Despite Rygel's affirmation of surprise for John, the human himself didn't feel very joyous. He felt miserable. Ever since the officials of the city had spotted him exiting the pod, he'd had a hard time. There were scantily clad females everywhere. Not that he minded that much, but he felt somewhat strange and nervous with all the women staring at him like the proverbial cat at a bird. When they had found out who was in charge here, his laughter had almost strangled him.

Trust me to stumble upon an Amazon-run planet. Rygel, if I ever get out of here intact, you'll owe me big time!, he had thought. While forgetting to pace the obligatory two feet behind his Mistress as he'd had to call Aeryn from now on, he got nudged in the ribs by another male who was accompanying them to the dealers.

All the way to the market place, Aeryn had interrogated the little man, her voice getting harsher and more commanding by the microt as she found out more about the society. John didn't like it; he didn't like it at all. Men were supposed to be equals, not some little frightened creatures, their only function on the face of this planet to serve their mistresses. And if Aeryn gets any more ideas about that, I'll shack up with someone else, John thought and smirked. Then he turned rueful. Oh come on, Johnny-Boy, as if you ever would do that. Not after what happened on the Royal Planet. Even with Scorpy pointing a gun to my head, for the life of me, I'd stay with Aeryn. He chuckled at that. Jeesh John, you really got it bad. I have to tell her sometime.

They had reached the market place and Aeryn dismissed the server and to John's surprise, let out a sigh of relief.

"What is it, Mistress?" he inquired and Aeryn shot him an angry look.

"Stop that, Crichton, it's demeaning enough that you called me a Peacekeeper skank once," she snapped.

Ouch, that hurt, thanks Aeryn! John thought but replied: "But I thought we should blend in?"

"Not when we're alone," Aeryn said and scanned the area. "I hate this place. It is far too crowded and those servants really give me the willies."

John smiled at that. He loved it when Aeryn used his euphemisms, especially if she got them right. He followed her around from stall to stall, wordlessly carrying the packages she had bought. From time to time he had the feeling of being watched, his rattlers evidently having a merry time in the pit of his stomach.

"Aeryn, come on, let's get out of here," he whispered near her ear. Aeryn nodded while negotiating with the female dealer who offered jerky, fresh veal and a pork-like meat.

"You let him do that?" The woman, a stout 50 cycle something, pointed out to Aeryn and watched John with devious eyes. Aeryn looked at her questioningly.

"What do you mean?" she asked icily.

"Getting near you without ordered to do so. If any of my males do that, they'd get a taste the whip," the other woman snickered.

I bet they will and you enjoying every minute of it, John thought and stepped back from the stall. Now don't give Aeryn any more ideas, she already knows how to kick my butt quite perfectly.

Aeryn watched the woman for a moment, and then shook her head. "I do not think a whip will evoke loyalty in any creature, let alone a male. Besides," and here she placed a hand lightly, yet possessively on John's chest and lower abdomen, caressing him suggestively "He's for too valuable for me to go and break the goods with a whip."

John was about to quip, but he opened and shut his mouth several times, gasping. That's not Aeryn, is it? he asked himself. Ever since they had found out who was in charge here, Aeryn had been teasing him mercilessly. Even without that dress which wasn't really necessary for an off-worlder, she'd gotten him into a state where he wanted to kiss, strangle and kiss her and in exactly in that order.

The merchant cackled appreciatively, coolly assessing John's advantages. John rolled his eyes. "I get you for this, Aeryn, I swear," he muttered under his breath so softly only Aeryn could hear. Aeryn on the other hand gave him one of her most brilliant smiles.

Oh God, Aeryn. I live for your smiles, John thought and his heart rate quickened under his thin shirt. Aeryn had felt the quick flutter as well beneath her hand and she quickly removed it. Nervously, she licked her lips and turned back to the merchant and ordered their required foods.

When they had made arrangements that their more bulkier supplies were to be transported to their pod, Aeryn and John made their way quickly back to the spaceport. But perhaps not quickly enough. Just in front of the entrance an entourage of several male servants, all clad in what looked like Tarzan's own loincloth to John, and a beautiful middle aged woman were waiting for them.

The dress the woman wore was similar to the one that Aeryn was supposed to be wearing, and left little to the imagination as to the assets of that particular lady.

"Mistress Sun," the woman said and stepped forward, blocking Aeryn and John's way effectively.

"Yes?" Aeryn inquired cautiously. She had only given her name to the spaceport authorities, and the woman greeting her by her name made the Ex-Peacekeeper highly suspicious.

"I'm sorry to delay you on your errands, Mistress Sun, but my name is Mar'Liana," the woman introduced herself. "I'm the prefectess of this city and as we do not get many off-worlders here, I wonder if you would like to join me in a little entertainment tonight as my guest. You see we have quite a celebration beginning as of nightfall and I would like to extend the invitation to you."

"Celebration? What kind of celebration?" Aeryn asked suspiciously.

"Nothing fancy, just a little do. Every year we celebrate the claiming of the males. It is an old custom where the males of every household are up for claiming and if the mistress is willing, get exchanged or kept for another cycle."

Oh no, John thought and dared to look at Aeryn. Please Aeryn, don't do it. DON'T DO IT!

"I'm flattered, Mistress Mar'Liana. But my male and I have provisions to procure and our ship is awaiting our safe return," Aeryn replied through clenched teeth. Was everyone on this planet only interested in males? she thought. If I spent as much time thinking about Crichton I'd ... she quickly cut down on that thought. I do think a lot about him, frell him!

"You seem to be in doubt, Mistress Sun. Do you wish to reclaim your male?" Mar'Liana said as she watched Aeryn intently. Aeryn's thoughts raced. With a quick glance towards Crichton, she nodded.

"Yes, Mistress Mar'Liana, I reclaim him." She heard John exhaling softly. So he isn't too eager either getting up on the market, she thought.

"Then please, give me the pleasure in providing you with the appropriate quarters and surroundings for such an important endeavour in a male's life," Mar'Liana said. John almost gaped at her, especially when the woman continued. "It is a pity though, that you're not willing to exchange him and claim someone else. I would be most interested in your male."

John was now profusely sweating. No way, Jose, he thought and silently prayed that all the things he had ever done to upset Aeryn weren't going into consideration on the Ex-Peacekeeper's part.

Aeryn Sun shook her head. "I'm satisfied with his services, Mistress Mar'Liana," she said and was rewarded with another soft exhale by John. This time even nearer to her ear than before. Instinctively, she reached behind her and as if on their own accord, her fingers intertwined with his, squeezing his hand reassuringly.

"Then please, join me on this night of celebration. I will send a servant to you. He will provide you with more appropriate attire for yourself and your male." With that, Mar'Liana turned, and together with her entourage, disappeared quickly around a street corner.

"Hez," Aeryn muttered and turned towards John. "That woman is tenacious."

"She is, isn't she?" John inquired. He absentmindedly rubbed her ring finger with his thumb, and drew their attention to their still intertwined fingers. Quickly they let go, and John rubbed his hands together. "So, you are quite satisfied with my services, are you?" John asked, flashing her a wicked grin.

"Don't flatter yourself, Crichton. I said what I had to say, to get her off your back," Aeryn replied, but her voice quivered slightly. Angry with herself, she turned on her heels quickly and walked over to the transport pod.

Aeryn felt restless. The afternoon had dragged on and instead of going for a workout to let go of the pressure building up inside her, she had been confined to the small space of the pod. Unfortunately, John was driving her up the walls.

"Crichton, stop it!" she growled when another one of his playing cards, as he called them, sailed through the air and hit the wall in front of him.

John looked up and after exchanging a glance with her, patted the floor beside him. "Come on, Aeryn, chill out. You're behaving as if you're awaiting your execution." Leaning forward, he grabbed her hand and pulled her down beside him.

He handed her half of the pack of cards he had so painstakingly made over the last few solar days and flicked another one at the far wall in front of him.

Aeryn stared down at the cards in her lap and she considered throwing them at John, but she knew he only wanted to take her mind off things. Sighing, she took one of the cards into her hand and tried to flick it like John did, but failed miserably.

"Let me show you," John said and moved behind her, so that he was leaning against the wall. He pulled her over until her back was snuggled into his chest. Encircling her with his arms, he slowly tucked strands of her dark hair behind her right ear and nuzzled his chin in the crook of her neck. He then picked up her hand and showed her the flicking movement, watching over her shoulder.

"Like flicking a knife at your opponent, Aeryn, just side ways," he said and when she succeeded, he grinned. "That's it, good girl!" He buried his nose in her hair, inhaling softly. Aeryn shivered at that. In fact, she had felt weak-kneed ever since Crichton had drawn her into his arms and now his breath on her skin did nothing to relief the tension building inside of her.

She moved slightly in his arms, which had come around her waist, holding her lightly to himself. Both had a flashback to the time in his module before their ill-fated journey to the Royal Planet. Aeryn watched him silently, her emotions and her training warring inside her and she did not know which side would win out this time around.

Their heads moved in unison as they closed the distance between them. Don't bolt, Aeryn, please, not this time, John pleaded silently and when her lips touched his, he increased the pressure only slightly, making sure that she understood that she could take the lead.

Aeryn moved fully towards him, her arms encircling his neck, her fingers tousling his hair. She could still feel the doubts screaming in her head but she tried to ignore them. His lips felt too good to stop it and the pounding of her heart was all she could feel or hear when she opened her lips to the slight pressure of his mouth.

The kiss was sweet, just like the last time they had kissed, when they had used the compatibility potion. John groaned when he felt Aeryn's tongue slightly brushing over his lips, seeking a way into the warm cave of his mouth. He could hear the pounding of his heart ... or was it hers, he wasn't sure anymore. But the pounding increased and this time, it seemed it was coming from the hull.

"Hullo? Anyone there? Mistress Sun? This is Ramis, first mate of Mistress Mar'Liana!" the voice wavered over to the two star-crossed lovers and they drew apart slightly.

"And I thought it was D'Argo who always has such timing," John breathed against Aeryn's mouth. He felt her lips quirk upward, then she reluctantly moved out of his arms.

Brushing imaginary dust from her pants legs, she moved over to the hatch and opened it.

"Ah Mistress Sun, I hope you don't mind me barging in like this, but my Mistress told me to come early. She sends these garments and sweet smelling perfumes with her best wishes," Ramis said. He was a stout, middle-aged man as tall as John. But the way he held himself and the way he cowered under Aeryn's stare, he seemed actually smaller than Aeryn.

The Sebacean snorted and stepped aside to let the men and his helpers in. John watched from his place on the floor as the servants, all men, bustled up around Aeryn and tried to remove her clothing.

"Hey, wait a minute ... wait just one microt," John growled when Ramis began tugging at her leather vest. He scrambled to his feet in a rush. Five pairs of eyes were watching him incredulously, but John did not care. "If anyone removes her clothing it will be me, now back off!"

Aeryn rolled her eyes and shook her head. "If you excuse me, I wish to speak to my server here - alone!" Aeryn snapped and waited till the servants had exited the pod and the hatch had been securely closed behind them. She counted to five then whirled around to face Crichton.

"What's got into you, Crichton?" she hissed and stepped up to him, their faces mere inches apart. "You almost blew it!"

John felt uncomfortable and had the uncanny feeling that he was about to get his butt kicked - hard. "Umm, sorry Aeryn, I just ... snapped when I saw that sleazy little worm put his hands on you ..." he breathed softly.

Aeryn stared at him, then turned on her heels, her ponytail whipping across his face. "Ouch, Aeryn, that hurt!" he bellowed and took a step forward but was stopped by her warning glance over her shoulder.

"I hope it did, Crichton. Because you just implied I would tumble for any male getting his hands on me ... Which, of course I seem to be doing quite a lot when a certain male is around," she snapped angrily. "I warn you, Crichton, you can only push me so far, before I snap. I want you to stay out of my life, I can take care of myself and you should know better than anyone else in this galaxy what I do to unwanted administrations!" With that she opened the hatch and gestured Ramis over to her. "Ramis, come here, I need you to dress me. The others can stay out of the ship."

After a very insecure looking Ramis had stepped inside the pod, Aeryn still waited. Crichton and Aeryn watched each other, a silent tug of war of wills keeping them enthralled. After several microts, John finally shrugged his shoulders and stepped outside. He heard the hatch shut behind him.

Boy, you blew it, John told himself as his mind reeled and conjured up images of Ramis and Aeryn together. He knew it was far from reality. If Ramis tries anything, Aeryn will hoist him up by his cojones, John grinned at that.

Ramis was chattering away as he helped Aeryn into the flimsy see-through garment his Mistress had chosen for the Sebacean woman. It complemented her fair skin and black hair beautifully and he told her so for the umpteenth time. Aeryn on the other hand was seething. The administrations of the male server were unwanted and his incessant chatter was getting on her nerves.

Perhaps I should have let John help me into this thing, Aeryn thought for the hundredth time in as many microts. She dared not look at the mirror in front of her, which Ramis had brought with him. She knew she looked ridiculous in such a dress. Most of her cleavage and thighs were exposed as well as her midsection, the skimpy skirt hugging precariously low on her hips. Aeryn sighed and wanted to stand up when Ramis took hold of a brush and opened the fastening of her hairpin and began brushing the long tresses.

"We are almost finished, Mistress Sun. Just let me brush out your hair and scent it," Ramis commented but fell to the floor when Aeryn jumped to her feet and knocked the man almost over.

"No scent!" she hissed and towered threateningly over the man. She remembered well the last time she had scented her hair. It had led to heart-ache and almost death ... hers and Crichton's. It always comes back to him, that frelling human! Aeryn wheeled around and tried to calm herself. Her gaze was caught by the mirror and what she saw disgusted her.

"I look like a trelk," she blurted out and stomped off towards the hatch, opening it. Before she knew what was happening, John was up the ladder and skidding to a halt just in front of her.

Exhaling sharply, John stared mesmerised at Aeryn and for a moment he just stood there, gawking at her. He felt her incredulous look on him that was laced with anger and frustration and something else, something Crichton tried to pinpoint.

If I didn't know her, I'd say she is pleased I like the outfit, John thought and almost laughed. Naw, Miss tough peacekeeper is never pleased if I like what she wears. But try as he might, he could not take his eyes off her. He had never seen so much of her soft ivory skin since the false Earth and even back then it had been dark in the room. Now, in the full light of day, her creamy complexion was revealed to him and a familiar pain in his groin made him groan inwardly.

"I knew I look like a trelk!" Aeryn growled when she heard his groan and backed into the pod again. "I'm not going like this!"

"But Mistress Sun, my lady will be affronted if you ..." Before the servant could comment further, John held up his hands and ushered him outside.

"I'll handle it," he said and with a confidence he didn't really feel he followed Aeryn back into the questionable intimacy of the pod, not knowing how on Earth he could persuade Aeryn to keep the dress without giving away as how much he liked her wearing it.