Title: Risking the Heart
Author: Ivy
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Trance gets some help, sequel to "Guardian Angel."
Disclaimer: Andromeda is property of Tribune.
Trance was getting restless. It has been two weeks since that incident on Triska, where she got drunk and started kissing Harper. She had vowed to find out if he had feelings towards her. So far with no success. One time when he leaned over to kiss her cheek, she turned, their lips meeting. But he didn't continue it! He just apologized and left! Then there was that time that she went to call him to the bridge and they were hit, sending the two tumbling. He landed on top of her. What did he do? Nothing! He simply got up, helped her up and they went to the bridge. This was insane! Though she loved having him close to her, it hurt like hell not having him, or at least knowing IF she has him! Trance sighed. She felt like she needed to talk to someone. Not Harper obviously, Dylan and Tyr would probably kill Harper for hurting her. Rev would just say 'if it is the way of the devine…' or something and Rommie was still just a computer. That leaves Beka. Sure Trance was tempted, but she held back -thinking Beka couldn't give her an objective opinion, seeing how she cares for the two and wouldn't want them to get hurt. Besides-Trance wasn't ready for anyone to know just yet. She flopped down on her bed.
'God do I need to talk to someone!'
One of her drawers started to glow green, unbeknownst to Trance. She was staring at the ceiling when a voice said.
"You called?"
She bolted up and saw Talary. She stared at her.
"Yeah it's good to see you too!" Talary said sarcastically rolling her eyes.
"I'm sorry, it's just… We haven't seen you for a while and we've been through lots of trouble and you didn't show up. When you do show up it normally means that BIGGER problems are coming." Trance said. She noticed the glow in the draw and opened it. She removed the glowing jewel. It was an emerald shaped like a heart.
"Ok-let's get a few things straight. First- you've seen me like what? Once? You don't know when or why I show up. This is just a social call, nothing more nothing less." She finished irritated, tossing her red hair out of her eyes.
"Sorry", Trance apologized. "I just thought-"
"Well you thought wrong. Didn't see any disaster coming your way or any way for that matter." Talary looked at the stone and it stopped glowing.
"What's second?" Trance asked confused.
"What?" Talary asked confused.
"You said 'first'- what's 'second'?" Trance asked looking at the stone- the one Talary gave her on Jesary…
"There is no second." Talary said. "Wait, there is. I'm here to help you."
"I thought you said there was no danger", Trance said worried.
"Help emotionally Trance. I'm here to listen. You said you needed someone to talk to." Talary said sitting down on a chair facing her. "So talk."
"The stone", Trance understood.
"Yup", Talary said cheerfully. "Good thing I gave it to you huh?"
"I don't know… It's kind of personal" Trance started, fidgeting on the bed.
"Most problems are", Talary said. A moment later they were in space. Trance held her breath and shut her eyes, waiting for the freezing pressure… But it didn't come. Soon she was forced to inhale… Air! She opened her eyes. Talary was in front of her smiling.
"What? You think I'd just bring us here to die? No way! I made sure we're still breathing oxygen. From the Andromeda in fact." She said proudly, somersaulting. Trance "sat down". "I find this refreshing", Talary explained. "Getting away from work, just being here alone…with my problems."
"I'm not sure I'm ready to talk to someone and I was hoping to takl to an adult with life experience."
"Hey-at the age of 315 I deserve the right to be an adult." Trance smiled and Talary continued. "Besides-I do have experience. You're dealing with the heart issue right. Believe me I've been through the worst."
"How did you-"
"The stone. Gem gave it to me on our first date-it summons the giver. The different shapes symbol the different areas. Yours was a heart." Talary said smiling. "Let me guess… Harper?"
Trance nodded, then frowned. "You dated Gem?"
"Oh yeah-we were soul-mates, would have probably gotten married if he hadn't died. Interfered to save my life-sounds like some poorly written "Romeo and Juliet"." Talary said smiling.
"Who?" Trance asked curiously, hoping to steer her off the subject.
"Look Trance stop beating around the bush. You've got the hots for our boy Harper. Got it. Now- what are you going to do about it? Did you tell him?" Talary asked, folding her arms.
"No I didn't", Trance said, looking at her feet.
"You should", Talary said. "That's how I found out about Gem liking me too. You have to take chances. Risk it all."
"But we are friends! If I tell him it might ruin our friendship!" Trance cried, "lying" down- staring at the stars around her.
"But if you don't you'd be torturing yourself", Talary sighed. "Wait-what if I help you find out about Harper? If it doesn't work- I'll make him forget it ever happened, you'd get your answer and you'd just be friends. How does that sound?"
Trance nodded and they disappeared.
Trance was back onboard the Andromeda. She looked around, but couldn't find Talary. She shrugged and turned to head to medbay. Her feet refused, turning her to engineering.
"Hey!" She cried, as she headed to her destination. "What's happening?"
'Relax!' A voice cried in her head. 'I've taken over for a little bit. I'm gonna help you do what you wanna do, but ain't got the guts for. Confrontation.'
'No!' He voice was only in her head.
'Yes!' Talary said as the door opened.
"Oh-hi Trance!" Harper said nervously. For the past two weeks he and Trance have been having these weird accidents. He spent most of his time trying to avoid her.
"Hi Harper!" "Trance" called. Talary was using her voice. She swooshed "her" tail behind her, temptingly.
'Talary PLEASE!' Trance begged inside her head. "Trance walked over to Harper smiling.
"Harper…" She started shyly.
"Yes?" He asked her, coming closer. "Anything ya need babe?"
"This", she said pulling him to her and kissing him. Harper stiffened with shock, but then complied, getting into the kiss. They kissed passionately for a few long moments. Trance opened her eyes smiling. "I love you." She regretted saying it the moment it left her lips, realizing Talary was gone. She was on her own and she just-
"I love you too", Harper said embracing her smiling. Trance breathed out in relief. "You have NO idea how long I've been waiting to hear those words…"
Talary was back in space, watching the events. "You go girl!" She said to Trance and sighed. "Another happy couple." She lay down and allowed herself to drift in space. She earned it. She hoped she wouldn't be getting any visions soon.
"So- are you making it a career to butt into people's lives, or just a hobby?"
She turned her head to address Gem. "Hobby really. You're the one that made it a statement."
"I did it to save your life", he answered evenly, lying down next to her.
"I'm saving their souls", Talary stated.
"How's that?" He asked confused.
"I interfered to save them both. You've never been a victim of love-you wouldn't understand."
"I was in love with you", he said sitting up.
"And you got all the perks that comes with it. You didn't live without the one you love, didn't lose him."
Gem stiffened, he knew he hurt her when he died. She probably learned to live without him, and now he was back and she couldn't touch him…
"Can't we just let them enjoy the short time they have together?" She asked pleadingly, getting up. "Everyone deserves to be happy."
"And you?" He asked quietly.
"I can't afford to be happy." She said glancing at the new couple. "But I can help others." She disappeared into a speck of light. Gem shook his head smiling. He had a strange feeling Talary will interfere with this crew's life too much, trying to improve it. Maybe even play matchmaker with the remainder of the crew. He snickered. His only regret ever was breaking her heart. He stared at his emerald and disappeared.
The Andromeda Ascendant continued to fly in space undisturbed.