PAIRING: D´Argo/Eilynn

RATING: NC-17 (eventually), Romance, First Time.

SUMMARY: While salvaging some space wreckage the crew of Moya find a surprise.

NOTES: Tender love story that contains graphic m/f sex.

DISCLAIMER: Farscape and its characters are the property of the Jim Henson Company and the SciFi Channel. No copyright infringements are intended by my use of them. The original characters and the story belong to me. Copyright Babygirl 1999.

FEEDBACK: yes, please!

ARCHIVE: Smutscape and The Luxan Appreciation League.

He hated the darkness. The silence was even worse. He had been here before; there was no other place like it. He couldn´t quite remember when, but he knew there was terror here. Dread gnawed at his gut, this place was bad and it was just a matter of time until he would face the horror that lurked beyond his sight. His eyes searched vainly in the enveloping blackness. He felt adrift in a sea of complete emptiness. The sound of his breath moving in and out of his lungs seemed like a whirlwind in the deadening silence that engulfed him. His heartbeats sounded like great drums in his ears. He stayed as still as he could; yet he could not prevent his body from betraying him in this horrid void of black silence.

"Daaaaaaaa – Deeeeeeeey!"

The sound of the child´s voice was like a blade slicing through the air. He turned his head towards the sound but it came from all around. He felt himself moving in a circle.

"Daaaaaaaa – Deeeeeey! Help Meeeeeeeeeeee!"

The words struck him from all sides; the sound came from everywhere.

"JOTHEE!" he hollered with all of his might.

"Heeeeeeeelp Meeeeeeeee!"

He ran.

The blackness had no substance; his feet felt as if they touched nothing, but he ran. He ran with all of his strength. He could not stop himself; he could not stand still.

"Daddy, Please Heeeeeeelp!"

The dread gnawed harder at his insides, his hearts ached to hear the pleading in his child´s voice. He prayed that he would find Jothee, he prayed that the horror that lurked wouldn´t come and take his son, not this time.

"Jothee! Where are you?" he yelled into the darkness.

"Behind you."

The child´s voice was a whisper that seemed to come from just behind his head. He swung around and his heart leaped to see his son standing only a few feet away with outstretched arms and a tear streaked face.

He was not too late, at least not this time.

Breathing a sigh of relief, he took a step towards the child and was hit with a shock that ran all through his body. It was as if he had just walked into a wall yet there was nothing in front of him. Raising his hands he pushed forward against an invisible barrier.

"Daddy, hurry!" The child sobbed.

He pushed harder but the very air resisted. He raised his fists and pounded as hard as he could but there was no yield.

"Daddy, hurry! It´s coming!"

No! This wasn´t going to happen. Not again!

He pounded and kicked and screamed with all of his fury.

This was not going to happen again!

"Daddy, it´s here." Came the child´s calm whisper.

His blood tuned to ice water as he watched the darkness rise up like great fingers and surround his son. His hearts turned into cold blocks in his chest as he saw his sweet child´s sad eyes beg him for help. Help that he knew would never come.

Then there was nothing but darkness and silence again.

"You are too late, my love."

The voice behind him was so dear to him yet he feared it now more than the darkness.

"Turn and face me, my love. I want to see your beautiful face, my sweet husband."

He turned, not because he wanted to but because he had no choice. Looking up he saw his wife. But she was not like he remembered her. Her once rosy skin was pasty and white. Her shining eyes were clouded and empty. It was as if his wife had long since left and her discarded husk stood before him.

"It´s too late, my love."

The despair in her voice felt like a pair of hands crushing his body.

He tried to back away but the air still held firm behind him. Then this hollow shell that was once his love moved towards him with arms wide.

"Hold me, my love. My dear, sweet love."

He put up his hands to stop her but she moved forward becoming transparent, as if her body no longer had substance. He reeled back as his wife´s husk dissolved into his body. She had become like shards of white-hot blades moving through, tearing and slicing him. His eyes were wide and he gasped and knotted his hands in agony. The scorching blades seared his flesh, piercing through his eye sockets, and tearing his scream from his throat. He could feel his skin being sliced like ribbons from his body. His feet kicked at nothing, he felt as if he was pinned like a rag doll to that block of solid air.

Twisted in agony.

Surrounded by darkness.

Alone.

Helpless.

* * * * *

D´Argo opened his eyes and breathed a deep gasp. His body was soaked in a cold sweat and his hearts pounded at a frenzied rate. This was an all too familiar feeling that was the result of an all too familiar nightmare. Sitting up in his bed he rubbed his face, his skin felt cold and clammy. This too was no surprise.

It had been almost a full cycle since the last time he´d had this dream. He´d been having it over and over since he was imprisoned. Each time the gap between them got longer. Unfortunately time had not eased the harshness of this dream nor the torment it caused him.

Covering his face with both hands and resting his elbows on his knees he thought about his lost family…

… and cried.

* * * * *

"My scans show that the debris is very old," came Pilot´s apathetic voice. "But I am detecting a very faint power reading."

"I see," said Zhaan with about as much enthusiasm.

"Are you feeling okay, big guy?"

D´Argo turned to see Crichton looking at him with genuine concern on his face. "I´m fine" he grumbled.

"Well your face is really pale and your eyes are all swollen and red," continued Crichton. "Are you sure you´re not coming down with something?"

"I´m fine!" D´Argo shot back.

Unperturbed by D´Argo´s attitude, Crichton turned back to the view screen. "How old are we talking, Pilot?"

"My scans of the corrosion suggest that it´s somewhere between twenty to fifty cycles."

"That´s some kick-ass Duracell´s out there! Is that normal?" Crichton looked toward Aeryn.

"Unusual but not unheard of." Aeryn spoke without looking up from the console she was at. "If a power source is self cycling and undamaged it can maintain a low power level in a vacuum for almost an unlimited amount of time."

D´Argo suddenly slammed his fists on the console in front of him and let out one of his signature growls. "Debris this old has already been picked over by numerous scavengers! It´s a waste of time to think that we will find anything useful in it!"

There was a moment of silence before Pilot´s voice broke in. "There is a gas nebula in this sector, if the debris spent most of that time floating through it then I doubt scavengers could´ve gotten to it or even known it was there. I´ve located the power source. Shall I deploy the docking whip?"

"Does your scans indicate anything unusual." Aeryn spoke with a cautious tone. "There´s a chance that it could be a bomb left behind by the last scavengers."

"Why the Yutz would someone booby trap a pile of garbage?" Rygel grumbled. "You people can go jumping at shadows or we can hall this thing in and find out what the Frell it is."

The group huffed, mumbled and nodded in agreement.

Crichton spoke up. "Pilot, you can go ahead and bring the Energizer Bunny in. We´ll all be down in the docking bay."

Pilot cocked his eyebrow before his monitor blinked off.

* * * * *

Everyone gathered in the docking bay to see what Pilot had brought in. Lying in the middle of the floor was a large tube shaped container. It was crusted and scorched and looked as if it at one time had been connected to others like it.

"It looks like some kind of storage pod," said Zhaan.

"It also looks like it was in an explosion." D´Argo crossed his arms and stood off to one side.

"Well, whatever it is it´s still working." Crichton pointed at small lights that blinked under a layer of corrosion.

Aeryn walked up and passed a scanner over the length of the pod. "I don´t detect anything explosive."

"Great," said Crichton. "Can you get it opened?"

Aeryn kneeled down and began working on a crusted set of controls. After a few minutes the small lights all blinked green and there was a click. "I´ve managed to release the locking mechanism but there´s too much corrosion on the pod to allow the door to open."

"Then I guess we need to force it opened." Crichton kneeled down next to the pod. After a couple of hard tugs he looked up at D´Argo. "It´s gonna have to be pried opened."

"That´s nice," D´Argo remained where he was standing, arms still crossed.

Crichton looked at him with irritation. "How about finding something to use as a pry bar and giving me a hand!"

Growling, D´Argo grabbed a metal rod from the workbench and kneeled down next to the pod opposite Crichton.

Taking the rod from D´Argo, Crichton wedged it into the edge of the door while D´Argo planted his palms on the door´s long handle.

"Okay on three," Crichton gripped the rod with both hands. "One…two…three!"

Crichton pulled and D´Argo pushed with all their strength. There was a pop and a snap and then the door slid open. Everyone gathered around and peered in.

The inside glowed softly with the pod´s remaining power. To everyone´s surprise it contained a young woman. She lay ridged and still with her mouth slightly open, her eyes shut and completely naked. Her skin was pale with a slight pink hue. Her hair was long and blond to the point of almost being white and her opened mouth revealed a row of perfect teeth that had a silvery metallic look to them.

"She looks dead," Chiana whispered.

"Good," said Rygel, "then there´s no question as to salvage rights."

Crichton was holding an opened palm inches over her body. "It´s still warm inside the pod. I think she might still be alive." He looked at D´Argo who was the closest one to her face. "Is she still breathing?"

D´Argo leaned his head down close to hers in an effort to listen. If she was still breathing it was very faint.

Her eyes opened.

It was so sudden and unexpected that D´Argo jumped back, startled.

They all watched in silence as she stirred and pulled herself into a sitting position. Her moves were slow and achy; no doubt she was stiff from lying in a tube for so long. She looked around at the faces that were staring at her with eyes that were wide and filled with bewilderment and fear. Crichton felt a twinge of relief, this girl looked very human. It made him feel like he wasn´t so far from home, wasn´t as different from the others around him. Except for her silver teeth, this young girl could easily pass for the girl next door. Except for her teeth and eyes. He was taken aback by how green they were, almost luminescent. Her pupils were elongated lengthwise like hourglasses that were on their sides. Other than that she looked human.

After a moment she stood and stepped out of her pod. Bending down on one knee she crossed her arms in front of her chest and lowered her head. For a few seconds no one spoke.

It was Rygel that finally broke the silence. "You know she´ll stay like that until someone tells her she can get up." He spoke as if it was common knowledge.

Walking over Zhaan pulled off her long coat and draped it over the girl´s naked body. "Stand up, child," she said in her most motherly tone. "What is your name?"

Standing, the girl pulled the coat around her as if she just realized she was cold. Keeping her eyes lowered she turned to Zhaan. "My mark is Ula 773112." Her voice was dry and scratchy. Suddenly she began to cough violently.

"Poor thing," Zhaan said lovingly. "Let´s see if we can find you some clothes and get you something to drink." She put her arm around the girl and led her through the door.

"Make sure you tell her to eat something," Rygel said while he followed behind in his little hover chair. "The stupid thing will starve to death if you don´t give her permission to eat."

"What the hell are you talking about?" asked Crichton. "Is she some kind of slave?"

"In a matter of speaking," Rygel answered over his shoulder.

"How do you know?"

"She is a Sumtaar female" D´Argo replied, there was a twinge of disgust in his voice. "In other words she´s excess baggage." He then turned and stomped down another corridor.

"I don´t get it?" Crichton now turned to Aeryn. "What, are Sumtaar women dumb animals or something?"

"I really don´t know," said Aeryn, "I never met one."

"I´ve never even heard of them," said Chiana.

Rygel turned his little chair around and floated back to where the three were now standing. "Sumtaar women are highly prized for their genetic neutrality. The pod she was in was a stasis tube from a breeding hive."

"Genetic neutrality?" Crichton didn´t much like the sound of it. "You mean like she´s biologically compatible with other species?"

"Well the parts don´t always fit up right," Rygel chuckled. "But she is capable of conceiving a child from most of the known species. The best part is that the child ends up only being about 3% Sumtaar and 97% whatever the father was."

"Yuck!" Chiana was crinkling her nose, "You mean to tell me that all she does is push out kids?"

"That´s one way of putting it," said Rygel. "The breeding hives are the Sumtaar´s primary industry. I´ve heard of several races that were brought back from the brink of extinction with their help." Rygel rubbed his chin, "the one´s that could afford it, that is."

"So let me guess, the women do all of the work and the men get all the profit." Crichton was quickly forming his own opinion of the Sumtaar.

"It´s obscene," Aeryn spat. "Any genetic tainting, however slight, still diminishes the purity of a bloodline.

"Spoken like a true Sebacean," Crichton said then turning to Rygel. "How is it you know so much about the Sumtaar, anyway?"

"It´s common knowledge," Rygel had an unusually uncomfortable edge to his voice.

"Then why do you look so nervous?" Chiana snickered.

There was a pause as Rygel was suddenly accosted by their staring, curious faces. He tugged at the collar of his robe and cleared his throat.

"It´s not uncommon for the royal families of other species to enlist the use of a Sumtaar woman to produce a suitable heir when a conventional pairing cannot be found."

"Other species?" Aeryn said raising an eyebrow.

"Of course other species!" Rygel growled defensively. "The Hynerians wouldn´t dream of doing such a thing!" with that he turned his hover chair around and zipped down the same corridor D´Argo had taken.

Aeryn, Crichton and Chiana gave each other a knowing look before heading off in their own directions.

* * * * *

Within an aarn everyone on Moya had gathered in the dining hall, including the newest arrival. Ula 773112 sat at the main table somberly consuming a plate of food cubes. She was wearing one of Zhaan´s outfits, which consisted of a long gray shirt and pants. The cloths were obviously too big for the girl´s small frame. It had been pinned and tied in places to keep it from slipping off.

Zhaan sat next to her continually giving her calm and reassuring words. The others had filed in at different intervals for two reasons. They all had varying levels of curiosity and they all knew that there needed to be a discussion as to what to do with her.

Ula popped one food cube after another into her mouth. She ate as if it was a task that had to be completed within a certain time frame.

"Do you like it?" Zhaan asked.

She stopped but kept her eyes down as she spoke. "It satisfies my hunger." Once the words were out she resumed eating.

"Great, it´s no longer hungry," D´Argo growled. "The question is, what do we do with it now?"

"She´s not a thing, she´s a person," Crichton shot back.

D´Argo said nothing and resumed staring at her. Crichton realized that D´Argo had been staring at her intently ever since they got the pod open.

"What are those marks?" Aeryn asked referring to three rows of small back oval marks on one side of her neck and six small red ovals on the other side.

Ula put her fork down but still kept her eyes lowered. "The black marks represent my successful births and the red represent my still-borns."

Silently they all began counting to themselves. There was a subtle wave of shock when everyone came to the total of sixty-one.

"Wow!" Chiana exclaimed. "How old are you?"

"I am eighty-seven cycles," Ula answered eyes still lowered.

Everyone except Rygel took on a look of surprise. She was one of the oldest on Moya yet she looked like she was barely an adult.

Crichton reached over and put his hand on her arm. "You can look at us if you want to."

Slowly, cautiously Ula raised her eyes to Crichton and starred at him with penetrating eyes. It was if she was studying every inch of his face. She then turned her head and took turns looking at the others. She had the submissive look of a slave yet a fire of curiosity burned just behind it. She examined each face with her luminescent green eyes.

When her gaze finally landed on D´Argo she lingered there longer than she had the others. Her eyes seemed to sweep back and forth across his face as she studied all of his strange features. Her penetrating eyes then focused on his. He stared back as if answering a challenge. The two remained still with eyes locked for several seconds. Then, to his own surprise, D´Argo turned away. He felt as if her eyes could burn a hole through his skull.

"So, does she stay or what?" Chiana piped in.

"Of course," said Rygel. "It´s about time I had a decent servant."

"She´s not going to be anybody´s servant, Spanky," Crichton shot back.

"I agree," said Aeryn. "But she will also need to pull her own weight around here." She turned to Ula; "do you have any skills?"

Ula´s expression was sad. "No," she said solemnly but then added, "I can learn."

"Then this will be your first lesson," Zhaan said, taking Ula by the shoulders. "You are not a servant here. You belong to yourself and are entitled to your own opinions. Among us you are an equal." There was a round of huffs and grumbles at that last comment.

Ula stared at Zhaan for a moment and then glanced around at the others. When she spoke there was a slight nervous tone to her voice.

"I don´t like these food cubes."

* * * * *

"I hate Ula!"

Everyone looked up from their food cubes at the little Sumtaar as she blurted out this feeling of hers.

"Ula was my mark," she continued. "It´s a slave´s name. I want a new one."

There was little surprise at this statement. It took Ula a few days for her to absorb the realization that she was truly free. Once it finally "sunk in", as Crichton put it, she embraced her new liberty with a fierce passion. This sense of freedom manifested itself almost entirely in an unbearable desire to learn all she could. It was unbearable because she pestered and insisted every member of Moya´s crew to teach her what he or she knew.

Aeryn taught her all about peacekeeper weapons and combat techniques. They would spend arns in the cargo bay as Ula was coached in hand to hand combat.

She listened intently as Crichton explained the intricacies of wormholes, quantum theories and the importance of making that left turn at Albuquerque.

Zhaan instructed her on the use of herbs and salves, medicines and healing techniques. Ula sat with her in her quarters as Zhaan taught her the chants of a Pa´u and explained to her the steps to spiritual peace.

She would practice facial expression and body movements with Chiana as she was taught the fine art of manipulation through feminine wiles. Ula leaned how to use trickery and careful words to get what she wanted. Even going so far as to experiment on Crichton and successfully convincing him to give her his dinner.

She´d sit with Pilot with a thousand questions and eyes filled with fascination as he explained the finer points of Moya´s systems. She would listen as he described what it was like being bonded to a Leviathan and experience space travel first hand.

She would even smile and laugh for aarns as Rygel told her stories of his years as Dominar of the Hynerian Empire. She even urged him to describe, in detail, the reign of each of his ancestors.

"The appropriate name for you is Eilynn."

Everyone now looked a D´Argo.

He ignored their stares as he continued. "It´s a Luxon swear that means annoying little pest."

D´Argo was the only one who hadn´t agreed to teach Ula despite the fact that she pestered him relentlessly. She wanted to learn about his Qualta Blade and how to use it yet he refused. She annoyed him with questions about Luxans and their society but only got hard glares and growls for answers. He didn´t like being around her, looking at her or even hearing her voice. Her presence bothered him somehow, but he couldn´t quite put his finger on it.

His abstinence and continued refusal to accommodate her wishes only served to increase her curiosity. It had the opposite effect he would´ve wanted, causing her to re-double her efforts at whittling him down.

"If you can´t say anything nice, big guy," Crichton said sarcastically. "Then don´t say anything at all."

D´Argo gave Crichton one of his tilted head leers before standing up and walking out of the room, leaving behind a plate of uneaten food cubes.

* * * * *

The following night D´Argo sat at a workbench in the maintenance bay diligently cleaning his Qualta. He had it opened to it´s gun setting and was carefully tending to it´s delicate gears and switches. The entire room was dark except for one light that shined over his work area. He had managed to avoid Ula all day although it was a no easy feat. He was now reveling in the peace and quiet.

"There you are!"

D´Argo looked up to see Ula´s silhouette in the doorway.

Frell!

He did not answer her, instead looked back down at his blade in an attempt to ignore her.

"Do you like my outfit?" She continued, approaching him. "I found the pants and the boots in a storage room and Zhaan made my shirt."

Casting a glance over at her he could see in the light from the door that she was wearing a pair of black leggings and knee high black boots. Her top was a long shirt with a wide collar and wide-open sleeves. It was made of the same gold-black material as the bed sheets and was tailored to fit her curves.

"Very nice." His voice was pure apathy in contrast with his thoughts that the outfit complimented her shinny white-gold hair and rosy skin. He hated to admit it, even to himself, but she looked stunning.

"I think so too," she had come around and stood on the opposite side of the table facing him.

D´Argo breathed a big sigh, he knew she was there to begin another round of pestering and he was in no mood. "I know why you´re here, Ula and I just want to say…"

"Eilynn."

D´Argo looked at her for a moment. "What?"

"I don´t want to be called Ula anymore. My name is Eilynn."

"Perhaps you weren´t paying attention but eilynn is an insult."

"I don´t care. I like the way it sounds."

"Humph," he grumbled unimpressed and went back to cleaning the Qualta.

"So," she continued. "When are you going to teach me how to use this?" Her hand reached into the circle of light on the workbench and touched the Qualta Blade.

Growling, D´Argo smacked her hand away.

Instead of retreating, Eilynn slammed both fists down on the table and leaned into the light, letting out her own growl. "Why are you so mean to me?"

Slamming his own fist down, D´Argo glared back ready to tell her exactly what he thought of her. Instead his eyes widened and his mouth gaped open in an expression of utter shock. Under the shine of the work lamp it was the first time he´d gotten a good look at her face since she had come in.

Her bottom lip was split open and swollen and she had a dark bruise on the right side of her mouth. Her left eye was black and puffed up so much that she could barley open it.

"What the Hezmana happened to you?" he stammered.

Eilynn touched her cheek and smiled despite her swollen face. "Oh, Aeryn was just showing me some offensive moves earlier." She looked back up at him and chuckled. "She says I´m the best student she´s had."

D´Argo could feel himself getting angry, but this time at Aeryn. She didn´t have to bash Ula´s, no Eilynn´s face in to teach her how to fight. He decided he was going to have a word with that peacekeeper. At the same time he was wondering why he was suddenly feeling so defensive of Eilynn.

Always observant, Eilynn could see D'Argo´s fists clenching and the twitching in his jaw. She could tell that he was angry and she assumed that it was directed at her.

"Hey, I learn real quick!" she piped in. "You should see Aeryn´s face."

She was worried; the last thing she wanted was for him to think that she couldn´t handle herself. If so, he´d never teach her the Qualta.

D´Argo turned his attention back to her and realized that in just the few minutes she was there she had gotten him so worked up that he decided he wasn´t going to fight her anymore.

"Okay! Fine!" he raised both his hands in mock surrender. "Tomorrow I´ll teach you what I know!"

Eilynn smiled so wide that she winced in pain as her bruised and swollen face rebelled. "You´ll teach me the Qualta Blade?"

"Yes!"

"And the gun part?"

"Yes!"

"And Luxan fighting techniques?"

"Yes! Yes! Please just go!"

Eilynn went to leave but turned back after a few steps. "Pilot said you play an instrument. Will you teach me that too?"

"GET OUT!" he bellowed pointing at the door.

She smiled once more and scampered out of the room.

Victorious!

* * * * *

Eilynn sat on a crate in the empty cargo bay that Aeryn had long ago converted into a training area. Waiting for D´Argo, she was excited and a little nervous. The others had been more than happy to talk about themselves to her and teach her what they knew but D´Argo was different. He seemed to look at her with distrust and rarely spoke to her. The others had said that that was just his way. She, however, found him intriguing and was determined to learn as much about him as she would from him.

Hearing his footsteps approach she leaped to her feet and smiled cheerfully as he entered. He was carrying his Qualta Blade at his side and looked as if he had left something important to be here with her.

"I was almost afraid you weren´t coming," she said cheerily. "But I´m so glad you did. I want to learn all I can from you."

He gave her a strange look. "I will teach you blade techniques, if you think you can handle it." he grumbled. He didn´t like being around her. Ever since she came abroad there was something about her that struck him. Not in an odd or bad way, it just struck him. He would sometimes catch himself staring at her, trying to figure out what it was about her that bothered him.

"Crichton said that you can do this frog-thing with your tongue. What exactly is a frog-thing?"

D´Argo huffed. Leave it Crichton to make things difficult. In a flash he shot his tongue out at Eilynn. She started as it zipped past her head. There was a faint tap and then it recoiled back into his mouth. She blinked at him in surprise. The whole action took less than a micron. Turing around she saw a drop of milky white fluid running down the crate behind her.

"What´s that?" she said, pointing at it.

"It´s a neural toxin from a venom barb on the end of my tongue." D´Argo sighed impatiently. "Can we get started, now?"

"I´m ready, " she said still smiling.

"Stand back and watch closely" He said.

Raising his blade he bent his knees in a fighting stance and began moving about swooshing his sword back and forth. Crouching and pivoting he swung the blade high and low. Holding it sometimes with one hand and sometimes with both he cut the air over and over. At times his movements were slow and steady and then he would pivot and slice with dizzying speed stopping the blade a hairs length from whatever target he swung at. His movements were fluid, his balance flawless. Lunging and thrusting in a perfect worriers dance. Eilynn watched him with awe. He was so controlled, so disciplined. He swung the blade as if it weighed nothing. She envied him, for all his size and bulk, he was graceful.

With one final looping movement he was standing facing her again.

"That is a standard Qualta Blade exercise."

"It looked more like a beautiful dance to me." Eilynn said, blinking wide eyed at him.

D´Argo ignored her comment and cleared his throat before speaking again. "It is meant to get you accustomed to the weight of the weapon." He then handed over his sword. "Do you think you can do that?"

Smiling at him she reached over and grabbed the handle of the blade. As soon as D´Argo released his grip Eilynn´s body fell forward with the Qualta´s weight. As the blade clanked against the ground she found herself struggling to keep from toppling over.

D´Argo couldn´t help but snicker. "Need any help?"

She flashed him a stubborn glare. "I´m…fine! Thank you."

Taking the same position D´Argo had started in, Eilynn raised the blade. D´Argo could see the strain in her face and the tension in her arms as she fought to hold the heavy weapon out in front. With considerably less control, she began to mimic the movements he had shown her.

He had to fight to hide his amusement. She moved clumsily through every movement. Several times the blade clanged against the ground. Several times she nearly lost her footing. After all the movements had been more or less completed she stopped and stood with the blade´s tip resting on the floor while she caught her breath. D´Argo could see the beads of sweat that were forming on her forehead. Then, to his surprise, she raised the blade and began to repeat the movements.

"I think that´s enough for now." He said, stepping forward.

"I can do this!" she shot back through a strained voice.

With the tip of the Qualta pointed upward, she had managed to raise the handle of the blade to nearly eye level. Being suddenly overcome by the fatigue in her arms she lost her control of the sword. As if in slow motion, D´Argo watched as the Qualta tipped back on it´s own weight and struck her on the right side of her head before clattering to the ground.

The blade had left a gash in Eilynn´s forehead. Blood ran in rivulets around her eye and down the side of her cheek. She seemed not to notice as she leaned over and grabbed the handle of the blade.

"That´s enough for now!" he repeated. Determined not to stand by and watch her accidentally skewer herself he reached down and grabbed the blade handle as well.

Instead of releasing the weapon, Eilynn grabbed the handle with both hands and tried to tug it out of his grasp.

"I can do this!" she spat back.

With a swift yank, he pulled the Qualta from her hands.

"Do what? Cut yourself to ribbons?"

There was a fire of determination in her eyes. "I can´t learn if I don´t practice!"

"You´re certainly not going to learn in one day." D´Argo was surprised at how quickly Eilynn had changed from the smiling, enthusiastic girl who had greeted him, to the stubborn little woman seething with anger and frustration he now faced.

"Here," he said as he pulling out the small dagger he kept at his belt and handing it to her. Part of him wondered if it was a good idea to hand her a weapon while she was in this frame of mind.

Eilynn took the dagger and looked at the small blade with disgust. "What good will this do me?" she grumbled.

D´Argo couldn´t help but smile. "You and that dagger have a lot in common. Always remember that just because you both are small doesn´t mean that you´re any less deadly.

Her face softened and she smiled again. Not her usual sweet smile but a sly devilish one. Before he could figure out what she was up to, she lunged forward. With her empty hand, she grabbed hold of one of his clavicle rings. Quickly maneuvering two fingers through the loop, she yanked froward.

Momentarily caught off guard, D´Argo pitched forward with her tugging arm. Before he could compensate for the shift in balance, Eilynn kicked the back of his knees forcing his legs to buckle. Releasing the ring she swiveled sideways as he tumbled forward landing heavily on the floor. With swift movements she jumped on top of him driving her knee into his back. Sliding her hand under his tentacles and hair she pressed the sharp edge of the dagger to his neck.

"Hey, you know, I guess you´re right." She gloated.

D´Argo let out a chuckle. It was obvious Aeryn had taught her that move. At the sound of his laughter Eilynn relaxed her grip and chucked with him. No sooner had she moved the dagger from his neck then he jerked up fast with his shoulders, flicking her like a rag doll to the ground. In the next moment he was on top of her with one knee on her chest. Grabbing her wrist he dug his thumb into the pressure point just below her palm. She immediately let out a squeal of pain and dropped the dagger. His other hand was wrapped around her neck with his thumb and forefinger digging into either side of her larynx.

Eilynn swallowed hard against the pressure in her throat and looked up at him with wide startled eyes. She tried to take a deep breath but found it nearly impossible with his knee pushing down on her chest. She could tell that he was leaning back considerably on his other knee which was on the floor beside her. He was pressing down on her using only the strength in his leg. She knew that if he had combined that with his body weight he could´ve easily crushed her ribcage.

D´Argo remained where he was only for a few seconds. Releasing his grasp on her he stood up and helped her to her feet with one, almost effortless, yank of his arm. Eilynn stood smiling at him with bright, wide eyes and showing all of her silvery teeth.

"Show me how to do that," she gasped. She was still trying to catch her breath from where he had almost squeezed it out of her.

"I think we´ve done enough for one day." He said as he slid his Qualta Blade back into the sheath on his back. All the while he was looking at the side of her face that had been cut. The blood had left little dried streaks on her cheek and the shoulder of her shirt was stained with the fallen droplets. He noticed that there was one large wet drop of blood suspended on her cheek just below her temple.

"I´m not tired at all." She said still cheery. "I want to learn more."

No matter how much she moved her head the drop of blood remained round and wet and refused to move. D´Argo found himself overcome with an urge to reach his hand up and wipe it off her cheek.

"I think you need to have Zhaan take a look at that cut" was his calm response. His eyes still fixed on that drop of blood.

"My head is fine. It doesn´t even hurt," she said. "I promise I won´t cut myself again. I´m very good at not making the same mistake twice."

That blasted drop of blood refused to move. "Your mistake was thinking that you could wield a Qualta Blade."

Eilynn´s face suddenly flushed red and her expression hardened. D´Argo was almost taken aback by the rage that fired in her eyes.

"Don´t tell me I can´t do something!" she yelled. "All my life I´ve been told I can´t do things! Don´t ever, EVER tell me I can´t do something!"

She stood ridged with clenched fists and eyes that burned right through him. Behind those eyes he could see a lifetime of loneness and despair. It was no surprise to him that she was so determined to feverishly make for all of the lost cycles in her life.

Through all of that, that damn drop of blood stayed stubbornly where it was.

He fixed her with a hard yet calm stare and spoke in a voice that was soft and low. "A warrior must never be a captive of his own anger."

Eilynn stood fast but soon her face softened and she lowered her eyes. Finally she let herself succumb to her exhaustion.

"We will continue this tomorrow." He said and then leaned down and picked his dagger up off the floor. He was happy that he wouldn´t have to look at that drop of blood much longer.

As he leaned over he felt Eilynn´s fingers as they briefly ran the length of one of his tentacles. Surprised by this he straightened up and turned quickly to face her. She returned her hand to her side and looked at him as if nothing odd had happened.

"Why did you do that?" he asked with a slight edge of bewilderment.

"I just wanted to know what you felt like." Her tone was matter-of-fact. "How come you have tentacles and the others don´t?"

"Because I´m a Luxan and they are not!" he shot back.

She smiled and let out a girlish giggle. "Come on now, you know what I mean," she said with amusement, as if D´Argo´s response was a joke. "Why do Luxan´s have tentacles?"

"Why do Sebaceans get heat delirium? Why are Delvians blue? Why are humans so annoying?" he growled, wondering why the question seemed so odd.

"No." she said sternly. "Sebaceans are cold blooded. Delvians evolved that way to protect them from the solar radiation on their home world. Crichton tries not to be annoying but he can´t help it." She gave him a hard stare. "And because I want to know!"

D´Argo was beginning to wonder how he had gotten himself into this ridiculous argument. "Why are you so determined to know everything?"

Keeping her hard stare she smiled widely at him. "Because I want to." Her smile turned into a smirk and she shrugged her shoulders. "But hey, if you don´t even know why, you can admit it, I promise I won´t laugh."

He was becoming very irritated; she was playing some kind of head game with him and winning. "The Luxan homeward has a very hot climate. The tentacles help to release excess body heat."

"See!" she said looking coyly at him. "That wasn´t so hard now was it?"

His face took on a look of mild irritation as he reached up with the back of his index finger and wiped that damn, stupid drop of blood off her cheek. He made an exaggerated flicking motion with his hand as if to illustrate that her face really needed to be wiped and touching her was absolutely necessary. However, Eilynn caught something different in his eyes, something she had never seen before. It was if he was looking at something just inside of her. But before she could say anything he turned quickly and walked out of the cargo bay as if he was all of a sudden in some kind of hurry.

* * * * *

D´Argo came into the cargo bay and, as usual, Eilynn was already there. She was in the far corner with her back to him practicing one of the Qualta exercises he had taught her. Instead of using a sword she had something she lovingly called her Qualta Block. It was a crude duplicate D´Argo had fashioned from some scraps in the maintenance bay. Although it looked almost nothing like his Qualta it was roughly the same size, weight and balance. Eilynn was adamant about having a practice tool that was as close to a Qualta as possible since borrowing the real one was, as D´Argo put it, absolutely out of the question. As an added touch he had wrapped the Qualta Block with padding to prevent any more accidentals injuries.

Eilynn loved her Qualta Block and practiced with it every day. D´Argo would pass by the cargo bay at different times and she would almost always be there. It amused him because he had known seasoned Luxan worriers with less discipline than this little Sumtaar girl.

Girl.

He had to stop thinking of her as one; after all she was almost three times his age yet her sheltered life had left her naive and innocent.

As he walked further into the bay he watched her as she pivoted and swung her Qualta Block around with surprising ease. It was so unlike their first session together. There was nothing left of that weak and clumsy girl. Her movements were fluid and a show of perfect control. Looking closer he could see why. Weeks of practice had made her once thin, weak arms hard and muscular. Her soft features had become lean and she looked more the woman than she ever did the girl.

He became slowly aware of a warm feeling of contentment. It was like a blanket that had just been wrapped around him. Then he was aware of the most beautiful sound.

Eilynn was singing.

It was so soft and accompanied her graceful movements so perfectly that he almost didn´t notice it. But it was more than just her lovely voice, more than beautiful sounds. There was something else, something he could almost feel. It was if the sound waves were drifting over and through him carrying a feeling of contentment that saturated him. He took a deep breath as if trying to pull more of it inside of him. To hear, no, experience her singing was like pure ecstasy and bliss rolled together.

Eilynn turned with a movement of perfect liquid. Her eyes were closed and her face was a mask of calm, so lost in herself.

D´Argo closed his own eyes, reveling in the song that enveloped him.

When I touched him…When I touched him…

D´Argo was vaguely aware of these thoughts that seemed to drift in on her voice.

Soft…tingling…gentle…I want more.

With his eyes shut he tried to focus in on these thoughts that moved around him with her singing. There were no words, just feelings and images. Memories that were not his. It was as if he was experiencing what she was thinking.

His skin…when I touched him… I want more!

D´Argo remembered their first training session, when she had touched one of his tentacles. But he was experiencing the memory through her eyes.

His skin…I want to feel his skin again…I want more…I want him.

He took a step toward her as if being pulled, as if obeying a command. He didn´t try to resist, it felt so natural. It seemed the right thing to do.

I want to feel his skin…I want him to feel my skin…I want him!

D´Argo continued walking slowly towards her, pulled along by her want of him.

I am in pain…I am in need…

Her voice sang on. It surrounded him, caressed him, and held him.

He will know…He will see…I will show him…I will be ready!

She finished her turn and opened her eyes.

Her singing stopped!

D´Argo suddenly felt heavy and cold as if he had just been dropped into a tub of cold water. He looked up in time to see the Qualta Block clatter to the floor.

Eilynn was staring at him; her eyes wide with shock and her mouth gaping open. Her face went pale and she inhaled with sharp, quick breaths. He could see her body begin to tremble. He couldn´t understand he had only caught her singing yet her reaction was of such utter horror. She looked as if she was seeing her own death.

In an attempt to soften her embarrassment, he smiled and spoke in a soft voice. "You´re singing is…" he paused realizing that no words could truly describe her signing. "…very lovely." It seemed like an unjust description.

This comment had the opposite effect. Her eyes filled up with tears and she let out a few choked sobs before dashing past him and out of the cargo bay.

D´Argo stood looking at the door that Eilynn had just run through. He wanted to go after her yet he found himself still recovering from the coldness that pierced him the moment she realized she had been caught singing.

He stood there for some time before finally deciding to go find her and apologize.

He had no sooner rounded the first corner when he was suddenly confronted by Rygel. The two stopped short to keep from running into one another. Rygel had a look of irritation on his face, which was no different than usual.

"What the Yutz did you do to Eilynn?" the little Hynerian spat.

"Why?" D´Argo responded, bewildered. He was still trying to figure out what he had done that was so wrong.

"Because, you miserable hellion boar," Rygel spat, "I went to her room to educate her on the reign of Rygel the twelfth and she was so upset she could barely speak."

"What makes you think it was me?" D´Argo added a little growl to his voice. He was anxious to know what was bothering Eilynn, however, he didn´t much like the idea of discussing it with Rygel.

Accustomed to D´Argo´s growls and grumbles, Rygel hardly noticed. "When I asked her what was wrong she managed, between sobs, to say your name and that she was lost."

D´Argo knit his brow in confusion, wondering what it could possibly mean by "She lost."

"Well, you stupid Luxan," Rygel piped in, "are you ready to fess up?"

"All I did was walk in on her while she was singing."

Rygel gasped in shock. This made D´Argo stare at the Hynerian; a twinge of dread struck him at the sight of Rygel´s horror stricken face.

"What? What´s wrong?" he stammered.

"Oh that poor, sweet child." Rygel moaned.

"I don´t understand! What´s so wrong with that?" D´Argo was becoming distressed at the realization that the situation was much more serious that he originally thought.

"Of course you wouldn´t understand, you big tentacled fool!" There was anger in Rygel´s voice. "Sumtaar believe that their songs are their prayers. To sing in front of another is considered a grievous sin!"

"It can´t be as bad as all that?"

"Oh really?" said Rygel. "She believes she has forfeited her soul to you and thus condemned herself to damnation."

"Then I will go take to her," D´Argo said confidently as if it was the only solution to this problem.

"And say what? Tell her that her religion is wrong?" Rygel said. "Faith is a hard thing to debunk. You would have better luck convincing her that the stars are not bright."

* * * * *

Making his way down to Eilynn´s quarters D´Argo tried to figure out what he was going to say. He knew Rygel was right, that to walk in and tell her that the beliefs she was raised on were wrong could have disastrous results. How could he truly know that? Whether they were social or religious all cultures have their own set of beliefs. What gave him the right to dismiss hers? He tried to imagine how he would feel if Rygel or Aeryn or even Zhaan tried to tell him his own Luxan beliefs were untrue. He knew he had to say something to Eilynn, he couldn´t just sit back and let her think that she´d lost her soul. He knew his words would have to be very carefully chosen.

As he approached her quarters he could hear a soft sobbing coming from within. He stopped just before reaching the doorway. He still didn´t know what to say and began to wonder if talking to her right now was really such a good idea. It seemed that every time he tried to make things right he only succeeded in making them worse. He wondered if it would perhaps be better if he went back and talked with Rygel some more. Maybe he needed to learn as much about the Sumtaar religion as possible. After all, a warrior must know his enemy if he hopes to defeat it.

He was about to turn and leave when Eilynn came out of her room. Her eyes were lowered and it was a few seconds before she realized he was there. She stopped suddenly, startled, and gazed up at him. For a brief moment a look passed across her face. Pale and tear streaked, her eyes flashed such sadness and despair. D´Argo had seen that look before; it was exactly how Jothee looked in is dream just as the darkness consumed him. That look was like a cold stab through his chest. It left his breath caught in his throat and made him take a step back.

Watching him move away, Eilynn lowered her head. "Forgive me for insulting you with my presence." Her tone was sad and matter-of-fact.

A hard lump sat heavy in his stomach. No matter what, he couldn´t seem to do anything right. Taking a couple of steps forward he spoke in a soft voice. "You honor me with your presence."

Eilynn looked back up at him with a mask of confusion on her face. "How could you be honored by a foul empty shell?" D´Argo closed his eyes and grit his teeth. No! She was not an empty shell! Not like the way his wife appeared to him in his dreams. Her pain seemed to reflect back on him like a horrible mirror. It was if they shared some sort of tormented bond.

Clearing that thought from his mind he opened his eyes and took another step forward as he spoke. "Eilynn, you are no different now then you were an arn ago."

"If I had died an arn ago I would´ve entered the Light. Now when I die I will only know Darkness." Her words were soft and sad.

"I wish that I could fix things." It was the only thing he could think of to say.

"It was my fault!" Eilynn choked. "My sin!"

D´Argo sighed; this thing seemed so ridiculous to him.

"Your singing was the most beautiful thing I´ve ever experienced."

He paused for a moment. "But there was more. I saw, no felt, what you were feeling. I´m sure of it."

"That´s because you have my SOUL!" she cried out in agony. Her face filled once again with tears.

Suddenly a thought occurred to him. "Eilynn, when you were singing you were thinking about me, right?"

Eilynn didn´t respond she just put her hands over her face and sobbed loudly.

He reached out and grabbed her shoulders. "Am I right!"

She nodded.

"You wanted to be near me, right?"

"Yes." She answered in a choking sob.

"Listen to me!" he shook her shoulders so she would look up at him. "When I heard you singing I could feel your thoughts. I knew that you wanted to be near me so I walked towards you. I couldn´t stop myself; I just kept walking towards you. I was obeying your thoughts!"

Eilynn only stared at him.

"Don´t you understand? He said. "When you were singing you had power over me. You controlled me!"

"I couldn´t have." She whispered weakly.

"Don´t you see? When you sing you have the ability to control others."

She said nothing, made no sound. She just stared at him.

When he spoke again his tone was low and direct. "I wouldn´t be surprised if this is something that only Sumtaar women can do. That´s probably why you´ve been told it´s wrong, so the men can stay in control."

"I don´t know." she sniffed.

"Have you ever seen or heard a Sumtaar man sing. No, you probably haven´t. But I would stake my life on that being the answer."

"The only men I ever saw in the hive were the doctors. They always wore coats and gloves and masks. I never saw their faces." Her eyes burned into him. "You were the first man I ever saw."

D´Argo released her shoulders but he could not look away from her stare. Her eyes looked as if they were searching inside of him. They seemed to say: "My soul is in there somewhere and when I see it I´ll snatch it back."

He knew there was no way he could´ve crumbled a lifetime of beliefs with just a few words but he hoped he had planted at least the smallest seed of doubt.

* * * * *

Their lovemaking lasted for aarns. Two bodies feverishly satisfying their needs. One filling a need she never knew she had the other filling a need that had been denied him so long. Two bodies tangled together as one. Two minds lost in an ecstasy that was like no other. When it was done, when the need was finally filled the two laid together wrapped in each other´s arms.

Eilynn had fallen asleep with her head on D´Argo´s chest. He laid his head back on the pillow and listened to her soft breathing. Her breath felt warm on his skin. Her white gold hair lay spread across her shoulder and cascaded down her back. He reached his hand up and stroked her soft shiny hair. His eyes were fixed on her sleeping face, which was so beautiful in the low light and reflected a look of the peacefulness that he felt.

Slowly, though, it seemed as if the room was growing darker as if a shadow was moving in. A chill in the air crept across the bed and made D´Argo suddenly shiver. Seeming not to notice, Eilynn began to softly snore. D´Argo´s eyes scanned the darkness. There was a heaviness that seemed to push the air from his lungs. He closed his eyes hoping to shut out the feeling of icy dread that surrounded him. When he opened his eyes he could only stare in horror with his mouth gaping open.

His dead wife was standing at the foot of his bed. She looked different than she had in his dreams. Her skin was pink and her eyes had life. So unlike the pale shell that had appeared to him so many times before. She stood before him with her arms spread; her clothes soaked wet with her own blood. It was an image that has long been burned into his memory. It was how she looked the day she died. The one thing that struck him so deep with fear was her eyes. When he had held her in his arms that last day she looked up at him and her eyes filled with the realization that the life was leaving her. For a moment, when he looked in her eyes, he could see what it was like to know that you were going to die. It only lasted a few seconds but that look made cold and shiver with fear.

Now he was looking at his dying wife again and that look, a look that cannot be described in words, lay frozen in her eyes. It was if he was looking at a moment that was standing still, a moment he had fought for cycles to purge from his memory. A look that would haunt him until the day when it flashed in his own eyes.

Lo´laan opened her mouth and whispered words that crashed against his skull.

"How could you?"

D´Argo sat straight up in bed and gasped loudly. His eyes darted around in the darkness, afraid of what he might see but unable not to look. The pounding in his chest and his frantic breathing slowed when he realized it was all just a horrible nightmare and he was alone in his room. He and Eilynn had never made love; he had only dreamed it. She was probably in her quarters right now, still mourning her lost soul.

He pulled his legs out from under the covers and set his feet down on the cold floor. The beating of his hearts had slowed but his hands shook as he rubbed his face. This nightmare was so much different from the ones he´d had in the past but he knew they all had a common thread. They were all manifestations of his own weaknesses. In the dream of darkness it was his helplessness to save his family that tore him apart. But this new dream was of his guilt, that much seemed obvious. He finally knew what it was about Eilynn that was bothering him.

It was his attraction to her.

Not just physically thought, he cared for her and wanted to protect her and hold her close to him. He wanted to undo the cycles of loneliness and solitude she had been subjected to. Most important he wanted to give her back her soul or, at least, convince her that he didn´t really have it to begin with. The thought that he was the cause of her present misery hurt him deeply.

He loved her all right, and in doing so he felt as if he was betraying Lo´laan. He was unable to save her all those cycles ago, what gave him the right to find pleasure with another woman. But shouldn´t he have that right? Lo´laan´s love for him was strong, wasn´t it? She would want him to go on living, to be happy. D´Argo knew this deep inside of him, that it wasn´t Lo´laan he was fighting. It was himself. The overwhelming guilt that refused to let go. The worst prison he´d been in was the one without walls. The one he made for himself.

Knowing that trying to get back to sleep would be pointless, he got out of bed and got dressed. He needed to do something productive but he couldn´t think of anything that needed to be done. There wasn´t anything that needed to be built or fixed. Everyone else was asleep so there was no one to talk to, not that he really felt like talking.

Instead he picked up his Shilquin and sat down in a nearby chair. He took a few minutes to tune the instrument and then began plucking away an old Luxan tune. He enjoyed playing his Shilquin; it was the one activity that truly relaxed him. He never played for the others; this was something private, something just for him. Except for the time he played for Pilot. He had chopped the poor creature´s arm off; he at least owed him a song.

Increasing the tempo he changed to an upbeat song he had learned as a child. D´Argo knew this song well and his hands moved across the instrument without thinking. Soon his mind began to wander. He thought of Lo´laan, of how beautiful she was and how much he missed her. He thought of the little flower garden she had. He thought of Jothee sitting with his mother as she gardened and busying himself making mud pies. He thought of the night Jothee was born, of how Lo´laan´s face glowed with happiness despite her exhaustion. He thought of how tiny and fragile his newborn son felt in his large hands. He remembered looking at that beautiful, tiny face for the first time and how he cried.

Then his thoughts drifted to Eilynn.

He remembered how scared and confused she looked when they had first brought her aboard. He smiled as he recalled the look on her face when she truly understood that she was free. He thought of how feverishly she had wanted to learn and how quickly she adapted. He thought about the first time he´d instructed her on how to use a Qualta Blade and of her soft fingers as they ran along his tentacle. He wondered what it would be like to touch her skin, to caress her hair and to taste her lips. He thought of how extraordinary it was to hear her sing and feel her passion.

D´Argo´s mind drifted back to the music and he realized that he was plucking out the tune that Eilynn had been singing. It was a simple song but his Shilquin was nothing compared to her sweet voice.

He stopped playing just as Pilot´s voice came over his communicator. "Is anyone awake?"

* * * * *

D´Argo walked slowly down the corridor towards command. Pilot had seemed agitated and had summoned everyone from his or her beds. Pilot seemed to get agitated easily lately. Still lost in his thoughts D´Argo didn´t think it necessary to hurry.

He was still trying to sort out his feelings. Did he really love Eilynn or was he just so lonely that he was confusing lust with love.

"Don´t you love her maaad-ly?"

Perhaps.

"Don´t you need her baaad-ly?"

Yes.

"Don´t you love her waaaaays?"

D´Argo stopped. He wasn´t sure if he had heard these things in his head or in the corridor.

"Tell me what you saaaaay."

No, it wasn´t in his head.

"Don´t you love her maaad-ly?"

D´Argo looked around; it was definitely coming from the corridor.

"Want to be her daaad-eey"

It was coming from behind him.

"Don´t you love her faaace."

Crichton came around the corner singing out loud. "Don´t you love her as she´s walking out the dooooor!"

D´Argo looked at him strangely. Crichton smiled but did not stop walking. "Hey, big guy! The Doors, man! They were a really awesome group."

Moving past him Crichton continued down the corridor singing. "Like she did one thousand time befooooore."

D´Argo shook his head. "I´ll never understand that human." He grumbled under his breath and continued down to command.

* * * * *

"As you can see, Moya´s nutrient levels are getting dangerously low." Pilot said.

Everyone stood in command, some still in their pajamas and blinking sleep from their eyes.

"You woke us all up for this!" Rygel spat.

"Yes," Pilot spat back. "If we don´t replace the nutrient fluid soon, Moya could be in serious trouble."

"I don´t understand?" said Zhaan; "These levels were way above normal just a couple of days ago."

Pilot sighed. "Moya´s baby as entered a crucial developmental stage putting a great demand on all of her systems. We need to either shut down propulsion or get into a planet´s orbit soon or else she will start diverting power from life support."

"Great," Crichton huffed. "So what´ll we do now?"

"My scans show there is a system not far from here with one inhabited planet. The readings show a great deal of space traffic indicating that it might be a commerce planet," said Pilot. "I have already laid in a course although I can´t be sure Moya has the strength to make it there."

"No!" said Aeryn, "we agreed to stay away from heavily populated systems. Crais could easily hide his ship in a crowd of freighters."

"We do not have that luxury, Officer Sun." Pilot´s voice was flat.

"Fine!" D´Argo growled at Pilots image. "So we get into orbit, then what? Will Moya just need to rest?" he cast a glance at Eilynn who was standing near the door and staring at her feet.

"You will need to obtain at least twenty five barrels of nutrient fluid to replace Moya´s depleted supply."

"Will we be able to find any?" asked Chiana.

"If we can´t find the fluid we can obtain the various ingredients and mix it ourselves," answered Zhaan. "It´s made up of basic elements."

Crichton rubbed his face. "The real problem is that we´re piss broke."

"Then you will have to think of something," said Pilot.

* * * * *

Thankfully Moya was able to make it to the planet, however, setting into orbit proved to be tricky. The planet´s orbit space was heavily congested. Receiving an automated message, Pilot was given coordinates for a temporary high orbit.

"Welcome to Purnack, the largest commerce planet in the Bezryn sector."

Everyone was gathered in command watching a very neutral computer generated Purnack female on the view screen.

"You are welcome to remain in high orbit for a period of five aarns. If you wish to extend your stay, please visit one of our many orbital stations were you can purchase a permit good for three rotations."

"Our ship is in need of repairs." Zhaan stepped forward as she spoke. "We may need to stay longer than…"

"Please visit one of our many orbital stations," the bland graphic interrupted. "They can answer any questions you may have. Thank you for you cooperation." The animated face smiled and vanished from the view screen.

"I don´t understand why she can´t help us?" said Chiana.

Crichton huffed to himself. "It´s just voicemail. We need to talk to a real person."

Zhaan crossed her arms and sighed. "I guess we should all go back to our quarters and gather up anything that can be used as barter."

Then looking over her shoulder. "Rygel, do you think you could use your negotiating talents to get us some free orbit time?"

Rygel puffed up a little. He had the ego the size of a planet but he got so little praise form the others that any compliment no, matter how small, made him feel good. "I´ll see what I can do." He grumbled softly, not wanting to sound too grateful.

An aarn later everyone stood around the conference table looking at what had been gathered. Sadly the pickings were slim.

D´Argo leaned over resting both hands on the table. "Is this it?"

His question was answered by a collective sigh from everyone in the room.

"Everything we have of real value we can´t spare," said Aeryn.

"Maybe Rygel had some luck?" Zhaan sighed.

"Hardly!" Rygel said zipping in on his little hover throne. "The Yutz´s at the orbit stations won´t discuss anything until someone goes down personally to fill out a mountain of forms."

"We´re shit-outta-luck, aren´t we?" Crichton sighed. "Is there anywhere else we can go?"

"No!" Pilot piped in. "Moya does not have the strength to break orbit. We must get that nutrient fluid as soon as possible."

"There is a shopping district called Baroon that trades by barter," Rygel continued.

"Well that´s a start," said Zhaan. "We should get going."

* * * * *

Down on the planet Zhaan, Crichton and Aeryn headed for the nearest orbit station while Rygel, D´Argo, Chiana and Eilynn set out to try and obtain the nutrient fluid Moya so desperately needed.

D´Argo and Rygel learned early on that they made a good bartering team. Rygel was a shrewed negotiator and D´Argo backed him up by looking mean and intimidating. The two were putting on their best show but unfortunately they were refused by one merchant after another. As they headed into the next shop, Chiana took Eilynn by the arm and pulled her close.

"The men don´t seem to be having much luck," she whispered. "Let´s see if the girls can do better."

The two walked across the square.

"That one." Chiana pointed to an elderly and particularly foul looking shopkeeper. "Keep your mouth shut and do the talking with your body."

"I don´t understand."

Chiana leaned her head close the Eilynn´s "Just do what I taught you. Look at him like he was the handsomest man in the world. Make him think you want to sleep with him."

"Sleep with?" Eilynn was thoroughly confused. No one had ever bothered explaining that to her.

"Just follow my lead."

Eilynn watched as Chiana´s whole facade changed. She sauntered into the shop swinging her hips and looked at the man with piercing eyes and an alluring smile. Eilynn did her best to mimic, pushing her chest out and tilting her head down. Coming out from a back room a younger Purnack male walked up and stood next to the shopkeeper. By his equally foul appearance it was obvious that this young male was the shopkeeper´s son, or at least a close relation. There was something else, though, a dim witted look in the young man´s eyes. He smiled at Eilynn revealing a row of gray-green crooked teeth. He nose was larger than most with crusted edges. A line of drool seeped out from the corner of his mouth.

Eilynn continued to "follow Chiana´s lead" but it was hard to conceal her revoltion for these two Purnack men. Instead she tried to think of other, more pleasant things. She became aware of music; it was muffled and seemed to be coming from one of the side walls. It was upbeat and jovial, compromised of many instruments. There was also the sound of voices raised in laughter and merriment. As she focused her attention her fake smile turned into one of genuine contentment and her eyes took on a distant look.

"I´m sorry, little missy," the shopkeeper was saying to Chiana, "you can bat your eyes at me all you want but you ain´t getting the barrels for free."

"Dad, I want her."

Eilynn focussed her attention back at the two Purnack's and saw that the son was pointing at her. She realized that while lost in the music she was smiling intently at the young man.

Now the shopkeeper was looking at Eilynn with an expression of deep thought. "How about this," he looked back at Chiana. "You have your friend here give my boy a night to remember and you can have your barrels of nutrient fluid."

There was a few moment of silence. Eilynn´s whole body filled with dread. Could Chiana actually be considering it? The shopkeeper's son stepped closer with a snorting laugh. Bits of spittle flew out of his mouth in all directions, one landing on Eilynn´s cheek. She reached her hand up to wipe it away but he caught her wrist in mid motion and held it between his hands. His skin was wet and clammy. He brought her hand up to his mouth and licked the tips of her fingers.

Eilynn jerked her hand out of his and hurried out of the shop in complete disgust. She had only made it a few steps out the door when she felt a hand clamp down on her arm and jerk her around.

"You´re a feisty one," the young Purnack laughed, spraying spit on her. He grabbed her other arm and forced her closer to him. He opened his mouth and Eilynn was overcome by his rank breath. Her muscles tensed and she squinted her face up tight. She couldn´t bear to look.

Suddenly there was a booming growl and she was pushed back a few steps. Opening her eyes she saw D´Argo standing between them facing the Purnack. A wave of relief washed over her and she found herself leaning forward against his back.

D´Argo let out another menacing growl at the startled young man. "You keep your hands off of her!"

"Excuse me!" the shopkeeper shouted as he came over to them. Chiana was not far behind. "We were conducting some business here!"

"You business does not include touching her!" D´Argo bellowed.

"I´m afraid it does!" the shopkeeper shot back.

D´Argo growled once more, only this time at Chiana. "This business is over!" taking Eilynn by the wrist he turned and marched away.

* * * * *

Returning to Moya the four came into the dining hall to find Zhaan, Crichton and Aeryn sitting at the main table amongst a scattering of paperwork that the three were busily filling out.

"What the Yutz is all of this?" Rygel floated up net to the table.

"The application for an orbit permit," Zhaan spoke without looking up from her writing.

Chiana walked up and peered over Zhaan´s shoulder. "Don´t we have to pay for this?"

"Unfortunately," said Zhaan.

"Did you bother to mention to them that we are in the middle of an emergency here?" Rygel huffed.

"Yes, we managed to remember that," Crichton grumbled. "We can apply for an emergency orbit pass that´s good for five free rotations." He passed his hand over all of the papers around him. "That´s what these twenty-seven thousand forms are for."

"According to pilot even if we get the barrels today, five rotations wouldn´t be enough," said D´Argo.

Aeryn held up one of the forms she was working on, "we have the option to apply for a extended emergency permit. That´s what these twenty-seven thousand forms are for. The only downside it that it would require an on sight inspection by orbit patrol officials."

Zhaan stopped writing and looked at the others. "We can, however, orbit any of the outer planets in this system at no charge. So if we get the fluid fairly soon Moya can at least be able to break orbit."

"Yah and we can park in east bum-fuck for as long as we want." Crichton piped in.

Aeryn looked up from her writing. "Did you guys have any luck?"

"We came close," Rygel huffed, "Until D´Argo blew it."

"Prostituting Eilynn is NOT an option!" D´Argo was looking fiercely at Rygel.

"Ooh, what did we miss?" Crichton chuckled.

"Well," Chiana steeped forward, "Eilynn and I were trying to sweet talk this disgusting old shopkeeper when his even more disgusting son walked in and took a liking her. Boy Eilynn you should have seen your face when he said he wanted you."

Everyone turned to look at Eilynn and found that she was no longer in the room.

"She was just here a micron ago," said Chiana.

Without saying anything, D´Argo turned and stomped out of the room.

"What´s up with him?" asked Aeryn.

"Oh please," Crichton sneered. "Can´t you see that he´s totally in love with her?" Without waiting for a reply he held up the form he was working on. "It says here to list the names and species of everyone on board. I´m guessing I shouldn´t write down our real names."

"Obviously," it was now Aeryn´s turn to sneer. "If Crais were to come this way he could easily check the orbit records."

"I thought so." Crichton put the form down and began writing again. "John Wayne – Human, Grace Kelly – Delvian, Ellen Ripley – Sebacean, Worf – Luxon…"

* * * * *

D´Argo found Eilynn in the cargo bay. She had her Qualta Block and was half heartily practicing one of the Qualta exercises. He could tell by the look on her face that her thoughts were somewhere else.

She stopped when he appeared and was surprised when he unsheathed his Qualta Blade and held it out to her. She took it from him and handed over the Qualta Block to his outreached hand. Without speaking, he assumed the beginning stance to one of the blade exercises. Taking up the same position, Eilynn began the movements the same moment he did.

The two moved in perfect unison, pivoting and swinging their weapons. Each turning at precisely the same moment, swinging the Qualtas at just the right angles. It was as if one was a mirror reflection of the other. Two bodies moving in a perfect dance.

The tranquility on the moment was shattered as D´Argo let out a booming roar, raised the Qualta Block above his head and swung it down at Eilynn with all of his strength.

Startled, Eilynn brought her blade up without thinking and blocked his blow. The Qualta Block struck down with such force that Eilynn was knocked back off her feet. She looked up just as he took a step towards her and swung the block down a second time. She rolled out of the way and sprang to her feet just in time to dodge a third swing.

"What the Hezmana is he doing?" She thought frantically. "He´s hitting me with everything he´s got!"

D´Argo swung at her again, only this time she was ready, swinging her blade up and knocking the Qualta Block back. Without hesitation she swung at his midsection giving him only a fraction of a second to leap back or be gutted.

The two continued to swing their weapons at each other. Eilynn was surprised at her own reflexes but realized that the Qualta exercises had a lot to do with her ability to block his blows and give back a few of her own. She ducked and pivoted, always staying one step ahead of his swings. She remembered what he´d told one time: "Your size is your advantage not your hindrance."

Just as suddenly as he´d begun this sparing match, D´Argo stopped. The two looked at each other as they caught their breaths.

"You learn quick." D´Argo half-chuckled.

"Lucky for me."

She walked over and handed him his blade. Looking up at him she noticed a drop of red-black blood oozing from a cut on his brow ridge. "Looks like the score is me one, you nothing," she said pointing at his forehead.

He reached up and pinched the cut so hard his hand was shaking. Eilynn could tell by the expression on his face that it was painful.

"What are you doing?" she exclaimed.

D´Argo removed his hand and held it up so she could see that the blood on his fingers was clear. "If the blood stays dark it will poison me. I have to stimulate the would to bleed more."

"It looks painful."

"Usually."

"Then why risk getting hurt?"

D´Argo took back his Qualta and returned it to its sheath. "There is an old Luxan saying that goes: Life does not begin until the blood runs clear."

Eilynn chuckled although she didn´t quite understand. Walking back she sat down on one of the crates. "The shopkeeper said that he would give us all the barrels we needed." Her attitude became very solemn.

"At what price?" his voice became low and serious.

"He said that all I had to do is give his son a night to remember." She looked down at her hands. "I don´t know what that means."

"He means he´ll pay you to have sex with his son." D´Argo took the sheath off his shoulder and laid the weapon down on a crate next to the Qualta Block.

"I´ve figured out that sex means some kind of closeness but no one will tell me what really happens."

He looked at Eilynn in shock. "You´ve been pregnant sixty-seven times and you don´t know what sex it?"

"Are sex and pregnancy related?"

"Yes!"

"In the hive it was the doctors that made me pregnant. They used tools and they hardly touched me. Please don´t tell me that that´s what sex is!"

"No, it´s nothing like that."

"Then what is it?"

D´Argo suddenly felt very uncomfortable. When Jothee was little he knew that he would one-day have to have that talk. He never figured on having to explain the facts of life to a woman almost three times older than him. Not to mention a woman he was in love with.

"I´d rather show then tell you." His eyes went wide and his chest pounded frantically. He was absolutely horrified with himself for letting that comment slip out.

Eilynn gave him a sideways look. "Are you making fun of me?"

No! "No, I just wasn´t thinking."

"Is sex a good thing?"

"Yes, especially when it´s with someone you care about."

Eilynn looked down at her hand again. "I certainly don´t care about the shopkeeper´s son."

She breathed a deep, sad sigh. "I´ve already lost my soul, it really doesn´t matter what happens to my body."

D´Argo stared at her in silence for several moments and then did something that totally shocked her.

He started singing.

Eilynn leaped to her feet and started backing up. Her face was a mask of horror. "What are you doing?"

D´Argo spread his arms and walked slowly towards her, still singing. It was an old Luxan song, sung in his native tongue. A warrior´s song of victory usually sung over the body of a defeated enemy.

With every step forward he took, she took a step back. "D´Argo, please!" she stammered. "You don´t know what you´re doing!"

He raised his arms as sung louder, his low voice booming out in the large cargo bay.

"Please! Please, stop!" she was now sobbing. Tears ran down her cheeks and she covered her ears.

D´Argo finished the song and stood quiet as she slowly lowered her hands from her head.

"Oh, D´Argo, no!" she sobbed loudly.

He stood calm with the faintest smile on his lips. "Since I have your soul, it´s only fair that you have mine."

Eilynn starred as him for a long time. She then placed her hands on her chest and looked down as if she was listening for something or searching inside herself. After a few minutes she looked back up at him.

"I don´t feel It." her forehead was a wrinkle of confusion. "What is a supposed to feel like?"

D´Argo smiled wide. "How should I know, I never really had your soul."

She continued to stare at him and then her face changed as a flash of realism washed over it. "I don´t have your soul. And you…you don´t have mine? You never had mine? I never lost It!" there was a pause. "They lied to me!"

D´Argo only smiled.

She walked slowly past him and over to were the weapons lay. Picking up the Qualta Block her face twisted with rage and she bore her silvery teeth in a snarl. "They lied to ME!"

Suddenly she swung the Qualta Block down on a crate as hard as she could. There was a loud crash and then another. Eilynn was growling and screaming as she slammed the block down on one crate after another.

"They kept me in a cell! They made me think I was nothing!" she snarled so violently that foaming saliva flew from her mouth. "I hate them! I HATE THEM!"

The Qualta Block slammed down again and again. "I´m gonna kill them! They took away my life! I´m gonna KILL THEM!"

She was like a rabid, crazed animal. D´Argo moved quickly, getting close to her while avoiding her wild swinging. Once he was close enough he got up behind her and clamped his large arms around her shoulders, pinning her arms at her sides. In an effort to subdue her struggling he lifted her so that her feet no longer touched the floor. She dropped the Qualta Block but jerked her body around in his grasp. Howling and snarling her feet kicked wildly in the air delivering several blows to his shins.

D´Argo squeezed tight with his arms restricting her movements as much as he could. Soon her struggling ceased and her body went limp. He lowered her until her feet touched the floor and let her go. She dropped to her knees, sobbing.

He kneeled down behind her and put a hand on her shoulder.

"What am I supposed to be now?" her voice was a horse whisper. "I don´t know who I am anymore."

With his other hand, D´Argo reached up and stroked her long hair. "You are smart, you are strong, you are beautiful and most important, you are Eilynn."

"An annoying little pest." She sniffed.

He leaned in touching his forehead to the back of her head. "You are a pest… and I love you."

She turned to face him, pressing her self against him she cried so hard that her body felt as if it would tear apart. He wrapped his arms around her shaking body and pressed his head next to hers.

They remained that way for some time. Finally Eilynn´s wails reduced to sobs and then to quite sniffing. Her tears were so numerous that there was large wet spot on the shoulder of D´Argo´s coat that was soaked through. He could feel the dampness against his skin. He stood and helped her to her feet. Putting one arm around her he lead her out of the cargo bay.

They walked slowly down the corridors without speaking. Eilynn leaned on him as she walked, melting into his side. He always seemed so strong and confident, she envied those traits. In barley as fraction of a cycle it seemed like her whole world had collapsed. Everything she had known and trusted was a lie; it was only dumb luck that made it possible to break free from her ways. Her heart rejoiced with the freedom she now had yet there was despair at the knowledge that thousands of women like her wallowed in the lonely, empty existence on the breeding hives.

Was she more deserving than they were? Shouldn´t they be given the chance to be free, to live? Why should she be so happy when so many were miserable? Was it misery to live in the hive? At the time it was the only life she´d known. Like a waking dream, clouded and redundant. No experiences, no changes, just simple existence. Living one day to the next with no deviation from the routine until it all blended into one long, endless nothing.

Now, though, she couldn´t imagine how she had endured it for so long. Now that she knew that there was so much more to life than just existing.

D´Argo stopped and she realized that they were standing in her quarters. She pressed closer to his side. It felt so warm and safe to be next to him with his arm around her. She liked this closeness and didn´t want it to end. She kept thinking about what he´d said to her earlier in regards to sex. That he´d rather show her then tell her. If standing next to him felt so good then whatever sex was must be even better.

"You should get some rest." He lifted his arm from around her and stepped back.

No! Don´t go away! Not now!

Eilynn grabbed his hand and held it between hers, kneading it with her fingers. He responded by squeezing back as if to say he didn´t want to step away either. She looked up into his eyes and raised one hand to his face. Her fingers brushed lightly along his cheek, across his nose and down his long chin.

D´Argo leaned down and pressed his lips to hers. They were moist and warm against her skin. She inhaled and took in his hot breath. She felt his fingers caress the side of her face, a sensation that made her skin tingle. She liked this contact, this touching. It was tender and gentle.

All of her long and lonely life she had never been touched, at least not like this. The only contact she had ever received in the hive was from the doctors. That touch was clinical and cold. As for her hive sisters, she rarely saw them. When she did it was usually through a window or from a distance. Even during her many pregnancies she was put into suspended animation thus denied even the touch of the child in her womb.

Until recently her life had been cold and sterile. But now she was given the chance to live, to experience life. Affection and tenderness were alien to her yet she craved them like a starved animal that was too stupid to know it was hungry. When she reached out and touched D´Argo´s tentacle that first time, when she touched for the pure pleasure of touching, her hunger finally had a name.

Removing his lips D´Argo straightened up and looked down at her. His fingers were still caressing her cheek.

She smiled and whispered, "what was that?"

"It´s called a kiss," he whispered back.

She reached her hand up and ran her fingers lightly across the edge of his pronounced brow. "It´s very nice."

D´Argo leaned down and kissed her again, but this time it was different. This time his mouth was open, this time Eilynn was struck with a new sensation. It was his tongue filling her mouth. Startled, she pulled back and quickly covered her mouth with her hand. She looked up at him with confused eyes.

"Is there something wrong?" He asked calmly.

"You stuck your tongue in my mouth!" she stammered.

Unexpectedly D´Argo smiled and let out a hardy laugh.

"Why are you laughing?"

He caught his breath and smiled down at her. "That´s just part of kissing. You didn´t like it?"

Eilynn put her hand down, suddenly she felt very foolish. "I was just surprised, that´s all." Then a thought occurred to her. "What about the venom barb on the end of your tongue?"

This made him laugh even louder.

"Stop laughing at me!" she growled slapping him as hard as she could on his chest. Her faced flushed red, embarrassed by her own ignorance.

Ceasing his laughter, D´Argo kissed her on the forehead and then on the cheek before whispering in her ear. "The barb stays folded under a flap of skin in the back of my throat." He moved his lips closer to her ear and his voice deepened. "I would hate for you to be unconscious for this."

Before she could respond he planted his mouth on hers again. This time she didn´t pull back, instead she opened her mouth and welcomed his tongue. It felt so strange and so wonderful and the same time. She closed her eyes as his tongue filled her mouth, moving about and stimulating her in ways and places she would have never guessed. Returning the favor, she pushed her tongue past his teeth and their mouths moved together.

His whiskers brushed back and fourth against her cheeks as their heads moved with their kneading lips. D´Argo wrapped his arms around her and pressed her close to him. She could feel his strong hands as they ran slowly up and down her back. Without thinking, she reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck. Her hands ran over the back of his head, through his long hair and along the edge of each tentacle. She wanted to memorize every bump and soft spot, every ridge and depression, every inch of his skin. She wanted to memorize this tender moment for the rest of her life.

D´Argo pulled his mouth away from hers, momentarily leaving her empty and wanting. Moving to her cheek he began kissing and licking her skin. Moving slowly down along the edge of her jaw and then down to her neck. She arched her head back and sighed softly as his tongue lapped at her skin. One of his hands stayed behind her, caressing her back while the other moved across her chest, cupping and caressing her breasts.

The sensation of his tongue and lips on her skin was intoxicating. Eilynn was overcome with a need to taste his flesh. He had moved his mouth down to her shoulder giving her the chance to move forward and bury her face in his muscular chest. She let her own tongue roam free over his skin and couldn´t resist using her teeth. D´Argo moaned deep in his throat and arched his own head back allowing Eilynn to devour his neck. His skin was sweet and salty to her and it wasn´t long before her desire and curiosity overwhelmed her. She wanted more.

Reaching down she began to tug feverishly at the clasps of his long coat. She had no idea what she was doing; no knowledge of what was to come. She acted only on instinct and a primal urge that had been surpressed all of her life.

Needing no convincing and pulled by his own urges, D´Argo began pulling off Eilynn´s cloths. It seemed like an eternity to them before they finally stood before each other completely naked. Eilynn had never seen a man´s body before and even if she used her imagination, she could not have come up with the desirable image that stood before her. His body was hard and muscular yet his skin was smooth and had softness to it. Below his waist was what fascinated her the most, so odd, so different from her. She ached to be touched and held by him.

D´Argo too was feasting on the sight of this beautiful, delicate woman in front of him. He had seen her naked before, on the day she first emerged from her stasis tube. But now was different, now her skin glowed rosy with the warmth of her desire. Her eyes bore through him with burning hunger. He no longer saw her as the pathetic, annoying little pest, the eilynn that had first come aboard. Now he saw her purely as the object of his desire, his lust, and his love.

Putting his arm around her he led her to the bed. He knew full well that Eilynn had no experience and even less knowledge of what was to come yet she accepted and trusted him completely. Even going so far as initiating when she could. No matter how adaptable she was, though, he knew that what they were about to do will come as a complete surprise to her. He wanted to make this experience special and for her to understand the incredible pleasure and intimacy they were capable of sharing. Most importantly he planned to make this experience so intense that it would make up for the empty cycles in her life.

Eilynn sat down and moved to the center of the bed, lying back on the pillows. D´Argo slid his body next to her and leaned over so that he was above looking down at her face. She looked up at him with wide eyes that were a mixture of longing, happiness and, for the first time since they had started the slightest twinge of fear.

She looked up at him and her heart pounded heavily in her chest. He seemed so large and strong looming over her. She felt so tiny and helpless, and wondered if she had moved to fast, if she had gone too far. She suddenly feared that they were about to do something that she wasn´t ready for. Looking at his arm it was so muscular, so powerful. One wrong move, one accidental slip and she feared he could hurt her. But how could that happen? He was so careful and so gentle. She looked up in his eyes and saw only tenderness.

He leaned down and kissed the little depression at the base of her neck and then ran little circle around it with his tongue. Eilynn looked up at the ceiling, closing her eyes she felt his warm lips as they kissed their way down her chest. She hummed a soft moan as his mouth closed down over one of her nipples. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and stroked his head. His tongue flicked around her nipple making little circles while his hand was on her other breast. His fingers circling and stimulating her other nipple. She arched her back slightly, pressing her breasts closer, her nipples grew hard and erect under his touch.

Any fear she had a moment before had dissolved away. She felt ridiculous for even doubting him, or herself. His mouth lifted from her breast and began slowly kissing and licking down her stomach. At the same time she could feel his hand running up her leg and along the inside of her thigh. Tilting her head up slightly she watched him as his head descended below her waist and then between her legs. She gasped and pressed her head back down on the pillow as his tongue plunged into her. She couldn´t help shutting her eyes tight and digging her fingers into the mattress as his lips and tongue moved expertly around creating a fire in her flesh. Her moans grew in volume and her back arched with the fiery tension that was building up deep within her. She could feel his whiskers as they brushed back and forth against her soft flesh. The heat of his breath added to the burning ecstasy between her thighs.

Going slow then fast then slow again he expertly kept her tension building steadily yet slowly. Eilynn cried out and squirmed against his touch. It was like nothing she could describe in words. A pain that felt so good she thought she would die from it.

Sensing that she was near her peak D´Argo plunged forward with all stimulation he could inflict including a low deep growl that caused the coarse whiskers of his beard to vibrate against her already swollen, excited skin. In moments Eilynn was screaming out and arching her back so high that for a few seconds she was balancing on the top of her head.

With the last spasms of pleasure spent, her body fell back down onto the bed. She was soaked with sweat and she found herself struggling to catch her breath. D´Argo moved up next to her, leaning over so he could look down at her. Still gasping she looked up at him; her face shinned with the afterglow of her orgasm. She smiled as if it was the first time she´d ever experienced happiness. He leaned down and planted his mouth on hers. The kiss seemed to move in slow motion to her, it was so soft and gentle. She could taste her own body fluids that were on his lips and smell her own musky scent that lingered on his face. All these sensations reawakened her passion and she could feel her excitement once again growing within her. Her itch was far from being scratched.

She could feel D´Argo´s male organ pressing against her hip. It was hot and semi-ridged with his own excitement. She didn´t need to be told she had a pretty good idea of what she should do. Putting her hands on his shoulders and pushing him over she forced him onto his back.

It was now his turn.

Mimicking him she started with the base of his neck, licking and nibbling his skin. Then she licked and kissed her way down his chest. Using her tongue and fingers she began stimulating his nipples just as he had done to hers. D´Argo pressed his head back against the pillow and let out a growl that sounded more like a purr. With just her tongue she worked her way down his stomach, leaving a squiggly wet line. She moved closer to his ever-hardening organ. Wrapping her hand around this marvelous part of his, she moved close and flicked her tongue around the tip. D´Argo inhaled sharply and his body tensed.

Elated with this sense of power she now had over him she kissed the tip lightly and then closed her mouth over it. Shutting her eyes she moved her hand and mouth, reveling in its length and thickness. She lapped and sucked on it as if it were a piece of candy. Feeling it swell and harden under her caress made her own excitement rise. Remembering what he had done to her she moved fast then slow then fast again making every effort to extend his experience for as long as she could.

She opened her eyes and looked at D´Argo. His body tensed with each new stroke she made. She found herself even more aroused when she looked at his face. His eyes were squeezed shut and she could tell by the shifts in his beard and the working tendons in his neck that he was gritting his teeth. She could see tears being forced out of the corners of his eyes. She watched as his large hands gripped and released the bead sheets. He looked to her as if he was in pain, that most glorious pain she had experienced moments before.

Returning her full attention to his groin she could see it was nearly purple from pent up excitement. Closing her mouth again over the tip she drew him into her mouth. Taking his entire length into her throat until her lips touched he base. D´Argo let out a choking moan as she dragged him slowly in and out of her mouth. Eilynn decided it was time to end his magnificent suffering and increased her hand and mouth to a frenzied speed. In moments his body went rigid and he was howling with pleasure. She felt his shaft throb and suddenly her mouth was filled with his squirting fluids. Although completely surprised by this she quickly recovered and swallowed the warm liquid without spilling a drop.

Exhausted from his ordeal, D´Argo laid back sweaty and gasping for breath. He was astonished with Eilynn´s sexual prowess. Here he lay weakened and drained, depleted and emptied by a woman who, just an aarn ago, had never seen a naked man.

Eilynn moved back up beside him and stroked his chest lightly with her hand. Leaning down she kissed him as he had done her, letting him taste his own fluids and smell his scent.

They lay together gently stroking and caressing each other for some time. Eilynn kept her eyes closed, wanting only to feel and smell him. She wanted to speak, to thank him for sharing this wonderful experience with her. For showing her what pleasure truly felt like but she couldn´t fine the words. D´Argo was running his fingers through her hair while she ran her hand over the soft hair on his chest. Although the experience was intense beyond anything she had ever known she couldn´t help feel that there was something more, that they weren´t quite finished. She was still hungry for him. Her need hadn´t been completely filled yet.

Shifting her leg she felt it brush against his groin and realized that it was hardening again. As if to answer her question D´Argo lifted himself up and climbed on top of her. With guiding hands he helped her spread her legs wide and then moved his body in between. It aroused her to feel him above her. He was so large, so strong. She felt safe and protected beneath him. The tips of the braids from his mustache brushed against her bare chest making her skin tingle. Then she felt the tip of his organ pressing into her folds that were wet from his earlier exploration of her.

She inhaled sharply as he pushed his hips forward and entered her. He was so thick she feared he might be too much for her to take. She let out a cry as a sharp pain gripped her inside. Hearing this he stopped his advance and slowly pulled back. Although the pain subsided Eilynn felt as if she was being denied. In a moment, however, he stopped and resumed pushing forward. He was much deeper before she winced once again in pain. He pulled back as he had done before and then advanced once more. Eilynn now understood what he was doing, moving slowly and with care, he was getting her accustomed to his size and length.

After a couple of more careful retreats and advances he was able to push his entire length into her. After waiting a moment for her to get used to it he propped himself up on his hands and began pushing back and forth with his hips. Eilynn smiled as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and buried her face in his chest. This made perfect sense, this was why they were shaped the way they were, to fit together in this embrace. All that came before was just play, all building up to this joining of bodies and souls. Her body burned with fire from each one of his thrusts. She pushed her own hips up towards him, pushing him harder and deeper into her. It felt so wonderful to feel him inside her, for the first time she truly felt whole.

She pressed her body back against the bed and used the leverage to thrust her hips up even harder towards his. D´Argo gasped and groaned as he plunged again and again into her deep and extraordinarily wet insides. Bringing his body down he took her mouth into his and kissed her hard and deep. Eilynn wrapped her hands around his head and returned his kiss just as feverishly.

The two moved as one, their passions increasing at equal rates. Growing and climbing, the pleasure built within them to a level neither could´ve imagined until, with arching backs and cries of ecstasy, their pleasure exploded simultaneously in a rush of such intensity it threatened to consume them.

Then it was over.

D´Argo sank weakly down resting his spent body. They lay there in their lovers embrace, bodies soaked with sweat and chests gasping for air. Eilynn lay with most of his weight resting on her. It was then that she realized how heavy he was and how much effort it must have been for him to hold his weights back. How careful he was not to hurt her. With her arms still wrapped around him she slowly stroked his back. It felt nice to have his weight on her. It felt nice to have his face tucked next to her neck and to have his hot breath on her skin.

His back was damp with perspiration yet she noticed that her fingers ran through an area that was slicker than the rest. Lifting her hand she looked at it, it was streaked with D´Argo´s thick red-black blood. She raised her head so that she could peer over his shoulder. Eilynn realized that in the heat of her of her passion she had clawed viciously at his back. There were several sets of red lined that were already raised and swollen. Here and there she had managed to draw blood as several little black lines of droplets marked his back.

Reaching for the closest wound she pressed down hard with her fingers and ran them up and down the maimed flesh. She felt D´Argo´s body twitched and tense in response. Now and then he would gasp slightly as her fingers tormented his tender skin. Other than that he made no movement but just lay still with his eyes closed. His fingers played with a lock of her hair.

In moments her fingers ran through a slick line of clear blood. Removing her hand she moved to the next wound and repeated the process. His body twinged and she felt the ripple of muscles under his skin as they tightened. With her other hand she stroked the back of his head in an effort to comfort him. She was so aware of his pain, however slight. It made her wonder why any Luxan would choose to be a warrior. Choose to go into battle only to be inflicted with wounds that required a torturous healing process. He must be very brave, his convictions stronger then the fear of any pain he might be inflicted with.

She now under stood what he meant when he had said "A Luxan´s life does not begin until the blood runs clear." He meant that to live safe and unharmed was to live an empty life with no experiences, no excitement, and no passion.

She continued to work her fingers into his small wounds until they were all clear. Sensing that she was done tending to his back, D´Argo slowly lifted himself up and settled on his back next to her. Rolling on her side Eilynn draped one leg over his and snuggled up to him resting her head on his chest. Wrapping his arms around her he pulled her close.

"I´ve been asleep." She whispered.

"Asleep?" D´Argo asked softly. He felt so relaxed as if his body was melting into the bed.

Eilynn breathed as deep sigh, she to was starting to drift with the peacefulness she felt. "My whole life, up until this night, I´ve asleep. Living in a hazy dream." She tucked her head in under his chin and yawned. "Until this night, I was asleep."

In moments, for D´Argo and Eilynn, there was only sleep. Deep, peaceful and most importantly…

…dreamless.

* * * * *

When D´Argo woke up it didn´t take him long to realize that he was alone. He sat up slowly, surprised at how much his body ached. Could his rounds of pleasure with Eilynn been that intense? He only hoped that she wasn´t feeling as sore as he was.

He grumbled and groaned as he was forced to bend his waist and raise his legs to get into his pants. He sucked in a sharp breath between his teeth as the heavy fabric of his tunic settled against the marred flesh on his back.

Having no luck reaching Eilynn on her comm. badge he made his way up to command to see if he could locate her. Walking in he saw Crichton speaking to some Purnack official on the view screen. Before he could get any closer the screen flicked off and Crichton tuned around.

"Hey big guy," he smiled. "Great news, the orbit patrol has accepted our application for an emergency permit. We get to take a standard orbit for five rotations at no charge."

"That´s nice," D´Argo said unimpressed. He walked over to one of the consoles and started pressing buttons.

"Are you okay?" Crichton asked staring at him. "You look like you´ve been hit by a truck."

No just a little Sumtaar woman. D´Argo burst out laughing at this thought.

Crichton was trying to figure out what was so funny.

Catching his breath there was still a chuckle in his voice as he spoke. "You haven´t seen Eilynn, have you?"

"Oh sure," Crichton leaned back against one of the consoles. "She went down to the planet with Rygel and Chiana. She said she was going to get the barrels of nutrient fluid."

D´Argo´s eyes widened and his blood went cold. She couldn´t! She wouldn´t! Not with the shopkeeper´s son? "How long ago did she leave?"

"A while ago," Crichton was unnerved by D´Argo´s sudden reaction. "More than three aarns."

Ignoring his stiffness, D´Argo turned and bolted out of the room. He had to get down to the planet; he had to stop Eilynn. That is, if he wasn´t too late.

* * * * *

D´Argo landed Aeryn´s prowler as close to the Baroon district as was allowed and raced as fast as he could to the square. He cursed and growled under his breath, furious at Chiana and Rygel. No doubt they had put Eilynn up to it, caring nothing for how she might feel.

Reaching the shop he found that it was shut up tight. He felt sick to his stomach at the though of might be going on behind those metal walls. Taking several steps back he stopped and ran forward, throwing himself at the door. There was a loud metallic boom but it did not budge. He slammed his fists at the door and hollered out in a low growling voice. "Come out you Purnack filth! Come out and face me!"

"D´Argo, what are you doing?"

He swung around to find Chiana standing behind him. Letting out a seething hiss he moved quickly towards her.

Suddenly frightened Chiana raised her hands and backed away from him as fast as she could. "No! It´s not what you think. Eilynn´s not in there!"

D´Argo grabbed hold of her shoulders and gave her a few violent shakes. "Where is she?"

"It was her idea to come down here," Chiana whimpered. "She knows what she´s doing."

"WHERE IS SHE!"

"In the tavern!" Chiana pointed to the large building next to the shop.

Letting her go he turned and stomped towards the tavern, Chiana scuttled after him. "Don´t be stupid and go barging in there. You´ll ruin everything if you do!"

Bursting through the door he nearly knocked over Rygel.

The Hynerian maneuvered his hover throne up close to D'Argo´s head. "So you´re the one making all that noise out there." He spat. "Stay back by the door and keep your frelling mouth shut. Eilynn will be on soon."

"On soon?" D´Argo hissed. "What the Hezmana are you up to?"

Before Rygel could answer the lights in the large tavern hall dimmed. Zipping his little throne down near a table he picked up two brown cloth bags and handed one to Chiana. "It´s time to take our places."

"What´s going on?" D´Argo whispered.

Chiana cocked her head and smiled at him. "Can´t talk now, it´s show time."

D´Argo watched as the lights came up on a small stage on the far side of the large room. A figure stepped into the glow of the light accompanied by soft music from a band just off to one side. As the figure stepped fully into the light D´Argo´s jaw dropped open.

It was Eilynn.

Her long hair was pulled up in swirling braids that circled her head. Her face had been painted with shades of colors that accented her soft features. She wore a shimmering dress that was skin tight and very reveling. She looked to him like a sparkling doll in the spotlight.

The music increased in volume and Eilynn started singing. D´Argo closed his eyes; her voice rang out so soft and lovely. It rose up, swirled around and filled the room as if it had substance. To hear it was like returning to that moment in the cargo bay when he first heard her sing. He could feel her voice surround him, caress him and fill him up inside. But there was something else, a slightly different feel.

Put your money in the bag.

D´Argo opened his eyes; from across the room Eilynn was singing with all her heart. Her arms were reaching out towards the audience and she smiled as if all she desired was to sing to them.

Just a few coins are all I need. Put them in the bag.

Looking down D´Argo could see Rygel and Chiana moving through the audience. Each one held out their brown bag while, one after another, the mesmerized listeners dropped coins into them.

A few coins are all that is needed. The thought drifted along on her voice. Toss them into the bag. Just a few.

D´Argo couldn´t help but smile. Oh Eilynn was clever. Rob them but don´t rob them blind. They would be less apt to come after you later.

Her voice rang out even louder and he could see past her smile to the strain on her face. Her body shook slightly with every inflected word that she pushed out. Under the make-up her skin was becoming pale and he noticed her lower hand clenching in a shaking fist. Her newfound ability to coerce with song was powerful but she obviously lacked the strength to wield it to it´s full potential. Like a muscle that has not been exercised, her ability was still flabby and weak. He knew that she couldn´t keep it up much longer.

The door behind him opened and he could see that more people were filing in. Drawn in from the street by Eilynn´s magical voice. Thinking quickly, he grabbed a bowl from a nearby table and held it out to each being that passed. One after another coins were obediently dropped in. Everyone complied except for one.

A black gloved hand waived at the bowl as if shooing it away. D´Argo looked up only to see the back of a slender black clothed figure pass by. Judging by the body movement he guessed that it was a female. Although short, she moved with an air of confident gruffness complimented by a mop of short scraggly tan hair. The woman took a seat in a far corner with her back still to him and seemed to be listening to Eilynn with an edged of detachment.

Put a few coins in the bag. Just a few.

D´Argo looked back at the stage. Eilynn´s song seemed to be reaching its peak. Her face angled with strain and sweat dripped down her temples. He noticed Chiana and Rygel each make a gesture towards her and then moved back to were he was standing. D´Argo could see that their bags were heavy with coins. He poured what he´d collected into Chiana´s bag and the three made their way out of the tavern.

Stepping into the street they could hear Eilynn holding the final note and then ending the song. A moment later the tavern erupted in an explosion of cheers and applause.

D´Argo turned to Chiana and Rygel. "How did you mange to pull this off?"

"Oh it was easy," said Chiana. "Eilynn just sung a few persuasive notes for the owner of the tavern and then offered to perform for free. The tavern owner provided her with the dress and I did her hair and face. She spent an aarn practicing with the band and then we just waited until the evening rush."

"Yes, and my plan proved to be quite lucrative." Rygel smiled as he held up his heavy bag of coins.

"It was mine and Eilynn´s idea, frogboy." Chiana sneered.

Rygel ignored her as he continued. "Yes, well she´s proving to be quite useful. We should have her perform every night."

"I think not, little man," D´Argo growled knowing that Eilynn could barely finish tonight´s song. "We have more than enough money and we´re wasting time. You and Chiana go get the nutrient fluid. I´m taking Eilynn back to Moya."

"Fine by me," Rygel hovered off grumbling under his breath.

Chiana pointed to an ally between the shop and the tavern. "Eilynn should be coming out soon. We were going to meet her by the back door."

D´Argo turned and headed down the ally. It opened up towards the back and he was surprised to find several other people back there. They moved about and chatted with each other. Judging by their elaborate costumes he guessed that they were other performers and this back ally was some kind of break area.

The back door swung open several times as performers filed in and out. Finally Eilynn emerged. All of the braids had been pulled out of her hair, which now hung in unruly kinks and tangles around her head. She´d washed the make up off her face and had changed back into her own cloths.

She didn´t notice him at first, looking at the ground she walked as if it required great effort. Her face was pale, her complexion pasty. He moved up to her and spoke her name. She looked up at him with eyes that were struggling to stay open.

"D´Argo?" she said weakly. "I feel sick."

He took her hand in his and placed his other hand on her forehead. Her skin was icy cold.

Pressing her hand over her mouth she moaned and pushed quickly passed him to the opposite wall. Leaning over she wretched violently emptying the contents of her stomach onto the ground. He moved up next to her and gathered her hair up, holding it out of the way.

When she was finished she stood up and staggered back against him. Putting his arm around her he led her to a nearby bench and the two sat down. Eilynn put her hands up to her forehead and rocked slightly.

"Oh my head," she moaned. "It´s pounding. Why am I so sick?"

"Because casting a song the way you did, child, is a terrible strain."

They both looked up to see a woman standing before them. D´Argo recognized her as the black gloved figure who had not been charmed by Eilynn´s singing. Seeing her face he now understood why.

The woman was Sumtaar.

She sat down next to Eilynn and gave her a motherly look. She was much older; her face was wrinkled but not to the point of looking elderly, although some lines were deep. She had the look of someone who´d lived a hard life. Her teeth were silvery like Eilynn´s although not as shiny and her eyes were a glowing turquoise rather than green. From her opened collar they could both see the rows of small black and red ovals on her neck. They numbered almost twice as may as Eilynn´s. Obviously she had escaped from a breeding hive.

She took Eilynn´s hand in hers as she spoke. "Cohering as audience with song is difficult for one who´s experienced. I can tell you´ve only recently discovered your ability. It was foolish, not to mention dangerous for you to use it as you just did." She then cast as irritated glance at D´Argo. "Did you force her to sing?"

"No!" Eilynn shot back, fighting her weakened, sore body. "I came here on my own." She wavered a bit; D´Argo put an arm around her to steady her swaying.

"Who are you" he demanded to the stranger.

The woman smiled slightly. "My name is El-Luanne, I am captain of the freighter ship I-Tone." She then stood and straightened her coat.

Eilynn reached out and grabbed her wrist. "No, don´t go!"

El-Luanne leaned down and cupped Eilynn´s face in her hand. "I can see you have a thousand questions in your eyes, little one. I can answer many of them but first you must rest and regain your strength. Straightening up she handed D´Argo a small slip of paper. "This is my ship´s orbit coordinates and our comm. frequency. We will be in orbit for three more rotations." She then glared at him; her eyes seemed to become hard and dark. "I will expect to hear from her before then."

D´Argo took the paper and watched as El-Luanne turned and headed down the ally towards the street. Stuffing the paper in his belt he scooped Eilynn up in his arms and headed down the ally as well.

"Oh, D´Argo," Eilynn whispered as she snuggled her head against his neck. "I don´t want to rest, I have so many questions." But in moments her body relaxed and her breathing became deep and heavy. She was sound asleep in his arms.

* * * * *

Eilynn slept for sixteen aarns. Her last thought when she fell asleep and her first thought when she woke up was to contact El-Luanne.

"Will you stop that incessant tapping!"

Eilynn removed her hand from the arm of her chair. "Sorry D´Argo."

The two were in the shuttle heading for the I-Tone. Eilynn had wasted no time in contacting El-Luanne. In fact she was standing in command still in her sleeping shirt when she made the communication. She had not even bothered to say hello to anyone when she got up. El-Luanne extended an invitation for her to come to the I-Tone. Ending the communication Eilynn was dashing out of command before the view screen had completely gone dead.

Now sitting in the shuttle she found it difficult to contain her nervous energy. She felt as if she was going to burst out of her skin. The I-Tone wasn´t orbiting very far from Moya but it was slow going as D´Argo piloted the small ship through Purnack´s congested orbital traffic.

He cursed and growled under his breath as he negotiated through a sea of space vessels. After speaking with El-Luanne Eilynn had taken him by the wrist and practically dragged him to the shuttle bay. She hadn´t learned how to fly a shuttle and in a way D´Argo was glad of it. It gave him an excuse to come along. He didn´t trust El-Luanne and did not want Eilynn going to the I-Tone alone. She may have learned a lot during her stay on Moya but she was still very naive and far too trusting.

Finally they reached the large freighter and docked. El-Luanne greeted them in the docking bay accompanied by two others. One was a young and very beautiful Sumtaar woman; the other was a young male.

El-Luanne smiled and raised her hands to Eilynn and D´Argo as they stepped out of the shuttle. "Welcome, I´m so glad you´ve come. Eilynn, you are looking well rested. How do you feel?"

Eilynn smiled wide. "Wonderful since I met you. I have so many questions, I feel like I´m going to explode in a thousand pieces."

"I´m glad," El-Luanne turned to D´Argo. "And you, Ka D´Argo. Are you well?"

D´Argo only nodded but kept her fixed with a piecing stare.

El-Luanne then gestured to the woman beside her. "This is my second in command, Ka´Halen."

Eilynn chuckled. "Ka´Halen? That sounds like a word my friend Zhaan uses in her chants."

The lovely woman smiled sweetly. "Is your friend a Delvian Pa´u?"

Eilynn nodded, shocked that this devastatingly beautiful woman had a harsh gruff voice.

"I was sold to a man when I was very young. He forced me to cast songs to make him rich. When my voice had finally become damaged beyond repair he cast me out into the street. It was a Delvian Pa´u that took me in at taught me to care for myself. I loved the sound of her chanting so much that I took part of it as my name."

Eilynn smiled and hugged D´Argo´s arm. "My name is a Luxan word that means ‘annoying little pest.´ D´Argo gave it to me because I can be a terrible, terrible pest."

El-Luanne gestured to the young man beside her. "This is my son, Breg."

Breg stepped forward and took Eilynn´s hand in his. "Mother didn´t mention how beautiful you are." He smiled and stared at her with smitten eyes. Eilynn noticed that his teeth were not silver but light colored like D´Argo´s. Breg´s smile faded when he caught D´Argo´s angry stare. He stepped quickly back next to his mother.

"El-Luanne, how did you come to be a captain of a freighter?" Eilynn asked. "How did you escape the hive?"

El-Luanne raised a hand. "It would be easier if I showed you."

She started singing. D´Argo never thought is possible but compared to El-Luanne, Eilynn´s singing sounded like dissonant screeching. Then his head filled with images, feelings, and memories.

It was El-Luanne's life.

The life of a hive breeder trapped for many more cycles then Eilynn was. He could feel the emptiness, the loneliness, the boredom. The constant nothing of that existence. Then there was terror, of being someplace different and unfamiliar. She was sold to Sumtaar freight workers as payment for fixing a damaged hive ship. There was pain, abuse, rape. She was kept as a plaything. Then there was kindness and tenderness as one man cared for her, loved her and took her away with him. There was desire and passion, liberation and rapture. There was the agony of childbirth and the joy of holding her child in her arms. Then there was sorrow, devastating grief as she cried over the body of her beloved husband, killed in an accident. There was despaired and loneliness but something more, strength, determination to be more, to learn more. There was the struggle to obtain what was needed, the drive to hone an ability that was her birthright and to use it to rescue others like her.

D´Argo felt dizzy, he was experiencing El-Luanne´s life in a matter of a few moments. But there was something else, something just below that. A presence moving deep within the song, deep within his mind. Drifting, almost unnoticed, at the edges of his conciseness, searching, intrusive, invading.

He growled loudly and El-Luanne stopped.

"D´Argo! Why did you do that?" Eilynn stared at him with furious eyes.

Ignoring her he took a step forward, glaring at El-Luanne. "Just what the Hezmana do you think you are doing!"

The elder Sumtaar swallowed hard but stood her ground. "I opened my mind to you, it´s only fair that I be allowed to touch yours."

"Not good enough!" he growled. "You reached in uninvited!"

"You can do that?" Eilynn stammered.

"We all can, child. It only takes practice." Then to D´Argo, "Forgive me for the intrusion but I needed to be sure."

"Of what!"

"You appear very possessive of Eilynn. I was not sure if you were her companion or her captor."

D´Argo crossed his arms and stared at her menacingly. "And what do you think now?"

El-Luanne smiled. "I know now that your feelings for her are very strong. You love her dearly."

D´Argo was still furious at her for invading him the way she did. "And if I was her captor?"

El-Luanne´s eyes became hard and her smile melted away. "We would´ve taken care of that."

The two stared at each other in tense silence. Fearing a conflict, Ka´Halen stepped between them and put a hand on D´Argo´s arm. "It is not our intention to insult you, brave Luxan. But you must understand that our culture has been built on the slavery of its females. There is a desperate need for us to protect any Sumtaar women we find, or at least insure their safety. Loving Eilynn as you do, I know that you wish to protect her as much as we do."

D´Argo uncrossed his arms and relaxed his posture. It did make sense and if it was for Eilynn´s benefit he decided he could forgive El-Luanne this time.

"You are very lucky, beautiful Eilynn," Breg said, "to have so many who want to protect you." He did not look at D´Argo after saying this thus sparing himself the Luxan´s glower.

Ka´Halen put her arm around Eilynn´s shoulder and began to lead her away. "Now, how would you like a tour of our ship?"

"Oh yes!" Eilynn smiled.

D´Argo took a step to follow but stopped when El-Luanne moved in front of him. "D´Argo, perhaps it would be best if you returned to your ship. We may be speaking with Eilynn for quite a long time. When we´re done we´ll send her back to the Moya in one of our shuttles."

"I´m curious to hear what you have to tell her." he could feel himself getting angry again.

"This is a Sumtaar matter, you will only appear as an intruder to the others. Many of them are still very shy."

Eilynn walked back and put her hand on his arm. "I´ll be okay and I promise to tell you all about it when I get back." She smiled but her eyes had a worried look as if they were saying: please don´t spoil this for me!

D´Argo leaned down and kissed her on the lips before stepping back. "I´ll be waiting for you." He said and then returned to the shuttle.

* * * * *

It was nearly twelve aarns before Eilynn finally returned to Moya. She greeted everyone with smiles but very few words. She had a distant look in her face as if something weighed heavy on her mind. When she went to see D´Argo in his quarters she did not go there to talk.

* * * * *

Eilynn let out a long moan and pressed her back against D´Argo´s chest. They both sat kneeling on his bed. Her in the front and him behind. D´Argo was sucking and nibbling at the soft skin on the back of her neck. He had one arm wrapped around her front so he could cup and knead her breasts. His fingers pinching and playing with her nipples. His other hand was between her thighs, working her most sensitive parts into a building excitement. He had already caused her to orgasm once but continued to work diligently for another. Eilynn was totally lost in her own bliss. His hands, his mouth, even the brushing of his braids against her back were a chorus of sensations that pushed her to her peak.

She gasped a choking groan as her body convulsed with the second powerful rush of pleasure. D´Argo worked on her until the final spasms were spent. She collapsed back against him breathing heavy and wondering if he was going to continue on her for a third time. She could feel him hot and hard against her backside and knew that he would have to satisfy his own needs soon.

Still dazed and foggy from her experience she felt him guide her down until she was resting on her hands and knees. She felt his hands on her hips as he found her opening with the tip of his shaft. She was so wet from his efforts that he slid into her with no pain.

He began thrusting his hips and moving her back and forth with his hands. Eilynn arched her back and helped sway her body with his guiding hold as he pushed in and out of her in hard powerful thrusts.

Oh, it felt so good. She held on tight to the bed and pushed her body hard against his. She could hear his strangled breaths as they moved through his clenched teeth. Her muscled flinched as his hand reached around again and began caressing that most sensitive part between her legs.

"Oh great light! She gasped and tensed as another orgasm shook her to her bones. Then he came, the hot fluids shot into her and forced her over another edge as she orgasmed a fourth time.

It was more than she thought possible to endure as she collapsed her head onto the bed, gasping desperately, trying to recover. D´Argo lowered his head and shoulders over her until his forehead rested on her back. His own chest heaved as he gulped for air.

They remained that way for a few minutes catching their breaths, then D´Argo moved away and slumped down heavily on the bed, lying on his back. Eilynn crawled over to him and sat down straddling his thighs. Slowly she leaned over and began running her hands from his stomach to his chest and back again.

She was aware of the cruel irony that an orgasm made her feel energized and invigorated yet left him exhausted and weak. This, however, was not going to stop her. She wanted more.

Leaning the rest of the way over she tucked her face under his chin and licked at his soft skin. There was a spot down there, just under the jaw and off to one side that she knew was particularly sensitive. Finding it with ease, she sucked and nibbled at it as her fingers played with his nipples.

D´Argo smiled and let out one of his purring growls. "You´re going to kill me."

"Not until I´m satisfied, I´m not." She cooed back as she continued working on him.

She could feel the life returning to his spent body as he began to harden again. Raising herself up on her knees she moved forward and mounted him. D´Argo´s eyes clouded over and his breathing increased as she bobbed up and down on him. He raised his hands and started running them up her body. Before he could reach her breasts, however, she grabbed hold of his wrists and pined them down against the bed just above his shoulders.

"Oh no you don´t," she purred. "You´re just gonna lay there and sweat."

A smile creeped across his face, he could´ve easily broken free from her grasp but he found he liked the idea of her being in control. Obeying, he laid back and let her do what she pleased to him.

Still holding his wrists to the bed she rocked back and forth on him. Squeezing her knees against his hips she held him tight as she worked him to his edge. Soon D´Argo was gasping and moaning. She could feel that he was nearing his peak.

Then she stopped moving.

His eyes shot open and he looked at her in bewilderment.

Her face took on the most wicked smile as she leaned close. "I´m not done with you yet!"

"Oh Frell!" he groaned while leaning his head back. He ached to feel his release.

Staring into his eyes she flexed the muscles deep within her.

"Aaaagh!" he choked. It was good but it wasn´t enough.

"Did you like that?" she growled.

D´Argo said nothing, in stead he tried to pump his hips in an attempt to bring on his release.

"Oh no you don´t." she hissed. Quickly she squeezed tight with her knees and hips, holding him still. The slight movements made him gasp weakly but it still wasn´t enough?

She kissed him lightly on the tip of his nose. "How bad do you want it?"

"Please, Eilynn!" he choked. His hard aching was spreading through his body. It hurt yet at the same time it was so good.

She licked her finger and ran it over his bottom lip. "I´m not convinced."

Again she flexed her inner muscles. D´Argo grit his teeth hard. She really was going to kill him!

"Please, Eilynn. Oh please!"

She sat up and bobbed up and down a few times before stopping again.

Oh great Frell! It wasn´t enough!

"I think you should beg!" she smiled.

"Eilynn please! Please! Oh Frell, PLEASE!" he didn´t know how much more of this torment he could take.

"Hmmm" she said putting her finger to her cheek and looking up in thought.

"I want it! Eilynn, oh please, please! I WANT IT!"

"Now that´s what I like to hear." With that she loosened her legs and moved up and down on his poor, aching, suffering shaft.

"Frell! Oh Eilynn, FRELL!" he hollered as he came.

His explosion was so hard inside of her that she found herself rocking uncontrollably from yet another orgasm.

When it was over she leaned down close to his face again and smiled. Tears dripped out of the corners of his eyes as he looked up at her.

"You are evil." He said weakly.

"You seemed to enjoy it." she smiled even wider then climbed off of him.

Grabbing the bed cover she pulled it up over both of them and laid down on her side with her back to him. Despite his weakened state D´Argo managed to roll his body up next to hers and wrap one arm around her.

"It´s going to take me half a cycle to recover from this." he breathed in her ear.

She pressed her back against his chest. "I just wanted this night to be special."

There was an edge of sadness in her voice that did not escape his attention. He pulled her close to him. "Something´s wrong?" he whispered.

Eilynn didn´t respond but he could feel her muscles tense under her skin.

"Eilynn?" his voice was soft but forceful.

She sighed before responding. "El-Luanne asked me to join her crew and I said yes"

D´Argo´s arm tensed and he tucked his head close to hers. "I see," he said calmly.

She rolled over to face him. "That´s all you can say?"

"What do you want me to say? You´ve obviously made up your mind." D´Argo was a picture of calm but inside he was screaming. He couldn´t bear the thought of her leaving.

"I didn´t come to this decision lightly." There was pain in her voice. "Don´t you think I want to say here with you?"

"Then why leave?"

Don´tgodon´tgodon´tgodon´tgodon´tgodon´tgodon´tgodon´tgodon´tgo!

Eilynn sniffed as tears filled her eyes. "Just as you need to get home to your son I need to find my own home and reclaim my heritage. I can´t explain it but I need to know who I am and what it really means to be Sumtaar. I can´t do that here."

D´Argo was silent.

pleasedon´tgopleasedon´tgopleasedon´tgopleasedon´tgopleasedon´tgopleaseon´tgo!

"I love you so much," she continued, finding it hard to look in his eyes. "You and Zhaan and Crichton and everyone on Moya have taught me how to be a person. But now El-Luanne and the others can teach me how to be Sumtaar." She reached her hand up and stroked the side of his face. "I just learned that when I reach my 100th cycle my body will change."

"Change? How?" he raised his head in curiosity.

"I will become stronger. My fingers and toes will grow an exoskeleton and I´ll have sharp claws. El-Luanne showed me her hands; they are metallic looking like our teeth. She says she can cut deep scratches in metal with them, and when she takes off her shoes she can climb even the smoothest walls."

"Impressive." D´Argo said solemnly as he reached his hand over and began twisting a lock of her hair between his fingers.

"And we develop venom sacks in our necks," she went on. "I´ll be able to spit a type of molecular acid. That´s why my teeth have this metallic enamel, to protect them. El-Luanne spit on a piece of metal and I watched it burn through in a matter of microns!"

She tucked her head down and cuddled close to him. "If I was still in the hive the doctors would´ve used drugs and hormone injections to surpress the change. They don´t want us getting stronger and worse, after the change we´re not as compatible with other species and our children are born half Sumtaar. That would put a definite crimp in their industry."

Eilynn was silent for a while, when she spoke again there was a profound sorrow in her voice. "El-Luanne was a hundred and thirty-six when she was sold. As soon as her last injections wore off her body changed. Because it had been surpressed for so long the change came on quickly and was painful. She was so scared, she didn´t know what was happening to her. She thought she was dying. She´s seen the younger ones change when it came naturally. It´s supposed to be slow and painless."

She turned her head to look in his eyes, hoping he understood how she felt. "El-Luanne has so much to teach me and so much she can learn from me. She thinks I´ll be a great help to her, the others and their cause."

"And her son." D´Argo rolled away from her onto his back. "I´ve seen the way he looks at you."

"Now you´re being ridiculous" she huffed.

"Fine, but putting that aside, what do a handful of Sumtaar women in one ship hope to accomplish?"

Eilynn rolled over and rested her head on his chest. "Someone has to make the first step."

She then raised herself up and looked down at him. "It isn´t just us, though. There is a colony of Sumtaar men and women living on their own planet all of them free and equal. The society is still small and by no means perfect but it´s a start. It was El-Luanne´s dream and she made it happen but there is still such a long way to go and she needs all the help she can get." Eilynn paused, "I want…need to be a part of that."

"You believe all this? I mean, all you have is El-Luanne´s word."

There was malice in his voice and he found he could only look at the ceiling. Don´tgodon´tgodon´tgodon´tgodon´tgodon´tgodon´tgodon´tgo!

Eilynn stroked his cheek until he looked at her. "She sang it to me," she said, smiling softly. "I saw it in her heart."

There was so much pain in his eyes. Why must he always lose the women he loves?

"When?" he whispered softly.

"The colony desperately need the supplies that they´ve collected. Their ship leaves tomorrow." She found it suddenly hard to speak.

"If I´m to join them then I´ll have to leave with the ship."

Pleasenopleasenopleasepleasenopleasenopleasepleasenopleasenopleasepleasenopleasenopleaseno!

"I don´t want you to go." He fought to speak through the hard lump in his throat.

She leaned down and kissed him softly on the lips. A tear escaped her eye and landed on his cheek. He wrapped his arms around her and returned her kiss with a fiery passion. Feeling a rush of energy he began stroking and caressing her body.

She pulled away from his mouth and looked at him with a twinkle in her eye. "I thought you said you needed to recover?"

He rolled over, pulling her with him until he was lying on to of her. "I have this night left. Even if it kills me, I´m not going to waste it!"

He leaned back down and kissed her feverishly as she wrapped her arms around him. The two were determined not to waste this night.

* * * * *

The shuttle from the I-Tone sat in Moya´s hanger waiting to take Eilynn away. She entered the large room caring a shoulder bag that contained what little belongings she had. Everyone had gathered to say goodbye, Eilynn hugged each one in turn. From Crichton to Zhaan, Aeryn, Chiana and Rygel, thanking them for their friendship and support. She waved her goodbye to Pilot´s image in the view screen and patted a nearby wall wishing Moya and her baby well.

She then turned to D´Argo.

His eyes were so sad and only served to torment her. When she agreed to join El-Luanne´s crew it seemed so right. It was what she had dreamed of. Yet now when it came time to actually leave she found it to be the most difficult and frightening thing she´d ever done. She stood there torn between her love for D´Argo and her need to be more than just a single Sumtaar woman. It pulled so hard at her insides that she felt she would rip in half. She considered asking D´Argo to come with her but she knew that he could not abandon his search for his home and his son.

Coming up to stand in front of him she fought to find the right words to say but none came. Only tears. D´Argo gathered her up in his arms, kissed her deeply and held her tight.

If I just hold on tight, he thought. He felt himself crumbling inside at the thought of loosing her. If I can just keep my arms around her.

He tried to remember everything he could from this last embrace. The feel of her skin, the smell of her hair, the sound of her soft breathing, the taste of her lips. How could this be happening? How could he be losing her? Had he not tried hard enough? Had he not loved her enough? What could he have possibly done wrong that would keep her from staying? Why was this happening?

Why?

Just keep your arms around her. Don´t let her go and she´ll stay here with you.

Despite what his mind was saying to him he could feel his arms loosening, feel her slipping out of his grasp.

No! No! No! No! Please no!

Eilynn took a step back and looked up at him, tears streaming down her face. D´Argo looked past her at the far wall. He couldn´t look at her. He could hear her sobbing but he just couldn´t look at her.

"I love you, D´Argo," she choked softly. "I will always love you."

D´Argo said nothing. He just stood there with clenched fists and a tight jaw. He couldn´t look at her.

Then he heard her turn and walk to the shuttle; her footsteps were fast and fading. He heard her step in the door and then he couldn´t hear her anymore. He continued to stare at the wall.

Someone else stepped in front of him; "You will have my assurance that we will take good care of her." El-Luanne looked at up him but he just stared at the wall and said nothing.

Turning quickly he walked as fast as he could out of the docking bay.

* * * * *

The I-Tone broke orbit and left.

* * * * *

It was dark where he was. Dark and cold and silent.

He didn´t care.

There had been voices in the darkness, calling to him. He didn´t follow them, didn´t move. He knew he couldn´t save them, he knew that his efforts would fail. He just stayed where he was.

He didn´t care.

"My love, why are you so sad?"

He looked up to see Lo´laan standing before him. He knew that it wasn´t really her. That it was just a dream.

"Everything I love slips away from me."

"I´m still here, my love."

"You are just a dream, a memory. When I wake up you´ll be gone." He wished the blackness would swirl up and take him.

"That´s not true," she said. "I am always with you, in your hearts."

Hot tears ran down his face. "That´s not enough."

Lo´laan took a step closer and touched his face. Her fingers felt exactly as he remembered, soft and warm. "I know, my love."

He put his hand over hers. "I´m so lonely. I don´t want to wake up."

"Eilynn and I are always here inside of you."

He looked into his wife´s face. "You´re not upset that I love Eilynn?"

"You are capable of so much love. I know that by loving her you don´t love me any less."

"I need to believe that."

"You do, my love. Deep inside, you do."

He put his arms around her. "Please let me stay here with you."

"For now," she stroked his head just the way she always had. "But not forever, Jothee needs you."

"I´ll never stop loving you."

"I know."

They hugged each other tight.

D´Argo rolled over in bed. Bringing his arms around himself he hugged his chest…

…and slept.

THE END