Chapter 7 – See Disclaimer in introduction, just a warning, not much happens in this chapter, just a bunch of Harper/Trance mushiness. Enjoy J .

==^== Harper's Quarters – Present Time ==^==

Harper awoke to the feeling of something foreign in recent years, a warm body pressing against his. His fogged mind refused to remember the events of the previous night, all he knew was that he in his quarters sharing a bed with another person, or so he hoped.

Rolling over to his side, he slowly opened his eyes, the sight before him nearly took his breath away. There was Trance, dressed in light purple pajamas that appeared to be silk. The pajama top was a little short, Harper knew that when she stood up her belly button would show, and he had to stifle a laugh at this cute thought. Her hair was squished to one side as she slept peacefully on his pillow, a few pink and purple tendrils gently covering her eyes.

He smiled at the thought of having finally gotten Trance into bed with him, but quickly dismissed the inappropriate idea, however accurate it was. The smile remained as he remembered her admission to him.

"Harper what I meat to say was that your friendship isn't enough for me, I want more. Our relationship is lacking, and only you can fix that. Harper, I love you, with all my heart. I said that I didn't want your friendship because I wanted your love, completely and unconditionally."

He still couldn't believe that she loved him, it thrilled him no end, yet scared him to death. Everyone that had ever loved him had died, his cousins, his parents. He didn't want anything to happen to Trance, he loved her too much, if she died or got hurt, he'd fall apart, and he didn't know what would happen.

He smiled again when he remembered that he had stopped breathing, her admission had shocked him so much he merely stopped breathing, well that and he was still drunk, which is usually not a good combination.

Returning his mind to the beautiful girl in front of him, Harper let out a small sigh, this little disturbance of air was enough to wake the woman beside him.

"Morning Harper," she replied as she lightly hugged him before stretching, her spine popping all the way down to her tail.

"Morning Trance, anyone ever tell you that you look like an angel when you sleep?" he asked as he gently brushed the tendrils from her eyes, his hand lingering on the side of her face.

"No, you're the first, and hopefully the only one who'll tell me that," she replied with a smile as she kissed his cheek.

"So you had time to run to your quarters and change after I fell asleep, or did you bring your pajamas with you?" Harper asked with a smile as he went to his kitchen to make coffee.

"Well, actually, I brought these with me," Trance replied sheepishly, causing Harper's smile to get even bigger, which she thankfully didn't notice.

"So, how long have you been planning to sleep with me Trance?" Harper asked as his innuendo-laden evil side took over.

"HARPER!" Trance said in shock even as the smile spread across her face, both the innuendo and the subtle joke were not lost on her. She left her place on the bed and moved beside him in the kitchen, she could tell he was in a much better mood.

"Actually it just came up at the last moment, I figured that if all went to plan I'd be waking up with you in the morning," she replied as she walked behind him, her finger trailing across his back, sending chills down his spine. "And if it didn't I would go to bed in my quarters," she said with a whisper in his ear.

"And what exactly was your plan?" Harper asked as he turned to face her, she was standing mere inches from him, normally the closeness to another person would bother him, but with Trance it only brought comfort.

"Basically, to cheer you up, sober you up, and admit that I love you, if that all went well then we'd be having this conversation in the morning," she replied honestly as a smile worked its way to her lips.

"So, that was your big plan to get in bed with me? I guess it worked," Harper replied as he returned his attention to the coffee.

This was the distraction Trance was waiting for, she quickly closed the distance between them and wrapped her arms around his body, and he stiffened instantly but then quickly relaxed into her embrace, going against his instincts.

"Harper, from now on I'm going to show you that I love you, no more hiding it from the others, besides Rommie already knows," she said into his back.

"She does? How?" Harper asked as he turned around in her arms, his own gently circling her waist.

"Well, she did let me in last night, silly," she replied with a grin, gently poking his nose with her finger.

"I guess you have a point," Harper replied as he pulled her into a tighter hug.

"Of course she does, she's Trance!" Andromeda's hologram replied as she fizzled into view.

"I though Privacy Mode was engaged," Harper complained as he reluctantly released Trance to tend to the steaming coffee.

"It was, but Dylan wants to see you both, Beka is on her way to wake you Harper. Dylan called a staff meeting for 0900 this morning, right now its 0830, so get moving."

"8:30? I have to get changed!" Trance exclaimed as she quickly ran around Harper's quarters looking for her clothes, once she found them she ran to Harper and gave him a hug.

"We'll talk more later, I'll see you at the meeting," then with a kiss she was gone, the door slowly closing behind her.

"What a girl," Harper said as he stared dumbfounded at the door.

"Yes she is, and she's all your," Andromeda replied with a smile as the hologram fizzled out of sight.

Harper walked to his door when he heard the knock several seconds after Andromeda left, and there, not to his surprise, stood Beka Valentine, a grin plastered on her face.

"So, sleep well last night?" She asked as she came in and moved straight to the coffee pot, helping herself to the first cup, pouring one for Harper as she did.

"Yeah," was all he'd say, but the cocky grin on his face gave away his joy.

"So, I saw Trance run out wearing only pajamas, care to explain what you two have been up to?" Beka asked with a twinkle in her eye as she stirred her coffee.

"No," was all Harper said as he took a judicious first sip of coffee, it was exactly the way that he liked it, hot with lots of sugar.

"Really?" Beka asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes, really. Trance will tell you when she feels it's right, not before. Now if you'll excuse me I have to shower for the meeting," Harper said as he moved towards his bathroom. He knew Beka wouldn't leave, but he continued on, removing his shirt as he entered the bathroom.

~~

"Rommie, what time is it?" Harper asked as he and Beka approached the meeting room.

"8:50, you have ten minutes, so stop stalling Harper."

"Sheesh, ask a simple question and she bites my head off," the blonde complained to his friend.

"C'mon sport, let's get in there before Dylan throws a hissy fit."

"I heard that Beka," Dylan announced from behind them, causing the freighter Captain to turn around.

"Heh, sorry Dylan."

"So, shall we go inside, or do you want to have the meeting in the hall?" He began as he was already leading them into the room.

"I like the light out here, let's have it in the hall? What do you say Beka?" Harper asked as he found his usual seat beside Beka and Trance, who, like Tyr, had yet to arrive.

"Sorry I'm late," Trance said as she ran into the room out of breath.

"Relax, you're not late yet," Dylan said with a laugh as she took her seat beside Harper, her hand finding his under the table. "now, if Tyr would only show up …"

"I'm here, and I am not late, I still have 10 full seconds," Tyr said as he too took his seat, with everyone assembled Dylan could start the meeting.

"Ok, now that we're all here, let's begin. I have good news and bad news, we need supplies and there's another planet interested in joining the Commonwealth."

"Which is the bad news?" Harper joked but stopped when Beka elbowed him.

"The bad news is that you and Trance will be getting the supplies in the Maru from the closest drift you can find, which would be Alnas Drift. The good news is that the rest of us will deal with the political stuff."

"Thanks, glad to hear it," Harper said with all the sarcasm he could muster dripping from his voice, Trance squeezed his hand in reassurance.

"Well, that's all I had to tell you, Trance, Harper, you leave first thing in the morning, go pack. The rest of you may go, Dismissed."

"Umm Dylan?" Trance asked before the others could scatter.

"Yes Trance?"

"Umm, I have an announcement to make, if I can."

"Of course, go ahead."

"Well, you see, last night Harper and I … well we admitted how we felt for each other." She began but faltered.

"To put it shortly, we're going out now. We love each other, so, there you have it," Harper finished for her, pulling their entwined hands from beneath the table. Beka smiled, her suspicions confirmed. Both Tyr and Dylan seemed to approve, Harper knew why Tyr approved, he saw Trance as Harper's mate now. Dylan was just happy to see the young man find some happiness.

"I do believe that congratulations are in order then Mr. Harper," Dylan said as he approached an shook Harper's hand.

"Well, I hope that ends any other business, if so you are now dismissed," Dylan said with a smile as he watched Harper and Trance leave the room hand in hand.

"Ok Dylan, pay up," Beka said from behind the Commonwealth Captain, "you owe me and Rommie 20 thrones, so pay up."

Dylan sighed as he pulled out the money, he should never bet against Harper, at least not with Rommie and Beka.

"You do realize what you've done, haven't you?" Andromeda asked as Beka left the room, her hologram appearing beside Dylan.

"Yes, Rommie, I do. I just gave love a chance to bloom into something more than it is now," with that he smiled and left the room, leaving the smiling hologram in his wake until she too, disappeared into the air.

==^== End Chapter 7 ==^==

Ok folks, that's all for this chapter. Look for chapter 8 in a few weeks, this one will be in the past, all I can tell you is that Harper will meet an old friend. ;) Stay tuned.