TITLE: "A WOMB WITH A VIEW"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "Farscape"

PAIRING: John/D'Argo

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

STATUS: New. Part of a series.

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

SERIES/SEQUEL: SEQUEL to "GOOD FOR THE SOUL"

WEBSITE: http://www.carlajane50megs.com/Ali00

SUMMARY: "Zhaan operates on Crichton to remove the baby. Everybody wants to help and Chiana has a solution that suits everybody."

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


"A WOMB WITH A VIEW"
Written by Alison M. DOBELL
* * * * *

The discussion was subdued and everyone had an opinion. For once there were no raised voices, no interrupting the others when they were speaking. The situation was grave but not impossible. They were gathered in the apothecary. Crichton was laying awake but in some discomfort.
Despite D'Argo's pain relieving gel and Zhaan's herbs he was getting more and more distended. The baby was growing and he was in the way. A DRD sat perched on the small table just to the left of Crichton's bed, his presence ensuring that Pilot and Moya heard and saw the whole discussion. It was really going to be a team effort this time.

D'Argo gave Zhaan an anxious look. "You are sure it is going to work this time, Zhaan?"

"I cannot be absolutely sure of anything, D'Argo, but keeping John calm and happy will do the same for the baby."

Crichton stirred uncomfortably. He was perspiring heavily, having difficulty following the conversation with any enthusiasm as pain started to shoot through him. Occasional stabs that hit him like rods of fire shooting up through his stomach and chest. God it felt like someone was firing a pulse gun inside him. "I hate to bother you guys..."

They turned their heads to look at him. Zhaan was immediately contrite. "I'm sorry, John."

He was breathing eratically, the slightest exertion robbing him of breath. "S'okay Zhaan just give me something for the pain."

She frowned, concerned. "You are in pain?"

He lay back, closing his eyes and biting his lip. After a microt he managed to nod his head slowly. "Yup." He did not open his eyes for another microt until the stab of pain had died down. He felt like he was being fried from the inside out. "Zhaan, I don't think we can wait any longer."

The Delvian priestess nodded, her hand touching his forehead, alarmed by the way he was beginning to burn up. She looked at D'Argo. "D'Argo, is this normal? Should John be burning up like this?"

He gave her a helpless look. "I do not know, Zhaan. John is not a Luxan."

"Is this normal for a Luxan?"

He shook his head. "No. A Luxan can carry her baby without discomfort right up until the birth."

"Yeah, well in case you two hadn't noticed John isn't a Luxan, he's human." Chiana looked concerned. For the baby *and* for Crichton. "Don't get me wrong but who's to say the same thing won't happen again?"

Everybody looked at Chiana except Crichton. He had screwed his eyes shut as he spasmed again with pain. It was getting harder now, the pain increasing and coming with more frequency. Aeryn held his hand wishing she could do something for him.

Chiana gave Zhaan a determined look. "I have an idea."

Rygel huffed. "I don't think Zhaan needs any help, Chiana."

"On the contrary Rygel. What do you have in mind?"

Chiana tilted her head abruptly, her eyes darting between Zhaan and Crichton and studiously not looking at D'Argo. "As I understand it Crichton has no womb, right?"

They nodded.

"But I have. So why don't you put the baby inside me? Just because I can't have a baby doesn't mean I can't carry one."

They exchanged stunned looks. D'Argo touched her shoulder gently. "Are you sure about this, Chiana?"

She nodded quickly before she could change her mind. "Yeah, I'm sure. It's gonna be my baby - yours and mine - it would be kinda cool to actually carry the little guy and give birth don't you think?"

D'Argo was stunned, unable to speak. Zhaan smiled at her. It was a good idea, the best she had heard yet and it should work. Crichton opened his eyes, trying to hold back the pain building inside of him. "I don't care who has the baby, just get it out of me!"

Zhaan nodded. "Of course, John."

Every nerve was raw. Pain radiating throughout his body, his back arching. Aware now of the baby crying out to him. Hurt. Frightened. Alone. The baby. Crichton's heart was racing. The baby. Had to think of the baby. <Okay, little fella. I'm here. I'm with you. Nothin' to worry about. I know this looks bad, feels worse>

The panic in the baby seemed to pause as if he was listening to Crichton's thoughts. He tried to block out the pain he was feeling so as not to transmit it to the baby. Hoping his efforts would shield the baby from experiencing his own distress. He felt a kind of numbing sensation. It was
slowly creeping up his spine but so welcome, taking away the pain as it advanced. Crichton started to relax almost immediately, his breath becoming one long sigh. <Gonna be alright. Just. Trust. Me> He felt the baby start to calm. <That's it. Listen to me. Nobody's gonna hurt you
but this space you're in is too small. We're gonna move you to a bigger room. Take you over to Mom's house. You'll like that>

It did not feel strange to be addressing the baby. Anything that helped was worth trying. He felt an odd sensation. So distant, so faint it was hard to be sure what it was. He tried to think of things he could say to distract the baby then remembered what Zhaan had told him. The baby felt
everything he felt. <Okay Zhaan, let's try a little empathy here> He concentrated on calming his mind, thought of the baby, how loved he was, how loved he was going to be. Thought about his parents. About Chiana and the nice warm womb being prepared to welcome him. About his father D'Argo so anxious to see him, so protective. He thought only happy thoughts. Every
one carried on a wave of deepening affection. He was tired, the effort telling on him. Oblivious to Aeryn's hand on his forehead, wiping the sweat from his brow with a cool cloth. Crichton struggled to stay awake. For the baby. The baby was calm now and he was free of pain. Couldn't feel much of anything in fact. Was starting to drift off when something tentatively touched his mind. Such a gentle fleeting touch, reaching out for the comfort of his fading thoughts. Gentle, so gentle. Not wanting to be left alone. <What is that?> Love flooded back to him in gentle lapping waves. Love. It was love. <What the?> He felt such awe. The baby. It had to be the baby. There was nobody else in here with him. He smiled wearily. <Love you too> His mind mumbled back.

A beautiful sense of peace, calm and well being enveloped him. In his mind he was cradling the baby in his arms. Falling into a sleep so deep he did not feel it when the tentative connection was broken. Zhaan was grateful to D'Argo for his assistance. Producing enough secretions to take
care of Crichton's pain and numb the site of the operation. D'Argo did the same for Chiana. Everyone was helping even Rygel. Aeryn organising them into their roles with military precision. The DRDs were on standby in case of complications. This time Zhaan had no trouble locating the baby. Gently she transfered him to Chiana's open womb. She spoke softly to him, explaining
what was happening and telling him not to worry. Once he was safely in the womb, Zhaan stitched the opening closed and applied some healing gel along the bloody seal before washing her hands then doing the same for Crichton. She paused as she finished and looked down at the human's clammy face, watched Aeryn gently stroke his cheek as he slept the sleep of total exhaustion. A gentle smile graced Zhaan's lips.

Aeryn sat watching Crichton sleep. More moved than she had words to express. This human was so different from any other being she had ever known. More tolerant, more loving, more giving. Even more resourceful and so gentle that at times she mistook it for weakness. It had taken her a long time to realise it as a different kind of strength. She shook her head softly. He was always amazing her. Rygel had left to find something to eat. He had offered to bring them back something but they had declined. D'argo sat watching over Chiana, his expression one of great tenderness. He lifted his head and looked at Aeryn, a smile of perfect understanding between them. After a few microts D'Argo kissed Chiana gently then went to see how Crichton was doing. Aeryn saw that same tenderness on his face and knew that however odd or strange it might seem, D'Argo had very real feelings for Crichton too. She wondered if he returned those feelings or whether his gentle heart had simply been too reluctant to shove D'Argo's mivonks down the back of his neck. She smiled at the thought. D'Argo tilted his head at her. "You are smiling."

She nodded. That was one thought she had no intention of sharing with the Luxan. Instead she nodded to Crichton and Chiana. "They look so peaceful, D'Argo."

He was easily distracted and smiled indulgently. "Yes. And the baby is well."

Zhaan nodded. "Yes, D'Argo. The baby is very well. He has taken to his new home and is sleeping. Chiana will have no problem carrying the baby to full term."

His eyes had a suspicious mist in them when he looked at Zhaan. "I have you to thank for that, Zhaan."

She shook her head gently and looked at Crichton. "No. You have John to thank for that."

He nodded, not disagreeing with her.

Zhaan straightened her back to get the stiffness out of it. "Now, I suggest the two of you go and get some sleep. I'll stay and watch over John and Chiana."

"No, Zhaan, I'd like to stay." Said Aeryn.

"As would I." Agreed D'Argo.

The Delvian priestess gave them an indulgent look. "Very well, but I should warn you they will both sleep many arns and you should not disturb them."

They nodded and made solemn promises to let them rest. Zhaan decided to leave them. "Call me if you need anything."

When she had gone D'Argo looked at Chiana for a long time then looked across at Crichton. His eyes rose to meet Aeryn's. "Aeryn, I have a question."

She looked at him, a slight frown hovering on her brow. Uncertain of what he was going to say.

"The shilquin is a sacred instrument to a Luxan. It carries the voice of his heart in its' strings. I would like to play for them. Softly. Quietly. A lulluby for the baby. A hymn of thanksgiving to both of them."

"Zhaan said they should not be disturbed, D'Argo."

"They will not be, I promise you. I can play very softly indeed Aeryn but I am not concerned about my playing disturbing them."

Her frown deepened. What they yotz was he going on about then?

"I was concerned about disturbing you." He said gently.

"Me?"

"Yes, Aeryn, you."

"Why the frell should it disturb me?"

He shrugged. "You don't mind my playing then?"

She shook her head, her hand absently brushing a damp lock of hair from Crichton's forehead. He looked so peaceful now. "No, D'Argo I don't mind." She looked up and her eyes locked on his. "But if you wake them I will wrap your precious shilquin around your frelling neck and shove you both out of an airlock, is that understood?"

He chuckled. "Absolutely."

She nodded and watched D'Argo leave to get his instrument. The little DRD sitting on the table next to Crichton's head pulled his lightstalks back nervously then dimmed his lights as if afraid that he would be included in that warning. The blue tape reminded her that this was the DRD
Crichton had repaired when he first came aboard. She could not be sure, but the little droid seemed oddly protective of Crichton. Aeryn shook her head. Impossible. It was a frelling maintenance droid. A machine. She was imagining things. It could not have feelings. Had no consciousness. Her exposure to Crichton was undermining her common sense. Aeryn forgot that the DRDs were like Moya. Biomechanoid. On some level Crichton knew that. Responded to them as he did to Moya, as he did to them all. The others ignored the little droids but Crichton seldom did and they responded to his notice. Always remembering their place was in the background but somehow making room there for him. When Aeryn leaned back in her chair and sighed, the little DRD took the opportunity to turn his light stalks on Crichton and assure himself, Moya and Pilot that the human really was sleeping sounded. That everything was alright. Then, receiving silent confirmation from Moya that it was alright and safe to do so, the little DRD quietly powered down and rested. His little lights dimming and switching off until he was needed again.

* * * * *

Crichton was dreaming, he had to be. He could hear music. Soft, gentle, lilting. It was beautiful. Reminded him of so many things. Made him think of Earth. His eyes fluttered open to an incredible sight. Aeryn was slumped in a chair next to his bed, her head laying on her arm as she slept. Ka D'Argo was sitting on the other side of him, between his bed and Chiana's. Chiana was still in a deep healing sleep. D'Argo had his eyes closed, his fingers expertly coaxing such clear notes out of the shilquin that it tugged at Crichton's heart. God it was so beautiful, kind of haunting and lonely while carrying the promise of fulfilling the heart's desire. How did he do that? How did he achieve such sensitivity when in every other way he seemed to lumber through life with a 'might is right' philosophy? On the little table by his head the DRD quietly stirred. Powering up gently, his light stalk on the lowest setting so as not to startle him. Crichton noticed the light stalks quiver as they adjusted to point in his direction.

"Hi, Blue. Nice to see you're awake."

D'Argo stopped playing, looking up in surprise to see that Crichton was awake. He looked guilty. "I am sorry, John. I did not mean to wake you."

"That's alright, D'Argo. I was enjoying the music, don't stop on my account."

"Zhaan warned us not to wake you. You should go back to sleep."

"I would but too much has been happening."

"You still need to rest."

Crichton shook his head. "Later, big guy. I'll sleep later." Seeing the Luxan frown, Crichton held two fingers up to his forehead in an odd little salute. "Scout's honour."

D'Argo did not know what a scout was but he knew about honour. He nodded, taking Crichton at his word. "Very well but see to it that you do."

That amused Crichton though he did not say so. "How long have we been out?"

"Out?"

"Sleeping."

"Oh." D'Argo thought about that for a microt. "Seven or eight arns."

"I take it the operation went well?"

A big smile broke out on D'Argo's face. "Yes, John. Zhaan successfully removed the baby from you and placed it in Chiana's womb. I have never seen anything so beautiful."

Crichton did not say anything about that. That was not how he would have described it. "How long until Chiana gives birth to the little guy?"

"Four monens give or take a weeken."

"You think of a name yet?"

D'Argo looked thoughtful. "Chiana wants to call him Neri. I was thinking of naming him after you."

"Woah there, big guy. Take a step back. Don't you think the baby should have his *own* name?"

He frowned. "It would be his own name."

"No, no, you see that's where you'd be wrong. Name him after me and you'd always be comparing him to me, it would be the same if you named him after Neri. No. The only fair thing to do is to give him his *own* name. Let him become his own kind of hero."

D'Argo looked confused. Crichton explained.

"Something my dad told me. When you discuss it again with Chiana, think about it."

"I will do that."

Crichton closed his eyes, he was feeling so darn tired again. He opened them slowly to see that D'Argo had put his shilquin away. He looked at Aeryn still fast asleep beside his bed. "Have you guys been here the whole time?"

"Yes."

He looked around. "Where's Rygel?"

"Where do you think?"

Crichton laughed causing Aeryn to stir. They watched her wake, a sleepy steel eye peering at them. Seeing that Crichton was awake she sat up. "How do you feel?"

"Fine Aeryn. A little tired but apart from that I'm okay. How's Chiana?"

D'Argo smiled. "Chiana is sleeping peacefully which is what you should be doing."

He tried to stifle a yawn. "I'm okay, D'Argo."

Aeryn smiled at him. "Stop fighting it, John. We will wake you if anything happens."

He was about to protest when another yawn interrupted him. Maybe they had a point after all. "Okay," Said John, already sleepy. "But just for a microt..."

* * * * *
END