviously searching for some trace of Aeryn in the woman who stood before him. But everything about her was wrong. Her stance was relaxed, so unlike the ingrained, rigid, military posture that Aeryn would always have. Her head was cocked to the side unfamiliarly. Her white shift and bare feet were so unlike Aeryn's no-nonsense black leather gear. And of course, this woman's eyes were brown, not Aeryn's clear sapphire blue. *The eyes are indeed the windows of the soul,* John thought absently. Then seeing the woman who was Aeryn and yet not growing more uncomfortable with his silent scrutiny, John smiled sadly and spoke. "I just wanted to apologise to you for what I said back in the infirmary. I ... I was upset. I didn't mean what I said."

"Yes, you did," 'Lo'Laan' answered softly. John met her gaze in startled amazement. Even Aeryn's normally low resonant voice was different, slightly higher and more breathy. "Yes, you did. You want Aeryn back and I don't blame you." She smiled, the radiance of Aeryn's smile with something more that was unique to 'Lo'Laan'. "I should be apologising to you. My presence here, no matter how necessary, is causing you pain, all of you." She reached out instinctively to touch the suffering Human's hand, then pulled back, uncertain. "Is there any word on Unaal? Will she be able to perform the ceremony soon?"

John sighed and turned away, unable to look at the form of the woman he loved so completely and needed so desperately. "No, Zhaan still has her under sedation. It will be tomorrow at the earliest before we know for sure." He headed towards the door, then stopped, gazing at the Sebacean female once more. He saw tears fill her eyes and started towards her automatically, bent on offering Aeryn comfort and a shoulder to cry on. But it wasn't Aeryn's eyes that stared back at him, glistening with unshed tears. He stopped with a groan of anguish and then turned and hurried unsteadily out the open door.

'Lo'Laan' rushed to the door after the departing Human, wanting to ease his pain somehow, but he was gone before she got to the corridor. Sadly, she closed the door and finally drifted over to the bed, lying down and falling into an uneasy sleep.

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

'Lo'Laan' awakened with a start from her nightmare to find herself bathed in sweat and struggling to disentangle herself from the bedclothes. She had relived what she now knew to be her murder at the hands of her fanatical brother Macton. She shuddered as she saw again in her mind's eye his enraged eyes and furious expression. She heard once more the curses he heaped on her head. As if she were in her own body she felt a second time the pain of his blows as he beat her in an effort to get her to reveal the whereabouts of her son and his father. With a sob, she seemed to endure anew the searing agony of his knife stabbing into her repeatedly. Instinctively, the resurrected Sebacean turned to her right to seek comfort from her Luxan husband, crying harder in fear and reaction at the realisation that he was not there.

'Lo'Laan' kicked the blanket aside frantically and threw herself from the bed. All she could think of was the desperate need to find D'Argo, to feel his arms around her once more. As she headed to the door of Aeryn's quarters, 'Lo'Laan' caught sight of her reflection in the glass of the porthole. The image gave her pause. She moved slowly over to the window out onto the darkness of space.

She gazed at her reflection in the window, her mind awed by the concept that the body she inhabited was someone else's. Slowly, 'Lo'Laan' traced the unfamiliar dark eyebrows, the strong nose and full lips of the face that was Aeryn's. She saw high cheekbones and a defiant chin. Only the eyes were familiar to her. For a microt she wondered what colour Aeryn's eyes truly were. Then the panic overcame her again and she turned with a sob to the door, intent on searching out her husband.

'Lo'Laan' wandered blindly through the darkened corridors of Moya's crew quarters, lost in her panic. Suddenly she heard a voice crying out in grief and turned towards it, reminded of the nights when Jothee had suffered from nightmares shortly after their last desperate flight from her brother's murderous wrath. She found herself in front of a closed grill and gripping the metal, she peered inside.

On a bed, writhing in the grip of his own personal nightmare, John Crichton cried out against the demons that tormented him in his sleep. 'Lo'Laan' listened helplessly as he called out to the missing Aeryn, first to save him from something called the Chair and next to despair at her death. 'Lo'Laan' sobbed in remorse. *So many tortured souls!*, she thought in anguish. Then her own fear overcame her and she turned away from the suffering alien, fleeing blindly down the shadowed passageway.

Her flight was halted when she found herself caught in familiar strong arms. "D'Argo!" she breathed, relaxing into his embrace.

D'Argo looked down at the Sebacean female in his arms, trying to remind himself that it was his friend Aeryn. But as soon as the all too familiar dark eyes gazed up at him, swimming in unshed tears and wide with panic, the Luxan was lost. "Lo'Laan! What's the matter, my dearest love?" he asked brokenly.

"Oh, D'Argo! Husband! Please, hold me! I'm afraid, so very afraid!" she whispered frantically. His 'wife' pressed her trembling body into his arms, seeking the solace only he could give her.

D'Argo groaned in confusion. He closed his eyes and felt only his beautiful wife, alive once more in his arms. Her slender arms slid around his waist and she nuzzled his chest as she used to when fear and despair at the desperate pursuit their lives had become overwhelmed her. An enticing perfume wafted up to D'Argo's sensitive nostrils and though it was not distinctly Lo'Laan's, it wasn't something he associated with Aeryn. D'Argo groaned again, then unable to resist, he swept the Sebacean up into his arms and carried her into his quarters.

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

"They killed her, you know," Scorpius smirked from a dark corner of John Crichton's room. "They say they're your friends but look what they have done. They killed the only person out here who cares about you. Apart from me, that is."

John Crichton groaned from his bed and blinked in an effort to dispel the unwelcome vision. "Good morning to you, too, Scorpy."

"Hardly morning, John" he quipped, looking pointedly at the darkened corridor outside the Human's quarters. The Scarran halfbreed sidled over to John's bed and sat down beside him. "I really do care what happens to you, John. Now that Aeryn's gone, you have no one else."

The Human laughed mirthlessly, "Well, thank you, Scorpius. Your concern warms my heart." He sat up suddenly and the vision disappeared. "But Aeryn's not gone," he added bleakly. "She can't be gone! I'll get her back! I have to!" He pushed the tangled gold sheet away from him and leaped out of the bed. He needed to see her, if only to reassure himself that something of her remained. John quickly pulled on his pants and then limped painfully from the room.

John moved quietly through the night-dimmed passages of the Leviathan to Aeryn's room. He approached softly, not wanting to startle 'Lo'Laan' but desperate to see Aeryn. His heart fell when he saw the open door and her empty quarters.

"So where is she, John?" Scorpius whispered in his ear. "Where has she gone?"

John ran his hand nervously through his hair and bit at his thumb in agitation. He walked into the empty room and began pacing back and forth. The smirking image of the PeaceKeeper scientist followed him. "Maybe Lo'Laan's left, fled with Aeryn's body. I would."

John faced the hallucination furiously, "No! She wouldn't do that!" He paced again, then headed out the door.

"Where are we going?" Scorpius' voice sounded in his mind.

John shook his head to free himself of the Scarran halfbreed's presence. He lurched to the infirmary, hoping to find Aeryn there.

Zhaan looked up silently from her vigil over the ancient orican to see her Human shipmate walk unsteadily into the room and look around desperately. Before she could say anything to him, she heard him speak. "Shut up, Scorpy! So she's not here. Maybe she got hungry. Or maybe she's visiting her son, Jothee!"

"Or maybe she's with D'Argo, eh, John? A happy little reunion with her husband after all these years?"

Zhaan saw John bite his thumb again. His red-rimmed eyes were wild and seemingly focussed on something beside him. "No!" he cried, beginning to pace back and forth. "No! D'Argo wouldn't do that! Not with Aeryn! No! Shut up, Scorpy!"

With growing alarm, Zhaan started to rise, to go over and calm the agitated Human, but suddenly the scanner beside her flashed an alert, and Unaal began to convulse. Zhaan worked furiously to save the Luxan woman's life. By the time the crisis had passed, John was gone. Zhaan hit her comm badge in growing fear. "Pilot, where is John?"

Pilot's voice came over the comm quietly, "He is just leaving the central chamber and heading for crew quarters. Is something wrong?"

"Yes, something is very wrong. He's talking to Scorpius like he's here on the ship. And he's looking for Aeryn. Where is she?" Zhaan's voice was dark with anxiety. Her worst fears were confirmed by Pilot's next words.

"Zhaan, Aeryn ... er, Lo'Laan is in ... uh ... D'Argo's quarters."

Zhaan sighed, her heart breaking over the emotional turmoil that 'Lo'Laan's' return was causing. "Pilot, please wake D'Argo and tell him to keep John out of his quarters. And awaken Chiana and Rygel. I think it's going to take all of us to calm John down." She signed off and looked sadly down at the sleeping Unaal. "You better recover. We need you to put everything right again. If that's possible."

John had searched frantically all over the ship for Aeryn, with Scorpius dogging him every painful step of the way, muttering suggestive comments in his ear. The Human was growing more and more frenzied, trying to ignore the growing truth to the PeaceKeeper's words. Finally, he headed toward D'Argo's quarters. "I'll prove it to you, you bastard!" John ground out furiously. "D'Argo is too honourable to take advantage of the situation like that." He laughed harshly, "But that's right! You don't know anything about honour, do you, you mongrel!" He reached the Luxan's quarters and began pounding on the door. "D'Argo! Wake up, Big Guy! Scorpius and I are having a little argument and we need you to settle it for us. D'Argo!"

John heard movement and muffled voices from D'Argo's quarters then the door swung open and the Luxan appeared from behind the privacy curtain. He stepped out warily, careful to keep the curtain closed and palmed the door closed immediately. He looked down at his Human companion, shocked at the state he was in. John's hair was dishevelled, his eyes wild and unfocussed and he was shaking like a leaf. "John, are you all right?" he asked quietly.

Crichton grinned up at his Luxan friend, "Yeah, I'm just peachy!". He began to pace once more, running his hand repeatedly through his already untidy hair.

"What are you doing out here? It's the middle of the night."

"I'm looking for Aeryn," John said, his eyes growing unfocussed again. He cocked his head to the side as if listening to something, then he grinned. "Scorpius keeps telling me that she's with you. But I know you would not do that." His voice became less sure and more pleading. "I know you loved your wife, D'Argo, but that's not her. It's still Aeryn. You wouldn't ... wouldn't ... with Aeryn, would you, D'Argo?" John heard the distinct sounds of someone moving around in the room behind D'Argo. "You wouldn't, D'Argo," he repeated, his eyes fixed on his friend's face. "Tell me that's Chiana in there with you, please." But before he could answer, Chiana herself arrived in the passageway with Rygel hovering just behind her. Zhaan approached slowly from the other direction. John looked at D'Argo with growing horror. "No! No!" The Luxan faced his crewmates and his guilt was clearly written on his face. Chiana turned away angrily as Rygel cursed in shock and dismay. Zhaan looked at the two friends sadly and started towards John.

"Told you so," Scorpius' vision smirked.

John exploded with rage and despair. He flung himself at the massive Luxan, only to be flung back unceremoniously. "You frelling bastard! How could you? Aeryn! How could you take advantage of Aeryn? After what she did for you and your son!" John attacked the Luxan again, and was again flung back, falling awkwardly to the floor, the wound in his leg reopening.

"Some friends you have, John," Scorpius said smugly, leering over D'Argo's shoulder as the Luxan stood ready to fend the Human off again. "I told you they don't care about you. They only care about themselves and their own needs."

John slumped on the floor as Zhaan bent over him in concern. "Yeah, Scorpy, you're right," he groaned. Zhaan looked at him in shock, but he spoke as if she were not there. "Maybe you are the only person who cares about me." He started to pull himself painfully to his feet, ignoring Zhaan's protests and the blood flowing from his leg. He started off down the corridor to his quarters. Then the door to D'Argo's quarters opened and 'Lo'Laan' stepped out. John turned and saw his Aeryn standing nervously in front of the open door. He suddenly grabbed his head as intense pain exploded inside his skull. Zhaan tried to grab him but he shook off her hands. With a roar of fury and grief, John attacked D'Argo again. The Luxan growled in warning then lashed out with his tongue and John dropped to the floor unconscious.

Here's the end. I hope you like it.

Enjoy ***********

Jothee arrived just as Zhaan ran over to kneel beside the Human. He took in the tense scene with confusion. His eyes went first to his father, holding the sobbing 'Lo'Laan' in his arms defensively. He looked over at the Nebari and the floating Hynerian, whose faces were filled with fury and accusation. D'Argo met their eyes defiantly. Chiana cursed and fell to her knees beside the stricken Human. Jothee thought he saw tears fill her eyes before she angrily dashed them away and bent to help Zhaan. Finally he looked down at the unconscious John Crichton. He saw clearly the red mark of a Luxan Tonguelash on his neck. His eyes flew back to his 'mother'. "What happened? Did that man hurt you, mother?" He felt his own anger rise at the Human's threat to his mother.

"No, Jothee, I hurt him," 'Lo'Laan' replied, looking sadly down at John. She looked up at her husband, tears filling her dark eyes again. "I must leave, dearest D'Argo. My presence here is destroying you all." She buried her face in D'Argo's chest again and sobbed uncontrollably.

"Hush, my love. We'll figure something out. Don't cry," he pleaded, stroking her back to calm her. He started to lead her back into his quarters.

Zhaan looked at D'Argo, her disappointment in his actions clear in her face. "D'Argo, I need your help to get John to the infirmary."

D'Argo looked at her, clearly torn between helping his friend and staying with his sobbing 'wife'. Jothee saw his dilemma and spoke up. "I'll help you, Zhaan." The young Luxan helped her lift the unconscious Human and, with Chiana's help, the trio got him to the infirmary and onto one of the beds. Jothee stepped back and went over to see how Unaal was doing. The ancient Luxan was resting comfortably, finally. Jothee stayed by her side, listening to the frantic whispers from the other bed.

"What is going on, Zhaan? Why does John keep talking about Scorpius?" Chiana gently brushed John's hair back from his feverish brow.

Zhaan met her dark eyes with concern. "I don't know. Aeryn told me he was seeing Scorpius as if he were on the ship with him. He's been talking to him in his sleep. But now it appears he is having conversations with him while awake. It was almost as if Scorpius were urging him to attack D'Argo!" She lifted the scan to begin running it over the Human. "I'm very worried about his sanity. He's suffered so much in the last few monens." She laid the scanner aside and read the results. "Physically, other than the leg wound, he's perfectly healthy." The Delvian laid a soft hand on her Human friend's brow. "But psychologically, he's in terrible pain. Even without Unity I can feel his torment. This business with Aeryn may have driven him too far. I'm not sure he will recover."

Chiana felt tears fill her eyes at Zhaan's words. "He has to be all right!" she cried. "Frell D'Argo! What the hezmana did he think he was doing?"

Zhaan looked at the Nebari who was in her own torment, but said nothing.

Chiana looked over at Jothee angrily. "What are you looking at?" she yelled, catching his interest in their conversation. "This is all your fault! If you had only believed us when we told you the truth about your father, none of this would have happened!"

"Chiana!" Zhaan began.

"No! He needs to hear this. We all risked our lives to save him. We may have killed Aeryn to help him. And now ...," Chiana choked as she looked down at John. "And now, John!" She glared at the young Luxan who hung his head in sorrow. "You better pray to whatever gods you believe in that your Unaal recovers and brings Aeryn back, or so help me ...," she threatened helplessly. Chiana bent to kiss John's forehead softly then flung off Zhaan's comforting hand and tore out of the room.

Jothee watched her go, a stricken look on his face. He turned to the Delvian, desperate for her reassurance, but he found her expression hardened against him. He looked down at the orican sleeping peacefully on her bed. *I will make this right,*he vowed. Then he fled from the infirmary, searching for his parents.

His quest took him to D'Argo's quarters where he found his father standing in the middle of his room, some personal belongings caught in his hand. Jothee's expression grew immediately suspicious as he saw that his father was clearly packing to leave. "What are you doing?" he demanded, a feeling of disappointment coming over him.

D'Argo looked up guiltily, then his expression darkened. "We're getting out of here," he growled.

"Who's we?" Jothee persisted.

"Me, you ... your mother."

"She's not my mother!" Jothee ground out.

D'Argo glared at his son, "After all that's happened, how can you say that? After all that we've done, sacrificed to make you believe I didn't kill your mother, how can you even think that?"

Jothee sighed and approached his weary father. "I don't mean that. I do believe you. And her. I know you didn't kill her. I'm glad to know the truth." The young Luxan stepped closer to his father. "But what I mean is, it is my mother's spirit, but the body belongs to someone else, someone who deserves better than this from you." He saw the pain his words were causing his father but stumbled on anyway. "Father, you know mother's presence here is not right. Unaal used very powerful magic to bring her back. I'm glad to have spoken to her, to have her see us again. But she is dead, father. You must accept that and let one who is not return to her life."

D'Argo began to weep openly and Jothee placed his hand on his father's arm. "I know in my heart that what you say is right, Jothee, but how can I lose her again? It nearly killed me the first time. Only my need to make sure you were safe kept me going this long." He turned tear-filled eyes to his beloved son. "To see her undergo the ritual, it would be like I really did murder her this time. I can't do it! I won't let her go!"

"You must, my beloved," a soft voice said from the open door. Both father and son spun to see 'Lo'Laan' standing sadly in the corridor outside. She moved quietly into the room. "Our son is right, D'Argo. My time in this Universe is over. However prematurely, my life ended eleven cycles ago. Aeryn's life must be returned to her," she said, gesturing weakly at her body.

"How do you know that she hasn't been fated to die in this manner and surrender up her body to you?" D'Argo asked desperately.

'Lo'Laan' smiled at him sadly. "I just know. My presence here has set your lives in such turmoil it cannot be fated. I am causing you pain, my dearest husband; and my son and John and Zhaan, Chiana, Pilot, all of you." She walked over to her husband who swept her into his arms.

"How can I watch you die again, my dearest love? It will kill me," he mourned against her shoulder.

"No, it won't because you still have the same reason to live now that you had when I died the first time." 'Lo'Laan' pulled back from him and reached out to include their son in D'Argo's powerful embrace. D'Argo looked down into her dark eyes and saw the wisdom of her words. With a groan, he crushed his family to him once more.

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

Back in the infirmary, Chiana and Zhaan still hovered over an as yet unconscious Crichton. When he began to thrash around again in the throes of yet another nightmare, they finally relented and placed him in restraints, as much for his protection as theirs. Both the Delvian and the Nebari sat in helpless misery as their Human companion cried out for Aeryn, then cursed Scorpius and cried out for Aeryn once more. Zhaan tried many times to awaken him, placing a cool hand on his fevered brow, but he seemed lost in his own nightmarish world. She was concentrating so hard on her scans, searching for some physical ailment to explain the Human's continued coma that she didn't hear the Luxan orican approach unsteadily, having climbed painfully from her own bed. Chiana gasped in surprise as the elderly Unaal leaned over the Human and did an examination of her own. She placed her wrinkled hand lightly over his heart and her other hand on his brow. He started slightly at her touch then tensed as she delved into his mind and heart. Her expression grew sadder as she learned of the pain he was suffering and had been suffering for some time. She also sighed at her own inadvertent part in adding to his torment. Finally she pulled her hands away from the Human and looked up at the waiting Chiana and Zhaan, a pained expression in her eyes.

"He is lost in his mind and in his heart," she said sadly, looking down at the muttering Crichton. "He has suffered much in the last cycle and is suffering still. His grasp on sanity is loosening. And I have removed his only anchor." She closed her eyes in remorse. "I'm so sorry. I never meant to cause anyone pain. My only purpose was to ease Jothee's suffering and reunite him with his father."

Zhaan and Chiana regarded her with mixed feelings of pity and anger. "Well, that has been done. So now if you're well enough you must return Aeryn to her own body. Aeryn is John's anchor. He needs her now more than Jothee needs his mother," Chiana exclaimed abruptly.

Zhaan studied the pale and shaking Luxan with concern. "Are you sure that you're well enough to perform the ritual again?"

Unaal waved away her worries with a trembling hand. "Yes, I am." She started towards the centre of the infirmary.
***************

D'Argo was still clinging to his 'wife' when Zhaan's signal came over the comm. "D'Argo," she said quietly. "Unaal is awake and preparing to perform the ritual once more." He could hear that there was more that she wanted to add but she didn't in fear of upsetting her Luxan companion further.

D'Argo hesitated a microt then answered in a deep voice. "Thank you, Zhaan. We will be in the infirmary shortly." He cut off the communication.

'Lo'Laan' lifted her head from his chest and smiled at him sadly, saying nothing. Jothee looked at the father he had believed to be his mother's murderer for so long and saw again the incredible loss and misery in his eyes and face. With a silent nod, the reunited family parted and moved together to the infirmary and the ultimate separation.

The scene that greeted them in the infirmary was the same as the one that had been set the previous day. The lights had been dimmed and there were candles burning along with sticks of fragrant incense. Unaal knelt unsteadily in the centre of the room, already chanting the beginnings of the ritual. Jothee studied her face carefully and noted the lines of strain around her eyes and mouth. She stopped chanting briefly and caught his worried glance. After a brief smile that was more of a grimace of pain, she continued, losing herself in the ritual.

'Lo'Laan' looked around the infirmary for the Human, but could not find him. Catching her searching eyes, Zhaan smiled sadly at her. "We moved him to his room. We felt it would be better ... and safer, ... for both him and you, especially if he awakened during the ritual."

"Will he be all right?" 'Lo'Laan' asked softly.

Zhaan gazed at her steadily, "I honestly don't know. He has suffered so much and this last day ..." Her voice trailed off doubtfully.

'Lo'Laan' sighed and took the Delvian's hand in hers. "Aeryn will help him. She lo ... she cares for him very much. And he cares for her. When there is mutual caring, any problem can be overcome." She glanced over at her husband and her son, tears springing into her eyes. Fighting for control, 'Lo'Laan' pulled her hand from Zhaan's and stepped forward to join in the ritual that would end her life a second time.

Seeing her kneel in front of the orican, D'Argo started forward with an anguished roar. "No! I will not lose you a second time!" He fought to free himself from his son's restraining arms.

'Lo'Laan's' head dropped and she began to sob at his pain. Then she rose quickly and went to him for one last time. "D'Argo, my dearest love, this must be! You are not losing me a second time, because you never really had me. I must return to whence I came and Aeryn must continue her own life journey with you and Moya ... and especially John. Please, my husband, be at peace. You have our son with you now. You have the best part of our love. Remember that every time you look at him." She reached up and caressed his face with a loving hand, then eluded his embrace and turned to her son. "Jothee, help your father. Trust him and love him until we can be together again." She smiled through her tears and then gently kissed her son's cheek. Jothee hugged her tightly before releasing her and turning to comfort his sobbing father.

'Lo'Laan' turned back to the orican and smiled briefly at the rest of D'Argo's companions. Then she knelt facing the ancient orican bravely, donning again the colourful Luxan cloak. Unaal looked up at D'Argo, a question in her eyes. Jothee shook his head slightly and took the Qualta Blade from his father's sheath and offered it reverentially to Unaal. The orican took it in her shaking hands, and despite its weight, managed to set it on end before her. Soon, the same powerful forces she had called on the day before filled the room, and the sword stood on end once more.

D'Argo felt the power filling the room and with his arm draped around his son for support, watched in horrified fascination as Unaal took a dagger and once more cut across the palms of the Sebacean vessel that held his wife's soul. When she began gasping for breath, he closed his eyes, feeling his hearts break at the second 'death' of Lo'Laan. He heard the others, including Jothee gasp in shock and a body fall heavily to the floor. Tears streamed openly from beneath his closed lids. The chanting continued to a fever pitch and then he heard a sigh and the sound of someone stirring. Finally, he dared to open his eyes. The Sebacean on the floor was beginning to move. D'Argo's emotions were in turmoil. Despite himself, he prayed that Unaal had failed to restore Aeryn.

Suddenly, Unaal collapsed to the floor. Jothee leaped forward along with Zhaan. The ancient Luxan lay unmoving beside the now fallen Qualta Blade. Zhaan ran her hands frantically over the stricken orican. Jothee knelt beside her, but he could tell from her expression that this time, Unaal would not recover. He lifted her now still hand in his and bent over it, mourning the loss of his friend and ally.

Time stood still for all those watching as the dark-haired Sebacean trying to push herself up from the floor, groaning in pain, her head still bent forward.
***************

John awoke with a start from a deep but strangely unrestful sleep. He groaned and opened one eye, then closed it immediately as pain knifed into his head. He lifted his arm, which felt like rubber and draped the limb across his eyes, desperately trying to block out the painful light, dim as it was. He lay like that for some time, trying to remember the events of the last few arns. But all that came to his aching head was the image of Scorpius, like so many times before. He groaned again and tried to remember Scorpy's torments this time. It was a bitter jumble of images and ideas, but John suddenly hissed in anguish as images of Aeryn dead, then D'Argo and Aeryn together filled his consciousness. He ripped his forearm from his eyes and started to rise, ignoring the vertigo that struck him at the sudden movement. Then the image in front of his eyes brought back the turmoil of the last few arns and awakened a whole host of new questions in his mind.

In a chair opposite his bed, slept his Sebacean crewmate. She was clad in the white robes that John remembered from the Luxan ritual, long and voluminous, leaving her feet and arms bare. Her hair was unbound and fell across her face in dark, silken curls. Her head was tilted down and her eyes were closed. In her bandaged hand she held a piece of clear parchment, with writing on it. She snored softly. John crept over and sat at her feet, looking up into her down-turned face. He could see traces of her exhaustion on her face, in the dark circles under her eyes and the pallor of her slightly parted lips.

His first instinct was to awaken her, but then the pain of the last few arns returned and he hesitated. *What if it is not Aeryn?* he thought anxiously. *What if it is 'Lo'Laan' still here, still inhabiting Aeryn's body?* John felt a cold fist enclose his heart at the thought. He knew now that he had lost control, succumbing to Scorpius' insidious suggestions. And all because he had been afraid that Aeryn was dead, lost to him forever. He studied the woman sleeping in front of him, but he could find no clue as to who he was actually looking at. He took the parchment from her and studied it, but the writing was Sebacean, and untranslatable to his microbes. Finally, he reached up and gently caressed her cheek, before laying his head in her lap, seeking what comfort he could.

The Sebacean came awake with a start and stared down at the Human in front of her. John's heart raced as his blue eyes locked with the familiar sapphire blue of his beloved Aeryn. She stared down at him for a few microts then smiled radiantly. John returned her smile and raised himself up to wrap his arms around her slender waist, burying his aching head in her lap. He began weeping in a mixture of fear and relief. Aeryn's hands caressed the back of his head gently, trying to calm his wrenching sobs before she bent over him, wrapping her arms around his shuddering shoulders, silently offering him her love and support.

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

D'Argo stood in the Command, his hearts aching with loss. He felt again the empty void left by Lo'Laan's departure. But he was done with weeping. The Luxan stared out the viewport at the stars, trying to convince himself that his wife was out there somewhere, waiting for him. *We will be together again, my beloved.* he vowed. Then he bowed his head in despair.

There was a slight rustling behind him and the perfume he had sensed before filled his nostrils. He didn't dare to turn around, to face the Sebacean friend and crewmate who had entered the room.

Aeryn moved slowly into the room. She still held 'Lo'Laan's' letter in her hand. D'Argo's wife had explained and apologised to Aeryn for all that had happened during the time she had inhabited the ex-PeaceKeeper's body. She said that she wished she could have met Aeryn, feeling a connection with the Sebacean on so many levels. Aeryn had shared that sentiment. And Lo'Laan had written more, encouraging Aeryn to pursue her relationship with the Human, praying that the two of them would experience the true love, deep friendship and blissful joy that she had shared with her Luxan husband. She had ended by begging Aeryn to forgive D'Argo for his lapse, taking responsibility for what had happened onto herself. Aeryn had read the words with mixed feelings. Then with a sigh, she had sought out her Luxan crewmate. But now that she stood here in the room with him, she was suddenly uncertain about what to say.

"D'Argo, are you all right?" she began hesitantly.

The Luxan did not raise his head or turn to face her. When he remained silent, Aeryn spoke again, "Hey!"

That caught D'Argo's attention. Involuntarily, he turned to face Aeryn in confusion. "What?"

Aeryn smiled gently and moved closer into the room. "I said, 'Hey'."

D'Argo turned away from her, pained to see Aeryn but thinking only of Lo'Laan'. "And what does that mean?"

"It's one of Crichton's expressions," Aeryn explained, encouraged when she saw D'Argo's face relax into a reluctant smile. "It's an Erp greeting. It means 'we really have to talk.'"

D'Argo's face tightened and he turned away again. "What if I don't want to talk?"

"Then you say 'hey' back."

"Hey!"

Aeryn grinned in triumph, "Hey!"

D'Argo turned back to her in further confusion. He saw Aeryn's smirk and smiled in spite of himself, knowing he had been caught in some bizarre Human ritual. "All right, explain the second 'hey' to me," he said with a defeated sigh.

"Well, according to John, if the first person knows that the second person really needs to talk, then they can make them talk by saying 'hey' back again."

"That's the rule?"

"According to Crichton, it is." Aeryn moved closer.

"And does it always work?" D'Argo asked, relaxing again.

"Always."

D'Argo sighed and finally faced his Sebacean companion uncomfortably. "Aeryn, I don't know what to say. I want to say I'm sorry for what happened, but I would be lying. My wife was here and I made love to my wife. It wasn't you. It was Lo'Laan." He bowed his head in sorrow.

Aeryn stepped even closer, coming to stand by his side. "I do understand. I have to. Lo'Laan left a letter for me." She took D'Argo's hand in her bandaged hands. "She sounds like a remarkable woman. I wish I could have met her."

"You're very much alike," D'Argo said absently, then shared Aeryn's grin as the irony of his words stuck them both. "I mean in personality. I think you and she would have been friends."

"Yes, I think you're right. She gave me some very good advise about John," Aeryn replied then blushed slightly at revealing so much to D'Argo.

The Luxan' eyes darkened again at the memory of the pain he had inadvertently caused his Human friend. "Is John all right?" he asked finally.

"I don't know," Aeryn said miserably. "I ... I hope so."

The two stood in silence for a time, then Aeryn sighed. "And Jothee, how is he? Did our plan work?"

D'Argo smiled widely now. "Yes, Aeryn. For that I have no way of thanking you enough. Jothee and I are a family again." Taking a chance, D'Argo bent and kissed Aeryn lightly on the cheek.

Aeryn smiled up at him, "You're welcome, D'Argo." Together, they stood looking out at the infinite stars.

FIN

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