TITLE: "ALL GOOD THINGS"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "Farscape"

PAIRING: M/F

RATING: PG-13

STATUS: New.

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

SERIES/SEQUEL: SEQUEL to "CHOICES MADE"

WEBSITE: http://www.carlajane.50megs.com/Ali00.html

SUMMARY: "Rygel seeks allies. Chiana finds something unexpected. Aeryn finds out what happened to Crichton."

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


"ALL GOOD THINGS"
A "Farscape" story
Written by Alison M. DOBELL

The planet was very industrial. The place abounding with conflicting species, a market place so active and forceful that Rygel drank in the sights and sounds with all the pleasure of a banquet. "Ah, this is more like it!"

He watched and listened, his agile mind sifting through scraps of information and filtering what he needed from the dren he did not want. That was how he found Katlax. He was a Omnivid. Little more than a pirate of the Uncharted Territories in most respects but with one notable difference. A conscience of principle that no self respecting pirate would adhere to. It touched manic depths and rounded off a soul of such dark colours that it was the only light that penetrated in place of sanity. Rygel felt a touch of excitement. He knew the species. Understood what motivated them and how to manipulate their code to serve his own. Better than that he knew what they were capable of achieving. *If* the motivation was right. He hid a smile and steered his throne sled to the outer circle of Katlax's invisible privacy shield. Katlax observed the courtesy and turned to face the little Dominar. His eyebrow ridges rose. A Hynerian. Interesting.

"You wish to speak to me, Hynerian?"

Rygel nodded slowly. Not quite a bow. More the meeting of equals. The more subtle he was the more the Omnivid would be drawn to him. "I am Rygel the XVI, deposed Dominar of Hyneria."

The truth unvarnished surprised the Omnivid in returning the nod. His a little deeper than Rygel's had been. Rygel felt a surge of satisfaction. He had pleased Katlax. First move to him. "How may I be of service to the noble born?"

"I wish to return to my ancient home yet an imposter sits upon the throne. My supporters unable to come to my aid. My people languishing under the yoke of the usurper."

Katlax watched the Dominar's face for a few microts. Saw only truth staring back at him. "So many words to secure so little."

Rygel said nothing. Knew Katlax was not referring to the Hynerian throne.

"What would you ask of me, Dominar?"

"Assistance. Guidance. The prayers of martyrs."

The Omnivid's eyes glittered briefly at Rygel's last words. As he had intended. Few outside of his order knew of the martyrs. "We cannot speak here."

"I bow to your wisdom."

Katlax led him out onto the busy streets, down complex meandering alleys and paths. Rygel showed no concern. No fear that he might be betrayed or led into the hands of his enemies. This was an Omnivid and he would show him nothing but courtesy and honour until he decided whether he would become friend or foe. Powerful allies deserved a leap of faith. If not exactly trust it was the next best thing.

* * * * *

Crichton watched Bishyin. His friend selected a sliver of the prepared fruit and dipped it in oginaw juice, the lime flavoured juice with the sour aftertaste. He slowly bit it in half and offered the other half to Ryal. Ryal opened her mouth and waited as Bishyin placed it in her mouth. He
dipped a finger back in the bowl of exotic juice and rubbed it across her lips, watching them glisten as she chewed. He chewed his piece of fruit and selected another piece for her. Crichton smiled at Hemnoth and looked for the purple fruit. He did not progress through the flavours like the others. He knew what he wanted. What he liked. His certainty amused her. He had no intention of wasting a single microt. They had only progressed partway through the feast when an alarm was raised. Confused, Crichton looked up. Saw Bishyin jump to his feet and got up to join him. Everyone turned as a runner reached their camp. His face flushed and anxious, his cloth mask in place. The sight of his war mask on prompted the men to reach for theirs.

"What has happened, Hadrin?"

"Peace Keepers!"

A hiss of pain and darkness united the two clans in concern and rage. Crichton frowned, worried and anxious. For them and for him. Bishyin frowned and took his own mask out of his pouch but did not yet put it on. "How many?"

The runner looked confused and that made everyone exchange uncertain looks.

"How many, Hadrin? Or were they too numerous to count?"

He hesitated. "One Peace Keeper and another we have not seen before."

Crichton's heart missed a beat. A single Peace Keeper? "Male or female?"

Surprised by the question Hadrin answered slowly. "Female. Why?"

"What species was with her?"

The man was about to answer when a shriek that could melt metal echoed through the forest. Crichton closed his eyes a fraction of a microt and groaned as if in pain. Jool. What in hezmana was the Interon doing down here? That meant the *Peace Keeper* with her had to be Aeryn. The others could not be far away. He turned to Bishyin.

"I know these people, let me talk to them."

Bishyin shook his head. "No, my brother. You are of our clan, we will not let them take you."

"You don't understand, Bish. The female is called Aeryn Sun. She is an *ex* Peace Keeper. The one with her is an Interon called Jool. They come from my ship, Moya. If they are here my other friends will be with them. Let me talk to them. Assure them that all is well. I do not want anyone to get hurt, either from our clans or from Moya."

The boy chief hesitated then nodded reluctantly. "Very well, but we will go with you."

He wanted them to stay behind but they would not hear of it. Hemnoth kissed him gently, not liking the concern and flash of sorrow on his face. If this Aeryn Sun tried to hurt him she would kill the Sebacean where she stood no matter what Crichton said. They went in the direction the shriek had come from, Bishyin ordering some of his men to advance through the treetops. With their bantans strapped to their wrists and the poison tipped quarrels in place to fire, they would be a deadly and effective back up if anything went wrong. Crichton was not worried about his clan brothers and sisters. He was worried about Aeryn. She had a tendancy to shoot first and ask questions afterwards.

* * * * *

Chiana surfaced slowly. At least that's what it felt like. She opened her eyes a crack. Light almost blinded her. She shut them quickly and moaned slightly. A touch on her shoulder made her force them open again. A little more acclimatised to the brightness she squinted and was able to begin to focus on a face. The man was trembling, his hand shaking. He looked kind of familiar. Where was she? What was this place? And why had Nerri left her here? She turned to look at the man again and shuddered in shock. "Stark! What in hezmana are you doing here?"

He was shaking so bad it was hard for him to form enough words for a whole sentence but he tried. The very act of concentrating on something as innocuous as speech seemed to steady the Banik. Chiana was alarmed by the shape he was in. "C....captured. T...tortured. The chair."

A terrible dread crept towards Chiana's heart. She looked around the room they were in. It was small and had no windows just a heavy metal door. It was a Peace Keeper cell. Tears pricked her eyes. There was no Nerri. No Nebari resistance. "We're on a Peace Keeper Command Carrier, aren't we?"

Stark nodded. The rags that served as clothing not seeming to keep out the chill. She turned her attention to him. Felt a deep surge of compassion for him. "How long have you been here, Stark?"

His one visible eye was eratic, as if worried that his words would be overheard. That someone unseen might be watching them. Maybe they were. That did not concern Chiana for now. She needed information and Stark was the only one who could give it to her. "W...weekens... m... monens. Not sure."

She watched him carefully as he hugged himself. "Are you cold?"

He nodded. Chiana shuffled over to him and put her arms around him so that he could share her body heat. The simple kindness made the Banik emotional but he said nothing. His gratitude spent in silence. He clung to Chiana hoping she would remain silent but not surprised when she asked the inevitable question. The one he did not want to have to answer.

"He's alive, isn't he?" She whispered.

Stark nodded. "Yes."

"How?"

"I d...don't know."

Chiana closed her eyes and felt cold desparation wash over her. The trembling of the Banik became indiscernible from her own shuddering reaction.

* * * * *

Aeryn Sun was tempted to shoot the Interon. No sooner had they entered the Forest of Tannar than Jool was frantically trying to persuade her to go back out. Back to the light. Away from a shadowed landscape that could hide thousands. She felt eyes everywhere. Her skin tingled and shudders of apprehension slithered down her spine. She did not like this. Then she saw it. A bipedal creature moving stealthily in the trees above their heads, a strange aspect to his face. The fierce features promising agonising death. She remembered what Aeryn had said about Chiana finding Crichton's bones. The story that he had been eaten by whatever dwelt in this forest. She screamed. The creature disappeared. Aeryn was furious. Shook Jool and when that got no response, slapped her across the face with the back of her hand. Hard enough to leave the imprint of her hand. Jool stopped screaming and glared at Aeryn in shock.

"You struck me!"

"Of course I struck you, you were hysterical."

"I was not. I was frightened."

"Same thing."

"We need to go back, Aeryn."

"No."

Before Jool could say anything else Aeryn stiffened. They both froze and looked intently into the forest. Someone or something was coming. Jool started to step back. Aeryn caught her and pulled her back. "Stay where you are!" She hissed urgently.

Whether it was fear of Aeryn or fear of what was coming Aeryn did not know but Jool did as she was told. Aeryn braced her weapon in her hands and waited. A movement there, just ahead. She squinted slightly, trying to make out what it was. Jool put a hand out and rested it briefly on the gun. "Don't fire, Aeryn."

Just then a voice sailed out to them from deep cover. A voice that made Aeryn's heart almost stop.

"Aeryn, don't fire! I'm stepping out into plain view. I have some friends with me but you have to trust me. Do not panic just don't fire."

Jool stared at Aeryn. "John?"

Aeryn's fingers tightened on the weapon. "It's a trap!" She hissed at Jool.

The Interon was not so sure. It sounded like Crichton and Chiana had only brought back bones. They could have been anybody's. She had not checked the DNA of the bones just the blood on the communication device. "Please Aeryn, let's see who it is before you open fire."

The Sebacean said nothing. Gave no indication she was even listening. Jool waited then almost gasped as a single figure stepped out of the cover of the huge trees. He had his hands away from his body. Was clearly unarmed and even more clearly was their lost crew member. John Crichton. Aeryn almost dropped her weapon in relief but part of her brain was reminding her of something. He said he was with friends. He stepped closer, a wary smile on his face. "It's okay Aeryn, it's me. John."

"Where the frell have you been?"

Just then other figures emerged from the forest behind him. Aeryn raised the huge gun again. Crichton carried on walking towards her until he was only a few dench away then stopped. Close enough to be able to speak to her and shield the people behind him from anything she might do.

"Get out of the way, John!"

He shook his head. "No, Aeryn. I am *not* going to let you harm these people."

Aeryn noticed the people were male and female but all dressed for combat. Their skins were tanned and they had strange green eyes and jet black hair. Strange devices were strapped to the forearms of many of the people. They numbered in their dozens but at a word from Crichton kept back a little. He did not want Aeryn any more alarmed and trigger happy than could be avoided. If Aeryn got jumpy people died. The math was simple. A woman joined Crichton, stood a little too close to him for Aeryn's comfort. The woman touched his arm gently and Crichton smiled. Something in his eyes that made Aeryn put two and two together in a flash. "I see you found somewhere to cater for your rutting instincts, Crichton!" Her voice scathed.

Anger sparked in the human. He noticed she was calling him by his surname as well. A sure sign that she was mad at him. Well so what? He had a news flash for her, he was not so damn pleased with her either. Especially when it came to her attitude. "Aeryn, that is *enough*. I won't let you talk about my people like that."

Her eyebrows rose. Hardly able to believe her ears. The woman beside him seemed braced to defend him. That was funny but not funny ha-ha. It was the kind of funny that hurt. Where was his weapon? "*Your* people?" She spat back. "They aren't even your own species!"

"Neither are you!"

The Sebacean paused at his unexpected response. "What?"

Crichton took a steadying breath. Hemnoth cast him an anxious look but he could not afford to break eye contact with Aeryn. He tried to keep his voice calm. "Why are you here, Aeryn?"

"Chiana said you had been killed."

"So, what, you came to make sure? Is that it?"

She shook her head. "No. I came to avenge your death."

He almost laughed with relief but did not dare relax. "As you can see Aeryn, I'm okay. In one piece. You can return to Moya now."

Something in her stance stiffened. "*We* can return to Moya." She corrected.

He shook his head. "I'm not going, Aeryn. I'm staying here."

Her voice was immediately suspicious, eyes narrowing. "What did they do to you, John?"

"Nothing." He put his arm protectively around Hemnoth. Just holding her was worth dying for. Aeryn's eyes narrowed but she said nothing. Crichton sighed gently. Not wanting to hurt Aeryn but needing for her to understand. "I have a life here, Aeryn. I'm tired of running. Tired of fighting every bad guy in the frelling Universe. And it isn't even *my* Universe." He broke off a microt and Aeryn almost expected him to laugh but he didn't. "I want to settle down. Raise a family. That isn't gonna happen on Moya."

He saw the hurt in her eyes. Had not meant to do that but there was no other way.

"Aeryn. Why don't you and Jool stay with us for the night? Get to know the clans. Then maybe you'll understand." <And maybe> He thought. <You'll give me up without a fight> He knew the chances of that were slim. Snowballs in hell coming immediately to mind. But he had to try. Not just for his own peace of mind but to protect the clans too. Clans that would soon have the blood of the Crichtons fighting their corner. That thought at least made him smile.

Aeryn was confused. It was obvious that he had made some kind of connection to these people, especially the woman who was clinging to him with almost obscene affection. She hated Hemnoth on sight. Was still mad at Crichton but puzzled too. Was he a prisoner? He did not look like one. But if he was not a prisoner where was his gun? Wynona never left his side these days yet here, on this alien world, among primative tribes he walked unarmed. What did that say about his life aboard Moya? Even on the leviathan he was always armed and he was among friends there. Aeryn did not want to consider what that might be telling her. Crichton was hers. He just needed to be reminded of that fact. She nodded stiffly to him and shouldered the weapon. "Very well, we will stay tonight."

Relief washed over Crichton's face. He hugged Hemnoth and turned to kiss her. Aeryn's eyes flashed dangerously. Jool moved closer to Aeryn, seeing only too clearly what the others missed.

* * * * *

"Why are they torturing you Stark?"

Though her words were quietly spoken he shivered. Chiana held him close, wanting to reassure him with her presence. Give him some measure of comfort if she could.

"He still wants John."

Angry sparks flashed in her eyes for a microt. "John? John is dead, Stark."

He pulled away from her in shock. Looked into her eyes for confirmation as tears formed. He reluctantly faced an unpalletable truth. "How?"

She sniffed and it was his turn to comfort her. "Some dren infested commerce planet. They caught him, killed him then *ate* him, Stark."

The Banik went completely pale. His words strangled. "Ate him?"

Chiana nodded, spilling the trapped tears down her cheeks. "All that was left of him were his bones and his communicator."

She could tell Stark was upset. Knew he and Crichton had a special connection to each other. A bond of friendship formed in the deepest adversity. Knew it had something to do with the chair. Stark had helped Crichton when there had been no one else. Had been his lifeline to sanity. His death hit the Banik hard. He started to rock himself back and forth in grief. First he had lost Zhaan. Now Crichton. Not fair, not fair, not fair. Both heads rose at the same time as the heavy metal door was unlocked. The Peace Keeper guards looked at them then stepped forward for Chiana. She looked at Stark. Neither spoke. Panic oddly subsided. She knew what was coming, so did Stark. Knew what they wanted and for once she was not afraid of telling Scorpius exactly what he wanted to know.

* * * * *

The camp surprised Aeryn. Jool found herself looking around with interest. Aware of the eyes following her movements and not offended. Crichton had actually been happy to see her. Less happy to see Aeryn. She realised he was worried about these people. Cared for them in ways that Aeryn would probably never understand. It made her feel sad. Not so much for Crichton as for Aeryn. Crichton turned to Jool to get her attention.

"Okay Princess, I think it's time I introduced you and Aeryn to everybody."

Aeryn scowled but stayed silent. She noticed the warriors were wary but seemed content to let Crichton do the talking. She wondered at that. What status did he have among these people? He had called them friends. *His* people. Could they be descendants of some human ancestors? There were similarities but the idea seemed remote. Aeryn forced herself to concentrate on what Crichton was saying. Frowned when he humbly introduced a young boy
to her.

"Aeryn, I want you to meet my good friend and clan brother Bishyin Mal. He is the chief of this clan."

Her eyes widened. Chief? He was no more than a child. She looked at Crichton saw his warning not to jump to conclusions. Taking his lead she gave a bow of the head to acknowledge him.

"Bish saved my life." He added, not bothering to tell her that one of Bishyin's warriors - Ishinn - had shot him in the first place. Some things the radiant Aeryn Sun did not need to know.

Aeryn re-assessed the young Chief. That explained the blood on Crichton's communicator. "Thank you, Bishyin Mal, for helping John."

He smiled. "We owe more than we gave, Aeryn Sun. Blessed we are that he is among us."

She frowned not understanding what in hezmana he meant by that but then she was being introduced to the others. She heard Jool asking the Chief polite questions, charming him with her diplomacy and sharp insight. Aeryn had never had any time for politics or the niceties of life. Now the rough edges worked against her and she found herself out of her depth. Give her something to blow to squag and she was happy. Death and destruction she was on first name terms with. Mixing in polite society set her teeth on edge and made her as jumpy as hezmana. Only the fact that Crichton was there and her need to find out exactly what had happened kept her polite. Crichton left Hemnoth to last, knowing this would be the hardest one for Aeryn to accept. The others sensed his need for privacy though they did not go far. They made quite a fuss of Jool once they realised she was not aggressive towards them. The men in particular were fascinated by her red hair and her exotic beauty was only enhanced by her interest in how they lived.

Crichton was holding Hemnoth's hand as he introduced her. He looked at Aeryn for a microt. "Aeryn," He said gently. The emotion in his voice unmistakable. This mattered to him. "This is Hemnoth. Hemnoth, this is Aeryn Sun. She may look like a Peace Keeper but that was a long time ago. She's better now."

Aeryn frowned at his idea of humour but said nothing. Hemnoth nodded cautiously at Aeryn, curiosity in her eyes but too polite to pry. "You are welcome among us."

"Thank you."

"Aeryn. You need to know that I love Hemnoth."

Aeryn felt a stab of pain, tried to hide it but he knew. He *always* knew. She watched his arms slide around the woman's waist then his hands rest on the curve of her stomach, fingers splayed protectively. So tender in his movements. His whole body singing of a joy that shone so brightly in his eyes it burnt her soul. Aeryn's voice came out flat. She had not intended that. It was who she was. What she was. "You are pregnant."

Hemnoth smiled. Crichton chuckled. Kissed Hemnoth's neck. He looked so happy. So calm and peaceful. Such a beautiful man. Could she really blame Hemnoth for taking him to her bed? For loving him? It reminded her of the first time she had seen him when she had woken in Moya's cell. Seen the strange Sebacean-looking male, naked and confused. Disorientated. Unaware at first that he was not alone. That he was being observed. He had been so innocent then. She realised he was still the same man. His time in the Uncharted Territories had forced him to change, to wear an armour that was not his own. To adopt the violence of his allies so that they could become friends. Yet it was a life he hated. A life unsuited to the gentleness of his heart. Here. With these people. This woman. She realised he had found peace. A union of the heart not based on bloodshed. Not forged in war.

<Damn you for outsmarting me, John Crichton! Damn you for teaching me how to care>

* * * * *
END