Aeryn stared at John as he approached her, her glare definitely telling him that he would regret it if he said one wrong word. Suppressing a sigh, John rubbed his lip with his thumb and circled her slowly, pretending to check the dress.

Unnerving microts ticked by and Aeryn started fidgeting when the silence increased. "What?" she snapped and whirled around, the flimsy material of her skirt swirling around her slender legs.

John raised an eyebrow at her, then stepped closer as if examining the fall of a plaid here and the embroidery on the edge of her hips there, all the while searching for the right words.

"Actually, Aeryn, you give this dress some kind of regalness. It might be a dress for a trelk but you look like a queen in it."

It was clearly on her face, that Aeryn tried to register the information in her mind. Words like trelk, queen and regalness trying to be filed away in the appropriate places and John could have sworn that there was a slight blush showing on her face.

"So," John leant further towards her, their faces almost touching. "Do you still think you look like a trelk? Because if you do, I'm not going to let you reclaim me as your favourite male."

"Oh frell me dead, Crichton," Aeryn exhaled and turned away. "I know what you are trying to do and it is not working."

John grinned behind her back. "Ah and what exactly am I trying to do, Mistress Sun?" he inquired.

"You have to admit this dress is ... is... very revealing. I'd be more dressed if I just wore one of your Calvins or whatever you call them," Aeryn snarled and tried to pull the bodice up only to result in some other part of her cleavage revealing more.

"As much as I like that to happen, Aeryn, I can assure you, you look stunning... on any other woman it would look cheap but you look stunning in it," Crichton replied and offered her his arm.

"Shall we?" he asked and when Aeryn looked at him and his offered arm with her patented 'more human non-sense' look, he sighed softly. Taking her left arm he looped it through his and led her to the hatch.

While Ramis led John and Aeryn toward the palace where Mar'Liana was residing, John couldn't help himself but gawk at the throngs of women and their male servants. Some males were clad in nothing more than little loincloths while others, like John wear wearing trousers and some kind of tunics. More than once he caught males and females alike eyeing him and with rattlers starting in the pit of his stomach he unconsciously edged closer to Aeryn, who was just staring straight ahead.

Mar'Liana watched the new arrivals through a gap in the drapery. My plan is coming along nicely, she thought and grinned a feral smile.

"Has she arrived, Mar'Liana?" a young girl about Chiana's age inquired behind her and the prefectress turned around.

"Yes, and she is perfect, my child. Soon we will have strong descendants of her." The older woman replied and patted the young girl's cheek.

"What about him?" The girl pointed towards the man.

"He is of no consequence, he will serve instrumental to our goals but both are off-worlders, so what should we care?" Mar'Liana replied.

"True, but what if they are not compatible?"

Mar'Liana laughed and watched the couple from afar. "If they are not compatible, I'm certain one or two of our males will be very grateful to provide us with their services. Besides," she nodded towards the man. "it will be even better if he is not compatible with her, this way we won't have any fertilised eggs to deal with... Now go and tell Tarynia to contact their craft and have the transport pod picked up. Instruct her to ask them if they need any other nourishment and beverages, or medicine. After all, we want to pay generously for the favour those two will be giving us," With that she stepped through the fringe and greeted her guests with a smile.

The girl watched the couple and had to admit that they both looked good together. She also noticed that the male was definitely not of the submissive kind. He might pretend to be submissive and he attends his Mistress well, but something tells me they are not accustomed to this kind of role play, the girl thought.

She admired the raven black hair of the woman, which glistened in soft tones of russet hues when the light caught it and had to admit that she regretted what her mother was about to do to the both of them. But it needed to be done, she knew that.

"Mistress Sun, it is so good to see you and your male attending our little claiming ceremony," Mar'Liana greeted John and Aeryn.

"It is an honour to be here," Aeryn managed to say and avoided cringing at the sugary tone of their hostess. Ever since they had entered the palace, something Crichton would refer to as rattlers were dancing in her stomach and she could not shed the feeling of danger.

"I hope you will enjoy our little frolicking, but I'm sure you will, after all you will reclaim your male," Mar'Liana replied and with the word 'male' she slightly brushed over Crichton's forearm.

All John could do was not backing away from her immediately. He was used to a fair amount of female attention back on Earth, but this was getting on his nerves. The complete situation was filled with sexual tension and he knew he and Aeryn were walking on thin ice here. As with their already precarious friendship, John knew that it only took a minute thing to let the rope snap that still separated them from being just friends to that of outright lovers or enemies.

"I have already given orders that your transport pod was loaded up with all the nourishment and spare parts you required. I understand one of your crewmates is piloting it up to your ship as we speak."

"I thank you, Mar'Liana. But we could have piloted the pod back ourselves," Aeryn replied stern faced.

"Of course you could, but isn't it so much better not to be loaded down with things you have to do tomorrow? And I want you to enjoy yourself in this claiming ceremony." She watched as several new arrivals took their seats before she turned her head back to Aeryn and her companion. "I think all the guests have arrived, so let us proceed," Mar'Liana motioned over to a couple of plump and plush cushions laid out on a soft carpet. "Is your male familiar with the procedure or should Ramis take care of him?"

"I beg your pardon?" Aeryn inquired, the rattlers in her stomach doing flip flops now, she could feel John in a similar state when she heard his slight intake of breath.

"Oh don't worry, you won't be separated for long, but you know it is customary that males and females sit in different places, just till the claiming is over and we move to the more enjoyable part of the ceremony," the older woman replied and snapped her fingers. Immediately, Ramis was at her side and after a short exchange of looks, John let himself be led over to a wide seating area where several men were already sitting.

Aeryn followed Mar'Liana and the prefectress offered her a seat beside her. The separated seating areas were nothing much more than loungers and huge cushions and Aeryn frowned upon so much plushness. Carefully she seated herself, which was in itself a dubious affair as Aeryn first sat down in her customary cross-legged fashion only to realise that her dress showed off only too well her toned thighs. She was about to stand up and remain standing when a little girl not younger than fourteen cycles sat down beside her and motioned to do as she did.

"It takes cycles to sit down gracefully with this traditional dress," the girl commented and smiled when Aeryn had settled into a more lounging position with her feet neatly tugged beneath her.

"Thank .. you," Aeryn whispered and looked the girl in the eye. She saw the amused look on her face and for a moment, the Ex-Peacekeeper was tempted to wipe that grin of the girl's face with a quick pantak jab but quickly clamped down on the thought.

"I hear you are off-worlders?" The girl asked and the older woman nodded to that but not giving any more details. "And I see you want to keep it that way," the girl commented further and smiled. "My name is Mar'Saani, but everyone calls me Saani. The prefectress is my mother."

"I'm Aeryn Sun," Aeryn returned her greeting and tried to smile.

"I know, the news of your arrival has been spread throughout the city like a fire on the Kantaanyi plains. I have heard much about you and your companion, Crichton." The girl replied.

"My mate, yes," Aeryn emphasised. She was not sure if the girl had an interest in Crichton so she played along. "We are here for the ... the claiming."

"If you like, I can explain the claiming ritual for you as it proceeds ..." the girl offered, again giving Aeryn one of those serene smiles that raised the small hairs on the back of her nape.

"Yes, that would be welcome," Aeryn Sun replied and shifted her gaze slightly to find Crichton on the other side of the room, sitting near Ramis and having a silly grin on his face while he watched the attendees. When he felt Aeryn staring at him their eyes met for a brief moment and he nodded. He too felt the strange, almost palpable atmosphere of something happening.

Aeryn felt her rattlers die down a bit and she exhaled softly. She knew despite all her mixed feelings towards the human, she could count on him.

"I don't know why you didn't let me come down here alone," Chiana asked for the umpteenth time since Zhaan and herself had boarded the second transport pod and were now en route to the planet.

The Delvian let out an exasperated sigh and shook her bald head. "I told you, my child. To keep you out of trouble."

"Trouble? Me?" Chiana asked in an exaggerated fashion and gave off the equivalent of a Nebari snort. "The instructions were very clear: Land, pick up the other transport pod and get off planet. No time for me to get into trouble..."

"This is what you say, Chiana. But D'Argo and I didn't want to chance anything." Zhaan replied and shot the Nebari the look, as Chiana called it. It was a mixture of annoyance and calm understanding and it was unnerving her every time the Delvian did that.

"D'Argo," Chiana harumphed. "He should stay out of my business ..."

"As well as out of your shivvies?" Zhaan shot back and chuckled when she felt the Nebari shift uncomfortably in her seat.

"So now everyone trudges out my love-life," Chiana growled and shook her head. "Why don't you find another topic, like Crichton and Aeryn ..."

"Because, my dear Chiana, there is nothing to talk about. They are not seen sneaking in the dead of night through the corridors of Moya ..." Zhaan snapped back. "Now stop your cussing and shut up!"

Chiana could sense that the Delvian Pa'u was not short tempered for nothing, but she did not know why Zhaan was like this. Shrugging she concentrated on the view of the port. Lush green and yellow fields lay ahead as the transport pod readied to land.

Too bad Zhaan had to accompany me, Chiana thought and watched with interest as Zhaan landed the pod and several males in loincloths rushed up. Now this is fun.

Zhaan watched the men with a weary eye and could not shake the feeling of mischief that was coming from Chiana. She started when a man approached her and bowing deeply, addressed her with a refined voice.

"Honourable Pa'u, the pod is ready for you and your companion to take back to your ship," the man said, still keeping his eyes fixed squarely to the dirt beneath his sandals.

"Thank you, but I had thought to meet with my friends, Aeryn Sun and John Crichton," Zhaan said while trying to keep Chiana at her side who had started to flirt with one of the younger men standing off to their side.

"Mistress Sun and her male are with our beloved Prefectress Mar'Liana. She and her male are undergoing the claiming ritual as she wished."

"Claiming ritual?" Chiana piped in and for the first time the man in front of them rose his head.

"Yes, a very sacred and important ritual on our world. It is the very essence why we exist. Our mistresses can either claim or renounce us for the continuation of one cycle. Our Mistress Mar'Liana invited Mistress Sun and her male to join them."

"And what does this claiming ritual involve?" Zhaan asked and the man bowed his head again.

"My dear Pa'u, the males get claimed by their mistresses and this is celebrated with much joy. As I said it is an important event in a male's life."

"Do you think what I think, Zhaan?" Chiana whispered and Zhaan had to chuckle.

"I think so, Chiana, though if Aeryn agreed on purpose or just as to not affront the people here is a question that will be answered as soon as those two return to Moya," Zhaan replied softly. Turning towards the still bowing man again, she continued: "We send our greetings to your mistress Mar'Liana and look forward to meet our crewmates again tomorrow."

"Yes, Honourable Pa'u, I will give her your greeting as you wish."

Walking over to the other transport pod, Zhaan and Chiana noticed that almost no females where in the transport hangar and that the men followed them in respectful distance. Zhaan was the first to reach the pod and when she boarded it she saw that it held all of their required items and more. Shaking her head, she turned towards the leader of the men.

"There must be a mistake," she started. "There is more than we actually wanted to purchase."

"My Mistress Mar'Liana told me it is a gift for the pleasure of having such a beautiful guest as Mistress Aeryn at her palace," the man said with a bright smile and if Zhaan had had hairs, she was sure they would have risen in the small of her back. Something is definitely wrong here, she thought.

"Please thank your mistress also in the name of the crew of Moya," Zhaan replied and prepared to close the hatch. After she had settled behind the pilot's console, she closed her eyes and sent a short prayer in favour of her two crew mates to her Goddess.

This is frelling tedious, Aeryn thought and watched yet another woman reciting all the accomplishments of her wealth and status and then walking over to one of the males and leading him towards a staircase and up into the second floor where Aeryn suspected that the bedrooms were located ... Or what ever rooms they used to prolong the claiming, Aeryn snorted silently.

She caught a glimpse of John staring at her and she suspected he had the same line of thought as he fidgeted on his seat and from the way he rubbed his lower lip with his thumb, she knew he was nervous or thinking. Probably both, Aeryn told herself with a sigh.

Indeed, John was thinking. Ever since the claiming ritual had started he had become more fidgety and the rattlers in his stomach were doing flip-flops. But, he had to admit to himself. At least Harvey is giving me a rest.

He was startled when his name was called out and he watched as Aeryn proceed to the small area where the other women had stood to explain the claiming of their males. Like the others, he waited for Aeryn to speak.

"I'm Aeryn Sun, formerly of the Pleisar Regiment, daughter of Talyn and ..." Aeryn started and frowned. I don't know my mother's name, she thought and with a shrug she added: "And Officer Sun, a Peacekeeper, my mother. I have come here today to reclaim my mate, John Crichton."

"So why do you wish to reclaim him?" Someone offered and Aeryn clenched and unclenched her fists.

"I reclaim him because he was of good service to me and the crew of Moya in the past and will do so in the future. He is loyal and ..." Aeryn creased her brow. She had heard what the others had claimed about their males before it had been her turn, but her mind was coming up with a blank.

What can I possibly say? she asked herself. It is not that we have any intimate relationship apart from just the once. What assets can I state that issue the wish of my claiming him again?

"He is loyal," Aeryn stated again, her voice gaining confidence again. "He is a good fighter and a friend. Without him, most of Moya's crew, myself included would be dead. That is why I reclaim him!"

"What about his more physical assets?" A female voice called out and from the smirk on the young girl's face, Aeryn knew it had been Saani asking the question.

"Crichton is strong," Aeryn said, desperately wishing that this whole ordeal was over soon.

"Strong? In bed? " That came from Mar'Liana.

Crichton flinched at that. Despite the fact that he had loved to hear Aeryn praise him and calling him a warrior, he didn't like the turn this ritual had taken. Searching Aeryn's face, he locked eyes with her and with a small nod of his head, he tried to give her confidence. The look they exchanged clearly stated 'Lie if you have to'.

"He is a good lover," Aeryn quickly explained, groping her mind for something more to say. Unwelcome images of Crichton and her in bed on the false Earth appeared before her mind's eye and she swallowed.

If she closed her eyes, she could still feel the unique way he had recreated with her. The slow strokes of his hands on her body, calming and exciting her at the same time and his breath fanning over her heated skin, leaving goosebumps in its wake.

Yes, she added in her mind. He had been unique, formidable.

"He is unique and formidable and a very trusted companion," the raven-haired woman added which caused a round of spontaneous applause. "I wish to reclaim John Crichton."

"Then do so, Mistress Sun, reclaim your male for another cycle," Mar'Liana gestured towards John to stand up and after he had done so two servants led him over to where Aeryn was still standing, clearly embarrassed by the whole situation.

"If you ever breathe just one word about what transpired just now to the rest of the crew, I'll kill you, Crichton," Aeryn growled under her breath and John nodded.

"Understood," he said, as he drew her closer to exchange the customary kiss of claiming with her.

John Crichton closed his eyes and tried to concentrate on anything but the radiant blue-eyed woman lying by his side. Ever since they had been given this nicely furnished room to celebrate the claiming more intimately, he had felt hot and bothered and not able to sleep.

He could sense that Aeryn was as tensed as he was. But he knew unlike Aeryn, the tension he was feeling derived from the fact that every muscle in his body strained not to act upon his feelings that surged through every fibre of his being, through every thought and through every heart beat. He cursed himself silently and knew he should have laid off drinking the plotooni but it had reminded him so much like Earth's wine that he had had more than his fair share of the beverage during the claiming ceremony and he knew his self-control was slipping away rapidly.

Shifting slightly, avoiding the touch of the woman lying beside him, he tried to quench the fire in his body as it began to ache in steady waves throughout the lower regions of his body. If John acted upon his desire, he would tear the skimpy dress from Aeryn and bury himself in her beautiful body. But he knew that he would not live to tell if he actually acted upon the urge. Sighing, he put an arm over his eyes.

It's going to be a long night and, Southern gentleman or not, I don't think I have that much control, he thought, suppressing a groan. He tried to distract himself from the stiffening in his groin and he wished for once he had not done the gentlemanly thing of not removing his pants. This was getting painful.

John tried to concentrate on the things they had to do in the morning, like meeting the merchants, purchasing the rest of their much needed supplies but he failed miserably. Nothing would lead him away from thoughts about the raven-haired woman at his side and if he was honest with himself, he didn't want to. Ever since their night on the false Earth he had dreamed about an opportunity like this. He had wanted to spend quality time with Aeryn but he also knew that getting through the rigid barriers she had resurrected around herself were going to be a hard struggle.

John sensed Aeryn moving just a fraction as she tried to steady her breathing and pretended to be asleep just like him. The small movement brought her presence all the more forcefully to his mind and suppressing a groan, he tried to calm his breathing and the erratic thumbing of his heart. He could still remember the feel of her skin against him, her firm breasts in his hands, her soft moans quenched by his mouth as he had entered her the first and only time they had made love, the sensation of becoming one in body and mind had almost killed him after so many months of yearning for her touch. He had given her his soul that night back on the false Earth, he knew that now. He had never been one of those who enjoyed one-night stands and his little tryst with Jenna on the Royal Planet had left him unsatisfied to say the least. Sure, he had released the tension and it had felt good to be together with another person in this way, but afterwards he had felt as if he had betrayed Aeryn.

And we aren't even together, John thought bitterly, but in his mind and his heart he knew they were destined to be together. He just had to make sure that Aeryn knew it too. But what pained John even more was that Aeryn did not seem to feel the same way about him. The concept of love still eluded her although he had seen glimpses of love and care in her demeanour lately, he did not know if it was enough to open her up to him.

Crichton turned his head slightly, only to feel her raven tresses gently caressing his cheek and tingling his nose. Taking in a soft whiff of her hair, he suppressed the urge to bury his face and hands in that beautiful mass of hair.

Aeryn could hear and feel Crichton stirring beside her. She suppressed a sigh and wished that he would fall asleep at last. About an arn ago they had agreed to share the plush oversized bed, trying to get the much needed rest they both needed. But to no avail, she could feel the tension building between them and she knew she would not find sleep anytime soon. When she felt him stirring again, she sighed and sat up.

"Crichton, stop fidgeting!" she almost yelled and ran her hands distractedly through her mane of black hair. With a quick sweep of her legs she got off the bed and inspected a tray with two goblets and a carafe on it.

"Care for a night cup? she inquired and John, despite his discomfort, had to grin at her attempt of an Earth saying.

"It's night cap, Aeryn, and no, I think I had enough," he answered which earned him an inquiring look from his companion.

"You once explained to me that a night cap helps humans sleep," Aeryn said as she poured herself a fair amount of the rich auburn-coloured liquid. John watched her as she brought the goblet to her rosy lips, sipping, tasting the nectar.

It must taste good, he noted to himself as her lips curved into a smile. He propped himself up on one elbow against the soft cushions and watched as Aeryn came over to the bed, goblet still in her hands, her hips slightly swaying ... or was it his vision? He was not sure.

"Here," she offered him the cup as one knee came to rest on the mattress, giving him not only an unrestricting view of a beautiful carved thigh but also of her ample cleavage. Swallowing around the lump forming in his throat, he managed to take the cup from her without spilling anything and brought it to his lips. The liquid inside tasted like port wine, a bit too sweet for his liking but he revelled in the familiar taste of home.

"It's good," he said when he gave her back the goblet.

"It's not like anything I have tasted before," Aeryn replied. "Most of the beverages Peacekeeper are used to are Fellip Nectar and Raslak and they are both bitter to taste." She returned the goblet to its tray, then resumed her position beside Crichton again, but this time she was facing him, her arms and hands tucked underneath her head as she watched John sleepily.

Ever since she had tasted the liquid, she felt a comforting warmth spreading throughout her body, fogging her mind slightly but not in an uncomfortable way. She yawned and closed her eyes, revelling in the rare peaceful moment they both shared.

"Good night, Crichton," Aeryn whispered and soon her deep, regular breathing could be heard.

John sighed and watched the sleeping woman beside him with drooping lids. The night cap must have worked, he thought before sleep too overcame him.