Part 15

Harper took a deep breath as he stood at the doors of the guest quarters, finally he stepped forward and activated the door release, and he stepped inside. The room was dark, and it took a moment for Harper to adjust his eyes to the low lighting.

"Seamus," Dani's voice was heard, but he couldn't see her.

"Dani," Harper returned, and he looked around, finally seeing that she was lying on the bed, and his nerves rapidly returned. "I could come back, if you're tired?"

"No, just taking a nap, I wasn't expecting you back so soon, thought I had scared you off for good," Dani quickly got to her feet and adjusted her clothes. "So, I guess you have had time to think?" She said with a sleepy manner.

"Yeah," Harper simply responded.

"And?" Dani asked. Harper's silence seemed to speak volumes as Dani watched him closely, until she finally frowned and backed away. "I knew it, I obviously freaked you out, and now you think I'm a freak, and that I'm planning your death right now," she began, with a panicked air. "I just not really good at this, where I come from its take what you want or just shut the hell up, I guess I should have taken the second option this time."

"Are you even interested in anything I may have to say?" Harper asked, briefly wondering if this is how it was for others to speak to him sometimes.

"Not if it's not what I want to hear," Dani admitted honestly.

"Well, I want to take you on a tour of the ship," Harper offered.

Dani looked at him strangely. "That's not an answer," she pointed out.

"Along the way, maybe we can start to get to know each other a little better, you know?" he shrugged, the suggestion now a little clearer.

"You mean," Dani hesitated, not allowing herself to read too much into his response. "That you're really going to me a chance?" Dani checked. "You will help me?"

"It just means I want the opportunity to get to know you a little better, so if I do help you, there will be no more surprises," Harper offered brightly. "And if there is a next time that we might get close, I won't feel like you're a stranger that I know nothing about, and I won't freak out," Harper smirked, mocking his own reactions.

"You are shy," Dani smiled. "Don't tell me that I scare you," she added.

"I am not shy," Harper protested then backed down slightly. "And you only scare me a little, but with good reason I might add, you don't know the women I have known," he stressed. "Look, let's just go already?" Harper gestured to the door.

"So romantic," she remarked in response. "I've read classic novels you know, and I don't remember the one about the tour of a crappy star ship and a demanding little mud foot engineer," Dani stated.

"You don't read the novels I read then," Harper simply grinned. "And Rommie she didn't mean that about you being crappy, I promise," Harper offered then looked at Dani, as he moved closer to her. "No one calls Rommie a crappy star ship, understand? Not unless you like cold showers, so let's just get that one thing straight, ok?"

"Giving me orders already," Dani remarked.

"Just keeping you in line, and on this warships good side," Harper corrected.

"Like I need discipline, forgetting what I am so soon?" Dani asked absently.

Harper took a deep breath, and tentatively led Dani from the room. "What you are is not something I'll be able to forget very quickly, no offence."

"I know," Dani already seemed to have accepted that fact. "But I'll work on that, and you'll see that I'm not like all the rest," she assured him.

"I think I'm already getting that part," Harper shrugged and they began to walk side by side towards engineering. Harper now felt a slight awkwardness between them, knowing that he was partly the reason for this, as he continued to try and understand what he was feeling. Dani for her part seemed to understand and respect his uncertainty, as she made no attempts now to get too close to him, or too personal with him, and he inwardly sighed, wondering if he'd ever understand the situation to his own satisfaction.

On the command deck, Rhade looked up as Beka let out another frustrated groan, and with a slightly amused grin he got the first officer's attention.

"Still no response?" Rhade asked.

"Andromeda," Beka looked up, having only glanced at Rhade in reaction. "Where is Dani?"

"Dani is currently on deck eleven, with Seamus Harper," Andromeda responded, as she appeared looking back at Beka, on the view screen.

"Why?" Beka found herself asking.

Andromeda considered the question and prepared her answer. "It appears that Harper is giving Dani a tour of the ship, and it appears to be quite an extensive tour."

"A tour?" Beka demanded. "She's supposed to be talking to me, not taking in the views."

Rhade took the opportunity to speak up. "Maybe Harper feels it will help relations, to make Dani feel more comfortable on board?" he suggested from his station.

Beka took a deep breath, remembering Trance's advice about showing more patience and trusting Harper. "Fine, whatever, Andromeda how long do you think they will be?"

"Dani has been up from most of the day, Beka, and with the incidents we have experienced today I would recommend that whatever you need to see Dani for, that it wait until morning," Andromeda returned.

Beka checked the time, she hadn't realised it was so late. "You're probably right, ok, I guess it can wait till morning but you make sure Harper realises the time too, he's had more of a traumatic day than her," she stated firmly, remembering the attacks from earlier.

"I will ensure your concerns are passed on," Andromeda simply said, and disappeared from the screen.

"In one day he's gone from not wanting anything to do with that girl, to giving her a personal tour of this ship," Rhade remarked.

"And your point is?" Beka asked.

"Just that it's quite a leap to make in one day," Rhade shrugged.

"You obviously don't know Harper very well, this is normal for him," Beka partly smiled. "He thinks quick, he talks quick, he moves quick, and he changes his mind just as quick," she stated. "You get use to it," she added.

"Still," Rhade crossed his arms. "For someone so adamant that he could not help, he seems to now be doing more than his fair share of helping."

"Rhade just say what you want to say," Beka demanded.

Rhade looked at Beka with a touch of surprise, but conceded that he had been beating around the bush. "Unless I'm mistaken it appears to me that Harper may be more than a little taken by Dani, why else would his attitude towards her so drastically change?"

Beka took a moment before responding. "We don't know that that's the reason," Beka dismissed, but then sighed. "But I'd be lying if I hadn't thought along the same lines, maybe I know Harper too well," she looked over to Rhade. "Crap, why didn't I see this coming?"

"You're not his mother," Rhade grinned. "And as you said, we do not know that that is the reason, maybe because she only responds to him, that he feels responsible somehow?"

"Harper?" Beka checked. "Responsible?" she added, and Rhade tried to hide his amusement to Beka's observation. "Well, whatever is going on can wait, now I've noticed the time, I'm going to rest, and try not to think about what mess Harper could be getting himself into, he is a grown man after all," she sighed.

"Barely," Rhade had to remark as Beka passed him.

Harper stepped onto the Obs Deck, knowing that it was getting late now, having already had Rommie remind him, but he had to show Dani this final place on the tour. Stepping forward, Harper gestured to Dani to move beside him and allowed her to fully appreciate the view before he spoke up. "This is my second favourite place after the machine shop," he simply announced.

"Why?" Dani asked brightly, before taking in the view.

"Isn't it obvious?" Harper asked. "Come on, look around you," he offered. "You have that fantastic view of the stars over there, and over here," he gestured before running the short distance to the other side of the deck. "Over here is the plants, Trance's pride and joy, and when I get stir crazy, as you sometimes do being in this metallic environment I pay this place a visit, reminds me of being planet side, and I don't know about you, but I just need that sometimes."

Dani was caught in the moment as she took all of the sights and smells in, as she walked to join Harper by the expanse of flowers. "I can't believe this is on the ship, it's beautiful," she offered, reaching out to touch some of the closest plants.

"I just find that it's a nice change of pace, the smells just feel nice and natural, as opposed to the rest of this ship that's so controlled and unnatural," Harper shrugged.

"So you do have a soft side," Dani remarked, and Harper naturally shied away, quickly moving to some crates.

"Let's sit down for a moment, I think we still need to talk about a lot of things," Harper encouraged.

"Talk, is that all you want to do?" Dani asked suggestively.

"Yeah, I mean, other stuff is good, don't get me wrong but talking is what we really should do now," Harper stated a little awkwardly, and struggling to remain composed as his fears surfaced again, and then he gestured to Dani to take a seat.

"I enjoyed the tour," Dani said brightly, sensing that Harper wasn't enjoying this time as much as she would like him to.

"Good," Harper smiled now but looked distracted. "Look, I've been thinking a lot about what you said, your ultimatum, and as you already know I've decided that I want to help you," he offered, attempting to appear calm in his delivery. "As opposed to the second option that had me running freaking fast to the hills, but you should know that it was a close one, I'm still not really sure if that second option should be my first," he frowned, and then looked at Dani who simply appeared amused by him.

"Go on," Dani encouraged.

"I just want to take things slow, and by that I mean everything, with you still technically being the mission, that has to take priority, and it does affect things, important things to me," Harper explained with care. "But I also want you to know that since you said those things, since, well, intentions were made known between us, I am looking at you differently, in fact maybe for the first time," he admitted with a frown.

"And is that why you're giving me a go?" Dani asked with a smile.

Harper grinned in return. "I've been giving a lot of things some thought, lots and lots of things," Harper suddenly looked tired as he recalled everything he had considered. "And as I mentioned, I'm still not sure if this is the right thing to do, or why I'm doing this, what the real reason is," he shrugged honestly. "I've been burned a few times lately by helping the female of the species, and I'm not entirely sure if I'm just encouraging you for the sake of the mission or because I really want this between us," Harper sighed and then frowned, finding it so easy to talk to Dani this honestly, that it felt almost unnatural, and then he took Dani's hand into his own. "There's so much going on here," he continued before Dani stopped him.

"I understand," Dani assured him, and she put her hand on top of his now. "You want to take things slow, I can do that, slow is good," she smiled confidently. "I know that I can be pretty demanding, I really do know that, comes with being brought up by ubers," she smiled with some amusement. "So let me talk to your friends, help with their mission and then we'll see where that leaves us."

"Seriously?" Harper had to ask; he hadn't expected it to be this easy.

"I'm in no hurry either, I may act like I am, but truthfully I'm not, and what I said earlier, it wasn't an ultimatum that I gave you, just a shove in my direction, the right direction I hope," she offered brightly and then sighed. "I've only just reclaimed freedom, so I want to live a little," Dani continued. "I guess my original actions of encouraging you to kiss me, it was only because I needed to let you know how I felt, I was testing you to see if you felt the same and when you kissed me," Dani briefly smiled before continuing.

"It only showed me that you were interested, nothing more, I don't expect anything of you, Shay, just your attention so that we might have a chance at something, if it's to be," Dani brought her hand up to his face, and stroked his cheek gently. "I know you have issues with me, and I know that we can work these out, and I also know that right now might not be the best time, but we have time, Shay, I'm confident of that."

Harper felt comforted by her words, and her touch, and she didn't sound like a psycho, quite the opposite as Dani appeared to be genuine enough in her actions. Looking at her now and seeing her looking at him in hope, Harper couldn't help but lean forward and, after a brief hesitation, they gently kissed, with less passion this time and more control.

After a moment they broke away, it felt so right suddenly and Harper remained close to Dani, resting his forehead against hers, whilst putting his arm around Dani's shoulder's softly taking a moment to just have Dani close to him, realising how nice it felt to have someone close, how long had it been, he briefly wondered?

"I'm starting to hope that we can make this work," Harper simply said after a few moments, surprised by his own admission and honesty. "I'd hate for this to be nothing more than another let's take hapless Harper on another trip to broken heart land," he frowned sadly, finding it even easier to talk to Dani, and talk frankly, about his fears and feelings, he felt so safe in her company, and he guessed that was learning to trust her.

Dani shushed Harper. "Shay, I wish I could prove to you that this isn't what you fear, those who have led you on before, right now I wish they had never existed," she gently spoke. "And we will make this work," Dani added quietly. "Now that I have your attention, I won't have to freak you out again," Dani tried to lighten the mood. "I haven't helped things have I?" she added when Harper didn't respond to her attempt.

Harper now smirked as he moved away from Dani's touch, reclaiming his own space. "It was a shock, and something of a surprise, I don't usually have this affect on women, usually it's a more painful experience," he frowned. "I'm not sure I totally understand what's happening here, I mean I've been in your company now for well over an hour and you haven't slapped me once, or insulted me, this is new territory for me," he smirked. "I mean I haven't even propositioned you yet, no one will believe that," he continued.

Dani smiled warmly, having let Harper finish before she spoke again. "Have you ever been in love?"

"Many times," Harper returned quickly, and then shyly looked away from Dani. "Just usually it's all from my side, and it's never been returned yet, what about you?" he quickly asked, so as not to dwell on his track record.

Dani shrugged. "I don't think so, but sometimes I have thought I have but it's not worked out yet."

"Yussuf let you have relationships?" Harper asked with surprise.

"Hell no," Dani returned quickly. "He's never found out about them that's all, let's just say what he doesn't know, can't hurt him."

"But no doubt if he did know, he'd hurt them pretty bad," Harper responded with slight trepidation. "So you and Yussuf," Harper ventured now, swiftly changing the subject from that of pain.

Dani noticeably tensed up, taking a deep breath, knowing what Harper was implying. "I'm not proud of anything that has gone on between me and Yussuf, but I won't lie to you, we've been together a few times, nothing serious, and all with consent, to a point."

"To a point?" Harper questioned.

Dani noticeably tensed again. "We have an understanding," was all she offered. "Besides, it doesn't matter now does it, I'm not going back, right?"

"He's already sent ships to fire on us, Dani, he's not giving you up without a fight," Harper explained. "You seem pretty important to him, do you think he'll give up the chase?"

"No," Dani admitted with a heavy sigh.

"So should we really be doing this?" Harper had to ask.

Dani got to her feet and looked upwards, before looking back to the still seated Harper. "We can make this work, you told me to take this opportunity, well I am, Seamus, if I want to be free, I just have to want it, right?"

"Yeah, but," Harper attempted to speak but Dani soon cut him off again.

"Seamus, with your help I know I can be free," Dani now declared, and she fell to her knees and rested her hands on Harper's knees. "You escaped Earth, and I know that's no mean feat, so I can escape Yussuf, but I can't do it alone I'm too naive for this universe, please continue to be my inspiration."

"Oh, sorry," a new voice disturbed them.

Harper looked around quickly, and saw Trance backing away. "It's ok," Harper stood up, as Dani backed away. "We were just leaving," Harper offered and Dani got to her feet to stand beside Harper, and she simply smiled as she followed Harper towards the exit.

"Dani," Trance called after her. "I need you to report to med deck tomorrow for a check up, I have been studying the results of the scans that I took from you, and you have a few deficiencies that I need to give you a course of medication for, but it's nothing to worry about."

"She does the same to me," Harper remarked. "Pumps me full of stuff in the hope she cures my severe case of that 'being human' condition," he added with a grin.

"Harper, you know I'm only trying to help," Trance returned with amusement to his words.

"I know babe," Harper returned.

"I think you should report to med deck tomorrow too, I'm still concerned about the possible damage to your lungs and considering you didn't exactly leave med deck with my permission," Trance responded.

"We'll both see you later then," Harper sighed and with Dani, they left the obs deck, with Trance grinning behind them.

As they entered the corridor Harper began to lead Dani towards the guest quarters. "We should call it a night, maybe continue this tomorrow?"

"I hope so," Dani smiled warmly. "Although I wouldn't object if you want to stay with me tonight, continue this getting to know each other vibe."

Harper paused before speaking. "Dani, remember the buzz words?" Harper stated finally, even though he was tempted enough to give her invitation some consideration before he spoke.

"Take things slow?" Dani checked, and saw Harper nod his head, albeit unconvincingly. "I never took you for a following rules kind of guy, or for being the perfect gentleman, I'd come to understand quite the opposite about you," she spoke, indicating that she knew more about him.

Harper decided not to ask questions this time, the mood wasn't right to question why she had thought that of him, after all it probably wasn't a secret that he liked to try his luck at every space port they stopped at.

"Where would the fun be if I was predictable?" Harper returned playfully. "Besides, I'm tired, you must be tired too, and you're still the mission so it wouldn't be right," Harper stated, thinking up more excuses but sticking to the ones he had said for now.

"So once I'm not the mission?" Dani prompted.

Harper simply grinned as they approached her quarters. "I'll catch up with you in the morning," he stated.

"You better had," Dani said as Harper moved closer to her, and he seemed to be taking in her every feature, as his hands found her waist.

"Now that you'll know who I am, and where you are in the morning, it will be harder for me to try and avoid you," Harper remarked with a grin, and then he quickly moved forward and kissed her. "Have a good sleep," he offered, as he pulled away and she simply moved backwards towards her quarters with Harper watching until she had closed the doors behind her.

As Harper finally began to move away he soon stopped and hesitated, finding himself in two minds suddenly. Seemingly battling his instincts and his emotions, and Harper didn't move for a few seconds.

"Harper, your quarters are two decks down, far end of the corridor," Rommie helpfully reminded him as she appeared at the junction near to his location.

"Funny," Harper frowned at the android, but Rommie's interruption of his thoughts seemed to have enabled him to start moving again, as he walked away from Dani's quarters and towards Rommie.

"You like her," Rommie observed, as she walked beside him now.

"Not jealous are you?" Harper mocked.

"I do not feel jealously," Rommie confirmed. "But I am still concerned that you are not receiving enough rest after your accident, I hope you are returning to your quarters to rest."

Harper simply smiled. "So you do care," he offered.

"Of course I care," Rommie seemed offended. "I don't want to lose you."

Harper glanced at Rommie with interest. "What's brought this on?" he enquired with interest.

"Nothing," Rommie was quick to dismiss, but Harper's stare burned into her now. "It's just I heard your discussion with Dylan, and I've seen you with Dani, plus hearing Beka and Rhade discussing it," she attempted to explain.

"Whoa, hold on, Beka and Rhade discussing what?" Harper questioned.

"They suspect that you have feelings for Dani," Rommie answered. "They are not wrong are they?"

"Is there such a thing as a private life on this ship?" Harper complained. "And what does it matter?" Harper demanded, but he saw Rommie look away in a manner that seemed that she didn't quite understand the tone of his reaction. "Look, Rommie, yeah I may have some feelings for Dani," Harper attempted to explain, though he was not comfortable with it. "But just because we spend a bit of time together, come on, it doesn't mean anything, Rom doll, don't get all upset on me," Harper requested.

"I'm not upset, Harper," Rommie protested.

"It's only been a few hours and already people are tagging us as a couple," Harper stated with obvious horror.

"I've known you to declare undying love in less time to a female," Rommie pointed out. "And sometimes you declare that love after just a few seconds of seeing said female, Harper."

"Ok, ok," Harper couldn't deny his usual eagerness. "But this is different."

"So this time it is genuine?" Rommie asked with interest.

"Did I programme you to be so direct, Rommie?" Harper asked, with slight amusement, as he reached his quarters. "I don't know, and I'm not entirely sure I want to know, especially if I'm going to put under this much scrutiny for it," he sighed.

"I'm happy for you," Rommie declared.

"Happy for what, exactly?" Harper asked confused.

"I have experienced a lot of instances where two people have met, and formed a friendship that becomes something more," Rommie stated. "When I had a full crew, it wasn't unusual for people to meet, and I used to observe them like any of my crew, what I have seen today has reminded me of those times, so I'm happy that you have found a new friend, Harper," Rommie explained.

Harper just smirked and shook his head fondly. "Thanks, Rommie, you really are a piece of work sometimes, and I'm glad you an example of my piece of work," he simply said with some pride, before retiring to his quarters.

TBC