A/N: I really don't know why I wrote this chapter, and it's rather pointless, but a lot of loose ends will be coming together in the next couple chapters, so bear with me. I think I musta used the word 'family' at least 15 times, but that's what you get when you're supposed to be writing a persuasive paragraph in English class at nine-thirty in the morning. Once again, this chapter is completely pointless and boring. It's just to show the softer side of Beka and the protective family side of Rhade.

prin69: well, not really lying. I did have to do an English paper, but I finished it, so started typing chap14. DAMMIT! you update 'home' and I can't read it becausse as soon as I finish typing this I have to get off the internet! I don't know about anyone else, but I for one can't resist the Rhades!

Jamieson Z: Thanks tons! I amuse myself so much witht the Dylan/Gaheris, it's just too much fun!

Iara:I really meant to e-mail you today, but once again I am out of time on the internet! DAMMIT!

Vee017: I'm so glad you liked that line! I read your reviews for the other fics, thanks for reviewing! A lot of people when they go back to read previous fics they don't review, but I'm so happy you did! which one do you like better? "Illusions', 'Explanations', 'Omega Blue', or 'Echoes of the Past'?

Chapter 15

Telemachus wasn't surprised that Trance was pregnant. I mean, come on, if you look at it from a Nietzschean's point of view you'd be surprised that there weren't already little kids on the ship. Beka, however, couldn't have been more shocked if she had looked into the Med Bay and seen little cackling demons running around.

After Trance had told them about what had happened, Telemachus had to ask. "Will Veghn be related to me at all?"

"Well, since Gaheris was your great, great grandfather..." Trance paused, thinking. "Veghn will be like a little brother, I suppose."

Telemachus groaned. "I don't need another brother," he said, though it was obvious he was happy.

"You have a brother?" Beka asked.

"Two, actually," Telemachus told her. "I used to have a sister, but..."

"But what?" Trance asked softly.

"She was killed," Telemachus said. "In the pirate raids on Terazed. That's when I decided to join the Home Guard, when we never found a body." He paused. "It will be ten years ago in two days."

"You were close to her?" Trance asked.

Telemachus nodded. "Her name was Atlanta Rhade, and she was only twelve years old. She was so pretty had and had so much promise... she had wanted to be a Slipfighter pilot when she grew up." He smiled sadly. "She would always tell me: 'I'm going to be the best pilot there ever was'." He trailed off, obviously not wanting to talk.

Beka gave him a hug. "At least you have a normal family." She paused. "Well, semi-normal."

"Whadda ya mean?"

"Well, you were the only one with a normal family before Gaheris came back from the dead," Beka told him. "My family consists of myself and Rafe, Dylan's has been for almost 300 years, Harper's is dead, Rommie's is other warships, and Trance..." She looked at the gold alien.

"I have a family," Trance said somewhat indignantly. "Gaheris and Veghn."

"This is pointless," Telemachus announced. "Beka, why are you talking about everyone's family?"

Beka shrugged. "I was just saying-"she threw her hands in the air. "Never mind. What were we originally talking about?"

Telemachus opened his mouth and hesitated. "Nothing," he said. He didn't want to talk about Atlanta anymore. He was happy Beka had forgotten.

"You want to be part of a family, don't you, Beka," Trance said, a statement, not a question as she sat down on one of the medical beds.

Beka's lips thinned. "I don't need a family."

"Then why did you bring it up just now?" Trance countered calmly. "Beka, all beings need a family. It's all right to desire one. You don't realize how important family is until you no longer have one."

There was a moment of silence. Telemachus opened his mouth to say something characteristically Nietzschean, but Beka immediately cut him off. "No, I don't want to start a family either, Rhade," she told him, and Telemachus's face fell. She crossed her arms over her chest. Alright, if it will make you two shut up, consider the senior officers my family." Beka shook her head. "Jeesh, what's gotten into you two?" She walked out of the Med Bay, leaving Telemachus with Trance.

"Are your people going to be angry with you?" Telemachus asked.

"Definitely," Trance said without hesitating. "Undoubtedly they are on their way here now."

"What? When?" Unintentionally Telemachus's bone blades flexed.

"They'll wait until Veghn is born," Trance told him. "Then they will take Veghn, me, and most likely Gaheris to the Home."

"I should go too," Telemachus said. "You're part of my family now."

"No, Rhade. I appreciate it," Trance smiled sadly. "But they would simply immediately kill you. The only reason they wouldn't kill Gaheris straight off is because he is guilty, as am I." She paused. "It'll be better for both you and me if you don't come. Please, I know that you now consider it your responsibility to protect me, but I don't want you to get involved. I don't want any of the crew to get involved."

Telemachus hesitated stubbornly, then bowed his head. "Alright."

One thing you have to love about Nietzscheans, Trance thought to herself. They don't give a damn about you until you're one of their friends. Then you are worth some protection. But add the word family, and you're suddenly worth risking lives for.

A/N: Weird chapter, I know, but I was bored. I promise more interesting things will be coming soon, so hang in there! :talking to muse: 'Mr. Smuggles, I still don't think it's safe. Stay in there, or they'll be coming after you with torches'