Back to part four
When Aken, Crichton, and Aeryn arrived at what Crichton referred to as the mess hall, the others had nearly finished setting out the evening's meal, such as it was. Kassandra somehow managed to get a place right beside Crichton. Claiming that she missed human company so much, she couldn't bear to be parted from him, even by a table. Much to Aeryn's chagrin, Aken sat beside her, thigh-to-thigh, and tired to convince her throughout the meal that she really did want him, and insinuating that no matter what, they would end up in bed together. He made no obvious threats, just veiled comments that only she would know exactly what he was saying and what he meant. The others simply assumed he was wooing or courting her according to Sebacean custom, of which they knew little about.

Kassandra looked with distaste at the food cubes and seemingly stale, graham cracker-looking foodstuffs. So instead of eating, she instead concentrated on Crichton throughout the meal. His conversations went something like this all night:

Crichton: "Hey, Zhaan, pass me those food cubes, willya?"

Kassandra, whispering: "I can give you a much tastier dessert…"

Crichton, pointedly: "Gee, these food cubes sure are filling and delicious, not to mention nutritious, Kassandra. Why don't you try one?"

Kassandra, still murmuring in his ear: "I can see something better to consume at this table…"

Crichton, to Zhaan, ignoring Kassandra: "So, tell me more about Delvian custom? To continue our conversation from last night."

Zhaan, trying to be diplomatic and inclusive: "Actually, I would prefer to hear about your world from a different source, rather than speak about my own. Would you oblige, Kassandra?"

Crichton, thinking: Dang!

Kassandra, rudely, to Zhaan: "Oh, I think I'd rather find out more about Crichton, here." Murmuring to him: "A lot more…intimate…things, hmm?"

Aeryn, on the other hand, had no problem with ignoring Aken. She did it quite successfully the whole meal, only paying attention to him when he asked her to pass such-and-such to him. It was the others in their immediate vicinity who created problems for her, apparently liking Aken from the start:

Rygel: "So… are you a Peacekeeper as well?"

Aken: "No, just a civilian. But I know some Peacekeepers, and usually they are surprisingly…welcoming."

D'Argo: "Really? My experiences with them have been… less than pleasant. Maybe it is different because you are a Sebacean, if not a Peacekeeper."

Aken: "Perhaps it is different for that reason. But I sense Aeryn Sun here is different from most Peacekeepers you have met. Is that true?"

Rygel, guardedly: "What makes you say that?"

Aken: "The fact that none of you have seen fit to kill her for being a Peacekeeper tells me that she, in particular, must have some outstanding attributes. Perhaps she is a very good companion to be on a journey with. Or perhaps she is very accepting of others' differences."

D'Argo: "She had proved herself to be that, yes."

Aken: "Maybe I'll see that companionable, accepting side of you later, then, Sun?"

Aeryn: "Maybe."

Aken, conversationally: "I believe my only problem will be finding my way about the ship. Could one of you oblige me with a tour?"

Rygel: "Aeryn, why don't you; you should enjoy his company more than the rest of us, being of the same race as him."

This suggestion is met with wide approval, at which Aeryn finally answers:

"Fine. A tour then. After dinner?"

Aken, smiling: "After dinner is fine."

In the same way, Crichton got roped into being a tour guide for Kassandra. Neither Crichton nor Aeryn particularly liked these developments, especially when one heard of the other's 'assignment'.

Aeryn seethed, How dare that female try to take him from me! …But then I didn't take the opportunity that this time has given me to make him mine, so I may say nothing now! He was never mine to be taken from me. That, I regret now deeply.

Crichton moaned, Why is this woman stuck on my like Super-Glue? When I said I wanted another human around, I meant an intelligent one! And she never shuts up-I much prefer Aeryn's quiet, contemplative near-silence-And why am I comparing her to Aeryn all of a sudden? That Aken guy has her, she's not mine, she won't ever be mine, and I have to get over her and get on with life. Idly he wondered what his father would advise him to do, an activity he found himself doing more and more with problems. He could hear his father's Texan accent now: Son, you didn't make the first move on your girl, and now some other guy's moving in. He likes her; she likes him. You like her; she doesn't necessarily do anything more'n tolerate you. Meanwhile, you've got this gorgeous creature, another human, pract'cally throwin' herself at you, and you're undecided? Well, of course you are… you know you like Aeryn, even if you won't tell her that, but you don't know about this other woman. Well, give 'er a chance, son. She may be your true love; you're just lettin' an unfavorable first impression get in the way. And if that Aeryn Sun turns out to not like you, well, you got a girl already, and don't need to feel bad over that. Y'hear what I'm sayin', son?

Crichton shook his head: What was he saying? Did he really want to pass over a chance with Aeryn to take a surety with Kassandra? But he was right about the first impression, and what if she really was his true love? Which one, Aeryn or Kassandra? What if…?

I'll give her 'til next week, he decided. That should be enough time to see how Aeryn feels about Aken, and how I feel about Kassandra. I'll make my decision then. Thus comforted, he rose to take Kassandra on her tour, feeling much better about it.

Aeryn gave her tour to Aken in a monotone, going from Command to Pilot's chamber, introducing them. From there she went to the cargo bay to the hangar, after which she went to the individual quarters. She started with the room where he was to stay, going next to D'Argo's, Zhaan's, Crichton's, Rygel's and finally her own quarters. Sauntering in without asking permission first, he seated himself comfortably on her bed. Aeryn frowned and followed him in. He smirked at her. "Sun, I know why you left your place for last…" he announced smugly.

"Yes, because it happens to be furthest from your quarters, and I wanted you to know where you will be staying first. They are furthest upon my request." She added pointedly.

"Tch. You… are a tease, Sun. You know that? But the real reason you chose your place to be far from mine is so no one will suspect anything between us… And the reason you left your place for last is--"

He rose swiftly, crossing the room in only three strides, so quickly that he was beside her before Aeryn even realized that he'd moved.

"-You couldn't bear to be apart from me another moment." He finished, bringing his mouth down upon hers with bruising force. His tongue slid obscenely over and between her lips. Aeryn felt her gorge rise, and twisting out of his embrace, stepped back-

--Against a wall. FrelfrelfrelfrelfrelfrelfrelfrelfrelfrelfrelfrelFREL! She thought, tensing as he, of course, followed her to the wall. He grabbed her neck, putting pressure on a certain point, and suddenly Aeryn couldn't feel her legs. She was aware of her sliding down the wall, but she did not feel her legs collapse beneath her.

"Oh, did I forget to mention that I've learned some things in the past five years, Sun?" he asked, and kissed her again, more deeply and demanding this time.

Suddenly, Rygel's voice came through the communicator she wore. "Aeryn, you are needed in Pilot's chamber. Come at once." He demanded in his usual imperial manner.

Aken growled in disappointment, releasing her, knowing that the others would suspect something if she did not answer. "Say nothing, or you'll never feel your legs again." He hissed at her, increasing the force he was exerting on her neck. When she nodded, he let her go.

"Yes, Rygel, I'll be there in a moment."

"Oh, and bring your guest with you." Rygel added. "His presence is required also."

Aeryn sighed inwardly at this last addendum. Silently, she led the way towards Pilot's chamber, thinking, He truly frightens me now… before he was just a stupid possessive man… now he's an intelligent, educated, vengeful possessive man. What am I going to do?

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