For Love of Rommie

by anjelkitty331

When the unimaginable happens to Rommie the Andromeda crew are forced to reevalute how much she means to them. Can they help her overcome her new trials and get back to them or is she lost for good? Relationships will change, lessons will be learned, and everyone will be affected. And will Rommie herself be able to face this new world?

3. Chapter Three

CHAPTER 3

When Beka finally manages to pull herself together she tells the astounded captain what they had found in the former avatar's quarters. He doesn't say a word, merely stalks off toward in the same direction as the previous crew members, jaw tight with anger. Feeling almost as guilt-ridden as Trance, Beka quietly follows. They arrive to find the medlab locked under privacy mode. Beka slides down the wall to the floor and places her head on her raised knees crying softly. She doesn't even move when they are joined by a confused Rade whom Andromeda has filled in. No one knows what to say so they all wait in silence. It's almost two hours later when a shaken Trance exits, doors closing behind her.

Dylan speaks first. "How is she?"

"She's stable. She, um, lost a lot of blood but we got to her in time," the golden woman tells them. She is reluctant to go on.

"What happened? How is this even possible?" Rhade inquires.

"It was the Abyss. Somehow it managed to change Rommie making her human. I don't know how. Nor do I know how it managed to hide from me," she admits weakly.

"What happened to her?" Dylan asks having been informed of the state she was found in.

Trance can't help the sob that escapes her at the question and raises a shaking hand to cover her mouth. She closes her eyes briefly trying to pull herself together and dreading the news she has to give them. Dylan steps forward and lays a hand on her shoulder. She pulls away from him unable to stand the touch when she knows how much her next words are going to hurt them. "She..she was beaten severely, tortured a-and..."

Feeling as if her entire body is frozen Beka stands up shaking her head in denial. She, unlike the men, has already intuited the rest. "Trance, please, no," she whispers brokenly, "not her."

Trance sends Beka a brief, heartbreaking glance of affirmation. The blond turns away swiftly and vomits. She once more breaks into sobs grabbing the wall for support. At her reaction Rhade realizes what Trance hasn't admitted and cannot stop a low growl before going over to help support Beka. Dylan either hasn't caught on or doesn't want to catch on. He merely stares at Trance as if daring her to speak. She meets his eyes for the first time and gently informs him, "Dylan, she was raped."