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Rating: G
Setting: post-Natural Election, speculation on John Quixote
Note: Details taken from NE Journey Log on scifi.com/farscape
Disclaimer: I don’t own Farscape or it’s characters. I just like to invite them over from time to time.
Chiana trotted down the tier, checking each room she came to, but to no avail.
"Chiana," Pilot called, "Could I get you to do me a favor?"
"Yeah, Pilot. What do you need?"
"I still have a lot to deal with cleaning all this dead plant matter away. Would you mind doing the journey log?"
"No problem. Just give me a minute to take care of something."
"Of course, Chiana. See you shortly."
Chiana came to the Center Chamber and stopped. Inside, Aeryn sat, staring into a half-empty glass. Chiana braced herself for the coming confrontation.
"You alright?" she called.
Aeryn looked up, her eyes so grim that Chiana's heart writhed. She acknowledged Chiana and returned to her drink.
Chiana pressed on. "So, I just wanted to come and apologize."
Aeryn didn't react.
"You trusted me with your secret and I betrayed you. I'm so sorry."
Aeryn remained still.
Chiana fidgeted. She'd expected to be pinned against a wall by now. This silence was driving her crazy.
"I'll make it up to you somehow," she offered.
Nothing.
"Frell," Chiana muttered, turning to leave.
"Sit down, Chiana."
She stopped and looked back. Aeryn hadn't moved visibly, but she pushed the chair opposite her out with her foot. Chiana took it uncomfortably, expecting it to jerk out from under her at any microt.
"I forgive you," Aeryn said. "I'm no one to blame you for betrayal. I should have told John first."
Surprised, Chiana shook her head. "Maybe, but you needed someone to talk to. There's nothing wrong with that. I don't know why I told D'Argo. I just..." She looked away. "I'm sorry I frelled things up with John."
Aeryn drained her glass. "Things were frelled up before I returned, Chiana. Don't blame yourself for that. I made my mistakes and I have to live with them."
"Mistakes," Chi snorted, pouring herself a cup. "Now those I know about. You can't have done anything worse than me." She took a sip and grimaced. "Should you be drinking this?"
"It's non-alcoholic fellip nectar," Aeryn assured her.
"So it tastes bad AND you don't get drunk off it?"
"Pretty much."
Chiana shook her head and pushed her cup aside. "I take back that mistake thing."
Aeryn sighed. "I should have told John before leaving."
"And I shouldn't have slept with Jothee," Chiana countered.
"I should have trusted him to be able to handle it."
"I should have come clean to D'Argo."
"I shouldn't have sprung Scorpius on him like that."
"Well, I shouldn't have frelled Jothee again."
"I should have told John about Ullom when his ship first showed up."
Chiana frowned. "Nobody wins in this game, do they?"
Aeryn grinned wryly. "No, I guess not."
Chiana grinned back. "You disappeared after the meeting about going to the Commerce Planet."
"I thought it best to stay out of John's way for a while."
The Nebari nodded. "That's why I'm going with him, and not you?"
"Mm-hmm."
"I'll try to slip in a good word for you while we're there."
Aeryn shook her head. "Don't. My speech, remember?"
"Oh yeah, no problem."
The women sat in silence for a time.
"Chiana," an insistent voice demanded. "Are you going to do the log or should I call someone else?"
"I'm coming, Pilot. Drez out." She switched off her comm and got up to leave. "I gotta go, Aeryn. Take it easy, alright?"
"I'll try."
Chiana stopped in the doorway. "And Aeryn? Just give John some time. You've got a chance to make up for everything. I wish I did."
Aeryn looked up, her eyes softer. "Thanks, Chiana. Watch John's back down there, would you?"
Chiana waggled her eyebrows. "Anytime."
Aeryn watched her go, then spoke into her comm.
"Pilot, have you located a medic on the planet yet?"
"I have one in a separate town from the one John is going to. It looks legitimate."
"Thank you, Pilot. After the pod leaves, I'll take my Prowler down. And-"
"Don't tell the others unless there is an emergency. I know."
She smiled. "I owe you and Moya one. Thank you." Signing off, she stood up to wash out her glass.
"You know it's John Crichton's."
Aeryn jumped a metra, the cup clattering to the floor. Calming her nerves, she glared at her observer.
"Who ARE you?!"
Noranti smiled from behind the counter. "When John asks, have truth for him. Walls will fall when their builders abandon them."
Aeryn stared at her. "Um, thank you. I can see why you're staying on Moya."
She put her glass away and hurried to leave.
"Come back in a few arns," Noranti called. "All of this plant is making a lovely sauce. We'll have a wonderful meal tonight!"
Aeryn called back something noncommittal.
"Now just one more plant and the meal will be complete," the old woman said, turning to look expectantly down at the Commerce Planet.
