"Don't touch, I don't like to be touched." Harper scooted backwards away from Beka's outstretched hand. He sat on the deck, blood pouring from several deep gashes on his arm and shoulders. He tried to make himself as small as possible, hugging his knees. He was almost curled in the foetal position, trying to get away from her.

Beka sighed; he wasn't making it easy for her. She extended her hand again. "I'm only trying to help you." She couldn't understand why he wouldn't let her treat his wounds.

She knelt down so that she was on a level with him. "Trust me kid," she smiled at him in what she hoped was a reassuring manner. "Someone has to stop the bleeding and bandage you up."

He tried to move further away from her and ended up with his back against the wall of the Maru's engine room.

"Just leave me alone, I can look after myself." His voice was beginning to weaken as the effects of the blood loss kicked in. He was going into shock rapidly.

Beka realised that her newest crewmember would soon be unconscious then he wouldn't have any choice in the matter, she just had to wait.

He'd only been on board for a few days and she realised that she knew nothing of his past. She had no idea what had happened to him whilst he'd been ashore, he'd come back on board injured. He'd probably been in a fight. The cause of his injuries wasn't her problem but if he was unable to carry out his duties he was just so much useless cargo.

She looked over at him, his eyes were closing, and he was struggling to stay conscious but losing the fight.

She moved closer to him. "Don't touch," he said, his voice barely audible. His eyes closed and his head slumped forward on to his chest.

She worked quickly, removing his shirt to check his wounds.

The scars on his chest and back horrified her. It looked as if he'd been whipped more than once. Scarring as bad as that took time to develop. The scars extended downwards, she assumed that his buttocks were also covered with them. Some of the lesions were still raw and painful looking; they must have been done just before he joined the Maru. The kid had good reasons for not wanting anyone touching him. He would have been in agony, even before the latest injuries.

She treated him as best as she could, stitching the lacerations and trying to soothe his other injuries.

He came too while she was stitching the largest cut on his shoulder. It must have been painful but he didn't even whimper. He seemed to be resigned to her helping him. She smiled at him, concern apparent in her eyes.

"Who did this to you?" She indicated both the new and old injuries.

He looked down at the deck. "My previous owner, he thought he had the right to do anything he liked to me, and guess what he, he did. He wasn't very happy about me leaving, we kind of bumped into each other again" His eyes locked with hers. "You have that right too, I belong to you now."

She shook her head. "You don't belong to anyone now kid, I didn't buy you and even if I had I'm not in the business of owning slaves. You can stay or go, it's up to you, I'd prefer you to stay though."

She held out her hand, Harper tentatively put his hand in hers. She reached up to stroke his cheek. He flinched instinctively, then let her touch him. She knew it would be a long while before he fully trusted her but she thought they'd laid the foundations that day.