Awww. look at me posting a new chapter 10 days after the last…instead of 5 months. Anyway, here's the chapter you all wanted, the one that focuses on Harper and Trance. Hope you guys like it.

Pippin-Baggins: Thanks for the review, I am defiantly going to try to get my butt in gear and continue with this story.

Squid109: Well I delivered what you wanted…sort of. Defiantly some Trance and Harper interaction in this chapter, but I not going to simply hand over their relationship, just keep reading to see how or if it will develop.  Any way thanks for the review and don't worry there will be more coming.

Azna's girl: The inspiration I got from you to continue this story stemmed from the fact that you left me a new comment so many months later prompting me to continue, it felt good to know someone cared that I continue. Anyway, don't worry, just because Jacob and Tearna are going to get closer but doesn't mean that Trance and Harper aren't going to be simply backing away from one another…in fact they are the focus of this chapter, so read on and enjoy. Thanks again for the review.

Harper's Pixie: I'm happy that my updating made you happy, so I hope this chapter will bring the same joy. I'm glad you like the Jacob and Tearna story line, I know people are more attached to Harper and Trance and that's the love story they want, however I wanted to introduce both story lines though. Anyway, you asked for more, so here it is! Thanks again for the review.

Chapter Five:

Why Now?

Harper followed Dylan and the rest of the group out of the room, into the normal mess, and then into the hallway. As Dylan, Beka, and Rhade quickly made their way through the hall, Harper felt himself being pulled back by a hand and turned to face Trance. He watched helplessly as the rest of the crew walked down the hall, wishing he was with them. He just couldn't face Trance on his own right now. Trying to hide all the conflicting emotions he knew must be flickering across his face, he smiled and threw out a basic pleasantry.

"Hey Trance. It's been a long time."

"Harper…don't do that," Trance said, wiping the humor away from Harper's face.

"Well, what am I supposed to say?" Harper said, struggling to find more words to come. He racked his brain for a safe topic but wasn't able to come up with anything, there really was only one thing he wanted to tell her.

"Tell me why your back?" she asked so abruptly Harper was a little taken aback.

"What do you mean, 'why am I back?' I just wanted to see you guys, is that a crime?"

"Harper…don't lie to me, you're gone for eighteen years, and then suddenly you're back…with a kid."

"Is that what this is about…Jacob?"

"Harper, no! I mean, I was a little shocked when I first heard, but I shouldn't have assumed…" she trailed off, turning away to hide the tears that were starting to collect in her eyes. She felt Harper draw closer to her and gently place his hands on her shoulders. Quietly he turned her around. She trembled under his touch, but despite the urge to run away she stared intently into her eyes.

"When I married Mary…I was terrified of how you would find out. I knew Beka would probably tell you after she received my message. I wanted to explain it to you myself."

"Harper, you don't owe me any explanation."

"Yes I do...I told you I loved you Trance," Harper said, grabbing her wrists so she couldn't turn away, "I told you I loved you and then by the next year I was married."

"I turned you down…you had every right to move on," Trance said, trying to make herself believe what she was saying.

"That's not why I got married Trance. I came to Earth distracted, I wanted to help, but I couldn't get you off my mind. Then I met Mary, she was amazing," Harper remembered not noticing how Trance flinched under the praise, "She cared for me…truly, and I realized something. I was on Earth."

"Well yes, you were Harper," Trance said confused.

"That's the thing Trance…I was on Earth, I wasn't on the Andromeda anymore. I went to Earth to help, but my mind…and my heart, they were still on Andromeda. I decided that my life was there on Earth, and I should start living that way. I really did love Mary…I wouldn't have married her if I didn't; I wouldn't have disrespected her like that. Life on Earth was like I was living in a different world, it's like Andromeda had passed away, like that part of my life wasn't real. Coming back now…it is real though, I can't deny that anymore."

Finally done with his speech Harper just stood there, hoping Trance would maybe understand why he had married Mary so many years before...why he had tried to move on with his life. She stared back into his eyes and he thought he saw understanding in them, at least he hoped that was understanding.

"So why now Harper?" she asked, "Why come back after all this time?"

"Why does there have to be a why Trance?"

"Harper! What aren't you telling me?" Trance asked with fear in her voice.

"Trance…everything is alright…okay?"

"No…Harper, you can't lie to me…not to me! I know you, you wouldn't just come back now…there is still a lot to be done on Earth, it means too much to you for you to just come visit for a few weeks when there are still so many people in danger down on Earth. I think I deserve the truth…don't I?"

Harper opened his mouth to answer, but he just couldn't. She was right, she did deserve the truth, but he couldn't just tell her either.

"Trance," he said with more pain than she had ever heard in his voice, "I cant."

"Cant what Harper?" she nearly shouted, scared of the look in his eyes.

For a moment a peace seemed to rest in his eyes and he stepped closer to her and stroked her face with his hand. He looked straight into her eyes and said, "I've always loved you Trance. I just hope that when I was getting on with my life you were getting on with yours too."

She looked down, breaking contact with his gaze. If she kept looking she might not be able to control the sobs threatening to consume her. She couldn't help it, she had an overwhelming sense of doom, and it scared her more than anything had scared her before. She took a deep breath to calm herself and said, "We should catch up with the others."

The two made their way down the hall, neither saying anything.

Okay guys, now comes your job…REVIEW! Please! I would really appreciate any and all suggestions and/or comments you guys have.