Stark wandered to Shelans cell, squatting to the ground as he stared inside at him with fascination. His lips parted as Shelan looked to him near tears.

"What is it now?" Shelan asked as he came to the door and sat, creasing his brows sharply as Stark held out his hand as if he might reach to touch him. He looked as if he were having some kind of inner struggle, his lips pursed into an "O" as he dared his fingertips on the cell doors wide, flat bars.

"I remember the chair," he stated as he looked Shelan over. "Spinny-spinny-spinny-spinny."

"Are you some kind of mad man?" Shelan asked as watched him.

"Maybe," Stark smiled as he waggled his hand at the side of his head for a moment. "Could be a mad man, I could be a Bannik PeaceKeeper on a covert operation to get you out and pick your brains for myself."

"Stark," Shelan swallowed, gazing into his eye as he adjusted himself. Warm tears fell down his cheeks though he could feel nothing beyond his own exhaustion. "What is Mokan going to do with me?"

"Give you another chance," Stark stated doubtfuly as he drew away slightly and clutched his hand to his chest. "You're a PeaceKeeper, what should you expect?"

Shelan began to cry deep sobbs that heaved in his chest, unmoving as Stark entered the cell and took him into his lap. He could feel more than see a warm gold glow comming from Stark. It was almost as if he were looking at the perfect image of a paradise.

"You can see it?"

"Yes," Shelan nodded, accepting Starks warm hold even though it felt awkward comming from another man. He no longer cared as he wraped his arms around Starks waist and cried like a child in his fathers arms.

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

Nhfearme
2/18/01
Lessons
IC:

John and Chiana step out of the fresher. John takes the large towel and wraps both of them in it. "God! I love you." He says and kisses her neck again.

"Stop that!" She says. "I'm starving. Besides, you know I need my berry juice."

"Yessss. Your berry juice. For the baaaybeee." He says as he wraps his arms around her from the back, embracing her stomach. He smiles and nuzzles her neck.

Chiana turns around and hugs him. "I love you John." She says near tears.

John places his forehead on hers and looks into her eyes. He embraces her and kisses her passionately. John can't help thinking this is the happiest day of his life.

When they finish the kiss Chiana sighs. "Now, lets go get something to eat."

"Alright honey." He smiles.

They dress and walk into the galley. Jake jumps and runs to them in the hatchway.

"Daddy! Mom!" Jake shouts joyously. "Are you finished mating yet?" he asks curiously.

"Well." John drawls. "At least for today." He leans over and picks Jake up. He tenderly kisses Jake's cheek. "I missed you son." He smiles gently and nuzzles his face.

"I missed you too dad. Setig and me have been running patrols. I've been usin' what you taught me dad!" He smiles.

"Don't worry Lord." Setig senses John's hesitance. "My attack craft is fitted with Peacekeeper stealth."

"Setig has something new on his too dad!" Jake says. "Setig can throw an image in space to throw them off."

"It is called a 'Stealth Beam', Officer Crichton." Setig snorts. "You must learn the proper names of your equipment if you are to give orders to your subordinates." He instructs.

Chiana tries to hide her chuckle by burying her face in the refrigeration unit getting her juice. John fights a serious snicker, hiding it behind his hand.

"So what does this Stealth Beam thing do Jake?" John asks when he can straighten his face. John reaches to get the food cubes on the shelf.

"Well." Jake begins. "You aim it out into space and it projects..." Jake looks to Setig to see if he got the term right. "...a beam that looks like the attack craft." He says. "The peacekeepers saw and attacked it while we got away!"

At this, John is seriously worried about the maneuver. He puts down the food cubes and picks Jake up again. He hugs him and nuzzles his neck. "I'm glad you got away." John says to him, giving Setig a bit of an ugly look.

"We were in no danger dad." Jake assures him. "We had the stealth systems on full anyway. They never even saw us!" He brags.

"Remind me to get mine fitted with that." John says to him softly.

"I will Comm the order to have the fitting done Crichton." Setig says.

Chiana sees how upset John is by what is going on. She sips her juice a bit then puts it on the table and walks to John and Jake. "It's alright John. You know he has to learn now if he is to defend himself."

"That doesn't make me feel any better Chiana." He says somewhat hurt by the suggestion. "But you're right. He has to learn if he is to stay free." He looks at Setig. "Thank you for taking Jake on patrol Setig." He sighs. "It just makes me a little nervous is all." He kisses Jake and puts him down.

John sits near Jake and holds his hand. John's eyes are fixed on him. He was lucky enough to be with Jake all those cycles. His last remnant of his life with Aeryn. He can see her in his brashness and his 'frontal assault' technique. He smiles that Jake has risen to the occasion, yet has sorrow that Jake has to grow up so quickly. His childhood must be spent on learning to survive in this violent universe.

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

Mokan struggles in D'Argo's arms. She grieves for her lost Krestan. D'Argo hits his Comms.

"Zhaan!" He says as he wrestles with Mokan. "Mokan is awake! She doesn't recognize me!"

Zhaan runs quickly to the maintenance bay to get a sedative for Mokan.

"Krestan!" Mokan cries, trying to get free of D'Argo.

Mokan hits D'Argo sharply in the side of the head. It catches him off guard. She gets away from him and stands, then falls to the floor, unable to walk. D'Argo has her blood on his hand. Her wound has broken open.

Zhaan enters and sees that Mokan has collapsed on the floor. Mokan is swinging at the air. "Let me go!"

Zhaan sees Mokan's blood. "D'Argo! Hold her!" she says.

D'Argo holds Mokan as Zhaan injects the sedative. Mokan begins to quiet. D'Argo picks her up from the floor.

"Please bring her to the maintenance bay. I need to look at her wound again." Zhaan tells him and walks up the corridor.

D'Argo follows Zhaan to the maintenance bay and places Mokan gently on the table.

Zhaan runs the scanner over her and looks at the results. "Her ribs are still secure. You did the right thing, D'Argo." She smiles, relieved. "But I am unsure about the bleeding. You say that it won't turn toxic?"

"Her bleeding is more like Crichton's." D'Argo assures her. "Actually, the bleeding can be a curative if it is gradual like this." D'Argo says hopefully. "It rinses the wound and brings healing elements to it."

"It's alright D'Argo. I will stay with her now." Zhaan tells him.

"I will remain Zhaan." He says, his eyes do not leave Mokan.

Zhaan pulls over a small packing crate. D'Argo sits on it next to Mokan, watching her.

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

Stark enters the maintenance bay. He walks to D'Argo. He seems nervous, he plays with his hands and looks to the floor.

D'Argo barely notices him as he holds vigil over Mokan's condition.

"D'Argo." Stark begins. "The Peacekeeper. What are your plans for him."

"He is Mokan's prisoner. I don't know why she brought him here." D'Argo answers. He still does not look at Stark.

Stark walks to the other side of the table from D'Argo. "So she may release him? After she wakes, that is."

"Perhaps." D'Argo answers. "I don't know."

"Good." Stark says. "That's good." He leaves the maintenance bay.

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

Setig leaves them to go to Comms. He opens Comms and gives the order to outfit Lord Crichton's prowler with stealth and the stealth beam. He closes Comms and walks to leave Command when he hears a beep. He opens Comms briefly.

"Mokan?" It is Geyo.

"I will get someone." Setig tells him and closes Comms. He walks to the galley. "Lady Chiana." He says. "A Communication from Geyo.

Chiana gets up from the table and walks briskly to Command. John follows her. Chiana opens Comms.

"What is it?" She asks.

"We are still waiting for the information. Mokan said she could get it." Geyo sounds upset.

Chiana looks at John. John watches her. "Information?"

"Yes, from the prisoner. We need it right away!" Geyo suddenly turns off his Comms.

"Wait!" Chiana says to the dead Comms.

She stands thinking. "What could he mean by that?" She looks at John. "Shelan." She suddenly realizes.

John's eyes go to the floor. He glances at her and sighs. He puts his hands on his hips and looks at the ceiling. "Mokan was wounded when she rescued Shelan." He watches her carefully.

"I have to go." Chiana says. "I have to find out the information for the resistance. I have to ask Mokan."

John takes her shoulders. "I will go with you."

Chiana takes his hand and looks into his eyes. "We have to leave now. Geyo sounded desperate."

"Bring a supply of berry juice if we have to stay."

Chiana looks at him, questioning. "You would stay with me on Moya?"

He sighs & swallows. He looks at her eyes. "Yes."

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

Scorpius opens Comms to Command. "Braca." He stands, gazing out of his portal. "Is your squad in position?"

"Yes sir." Braca says proudly. "Awaiting your orders sir."

"The captured craft. Has it been repaired?"

Braca is startled. He checks the logs. "Yes sir the craft has been repaired."

Scorpius looks out of the port and sighs. "Have it refueled and join your squad. And let me know when the Craft is in position Lt." He nearly growls as he gives the order.

"Yes sir." Braca answers.
Scorpius closes Comms and paces. "It is just a matter of time John. My patience will win this battle."

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

John pilots Setig's attack craft. Setig sits in the copilot chair. Chiana flies Mokan's stealth prowler with Jake in the copilot seat. Both ships have their stealth on full.
When they land Stark and Zhaan great them. Chiana goes directly to the maintenance bay to see Mokan. Zhaan follows her.

John helps Jake out of the attack craft. Jake jumps out of his arms and runs to Stark. "Where is your daughter?"

"She's in quarters." Stark answers him.

"May I play with her?" Jake asks.

"Of course." Stark answers.

Jake smiles and runs down the passageway to see her. He hasn't gone far when Amber meets him. "Hi!" Jake says when he sees her.

"I could feel you coming. Come, I have a game to show you!" She says smiling and takes Jake's hand, leading him, they run down the passageway.

Chiana enters the maintenance bay she takes Mokan's hand. "Mokan." She looks up at Zhaan. "What's wrong with her?"

"I had to sedate her. She attacked Stark. She needs her rest."

"I have to ask her a question, for the resistance."

"D'Argo." Zhaan indicates to him for help and gives Mokan a stim shot.

Mokan wakes with a start. "Chiana." She grabs Chiana's arm in fear. "Did Zareth follow us?"

"No Mokan. It has been three cycles since you escaped from him. I need to ask you about Captain Shelan." She glances at John as he enters. "What information did you need from him? Geyo"

"No, I don't know. Shelan?" Mokan says confused.

"Please, I need you to remember. What information did you promise to Geyo?"

"Don't let Zareth find me Chiana! He will kill us!" Mokan grips Chiana's hand tightly.

Chiana winces with pain from Mokan's tight grip. D'Argo reaches across the table and brushes the back of Mokan's hand.

Mokan looks at him and releases Chiana.
"Krestan!" Mokan gasps. "Zareth told me you were dead! My mother, the others in our village are they also alive?"

Chiana looks at Zhaan then to John. "She doesn't remember. I have to meet with Geyo."

John shifts nervously then walks to her. "Please, the baby. Is there some other way?"

"Comms may be monitored." Chiana says hesitantly. "Geyo may tell me. I can only try."

"If he demands a meeting, I'll go." John says.

Chiana looks at him startled. She understands she is responsible for their child now. With Mokan in this condition, she has little choice. She looks at John and shakes her head. "Alright John, if he demands a meeting." She says hesitantly.

Chiana and John go to Command. Chiana opens Comms. "Geyo. What information? She can't tell me." She waits what seems forever. She closes Comms out of fear they will be traced.

"We are receiving a communication for you Chiana." Pilot appears on the clamshell.

"Put it on Pilot." Chiana says.

Suddenly they see a very nervous Geyo on the clamshell. "I can't tell you that!" He says, nearly frantic. "Meet me!"

"I am sending a second." Chiana answers.

John steps forward to be seen by Geyo.

Geyo shakes his head. "Alright. Usual place, usual time." He says and closes Comms.

Chiana looks to John and takes his hand. "Thank you for doing this. We have until morning." She says near tears.

John goes to his old quarters and sits. Chiana brings them food, berry juice and some Ramna nectar.

"I'm sorry, John no fresh bread. Only food cubes." She tells him putting down the tray.

John looks up at her briefly. "Thank you." He says, staring at his hands.

Chiana eats, offering food to John. He nibbles briefly at what is offered. He downs the Ramna nectar and smiles at her. She removes the tray to the side table and lies down next to him.

After some time she begins to pull of his clothes. He doesn't fight her, yet he seems sullen, occasionally smiling at her. As she unfastens his pants he reaches and pulls her face to him kissing her. He smiles thoughtfully at her and lets her continue to remove his pants.

John watches Chiana as she takes off her clothes. He turns on his side and rests his head against his palm. He smiles and waits for her to come to him.

Chiana climbs over him and kisses him again. John pulls her close and hugs her tightly. He sighs with the kiss and studies her, like this is the first time he has seen her. He smiles at her and blinks his eyes.

As they make love he moves slowly, almost teasing her, taking control of her in every way. He finds a place in his mind where she is always and holds it. Who she is, their love and life together.

Chiana is panting at his teasingly slow movements. His soft touches on her skin. Her breathing is fast. Her heart beats, pounding in her head with desire that he would ravage her. Her desire is so great; she tries to take control.

John pushes her on her back and holds her arms. He pins her with his eyes, then shuts them feeling each movement with relish. He sighs then groans and gives her what she wants. He throws himself into her.

Chiana gasps as she is completed in his love. With each stroke his pulse ripples and burns through her. She screams with release to his intensity, his throbbing, his groans. John collapses on her. They breathe one into another in this bliss. John laces his fingers with hers and closes his eyes, sighing.

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

Harvey leads him down an unfamiliar corridor. He opens a room with a hundred cots. They are full of people. They are wrapped in white sheets. Only their faces show. It as though they are wrapped for burial. Harvey walks him to one particular cot and shows him the face.

John walks close and looks. He stares into the face of death. It is Aeryn!

"Aeryn." He gasps. His heart pounds. His breath quickens. He touches her face and embraces her. He kisses her and cries. John screams, "AAAaaa!" and falls to his knees. "No! No! Aeryn!" He sobs.

John wakes with a start. He is drenched in sweat. Chiana sleeps peacefully beside him. He looks at her and swallows. He gets up and pulls on his pants. He looks outside. An evil cloud pulls its web over a full moon. A chill goes through him as he sees it. He is suddenly deathly afraid.

"Setig." He calls outside Setig's quarters. "Call Pagar."

"Yes, Crichton. At once!" Setig bows to him then walks.

John follows him to a communications room nearby.

"Pagar!" Setig's voice commands a response. There is none.

John reaches and flicks a switch. "Anyone on Pagar's vessel. Respond! This is John Crichton." John waits. He looks at Setig.

"I have a very bad feeling Setig." John bites his lip. "Find out from planetary forces, Peacekeeper movements."

Setig turns the dial and presses the switch. "Planetary Command. This is Setig. I wish to inquire an update of Peacekeeper movements. How near are they to the house?"

Command reports. "Setig, Pagar has not responded to our hales. His last check in is overdue."

John looks at Setig. "Get everybody out, Setig. Evacuate. Go!" John watches Setig disappear through the doorway then speaks to Comms. "This is John Crichton. I have reason to believe that the Peacekeepers are moving toward Setig's estate."

John does not wait for confirmation. He runs to get his sword. He wakes Chiana.

"What is it John?" Chiana says sleepily.

"Pagar's not answering his hails. Nothing really, just a feeling."

Chiana jumps out of bed, throwing on her clothes. John puts on his shirt. Chiana looks at his sword.

"What's happening John?" She asks.

"I don't know. But we have to get out of here!" He grabs her hand and they run together into the entryway.

John stops Setig. "Is everybody out?" John looks at the servants running out of the building.

"Yes, Crichton." Setig says.

"Good. Go back and call Planetary Command again. Find out why they haven't sent their ships yet." John tells him. "Then clear out!"

"Yes, Crichton." Setig turns toward communications.

John runs to the Prowler. Chiana is waiting. He powers up and lifts off. As he does, he sees a single Scarran attack craft, coming in for a landing. John circles and waits. He watches. Scorpius emerges.

"God." John whispers under his breath. "Scorpius." He hits the Comms. "All Scarran forces. If you want to recapture Scorpius, now's your chance!"

John opens fire with his pulse cannon. With the shield down on the craft, it blows up after only 5 pulse blasts. There is a huge explosion. Flames shoot high into the sky.

Setig comes out of the house and confronts Scorpius. John can see Setig fall. John begins to take the Prowler down.

"No John! You can't help him." She puts her hand on his shoulder. "Please don't."

John looks down at Setig and swallows. He climbs higher just as Scorpius opens fire with a Pulse rifle. John throws up his shields and climbs into space.

John puts his Comms on the Scarran Planetary Command channel and Comms them again. "This is John Crichton. Scorpius' is at Setig's estate. I have destroyed his craft. Setig has been attacked! Why haven't you scrambled your attack?" John says angrily. "Why did he come here?" John thinks. "Why didn't he go straight to the Peacekeepers for a squad."

"Surprise?" Chiana suggests.

John wakes with a start; he is drenched in sweat. His breathing is rapid; his heart is in his throat. He reaches for Chiana. She is gone. He hears the sound of the fresher. They are still on Moya.

Chiana emerges from the fresher wrapped in a towel. She crosses to him. "Are you alright?" she says concerned. "Maybe I should go." She sits by him.

"No!" John takes her hand. "I mean, no, I won't put you or our baby at risk." He sits up and wipes his brow. "It was just a bad dream. That's all Chiana, I have them all the time." He swallows, avoiding her eyes. "When is the meeting?" He glances at her eyes.

"In an arn." She says looking at their hands.
John and Chiana eat quietly with the others. A bright conversation is going on between D'Argo, Zhaan, stark and Jothie.

Neither John nor Chiana hears them. It is as though they are saying goodbye. The odd night they had spent together holding eachother as though it would be the last time, John's nightmare and the continued oppressive feeling as though something was terribly wrong.

John walks to the docking bay. Chiana holds his hand tightly. John stands by the attack craft and turns. They embrace. John kisses her passionately. A sudden fear shoots through him.

John looks into her eyes. "Chiana." He caresses her hair from her face. "Promise me. If I'm captured, you won't put yourself at risk for me."

She gasps and opens her mouth in protest. His finger goes to her lips.

"Promise me." He says sternly. There is bitterness in his voice as he begs her. Something in his heart knows the risk he is taking.

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

John glides Setig's attack craft into the docking bay. He walks to the Ras'lak bar and enters. There is a dust in the air. A dark feeling, so many pirates and criminals gather here. John looks up and sees a very nervous Geyo. He shifts in his seat. He glances to the side. John looks where Geyo's eyes move. Peacekeepers!

John runs out the front door back to the spaceport. He feels his heart will burst. His lungs burn as he enters the attack craft and powers up. The stealth is still on. The peacekeepers run up behind him and fire. The blasts light up the shield. He hits the launch sequencer and blast out of there leaving them in the dust.

Quickly a squad is on his tail. He pulls a radical starboard turn. The squad passes him. He aims his craft back towards Moya. Back into space. There is nothing ahead of him but clear space. Moya waits.

John Comms Chiana. "It was a trap! They have Geyo."
Suddenly he hits something. The attack craft loses power. The feeling is familiar. He looks out of the canopy and can see no stars. "Oh no." He gasps. "The flax!"

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

"Good work Braca!" Scorpius says, holding his finger against his head Comms, more than pleased with Crichton's capture. "Now bring his craft to the Command Carrier and prepare for immediate departure. They rescued him too easily last time."

"Yes Scorpius. As you say." Braca says and closes Comms.

The prowler patrol tractor in the powerless attack craft and bring it into the Command Carrier's landing bay. The patrol pilots disembark their prowlers and stand at attention.

John climbs out of Setig's attack craft and stands by it. The squad that has made the arrest stands by, pulse pistols drawn and aimed at him.

Scorpius strolls in. A detachment of guards marches double time, entering behind him.

Crichton looks at the prowler pilots, the detachment of guards, Scorpius. "I guess I'm in trouble."

"Yes, Crichton, you are." Scorpius answers and motions to the guards with his chin.

Four guards run up to Crichton, grab him and forcibly wrestle him to the deck. They hold him fast and chain him. The guards pick him up. His ankles hobbled, he cannot cover their strides. Two guards hold him tightly by the arms as they walk, dragging him the long distance through the ship, down the dark corridors and stair scaffolding to the detention area. They thrust Crichton roughly onto the cell deck.

Crichton falls, he groans. "Uh." and picks himself up. His chains rattle as he gets up.

The guards stand, weapons drawn and leveled at John as Scorpius enters.

"We have much to discuss Crichton. Your absence, the stolen prowler. Your continuation of the project." Scorpius eyes study John.

"You have no hold over me anymore Scorpius!" John laughs. "Jake is free of you!" He growls in the back of his throat and spits at Scorpius.

Scorpius steps aside allowing the spit to miss him. "Really?" He paces toward John and looks askance at the guards.

Two guards move forward and grab John by the arms, holding him. A third walks behind him and hits the back of his knees with the pulse rifle butt. John's knees buckle. The guard digs his pulse rifle into the back of John's neck. He is subdued.

"How do you know I have not captured Jake?" Scorpius asks, looking nonchalantly at his fingertips.

"You'd have him here!" John answers. "But you don't. Do you?" John says with confidence. He grins knowing Scorpius has played his last card.

"You are taking quite a risk, testing me like this John." Scorpius paces toward the door.

The guards release him. The guard standing behind John strikes him in the head with the rifle butt.

"Stop!" Scorpius raises his hand to stay the guard's violence. "He is my honored guest. He will replace our missing craft. Besides other projects I have in mind."

"You're dreamin' Scorpy." John says. "It ain't gonna' happen."

"We will see John." Scorpius answers and walks out of the cell leaving him.

The guards follow Scorpius out. As they leave him one of the guards turns to John and says.

"Rest up 'Lord' Crichton. We'll be back to get you for your spin in the chair. I'm sure you and Scorpius can renew your friendship then." The guard gives Crichton a wicked grin and closes the massive cell door with a groan.

John spends the night on the cold cell's deck thinking of Chiana and her promise.