Disclaimer: I don't own Andromeda, Tribune does.

Author's Note: As promised, the new chapter of Paradise! (see, Cassie?) I'll probably be alternating between Let It Be and Paradise, for now, until they're both finished...please read, enjoy, and review! Tell me what needs to be fixed!

Chapter Four: The Love God



"Dylan?"

He looked up, hoping to see Beka...but it hadn't been her voice. He shook his head and said, "So, you've decided to come talk to me."

"I'm glad you're alive," Harper told him.

Dylan looked at him, surprised. "And you didn't want to tell me that before?" It was callous. It was hurtful. But Dylan was hurt as well, both by Harper and by Beka, and he couldn't help it.

"I wanted to, boss bug, honestly I did, but Beka...well, I didn't want you to try to talk to her right then, so I figured if we were both quiet, maybe it would be better," Harper replied earnestly. "I really did miss you...when we found out you were gone..."

Dylan's face softened. "Rommie told me...I'm so sorry that you thought I was dead."

Harper shrugged. "That's in the past, Dylan. We've all gotten over it...except for Beka," he mumbled to himself, but Dylan caught it just the same.

"Speaking of the good Captain Valentine, just where might she be?" he asked, and Harper predictably winced.

"Well, Beka's hiding out in the-erp...never mind," Harper said, trying to cover up the "oops, I'm dead" expression on his face.

"She's hiding out on the Maru. Hiding from me," Dylan said bleakly. "I should have stayed dead."

"Oh, no, Boss Bug! We wouldn't have wanted that! I mean, someone missed her High Guard and handsome man while he was..." Harper coughed nervously.

"She told you?"

"Told me what?" Harper squeaked, edging back out of the room.

Dylan stood up menacingly. "Told you about our relationship!" Dylan thundered.

"Um...well, Dylan, she was really upset...she was in the Maru for days, and then she didn't eat or sleep, and then when we found out you were alive...she said she had to talk to someone, Dylan, and that someone was me, I didn't want her to go through that Maru-no sleeping-no eating thing again, so she talked to me, and Dylan, I think you're a great guy and you'd do good to her, but she's just not ready, so don't push it!" Harper said rapidly.

"I'm not trying to push it, I'm just trying to talk to someone whom I haven't seen for a week and who thought I was dead! Dead, Harper! I can't apologize enough for the pain I must have put you all through, but especially Beka! Dammit, Harper, I need to talk to her!" Dylan exclaimed, starting out in a frustrated voice and ending on an impassioned plea.

Harper placatingly held up his hands. "All right, Boss bug, I'll try to talk her into talking to you...or better yet...you just let the love god work, baby!" He grinned and ran out of the room, mumbling rapidly to himself.

Dylan had a vague feeling that he should be worried, but he was willing to try anything for Beka.

Anything...

TBC (soon, because Cassie makes me!)