Note ont his part: Well, thanks for the support guys! I really like this story and I think it's one of the best I've written. There is an optional NC-17 version of this story that can be found here: http://www.geocities.com/beka_hunt

Enjoy!

Cassie

*I trust you and Beka worked everything out?*

"So, do you feel better about things?" he asked me.

"Yeah, I think I am," I replied as I laughed at Harper, Trance and Cass.

"Looks like you got yourself a monkey, not a kid."

"As long as she listens to what I say, she can be a Than for all I care." I laughed at Dylan's reaction to that statement and watched as Cassie ran up to the top tower, Trance following. "Well, that doesn't look good."

"She'll get over it. She is technically a Valentine now right?" I thought about that for a moment.

"I guess you're right." I watched as she peaked out, dropped to the ground, and ran over. I picked her up and swung her around. She hung on and laughed even after I had stopped spinning around.

"Are you mad?" she asked.

"Not any more."

"Who were you mad at?"

"Everyone but you," I replied honestly.

"Oh good!" She smiled at me. "Can we have lunch now? I'm hungry," she stated. I smiled.

"Come on kids, time for lunch," Dylan called.

"Aw dad!" Harper called, "I was just startin' to have fun." I just started laughing at the look on Dylan's face.

"If you're good, maybe we'll come back after lunch," I said.

"Yeah!" Haprer called with a goofy smile on his face. I smiled and wrapped an arm around his shoulders.

"Are you ever going to grow up?"

"Maybe," he said with a smile. "I'll grow up when you settle down. How's that boss?" I glared at Dylan as he laughed.

"Yeah, I'll jump RIGHT in on that one." Harper and Dylan started laughing again. "Has anyone seen Tyr?"

"He's over there!" Cass exclaimed as she pointed to a figure about 150 metres away. I watched as he turned and walked towards us. Dylan sped up to meet him half way.

"I trust you and Beka have worked everything out?" he asked as he got closer to Dylan.

"We did. Thank you Tyr," he said. "Ummm . . . you were kidding about killing me right?"

"Not at all," he said very seriously.

"Why is Tyr going to kill you?" I asked.

"Long story. Maybe I'll tell you some time," Dylan said quickly. We walked a little longer beofre coming to a small restaurant.

"Hey Rommie," Harper called as we saw the Avatar walking by.

"And where were you?" I asked her.

"Checking on Rev. Apparently the repair team is rather nosey." Tyr heard this and turned to Dylan.

"Perhaps I should return to the ship to make sure things are alright," he said. Dylan sighed. He wanted him to stay here for the negotiations that were starting that afternoon, but he also didn't want to loose anything from the Andromeda.

"Alright, go. But you won't be getting out of the negotiations tomorrow Tyr!" he called since Tyr had taken off at the word 'alright'.

"Bye Tyr!" Cassie called. She turned back to me. "Can we eat now?" I smiled at her.

"Yes, we can eat now."

"Yippy!"

* . . . and the sky will turn purple and rain rocks . .*

"I'm soooooo glad we're done!" Beka exclaimed as we left the building that held the negotiations."

"We still ahve 2 days left," I reminded her.

"So what? We're done for the day aren't we?" I looked at her. "We ARE done for today right?" she asked with a panicked look on her face."

"Yes we're done for today. Maybe you should spend more time listening and less time looking out the windows.

"Maybe," she said absent mindedly.

"And the sky will turn purple and rain rocks," I said with a smile.

"Yeah, that would be nice." She paused for a moment as what I had said sunk in. "What, what?" I just laughed at her. "What!?!?"

"Nothing," I said as I took her hand in mine. Beka was an enigma, wrapped in a riddle and I didn't think I'd ever find the answer. She had a shell that was created after years of life with her brother and father and their companions and "business partners" and I wanted so badly to see what was inside of that shell. We were quiet on the way back to the hotel, simply enjoying the pleasure of each others company and I found my eyes wandering over to her. I had been attracted to her for some time now and I knew it, I

just hadn't admitted it to myself. I knew it was mostly physical, which is probably why I didn't make a move on her, well, that and the fact that I was still in love with Sara. But now, I know it's more. I'm not sure how much more, but it's more. I want to find a way inside the shell to find out what kind of woman Beka really is, I guess to see the soft, vulnerable side of her that no one EVER sees.

"What?" she asked me.

"Hun?"

"You're staring."

"Sorry. I can stop if you like."

"No, I think I was enjoying it. Just as long as you're not undressing me with your eyes cause if you are, I'm gonna have to hurt you."

"Don't worry, I only do that in the comfort of my own quarters." We both laughed and entered the hotel.

"Captain Valentine.?" the clerk at the desk asked.

"Yes?"

"I have a message for you from Mr. Harper," he said as he held out the flexi. She looked it over.

'Hey Beka, since I didn't get roped into the ever exciting world of Commonwealth negotiations, Trance roped me into babysitting Cass. She fell asleep about 8:30 so we figured we'd just keep her for the night.

Have fun with Captain Hercules there,

Harper, Trance and Cass.

P.S. Consider this a favour from Harper, the love God.'

I watched as Beka smiled, mumbled to herself and erased the flexie.

"Thank you," she said. as we continued on our way.

"What did it say?"

"Harper and Trance are keeping her for the night. Plus a few other tid- bits I might share with you later."

"Are these bad tid-bits?" I asked carefully. She laughed.

"No, I just don't know if you'd apreciate them." I swallowed hard and thought about the possibilities for a moment. There were a lot of them and I felt a little frightened . . . Oh well, show no fear in the face of danger?

As we entered the room, I made a mental note that there was only one bed, but filed it for later. I followed her out to the balcony and sat in one of the chairs. She stood for a moment before coming over and sitting on my lap. She eventually leaned back and I rested my chin on her shoulder.

"It's beautiful," she said.

"Yeah, it is," I said as I laced my fingers through hers.

"It's almost enough to make me want to stay on a planet. But then I think of the weather and the potential for cold and snow and cold and rain and cold and did I mention cold?" I laughed.

"Yes, several times . . . ." Things fell silent and I found my self absent mindedly placing small kisses against her neck. I guess I got lucky and found the 'magic' spot becuase she turned around and started to return the favor. I felt her hands undoing the clasps of my uniform and I took her hands in mine. "You do realize that I may expect a little more of a commitment after this." She paused.

"Like what exactly?" she asked. I could see tha panic sneaking into her face.

"Nothing big, just things like you listen to me when I try to give you advice, don't keep all the responsability for everything to yourself . . . simple things."

"That's it?" she asked as she relaxed.

"Have any demands of your own?"

"Yeah, a couple," she said as she grew quiet for a moment. "One, you have to learn went to back off, two, you also have to learn when to push me and three, don't make me go back to the negotiations," she said with a kiss, trying to distract me so I'd agree to the third term.

"Yes, yes and no. I need something to stare at since you get the side with the windows."

"Ooooohhhh . . . good answer!" she said as her hands went back to undoing the clasps. This time I didn't stop her but I did help her.