Chiana hears Jake calling out through the great hall. "Mommy, mommy I missed you."

She doesn't see him, but follows his voice in the direction of the courtyard.

Her heart stops, and her breathing becomes shallow as she breaks into a sudden sweat.
She sees John and Aeryn embracing and kissing, as their son joins them in a family huddle.

"We will never be apart again." John hugs his son, then passionately kisses Aeryn. They begin walking toward his prowler, as Chiana calls to them.

John is startled awake. He hears Chiana mumbling while still asleep. "No, John...Aeryn... don't leave."

He knows she must still be troubled by Shelan's cruel manipulation of her. His jaw tightens reflexively with anger. He lightly smooths Chiana's hair, then kisses her, attempting to comfort her. She becomes calm as she slowly wakes from his touch.

He reaches for a glass of water, thirsty from the bitterness he feels from having his new life threatened
so insidiously. He stands and stretches, thinking that his revenge on Shelan will be effective.

"John, how long have you been awake?" Chiana sits up in bed, pulling the sheets over her breasts. She feels disoriented, but glad to see him in the room. The nightmare still lingering, feeding her insecurity.

"Not long, I thought we would take Jake and explore the property later today. If that's alright with you." He looked at her with loving concern, not sure if he should question her yet about her dream. "I have a gift for you."

"A gift!" Chiana sang with glee, her eyes shining in anticipation.

John produced a large bundle from the antique armoire they shared, placing it in the middle of their bed. "Go ahead, open it."

She untied the cord, then moved aside the tissue like paper to reveal a pair of thigh-high eggplant purple leather boots, with a matching wrap leather dress. The dress was short, with a v neckline in front. He'd even remembered to purchase matching gloves. There was even a pair of black silk thongs included. Chiana smiled lustfully at her husband. "John, you spoil me so." She slipped on the boots, then stood, her legs akimbo. "How do you like them on me?" Playfully, yet seductively she strolled toward him, clutching the silk thongs in her hand.

John was speechless for once, but his mind was thinking very dirty thoughts.

Chiana held the thongs out to him. "Please, show me how to wear these."

His eyes, never leaving hers, he crouched down before her, running his hands up her calves, feeling the butter smooth leather caressing her legs. "Step into them, one leg at a time."

She licked her upper lip as she did as she was told, her eyes never leaving his. "Like this..." Her hips swayed just slightly. The eroticism of it all, nearly knocked John to his knees. He buried his face in her belly and licked her navel, traveling with his tongue.

Chiana gripped his shoulders as he kissed her sensuously.

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

Nhfearme
1/8/01
Secrets
IC:

Phillip holds Chiana, his heart nearly breaking from having to make her suffer so. But it was necessary to free her.

Lord Crichton had somehow controlled her all of these years using her to 'free' him from the Peacekeepers and take control on this planet. His priority has to be to destroy John Crichton!

Phillip sighs. He hates to leave her. He wishes he could split into two. Remain here with her and the other to question Crichton. His hands begin to sweat at the possibilities he will unlock with Crichton's knowledge of Scarran forces. He thinks of it and swallows.

He looks again at Chiana and embraces her tightly, wishing to stay. His duty would have to take precedence. His duty is to break Crichton into submission.

He gets up, trying not to disturb her. He dresses and takes one last look at her. If he closes his eyes, he can remember every detail of their lovemaking. He smiles. He lowers himself to her and inhales her lovely fragrance, mingled with his own. He now owns her heart.

There is a pain in his chest as he pulls away from her and walks out of the room. His breath nearly stops as he boards his Prowler and powers up. He hits the launch sequencer and feels a tear roll down his cheek.

Crichton will pay for the pain he had caused her! Phillip feels a smile come up from inside at the thought of Crichton screaming in the Aurora chair.

Soon his Prowler glides into the Command Carrier. He breathes a sigh of relief as he disembarks and the deck officer snaps a salute.

"Is Crichton secured?" He asks.

"Yes, Sir!" The officer answers back. "This way, Sir!"

The officer leads the way down a series of hallways and stairways. As they descend the stairs become darker and narrower. The dank and dark permeates a person here.

The smell of blood accents the level where they stop. Shelan hears the groans of the men trapped here. He smiles at the door of the cell.

"Open it!" He orders.

The cell door swings open with a groan. Crichton lies nearly unconscious, chained to the bulkhead of his cell.

"Who did this?" Phillip is angry. Crichton has to be in good physical condition to be questioned.

"I'm sorry sir." The officer's voice shakes as he tell the facts.
"He was injured in the Prowler attack on his mansion. Then he resisted arrest. It couldn't be helped, Sir."

Phillip sighs with regret that his questioning will have to be postponed. "That will be all Lieutenant." Phillip says woefully. "I will talk to him, dismissed."

"Yes, Sir." The Lieutenant says, greatly relieved.

The great cell door closes with a terrifying groan. Phillip walks to Crichton and eyes him. He reaches and lifts his face to him. Crichton's face is marked with blood. His left eye is nearly swollen shut. Phillip raises his hand and slaps him.

Crichton groans and wakes. "Shelan." He says looking out of his one eye.

"I was looking forward to questioning you today Lord Crichton." Phillip paces. "But I will have to be satisfied with your fall from power and your loss of the Lady Chiana."

"Chiana! What have you done with her?" Crichton says near panic.

"Nothing you haven't done." Phillip says with a crooked smile. He steps closer. "Or can't you smell her on me now?"

"You bastard!" Crichton begins to cough, he spits up blood.

"Don't worry Crichton. She will have the best of care from me. Give no more thought to releasing her from her vows." Phillip looks down on him.

"I will inform her of your death upon my return." Phillip laughs. "You didn't really think I would let you keep her after I fell in love with her?"

Crichton begins to cry.

"She will be my wife. Have my children." Phillip gloats. "She will not be coming to rescue you again, Crichton. She belongs to me now."

Phillip turns to leave and looks back once more to relish Crichton's condition. "I will return later when you're stronger, Crichton. Until then I will return to Chiana's breast." He smiles.

"No!" Crichton screams after Captain Shelan. "Leave her alone you bastard! Shelan! No!"

The guards close the cell door with the same ghastly groan, sealing Crichton in.

Phillip walks away with a satisfied grin. He turns to one of the guards. "See that the doctor has him shape for questioning by this evening!" He turns to walk from him. "I will not be denied again."

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

Phillip regrets leaving Crichton without questioning him. That pleasure would have to come later. He could be patient. For now, he will return to Chiana and enjoy the consumption of her flesh.

She still naps on Mokan's bed. He removes his uniform and places it quietly on the chair. He lies next to her. She sighs as he sensuously touches her soft skin.

He slips beneath the sheet and kisses her with one thought, to devour with delight every dench of her. To memorize every contour and taste of her until he is satiated.

Chiana squeals with delight as Phillip gently sucks her flesh into his mouth. The sound of her voice, so erotic it arouses him past all reason.

Phillip feels he may go mad if he does not take her now! As he enters her, he is aware that the force of his thrusts may injure her but he has lost all control.

"I will return to my master now, Pagar. Of what progress may I inform him?" Setig asks.

"Report to him as your duty dictates, Setig." Pagar shakes his head. "We now have the precise location of the Command Carrier and dark, dark news. Captain Shelan's plan to destroy Lord Crichton. To steal his wife and murder him."

"Peacekeeper." Setig snarls.

"Truly. This one's evil is only surpassed by that of Scorpius." Pagar remarks. "Please tell your master that his innovation is now being used with great effect upon him as well."

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

Shelan wakes in fear. What has he done? He hurriedly looks at Chiana.

"Chiana." He holds her head and kisses her. "Chiana, wake up. Please." She is limp.

He gasps. She lies unconscious. He examines her. There is blood between her legs. He raped her. How could he? He loves her. His head hurts. Has he gone insane? He was angry with Crichton, angry that he could not question him. He swallows in fear at what he is capable of. He throws on his pants and runs to Mokan.

"You said you have the best doctors. I think I may have hurt Chiana." His breathing shows his near panic at Chiana's condition. "Please, Mokan, hurry!"

He runs back to Chiana. He tries to wake her again. She lies still. He stands staring at her. He puts on his clothes slowly, in shock. There is an end here. It is an end to their relationship. She will never forgive him. He still cannot believe he could be so angry with Crichton to do this to her. His hands tremble as he reaches for her.

"Chiana. I am sorry. Forgive me." He says, though she cannot hear him. He sits beside her and takes her hand. He begins to cry.

Mokan enters. "What did you do? Chiana." She goes to the bedside and sees that Chiana is very still. She looks at Phillip. "What happened?" She draws her blade. "I said, what did you do to her?"

"It was an accident. I didn't mean to." Phillip can hardly speak. He is unbelieving of what he has done.

Mokan raises her blade and begins to swing it over her head. Phillip draws his dagger and blocks it.

"Get off my ship!" Mokan yells at him. "Get off my ship, or die!" She pulls on the Qualta converting it to a pulse rifle. She raises it to his chest.

Time freezes. Phillip feels his life ending in this Microt. He must abandon Chiana or die from Mokan's Qualta. He swallows and runs.

Mokan fires at his flight. She follows firing. He powers up his Prowler. Mokan's pulses impact on the hull. He raises the shield. Her pulse blasts deflect.

Phillip hits the launch sequencer and pulls out of Mokan's landing bay. He is still trying to catch his breath from what has happened.

Phillip guides his prowler to the Command Carrier. He wanders through the Carrier, lost and finds himself in front of Crichton's cell. He signals the guards to open it. He goes inside. He stands looking at Crichton, watching him. His condition has not changed.

Phillip has never loved a woman before. He has only recreated with strangers. He looks at Crichton's swollen face and sees the condition of his life. He has stolen another man's wife and raped her.

He opens the cell door and yells at the guard. "I told you he was to see the doctor!"

The guards quickly loosen Crichton's chains and take him up the long flights of stairs to Med Tech.

Phillip sits on Crichton's cot. He picks up one of the manacles and holds it by the dim light of the corridor, crying.

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

ChianaGray
1/9/01
Secrets
IC:

"Chiana," Shelan muttered as he gazed up. She was there but he felt dragged into sleep, barely able to hold his eyes open much less stand. He could hear her voice, singing something that ripped at his heart with the saddness in it.

He tried to follow, stumbeling down the cooridors that were dark, only the emergency lights working. He saw her stepping down another corner and moved after her. He found her sitting next to a bulkhead with her arms wrapped tightly around her knees, her face tucked protectively inside. She hummed to herself.

"Chiana," he tried to speak, feeling thick and drowsy as he took her arms and pulled them away from her. She turned her head away from him, refusing to show her face. "I - I didn't mean..."

He took her chin, her eyes were distant, so absent of awareness it brought fear down him like a cold knife. He began to cry.

Chiana could see a very tiny white light in a great vastness of dark. She stared at the pinpoint, hearing a nocking sound as she tried to see into the pinpoint, straining her eyes. She nocked back.

"Nixaaa," she heard a voice sounding like Crichton, but it was younger and lazy, echoing.

"Who's there," she barely whispered. "I can't see you."

"Nock nixaaa," they whispered. "I can't hear you."

She refused, staring with dim awareness of anything at the pinpoint. The nocking began again. Reluctantly, she nocked back.

"Wake up nixa," the male voice persisted. "Wake up..."

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

Nhfearme
1/10/01
Secrets
IC:

Captain Shelan wakes from his freakish dream. He has fallen asleep in Crichton's cell. He contemplates his life.

Crichton's blood stains the cot. The manacles were not necessary, why didn't he have them removed from Crichton earlier? His insistence of breaking up Lord Crichton's marriage; Keeping Chiana away from him. He now questions his motives.

Is he doing his job? Or has it become a vendetta? Chiana was never his to take from Crichton. And Crichton? Just a tool to find Scorpius. But he already knows where Scorpius is. Pagar has him. So why? Why is he so intent on destroying Crichton?

It is a type of sickness, to love Chiana so. Phillip tries to quiet his mind enough to think. There was a time when John Crichton was just a name and Chiana was just an employee. Both are just people, aliens really, who he encountered in the course of his job. Where did it all go wrong?

Well, he has lost Chiana now. She will never be his again, even if Crichton is to die here. Phillip stands and walks out of Crichton's cell. He closes the heavy door with a groan. It resonates through his sadness and loss. He climbs the long distance up the stairs to his quarters.

Phillip removes his uniform and enters the fresher. He is sad to wash her from him. It is as much a removal of evidence now. He sees her died blood on his hands. Beautiful, dark blue pearl. It dissolves and rinses down the drain. He wishes he could wash the guilt and pain away as easily. He puts his face in the mist and begins to cry. He remembers her joy, her sigh. He can never forgive himself, the damage he has done.

Phillip dresses and goes to Command. He checks the frequency and hits Comms. "Mokan." He waits. "Mokan." There is no answer. Mokan would protect Chiana from him. He sighs. "Maybe that's a good thing." He thinks.

Phillip walks to the Med Tech facility. Crichton lies on a cot. His face is no longer swollen. The doctor acknowledges him. Phillip turns to the doctor. "Dismissed." He says and stands by Crichton's cot.

Crichton suddenly draws Phillip's dagger with his gloved hand and holds it to his throat. Phillip waits for the fatal cut. Maybe he deserves to die for what he has done to them. Crichton hesitates.

"What are you waiting for?" Phillip says.

"Where is Chiana?" Crichton asks threateningly.

"With Mokan the trader." Phillip's eyes go to the floor. "I'm sorry, Crichton. For what I said and what I did."

"A little late for that. Now, let me go." Crichton says pushing the dagger into Phillip's neck.

"You can't do it Crichton." Phillip lifts his arm and takes the dagger from Crichton. "The doctor told you to rest your hand."

Crichton groans and guards his hand.

Phillip puts his dagger back into his scabbard with a distinctive "snap!"

"Guards!" Phillip yells.

Two guards dutifully run in and stand at attention.

"Bring him." Phillip leads them out of the door.

The guards grab Crichton roughly and begin to drag him.

"Show more respect!" Phillip corrects the guards. "This is Lord Crichton. He is going to help us recover Scorpius."

"Yes, Sir!" They answer and reposition themselves to help support Crichton, assisting him to walk behind Captain Shelan.

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

The chair fires. Crichton gasps.

The first memories that show on the chair's screen are of Captain Shelan tending Crichton's wounds. Chiana is there. She turns her face from Crichton's pain. Phillip paces, waiting for more substantial evidence to appear.

Then he hears it. Crichton making love to her. Her sighs, her screams. Phillip's gut wrenches at her memory. He turns to the operator.

"No." He is upset. "Search for any information that can assist us in finding Scorpius!"

Phillip still hears Chiana sighing. He covers his ears. His guilt pains him every microt he hears her. He turns to the operator again.

"The information would be before this. Can't you find it?" Phillip cannot hide his tears. He turns his face away. "I will leave you to interrogate him." He says trying to hide his face. "Comm me if you find anything."

"Yes, Sir." The operator says to him, confused.

Shelan flees the Aurora Chair bay, running to escape the sound of her voice.

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

Nhfearme
1/10/01
Ramna Nectar and Berries

OOC:
btw
Captain Phillip Shelan is trapped by Scarrans and being interrogated in the
Hazmat beam at kelvo 9. He will remain there until he has learned a few
things. Anything he learns from Crichton's 'interrogation', he obviously has to already know. Just look back at previous pages to see what he saw. Thanks. --nh

IC:

John and Chiana walk in the garden. Jake runs through the flowers and leaves chasing small birds that frequent there. Jeriana tries to catch him. Jake stops and picks flowers. He gives them to Jeriana and Chiana.

John takes Chiana's hand. They walk quietly back to the house to eat lunch. There are strips of spiced meat, raw salad and fresh bread. John looks at Jeriana and she brings him a bottle of Ramna Nectar.

"That's what I had for my Birthday Dinner daddy!" Jake shouts when he sees it.

"My man." John says and hits his fist to Jake's.

"That's what the Scarrans served me when I was released from my cage."

"You did real good Jake. I'm proud of you." John smiles at him.

John takes a clean bowl and places some of the bread and berries in it. He leaves it on the side of the table and continues to eat, slowly.

Chiana looks at the bowl and the bottle of Ramna nectar. She begins to be aware that John is watching her. She feels her breathing quicken. She begins to get hot. She puts down her fork.

"John." She says looking at him from the corner of her eye. "I'm really not hungry any more." She sighs. "Perhaps we could take a nap too?"

"I'm for that." John smiles at her. He gets up and leans over to kiss Jake. "See you in a while, buddy."

John reaches his hand to Chiana and walks her into the bedroom, closing the door. He walks her to the facility and they drop their clothes to the floor. Chiana enters the fresher and hits the timer 'on'. John enters behind her and hugs her warm moist body, running his hands over her, feeling her tingle to his touch.

She sighs. "Oh John. I'm so happy."

John turns her around and holds her tightly, kissing her passionately, drinking in her moist lips and licking her face, her neck, working down he sucks her moist flesh.

"You are so delicious." He says and stands to kiss her neck with great long sensuous sighs that resonate through her making her hotter than she was at lunch.

Chiana can feel her knees weakening. John holds her tightly and lifts her to him. She squeals at his touch and his control of her. She delights in her desire for him as they couple in the warm mist.

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

DeSaintPhalle
1/10/01
Ramna Nectar and Berries
IC:

Dripping and naked, John and Chiana were determined to savor
every blissful moment of their honeymoon, openly and loudly.

Dragging his lips slowly across her skin, he blessed every dench
of her pearl white skin with a soft puckered kiss. The sound of which,
drove Chiana so mad with desire for him, she tossed her head back
and responded with an involuntary high pitched moan.

She was so happy that she started to cry ever so slightly as he punctuated
each powerful thrust with a swirl of his hips. The joy and pain of their coupling
overwhelmed John until he could no longer stand. He felt desperate for her.

Chiana purred softly as John carefully crouched, then sat on the bench inside
the fresher, his back to the wall. Straddling him, she wiggled her feet and
angled her legs, until her ankles sat on his shoulders. John, turning his head,
takes a toe into his mouth, savoring her sweet flesh, flicking his tongue
against the arch of her foot. Finally, he kissed her. The first one teasing.
The second one was hungry. The next made a meal of her.

"Do you like it when I....." Chiana, squeezed her eyes shut, then sighed,
unable to complete her sentence.

"Oh, uh-huh. Yeah baby, just... like... that." John seemed to already know
to what she referred.

The sounds of life outside of their bedroom were meaningless. Inside,
where they had made a cocoon, desire and need made them hear only
their own hearts beating. Words were not needed.

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

ChianaGray
1/10/01
Ramna Nectar and Berries
IC:

Her lips trembled, her head turning to one side as she grasped the sheets in his teasing. She sighed as his warm hands searched the length of her body, his kisses causing her to rise her body to them, wanting him to satisfy. She groaned in her plea, gasping when he met her response and she felt as if she were exploding with pleasure. Her head rocked forward with it and then back, the sheets damp from thier sweat in her clutches.

He came over her, kissing her neck as the desire raced through her again at his tender touch.

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

Nhfearme
1/10/01
Ramna Nectar and Berries
IC:

Chiana presses her lips to John's neck, then licks, adding to their extreme pleasure. His taste is sweet to her mouth and brings John to ecstasy!

As he plunges into her, she contracts around him giving such intense delight to him that he pulses into her. They groan together, lost in this moment where their flesh translates to love.

Heat, burning, music, breath, heartbeat, tingle, thrust, sigh they scream and collapse into eachother, still pulsing of pleasure to infinity, breathless.

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

ChianaGray
1/10/01
Ramna Nectar and Berries
IC:

Shelan piloted from the carrier towards the trades vessel. He docked, his heart pounding hard in his chest as he stepped out and began to search for Chiana.

He found her looking over the command helm of the large ship. Sweat beaded down his brow as he stared, watching her work her fingers over the controls, her face shadowed by her ash white hair. He saw her eyes cut to him, her lips parting as fear tensed into her shoulders.

"Chiana," he spoke quietly as he took a step towards her. "I'm so sorry."

"Sorry for what?" She asked without looking to him. "The frelling system is down, did you-"

"Chiana," Shelan grabbed her arm, his heart dropping into his stomach as she flinched away from him, afraid. "I-I hurt you."

He let go, near tears as she turned to him but wouldn't meet his eyes.

"Nothing happened," she stated quietly, swallowing as she turned to move away. She stopped as Mokan entered holding her qualta.

"Yes it did," Mokan's eyes flared wildly into Shelan as she stepped between them. "He raped you."

"I didn't mean to hurt her," Shelan cried as he looked past Mokan to Chiana.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Chiana grimanced as she picked up a small device from the table and grasped it tightly, glaring at it.

"Maybe she wants to forget you," Mokan snareld. "But I'm not. I should have killed you the first time."

"I just want to explain," Shelan tried to step past Mokan to Chiana, grasping the Jaboan as she stepped in his way. "Chiana-"

"How could you come back?" Mokan asked as her fingers came to his neck and she dug them into his throaght, glaring with rage into his eyes as he came to his knees. "How frelling dare you come back! You raped her in my own bed and you came back here to talk to her? You frelling bastard."

"Stop saying that!" Chiana shouted as she threw the device at the table.

"Rape is rape," Mokan glared towards her.

"Stop saying that, stop it!" Chiana clenched her fists as she glared at both of them. "Just leave me the frell alone!"

"Chiana please listen to me," Shelan snatched himself away from Mokan, grasping Chianas forearms as he came to her. She gasped, turning her head away. His heart galloped, skipping several beats at her response to him. "Chiana I never meant to hurt you."

"Why don't you go imprison yourself or something, Shelan." She snareld as she twisted herself out of his grasp. "I'll take some frelling meds and we'll all be frelling fine. Leave me alone!"

She ran. Shelan chased for her, finding himself face down to the ground as Mokan tackled him.

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

Nhfearme
1/11/01
Secrets

OOC: WARNING! There is a major spoiler in this segment. I have placed a row of asterisks (*) before and after it so you may skip it.
IC:

Phillip turned over quickly to protect himself. He did not know whether to pull his dagger or pulse pistol for defense. He was in luck Mokan had not drawn her Qualta but attacks him with her fists. He blocks her.

"Please Mokan. I want to I have to talk to her. Please. I know I hurt her." Phillip slowly gets up.

Mokan hits him in the stomach. Phillip groans.

"You Frelling bastard!" Mokan swings and hits his jaw, knocking him down again.

Mokan swings to hit him again. Phillip catches her hand. "Go ahead and hit me! I deserve it!" He shouts to her face just denches from his. "But please, at least let me apologize to her first."

****************************************
"You raped her. The doctor found" Mokan swallows. "You made her lose her baby." Mokan fights her tears.

"Another one of my sins that I have to pay for Mokan." Phillip begs. "Does she know?"

"I didn't have the heart to tell her. She still believes they are incompatible." Mokan sets her jaw at him. "How did you do it?"

"It was easy. I switched the vials." Phillip admits. "I thought that he would never marry her if he thought"

"I should kill you for just that!" Mokan screams into his face, her hands go to his throat.
***************************************

Phillip breaks her grip and throws her back. Mokan pulls her Qualta and advances, holding it on him.

Phillip stands and raises his dagger to defend himself. "John Crichton is on the Command Carrier now. I have the power to release him!" Phillip swallows. "Please let me see her Mokan."

"You'll release John Crichton?"

"Yes." Phillip looks away from Mokan's icy gaze. "I owe him much."

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

Nhfearme
1/11/01
Secrets
IC:

Phillip walks into Mokan's quarters. Chiana sits on the bed with her back to him.

"Chiana." Phillip says softly.

"Just Frelling go away!" She yells, not looking at him.

"What I did. I know it's unforgivable. I still want to tell you... I'm deeply sorry for what I did."

"What do I care. I left John for you! You have him now." She turns her head to see him then stands to face him. "You own him!" She steps toward him and hits his chest. "You bastard! How could you use me? To get to him!"

"I was wrong. I had no right. Please, I... I'll make it up to you. Let me. Please, Chiana."

"You think you would keep it a secret?" Chiana yells. "Setig Commed us after your attack!"

Chiana stands back and begins to cry. "Did you kill him?"

"No." Phillip has trouble looking into her dark eyes. "I will release him to you Chiana, with my sincerest apologies. Please, if you can ever... forgive me..."

"How can I? Nothing happened." She stares at him. "Do you understand?" She says sternly. "Never mention this to me again! Not to John not to Mokan... Not to anybody."

Phillip looks at her, dying inside that he can never help the hurt she is feeling. All he wants to do is hold her and make the pain go away. He also knows that he is not the one. He says a solumn prayer that she never learns the truth. "Yes." He finally says. "As you wish, Chiana."

"John must never know!" She cries.

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

Phillip walks out of Mokan's quarters. He glances back at Chiana one last time. He has destroyed three lives. The damage can never be undone. He wishes he could do as Chiana has told him out of her bitterness. To serve his sentence. He knows that in this case his 'sentence' is to lose her and any future with her.

He walks out past Mokan. She stands ready with her Qualta Pulse Rifle if he displeases her.

His priority now is to release Crichton. He hopes that the Aurora chair has revealed something that will make his confession seem genuine. If not Command would never see a way to release him without some information. Phillip enters his Prowler. Mokan watches him, her Qualta ready.

Phillip notices there has been a transmission. He opens Comms. "Command?" He says.

"Sir? We've had a confession from Lord Crichton that may assist with Scorpius' recovery."

Phillip breathes a sigh of relief. He feels certain he can now release John Crichton without resistance. He powers up and hits the launch sequencer. He blasts out of Mokan's landing bay, hurrying to the Command Carrier. His one thought to return Crichton to Chiana. John Crichton is the only one who can truly help her.

Phillip runs the Prowler full throttle firing retro's just before reaching the Command Carrier's landing bay. "Is the testimony ready Lt.?" Phillip asks as he pulls into the bay.

"Ready on the Command Bridge, Sir." The voice answers.

Phillip disembarks and walks briskly to command. He gives no thought of the incrimination to be soon brought against his head with Crichton's testimony. He doesn't care any more.

Phillip enters the Command Bridge and walks directly up to the Lieutenant.

"Sir." The Lt. begins. "He is obviously speaking to someone. Only a portion of what we need is here. However it does indicate where Scorpius is and who has him."

Phillip is impatient. He reaches the control panel and flicks a switch to run the data. The screen is filled with static, then he sees Lord Crichton speaking to someone he can't see or hear. He knows it is himself. Crichton has protected him.

"What is your opinion of Scorpius? The Scarrans want him. I need Intel so they can capture him."

"Scorpius killed my wife and kidnapped my son. He forced me to work for him. I was his prisoner for 3 years!"

John sits on the edge of the bed. "Please help me." He begs to the unseen person. "Scorpius is determined. He will find me. This time he may kill me, or Jake trying. Now, I have to meet with the Scarran leader."

Crichton enters then later leaves the Scarran transport. It lifts off and moves away.

The Lt. is excited by the data. "You see sir! He has protected his sources! Still he could not prevent us from seeing his plan to capture Scorpius using Scarran forces!"

"Yes, I can see that Lt." Phillip says calmly. "See this?" He backs up the record and points to the Scarran ship. "This ship. Its markings. Track it down and you will know more than he is telling."

"Yes! Sir!" the Lt. says enthusiastically. "Right away, Sir."

"Where is Lord Crichton now?" Phillip asks as he turns to go. His palms are sweating, anxious to get Crichton out of there.

"Back in his cell sir." The Lt. answers somewhat curious that Captain Shelan would not know that.

Phillip leaves command and runs down the corridors to the stairs. He nearly leaps down the stairs to Crichton's cell. He is out of breath. He signals to the guards to open the cell. They open it and he steps in to face Crichton. Phillip is still trying to catch his breath when the cell door closes with a deafening "Clunk!"

Crichton lies on his cot, spent.

Phillip goes to him and tries to wake him. "Wake up Crichton. I'm releasing you. Chiana is waiting! Wake up!"

It takes a few Microts, but finally John wakes. "What is it? What do you want? I'm on my break, go away." He goes back to sleep.

"No! Crichton! Wake up!" Phillip pulls him up into a sitting position to help him wake up. "Come on, before we're caught."

Crichton wakes groggily. "Man, what a headache! Your guy kept me on that merry go round the longest time ever!" He coughs.

Phillip lifts him and helps him walk. He can see it will be a struggle. He calls to the guards. "Take him back to Med Tech!" he orders them. He stands back and watches them carry Crichton up the many flights of stairs to Med Tech.

Once there, he faces the doctor. "Give him something. I want him awake."

"No, doc." John protests. "Just let me lie here. I'll be fine in a few arns" he trails off going back to sleep.

The doctor loads up an injector and pokes him with it.

In a few Microts John is wide-awake. "You say that Chiana is waiting?" He nearly jumps off the cot. "Let's not waste time talkin' about it. Let's go!"

Very quickly, they are aboard Phillips stealth Prowler traveling at maximum speed toward Mokan's ship.

Phillip tries to explain to Crichton as they travel. "I can never make up for what I've done Crichton. I can only ask that you let me try." He swallows. "I lied to you about me and Chiana. I only said it to hurt you. Please forgive me."

Crichton listens quietly. Phillip isn't sure if Crichton will allow him to survive the trip to Mokan's ship.

Phillip lands and lets Crichton out. Chiana is waiting and runs to him as he gets out. Phillip can hear Chiana whaling. Crichton picks her up and carries her out of the bay toward quarters.

Mokan is behind her with her Qualta Pulse Rifle leveled at the Prowler. Phillip powers up and hits the launch sequencer. Mokan moves out of the landing bay and seals the door behind her.

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

ChianaGray
1/11/01
Secrets
IC:

Shelan can't stand it, he powers down, sitting for long moments as his heart pounds hard in his chest. He's done enough, caused enough pain but he can't bring himself to leave. Not yet.

He slipped out, wandering back into the vessel, easing past Mokan at the command helm. He came to her quarters, his breath threaghtening to freeze tight as he heard Crichtons voice. Why? Why was he torturing himself like this? He wanted her to tell him. He wanted them to kill him, lash out at him, anything - anything but bury this much pain. How could they just walk away? Without a sound.

"Chiana, I don't understand." Crichton spoke gently. "I missed you."

"I - I know," she pulled away from him and crossed her arms around herself. "I just don't feel like it right now."

"If you don't feel like it then we won't," he muttered as he came to her. His brows creased in confusion as she refused to meet his eyes. "But, something's bothering you, what is it? Are - are you mad at me?"

"No," she closed her eyes, turning her shoulder to his touch. "I'm not - not mad at you. I just - don't want to."

"Chiana," he sighed, his eyes glimmering with worry as he wiped his face. "Five microts ago you were holding onto me with all your worth and now I can't even touch you. What's wrong?"

She said nothing, beggining to trembil violently. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly as he ran his hand through her hair and kissed her on top of her head. It seemed like an arn passed as they stood there before Chiana slowly wrapped her arms around him and burst into tears.

"It's alright," Crichton spoke gently as he sat on the bed with her. "Everything is going to be okay."

"I felt so alone without you," she cried quietly with pain softening her voice.

"I'm here now. Chiana, why won't you talk to me?"

"I - I'm trying to," she whispered. "I thought - I thought he killed you. I thought you'd - you'd be so angry with me for what - I did. He used me to get to you and I let him."

"Chiana you didn't - LET, him." Crichton stated with a firm gentleness as he took her chin and looked into her eyes. "Is that all you're worried about? I love you. There is nothing in this universe that's going to make me just go away. No one, is ever going to use you again. I promise."

She held onto him, crying deeply as he rocked her.

"I want to go home," she choked. "Take me home."

Shelan ripped himself away from the door, returning to the hanger. He slammed his hatch and kicked his prowler into life. He jetted out of the bay with tears welling out of his eyes and down his face. He screamed, pounding his fists violently into his controls with the rage and shame he felt. His would be assasin? The same woman who stabbed Scorpius protecting Crichton? What did she see in him? How could he do this? To her. Why didn't she frelling say something? The slice into his chest was deep, a ripped tear without mercy. Nothing happend, so much nothing he felt as if he were dying inside. He ached, cursing her for burying it, and himself for promising to keep what he did in the same silence. He glared out at the aproaching command carrier, wanting to just blow his ship straight across her bow.

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

Nhfearme
1/11/01
Secrets
IC:

Phillip returns to the Command Carrier. He walks to his quarters and paces. He lays down on his bed, unable to quiet his mind.

Phillip cries. "Chiana, please forgive me."

He sits up and takes his pulse pistol, holding it. For several Microts he stares at it in his hands. He stands and holsters it. He goes to the facility and washes his face then walks to the Prowler Bay.

Phillip glides his stealth Prowler into the Planetary Base. He walks into the Officer's Lounge and orders a round of ras'lak. He drinks round after round until he starts to feel it. He looks around the room, searching.

"No, she is shorter than that. No, she has pale hair. No, she's a warrior, no tech will do" He can feel himself starting to doze off. He gets up and crosses the floor, stumbling. He speaks to some fellow, lady officers at an adjacent table.

"Would any of you ladies wish to recreate with me?" He asks, slurring his syllables.

One of them looks up. She appears to be in similar condition to himself. "Sure." Is all she says. She gets up and follows Phillip back to his quarters, stumbling.

Phillip lays on the bed. She lays down along side of him. He embraces her, clothes and all. After a while she looks at him and asks. "Are we going to recreate? Or what?"

Phillip hugs her then turns reclining and begins to kiss her gently, slowly. He hooks his arm around her ribs and pulls her toward himself. She sighs and kisses him back. Suddenly he stops and looks at her. He studies her face.

She smiles at him. "Why did you stop? I really like that."

"Officer." Phillip says. "What is your name, Officer?"

"I'd really rather not get too personal, Captain. If you don't mind." She answers.

"Then, would you mind." Phillip asks her with a lump in his throat. "If I just call you Chiana for tonight?"

The officer looks curiously at him. "Chi?"

"ana." He completes the name.

The officer sighs. "Well, in that case." She says. "My name is Officer Leah Leiter." She says with a slight chuckle.

"Very well Leah. Please call me Phillip?" He asks her.

"Phillip." She smiles at him and raises her chin for another kiss.

Phillip kisses her softly, tenderly. He trembles and feels his tears begin to come. Leah can feel her face becoming moist from Phillip's tears She begins to pull away.

"Please, can we just hold eachother for the night?" He asks her.

"I like the kissing. You're very handsome." She smiles, touching his chest. "I like being with a Captain and all. But, I don't know about the crying." She says distastefully.

"I can't help it Leah." Phillip says in his defense.

"I will stay with you if you promise me one thing." Leah tells him. "If you'll come back to see me again."

"I can't promise you that, Leah. But I'll try." Phillip says quietly through his tears.

"I'll take that." She says and lays down against him, embracing him.

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

"You must inform your master of my decision." Pagar speaks to Setig. "With this new interrogation technique, Captain Shelan is more valuable to me at his duties where I can pull him into interrogation at any time without his knowledge."

Setig listens respectfully.

"If we return him to reality now, there will only be a few discrepancies. Nothing that will make him suspicious. If we suspect he has changed his plans we can then bring him back to tell us all of his secrets."

"In a way, we have complete control of him. I can only hope that Scorpius will be as cooperative." Pagar turns to Setig. "Lord Crichton will no doubt be of great joy to find he is compatible genetically to Lady Chiana."

"I can only be certain of that when they again take the test." Setig retorts. "Remember, Captain Shelan only switched the vials. He himself does not know what the results should have been. My master is happy with his choice. I will not jeopardize that. Besides, how many couples have you known who were compatible, yet childless?"

"You speak truly, Setig." Pagar ponders. "Still, it would please us to see the race of warriors born of their union."

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

Phillip wakes on his bed in his quarters at the planetary base. His head is pounding. His mouth tastes like dust. His clothes look like Dren and smell of vomit. Leah is gone. He strips his clothes and enters the fresher. He is weak, he can hardly stand. The pain in his heart is oppressive. He wishes he had used his Pulse Pistol on himself.

He stands in the warm mist and wonders what to do next. Phillip now Commands the great Rac'tarajin. Does he really want to free Scorpius? Freeing Scorpius will only hurt John Crichton. He makes a vow to himself to protect Crichton and Chiana as long as he can. Until he is found out.

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

ChianaGray
1/11/01
Secrets
IC:

Chiana giggled as Crichton play wrestled with her, tickeling him back before bouncing away half cloathed from the bed.

"Hungry yet? We've been in here for arns!"

"Are you desert?" Crichton teased as he placed his hands on her hips and stood to her, dancing as he swayed hips with her. He kissed her neck, delighted in her taste and the way she sighed into his ear.

"I'm hungry," she cooed as she tilted her head and played with his chest. "Let's eat."

"I can get someone to bring it to us," he said as he kissed her forehead. "What shall we have, ah - caviar? No, yech! How 'bout a coupla steaks with some bonafied A1 sauce."

"What?" She creased her brows at him, narrowing her eyes as she smiled. "You and you're Earp food. I'll order it up this time."

"Great!" He hopped back into the bed, resting his hands behind his head as he watched her. "I'll have the cor'don bleu with a hint of garlic."

"Yeah right," she rolled her eyes with a smirk as she put on her robe. "I'll show you real food."