Hey you guys! Here is the next chapter of my fanfic. I hope you all enjoy!

Oh and to address an earlier question from, bwing55543, the next chapter will be a lemon, which is why I stuck this in the mature section, although corrupting children has always been a hobby of mine, lol. Also a special thanks to Whinnie the Pooh, and Gamer19720 for reviewing me! Thank you guys! Now on with the fic.

Mellady

A tiny bug crawled slowly across a blade of grass, and stopped as it stretched its 6 legs in the sun. Before it had time to begin its journey back down the blade, it was blown away by a suddenly burst of air, which was accompanied by an unbelievably loud rumbling noise. The poor black bug was thrown on its back and was staring into a blur of golden tassels. Suddenly another loud noise and the tassels disappeared and the sun was out once again.

Lady!

The dog stopped barking and looked up at the small, young woman. Without delay, the tiny dog suddenly made its way to the girl, who was kneeling down in front of what the dog made out to be the evil redhead. Lady happily bounced over to the girl, jumping into her arms and sending her backwards, in a fit of whimpers and giggles. Gene stood watching over the two as Lady continually wet the face of its master, before turning its head to the field and making its way back into the sea of green. Gene knelt down, and helped Melfina to her feet, as she laughed and giggled from the excitement of it all.

Mel, You seem pretty happy with hat mutt of yours.

I am! She's so bubbly and happy Gene. I guess some of that is rubbing off on to me.

Melfina?

Hmm?

Think I can talk to you…with out the damned mutt?

Huh?… Uh… yeah… sure.

The two turned and made their way to a tiny bench on the other side of the tiny meadow outside the Outlaw Star. Melfina had worn her usual black shorts, suspenders and white button up shirt. Her hair had pretty much stayed the same, billowing out into soft points around her neck. Her shoes were replaced by fuzzy pink slippers, seeing as she wasn't going out. Gene had been really laid back today. He was covered by no more than a towel around his waist and flip-flops shielding his feet. He figured if they paid the extra money for the damn meadow and the wooden gate he would damn well use it! They had paid the extra 10,000 woolongs to get it because Jim knew how much Melfina would like to get out with lady. Gene almost had a heart attack when he heard and vowed never to allow Jim near the controls again. It would take him another month to save up that much booze money.

They both sat down on the little black bench in silence and watched as the "mutt" ran back and forth chasing something stupid, a bug… or maybe even air. Tension sat heavily in the air as unspoken words touched them both. Melfina already seemed to be in tears and Gene already seemed angry enough to destroy the universe and whatever it was that was hurting Melfina. With a sigh, he decided that the only way to solve this would be to talk.

Mel?

Gene?

You've been having nightmares, I've heard.

Melfina lowered her head in silence, oh… god… she would have to tell him now wouldn't she? She would have to put everyone in danger again.

I hear you when you're sleeping Melfina… I know you've been trying to hide it from the rest of us.

Melfina turned her head sharply away. No. She wouldn't do it to her friends…no... not again. Tears threatened to break through her eyes but she bit her lips subsiding them. Gene's hand managed to find its way under her chin and supported it up lifting it up to his face. He cupped her chin with his index finger while his thumb slowly stroked her face. The tears she was biting back for so long flowed freely down her face and fear overtook her features.

Melfina... you can tell me anything… you know that. I thought that as clear after we left the Leyline. I want you to be happy okay? And this obviously isn't it. So I need to know, what is going on in your dreams?

Melfina's jaw quivered and she tried to open her mouth to speak. Gene was obviously being patient and he waited until finally something snapped between her eyes and her mouth opened wide and her voice came out weak, cracking and babbling.

Gene… he's back! He's back and he's coming for me! He told me so! He wants me dead Gene! He swore he'd kill me and each and every one of my friends Gene! He's gonna hurt me! He's gonna hurt Aisha, and Suzuka and Jim and you Gene! He's going to hurt you!

Melfina! Calm down… tell me, who!

Him Gene! Him.. he, he, he-

Who Melfina!

H-h-harry.

Gene's jaw flexed as he heard the name flow through her lips. He could have told her it was just a dream, but he knew that her and Harry had a mental connection that could never be undermined as just a dream. So.. there was no real way for him to guarantee to her that it wouldn't happen. So instead he pulled her close to her arms and let her cry bitterly as the fear and anguish of her nightmare flooded out. She'd been dreaming for weeks, and every night it became scarier and more daring. She had seen right before her eyes, he had hurt each of her friends, each and every one of them, down to her tiny little puppy. And then Gene…he had stabbed Gene! He stabbed him… again and again and again! Harry and his brother Ron… they were doing it, they would do it, and she couldn't stop them. It was all her fault. She shouldn't have turned Harry down! She should have went with him when she had the chance and now he would come back and hurt everything for what she did.

It's all my fault! I'm sorry Gene, I'm sooo sorry!

Gene pulled Melfina back and stared hard into her frightened eyes.

Melfina! Its not your fault okay! If you had a choice they would not be coming after you! Alright!

Gene barked at her quickly causing her to both stop and shiver against him. He had been too rough... he knew. So when he opened his mouth again, it was in a sweet tone to her.

Besides…the Outlaw Star has had a bone to pick with them for a while…even if not for you, they would have came back eventually.

Melfina lowered her eyes and nodded, convincing herself that Gene was more than likely right. Then she allowed herself to fall back into his arms as he held her close.

Don't worry Mel. I've took care of them once before, and I'll take care of them again. You… me, Jim, Aisha and Suzuka. We can handle them alright? No problem.

Melfina nodded her head somewhere in the sanctuary of his chest and allowed herself to break free of any worries about the situation. Gene would take care of her and the whole crew, just like before. She believes him and she trusted him. That's all she needed. She would trust and believe in him.

The rest of the day pretty much went by uneventful after Melfina and Gene returned to the ship. Jim came home with a busted eye, and Mel had to use a side of beef to cool the swelling. Gene and Aisha got into a massive fight over the remote leaving Aisha with a missing patch of hair and Gene with sore ribs. Oh yeah, not to mention the broke lamp and end table that Jim angry noted would have to be replaced. As for Suzuka? Well she stayed inside her room, deep in meditation, that is until she stepped in the surprise little Lady left inside her room. Needless to saw, swords were drawn and a lot of pleading was needed on Melfina's part to save her tiny mutt. Dinner was served that evening. Wondrous wonton soup, with large wontons filled with nicely seasoned beef. Mel thought it best to serve soup to her injured friends and maybe spark some healing between them. As time passed on the evening turned to night, and after cleanup and T.V, came bed.

Melfina felt calm as she stepped into the shower. Gene had promised her he would take care of it right? She had nothing to fear. The water soaked through her hair and ran down her body warming and inviting her skin to relax for the night. She reached for her shampoos and soaps and scrubbed away the dirt of the day, refreshing herself. Her puppy had taken an early night on her bed, especially after being chased by Suzuka for half an hour. Melfina thought it best to leave her there. Or she would have to go through the whole half an hour of drying the dog routine. She washed the last bits of soap off her body and stepped out the shower and into her nightgown. It was a simple pink spaghetti strap nightie that came down to her knees and was overrun with tiny bears falling asleep on clouds. Suzuka had bought it for her as a gift when she was on Mars last. Needless to say Mel loved it.

She bent down and scooped her clothes off the wet floor and deposited them in the hamper. Slipping on her slippers she made her way towards her bed. Her hand went to press the tiny blue button opening her door when she heard a whimper in the living room. Slowly made her way into the room right next to her door only to see a small unsleeping Jim. He was watching TV and his eyes seemed wide and unsure, with just a hint of red and tears.

Jim?

Oh. Uh hey Mel

Why are you up so late?

Can't sleep.

Oh… well… mind if I sit with you?

No… not at all.

Melfina took a seat next to her friend and slowly sank into the worn yellow couch in the living room. Jim cozily settled next to her and then flicked the channel to some chick flick but seemed uninterested in what's on TV. He wanted to talk… to anyone… to get it off his chest. He needed to know… if what he was thinking was right or wrong.

Mel?

Yeah?

Do you... do you consider us a family?

Melfina was a little taken back by Jim's question but nodded her head confidently as she answered him back.

Yes Jim. I do. I don't have any biological anything out there, but you guys more than make up for it. We act like a family and in some ways are more than some families out there. I would definitely never leave you guys for the world.

So… do you think its foolish to wish to see my real family?

Jim. I don't have a family outside of you guys. You do. I don't think it's foolish. I if I knew there was someone out there that was sorta like me, or in some way attached to me, I think I would want to know him or her. No harm in that at all.

You know… I think your right Mel. There's nothing wrong with missing my mom.. or my dad…or my sister.

Silence passed between the two for a few moments before Jim ended the conversation.

I think I can sleep easier now... but… do you think you can stay with me for a bit more?

Melfina nodded slowly, and they both began to watch the TV. The chick flick evolved into a heart-wrenching tale of princess who was saved from a dragon by a man she amazing knew all her life and loved.

Suddenly Melfina found herself waking up next to Jim in a very cold living room. She rubbed her shoulder's gingerly trying to bring just a bit of warmth into her arms. She looked down at Jim who was asleep and went to his room and grabbing a sheet wrapped him in it. She decided she would watch the rest of the movie, after all there was only 30 minutes left. When she settled down and looked up again however, the prince was no longer and prince, he was Harry. The princess was Suzuka and she was in his arms, head thrown back blood pouring from her neck. Harry climbed out of the TV, and Melfina screamed, as he forced his sword from his hilt into Jim's chest. Melfina tried to back away and she found her self in a corner Harry close in pursuit. Behind her she Saw Aisha and Gene enter the room and they screamed something she couldn't hear. Suddenly, she was thrown back into reality as Jim rolled over pressing his head into her stomach.

She sat up panting heavily covered in sweat. Tears in her eyes. Gene! She needed Gene! Right now! She stood and basically ran to his room.

Okay you guys! Let me know what you think of the next chapter. I have been working on it for quite a bit trying to get it just right, but it seems perfection never came easily for me, lol. Okay, See you guys! Bye!