Aeryn arrived in command, out of breath.

Everyone else was there: Zhaan was monitoring something at a station, D'Argo was glaring malevolently at the blank viewscreen, and Rygel was doing nothing (as usual).

"What's happening?" she asked "And where's Crichton?"

Crichton walked in "What's up?" he asked, the alien phrase now familiar.

"That is what is 'up,' " D'Argo said, pointing at the viewscreen, which flickered to life. A ship hung in the blanket of space. Aeryn considered the ship :It doesn't look like any I've seen before-except Crichton's ship!:

Indeed the ship, though badly damaged, bore a striking resemblance to the Farscape I.

"Explain this!" D'Argo demanded in a loud tone.

Zhaan chimed in "We only want to know if this really is a ship from your world, John, or if it is an elaborate Peacekeeper trap." "A trap?" Aeryn scoffed, "Why would Peacekeepers set up a trap, when they could simply apprehend us?"

Everyone jumped as a communications link suddenly opened up. A buxom blond stared out at them.

"Please, can you help us? I'm the only human out here..." Everyone looked to Crichton, deciding that since it was his 'kinsman' he should respond. He blinked several times, swallowed, and licked suddenly dry lips.

"Yeah...yeah we can help you." He answered, his voice tight and hoarse.

The woman's impossibly huge and long lashed blue eyes brightened and filled with tears as she realized he had an American accent.

"A-are you John Crichton?" She hazarded. Crichton could only nod dumbly. Aeryn thought, seeing the look on his face, :How can he look at her like that? Well... she _is_ pretty, but she obviously has no mind.: She thought scornfully. :But if he likes _her_ type as a mate...And I'm her complete opposite... Do I even stand a chance?:

"Oh, you don't know how much of a relief this is! I've been looking and looking all over for you-" She was interrupted by the large, handsome man who came up behind her.

"Kassandra, you got through and didn't tell me?" He accused.

"Um, well... I was going to tell you..." she said uncertainly.

:Aken, I can't believe it.: Aeryn thought, amazed. :Can I never be rid of him?: Aken had been a man whom John would deem a boyfriend; a man with whom she _had_ 'clicked'. Well, at least at the beginning, until he decided to try to force the relationship to a level she wasn't ready for yet. Her skin crawled as she realized that he would soon be on Moya. With her. And he'd probably try to get her alone... she shivered involuntarily.

"This is Aken," Kassandra introduced. "He's a Sebacean. Oh, I see you know one already." she said, seeing the other woman. :Whoa, was that a look of _hate_ she just sent Aeryn's way?: Crichton wondered, protectiveness welling up inside of him. Jealousy, too, seeing the half-suppressed look of surprise on her face, and misinterpreting it as desire.

"May we be allowed to board your ship?" Aken asked in clipped tones. "I'm afraid we won't last long in this one. Oh, and don't worry, I'm not a Peacekeeper." He spat the last at Aeryn. John exchanged glances with everyone else. Receiving nods from them, albeit a reluctant one from Aeryn, he told Aken, "Sure, we'll meet you down there."

He couldn't explain the sense of foreboding. End Part 2