TITLE: "NO GREATER LOVE"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "Farscape"

PAIRING: JOHN/D'ARGO

RATING: NC-17. *SLASH* M/M

STATUS: New. "TRUST" Series Finale.

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed

The usual disclaimers apply. No infringement of copyright is intended.

"NO GREATER LOVE"
A "Farscape" slash story
Written by Alison M. DOBELL
* * * * *

The courtiers and functionaries listened in pained silence within the Royal Court. It was a closed session and held in the courtyard so that the Princess Katralla and Tynon could hear every word. They all wore earpieces so that they could hear any contribution the Royal Couple wished to make. The Empress Novia was seething with rage but impotent. Unable to do anything but go along with what was happening. If she survived this she would see to it that the intelligence section came to a painful and permanent demise. To be replaced of course, by her own operatives. The Empress had tried to put a different slant on the allegations that she had tried to have the human, John Crichton, killed. Jena had simply played a recording of her conversation
with Renik and her command that she be brought the human's head after the deed was done.

A painful silence followed that revelation. Even Novia realised she had perhaps overstepped the mark. Katralla was shocked. Upset. Tynon was calmer. Saw the reasoning behind the vindictive act of spite. It was Tynon that offered the olive branch.

"If the Empress Novia will swear now total and binding allegiance to the Princess Katralla I think we can dispense with the rest of these proceedings."

A stunned silence fell. Katralla sounded as surprised as the rest, knowing how much Tynon hated and distrusted her conniving mother. "What do you have in mind, husband?"

He liked the sound of that. "I think that first we should ask your mother if she is willing to be so bound."

Novia's eyes narrowed in suspicion. What was he up to? But try as she might she could not see where this was leading. Still. Better to agree now and save her head. Time enough later to sort out the small print. Survival after all was paramount. "Very well, I agree to be so bound."

"Then do you freely and without reservation now dedicate yourself to the service of your daughter, the Princess Katralla, rightful ruler and recognised heir?"

She swallowed, suddenly feeling nervous. The words were binding. "Yes."

"Then this I propose to seal the bargain, that you, Novia, shall stand by our side for the next 80 cycles that your wisdom and compassion may better help us rule this ancient and venerable planet."

The Empress gasped. He could not be serious? The sheer audacity of it robbed her of words. The Princess Katralla however, had enough for them both. "This would indeed please me and help to heal any rift that may have grown between us. The human is gone. We remain. If you are so
willing, I accept your allegiance."

Stunned the Empress completed the rest of the ceremony in a daze. Jena fought to keep the smile from her lips. Watching with grim satisfaction as she was turned into a statue. Somehow it seemed perfectly just recompense for what she had done. The human had once said something which had stuck in her mind ever since he had left. *Keep your friends close but keep your
enemies closer*. How fitting that his advice should now be set in stone as an example to them all.

* * * * *

Chiana was heartbroken. The baby was so small, so tiny. So loved. D'Argo comforted her as best he could but there was not a dry eye on board Moya. Crichton had recovered quickly once Rion had destroyed the pieces of the crystal transponder hidden inside D'Argo's head and the fragments inside Crichton and himself. The Luxan had been stunned at the revelation. Both alarmed and angry. Furious to think that the Scarran half-breed had been manipulating him all this time. Crichton had said little. The sorrow in his heart visible for all to see every time they looked in his eyes. Aeryn could not stop weeping. Stark and the other Baniks watched in solemn silence.
Zhaan and Rygel each spoke of the tremendous gift that the baby had bequeathed to them and the wonderful memories and love he had engendered in them all. Pilot had asked to be allowed to say something and had spoken simply and eloquently of how much he and Moya had come to love the baby. How honoured they felt to have shared his wisdom. By the end of it all everyone was too moved to do anything but watch as the tiny capsule bearing the infant's body was jettisoned from Moya to a new home among the stars.

Afterwards everyone left the transport area. Numb with grief and sorrow and emotions too raw to be expressed. D'Argo and Chiana spoke softly in undertones, taking comfort in each other. Zhaan watched Aeryn bury her face in Crichton's chest and saw the human automatically comfort her though his expression tore at her heart with gentle compassion. Stark's presence beside her roused her from her reverie. "Zhaan, we must go soon." He said softly.

Pain on pain. He saw the heartache and smiled gently at her. Not wanting to leave but feeling he had no choice.

"Why?"

"Alphia and Heronn are going. I am the only one who can pilot their transport."

Zhaan looked at them. "Where are you going?"

` Alphia smiled a soft sad smile. "To where the galaxies converge and the song of the stars has no beginning and no end."

Heronn looked at her with wise eyes. "We shall start again." He said simply.

Zhaan inclined her head then looked around. "Where is Bork?"

"Waiting." Said Stark.

Zhaan nodded then embraced him even though it broke her heart to do so. She needed him now more than ever before. He knew it but he was still going. She pulled back and looked once more into that dear face. "Will you come back?"

He smiled softly. "One day."

"Then I pray it will be soon, Stark."

He nodded and prayed over her then with a light brush of his lips they parted. She watched them board the transport and ask Moya's permission to leave. Zhaan stepped behind the blast door and watched them leave. The larger part of her heart going with them.

Crichton walked arn after arn along all the corridors of Moya, his thoughts preventing him standing still in any one place. He simply could not settle. Aeryn stayed with him at first then decided he needed to be alone. He did not argue with her but watched the shadows lengthen on her face. "Are you sure you're going to be alright, Aeryn?"

She almost smiled at him, as sad as she was. It was exactly what she had been thinking about him. "I will be fine, John."

He nodded and continued his aimless wandering. Aeryn sighed and decided to go to the gym for a workout. Now was not the time to get sloppy.

When everyone had gone, there was no one in the transport area but the Hynerian Dominar. Everyone it seemed had someone to share their sorrow with. He was alone in his grief, strangely touched by the loss of the hybrid baby. So much like Crichton yet so unlike him. Traces of D'Argo but thankfully not the most annoying ones. Yet it was that gentleness and child-like innocence that was so at odds with his wisdom that reminded him most of Chiana. He sighed. Wondered what would happen now. How they could ever do more than reel from one danger to another all the while the crazy abomination that was Scorpius was after them. Or to be more accurate. After Crichton. Once he would have given no thought at all in planning to hand the human over. Now it was no longer even an option. Somewhere along the way the annoyingly familiar alien had found a place in his heart. Not that he would ever tell him of course. He sighed again, gazed unhappily out at the great black expanse of space then turned his thronesled around. He was hungry. It would do the baby no good at all if he starved to death.

* * * * *

Chiana could not stop crying. D'Argo held her and soothed her with gentle remembrances of Rion. His words painting pictures in her head that though sad had a vibrancy that was actually helping to ease the pain. She could not explain why it just did. As if by keeping her memories of
him alive, she could still carry him with her wherever she went. D'Argo kissed the top of her head and noticed how tired she was. Exhausted emotionally and physically. "You should sleep."

"I don't know if I can."

"Would you like me to play for you, Chiana?"

She tilted her sad face at him and nodded. "Yeah, I'd like that D'Argo."

He fetched his shilquen and played for her. Chiana lay back and closed her eyes, her mind drifting back to the time when she was pregnant, carrying the baby inside her. D'Argo sitting by her bedside softly playing his shilquen to quiet the baby. It had worked then and it was even now
weaving its' magic on her. Within a few microts she had drifted off to sleep. Quietly, D'Argo replaced his shilquen and watched her sleep for a few microts. He covered her then left her to sleep. Restless and needing to stretch his legs while he thought long, hard and deep about all that
had happened. He walked for almost an arn. Every thought wrapped up in his tiny son. The miracle of his birth. How it had all come about due to a set of circumstances so ludicrous and unimaginable that if it had not happened to him he would not have believed it possible. A soft chuckle escaped his lips. Crichton. It was weird how often the things that mattered involved
the human in some way or other. This strange human creature who had become the dearest friend he had ever known. And still he did not understand him. Somehow that did not matter now.

As he thought about him he realised he wanted to see him. Needed to see him. He told himself he wanted to make sure he was alright, find out how he was coping, but he knew that was just an excuse. He did not want to delve any deeper. But neither did he want to walk in on Crichton if he was with Aeryn. "Pilot?"

"Yes, D'Argo?"

"Where's John?"

"He is on tier five."

He paused. "Is Aeryn with him?"

"No, he is alone."

"Thank you, Pilot."

He turned his steps around and headed for tier five. It took him only microts to find him. The human was standing facing one of the walls in the corridor, his forehead resting on the wall, his eyes closed. Hands placed on the wall either side of his head. D'Argo felt his hearts churn
over. "John. Are you alright?"

He answered slowly, not opening his eyes for a microt. "Yeah, big guy, just thinking."

D'Argo stood next to him and said nothing. Watching Crichton straighten up and open his eyes. Those beautiful blue eyes.

"What brings you here?"

"I was worried about you."

"Where's Chiana?"

"She's sleeping. She's exhausted John."

He nodded. It was understandable. They started to walk together, a slow leisurely pace that matched the speed of their thoughts. "I feel responsible." Said Crichton with a catch in his voice.

D'Argo stopped him, a hand on his shoulder, his eyes fierce with disapproval. "It was *not* your fault."

"You're wrong, D'Argo. Scorpy was looking for me, Rion was just another pawn to get to me."

The Luxan shook his head, looking deeply into Crichton's eyes, wanting to impress on him where the blame really lay. "No! This is Scorpius who is to blame, not you."

Crichton opened his mouth to protest but D'Argo put his hand up, his fingers touching Crichton's lips to silence him. For a moment they both froze. Acutely aware of how close they were to each other and the fact that they were in a part of the ship that the others never went. "Hey, D'Argo.
Isn't this how we got into all this dren in the first place?"

"Yes, John."

The Luxan moved his fingers away from Crichton's lips and gently started to caress his cheek, his eyes locked on the human's.

"D'Argo..."

"Yes, John?"

"I don't think... um..."

"You don't think what?" Breathed the Luxan so softly that Crichton felt his breath catch in his throat.

Unable to answer he trembled slightly as D'Argo ran his other hand slowly through his hair. Watching the way the soft curls wrapped around his fingers. Fascinated by everything about the human. His scent now becoming stronger in the confines of the corridor.

"D'Argo, we should go back. Join the others."

"Yes."

When the Luxan did not move he tried again. "Now would be a good time to move."

"John?"

"Yeah, big guy?"

"I still have feelings for you."

"Yeah, um, we're friends right?"

D'Argo rumbled deep in his throat, not so much words as something more primal. Then he was gently kissing him, his lips brushing the human ones and touching him so gently that Crichton shivered at the contact. D'Argo broke away a little so that he could see into those brilliant eyes. "Is this wrong, John?"

Crichton felt muddled. "Is what wrong?"

"My loving you."

<Woah, where in hezmana had that come from?> "You....you *love* me?"

"You know I do."

"Love me how, D'Argo?"

That had been mistake number one thousand and twenty six. D'Argo took it that he needed a full blown demonstration and deftly moved closer and spun Crichton round a hundred and eighty degrees until his back was to the corridor wall and he was in the dominant position. <Oh frell>
Thought Crichton. <Here we go again>

"I won't hurt you, John." Said the Luxan gently. His hands starting to roam as he kissed him with more urgency. "I just want to love you."

The kiss deepened, D'Argo sliding his incredible tongue between Crichton's lips and caressing his tongue while he sucked all the air out of him and rode his body slowly up against him. Crichton could not breathe, the body pressing into him not registering properly as he fought for air. His
squirming exciting the Luxan more and more, his huge hands all over him now. The heat between them rising. <Oh frell> Thought Crichton as a hand slid down to his crotch and his breathing became a ragged staccato. <When will I learn to keep my big mouth shut?>

* * * * *

Zhaan wiped away her tears. Tidied up in the apothecary then made her way back to her quarters. She needed to meditate, to entreaty the Goddess and find again her calm centre. So much had happened, so many emotions wrestling with each other and leaving her drained. She thought of Stark and wondered when she would see him again. Whether there would ever come
a time when they could be truly together.

She entered her quarters and allowed her gown to fall to the floor as she began to enter the premeditative state. Already she could feel a wash of calm soothe her battered senses. A smile of serenity returned to her lips, her face becoming beautific. Zhaan sat cross legged and opened her
eyes as she detected a warm radiance close by. To her surprise Bork was watching her. His calm loving face intent.

"Bork! What are you doing here?"

"Waiting."

"I thought Stark meant you were waiting for him on the transport?"

He shook his head slightly and smiled, a smile that touched her heart and radiated outwards to her whole body. It was beautiful. It completely calmed her. "What are you waiting for?"

"You."

She seemed amused. "Me?"

He nodded.

"Why?"

"You know who I am?"

She nodded.

"What I am?" He continued.

"I know that you are a being of light. One of Stark's people."

He gently corrected her. "I am a being of light but not one of Stark's people."

That surprised her. "Then what are you?"

"I am his greater soul, his calm centre. Spirit. Call me what you will. The human Crichton calls me an Angel."

"An angel?" Murmured Zhaan, rolling the word around inside her head and deciding she liked the sound of it. "Why are you here?"

"Stark did not want to leave you. Could not bear to be parted from you, Zotoh Zhaan."

Sadness dusted her eyes. "No more than I could bear to be parted from him."

He smiled gently at her, like a warm sun bathing her. If he were any brighter she would have a photocasm. He seemed to catch her thought and she was sure she felt his energy rise, his heat gently flow through her filling her with strange desires. "That is why I have come. So we can
merge."

Zhaan blinked. "Merge?"

"Yes," Said Bork moving closer. "Then you and Stark will never be separated again...."

Zhaan sighed, her joy so profound that the blinding pulse of light absorbed her yet did not diminsh her. All time stood still. The planets froze in their orbits. As the light channeled through her she could feel Stark, hear his thoughts, lose herself in his love. Tears washed away the sadness that had marked her only microts before. A happiness so deep. <Stark>

<Yes, Zhaan, my beloved?>

<Is it really you?>

<Yes. I said I would never leave you again>

<I know but I did not expect this>

She felt him smile, Bork flashing his energy and light into every cell of her being, consuming her soul with living energy so that they beat and pulsed as one. She felt the photocasm and gave herself up to it. The love, the joy and the ectasy. The slow murmur of her heated breath the only sign that she was still conscious. When she eventually came back to herself she was still sitting cross legged in a position of meditation. Her clothes on the floor at her feet. The room empty but for herself. Yet she no longer felt alone. Felt more fulfilled and whole than she had ever been. A slow delicious smile of warmth followed the curve of her mouth and touched her heart with wonder and high content. An angel. The smile broadened and lit the planes of her face. <Thank you, Stark>

She felt his laughter, his joy, his deep love claim her. Zhaan closed her eyes and welcomed him into her soul.

* * * * *

Scorpius was in a foul mood. No one dared to speak to him not even Lt Braca. He had never seen his commander so distracted. His gaunt death's head mask looked even more skeletal. His eyes red rimmed and haunted. Scorpius returned to his quarters, the soft mocking voice ringing in
his head. Filling his thoughts with the same mindless chatter that typified Crichton's conversation. The incessant babble driving him bartantic.

He banged his head against the wall but nothing would shift the mocking voice. Rion deftly excited his deepest memories, traded on his oldest fears. Brought everything he had hidden deep inside himself to the fore. Made every ghost in the closet rattle. Scorpius screamed. His anger overtaking his fear. The madness only held at bay by physical pain. He banged his head harder this time. The crack buying him a single microt of peace. "Who - are - you?"

His only answer was light mocking laughter. The resounding echoes dancing in his brain. Now he knew what revenge felt like...

* * * * *
END