"All officers report!" Phillip nearly screams into his personal Comms. "Emergency scramble!" He stands in the center of the Prowler Bay.

The officers pour in and into their prowlers. Squad after squad is suddenly airborne. Thundering into space, they search for their attackers.

Phillip climbs aboard his prowler and hits Comms. "Squad leaders! We are searching for a trades ship!" Phillip powers up the prowler and hits the launch sequencer. "It may have stealth capabilities! Rely on visual and light acuity scans!" He joins the search in space. "Show no mercy when you discover it! It has destroyed base command!"

Phillip changes frequencies. "Mokan! We are on you! You will die is this insanity of yours!"

"Insanity?" Mokan says incredulously. "You nearly killed Chiana! Again!" Mokan yells. "I take back what I said about not liking you Captain." She takes a deep breath. "I hate you!" she screams, and closes Comms.

Mokan stands and walks from the Command helm. She stands and pulls her Qualta. She begins swinging the great black blade, screaming. "AaaaaYooo!" She screamed swinging her blade with ferocity at an unseen enemy. "AaaaYoooDaiii!"

D'Argo sits at command, continuing to pilot the trades ship away from the planet. He turns and watches her.

Chiana and Crichton embrace in their marriage bed. Setig suddenly enters and falls to one knee, lowering his eyes. "Forgive the intrusion Lord! Mokan the trader has attacked the Peacekeeper base!" he says hastily.

John reaches and grabs his robe. "Chiana?" He hands her her robe and slips on his.

"They may attack here! I suggest that you and the Lady Chiana evacuate!"

"Yes, Setig I heard you." John says. "Get your people out."

John and Chiana grab some clothes, shoes and weapons and run to the prowler. As John powers up the prowler, he turns to Chiana. "Well you wanted to visit Moya?" John hits the launch sequencer. "NOW's our chance."

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

ChianaGray
1/27/01
Mokan's Attack
IC:

D'argo snareld, clenching his teeth as a prowler exploded on screen, several of its debri impaciting on the trades ship.

"You've been found, Mokan."

"Hardly." She narrowed her eyes as she veered her ship around the explosion and dove the atmosphere, skipping across it like a stone. She made her ratteling like growl, shaking her chin from side to side with a fierce glare in her eyes as she dipped down into the jet stream of four prowlers and opend fire, blasting them away. "They're going to need allot more than they got to pinpoint my location."

"What do you think you're doing?" He asked gently. "You're one frelling trade ship with one frag cannon against an armada."

"So take my prowler or get on the co-helm," she cut her eyes at him with rage. "It's more than a trades ship D'argo. I'm a frelling fighter, so fight! I'll rip Shelans heart out if he does not see me for the friend I was the frelling bastard! I'll show him what a bug is the bloodsucker!"

"You aren't fighting with a clear head," D'argo warned with an intense glare. "I suggest you back up, think this through."

"Frell your thinking!" She barked at him with a sharp jerk of her head that sent her dark tendons of gold hair flying around her head. She glared back over her screen as she jacknifed her ship around and dove up into space again. "And frell the PeaceKeepers! I'm sick of being frelled with! I want one thing D'argo, a god-damn BREAK!"

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

Nhfearme
1/27/01
Mokan's Attack
IC:

John climbs the prowler into space. He brings up the display. "That." He says to Chiana. "Is what we want to avoid." He says.

The display shows several prowlers swarming around a void.

"That's Mokan's trades ship!" Chiana says excitedly. "They found her!"

"Don't get any funny ideas honey." John tells her. "Let's get you to Moya first."

Chiana sighs. Her lips part. She knows that John is right. She cannot risk her life, their baby's life. "OK. You're right John." She says hesitantly.

John lands the prowler in Moya's landing bay and changes his clothes. The inner bay doors open. Zhaan and Stark greet them.

Zhaan embraces Chiana. "I'm so glad to see you well dear." She walks to John.

John has on his pants. He is putting on his boots. Zhaan walks up to him.

"So good to see you again John." She says with a light in her eyes.

"Zhaan." John says, near tears. "It's been a long long time, blue." He embraces her.

Zhaan places her head on his, touching him. Briefly, they join. John tingles and gasps. Then she separates and steps back to Stark.

"All of that?" John smiles, surprised. He pulls on his T-shirt and starts to climb back on board the prowler.

Chiana has a sudden feeling. She stops him. "John! Wait." She says and holds him. She kisses him longingly and embraces him. She sighs. "Be careful out there." She says, living in his eyes.

"I always am! You know that!" He gives her a peck on the cheek. "I love you Hon. Enjoy your visit. I'll be right back."

Chiana retreats behind the closing inner bay doors. She blows John a kiss as she stands crying. Zhaan holds her. John powers up the prowler and hits the launch sequencer. He blasts out of Moya's bay to defend Mokan.

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

As John clears Moya he hits Comms. "Pagar! Did Setig fill you in?" He asks.

"Yes, Lord Crichton! I am at your service. What are your coordinates?" Pagar asks.

"I'm sending them to you now." John hits a switch.

"That position will take us approximately 1500 Microts to reach you. Please wait for our arrival Lord before you engage." Pagar warns.

"Can't do that Pagar. What is your vector? I'll lead them to you." John suggests.

"That information is coming to you now, Lord. In honor we battle! Death to the Peacekeepers!" Pagar salutes.

"Yeah." Says John as he thunders toward the fray.

As John approaches the battle he changes frequencies and hits Comms. "Captain Phillip Shelan!" He shouts.

It isn't long and, "Lord Crichton!" Comes an acid tone. "What do you want?" Shelan sneers.

"I want to give you an opportunity to capture me." John taunts. "In about 10 Microts I will be flying by you. Try and catch me!" He closes Comms.

John opens fire at the attacking prowlers and continues firing as he passes. Two squads immediately follow, then another, then another. Only a few ships remain to attack Mokan's trade ship. John twists and maneuvers avoiding pulse cannon fire as he leads the Peacekeepers toward the approaching Scarran attack force.

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

ChianaGray
1/28/01
Mokan's Attack
IC:

"What?" Geyo blinked over the helm, glancing at the Nebari beside him as he leaned closer to the comm on it. "You aren't kidding are you."

A deep growl came across the comm. Geyo clutched his clawed fist to his chest, his gecko like head tilting slightly in bird like fashion.

"What is it?" Malek creased his brows in curiosity as he drew closer.

"Mokan is suggesting we do it now."

"Now," he smiled as he placed a chip into a small slot on the board and raised an eyebrow. "Is not a bad idea."

"Deploy?"

"Yes," Malek nodded. "By the time they should return from Mokans attack we'll have seven thousand slaves transporting to our secured posts. That should gain Shelans attention on what he's dealing with."

"And if it doesn't?"

Malek sighed lightly as he looked into the lizard-mans emerald green eyes. "Then we call the full evacuation and re-locate Chiana."

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

"Yo, Jamaicaaaa!" Crichton called as he flicked a switch above him. "Jamaica me crazy babe. Got a plan?"

"Crichton," Mokan stated quietly over his comm. "There is a warrior in you."

"Well, not exactly the Dallas Cowboys but, I think I can shake it. I got PK gaining on my tail. You playing fox?"

"Fos?" Mokan creased her brows as she flicked a tendon from her shoulder. "I don't play fos."

"Not even football?" He chuckled. "C'mon Mokan it's got to be the superbowl right about now! Come do something about these prowlers up my ass!"

"Not a problem," She shook her head as she veered her ship and cut low to the planet surface.

"They're almost above us," D'argo stated.

"Dajo'kha!" Mokan shouted as she brought her ships nose up and began to fire.

The Scarren forces charged in at the same time, for long moments, the sky filled with flames and smoke, turnning red as the battle collided and began to scatter into clustered chases.

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

Nhfearme
1/28/01
Mokan's Attack
IC:

"Stay clear Crichton!" Mokan warns. "Your Prowler will get you killed!"

"I'm trying! They're not breaking off!" John pulls toward the planet's atmosphere in an effort to scrape them off. "Maybe they don't know this maneuver." He says under his breath.

John punches into the atmosphere. The skin of the prowler heats up. The prowlers behind him begin to break off their attack, diving back into space. "If ya' can't stand the heat." He says.

Suddenly he is being fired upon. "You won't lose me that easily." It is Shelan.

"I didn't think I could." John remarks, diving deeper into the atmosphere.

John waits until Shelan is above him and fires retro thrusters. His prowler slows suddenly. Shelan is now ahead of him. John fires rapidly, disabling Captain Shelan's prowler.

Smoke pours out the port thruster. Smoke fills the cabin. Phillip hits 'eject'. He rockets out of the cockpit, dropping like a stone toward the planet's surface. John tracks him, circling.

Shelan's prowler crashes in a fiery ball. The smoke curls up as a twisting snake.

The evac chair thrusters fire and the chair lands, bumping as it lands. John lands nearby. Shelan unbuckles from the evac chair and pulls his pistol. Using the evac chair as cover, he begins firing at the landing prowler. John fires a few quick pulse blasts at Shelan. Shelan falls. He appears dead.

John disembarks and pulls his pulse pistol. He approaches cautiously. Phillip lies stunned. He raises his pulse pistol. John kicks it out of his hand. Phillip tries to get up. John throws his right and catches Phillip on the chin. Phillip falls with a groan.

John lifts him into the prowler and cuffs him to the copilot seat then straps him in. He hits the Comms. "Tell your ships to stand down." John tells him. Shelan is still out. John slaps him, then again harder, then a third time nearly hitting his head on the bulkhead. "Wake up and tell them Shelan!" He yells.

Shelan opens his eyes. He gasps. He is dizzy. He breathes.

"Tell them now." John says threatening.

"No Crichton. They must neutralize the threat."

"You mean kill Mokan."

"Yes."

John pulls his pulse pistol and puts it to Phillip's throat. He presses it, nearly cutting off his air. Phillip chokes.

"Tell them to break off the attack." John tells him gravely.

Phillip knows he will die in this cockpit if he doesn't do it. He cannot breathe; he begins to loose consciousness. John backs off the pulse pistol. Phillip coughs.

"Yes." Phillips says, almost unable to speak. "Officers." He says. "Break off the attack." He gasps. "Break off and return to base."

John looks at tactical. He switches to long range scan. The battle is still raging.

"I don't think they heard you, Captain." John says staring at his eyes. "Tell them again." John reasserts the pistol, this time at his face.

Phillip doesn't think for a microt that he will survive this. Murdered by Crichton now, or tortured to death by Setig, he will die. He remains mute.

"I said." John lifts the pistol and strikes Phillip in the face.

"Ugh." Phillip groans. He begins to bleed over his eye.

"Tell them again!" John yells.

"They know their duty." Phillip says unflinching. "I don't think they'll listen."

"All Peacekeeper craft!" John yells. "This is John Crichton. Break off your attack. I have Captain Shelan and I am prepared to kill him if you do not disengage!" He orders.

John watches the long range scan. The Prowlers begin to disband and retreat.

"They made right choice." John raises his pistol and hits Phillip across the face, knocking him out.

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

John hits the Comms. "Setig. Meet me." He says and closes Comms.

John lands behind the mansion and carries Captain Shelan to the dungeon. He throws Phillip into a cell, slamming the cell bars with a loud clunk. Setig stands beside him.

"When he wakes we need codes." John's hand goes to his mouth. "I need to know his plans for us. What other spies, poisons, schemes he has in store." He swallows, fighting his tears.

"Yes, Lord. It will be my pleasure to do this task." Setig hisses.

"What I really want." John says pacing. "Is to beat him within an inch of his life! And give him a spin in the Aurora Chair!" He yells, pointing through the bars at Phillip. "He could use a couple a' hours in the Goddamned chair!"

"Hmmm." Setig ponders. "Lord, it is possible we may have captured one of their Aurora Chairs in one of our raids. If it is your wish, Pagar may acquire it for your pleasure." He snarls.

"Yes! Yes! That would be fantastic!" John says excitedly. He rubs his hands together and smacks his lips.

Suddenly his countenance turns grave. "I want to see this bastard! Take a turn in the chair." He says darkly. "Let me know the microt you have it set up Setig." He says as he climbs the dark staircase back to the prowler.

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

John flies, gliding over the surface of the planet away from the Planetary base, away from the estate he flies slowly to a grove of gold and red trees.

A large house stands in the grove. John guides the prowler carefully and lands on the front lawn. As the prowler powers down Jake comes running out.

"Daddy!" He squeals, climbing up the side of the prowler and hugging John tightly around the neck. "I missed you and Mommy so much!"

"I'm glad to see you too Jake." John says with tears in his eyes. He turns his head and kisses Jake. He pulls him into the prowler and hugs him tightly. "Do they know your goin'?" John asks him.

Jake shakes his head 'no'.

"Ok, we better tell 'em. Hop out." John tells him.

"Ok, Dad." Jake says and gets out, climbing carefully down the side of the prowler.

"Master!" A Turker (a creature like Topik) comes running out.

"John, my name is John, Rather." John says.

The servant lowers his head. "Yes, John. We have prepared a meal in celebration of you winning the battle!" Rather continues. "I wonder, John. In honorable combat against Captain Shelan, where is his estate? How many slaves does he own?"

"It's not like that Rather. He eats, sleeps the Peacekeepers."

The servant gasps and throws his hand over his mouth in terror.

"Not like that Rather! I mean the Peacekeepers live for the job. They don't have an estate." John corrects himself.

"John." Rather says. "Tacker has Commed the Lady Chiana to tell her of your arrival. She waits anxiously for your return."

"Thank you Rather." John says, picking up Jake. "We'll have a bite to eat, then go."

"Yes, mas, I mean, John. This way! It is all prepared!" Rather leads the way to the dining hall.

John and Jake sit and eat. There are small baked and basted animals, candied fruit from the trees, sliced root and a type of milk that comes from a large local animal somewhat like a kangaroo.

"This is really good Rather! What do you call these baked things again?" John asks him.

Aslaws, John." Rather tells him. "More valla? Young master?"

"Yes, Rather." Jake says. "I like the Kangaroo milk!" Jake watches Rather pour the milk. "And my name is Jake!" He picks up the milk and takes a long drink of it. It leaves a milk mustache on his upper lip.

John laughs at him.

"Kanga milk, Jake?" Rather says.

"Don't worry about it Rather. That's just my name for them." John says. "Would you pack up the rest of this for the Misses, please? We have to get goin' now."

"Yes, John." Rather says lowering his head.

Please Rather, you don't have to bow. Your service is impeccable, I appreciate it. Thank you."

"Yes, Master!" Rather says smiling. "You're welcome!"

John points in the air at the word master.

"I mean John." Rather corrects himself.

"Thank you Rather." John says to him. "Come on Jake! Let's go wash up!" He says and pulls out Jake's chair.

Jake jumps off his chair and runs ahead of John holding his hands in the air. "OK Daddy!"

John and Jake walk, leaving the house. Rather hands him some packages.

"The meal, John." Rather smiles.

"Thanks again Rather." John smiles and takes the packages.

Jake climbs into the prowler and John climbs in behind him. They strap in and John powers up the prowler, then hits the launch sequencer.

"It's lucky you won this estate from that Scarian Dad." Jake says.

"Yes, Jake. Lucky." John says punching out of the atmosphere toward Moya.

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

Many hours he sat in the center chamber with her. Many lonely hours she came to relieve him at Command. It is finally too much for him. He sits against the bulkhead and cries bitter tears for her.

Chiana wakes. John is gone. She gets up and puts on her marriage robe. She walks the corridors looking for him. So many tiers, so many rooms she goes to Command and calls to Pilot. "Pilot. Have the DRDs seen John?" She says, concerned.

Pilot appears on the clamshell. "Yes, Chiana. He is on tier 7, south Hammond side.

"Thank you Pilot." She says.

"Moya has asked me to tell you, she is glad you have returned. She asks if you intend to remain with us? I extend the same greeting and would like to welcome you if you decide to remain with us." Pilot tells her.

"Thank you pilot. Please tell Moya, I am glad to be here too. I don't know, though if we will be staying." She answers.

She walks quickly to tier 7 and turns up the Hammond side corridor. Soon she sees John sitting on the deck against the bulkhead, across from one of the cells, crying. She looks at him, then at the cell.

"This was Crais' old cell." She remarks.

John sighs and wipes his face. He sniffs and clears his throat. "Really?" he says through his tears. "I didn't realize."

"Yeah." Chiana feels awkward. "It is. Say, what are you doin' down here, by yourself?"

"I was just sitting here thinking, remembering." John says hiding his face in his knees.

Chiana kneels by him and places her hand on his shoulder. "Is it something you want to talk about?" She says hesitantly stoking his hair. She watches him.

"I shouldn't have come back here." John looks up at the walls, the bars. "There are too many memories here. I can't escape them." He sighs and rests his head in his hands.

"We have good memories of here too." Chiana says. "Of us and Zhaan, Rygel."

"Sorry, Chi. I just can't seem to remember any of those." He sighs and begins to cry again.

"Come on John." Chiana tugs on his arm. "Let's go see pilot. That'll cheer you up." She says trying to act cheerful. In truth, she is near tears herself.

John reaches with his arm around her. He still hides his face in his other hand. He shakes his head affirmatively and starts to get up.

He walks with his face in his hand. Chiana embraces him as she guides him through the corridors toward Pilot's den.

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

On Moya the children have eaten and run through the corridors, playing and chasing the DRD's.

John Crichton sits in the center chamber. D'Argo, Mokan, Jothie, Chiana, Zhaan and Stark all sit with him, eating, talking.

John's thoughts are not on the conversation. His mind is flooded with memories of Aeryn and their life together. It began here. They met and fell in love here. It is also where he made the decision to leave her. When she followed him, it was the happiest day of his life. Now he sits in this empty ship. It feels empty without her. He swallows and sighs, unable to eat.

"Great battle!" Mokan slaps John's back in revelry. "Your heroism saved many Scarran lives today!" She continues. "I am surprised that Pagar didn't plan a banquet in your honor! ' Lord' Crichton." Mokan raises her glass in his honor and drinks heartily from it.

John is near tears. He looks at Chiana. "Chiana was worried about you." He says.

"Me? No need!" Mokan boasts. "My ship has stealth capabilities. They never touched me!"

"Good." John says. His eyes go to into soft focus at the items on the table.

Chiana reaches over the corner of the table to him and touches his hand. "John." She looks at his eyes waiting for a response. "John." She says, wishing she could help him.

"It has been so long!" D'Argo says joyously. "Tell us of your exploits John."

John looks up at him and suddenly gets up. "I'm sorry D'Argo. I can't right now." He walks out of the room, holding his head.

Chiana follows him.

"What did I say?" D'Argo is confused.

"Nothing." Zhaan reaches and touches his hand. "He is remembering."

"John." Chiana catches up to him. "Please, John talk to me."

"I can't stay here, I'm going back to the planet." John tells her. "Give my apologies to them."

"Don't go." Chiana pleads. "I need you here."

"I just can't, not right now. Maybe not ever." He says pulling away from her.

Chiana stops and stands very still. She begins to cry.

John suddenly realizes that he has hurt her. He stops walking and turns to her. "I'm sorry." John walks back to her. He holds her and kisses her hair. "I'm sorry, Hon. I just can't be here right now." He takes her hands and looks, trying to see her eyes. "Please understand."

Chiana gives a little nod and tries to smile.

"Just have them visit us at the house in the grove. The Peacekeepers don't know about it yet. They can stay with us a while." He tries to see into her face again. "Ok?"

"Yes, John." She says wiping a tear. "I'll bring them." She looks up at him and hugs him again.

"Good." He rocks her and turns his head to give her a kiss.

Chiana kisses him back. Her heart is breaking that he is leaving. Her plan for a happy homecoming turns to ashes. She surrenders to his wishes. For him to remain would continue to tear him apart.

Chiana kisses him gently, hoping that her love translates through the kiss. Her sorrow at his remembrances of Aeryn feels a heavy weight that she must now escape.

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

DeSaintPhalle
1/30/01
Return to Moya
IC:

Chiana whispers in a tiny voice, unheard by him. "Just remember...I'm in love
with you."

As John disappears from her view, Chiana remains rooted in place where he left her
barely standing. Her heart breaks not only for him, but for the delicacy of their union.
This homecoming sadly becoming a reminder that their love would not exist if not
for the tragedy of Aeryn's premature death. She turns to walk in the opposite
direction, choosing not to rejoin their friends in the galley.

Zhaan clutches Stark's arm, her face twisted in concentration.

"What is it Zhaan?"

Her eyes search Moya's walls, seeing beyond their physical constraints. "Is it
possible?"

Stark has not seen her in this state for some time. "Tell me Zhaan, what is it?"

"It's Aeryn...I feel her life force." She smiles with abundant joy. "Stark, Aeryn is alive!"

D'argo abruptly stands, shoving his food away. "But how can that be? Both John
and Chiana insist she died."

Mokan slips out of the room unnoticed as the discussion develops. Searching for
Chiana, she follows her unique Nebari scent until it becomes centralized near
a lower tier.

She knows her friend's moods, and this one was dark and blue. "Alright, what
has the human done now?"

Chiana sniffs away her tears and laughs. "Moke. Ahhhh...it's not his fault. I
don't own him. He doesn't belong to me. Never has."

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

Nhfearme
1/30/01
Return to Moya
IC:

"Why do you stay with him then?" Mokan says tartly, only realizing after she says it. "Sorry. I didn't mean"

"Yes, you did." Chiana snaps at her. Her tears are set, but anger rises from her heart. "I'm tired of fighting her ghost!"

Chiana turns and runs to quarters. She reaches for the medallion and quickly pours some of the fluid on it. She runs to the landing bay, letting her robe fly open as she runs trying to catch him. John has just boarded his prowler. Chiana climbs the side, holding the medallion.

She yells at him. "Are you my husband or not?" Her heart is trembling. Her hand tightens around the medallion.

"It's not that Chiana. You know I love you. It's this place." John says. "Please, let me go."

"No!" Chiana swallows. "I want to make new memories of us here! Please! Stay with me."

"I'm sorry. I'm just not ready."

"You were ready when you gave me your ring!" She says and puts her hand into the cabin, holding the medallion.

John sees the ring and smells the potent mixture of pheromones on the medallion. He fights it. His heart begins to beat wildly. His palms start to sweat. He looks at her with a gasp.

"Please, don't make me Chiana. I, I can't stay here. Really." He sighs, now fighting between his memories of Aeryn and his love for Chiana.

"Fine!" Chiana says. "I'm coming with you then!" She says and climbs into the copilot seat. She belts in and waits.

"Thank you." John sighs. He powers up the prowler and hits the launch sequencer. John rockets his prowler out of Moya toward the planet.

Mokan returns to the others in the center chamber. "They've gone."

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

John hits Comms. "Pilot, thanks for trying to cheer me up. Please tell MoyaPlease tell her that I'm sorry I couldn't stay this time."

"I think she knows John." Pilot says softly.

"Mokan already has the coordinates. Please tell them they are welcome." John sighs.

"I will tell them. And it was good to see you again." Pilot answers. He looks around at his den and sighs. "I hope that you can come back to us soon." He says.

"Yes." John answers. "Me too."

Chiana is suddenly ashamed of what she is trying to do. She waits until they land at the house in the grove. She hurries to the facility and places the medallion in her trust box. Then she washes her hands thoroughly.

Chiana emerges from the facility to see John. He lies quietly on top of the covers with his clothes on. She sighs and lies next to him. She rests her head on his chest. She fondles his T-shirt with her hand.

"I hope you don't mind if I just hold you for a while." John says to her, kissing her hair.

"No, John." Chiana nuzzles her face into his chest, trying to hide her tears. She knows that something has changed between them. "This is fine."

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

DeSaintPhalle
1/30/01
Return to Moya
IC:

After awhile John eases from underneath Chiana. "Hon, we need to talk." He searches her eyes, with his red stressed ones.

Sniffing, she adjusts her position until she is facing away from him. "John, I know we rushed into this marriage." She rushes to explain away her actions.

He moves to crouch in front of her. "I just need some time away, is all. I need to work a few things out." He rocks his head, holding her eyes. "Hmmmm."

"John, we are still in such an early stage of our marriage. I can't continue to fight Aeryn's ghost. It is too much for me to bear."

He stands, moving away from her. "That's the thing...I still feel her. It's like she's still here. I want to question Shelan about her. See what he knows."

Chiana gasps, her hand covering her mouth. A moment passes before she gathers her pride. "I don't want this to always be between us John." She walks to the bedroom door, opens it, and stands with her back to him. "You know, there comes a time when the right thing is fighting for what you already have." She looks askance at him. "I know what that is John, do you?"

John doesn't respond, but continues to look out the window, tears streaming down his face. He is unsure of what path to take.

A bitter laugh erupts from Chiana. "Fine. As of now, I can only fight for my children." She walks out, slamming the door.