Beka was getting tired of the running joke at her expense. Her crew-her friends-correction-the people she thought were her friends were having a field day with the fact that she and that ditz Melody shared the same last name. There was no chance in hell that they were related, so why did everybody keep harping on it? O.K. She knew why-because it was fun. But, it wasn't true. There was no way that Beka was in any way shape or form descended from that idiot. Valentines were smart and savvy. That girl just wasn't. Beka passed Harper and Trance in the halls. "Hey, Beka, have you seen your Grandma lately?" Harper called. Trance just giggled.

"I'll kill you both. Shut up. That's the last time I want to hear anything like that. Got it." She went after them but, they darted away, still laughing. Beka sighed. It wasn't over. No one was going to stop. Beka knew this because if it had been someone else, she , herself would join in the fun. So, of course, it would go on. The only way to stop it was to get Melody and her friends off the ship as soon as possible

. And speak of the devil--. Beka and Melody came face to face. There was no way to avoid her or that pet of hers she was always carrying. Beka was going to have to talk to the dimwit. There was no escape. "Hi, Beka. How are you?"

"I'm good. You?"

"Oh, Bleep and I are just wonderful. The Andromeda is such a pretty ship. It must be great to live here."

"It can be."

"Bleep, bleep."

Beka jumped a foot in the air. "What the hell was that?"

Melody giggled. "Oh, that's just the way Bleep talks. He just said you're pretty."

"Oh, thanks. Wait a minute. Hold on here. I'm thanking a FURBALL."

"Bleep, bleep."

"Yes, you are."

Beka's head was whirling. "You understand him?" This was just too much. Beka could barely believe that someone as stupid as Melody could understand her own language, let alone an alien one.

"Yep. I'm the only one who can. Bleep and I really love each other. He's my best friend. Well, along with Josie and Valerie."

"O.K. Well, why don't you run along. I've got things to do." "We'll keep you company. We won't get in your way."

Beka doubted that but, there was no way to shake Melody. You couldn't insult her-she wouldn't get it. She'd just stick to you like glue, which is what she was doing. Melody and Bleep followed Beka to Command. Unfortunately, Harper was also there. "Hey, look who it is. It's Beka and her dear old granny."

Melody giggled. Beka rolled here eyes. "Seamus, the clock is ticking. The countdown to the end of your life has begun. She walked over to where Dylan was standing.

He grinned at her. "What's the matter? Not getting along with Granny, hunh?"

"Don't you start. I swear I'm at the point where I'm going to take my gun and kill every last one of you. Then it'll just be me and I'll be captain of both ships. What do you think of that?"

"Oh, come on, Beka, it's all in fun. And Melody's a nice kid."

"She's stupid, Dylan. There's no way I'm descended from her. She is not a member of my family. Are we clear?"

"Clear. But, she does like you."

"Give me a break. She likes everybody. She even likes Alexandra who keeps insulting her, only she's too dumb to realize it."

"Well, here you are insulting her too. She's not a bad person, Bek. I like her better than Alexandra."

Beka grinned. "Who wouldn't? That girl is just plain obnoxious. Although, I loved how she just thought that you'd give up your quarters to her just because she demanded it." Beka laughed openly now. She was zinging Dylan back and it felt great.

"So, you found that funny, did you?"

"Oh, yes."

"Well, I'm very happy that that amused you."

"Oh, so am I. So am I."