Summary: AU Story Crichton goes to find his mother and meets his family. Aeryn starts to enjoy herself.
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters or the show and I am not making any money from this story.
Rate: PG
Category: Romance/Drama
�I hope you understand why we all can�t go with you Crichton,� Zhaan said.
�I understand Zhaan,� John said.
Aeryn was in her quarters waiting for Crichton to tell her when it was time to go. For some strange reason she felt very nervous about meeting his mother, she didn�t know why but she did and she didn�t understand it. She would only admit to herself that she had feeling for him and they were strong, but she didn�t love him or at least she didn't think she did.
�There it is�you and Aeryn should have no problems getting to the surface,� Pilot said.
�Aeryn time to go,� John said in to the comm.
He had to admit that It felt strange like he was bring his girlfriend home to Christmas dinner. But Aeryn wasn�t his girlfriend or anything in that manner. They cared about each other but that as far as it went. Or at least that how far she let it go every time she showed him apart of her self she close herself up again.
�Nervous,� Aeryn asked as they were settle in and ready to go.
�No�Well maybe just a�Yes,� John said.
�Crichton it�ll be ok�she�s your mother,� Aeryn said.
�I know but she still a peacekeeper but at least I�ll have you there with me,� he said giving her his killer smile.
It wasn�t that long before they could see the planet clearly and that is when it hit him. He was only half human, but he was also half sebacean-- the same species as the Peacekeepers. He looked at Aeryn who�d had noticed his strange look he suddenly got. She had never seen him look that why before it was like he saw a ghost.
�Crichton are you ok,� Aeryn said softly.
�Yea�why,� John said slowly.
�Because you look like you are in trance,� Aeryn said tapping his shoulder.
�Aeryn, it just hit me�I�m only half human,� John said looking at her.
�Yes�but you�re also half sebacean,� Aeryn said jokingly.
�I guess that why I really don�t like hot weather that much�it always gave me headaches,� John said.
It was not that long before they had her prowler landed on the planet and they were getting out. Crichton looked up at her as she picked up the bag she had brought.
�Aeryn maybe it a trick, you know to get us here�and trap us,� John said paranoid.
�Crichton, they have items from earth, pictures of your family and how would they know your middle name you never told anyone,� Aeryn said.
�I told you,� John said.
�John they had the exact box your mother did, they had her wedding ring, pictures of her and your dad�now come on and stop being do paranoid,� Aeryn said.
Crichton looked around to find any sign of life on this planet. Aeryn noticed many different species running around working together. Few seemed to be very close like husband and wife with children running around. It didn�t seem like a place where Peacekeepers would want to be. Since peacekeeper were very in to purity of their race. The temperature was moderate, not to cold or hot. There was one sun like earth but it was more of a red-orange than earths, the grass was three different shades of green, there were many different kinds of plant life, and a river was in the distance.
�Crichton,� a female voice said.
�Hi,� John said as he smiled.
It was the same peacekeeper that gave him the package and she noticed their similar looks. But this time she was in a pale blue sleeveless dress that came about one inch above the knee. She had her medium length dark blond hair down, except for a few strands that were braided. She was held several packages of food he noticed as she lied them down next to him. She gave him a hug as she came up to him and Aeryn.
�Welcome home brother. In case you don�t know my name is Jacqueline,� Jacqueline said.
�Jacqueline,� Crichton repeated and she smiled,
�Yes, but everyone always called me Jack,� Jack said.
�Our father�s name�Jack this is my good friend Aeryn Sun,� John said and Aeryn smiled and shook her hand.
�Well Aeryn it very nice to meet you. Lets go mother has been expecting you for 2 solar days now�you did wait an hour to open it,� Jack asked?
�Yes I waited an arn,� John said.
�You can use earth language�mother taught me most of it,� Jack said.
�I like this one,� John said looking at Aeryn who seemed a little uncomfortable.
They started to walk towards the house and John saw that they were getting ready for something. The people seem to be building things, like stands and stages. The children were all running around playing a few earth games he knew a played a child. He also saw a playground with similar things they had on earth. They then came to a good size house and Jack walked towards it and he knew this was it.
�John,� she said coming out to meet him.
�Mom,� John whispered.
She was in a dress also, but it was long with sleeves and was a light purple. Her hair was French braided and mostly gray. She rushed down through the yard and gave him a hug and kissed his cheek.
�Oh John,� she said again smiling and touching his face.
�Mom�you look good,� John said.
Aeryn felt more nervous then she had ever felt before. And that she had not said more than two words was making anything easy. She could tell John was still a little upset but he was doing his best to hide it. She also noticed the look she got from his mother once she noticed her this was not going to be easy.
�You look every well and handsome. I see you still like to wear black,� she said.
�Mom this is my good friend Aeryn Sun,� John said.
She gave Aeryn her sweetest smile and shook her hand. Mailia knew they must be close for him to bring her along. And she also noticed that Aeryn had not said much, but by her posture she had been a peacekeeper. She just hoped that she didn�t scare her that much by the look she gave her earlier.
�Come inside before it�s dark, Mailia said grabbing the bag from Jack.
�Ok,� John said.
Crichton took Aeryn hand and laced his fingers with hers and guided her in the house. Jack noticed how she accepted his hand and followed him with out another thought. These two were closer then they even knew if she would do that and she just followed him.
�John this is Dai�my mother,� Mailia said as any elderly woman came out.
�So this is my Grandson Crichton,� Dai said looking him over.
She went to attack him, he reflexes kick in and pull out his gun and aimed it at her. Jack, Mailia and even Aeryn were a little surprised at this action. Even when she went back in to her normal stance his weapon stayed pointed at her and she only smiled.
�I like him he always ready for a fight,� she said.
�You can take off you weapons,� Mailia said quickly.
�No thanks mom I prefer to carry it,� John said.
�He is most certainly my grandson�you got your grandfather�s spirit,� Dai said smiling at him.
�So what your name,� Dai asked Aeryn.
�Aeryn Sun,� she said softly.
�Your weapon,� Dai asked.
�Stays with me,� she said strongly and Dai smiled again.
�I like her,� Dai whispered to Crichton.
Dai watched as Aeryn left with her daughter and granddaughter and knew something was going to happen. Crichton weapons had been moved to somewhere in the house and she found them. He would be waking up in an arn or at least that what Aeryn said. So an arn later she went to see if Aeryn was right and sure enough he was waking up.
�Hey,� John said as he woke up.
�Hi Crichton�you don�t mind I call you that,� Dai asked.
�No everyone else does�where�s my pulse pistol,� John said noticing it was gone.
�Right here,� Dai said handing it to him as she come to sit next to him.
�Mom took it right�Where�s Aeryn,� John said looking for her.
�She went to the market with Jack and Mailia,� Dai said.
�Oh�Ok,� John said.
�When are you leaving,� Dai asked.
�A few solar days�why,� John asked and she smiled,
�You are so much like you grandfather�he loved adventure also, but didn�t trust many people. See our family can live in peace as long as one of every generation serves in the Peacekeeper. You mother was the oldest so she went and Jack was the only child so she went. They forgave your mother for having Jack, but since she looked sebacean they allowed her to enter. Mailia retired after she found out she was pregnant with Jack,� Dai explained.
�I didn�t know you could do that,� John said.
�Well our planet is a little�different than most Peacekeeper Corps. When a female get pregnant she has to quit or give up the baby,� Dai explained.
�Weird,� John said looking at her.
�Here,� Dai said handed him an oval shaped locket.
�What is this for,� John said.
�For many years we have passed this down. My son doesn�t deserve it�he never did what his heart told him to do. He only did what he thought was excepted to do, but I can see you are different,� Dai said and he smiled at her.
�Thanks why don�t you give it my mom,� he said.
�I tried she said she didn�t want it�you should give it to Aeryn,� Dai said as he looked at her and smiled.
She looked back at him noticing he was trying to hide something. She got up and left the room letting him get dressed and waiting for him to say something. A few moments later he entered the kitchen with the locket in hand ready for any question she might have.
�Aeryn and I are only friends�I mean we have this attraction but it doesn�t go beyond that,� John said taking a seat.
�It will in time�peacekeepers take time,� Dai said sitting next to him.
�How do you know some much grandmother,� John asked
�Crichton I have lived for many years and I have seen many things. I have learned it�s easier to confront things then hide,� Dai said.
�It�s very pretty,� John said looking at the locket once more.
�It will look even better on her,� Dai said.
She took the hint that he wasn�t ready to talk about his and Aeryn�s relationship. She stood up and looked at him, she smiled at him. Never did she think he would be so brave. His name was known to all Peacekeepers, and she was proud of him even if he didn�t like the Peacekeepers. He grabbed her arm and smiled at her and she took her seat next to him.
�I have a question for you,� Dai said.
�Only one,� John joked.
They had been at the market for almost two arns looking for clothing and other stuff Jack didn�t get the previous day. Mailia still wanted to know John relationship with Aeryn but she was giving in sign of what that was. She knew what he likes to eat and when he woke. These were things that maybe a best friend would know, but best friends are not as close as they were. Then she saw her chance since Jack had finally left Aeryn side and she was alone. Aeryn was going through a bunch of dresses when picked up this navy blue dress she just looked at it for a few moments.
�It very pretty,� Mailia said.
�Yes it is,� Aeryn said putting it down.
�Aeryn at first I thought you were a Peacekeeper, but you do not act like one and why would a peacekeeper be with my son,� Mailia said.
�I was pronounced irreversibly contaminated�so yes I was a peacekeeper,� Aeryn said.
�I see�I�m going to take my son help with that,� Mailia said smiling as Aeryn looked at her a little confused,
�Yes he did�but he�s the only person who ever believed I could be more then a soldier or pilot. I have a lot to thank him for,� Aeryn said.
�That�s why you care him,� Mailia said.
Aeryn said nothing just moved on to the next item as Mailia waited for her to answer. But how could she answer that question. She was his mother it wasn�t like talking to Zhaan who would answer truthfully. Mailia would give an answer she thought would help Crichton, but in the end only help herself. It not that Mailia wanted to hurt she just wanted to protect her only son.
Aeryn was still upset at the question or statement that Mailia had said to her. That�s why you care him just kept going through her head, what gave her the right so that. Aeryn walk a little a head of Mailia and Jack hoping to get to Crichton soon. Aeryn walked ahead because she felt as if every time she was near Mailia that she was staring at her. Jack was Ok and Aeryn actually like talking to her. She could see how Jack was related to Crichton, they both loved to talk. They both a had a way getting something out of you with out you knowing it, but Crichton was a little better at it.
�Mom you need to lighten up on Aeryn �John loves her,� Jack said.
�I know it just he�s my son and how do you know he loves her,� Mailia said.
�Would you treat every girl this way,� Jack asked.
�Yes,� Mailia said.
�Mom not every girl would love him the way she does,� Jack said.
Crichton and Dai had spent the whole afternoon talking about Aeryn and his journeys since he came out here. In return Dai talk about their family letting him know their history alone with his father�s. It was kind of neat he found out he did act more like his grandfather on his mother side then his father. Then he went out side and saw Aeryn coming back to the house, but she was very ahead a Mailia and Jack.
�This is not good,� Dai said as Crichton ran to Aeryn.
John ran down the stairs and started towards her in a light speed. He knew the look she had she had it several times with him and it was not good. He only hoped and prayed she was not leaving since he really needed her here and she was his only way off.
�Tell me you are not leaving,� John asked sadly she looked at him and her heart fell
�Crichton I promised I�d come with you and I did and I will stay. Even if your mother is someone I want to hit�hard,� Aeryn said.
Crichton smiled at her for so many reasons but one was her attitude towards his mother. If they had been on Earth he would say it was just the usual mother being over protective of her son, but they weren�t on Earth. Everything changed out here and if he told her that she would probably hit him.
�What,� Aeryn said curious about his smile.
�Nothing,� John said taking her hand once again this time it was her who laced her fingers with his.
They went inside and passed Dai who was smiling at them. Crichton gave her a quick smile and entered the house. Dai knew that she had talk to her daughter. Any more of this and she was push the boy away forever, how much more could she do to hurt him.
�Jack go inside,� Dai said.
�Yes grandma,� Jack said.
�Stop this now,� Dai said in her commanding voice.
�Stop What Mother,� Mailia said innocently.
�Aeryn is a nice woman and they are only friends nothing more�so stop this before you drive him away�for good,� Dai said then going in the house.
Dai knew the truth about there relationship it only took her almost all morning to get it out of him. He loved her and she loved him any woman could see that, but he peacekeeper mind wouldn�t allow her heart to tell her what to do. Dai decided it was time that she played matchmaker and make these two see what love they have for one another.
�You two came at a good time tonight the big festival. You two should go with us, that why it was so important to go to the market today,� Jack said.
�I knew something was up,� John said.
Crichton knew Aeryn didn�t like festival because she really didn�t know how to act, but didn�t say anything. She only looked at him and smiled. Dai looked at the two and it was like fate was working in her favor this would be the prefect time to do it.
Crichton wore tan pants with a white dress shirt and a black vest over it. He seemed to blend in so that no one knew he wasn�t from around here. Jack wore spaghetti strapped pale green dress that was the same length as her blue one. She had her hair up in a ponytail that matches her dress.
�You must like those pale colors,� John said.
�Yes and you like dark ones,� Jack said smiling at him.
Mailia came out with her hair also back in a ponytail in a sleeveless long brown dress. It was also similar to the one she was wearing on the day he an Aeryn came. But this one was sleeveless and was a little shorter but not by much. He also noticed that Dai was not here nor was Aeryn if she was going.
�Where�s Grandma and Aeryn,� he asked knowing she wasn�t going to go.
�Grandma is finishing Aeryn hair,� Jack said as walked over to stand by him.
�We�re ready,� Dai said as she walked out.
Aeryn came out soon after her, she had on a spaghetti strapped violet dress that was about one inches above the knee. Her raven black hair was French braided back and few strains fell at the side of her face. She smiled at Crichton who was still in shook at her looks. He extended his hand to her, and she accepted it. No words needed to be said between them, he knew that how she was different than Alex. Alex always had to be told he loved her, Aeryn knew it by the way he looked at her.
�Let�s go we don�t want to be late now do we,� Mailia said.
�Yes lets,� Dai said.
She put all her fears about Aeryn away she knew from the moment on there was nothing she could because she knew that look. She had that look with his father and she was taken away from him and she didn�t want that to happen. Then she saw his look and she knew that he loved her as much as his father had loved her. They arrived at the festival as the sun was in the middle of the sky.
�I feel strange�like I did on that false earth,� Aeryn said.
�You look nice,� John said smiling at the memory of false earth.
Crichton smiled as he thought of an idea that may make her a little more comfortable. He looked at her, the sun was down now since the festival began at night and lasted for two nights and on the third day it lasted all day and night. The moonlight seemed to make her look even more beautiful than she already was.
�I think love is in the air,� Dai said to Jack.
�Dance with me John said as a slow song started to be played.
She smiled as she saw other couples dancing. Usually she would of said no, but some reason not to night. There was something about this night something about him. It felt so weird but she felt completely safe with him.
�I don�t know how,� Aeryn said.
�I�ll show you,� John said bring her out into the dance floor.
He held her very close and motioned her to stand a certain way. They started to sway to the music and just forget where they were. He brought her closer and she just was lost in his embrace as he was in hers. There was nothing that could have ruined there moment.
�Just friends,� Mailia said to Dai.
�I could have been wrong,� Dai said as she smiled.
She knew he wouldn�t keep that locket for long not the way they were right now. Aeryn had begun to lose her self in Crichton embrace as they danced. She had put her peacekeeper wall fully down for the night. Aeryn had to admit she was having fun at the festival. She danced to many songs with Crichton and actually let him see the real her. After 3 arns it started to get really cool outside so Aeryn changed into some tan pants and a dark green sleeveless shirt.
�Crichton what are they playing,� Aeryn said looking at the children.
�It called tag�One Child chases they other children who they consider it�when he�or she catches one of them he�ll tap them then that person starts to chase them. Like this,� John explains and taps her arm.
She looked at him starting to understand the game a little. She looked at him as he was smiling watching the children play and she knew that he must have played it as a child. She couldn�t help her self she had to figure out the game a little more.
�Like this,� Aeryn said taping his shoulder.
�I�ll give you to the count of 2 then I�m going to chase you,� John said as he gave her an evil smile.
�Crichton no,� Aeryn said with a smile.
�1,� John said.
�John,� Aeryn said.
�2� John said.
Aeryn started to run from him as right before he said two and he followed her. She hid behind a tree, and waited for him to show. She jumped out at him as he came in front of it and he caught her and spun her around until she began to giggle. This was the type of giggle you don�t hear from an Ex-peacekeeper it was real girlish laugh. Then he tripped over a branch and fell bring her with him. Crichton landed on top of Aeryn. Putting his hands on the sides of her body he looked at her.
�Having fun yet,� John asked.
She smiled at him and thought about what to say. Her Peacekeeper self told her to push him off and say no, but them another part of her told her to tell the truth. She was once again in an internal tug of war, but for some reason her peacekeeper side lost this time.
�Yes�thanks for bring me,� Aeryn said softly.
They just stayed like that for what seemed like eternity, both not wanting to move. Crichton started to get up and put out his hand to helped her up. He knew that must have taken a lot for her to admit she was having fun and he knew had to thank her.
�Aeryn I want to thank you for coming with me�and staying,� John said.
�Don�t mention it Crichton,� Aeryn said with a smile and he also smiled.
He sat against the tree and Aeryn just stood there looking around the planet. She began to watch the children play their game of tag again and knew it was because of Mailia they knew the game. She looked at Crichton who seemed to be thinking. She came and sat in between Crichton legs and he wrapped his arms around her. She leaned her back against his chest and just closed her eyes. She felt so calm in moments like these, Crichton didn�t know how hard she fought herself to keep her distance, but then she thought maybe she shouldn�t. She wasn�t a Peacekeeper any more, but the lessons they thought her were still in her mind. Crichton stood up and took both her hand brought her up, he looked her straight in the eyes and kissed her full on the mouth. Crichton thought Aeryn was going hit him but she kissed him back with the same passion. He put his arms around her waist and she put he arms around his neck to deepen the kiss. He had kissed many girls, but kissing Aeryn this time changed his whole view on their relationship. He broke the kiss and just looked her in the eyes.
�Aeryn I Love you,� John said.
She looked at him and he had taken her hands once again and he had started to rub her palm gently. This was making her dizzy. One minute he kissed her with all the passion they�d suppressed and than he says he loved her. She thought for a few more minutes about what she should say. They just stared at each other, he knew how she felt and he didn�t need to hear it. He touched her face and she closed her eyes at his touch.
�It Ok Aeryn if you don�t want to say anything, but I had to let you know how I feel about you,� John said.
�Crichton I�I love you too,� Aeryn said leaning her forehead on his.
She had hoped he heard what she said she knew she said it softly. She had so many experiences with bad relationships so she didn�t know what to expect. Velorek had been an example of that she had betrayed him only to get a position she wanted. He knew she could be more, but it took a half sebacean half human to prove that. He lifted his head and looked at her and smiled his sweet smile. He kissed her again lazily, just to taste her lips again.
�You can�t take that back and you can�t expect me not to want to act on it,� John said.
�I know�but not now and not here,� Aeryn said.
�Find we�ll talk more on Moya,� John said.
She smiled at him and kissed him again he welcomed her gratefully. The kiss built up more passion and desire then it let out. He pressed her against the tree getting lost in the kiss letting what he felt for her known to her.
�I thought you didn�t want to act on it,� John said between kisses.
�Only kissing�unless you want to stop,� Aeryn said moving away.
�No way,� John said grabbing her by the waist and swinging her around a few times.
The festival was fin for both of them. Mailia seem to be getting nicer and even started to talk to Aeryn. They would talk with Jack for hours about almost nothing important. John and Dai would seat off in another room talking about things and just smiling at them. The it was a few days after the last day of the festival when he knew it was time to get back to Moya they would be worried about him.
�Aeryn I think it time to go back,� John said.
Aeryn looked at him and knew he wanted to leave before talking to his mother. She wasn�t going let him do that, if wanted to leave he�d have to do it with out her. She looked at him and he met her gaze and he knew what she was going to say he only hoped he was wrong.
�Ok, but we stay until you talk to your mother,� Aeryn said.
�Aeryn I can�t,� John said sitting next to her.
�Yes you can and you are unless you want to leave without me,� she said.
�Aeryn I haven�t spent more then 20 microts with her and you expect me to say, Hey mom I had fun but I�m leaving now,� John said.
�John she deserves to know how you feel,� Aeryn said.
He walked in to the kitchen not knowing what he was going to do. Since he�d had arrived he had spent a few minutes with her alone. Usually Aeryn, Dai or jack were there, but Aeryn told everyone to stay out of the kitchen at noon. He knew she was right he had to do this they both deserved to hear the other out and stop playing these games.
�Mom,� John said softly.
�I know you have to leave�your home is Earth,� Mailia said sadly.
�No my home is Moya�with Aeryn. This trip helped us confront these feeling we had for a while and finally give them a name. I�m half Sebacean and half human, I accept that. I understand that I don�t belong here�or on earth not any more,� John said.
Mailia smiled at him and gave him a package that she had in her hands. She had to admit he was stronger than she had thought. His name was known and his strength had been test many times and would be, but he was still her son. She loved him so she had to let him leave knowing he would come back someday.
�What is it,� John asked.
�It�s chocolate�I learned how to make it on Earth I had to replace a few things, but still taste basically the same,� Mailia said as he hugged her.
�Mom I never did or will blame you for leaving. I understand why you left, you didn�t belong on Earth I understand that now. I guess that why I only saw a doctor when it was most needed,� John said.
�The weird thing is human blood and sebacean blood looks the same, except for a few things but there a blood disease out there that covered it up,� Mailia said.
�Yea I know I was told I had it, but know I know the truth,� John said.
John walked out of the kitchen with Mailia behind him and Jack knew what was coming. She knew he couldn�t stay for ever she just wished he didn�t have to leave now.
�Grandma,� John said as she walked up to him and gave him a hug.
�If you two ever get married invite us to the wedding or have it down here. You can bring all your non-Sebacean family from Moya,� Dai said.
�You think it would be safe,� John asked.
�Crichton the people down here are not Peacekeepers�they will be safe I promise you that,� Dai said.
�I guess,� John said.
�And besides my dear grandson if I hated everyone that was not full Sebacean, I�d hate my own grandchildren,� Dai said so that only he could hear.
Jack gave Aeryn and John a hug and made them promise to come back some day. John and Aeryn were almost ready to leave when his mother appeared in from of them. She had requested to talk to Aeryn alone. He knew it must have been good since they hugged and smiled at each other. He knew Aeryn�s birthday was about 9 solar says from now. She liked how humans gave presents on this day to celebrate their births. So he decided to give the locket to her than. He looked at her and they began their way back home to Moya.
�What my mom want,� John asked.
�She asked me to make sure you stay alive,� Aeryn said.
�What�d you say,� John asked.
�I�d do my best, but your not an easy person to protect,� Aeryn said.
�Thanks Aeryn you didn�t have to go,� John said.
�Sure I did�I love you and I wanted to make sure you would be safe,� Aeryn said.
Aeryn went back to work and checking her systems. He watched her for some time, but then went back to his work. It would be about two solar days before they made it back to Moya since they had went off. Aeryn watched Crichton she knew he wasn�t watching her. This was going to be a difficult relationship they had, but a good one.
The End