Title: Back to the Uncharted Territories
Author: Paradox761
Email: Paradox761@mail.com
Website: members.tripod.com/~Paradox761
Disclaimer: Joss Whedon owns Buffy; SFC, Jim Henson Productions, and Rockne S. O’Bannon own Farscape; and Universal Pictures owns Back to the Future. No copyright infringement is intended, so please don’t sue. I don’t have any money anyway.
Summary: Sequel to “A Sympathetic Ear”, John Crichton finally makes it home only to discover that the life he left behind is no longer there. His father, DK, and Xander Harris are all dead. Then he meets an extraordinary man in a bar, a time traveler, with an extraordinary proposition. Will John risk it all to go back in time to save his father’s life? And what happens when the consequences are much worse than he ever could have imagined?
Author’s note: Takes place directly after the third season of Farscape, after that it’s an AU. Also, for the sake of this story, Farscape takes place in the near future (2017), and some of the modifications made to the DeLorean in the second movie, namely Mr. Fusion, came from further into the future then when the movie took place (2015). Also, some dialogue has been lifted directly from the Buffy episode “Grave”, no plagiarism intended.
Dedication: To Jordan and Jessica, my angels. May they rest in peace.
Special thanks to A. Grandt, greywizard, Wayne, Rob Clark, Danielle, Goblin, Calen, DaBear, Obi, Gareth, Troy, David, and Lafe for the feedback and support.
(Farscape/BtVS/BttF, Xander/Chiana, John/Aeryn)
Rated R for language and violence
Guest Cast:
Guy Pearce as Dr. Julian Martin Brown, PhD.
James Remar as Lakas

John laid it all out for him. Everything from what happened on the command carrier, with Crais and Talyn sacrificing themselves. He told him about Aeryn and his other self, about him dying and Aeryn not being able to deal with him anymore. He told him about the crazed Leviathan and the sacred burial space, about them killing it and releasing Talyn’s remains. He told him how he was a man torn between two worlds. How one seemed to be falling apart, and how the other was always just out of reach. And then he told him about the old woman, and about finding out that Aeryn was pregnant. He told him about Dr. Jules Brown, and his time machine made out of a DeLorean. And about how he used it to go back and save his father’s life, only to have it cause an alien invasion, and have to be undone again. And finally, he told him about his decision to come back here and save Xander’s life.

Two beers and three more bottles of soda later, John’s story was finished. And the pair just sat there for a few minutes in silence, exhausted from all the story telling and baring of their souls that they had just done. “Wow,” Xander finally said, breaking the silence.

“Tell me about it,” John returned.

“Aeryn’s pregnant?”

John looked across the table at his friend, a puzzled look on his face. “After everything I just told you, the only thing you’re surprised by is that Aeryn is pregnant?”

Xander seemed to think for a moment. “Well, yeah. I mean, I didn’t know that humans and aliens could interbreed. Demons and humans can interbreed, well some species of demon, but we’ve been sharing the same planet for the last couple hundred thousand years. Biologically, it makes sense. But two completely alien species…”

“Well, humans and Sebaceans do seem to share more than just a physical appearance. Besides, I don’t even know that it’s mine. Or, the other John Crichton’s I mean.”

“It has to be though, right? I mean the only other candidates are Crais, whom from what you’ve told me had feelings for Aeryn, but they weren’t returned. Or that mental case, Stark. And I really don’t see that happening. Or Rygel, which from how you’ve described him, sounds like a Muppet. And from the mental image I now have in my head, eew.”

John’s face wrinkled in disgust. “Great, now that image is in my head. Thanks a lot.”

“Sorry,” Xander said.

“I just can’t believe that she didn’t even tell me.”

“Well, why are you so sure that she’s pregnant then?”

“What do you mean?”

“You said that the old lady told you. How does she know?”

“I don’t know. She just…knows things.”

“Well, maybe Aeryn doesn’t even know yet.”

“Somehow I doubt that.” John paused, taking a sip of his beer. “Seriously though, none of the other stuff I told you even made you blink.”

“Why should it? I kill vampires and demons for a living, and you’re an astronaut from the future who got shot through a wormhole. Why would I have trouble believing in time machines?”

John opened his mouth and then closed it again, suddenly finding himself wondering why he had so much trouble believing Jules’ story. “You didn’t seem too surprised when I told you that you were going to die tonight.”

“That demon had me dead to rights. If you hadn’t shown up when you did, I’d be worm food right now. I figured that much out on my own.”

John saw something strange in Xander’s eyes as he answered. “Why do I get the feeling that there’s more to it than that?”

Xander looked down at the table, like he was avoiding eye contact with John. He shook his head gently in denial, but something in his face told John that he had struck a nerve. He looked like he wanted to tell him, he just didn’t know how.

“I’ve thought about it before,” Xander finally said, breaking the awkward silence. “Dying. What it would be like. I’ve thought about taking my own life. It’s hard to go through what I’ve been through and not think about it, you know. After what Willow did…I understand what it’s like, for the people you leave behind. But I don’t really have anyone to leave behind anymore. So I kept asking myself, why not? I wasn’t afraid, I had no reason to live anymore, so why not? Why couldn’t I bring myself to do it?” Xander paused. “I couldn’t bring myself to admit that I thought it was cowardly, because that would mean that I thought Willow was a coward. And I don’t. Willow was the bravest, strongest person I ever knew. But I couldn’t divorce the two in my mind. I couldn’t pass judgment on suicide without passing judgment on Willow, and I couldn’t bring myself to do that. So for years, it just sort of floated around in my head like that, because I wouldn’t let myself dismiss it as a viable option. It took a long time to come to terms with, to be able to admit that what Willow did was a mistake. I know that sounds odd, after all she’s done. But she was Willow. Willow didn’t make mistakes, it was a law of nature. Once I admitted it to myself, I realized that I wasn’t being fair, holding her memory to such a high standard. It was okay to admit that she wasn’t perfect, it didn’t mean that I loved her any less.” He paused. “So that was it, the idea of suicide wasn’t floating around in my head anymore.

“And then about two weeks ago, something happened. I was out on patrol, when I spotted a couple of vampires attacking this woman in an alley. So I ran in and started doing my thing. I killed one of them, and I was grappling with the second when I heard it. Movement, from the fire escape above me. Another vampire. It was a stupid mistake, I should have scoped out the alley more before rushing in. It was the kind of mistake that I haven’t made in a long time. He jumped down, right on top of me. And for a split second, I thought I was dead.” Xander paused, taking a drink. “And this feeling of peace came over me, like I haven’t felt since…I can’t even remember when. I was relieved, that all of this was going to end finally. All of this pain and misery, and I was going to see the people I loved again. You see, ever since the day it happened, I’ve never doubted that I’ll see them all again one day. But then my instincts took over, and I lashed out. And before I knew it, they were both dead. And I wasn’t. I was standing there, alone, in a dark alley. The peaceful feeling just faded away into nothing. It was like…it was like waking up from a wonderful dream, to the cold slap of reality across your face. It was the closest I had come to crying since that night in the tub.

“After that night, I started making more mistakes. Taking more and more risks that I wouldn’t normally have taken. But time after time, fight after fight, I came out on top. And instead of feeling satisfaction after a patrol, like I normally would, all I felt was disappointment.” Xander lifted his head, making eye contact with John for the first time since he started talking about this. “And then tonight, I walked into a nest of demons with nothing but a sword and a death wish. I don’t think I admitted it to myself until right now, but I really wasn’t expecting to walk back out again.” Xander watched as a worried expression came across John’s face. “Don’t worry, I’m not planning on doing it again. I mean, there’s no real difference, is there? If I eat a bullet, or if I walk into a fight purposefully unprepared. It’s still suicide. It’s still giving up, and I’m not going to give up.” Xander let out a wistful sigh. “It isn’t that I still don’t want to die, I just don’t want to kill myself. There’s a difference.”

John was speechless for a moment, not sure what to say. “Xander, I’m…”

“Don’t say you’re sorry,” Xander said, shaking his head. “You did the right thing, and I thank you for it. I mean that.”

“I wish I could tell you that it would get better. But I don’t know your future anymore.”

“You don’t have to feel sorry for me,” Xander said. “I’ve made my choices.”

John shook his head. “No, I’m too busy feeling sorry for myself. Ever since this all began, since Aeryn left. I’ve done nothing but feel sorry for myself.”

“You’re allowed, you’ve been through hell.”

“Yeah, but so have you. You didn’t sit around wallowing in self-pity, you pressed on. You took the cards that you were dealt, and you played them, and you looked fate in the eye and said ‘Fuck you! You’re not going to beat me, because I’m not going to let you!’”

“Dude, how many have you had?”

“I’m not drunk, I’m serious. You persevered, and I admire you for that.” John paused. “In fact, I know what I’m going to do now. After I gas up the DeLorean and go back to 2017, I’m going to fit its fusion reactor onto my module, and I’m going back to the Uncharted Territories! Then I’m going to find Aeryn, and I’m not going to let her go. I’ll wait forever if I have to, but I’m not going to give up on her.”

Xander smiled for his friend. “Good for you.”

“I can’t thank you enough, Xander. It’s ironic I suppose. I came here to save you, and you ended up saving me.”

“No thanks are necessary, John. You did save me, and you let me get some things off my chest. I appreciate that. I haven’t had someone to talk to in a long time.”

John put his hand out and Xander shook it. “I wish I could say I’ll see you again one day, but I probably won’t.”

“That’s okay,” Xander said kind of sadly. The pair stood and got ready to leave, John grabbing his jacket and Xander picking up his sword and the first aid kit. He set it down on the bar as they walked by. “It’s late, if you need a place to crash before your trip back…”

“Thanks, but I have a place in 2017. I want to head back tonight.”

Xander just nodded as the two of them walked out of the bar, nodding a goodnight to Willy as well. They walked together out into the parking lot before saying their final goodbyes. They shook hands again and John pulled Xander into a friendly hug.

“Take care of yourself, John. Tell Aeryn and Chiana I said hi.”

“You got it. You take care of yourself, too. I know you’re prepared for your final reward, seeing your friends again and all, but try to remember to have a good life too.”

Xander forced a small smile. “No promises, but I’ll try. Goodbye, John.”

“Goodbye, Xander.”

The two turned and went their separate ways, heading for their respective cars. Both had their back turned when a column of blue light appeared in the parking lot between them, accompanied with a slight hum that neither one noticed. After a few seconds, the light faded and left in its place a man with dark hair, wearing a blue uniform of some kind. He quickly looked back and forth between John and Xander before calling out. “Wait!”

Both men had the same reaction to man who had just appeared. They spun around, weapons drawn. The only difference was that when John saw the man, he lowered his pulse pistol. “Jules?” he asked, in a puzzled voice.

“Yes John, it’s me.”

“How did you get here? I left you in the future.”

“Well, I’m back from the future. About 800 years in the future.”

“John, you know this guy?” Xander asked, his sword still at the ready.

“Yeah, it’s okay. This is the guy I told you about, Jules Brown.”

“Pleased to make your acquaintance,” Jules said. Xander lowered his sword and just nodded his head in reply.

“Jules, I don’t understand. I left you in 2017, what do you mean 800 years?”

“It’s a rather long story, John. Is there someplace we can go and talk? Perhaps…” Jules stopped as he turned to Xander again and saw him heading back to his car. “Xander, wait!” he called out. “This involves you too.”

Xander turned. “What involves me?” he asked.

“Well, ah…let’s see, how shall I put this? John, do you remember when I told you that you were the one I had been looking for, to take the DeLorean. And you told me that you weren’t.”

“Of course I remember, it just happened a couple days ago.”

“Yes of course, forgive me. For me, that took place over nine years ago.”

“Nine years?”

“Yes, well, to make an extremely long story short, you were right. You’re not the one.” Jules turned. “Xander is.”

“What!” John and Xander exclaimed at the same time.




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