Rating: R-Violence and sexual situations. Nothing really overt on the sexual side, but inferences require me to give it an R rating.

Spoilers: Yes. Home on the Remains, and perhaps a few other eps.

Disclaimer: I did not create Farscape, the universe of Farscape, or its characters. I merely borrowed them for this story, for which I will receive no monetary compensation. No infringement of copyright intended.

Time Frame: Near future.

Note: There is a passage of dialogue in this story which many Babylon 5 fans will recognize. I thought it was appropriate for a situation in the story, so I modified and used it (on the premise that Crichton probably watched Babylon 5, as any intelligent person interested in space would-just my humble opinion). No copyright of Babylon 5 is intended either. No profit gained either, just used for fun.

D'Argo was having difficulty breathing properly. He had to breath like he was hyperventalating in order to get enough air. The Luxan warrior was able to make his way to the medical bay with some difficulty, where Zhaan was waiting for him.

It had been in the middle of the night when D'Argo had commed Zhaan, informing her of his illness. She knew it must be serious, otherwise the proud Luxan would not have so readily called for her help.

Two arns later, D'Argo was lying unconscious on the examining table. Zhaan had to give the Luxan a sedative to help him to breath properly. She had been examining him for those two arns, but could not find the cause of his illness. Zhaan decided to call the rest of the crew to the medical bay to inform them of D'Argo's condition.

The crew was shocked to see their comrade lying on the table, looking quite unlike the strong warrior they were used to seeing. They began to work together to try and figure out where D'Argo may have contracted an illness.

"Well," said Crichton, "the only planet we've been on for the past few weeks, um, weekens, was that forrested planet."

"Yes", offered Aeryn, "where we went foraging hoping to find some more food. But we did not eat anything, or..."

"Wait," interrupted Chiana, "D'Argo did fall into those plants, and he got some scratches."

"What plants?" inquired the Delvian Pau.

"I don't know, Zhaan," replied Chiana, "you're the plant, not me."

"What did it look like then, Chiana?" persisted Zhaan.

"Well, it was yellow, with thorns, and had 6 pointed leaves."

"By the goddess, that might be it. I must run some tests."

Zhaan ran her tests, and within a few hundred microts, her worst fears were confirmed.

"That plant was, indeed, the cause of the illness. I have found traces of poison from a Frondra plant in D'Argo's bloodstream. It is hard to find unless you know to look for it. It entered D'Argo's body through the scratches he got from the thorns. The thorns carried the poison."

"Zhaan," said Crichton, "you said that your worst fears were confirmed. That sounds-bad."

"It is, John," replied the priestess solemly. "Unless we can procure some medicine called Gestra in 4 days, D'Argo will die."

Two days later, Moya had arrived at the only commerce planet close enough to get to for the Gestra in any time to help D'Argo. They were in luck. Rygel had been in communication with some of the traders on planet. The crew met in the dining hall.

"I have good and bad news, people," said Rygel. "The good news is that we should be able to obtain a supply of the medicine we need here. The bad news is that there is only one source on the planet, and it is not one I would like to deal with."

"What do you mean?" asked Aeryn.

"About 2/3 of the planet's trade is controlled by a man named Sartog. Apparently, he has his hands in most every form of trade on the planet, including medical supplies. He is the only one who would have the medicine, and because of his near monopoly on trade here, his price will be high. I don't know what it will be, but it will be high."

"What are we doing talking about the price?" said Chiana. "If we don't get this Gestra stuff, D'Argo dies. We will pay that price."

"But what if we can't pay it, Chi," said Crichton. "That is Rygel's point. This guy Sartog sounds like a gangster or something. I mean, I don't think we have anything that we could use to make him an offer he can't refuse."

"We can only try, John," replied Aeryn.

It was decided that Crichton and Aeryn would go down to the planet to see Sartog, while the rest stayed on Moya. Zhaan wanted to watch over D'Argo for medical reasons, Chiana for other reasons. Rygel was simply too afraid of Sartog to go down. Apparently, the traders he talked too painted this guy as a rough character, one the little Hynerian would rather not meet.

After landing, Crichton and Aeryn exited the pod and surveyed the landscape. The city looked rather run down, and looked to the be the type of place where unsavory characters hang out.

"Aeryn, let's stick close, okay."

"Agreed. This place gives me a willy."

"Aeryn, darlin, for the last time...oh, never mind, let's go. Do you have the directions to that place we are supposed to find Sartog?"

"Yes, its around the corner. Come on."

The couple did indeed keep close to each other as they made their way through the shady crowd on the street. There were all kinds of merchants peddling all kinds of wares on the streets. Crichton was even able to pick out a few alien females who were obviously selling their bodies as a commodity. He kept a hand on Aeryn's arm in a protective jesture, so no one got any ideas about his beautiful Sebacean lover.

They had arrived at their destination, a large building with various lighted signs outside, none of which Crichton could read very well due to the alien dialect. However, Crichton recognized the place as some kind of nightclub.

The pair entered the building, but were stopped at the door by a big, muscular alien which Crichton reasoned to be a bouncer type person.

"No weapons," grunted the rough looking doorman. "I hold until you leave."

Aeryn was not about to give up her weapons, but Crichton talked her into it, reminding her why they were there. After handing over their weapons, they stepped inside a well lit room.

"Oh, wonderfull," said Aeryn in a sardonic tone. "Its an arousal bar."

Crichton looked at her funny after hearing the term she used for it, and then took a look around. There was a stage in the center of the room, where there appeared to be some purple alien woman dancing. When the female shed what little clothing she had on, much to the cheers of the male audience that filled the room, Crichton caught Aeryn's meaning.

"You mean it's a stripclub?"

"What?"

"A stripclub. A place where men go to see women dance naked."

"You have places like this on your world?"

"Yeah. Except the women aren't aliens, of course. There are even places where women go to see men dance naked."

"My opinion of your world just dropped a few places, John. Come on, let's find this Sartog."

As the pair walked through the crowd, they noticed more naked alien women of various types giving individual dances to males from various species. When Crichton looked at one woman too long, Aeryn hit him in the shoulder and reminded him who he was going to sleep with that night.

Crichton was not only looking at the dancers. He also saw that many men in the audience were looking at them, or more specifically at Aeryn. He again put his arm around Aeryn just to show that she was taken. Aeryn had no objections to the move, also seeing the leering eyes of the bar patrons.

Eventually, they asked the bartender where they could find Sartog. He was sitting at a table in the back of the establishment. He had several big, well armed aliens around him who were obviously his bodyguards. Crichton looked at Sartog with recognition as he and Aeryn began to walk towards his table.

"Hey, Aeryn. I've seen one of his kind before. On the budong. Chiana's old "friend", B'Soog. Looks like Sartog is the same species."

"I have never encountered his species before, at least that I can remember. We'll be carefull."

As the two approached the table, one of Sartog's bodyguards stepped between them and the table.

"What you two want?"

"We have business with Sartog," replied Aeryn.

"I don't know what business," began Sartog from the table, "that I could have with two Peacekeepers."

"We are not Peacekeepers," replied Crichton, "we just play them on TV."

"I do not understand that reference,"said Sartog.

Aeryn gave her human companion a perturbed look, then said, "What Crichton means is that we are not Peacekeepers. I am no longer a Peacekeeper, and Crichton never was one."

"I see. Well, sit. I am always willing to discuss business."

Crichton and Aeryn sat with Sartog at the table, while the bodyguard who challenged them retreated back into the background.

"What is it that the two of you want? I sell many things."

"We are looking for a medicine called Gestra, and were told you could supply us with some," replied Aeryn.

"Ah, I know this medicine. I assume your need is urgent, because the medicine is only used for curing a deadly illness. Is it either one of you who needs it?"

"No," replied Crichton, "a friend. We need enough for one dose. Do you have it?"

"Yes, but it is a hard item to get. It will cost. The price is 1000 pieces of currency. Don't bother looking for other suppliers. There are none on planet."

Crichton and Aeryn exchanged a look. The human spoke. "How about bartering?"

"I would consider, depending on what you have to offer."

For nearly an arn, Crichton and Aeryn tried to barter with Sartog. The gangster wanted nothing they had to offer. Just as the pair was about to get up and leave, their hopes dashed, Sartog told them to wait.

"I have an idea, something you do have to offer," said Sartog rather slyly.

"What is it? What do we have that you want?" inquired Crichton.

"It is not what you have. Rather, it is what Aeryn Sun has to offer."

Crichton looked at Aeryn, and she at him. They already did not like the sound of this.

"What is it?"asked Aeryn reluctantly.

"Let me ask you this first, Aeryn Sun. How much does this friend of yours mean to you?"

Aeryn considered for a moment. Then, she replied with the truth of her feelings. "D'Argo is a comrade, shipmate, ally, and good friend of both Crichton and myself. Why do you ask?"

"Because it gives me and idea of what price you are willing to pay, before I make the suggestion. You have had a chance to walk around my establishment. As you can both see, I employ a number of beautiful dancers from many species. They draw a lot of business, as you can see. However, I could make a great deal of money in one night if I had, as a special one time appearance, a beautiful Sebacean woman dancing for my patrons. Such a rare sight would draw a huge crowd, and I could charge an admission fee for that night."

"No way!" replied both Aeryn and Crichton at the same time. They both got up to get out, but Sartog called after them.

"Then your friend will die. There is no other source for the Gestra, and there is nothing else you have to offer to pay for it. If you want the medicine to save your friend's life, you Aeryn Sun will dance for my patrons. I would easily clear the 1000 currency units needed. If you do not, your friend will die, and you will have squandered the chance you had to save him."

The pair stopped, and Aeryn turned to Crichton. "John, he is right. If we are to save D'Argo, we must...I must..."

"No way, Aeryn. No way, no how, not gonna happen, never in a million years...."

"John, if I do not, D'Argo dies. I can not allow that."

"Aeryn, baby, D'Argo would not want you to do this either."

"I know. And I know why, just as I know why you do not want me to do it."

Aeryn put a hand on Crichton's cheek. "I love you, John. And yes, I want you to be the only man to see me...well, you know. But all these men will do is see what is skin deep on me. The outside features. But what is inside me, John. What is the real me. Only you can see that."

"Aeryn, I will not let you dance naked so a bunch of alien scumbags can oggle at you and get hard ons."

"John, we may be lovers, but this is my choice. I have to do this. I only hope you can find it in your heart to accept my decision, and the reasons I have to do it. John, you are the only man I love. And they may look at me and become aroused at seeing my body, but it will be you I will go home to and you I will share a bed with. That is all that is important."

Aeryn walked back to Sartog's table and sat down. "All right, I agree."

Crichton, seeing that Aeryn's mind was made up, joined her and Sartog at the table to try and make sure some conditions were set.

"Okay, what guarantees can you give me, Sartog, that things with the customers won't get out of hand for her?"

"Cricthon, as you can see, there are men stationed all around the establishment to protect the dancers. The best dancers can only be attracted to work here if they are well protected. No customer is allowed to break the rules."

"And what are the rules?" asked Aeryn.

"The customers will not be able to touch you. If they do in the slightest, they are thrown out."

"I see." Aeryn continued with another question. "When will you want me to do this, and what exactly will I have to do?"

"Tonight, in about 8 arns. That will give me time to post the news all over the planet that I will be featuring a lovely Sebacean woman in my establishment. You will work here for 3 arns. You will dance several dances on stage. Meanwhile, the patrons will bid on 5 opportunities for individual dances you will give them."

Crichton broke in. "No way! Dancing on stage is one thing, but no lap dancing."

"She will not be in their laps, Crichton. She will dance close to them, but not in their laps. It is required. She does both stage and individual dances, or no deal. The bids they will pay to have her dance for them will more than assure the cost of the Gestra is covered, with a tidy profit for me. While Aeryn dances, you Crichton can go with one of my men to get the medicine."

"No, I want to be here."

"No, John," broke in Aeryn. "The faster you get the medicine, the better off D'Argo will be. As Sartog said, there will be plenty of protection, and I can take care of myself."

Crichton reluctantly agreed, but added one more item to the conversation. "Sartog, nothing better happen to Aeryn while she is here tonight. Because if it does, there is nothing that will keep me from killing you. Understood?"

"Now, now, Crichton. There is no need for threats. I am a businessman. We have a business agreement. You get to save your friend's life, and I get to make a great deal of money. Everyone is happy."

"Not happy," said Aeryn. "I am just as unhappy about this as Crichton. But, it is necessary."

"Be back here an arn before you begin your performance. My agent will go with Crichton at that time to get the medicine, while you will be given instructions on what to do and what to wear, well, for the first few microts."

Crichton and Aeryn left Sartog's place, and returned to the transport pod to contact Moya and rest before tonight. They told them nothing of the agreement with Sartog, other than arrangements had been made to get the medicine tonight. They agreed that they rest of the crew would never know what Aeryn was going to have to do for the Gestra. The two lay togther on the floor of the transport pod, Aeryn in John's arms. They did not talk, just layed there for a long time, enjoying the closeness of each other. After several arns, they ate some food cubes, and prepared to go to Sartogs.

Crichton and Aeryn arrived at Sartog's arousal bar right on time. The place was deserted for the moment, temporarily closed to make arrangements for the special show that night. The pair entered the establishment, again checking their weapons at the door. Sartog waited for them at his table.

"Ah, right on time, I see. Crichton, this is my employee, Kabor." Sartog indicated a tall, green alien to his right, who was dressed in a black cloak and hood. "He will take you to get the Gestra."

"Sartog, I have been thinking," said Crichton. "Why not just bring the Gestra here for us to get? I would rather stay and make sure Aeryn is all right during her, um, "performance"."

"No. The Gestra is kept in a secure warehouse, along with many other supplies that I have. It does not leave there unless it is in a customer's hands. That is my policy, for which I have my reasons. I will say no more on the matter. This was discussed earlier. You Crichton may go now, it will take you and Kabor some time to get there. Meanwhile..."

Sartog snapped his fingers and turned his attention to Aeryn. "I have arranged for one of my dancers to teach you how to properly dance, and show you what to wear when you come out on stage."

The same purple woman that was on stage earlier came out and approached Aeryn. "So you are the Sebacean. I am Tellal. Come with me."

Just as Aeryn was about to go with the dancer, Crichton put a hand on her arm. She turned to face him. "Are you sure, Aeryn?"

Aeryn responded by putting a hand on his face. "Yes, John. I will do what I must." The two kissed. She then left with Tellal, while Kabor approached Crichton.

"We will go now," said the green alien with a slight hiss.

"Yeah, right,"replied Crichton. "Lead the way."

Crichton left the bar, hoping for D'Argo's health, procurement of the Gestra, and the safety of his love who he was leaving in that awfull place.

Aeryn stood backstage, just microts away from having to go out on a stage and do the most humiliating thing of her life. She didn't want to, but she knew it was the only way to save D'Argo's life. She heard Sartog begin to speak to his audience.

"Valued guests. Men of all races who have come hear tonight. It is a rare treat that I have for you tonight. In this establishment, in just a matter of microts, you will see a beatiful, Sebacean woman come out on stage, a former Peacekeeper no less, and perform nude for your pleasure."

The crowd of men let out a loud cheer in response. Aeryn used every bit of inner strength she had to compose herself and maintain her endurance through the coming ordeal.

"Now," continued Sartog, "without further delay, I present to you the lovely Sebacean beauty, Aeryn!"

That was her cue. Aeryn stepped out onto the stage, which brought a loud cheer from the male audience. She was not wearing much: a leather top which barely covered the tips of her breasts, and another leather garment which covered her vagina, but left her rear completely exposed. However, Aeryn relished the little bit of clothing she had on while she had it, because in moments she would have nothing at all on.

The music began to play, and Aeryn began to dance as Tellal had taught her. She moved her body in a rhythmic motion, which emphasized the curves of her body. Aeryn rubbed her middrift seductively and swayed with the music.

First came off her top, then her bottoms. Twenty microts or so into the dance, Aeryn was dancing completely naked on stage. She moved with the music, swaying and girating with the flow of loud music. Aeryn massaged her breasts and vagina, much to the enjoyment of her male audience, which screamed cheers of enthrallment with her performance.

For nearly an arn, Aeryn danced on stage nude, while the audience of various species of men cheered her and shouted lude coments about how magnificent her body was. All the while, Aeryn felt ashamed of what she was doing. To keep her sanity, she kept in mind two things: that she was doing this to save a good friend, and that she had John's love no matter what.

Finally, her stage performance was over. She was allowed to go back stage and rest for a quarter of an arn. After that, the humiliation would continue as she had to give five individual dances to five men who bid the most after seeing her stage performance. Aeryn dressed in a robe and sat down on the floor backstage. She then wrapped her arms around her knees, put her head on her arms, and waited.

Crichton and Sartog's agent, Kabor, walked for nearly an arn to get to the warehouse where the Gestra was kept. Kabor had said nothing to Crichton the whole way, and Crichton had returned the favor, not minding the silence. He could not take his mind off of Aeryn. When the time came that he knew she would be on stage, he hoped that she was alright and wanted more than anything to be there for her.

They approached the storage facility, which was very well guarded. Upon recognizing Kabor, one of the big, well armed guards openened the door to the facility allowing the agent and Crichton inside. Upon entering, Crichton found himself in a huge facility with all kinds of merchandise stored in it from floor to ceiling.

Kabor turned to Crichton and spoke for the first time since leaving the arousal bar. "The medical supplies are in section 14, this way. It will take us some time to find the Gestra."

Crichton followed Kabor, and would spend the next arn looking for the Gestra.

Aeryn sighed with relief at the thought that it was finally almost over. She approached her final individual customer, still completely nude as she had been for the last arn. Each of the customers who had won the bidding got a quarter arn individual dance from Aeryn.

Her first customer (the one who had bid the highest) was an Illonic male, a wealthy trader who had spent 1200 pieces of currency for her dance. Aeryn's other customers included a Sebacean man. The final of the five customers she had to dance for was, much to her disgust, a Scarren.

She performed as she did with the previous four customers, as she was instructed to do by Tellal, the purple dancer. Aeryn stood close to her Scarren customer and began to move her body with the flow of the music. She danced almost close enough to touch him, rubbing the sides of her body up and down in rhythmic motions with the music. Aeryn leaned over him, placing her breasts in front of his face. She then neaded and rubbed her breasts within an inch of his face, much to the Scarren's delight.

Aeryn was also cheered on by all of the males around her, as they watched her perform for the Scarren. At last, the dance ended and Aeryn moved to walk away without a word to her last "customer". But then, the Scarren spoke to her.

"I will pay you 1000 pieces of currency to have sex with me."

Aeryn turned to the Scarren, still nude, but with intense pride and dignity in her stance. She said one word only in reply. "No." Aeryn then turned and walked away, hearing the Scarren refer to her as a "Sebacean bitch" as she left.

She walked into the backstage dressing room to put back on her clothes. It felt so good to feel her body covered again, after the nearly three arns of humiliation she had endured in the arousal bar. Aeryn was just glad it was over.

Tellal then came into the room. "Well, Aeryn, you did it. And may I say from a professional point of view, you could make a great deal of money in this business. Would you ever consider it?"

"No way. Look, this is meant as nothing against you, but that was the most demeaning experience of my life. I don't see how anything else could come close. I never want to see anyplace like this again as long as I live."

"I understand, Aeryn. By the way, I was told to come and bring you to Sartog. Apparently, your lover, Crichton, has arrived with the Gestra."

Aeryn thought, "Good, he is early. Now I can get out of here." She then told Tellal to lead the way.

Tellal took Aeryn a door in the back of the club. They then stepped into a small hallway, which led to another door, where Tellal indicated that Crichton and Sartog were waiting for her. Tellal bid her goodybye, and then left her at the door.

Aeryn opened the door and looked inside the room. Sartog stood alone in the room. "Come in," he told her. "Crichton will be here soon enough."

"Good, I'll wait outside," replied Aeryn.

"No," responded Sartog, "you will come in and close the door. We have some unfinished business."

Crichton and Kabor had found the Gestra after an arn of searching, and we then on their way back to Sartog's arousal bar. The trip to the storage facility where the Gestra was kept took nearly an arn, but the return trip took even longer. Crichton could only figure Kabor was taking a long way to get back to avoid thieves or something. However, he kept on his guard anyway.

After nearly an arn and a half of walking, Crichton began to recognize the streets as being those near Sartgog's place. It was then that a beeping noise could be heard from under Kabor's cloak. The green, almost reptilian alien retrieved what looked to Crichton to be a communication device. He placed the device to his ear and listened.

Kabor, after a few microts, said "Understood" into the communication device, and placed it back under his cloak.

"Who was that, a credit card salesman on the phone?" asked Crichton.

"Sartog said that Aeryn is ready to be picked up on your way to your transport."

"Good," was the simple reply Crichton gave the Kabor. He was looking forward to seeing Aeryn, ditching snakey boy, and getting off "mob world" as he began to call the planet.

Within a few hundred microts, Crichton and Kabor arrived at the arousal bar. Sartog's agent told Crichton to wait outside, and he would send Aeryn to him. Crichton waited as Sartog went inside.

After a short wait, Aeryn came out of the bar. She had a bland expression on her face as she came out and approached Crichton. John went to embrace his love, but she refused the gesture, and kept walking towards the transport. Aeryn did not say a word to him.

Crichton expected Aeryn to not be in a good mood after having to dance naked in a club full of men for several arns, but the dead silence from her had him worried.

During the flight back to Moya, Crichton tried to speak with her now that they were back in the friendly, familiar surroundings of the transport pod. "So, Aeryn, you okay? I know it must have been rough, and I know you may not want to..."

"Crichton. John, please, I don't feel like talking. I don't feel like doing anything but bathing, so please leave me alone."

Now John was really worried. Her "performance" must have been draining for her emotionally and physically. Yet, it seemed to him that all of the spirit had been drained out of his love. The rattlers in his stomach told him that something has happened, something other than the humiliation she suffered as the result of her night as a stripper. Aeryn had too strong of a spirit to allow herself to be so affected by that, even though it was a very difficult experience.

When the transport pod landed, Aeryn got up and exited without a word. She headed in the direction of their quarters. Crichton wanted to pursue her and talk to her, but Chiana was waiting to take him to Zhaan and his ill Luxan friend.

"So," said Chiana as they walked to the medical bay, "you guys found a way to pay this Sartog guy, huh?"

"Yeah, something like that, Chi."

"Well, what did he want?"

"A high price." That was all he would tell her, and his tone of voice told Chiana not to press the issue. Crichton brought the Gestra to Zhaan, who then began to prepare it in an injection for D'Argo.

"It will take several arns for the Gestra to have any effect," said the Delvian healer, "but we have gotten it in time to save him."

"Good" was the only reply Crichton gave. He excused himself now that he knew D'Argo would be okay, and went to find Aeryn. Maybe the news of their friend's impending recovery would make her feel better. Besides, he wanted to talk to Aeryn about what happened down there.

Crichton went to their quarters first to look for Aeryn. He knew his choice of destination was correct when he heard the shower running in their bathroom. John went into the bathroom and saw Aeryn in the shower. She seemed to be scrubbing her body rather hard, as if trying to remove some unseen stain.

"Aeryn."

Aeryn jumped in response to John's voice, calming when she saw who it was. She had been so intent in her bath apparently that she didn't notice he had come in.

"What do you want, John?"

"I just wanted to let you know that we got the Gestra for D'Argo in time. He'll be getting better soon."

"Good. Was their anything else?"

"Yeah, Aeryn, are you okay? You have been extremely quiet since getting back from the planet."

Aeryn attempted to ignore Crichton and return to scrubbing her body with the cleaning pad. She hoped he would get the message and leave her be.

However, being the stubborn man John Crichton was, he did not back off. He put his hand gently on hers to get her to stop her scrubbing. In response, Aeryn moved her other hand to turn off the water. She looked at him with a blank expression, dripping wet from head to toe.

"Come on, Aeryn. Talk to me."

Aeryn got out of the shower and put on a black robe. Still dripping wet, she walked slowly out of the bathroom and into their bedroom. Aeryn sat on the bed, staring out into nothingness as John sat with her.

"That experience, I mean, having to do what you did, Aeryn, must have been..."

"You have no idea, John. You have no idea what happened to me! I don't want to talk about it because I'm afraid you would not understand what happened to me."

"Then help me to undestand, Aeryn. Explain exactly how the stripping has made you so upset. I mean, I can guess at some of it, but..."

John's sentence was interrupted by a slight sob from Aeryn. She quickly controlled her emotions, and forced them back into her shell. She refused to cry.

Crichton saw it, though. For an instant, it looked like Aeryn was going to break down. Only her incredible personal strength held her together. "Talk to me, Aeryn."

"John, more happened down there than you know. I have been debating whether or not to tell you. But, I feel you have a right to know. Then I debated how to tell you, but I have decided just to do it, get it over with, and face the consequences later."

Crichton waited for Aeryn to continue. "After my last "performance"," Aeryn said sardonically, "I was escorted to a back room where I was told you and Sartog were waiting for me. When I got there, Sartog was there alone. I offered to wait for you outside, but he ordered me to come in and close the door. He said we had "unfinished business. Sartog said that Kabor was not only your escort, but if need be your executioner. He told me that unless he commed him before a certain time, Kabor would kill you, John."

"Why, what did he...why did he want me dead?"

"He could have cared less whether you lived or died, John. You were not his goal. I was."

"What do you mean?" inquired Crichton with a very serious, slightly angered tone.

"Sartog said that he would comm Kabor and tell him not to kill you, but only after...only after I had sex with him."

Crichton's expression froze in shock. He looked away for a moment, then looked back into his love's eyes. Aeryn spoke again, and they were the words he did not want to hear.

"I threatened him, John. Told Sartog that unless he called off Kabor, I would kill him. He laughed and said that would only get you killed, John, because he could not call off Kabor dead. He also said that I would be killed as I tried to leave. Sartog said the only way for me to get out alive, and for your life to be spared, was for me to have sex with him." She broke in her speech momentarily, but finished what she had started. "I complied, John. I felt there was no other way to save you. I...had sex with Sartog."

Crichton looked at her, the love of his life. He felt such a mixture of emotions at that moment. Finally, grief for the ordeal his love had to go through took over. Tears welled up in John's eyes. The man did not know what to do. For a few microts, he let the tears flow freely. But then, another emotion took over, and ruled his mind and his actions. Rage.

John stood quickly and ran from the room, leaving Aeryn sitting on the bed. Not knowing why Crichton ran, Aeryn became confused and began herself to cry. She thought about pursuing John, but did not want to confront him if he blamed her or was angry at her for her actions. Instead, she returned to the solace of the shower, and attempted to scrub away again the invisible stains of filth she felt she had on her, left there by Sartog.

Crichton raced through the corridors on Moya like a man out of his mind. He was, in a sense, out of his mind with rage. Rage at himself for leaving Aeryn in that arousal bar, and letting her go through with that bargain. Rage at D'Argo for falling into those Fondra plants, and getting sick in the first place, forcing them to make a deal with Sartog. Rage at the universe for giving the woman he loved more pain and anguish to deal with in her life.

Most of all, he was enraged at Sartog. Strangely enough, he was not just angry at Sartog for forcing Aeryn to have sex with him. He was furious that Sartog had used him as the instrument by which he hurt Aeryn. John would not hurt her for anything in the universe, but this bastard had used him to cause his love grave harm. All Crichton could think of was to make Sartog pay.

John Crichton was a man on a mission. The methodology behind his vendetta formulated in the human's mind as his run through Moya's corridors came to a slower, yet still determined march. He barely noticed Rygel in the corridors, as he practically ran over him as he marched by.

"Well, Crichton, you are in a particular bad mood today!"

"Go to hell, Rygel!" screamed Crichton as he continued down the corridor.

Crichton went to the weapons locker first, where he secured a second pulse pistol and the heavy pulse rifle that Aeryn sometimes uses. After securing the weapons, he marched towards the docking bay. On the way, he commed Pilot.

"Pilot, prepare the prowler."

"May I ask..."

"No, you may not Pilot. Just do it!"

"Very well, Commander."

When Crichton stepped into the docking bay, he saw Aeryn's Prowler readied for launch. He stowed the weapons in the cockpit and began a quick preflight check of the ship's systems. During that time, Chiana walked into the room.

"Hey old man, what is going on with you? Rygel said you almost ran over him in the corridor, and now you are going to take the Prowler out. Does Aeryn know?"

"Chiana, I don't have time for this right now. If you really want to help me, do me a favor."

"Sure, okay."

"Keep and eye on Aeryn until I get back. I can't tell you why, not now. Just please look after her."

Chiana was confused, but knew the human wouldn't ask her to do this unless it was necessary. "Okay, John."

As Crichton climbed into the cockpit, he replied with a quick, "Thanks, Pip."

The cockpit of the Prowler sealed, and within microts, Crichton was flying her out into space towards the planet. He chose the Prowler for a specific reason. John remembered all of the protection Sartog had around him, the bodyguards. Crichton knew that if he walked into that bar, guns in hand, and tried to fight his way to Sartog, he would be killed before he got close.

However, the bodyguards may be able to protect Sartog from a single armed man. But they can't protect him from that same man piloting an armed Prowler.

As Crichton entered the atmosphere, he set a course for the city he had been in just an arn before. He set his scanners to survey the city, in search of Sartog's arousal bar. Crichton knew the place would be empty, now that the "star attraction" of the evening was long gone. He finally pinpointed the location of the building, and made a beeline for the place that he now held complete contempt for.

Crichton opened a channel, and contacted the arousal bar. A voice on the comm responded. "What do you want?"

"I wish to speak to Sartog, is he there? I have some business with him."

After a few moments, a familiar voice came over the comm. "This is Kabor, Sartog's assistant. He wishes to know who wants to speak with him."

Crichton considered his words, and remembered some words he heard once somewhere on Earth that seemed appropriate. "Tell him, I am John Crichton, lover of Aeryn Sun. I am the right hand of vengeance, and the boot that is going to kick his sorry ass!" He continued in a lower, much more menacing voice. "I am death incarnate, and the last living thing he is ever going to see! God has sent me!"

With his last words, Crichton fired the Prowler's pulse guns at the arousal bar. Explosions rocked the building, as fire and debris spread from the impact points of the blasts. He continued firing like a madman, pummeling the structure with pulse blasts, which began to reduce the hated arousal bar to rubble. After several minutes of blasting the place to rubble, Crichton landed the Prowler.

He stepped out of the ship, the wind catching his long leather coat as he stepped to the ground. He had a pulse pistol holstered on each hip, and the big heavy pulse rifle in his hand. Crichton approached what was left of the building (which was not much to speak of), looking to see if he had finished his work.

One of Sartog's bodyguards, who had survived the attack by apparently fleeing the building, stood dumbstruck as the human approached him. When the thug moved his hand to his side, apparently reaching for a weapon, Crichton shot him with the big rifle while not even breaking stride. The blast crashed into Sartog's henchman, flinging his now lifeless body against what was left of a wall.

"If that guy had survived the attack," thought Crichton, "then maybe Sartog did to."

After surveying what was left of the bar for a little while, Crichton began to have doubts about his thoughts on Sartog's possible survival. He saw at least six bodies strewn throughout the wreckage of the building, all of them Sartog's henchman whom Crichton had seen earlier at the bar. However, he would not give up until he found Sartog's body.

"Looking for me!" Crichton recognized the voice that yelled at him. He turned around, and found a dirtied and bloodied Sartog facing him with a gun in his hand. "You did this! Who are you to do this to me? You will pay for this! Your dead! Your lover will be dead! Your friends will be dead! I will see to it that my men board your ship and kill everyone aboard!"

"You have to get past me first," said Crichton. "And we both have guns in our hands. Likely, if one of us fires, the other will too. Then, we'll both be dead. So I have a proposition for you, Sartog. We both drop our guns, and settle this one on one."

"Agreed. I will take great pleasure in killing you, just as I did in having your woman!"

With that, Crichton dropped his pulse rifle and rushed Sartog with all of his might. Sartog stepped out of the way, and caused Crichton to miss him in his strong, yet clumsy attack.

Sartog laughed, and dropped his weapon to the ground as well. "This will be easier than I thought. Maybe I won't kill Aeryn along with your friends. Maybe I will take her and keep her as a personal server. She does give good-value."

Crichton again rushed and attacked Sartog. This time, Sartog again side stepped Crichton, but grabbed the human by his coat and threw him against a wall. Crichton crashed into the wall, temporarily stunned. Sartog waists no time in pressing his advantage, kicking the human repeatedly in the stomach.

Through the pain and stunned sense from his collision with the wall, John thought about Aeryn. He thought of the times Aeryn had trained him how to fight, and the words of wisdom she had given him.

"Never let your opponent make you angry, John," he remembered her saying. "If you do, your abilities will be hindered by your emotions, not helped. Stay focused, John, and look for weakness. Then strike."

He was snapped back into conscious thought when he felt Sartog kick him in the face. Crichton did as Aeryn taught him, and found a method of attack. As Sartog gloated, he saw an opening and went for it.

Crichton moved suddenly and rammed his fist into Sartog's groin. The gangster slumped back in pain, and collapsed to his knees. The beaten and bloodied Crichton got up completely and walked over to the stunned Sartog. The human grabbed the alien by the back of his neck and began to punch him in the face. Over and over, he rammed his fists into Sartog head, pummeling him like a rag doll.

He eventually released Sartog, and let his weakened form crumple to the ground. Crichton stood over the fiend, considering what to do next. It was then that, out of the corner of his eye, that John saw movement.

The human whirled around, and drew his holstered pulse pistols as he turned. The sight that greeted him was that of Kabor, armed with a pistol and preparing to strike. But Crichton's move caught the green thug by surprise, and it was too late for Kabor to react. John fired both pistols at Kabor, pouring continuous fire into the alien until he collapsed to the ground, dead. His chest was seared to a crisp by the blasts from the pulse pistols.

Crichton heard movement from behind him. Sartog. John turned on his opponent and found the gangster raising his gun into position to fire. The human was quicker and fired two shots at Sartog. Both blasts hit home into Sartog's chest, and the nefarious trader collapsed to the ground.

The human approached his target, and confirmed that his love's rapist was indeed dead. John stood alone, pulse pistols in hand. He was numb, as the adrenaline began to slowly wear off now that his mission was over.

Crichton looked at Sartog's lifeless body, and remembered a line from a movie that seemed appropriate for the occasion. "How's that for an offer you can't refuse, Sartog."

Aeryn sat alone in the dark of her's and John's quarters, waiting. She did not know what she was waiting for. Was it for John to return and rage at her for having sex with Sartog? Was it for him to return to her and take her in his arms and tell her it was okay, that he understood? She did not know what was in John's mind. All she did know was that he had ran from her side, and had taken her Prowler for some unknown purpose.

Chiana had come to her and stayed with her for a while. The Nebari informed Aeryn that Crichton had asked her to. That was a little reassuring for Aeryn. It indicates he was concerned about her. Or maybe he just wanted to make sure she was there when he got back, so he could tell her how much contempt he had for her.

"No, that can't be it," Aeryn thought. "John Crichton is not that kind of man. Surely he must understand? Yet, at the same time, I look at myself and see guilt. Why should he not see the same when he looks at me?"

Chiana had left about half an arn ago. D'Argo was regaining consciousness, and she wanted to be there. Aeryn told her to go, that she was all right. Despite their on again, off again physical relationship, Chiana and D'Argo still cared very much for each other. They just did not know if it was enough to build a commitment on.

No one knew what had happened down there. All the rest of the crew knew was that both Aeryn and Crichton had returned upset, and that Crichton later took off in the Prowler after leaving Aeryn in their quarters. The former Peacekeeper also worried what they were thinking about her.

"Officer Sun." Pilot's voice interrupted Aeryn's thoughts.

"Yes, Pilot."

"I thought that you would like to know that Crichton has just returned. He is on his way to your quarters as we speak."

"Thank you, Pilot."

"Well, here it comes," Aeryn thought. "Will it be understanding or anger that she will see in her lover's eyes?"

What she never expected was what she saw when Crichton came into the room. He was beaten, bruised, bloodied, and looked like he had been in a fight with ten Luxans. The human was in ragged shape, and his appearance shocked Aeryn into action.

"John!" Aeryn ran to Crichton's side, and placed an arm around him, guiding him to a chair. "What happened, John? Where have you been? How did you..."

"He's dead, Aeryn. I killed him."

"Who, John?" All of a sudden, a realization came into Aeryn's mind as to what had happened, where Crichton had been. He had gone to exact revenge from Sartog.

"You killed Sartog, John? How?"

"I took the Prowler," Crichton began in a tired voice. "Went to the planet, blew his arousal bar to hell. I landed and looked for survivors. Fought Sartog, and killed him when he pulled a gun and tried to kill me." Aeryn placed her head against Crichton's cheek and kissed him. "Kabor's dead, too."

"I never thought...of all of the things that were going through your head when you left me..."

"Aeryn, I'm sorry for leaving you like that. I was just so enraged with Sartog. When you told me what he did, I wanted...I wanted to kill him with my bare hands."

"So, it was Sartog you were angry at?"

"Yeah, who did you think..." Crichton halted his words, and looked into Aeryn's eyes and saw she had been crying. He took her in his arms. "Oh, baby. You didn't think I was mad at you, did you?"

"I thought it was one possibility. Yes."

Tears began to flow from Cricthon's weary eyes, and he kissed his love on her forehead. "Aeryn, how could you think such a thing? You have nothing to be ashamed of. As far as I am concerned, that bastard raped you. He forced you into it. My book, that's rape. That's why I was angry, and why I was determined to send that animal straight to hell. I am the one who should be sorry."

Aeryn looked up at him quickly. "What in this universe do you have to be sorry for, John?" she said seriously. "Nothing that I know of."

"I let you go through with that bargain, let you agree to dance in that bar. I was the instrument Sartog used to get you to..."

"John, you are not responsible for what happened. He used you and he used me. It was his actions, not yours, which caused what happened to happen. And it was my choice to dance in that bar for the Gestra medicine. Now, Sartog is dead. You have avenged me, John. You didn't even have to do that."

John and Aeryn kissed, and she nuzzled her head on his neck. "How are you feeling, Aeryn?"

"I'll be fine, John. I still feel, somehow dirty. But, I will heal in time. It is you I am worried about right now. We should have Zhaan look at your cuts and bruises."

"No, Aeryn. I'm fine. I just need a bath, and a good night's rest." Crichton got up and went into the bathroom. Aeryn followed, and watched him begin to undress. She stood there for a moment, looking on the man who she loved, and who loved her enough to risk his life to exact justice for her. She turned to leave him to his bath, when John spoke to her.

"Aeryn, I love you."

She turned to him briefly, and smiled. "I love you too, John."

It had been a weeken since Moya had left "gangster world" as Crichton had come to call that corrupt planet (whatever that meant). He tried to explain it, and referenced a person called L Cabone, but eventually gave up defining yet another of his Earth sayings.

Aeryn was pounding away at the practice dummy in her workout room. She had been doing that more than she usually does. It was a way for her to release pent up anger she had over what had happened to her, and for her to work off stress.

She had decided to tell the crew what had happened. Secrets, especially ones as big as that one, could fracture a small crew with feelings of suspicion about those around them. Besides, as John pointed out, she had nothing to be ashamed about. The rest of the crew was shocked about what had happened, and thought Crichton's actions in killing Sartog were more than justified.

Out of respect for a request from Aeryn, the crew had been leaving her alone to work out her pain on her own. Of course, she was not totally alone. John was right by her side the whole way. He held her at night when she had bad dreams about that arousal bar, and about Sartog. His support was what was allowing her to recover as quickly as she was.

However, her recovery was still not complete, and she would still need time. She had not been intimate with John since her encounter with Sartog, but he understood why. Besides, John was a patient man. He had told her that she was worth waiting for once, and that she was still worth waiting for. Hopefully, she could find the strength to allow herself to be intimate with him again soon.

D'Argo stepped into the workout room. Aeryn had not seen much of him since she told the crew about the rape. He had retreated inward, and avoided her. Now that he seemed to be breaking that trend, Aeryn stopped working out to greet her of late absent friend.

"Hello, D'Argo," said Aeryn softly.

"Aeryn, I...I am sorry I have been avoiding you. Its just..."

"D'Argo, I can guess why you are avoiding me," said Aeryn, when D'Argo failed to continue his train of thought. "You are feeling some guilt as to what happened to me, guilt I may add that you have no reason to feel."

"Aeryn, it was because of my illness that you had to procure that medicine, and that you had to...degrade yourself to do it. I am ashamed that such a fine warrior as you was subjected to that treatment because of me."

"You and John both..." Aeryn approached her Luxan friend, and placed a hand on his shoulder. "I will tell you what I told him. You have nothing to be blamed for or ashamed about. Sartog was my assailant, not you or John. And Sartog is dead."

"Yes, John avenged your dishonor. If I had known and been able, I would have helped Crichton in quest and would have crushed Sartog's skull."

"I know, D'Argo. I'm just glad that what happened was worth it, because you are still with us."

Aeryn went back to her workout, but was interrupted by a question from D'Argo. "Why did you do what you did, Aeryn? Why did you dance in that bar?"

Aeryn stopped, and turned to D'Argo. "You are my friend, and John's friend. I could not let you die if there was something I could do to prevent it."

D'Argo looked at Aeryn for a moment, then spoke. "You are holding something back. I can tell. What?"

Aeryn hesitated, then spoke. "Pilot told me what you did for me when I was dying from the perapheral nerve injury. How you disregarded my wishes and had Zhaan use Moya's systems to pump the toxins out of my system, to give John more time to get the tissue sample. Please don't be mad at Pilot, I insisted he tell me whose idea it was."

"No one was supposed to tell you. As a warrior, I should have honored your wishes. But, I did not want you to die."

"I did not want you to die either, D'Argo. And, I owed you a life debt."

D'Argo hesitated for a moment, then spoke with great emotion."Thank you, Aeryn. Thank you for my life."

"You're welcome."

With that, Aeryn returned to her workout and D'Argo left the room. As she punched the practice dummy, Aeryn thought about what had happened in the past weeken. All in all, she felt that what she had endured served some purpose. It allowed her to save the life of a good friend and ally. This realization would help her emotional wounds heal quicker. It would allow her to put the past where it belonged and focus on the present and future. For some things may only run skin deep, but her dignity ran much deeper and it was something no one could ever take from her.

The End