Part 1

Beka left the bar clutching her reward, knowing she had to leave before her emotions betrayed her. Ignoring everything around her she returned to the Maru, and found her bunk where she collapsed and stared numbly above.

'I'm going back to Harper'

Beka calmly replayed the exchange in her head, unable to understand her own conflicting emotions that she felt. For six months she had believed Harper was dead, and had mourned him like the good friend he was. She still remembered vividly seeing the Arkology break apart before exploding, and Beka never forgot that cold numbness inside as she realised that Harper, Rommie and Rhade had been on board. That was just before she nearly passed out from feeling her body being pulled apart, and the beginning of her hell.

Beka tried to keep her breathing calm, not only had she discovered that Rhade was in fact alive, and predictably Dylan was too, now she had seen Harper living and breathing, and with that her thoughts suddenly tortured her as she remembered seeing Rommie, and her head in a cupboard.

"Argh!" Beka sat up with sudden frustration, as she brought her knees up close for comfort, and held her head in her hands.

'I'm going back to Harper'

Beka took a deep breath and ran her hands through her hair. Who did that blond bimbo thing think she was? How did Harper get a girl like that, and why would a girl like that want anything to do with him?

Beka stopped herself, and mentally calmed down. Unable to shake what she had seen of her friend, Rommie, Beka couldn't help feeling anger towards Harper, and that woman he was hanging around with.

"I'm going back to Harper," Beka mocked her now, as she got to her feet and walked through to the serving area, stopping at the counter she rested her hands on the surface, taking a deep breath, knowing this ship would always remind her of Harper. "What the hell has this place done to you Seamus?" she then asked herself. "And why am I finding it hard to care?" she considered with a frown.

After a moments thought Beka walked slowly through to the top of the ship, and sat down in the pilot's chair, always a good place to think. She should be happy, Beka considered, after loosing Harper she has got him back but it wasn't joy she was feeling. With sadness, Beka considered her own state of mind, after nearly dying on this ship, her home, with no one to help her, starving and going insane, Beka knew she had changed. It wasn't her fault; she had changed because she had learnt that even when you think you have friends around you, you can still be left to suffer alone, and no one will come to your rescue.

With a cold stare looking at nothing in particular, Beka heard her own thoughts and shuddered. How many times had she called out for Dylan, Rhade, and for Harper to find her? Finding out that Dylan had suffered no passage of time alone, had suffered little and that both Rhade and Harper had more than found enough things to pass the time, Beka felt nothing but anger that she had nearly died whilst they happily spent their time hooking up with girls and reverting to mindless acts of crime and drink to get by, making no effort to find her or even attempt to escape. Beka lashed out at the console on her right, needing to release her anger, before she huddled up and finally let the tears flow.

"Are you ok?"

"Yeah."

"Did Dylan talk to you?"

"Yeah."

Doyle looked at her friend, and seeing he was down she moved closer. "Harper, tell me why your friends hate you."

"Gee, that'll cheer me up, thanks," Harper snapped and moved away, carrying a heavy piece of equipment as he walked. "And they were friends, three years ago to be precise and a lot has happened," he continued to talk as he put the machinery down on the floor.

Harper stopped and sighed, turning back to Doyle. "You know what really bites?" he asked and didn't wait for Doyle to offer an answer. "They didn't care, I've been here three fricking years and they didn't even notice, all they wanted was to judge me and they didn't even ask why I do the things I do!"

"They know about Marika," Doyle stated.

Harper looked at Doyle. "Yeah, so what do they do?" Harper questioned. "Do they realise I'm her prisoner, maybe, do they try and help me, no," Harper snapped. "All they do is ask why I haven't escaped," there was an ironic laugh. "Gee, I don't know, why didn't I think of that, and why haven't I Doyle?" he asked with sarcasm.

"Because this is a world that bans tech, and you can't escape," Doyle answered calmly.

"They just don't get it, or care," Harper repeated with anger. "What were they expecting? That being on a world that bans my first and true love would make me the happy little elf?" he mocked with a sneer.

"Harper, they are gone now, we need to focus," Doyle reminded him.

"Gone?" Harper questioned. "They haven't gone, Doyle, far from it. They'll stick around now, you'll see, tormenting me with their freedom, judging me like I'm some low life scum who should feel honoured they haven't just killed me for still being alive," he seethed. "You know maybe that's how they always saw me, they humoured me and now I've had to actually do whatever I can to survive again, it goes against their damn self righteousness to help me out," he stressed, clearly upset. "And now they know were to find me you can bet they'll keep coming back, probably to judge me some more because I'm such an easy target."

"You mentioned they had a ship, could you escape to this?" Doyle asked with consideration.

Harper took a deep breath. "Right this minute, I want nothing to do with them and for the record, they have two ships, two ships I could just as easily sabotage given the chance and they should remember this," he continued to rage.

"I thought Dylan had spoken to you?" Doyle remained calm; in the hope her presence would have the same effect on her friend.

"They only care about Rommie," Harper said sadly as he tensed, and avoided Doyle's stare now. "I don't blame them but they have no idea, and I'm not going to tell them the truth, they're not my friends anymore."

Doyle watched sadly as Harper stalked off sensing that his emotions had nearly threatened, but she knew he was now going to see Marika. She hated seeing him like this, and at that monsters beck and call. He had worked so hard over the past couple of years to try and find an escape for them both. Harper didn't deserve this life, and she couldn't help but feel that his old friends were the very people he needed to help him. Doyle considered her next move, knowing she could risk Harper's friendship if she didn't plan this right.

Beka found herself walking down the strange unfamiliar street, taking in all the sights and sounds she had previously missed when she had last been on Seefra One. There was no show of wealth here, everybody struggled and she could begin to understand why Harper had been able to adapt so well to this environment, it reminded her in lots of ways of Earth. Seeing the Oasis bar ahead, Beka approached, not knowing what she was hoping to find but she needed some contact, somebody to talk to and this was so far the only meeting point they had used.

Walking inside she approached the bar spotting Rhade, and she dismissed the bartender as she got Rhade's attention.

"Hey," Beka simply said.

"Hey," Rhade returned, focused on his drink and without looking up.

"What's up?"

"Same old," Rhade finally looked up. "Nothing going on but the beer being served."

Beka looked at Rhade for a moment. "I never had you pegged as a drinker."

"I never was, but nine months in this hell does this to a person," He answered picking up his drink and finishing the glass.

"Can I get you another?" the bar keeper was immediately alert.

"No," Rhade slowly got to his feet. "Hate to leave when you've only just got here," he turned to Beka. "But I have a meeting with a guy who owes me the money to buy my next beer."

"Rhade, let me buy you a drink," Beka offered.

"No, this guy flies into port in the next ten minutes his only visit of the week to this planet, he's not avoiding me again," Rhade stated with a slight slur. "You're welcome to join me."

Beka frowned, noting Rhade's disposition. "I'll pass, maybe see you around some other time?" she stated, before Rhade turned and left the bar seeking his money.

"Hey, thanks for bringing me back my painting."

Beka glanced over to the bar keeper, and then to the painting, now back in place and she frowned. "Spare me the details about its sentimental value," she remarked before ordering a drink.

The barkeeper, sensing her mood did as she ordered, before looking up at one of his female staff. "Hey, Nat, you heard from Harper?"

"Not since he was last at the stores," Nat returned, clearing the tables of empty glasses.

"Damn," the barkeep brought the drink to Beka, but was still distracted by his discussion with his bar staff, as he took Beka's money. "Do you think we'll see him around anytime today? I was hoping he'd cover for me."

"Sembler," Nat spoke sadly. "He'd of been seen already if he were going to be around today, I bet that bitch has her claws in him again," Nat returned. "Sembler, when are you going to help him?"

"The minute he's free of that bitch you mentioned, the big scary one," Sembler offered with an air of nervousness. "I'm not getting involved whilst he's still her property."

"Excuse me," Beka had to speak up at that point. "What are you guys talking about?"

"Just a guy," Sembler answered casually.

"Harper," Beka returned.

"You don't work for the bitch too, do you?" Nat asked, with caution as she approached.

"Doyle?"

Beka was met with only laughs at her comment, before Sembler then moved closer to Beka and leant on the counter. "You're not from round here, and you are better off not knowing what goes down around here, ok?"

"Harper is my friend," Beka spoke, and then caught her self when she saw their frowns. "Was my friend, we were friends long ago."

"Don't tell me you're one of those mythical friends he used to bleat on about, great soldiers who'd come and rescue him one day in this great star ship of the galaxy?" Sembler mocked. "Man, that kid can dream some great dreams, you got to give him that," he then smiled fondly, but Beka saw the unexplained sadness behind it.

"He stole your painting," Beka then stated, needing to see their reactions and knowing she had to tell them the truth, as it didn't feel right to hear and see these displays of affection towards Harper, not after she had found out the truth for herself. "He's no one's prisoner; he's just a petty thief going round killing and tormenting people."

The whole bar went silent, and Nat walked up to Beka and looked her straight in the eye. "You sure you don't work for that bitch, Marika? You sure sound like you do," she remarked in a low accusing tone.

Beka suddenly felt threatened with all eyes on her, and she looked away. Sembler moved even closer. "You're no friend of Harper, and I want you to finish that drink and then get the hell out of here."

"What?" Beka questioned.

"You heard me," Sembler simply said before moving away.

Unsure, Beka began to gulp the drink down. Her gut felt twisted and she still didn't quite understand what she was hearing. Harper had stolen that painting, people had died and it had been in his area of that underground cave system they had found him in. Harper had even been the one to return it to Rhade, but these people didn't seem to care about facts, it was as if they worshiped him and Beka began to feel like she was missing some vital facts, and that she had really misjudged this.

"Doyle!"

Beka looked up as Sembler greeted a name that she recognised. Turning, Beka saw the blonde female walking towards the bar, no longer wearing the garish pink outfit, but a more tasteful brown.

"Sembler," Doyle acknowledged, and then glanced at Beka. "Hi," she simply said and Beka could only nod her head.

"Where's Harper?" Sembler immediately asked.

"It's been nearly fourteen hours, I'm really worried," Doyle admitted. "Marika must have asked him to go and see her, but he's not come back. Gogol is dead," Doyle then added.

"Oh no, poor Gogol," Sembler seemed upset by the news. "I always thought Harper was playing a risky game trying to defeat that bitch."

"He had no choice," Doyle returned, as Nat joined them. "I just wanted to let you know to not expect him around town for a few days, maybe never again, I just fear the worst this time."

"Hey, Doyle, you're his rock don't lose faith, he'll survive he always does, and he has to," Sembler insisted. "He's part of my plan!"

"I best get back to pick up the pieces again, I want to be there when and if he returns," Doyle frowned. "I don't even know if he knows about Gogol yet," she shook her head, and both Sembler and Nat offered her brief comfort by touch and hug.

Beka quickly finished her drink and left the bar, with thoughts conflicting inside of her. Once outside she took a deep breath, and then tried to compose her thoughts. Harper was a friend, she reminded herself but she still couldn't get past what she had seen of Rommie. She closed her eyes, needing to try and accept that she may have misread the situation but it made no sense. She then felt someone stood nearby.

"They told me that you think Harper is nothing more than a petty criminal and murderer, that he is no prisoner," Doyle stated when Beka opened her eyes. "Strange then that Harper actually described you as a friend, or more accurately was a friend, that last bit makes sense now if that is what you think of him."

"Someone who tortures a friend and leaves their head in a-" Beka began.

"You think the fact he hasn't been able to fix her, to help her and make her whole again hasn't been torture for Harper?" Doyle questioned. "A day has not gone by where he hasn't done something to try and help her; he lacks the tools not the desire."

"He should have left her alone, allowed her to rest in piece, not in pieces," Beka snapped and looked away.

"I guess by those words you also feel he should have given up too, that his life is not worth saving?"

"He's not as helpless as you think," Beka returned, with a sigh. "Whatever sob story he's sold you, it's just to get you into bed."

"You know, I haven't got time for this, I have to go and help a good friend, not that I expect you to understand what that means," Doyle returned, she paused before looking back at Beka. "Harper was right about you," she simply finished before moving away.

"Wait," Beka called out, she didn't want to leave things like that, knowing that this woman had totally misunderstood her. "Look, I saved Harper from Earth, I helped him and I gave him a life, I worked by his side for nearly nine years, so don't you dare talk to me like I don't know him!" Beka fumed. "But when I needed help," Beka began, but was soon cut off.

"You really think Harper has been in any position to help 'you' in the past three years? He can barely help himself, and you talk as if you know him when you clearly do not. He helps his friends as much as he can but it's not always enough, and I have seen time and time again what Harper is prepared to endure to help his friends!" Doyle stressed and turned to walk away, and Beka quickly got into step beside her.

"He's changed, and he is not the Harper I knew."

"Maybe he's not the one who's changed," Doyle answered.

"The Harper I knew used to have control, used to have a conscience about all life," Beka explained purposefully. "He was not a monster who would decide who lived, who died and who suffered for eternity because he can't let go!"

Doyle was already shaking her head. "You have no idea."

"What were you talking about in the bar?" Beka then asked, deciding that Doyle was unashamedly loyal to Harper and there was no way she could get her to think rationally about things, this woman had no idea who Harper used to be and that was her loss, and not Beka's concern right at that moment.

"I was talking about the person you apparently know better than anyone, but you must have known that already," Doyle responded flippantly.

"I mean, you all sounded like he's dead already," Beka returned arrogantly. "What is the deal around here? You obviously know about Rommie, and Marika is nothing but a low life criminal. How can you pity Harper if he's mixed up with her, it's his own fault if he can't see past her, lets say, feminine ways," Beka suggested.

"You should quit talking now before you really make me angry," Doyle warned.

"I mean what is going on? You, that Marika lady, that girl in the bar, I've never known Harper to attract so much feminine attention," Beka continued.

Doyle no longer responded, and kept staring ahead and on seeing this Beka couldn't accept this.

"The Harper I knew would never work against his will, he'd never let himself become a slave so quit selling me this sob story, I know it's lies, I mean how can he be a prisoner if he works at that damn bar?" Beka protested, remember the discussion she had overheard and jumping to natural conclusions.

"He doesn't work at that bar!" Doyle snapped finally.

"But, that guy, Sembler, he said," Beka tried to question.

Doyle stopped and took a deep breath. "Sembler knows Harper from the back streets, the stores, the only place Harper is free in this damn system for what's its worth," Doyle showed her frustration, but now avoided eye contact with Beka. "He needed some repairs to some gear and they became friends," Doyle tried to quickly explain. "Sembler says Harper has a job at the bar the minute he's free from Marika, but trust me, that's never going to happen but Sembler has this mad notion that it will and that he's going to give Harper his bar the day he's free, and that's why he keeps asking if Harper's going to make his shift each day, it's the only thing to keep his spirits up about a friend he can not help."

"Why would he do that?" Beka still didn't understand.

"He says Harper is worth it, that he knows a good man when he sees one," Doyle simply answered.

"I know that man too," Beka returned. "At least I did."

"As much as I'm not enjoying this, I have to go, Harper might be back and he'll need me if he is," Doyle stated.

"Why?"

"Marika likes torture, and she likes Harper, and now she's killed the only other thing she liked to torture, so I'm not sure and I dread to think what this could mean," Doyle shrugged, but concern was clear on her features. "Harper built Gogol to take the pressure off him, but I'm guessing you probably think that's sick for Harper to build something purely to be tortured, but he had to do it and it's probably saved Harper's life for a little longer, sorry if that annoys you," Doyle started to walk again until Beka spoke up and she stopped.

"Listen, you think you know me, but you don't," Beka stated.

"Harper told me you were self righteous, that he probably disgusts you by who he really is, reverting back to do what he needs to do to survive, if that is the case, you best leave and forget you ever did know him, he's probably better off as dead in your eyes," Doyle answered. "You only knew one Harper, the Harper who was shown a better life and embraced it, well this isn't a better life anymore so deal with it and just walk away."

"Let me come with you," Beka asked in defiance, not willing to walk away.

"So you can upset him further, I don't think so," Doyle replied. "Harper doesn't need friends like you around him at the moment."

"He is a friend," Beka insisted.

"Was a friend," Doyle returned.

"We've been through a lot together, and if he's in trouble I need to see it for myself," Beka stressed.

Doyle offered a disbelieving laugh. "You're unwilling to believe for one moment that he's in trouble until you've seen it with your own eyes, but more than happy to tell complete strangers that he's a petty thief and murderer," Doyle accused. "I'm not going to let you near him, let alone see him, and you best stay out of my way."

Beka heard the words and found herself watching Doyle walk away. Unable to say or do anything, it took Beka a moment to finally move, and she headed back to her sanctuary, needing be in the reassuring surroundings of the Maru to help her think straight.

TBC