Title: Golden Child
Author: Melissa
Rating: PG
Summary: Alternate future Trance and Beka right before the events of Ouroboros.
Warning: Femslash, but no real displays of affection.
Fandom: Andromeda
Disclaimer: Andromeda is property of Tribune. The lyrics are from "Golden Child" by DJ Sammy.
Author's Note: After hearing the song, the fic wrote itself.
Trance Gemini sat in the quarters she shared with Beka Valentine on the Maru. It was strangely quiet, even though she shared the ship only with Beka.
"It's almost time, isn't it?" Beka asked, entering the room.
"Yeah. We only have an hour or so left," Trance replied. She glanced over at the unmade bed and looked to Beka with longing in her eyes.
"Maybe later. I've got something else in mind first." Beka beckoned for Trance to follow her.
"What is you have in mind?" Trance asked as they walked toward the cockpit.
"You'll see," Beka replied mysteriously.
They arrived in the Maru's cockpit, and Beka pulled a small disc from her pocket. She pushed it into the player. The strange chords of a synthesizer of a techno piece began playing.
"I didn't think you liked this stuff," Trance commented.
"Just listen." Beka moved to Trance and placed a hand on Trance's hip and took Trance's hand with the other.
Trance took Beka's hand in hers, tracing the cybernetic implants there as they danced much too slow for the upbeat song.
"Golden child,
Whenever you feel lonely,
I'm on your side,
No matter where you go,
I will be there,
You always find my shoulder,
So don't cry,
My golden child."
Trance let a sad smile cross her face. She lifted her hand to run her fingers through Beka's soft short red hair and lightly touch Beka's ocular implant. As the chorus repeated, Trance laid her head on Beka's shoulder. The scents of Beka's skin and cybernetic components merged into a smell that Trance could only describe as Beka. Trance noticed other things about Beka that she would miss. Although she tried to stop them, tears began sliding down her face as the song ended.
"Shhhhhhh..." Beka said, holding Trance and comforting her until the tears stopped flowing. Beka wiped them away gently. "You can do this. Be strong for me, okay?"
"I'll be strong for you," Trance promised.
"We still have time, if you want to..." Beka trailed off.
Trance nodded and returned to her quarters with Beka.
***
"Can I ask you one more thing before we go?" Trance asked Beka as they prepared for what was about to happen.
"Shoot," Beka replied.
Trance paused to think about how to ask her question. "When did you start to think about me...like this? And start to know that you were different?"
"That was two questions, not one," Beka replied.
Trance knew that it wouldn't matter even if Beka had answered her question -- that it wouldn't be the same in the reality she would very soon become a part of. The only thing she knew for certain was that she would have another chance to create the perfect possible future. "It's time, Beka."