TITLE: "SYMBIOSIS"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "Farscape"

PAIRING: John/Aeryn

RATING: PG-13

STATUS: New.

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed

SERIES/SEQUEL: SEQUEL to ""RELIEVING SHADOWS"

The usual disclaimers apply. No infringement of copyright is intended.

"SYMBIOSIS"
A "Farscape" story
Written by Alison M. DOBELL

Ka D'Argo marched quickly through the market place. Even though he did not know where he was going some instinct told him it would be the most impressive building. No planetary rulers he had ever met lived in a hovel. He was unaware that he was being followed until Yar'keth caught up with him. D'Argo glared at him but did not slow down.

"Please, Ka D'Argo, master your rage!"

That was it. He stopped and spun round, his qualta rifle aimed at the startled and mild mannered Squa'lik'na. His colour flushed a murky brown. Even D'Argo realised he was exhibiting signs of distress but he was too angry to modify his reaction. "I am going to see the Elders and *demand* they release John immediately! If you try to stop me I will not be responsible for my actions."

"Peace, Ka D'Argo, you will always be responsible for your actions."

"You do not know me, you have no right to make such a judgement."

"I make this judgement as all sentient beings must do. I ask you to calm down. I will come with you."

The Luxan's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Why?"

"Because I do not want your haste and anger to harm John."

"John is my friend, I would never harm him."

"Not intentionally perhaps."

Ka D'Argo was tempted to rip the limbs off the creature but sensed that it was telling him the truth. Or at least, the truth as he saw it. "Explain."

Yar'keth waved his front tentaculared limb in a graceful motion that was vaguely reminscent of an arm. It reminded D'Argo of the way Crichton would wave his arms around when he was talking as if the motion illustrated his thought processes. Funnily enough it calmed him down enough to actually listen. No mean feat in itself. "John is not a prisoner, Ka D'Argo."

"Then why didn't he come home with Aeryn?"

"When he was being assessed anomalies were found."

"What anomalies?"

"His brain is damaged. There is much trauma there, much pain."

D'Argo felt his anger huff out of him. He powered down his qualta rifle and stared at the Squa'lik'na. "How in hezmana did they know that?"

"He was being assessed."

D'Argo shook his head. "That term tells me nothing."

"When Aeryn Sun came to our world she wanted somewhere safe to have her child. Somewhere where she could live unmolested."

"Yes, I know."

"All things that are given come at a price."

"What price?"

"In return for a peaceful life here and all her needs being met, Aeryn agreed a contract in which she would submit herself for assessment four times a cycle. It is a good contract and benefits all."

The Luxan frowned. "How does it benefit all?"

"Perhaps I should allow Aeryn Sun to tell you herself."

"No," Said D'Argo firmly, knowing how hard it could be to get Aeryn to tell him anything especially when it was something important. "Tell me now."

The Squa'lik'na looked at him for a dozen microts. "You are Aeryn Sun's friend."

"Yes."

"Then I will tell you though she may not be happy that you know this."

"Just tell me and let me be the judge of that."

"Our species is very complex and very ancient. We are not one sentient form but several. Our host body is as you see us, Squa'lik'na. The physical form of our joining. Within the host are the light beings who feed and nourish us in return for a home and the gift of our emotions."

"How can emotions be a gift?"

"If you need to ask then you are in need of light beings of your own."

Ka D'Argo snorted angrily and Yar'keth flowed back a pace. Seeing his reaction, the Luxan forced himself to calm down. "You said you would explain the contract."

"Our contract is between the Squa'lik'na and the light begins. Aeryn Sun's contract is between the Squa'lik'na and herself."

He was silent for a microt, ruminating over what the Squa'lik'na had just said. "Are you saying that you are now hosts to Aeryn?"

A flush of pleasure rippled bright orange through Yar'keth's head comb then rippled out to his limbs. "No. I am saying that Aeryn Sun is host to us."

* * * * *

It was the most fantastic ride he had ever had. A rollercoaster with no ill effects, no feelings of nausea, panic or distress. Man these guys were good! The light seemed happy with him.

*What is your species, John?*

"I'm human."

*Not Sebacean?*

He laughed. "No, though I get that a lot. We look alike, at least physically, on the outside."

He felt the light agreeing with him, its' coloured contours flowing inside him and exploring. It was a bit like having a sauna but without the heat. Only this sauna was having a conversation inside his brain. Waves of light rippling pleasantly in his mind. Washing him with colours and thoughts that fascinated the hezmana out of him.

"So what do you guys do with the Squa'lik'na?"

*We have a contract*

The answer surprised him. "A contract? What kind of contract or are you not allowed to say?"

The light knew he was concerned about asking them to break a confidence. It pleased them that he was so thoughtful. *To each other we are symbionts. We are separate beings that do not merge yet coexist for the benefit of both our species*

"That's cool. I mean we have creatures back on my home planet who do that. A symbiotic relationship where the strengths of one species aid the weakness of another and vice a versa. Kinda like you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours."

*You wish to scratch your back?*

He laughed, his humour absorbed by the light which reflected it through his body in a hundred thousand light waves. "Oh wow, what was that?"

*We scratched your back*

That was it. He was helpless with laughter now. The light bathed him in quiet joy, observed the heart of the human at play and liked what it saw. He lay on the round capstone of his room, the light shining down from the open roof. Heat gently pulsing through him and maintaining a comfortable level that he found so relaxing. It was weird. He should have backache from
sleeping on flat stone but the stone was warm to his touch, reacted to his needs much like Moya did. In fact, if he was not mistaken the stone had light rays shimmering through it. Not all the time but when he was distressed, disorientated or had any negative emotions the stone would pulse
this light up through his body as if it were reflected. Clensing the negative energy out of his system. The light being was different. It had flowed into him during the surgery and for some reason decided to stay. He was mildly surprised at himself for not kicking the squatter out but he had to admit he liked the light beings. They were gentle and had a kind of exotic wisdom that was like a drug to him. He loved it. Wished he could take one home with him.

*Why don't you?*

"Why don't I what?"

*Take us home with you*

He became solemn, considering the offer. "I'm not sure that's such a good idea. I mean, I love you being here. This is the best time I've ever had with my clothes on but my friends might flip if they saw this."

*Saw what?*

He chuckled lightly. "Okay, you got me there. No way could they see you guys drifting around inside me. I realise that but if they knew it would make them panic. Thinking I had been invaded or something."

*We do not invade, John. Neither do we stay where there is no mutual benefit. Ask us to go and we will leave*

"No, no, don't go. Please. I'm sorry, I was just trying to explain that's all."

He felt the light hum through his body at a faster rate, the gentle vibration warming him right through with a sensation of deep well being. It made him feel sleepy. Safe. Loved. *You should rest now, John*

"Yeah, I guess so. Thanks."

His words trailed off into a mumble. As the light deepened his sleep it checked the damage and began to wash its' light through the traumatised section of his brain. Gently and carefully healing him as he slept.

* * * * *

Aeryn was surprised and relieved when Ka D'Argo returned. He was calmer and thoughtful. Robert looked at him and tugged on his coat. D'Argo smiled and knelt so he could look at him eye to eye.

"Did you see my father?"

D'Argo flicked a glance at Aeryn then looked back at Robert. "No, I did not. He is sleeping. We will all go together tomorrow and see him."

"Is he alright?"

The Luxan smiled. "Yes."

Robert beamed at him then noticed that Yar'keth was hovering in the background. He walked passed D'Argo to speak to the Squa'lik'na. Aeryn took the opportunity to take D'Argo to one side. "What happened?"

"Yar'keth followed me and managed to persuade me to wait until tomorrow."

She frowned. D'Argo was not one to easily take the counsel of another, especially someone he did not know. "He must have been most persuasive."

"Let's just say he spoke a lot of sense."

Aeryn opened her mouth to say something when Robert came running up to them. He was grinning from ear to ear. "Mom, mom, Yar'keth says I can play with his light. Can I, can I, can I?"

"No, Robert. Not until you are older."

He made a face, began to frown but she would not budge. She looked up and spoke directly to the Squa'lik'na. "Thank you Yar'keth but my son is not old enough for the gift. Please go and rest now, we will see you tomorrow."

His comb flushed a happy yellow. "I live to serve."

Once he had gone D'Argo fixed a baleful eye on her. "What was that about the light? What did he mean?"

"Can't this wait until tomorrow, D'Argo?"

"No."

Aeryn sighed. "Okay. You know the way the light changes in a Squa'lik'na?"

"Yes, it seems directly connected to their expression of emotion."

She nodded. It was a good observation. "What you don't know is that the light is a separate being from the Squa'lik'na. They agree to live together in one body. Squa'lik'na receive their light beings at birth. Other species have to adapt to them. Not all species are able to accommodate or host them."

Her teminology struck a gong in D'Argo's mind. "Host them?"

"Yes. Provide a home. A refuge. A place of safety. Somewhere that is of mutual benefit to both."

"What does the light ask in return?"

"D'Argo. I am tired, Robert needs to sleep. Tomorrow we will be seeing John. We'll talk about this then I promise."

He looked deep into her eyes. Could see how weary she was, noticed that the boy kept yawning. She was right. For once his impatience would have to take second place to his concern for his friends. Aeryn knew this world far better than he and she had even trusted her son to go out on his own to the market place confident that he would come to no harm. That spoke more than
volumes to him. He nodded. "Very well, Aeryn. Sleep well, my friend."

"You too, D'Argo."

* * * * *

It was always dark in space. Black like ink the vast maw of eternity spun the cosmic dust in its' hands with a dispassionate eye. Sound waves bent and distorted through magnetic and electric fields that shuddered on a quantum level and alerted the listening ear. Not in tens of cycles had the resonance been this strong. Silent alarms went off all over the planet. The Council of Elders met in solemn disarray and heard the transmission. Glum faces accentuated by the dark attenuation of the light rays that lived and breathed through their transparent masks. Limbs moved with sloth born of sorrow not idleness. The Dar'ga'nel had no words of calm, no reassuring wash of colours to soothe their fractured nerves. The light beings quailed at the slow advance. A ship could manouevre, outrun or even turn tail and flee from danger. A planet could not.

* * * * *

He woke slowly. The circular stone upon which he slept rising without noise or friction up into the opening high above. It clicked softly into place in the special anteroom prepared for him to receive visitors. The Elders waited patiently for him to wake. Yar'keth was nervous that he could not first wake in privacy. The Dar'ga'nel noticed his colours darkening in a disturbed wash. He rolled out a tentacled limb and rubbed a fleshy pad soothingly over the young Squa'lik'na's head comb. His calmer light flushing the dark colours from Yar'keth and instilling calm. "What troubles you,
Yar'keth?"

"We should let him wake in privacy. This might alarm and distress him."

The Elders considered his words and withdrew leaving Yar'keth to wait for the human to wake. They would be in the next room. Yar'keth rolled across the floor on his limbs and stopped next to Crichton. He watched the expressive face as the human began to stir. Moving back so that as his eyes opened he would not be the first thing the human saw. Crichton smiled as he woke, his expression happy and content. He looked around and spotted the Squa'lik'na. It only took a microt for him to recognise which one it was.

"Hey, Yar'keth what's with the early morning visit? Don't tell me you guys do breakfast in bed?"

Yar'keth's colours swirled with confusion and Crichton laughed gently. The light beings inside his mind sharing the joke. "It's okay I'm just kidding you."

"Kidding?"

"It's Earth humour. Never mind. What's up?"

"The Council of Elders wishes to see you."

He got up and stretched. "Okay. Mind if I freshen up first? You know, have a shower, a bath, a wash - whatever. Get clean."

"You are dirty?"

Crichton scratched the back of his head. "Let me put it this way, humans like to wash their skin on a daily basis, you comprende?"

Although Yar'keth was baffled he realised the ritual meant something to the human. Perhaps it was a religious thing?

"If you have some water, a bowl, maybe some soap? Dentics?"

Yar'keth seemed to intuit what he meant. "I will arrange a place for you to do these things, first the Elders wish to speak with you."

"I said..."

"They are waiting outside, John." Said Yar'keth in a low voice.

Crichton nodded, understanding dawning in a heartbeat. He smiled to reassure the young Squa'lik'na. "Thank you, Yar'keth. Please tell them I am ready to see them."

Yar'keth flushed a vibrant bright yellow. It made Crichton laugh inside with pleasure to know he was pleased. The light beings fussed quietly inside him, not enough to detract him from his thoughts but concerned as to why the Elders were soliticiting a meeting so early. He was surprised to see so many of them come into the anteroom. Their colours were muted, telling him
straight away that something serious was going on. Okay. Fine. So what in hezmana did that have to do with him? The Dar'ga'nel did not waste time but came straight to the point.

"John Crichton. We understand that on your world you are a scientist?"

He nodded, surprised that they would know this let alone consider it of any value. "That's true."

"You are a creature of peace?"

Another nod. "Yes."

"Yet you have travelled with violent beings?"

He felt more cautious now. Noted that Yar'keth had not been permitted to stay for this. Somehow that fact unsettled him as if he had been left alone with strangers. The beings of light washed their calm through him, gently flushing soothing tones through his mind and relaxing the bunch of muscles that knotted in his stomach. Attacking his rattlers better than a whole box of settlers. "It's a violent universe and in case you hadn't noticed, it's not mine."

He watched the equivalent of nods go round the group. The Dar'ga'nel rolled forward on his many limbs and stopped within a half metra of him. Close enough to touch him with his limbs. "We have a problem that we cannot solve. We come to you for help. If you will aid us."

The frown on his face turned to concern. "What's the problem?"

"Something dark approaches."

"Dark? Can you guys be more specific?"

"Dark," Said one of the Elders. "As opposed to light."

"Yeah, I know what dark *means*," Said Crichton carefully, trying not to get impatient with them. "What I want to know is what it is about this particular dark that frightens you so much?"

"It is dark in the extreme," Explained the Dar'ga'nel. "In the manner of an all consuming maw."

"Let me get this straight, this Dark you fear is approaching this planet?"

They all made noises of agreement. Their lights were all changing from subdued to depressed. Only the light beings he carried inside him kept his heart from quailing as he sensed their deep rooted fear.

"Has this happened before?"

The Dar'ga'nel extended a limb and gently placed the prehensile tip on Crichton's head, flexing the sensitive pads to make the best contact with the human's skull. "Yes. On our home world long ago. It is why we fled, came here. I will show you, John, that you might see and understand and deliver us from our terror..."

Pictures fired inside his brain. Impossible images that swallowed up everything in its' path leaving behind a cold, empty void where darkness bred and festered with a malignant doom like a living thing.

* * * * *

END