Chapter 4:

It's Been a Long Time

A/N: I haven't gotten much interest in this story but I'll continue because it's special to me. For those of you who are waiting for me to start the Jacob/Tearna plotline, it should be introduced within the next chapter or so, sorry, it's just taking along time to get around to it.

For those of you who reviewed, thank you so much, I really appreciate it.

squid109: I'm definitely hoping that this well be good. Thks for seeing the potetntial.

LittleRedhead: Within the next chapter I should explain all about Jacob's mother. Thanx for the review.

"Hey there buddy…watch the hands."

Harper laughed to himself as the guard who was scanning him for weapons just frowned at his comment and continued on. The grandiose way the Commonwealth operated had always made him laugh.

"Wow, this guys sure can't seem to take a joke. I mean would it hurt to lighten up a little bit?" Jacob commented to his father.

"These guys are official lancer guards in the new Commonwealth. They're trained not to mess around…unlike that rag tag militia you've got over there on Earth."

Harper turned to face Dylan Hunt in all his glory, quickly striding down the corridor. He wore a giant smile on his face. He was older now, a little greyer at the temples and with a little less of a spring in his step, but still the same old Dylan. He now wore a brilliant suit of gold and deep blue in place of his old high guard uniform. Harper laughed at his old friend.

"Those rag tags are getting the job done…..and we don't bother with all your fancy pants procedures. Dylan…it's good to see you again."

The two men, one the president of the new Commonwealth, a highly esteemed diplomat, the brilliant leader who had restored so much peace in the universe, the other, the rebel militia leader of Earth, the brilliant general who had lead the revolution everyone said would never work, to some real success, embraced like old school boys. Suddenly Harper pulled away.

"Excuse me…I mean it's great to see you Mr. President!"

Harper did his best at a giant mock bow.

"A hello will suffice Mr. Harper. Come on, everyone is waiting for you in mess. They were getting a little tired of waiting for you. Next time you say you'll be arriving in the morning we won't hold lunch for you."

"Sorry, about that…someone forgot to recharge the cell booster before we left."

"I said I was sorry dad."

For the first time Dylan's attention was directed to the young boy standing in the corner of the room. He was taller than his father. In fact his eyes met level with Dylan's. He was gangly, as his age would dictate, but he was muscular. His hair was darker than his father's but everything else on his face was his father's, right down to his brilliant blue eyes.

"Sorry Dylan, I forgot you two have never met. Dylan, this is my son…Jacob. Jacob, this is my old boss, the president of our wonderful Commonwealth, Dylan Hunt."

"It's nice to meet you son."

Dylan extended his hand to the boy.

"Nice to meet you to sir."

Dylan escorted the two men down a long corridor.

"So…

"So…"

The two men felt the awkwardness between them. The silence was uncomfortable for the both of them, but it had been so long that neither knew what to say. Dylan decided to jump in.

"It's been a long time hasn't it Harper?"

Harper breathed a sigh of relief that Dylan had taken the first step.

"Yeah Dylan, it has been. Eighteen years in fact."

"I've been keeping track of your progress on Earth. I've been impressed. You guys have control over about one third of the planet now…right? It seems you've got some great people down there with you. You guys really know what you're doing. That general Peterson, he's your second in command I believe. That's a smart man you've got working for you. I wouldn't mind meeting him and picking his brain."

"Thanks Dylan, really thank you. And thank you for those troops you sent me last year to help with that ambush the Dragons sent. I didn't know what I was going to do, I was really grateful for your help. It really means something to the people from Earth when they see the Commonwealth hasn't forgotten about them."

"We haven't forgotten about you guys, we haven't Harper. I'll be honest with you, it can be hard to raise funds for you guys, let's just sat some of Parliament isn't too excited about the Earth cause, but there are plenty of us rallying for you. Don't ever give up hope. That said, we are glad to have you back with us Harper. How long do you think you'll be with us?"

At this questioned Jacob perked up his ears a little. He too was wondering just how long he and his dad were going to be on Gearsh. He was a little taken aback by the nervousness that shone on his dad's face. How hard could the question be?

"Ummmm…we'll see I guess."

"Fair enough Harper. We'd like to have you as long as possible. Though I can imagine you'll miss Earth."

"Yeah...I will."

Dylan was a little struck by Harper's tone as he said this, like he would never see Earth again. He shook it off though, for they had reached the door to mess.

As they walked through mess soldiers would stand up around them and salute Dylan. Harper laughed inwardly, President of Commonwealth was definitely something Dylan was born to do. What had Trance said, his destiny. Dylan led them to a door on the far end with a name plate that read "officer's mess," and hit the button.

Beka sat in the officer's mess. She was defiantly nervous. She had had a message from Harper here and there across the years, but messages from Earth were hard and she, as an officer in the Commonwealth, had been flung across the universe herself. After a few years things had slowed down for her a little though.

"Breathe babe."

Beka looked up into her husband's eyes. He was so calm. He was always calm, it drove her nuts. But man she loved him.

"Rhade, I am breathing…mostly. It's just been so long. Harper, once upon a time, was like my little brother. He's not a kid anymore though, I mean he's got a kid of his own. He's out there on Earth playing hero. What happened to the Harper we used to know who hid under pipes when we were attacked and drank more Sparky Cola than a human being should be allowed to consume?'

"He grew up."

Beka turned to face her old friend. Time hadn't treated him badly; in fact, it had done him some good. He had not fully lost his boyish look but now he sported some well placed muscles. He still had that Harper gleam in those brilliant blue eyes of his, but there was also a wiser look sitting beside them. His hair was shorter, a more conservative cut, well suited for his age. He wore an old Commonwealth uniform, (one that Dylan had no doubt sent to Harper and his soldiers) but it was well worn and covered with dirt and scorch marks.

"Hey Bek."

The two embraced. It was something they wouldn't have done in the old times, hug, but now each of them was older, wiser. They weren't embarrassed by such shows of affection anymore. They had missed each other so much and just being near each other brought back an old comfort each of them missed.

Harper was taken aback at Beka's appearance. Nearly nine months pregnant she carried a glow. Motherhood had dimmed the hardness she carried in her eyes. Her hair was now a golden color, (chosen by her, she never had to worry about grey hairs, lucky,) and it seemed all of her other features had followed suit in becoming softer, calmer.

"Beka…I want you to meet my son. Jacob this is my old boss, Beka Valentine. Bek, this is my son, Jacob Michael Harper."

"Nice to meet you ma'am."

"Hey, watch the ma'ams. He looks just like you Harper."

"I know."

Harper turned his attention to the looming figure that was standing behind Beka.

"Rhade…how are sir, treating Beka right."

The two shook hands and then let down their pretences and hugged.

"It's good to see you Harper. I've been hearing some great things about you on Earth."

"And I understand you've established a great reputation for yourself in the Commonwealth. You and Dylan, you were definitely made to be officers."

"Don't underestimate yourself Harper, I think your accomplishments on Earth have proven that you too were destined for greatness."

"I always knew you were."

The familiar voice took Harper by surprise. Suddenly a huge knot appeared in his stomach. He knew that as soon as he turned around she would be there. The one above all the rest he regretted leaving. The one he loved. Gathering all the courage he could he turned around, trying to keep the fear he was feeling from showing on his face.

"Hey Trance."

"Hey Harper."

Trance felt as though she had been hit by a load of bricks. There was Harper, standing in front of her after all this time. She had imagined millions of different scenarios for their reunion but now she was presented with something she did not expect. Something was wrong. Harper was not telling them something. Why now, why after all this time had he come back. He had made amazing progress on Earth, but he was not yet done in his work. There was no advantageous reason for coming back at this time. So why? She knew no one else could tell, but he was hiding something. Something big. Really big,

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