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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Harper whistled as he straightened out his shirt, not that he'd be keeping it long. He snickered at the thought. He had finally been able to convince himself after a few hours of mental debate that spending a night with Coco would only help his present situation. Harper figured it'd help him relax, and maybe it'd even give him the chance to sort his feelings for Trance out. Maybe all he felt for his golden goddess was sexual frustration mixed up in his newfound fatherly emotions.

"That's right Harper, that's all it is." He sighed. "Just keep telling yourself and maybe it'll come true." Harper shook his head and told himself to stop getting down. Tonight he was going to have fun.

"Telling yourself what?" Beka asked as she stepped into the small fresher, 'causing Harper to yelp out.

"Knock!" he cried out agitated. Beka raised an eyebrow and then wrinkled her nose.

"Oh god, what are you wearing?" She waved her hand in front of her face.

"L'Odeur d'Amour," Harper said. "I put too much on didn't I?"

"I'll be surprised if there's more left." Beka smiled and looked him over. "What's up with you tonight? My little boy's all dressed up."

Harper stuck his tongue out at her, and Beka cuffed him.

"I ran into Coco," he replied while fixing his now mussed hair. "She's sorry she can't see you and Rev, but she had to get back to work. But she invited me over to her house tonight."

"I'm guessing not to play card games," Beka said, the look on Harper's face telling her all she needed to know. "You accepted?"

"I shouldn't have?" Harper turned from the mirror to face Beka. She had a disapproving look on her face. "What?!" Beka rolled her eyes.

"Harper, for being such a genius, you can be such a guy."

"Some of us happen to like my manliness. Like me!" Harper weaved around her to get out of the suddenly very small space and into his quarters.

"Did you even think about Trance?" Beka asked.

"Of course I thought about Trance!" Harper looked insulted. "That's all I've done all day is thought about Trance."

"And what part of your body did you exactly think with?" Beka followed him. "If you thought about Trance all day and are still going through with this, it sure as hell wasn't your head."

"Look Bek, Trance has made her feelings towards me very clear. No intimate relationship happening whatsoever. Now I'm not going to abandon our child, but I'm sick of waiting for Trance to just wake up one day with her mind completely changed on the subject." Harper sat down on a bunk, glaring up at Beka. "I'm accepting that."

"Accepting? You haven't accepted?" Beka smiled as Harper's glare increased its intensity. He was pissed now, but she knew he'd thank her later.

"Since when did you become Cupid?" he snapped.

"When you became stupid," she taunted.

"I really don't need this. Coco's waiting for me." Harper stalked out of the room towards the exit.

"Harper, please!" Beka called, making him stop. "Listen, I don't care what Trance thinks, you know this will put a un-necessary strain on your already fragile relationship. You can't afford that right now."

Harper paused at the doorway, his hands clenching and unclenching. Finally he just shook his and continued out of the Maru. Beka said a few choice words before running off to find Rev.