Rating: PG-Mild language, intimate situations.

Disclaimer: I did not create the Farscape universe or the characters in it. They are the product of the creative geniuses at the Henson Co., Nine Network Australia, the Scifi Channel, and Rockne S. O'Bannon. I will not garner any monetary compensation for this story. The only profit I will gain from this story is my own personal enjoyment and the enjoyment of the fans of Farscape. No copyright infringement is intended.

Summary: This story takes place sometime in the near future. Aeryn and Crichton have been intimate for only a little while, and she is still trying to get used to her new relationship with him. By chance, Aeryn has an encounter with an old friend that makes her consider the changes that have come since she joined Crichton and the others on Moya.

Feedback: Please send feedback to jonann@gdi.net

Archiving: Anyone who wants it can take it. I don't mind. Just please give me credit for writing it.

*

She was brushing her hair. God, he loved her hair. Long and raven black, Aeryn's hair seemed to just flow down the length of her back as she brushed it. John was putting on his shoes and adjusting the laces, although he was doing a slow job of it because he was so distracted watching Aeryn.

When she was done brushing it, she tied it back and turned to look at Crichton. "John, aren't you ready yet?"

"Yeah, Aeryn, I'm ready," as he tied the last knot in his shoelace. John got up off the bed and walked over to Aeryn. "I just get a little distracted looking at you, and thinking how lucky I am."

She smiled as they embraced each other, and said, "Well, you will not feel so lucky if you do not get to D'Argo and help him with those adjustments in the maintenance bay."

"Yeah, you're right, we had better get a move on." They gave each other a brief kiss, then walked into the corridor, hand in hand. It had been about one month since Aeryn and John began sleeping together. A lot of their habits of getting up together in the morning and going to bed together at night had become routine, but the newness of their closer relationship had not worn off yet. They were still trying to get used to each other and to the intimacy that had developed between them.

The pair parted company up the corridor, as Aeryn made off for command and John for the maintenance day to find D'Argo. "See you later," John said as they parted, replied by Aeryn with a smile. That was something else Crichton loved about Miss Sun was her smile. He swore he would charge through ten types of hell to see her smile.

When he got to the maintenance bay, D'Argo was waiting for him. "You are late," snorted to the Luxan with a halfhearted since of impatience.

"Sorry, I was just, uh, enjoying a great view a little too much."

They began their work, and got the job done together in no time. The relationship between John and D'Argo had always been a complicated one. They had declared themselves a while back to be allies, and they did find respect for each other. The two now considered each other friends after much effort. John realized that the Luxan warrior could be a powerful ally indeed, and D'Argo had come to appreciate some of Crichton's abilities at problem solving, especially as his knowledge about this corner of the universe had grown over time.

When they were finished, they went to join the others for breakfast. Everyone had already gathered in the dining hall when the pair showed up, and they quickly seated and joined the conversation. Crichton sat next to Aeryn. "Did you miss me?"

"Oh yes, the distance between us was almost unbearable for all of the past half arn," she replied with a smile and a sarcastic tone.

"This is sass, isn't it," he said, as Aeryn gave a silent chuckle. He kissed her on the cheek, which made her freeze up a little. "What's wrong?"

"I'm sorry, I am just not as comfortable yet with public displays..."

"It was only a kiss, Aeryn. No one was even paying attention, anyway, they are all eating and talking."

"I just..." She hesitated and left the room suddenly. Crichton leaped up and went after her. He caught up to her in the corridor.

"Hey, don't walk away like that." She looked at him with that stern, Peacekeeper expression that she always used when she was at a loss for feelings. "Aeryn, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable," he said gently.

Aeryn put her arms around him, and began to soften her expression. "My feelings for you are private. I have never been very good with feelings. You know that. My Peacekeeper training caused me to suppress them. I am still exploring how to express them because I care for you so much. But I just need time, and public displays even that small are not helping me get used to..."

"I understand, Aeryn." He held her close to him and kissed her hair. "I'll try to be more understanding from now on."

Just then, Pilot's voice came over the intercom. "Everyone, please come to command, this is an emergency."

Aeryn and Crichton rushed up to the command deck, followed close behind by their crewmates coming from the dining hall.

**

"What is it, Pilot?" Aeryn inquired.

"Moya's sensors have just picked up a Peacekeeper Prowler about 5000 metras away."

D'Argo broke in, "Is it closing, or running?"

"Neither, it is just drifting in space. There is a Peacekeeper distress beacon being broadcast from the Prowler, and my sensors indicate that it has been damaged."

"What would a lone Prowler being doing out here in the middle of nowhere?" inquired Zaahn, while looking at Aeryn.

"I don't know." A look came over her face that was a mixture of trepidation and confusion, the same look that Crichton noticed come over her face when Peacekeepers where anywhere nearby.

"We should starburst out of here immediately," interjected Rygel.

"What about the pilot of that Prowler? We can't just leave him out here. He may die, depending on how his environmentals are holding up," replied Crichton.

"So what," retorted the Hynerian, "Let the bastard die."

"If we do that, we are no better than the Peacekeepers. We have a moral obligation to provide some form of aid."

"Let the Peacekeepers do that," enters D'Argo. " Pilot, do you detect any other Peacekeepers in the area? This may be a trap."

"No, not within sensor range. We are the only two ships out here for a great distance."

"Let us take a vote," Zhaan proposes, the voice of reason as usual. "I vote that we must provide some form of assistance.

"I agree," says Crichton.

"I vote no, categorically, no," replies Rygel. "I vote the same," says D'Argo, "What about you, Chiana?"

"Wow, someone wants to know what I think? I think this moment deserves a grand ceremony."

"Just shut up and vote," snarls D'Argo.

She considers. " I vote we get out of here."

Crichton looked at Aeryn. She knew it was her turn to vote, so he just waited for her to speak. "We can not just leave whoever that is out here," she finally said, though with a great deal of hesitation. Crichton smiled, and was proud of her for her show of compassion.

"We are evenly split in voting," Aeryn continued, "How do you feel pilot?"

"I am not sure. Moya and I are wary, but will agree to render assistance. We trust your judgment, Officer Sun." Of all the members of the crew, Pilot had come to trust Aeryn more than any of the others. Perhaps in part because of her experience with Namtar and being injected with Pilot's DNA, but also for a growing bond that had grown slowly between them. One might call it friendship.

"Fine, decision made, Pilot bring the Prowler aboard."

"Yes, Commander Crichton."

As the Prowler was being towed aboard by Moya's docking web, Crichton, Aeryn, and D'Argo retrieved weapons and headed for the docking bay. The others decided to stay in command just in case this was a trap and they could work with Pilot to escape.

The Prowler landed smoothly in the docking bay, and the armed welcoming party entered in with trepidation and high adrenaline. Although Crichton and Aeryn had voted to bring the ship and its pilot aboard, they were still wary and were ready to shoot if they had to. D'Argo, of course, was always ready to shoot at the sight of a Peacekeeper.

The cockpit of the Prowler opened up and the pilot began to get out. "Move slowly, keeping your hands in the air," called out Aeryn. The pilot complied and stepped out onto the deck, still in flight suit and helmet. "Identify yourself!"

"You know who I am, Aeryn Sun." The pilot, who spoke with a female voice, took off her helmet and revealed her face. "And I used to know you."

A look of horror and shame came over Aeryn's face that startled Crichton to the core. He looked from her to the pilot and back again. With concern, he asked, "What is it ,Aeryn? Who is this person?"

She began to speak, but could not on the first try. Finally recovered from the shock of the moment, she uttered a reply. "Officer Kaylel Nor. She was my best friend."

"Was is the operative word, traitor," replied Nor. "I never thought I would see you again."

"Likewise, Kaylel..."

"Officer Nor to you, traitor!"

Kaylel Nor was a dark haired woman about Aeryn's height and build. But she had sharp, black eyes that seemed to burn through to Aeryn's very soul. Crichton looked at Aeryn and began to see the mental conflict within in her. Inside, he knew that her words hurt, and he wanted to do something to help her. Just then, Aeryn sensed Crichton's gaze and turned on her no nonsense, bad ass Peacekeeper face. "We will take her to a holding cell and question her there," she said in without a hint of emotion.

***

They brought Officer Nor to a cell and put her in. D'Argo went to command to inform the others as to what has happened, while Crichton and Aeryn remained. Aeryn handed him her pulse rifle and told him to stay outside the cell while she spoke to Kaylel.

"Are you sure?" he asked her softly and with concern.

"Yes, John." She touched him on his arm. "I'll be fine."

"I'll be right outside." He wanted to kiss her on the cheek, but thought better of it thinking of their conversation earlier. If she did not want to be kissed in front of their comrades, then she certainly would not in front of the Peacekeeper standing in the cell.

Aeryn stepped in and stood staring at Officer Nor. "Sit down, we have to talk."

"I do not talk to traitors."

Aeryn ignored the comment. "Sit...down...NOW."

Kaylel complied, sitting on small chair in the cell. "Want do you want, Sun?"

"What are you doing out here alone, in a Prowler? Where is the rest of your unit?"

"Our mission here is not for your ears. My ship was damaged and my command carrier had to leave me behind. I expected them to come back for me in a short enough time."

"How long ago?"

"About...10 arns..."

"Maybe they left you for dead. Have you thought of that?"

"My thoughts are none of your concern, Aeryn Sun. Besides, if I had died it would have been doing my duty and with honor. That's more than I can say for your."

Aeryn considered for a moment. "Can we talk? We used to be good friends. We grew up together for ten cycles, until we were assigned to different regiments..."

"That was a long time ago. And you are right, I used to be friends with Aeryn Sun. But that Aeryn Sun that I knew is dead to me. The person I am looking at is the traitor who killed her and now calls herself by that name! I hope you die with all of the dishonor that is coming to you!"

Aeryn stormed out of the cell closing the door behind her. She stormed right past Crichton and into the adjoining corridor. He had heard every word said in there and, after making sure the cell door was secure, began to follow her. Just then, he heard a voice come from the cell.

"You are the one called Crichton?"

Crichton turned to look at Kaylel in the cell, and replied, "Yeah, I'm John Crichton."

"I heard that you looked Sebacean, but I had no idea how much. Too bad you are not Sebacean, I might have really gone for you."

After hearing what she had said to Aeryn, he was in no mood to hear this from the female Peacekeepeer. "In your dreams, bitch." He left the cellblock in a hurry to find Aeryn.

"Pilot," he called over the intercom, "where is Aeryn?"

"Officer Sun is in her, your quarters, Commander Crichton."

"Thanks."

****

Crichton went into his and Aeryn's quarters, and found her sitting on their bed facing away from him. As soon as she heard him come in, she got up and wiped off her face. She tried to hide it, but John knew she was on the verge of tears and had been fighting to hold them back.

"I had better go and see how damaged that Prowler is." She tried to leave but John stopped her.

"Hey, Aeryn, you don't have to be Miss tough Peackeeper with me. I will never judge you, only love you."

He put his arms around her, and Aeryn looked into John's eyes. She knew that he was telling the truth, and that she never had to hide her emotions from him, one of the reasons why she loved him so. She finally broke into tears and, sobbing, put her head against him. John held her close and rubbed her back. She cried there in his arms for nearly half an arn. It was the first time John had really seen Aeryn cry. He comforted her, kissing her hair as he had done often when she was in his arms. She felt so safe in his arms, so loved and cared for.

Aeryn finally finished crying, and they both sat down on the bed. Crichton opened the conversation, trying to get her to talk. "So, you grew up with Kaylel Nor?"

"Yes. She was my best friend for many cycles. We were like sisters. We trained together, bunked together. It seemed we were inseparable, that is until we were assigned to our first regiments when we finished basic Peacekeeper training. We were both 17. It was the hardest separation I had to endure in my life, until I was deemed contaminated and became separated from my people. I saw her several times after our initial separation, and we still kept in touch as friends. I don't know what...what I expected from her earlier. Why would she think any differently about me than any other Peacekeeper?"

"Sometimes, Aeryn, we expect our relationships with people, especially ones that lasted as long as yours and Kaylel's did, to never change. You knew that things were different, but deep down you probably hoped that they wouldn't be."

"It just made me fully aware again that I can never go home and that everyone I ever knew back there now hates me."

The commlink beeped in an interruption. It was Zhaan. "John, could you and Aeryn please come to command. We need to discuss what we are going to do with the Peacekeeper."

John looked at Aeryn. "Are you going to be okay?"

"I'm fine now, John. Thank you." She kissed him, and they quickly hugged each other. "We're coming Zhaan."

*****

"I say we space her." That seemed to be what Rygel wanted to do with every Peacekeeper. Who could blame him, after enduring torture from Peacekeepers for so many cycles.

"We can not just space her." Zhaan, as usual, the voice of reason. "If only it were that simple."

Then Chiana piped in. "Well, if we can't kill her, then what do we do with her? We can't just let her go."

"Why not?" Those words immediately brought everyone's gaze at Crichton.

"Why not," growled D'Argo. "If she is released, she could reveal where we are to the Peacekeepers. Then Scorpius and his command carrier would be close on our heels."

"Wait, am I the only one that has a memory around here?" Crichton said with a small bit of smugness. "We have been through this before, with Gillina."

Aeryn was filled with a lot of emotion at the mention of that name. Gillina was the Peacekeeper tech that Crichton had "clicked" with, as he put it. It was short lived and Gillina was dead. Aeryn knew that John loved her and not Gillina, but she still felt a wave of jealousy at the mention of the tech's name.

Zhaan was the first to respond. "Are you saying, John, that we should release her as we did Gillina because she will not reveal our location for fear of being judged irreversibly contaminated?"

"Exactly. Pilot said two days ago that we were nearing a commerce planet. We repair her Prowler, let her go at that planet, reminding her of the threat of contamination. She can claim that she had the repairs done on the planet when she calls for her command carrier."

"I suppose that makes sense," replied Zhaan.

D'Argo and Rygel were not so sure, but they both finally conceded to the plan, as did Chiana. Aeryn, volunteering to talk to Kaylel, went to the holding cells. Crichton went with her. He stopped her just down the hall from Kaylel's cell.

Crichton looked at Aeryn with concern. "Are you sure..."

"Yes. I will talk to her, and convince her that this plan is the only way she will leave this ship alive and the only way she can rejoin her unit."

Aeryn went into Kaylel's cell, and Crichton again waited outside. After Aeryn told Kaylel the plan, the Peacekeeper reluctantly agreed.

"You have made a smart decision, Kaylel."

"I told you to call me Officer Nor, traitor. Only my friends can call me Kaylel, and you are certainly not one. Oh, by the way, I talked to the human, Crichton, after you left here earlier. He seemed rather upset about what I said to you, and went after you."

"How could you tell how upset he was?"

"I said that it was too bad he wasn't Sebacean because he was rather attractive, or something like that. He called me a nasty little name." Kaylel observed a strange look on Aeryn's face in response to what she told her. Kaylel watched Aeryn deeply for a moment, then looked at Crichton standing outside the cell.

"Wait a moment?" Kaylel was trying to find voice to her thoughts. "Is there something between you and this alien?" When Aeryn did not respond, she knew for sure. In half shock, half disgust, Kaylel uttered, "You are in love with him. You and he are...are..."

"Yes," blurted Aeryn. She composed herself. "Yes we are. John and I are...intimate."

Kaylel started to make all kinds of moves and sounds of confusion and, it seemed, disgust. "I can't believe this. I really do not know you anymore. The Aeryn Sun that I knew really is dead. I mean, I know he is attractive, and I could guess that you would notice this and think this as well. We always did have the same taste in men. But...but.. he is an alien. How can you..."

"How can I what?" Aeryn replied with great emotion and forcefulness. "Let myself be touched by a human! Is that it? Let me tell you something. I am with him because I love him, and he is more of a man than any other male that I have ever met. And for reasons that you would never understand, yes I do share a bed with him. Those reasons happen to be for love. I love John Crichton because he is a kind, caring, strong, intelligent, and resourceful man. He has taught me so much about compassion and...and... about being my own person. I have learned so much from him and my friends here on Moya about being more than just a Peacekeeper grunt. Frell, I was nothing more than a living DRD when I was a Peacekeeper soldier. It was all orders and missions. It wasn't a life. With John, I feel alive and I feel that I am more than just a machine, a member of a unit. I am a member of a family. So, I do not really care what you think of me, OFFICER NOR! As John would say, you can go to hell!"

Aeryn calmed down, and began to leave. She stopped just at the door, and without facing her, asked Kaylel, "How did you know?"

Kaylel was hesitant. Calmly, quietly, she replied, "We used to be like sisters, Aeryn Sun. I could always tell what you were feeling. I knew when I mentioned his name...at least I began to suspect..." It was hard to say, but finally, and with disgust, she said "...that you love him."

"Be ready in 7 arns. I will send you some food." With that, Aeryn left, John trailing behind her. At the end of the corridor, Crichton stopped her.

"You did well in there. Hey, did you really mean...all of that?"

She replied by giving him a long and passionate kiss. "And I don't care who knows it anymore."

Aeryn and John continued down the corridor, with their arms around each other, secure in their love for one another.

******

With the Prowler repaired, and with Moya in orbit of the commerce planet, Crichton and D'Argo went to bring Kaylel from her cell to her Prowler. Aeryn said that she wanted to do a last minute check on the Prowler, mainly to make sure that its weapons were disabled so she could not damage Moya after takeoff.

Crichton led the party down the corridor, with their unwelcome guest trailing behind him, and with D'Argo bringing up the rear with his rifle pointed at the Peacekeeper. Just before reaching the landing bay, Kaylel spoke to Crichton.

"Do you really love her, human? Or is it that she is good at pleasuring you in bed?"

With a sudden and quick movement that took both the Peacekeeper and D'Argo off guard, Crichton swung around and decked Kaylel across the jaw, knocking her to the floor. After recovering from her shock, the Peacekeeper got up and began to make a move against Crichton.

"I think not, Peacekeeper," came the voice of the Luxan behind her, as he pointed his rifle at her head.

Crichton, in a tone of quiet fury, responded to the Peacekeeper's rude remark. "You know something, I have never hit a woman in my entire life. On my world, it is considered dishonorable for a man to strike a woman. But sister, I just broke that rule because you asked for it." He got a little closer to Kaylel, and spoke in quiet tones to her. "After your first conversation with Aeryn, I followed her to our quarters. I have never seen her so hurt before since I have known her. Since then, some anger and rage has been building up in me towards you. After that last remark, your lucky I didn't do more that give you a good smack! Now, lets get you in your little hot rod and off this ship before you have a really bad accident!"

They continued towards the landing bay. When they came into the bay, they found Aeryn next to the door facing the Prowler. Kaylel passed her, apparently with the intention of not saying a word to her. Then, she turned towards Aeryn and said, in a low voice, "Was it worth it?" With that, Kaylel turned and got into her Prowler. The ship left the bay and went down to the planet.

*******

That night, Aeryn lay in bed waiting for John to finish bathing. She was grateful for the time to contemplate what Kaylel had said to her. "Was it worth it?" It, her new life. Was it worth what she lost. That was certainly not an easy question by any stretch of the imagination. Aeryn was forever separated from her people, the only life she had known as far as she could remember. From her friends. Kaylel. Of all the friends she has given up with her new life, Kaylel is probably the hardest. She could not bring herself to hate Kaylel. Aeryn understood her feelings. She would miss her friend, her sister, but not as much now. Perhaps because the mystery of how their relationship now stands is over. Not that there ever was a mystery really to speak of regarding feelings her friends, or rather her former friends, now have for her.

Then she considered what she now has gained. Aeryn has learned to think for herself. She can learn what she wants, do what she wants, be what she wants to be. She has freedom that she never could have believed possible. And she has new friends, those she cares about. D'Argo, Zhaan, Chiana, Pilot, even Rygel. Moya was her friend in a way as well, and her home.

Then there is John Crichton, the person who is the most responsible for causing her to follow the path to this new life. John is her friend, confidant, companion...lover. Aeryn had thought on how he had comforted her when she was crying, how she was not afraid to be vulnerable in front of him. Was he worth it? How could she even ask that question?

Just then, Crichton came into the room from his bath. He was in his underwear, and not wearing a shirt. Aeryn smiled, admiring his bare chest and well-built form. She loved it when he wasn't wearing a shirt. When Aeryn told him that once, he replied that he felt the same way about her. She had laughed. That was another thing, he could make her laugh. That was another emotion he brought out of her.

"Hey, Aeryn. Ready for bed?"

John lay down on his back and got under the sheets. Aeryn rolled over laid up against him. "You're worth it, John," she said.

Crichton looked puzzled, but Aeryn simply smiled and began to kiss him. After that, they made love. They seemed to do so for arns.

********

When they were done, John rolled over on his back and Aeryn again curled up against him, with her arm wrapped around him and her head resting on his shoulder. Lying there, John began to think about her and how much he loved her. He looked at this beautiful woman lying there with him, his arm wrapped around her. John considered her smooth skin and that long, raven black hair that he loved so much. Then he considered the complex woman inside that exterior. Even if he never saw Earth again, he felt that it would be all right as long as he had her. John loved her, inside and out. He kissed her hair and said, "You are worth it too, Aeryn."

The End