Author's Note- Hiya guys! I have to apologize for my lack of posting. As most of you know, life tends to get in the way when we least expect it. From unexpected surgery to serious illness in the family to college exams, I've been busy.

Thank you for the reviews! I very much appreciate the constructive criticism and I hope I improved some. There was a question regarding Harry's new metallic muscle. I could spout off a couple of different things like a new ore was discovered on a distant planet and has the properties of adamantium while is incredibly flexible. However, I will admit that Harry's new muscle was me cashing in my "I'm the Author, so I'm entitled to a little BS" card.

Throughout the anime, I feel almost every time you see Harry, something goes wrong and something has to be replaced. First it was his arm, the next his whole body! As a Harry McDougall fan, this was a little more than annoying. This was kinda my way of ensuring he won't go down easily. Aside from that, though, I'm gonna try my hardest to keep things farely believeable for Ito's world. Although, I won't guarantee the characters won't have some slight OOCness going on, but I'm gonna try!

As usual, Outlaw Star and its cast are not mine, but the property of Takehiko Ito. Now, on with the story!


Chapter 2

Melfina's chocolate colored eyes took in the sights and sounds of the boisterous Heifong III with an intense curiosity. Bright lights blinded all who stared for too long and loud music boomed throughout the area, attempting to burst everyone's ear drums. People darted from place to place with such vigor that they seemed to be on a serious, time-sensitive mission. In truth, they were probably just there for the district-wide sale in each store. After all, it was why she and her group were there in the first place.

When the news of such a sale reached the ears of the Outlaw Star crew, their fates were sealed. Aisha, being the impulsive Ctarl-Ctarl, immediately wanted to roam the streets, looking and purchasing any and all shiny objects she could manage. Suzuka wanted to tour the tea shops and enjoy a relaxing night away from the Outlaw Star's crew, a luxury she hardly ever received these days. Gene and Jim wanted to snag any possible ship parts they could while they were at a reduced price since the parts for the Outlaw Star were ridiculously expensive. Melfina, of course, was just along for the ride.

So there they were, wandering the crowded streets with a crazed Ctarl-Ctarl zipping from one side of the street to the other, a bio-android who was fascinated by the antics of the people around her, and a pair of haggling humans who wanted nothing but the best for a small price. By now, Suzuka had long since abandoned her friends to enjoy the best tea in all of Heifong III.

Aisha snapped to attention before Melfina, waving her dark arms around frantically. "Look at them, Melfina! Aren't they just gorgeous?" she prodded, indicating the shiny new bangles and bracelets weighing down her arms. "And these! Don't you like these!" she continued, gesturing to her necklace covered throat.

Melfina covered her giggling smile with a pale hand and nodded her head in assent. "Yes, they're quite beautiful," she said, stroking Aisha's need for compliments. The Ctarl-Ctarl practically purred in contentment before darting off in another direction.

"Where'd she run off to now?" Jim questioned, taking an authoritative stance beside Melfina. His blue eyes scanned the crowded streets but there was no sign of the feline-like woman anywhere.

Melfina shrugged her petite shoulders. "I'm not sure. She ran off in that direction, though. She couldn't have gotten too far."

Gene approached the companions, scratching his head. "Who knows? When someone has as much energy as her, they could be across the planet in no time." The tall man stretched and then gave Jim's blonde hair a good ruffle. "Hey, why don't you go grab some groceries for the ship? We could use 'em," Gene said, snatching his hand away before Jim could retaliate.

"Oh yeah? Why don't you go get them? I did it last time!" Jim said, glaring at Gene.

The taller man shrugged and started walking away in the direction of the nearest bar. "I'm gonna go find, Aisha. There's no telling what kind of trouble she'll get into on her own," he called out, turning back momentarily to fix Melfina with what he perceived to be an alluring stare. "Would you like to help me find Aisha, Mel?"

Melfina offered her captain a smile, despite the uncomfortable array of emotions swirling in her stomach, and shook her head. "I think I'll help Jim with the shopping. Besides, I'm sure Aisha will be fine on her own."

The flash of hurt on Gene's face was enough to make guilt seize the bio-android's heart before he quickly switched to an expression of annoyance. The red-head turned on his heel and gave the two a backward wave. "Fine, fine. I'll see yall back at the shop," he said, disappearing into the sea of people.

Relief filled Melfina after Gene could no longer be seen through the crowd. The shoulders she hadn't known to be tense relaxed visibly and she exhaled the breath she had been holding. She hated feeling that way whenever Gene left, but whenever the prospect of them being alone came up, she couldn't seem to relax. In truth, ever since his release from prison Gene had acted strangely toward the bio-android. At first, his attentions and actions had been subtle such as a hair ruffle here and there or a goofy grin directed at her. Melfina thought that was just Gene's way of showing acceptance. Lately, though, he would stare at her with such longing when he thought no one was looking and he was openly more affectionate than before. Gene had even quit staying out all hours of the night and came home at a reasonable time.

For the most part, Melfina didn't mind, but she felt as though his actions held an underlying meaning that she couldn't reciprocate. She loved Gene like a sister loves her brother, but nothing more. She couldn't love him the way he wanted or needed and that fact was weighing heavily on their current relationship.

Jim glared at the back of Gene's head for a moment before yelling out, "Gene, you scumbag!" The boy huffed, but ultimately accepted his new task whether he wanted to or not. Melfina watched Gene's back for a few moments before turning back to Jim. "If you would like, you could head back to the shop and I could go do the shopping," she offered, grinning. Jim crossed his arms over his chest and shrugged. "Don't worry about it, Mel. If we do it together, though, we could get it done in half the time."

Melfina nodded and followed the oblivious boy out of the crowded streets and into the less crowded grocery stores.

After nearly two hours, Jim and Melfina emerged from the store with only two full paper-bags worth of food. Oddly enough, even the grocery stores were packed to maximum capacity because of the sale. Melfina clutched her bag closer to her chest as she and Jim weaved through the increasing number of people. "Man, it's getting pretty crowded," Jim commented, noting the sky growing darker and darker by the minute. "People must be getting off work right about now, I guess."

Melfina steered them through the crowd of people, getting bumped and roughly pushed every once in a while. Her eyes caught sight of a park-like area off to the side and away from the hectic sea of people and proceeded to approach it with an eager Jim behind her. The bio-android observed the over crowded streets and turned a worried look to Jim. "Perhaps we should head back to the shop."

Jim, huffing from exertion, nodded his head in agreement. There were so many people by now that everyone was bumping elbows and running into each other. Angry slurs and insults started to erupt after one too many collisions. It would definitely be best to leave the rest of their shopping to another day. "Yeah, things are getting pretty crazy. I'll go first, stay behind me Mel," Jim said, jutting himself into the crowd once more.

Like Jim requested, Melfina followed behind the boy to the best of her ability. Every now and then someone would harshly slam their shoulder into her own or jab her with an elbow. Each time she would flinch, but recovered quickly and kept pace with Jim. Unfortunately, after one particularly jarring motion, an orange was sent flying from her paper bag. The feeling of obligation forced Melfina to drop down to one knee and retrieve her fallen fruit. When she returned herself to her feet, Jim was nowhere to be seen.

Melfina sighed in slight frustration and attempted looking around the various frames of people. "Jim!" she called out, searching for the figure of her friend. "Jim, where are you?" Her calls were never answered and her eyes could not locate him in the crowd.

He'll probably end up going to the shop… she began to think when a familiar flash of blue drew her attention to the side. Melfina tried to focus on the person, but he or she eluded her line of sight. Curiosity reared its head and demanded to be satiated before the bio-android would continue on her way. Melfina scrunched her brow in concentration and tried to locate the blue haired person, but to no avail. A tiny voice nagged at her from the back of her mind, but Melfina felt the need to continue to the shop.

With a tiny shrug of her shoulders, the bio-android continued through the wave upon wave of people. She turned down another street and the flash of blue caught her attention once more before disappearing from her vision entirely down an alleyway. Melfina picked up her pace and was quick to follow and peered around the corner, hoping to catch a glimpse of the unknown person.

Her shoulders slumped in disappointment. Whomever it was had made a swift escape.

Melfina rolled her tired shoulders and decided to give up on her search. As it was, Jim was more than likely already worried about her and the full grocery bag was beginning to take its toll on her slender arms. The woman silenced her sense of familiarity and curiosity and followed the sidewalk to where the shop and her new home were situated.

Unbeknownst to her, a pair of bright, purple eyes followed her movements from the roof top above.

Soon, my angel, we'll be together…


End Note- So what do you guys think? Grammar, format, etc. Help me make this a better experience and better fiction for yall. Constructive criticism is always nice and I'd love to here what yall think about the plot so far. :)