Hey my readers...I've started school ...again and it shouldn't take as long as to update it was just that i knew i wouldn't be able to update to i did 2 in one chapter.


"Why? Because I'm here, with you." he went to touch her hand but she flinched and moved away.

"I'm not over Gene," Melfina mumbled quietly "not yet. So please…"

"What is with you and that man?" Harry retorted angrily.

"Harry?" Melfina's voice was soft and hurt. However harry didn't catch on to her upset- as usual.

"He treated you like any other girl he found and fucked. Why do you still-" Harry replied vehemently.

"Because I love him Harry! He gave me life of my own. He made me feel safe." Melfina shouted loudly at him her eyes were brimming with tears.

"I just don't understand?! Forget-" Harry shouted back in his anger and confusion.

"I won't"

Harry could see that he had offended her. She had lost all the colour in her face just like when they met at his funeral the difference was, this time she stood up to him. She was defiant; it forced him to look at her differently. He couldn't force her to love him but he needed to show her that he was worthy of at least some of her love.

At this moment, he wasn't doing a very good job. Harry knew that was he did was unfair, she didn't deserve that unreasonable remark. It was obvious to Melfina that he hadn't experience a love like hers and Gene. She looked at him straight into his sorry violet eyes and told him.

"If you knew the love I had for Gene or experienced it for yourself, you wouldn't say those things."

"But I have-with you"

"Harry that is not the same. I do not love you like you love me"

"Argh! It always has to be about him!" Melfina was silent and downcast the tension dropped like a ton of bricks.

"I'm so sorry Melfina, I swear."

"You say that all the time." Melfina got up to leave and left the food on the chest of draws. Harry forced himself out of bed, scrambling towards her, he reached out to her. Harry almost dropped but Melfina caught him and lifting him up harry spoke.

"Melfina, I swear, I am sorry," Melfina was carrying Harry on one shoulder and he was leaning on her. "It's just…I can't stand it. Maybe I am a social retard, I can't feel for anybody else expect for myself." He coughed up blood.

"Harry!"

She placed him back on the bed and made sure he didn't suffocate in his sleep. Melfina could have almost forgiven him for what he had done. Before he wouldn't have said sorry rather kick up more of a fuss. She sat by his side and stroked his forehead making his breathing regular and relaxed.

"Thank you Melfina. I do this all the time. I'm sorry" Melfina just nodded and watched him sleep. A couple of hours after watching Harry she got a phone call from Jim.

"Hiya Mel it's me."

"Yes, hello Jim, how are you?"

"Fine just great." Really Jim was on the other line pacing up and down the room.

There seemed to be a pause before Jim continued.

"What actually happened to you today the restaurant and don't lie to me. Please Mel."

Melfina looked over at the person lying on the bed. He had caused so much pain and unnecessary anguish he was the sole reason they moved away and yet he was in her home, her safe place. Melfina pondered if she should tell Jim about him and the episode but she didn't want to make him worry. Was she going to lie to him about Harry? Moreover would he be able to understand why she took him in?

"Nothing major, Harry came and left."

"What? Why didn't you tell me? Mel, how am I supposed to protect you?"

"No Jim. You are not supposed to protect me. You are 11 years old. The things you should be worrying about are the next girl you are going to kiss or how you are going to celebrate your birthday soon. Not me, if anything, I should be worrying about you. Honestly I'm fine."

"Okay Mel." Jim responded defeated, "Look I just want…I don't want…argh...Please Mel I need to know you're okay… s-s-so at least I know," Melfina could almost hear Jim's tears. "That Aniki didn't die for nothing."

"He didn't. Thanks to you I'm getting on with my life…moving on, growing up. Look I'll see you on Sunday for roast okay I promise."

"You sure Mel? I want you to cook not Fred's chef"

Melfina chuckled a little,

"Okay then, it's a date, bye Jim."

"Bye" Jim sighed. It really was true, Melfina was growing up finally he thought but that still wouldn't stop him for worrying -till Sunday.

Harry began to stir. It was late; she was surprised that Jim even managed to stay up for the entire phone call-guess he was truly worried about her. Melfina sat on the chair and looked distantly into the clear night sky. When Harry managed to open his eyes he sat up, the painkillers were certainly doing their job. Harry stared at Melfina for a moment or two before speaking to her.

"Melfina, Thank you…for everything. I know I'm not the most patient person or easiest to deal with so I appreciate it. If there is anything…"

He could do something he could warn her about his brother that would be a start, his conscience thought. Harry on the other hand didn't want to ruin the moment he worried that she would run away from him again. He didn't want that after being so close.

Melfina turned and looked at him. Even as a bio-android she could get bags and sleepy. It was obvious that she had forced herself to stay awake.

"It's okay." she continued to stare.

Harry knew he had to tell her but when? With things like these there is no right time to tell her. He thought, tomorrow.

However now,

"Melfina you look tired. You need to sleep."

"I can't"

"Why not? I could always sleep in the sofa."

"I couldn't do that."

"Melfina, I'm in your home. I never thought I would get this close to you and I don't want to screw it up. Please Melfina go to bed." Harry got out from the bed and stood by Melfina. Melfina sat with her legs tucked in her chest and her head resting on her knees. Harry was unsure whether he should put her hand on her shoulder. He reached out his hand but flinched and moved it away, he wasn't about to scare her in her own home.

"Harry it's okay, just sleep. I'll be fine."

"You're clearly not." As Harry said this he stared right into her eyes and held her gaze for a moment or two.

"Harry, I actually can't sleep."

"Why not? Tell me, let me help you sleep, at least."

"Gene."

Harry was about to contort his face in anger, if he truly loved her he wouldn't have made her this dependant on him. He was about to speak his mind when Melfina looked at his with timid frail eyes. Harry took deep breaths before he spoke again.

"What did Gene do to make you sleep?"

"He just stayed by me till I fell asleep. When I was with him I felt I could dream. besides it is my first night alone."

"Well, I know I'm nothing like Gene so I probably won't make you dream, but I can stay by your side till morning and wait till you fall asleep."

"Would you?"

"Yeah, why not? It's nothing."

For Harry that was the most mature he had ever been in his entire life. He knew if he had any hope of getting close to her he'd have to put up with her and her Gene remarks. Harry stretched out and open hand waiting for Melfina to take it. Melfina saw Harry in a different light definitely more mature than at the restaurant or was because the moonlight was shining on his face? Either way she took his hand. He led her to the bed and he sat down.

Neither saying a word between them.

Harry sat upright and Melfina leaned her head on his broad shoulders. She closed her eyes and wished for a dream. Harry was content. It was enough for him that she was sitting by his side not out of fear or pity but because she wanted to. Harry stroked her face whilst she held his arm. He could have sat like this forever; he didn't want this night to end. He didn't want to tell not if it meant that he could never get a night like this again.

The next morning Melfina awoke to find herself wrapped in warm strong arms. She wondered who it was for a moment but when she turned she found it was Harry. Harry was still there, lying there beside her. Gene would have never stayed by her side till the morning. Harry McDougal was definitely something. Sometimes he could be irrational and insensitive but last night all of that seemed to disappear. She wasn't scared of him in fact she was comforted by his presence. She looked at him he slept like a baby, weirdly he mumbled some to Melfina.

"Are you going to stare at me all morning?" Melfina was taken back, how did he know?

"I know because I can see you." Melfina sat bolt upright and asked him straight out.

"Are you telepathic?"

"No. you're not subtle at all." Harry chuckled as he said this. They both got out of bed and he turned to face the bedroom door but before he got up he turned and looked at her over his shoulder and told her.

"I'll wait for you to have a shower"

"Thank you Harry, for last night."

He turned round fully to her and smiled. Not one of his fake smiles or his creepy smile a real smile from the heart.

"No, you can shower first. I'll start breakfast okay. Remember to take your pain killers." Harry popped them into his mouth he had enough experience with popping pills without water. He did it to escape the countless rejections he had from Melfina but it didn't matter now. He got up and went into the bath room to have a shower. Melfina could hear him turning on the tap and heard the water trickling down his body. She went into the kitchen and began to cook breakfast.

As Harry was in the shower he washed his wild hair and thought to himself he had to tell her now. If he didn't she'd find out some how and hate him even more than she did before. He grabbed a towel nearby covering himself he stepped out dripping wet. He walked straight into the kitchen where Melfina as cooking. He was toweling his hair and he stood there half naked.

"Melfina, where is your hairdryer and my clothes?" Melfina just stared at him she never had awkward moments like with Gene. He'd always be careful to avoid situations like this. Melfina was blushing as she fund herself staring at the water dripping around the contours of his body, his surprisingly well defined abs, his muscular arms… she was dreaming. He just acted causally.

"Err… Melfina, you're burning the eggs."

"Oh. Sorry." Turing away embarrassed. She was frantically fussing with the frying pan she was about to drop it and Harry stepped in to save it. Not after burning his hand. Melfina apologies a million times and ran his hand under cold water. She took the first aid kit under the sink and bandaged his hand. Harry looked at her in awe.

"Haven't you seen a guy like that before Melfina?"

"Not really" Harry just smiled a half smile.

"So where are my clothes?"

"Top draw." As she tried to save what was left of the burnt eggs Harry got dressed. When he came out of the bedroom he found breakfast neatly served. With an embarrassed Melfina standing beside the table he sat down. Harry asked Melfina for a glass of orange juice. As she was coming back with it he knew he'd better tell her now before he got scared.

"The Kei pirates are back Melfina." Harry said bluntly.

Melfina stopped dead in her tracks, her world started to spin. Everything became a blur and the only thing she could see was Hazanko. She couldn't hear it when the glass dropped and shattered into a million pieces on the floor. Nor could she feel when blood flowed from the deep wound in her foot. Everything she and the crew of the outlaw star had worked for was wasted.

Gene's death was pointless.

With that thought in her head, picturing Gene standing proudly by his ship.

One day Melfina, we will be free. I promise.

And fell.


A/N once again ruin everything for this couple...don't worry they do get together sort of. i glad people are still reading even though it has taken so long to get this far. i'd like to thank rose magenta, obscure runes, finial fic chic and of course my sempai for reading and reviewing. come on the rest of you review... i know you want to