0 comments/ 10223 views/ 0 favorites Keep Them Burning Ch. 1-2 By: tigerprawn Summary: Season 2 episode Home Fires rewritten from the point of view of the TUM universe. Gaheris Rhade gets to meet his descendant Telemachus, and then must chose between letting Telemachus take the blame for a crime he didnt commit or rebuilding the Commonwealth he helped to destory 300 years ago! Pairing: G.Rhade/Beka Valentine HET Spoilers: Only if you havent seen Home Fires (season 2) or The Unconquerable Man (season 3) *** 1) Keep Them Burning Gaheris woke, sleep slowly leaving him and his senses coming back he grinned and ran his hand down the body of the woman lying next to him, eliciting a soft moan as she too come round. "Beka..." He whispered in her ear as he rolled close and snaked an arm around her waist, pulling her naked body tight to his. He took in her scent and placed a gentle kiss on her shoulder. She murmured slightly, obviously still not ready to wake up. Gaheris grinned, he was happy to lay in bed with her all day, watching her, kissing her, pleasing her, but then they wouldn't get an awful lot done, and there was still a Commonwealth to rebuild. Since their relationship first took this turn Gaheris was unsure whether it gave him more or less incentive to get anything done. Beka gave him a reason not to get out of bed, on the nights that she stayed with him, but she also inspired him to make this better world, the world he had once helped destroy. "Beka... move in with me..." It wasn't the first time and he doubted it would be the last that he would ask that question. She would never agree of course, she needed her space, and in truth he needed his... but he missed her when she wasn't there at night, even more so if she was off on the Maru. That at least seemed to rouse her from her sleep and she rolled out of his arms, turning herself over so that she lay looking up at him as he pulled himself over her a little. As he leaned in she smiled and ran a hand up into his hair accepting the soft kiss. It was so gentle but she knew enough now to realise the likely hunger behind it, the hunger that was almost always there inside Gaheris and probably every Nietzschean. "You know I won't Gaheris... so why keep asking?" She raised an eyebrow. Gaheris rolled onto his back, a sign that he knew her resolve was unbreakable... or at least were it breakable he hadn't found a way yet, and he had tried pretty much everything. Gaheris' grinned as Beka automatically shifted her position so she lay on his chest, her head over his heart. He let out a soft sigh. "It may be a little un-Nietzschean, but maybe it is a small part of optimism that you have inspired in me... and of course, I don't like to take no for an answer from my crew..." "Hey, I already told you I am never calling you captain." Beka smiled into his skin as she rolled enough to plant a kiss on his olive chest. Gaheris pulled his arms up around her once more and hugged her tight into him, a mixture of love and lust. He loved this woman, for what she was. She was the strongest woman he had ever met, even compared to many Nietzschean women, her genes were sound, and he entertained, even enjoyed the thought that they might have children together in the years to come. But he also knew she did not have the same drives as a Nietzschean woman, and so while they could match each other her motivations were never the same and he knew marriage and children weren't something she was planning on any time soon. So, he realised, it was the lust more than the love that kept her wanting him. He slid his hands down to cup her buttocks as he pulled her up over him, it was an almost an unconscious action, and just as absent mindedly her softly muttered her name. "Beka Valentine...." There was almost a musical quality to it. "Gaheris Rhade?" She smirked as she repositioned herself, looking down into his eyes. He smiled almost shyly back, realising he had said her name out loud. He loved the way she said Rhade. Sometimes almost with disdain, especially when she disagreed with him over something. He loved it when they argued, and especially more so when those debates over mission directives turned into a sparing session in his quarters, the compromising of ideas over impassioned love making. The thought brought a smile to his lips and he could feel himself hardening. Beka let out a small chuckle as she felt his obvious arousal. Gaheris raised an eyebrow, a slight question, as he pulled Beka's lips down to his, passion taking over as he hungrily sought her tongue. For a moment she was receptive and he pulled her tighter to him. But as he was about to roll them both over to take the upper hand, she pulled back and placed a commanding hand on his chest. His look was both playful and confused, wondering if she was teasing, he still couldn't always tell. His first instinct was to roughly roll them anyway, imagining it in his mind as he quelled that impulse and waited for her next move. He waited for her to respond as his breathing deepened and he felt himself becoming more and more aroused. She could tease him without even trying. Part of him hated it, but part of him loved it. "Gaheris, I have to go... so do you. We have things to do, remember... The Andromeda, reforming the Commonwealth... ring any bells?" Gaheris frowned and shook his head slightly. "Commonwealth? What... no, I have no idea..." He grinned and began to slide a hand down Beka's back, over the curve of her ass, pulling her tight to him once again. With an impatient sort of smile Beka shook her head and placed both her hands on then man's chest, giving her the leverage to roll off him and lie next to him again on the bed. "Well it was your idea Rhade." Gaheris sighed. She was right, they had other things to do... and besides when she called him Rhade she meant business, though he was sure she had no idea how much that turned him on... He knew better than to fight with her this early in the morning, as much fun as it sounded. Feeling her moving, Gaheris reached over and grabbed her, then rolled to pin her to the bed. "I love you Beka..." He said sincerely, looking into her eyes. She smiled up at him, a gentle but almost mocking grin, placing a hand on his cheek and pulling him down into a kiss, before pushing him back up again and sliding out from under him to find her clothes. *** The drones had all been destroyed. Or at least Beka thought they had. "Rommie, how many target drones did you deploy?" The object continued towards them as the computer answered, five. Beka looked over at the rest of the crew. "I'm reading an unidentified object. It just threaded its way through the entire Castalian fleet." Tyr gave his usual scowl "And they didn't stop it? What a complete surprise." Andromeda made a quick assessment of the vessel and reported to Rhade that it was a modified Alacritous Missive courier vessel. Rhade frowned as the screen flashed up a closer image of the vessel. "That's a High Guard ship." As the ship hailed them Rhade, still a little confused called for the message onscreen. *** Rhade was still a little shocked. The message the pilot Jamahl delivered still fresh in his mind, even as he was lead around Terazed, introduced to people, made to feel like an honoured guest they had been waiting so long for. He was reeling from the sheer numbers, so many had survived, not that it eased his guilt at all. At first he hadn't believed the face he saw in the message... his son, grown up. A man, telling him about Terazed and the survivors of the Andromeda, the civilisation they had begun to build. And it still stood now, all this time later. He couldn't help but feel a sense of pride that his lineage was present in such a venture. Now, standing in the reception lounge being fawned over by various members of the Terazed community, Rakel returned to him after a few pleasantries, but before she could say anything a voice called out across the room. "Madame Triumvir." A man strode into view, making his way through the crowd. Gaheris' breath caught in his throat as his mind raced with the knowledge he had been given of this place, of the survivors. Even so, as his mind rationalised it, there was something eerie about meeting a man with your own face. His double approached. "I hate to barge in on such a historic event, but I couldn't get away from my staff meeting." "Not at all, Admiral. Gaheris, this is the commander of Terazed's Home Guard, Admiral Telemachus Rhade." Rakel introduced. Gaheris was a little taken aback. He had known his descendants were here, but even so, to meet one.... And one that was the spitting image of him. "Rhade." Gaheris acknowledged with a mixture of pride and discomfort. Over the past year or more he thought he had seen a lot, dealt with many strange things, but this was something he had never envisioned. "Captain. It's an honour." Telemachus smiled as he shook the hand of his ancestor. *** Gaheris studied the picture of Telemachus Rhade, still both disturbed and intrigued by the similarities. Tyr appeared over his shoulder. "Genetic reincarnation!" Gaheris stated coldly as he looked at the picture. He wouldn't pretend to like Tyr, and he knew that the man would stab him in the back the first chance he had to make his position good. But the old adage rang true – 'keep your friends close; keep your enemies under constant surveillance.' "It's quite rare, but it does happen. My own father had almost identical DNA to a Kodiak alpha - Suleiman. And according to legend, one day Drago Museveni himself will be reincarnated and reunite the Nietzschean people, but then you already know that." There was that hint to Tyr's voice that Gaheris always tried not to let bother him. They had different ideas on what made a real Nietzschean was exactly. Gaheris let it go. One day this would come to a head, but today wasn't that day. "It is a coincidence though." Gaheris spoke his thoughts aloud, rather than directly to Tyr, their past run ins with remnants of the old Commonwealth had never gone well in the past as Harper had pointed out to them earlier. "And I'm not inclined to trust coincidences - especially ones named Rhade." Gaheris gritted his teeth, remembering his own actions, knowing what a Nietzschean really was, and how he would act in a situation, and that he couldn't trust. Gaheris turned to look at Tyr. "Never trust any Nietzschean." Tyr agreed with a slight nod before looking into Gaheris' eyes "Except me." He added. Gaheris made no reply as he moved past the man and off the bridge, ignoring that tone that so often crept into Tyr's voice, that no matter how much he was using this situation to his advantage and how much they disagreed on so many fundamental points, there was a part of Tyr that wanted, longed for, Rhade's acceptance. The thought brought a small grin to his face. As long as that need was still in Tyr, Gaheris would always have the upper hand. 2) Negotiations Gaheris let the water run over him as he stood in the shower with his head against the cold wall. The words 'never trust a Nietzschean' still resounding in his mind, if only for their absolute truth. His people were survivors – courageous, untroubled, mocking and violent – but that meant that their drive for self-preservation was limited to their own individual needs. Their family; their Pride; and their people; in that order and only when required. He disliked the fact that Tyr had been present when he voiced his concerns over Admiral Rhade, if only for the weaknesses it showed in himself. Trying to bring his mind back to the present and not dwell on what already was and unchangeable, Gaheris turned off the water and shook his head, water flicking from his hair. Grabbing a towel he headed back into his bedroom and began to dry himself, trying rather to stop his thoughts wandering, than thinking about Tyr and Rhade and the Commonwealth... it had been a bizarre and long day that he was more than happy to have it over with. But no matter how hard he tried he was unable to keep the thoughts out, his descendant clouded his mind... could he be trusted? Gaheris Rhade couldn't when it had come down to the big choices, could Telemachus Rhade? He stood stock still, droplets of water still trickling coolly down his back as he considered this. Gaheris, deep in thought, didn't hear Beka enter his quarters and only realised she was there as she tried to creep up on him. He turned quickly. "Nietzschean senses Beka! How many times do I have to tell you...." Beka could tell immediately that something was wrong. Usually when she tried to sneak up on him it would become a game, and usually ending the same way... it was unlike him not to want to play. Stepping forward Beka cupped a hand to his cheek. "What is it?" She was concerned, her frown only wavering slightly as he turned his face to press a kiss into her palm. "Is it Terazed?" She had wanted to say Admiral Rhade but she was finding it all so odd. Harper's words about their previous meetings with the old High Guard gang not going so well were spot on, and this time added to by the fact that the descendants of the original crew were alive and kicking on the planet below them. "It... it is a great many things Beka." Gaheris admitted as he began tying the towel around his waist and headed over to the window to look out at the planet they now orbited. "I don't trust Rhade..." It was hard for him to really admit it in such terms, even to Beka. "Because he is a Nietzschean?" Beka had never met anyone who disliked Nietzscheans or at least what he saw as these new Nietzscheans, quite as much as Gaheris, and she couldn't pretend not to understand. Not only had they destroyed the Commonwealth but they had gone on to devastate so many worlds, so terribly... They had not united, they had not replaced the Commonwealth with something better... they had destroyed what was good and gone on to contribute only mayhem, death and slavery. Part of him understood that and knew that they were following their instincts and surviving, he just hadn't realised when he made his choice that would be the case. Gaheris turned to study Beka, noting with some pang inside the concern in her eyes. "No Beka... because he is a Rhade." "Gaheris... you cant be..." Beka started to protest but Gaheris raised a hand to indicate she shouldn't proceed. He shook his head. "Who would know better than I? Of all Nietzscheans? I woke up Beka, pulled from the past into a future where I get to experience what my actions have caused... the destruction of the Commonwealth and the descent of my own race!" "Gaheris, it wasn't just you... I mean, it wasn't as if you incited the uprising... so you sided with your people, who wouldn't? You didn't single handedly bring down the Commonwealth...." "No. But I am the only one who gets to watch the consequences... and try to rectify that damage..." He added softly at the end, losing her eyes and looking down to the floor, guilt or shame, he didn't know which, but something boiled within him. "But doesn't that count? That you are doing something now? And the thing is Gaheris, if you want to rebuild the Commonwealth, Terazed is the place to start... hell they already have it. All you need to do is get in with this Rakel and voila, ready made Commonwealth waiting to be expanded." Beka smiled hopefully, it seemed quite simple really. Without looking to her Gaheris turned again to look back at the planet, the last refuge of the Systems Commonwealth. "I know... I know, it should be easy." Gaheris still couldn't explain it. "Maybe it's too easy... like always. Something always happens Beka, and I'm betting this time that something is a Rhade... fate maybe." He spoke thoughtfully. Beka frowned again. She hated it when he was like this, when he got all melancholy thinking about old friends and unchangeable pasts. She wondered what he had been like before, she often imagined him as a great warrior, as an excellent commander. Five wives, children, great job... he had all a Nietzschean could ask for, she would be surprised if he was anything like this back then. She imagined him strong and proud, the way he was when he stood up to Tyr, or bossed Harper around. She knew that confidence was there somewhere, beneath the surface a little, damaged by the regret of his actions. He couldn't brood forever; he had to get over it sometime. She hoped. And maybe the answers to that lay on Terazed, the closest they had come so far to reforming the Commonwealth, and they hadn't even had to lift a finger yet. She stepped toward him, his scowling face reflected in the window. She grinned and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Let's not try and second guess it just yet.... Besides, you're right, it might not be Rhade, they might all turn out to be psychotic android avatars that want to kill us..." She grinned and looked at his reflection as it brought a grin to his face to. "We can only hope..." He replied. Glad that she was making progress in changing his mood she moved her hand, running it lightly across the top of his shoulder and then down his arm to squeeze his hand. Stepping into him she put an arm around him, pressing it against his bare chest as she began to run kisses along his shoulder, licking and nipping the taut skin as she ran her hand down his chest. With a slight sigh that sounded like submission though was anything but, Gaheris released her hand and turned to face the woman that he found himself almost constantly longing for. "Beka..." He tasted her name in his mouth, as he breathed in her scent and placed his hands on her shoulders. Slowly he moved his hands down to hers and brought them up to his lips. When he released them she smiled and lay them softly on his shoulders as he stepped forward into her space and slowly pulled down the zip on her vest, first watching his own hands, and then moving his lips to hers and kissing her gently. Too gently perhaps considering the longing he felt, the pent up passion, but this made it all the more sweet, drawing it out. As the vest fell open Gaheris moved his hands to cup Beka's breasts, before breaking their kiss to lean down and run his tongue up through the valley of her breasts. Beka giggled as his mouth came back up to hers continuing to giggle into the kiss before pulling back. "Tickles..." She grinned. He retuned the smile, gratified. "I know." He replied as he took the advantage of their separation to slip her vest off completely before moving his hands down to unfasten her trousers. "Are you staying with me tonight?" He asked gently. He wanted her to, almost needed her to, after today. He needed her to stay and be with him, in every way. He looked deep into her eyes. Her grin grew a little wider, playful. "I didn't have any other plans." With her hands back on his shoulders she manoeuvred him around and began walking him backwards towards the bed, his towel loosening and falling away. As they met the edge of the bed it hit the back of his knees, stopping them dead. Beka paused and let her trousers fall to the ground, stepping out of them she ran her hands up on to Gaheris' firm chest, trailing them gently across his nipples before giving him a push. Gaheris' knees buckled into the bed behind him and he fell flat on his back with a soft thud into the sheets, letting out a soft sigh that was almost a growl rumbling in the back of his throat. Beka always knew how to make him feel better, she was the most *Nietzschean* non-Nietzschean woman he had ever known. Words that he had spoken so many years before to Captain Hunt jumped into his mind.... it's not that we don't love, it's better. Because everything we do furthers our reproduction. Everything in our lives is an intense, sexually charged... "...negotiation..." He muttered aloud. Beka smiled curiously as she began to climb over him. Keep Them Burning Ch. 1-2 "Negotiation?" She asked. Gaheris grinned and shook his head. "Never mind... I was just thinking aloud..." "Oh really... and what exactly was it you wanted to negotiate?" She asked teasingly lowering her mouth to his. He responded hungrily. That always made Beka smile, how gentle he tried to be, when she knew that every bit of him was aching to just consume her. Beka pulled back once more, waiting for him to answer the question. He raised an eyebrow. There was that confidence again, why could she bring it out in him now, but it failed him so many times... She stopped the thought, refusing to let it get to her. "Well Beka... I was just wondering how I might convince you to move in here." She rolled her eyes and blew a sharp burst of air through her lips. "Don't start with me or I will leave right now.... " she was only partly serious, she wouldn't leave. His face broke into a grin and she realised he was teasing her. She smacked a hand sharply to his chest. "Don't tease me Rhade..." His grin grew wider and he grabbed her wrist before she could slap it down again. He pulled her down to him and kissed her passionately, his tongue roughly probing her mouth, trying to draw her into him. He could feel himself hardening as the thoughts of what was to come rushed into his mind, he moaned softly into the kiss. Feeling Gaheris' arousal, Beka found herself instinctively pushing her hips to his, pressing the full length of her body, soft and warm, against his firm physique. Beka leaned forward into the kiss, her eagerness matching his as she stretched her arms out with his, moving them above his head. Once his arms were reached out Beka continued her fingers down his chest as she pulled from his kiss and moved her lips to his neck. Trying to keep control Gaheris tried to remain still, fighting his instinct to claim her as his, the way he had so many times before. He gritted his teeth down as Beka continued to trail licking, nipping, biting kisses from his neck down to his collar bone and chest. He stifled a moan and frowned, unable to stop himself squirming a little under her attentions. "Beka..." He breathed as she moved her lips to a nipple, his hand coming down to run through her hair, he could feel her lips smiling against him, enjoying the reaction he had in her. He knew she was just wondering how far she could push him each time before he needed to take control. Moving out the reach of his hand Beka continued her kisses down his toned stomach, as she began to move lower Gaheris could feel his length aching, wanting her touch. Gaheris sat up sharply and grasped Beka's shoulder. Although the thought of her perfect mouth gently curved around his cock thrilled him, he didn't want her like this, he wanted to be inside her, her body pressed to his, absorbing her into every fibre of his being. He pulled Beka back up toward him so that she was once again straddling his hips. Beka smiled, she had been able to tease him longer than this before, he must really need her tonight, but she couldn't resist pushing him that little bit further. She moved her hands over to the hand resting on her right shoulder, taking it in hers she ran her fingers along his arm. Pulling his arm toward her she blew gently along the top of it, watching with some glee as his boneblades, already standing erect from his arm, quivered, and the hairs stood on end. Beka grinned and looked at Gaheris, that glint in his eye telling her he was reaching his limit. She pulled the arm further to her, taking his hand in hers and moving the other one to massage between his boneblades again. She began to lay soft kisses down his arm before replacing her fingers with her tongue, gently probing the sensitive area around the protrusions. A look of bliss crossed Gaheris' face and he closed his fingers tighter on Beka's hand as he shuddered a little and let out a low growl. Just as Beka thought she felt him swaying, amused by the thought that she might get him to come first this time, he suddenly pulled back before grabbing her hips and rolling them over, coming to rest on his elbows, his boneblades pressed against the bed either side of her. Beka raised a wry eyebrow. "What are you going to do now Rhade?" Gaheris shivered a little as she said his name. Words sprouting in his mind... out of Rebecca by Rhade.... He let out a groan from the back of his throat as he ground his hips to hers, pinning her beneath him. "Beka..." He moaned her name this time, adding quietly "Rebecca...." Hungrily his lips met her neck, his teeth scraping the skin. He needed her so much, and her trying to please him only resulted in teasing him more. He moved back up, pressing his forehead to hers, trying to regain some focus, wanting this to last. Steadying his breathing he rolled slightly and pulled his right arm between them, leaning back enough so that he could run his boneblades gently across her skin, licking his lips as he did. He smiled as she shuddered a little as they hit a ticklish spot, before moving them back across the other way and smoothing his hand down her side to her hip. He leaned in to take her lips, pressing almost bruising kisses to them in his urgency to please her, to have her. He slowly slid his hand from her hip, over and between her legs as he kissed her again, taking her moan into his mouth. He slipped his fingers inside her as he pushed his thumb to her clit, building a rhythm, she moaned pushing herself into him, wanting more. Their lips broke apart as Beka panted for air and Gaheris tried to keep control of himself, he knew his own pleasure would be much sweeter knowing that he had pleased her so completely. The scent of her arousal was becoming quite heady and Gaheris had to grit his teeth to maintain the gentle rhythm of his hand between her legs, he could feel her reaching the edge, but she reached a hand up to his arm and shook her head. Sliding her hand down until she reached his exposed boneblades and began gently rubbing her fingers between the protrusions. Gaheris moaned and tried to push what she was doing to the edge of his senses as he continued to circle his thumb against her clit as her moaning increased. As Beka began to gasp her breaths were laced with short moans as her stomach muscles tightened in anticipation of the release to come. Hearing her moans Gaheris bit his lower lip as he brought her over the edge his eyes now rolling a little as his erection seemed to become unbelievably heavy, aching to be satiated. With a few last groans Beka gave in as spasms passed through her body in waves, with pure pleasure and relief flowing through her until her body relaxed back into the bed, trying to get her breath back. Her eyes closed lightly as Gaheris lay light kisses down her neck, she knew that he had wanted to please her first, he had always been like that with her, but she couldn't help but smile as his hard length pressed against her. Despite or perhaps because of her own release she was even more turned on than before as she leaned up to whisper to him. "What would you like Gaheris... let me please you..." She had tried many times before, and though sometimes he let her, he continued to relentlessly pursue actively pleasing her. She supposed it was a Nietzschean thing and she wasn't going to complain, but on a day like this she was sure he was the one in much more need of stress relief than she was. Gaheris leaned his forehead back against hers, his breathing ragged as she started once more to move her fingers over the skin where his blades were born, sending shivers through his body. His voice was deep and guttural as he replied. "Move in with me..." He wanted her here all the time, just his, whenever he wanted to have her. Maybe even part of him thought that once she moved in it wouldn't take forever to convince her to join with him, give him children. The image of her presenting him with a double helix jumped to the fore of his mind and he took her lips passionately before she could answer. He knew she wanted to please him, and he knew she was quite capable, but he was the man, it was for him to prove his worth. Unable to hold back any more he was unconscious of the low growl he made as he pulled her legs up over his hips, leaving her totally open to him. As he moved back onto his elbows he pushed slowly inside her, looking down and smiling at that sweet look on her face as she moved her legs higher and lifted her hips to better accommodate him. He paused for a moment. "This pleases me Beka" He told her softly as he leaned his head forward, nuzzling into her neck before he began to build a steady rhythm. Beka had stifled a small gasp as he entered her – it always felt like the first time with him, maybe that was another Nietzschean thing, a genetic trick to keep things interesting and new. Whatever it was it worked, and she gripped his shoulders, pressing her fingernails into his skin. He moaned into her neck, his immediate reaction to her nails digging into this shoulders Gaheris grunted, leaning over her and biting down a little on her own shoulder, trying to remain aware that she wasn't Nietzschean. Though trying to remain aware was getting harder and harder as he thrust deeper into her, feeling like he was losing himself in her. He could feel she was getting close, sense it in her as he quickened his pace and replacing the teeth on her shoulder with his lips, moving them back up her neck, wanting to taste every part of her that he could reach. Beka felt like she was still buzzing from her previous orgasm, everything feeling so sensitive, as if every inch of her skin were tingling, only increasing the sensation of Gaheris' touch as she could feel herself getting closer once more to another climax, that like every time, would shudder through her until she was unable to bear anymore. She had no problem with letting him know how close she was as she began to let out gasps and groans, her hands flying to her sides, clinging to the bed sheets for dear life as he thrust into her somewhere on the edge between total pleasure and pain. The deeper he thrust the deeper she wanted him – wanting him to stay within her forever. Her breath caught in her throat and she let out sharp gasps as she finally went over the edge, biting her lower lip as she climaxed. Beka's groaning had the same effect on him as always, serving only to arouse him all the more, and now as her muscles gripped him he could feel it was close. Beka reached her hands up to cup his face, bringing her lips to his, still panting, as she willed him on. In an almost whisper she moved her lips to his ear, as she felt the sweat from their bodies running together, not knowing whether he could even hear her anymore. "Come for me Rhade...." She moved her lips back to his mouth and he kissed her hungrily, instinctively back as he thrust into her, her muscles pulsing around his cock, tightening, milking him. He thrust once more, completely spent into the ecstasy as he released his seed into her. The words in his head again... out of Rebecca by Rhade... making it all the sweeter. Gaheris collapsed over Beka, trying to keep as much weight on his arms as he could, but happy for the moment to lose himself in the smell of her sweat. His head nuzzled into her neck as he pulled his arms around her, rolling onto his back and taking her with him, sliding from her and reaching over and grabbing at the thin covers finally finding enough to pull over. More to capture her smell for when she wasn't there than to keep them warm, their blood still pumping furiously. They lay silently for a moment before Gaheris placed a gentle kiss on Beka's shoulder. "I need you... all the time." She didn't say anything, but then he hadn't expected her to. Still trying to get her breath back, Beka slid from the bed and went for a glass of water, her mouth dry from the exertion. When she got back to the bed she smiled. Rhade seemed at peace, his breathing returning to normal, he had rolled onto his side. When Beka slid from the bed Gaheris had resisted the urge to reach out for her. That wasn't what Beka would want. It was so difficult; he didn't understand human women and Beka least of all on occasion. He knew what she wanted and what she liked, but he also knew that to her sex was not the same. He was a warrior, he was genetically sound, to his mind the logical response would be to have his children. He had wooed her and won her, and were she Nietzschean she would by now have bestowed him with a double helix. As she had not he often felt unresolved and conflicted. He understood that it was because she was human, but at the same time it made him feel weak. He should be strong and prove his ability to provide for her, but instead he wanted to reach out to her as she left his bed, scared she wouldn't return. He rolled over into her pillow, breathing in her scent. His thoughts interrupted as she got back in bed, this time behind him, snuggling into his back. "Do you love me Beka?" He asked, trying not to let any emotion sound through. "Gaheris" Beka replied in a playful and dismissive tone. He frowned and shifted a little, almost unconsciously, not away from her, just a restless gesture. Beka sighed. "I care for you... deeply... but, love. That's a big thing. And to be honest I just don't know.... It doesn't have to be so... so, defined. Cant we just see where this goes?" Beka tried not to sound like she was exasperated, and she knew where he was coming from, things were different for Nietzscheans, love as they understood it was a genetic and social compatibility. She sighed quietly at his silence as she pressed a kiss to his shoulder. Her answer had not been unsatisfactory but it had avoided a firm commitment. Love was so different for Nietzscheans, women were revered, the givers of life, bearers of children. The way he acted with Beka was the action of a worthy warrior wooing a mate for such a purpose, because she was, in his opinion, genetically sound, and an amazing woman in her own right. She was the sort of woman he wished to carry his children, if she would have him. As was the way, the decision was hers. He remembered talking to Dylan about it once, and Dylan suggesting that in some ways this made a man, a Nietzschean weak... Gaheris would never have agreed until now. Somewhere inside he wished she was Nietzschean so the games she didn't even realise she was playing would cease and their lives together could begin. He even wished he could say all this to her but knew he never would. At his silence Beka pressed a series of kisses across his broad back, knowing the sensitive spots. But he rolled over, facing her, and pulled her into his arms. She couldn't keep avoiding one type of intimacy by engaging in another. "Not tonight Beka..." They had spent so many nights making love for hours, if it weren't such good sport Gaheris would find it too teasing after a while, knowing this woman would not allow herself to become pregnant any time soon. But today, he had needed to relax, needed to release the tension, wanted to prove his skills as a warrior in the only other way than fighting. But it was enough now. Rhade was back on his mind, the problem would still be there in the morning, though Beka likely wouldn't. She would disappear off to the Maru early leaving him to wake alone. He wanted to make the most of having her here with him now. He buried his face in her hair as her head leaned into his chest, her scent imprinted on his brain he would be able to find her anywhere.