AUTHOR: Babygirl lizlee@star.net

PAIRING: John/D´Argo, John/Misc. Female

RATING: R suggested m/m and m/f sex.

WARNING: contains violence and suggested rape.

SUMMARY: The crew of Moya discover there is a dangerous intruder aboard.

NOTES: This is a sequel to my story "Emptiness Lost" and the "Sword Brothers" series by Aiobheann.

DISCLAIMER: These characters belong to Henson and the SciFi Channel, and no copyright infringement is intended by my use of them. The characters may not belong to me, but the story and my original characters do. Copyright 1999, Babygirl.

FEEDBACK: I would love some.

ARCHIVE: Aiobheann's Farscape Slash, Smutscape, LALEA

Eilynn starred at Crichton with disbelief. It couldn't have been him, he was her friend. He must have heard the commotion and come to see if she was okay.

Yes, that must be it!

But there was something disturbingly different about him. He was just standing there staring at her with a malicious smile on his face.

Without a word spoken between them, Crichton approached and, grabbing her shoulders, he lifted her to her feet.

"Crichton?" she said weakly. "What…?" Her voice was caught in her throat as she looked into his eyes and saw a flash of light. It was like a spark of live energy that danced briefly over the surface and vanished.

Before she could speak again he stepped back and flung her body once more into the air. This time she struck the wall with a force that knocked the wind out of her. Gasping and helpless she watched as Crichton approached for another attack.

Without thinking, she extended her razor sharp claws on the hand that wasn't hurt and swung at him with all the strength she could muster. Her claws raked across his chest and she could feel that they had cut through his shirt and sliced deep into his soft flesh. Stepping back in what looked more like surprise than pain, he glanced down at his shredded shirt and then back at her. By now Eilynn could feel the adrenaline pumping through her body. Just as his eyes met hers she was lunging forward and swiping at him again. Her claws sunk in and cut a criss cross across his now bleeding wounds.

Crichton took another step back and smiled widely at her. His expression made her heart pound faster. It was as if he didn't feel any pain.

He let out a hearty laugh. Surprisingly enough, this made Eilynn furious. How dare he do this! How dare he slam her around and then laugh at her!

Taking a deep breath she hollered, casting her thoughts out at him with all her strength.

/Get out! Get out! Get out! Get out! Get out! Get out!/

Crichton abruptly stopped laughing and staggered back.

Eilynn hollered louder. She had learned long ago that she didn't need to sing a song to cast her thoughts out on her voice. She only needed to make noise. Certain sounds worked better for certain thoughts. The loud wail she now cast out was particularly effective for forcing her will on others.

/Get out! Get out! Get out! Get out! Get out! Get out!/

Crichton stumbled back until he was leaning against the wall. His eyes rolled up into his head. Eilynn noticed that strange flash of light that danced across his eyes earlier now sparked and fizzled. When he looked at her again there was pain and confusion in his eyes. His expression took on a look of shock and he gasped as tears suddenly streamed down his cheeks.

"Eilynn, I…oh my god! I can't…" he whispered, reaching out to her.

Eilynn stopped hollering. He looked as if he just realized what he was doing and was sorry for it. He looked like the Crichton she knew.

He closed his eyes and bent his head low. Grabbing the sides of his head his body tensed and shook. He let out several strangled groans and gasps as if struggling against something within him. Fighting the pain and dizziness that engulfed her body, Eilynn staggered towards him. She was only a few steps away when he looked up again and that strange spark of energy flashed in his eyes.

She only saw a row of white teeth curled in a wicked smile before his fist slammed hard across her jaw. Eilynn´s body was flung sideways with the force of the punch and toppled once again to the ground. This time there was too much dizziness and pain to recover before she felt his hands on her again. Lifting her and dragging her across the room.

When she fell she landed on something soft and realized that she was lying on her bed. Crichton climbed on top of her and clamped a hand down over her mouth.

Her eyes were wide with fear and her heart raced as he leaned down, putting his face close to hers.

"I was sent here by your own people," he hissed. "My orders are to destroy the resistance and bring back their leader."

Eilynn would've struggled but her heart froze in her chest and her body went numb with terror.

Shifting his weight, Crichton drove his knee into her thighs forcing them to spread. He then maneuvered his body in between.

"Before I bring you back they asked me to give you a message," he growled in a low voice. "They said: Make sure that female knows her place."

As the sounds of her clothes tearing filled her ears there was only one thought that screamed through her mind

/Nooooooooooooooooo!/

* * * * *

"Zhaan!"

Zhaan stopped and turned to see Aeryn trotting down the corridor towards her.

"Yes?" she said softly as the ex-peacekeeper approached.

"Have you see Eilynn or D'Argo?"

"I haven't see D'Argo recently but I am on my way to Eilynn's quarters." Zhaan held up a small vile of liquid. "She asked me to make something that could ease her withdrawal in the event she couldn't find her drug case."

Aeryn gave Zhaan a quizzical look. "You approve of her drug addiction?"

Zhaan smiled softly. "It's not for me to approve or disapprove. She does, however, need our help and under the circumstances it would be harmful if I did not assist her."

"I suppose," Aeryn nodded with a knit brow.

"Something's wrong?" Zhaan said not missing the expression on Aeryn's face.

"I've been going over the data spools we collected from the I-Tone," said Aeryn. "The explosion that crippled the ship was no accident."

"You mean sabotage?" Zhaan's face took on a look of alarm.

"Yes, and I'm willing to bet that whoever did it is aboard Moya."

* * * * *

Am I alive?

Yes, I must be because everything hurts.

Where am I? I can't see. Wait, my eyes are closed. Okay, open your eyes, Eilynn, but slowly.

It hurts! It hurts! It hurts!

The room is so bright.

Stabbing pain in my arm and my head is throbbing.

Focus Eilynn.

I'm in my quarters.

I'm on the floor.

How did I get here?

I remember now…it was Crichton.

He hurt me. Oh, he hurt me all over. I can´t move, it hurts so much.

I feel wet; I'm lying in something wet.

Oh, I see. It´s blood. My blood, I think. It must be, that's why I hurt so much.

I need to stand up.

It hurts! It hurts! It hurts!

Okay, don't stand up, just move your arms and legs.

It hurts! It hurts! It hurts!

Relax, Eilynn, try moving your fingers and toes.

It hurts!

But they're moving! My toes are moving! If I can just keep wiggling my toes maybe someone will see and come help me!

No Eilynn! Hold still! What if Crichton is still around? I don´t want him to hurt me again.

Why did he hurt me?

Between my legs, stinging, burning. I know I´m bleeding there, too.

Why did he do that to me? Why did he have to humiliate me?

Oh, it hurts so much!

Wait! I hear something!

Footsteps!

Getting closer!

Please, please don't be Crichton!

The footsteps are getting louder. They´re in the room!

Oh please don't be Crichton!

It's Zhaan!

Zhaan! I´m over here!

She didn't hear me.

Oh, that's because I didn't say anything, I only thought it.

Open your damn mouth, Eilynn! Try to make some noise.

It hurts! It hurts! It hurts!

Wait! Your toes!

Wiggle your toes! Yes, that's it!

Just keep wiggling your toes.

Then everything will be okay!

* * * * *

D'Argo returned to the cargo bay and found Breg digging through one of the crates and muttering curses under his breath. He was so consumed with what he was doing that D'Argo was able to walk right up to him without being noticed.

"Breg!" D'Argo shouted.

Breg jumped back from the crate and faced D'Argo, visibly startled. "Great Light! Are you trying to stop my heart?"

"I need to know what the frell is going on!" D'Argo growled.

Breg straightened up and faced D'Argo with a hard stare. "I should ask the same about you."

D'Argo knew that Breg was referring to his bruised chest and swollen face. "You first: what's in the missing crate?"

Breg sighed and his face relaxed revealing how exhausted he was. "Eilynn trusts you so I guess I can too but first I need to know if you took her drug case?"

D'Argo was silent.

"Listen," Breg huffed. "I don't like it any more that you do. I've been yelling at her to get off the drug for the last half cycle, but she's stubborn and now is just not the time." He looked at D'Argo with pleading eyes. "Please D'Argo, I can't stand to see her suffering."

Breg's face read volumes to D'Argo. /He's in love with her./ He thought to himself. /I can't believe I never noticed it before. Well, sure, I have been just a little bit distracted lately./

"I didn't take Eilynn's drugs," D'Argo said flatly. "Crichton did."

"Why?" Breg stammered. "What would Crichton want with Eilynn's drugs?"

"I don't know," D'Argo sighed. "I confronted him about it but was unable to get an answer."

"I can see that." Breg pointed at D'Argo's face.

D'Argo was quiet for a moment, relieved that he didn't have to explain his wounds. "Now, about that missing crate."

"D'Argo?" Aeryn's voice chirped over his comm. badge.

"What is it?" he huffed.

"I need you to come up to the maintenance bay," there was a pause. "Something has happened."

D'Argo was suddenly uneasy at hearing Aeryn's tone. "What's happened?"

"Just get up here," she replied flatly. "And bring a weapon."

D'Argo ran out of the cargo bay with Breg close behind.

* * * * *

"What! When did this happen?" Breg shouted in disbelief. He was standing just outside the maintenance bay with D'Argo, Zhaan and Aeryn.

No one noticed Meyla, who was standing just around the corner, out of view and listening in.

"I believe it happened within the last two aarns." Zhaan said softly. "She has several broken ribs, a broken wrist, a dislocated elbow and a concussion."

Breg ran his fingers through his hair. D'Argo stared off down the corridor in silence.

"There is more," Zhaan's tone was solemn. "She's been raped…brutally. There was a lot of blood."

"Can I see her?" D'Argo's face was calm but his eyes were raging.

Zhaan nodded and stepped aside allowing D'Argo to enter the large room that had been partially converted into a makeshift sick bay.

Eilynn was lying on a long table surrounded by scanning equipment and racks of Zhaan's herbs. Before he'd even reached her D'Argo was hit by Crichton's strong musky scent. When he got closer he could see the half moon cut and bruised bite marks on her neck and chest. Just like the ones on his own chest.

He reached his hand out but was afraid to touch her. She was swollen and bruised almost beyond recognition. He feared that even his comforting hand would only cause her more pain.

A different kind of pain swelled inside him. It was the agony of knowing that Crichton, his own Sword Brother, his trusted ally and lover, had done this horrific attack.

Eilynn opened her eyes slightly and she moved her lip as if trying to speak but there was no sound. D'Argo leaned his head down close, straining to hear her faint whisper.

Outside the door Breg was pacing back and forth, knitting his hands nervously. "Who could've done this?"

"Well whoever did is suffering a bit themselves." Aeryn said. "Eilynn had quite a bit of skin under her claws."

From around the corner Meyla sobbed silently. Slipping away, she ran down the corridor. She couldn't bear to hear any more.

A few minutes later D'Argo came back out of the room. His face was a flood of anger, worry and sadness.

Aeryn set the arm switch on her rifle. "Whoever did this must still be on board and when we find him…"

"It was Crichton."

Everyone turned to D'Argo. He looked as if saying it was the most painful thing he'd ever done.

"Crichton?" Aeryn exclaimed. "I can't believe that he would be capable of such a thing."

"He has been acting differently lately," D'Argo said.

"It's the drugs!" Breg blurted out. "Crichton stole Eilynn's drugs and now he's on some kind of dangerous trip."

"No, it's more than that," D'Argo's voice was solemn and sad. "Something's happened to him, When I was in with Eilynn she whispered something to me."

"What did she say?" everyone spoke at once.

D'Argo looked at all three of them in turn. "She said: light in his eyes."

"Light in his eyes? What the frell is that supposed to mean?" Aeryn huffed.

Everyone was silent for a moment and then Zhaan spoke up.

"Pilot?"

"Yes, Zhaan?"

"I need you to scan Moya for any unusual energy readings."

"One moment, please."

Everyone looked questionably at Zhaan but she remained silent. Then Pilot's voice chirped back in.

"I'm getting two anomalous energy readings not normally found on Moya. One is in the cargo bay but it is very faint almost like a residue. The other is much stronger and located in the main hanger."

"What kind of energy reading?" Zhaan asked.

"Unknown, It's similar to a life form reading but of a configuration that I'm unfamiliar with. Almost in between an organic life form and a power reading."

Everyone continued to stare at Zhaan, it was obvious that she was on to something.

"Can you pinpoint the residual reading?" Zhaan asked.

There was a pause before Pilot replied. "It's originating from a Sumtaar corpse in the cargo bay. The one on the end, farthest from the door."

"That's Tren's body," said Breg. "She was our chief engineer. As a matter of fact, earlier I found that her body had been moved."

"And this didn't strike you as odd?" D'Argo couldn´t help sounding annoyed.

Breg gave him a defensive look. "I assumed that Eilynn had been searching the bodies, trying to find her drug case."

"Did you notice anything different about Tren in the days before she died?" Zhaan asked.

Breg thought for a moment. "Well, yes, come to think of it. She'd been acting strange, mean. It started right after we'd left the commerce planet. She was usually so nice, we all figured it was due to the stress we'd all been under."

"That might explain the sabotage." Aeryn said.

"What! What sabotage?" Breg stammered.

"I have been looking over the data spools from your ship," explained Aeryn. "The fact that the cooling units failed causing the engines to explode wasn't very unusual. But the way they did was."

"Go on," said D'Argo. He wanted answers just as much as Breg.

"Only certain cooling units failed in a very specific order. Enough to cripple the ship and destroy most of the cargo but not enough to destroy the entire ship."

"And you think Tren did this?" asked Breg.

"If she was chief engineer she would certainly have the knowledge and the opportunity," said Aeryn.

Breg raised his hands. "I can´t accept that! Tren believed in our cause as much as anyone did. She herself was rescued from a breeding hive."

"She would if she had been taken over by a Vith." Zhaan said flatly.

Everyone looked at Zhaan.

"A Vith is a non corporeal being made up of pure energy," continued Zhaan. "They are a highly intellectual and spiritual race. They are allies to the Delvians. A Vith is able to enter the body of a corporeal life form. Many Delvian Pa'u and Vith would participate in joining, it's much like our unity."

"It sounds dangerous," Aeryn said wearily, "to allow your body to be possessed."

Zhaan nodded. "Yes, a great level of trust is required for a joining. A Vith can easily take control, but it can also be the most spiritually uplifting experience. Imagine a flesh being able to feel what it is like to have no body, to exist only as thought. In turn the Vith is able to experience flesh and such sensations as touch, smell and taste."

"So your saying that one of these spiritual beings took over Tren and caused the explosion on the I-Tone?" Breg was finding this all very hard to accept.

Zhaan nodded.

"But Tren died in the explosion."

"It makes no difference to a Vith if the host body dies," explained Zhaan. "It most likely waited inside Tren's body, hiding until it had the opportunity to posses a new victim."

"Pilot!" shouted D'Argo. "Where is Crichton?" He remembered that John had started acting strange after their fight and he had left him alone in the cargo bay where Tren's body was.

"He is in the main hanger." Answered Pilot. "In fact, he is the source of the anomalous energy reading."

D'Argo was hit with a wave of relief that nearly made his knees buckle. It wasn't Crichton doing these horrible things!

IT WASN´T CRICHTON!

"Why would a spiritual being do such cruel things?" Aeryn asked. She too was feeling relieved that John was not a rapist.

"Every race has its share cruel and sadistic individuals," Zhaan said flatly. "I've heard rumors of Viths that have become hired assassins."

"I can't believe this!" Breg was now pacing again. "I can't believe the Sumtaar, our own people, would send this thing after us!"

"I'm not surprised," said D'Argo. "The Peacekeepers destroyed most of your rebellion and the Vith was probably sent to finish the job." Then D'Argo remembered something. "The missing crate! What was in it?"

Breg looked agitated as he realized the enormity of the situation. "It was full of Frag cannon explosive cores."

"Those are powerful peacekeeper weapons!" Aeryn exclaimed. "How's you managed to get a hold of them? Peacekeeper command isn't in the habit of selling its surplus armaments."

"We have our ways," Breg shot Aeryn a hard look. "Remember that Sumtaar women can be very persuasive."

"How powerful a weapon are they?" D'Argo asked.

"Just one, set with a detonator, is powerful enough to destroy this ship."

"Oh Great Light!" Breg's eyes were frantic. "This psychotic Vith had fifteen cores and is planning to kill us all!"

Zhaan put her hand on Breg's shoulder. "We need to stay calm. The Vith doesn't know we've discovered it. That can work to our advantage."

"Meyla!" Breg shouted. "I have to find her before Crichton, I mean, the Vith does!"

He turned to go but Aeryn grabbed his wrist. "We can't have you running off in a panic and ruining our only chance for a surprise attack."

"Don't worry," Breg said calmly. "I've spent my whole life as part of this rebellion. I know how to handle myself. All I'm going to do is find Meyla and bring her back here. I can't do anything else until I know she is safe."

Aeryn released his wrist allowing him to leave.

* * * * *

Meyla didn't pay attention to where she was going, she just ran. The world blurred as her eyes filled with tears. /Who could´ve done such a horrible thing to Eilynn? She didn't deserve it. How much must we suffer, all we want is our freedom./

She stopped and realized that she was alone on a strange ship with a rapist on the loose. Suddenly she felt frightened and vulnerable. She turned and bolted through a set of doors in front of her and found herself in the main hanger.

Feeling very small in this large room she walked slowly, eyes darting around, ears listening for the slightest sound. But there was nothing, she was alone. She walked over to the Farscape module and ran her hand along its smooth surface.

"You look upset."

Meyla spun around and found herself facing Crichton.

TO BE CONTINUED…