Stinger paced his office nervously. Information on a resort planet was displayed on his tablet and he kept glancing at it as if it would bite him. What was he even thinking? She'd say no and he'd make an utter fool of himself if he asked. Though the gods knew he'd already done that ever since she'd joined the team. What was one more show of idiocy? He sighed in resignation and commed Andy.

Andy showed up at his office, looking through the open door, "Hey. What's up?"

He took a deep breath, handing his tablet to her. "Would you like to-" He began to blush, the words cutting off as he stared at the floor.

Andy looked at the tablet a moment before smiling, "Are you asking if I want to go there with you?"

"I mean- you could go alone if you would prefer that instead. I just thought you might like to have some fun." He looked ready to dig a hole in the floor and hide from her gaze.

"I'd like to go, if you go with me."

His head shot up. "R-really?"

She smiled softly and nodded.

He gave a shy smile and flushed pink.

"When were you wanting to go?"

"Right now? We're in orbit." He flushed pinker as the words tumbled out.

"Okyu. I'll go change really quick."

He nodded and took the tablet back. He exhaled sharply as she disappeared. Gods, she was too nice. He'd have to make sure she didn't regret spending the day with him, even if she was only humoring him.

Andy arrived back outside his office wearing jeans and a light blue tank top, her hair, which was normally in a ponytail, was now flowing around her shoulders.

He came out in jeans and a dark shirt, then stopped. He stared at her in amazement. "Gods, you're beautiful…"

She blushed, "Thanks. You're pretty cute yourself."

His eyes went wide and he swallowed nervously. "Shall we go to the bay?"

"Yeah," she smiled.

"We'll take ShiShi because I'm sure we'll come back with stuff." He forced his legs to quit shaking and move toward the bay, making sure his eyes were facing forward.

She smiled and took his hand gently.

He froze, his face going red. After a minute, he started walking again, his hand gripping hers.

They got to the bay and she continued following him to Shishi. She climbed in slowly and waited for him to join her.

He swallowed again, then climbed into the pilot's seat. "I hope you have fun, since you probably have better things to do than humoring me." He concentrated on launching the voyager, not wanting to see her reaction.

"I want to go with you, I'm not just humoring you."

"Why? I'm nothing special. Why spend time with me?"

"Because.. I like you," she looked down nervously.

"Really?" The question was almost inaudible.

"Yeah," she nodded.

"You shouldn't.." His face was sad, his eyes tearing up. "Don't want my curse to hurt you..We shouldn't do this." He began to turn back to the Orion.

She was quiet for a moment, trying to force tears not to fill her eyes. "I doubt you're cursed. But if you don't want to go out with me, I understand."

He froze for a minute, then put the voyager in hover mode and turned to her. "I want to go out with you. More than anything. I just don't want you to get hurt again, or worse..I would lose my mind.."

"I think I'll be fine. We're at war, you can't prevent me from getting hurt. But it's not your fault if I do," she sighed, still looking down.

He took a deep breath, returning to the console and putting them back on course for the planet. "Let's go while it's quiet."

She nodded, glancing at him a moment before looking out the window.

He stole a glance at her, cursing himself in his mind. He made her cry, again. That was unacceptable.

Andy continued to look out the window, eyes going wide when she started seeing more of the planet. It was like a giant carnival.

He chuckled at her reaction. "That is the reason I chose this voyager."

"I've always wanted to go to a carnival, but never had a chance.."

"Well, happy to fulfill your desire." Stinger grinned as he landed. "Come on."

She climbed out and looked around, noticing lots of games, rides, and food stands. "What do you want to do first?"

"Games."

Andy smiled, "Alright. Lead the way."

He led her to a target game. "Bet I get more points."

She raised an eyebrow, "Yeah right."

He grinned. "We'll see." He picked up the balls and started throwing. When he was done, he looked at her.

She smiled and began throwing them, hitting every target.

Stinger chuckled, then turned to the stand operator. He pointed to a large plushie of a round pink ball with big blue eyes.

Andy chuckled, "It's really cute."

"It's a Jiggranda. They live on the planet Pokman. They're very friendly and are good pets, so I've heard."

"It'd be fun to get one as a pet."

"You never know. Pick your prize."

She pointed to a blue and white plushie with big eyes and a shell on it.

Stinger grinned. "An Osha. Same planet, though I don't know much about it." He took both plushies with a nod of thanks, then handed them to her.

She smiled, "Thanks."

"You're quite welcome. What do you want to do?"

"How about we ride that?" She pointed to a large ferris wheel.

He nodded, taking her hand and heading for the line.

Andy kissed his cheek, "Thank you for bringing me here. I'm having a lot of fun."

He blushed slightly. "I'm glad."

Once they got to the front of the line, they climbed into one of the seats.

Stinger took a deep breath, then wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

She leaned into him, looking out as the seats went high into the air. "This is wonderful. I wish we could stay here forever."

"It would be nice. You could get a job as a fortune teller, I'd be a strongman."

She chuckled, "Want to know what I see in your future?"

He raised an eyebrow. "Do tell, oh Madame Andaka."

She got closer and whispered, "Lots of kisses." She put her lips gently to his.

He smiled and deepened the kiss until they were both breathless. When they parted, his voice was husky. "I like that future."

She smiled, "Good."

The car stopped at the top and he nudged her. "Take a look."

She looked out and smiled.

"I've always wanted a beautiful woman to kiss me up here." He whispered softly.

She blushed slightly.

He chuckled, holding her tight as they watched the scenery.

She smiled softly, feeling so relaxed and carefree, so different than how she'd felt the past few years. She didn't know what it was but she felt safe around him.

The ride soon ended and they climbed off. Andy looked around, "Want some food?"

"Sure. Pick a cart."

They got an assortment of snacks and sat down to begin eating.

He extended a bag. "Try these."

She took one and ate it quickly, "Oh those are good!"

"Good thing I got two then." He gave a bag to her with a grin.

She took it, beginning to eat when she heard a growl behind her. She looked back quickly, seeing a few faces she recognized. There was a large group behind the few she knew.

"Look who we have here," one man smirked at her.

Andy stood quickly, grabbing out a kunai.

Stinger's face darkened as he stood. "Who are you?"

"They're slavers," Andy answered.

"And she released a large amount of our slaves," another man scowled.

"You should be thankful she didn't mount your heads on a wall." Stinger answered. "Why don't you just go away and I won't hurt you."

They rolled their eyes and began attacking.

Most of the men went and surrounded Andy while a few tried to keep Stinger away from her.

She fought back, taking a few out with her kunai. Soon, though, she felt hands grab onto her and start dragging her away.

"ANDY!" Stinger's tail whipped out, stinging the men surrounding him. As they dropped, he pursued the men dragging her. "Let her go!"

Andy tried to kick at them to get free. She suddenly felt pain in her side, slowing down her movements.

Stinger fought maniacally, his eyes locked on Andy. No way was anyone taking her away from him, especially not a bunch of worthless slavers. His tail repeatedly jabbed out, dropping most of the men. Finally, there were only a few left. His tail jabbed into the first man who had spoken, his eyes going wide when there was no reaction.

Andy struggled, finally getting one arm free. She stabbed out at one, getting her other arm free. She then went after the man who Stinger tried to sting, stabbing him in the back. She then stumbled back, putting a hand on her side and noticing blood come away on it.

Stinger raced to her side, blocking the last man from attacking her. His tail stung the man at the same time the scorpion inhaled sharply. The man fell and Stinger looked at her. "I better get you back to the Orion."

She looked at him for a moment, "Sorry I ruined our date.."

He looked at her in disbelief. "They ruined it, not you. Now you're going back to ShiShi voyager, then I'll retrieve our stuff. Come on." He swept her into his arms, wincing slightly before carrying her to ShiShi. He placed her carefully down, reaching for the first aid kit. "Do you want me to bandage or are you good?"

"I'll take care of it, don't worry."

"Alright. I'll go get our stuff. Be back soon." He turned and she saw a flash of something wet on the back of his shirt. He disappeared quickly, heading for their table.

Andy worked on bandaging herself while waiting for him to get back.

Ten minutes later, he was placing the plushies and a plastic bag full of the snacks beside her. He climbed inside, breathing hard as he shakily got into the pilot's seat and set course.

She held her hands out toward him, scanning him over before pushing energy into him.

"You shouldn't do that. You should focus on yourself. I'll be fine." The words were forced through gritted teeth.

She ignored his words, continuing to push energy to heal him.

He slowly pressed autopilot before sliding out of the chair. Both the back of his shirt and pants were soaked with blood, a large pool on the seat.

Andy sighed and focused, healing him up. By the time they got to the Orion, he was fully healed. She carried him to the infirmary and set up a transfusion to help with the blood he'd lost. She ignored her own blood, which was soaking through the bandages as she made sure he was taken care of.

"Andy?" Raptor entered the infirmary, quickly going to her side. "Let me stitch you up."

She sighed and nodded, moving over to a bed.

Raptor quickly got the supplies, pausing to ask "Do you want painkillers?"

"Sure," she answered, looking over at Stinger.

Raptor glanced over, then back at her. "Is there anything I'll need to do for him?"

Andy shook her head, "I healed him already. He should be fine once the transfusion is done."

"Understood." The android injected her, then began to stitch up her side.

The painkillers soon knocked her out.

Raptor finished her task, bandaging and placing a cover over the sleeping woman. She checked Stinger, disconnecting the transfusion equipment when it was empty and injecting him with a painkiller as well to keep him resting. Then she sat down, her fingers accessing Spada's call code and chatting with him.

Andy woke, looking around.

"How are you feeling?" Raptor came to her side.

"Alright. How is Stinger?"

"Stubborn and annoying. He woke up and insisted on returning to his office. He refused pain meds. Told me to save them for you." Raptor's voice was aggravated.

Andy pushed herself up, "I'll go check on him."

"You should keep resting."

"I'll head to my room when I'm done with him."

Raptor handed her two bottles and a cane. "This might help."

Andy sighed, putting the bottles in her pocket before taking the cane. "Thanks." She headed out into the hall and down to Stinger's office. She knocked on the door lightly.

"Come in." The words were pained.

Andy entered slowly, leaning on the cane. "Hey."

He straightened, watching her carefully. "Raptor shouldn't have let you out yet."

"You either."

"I don't have stitches. Go back and rest."

Andy rolled her eyes, "Only if you do."

He dropped his eyes. "I'm sorry I couldn't keep you from getting hurt." His voice was soft.

"Remember what I said? You can't keep me from all harm. It's impossible." She sighed, "I'm sorry you got hurt too."

"Not your fault. I'd have done it a million times to protect you." He shifted in his chair with a wince.

"Why don't you take some meds and come rest with me?"

"You still want to be near me after what happened?"

"Why wouldn't I?"

"May have been your past, but it was my curse that let them find you."

Andy rolled her eyes again, "I don't think you're cursed."

"How did they find you then? Everyone who gets close to me dies eventually. Ask Champ if you don't believe me." He remained at his desk, his back hunched as he took deep breaths to try to stave off the approaching panic attack.

"Everyone who lives dies eventually," she said softly. "It was just a coincidence that they found me. But even if you are cursed, I still would want to be around you."

"Do you not value your life? I get people killed!" He began shaking, his eyes going unfocused as he stared at something only he could see.

Andy went to him, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder, "I don't know what you've been through, but I refuse to believe you are cursed."

Tears streaked his cheeks. "I caused my planet to die. I got Champ…" He shook his head. "I'm a murderer and you should get far away from me." He continued to shake, one hand going to where he'd been injured.

"I don't care about your past, Stinger. I care about you. If you honestly don't like me or something like that, I'd leave, but you telling me you're cursed isn't going to scare me away."

He didn't answer, his eyes squeezing shut before he slumped over the desk unconscious.

Andy sighed and called Raptor to come get him. She sat down beside Stinger, watching him sleep.

"Are you sure he's alright?"

"Check him over again just in case I missed something," Andy said quietly.

Raptor nodded, bringing a scanner over and running it over the scorpion. She shook her head as she read the results. "Looks like his injury heavily damaged some nerves. Other than that, I think he had a panic attack. They used to be quite common."

Andy sighed, focusing energy to try to heal up the nerves.

"Oi, Aibou. What did he do now?" Champ entered the infirmary, stopping beside Andy.

"We were attacked by some people earlier. Then he was in his office and had a panic attack." Andy said quietly.

"Those are back?" The bull shook his head sadly. "Thought he was over them finally."

"I think it's my fault. He keeps trying to push me away, saying he's cursed. I think it brought up bad memories."

Steam came out of the bull's nostrils. "It's not your fault. He's just a dumbass. I may have to knock some sense into him again. Thought I had gotten through the first time, but I guess the lesson didn't stick."

"I don't know all he's gone through, but I told him I don't care about all that. I mean, I care because I care about him, but it's not going to get me to stop caring."

At that moment, Stinger started sobbing in his sleep. "Champ...I'm sorry..I'm sorry..Don't die. Please don't die."

Andy sighed, running a hand through Stinger's hair, "Stinger? You're having a nightmare."

His tail suddenly snaked around, heading for his chest.

Champ grabbed it with a curse. "Not happening again, Aibou."

Andy looked up at Champ, "Any tips on how to wake him?"

The android nodded, then roughly shook the scorpion. "Aibou! Open your eyes!"

Stinger jerked away, his face turning red as he saw the two of them. "Sorry. You can let go now."

Champ dropped his partner's tail and sighed. "The nightmares are back, aren't they?"

Stinger ducked his head. "I'm fine."

"You obviously aren't fine if you're having nightmares and panic attacks," Andy said softly.

"I.." He struggled for words. "I've had both for years. I dealt with them before I joined. It's not a big deal."

Champ snorted. "They'd disappeared after we revived and beat Armage. Especially the ones you had about me. You must be worried about us again."

Andy looked down, worrying it was her fault.

"Of course I'm worried about the team! Jark is back and until they are destroyed for good, I have all of your lives in my hands. If I screw up.."

"You can't protect everyone, but the team knows you're trying your best. They wouldn't blame you if something goes wrong," Andy answered.

"I'm supposed to make sure you all return to your lives and loved ones.."

"And you'll try your best. But don't beat yourself up if something goes wrong. No one can do everything perfectly."

Stinger sighed, then looked around in surprise. "Why am I back in here?"

"You passed out in your office, so I had Raptor bring you back."

"My back was hurting, then you came in and we argued, then everything went black."

"You had a panic attack."

He muttered something under his breath, the language unfamiliar to her.

She watched him quietly.

Stinger finally looked at Champ. "You can go back to what you were doing. I'm fine now. Think you'll be in charge for tonight. I'm exhausted."

"You should probably take more pain meds," Andy said softly.

He nodded. "Not here though. Going to my room." He pushed himself out of bed, wincing.

"Do you need help?"

He took a shaky breath, nodding again. "Are you able?"

"I'll manage," she stood and grabbed the cane then wrapped her arm around him.

"Let me." Champ picked Stinger up, producing a surprised noise from the scorpion. He laughed as Stinger glared at him. "Relax, Aibou."

Stinger grumbled under his breath, but allowed the bull to carry him to his room. Once back on his feet, he looked at Andy. "You staying?"

"Do you want me to?"

"Only if you want to. Might be easier than you trying to get to your room." He stared at the door. "Truth is, I don't want to be alone. But you don't have to."

"I'll stay," she said with a small smile.

He gave her one in return, but his eyes were haunted. He opened the door, allowing her to enter first then following. He headed for the bed slowly, his steps shaky.

She sat down on his bed, "Do you want to talk about it? Or do you just want to sleep?"

He looked at her. "Talk about what?"

"Your nightmares or panic attacks? I get if you don't want to, I don't like to talk about mine either, but sometimes talking can help."

"What do you want to know? I panic at the thought of losing the team, the thought that I might screw up and get you all killed."

Andy nodded slowly, "We trust you and know you won't screw up."

He snorted derisively. "Already did it twice. Still surprised I wasn't thrown off the team."

"Well, no one is perfect," she said quietly before sighing.

"You don't need to tell me. I've made enough mistakes that would amaze you."

"Well, maybe sometime you can tell me all about them. I don't care that you've made mistakes, but I care about you so I want to know all about you, you know?"

He gave her a wry smile. "Alphabetically or chronologically?" His eyes twinkled.

She chuckled, "Whichever you like."

"I got Champ killed." He leaned back against the cushions. "How's that for starters?"

"Interesting," Andy raised an eyebrow, "What happened?"

"He took an attack meant for me. I tried to die and he pushed me out of the way."

Andy nodded, "Sounds like it wasn't your fault."

"It was, because it was my brother attacking. After I fell for his lies and revealed information I shouldn't have."

She nodded again, "Still wouldn't blame you."

"Champ didn't either. But I blame myself. Though that made me do something even more stupid to try to fix my first fuck up."

"What did you do?"

"Poisoned Raptor and another teammate, stole some kyutamas and challenged my brother to a fight.."

"Sounds crazy," she chuckled softly.

"That's not the craziest part. Wanna hear it?"

"Go on.

"I poisoned myself. And got my ass kicked. Got Naga stabbed. Got turned into a mindless animal and tried to kill a few more of the team."

"Wow."

"If it weren't for Kotaro, Champ and my repentant brother I'd be dead. My poison is even more toxic to me and there's no known antidote."

"Is that what Tet mentioned one time.. Antares?"

Stinger sighed, then nodded. "Our clan used it to boost stamina and combat ability. Which is why I tried to use it. But I wasn't good enough."

Andy nodded in understanding. "I'm glad you lived though."

He gave her a small smile. "I still don't understand why no one was angry with me. Aside from Raptor and Garu, of course. And I have no idea why I wasn't thrown off the team."

"Probably because they understand everyone makes mistakes? And because they care."

"I could have killed them all! And gotten the Earth destroyed and Armage would have won! I was a danger to them. Instead of killing me when I was attacking them, they gave me an antidote to the other poison I was dosed with.."

"Because they care," Andy smiled softly.

"I'm not worth it." He tried to force the tears back, but failed. He bent his face as they streamed down his cheeks.

"You're worth it to me," Andy said quietly, squeezing his arm gently.

"You barely know me.." He managed to get out, his voice thick.

"But I like what I know."

He chuckled slightly. "I'm a mess. Have been for years. Kept up a facade. I'm not as strong as I let on."

"That's alright. I'm not that strong either."

"You're not Commander." He looked at her through bleary eyes. "Can I get the meds now?"

She pulled a bottle from her pocket and handed it over before wrapping her arms around him.

He gave her a tired smile. "Haven't spoken of that in years." He opened the bottle, fishing a pill out and swallowing it dry.

"Let's get some rest for now, okay?"

He nodded, curling onto his side under the blanket.

She curled up against him, an arm draped over him as she fell asleep.