Experienced Outlaw Star fans:

Allow me to beg your forgiveness. This is my first OS fanfiction, and as of yet, unfinished. The characters are as I see them, having only watched the series twice through. If you don't like the way I spell the names, that's your problem.

This is a alternate time line fic, which means it does not follow the time line set by the actual series. Actually, it follows a similar time line, but at some point it breaks off into a paradox and becomes a different story entirely.

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Disclaimer: I own nothing except the pictures in my head. Original characters do belong to me.

Warning: As of yet, this is an alternate time line fic, with yaoi (m/m), het (m/f), and humor. Small dashes of sap, language and angst thrown in for good measure. Pairings--wouldn't you just like to know? This fic reaches into the very edges of lime, but do not expect any lemons. If you don't know what that means, email me and expect to be embarrassed. Underage people are drinking--don't try this at home!

Author: Kasey

Archive: Not unless I send it to you.

Status: Incomplete, self-edited.

Key: /italics/ and *emphasis*

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"At a Minute or Two 'Till Two, Today"

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-Part Seven-

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"How'd it go?" Fred asked as Gene walked into his office. The office was the only place to find Fred during business hours, and Gene had even called ahead to tell Fred he was coming. Consequently, Fred had two steaming cups of tea waiting when he arrived.

"Great," Gene grumbled. "Harry broke out and threw me across the room." He accepted a cup of tea, and took a sip. "And Melfina feels like she's gotta play nursemaid, because he's recovering, or something like that. Fred... does your computer require a rest period after you de-bug it?"

Fred chuckled. "Of course not! But remember, because Harry is a bio-android, his virus affected him like a regular virus would affect us. And we *do* need to rest after we've been sick."

Gene smiled. "You're looking a lot better, Fred. Less tense?"

"Now that I can sit down again," Fred said, grinning. He rubbed his backside. "I could barely *walk* two days ago... Not that I'm complaining."

Gene raised an eyebrow. "Are you planning on walking tomorrow?"

"Hn?" Fred tilted his head. "Gene?"

Gene smirked. "I can do my best to make sure you *can't* walk tomorrow. Hmm, Freddie-boy?"

"Accepted," Fred announced. "Will you be here for dinner, too?"

Gene shook his head. "Nope. I've got a quick delivery to make then. How about around eight?"

"Sounds good to me! But Gene..."

"Yeah?"

"Can we not get drunk, this time?"

Gene laughed. "Deal!!"

Fred toasted Gene with his teacup. They each took sips of their tea, and settled back in their chairs. "So, tell me," Fred began, "How is it going, trying to reach the Galactic Leyline? Without the MacDougal brothers informing the Kay pirates of your every move, you must be feeling much more free."

"Yeah," Gene agreed. "Actually, we've got everything we need except the Leyline's coordinates. Mel's gonna ask Harry if he knows anything about them, or if he knows anyone else who might..."

"Well, you can expect that anyone who knows the coordinates won't give them easily," Fred said, sipping his tea. "The only people I can think of as knowing the coordinates would be the Kay pirates, but you can't just ask them..."

"No kidding," Gene muttered.

Fred smiled. "I'll check with my contacts, and see if anyone knows anything, or has heard any rumors. I might be able to turn up something."

"You're great, Fred," Gene said. "I don't know anyone else except for Jim and Mel who can stand me for this long."

"Well, I'm a little different..."

"And it doesn't bother me at all."

"Not even when I act different?"

Gene wrinkled his nose. "Well... we'll see. Maybe we can work that out, right?"

Fred nodded. "Of course."

"I'm gonna be leaving soon, though," Gene sighed. "I still need to pay back the space port at Sentinal Three for when I destroyed their launching pad."

"Well..." Fred thought for a moment. Then he grinned. "Let's just make the best of the time we have, right?"

"Yeah..."

---

Harry sat up in his bed. It had been three days since Melfina had removed the virus from his shoulder, and he was feeling better than he ever had. He flexed his right arm. The ring finger was still immobile.

"Oh! You're up!"

Harry turned around at Melfina's surprised exclamation. He gave her a bright smile. "Hello, Melfina! How are you?"

Melfina smiled shyly. "I'm fine... how are you?"

"Much better, now you're here." Melfina blushed. Harry thought it was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. "Is it time for me to eat, yet?" he asked.

"Yes," Melfina said. "But we're going to let you go."

Harry blinked. "Let me go?"

Melfina touched the firewall surrounding Harry. It flared once, and disappeared. Harry jumped, feeling the access of his real body coming back to him.

"You can move, now," Melfina said, smiling. "Disconnect yourself from the computer."

Harry did so, as if in reflex. Immediately, he could see the bright colors of the real world. Gene and Asjia stood over him, determined expressions on their faces. "G-Gene Starwind? And a Gkitaro-Gkitaro?"

Jim turned around in his chair. "He's awake!"

Harry sat up immediately, almost absent-mindedly snapping the second set of bolts that Gene had put down to hold him in place. "Melfina?"

A chair nearby turned, and Melfina stood up, removing her hand from the scanner. "How are you feeling?" she asked.

Harry stared up at her, his eyes bright. "Wonderful," he said, slowly shaking his head. "I've never felt better."

Melfina pressed her hand against Harry's forehead. "Are you sure?"

"Positive. Except for my arm." He lifted his right hand to show Melfina that it still was not working properly.

"I can take care of that," Jim said, walking over. "Just as long as you behave."

Harry blinked. "Behave?"

"Yeah," Gene spoke up. "That means no trying to kill me or kidnap Melfina."

"You have my promise," Harry announced. "You don't have to fear me."

"I was never afraid of *you* in the first place," Asjia sniffed. "But if you touch Jim or Melfina, you're going to feel the wrath of the Gkitaro-Gkitaro!"

Melfina giggled. "He's not going to hurt us, Asjia. But he *is* hungry."

Gene stepped towards the kitchen. "What should we--"

"Jim!" Gillium called from the computer. "Incoming message from Fred Lowe."

Gene hurried over to the computer. "Bring it up, Gillium," he instructed. A moment later, Fred appeared on the computer screen.

"Ah, there you are, Gene!" Fred said. "How are you feeling?"

"Just fine, Fred," Gene replied.

"And how is Harry MacDougal?" Off to the side, Harry perked up, hearing his name.

"Who's that?" Harry asked Melfina.

"Fred," Melfina replied. "One of Gene's friends."

"He's awake," Gene said to Fred. "No problems except for a damaged connector."

Fred grinned. "Well, I'm sure James can take care of *that* with his eyes closed. I wanted to know if you would like to come over for dinner again, tonight..."

Jim sighed. "This'll be the fourth time, this week," he whispered to Asjia.

"...And if you would bring your friends with you, of course," Fred finished. "The cook found an *amazing* catch of lobster at the market, and I simply can't *stand* to see it go bad. Will you be here?"

"With bells on," Gene replied. "You guys want to come, right?" he asked over his shoulder.

"I'm in!" Asjia replied immediately. "I *like* lobster!"

"Sure," Jim said.

"I'm coming," Melfina agreed. She looked at Harry. "Do you want to come?" she asked.

Harry blinked sadly up at her. "I don't think he would want--"

"Of course, Harry MacDougal is invited, too," Fred said. "Can't leave him home alone, can you?"

Melfina smiled at Harry. "So?"

Harry grinned. "I'd love to."

---

Harry looked in all directions as he was led up to the mansion. He had seen some expensive places, but this one was an exception even among them. He was dressed in one of Gene's day-to-day outfits, which stretched becomingly across his muscles. A cloak kept away the chill wind that blew through the grounds.

As was customary, before Gene could knock on the door to Fred's home, Fred rushed outside and crushed him in a bear hug. Jim sighed. Asjia snickered. Melfina giggled. Harry blinked, not sure what was going on.

"...And you must be Harry," Fred said, releasing Gene and offering his hand. "It's nice to meet you." His eyes roamed over Harry's delicate face and down the line of his slim body.

Harry blushed and took Fred's hand, careful not to shake too hard. He knew his own strength, and it was easy to overdo. "...You too," he said.

Fred nodded, and ushered them all inside.

---

Harry took in the splendor of Fred's dining room appreciatively. Travelling with Ron, he had been exposed to many expensive restraunts and upper-class gatherings. This dining room was reminiscent of many of those, but much more relaxed. Fred chatted with the servants as they brought in the before-dinner drinks.

"Is there a particular kind of wine you like?" Fred asked Harry. "Ale?"

Harry glanced at Melfina, nervous about the hospitality he was being shown. He was sure Ron had once told him about the 'last meal,' and the thought made him uneasy. "I don't think I can..."

"How old are you?" Fred asked. "Surely you're old enough for at least a light brandy."

"...Almost nineteen," Harry admitted. "I don't drink much... I really shouldn't."

"A brandy it is," Fred announced. "Do relax. You look like you're going to jump out of your skin, and that *can't* be healthy." He grinned and nodded to a servant to bring in the specified drink.

At the expression Harry made, Melfina put a hand over her mouth to cover a girlish giggle. "Juice," she said, when the servant asked her for her preference.

Fred seated each of them around the table before taking his place at the end of the table between Gene and Harry. Melfina sat on Harry's other side, and Asjia next to her. Jim sat across from Melfina, next to Gene.

There was a small silence as Harry slowly settled in. Under the table, he flexed the fingers of his right hand. He still could not believe Jim's skill and quickness during his repairs, but was glad of it.

Melfina did not like the quiet. "So," she said, to Fred. "How's business?"

"Ah!" Fred was glad for the ice-breaker. "It's wonderful, thank you. Cargo shipments are moving in and out like clockwork. I'm funding a drilling rigg over in Iota Bootes that my geologists tell me will unearth a pocket of crude oil the size of Titus. I expect word back from them any day now."

"That's great," Gene said. "You've always got a perfect project up your sleeve. It's no wonder you're so well off." Just then, the servants entered with their dinners.

"Well, I have the Lowe family brains to thank for that," Fred said modestly as the servants passed around the food. "But in this case, I was tipped off by a contact I have at Alpha Bootes. He was mining on Iota when he ran across a gas vent. He told me, and I sent over a geologist. When I got the confirmation, I bought the territory. It was just luck."

"That's something Gene could use more of," Asjia smirked. "He loses money just by waking up in the morning."

"Very funny, Asjia," Gene cut back.

Harry stayed quiet as the conversation continued, occasionally heightened by the insults Gene traded with Asjia.

"What's wrong?" Melfina asked Harry quietly.

"Mel... when are you guys just going to bump me off?" Harry whispered back. "Gene doesn't like me... Jim doesn't like me... All this cheerfulness is making me nervous."

"Bump you off?"

"Kill me," Harry said flatly. "Isn't this my big 'last meal?'"

"Of course not!" Melfina gasped. "Everyone deserves a second chance." She smiled. "This is yours."

"You mean it?" Harry asked. His eyes brightened. "I get a second chance?"

"M-hm!" Melfina nodded with a sunny smile. "Gene agreed, just as long as you don't get into trouble again."

Harry looked down at his food. "I don't know... I'm an outlaw, Mel... I don't know what I can do. I'd have to start all over..."

"But you can do that!" Melfina told him. "You can!" Harry did not quite look convinced. "Maybe if you ask Fred," Melfina suggested. "He might be able to find you a job."

Harry wrinkled his nose. "I don't know," he said doubtfully, stealing a glance at Fred. "He... kind of makes me nervous. Did you see the way he was looking at me?" Melfina giggled, and Harry raised an eyebrow. "What...? Oh...oh!" he exclaimed as it dawned on him. His cheeks colored slightly. "Sorry... I didn't realize..."

"That's okay," Melfina said. "He really is very nice."

Harry nodded slowly. He was quiet for a few moments. "By the way, Mel... where *is* Ron? Gene didn't... didn't kill him, did he?"

"No," Melfina said slowly. "He took out the bounty on him, though."

"Ron's in jail?!" Harry burst out in a harsh whisper, not wanting to interrupt the conversation around them. "Impossible!"

Melfina shook her head. "Asjia and Suzuka took him in. I saw. It was even announced over the radio."

"Not a chance," Harry laughed slightly. "There's not a jail in Hayfong that could hold Ron for more than a day, unless he wanted to stay there."

"...What do you mean?" Melfina asked nervously.

Harry smiled at her, and took a sip of his brandy. "Ron is a bio-android. We're identical, except for our age and a few strands of DNA. If there's any sort of control panel within ten yards of Ron's cell, he can get out. Or bend the bars. He's not in jail, Mel."

Melfina gulped. "Then... then he's free?"

"And probably looking for me," Harry went on. "He'll go looking for Gene, first, I'm sure."

"Oh, no!" Melfina gasped. "That can't--"

"Melfina!" Gene said suddenly. "What's wrong?"

"It's Ron," Harry said calmly. "You might have taken him in for the bounty, but he's long gone, by now."

"What?!" Gene shot out of his chair. Immediately his hand was at his thigh-holster, ready to grab his gun any instant. "Was this some sort of plan, MacDougal?" he demanded. "Are you--"

"No, no!" Harry waved his hands in front of him, as if fending Gene away. "I just know that there's no jail that can hold Ron, that's all! And he's probably going to come looking for you, to find out where *I* am..."

"Why didn't you tell us this *sooner*?" Gene asked angrily.

Jim sighed. "He was unconscious, sick, and recovering," the boy deadpanned. "And what reason would he have for bringing it up? *Think,* Gene!"

"Could we all just calm down?" Fred asked nervously. "I understand there's a little bit of tension, here, but could it wait until after dinner?"

Gene softened considerably. He sighed, and composed himself. "You're right," he said, sitting back down. "But now I've got *him* to worry about again." He grumbled, and speared a vegetable with his fork.

"Ron won't come looking for you if I don't tell him where you are," Harry offered. "It's the least I can do, for all you've done for me."

"You'd do that?" Melfina asked him. "Would you really?"

Harry smiled fondly at her. "Of course, Mel. Anything for you."

Melfina blushed. "Thank you, Harry."

Fred raised an eyebrow.

---

"Uhmmm..."

"Mmm..."

"Mm...Mmmm!!!"

Fred broke away from Gene just long enough to catch his breath. Then he tackled the other man, sending them both sprawling on his bed.

"Oof!!" Gene gasped. "Damn, Fred... for someone who lives the kinda life you do, you sure play rough!"

"Sorry," Fred apologized. "I can lighten up, if you want..."

"Mm, no," Gene said, pulling him down. "I just wasn't expecting it, that's all." He rubbed his hand over Fred's back. "I'll be ready, next time."

They lay quietly in Fred's bed for a few minutes, just breathing and enjoying each other's company. Then Fred arched his neck to rub his nose against Gene's jaw.

Gene smiled. "What's up, Fred?"

"Well... I was just wondering if you had been watching Harry and Melfina."

"Hm? Probably not nearly as much as you were watching Harry," Gene sighed. "He looked like he wanted to sink into the floor the way you were staring at him... Why?"

Fred smiled, even though Gene could not see him. "Can't you tell? They like each other."

"What?!"

Fred chuckled. "Harry hardly took his eyes off of her all night, and she was a bit more withdrawn than usual, didn't you notice?"

"Well..." Gene frowned. "She's just nervous about having him running loose. That's probably all it is."

"And would that make her blush at every third thing he said?" Fred countered. "She probably doesn't even realize it, yet. Poor thing. Do you know how old she is, Gene?"

Gene thought for a moment. "Probably about seventeen, maybe eighteen."

Fred nodded against Gene's shoulder. "It makes sense, then. They're both teenagers, and bio-androids are sufficiently rare enough that they may have never met others like themselves before... both are good-looking... and they *have* been through a lot together."

"He tried to kidnap her!" Gene exclaimed. He shook his head. "No... I don't think so. Mel's... I don't think Mel's interested. I mean, when I... nevermind."

Fred chuckled. "Struck out with your navigator?" he teased. "Pity. I though the captain always got his way."

Gene poked Fred lightly in the side. "Very funny, Freddie-boy. I didn't want to push her. And see if I don't 'captain' you!" He suddenly flipped Fred over and started tickling his ribs and stomach. "I'll get my way, this time!!"

"Gene!" Fred laughed, trying to fight off Gene's fingers. "Ah-ahhh!! Ge~ene!!" He kicked and thrashed about until his hand came in contact with a pillow. "HA!!"

*WHOMP!!*

Gene was stunned by the sudden faceful of fiber-fill. Not to be outdone, he quickly grabbed for a pillow of his own, and renewed his attack.

"To battle!!" he shouted, grinning madly. "Pillage the village and steal the sheep! Take no prisoners!!"

Out in the hall, the guards on either side of Fred's door blushed heavily. They looked at one another, nodded, and moved a few paces down either side of the hall until they could no longer hear the yelps and howls from their employer's room.

Fred fought back with all his might. He was strong, but Gene's years of fighting had made him much stronger. Soon Fred fell back on the bed, panting. He gazed seductively up at Gene, his chest heaving. "...Not even really, really *willing* prisoners?" he breathed.

Gene thought for a moment. "Well," he murmured, leaning over Fred. "...I think I can make an exception."

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