Baby On Board

Author: Holly
E-mail: hail_mags@hotmail.com
Spoilers: After DNA Mad Scientist, but before the destruction of the Gammack base. A new level to John and Aeryn's relationship.
Rating: PG

She watched as the male and female walked through the market place of the commerce planet. It had to be her. It just had to be. In the distance the small sun was sinking beyond the horizon and lamps were being turned on as the merchants continued with their business.  The young woman slipped behind stalls and hid in the shadows as she followed them at a distance. In her arms she held a child no more than two years old. She watched as the male stopped to examine a caged animal.

'Hey, Aeryn. Look at this!'

Aeryn allowed a slight smile at his childlike excitement. 'It's a Kryndor. A flying creature from the planet Spenx, they use them to hunt small animals.'

'It reminds me of a Griffin, a mythological beast,' John looked at her and caught a flash of blue as the woman slipped behind some crates. She had been following them ever since they left Rygel to insult the local merchants over the price of the food they needed. He had waited for Aeryn to spy her but it had been over an arn. He softly touched Aeryn's hand and nodded his head toward where the woman was hiding.

'Friend of yours? She keeps looking at you.'

Aeryn followed his gaze. 'There is no one there, John.' Her hand went to her gun, just in case. The human was very strange in many ways, but he was almost always, annoyingly right.

'She's behind the crates. She's been following us for an arn now.'

'Why didn't you tell me?'

'I thought you'd see her. You are the trained peacekeeper after all.' Immediately he was sorry as he saw her stricken look. 'But in a way it's good you didn't see her. You're starting to relax.' He started towards the crates when Aeryn's hand grabbed his wrist.

'She could be from Crais, or Scorpius.'

'She's carrying a child, Aeryn. I seriously doubt she's a peacekeeper.'

'Peacekeeper's do have children, John.'

'But they don't carry them around with them do they?'

'How did you know that.'

'Doesn't fit with the image. Come on, Sunshine. She could be an old friend of yours.'

'I have no friends.'

John looked wounded. 'I thought we went through this. You have the others and me.'

Aeryn instantly regretted her hurried words as she saw the hurt in his eyes. Cursing softly she wondered at the regret she felt at causing him pain. He was so different from anyone she had ever met. 'Alright, I didn't used to have friends. Now I have comrades and an annoying human.'

'Oh, now that hurt.'

'Liar.'

'See how much fun bantering can be?' He was smiling again and the pain had gone from his eyes. Aeryn smiled reluctantly. A commotion caught their attention as the Kryndor started to screech loudly and rattle its cage. The child being carried by the woman had pulled some loose feathers and received several severe scratches across its arm. Its wailing soon joined the bird's. A surge ripped through the market causing all the lights to shine brighter before they all exploded. Several small screams accompanied the darkness that followed as species searched each other out. John felt a hand grip his wrist and tug him into the darkness of an alley. He heard a small scuffle and a bundle was shoved into his arms as a voice whispered frantically.

'Ouch, Aeryn let go. Listen to me please. It's me, Kaeryn. Let go.'

'Kaeryn?'

John heard the surprise in Aeryn's voice as a small light penetrated the darkness. The bundle in his arms moved and he found himself staring into the sleepy eyes of the most adorable two-year-old he had ever seen. 'Hey,' he said softly as she blinked up at him. She yawned. The young woman who had been following them reached to take her child back.

Aeryn stepped forward, 'What are you doing here Kaeryn. You were declared irreversibly contaminated. You should be dead.'

'So should you. Yet you are not. And neither am I, do you remember why I was declared unclean.'

'You were contaminated by a lesser lifeform.' Aeryn looked at John before quickly averting her eyes. Kaeryn smiled slightly.

'Not contaminated, Aeryn. I feel in love. You and I are lucky. We have the chance to be so much more than we ever could have been if we'd stayed peacekeepers.'

'And the male, where is he?'

'Dead. The peacekeepers found us. They want my baby. He held them off for as long as he could but they killed him. I ran.'

'Why, why do they want her?' asked John. Lights began to shine in the market and the harsh voices of the peacekeepers sounded.

'Where is the sebaccean with the child. A reward for any information.'

'No,' breathed Kaeryn.

Cries went up from the square and several arms pointed to the alley where they hid.

'Frell,' cursed Aeryn. 'Come on.'

They turned and ran as several peacekeepers entered the alley. Gunfire blasted off the walls and the child awoke. She began to cry.

'No, no. Ailey keep silent.' Kaeryn's words did nothing. The pulse chamber on Aeryn and John's rifles began to glow before they exploded. Further down the alley the peacekeeper's guns also exploded. A dagger came spinning through the darkness and struck Kaeryn through the shoulder.

'Ah!' Ailey's screams became louder as her mother stumbled. The lights around them flickered on, burning intensely. The light became brighter and brighter as Aeryn helped Kaeryn through the twisted streets to the transport pod. John ran ahead and opened the door. Rygel was there counting food cubes into separate piles with Chiana and D'Argo watching closely. They looked up at the commotion and D'Argo raised his qualta blade.

'Go, go, go. Let's move,' yelled John as new soldier's rounded the corner.

'Who the frell is that, and would some one shut that child up! Why are they here? They aren't eating any of my food.'

'Not now, Sparky.'

Aeryn shoved Kaeryn towards Chiana and ran to the control panel. They blasted off amid peacekeeper fire.

'We're lucky,' said Aeryn. 'It's a ground squad, they have no ships. It'll be a few arns before they can follow us.'

'Uh, Aeryn.'

'What, Chiana?'

'She's bleeding pretty badly here. We need Zhaan. I . I think she's
dying.'

Aeryn and John waited as Zhaan looked over Kaeryn. John held Ailey who had fallen asleep in the transport pod. John didn't like the expression on Zhaan's face. Kaeryn hadn't awoken. He sat beside Aeryn in the quiet their arms slightly touching. Her face was expressionless. Zhaan turned to her after a while.

'I'm sorry. There is nothing I can do. The dagger pierced a major artery. I can not reach it to stem the bleeding.'

On the table Kaeryn stirred. 'Aeryn.' Her voice was barely a whisper.

Slowly Aeryn walked over to where her friend lay dying.

'Aeryn, you are the closest thing I have ever had to a friend. Please, take Ailey to the planet Kersor. Her father has family there. They will look after her. Please, don't let them take her.' Kaeryn reached for Aeryn's hand. Aeryn took it. Tears in her eyes. 'I was lucky, Aeryn. I was happy. And you have the chance to be happy too. Don't let it slip away.' Aeryn smiled slightly. 'Bring me, Ailey.'

John stood quietly and brought the sleeping child over to her mother. 'My Ailey. My baby. Keep her safe, Aeryn. Please.' Kaeryn's hand gently stroked Ailey's cheek. Her eyes closed and the hand fell. She breathed out. She didn't breathe again. Aeryn closed her eyes as Kaeryn's hand went slack. John gently put his hand on her shoulder. Tears slipped from beneath her closed eyes. Putting Ailey down, John took Aeryn in his arms and held her. At first she stiffened at his touch but then she relaxed and put her arms around his neck. Leaning into him as she cried for her dead friend.

John found Aeryn sitting on the terrace. He carried Ailey in his arms. She had awoken just a few moments earlier and was restless.

'Hey, sunshine. How you feeling?'

'Fine.'

"Uh huh.' He squatted next to where she sat and was silent for a while. 'Ailey woke up. You want to hold her?'

'No.'

'Why not. Kaeryn wanted you to look after her until we reached Kersor.'

'I'm not good with children.'

'Nonsense.' John handed Ailey to Aeryn and started to make himself comfortable. Aeryn held Ailey as if she were going to explode. Ailey regarded Aeryn through big blue eyes. Gently Aeryn placed her on the floor where she promptly fell down. Sitting she regarded John and Aeryn as she chewed on a strand of long dark hair.

'Oh now, don't do that,' said John as he brushed the hair from her mouth. Ailey clasped onto his hand with her two little ones and used it to pull herself up. Holding his hand with one of hers she pointed to herself with the other.

'Aiwey.'

John smiled. 'Hello Ailey.' He pointed to himself. 'John"

'John.'

Aeryn smiled slightly. Taking Ailey's hand she pointed to John again. 'Crichton.'

'Crichon.'

'Hey Aeryn.' John protested.

Ailey pointed to Aeryn. 'Aewyn.' She little girl looked around. 'Mama?'

John picked Ailey up and settled her in his lap so she could watch the stars. 'Your mum had to go away for awhile kiddo.'

A small tear ran down Ailey's face. 'Bye Mamma.'

'Yeah. Bye Mamma.'

Aeryn brushed at her face as she watched the two of them. With a sigh Ailey reached for Aeryn's hand and fell asleep. One hand holding John's hand the other holding Aeryn's.

'Pilot says it will be another twenty arns until we reach Kersor,' he whispered. 'I think Ailey will sleep most of the way. She needs to be fed and then she can sleep in my room. I don't think I will sleep much until this is over.'

'Likewise.'

'Come on, she who isn't good with children. You can help me feed her. By my guess she's two years old and will not take kindly to being woken.'

'Years?'

'Cycles.'

John was right. Ailey didn't like being woken. She screamed the entire time John and Aeryn tried to feed her, causing several broken lights throughout Moya. The others had prudently stayed away and Pilot wasn't talking to them by the time they had her fed and asleep again. They also got covered with half-eaten food cubes in the meantime. Pulling his blanket over her John looked at himself and Aeryn and the food that covered them and began to laugh quietly. Leaving his com beside the bed so they could here her if she woke. John followed Aeryn to her quarters.

'What are you doing?' she demanded when he followed her in.

'The other's are asleep, I need your com in case she wakes. Besides, both of us need showers.'

'Use your own.'

'I don't want to wake Ailey. Pilot's mad enough at us now, image what he'll be like if she breaks something more than a couple of lights.'

Aeryn sighed, 'fine. But I'm using the shower first.'

'We could use it together.'

She smiled sweetly, 'one of us has to be near the com in case Ailey wakes.'

'Spoilsport.'

Aeryn went into the bathroom and firmly shut the door behind her.

Fifteen minutes later Aeryn emerged from the bathroom, dressed in clean clothes and rubbing her wet hair with a towel to hear John arguing with pilot. He was sitting on the edge of her bed talking into the com, 'I don't get it, D'Argo and the others purposely cut off one of your arms, and your only slightly indignant. Ailey accidentally breaks a couple of lights and you give us the silent treatment.'

'I will tolerate pain to myself, but not to Moya.'

'I told you I'll fix them.'

'That is not the point, commander.'

'I will never understand you, Pilot. G'Night.'

'Good night, Crichton.'

'Your turn.'

John jumped at the sound of her voice. It was good to know she hadn't forgotten all her training. She could still walk silently if she wanted. Not noticing Kaeryn trailing them that afternoon, when John had had dented her pride. John stood and moved towards the bathroom. 'Ailey hasn't woken yet but she's not sleeping well either. She's tossing and turning. She misses her mother.'

'No soldier should be like this.'

'She's a child.'

'She's a peacekeeper.'

John frowned at her. 'No Aeryn, she's not. She's a lonely little girl who has just lost her mother.'

John looked into the fogged mirror of Aeryn's bathroom after his shower. Aeryn had come a long way since she had been declared contaminated. He wondered if she really wanted to become someone different. Her words on false earth echoed in his mind every time he saw other peacekeepers. 'I have a lot to blame you for.' But sometimes she let her guard down and just enjoyed life, like this afternoon, on the commerce planet. Sighing he left the bathroom. He didn't know if he would ever know.

Aeryn was sitting at the window when he emerged. She had a new gun in her hands and was cleaning it while she thought about what he had said earlier. In his hands he carried his shirt which was stained. He didn't have any fresh clothes with him. She was surprised to see how muscular his arms were now that he was only wearing his singlet. He glanced at her with a question in his eyes. She sighed. She wasn't going to be able to avoid this any longer.

'Sometimes, I wonder if I can ever be anything but a soldier. Kaeryn was happy because she had someone who cared about her. She wasn't alone. I am.'

'Is that what you think, Aeryn? I told you before, when we were having
 hat problem with the mad-scientist. You're not alone. You have me.'

'And when you go back to Earth?'

John sighed and sat down next to her. 'The chances of me finding Earth are slim to none. And if I do manage to find Earth, I'm not sure if I could go back for good. Too much has happened. It would be good to see my Dad and DK and my sisters. But I'm not sure I'd stay. So you see, sunshine. Whether you want it or not, you're stuck with me.'

'You expect me to believe that given the chance, you won't go home.'

John thought for a minute. 'Human's have a saying. Home is where the heart is. Humans need friends who understand what they have been through. Friends are as important as family. Everyone on board is my family. You are my family, Aeryn. This is my home.'

A small smile flittered across Aeryn's lips. John leaned in. Softly his lips brushed hers. Pilot's voice came through the com.

'Commander, Aeryn. We are under attack. Peacekeepers!'

'Frell.'

They raced along the corridor, as they passed John's quarter's they heard Ailey crying. Aeryn ran inside and picked the child up. 'I'll take her to the den. It's the most secure part of the ship.'

'No. With her screaming like this there's no telling what she'll do to Moya. Hang onto her.'

'And shoot with what. I don't have three hands!'

'Fine. I'll hold her. You're a better shot anyway.'

They found D'Argo and the others already in command. D'Argo was trying without success to raise the defense shield. 'This piece of dren won't work.'

'D'Argo, not in front of Ailey!'

'The shield's malfunctioning, we need you there right away!' Ailey's screams increased in volume and several lights exploded.

'Commander, if Ailey's yells anymore she will damage Moya propulsion drive.'

'Great this is all we need,' he held up his hand. 'Plan. We need to distract them long enough to get the defense screen up. Then Moya can gather her energy and we take the shield down the instant before starburst. Pilot, are we on trajectory with Kersor?'

'Yes, commander.'

'Good.'

'How are we going to distract them?' asked Chiana, looking at John. The others all waited for his answer.

'What? I have to think of everything?'

'Here,' Aeryn held out her arms. 'Give her to me and go fix the shield. We don't stand a chance without it.'

'Done,' John ran off with D'Argo following. Aeryn turned to Chiana.

'Hold her.'

'No way. I don't do kids.'

Aeryn turned to Zhaan who was already shaking her head.

'I'm sorry Aeryn, but Moya's in much pain. I'm going to try to take as much as I can.'

With slight hesitation, Aeryn thrust Ailey into Rygel's arms where her screams promptly grounded his throne sled. 'Look after her.'

'I refuse to do this.'

'Chiana. Shoot him if he leaves her.'

'Oh, absolutely.' Chiana took Aeryn's gun.

'I'm going out in my prowler, until the defense screen is up.'

'But you won't be able to get back in if the defense screen is up.'

'Then make sure you tell me when it's about to go up.'

John and D'Argo were just finishing fixing the defense screen when a direct blast hit Moya of the broad side. Pilot's panicked voice floated over the coms.

'Commander, Moya's lost the ability to starburst.'

'Damn. How's Aeryn doing.'

'She's beginning to be overwhelmed, Commander. She can't continue much longer and Ailey's screams are getting worse.'

'Frell!' Overhead a light exploded. John's eyes widened. 'New plan. Do we have an open com signal with them?'

'Well yes, but Crichton - '

'No. Trust me, get Aeryn back in here.'

'As you say.'

Aeryn joined them as they entered command. All the lights there had exploded along with Aeryn's gun. 'I tried to hold as many off as I could.'

'You did brilliantly.'

'Crichton if you don't shut this thing up I swear I'll kill her,' yelled Rygel.

'Shut up, Sparky. She's the one who'll save your neck. Pilot!'

'Yes Commander?'

'Open com's with all their ships.'

'At once.'

A voice rasped through the command deck. 'This is Commander Jakneson. Release the sebaccean child to us now.'

'Let's do this,' muttered John, as he held Ailey towards the com channel. Her screaming became louder than any they had heard from her so far. Pilot closed off the command section so that Moya wouldn't be damaged, but all around them things began to explode. Outside, ships began to glow and explode. Commander Jakneson's startled voice came through before an explosion rocked Moya. There was nothing outside but the debris of broken ships. Aeryn took Ailey from John and began to calm her down. Slowly her cries died until she fell back asleep.

The planet Kersor looked very much like Earth, except for the pink sky. Ailey's family were glad to see her, and sad to learn of her parents deaths. They thanked John and Aeryn for looking after her and the crew of Moya spent a rare day of peace.

John stood beside Aeryn on top of the hill over looking Ailey's new home. 'You'll miss her?' he asked.

'Yes. Kaeryn was the closest thing I had to a friend before I met you. I'll miss her. And Ailey.'

'Wait until you have children of your own. At least they won't blow things up when they cry.'

'I don't think I'll ever have children.'

'I do. You're a natural mother. Come on. Pilot says Moya's getting edgy.'

'Edgy?'

'Uneasy. They'll come to investigate the destruction of the command carrier.'

'To think. A child little more than two cycles old destroyed an entire fleet.'

'At least we found out why they wanted her so badly, and now she's safe.'

John and Aeryn didn't move until the two suns began to set.

'Come on, sunshine. Time to go home.'

The End