John and Chiana return from their walk in the garden. Setig has a small brunch spread for them with Ramna nectar and fresh bread.

John and Chiana pile two plates with food and take them with a bottle of Ramna nectar back to the bedroom.

Chiana reclines in the center of the bed. John sits beside her. She drops some berries in the bottom of her glass and covers them with Ramna nectar.

Chiana feeds John bits of bread dipped in the Ramna nectar and shares the berries. They kiss in between bites.

Chiana loves to lick John's lips and nibble them. John loves to be licked. He sucks her tongue.

When they have finished eating, John fluffs the pillows and lies on them. Chiana lies against him with her head on his shoulder. John rubs her back. Chiana slips her hand inside John's robe and fondles his chest.

They cuddle and sigh with contentment, enjoying eachother's warmth and company.

John wants to know, so he asks her. "What happened in the garden Chiana?"

Chiana hides her face and sighs. "It's just that..." She has trouble saying the words. "The test." She swallows. "Our compatibility test."

John squeezes her, holding her tight. He sighs deeply with contentment and pleasure. He caresses her hair.

"I don't know. I wanted it to be so." He says. "But I also want to be together." He sighs. "Will you let our incompatibility ruin what we already have?" He swallows waiting for her answer.

"No, John." She assures him. "It's just that I feel like I... I can't give you children." She sits up and begins to cry. "I... I really want to bare your children. Like there's something wrong with me. I can't..." She doesn't finish.

"It's us." John says. "We. Not you." He rubs her back.

John sits up and hugs her gently from behind. "Are you happy with me or not?"

"Yes!" She cries, taking his hand.

"Then we must decide." John says quietly. "Is it more important to love eachother? Or to break apart and find compatible mates."

Chiana begins to sob. John holds her caringly. Chiana grieves for the children she will never have. She thinks of the alternative, leaving him, and feels as though her world will end with the choice. She turns and places her arms around him, unable to embrace him. Her arms have no strength.

John holds her to him and caresses her hair, her face. "I want to be with you Chiana." John says sadly. "If you want a baby. I can't... " He suddenly can't finish.

His mind is flooded with the fear that he will lose his love. This gentle person he now holds trembles, wishing for perfection. He is afraid of life without her; afraid they will not overcome.

"I will understand if you want to..." John begins to cry. He can't say the words. "leave me."

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

Captain Shelan can hear Chiana crying. His anger boils. Crichton's not married a day and already abuses her! Shelan feels compelled to go to Chiana's aid. He has to save her from this tyrant!

Shelan checks his wounds. His side still pains him. He wonder's what the guard's specific orders are. If he can somehow convince him he is no threat. He gets up and goes to the facility. He washes his face and looks for a razor or other item left to use as a weapon.

He goes to the guard. "I am well enough to return to my duties."

"No need." The guard responds. "Our forces guard the perimeter. You are to remain here until I am told otherwise, Captain Shelan."

The bluff didn't work. Shelan stands scowling at the guard. "Can I at least go to breakfast?"

"Breakfast will be brought to you, Captain. You are to remain here." The guard shifts sensing he will have trouble from the Captain.

Shelan is without his weapon. He knows he can't overpower a Scarran. He goes back to his bed and sits. He drinks some of the juice left on his side table from the party.

Shelan is angry with himself. The time he spent in chains, just denches from Chiana. He should have spent every microt trying to convince her not to go back to Crichton.

When Chiana cried and broke them out of Mokan's jail he might have convinced her. At the banquet, the many opportunities he had with her. Even the time she showered in his quarters. His mind wanders to the first time he saw her at the Peacekeeper Officer's Lounge, sharing their first ras'lak together.

If not for his anger, he would cry at his loss of her. Instead he plans for the day he may win her from Crichton. He lies down, waiting for Pagar's forces to withdraw, when he can finally speak to Chiana.

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

Jeriana brings Captain shelan a plate of fruit and bread. Not what he expected for breakfast. The servants evidently are still following their train of thought from the wedding party. He stops the servant as she begins to leave.

"Perhaps you could bring me some food cubes for later?" He asks. He knows he needs complete nutrition if he is going to fully recover. He wants to be strong enough to fight Crichton if the need arises.

He cannot get the idea out of his head that Crichton planned Scorpius downfall. He had believed the story that Crichton had been his prisoner until Scorpius had him study the record. Crichton had attained the rank of Lt. Commander. No prisoner is allowed to even leave the brig, let alone achieve rank!

Crichton has his own Prowler. It's been specialized like his, though he doesn't understand the technology behind it. He tries to think of all the evidence, all the intel reports to piece it together.

Crichton's sudden rise to power, his affiliation with Scarran forces. If he hadn't found Crichton as he did, lying helpless on the floor of an interrogation facility... What was the real reason Crichton was there? Shelan knows he has to somehow access Peacekeeper records.

Then shelan realizes, that would only be to answer his own curiousity about the man. He already knew his weakness and his downfall. His son Jake. If he hadn't brought him from the Command Carrier, if Crichton had left him behind, Shelan would never have discovered his true nature. He would have believed the lie.

He is thankful he heard the servants talking. He obtained the key while first lying there, wounded, before Chiana visited him. He thinks of her and sighs, wishing to be the one holding her. He would dry her tears and keep her safe from him, from Crichton.

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

"I can't give you a baby Chiana." John cries. "I'm sorry." He holds her tightly, afraid to let her go.

He hadn't thought of it before. Suddenly it seems so important to him. He tries to think of Jake. Jake was enough of a son for both of them.

"We have Jake." He kisses her tears and rests his cheek on hers, mingling their tears. "Chiana, we already have Jake."

"Yes." She smiles at him. "We have Jake." She begins to calm. "I only wish... That I could have your children."

Chiana is finally able to hold him. She hugs him gently, weak from the devastating emotions released.

"I didn't marry you wanting children." He kisses her cheek. "I only want you."

They continue to cry together until their storm is past. John gets up holding her hand. "Come on, let's wash, we'll feel better."

"OK." Chiana says, unable to move.

John goes to the facility and washes his face. He returns with a warm damp cloth and washes Chiana's face. She giggles, still crying as he does. She smiles briefly.

John lays the cloth on the side table and kisses her. She receives the kiss gladly though her heart is still saddened by the realization that they will never see their children running in the courtyard.

"There, do you feel better now?" John asks.

Chiana shakes her head. "Yes, John." She smiles weakly at him and raises her face to him for another kiss.

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

ChianaGray
1/2/01
A Walk in the Garden
IC:

"Where are we going?" Mokan asked as she stepped up behind Chiana down the hall to the landing pad.

Chiana whirled to her, her lips parting as she let her eyes drift from Mokan to the ground as if she didn't know herself.

"Leaving for good?" Mokan asked as she came to her, worry creasing her brows. "Or can I shoot somebody."

"I just need to get awaaay for a while," Chiana whispered as she turned her head from one side to the other, trying to hold back her tears. "I want to be alone."

"Yeah," Mokan grasped her shoulder and began to walk with her. "We'll take my ship and hit the markets, that's about as alone as you should be right now."

"I don't want anything," Chiana sighed, her shoulders hunched as she stared listlessly at the moving ground.

"Uh-hu," Mokan smiled solemnly as she looked to her.

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

Chiana gazed over the trade in the citadels market square, finding herself wanting to search something out for Crichton. The sadness within her lingered, wondering if she would ever be able to have a child. It would have been so pleasing to see her own playing with Jake, wanting to be like thier daddy. She didn't know how Jake was going to take her when he got older. She wasn't his mom.

She wasn't the first ... wasn't the true love. She felt like an invasion, the sense sweeping over her. She loved Crichton but at the moment she felt almost like she was the one who was the ghost in his life. His sadness seemed to go on forever deep within him for Aeryn. She comforted and consoled, she loved him as if she were his first one. He was hers ... and it hurt in her heart like a fresh wound. She could never heal his, never bring him a child. Was her love enough for him? Really?

She let her attention be caught by a long, black leather coat that would look good on him as she played with a chain in her own trenches pocket. She wondered if she should give it to him now as she pulled out the chain and admired the puzzle ring that dangled from it. She had been holding on to it ever since he left. She doubted he ever noticed it. He had left it in his room. She decided against yet again though, afraid of what memories it might bring him.

"Typical Scarren country," Mokan snorted as she came along side her. "If it's not chains and leather it's weapons and torture tools. Want some cuffs for the taking of mates ceremony?"

"No," she snorted a laugh. "Crichton calls it a honey-moon."

"Honey-moon?" Mokan frowned as she picked up a strange devise to inspect it. "What kind of moon is that?"

"I don't know," Chiana smirked with a small smile as she creased her own brows. "Something sweet."

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

Nhfearme
1/2/01
Shelan's Revelation
IC:

Mokan's shuttle lands. She comes out to the mansion and in. Shelan hears Chiana and Mokan talking in the great hall. They leave together and enter the hatchway.

The shuttle lifts off. Shelan looks out of the window and sees it leave. He looks to the guard. He is gone.

Shelan loses no time. He crosses the great hall to the master bedroom. He walks in on Crichton. John has put on his leather pants and picks up his T-shirt.

"You're better? Good." John says as he pulls on his shirt.

"I've learned something about you Crichton." Shelan begins, trying not to lose his temper. "You have no right to be married to Chiana."

"What is this about Shelan?" John asks, facing him.

"What it is about is that you had no right to marry Chiana. Release her from her vows." Shelan says in a raised voice.

John shakes his head. He crosses his arms. "What do you mean, I 'have no right' Shelan?"

"You lied to all of us. We believed your story. I know better now. I discovered your secret!" Captain Shelan is angry at Crichton's denial of the facts. He can feel his fists tightening.

"I have every right to marry whom I want, Shelan." John is getting angry at Shelan's inference.

"You think because you are a Lord now, that the rules don't apply to you? That you can just use her this way?" Shelan moves toward him.

"I don't understand what you are driving at Shelan. I would never hurt Chiana!" John says in defense of himself.

Shelan paces he shakes his head unbelieving of Crichton's denial. He turns to face him. "Your son. His real name isn't Jake at all, it's Jeffery!"

"Yeah, so?" John asks.

"His mother is Officer Aeryn Sun, correct?" Shelan asks in response.

Her name shoots through John like a flame; purging all thought from the present conversation. He stands still with only her in his thoughts.

"You claim that she died. You told Chiana she is dead. However, the records don't reflect that Crichton. She is still alive!" Shelan accuses.

John gasps. It's like a knife of ice through his heart. "How can you say that?" He has trouble responding. "I saw her die! I held her in my arms as she spoke her last words." John chokes, starting to cry.

"Then, why is there no record of her 'death' Crichton?" Shelan takes a step toward him.

"You don't know what you're talking about!" John yells through his tears.

"I didn't put it together until I heard the servants calling Jake 'Jeffery' or I never would have known." Shelan says angrily. "You disgust me Crichton! Praying on people's feelings to manipulate them into believing in you!"

"You're wrong, Shelan." John stands to face his accuser. "She died in a prowler attack. I saw her die!"

"Stop saying that!" Shelan yells. "You lie!"

Shelan lunges at Crichton knocking him onto the bed. The two men wrestle. John pushes Shelan to the floor and pins him in a headlock.

"Stop! God, Shelan. Stop it!" John can barely see from the tears in his eyes. He holds Captain Shelan firmly in the lock.

"She died over three years ago." John sighs deeply. "I wish to God she were alive." He sobs.

Setig comes in. "Master, Lord. Do you wish me to remove him?"

John is visibly shaking as he holds Shelan. John can't speak. Tears rolling down his face, he shuts his eyes.

Setig goes to the two men and takes Captain Shelan from Crichton. Setig forcibly removes Shelan from the bedroom and pushes him into the great hall.

John is left on the floor on his knees, with his head in his hands, crying.

"I told you what I would do if you jeopardized their marriage, Shelan." Setig growls he extends his hand to shoot a heat pulse.

Shelan throws up his arms.

"Stop!"

Setig turns, it's Crichton. Setig lowers his arm. "Yes, Lord."

Captain Shelan falls, being released from the heat pulse. He groans; Doubled over he throws up.

John leans on the doorway. "Remove him Setig, please." He says and goes back into the bedroom, closing the door.

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

ChianaGray
1/2/01
Shelan's Revelation
IC:

Chiana paused as they walked down the street. She grasped her stomach, holding on to Mokan as she pulled her closer to a shop and glared at the passerbys who stared.

"Are you alright?" Mokan asked as she helped her sit down.

"I don't know," she shook her head. "I - I just feel sick."

"Must've been those atch snacks," Mokan commented worridley as she gazed over the market. "They were too greasy. C'mon, we'll find a place to get lost in and rest."

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

Nhfearme
1/3/01
Shelan's Revelation
IC:

Mokan asked the shopkeepers where they were if they had a place for Chiana to lie down while she went to get a doctor for her.

The shopkeeper with the chains has a cot in the back and offers it to them for a price. Chiana gets comfortable on the cot.

"I'll be as quick as I can. Will you be alright?" Mokan asks.

"As long as I don't move. I only feel sick when I move." Chiana said holding her stomach.

Mokan disappears out of the small shop's back door. Chiana rests. She feels dry in the back of her throat while her stomach wages war on her.

"Frell! Mokan!" Chiana cries after Mokan.

It is too late. Mokan is already gone.

"I should have had her take me back to Setig. He'd know what to do." She begins to cry. She has a cramp that seems to be pulling her down, down. She feels dizzy, though lying flat. She feels as though she may pass out.

Suddenly there is a noise at the back door.

"Mokan?" Chiana tries to raise her head; too dizzy. "Mokan!" She yells wondering why her friend is hiding.

Then she sees them, black uniforms marching through the door. As one of them reaches for her, she blacks out.

Chiana wakes up in a chair. She looks around trying to get her bearings. She does not recognize the place. There is a light in her eyes.

"Before we begin, I will give you one chance to cooperate." The voice is not familiar, a woman's.

"Frell you." Chiana groans out her pain. Her head throbs and her stomach is about to give itself up.

"I have only one question, simple enough to answer. Even for a tralk like you." The voice says sinisterly. "Where is Scorpius?"

Chiana tries to focus her eyes. She sees a shock of red hair, a black uniform. Beyond her is a panel of lights.

"Oh, yeah? And what do I get out of it?" Chiana asks.

"You?" The voice asks. "You get to live to see another day."

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

Mokan returns with the doctor. The shopkeeper is hysterical screaming something that seems to her to be incoherent.

"Where is she?" She asks him.

"Peacekeepers came and arrested her! Out of my very shop!" The shopkeeper was finally calming.

"Where!" Mokan is frantic. "Where is she?"

"What? Am I a Peacekeeper that I should know?" The shopkeeper says with a manic laugh.

Mokan thanks the doctor for coming and leaves him standing in the back of the shop while she leaves, running to her transport. She runs into Command and hits Comms.

"Setig! Crichton!" Mokan yells. "You there? Is anyone there?"

"Setig here. Mokan, what is it?" Setig senses the danger.

"The Peacekeepers have taken Chiana from the marketplace! She's been taken, Setig!" Mokan begins to cry.

"Try to find out where they have taken her. I will alert Lord Crichton." Setig closes Comms.

Mokan tries to calm herself. She returns to the row of shops where Chiana was arrested and begins asking questions.

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

John sits on the end of the bed. He sighs about the day's events. Chiana and he may not overcome their desire to have a child. And Shelan! John aches inside from memories of Aeryn, wrenched up by his confrontation with Captain Shelan.

Setig enters and stands waiting for John to acknowledge him. John looks up.

"Crichton." John can see there is a weight on what he has to say. "The lady Chiana has been taken by the Peacekeepers." Setig says solumnly.

John jumps up from the end of the bed. "Do you know where?"

"Mokan the trader is trying to find that out now, Lord." Setig says.

"We have to get ready." John hangs his head. "I have no choice, Setig. I have to trust Captain Shelan with this one." He shakes his head as he walks to Comms.

"I hope he's got his ears on." John hits the switch. "To anyone on this frequency!" John speaks to Comms. "Chiana's been arrested by the Peacekeepers. Will you help us?"

John and Setig wait for what seems like hours. John turns on Comms and sends the message and turns it promptly off.

They hear footsteps. John looks up. It's Hep.

"Got your message. How can I help?" Hep asks.

"Find where she is. Help us get her back." John asks.

"You don't ask for much, do you Crichton!" Hep laughs. "I'll find her alright. She's probably just on the Planetary Base." Hep looks down at Crichton. "You look like Dren, Crichton."

"Thanks. What do you need from us?" John asks.

"Well, my uniform could use a cleaning. Recharge my pulse pistol, sharpen my knife." Hep looks at Crichton expecting something else. "How much does this job pay?"

"Always consistent." John stands. "Just what I'd expect from you." He looks at him wondering. "Would you know how to get a hold of Shelan?"

"We don't need him, Crichton." Hep reassures him. "The base is low security for the Peacekeepers. I've been there before for 'recreation.'" Hep raises his eyebrows, with a twisted grin.

"Good." John turns to Setig. "Is my uniform repaired?"

"I don't think that's a good idea Crichton." Hep puts his foot up on the chair. "It could be a trap, you know."

"Just find her!" John says and walks back to quarters.

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

Chiana can hear the voices ringing in her head. She can hardly focus her eyes. She strains to see beyond the chair's display.

"I'm questioning the prisoner, Sir." The Lt. sounds nervous.

"Were those your orders?" Her commanding Officer asks pointedly.

"No, Sir. B..But I thought, as long as she was in custody"

"Ordinarily I would agree with you, Lieutenant." Her Commander cuts her off abruptly. "Her only purpose is to aid us in recapturing Crichton." He raises his voice to her. "Now place her in a holding cell until Crichton can be secured!"

"Yes, Sir!" The Lieutenant's leathers "Slap!" as she comes to attention and salutes.

Chiana has to be dragged. The torture, along with her illness has left her drained. She is dropped on the cold cell floor. The feeling is welcome. The pain has stopped. To be without pain and to be still; That is the way she wanted it.

It seems she lies there for several arns. Her bones begin to feel like ice. She rises and goes to the mattress. She collapses onto it. She still feels nauseous. The cramping has diminished, though she thinks it is just the contrast of it against the torture. When she was in the chair, she didn't feel it at all.

"It is almost worth it." She laughs to herself. She stops laughing. It's making her ache again. She breathes through the pain then sighs.

"John." She says as if in prayer. "Come for me." She knows it's a matter of time before he walks through the door.

Then Chiana remembers. The Peacekeepers plan to capture John! She is suddenly afraid for him and of what the Peacekeepers have planned.

"Gotta' get outta' here." She says to herself, crawling toward the door. "I can pick my way outta' here!" She says determinedly as she pulls herself up to the door.

She suddenly hears footsteps. The guard is coming! She backs away from the door. Hoping to surprise him. She raises her arms in a fist to strike him. The door opens, he steps through. She reaches to strike him. He turns and catches her arms.

"Hold up there missy!" It's Crichton!

She collapses in his arms. "God, honey!" Crichton says. "What did they do to you?"

"Please, John, let's just get out of here." She cries, leaning heavily on him.

John pulls a robe over her and walks with her straight for an access shaft. Chiana crawls in. Just then, they hear soldiers approaching. Chiana can't move fast enough into the shaft. John walks on, down the corridor. She waits.

It seems like arns. Finally, the screen is removed again. She sees the uniform, but not the face, as he slides in next to her.

"I'm sorry Chiana." It's Hep. "They caught Crichton. But he told me where to find you. We have to get you out of here!"

"What about John?" She says barely able to stay awake.

"It'll be alright. We'll get him later." Hep assures her.

They climb out the access shaft to the Prowler Bay. Hep lifts her into the prowler. He turns and looks. He seems suddenly frightened. He climbs down off the prowler. Again, she is left alone. She slips in and out of consciousness waiting.

"Was Hep caught too?" She thinks. "They didn't find me. I gotta' fly... not in any shape to. I'll crash." She thinks.

It is several hundred Microts later. When again she sees a uniform, Captain?

"Captain?" She says looking at Shelan.

"I saw Hep carry you here. He ran to escape. I can get you to safety!" Shelan tells her.

Shelan reaches to her and fastens her belt. He powers up and hits the launch sequencer. The prowler lifts off and he guides it out of the Prowler Bay.

"Captain." Chiana says. "What is your name?"

"Phillip, Chiana. My name is Phillip."

"Please take me home, Phillip." Chiana says and passes out.

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

John is thrown in a cell, cuffed for good measure.

"He said you'd come for her." The lieutenant stands over him, gloating. "Not at all what I expected." She says examining his face. "The great Lord Crichton!" She laughs. "Ha!" She says and exits.

The guards slam the great magnetic door after her.

John struggles with the cuffs. They are too tight, hurting. "Don't fail me Hep." John closes his eyes and thinks of her. Though in terrible danger, he sighs, content that she will be safe again.

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

A lone prowler glides through the night sky. Chiana sleeps, as though sedated. Her head moves with the gentle rocking of the Prowler's turn. Occasionally she lets out a groan as if she were still in the chair. Phillip hears her and grows angrier by the Microt at the Peacekeepers who tortured her.

He lands at an abandoned warehouse. He picks her up gingerly and brings her inside. There is a cot on the lower level. He lays her down. He sits down with her head in his lap.

Chiana sighs. He smiles. He removes his gloves and caresses her face with his hand. He sits, watching her sleep, stroking her soft hair.

Chiana wakes to the sounds of scraping noises. She looks up and sees Phillip moving. He is pushing something. Suddenly the morning light is in her eyes.

"Sorry." Phillip says and draws the curtain. "I'm glad I remembered this place. Are you feeling better?"

He places his hand on her head. "Here, drink this you'll feel stronger in a little bit."

"Why are we here? Where's John?" Chiana asks, upset.

"I didn't think it was safe taking you there until Hep had a chance to free him." Phillip tells her.

She sips her drink while Phillip speaks to her.

"Besides, Crichton and Setig threw me off the property this morning." He takes the empty cup from her. "I'm lucky to be alive."

Chiana swallows the last of the drink. "Alive?"

Shelan takes Chiana's hands. He looks into her dark eyes. "I've found out something about Crichton." Shelan begins. "How much do you know about him? I mean really know about the man, Chiana?"

She looks down. "I only know that I've been searching for him a long time." Her lips part. She draws in a breath as though drawing life from John. She thinks of her love for him. She fears for him. "When can we find out if they've got him? When can we go back?"

"I told you Chiana, I can't go back there." Shelan stands and looks out of the window. "Setig will kill me."

Chiana gasps. "But, why?"

Phillip turns his head to her, to tell his story. "When you left with Mokan, I confronted Crichton." He looks out the window.

"He is not the man you thought, Chiana. I fought him and lost." Phillip looks down and sighs. "The same way I lost you."

There is a silence between them. Phillip wonders if she will believe anything he tells her about Crichton. He thinks of the one thing she can learn for herself.

"He's a Peacekeeper. He served Scorpius loyally for nearly 3 cycles."

She startles. "I can't believe what you're saying! He's sitting in a cell because of me!" She is angry at Shelan's accusation.

Shelan turns to face her. "What I know, I can't prove. But know this. He served on that Carrier, not as a prisoner, but as an Officer! You've seen his uniform?"

"I thought he just used that to escape." Chiana is surprised. "Didn't he?"

"Ask him next time you see him, if it is."

"I won't abandon him. He's my husband for Frell's sake!" Chiana trembles.

Shelan sits by her and takes her hand. "You'll see what I'm saying is true." Shelan touches her face, caressing it gently. "I don't want to see you hurt."

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

Chiana lies on the bed, unable to sleep. Was John hiding a dark past? Did he willfully serve Scorpius?

She remembers something from the wedding party. She and John were standing near Nova and Mokan. Pagar came up and spoke to John. He said something about John earning rank on the Command Carrier. She cannot remember the rest of it. She tosses trying to think what it was. Something that Setig said to him.

"Good." She says to herself. "I'll ask Setig." She breathes a sigh of relief.

She still believes in Crichton. But now she has questions. Her mind will not be quiet. She glances over at Phillip. He rests in a chair. He has been watching over her all this time. She smiles and closes her eyes to sleep.

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

John waits in his cell on the Peacekeeper Base. The cell is cold and dark. The water drips in the corner. His mind is on Chiana. Her soft breath, her sigh when he kisses her neck. The way her face wrinkles just so when she looks at him. The shape of her mouth. For arns, he lists in his mind the little things he loves about her.

John's mind rests on her faith in him. That she would search for 6 years when the others had given up and gone their separate ways.

He is afraid for her. She seemed so ill when he rescued her. He prays that she is safe.

Morning passes into noon. John has seen no one but the guard who passed him some food cubes earlier. Nothing like the fresh bread Chiana had dipped in the Ramna nectar for him. He sighs.

He begins to cry with longing that Chiana will find him again. He knows, soon he will be transferred to the Command Carrier and out of Hep's reach.

There is a clamor outside. The sound of guards coming down the corridor. He can feel his body stiffen for the moment of violence from one of the guards or the Commanding Officer. Sometimes they would hit him with a pulse rifle butt or just punch him in the stomach. He knew what was coming.

The magnetic hatch opens. The Lieutenant steps in with four guards in attendance.

"I'm sorry I won't be the one interrogating you Crichton." She motions to the guards to take him. "The new Commander of the Rac'tarajin has reserved that honor for himself."

The Lieutenant exits the hatchway followed by two of the guards. The remaining two guards take Crichton by the arms and roughly remove him from the cell.

"No hitting yet." John thinks. "That's good."

They have just cleared the cell hatchway when there is rapid fire, the guards fall. The Lt. reaches for her Pulse Pistol. A pulse blast strikes her in the chest. She breathes as she falls to the floor.

Suddenly the cell hatch begins to close. The magnetic forces pull on John's cuffs.

"Help me! The door is pulling!" John yells.

He pulls trying to break free of it. The electromagnetic forces are too strong. The door pinches his left hand.

"Aaaaag!" John screams as he is trapped between the two plates. Intense pain shoots through his arm, his spine. He feels like he's been kicked in the head. Then numb. He falls to his knees, losing consciousness.

Hep reaches to get the Lieutenant's ident chip. He pulls it, breaking the string around her neck. He runs to the control panel and inserts the chip. The door opens.

John falls with a thud to the floor. Hep undoes John's handcuffs. He grabs a strap off one of the pulse rifles and wraps the strap around John's wrist to stop the bleeding.

"Come on. We have to get you out of here." Hep throws Crichton over his shoulder. He walks quickly down the corridor to the Prowler Bay.

Hep straps Crichton in the copilot chair. He powers up, then hits the launch sequencer. The Prowler roars as it thunders out of the bay.

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

Crichton wakes in his own bed. He reaches to his hand. He feels the bandage to see. His hand is still there.

Setig and Hep enter.

"Crichton! Good, you're awake!" Hep says.

John sits up cradling his hand. "Will I lose it?"

"No." Hep tells him. "You nearly lost it. Those same cuffs that caught you? Saved it. The door landed on them."

"Why can't I feel it?"

Setig stands by the bed. "There is a doctor coming to see what can be done."

"Mokan is bringing some kind of specialist from the Commerce district to take a look at it." Hep adds.

"Thank you Hep. Where is Chiana?"

"All I know is that she got out. She may have taken the prowler herself. I don't know. She hasn't checked in." Hep answers.

"What are you doing to find her?"

"The prowler is one I stole from the base. I hadn't placed a beacon on it yet. Nova, Mokan and I have asked around. No one's seen a lone prowler or any Nebarri women." Hep says.

"Where's Shelan?" Crichton asks them.

"Lord. Shelan has already tried three times to undermine your marriage." Setig tries to dissuade him. "If given the opportunity he will try again."

John thinks for a moment. "Her safety is more important. Find him."

"No problem. I still have the beacon on his Prowler." Hep pulls out the locator. He turns to Setig. "You coming?"

"By your leave Crichton." Setig says.

"No, Setig." John gets up. "I'll go this time."

"But Lord. He attacked you!" Setig reminds him.

"He attacked you? Why?" Hep is surprised.

"He claims there is no proof my first wife is dead." John has a lump in his throat as he says 'wife'. "He thought he was protecting Chiana."

The three walk to Crichton's Prowler. Setig stands by as Hep powers up and hits the launch sequencer. They blast off following the sweep.

As they near it, suddenly Hep veers off.

John notices the abrupt course change. "What's the matter?"

"He landed at the base!" Hep says. "See?" He points to the locator signal.

"So Shelan could have Chiana?"

"Yeah, that among other things."

"Loyal Peacekeeper."

"Right."

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

Chiana sleeps, dreaming. She is with John. His kisses, his touch are all she desires in life. She longs to be with him. Then she sees him, alone in his cell. They put him in the chair and

She wakes. The moons shadow is on the curtain, broken by a moving tree. It is as though she sees a ghost. She gasps.

She sits on the edge of the cot and tries to stand. The pain in her stomach hits her as she tries to walk. Her mind tries to turn off, she fights it and somehow makes it to the prowler. She checks the frequency and hits Comms.

"John." She fights to stay awake. "John."

It is only a few Microts and she hears. "Chiana, God! Are you alright?"

"I'm sick. I don't know if I can make it." Chiana tells him. "I had to know if you got out. I was afraid. I had a dream"

"I got out, honey." John says.

Crichton turns to Hep and Setig. "Can we trust that the Peacekeepers won't find her again if she leaves the frequency open?"

"Maybe for a short while." Hep remarks.

"You take your personal transport, I'll take my prowler. We'll triangulate." Crichton hits Comms. "Leave the frequency open, honey. We'll find you."

"Alright, John." Her hands are shaking. She begins to cry. As she cries she allows herself to fall into a deep sleep, trusting her husband to find her.

Crichton is in the copilot chair, Setig pilots. Hep travels on his transport. They haven't traveled far when the signal stops.

"Crichton, she has closed her Comms." Setig informs him.

"Open the freqency Setig!" John tells him.

Setig hits the switch to open Comms.

"Chiana, you have to leave Comms open for us to find you. Honey, open your Comms." John is frantic.

Phillip carries Chiana back to the cot. He holds her gently and kisses her. Then lays her head down on the pillow.

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

Phillip begins to wonder if he made the right decision keeping Chiana to himself. He worries that she is not recovering. Her delirium caused her to leave Comms open. The Peacekeepers would have found them both. He knows he has to take her to a doctor soon. It's night, he has to wait.

He sits near her, watching her in the moonlight. "When she wakes, I have to tell her about Officer Sun. That she lives." He says quietly. "If she goes back to him, I'll never forgive myself."

He closes his eyes and naps, waiting for morning.

Chiana wakes. She opens her eyes. Instead of waking at home she is still in the abandoned warehouse. Phillip sits near her.

"Why am I still here? Where is John?"

Phillip wakes and sees Chiana is distraught. "I have to take you to see a doctor, Chiana. You're not getting any better."

"No. Please. Phillip, take me home." Chiana pleads.

"I told you what happened yesterday. I can't go back there." He says. "I need to get you medical attention. As soon as I do, I'll Comm him. Alright?"

Chiana's head is pounding. Her stomach aches, her body fights her attempts to move. The pain is oppressive. The suggestion sounds reasonable. As soon as she sees a doctor, she can see John.

"Alright, hurry." She says, submitting to his wishes. "Help me." She raises her hand for Phillip to lift her up.

Phillip picks her up gently and carries her to the Prowler. He secures her in the copilot seat and lands in the Commerce district. He leaves her in the Prowler and runs to find help. Soon he returns and takes her from the Prowler.

He carries her into the doctor's office and lays her on the cot. A Med tech enters and scans her. The doctor comes and looks at the scans. He smiles.

"There is a simple cure for this." He sends the Med Tech into the other room.

The Med Tech returns with a glass of what looks like juice.

"What is that?" Phillip asks.

"It is simply chilled berry juice. However she may have to drink it for a week or two to keep the symptoms from effecting her so violently." The doctor explains. "See that you have plenty for her always. Hmmm?"

"Yes, of course." Phillip answers.

Chiana drinks the juice slowly. Soon she is sitting on the side of the cot smiling. Phillip asks to be left alone with her.

"Chiana, I'm so happy you're better. And now that you are, I need to talk seriously to you about something." He begins.

"Sure, Phillip. What do you want to talk to me about?" She says smiling.

"It's about Crichton." He sits on the doctor's stool and takes her hands. He looks into her dark eyes. "There is something I must tell you before you go back."

"Yes, what is it?" She tilts her head to her shoulder, wondering what could be so important.

"I don't want to hurt you Chiana. I love you."

Chiana is taken aback. She has heard him utter these words before but she believed it was out of his delerium.

"I'm married Phillip. I can't help you."

"What I know, can hurt you. But I have to tell you. You never should have married Crichton. I have learned something about him. The records. Scorpius had me study the records when you reported he was nearby. Scorpius wanted me to be prepared, in case we had to track him."

Chiana waits patiently, listening.

Phillip continues. "What Crichton told youPlease, forgive me, Chiana, hurting you is the last thing I want to do."

"What are you trying to tell me Phillip? Is this about him serving on the Command Carrier?" She asks.

"No. It's not that." Phillip wishes he could stop himself. But her union with Crichton is wrong. Lord Crichton will only hurt her further if she goes back. He has to do it. "Crichton is still married."

Chiana's heart stops breifly. Her breathing stops. She is suddenly aware of her heart beating slowly, loudly in her ears, growing faster. Her breathing begins to quicken. She is sick to her stomach. Her head is light. She starts to pass out.

Phillip catches her and lies her down on the cot. She stares up at him.

"You have to be wrong." She shakes her head slowly. "He would never lie to me." She says weekly.

Phillip holds her hand. "There is no death record for Officer Aeryn Sun. I'm sorry. Please don't go back to him Chiana. Stay with me."

Chiana turns her head from him and cries quietly. "Take me home Phillip. I have to ask him myself." She pleads.

Phillip rests with his head resting against his hand. He sighs deeply feeling powerless to keep her from Crichton.

Suddenly, Setig seizes him and takes from the room. John enters and embraces Chiana.

"John." Chiana trembles as she cries.
She holds tightly to John nearly ripping his shirt with her grip. John lifts her. His left hand has a glove on it. He carries her from the room. Seeing Phillip he looks steely eyed at him and walks past without comment.

John lifts Chiana into the prowler. Chiana kisses him, holding him tightly against the side of the Prowler. She sighs. "I'm so glad you found me." She says, still crying, still with her stomach in a knot from Shelan's revelation. She closes her eyes like it was all a bad dream.

She seats herself in the copilot chair. She notices John's glove wondering why he wears only one. She belts herself in and smiles, anxious to get home.

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

Crichton wiped his face as it twisted with the tears that reddened his eyes. He turned them to Chiana as she sat listlessly, staring miserably at the ground with her hands in her lap. He took them, rubbing his thumbs over her long fingers.

"Do you think it's true?" Chiana barely asked as tears stole down her cheeks. "She's alive?"

"She can't be," Crichton shook his head as he touched the side of her face and she leaned her head into it, closing her eyes at the comfort of his touch. "Chiana, I - I saw her die. I couldn't save her."

Chiana began to cry as she turned away, planting her hands on top of the table of the room. She had been so torn trying to console him, trying to find where there was room for her in his heart despite his grief. He would whisper Aeryns name when he slept, the torment of his loss buried in his eyes so deeply some part of him had become lost. She could only imagine how he felt now with the possiblity she was alive. Crichton sighed heavily as he came to her, burying his face in her neck as he gently grasped her upper arms.

"What are you going to do?" Chiana asked with a jittery smile. He didn't answer as his lips pressed harder into her neck.

She shifted her head to one side and laughed.

"Chiana..."

She felt as if her heart were screaming as she swiped the contents of the table and sent them flying against the wall with an agonized cry. Tears spat out of her eyes as she grabbed the rim of the table and began to flip it when Crichton wrapped his arms around her and pulled her away. She screamed again, kicking at the table when it slammed back down to its legs and sent it smarting against the wall. She turned to him, sobbing as she buried her face into his chest and grasped wads of his shirt at his sides.

"I'm sorry..."

"Shh-shh," Crichton held tightly to her head as he rocked in place with her. "It's alright. I think the table will survive."

"I want you," she swallowed hard, shaking her head as she coughed only to cry again. "I won't let you go."

"I know," he whispered into her hair. "I love you."

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

Mokan pursed her lips as her fist came up and boxed Shelan square in the nose. He fell out of Setigs grasp, gaspin as tears smarted his eyes from the explosion of pain and blood began to drip into his hands.

"What the hezmana was that for?"

"Just incase Setig didn't do it already," Mokan narrowed her eyes with pursed lips as she helped him up.

"She had to know Mokan," he glared into the Jaboan cooly. "You should understand."

"I do," she grimanced. "I just don't like it because I think you want her for yourself. You're a love sick man captain Shelan."

"I expect you will be asking me to leave your ship now."

"No," Mokan shook her head as she handed him a rag for his nose and peered at him from the corners of her eyes. "I want to talk about the resistance. You have no idea what Chiana is supposed to be doing right now. You're going to help me cover her eema."

She glanced at Setig as she stepped up to Shelan, glaring into the mans eyes.

"You don't leave me out Shelan," she spoke calmy. "You kept Chiana all to your little self didn't you? Do it again ... and I'll hurt you."

"What is that supposed to mean?" He gaped at her as his dark eyes widened. "She needed medical attention!"

"You think you can take her to just anyone?" Mokan asked without straying her glare. "We have connections kinkoid, better medics than yours. Next time, why don't you try asking me? I told you, you don't know anything out here. You have to trust me."

"I'm special ops damn you," Shelan glared back. "I think I know what I'm doing."

"I don't like you," Mokan shook her head, planting her hand on Setigs chest as he stepped forward to grabb Shelan again. She widend her eyes on Setig wildly. "But Chiana does. Right Setig? Shelan is to be spared, he's still trying to proove his worth to Crichton."

"Lord Crichton will never accept this man," Setig hissed. "And he should leave, now."

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

Nhfearme
1/6/01
Secrets
IC:

Chiana curls into herself and cries.

John is angry at Shelan, but can do nothing. That this man would hurt her so; Shelan hurt them both so soon after their wedding. He boils inside to strike at Shelan somehow, someway.

Chiana gets up.

"I'm going to use the fresher John."

"I'll join you."

"No, John. I'll be all right. Really." She swallows.

John leaves Chiana in the bedroom. He is unable to comfort her and can no longer stand to watch her suffer. He tries to eat, but is unable.

"What is wrong lord Crichton?" Jariana asks.

"Shelan really hurt her. I don't know what to do for her."

"If I may, lord. Setig may have your answers." She bites her lip and looks askance at who may be listening.

"Setig knows?" John asks her.

"No, Lord. But he may learn." She confides.

John gives her an odd look. He seeks Setig and finds him monitoring Comms.

John looks at him and says. "I understand that you have an answer. What can be done about this?"

"Yes, Lord. Come with me." Setig walks down the dark stairway to the sub level.

Setig enters the lower level of the mansion. He walks through one of the tunnels that run below the subfloor of the mansion.

Setig stands in the shadows and lets John discover for himself. John stands in front of the cell door and peers in at Captain Shelan.

"Shelan!" John is angry with him. "You kidnapped my wife!" He yells.

"No. I saved her from the Peacekeepers. I was taking her to the doctor before I brought her to you."

"You told her that Aeryn is still alive. Even though you know it's a lie!" John faces him.

"No, Crichton. You're the liar!" Shelan shoots back.

John calls down the dark tunnel. "Setig!"

Setig emerges from the darkness. "Yes, lord."

Setig raises his hand and hits Captain Shelan with a heat pulse. Shelan groans.

"Are you a loyal Peacekeeper?" Setig asks.

"Yes." Shelan answers.

"What were your orders concerning me?" John asks.

"To recapture you by any means necessary." Shelan answers.

John feels chill go through him. "'By any means', meaning you used Chiana?"

"Yes." Shelan answers.

"God." Crichton turns and breathes, unbelieving that she could have died because of this man in his cell.

"Why?" John says to himself.

"To destroy you." Shelan gasps. "I will destroy you to save her." He groans, beginning to feel the full effects of Setig's heat pulse.

"They could have killed her! You selfish bastard!" John grips the bars screaming at Shelan.

"No." Shelan answers. "I stopped them from questioning her. I watched her, protected her. I got her out."

John looks at Setig. "Open it!"

"Lord. The doctor warned you about your hand. You must let it heal."

"I've heard enough Setig!" Crichton swallows. "Do you think Pagar could use a prisoner who could give him Intel on Scorpius?"

Setig releases Shelan. Captain Shelan collapses. He groans. Doubling over, he vomits on the floor.

Setig smiles. "Yes, lord."

Crichton turns to leave.

"Lord." Setig says to him. "May I continue to question him until Pagar comes?"

"I trust your judgement Setig." John continues walking.

Setig snorts. "Peacekeeper." His lips curl as he snarls. "Enjoy your rest, Captain. You will need it when I return to interrogate you." He growls and follows Crichton upstairs.

John goes into the bedroom. Chiana emerges from the facility. She wears one of their marriage robes. Her hair still damp, it clings to her face.

John stands, watching her. She walks to him and drops her robe to the floor. She takes his hands and puts them on her.

"I'm alright, John. I'll be alright." She says.

"Chiana." He sighs and kisses her neck embracing her.

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

ChianaGray
1/7/01
Secrets
IC:

She bent over, grasping the table she had nearly knocked over before with a moan, trembeling as droplets of sweat raced down her grayish cream flesh. Crichton kissed her as he stood, tracing his fingers up her sides as she slowly turned to him and met his kiss. They laid together on the bed, sharing kiss and touch in the folds of the soft sheets. Short, gentle gasps of pleasure escape her as he sighed his own. A groan escaped him and she cried out her explosion of passion, rising, biting his flesh, grasping him, feeling complete with him. He trembled. His warm flesh salty, comforting as he held her. It was as if they had become combined into one being, one thought, one expression.

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

Nhfearme
1/8/01
Secrets
IC:

John's desire to be one with her comes from the deep longing born in the Peacekeeper cell. It is released. He pulls her to him embraces her and passionately kisses her. He is spent. Their breath combines as they fall asleep in each other's arms.

Chiana lies still, feeling John's heart beat with hers. She carefully rises and puts on her clothes. She goes down the dark hallway until she gets to Captain Shelan's dismal cell.

"Phillip!" Chiana hurriedly picks the lock.

Phillip lies on the floor in his own vomit. She helps him to the water where she rinses his face.

"Chiana. How did you find me?"

"I knew Crichton was up to something. What you said about him. You were right! I don't know how he fooled me before." She helps him walk. "We have to get you out of here. Come on!"

"Chiana." Phillip says as they walk to the prowler. "I would never lie to you. You know that I love you."

"Yes, Phillip." Chiana sighs and kisses him. "I know that now."

She powers up the prowler and hits the launch sequencer. Soon they have landed in Mokan's landing bay.

"Hezmana!" She exclaims. "You look like dren Captain!"

"Where can I put him Mokan?" Chiana says still supporting him.

"Here!" Mokan says. "He can have my quarters."

"Thank you Mokan." Chiana helps Phillip into the bed.

"I can't thank you enough, Chiana." Phillip tells her. "You've saved my life."

"Just rest." She tells him. "I'll be here for you from now on, Phillip. I've left him."

Phillip closes his eyes and falls into a deep sleep. It seems that Chiana is holding him, kissing him in his dreams. He wakes. She lies next to him. He gets up and goes to Comms.

"You can attack Crichton at his mansion. There is nothing to stop us from interrogating him now. I will be returning to the Rac'tarajin soon. Secure him there."

"Yes, Sir!" Says the voice. "We're scrambling a squad now!"

Captain Shelan closes Comms and returns to bed. He begins to remove Chiana's clothing. She sighs as he does, drifting dreamily as he touches her. He pulls off his uniform and lies down next to her. He embraces her, kissing her. She opens her eyes.

"Oh, Phillip. I've waited so long to be with you." She sighs.

"I feel the same way, my love." He says and kisses her passionately.

"I am very pleased with the great success your innovation has produced! Already we have secured access to Captain Shelan's Special Ops frequency and his access codes to sensitive Peacekeeper operations! I have begun download of the information from the Peacekeeper's own data base!" Pagar laughs.

"The innovation is my master's. The idea was given him during his last interrogation under the Hasmat beam. He found as long as he was nearest reality and in a pleasant time he did not fight it. It is his gift to you Pagar, with his compliments and thanks."

"Yes, yes, Setig!" Pagar smiles and slaps Setig's back. "Please send the same back to your good master! The great Lord Crichton may yet overthrow the Peacekeepers in our sector!" He says with pride.