"Trance, I, uh... have you ever noticed how... well sometimes when people are friends for a long time... okay, remember when I almost died, and those magog were swimming around in my stomach? Well, that's how you're making me feel."

"Oh, Harper, I'm sorry," Trance said, taking a step toward him. "Let's get you to medical."

"No, Trance-"

"I forgot about your week stomach. I shouldn't have made you watch. Here, let me feel your forehead."

"Trance, uh, it's not-"He began, but then she put a warm, gold hand on his head and he couldn't think to finish the sentence. A slender arm found its way around his shoulders and before he knew it, he was being gently pushed onto a bed. His insides were warm and tingly and every touch left him wanting more.

"I think I'm drunk," he mumbled, grabbing the hands that pressed his shoulders to the mat.

"Let me get something for your stomach," Trance offered soothingly. "Harper... Harper, you have to let go of me first."

In response, he ran his hands up her arms to her shoulders and tugged her toward him. "My heart's beating kinda fast. Could you listen?"

Trance extracted herself from his arms and went for a stethoscope.

"No!" Harper exclaimed, immediately resuming contact by grabbing her wrist. "The stethoscope is cold. Could you just listen?"

Trance's brow furrowed as she looked down at him. She glanced at the cabinet where the blankets were kept, then turned back to him. He was more scared than anything else, she decided, and just wanted someone to stay with him. "Your heart's fine, Harper, but I'm just going to make sure, okay?" She tilted her head down and pressed her ear to his chest. It pulsed beneath her, and she felt a vibration course through him as he whispered her name.

"What is it?" she answered, lifting her head so she could see his face.

He glanced into her eyes, then abruptly launched himself forward. Instinctively, Trance leapt back, causing him to topple forward and off the bed.

"Oomph," he grunted as he skidded onto his right shoulder. "Sheesh, Trance, I'm trying to kiss you, not attack you!"

"You're trying to what?" Trance cried, taking another step back. Stopping to catch her breath and lowering her voice, she added, "You're not even sick. I can't believe-"She stood staring at him for a moment, mouth agape, unable to finish the sentence. Finally, she turned on her heals and left him on the floor, walking as quickly as she could through the corridors toward hydroponics so she could be alone to try to figure out what had gotten into Harper.

"Trance, said a voice, wrenching her from her thoughts. Rhade stood across from her, but she hadn't heard him up until then. "I heard a commotion."

"It was Harper. He's just... being Harper."

Rhade tilted his head to the side, a puzzled look coming over his face. "I can't explain it, but you seem to make things happen. If we were to mate, our children would be incredible. They'd have my strength, your talents, and our intelligence. I know you rescued us from the abyss, Trance. I just don't know how."

It took Trance a minute to find her voice. Finally, she managed to choke out, "Are you propositioning me?"