Thanks for the reviews people. I appreciate the feedback.
Here's another chapter for you all.
Chapter 2
As soon as the Maru exited slipstream Beka opened up a communication channel with the Andromeda. She asked Andromeda to put her through to Trance.
"Trance, meet me in the docking bay. Harper's been injured," Beka calmly instructed over the com.
The golden woman paused from tending her plants in hydroponics. "I'll be right there Beka."
Dylan overheard the conversation caught up with Trance at the Maru. Trance and Dylan rushed onto the Maru and met Beka in the medical room.
"Beka what happened to Harper?" Dylan asked quietly he looked down at the unconscious engineer.
Beka looked up at the High Guard captain, her pain and frustration evident in her expression. "We were on Kalasan when Harper took sick."
Trance finished a preliminary examination of Harper and joined the two captains. "Harper has a fever so I'm going to get him to Medical. Beka, did you give Harper medicine?"
"I just gave him some aspirin since I don't know what he has," Beka explained.
"Harper will be okay Beka. I promise," Trance assured as she wheeled Harper off the Maru.
Dylan and Beka followed behind the gurney as Rhade helped Trance push the gurney down the corridors. As soon as the gurney was situated in Medical Trance ushered everybody outside.
Dylan gave the executive officer a hug. "Harper is in good hands so I'll be in my quarters if you need me. I'm sure Harper will come through this just like he always has."
"Thanks. I'm going to stay here for awhile," Beka replied.
Dylan nodded his head in approval before leaving his executive officer.
Beka began pacing nervously outside Medical, waiting for Trance to finish tending to Harper.
"What happened is not your fault Beka," Telemecus Rhade reminded from behind the blonde.
Beka wheeled around to face the tall Nietzschean. "Just how do you know that Rhade? You weren't even with us."
Telemechus leaned against the Medical door replying, "I know because you are always so careful to make sure Harper has his IB shots and inoculations before going to any planet. I know that you would not knowingly put Harper in danger.
"It was still my idea to go to an area where there was a good chance we could be attacked. And for what? So I could get Harper a birthday present." Beka argued.
"Beka, you were trying to do something nice for Harper. You also took the necessary precautions." Rhade reminded.
Beka wasn't about to herself off the hook. "But I didn't do enough. Harper's sick because I dragged him to a solar system filled with pirates and mercenaries."
The Nietzschean put his hands on Beka's shoulders and made eye contact with the executive officer. "What happened to Harper was an unfortunate event which you could not have prevented. Harper had all of the necessary inoculations and he came down with an illness. Now quit beating yourself up over something that you cannot change."
"That's easier said than done Rhade. The only thing that's keeping me going right now is I want to be here for Harper when he wakes up," Beka confessed.
"Then be strong for Harper," Rhade advised. "What Dylan said goes for me as well. If you need someone to talk to Rommie will know where to find me." With that advice Rhade left Beka alone with her thoughts.
A few minutes later Trance opened the door and invited Beka inside. "Harper's still has a fever but he's coming to now," the golden woman informed in a hushed tone.
Beka stood at Harper's side, holding his hand. "Hey Shorty, don't scare me like this. You know I don't handle illness and injury in other people very well."
Harper blinked several times before taking a deep breath. "Hiya Boss. Where am I?"
"You're back onboard the Andromeda. You really gave me a scare," Beka mockingly chastised.
"I didn't mean to," Harper apologized. The engineer attempted to lift his head off of the pillow Trance gently laid him back down. He suddenly grew even paler. "I don't feel so good; kinda nauseous."
Trance hid her concern from Harper as handed him a plastic bag to put over his mouth. "It's just a symptom of a virus you picked up Harper." Trance helped Harper sit up in bed and held onto him.
The engineer sat up heaved several times and spilled sparse contents of his stomach into the bag. "Well, I guess I feel a little better now."
Trance helped Harper then lay back down on the bed. Trance joined Beka in holding the engineer's hand. Harper was still awake but groggy. The golden woman grabbed a syringe from a tray put it to Harper's arm. "I'm giving you a shot. This should take away the nausea and make you feel better."
"It's always the needles. Can't I get an illness where the medicine tastes like Sparky Cola?" Harper joked.
"When you get well enough I'll see that there's a case of Sparky waiting for you Shorty," Beka promised.
Harper's eyes brightened at the thought of drinking the cola. "You know I'm gonna hold you to it Boss."
Beka smiled down at the engineer. "I know you will. And Beka Valentine keeps her promises. Now try to get some rest before you make Trance take drastic action," Beka teased.
Harper rolled his eyes at the blonde pilot. "Okay but haven't I had enough sleep to last me awhile?"
"You still need your rest Harper so Beka and I will let you sleep," Trance informed before walking Beka outside of Medical.
"Should we be worried about Harper getting nauseous?" Beka asked as soon as they were in the corridor.
Trance lowered her head, unable to look Beka in the eyes. "Harper is prone to nausea so I don't think it's nothing to be too concerned about.
"Do you know what virus he's got?" Beka questioned.
Trance bit at her lower lip replying, "I don't know yet. I'm going to run some tests so I'm sure I'll know something soon.
Beka nodded her understanding. "I still can't help feeling that it's my fault Trance."
"You're wrong Beka. Harper doesn't blame you and neither do the rest of us," Trance replied. Trance gave Beka's arm a reassuring squeeze. "You probably haven't had anything to eat lately. Why don't go to the mess hall and grab something. I'll keep everybody informed of Harper's condition.
Beka reluctantly agreed and left for the mess hall. None of the food seemed appetizing but Beka settled on a salad. AI Rommie entered and took a seat across the table from the blonde.
"Rommie if you came here to talk and try to cheer me up don't' bother because I'm really not in the mood right now," Beka announced as she looked up from her meal.
Rommie wasn't so easily put off. "Beka nobody blames you for what happened to Harper. But the reason I came here is to let you know that Dylan wants to see you in his quarters as soon as you've finished eating.
"Fine, I'm on my way there," Beka said as she stood up. The blonde pilot threw the leftover food in the disposal and set the plate in the sink before leaving. Andromeda's AI accompanied Beka to Dylan's quarters.
Dylan looked up from a flexi as the two women entered. "Trance gave me a report on Harper's condition; he's stable now."
Beka stood at ease facing her Captain. "The kid had me worried. Now is there anything else or am I dismissed?"
Dylan glanced over at AI Rommie standing next to him. "Rommie, unless there's something pressing that needs Beka's attention she has the rest of the day off."
"I can find nothing that needs Captain Valentine's immediate attention," AI Rommie informed.
"Then it's settled," Dylan replied. "Beka, just don't spend all of your time in Medical sitting up with Harper. Take time out for yourself."
The blonde pilot sighed, expecting Dylan to give her that advice. "It's my free time Dylan, but I'll try to keep your advice in mind." Dylan dismissed the executive officer who went to her quarters.
The next morning Harper woke up in Medical. The engineer woke up to find Trance smiling down at him.
"Good morning Harper. Do you still feel nauseous at all?" Trance softly questioned.
The Earther was pleased to have to see such a lovely sight first thing in the morning. Harper offered Trance a weak smile. "No but I feel kinda weak. I tried moving my legs and they feel heavy, like somebody put weights on my ankles."
The golden woman reached pulled another blanket from a drawer under the bed and put it over the Earther. "Here's another blanket Harper. "You feel week? How do you mean?"
Harper scrounged his face up trying to think of the right description. "Kinda feels like I went 15 rounds with Rhade."
Trance kept her face expressionless. "You've been sedated and your body is tired from fighting off an illness. Just be patient and give your body a chance to do its job."
"Yeah, I guess I shouldn't be surprised at feeing tired," Harper conceded. "How long do you expect to keep me prisoner, my Golden Goddess? Not that I mind be prisoner to such a lovely lady as you."
Trance couldn't help but smile at the innuendo. "I still have a couple more tests to finish and then I'll have a better idea how long your recovery will take."
"I guess I'll just lay here and wait then," Harper replied.
Trance caught the pout on Harper's face out of the cornier of her eye. "Try to relax Harper. It'll help make you more comfortable," She advised.
The engineer took a deep breath and tried to relax. He closed his eyes and listened to Trance go about her work. It wasn't long before Harper was back asleep.