Chapter Thirteen:

The following month Aikera busied herself with minor repair work to help Harper out as well as a sparring partner for Beka. Everytime Tyr would enter a room or approach her in the corridors Aikera would quickly walk away mumbling that she did not want to talk to anyone. Harper would also give her back rubs at night after she would spar with Beka. There were also the minor ambushes from some of the Nietzschean prides, a fight or two with an unknown enemy at the time. Overall, it was quiet considering.

Aikera's official last night with the crew they went to a drift to have a little fun and a small party, away from Andromeda. Aikera had separated from the crew and went walking around until she ended up at a ship selling area. Tyr had followed her, keeping his distance. Aikera had walked around looking at the various ships until she settled on one that had a hologram and computer. It was an Andromeda like ship but the size and make of the Maru. Aikera paid the person at the counter.

Aikera put her gun on the discolored counter and said, "You haven't seen or talked to me. I'll be back around midnight to leave."

"I gotcha miss. I ain't seen ya around here." The guy said in poor common. Aikera grabbed her gun and left. She had just enough time to meet up with the crew for dinner. Tyr still kept his distance until Aikera stopped and turned in his direction.

"Ok Tyr come out of the shadows. You're scaring people just a little." Aikera said with a smile. Tyr smiled a little as he approached her.

"When are you leaving?" Tyr asked the obvious.

"I know you heard so I am not repeating it." Aikera said walking back towards the restaurant. Tyr followed a step or two behind her, by choice.

They joined the crew as they were sitting down at a table. They ordered their drinks and looked at the menu trying to decide what they wanted to eat. As the crew looked at the menu and discussed the different items Aikera was thinking on her first stop. She wanted to stay but knew she couldn't face Tyr just yet. But she knew Tyr would probably follow her when she left and they would talk then.

"Command to Aikera" Dylan said waving a hand in her face.

"Huh?" She said blinking a couple of times.

"Are you hungry?" Harper asked before Dylan or Beka could say anything.

"Uh no I'm not really hungry. Drifts nauseate me." Aikera lied.

Tyr gave her a sideways look. Aikera just took another sip of her water in response to Tyr's look. A couple of hours later Aikera and Harper had gone to the room Aikera had rented while everyone else went back to the Maru.

"Are you ok Aikera? You've been quiet." Harper said rubbing Aikera's back gently. Aikera moaned softly at the gentle touch.

"It's nothing Harper, I've just been thinking." Aikera said. She really didn't want to leave now but it was to late, she'd already bought the ship and was scheduled to leave in another couple of hours.

"Get some rest." Harper said lying down as he pulled her down next to him.

Aikera rolled over to face him, "Harper?"

"Yes?" He asked back.

"Do you love me?" Aikera whispered. Harper was speechless. When he finally wrapped his brain around the question, he chose his words carefully.

"With all my heart Aikera." Harper finally said.

"So do I." Aikera replied.

A couple of hours later after they had made love Harper was snoring slightly, indicating he was asleep. Aikera sighed softly as she crawled out of bed. After she had dressed, she laid the note for Harper next to his head and quietly left.

After she took off, she entered slipstream and headed towards Charlemagne's system. When she arrived, it was still a bit early so she got up and went towards the kitchen when Tyr decided to come out. He scared Aikera to the point she almost jumped out of her skin.

"Fudge nabit Tyr! Do you plan on which moment you're gonna kill me or is it a spur of the moment thing?" Aikera said a bit loudly.

"Neither but thank you for not searching me out." Tyr said.

"Assorting your independence I see." Aikera said with a smile. Tyr looked at her a moment then smiled back. "If you're done with your independence thing, tell me what happened between me being comatose and me waking up."