Title: Effervescent Essence
Author: Harper's aka Weird_Peace
Rating: PG-13
Synopsis: Sequel to And You Thought Larvae Were Bad. I highly suggest you read the first fiction.
Disclaimer: I don't own 'em, but I love 'em anyways.
Spoilers: Season Two spoilers.  

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Trance and Beka had taken their group to Hydroponics. Beka was amazed at how well behaved the children were. It was a complete change from when she had them to herself or with another member of the crew. Trance was a natural with children, able to be stern but fair and fun all at the same time, gaining a respect from the bunch.

"This is a Coralanite Medigintas," she pointed under water to a ruby plant that looked like the petals and leaves had been torn to shreds. "It comes from Lonthin, a small aquatic world in the Henapute system. When ground into a paste and mixed with other ingredients, it forms a gel used to cure Triangulum Measles." One child raised his hand. "Yes Jineta?"

"What would happen if it was taken out of water?"

"Good question." He smiled proudly. "The Coralanite would die in under thirty minutes due to the lack of fresh water." Seeing there were no other questions, Trance moved the group onto the next section. Beka was smiling, thinking of what a breeze this would be, when Trance turned to look at her. Beka understood immediately, and stepped out of the way as Trance walked hurriedly back towards the way they had come.

"Um, children, why don't we go back to my quarters?" She winced at the unanimous groan. "I have some music we can listen to and a flight simulation program you guys can play with." That cheered the children right up. They started bouncing again, running towards the crew quarters. One of the older perseid's poked Beka on the leg.

"Is Trance going to be ok?"

"Yeah, she's just a little sick. But Trance is hard to get rid of." Beka winked before leading the kid to the rest of his friends.

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Trance splashed some cold water on her face and took a few deep breaths. She felt much better. She wasn't far enough along to really be nauseous; the baby had actually called her for attention needs of it's own.

"And this isn't even the toughest part." She sighed, patting her stomach before exiting her quarters and walking towards Beka's.

"Please come talk to me. Your constant observing is annoying." Aegis stepped out from his area around the corner and matched step with Trance.

"You're very observant yourself I see. So how are the little ones doing? I would help out, but they don't seem to take to me, and with all the negotiations going on..."

"Which you seem to attend with frequency, although your opinion is not needed there." Trance's statement didn't falter him.

"My dear, all opinions are needed in these matters," he said winking, and then changed the subject. "This crew is interesting, almost remarkable in itself. A group of misfits traveling in one of the most powerful warships in the known worlds to save a lost dream. It sounds too good to be true."

"Like the bad, good things can come without warning," Trance spoke as if she knew. Aegis smiled.

"You intrigue me most. Tell me," he looked her over, "what species are you? Where do you come from? What are your goals?"

"Something you couldn't pronounce. From my home. Honorable to me," she replied without a moment's hesitation. Aegis was amused.

"And if I were to ask Captain Hunt these questions about you, would he know any more?"

"Dylan has no reason not to trust me. I've helped his mission many times before and have been a loyal friend to the rest of the crew." She began walking faster. Aegis easily kept up.

"That's the problem with your captain, he trusts too much." Aegis shook his head. "A golden creature he knows nothing about and a Nietzschean on board? And who knows what the rest of the crew may be thinking."

"Well we all have our secretes, don't we Mr. Felican?" She smiled mischievously at him. Aegis raised an eyebrow.

"Maybe you are worth keeping around," he said after a stunned pause. "Have you told your captain yet?"

"I trust Dylan to put two and two together. He hasn't survived this long on my or anyone else's luck alone." Trance stopped them outside of Beka's room. "And please start acting a bit like yourself. That pleasant attitude is very un-warrior like. I won't even go into how un-Nietzschean it seems."

"I'm glad you agree." Aegis walked away without another word.

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"De camp town ladies come to me, do-da, do-da. De camp town ladies are naughty, oh da-do-da-dey!" Harper squirted some shampoo into his hand and began washing his hair. Giggling could be heard coming from his quarters. The perseids wouldn't sleep anywhere else. Trance and Beka were watching them while Harper showered. He'd take over while Trance got ready and then they'd start the third day. The last day, tomorrow they would drop off the lost litter and then it was complete freedom! Funny how that didn't seem as enjoyable as he thought it would. Especially since yesterday.

"Come on out!" He scrubbed his scalp harder. Beka was going to go for another round of "Tease the Poor Engineer" if he didn't get this blue paint out of his hair. He really didn't want to hear another cluster of Rommie Worship jokes.

The giggling got louder, almost as if it was in the same room as him. In fact, it sounded like it was very much in the same room. Harper opened the shower door a crack to see the end of his pants just barely make it out of the 'fresher before the door closed. He jumped out, slamming the stall door behind him, and looking around wildly.

The children had taken every towel, every piece of clothing he had brought in, and even the bathroom rug. He was stranded, absolutely nothing to cover himself in. With nothing else to do, Harper tried to jump back in the shower stall.

"Oh freakin' great!" He had slammed it closed so hard it was jammed. He prayed for a miracle, but it didn't happen, so he went to plan B.

"Andromeda unengaged privacy mode."

Andromeda's miniature hologram appeared sitting on the sink. She looked up at Harper, and then quickly away.

"Harper, what the hell is going on? Why did you call me? And in here?!" The holo stood up, trying to be stern. It was hard when she couldn't look at him.

"Oh you know, just wanted some company," he retorted. "The little spawn stole my clothing, towels, and anything I could use to get out of here!"

Andromeda did an internal sweep of the bathroom, and sure enough, she found Harper wasn't lying.

"Do you want me to have Trance and Beka get something for you?" she asked, feeling circuits pop as she barely held in her laughter.

"Rommie no!" His mind raced. "Just have a bot come in with something, anything. And make up an excuse."

"What excuse can I come up with to have a Maria go to the 'fresher door with clean clothing?"

"You've got a brain the size of a planet, think of something. And hurry," he pleaded.

The hologram disappeared, leaving Harper alone. He didn't know how long had passed, but someone eventually knocked on the door.

"Harper?" Oh great, it was Trance. "Harper, you're wasting the hot water, and I want to get cleaned up."

"Give me just a few more minutes," he replied.

"What if I get queasy again?"

"Go next door," he snapped.

"Harper you're being mean. Now open the door!" She banged on it. "Harper, don't make me open it myself."

"Trance..." he started. But another voice interrupted him.

"Miss Gemini?" Harper recognized the voice belonging to Frenas. Oh no.

"Frenas, I'm a bit busy," she said. "Can't it wait?"

"But I want to know who this is." Harper heard silence, then Trance stifling a giggle.

"It's from an old earth game. His name is Pac Man." Harper moaned, putting his arms on the sink and then burying his head in them.

"Where did you get those?"

"From Mr. Harper." Frenas answered proudly.

"Ah, well, why don't you just give those to me, and could you please have all of Harper's other clothing returned to me?" Harper heard tiny footsteps running away, and then running back.

"Thank you." Trance knocked on the door. "Harper?" Small giggle. "I have your clothing."

"Trance, I have nowhere to hide. The shower door is jammed."

"Harper, you've visited Med deck more times than I can count. Believe me, it's nothing new." That made Harper moan louder. "Fine then." Harper yelled, standing straight up as Trance came in without any warning. She hand her hands over her eyes, which Harper was grateful for. He was blushing furiously. She tossed in his clothing and then stepped back out and closed the door.

Harper hurriedly dressed and came out of the bathroom. He could tell that Beka and Trance had been laughing.

"Alright, enough. It wasn't that funny." He was still red to the roots of his hair.

"You're right." Beka bit down on her lip. "But it still answers the age old question. I'm not surprised you're the boxers type."

"And I think the Pac Man on them was...cute," Trance's shoulders were shaking.

"It was very well placed," Beka finished with a completely straight face. Which crumpled in a matter of seconds as she and Trance burst into laughter. The children were laughing as well, although more at their prank than getting the joke the two women shared.

Harper sat down, still cross. Trance knew that Harper hardly ever stayed angry over a practical joke. In fact, she and Rev had played the exact same one on him when they were living on the Maru. They all had a good laugh a few hours later.

The children didn't know that, though. Frenas looked near tears as he went over to Trance and whispered, "It was only a joke."

"Oh, don't worry about it. Harper'll be fine in a few hours, you just wait." He and the others didn't look too sure. Hulen jumped up onto the bed and whispered something into Trance's ear. She smiled.

"That is a great idea! And I know just how to do it. But we'll have to hurry. There's only today left." The children looked much happier. "So what's the plan?"