Spoilers: None yet
Author's Note: Thanks to everyone for reviewing!!! Please review!! This is then end of the part I already have written, so comments are welcome (not that they aren't always).
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Beka is sitting in the pilot's chair on the Eureka Maru, looking at pictures on a flexi. Rev walks in, and stands behind her.
Beka: (Without looking up) Go away, Rev.
Rev: What are you looking at, Beka?
Beka: (Sighs) Pictures of my wedding.
Close up on the pictures as Beka flicks through them. Beka with her father, in her wedding dress. Beka walking down the aisle, with a little girl holding up her dress train. Beka standing at the altar with Victor. Beka kissing Victor. Beka getting rice thrown at her. Beka being toasted. Beka and Victor cutting the wedding cake.
Rev: You look happy in these pictures.
Beka: Well, I was supposed to. My father [ractically threatened me with death if I didn't. Besides, the only part I really hated was the dress.
Rev: You wanted to get married?
Beka: He was a sweet man, Rev, until you really got to know him. Then, you found out he was as cold-hearted and ruthless as his father. Yes, I loved him. (Beat) Until our wedding night.
Rev decides not to comment. He knows Beka when she's in this mood. He lays a hand on her shoulder, and takes the flexi with the other.
Rev: That was before I knew you.
Beka: Yeah, right before. After I divorced Victor, his father cut off all ties with mine. My dad decided he needed more crew to regain his losses; you were one of them.
Rev: Ah, yes. You were a rather unhappy child, then.
Beka looks uncomfortable.
Beka: Hmm, let's talk about something else now.
Rev: Yes, like the time.
Beka looks at him oddly. Suddenly, realization dawns on her face.
Beka: Oh no, the dinner!
Rev: Dylan sent me to get you.
Beka: Why didn't you say something before?
Rev: I didn't think you'd appreciate it.
Beka: You're weird. C'mon, let's go.
A few minutes later, they walk into the Officer's Mess. Everyone else is already there. Beka quickly sits down between Trance and Dylan. Rev takes the remaining seat next to Victor. Victor looks a bit put-out.
Beka: Sorry I'm late, Dylan.
Everyone begins eating. After awhile, Victor sits back in his chair.
VEH: Ah, what an excellent meal? Now, why don't we get down to business?
Dylan: You said you had a business proposition?
VEH: Ah, yes. There is a rather large settlement in the Kriarthon System in need of a ship to transport people and supplies. Their sun is slowly dying, and they need to relocate, sonner rather than later. I've found them a place, but I need more than my ship to get them out. Now, I was originally planning to offer the deal to Beka, but with our three ships, we should be able to get the job done with much more efficiency. And they're willing to pay quite a high price for our services.
Dylan: We'd be willing to do the job for no pay.
Tyr: Captain Hunt, that is not wise.
Dylan: (Ignores him) All we ask is for them to consider joining the Commonwealth once they are settle.
Tyr rolls his eyes.
Beka: (Whispering) Dylan, no!
VEH: A toast, then. To our partnership!
The rest repeat, except for Beka. She isn't happy at all.
Later, Beka is sitting and looking at the stars on Obs Deck. She is drinking a cup of coffee. Dylan walks in and sits down next to her. They sit in silence for awhile.
Dylan: (With reluctance) Beka, I'm sorry.
Beka: (Emotionless) You're the Captain of your ship.
Dylan: If you want to leave, I won't stop you.
Beka: You need my ship.
Dylan: No, I need you to feel safe.
Beka: What makes you think I don't?
Dylan: (Sighing) Beka-what really happened between the two of you? Three days isn't usually enough to decide you can't live with a person.
Beka: (Turns away) It was for me.
Dylan: (Takes Beka's arm, turns her toward him) Rev told me how you looked at Mr. Havanna. That couldn't have been a normal relationship! Especially if he's been chasing you for eleven years!
Beka: Fine, it wasn't!
Beka angrily turns away. She has tears in her eyes.
Dylan: Beka...
He puts his hands on her shoulders. She's very tense. After a bit, she relaxes and starts talking.
Beka: He was always a touchy man. I wrote it off as possessiveness, because he never took his hands off me when we were around other guys, even our parents. I liked it then, too; I thought it was sweet. And I ignored it.
Dylan: (Sees that she really doesn't want to talk about it, decides not to push the issue) Beka, you don't have to.
Beka: (Ignores the comment. She doesn't want sympathy) Boy, was I wrong. He was the most abusive man I'd ever met. Even my father never hit me when-even my father never hit me. But Vic-it was never bad; he'd slap my face or twist my arm. (There is barely disguised fear in her eyes) But what-what-well, he enjoyed it.
Dylan: Beka, I'm sorry. If I had know-we can still back out of it.
Beka: I'm a big girl, Dylan. (Faces him) Beside, maybe you're right. Maybe he's changed.
Beka gets up and stalks out of the room.
Dylan: I'm so sorry, Beka.
End Part Three