Birthday Reflections
By Deanie
May 2002

Rating: PG
Archiving: Beka Valentine Fanfic Archive, fanfiction.net (all others, please ask).
Summary: Beka and Dylan share a reflective moment while preparing for Rommie's birthday party.
Feedback: It's better than chocolate! Deanie@lisacaps.com (or deaniebtvs@aol.com)
Author's note: This is a response to a birthday challenge on the Beka-Dylan mailing list.

***

"You're going to drop the cake!" Beka warned, watching Dylan maneuver around the officer's dining room with a precarious grip on the frosting-topped creation.

"I'm not going to drop the cake," he replied confidently.

"Be careful. We don't have time to make another one." With a burst of air, she blew up another balloon, attaching it to the empty space on the long buffet table, laden with food for the party.

Dylan set the cake down in the center of the table. "See, told you."

Beka nodded. "Are you sure she doesn't know?"

"Positive." Dylan turned to straighten the flowers before brushing an imaginary piece of lint off the tablecloth.

"Will you relax," Beka grabbed his arms and turned Dylan to face her. "Everything is going to be perfect."

"I know," he grinned sheepishly. "It's just that this is Rommie's birthday party. The only birthday party she's ever had. We didn't celebrate birthdays for warships, but she's so much more than that now. She's a person and she deserves a party. But last year…"

"Last year we were a little busy."

"Cleaning up after the Magog…"

"And crash landing on an ice planet, running from angry Nietzscheans…"

"Stealing the Hegemon's Heart…" Dylan chuckled. "We've had an eventful year."

"Tell me about it."

They stood in companionable silence for a moment before Dylan spoke. "While we're on the subject of birthdays, I never did thank you for mine last year."

"Thank me?" she asked incredulously. "Nearly getting us all killed and becoming addicted to a mind-altering drug? Some birthday present."

"I'm serious, Beka. I know the trip to Tarn Vedra didn't turn out like anyone hoped, but you tried. You got the idea, translated the diaries of the Mad Perseid - no easy feat, I'm sure - and then went for it. And I thank you for trying."

"You're welcome," she said softly. "And thank you. For after. When I was coming down off the Flash, you were there." She looked straight into his eyes. "I really needed someone to be there."

Their quiet moment of reflection was interrupted by a cacophony of sounds at the entrance to the dining room.

"Don't drop the presents!" Harper yelled.

"I'm not going to drop them," Tyr growled. "Why are we even having this party? In order to have a birthday, there first must be a birth. The ship was made, not born. She doesn't have a 'birthday.'"

"On the contrary. Andromeda, who is so much more than merely the ship, does indeed have a birthday."

"She was activated…she's not an organic being…"

"Tyr, stop being such a grouch," Beka teased. "For once, will you try to act like you're having fun?"

He sighed, setting the presents on the table next to the food. "This can't be a surprise. She's the ship. How can you keep a secret from her?"

"Two words, Tyr," Beka said, brushing by him. "Privacy mode."

Tyr scowled.

Trance looked around the room. "This looks great, guys. Very festive."

Harper slung an arm over her golden shoulder. "It's time to celebrate!"

"Andromeda, deactivate privacy mode and report to the offer's dining room," Dylan called out.

Rommie was quickly on her way. She couldn't believe it. A birthday party. For her. She didn't even really have a birthday, but they were still celebrating, like she was a person, not just part of the ship. She couldn't believe it when she'd overheard Harper planning. How could they have thought they could keep it a secret when she was the ship? She was everywhere. Still, they'd worked so hard for it to be a secret, she was going to act surprised. 'My friends,' she thought, wiping back a tear as she walked into the room.

"I can't believe it!" She smiled. "You're throwing a party for me? I don't even really have a birthday…"

Tyr looked smug at her declaration, but Dylan walked up to her and gave her a big hug. "You're a member of this crew, and you deserve to have celebrations just like the rest of us."

"We love you, Rommie. But let's get on with it, I want cake!" Harper said, as Beka and Trance cheered.

Rommie smiled, glancing around the room. She wanted to remember this moment forever. Then, laughing, she joined in the fun.