TITLE: "NO STONE UNTURNED"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "Farscape"

PAIRING: JOHN/AERYN

RATING: NC-17

STATUS: New.

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed

SERIES/SEQUEL: SEQUEL to "WORTH DYING FOR"

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

"NO STONE UNTURNED"
A "Farscape" story
Written by Alison M. DOBELL

No one knew quite what to say back on Moya so they said nothing. Aeryn was in deep shock and her injuries would take time to heal. The mental scarring was something else. Crichton understood a little about that. She had hardly seemed to register his presence when they found her. Allowed D'Argo to pick her up in his arms and carry her to their transport. The Nebari took the Sebacean colonists onto their ships where they could care for them and then take them wherever they wished to go once they had recovered their health and their wits. For some it would be a long process but the Nebari were nothing if not patient. Chiana had been so shaken to see the state of Aeryn when they brought her back to Moya that all her fears about what would happen when she saw Crichton again fled from her mind. She chased the men out of the apothecary and set about cleaning Aeryn up, checking how bad the interior damage was, then giving her something to help her sleep and ease her pain.

It made Chiana cry to see her like this. Aeryn had never been her favourite person but neither had she been her enemy. Rival, yes. Enemy, never. Friend, sometimes. Half the time Chiana was afraid of Aeryn, the volatile ex-Peace Keeper put her on edge. It did not help that Aeryn usually
treated her like a tralk. Even if she was one she did not like to be treated like one. The other part of the problem was her anger at the Sebacean for everything she had put Crichton through. Now she saw Aeryn in a different light. Alone, injured, terrified and broken. She would rather have had the woman shouting at her than see that painful vacant look in her eyes. As if the greater part of her soul had been ripped out of her.

* * * * *

Everyone else tip-toed around Moya. Crichton went to command to meet with Esak. He wanted to know where Nerri was and also wanted to thank him and his friends for their assistance. Esak looked so solemn that at first glance you would think the action had not been a success. Crichton felt his skin prickle. Rygel was in command with him, D'Argo was taking his turn watching the children. Crichton had not told them about Aeryn. Did not want them to see her in this state. Now he had a horrible feeling growing in the pit of his stomach.

"Esak, I need to know about Nerri. Where is he?"

The Nebari looked uncomfortable, upset. "We think he has been captured."

Crichton's eyebrows shot up in alarm. "Captured? What do you mean captured? By whom?"

Esak tilted his head, regarding the human closely. "Scorpius."

All the blood drained from his face. Behind him he heard Rygel whisper "Frell!" Silence fell heavy and painful around them. Crichton could not believe it. At every turn his worst nightmare would always appear.

"How can you be so sure?"

"Nerri was intending to bypass Rydex en route to the rendezvous point, we would then pick him up and come here to help free the Sebaceans."

"What happened?"

"A Peace Keeper Command Carrier turned up. He saw it, made for Rydex instead, tried to put the planet between him and the Carrier before signalling for us to go ahead without him."

Crichton closed his eyes in pain. <Oh God, not Nerri> What the yotz was he going to tell Chiana? How could he face her with news like this? First Aeryn now Nerri. When he opened his eyes again, Esak's look had softened a fraction. "Esak, I need you to tell me everything that happened. Every single word you exchanged with him, do you understand?"

Esak watched the human closely. Trying to read his thoughts. "What are you hoping to find, John Crichton?"

"I don't know, a clue, something, anything that would tell me what the hezmana he was thinking."

The Nebari frowned. "How will that help?"

"I learnt a long time ago not to underestimate people. Especially when their backs are against the wall. Nerri was not head of the Nebari Resistance for nothing, Esak."

"You think he evaded capture?"

"I don't know and I don't want to raise false hopes but you can bet Nerri would not have gone down without a fight. Before I assume the worst I want to exhaust all other avenues."

The Nebari looked at him for a couple of microts then nodded slowly. "You will need a ship and help. I will go with you. The other two ships can take the Sebaceans."

"You could be flying into a firestorm, Esak. If Scorpy has him it's because he wants me. Being near me is not gonna be the healthiest place you could pick right now."

To his surprise Esak smiled slowly. He had taken the measure of this odd alien and contrary to the rumours he had heard about him decided he liked what he saw. Was reassured by the truth and sincerity that shone in the human's eyes. "I will help you, John Crichton."

Crichton nodded and held out his hand. Esak looked at it curiously. "It's an old Earth custom. It shows you don't have a weapon in your hand. You clasp hands and shake and this is your bond, a pledge of friendship between you."

Esak looked pleased at the custom, took his hand and shook it firmly. Beginning to understand why Nerri valued this human. Crichton smiled with genuine pleasure though his eyes were sad. "And my name is John, Esak. Just John."

* * * * *

Between the mud and swamps lay the ever present mists. Swirling diaphanous layers of white and grey that made visibility so poor he worried about hitting something. He had to land but where? Where on this trat heap of dren could he not only land but hide Crichton's module? The human would never forgive him if he scratched it let alone crashed into something. Then he saw it. Or thought he did. A huge cave. Perfect. It would be somewhere relatively dry. The rock would help to obviate any scans and hide the little ship from possible detection. It was not much of a plan but better than nothing. He could not afford to signal anyone with the Command Carrier breathing down his neck and he was certain that if Scorpius was indeed on that Carrier pursuit was inevitable. Nerri gritted his teeth and guided the module deep into the cave, following the long curve until he thought he had gone as far as he dared. Carefully he landed and shut down the power. No sense in emitting an unnecessary heat signature for the half-breed to follow. He knew how tenacious Scorpius could be. Now all he had to do was hide and play dead. Nerri just hoped he would not end up playing dead for real.

* * * * *

Scorpius was seething. "What do you mean you cannot find it? How can you lose Crichton's pathetic little ship? Check your instruments again!"

Lt Braca nodded and did so. It did not help having his Commander standing over his shoulder while he did it. Especially when he got the same results back. "Sir, it is as if he has completely disappeared off our sensors."

The half-Scarran's lips peeled back from his death's head mask. Heat evacuated his mouth in a puff of sulfurous breath that made Braca gag. The deep echoing voice of his Scarran forebears rang like a death knell in his first officer's ears. "Crichton!" It could be no one else. No one else had ever eluded him so many times as the human. As angry and frustrated as he was that he could slip through his fingers yet again, part of him was thrilled at the man's endless ingenuity. It did not pay to underestimate him. Made him a worthy adversary. His eyes narrowed and his voice returned to the soft silky cadence of evil that Braca was used to. "If Crichton is here there must be a reason. Something we are missing."

Lt Braca looked blank. "There is nothing here but mud and swamps, sir."

Scorpius seethed at him. "Just because you cannot see anything does not mean there is nothing here. Something has drawn Crichton to this worthless planet. I want to know what it is. When we know why he is here we will have the key to finding him. Dispatch marauders and landing transports. I want this planet searched. Every square dench. Lerg by lerg, metra by metra. We are not leaving Rydex until we find him!"

* * * * *

Chiana finished doing what she could. Aeryn was in a mess but out of danger. Fortunately she looked worse than she was and with all Patri's blood washed off her it was clear her own wounds were mostly superficial apart from the tearing lower down. The mental damage would probably never heal. She turned to see Crichton stepping into the apothecary. He looked concerned, sad and troubled. Chiana felt her heart miss a beat. She loved him so very much. Did he have any idea how much?

"She's sleeping, John." She murmured, tired and stirred with sorrow.

Crichton folded his arms around her, holding her gently next to his heart as he kissed the top of her head. "Then there's no more you can do for her right now."

Chiana nodded, feeling tears well up in her eyes. Tears she did not want him to see but the human seemed to have a sixth sense where emotions were concerned. He eased back and tilted her head so he could look into her eyes. The sight of tears on her chalk white face tore at his heart. "Hey Pip, what is it?"

She shook her head. Not wanting to talk in the apothecary. He nodded his understanding. Once outside in the corridor he commed Pilot. "Hey, Pilot. Aeryn is sleeping. Can you post a couple of DRDs to watch over her for us?"

"Gladly Commander."

He looked at Chiana, stroked her cheek gently, his eyes so full of love and something else. "Chiana, we need to talk."

Daggers of ice pierced her. She bit her lip. He was going to tell her he still loved Aeryn. Oh frell. He did not take her to their quarters. What he wanted to say to her was not for the ears of their children. D'Argo could be counted on to watch over them just a little longer. Chiana was surprised to find them heading for the Terrace. She tried to swallow passed the lump in her throat. Once on the Terrace he turned to face her, his gentle expression fraught with lines of worry. She held her breath. Maybe this was not about Aeryn after all.

"Chiana, honey, I don't know how to say this so I'll just say it." He paused, licked his lips nervously with his tongue. Her heart fluttered watching his fear surface from the depths where it had been hidden from her. "It seems Nerri took my module. Had some hairbrained scheme about getting us some help to free the Sebaceans."

Chiana nodded slowly. Even as she feared what he was going to say, she could not stop a hint of pride as she spoke of her brother. "Yeah, it worked too. Three Nebari Capital ships."

He nodded, a hand stroking her cheek in a soothing gesture. "We couldn't have done it without Nerri."

"So why the long face? We didn't lose anybody, that's what you told me. Right?"

"Right." He kissed her softly then steeled his resolve. "Pip, there's no easy way to tell you this. Nerri didn't join any of the Capital Ships."

Her eyes widened. "What?"

"He found himself being shadowed by a Peace Keeper Command Carrier..."

She thought her legs were going to give way. Nerri! Of all the pleeking frodank things to happen...

"We don't know that he was captured, Pip." He said softly.

"But he was in the module, right? The module's only a short range vessel. No weapons. No StarBurst capability." She paused, tears forming and beginning to overflow and roll down her cheeks. "Is...is Nerri dead, John?"

He started to shake his head and stopped himself. Who was he kidding? He did not know. She felt his arms around her, strong, loving, supportive. But even all his love could not fill the empty space opening in her heart. The part of her that was part of Nerri. The only family she had ever known until Crichton. He held her while she cried, her heart breaking and taking big chunks of his with it. He rocked her gently, rubbing a hand gently against her back, his own eyes filling with tears. His mind frantically trying to come up with a solution, a way in which Nerri could have survived. He grit his teeth with resolve and waited until his wife was all cried out then gently eased back from her so he could see her face as he dried her tears with his hand. "I'll find him, Pip, and I'll bring him back I promise."

New panic siezed her heart. She had lost Nerri, she did not want to lose him as well. He read her thoughts as easily as if they had been spoken. His voice was so gentle, so full of love. How could she ever have doubted his feelings for her?

"Don't worry, I'll be in a Nebari Capital Ship with Esak. The other two ships will hold on here to protect Moya and to give the women a chance to recuperate before they are taken to somewhere safe to settle and form a new colony. Far away from Peace Keeper or Scarran territory."

She wanted to rant and wail, to plead with him not to go. Not to leave her. But she knew he would never abandon Nerri. And truth be told she did not want that either. But neither could she bear the thought of losing him. Why did all her dreams have to turn to ashes? She looked into his face, saw the love there, saw his determination, his goodness shining back at her and making her heart weep with love for him. She clung to him, wished she could go with him, share whatever dangers would be facing him but knew that was an impossibility now. He would never allow her to be parted from the children. Never put her in danger and even in his absence the others would step in to protect her. Not just for his sake but for her's and the children's. It was what friendship was all about. Friendship and family. Her eyes were shining a little too brightly as they held his. "When do you have to leave?"

"Within the arn."

Her hand stroked his cheek. She needed him. Wanted him. Even if this would be for the last time. He knew what she was thinking, what she was asking. A hand sliding down his chest, her hips rolling slowly up against his. Need, hunger. Feed the fear to strengthen the emptiness that would
follow when he left her. He understood. His giving heart could not refuse her. His love never desert her. He kissed her, so gently, so deeply that it was like falling off a cliff. Only they would never hit bottom, not while his arms were there to catch her and her arms were there to catch him. They moved slowly, savouring and memorising each touch, every movement guided by love. His fingers burned where he touched her flesh, her lips drew trails of fire down from his lips, down the throbbing artery in his neck where she sucked gently at his living pulse on her way down. Gifted hands undressed him, described his muscles and outlined every surface of his body, following the hairline down his chest as she now sucked and licked his nipples, the hands continuing down and down and down. He leaned his head back to try to hold on to a tiny trace of sanity, a whisper of control. But she knew his body so well and only she could control his fire.

They lay with the stars as their backdrop. Lost in each other. Their shared grief eased for the moment by a love so deep that passion could only come so close and no further to describing it. He rolled her off him and on to her back, gently plying his fingers into her velvet treasure house, her angled hips rising to encourage his fingers to go faster. Her juices oiled his hand as she rocked her hips up against his fingers, her excitement building as his lips left hers and blazed a wet trail to her breasts, sucking and teasing first one then the other while she writhed beneath him. Her hands stroked him, working him into a hard throbbing shaft. She wanted him inside her, wanted that explosion of sexual heat that spelt a microt of blazing oblivion. Like dying and being reborn. She slowed down her hips as he started to enter her. Easing him deeper and deeper inside her as her muscles gripped and flexed around his throbbing muscle. Swallowed his groan in her mouth as she kissed him. Her small hands tried to slow him a little more and she felt him pause, his breath ragged with passion as he fought to stay in control. He broke off from the kiss for enough air to speak. His voice aching with passion, tender with concern.

"Am I, am I hurting you, honey?"

Chiana smiled through the sheen of perspiration on her face. "No. Just don't want to disturb the baby."

He continued sliding in and out in slow exaggerated sweeps then her words caught up with his ears and his heart faltered. "Baby?" He paused, half in and half out of her. Realisation slowly dawned. "Baby?" He had to see her face. "Are you sure, Pip?"

Her smile of joy sucked his heart right in and did not let go. "I'm sure, John."

He whooped, laughed with joy then slid himself in the rest of the way making her catch her breath. He buried himself in deep, as far as he could go then paused and reverently laid his hands on her stomach while he was inside her. "A baby..." He whispered with awe.

His face was lit with such joy, such wonderful innocent awe. Caught between his passion and his love for her. The Uncharted Territories did not stand a chance. Slowly he picked up his pace again, putting so much feeling and emotion into it that Chiana thought she would burst. How he managed to hang on so that they could orgasm together she did not know but he did it and the result blew her mind and swamped her body with so many emotions that she was overcome. Weak with love for him. He sagged against her. Momentarily spent but careful to keep most of his weight on his arms until he could roll off her. He tumbled on to his side and when he had recovered a little moved up against her, a hand gently fanning out so that he could cradle her
stomach. "A baby." He repeated in a hushed voice. Whispered like a prayer in her ear. As if the word was sacred.

He kissed her gently. "I love you, Pip."

She grinned as she kissed him back. "I know."

All too soon they had to get up and dress. Crichton had to go but now he had one more reason to make it back in one piece. He looked into Chiana's eyes for what seemed like forever, renewing every unspoken vow between them. With a last kiss he left her. Reluctant but determined not to fail her. Not to fail Nerri. Chiana turned to face the field of stars. Tears of joy and sorrow blending as they ran down her face. Praying that whatever Gods could hear her would protect him. Watch over him and bring him safe home to her. Chiana did not go to see him off. She stayed on the Terrace and when a Nebari Capital Ship broke away from the rest and went to StarBurst, part of her heart went with it. Another part was with Nerri. Just then a voice came
over the com.

"Chiana?"

It was D'Argo. He sounded hesitant and harrassed. A smile broke out on her face.

"On my way, D'Argo."

Quickly she wiped the tears off her face and went to rescue him from their children. She was not sure how she was going to break it to him that there would soon be another one.

* * * * *
END