TITLE: "UNCERTAIN FOE"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "Farscape"

PAIRING: John/Aeryn

RATING: NC-17

STATUS: New. Series Finale.

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed

SERIES/SEQUEL: SEQUEL to "NOTHING TO DREAM".

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

"UNCERTAIN FOE"
A "Farscape" story
Written by Alison M. DOBELL


He was cold, so cold. Aeryn was frantic, her anxious face hovering over him. Ka D'Argo tried to ease her back. His voice gentle, his hands firm. "Aeryn, John needs blankets."

She gave him a blank look then realised he was right. Crichton was shivering from head to foot but had not opened his eyes or shown any signs of waking. D'Argo was worried about him but convinced that with a little care they could alleviate his distress and he would recover. He looked at Yar'keth for a microt. "I owe you an apology, Yar'keth."

The young Squa'lik'na flushed orange then yellow, the colour brightening as if indicative of his disposition. "You are welcome."

Robert held one of his father's hands in his, trying to warm the chill out of it with his meagre body heat. He looked up at Yar'keth with glassy eyes. "Don't let him die, Yar'keth."

The Squa'lik'na tried to cheer him up. "John will not die, Robert. Too many owe him too much."

The Luxan frowned. "What do you mean?"

"John saved our world, Ka D'Argo. How he convinced the Dark to leave and to let him go we cannot fathom but we are all grateful. We will not let him die."

Just then Aeryn came running back with blankets. They wrapped him carefully, Aeryn kneeling beside him, her hand brushing the icy surface of his face. He was too cold, too white, too still. Yar'keth touched her shoulder. "Please. Let us help."

She did not know what to do or say. D'Argo spoke for her. "How can you help?"

"We will take him to the storcam."

"Storcam?"

"It is a special light chamber that we use as sleeping quarters for guests. It can also be used as a cell."

Aeryn did not like the sound of that. Robert looked at his father's still face and nodded. "Let him help, mom. Dad trusts them."

She gave him a startled look. "How do you know that?"

Robert looked up at her. "I just know."

Not knowing what to make of that she nodded. "Can I go with him?"

He was about to refuse then relented. "Yes, but just you. He must sleep. Rest. You must promise not to wake him. Let the light heal and rest him. When he wakes he will be well again."

Aeryn felt tears prick her eyes. "Thank you."

D'Argo gently put a hand on Robert's shoulder, watched him put his father's hand down and kiss the cold cheek. "Come on, I want to take a look around this place and something tells me you have been everywhere - even the places you should not have been."

Distracted, Robert grinned briefly. "Okay."

Yar'keth and a couple of the Squa'lik'na servitors took Crichton to the light chamber. Aeryn walking beside them, silent and thoughtful. When they got to the anteroom she looked baffled. "Why are we here?"

Yar'keth flushed a brilliant orange. "Behold the light stone, Aeryn."

"The what?"

Then she saw them gently place Crichton on the huge round stone in the middle of the room. It was easily a couple of metra across. Almost it dwarfed the human. Yar'keth nudged her shoulder gently. "Aeryn, you should sit on the stone beside him."

She frowned. "Why?"

"It is the only way in or out of the light room."

A thought occurred to her. "I am Sebacean."

"We know."

"I cannot tolerate heat."

"We know this too, Aeryn Sun. The heat will shine on John not you. The light stone will send warmth and light up through the cells of his body vanquishing the grip of the Dark and restoring his human equilibrium. He will be gently eased into a natural and deep sleep. Only when he is fully rested will he wake again. When he does he will be fully restored to you."

"I would like..." Aeryn broke off, suddenly embarrassed. How could she tell him she wanted privacy?

"If you stay with him we will not return until we are called for." Said Yar'keth gently.

"How did you know what I wanted to say?"

"I know John and I have watched you while you have been among us, Aeryn Sun. We are different species you and I but emotions are something all of us share."

"Once I would not have agreed with you."

The Squa'lik'na did not seem to understand what she was alluding to and Aeryn was in no mood to enlighten him. She got on the stone and sat cross legged next to Crichton, her hand resting over his heart, her eyes on his cold immobile face. Without a word Yar'keth had the light stone lowered into the cell. Aeryn was at first alarmed, feelings of being trapped making the panic rise like a bile in her stomach. Gently it settled and she realised to her surprise that Yar'keth was rolling down the wall from the high opening through which they had descended. Carefully he explained that Crichton would not now need the blankets. She should not rest on the stone with him but let the light do its' work. Aeryn nodded and watched him retreat back up the wall and out of sight.

She waited until she was sure they were alone. Felt the warmth gently wafting down and began to remove the blankets she and D'Argo had wrapped around Crichton. He shuddered as she took the layers off him, pausing to kiss his icy lips. The touch of his cold flesh bringing tears to her eyes
but she did not let them fall. Did not dare to falter. Once the blankets were gone she watched the light touch his face and bare arms and begin to warm him. The shivering stopped. He appeared to slowly become more comfortable as the warmth stole gently through his clothing and into his
frozen body. Aeryn was fascinated, unable to take her eyes off his face as the colour gradually seeped back into his cheeks and warmth flushed him once more with colour. Tears came to her eyes but she did not touch him, did not get on the stone to lay beside him. Knowing that the increasing warmth would adversely affect her Sebacean physiology. She waited and watched over him for a couple of arns, only laying the blankets on the floor and lying down on them once she had assured herself that he was out of danger. Aeryn did not think she would be able to sleep but the even sussuration of his breath was all she needed to relax and give herself up to the rest her body craved.

* * * * *

Ka D'Argo could not help laughing. He had been right. Robert knew all the ways in and out of everywhere, his sudden appearance causing no little consternation among some of the Elders. Oddly enough they did not admonish him or show anger. A little unease and some irritation but that was all. He tilted his head at the boy. "How do you do that?"

"Do what?"

"Get away with so much? On my home planet you would have been lashed for such actions."

"Lashed?"

He huffed and considered how much he should tell him. He was a warrior. Crichton was a warrior, albeit a reluctant one. It was only fitting that his son should know the way of warriors. "Lashed. We have special whips for the purpose of punishment. The length of the lash has madium steel chips in the leather so that it cuts and bites and draws the blood."

Robert flinched. "Sounds painful, D'Argo."

The Luxan nodded in satisfaction. "It is. When a Luxan bleeds his blood is black. The lash is used until it runs clear again."

All of a sudden Robert was not so sure he should have taken D'Argo on a tour of the Squa'lik'na capital building. Seeing his expression D'Argo laughed lightly. "Of course, it would never be used on a child. Even one as headstrong and foolish as Aeryn and John's son."

Seeing that he was being teased Robert laughed back. Just then D'Argo's com activated.

"Captain D'Argo, is all well?"

A big smile lit the Luxan's face. "Pilot! It is good to hear your voice." His eyes watched Robert as he spoke into his com. "How are you and Moya?"

Pilot sounded cautious, worried. "We are fine, Ka D'Argo, but worried about you and the others."

"We are okay, Pilot. John is recovering but other than that no one is injured."

"What happened to John?"

D'Argo paused. "Long story, Pilot. Tell you when we come back."

Robert frowned. "You are leaving?"

He nodded. "Yes, but not until your father is fully recovered." D'Argo watched how the boy's face fell and his two hearts went out to him. "In the meantime, how would you like to come with me and meet Pilot and Moya?"

The boy's eyes lit up. The brightest stars in any galaxy. "Can I?"

"Yes, you can."

He hesitated. "I should ask mom first, she'll worry."

"No need. Your mother will be with John until tomorrow. I will let the Squa'lik'na know where we are and when your father wakes up we will be back here to see him. How does that sound, Robert?"

He grinned. "It sounds like a plan!"

D'Argo laughed and the two conspirators went to find D'Argo's ship.

* * * * *

He woke slowly. The light beings caressing him from the inside out, their ambient glow healing him as the light that rose up from the stone defrosted him. So gently, so completely that he did not burn or feel the agony of returning senses. He felt comfortable. Loved. Cared for. Safe. And above all he felt *warm*. Those last few arns in the grip of the maw had terrified him. Yet he felt sorry for the Dark. Knew it acted simply out of its' nature and knew no different. The idea that something as abstract as the Dark could be lonely was a strange concept to grasp. But then he had accepted that the light beings had feelings, understood and shared emotions. Why not the Dark also? The light raised their vibrations on sensing his returning consciousness. They babbled through his veins with excitement, all thinking at once. He chuckled and they flowed as one, a pulse of joy bathing in his humour. Washing him in their happy regard.

<Hey guys, you okay?>

<Fine now you are recovered>

<I wanted to thank you for helping me. You saved my ass out there>

<Your ass?>

<Sorry, Earth term. My eema>

He felt them undulate through him in a wave of amusement that lifted his heart. <I didn't know you could breathe for me>

<For a time yes>

<You mean after a while I would have suffocated anyway?>

He felt a stir of sadness ripple through them and was sorry he had asked. <Yes. We would have slowly died, and as we left you the maw would have sucked your breath from your body and there would be no more John Crichton>

That shut him up for a microt. <You guys took a big risk>

<We wanted to help>

<You could have died>

<We could not leave you. You are our host. If you die, we die. It was no sacrifice>

Their words moved him. Something must have told Aeryn he had woken because she stirred drawing Crichton's attention to the floor. His eyes widened with surprise. "Aeryn? What are you doing here?"

She smiled a slow generous curve of luscious lips, her eyes sparkling with thoughts that he wished he could read. His heart began to speed up. He felt the light beings trickle through his cells in a kind of anticipation. He was not sure what it meant. Was not sure he wanted to go there. "You're awake?" Said Aeryn unnecessarily.

Crichton realised she was giving herself thinking space by stating the obvious. He rolled on to his side so he could watch her. Soon it was just too much for him to be that far from her. She watched him get up and pad over to where she lay sprawled out on D'Argo's blankets. "Room for one more?"

She grinned and moved over to make room. Her hands sliding up his legs as he began to lay down next to her. He smiled at her touch. Even through leather she set him on fire. <Oh man, this is Heaven. If I am dreaming don't ever let me wake up>

The light beings fell silent, their energies tingling along his nerve endings and buzzing gently through him as they gravitated to his groin. Crichton groaned deep and slow. God he was so hot, needed Aeryn so much. Could hardly hang on to his sanity let alone his hormones. He kissed her and ran his fingers through her hair, his senses on overload just being this close to her. Aeryn rubbed herself against him and he shuddered hard. "Gawd Aeryn, you keep doing that and I'm gonna come in my pants."

She chuckled in his mouth, her hands all over him, his body writhing into her touch, his tongue exploring deep inside her mouth, his hands undoing her clothes almost as quickly as she was undoing his. He was going out of his head with need, lust pouring through him, hands shaking with the effort to disrobe her without simply tearing her clothes off. What the frell was the matter with him? He had more control than this, didn't he? The light beings stayed quiet, their excitation a running fire sizzling along his spine, sparking the heat in his penis as he hardened and got more and more excited. Aeryn was pleased by the urgency of his response, she did not want to wait either. She needed him inside her, her own moist walls leaking for him. His right hand touched her gently and was almost swallowed whole. His eyes crinkled with humour. Gently he pulled back and sucked her bottom lip, trying not to laugh out loud at how fiercely she was grabbing at him. He was trying to hold on, at least make it last a little longer but Aeryn could not wait. With a grunt she grabbed his penis and massaged him so hard that he gasped and closed his eyes. The head leaking in her busy hands. <Frell Aeryn, I'm gonna spray you from head to foot if you don't ease up>

But he had no time to warn her. Quickly she flipped him on to his back and mounted him. His mouth dropped open with the strength of her downward thrust. She devoured him, sliding down on his shaft as she worked him. The light beings inside him cascading and thrumming their light up and down his cock as he began to pump inside her, her tight walls gripping him and encouraging him to push deeper, faster, harder. Again and again and again. He grunted with effort, she clung and bit and clawed at him to increase the friction. The light beings intensified everything he was feeling. He could not speak, his jism pooled in his testicles as they tightened. Aeryn gripped his hips so tightly that her nails dug into flesh and made him bleed. Gently the light beings flickered their energies to heighten his arousal to unbearable levels enough for the sensation creeping through him to light the blue touch paper. Crichton tensed, Aeryn dropped her head and licked a nipple then bit lightly, her tongue washing over the light bruise before nipping him again as he shuddered. Then his spine snapped and he poured into her, such a raging torrent of hot jism whitewashing her walls with his fecund seed. She flexed and rode his shaft as he came, not staying still though his hands begged her. She wanted him, all of him, and waiting to build the fire even higher between them was not an option.

She clung to him as he continued to rock hard inside her, ramming each inward thrust as far as he could so that none of the precious seed would be lost. Instinct guiding him and making him thorough. The light beings sparkled as he came, multiplying in the hot jism and sailing the creamy storm into Aeryn. Pumped deep inside her they glided into the waiting warmth of the female, explored with excited shivers of energy. Muted they did not speak to her, knowing that Crichton worried about her reaction. Bad enough if she knew how much he shared with them. She would really freak if she thought they were exploring her and examining her womb to take his seed. If she was not suitable they would abort but what they found filled them with joy. Not only was she fertile, she was also perfect for him. The light beings thrummed so gently inside her that she thought it was the after effects of making love. Carefully they nurtured the sperm having rode with it in the seminal fluid through his uretha into Aeryn's reproductive tract. They were taking no chances. Their love for Crichton spurring them on to join his seed to her eggs. The eggs ripe for fertilising as they dropped from the ovaries into the fallopian tubes. With their aid the sperm fused with the eggs. Happy, they carefully checked the fertilisation was complete then sailed in the juices of coitus in mute celebration.

Crichton was wasted. God he had never come so hard in his life before. Aeryn lay draped over him. Neither able to move for a few microts. Something stirred in Crichton. A desire to wash her with his tongue, to taste her and drown in her heady scent. Consume the flavour of her before
allowing himself to sleep. She was sluggish but content. He opened a hazy eye, so shattered but in a good way. He knew he would recover in a half arn or so but right now every movement was an effort. The light beings still inside him were orchestrating what they wanted, what they needed. Inspiring his male brain was easy. In the aftermath of coitus he was so bidable. He turned his head and kissed Aeryn gently, loving how her lips parted in a smile. "I take it you missed me?" She said, sounding beautifully smug as only Aeryn could.

He grinned. A lazy joy that matched the shining promise in his eyes. "Roll over and I'll show you."

Aeryn raised her eyebrows. He had to be kidding? But no, he was looking at her expectantly. She rolled on to her back and watched him through half open eyes. Almost asleep. He loved her like this. Savoured the microt of utter calm and content that would last for such a short time but was
infinitely more precious to him for it. He took a deep breath and slid down between her legs and got comfortable. Aeryn opened her eyes wide and stared down at him then moaned as his tongue dipped into her vagina and began to lap at her juices. Groaning louder now she lay back and shut her eyes. The feeling was so intense, his tongue dipping and stroking her as he lapped, the microscopic light beings gravitating to his tongue on their way home to him. Unknowingly he picked up the hitch hikers and washed her lovingly, teasing her nub into orgasming against his tongue and making them both shiver gently with delight as he sucked her. The light beings encouraged him to keep going until all of them had vacated Aeryn and returned to him. She spasmed one last time against his tongue. Felt him sigh between her legs, so tired now that he could hardly keep his eyes open.

Aeryn reached for him and tugged on his hair making him look up at her. He knew she wanted him in her arms, the knowledge a bright joy Star Bursting in his heart for love of her. She guided him back until he lay exhausted beside her then wrapped her arms gently and possessively round him. Niether knowing that new life was growing inside Aeryn's womb. This time the seed would be his, not his twin's. Not some other nameless face in the crowd. But him. John Robert Crichton Jnr. The light beings had known even in his deepest joy that his one sorrow had been that Robert was not his but his twin's. Same DNA, different donor. This time there would be no such
division. They wanted to make his happiness complete. To thank him for all he had done and all he had taught them. A gentle being like them. Such a rarity in a violent universe.

* * * * *

The Council of Elders were stunned. The Dar'ga'nel flushed a greenish blue. "Are you sure?"

His chief assessor was unequivocal. "Yes, your eminence. Aeryn Sun is carrying the human seed."

For a microt no one spoke then the Dar'ga'nel flushed such a deep vibrant yellow that his joy first stunned then delighted the others. All the Elders turning yellow to match him in full agreement. It seemed fitting that the Sebacean find her own reward after carrying their own fragile seed to
germination for them. For them, she had been the perfect host and they had harvested the tiny Squa'lik'na embryoes with the greatest of care, transferring them to special incubators to bring them full term. It was a price of evolution that they had lost the ability to carry their own seed successfully. So they had become inventive, using the light beings to help them select likely candidates that their race might survive. The contract now was ended. A fitting gift of thanks to both Aeryn and Crichton. Seeing her impregnated they toyed with whether or not to tell her. It was the Dar'ga'nel's light beings who had the last word. Swirling through his amazing head comb they pulsed gently in his mind.

<Let them know the joy of discovery. That they may think we have had no part in it and bless each other>

The Dar'ga'nel hesitated just a microt. <Will Aeryn Sun be able to carry the child unaided?>

Humour washed through him from his symbionts. <Yes>

"We will be guided by the wisdom of our light beings."

They fell silent in consensus. The Dar'ga'nel called for Aeryn Sun. Yar'keth was asked to bring her and a few microts later the Council door opened and he escorted her inside. Yar'keth stood to one side and watched Aeryn step into the illuminated circle in the middle of the chamber. The
Dar'ga'nel waved a tentaculared arm at her. A languid movement intended to reassure her. "We thank you, Aeryn Sun, for being our host. We also confirm our promise to release you from this contract. Know that you will always have a home among us should you ever wish to return. The same will always be true of John Crichton and any of your offspring that may visit our world."

She smiled. A rare radiance on her often solemn face. "Thank you, your eminence. It has been a pleasure to serve."

The Elders flushed with pleasure. Spoke to her for a little while then wished her well. They would not see her leave. For them, this was as sentimental as goodbye would get. But she knew. Understood and preferred it this way. When she exited the Council Chamber, John, Robert and Ka D'Argo were waiting for her. She smiled at Robert. "Where have you been? We missed you when your father woke."

D'Argo hid the look on his face knowing that was not exactly true. Crichton had already told him how they had occupied the first few arns. Robert beamed back at her. "D'Argo took me to meet Pilot and Moya."

Her mouth dropped open. Crichton was smiling, his hands on Robert's shoulders. "What did you think of them?" She asked quietly, unaware she was holding her breath as she waited for his answer. She need not have worried.

"I like them. I want to see the stars, mom. Up close and personal."

She frowned at the last phrase and raised her eyes to meet Crichton's. He was laughing quietly, so happy, so deeply content. She did not think it was possible to love him more than she did at that microt. "Then that is what we will do."

The boy's face was glowing with pleasure. Crichton noticed Yar'keth hovering a couple of metra away, as if not wanting to intrude. "Excuse me guys, just wanna say goodbye to someone."

They watched him go over to Yar'keth. He did not bring the Squa'lik'na over to them but knelt in front of the young creature. "Yar'keth, I need to thank you. You saved my life and my son. You have been a good friend to Aeryn and we are gonna miss you."

Yar'keth flushed but Crichton had not finished.

"There's something else I have to do and I can think of no one more fitting."

"What is that, John Crichton?"

"The little guys can't come with me."

"The light beings?"

"Yeah. Not sure why but it seems they made a contract of their own with your people. They stayed with me to make sure I was healed, to watch over and protect me. Now everything's okay and I'm leaving with Aeryn, Robert and D'Argo they need to return to your people."

For a microt Yar'keth seemed to be thinking. Either that or he was conferring with the others. He was not quite sure which. Yar'keth placed the fleshy pads at the prehensile tip of one tentaculared limb on the top of the human's head. Crichton felt the pads adjust to get a good seal on his scalp. "John?"

"Yeah, Yar'keth?"

"Would you like to keep a few to take with you?"

"Um, I don't want you getting into trouble on my account. I mean. They don't belong to me."

If the young Squa'lik'na could have smiled he would have. The light beings had told him what they had done when Crichton and Aeryn had made love. The light beings who had multiplied in the bright fire of orgasm were now technically his, even if he did not know it and no one would tell him. Yar'keth did not give away their secret. He drew off the original army of light beings leaving the new ones with the same shared memories and an even greater dedicated devotion to their human host. "Those that remain are yours now, John. Take care of them and they will nuture you - always."

"Yar'keth?"

"Yes, John?"

"One thing I don't understand is why the Dark never found a mate. A companion. Another being to limit his excess. To share the unending gift of eternity."

"It lacked emotion, John. This is why our joining with the light beings is so important."

"Explain it to me."

"We were much like the Dark in our own way before the light beings showed us how emotions could make us richer beings, more fully formed so that we could know the pleasure of each other in body and mind. We feed and nuture each other. Now the Dark has tasted that because of you."

"Are you saying he's gonna go look for a mate?"

"Not in those terms, a companion though. Yes."

"Wow! I guess I did some good."

"Yes, John, you did. The Dark was never our enemy just our uncertain foe."

"Your what?"

"Uncertain foe."

"Why do you call it that?"

"It is from the Meditations of Ha'ka'reth. The Uncertain Foe is not a physical enemy John. It is Fear. It is Ignorance."

For a microt he was too stunned to speak. He sensed D'Argo, Aeryn and Robert wanted to get Lo'lan ready for take off. Being careful not to intrude on his last microts with Yar'keth. "I don't know what to say."

Yar'keth removed his limb from Crichton's head, pausing to brush his shoulder, to touch his cheek gently. An intimacy that was rare among his kind. He really was very fond of Crichton. As he was fond of them all. "We will miss you, John Crichton. Take the gifts of the Universe wisely. Share them when you can."

"I will, Yar'keth, and you do the same buddy."

Then the Squa'lik'na rolled away from him, his fluid limbs moving his incongruous body like poetry. Why had it never occurred to him how beautiful and graceful this species really were? Holding back the threat of tears he turned and walked back to Aeryn, Robert and D'Argo. Without looking back they made their way to D'Argo's ship and got ready to leave. Above them Moya waited, patient and faithful. Pilot anxious to see them safe aboard and to renew his friendship with Aeryn, to greet her son. The Uncharted Territories had suddenly got a whole lot more meaningful for all of them. From the shattered remnants of the Oberservatory Dome, the ruling Squa'lik'na watched the leviathan's bright passage from darkness into light. The wonderful vibrant transitory light of Star Burst...

* * * * *
END