"I know you want to help your friend but that doesn't mean you should take unnecessary risks," Dr. Neff was saying as Dylan walked into the lab she and her team was working out of. While their research had led to a promising treatment, she didn't want to risk anyone else's health trying to carry out the treatment.

"Unnecessary risk?" Harper said incredulously. "That poison is killing Rhade! If it wasn't for life support, he'd be dead already. We don't know how much time he has left and anything that can help him is something that I don't consider an unnecessary risk!"

"You may be a bone marrow match, but we don't know that your immune system would be able to combat the poison," Dr. Neff said, trying to remain calm despite the engineer's raised voice. "Not only that, but I've looked at your medical history, Mr. Harper. Your immune system has a hard time battling some of the more common illnesses."

"It's not like we're injecting me with the poison to find out if my immune system can handle it," Harper countered.

"True, however, there are always risks of infections or other complications with a bone marrow transfer, even for the donor."

"Risks that I'll take in a heartbeat," Harper told her, without hesitation.

"What's this about risks?" Dylan asked, deciding that he had listened in silence long enough. It was time to be a part of the conversation.

"We have a treatment that could help, Rhade," Harper replied, determined to get his thoughts into the conversation. He wasn't about to let Dr. Neff's scientific coldness get in the way of helping his friend.

"A possible treatment," Dr. Neff interjected. "Just because it works in blood cells in a petri dish, does not mean, it will work the same within an actual biological being."

"What are we talking about?" Dylan asked, feeling out of the loop.

"We've discovered that the human immune system is able to combat the poison that was on the dart Rhade was shot with. Apparently, whatever is capable of that, has been genetically engineered out of the Nietzschean immune system which goes to prove they're not genetically superior on all accounts," Harper said, unable to get a barb in about the race that had helped destroy his home world for year. "It's brilliant really," the engineer continued, clearly fascinated by the problem on an intellectual level. Because of their superiority complex, a Nietzschean would never look to the human immune system to hold a cure to a poison that their own immune system can't fight off."

"Okay," Dylan said, choosing not to comment on Harper's side comments. "How can you use that to help Rhade?"

"As the Nietzscheans are genetically engineered humans, biologically they are quite similar to humans, Admiral," Dr. Neff said from where she sat in front of a microscope and several petri dishes. "Biologically speaking, it is possible to conduct transplants and transfusions between the two species, though for the reasons that Harper has mentioned, there are very few documented cases of it actually occurring and even those cases the Nietzschean is usually the donor. However, a bone marrow transplant from a human donor meeting the right criteria can provide the needed stem cells that might allow Admiral Rhade's immune system to battle the poison."

"So, all we need to do is find a match," Dylan commented, feeling the first glimmer of hope since he had been recalled back to Tarazed.

"Correct," Dr. Neff replied. "However, that is sometimes a difficult task, though in this case, we found a match. However, I would prefer to try to find another match if possible."

"Why? Who's the match?"

"I am," Harper said, speaking up. "Assuming of course that my dodgy immune system is up to combating the poison, which we don't know for sure yet."

"Not to mention the increased risk to your own health because of the compromised immune system," Dr. Neff interjected.

Harper waved a hand in the direction of the Tarazed doctor. "That's not important," Andromeda's engineer said. "Rhade has risked his life in the past for me and I have no doubt he would do it again. If I can help him, then I'm willing to take whatever risks are necessary. Besides, if I stay in quarantine for a while following the procedure, that will limit my chances of catching anything."

"So will taking the medicine to boost your own immune system before the procedure," Dr. Neff countered.

"But that will take at least two days to take effect," Harper argued impatiently. "Looking for another match could take even longer than that, if you're even able to find one."

"Admiral Rhade is on life support, is he not," Dr. Neff countered. "Under the circumstances, I believe we have the time to proceed cautiously."

Harper opened his mouth to argue back but Dylan interjected before he could.

"You both make valid points," Dylan stated, intending to keep the conversation from spiraling out of control. "Granted we do have more time then we did before, but not an indefinite amount. I made Telemachus a promise not to drag this out too long and I intend to keep that promise." Dylan noticed the smug smile on Harper's face as well as the look of protest that was forming on Dr. Neff's. "However, taking whatever precautions we can to assure your safety, Mr. Harper, is time we can take. If there is medicine that can boost your immune system, then take it," he told the engineer, fixing him with a look.

Harper nodded a silent consent. His impatient nature might not like the course of action but Dylan was still his commanding officer. Besides, he knew better than to argue with that look.

Having Harper's cooperation, Dylan turned his head to look at Dr. Neff. "During that time, if you want to keep looking for another match, Dr. Neff, feel free to do so. However, Harper is willing to be the donor, risks and all. Harper said it would take about two days for the medicine to boost his immune system to take affect?"

"That is correct," Dr. Neff replied.

"Then if you haven't come up with another match for Rhade before then, we go forward with the procedure with Harper as the donor."

Dr. Neff nodded. "Very well, Admiral Hunt," she acquiesced. "Let your medical officer know I would like to see her at her earliest convenience and we'll get things under way."

"I will," Dylan replied. "And I thank you for all you've done so far."

"You're welcome."

Dylan turned his attention to Harper. "And I expect you to listen to whatever Dr. Neff and Trance tell you to do. Some risks are acceptable but unnecessary risks aren't."

"Understood, Boss," Harper said, trying to school his features to a more serious expression despite his victory.

With that settled, Dylan turned to leave the room. He planned on giving Trance Dr. Neff's message and then giving Jillian an update on the situation.


A half hour later, Dylan sat facing Jillian on Med Deck. Though they had moved the stools away from the bedside, the sound of the machines could still be heard as he related the conversation from the lab. He did his best to keep the outcome in perspective. The last thing he wanted to do was give Jillian false hope.

"I'm touched that Mr. Harper is willing to take that kind of risk to help my husband," Jillian commented.

"Any of us would," Dylan assured her. "Despite some, not so flattering comments at times, Harper does have a great amount of respect for Rhade. Perhaps even a bit of affection though he'd probably never admit to it."

Jillian found herself smiling. It felt weird, after the trials of the past days. "Telemachus told me that he had a unique relationship with Mr. Harper," Jillian told Dylan. "Though I could hear a certain amount of affection when he spoke of Mr. Harper."

"Unique certainly does describe Harper and Rhade's relationship," Dylan commented, thinking of the headaches the two of them had caused him these last few years. Despite the friction though, when it came down to crunch time, the two had always been on the same side.

"Do you think this will work, Dylan?" Jillian asked.

Dylan looked into the woman's eyes. He could see the desperation there. Jillian was searching for something to hold onto. He knew he needed to give her something without making any promises that could be broken in the days to come.

"Harper and Dr. Neff both seem hopeful that it stands a chance, though we're dealing with the unknown here. I do think this is Rhade's best chance."

Jillian nodded as she looked down. Raising one hand, she rested it on her belly where the unborn child dwelled inside her.

"I don't know how I can do this alone," Jillian confessed quietly.

Reaching out, Dylan gently took her other hand in his own. "No matter what happens, you won't be alone," he assured her. "I promised Telemachus that I would look out for you and the children. I intend to keep that promise no matter what choices I need to make to do that. The others will be willing to help as well. I can assure you of that. After what we've gone through together, Telemachus is like family, and so are you and the children."

Jillian nodded, without looking up. She knew there were tears in her eyes but she hoped she could keep her voice steady when she spoke. "I've seen that already. It helps me knowing that my three children are being looked after by such caring people while I'm here with my husband."

"Whatever you and your family needs, we'll do whatever we can to provide it, no matter what happens."

"I appreciate that," Jillian said, finally looking up again.

Dylan saw the fear in Jillian's eyes. Knowing that he couldn't speak the words to do anything to assuage her fears, Dylan stood up and closed the distance between them. Slowly, he put her arms around her, wanting to give her some sense of comfort.

Jillian didn't resist the gesture as she put her arms around Dylan and leaned against him. Feeling Dylan's strong arms around her made her feel protected and though she would prefer it to be her husband making her feel that way, she still had to admit that it felt good to know that she wasn't facing this alone.