Not all of the crew was happy. To escape the relentless granny jokes, Beka was spending every spare moment on the Maru. She was there now. And her mood was less then happy. "This has gone on long enough. Everybody who I thought I knew has turned out to be IDIOTS! That's all they are. IDIOTS! Why am I the one hiding out? They should be hiding out in shame for smearing my name. The nerve. Everybody knows that there's no way I'm related to that ditz. It's not stopping them from bugging me about the COINCIDENCE! Because that's all it is. COINCIDENCE! You have heard of that, haven't you? Of course. Now repeat after me. Beka, we are sorry and plan to do eternal penance for even joking about this. We all know that your ancestors were all smart and savvy and that there is no way that you are descended from Melody. We plan to castigate ourselves every day for the rest of our lives for even suggesting it. We all know it's not true. We are your real friends and we promise to never again slander the good Valentine name.

Beka was so intent on her rant that she failed to notice someone come aboard. She'd forgotten to lock up. But as they approached her she heard. Whirling around, she yelled, "Who's there?"

"It's me and Bleep."

Oh wonderful. How perfect. Now she'd have to listen to that irritating, giggly, sing-song voice. "What do you want?"

"I really wanted to see your ship. I've been all over Andromeda and I wanted to see your ship too. Andromeda's great. She's such a pretty ship and so nice too. It must be great to live on her."

"It can be. Although, I live on the Maru as well."

Melody came over to stand beside Beka. "Anyways, I was curious about the Maru. Will you show me and Bleep? Please?"

That earnest, innocent expression. To say no would be like kicking a puppy or something. Beka sighed. "It won't be a long tour but come on."

Melody oohed and ahhed the whole time. Thankfully she didn't giggle once. "Well now you've seen the whole Eureka Maru. What do you think?"

"I think it's as pretty as Andromeda."

"Bleep, bleep."

"Bleep thinks it's pretty too. Almost as pretty as you."

"Gee, thanks." This stunned Beka. She didn't know what to say. Over the years she'd heard the Maru called a lot of things. Pretty had never been one of them. Obviously, Melody meant it. She wasn't smart enough to play Beka. There was also no reason to say these things unless she meant them. Saying them wouldn't gain her anything. Even if it would, she'd be too dumb to know it.

Then again, what did the opinions of a stupid seventeen year old and her furry alien pet matter to Beka? Beka suddenly found out that they did matter to her. "Thanks. That's nice of you both to say."

Melody suddenly grinned. "Do you wanna be my friend? Not best friends of course, because that's what Josie, Valerie and Bleep are. We could still be-".

Beka held up a hand to stop her. "Yes. I'd like to be your friend."

"Good. We're friends then. Isn't it great?"

Beka was actually studying Melody. She had the most open and trusting face of anybody Beka'd ever met. It was amazing. "Yes. I think it's very nice."

Melody suddenly jumped up. "I have to go make friends with everybody else."

"I think you have already. I know my crew considers you friends. I'm pretty positive."

Melody laughed. "I want to make it official. I want to hear it from everybody like I heard it from you. I'll see you later. Come on, Bleep." Melody ran from the Maru. And Beka could only shake her head in wonder at the pure joy and exuberance emanating from that girl.