TITLE: "HOOK, LINE AND SINKER"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "Farscape"

PAIRING: Stark/Zhaan John/Aeryn

RATING: NC-17

STATUS: New.

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

SERIES/SEQUEL: SEQUEL to "FORGED IN FIRE"

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

SUMMARY: "Scorpius hatches a simple plan and Stark is powerless to stop him."

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

"HOOK, LINE AND SINKER"
A "Farscape" story
Written by Alison M. DOBELL


Zhaan was sleeping. The leviathan was quiet, it was deep in the sleep cycle and Rygel was on watch in command. Something illusive was disturbing her sleep. The Delvian P'au murmured to herself and tossed and turned then something fierce and blinding reached into her dream state and pierced her with fear and loss and a pain that went so far beyond the physical that it shook her spiritually as well. She sat up suddenly. Eyes wide and troubled. Something was wrong but what? There was danger, a nameless terror. Was she being warned or asked for help? Zhaan just sat there for several microts hoping that illumination would come but all that greeted her was silence. Feeling uneasy she knew she would not be able to get back to sleep.

Rising quietly she knelt naked and cleared her mind so that she could ask for Kah'leen's help. Something was very wrong. She prayed the Goddess would tell her the source of the disturbance and give her guidance.

* * * * *

It was very rare that anything really surprised Scorpius. The half-Scarren abomination had seen most things and knew almost as many secrets as the Ancients. Yet this one thing had surprised me more than anything else. He held the mask in his hands and watched the energy splay its' golden vibrant living light, careful not to stand too close just in case it had other properties. The energy signature was variable but also very intense, the light pulsed and flowed in a rhythm not unlike a heartbeat. It fascinated him. Stark was still strapped in the chair, his revealed face
hidden by the light, a keening sound crying out for his mask to be returned to him. The pleading died away but the agony of loss did not. Scorpius had no intention of giving up what he had found.

"What is this, Stark?"

"Mine, mine. Not yours. Mine."

He watched the golden light bend and flux like hands reaching out, seeking. But seeking what? "Tell me about the light. Is this your energy?"

"My mask, give it back, give it back, give it back!"

Scorpius knew the Banik was in pain, more emotional than physical it seemed, and he could sense fear there also. What was he afraid of? What did the mask do? He turned the object over and over in his questing hands. Vaguely he was aware of Stark crying and whimpering but he ignored the sounds of his distress. Scorpius noticed that when he moved with the mask the light
swayed in his direction, as if sensing and reaching out for it. Interesting. He glanced at Lt Braca and took a step towards his second in command.

"Put this in my quarters."

Lt Braca nodded and took the mask gingerly from his Commander. Scorpius turned back to Stark. Tempted to keep him for further study. The scientist in him already considering a variety of experiments he could perform to glean the information he wanted but that would take time and the Banik was not his first concern. He would keep him another solar day then let him go. He wanted Crichton and the wormhole knowledge he possessed. He guessed that once Stark was free of the Command Carrier he would seek out his friends on Moya to help him. All he had to do was ensure that he put a tracer on the Banik's ship and follow. Once he captured Crichton he would retrieve the Banik so he could study him at his leisure. This phenomenon fascinated him. And to think of all the times he had put Stark in the chair and not once had he dreamt of the mystery hidden in his mask.

* * * * *

He awoke warm and feeling deeply content. Even the buzzing in the back of his head had descended to a kind of background throb that was almost comforting. How twisted was that? Maybe he should get whacked on the back of the head more often? Then again, maybe not. He opened his eyes carefully, a smile washing over his face on finding Aeryn's head resting on his chest, her arm wrapped around him. She was completely out of it, her breathing deep and even. He gently kissed the top of her head, inhaled the scent of her hair and immediately felt like the happiest man in Creation. It had to be pretty early, Moya still had the lights dimmed and it was so quiet the leviathan could have been holding her breath. He felt so damn lucky. So blessed. Gently he stroked her river of dark hair, such love in his heart he thought it would surely break. <God Dad, I wish you could see her. Meet her. Mom would have loved Aeryn so much> The thought caught him unawares, moistened his eyes with memories he usually shied away from. <Mom. How long was it since he had last thought of her?> This was the first time he had
remembered his mom without pain. Sadness yes, but pain no. He smiled softly at Aeryn. That was her gift if she did but know it.

Crichton froze as Aeryn shifted, settling more comfortably against him. He enjoyed her body moving against him even in sleep. A touch he would die for. A face that might never launch a thousand ships but could pilot every one of them. She was his heart. His soul. His alpha and his omega. He brushed a gentle hand through her hair, kissed the fragrant strands and tried not to wake her but some sixth sense seemed to alert her that he was awake. She roused slowly, eyes opening and framing him in her line of sight. His smile made her heart dance. For a moment the two just looked at each other then Aeryn got up from her chair and peeled back the covers so she could sidle in next to him. He moved over to give her room, not daring to speak. To say or do anything to spoil this moment. Humour quirked her lips. <How silent he is> Her head dipped, exotic lips brushed his. His heart flipped, his body trembling inside with the very nearness of her. He was intoxicated. Her hands and lips gently explored but when he began to respond to her she would stop, pull back slightly and smile at him.

"Go to sleep." She whispered gently.

<Oh no, oh no> Did she really think he could sleep now? He had never been more awake, more attuned to her proximity. "Aeryn, I..."

Her lips hushed him. He closed his eyes in an agony of bliss. "Ssshhh, just try not to think about anything. Zhaan said you need to rest. So rest, John."

"Yeah but..."

A slow gentle kiss shut him up. He was so wired, she could feel it like electricity in his body. Apart from his boxer shorts he was naked. Perfect. Aeryn gently flicked inside his mouth with the tip of her tongue, tasting and exploring him between kisses. Her tongue teasing his, her breath puffing her scent into his mouth, her lips brushing his with the merest touch. It was driving him crazy but hey, this kind of crazy he liked. Aeryn could do any damn thing she wanted with him and right now he could see that she knew it. Perhaps even got off on it. Now *that* thought made him smile.

"What?"

He stroked a finger down her pale neck. "How do you expect me to sleep when you touch me like that, Aeryn?"

Aeryn pretended to get up. His arms rose to circle her gently but firmly. No way was he going to let her go. Not now. Not ever. "Don't go."

She smiled at the huskiness in his voice and teased him with her eyes, her lips. The tips of her fingers skating across his chest, fingering the light chest hairs and rubbing back and forth across his nipples avoiding the bruising where D'Argo had thrown him. He wanted to kiss her properly, adore her so completely that she would be his forever. All eternity waited for him in the sparkling circle of her dark exotic orbs. But this was Aeryn's game not his. She kissed his eyes causing him to shut the lids in reflex. As her lips descended she hushed him. "Keep your eyes closed, John, and empty your mind. Go to sleep or just rest, let me do this for you."

His sigh was as much about control as a reaction to her touch. She could feel the firm steady beat of his heart quickening. She wanted this. Wanted him. His eyes fluttered open and she paused. She loved the blue of his eyes, the gentleness of this human so much a part of her soul that his presence often took her breath away. Only her control had stopped her from letting her hormones run rampant every time she saw him. He was watching her quietly, holding back from touching her or making any move unless she asked him to. She knew it was killing him and dipped her head to lick his chest. She felt the tremor go through him and ran her tongue back and forth over first one nipple then the other, the flats of her teeth gently teasing as her hands slid lower touching him in ways that were rapidly unravelling his self control. She was watching him beneath the tilt of her eyelashes, seeing everything in those amazing eyes of his. All his emotions on full display. Did he know how open he was? How vulnerable? She did not want anyone else to see this, to have this. He was hers even if the words were never spoken and no vows exchanged.

He wished she would undress but Aeryn had other plans, her tongue dragging a wet trail down his body and squeezing a groan out of him. She slid his boxers off and let her tongue play with him while she spread his legs and began to tease him in earnest. He closed his eyes. It was agony. Beautiful, sweet agony. Breath became a rapid staccato in his chest, his muscles tensing as her tongue coaxed the flaccid flesh into action. Blood pumping and inflating the muscle into a hard throbbing shaft in her mouth. He was groaning almost continually now, eyes closed, the low groaning sliding out of his throat as his control slipped further and further. His leg muscles were beginning to spasm. Aeryn trapped his legs under hers to keep him as still as possible and washed the heat of her mouth up and down his now straining erection as the head began to leak. His hips jerked under her, she held him down. A sound like a whimper leaked out of his throat. She ignored it and caressed him with her hands, her fingers doing incredible things to him while she sucked, licked and massaged him with her mouth. <Oh God, this was too much. Don't stop Aeryn, don't stop! I can't stand it but *please* don't stop>

* * * * *

Scorpius tested the range of his Aurora chair, curious to see what if anything he would pick up from Stark without his mask. The results were more than disappointing, they were unreadable. A blur of colour smeared on the screen and the threat of the Banik succumbing to liquifaction before he could learn anything useful. When Stark passed out he checked in with Lt Braca, leaving the Banik still strapped in the chair.

"Did you find anything?"

Lt Braca's voice floated back to him over the com. "Just another couple of masks, sir."

Scorpius was intrigued. "Where are they?"

"I've taken them to your quarters, sir."

"And the other matter?"

He could hear the smug smile in Lt Braca's voice. "In place, sir."

He nodded. "Good. You know what to do."

Scorpius ended the transmission and looked at Stark. He walked slowly around the pathetic creature, watching the residue of light clinging to the uncovered half of his face. Scorpius slid a gloved finger down the unconscious landcape, curious and fascinated in equal measure. "What secrets are you hiding from me, slave? Did you really think you could ever be free simply by running?"

He felt a tingle in his finger as he moved from the exposed side of Stark's face to the uncovered half. Interesting. The energy was still there though he sensed it diminishing beneath his touch. Was it withdrawing or leaking away? What would happen to the Banik without his mask? Part of him wished he could keep him and watch, do tests on him and see what he would find layer by layer. He tilted his head and paused for a microt. Without turning round he called out. "Guards!"

Immediately two guards stepped forward and waited for instructions.

"Untie him and put him in his craft. We will jettison it then remove ourselves from sensor range."

He watched them remove Stark and half-carry and half-drag him to his ship. For several microts he just stood there, a thoughtful expression on his cruel face. If his plan worked he would soon have Crichton back in his grasp. His eyes glittered briefly with anticipation then he left to go to command.

* * * * *

Chiana was half amused and half disgusted at Rygel. They were in the mess hall and the Hynerian was happily stuffing his face in a seemingly endless fashion. Chiana sat facing him across a table, breaking off pieces of cracker and eating slowly, almost as an afterthought. For once she had been hanging on Rygel's every word.

"You saw it *all*?"

The Dominar's eyes gleamed with amusement and mischief. His favourite combination. "Yes."

"Aeryn did *that* to John?"

Rygel chuckled and almost choked. Chiana waited for him to clear his throat, typically by regurgitating the pieces of cracker that had got stuck there enough so that he could chew and swallow them down. "For body breeders they were most....inventive."

"I can't believe he just let her *do* that."

There was a smug smile on the Dominar's face. "Aeryn may pretend to have no interest in the human but from what I saw and heard the exact opposite is true." He chuckled and shoved more crackers in his wide mouth.

Chiana sat back and wondered how best to use this information. Rygel was watching her reaction, knew what was going through her mind. After all the same thought had gone through his first. He cleared his throat this time before speaking again. He did not want to choke for real. For once he sounded serious. His voice sober and no longer teasing. If she did not know better she would have thought he was warning her. "Chiana, do not interfere."

Surprise then annoyance flashed across her face. She leaned over the table, jerking her head at a sudden angle perpendicular to his leathery face. "You can talk, toad. I wasn't the one spying on them."

"I wasn't spying. If you must know I heard strange noises and went to investigate." He said with a mixture of righteous indignation and smugness. "I thought the human might be in pain."

Chiana laughed at that but before she could say anything else Aeryn walked in followed after a couple of microts by D'Argo. Crichton was not with them. Chiana smirked at Aeryn then quickly turned her head away and looked at Rygel as the Sebacean's eyebrows descended into a suspicious frown. "What are you two up to?"

Rygel gave Aeryn a superior smile but before he could say anything, Chiana tweaked his eyebrow tuft. He glared at her. "What the frell was that for?"

"Can't have you interfering can we?" She hissed in an undertone.

Aeryn dismissed them from her thoughts to listen to D'Argo. He looked worried. "Zhaan says there is something wrong. Some kind of trouble but she doesn't know what."

"Just what we need," Said Rygel heavily. "Pronouncements of doom without any details. How very helpful."

Aeryn turned quickly and grabbed the Hynerian. His eyes widened in sudden fear. "One more word out of your worthless wakket hole and you will be eating vacuum! Do you understand me, Rygel?"

He nodded because the hand around his throat stopped him speaking. Seemingly satisfied Aeryn shoved him away from her as if he was unclean. Anger flared in his eyes. She would pay for that. Chiana turned to Aeryn and tried to break the ice. "Where's John?"

"Zhaan is checking him over. Just a few bruises."

D'Argo looked at Aeryn. "I need to speak to him."

She nodded back. "Good idea. I'll come with you."

He gave her a look. "Alone."

Aeryn grabbed a handful of crackers off Rygel's place. Apart from a glare he did nothing. She smiled and followed D'Argo out. "See you in command afterwards?"

"Count on it."

Chiana and Rygel looked at each other. Chiana noticed the malicious glint in the Hynerian's eye. She knew that look. "What're you gonna do?"

"Teach that Peace Keeper bitch a lesson!"

"Aeryn isn't a Peace Keeper any more."

"Hrrumph! She doesn't fool me. Once a Peace Keeper, always a Peace Keeper."

Chiana leaned close to the Hynerian, her tone mild but her look warning him. "Yeah, well you better not do anything to hurt John."

"Is it my fault if the human lets her lead him around by the mivonks? Any species that foolish deserves all it gets."

"I mean it, Rygel."

"Why should you care?"

"Because he's a friend."

His eyes narrowed. "What about Aeryn?"

Chiana turned her head and looked off in the direction Aeryn and D'Argo had gone. When she looked back at Rygel there was a slight frown on her face. "Aeryn is a pain in the eema."

* * * * *

Zhaan finished checking on Crichton. He was still sore and the bruises on his chest and back had come out so it looked worse than it was. She rubbed some ointment in to ease the tenderness and gave him a jar. His gentle faced tilted in concern. "Thanks." He paused, choosing his words with care. "What's up, Zhaan? You've been a trillion miles away."

She frowned slightly not understanding his words but somehow understanding his meaning. Exposure to Crichton was something almost addictive. She had become fond of his odd quirkiness, balanced as it always was with the human's gentle caring nature. She found it impossible not to respond to him in kind. Except now. She gave a slight shake of her head. "I don't know. Something is wrong."

"Okay. Can you be a little more specific?"

She gave him the sort of look that said if she could have been more specific she would have been. He held up a hand.

"Okay, okay, scratch that. Does it feel as if something is wrong with Moya?"

She shook her head.

"Talyn?"

Another shake of her head. Her frown deepened then her heart leapt. He followed it all on her face, his own heart leaping across the void with her. Must have something to do with the little piece of Zhaan she had left with him as a result of sharing Unity. Whatever it was they both realised it at the same time.

"Stark!"

At that moment D'Argo walked in. "John, I have to see you - now."

"I'm not sure this is such a good time, D."

The Luxan shook his head and stepped up to him. "This will not take long. I wish to apologise for my behaviour earlier."

"It's okay, D'Argo, I know you didn't mean it."

"That is the point, John. At the time I *did* mean it."

"You were in the throes of hyper rage, buddy."

"I could still have killed you. I was wrong, out of control, and I am sorry."

Crichton nodded, the warmth of his smile telling the Luxan that he was forgiven. Probably had been microts after it had happened. But Crichton was still pleased that D'Argo had wanted to apologise formerly. In some small way it also gave D'Argo back his honour. Just then Pilot's voice sailed over the com.

"Could everyone please make their way to command? A ship is approaching."

Zhaan exchanged a look with Crichton. All three hurried to join Aeryn in command. Chiana and Rygel followed only a few microts later coming from the other direction. Crichton looked at Aeryn. "Any idea what kind of ship it is?"

Without looking at anybody Zhaan answered. "It's Stark."

Crichton shot her an anxious look. "You sure, Zhaan?"

Just then Aeryn finished checking her readings. She looked up in surprise. "Zhaan is right, it is Stark."

Crichton had a horrible hollow feeling forming in the pit of his stomach. He opened a channel. "Yo, Stark, what's up buddy?"

The fragmented hysteria of words that made it back to him over the com did nothing to reassure the nest of rattlers taking up residence inside of him. Zhaan turned and hurried off to the landing bay. Crichton swore softly and hurried after her, the rest looked at each other then followed. When they got to the landing bay they had to wait for the bay to repressurise and for the blast door to open. Inside Stark's ship was docked but there was no movement. No one exited the vessel. D'Argo and Aeryn drew their weapons. Crichton's right hand hovered over Wynona but he was reluctant to assume the worst without at least checking it out. Zhaan ignored all of them, her only thoughts being for Stark. She quickly brushed passed Crichton and released the door. Crichton swore and caught up with her. What they found inside stunned them. Stark was sitting on the floor, his head half wrapped in his jacket, trembling from head to foot and rocking himself with grief. Zhaan knelt down and spoke softly to him, her words tinged with love. Her eyes full of concern. "Stark, what happened?"

Crichton stopped the others from crowding in. Stark's left eye was uncovered, it roved until it found Crichton then the air around them seemed to still. His voice was soft, slurred with fear and emotion. "Scorpius."

Crichton closed his eyes. Outside the vessel Aeryn frowned. What in the name of Cholok was going on?

Crichton and Zhaan helped Stark to his feet and brought him out of the vessel. The others crowded round, a little sea of anxious faces. "Hey guys, give him some room."

They moved back a little but everybody wanted to know what had happened. Rygel pointed to the cloth around the Banik's head. "Where is your mask?"

All talking stopped. Tears leaked from Stark's left eye, Zhaan tried to soothe him. He ignored her. "I was captured by Scorpius. After I had taken the others back. He put me in the chair." Sobs caught in his throat. Crichton was holding his breath, sure that the worst was yet to come. Stark looked at him. "He wants you."

"Well he will *not* have him!" Growled D'Argo defiantly. Aeryn said nothing. Her heart could not seem to find its' beat.

Crichton had gone grey. "What happened? Why'd he take your mask?"

Stark was getting more and more distressed. Zhaan wanted them to leave him alone until she could check him over, let him get some rest, but Stark knew they did not have much time. He did not know how he knew, he just did. "He was torturing me, trying to find out where Moya was, where John was."

Everyone held their breath.

"I wouldn't tell him so he, so he took my mask..." His voice disolved into pained whispers. Anguish and agony wrenched at his soul. "But that wasn't all. When he had finished with me he left me alone to drift in my misery and I discovered he had also taken the masks of Alphia and Heronn." His voice caught, he was sobbing uncontrollably now. None of those listening were unaffecting including Rygel.

Crichton put a gentle hand on his friend's shoulder. "Stark. Listen to me. What does Scorpius want with the masks?"

"I don't know, but I have to go back, find him. Recover them before he destroys them."

Chiana looked baffled. "What makes you think he would destroy the masks?"

Behind the bleary tears in his eye, Stark looked totally devastated. "He will only be patient for so long then when he cannot find out how to make the masks give up their secrets he will destroy them."

"You sound very certain." Said Rygel thoughtfully.

Stark said nothing. Zhaan turned to them. "That is enough questioning for now."

Aeryn nodded. "I will go back to command and make sure Stark wasn't followed."

D'Argo nodded, "I will come with you."

Crichton was about to follow when Stark touched his arm. He hung back with Zhaan and waited till the others had gone. "Okay Stark, what is it?"

"You are in danger."

"I know."

"No, you do not understand. Scorpius has the masks now."

Baffled he looked at Zhaan but she shook her head. She did not know what Stark meant either.

"What difference does that make?"

"If Scorpius finds out how to access the masks he does not have to find you, John."

"He doesn't?"

Stark shook his head sadly. All the sorrow in the Universe reflected in that one eye. "No, John. The masks will do it for him."

* * * * *
END