Jothee Was Here

Author: Danielle Cormier (ctegan)
E-mail: tegan_northwood@yahoo.com
Rating: PG
Spoilers and any other pertinent info: Takes place end of season 3, sometime after Fractures and probably the final four (though written before seeing those eps); Stark is still off trying to contact Zhaan, Jothee has not been in contact with anyone on Moya.

Jool stood up, and D'Argo deliberately eased her back into the seat.  "There will be no wandering the marketplace.  I want the two of you to stay out of trouble."

"What trouble?" Chiana stepped up to them, completely unaware of the conversation.

"D'Argo thinks we're incapable of taking care of ourselves ..."

"That's not what I said."

"... so we're stuck here for the next frelling arn," Jool continued.

Chiana tilted her head.  "True?" She waited, but no argument came from D'Argo.  "Aw, frell! Why do I get stuck with the princess?"

D'Argo stood up from the table.  "One arn."

As he rushed out of the club, Chi whispered to Jool.  "Let's dance."   When Jool didn't answer, Chi glimpsed at the stage.  Wisps of short, dark hair covered the singer's eyes and hid her face, but she was unmistakably Sebacean.  Chi repeated herself, louder this time.  "Let's dance."

"To this dren?" Jool wrinkled her nose.

"We have one arn left in this place, and I plan on making the most of it."

The Sebacean ceased her melancholy song and headed for the bar.  Jool's lips parted in a smile.  "Let's put them all to shame."

They took the dance floor, claiming a few hearts along the way.  They would have danced the whole arn in this fashion had Chi not casually glanced over at the bar.  "That's Stark."

"Where?" Jool twisted and turned her head.

Chi pointed to the singer at the bar.  On the stool next to her was a man the Sebacean was noticeably avoiding, or trying to.   The Sebacean woman got up and made her way toward a young Luxan seated closer to the door.

"No," Jool said, "I don't see the resemblance." She twirled, arms above her, enjoying the attention it brought her.

"Frell, my view is blocked." Chiana jumped up and down and wriggled through the now overflowing dance floor.  By the time she reached the bar the man who would be Stark had disappeared.  "Frell." Out of the corner of her eye she caught the Luxan raising his hood.  Chiana gasped.   "Jothee?"

Chiana started toward him, but Jool grabbed her.  "I don't see Stark anywhere."

Chi struggled against Jool.  "I just saw Jothee ... D'Argo's son."

Jool's grip didn't loosen.  "What are you talking about?"

"I'm going to follow him." Chiana pleaded, "Don't say anything to anyone, especially D'Argo, until I know for sure." She paused.  "Look, are you gonna let go of my arm or what?"

"This is not a good idea.  As your friend ..."

"As my friend you'll promise not to say anything .. not yet."

Jool really didn't want to lie to D'Argo, but she felt loyal to Chiana as well.  Reluctantly she released Chiana.  "Okay, but we've only got an arn."

"Wait here, I'll be back in a few microts."   Chi disappeared out the door.

Jool deliberated on whether or not to follow Chiana, then made up her mind, pushing her way through the crowd to the door.  Without warning, someone grabbed her arm, and Jool screamed.  He pulled her close to his body, covering her mouth with the palm of his hand.  "Shh, Princess, it's just me." He slowly withdrew his hand and raised his eyebrows.

"Crichton, you scared the dren out of me!"

"Sorry," he laughed.  "Nice to see you, too.  Aeryn sent me to retrieve you and Chiana." He paused.  "So, where is she?" He turned his head around the room.

"I'm not her mother." Jool rolled her eyes.

Crichton tilted his head.  "Where is she, Jool?"

She hesitated.  "I don't know."

From behind her, D'Argo chimed in.  "Where the hezmana is she?"

"Don't worry," Jool answered.  "Chiana promised to return within the arn."

"It's been an arn," D'Argo growled.  Jool remained unconvinced.  "Aeryn and Rygel are back at the transport pod waiting."

Crichton shook his head.  "Where's Pip?"

Avoiding D'Argo's eyes Jool tried to back away from Crichton, but he held her too fast.  "She went to another club with some guy." She bit her lip.

Crichton glanced nervously up at D'Argo.  "What are you leaving out, Princess?"

"Let go of my frelling arm, Crichton!"

A deep-voiced creature stepped up to them.  "Let the lady go."

"This is a private conversation ... hey!"

The creature grabbed hold of Crichton who instinctively let go of Jool.  D'Argo raised his Qualta Blade.   "Release him."

The creature unceremoniously shoved Crichton into D'Argo. "Are you okay, John?"

Crichton nodded.  "Just caught off guard." He reached for Jool and gently drew her in.  "You all right, Princess?" The creature took a swing at him, hitting D'Argo instead.  Jool clung to John as he hurried her outside the club.  Once there he inspected her quickly.

"I'm fine, Crichton."

Moments later, D'Argo and a few of the other patrons spilled onto the street. 

"Wait 'til Aeryn finds out you were in a brawl, big guy." Crichton chuckled.

Back at the transport pod Aeryn waited impatiently.  "Just a few microts," she mumbled to no one in particular.  When they arrived, her back was turned.  She spun on her heel to chastise them for being late.  "Where's Chiana?"

"Probably back at the club," Jool replied innocently.

"Then why aren't you there retrieving her?"

 D'Argo grudgingly spoke up.  "We, uh, were thrown out of the club."

Before Aeryn could respond, Crichton said, "Details aren't important.  Point is, Pip's missing."

"What has that little trelk gotten herself into this time?"

"It's Crichton's fault," Jool volunteered.  "I was just about to go after her when he stopped me."

"How is this my fault!?" Crichton turned to Aeryn.  "This is *not* my fault."

"I don't care whose fault it is.  I just want to know what happened."

 Jool's voice was less certain this time.  "Chi thought she saw someone ..." Jool chewed her lip, then drew a deep breath.   "I promised I wouldn't say anything until she was positive."

"We don't have time for this." Aeryn slid her finger to her pulse rifle; she meant business.

"It was Stark." Jool was met with startled faces.

Rygel maneuvered his throne-sled out of the pod.  He had heard the whole conversation.  "I guess we have to go look for her."

Meanwhile, Chiana had followed the Luxan into a warehouse of some kind.  He was still too far from her for Chiana to give a positive identification.  She strained to listen to what he and the others were saying.  A tall, scaly creature gave the Luxan a bag which he promptly opened and inspected.  The contents glittered, momentarily mesmerizing Chiana.  That brief moment was all it took.  Chiana was grabbed from behind just as the Luxan departed.

Back at the club, Taryn waited.  It was late; all the patrons had gone.  She poured two drinks -- one for her, one for the Luxan.  He entered a few microts later and presented the bag of money on the counter.  "It's all there."

"No problems?" Taryn slid her hand up under his hood. 

"I had the feeling I'd been followed, but I never saw anyone." He reached for his drink.  "Doesn't matter now.  We have the money we need." His fingers brushed the dark locks from Taryn's eyes.  She slid closer.

"That frelling Bannik Stark showed up again, harassing me about Devals and Ky Mera. "

"Tari, Stark can't know I'm here."

"I know, Jothee." She smiled sheepishly before saying more.  "There was a brawl at the club after you left.  I overheard the name Chiana." Taryn studied Jothee's reaction.   "She seemed to be unaccounted for."

Jothee lingered on the name.  "Chiana ..."

Taryn glowered.  "I'll see what I can find out."

Taryn arrived at the warehouse where Darshan stood guard.  "Hello," she purred.

"Where's the hybrid?"

She smiled coyly.  "He doesn't own me." She moved in closer, sliding lithe fingers alongside his thigh, near the keys at his belt.   Darshan licked his lips as Taryn whispered into his ear, "Let's go somewhere a little more ... private."

 A few arns later Taryn strode into the club past Jothee.  "The Nebari followed you last night." She sat down, stretched her legs out on the stool in front of her.  "Word is Balen's men are planning on selling her ..."

"... What?! They can't."

"Darshan says she's a thief."

"Maybe you should talk to Balen directly."

Taryn's eyes flashed.  "Frell that! Snaking up to Darshan was bad enough." She kicked at the stool and mumbled, "Nebari whore ..."

"Chiana," he corrected.

"Whatever." Taryn stood up and began pacing.  Jothee sat there silently.  "Why don't you ask your "friends" for help?"

"No! They can't know I'm here."

"Coward." Taryn's eyes shimmered.  "You never gave dren about me!"

"That's not true, Tari.  I set up this deal so you ..."

"Liar! *I* set up the deal, Jothee, so *we* could have enough money to get off this frelling rock."

Jothee reached for Taryn and stroked her short, dark hair.  "A friend of mine is in trouble." He leaned closer then kissed her gently.  "I need another favor."

When Stark arrived barely half an arn later, Taryn was ready.

"It came to me in a dream.  Zhaan was at the Deval with the Ky Mera.  She was singing."

"That's a lovely dream, Stark, but I go on in a few arns ..."

"You were in my dream."

Taryn paused.  "I'm listening."

"You and another like you. "

"And you think I know where you can find this .. Ky Mera person."   Taryn smiled.  "Because I was in your dream?"

"Yes," Stark said excitedly, "so you'll help me?"

"No." Taryn turned away.

"Please, please, ..."

"... please, please, ..."

"Shut up, Stark." Taryn put her hands up and swatted at the air.  "Go away." She paused.  "Are you this annoying to all your friends?"

Stark stopped.  "My friends are all on Moya." He became uncharacteristically quiet.

"Moya," Taryn repeated the name in the same faraway voice he had just used.  "The Luxan mentioned ..."

"... What was the Luxan's name?"

"Dunno.  Let's see, uh, there was the Luxan, a Sebacean, the Nebari ..."

Stark was animated, speaking faster now.  "They mentioned Moya?  You're certain they mentioned Moya?"

She shrugged.  She bit her lip as if concentrating, then added, "I do remember something else.  The Nebari Chiana ..."

"Chiana!"

"Yes, she's in the custody of a man named Balen.  She was caught stealing in one of his warehouses."

"Where might I find this Balen person?"

Taryn placed her arm around Stark's shoulders.  "Here's what you have to do."

"We should leave the little trelk behind and starburst out of here.  Yotz! Is that Stark?"

A man ran toward them, waving his arms about.

"Miss Monochrome was right, Rygel.  She did see Stark in the club."

"My friends!" he said as he reached them.  Stark threw his arms around them and gave a wide, toothy grin.

"Get your hands off me, Stark."

"Sorry, sorry." Stark clasped his hands together, away from the Hynerian.

"What are you doing here?"

"Looking for Zhaan," he answered a bit surprised at their question.

"Zhaan's dead, you farzhbot."

"I saw her in a dream, Rygel, a beautiful dream.  She was in a Deval ..."

"A what? Were you deprived of oxygen as an infant?"

"... a day-vahl, Rygel.  It's a temple, a place of worship and meditation."

"You're hallucinating again, Stark.  Zhaan's dead; you're crazy, and we don't have time for this. "  Rygel made a very un-Dominar-like face.

Jool interceded.  "We're looking for Chiana."

"That's why I'm here," Stark said.

"I thought you were here because you," Rygel waved his arms for emphasis, mimicking Stark's earlier actions, "had a dream."

"That's why I'm on this planet, but I sought you because I know where Chiana is."

Meanwhile, Chiana was working on a plan.  The cell she was in had a fairly easy to pick lock.  She had managed to pop it when the singer showed up, practically glued to the scaly creature Darshan.  One of the other guards making his rounds had noticed the lock come undone and had reset it, out of Chiana's reach.  After an arn or so, the singer reemerged from Darshan's private room.  Nonchalantly she passed by Chi's cell muttering something about a real live Nebari.   As the other guard snickered, the Sebacean slipped Chiana the key from Darshan's belt and whispered she was a friend of Stark and would provide a distraction.  Chiana was waiting for the right moment, and when it came, she disappeared from the warehouse in much the same way she had vanished from her cell on Moya when she'd first arrived.

As Chiana followed the maze of streets back toward the pod, Jool, Stark, and Rygel hurried toward the warehouse.  They met somewhere in the middle, much to Chiana's delight and the surprise of everyone else.  "Chiana, how did you ...?"

"With some help from Stark's friend -- the singer from the club." Chi laughed.   "Were you on your way to find me?"

"Taryn told me where you were," Stark said.

"Don't keep us in suspense, you one-eyed hezmot.  Who's Taryn?"

"The singer at the club," he answered.  "Taryn's going to share with me where the Ky Mera ..."

"Who the hezmana is Ky Mera?" Rygel interrupted.

"She's at the Deval, and Taryn knows where it is."

"What's a Deval?" Chiana asked.

"It's a temple."

"For meditation," Rygel said imitating Stark, "and meeting up with dead people."

"I had the most wonderful dream, Chiana ..."

"... I had the most wonderful dream," Rygel mocked.  "Were you dropped on your head as a child ... more than once?"

"So, uh, Taryn's going to give you the whereabouts of the temple you're looking for?  Wanna pay her a visit?  I'd like to thank her for helping me.  "

"Do what you please.  I am returning to the transport pod.  I suggest you follow me." Rygel pushed at the controls on his sled.

Jool smiled.  "We'll be there soon.  Fill the others in for us, Rygel."

He mumbled something about mad Banniks in return.

No one was around the club save Taryn.  Stark was pleased at this and happily made his way to her. 

"Not you again." Taryn eyed Chiana and Jool curiously as she addressed Stark.  "Thought I told you to get lost."

"Hi there," Chiana said.  "I, uh, just wanted to thank you for helping me."

"I didn't help you." Taryn's eyes narrowed.  She waited a beat, then rethought her response.  "You're welcome if that'll get you out of here faster."

"Fine," Chiana said.  "Thanks for helping Stark."

Taryn grinned at this. 

Chi tried again.  "If there's anything we can do to repay you .."

"... Consider us even." Taryn glanced over at Stark who opened his mouth to speak.  Taryn beat him to it.  "Actually, Nebari, there is something you can do.  Leave.  And take the Bannik with you."

"I thought Stark was your friend." Jool's hands went to her hips.

"It's nothing personal." Taryn moved to check the lighting on the stage but not before looking Chi up and down one more time.

"Maybe you can help us again," Chi said.  "Stark needs information on a Deval.   It's a kind of temple ..."

"Again with the Deval." Taryn threw her arms up in the air.

"He believes he'll find someone very special there," Jool explained.

"I know.  I'm sorry, but I can't help." Taryn's face twitched.  "Want to repay me?  Keep me out of this, please.  I need to avoid the attention of certain parties that want me to return with them ... home." She cringed at the word.  "I have my own plans to get out of here ..." Her words trailed off.

"I understand," Chi said.  "I ran away from home."   Chi laughed.  "Frell, I ran away from my whole planet!  Guess you could say I'm still running."

Taryn replied coldly.  "I guess that's something else we have in common, Nebari." Taryn turned to leave, but Stark grabbed her arm.  "Let go."

"Not without my Zhaan!" he shouted.

Taryn drew her pulse rifle.  "I can arrange it so you're never without her again."

Suddenly, the club was pierced by the most god-awful noise.  Instinctively Taryn covered her ears, withdrawing her weapon in the process.  "Shut up, frelling banshee!"

Chi cupped her hand over Jool's mouth, temporarily muffling the sound.  "Give Stark the information."

"Go frell yourself, trelk." Taryn redirected her weapon at Jool.  "As for you, open that mouth again, banshee, and I'll give you something to shriek about."

Jool's eyes widened in horror.

"Wrong answer." Chi uncovered Jool's mouth, still screaming.

"What the hezmana's wrong with you people?"   Taryn's hands reached up, protectively, for her ears.  "All right!" Taryn shouted.  "I'll tell you!"

"Took you long enough," Rygel said.

They strolled up to the transport pod where everyone was waiting.  "Miss me?" Chi purred as she brushed up alongside D'Argo.  He growled back, and she laughed.

"I asked you to stay out of trouble," D'Argo said.

"I went looking for Stark," Chiana explained, pointing to their old friend.

"We know.  Rygel told us all about it."

"Yes," Stark said.  "Taryn told me where to find the Deval and maybe Ky Mera.  Zhaan has a message for me, and the Ky Mera will deliver it."

"Who's Taryn?" Aeryn was listening, but her eyes were elsewhere.  "And where has Crichton gone to?"

"Taryn's the singer from the club," Jool said.

Two arms wrapped themselves around Chi from behind, and a familiar voice whispered in her ear, "Sparky told us you had quite an adventure."

Chi laughed and spun herself around.  "Hiya Crichton."

"Hey, Pip." He smiled back.  "You okay?" She nodded.  "Don't do that again," he added before placing a kiss on her cheek.

"Could we please leave now?" Rygel's sled edged toward the pod door.

Crichton ignored him and greeted Stark who was busy trying to convince everyone to stay.  After almost a quarter of an arn of Stark's ramblings, D'Argo stepped in.  "I will take you."

"Oh, no," Rygel said.  "I'm returning to Moya."

"How far away is this Deval?" Aeryn asked.

"Only an arn's walk." Stark wrung his hands and whimpered a bit.  "We could all go together."

"Then go!" Rygel shouted.  "No one's stopping you ... and quit humming, you yotz!"

Crichton held up his hands.  "Whoa ... can't we do both?  We'll drop Stark and D'Argo at the Deval then take Rygel back up to Moya.  After we finish unloading the supplies, we'll pick them up." He turned to Aeryn.  "That's okay, isn't it?"

"I'd like to go to the Deval with you and Stark," Jool said, "if that's all right."

"Yes, of course," Stark answered.

"Fine." Aeryn finally spoke.  "Crichton and I will drop you off and pick you up in three arns. "

"Agreed," D'Argo said.

Rygel hurried inside Moya's transport pod with Aeryn and the others close behind.  Crichton gently touched Chiana's arm.  She stopped, tilted her head.  "We need to talk, Pip."

"Bout what?"

"Don't play coy with me, little girl.  I want to know what really happened."

"I already told you."

"No," Crichton said, "Rygel told us."

"There's no more to tell."

Crichton leaned in and whispered.  "I know you weren't following Stark." Chiana's eyes widened.  "I know you, Pip."

"N-not here, okay?  I'll tell you but not here."

At the Deval Stark, D'Argo, and Jool waited for an audience with the head priestess.  Just as the priestess entered the chamber, Stark began to hum.  She met with D'Argo's eyes before addressing Stark.  "How may I help you, Bannik?"

"We're looking for Ky Mera."

The priestess held up her delicate hand.  "I'm afraid I can not help you, Bannik."

"Can't or won't?" D'Argo demanded.

"Please," Stark pleaded, "help me to contact my Zhaan."

"Zhaan?"

"She was a Delvian Pa'u," D'Argo offered.

The priestess raised an eyebrow at Stark, and he explained.  "I had a dream, and in the dream Zhaan told me to go to the Deval to find the Ky Mera."

The priestess smiled sadly.  "There are no Ky Mera here." She hesitated.  "I can give you the locations of other Devals."

"Thank you!" cried Stark.

The priestess bowed her head, then spoke again as if an afterthought.  "Someone else was here only a few arns ago asking the same questions as you."

"About Zhaan?"

"No, Bannik, not about your Zhaan.  This person was interested in the whereabouts of Ky Mera.  It is unusual for off-worlders to come here and for someone to ask about the other Devals." She locked eyes with Stark.  "Even more so to seek Ky Mera."

"My beautiful Zhaan," Stark whispered aloud.

The priestess refocused on D'Argo.  "The stranger was a Luxan."

D'Argo's brow furrowed.  "That is not my concern."

The priestess nodded.  "Of course ... if you'll follow me, I will download the information you seek." She waited at the chamber door while Stark and D'Argo filed out.  Jool lingered.  "Are you troubled, child?"

Jool bit her lip.  "The Luxan that was here ... did he give a name?"

"He called himself Jothee." The priestess paused.  When no more questions came, she continued out the chamber down the hall.  Jool followed silently, deep in thought.   D'Argo called out to her to hurry, and she quickened her steps, hardly able to contain her excitement.  Soon she'd be on Moya and could tell Chiana the news.

Jothee was here. 

The End