Beka quickly piloted The Maru out of the Nietzchean hangar bay. They hadn't yet been discovered, but they were still eager to be on their way. When they were safe inside the Andromeda, Harper walked up to Beka.

"Um, thanks so much for saving me, I owe you one." Beka shook her head.

"You'd have done the same for me," she said. Harper swallowed. Wasn't that exactly what he hadn't done? Maybe he couldn't have saved her, but he didn't even try.

"I'm so sorry," he whispered, "I'm so sorry I didn't help you." Beka looked away.

"So, what happened there? Did they hurt you?" Harper shook his head.

"Um, I can't believe Dylan sent you to do this. I thought you were meant to be...um...you know." Beka blushed slightly.

"Oh yeah...well, he didn't really send me as such," she squirmed, "I...sort of...sedated Trance and broke out." Harper was speechless. She'd do that for him? Very un-Harper-like, he leant over and hugged her tight.

"I'm so sorry," he sobbed. "I should have been there for you, but I promise, I will be now, I'll spend all my time with you, when I'm not working that is. Actually, I might refuse to work!" Beka pulled herself away.

"Seamus," she said seriously, "don't overdo it. Just...well it has been a little lonely," she admitted, "and it'd be nice to see someone once in a while." Harper gave her a sympathetic look.

"You really don't want to go back there, do you?" She shook her head.

"No. It's awful," she mumbled. "It's so lonely, and there's nothing to do but think about...everything." Harper sighed. Before he could answer her, the doors opened and Dylan barged in.

"Beka!" he roared, "what did you think you were doing?" Beka looked down and swallowed a lump in her throat. She sank down onto the floor, but didn't see Harper stepping up to Dylan.

"She was saving me!" he cried, "when no one else did! She risked everything for me, so leave her alone!" Beka looked up in disbelief. Dylan wasn't answering, but gave her a soft look.

"I understand. Beka, why did you do it?" She shrugged.

"I had to save him," she said in a small voice, "no offense, but no one else was." Rommie gave her a smile and turned to Dylan.

"As Beka's counsellour, I'd say this shows great improvement. You don't risk your life to save someone who you believe to hate you." She looked at Beka. "Beka answer me honestly. If we let you come out and go back to your duties, will you...you know...again?" Beka shook her head.

"I can't make a promise for certain, but I really don't think so. I won't be fine overnight, but I think I've realised that I'm not as unloved as I thought I was," she looked at Harper, "and that I do matter, and I can do good things. I wouldn't say I'm completely over it but...I'm well on my way."

The End