At Dylan's request, the crew had toned down their teasing a bit. It didn't totally stop. Beka was kind of getting used to the 'How's Granny?' remarks. Even from Tyr. She seethed inside but was no longer openly hostile. There was no point. The kids weren't going to be on the ship forever. As soon as they got back to the area of space where they'd found them, they would be leaving the Andromeda. The only question was when?

It wouldn't be soon enough for Beka. The worst offenders by far were still Trance and Harper. She was passing them in the corridor and Harper was the same. "Hey, Beka say hi to Grandma Melody for me."

She lost it. "Shut up! Just shut up O.K. I'm sick and tired of that crap." She went over and sucker punched him in the stomach and ran off.

"Are you O.K., Harper?" Trance was upset.

As soon as Harper could breathe and stand up again he nodded. "Yeah, I'll be fine. What's up with Beka? She really lost it this time. I didn't know it was bothering her THAT much. She seemed O.K. with it lately."

Trance turned and looked in the direction Beka had gone. "Obviously not. Look, you go to your quarters and rest. I'm going to go to Command and talk to Dylan. We can't have this, especially with them here."

Trance went to Command. "Dylan, I have to talk to you."

"Sure, Trance. What's up?" Trance went into the details of Harper's run in with Beka's fist. "I thought I told you all to tone it down."

"We did. I guess none of us realized how badly it was bothering Beka. I don't know why. I like Melody. It wouldn't be a bad thing to be related to her."

Dylan sighed. "Trance, take over here. I'll go and talk to her."

Beka, as always when she was upset headed for the Maru. She could hardly believe she'd punched harper but he'd asked for it. Why couldn't everybody just leave her alone about this? Well, the question was moot; they obviously weren't going to. The best thing to do was get away from them all for awhile. She opened up a comlink. "Andromeda, open up the hangar doors. I'm going on a little field trip." In the corridor Holo-Rommie popped up in front of Dylan. "Beka's just requested the Hangar doors be opened."

"No. She's not going anywhere untill we discuss things." Beka was getting impatient. "Andromeda, open the doors."

Rommie's voice came over the comlink. Sorry, I can't do that. Dylan's orders."

"What!" She jumped out of the pilot's seat and ran toward the doors of her own bay. This probably meant that he wanted to talk. Well, forget it. She changed the access codes and waited.

Sure enough, he came and tried to enter. "Beka, come on. Open up. We have to talk."

"No, we don't. I'm sick and tired of all the crap, Dylan. I think it's best for all if I get away for awhile. Maybe until we get rid of those kids."

"Beka, that's no way to deal with things. Neither is punching Harper."

"He had it coming."

"Maybe he did but, that's still no way to deal with things."

"Is he O.K.?"

"He'll be fine. Beka, please let me in. I'm not going to tell you that your feelings are wrong or anything. I just want to help if I can."

Beka sighed. "Fine." She let him in and they walked to the cockpit together. "So say whatever you're going to say. Come on, Dylan. Tell me how wrong I am."

"I'm not going to say that. Trance told me about what happened."

"Oh, so you're saying I was right to punch Harper?" She raised her eyebrows.

"No, you shouldn't have done that. However, I do think the teasing has gotten out of hand. I told them to tone it down. Guess they didn't listen."

Beka slammed her fist on the cockpit console. "I was a good sport and took it as long as I could but it's getting out of hand now. I can't take it anymore. I am not, I repeat not descended from that ditz. Got it?"

"Yes, I do." Dylan looked at her.

"What!"

"Would it really be so bad to be--?"

"Yes! Not only is she a complete moron but she's from Earth. Earth, Dylan. There's no way I come from mudfeet. Let's get that straight right now"

Dylan sensed something behind the anger...maybe a little fear that it was true and she was descended from Melody. "Look, Beka, there's a way to straighten this all out once and for all.'

"How?"

"We can have you and Melody take DNA tests. If you're related the DNA will tell."

"That's a great idea. Then we'll know for sure."

'One way or the other', Dylan thought but didn't say it aloud.

"Do you think she'll go for it?"

"I don't see why not. Let's go and ask her."