“She won’t talk to me,” Harper mumbled to himself as he slumped against the wall of his machine shop. “Why won’t she talk to me?” Andromeda’s hologram popped up with a look of pity on her face.
“Harper,” she said consolingly, “she won’t talk to anyone. We just have to wait for her to open up…”
“No, you don’t get it,” he intervened, “she doesn’t talk to me at all. The most I’ve managed in the last two weeks is “hello,” or “I need to go somewhere and do something.” When I try to go and see her, she pretends to be asleep or on her way somewhere. I don’t understand what I’ve done!”
“Harper…”
“Well, at least you got your way,” he spat, “you didn’t want me to see her, did you?” She looked undazed at his outburst but he changed his mind without her having to say anything. “I’m sorry, you didn’t deserve that. I’m just…frustrated.”
“I understand Harper. You haven’t been to see my avatar for counselling lately?” He shrugged. “Didn’t you think it worked?”
“It did…”
“So why aren’t you going?”
“Because you could help me with controlling my feelings while I’m around Beka…but I’m not around her anymore, so I don’t need that help.”
“But you’re not happy.”
“Because I’m not around her, but you can’t help me with that.”
“I can help you deal with your feelings and not take it personally.” Harper waved her off and turned around, taking a swig out of his can. Andromeda noted it wasn’t sparky, but something alcoholic. She chose not to mention it and blinked out again, leaving Harper alone.
****
Beka pouted ever so slightly as she slumped down on the bed in medbay, letting Trance do her tests. She had contemplated not going but in the end she’d realised Trance wouldn’t forget about it. The grim expression on the medic’s face as she finished the tests didn’t encourage her.
“Beka,” she said sadly, “you’ve lost weight, again.”
“Again?” Her voice was barely more than a whisper as she felt both a tug of joy and a pang of fear. Losing weight was good, but Trance knowing about it was bad.
“You had last week too, but I thought I’d give you one more chance.” Beka felt her hands trembling. One more chance? What did that mean? “You were doing so well Beka, slowly putting on all that weight you lost, but over the last two weeks you’ve lost weight again. You’ve refused to eat, refused to talk to anyone, refused to turn up for Rommie’s counselling sessions.” Beka had to bite her lip at the mention of Rommie’s name. How could she sit there and talk to Rommie about her feelings when her feelings were…no. No way.
“I’m sorry?” she tried. Trance gave a sad smile.
“No you’re not,” she said, not accusingly. “Beka, what do you want me to do?” Unable to answer, Beka stayed silent. “I can’t force you to eat, I can’t force you to talk about things. Have you been taking the medication I gave you?” Beka looked guilty, and Trance sighed. “I thought not. You know, it could really help you, you know.” Beka nodded quickly and looked away. She didn’t need drugs, but she couldn’t tell Trance that. The last thing she needed was to get hooked on another drug. She wouldn’t do that. She couldn’t do that. “You can go,” Trance sighed. “There’s nothing more I can do now.” There was something so final in her voice that chilled Beka to the bone. She quickly made her way out, pondering how she was going to kill the rest of the day.
****
As Beka walked past the machine shop she saw Harper sitting slumped on the floor. He looked as if he’d seen better days, and her age-old instinct to care for him kicked in and won over her need to stay away. He was probably having problems with Rommie and she managed to fight away the raging jealousy to leave room for sympathy.
“You ok?” she said softly. He looked up at her as if he’d seen a ghost and she regrettingly admitted to herself she hadn’t been very nice to him lately. His face suddenly lit up. He was most likely faking it, though he was doing a good job of it. He smiled.
“Yeah, I’m fine. You?” She tilted her head.
“You weren’t fine a minute ago,” she replied softly. “Problems with Rommie?” He looked bewildered.
“Rommie?”
“Yeah…come on, of course I figured it out! Can’t believe you tried to keep it a secret from me, but hey, I’m happy for you!” She was sure her tongue would very soon go black if she wasn’t careful, but was pleased with her acting abilities. Harper still looked at her as if she’d just asked him about his pet kangaroo.
“What are you talking about?” She felt annoyed. Why was he doing this?
“You dating Rommie of course!” He stared at her.
“I’m not dating Rommie,” he exclaimed, “where did you get that idea from?” She stood up promptly.
“Fine,” she mumbled and started to leave. He stood up and followed her, unwilling to let her leave now she was finally talking to him.
“What’s wrong?” She felt tears brimming her eyes and refused to look at him.
“I just wish you’d be honest with me,” she mumbled as she tried to get past him.
“But I’m not dating Rommie! I have no idea why you’d think that!” She pushed past him and ran down the corridor, wanting to get as far away from him, and everyone else, as possible.
****
“So, what did you want to talk to me about?” Trance bit her lip.
“Dylan, I know I said we could take care of Beka here on the ship…I think I was wrong.” He frowned.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, it was all going great, she was putting weight back on, having counselling, Harper was staying with her, and then all of a sudden…”
“What?”
“Everything changed. She won’t eat, she won’t talk and she’s losing weight again.”
“So what do you propose we do?” She took a deep breath.
“Dylan there are institutions…hospitals that specialise in this sort of thing. I think they’d be more qualified to help her there.”
“You think we should send her away?”
“I wish we didn’t have to but as it is now…yes, I do.”
