Ocean of Stars
By: Dani Royer

Rating: G

Summary: John and Aeryn

Archive: Please ask, unless you have my stuff already. :-)

Feedback: Please send it my way. :-)

Note: Alas, another un-beta'd one. It's right out of my head again. Hope it's still enjoyable!

Zhaan's whispered chants echoed through the bay. Not even a DRD made a noise as Chiana placed John's tape recorder on top of Aeryn's vest. Her fingers traced the odd symbol, committing it, and the man to whom it was tied, to her memory forever. Not that she would ever forget him or his kindness, but she would take no chances in losing what she had left. She softly kissed the recorder and closed the container as she stood.

The canopy of the Farscape 1 opened before them. They had brought the craft back aboard for the ceremony. D'Argo lifted the container with ease and placed it in the cockpit. Zhaan fell silent as D'Argo turned to face her. They exchanged a slight nod. Zhaan lifted her wrist to her mouth. "Pilot, please open the inner doors."

The doors opened gracefully. The Farscape 1 was wheeled towards the outer doors. The progression of sadness and DRDs following behind. The craft came to a slow stop, it's canopy still open. Zhaan walked over to the craft and turned to face her fellow crew mates. Her words where soft and emotional.

"The last time I talked with Aeryn before she and John went down to Yokaliou, she spoke of how she had grown to love looking at the stars. She said John had often referred to the stars as an ocean and she agreed with the reference from her time on the fake Earth. They spent much time on the Terrace...just sitting quietly. We all know what they meant to each other. It's only right that they should journey into the ocean of stars together...if only in memory."

Zhaan looked heavenward and spoke a final blessing. Chiana followed with a sacred farewell in Nebari. D'Argo with Luxan gesture saved only for great warriors. Rygel even guaranteed them passage to their own Hallowed Realm. Pilot talked for both himself and Moya when he spoke of sadness and the promise that Talyn would return home and would remember Aeryn.

With all having said their peace, Zhaan placed a single crystal on the container that sat in the Farscape 1. "May the Goddess watch over both of you." She reluctantly closed the canopy. Silence washed over the bay. None of them ready to let go just yet. Finally, they began to leave.

Chiana was the last to go. She ran her hands over Farscape 1, once again committing the symbol to memory. "I'll pass it on," she promised as she went to join the others on the Terrace. The inner doors closed gently behind her.

*********

"Open the outer doors, Pilot." Zhaan's voice came over the comm. Pilot slowly did as he was requested. On the Terrace, the crew of Moya watched as the tiny white pod floated farther away. Even in death, John and Aeryn would still travel the universe. Their memory had been set adrift in an ocean of stars.

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