Beka entered Command. Dylan was already there. "Hello Beka" he greeted her.

"Hey Dylan" she replied.

"I'm glad you're back."

"Thanks." The amazing thing was that he really meant that. What was it about him? She'd probably never understand him completely but, she did like and respect him, nonetheless. She had to shake her head.

"What?"

"Nothing."

"Oh, nothing. Only that you're trying to figure me out." He grinned at her.

"How did you guess that?"

"Because of the look I got after I said I was glad you're back. It wasn't such a stretch.
Besides, I'm not as naive as I appear. Scratch that. Let's use the word dumb." He loved the way she was just staring at him. Then he turned serious. "Anyway, how are you? Feeling O.K."

She nodded. "It's good to be back."

"You looked thoughtful when you came in here. Want to talk about it?"

She began pacing. "I don't know. I can't understand it. Why didn't you just throw me off the ship after the-well you know. Between you and Harper, I just don't get it."

"Wait a minute. What's Harper got to do with this?"

"Nothing. Forget it."

"All right, if you don't want to talk about it, that's fine. Let me ask you a question.
Do you want me to throw you off the ship?"

"WWWhat!"

"I'm just trying to get this clarified. I'm not a person who abandons people I care about. And it seems to me that if I throw you off the ship it will just confirm for you that you should be thrown off. And I don't belive you should be. Sorry if that's not what you wanted to hear."

Beka sighed. "No, I don't want to be thrown off. I just can't get used to certain things, I guess."

"Is that where Harper comes in?"

She gave him a sharp look. "What about Harper? Did Trance say something to you?"

"No. You just mentioned him when you mentioned me. I'd just like to know if things are O.K because a captain is supposed to take care of his crew, you know."

"O.K. Fine. I'll tell you. Harper came to see me while I was in Medical." She paused.

"And so." Dylan prodded gently. "Didn't everyone?"

"No, actually. He didn't come to see me for the first few days I was in there. It was really bothering me because I felt guilty for the way I treated him. I was sure he hated me and who could blame him?" She paused again.

Dylan sensed that this was hard for her to talk about. "Listen, Beka, forget it if this is too hard-."

"No, I might as well tell you. Besides, you really want me to talk because it's good for me, right."

He gave a small smile. She was right about that. "Go on."

"So, Trance figures out that this is bothering me and she sends Harper to see me. And I find out that he doesn't hate me at all. He actually cares about me. I just can't understand it."

"I can. You have good qualities about you, Beka. You just keep them hidden. I can't order you to belive that you're worth something, although, I would if I could. All I can do is ask you to consider that maybe harper and I are right and you're wrong. That's all I'm going to say." He turned towards his work, leaving her to ponder.