Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters or ships portrayed in the show 'Andromeda'. They belong to Tribune and Gene Roddenberry and a bunch of other rich-and-smart people. I do own Bianca/Maggie (It'll become clear later), any other characters that aren't on the show, and this story. Any similarities to people or situations, real or imagined, are entirely and completely accidental.

Constant Reminders
Chapter 2- Known Strangers.
By aelrayne

The girl's hand trembled as she reached out and lightly rested her fingers on the man's…no, Shay's shoulder. She shook her head in a feeble attempt to control the thoughts running through her head.

'I can't believe he's alive!' "I…I thought you died in the attack Shay." She could see the confusion in his eyes as he looked her over, trying to place her amongst the jumble that was his memories. Then recognition dawned.

"Bianca, is that you? Oh my God. You're alive!" Seeing the obvious expression of delight on his face Bianca leaned over and quickly hugged Shay, then pulled back and regained her seat.

"Shay…" Bianca shook her head. "I just can't believe this. That you're alive after all these years…and you got that port!" With this revelation Bianca groped for her mug and, without her gaze ever leaving Shay, took a drink.

'What possessed me to drink this?' Upon voicing her thought Shay laughed and Bianca's face broke out into a reluctant smile. It felt good to smile again.

Barely looking up as the bartender came and gave Shay his drink Bianca inquired "What have you been up to, Shay? It's been…"

"8 years. " This revelation was followed with a heavy silence, as the two of them remembered the events that had torn them apart.

"They all died, didn't they?"

Shay bent his head. "Pretty much. Those who didn't die went insane with grief. It wasn't a nice thing to be a part of. But how did you escape?"

Bianca bowed her head. "I didn't, really. Instead of dying, I was captured by…Nietzscheans. I was given as a present to an elder. Luckily, he took a liking to me. I became his protégé. His son didn't like the old family tradition, so I became heir to an empire."

Looking confused Shay inquired "What sort of empire does a Nietzschean give to a human?"

Smiling ruefully Bianca replied "An empire of stealing and smuggling."

Bianca could see the dawning disgust on Shay's face. Swallowing heavily she stared at Shay and waited for his judgement.

'Please Shay, don't hate me for what I've had to become. I had to survive somehow. I'm sure you understand that, deep down.'

Beka entered the smoky bar, and carefully hid the disgust on her face.

'I thought Harper was trying to avoid places like this. I only hope he hasn't insulted someone important.' Letting her gaze flicker carefully around the room, her eyes finally rested on the form of her faithful engineer.

'There he is…who's that he's talking to? Looks like a girl…please Harper don't get into trouble.'

As she got closer she could see that all was not well in paradise. But it was slightly different from the scenes she had witnessed before. Yes, there was Harper and an attractive girl. They were facing one another, and it looked like they had been talking. But this time it was Harper whose expression contained thinly disguised disgust, and the young girl's expression was hopeful.

'Usually it's vice-versa…what's this all about, I wonder?' Carefully schooling her expression so that she would not betray any of the rampant curiosity that she was holding inside, Beka walked up to Harper and rested her hand on his shoulder.

Harper started at the unexpected weight of a hand descending onto her shoulder. Quickly turning around he was confronted by the worried face of Beka.

Glad for this sudden interruption Harper grinned, then composed his face into an expression of curiosity. "Boss…why are you here? Don't you have some sort of meeting?"

Beka looked confused for a moment, then replied "Oh…the meeting? We finished early."

'Please say we need to go back to the Andromeda now.' Clearing his throat Harper queried "And…?"

"We need to go. " Glancing at Bianca quickly Beka stated "Now."

Harper almost sighed with relief, and turned back to Bianca. He was about to say goodbye when she looked him in the eyes and turned back to the bar.

"Well, I guess this is goodbye. Have a nice life. " Harper could feel Bianca's disappointment and closed his eyes.

'How can I do this? Just turn my back on her? Just because she's a smuggler, and I'm on the straight and narrow…I've done things I'm not proud of in order to get off Earth and get my port. Maybe I can convince her to go straight…but how?'

Then it came to him in a flash of insight. 'But will Dylan agree? I know Bianca has qualifications outside of being a smuggler. Well, I'll never know unless I try.'

"Bianca…" Harper swallowed as she turned to face him. The look in her eyes was one of thinly veiled disappointment. "Um…I was wondering…do you have a ship?"

Harper could feel the waves on confusion coming off both women. He turned to Beka and gave her the I'm Seamus Zelanzy Harper, super-genius and I know what I'm doing look, and turned back to Bianca. Her expression was blank, not revealing any emotion.

'Bet you've become a super poker player.' Harper cocked his head to one side and waited for Bianca's reply.

Her tone was brisk as she replied crisply "No, I don't. Why?"

Harper leaned onto the bar and let his finger run through the damp circle that someone's drink had left there. Keeping his tone casual her countered "Are you in the middle of a…" he swallowed, then grimaced "…a job?"

Harper glanced up at her face, and noted that her expression hadn't changed. 'She knows I'm up to something, but she doesn't know exactly what. She's being cautious. Considering her line of work' he grimaced again 'I'm not surprised.'

Bianca turned back to face the bar, and crossed her arms over her chest. Nonchalantly she replied. "No. And, just in case you were wondering, I work alone."

Harper tried not to smile at this. 'Perfect. Now, to put my plan in motion.' Swallowing carefully Harper spoke the words that could change his life forever.

"Do you want to come with me?" He could see the confusion in Bianca's eyes, and winced as Beka elbowed him in the side. 'Sorry Boss, but I have to do this.'

Bianca looked surprised at his question. "Go with you where?"

Harper smiled and replied cockily "Onto the Andromeda."

Authors Note: I know I promised a fight, but I felt that this was a good place to stop. Again, read and review. Suggestions welcome!

Coming up…An unexpected answer, a fight (I promise this time for real) and a not-so-great escape.