Andromeda

Chapter One

Battle of the Bloods

Sitting on the roof of the amphitheater, Andie watched the crew men set up the floating lights. Her laptop lay discarded beside her, as she stared up past the oxygen bubble of the theater. "Your brother’s looking for you," came a familiar voice behind her.

"That’d be a first," she retorted hotly. Haze’s silver combat boots came into view.

Plopping down beside her, Haze sighed, "He cares, Andie. He’s just got a lot on his mind." She felt his arm fall around her, his warm chest against her, Andie snorted. "He does!" Haze argued, pulling her tight. "He’s down there asking everyone where you went."

Leaning her head against his shoulder, Andie glared angrily at the floor of the amphitheater. Haze reached up and brushed her bangs from her face. He gray eyes flickered with anger as she flung the strands of red hair from her forehead.

Before getting up, Haze dropped a soft kiss on her forehead. Then, without another word, he crossed back over the top of the theater, and ducked in the trap door. Andie waited until she heard the band strike up in warm up mode before she rose to her feet.

* * *

Downstairs, Meteor began the first lines of a rock song. But she ignored the looks from the coordinator, Nansi Star. Settling herself in her chair, she watched the rehearsal with feigned interest. In the line of the song that went "And suddenly, I love you…" Haze shot Andie his usual look. Barely nineteen, she’d been touring with her older brother’s band since she was fourteen, and Meteor was the sixteen year old heart throb of 4072. Now, in 4077, touring had lost all its glamour.

The song cut out, and Meteor stormed over to glare at Andie. "Where the hell were you?" he demanded, staring down at her.

"I’m not a child, Ryan!" Andie exclaimed, using her name for him deliberately. It stung, as she meant it too. "You do not need to know where I am every moment of the day!"

Her brother’s fists clenched and unclenched at his sides as the band members rushed over. Rain, a nice guy, barely twenty, keyboard, Nix, a young man, almost twenty five, drummer, Fox, lead guitarist, around twenty seven, then Haze, twenty, lead bass, and Meteor’s best friend.

Finally, Meteor spoke, "I was worried."

Smirking, Andie rose to her feet. "Yeah," she glowered, "Worried that you’d lose me, and word would leak out that the infallible Meteor Orion lost his kid sister no one knows of!" She spun on her heel and stormed away.

"Andromeda Sky!" Meteor shouted at her back, but she didn’t turn. He spun to Haze, who shrugged. "I hate women," Meteor sighed.

A smile on his face, Haze replied, "Now, don’t say that. In three hours, there’s gonna be seven thousand of them screaming for you." Meteor frowned. "Let me talk to her, maybe she’ll listen…" Meteor laughed heartily, and stepped aside comically, making an extravagant hand gesture. Haze just strolled past, refusing to believe she was that mad at Meteor.

* * *

Slamming the door to the tour shuttle, Haze stared hard at her. "What’s your problem?" he demanded.

Andie glared up at him. "As if you didn’t know," she retorted angrily. Stupefied, Haze stopped short and stares at her. "When’re you gonna tell him, Haze?" she demanded, "When ya gonna tell him!"

"Shush!" Haze replied, moving a step to the left. "You’ll wake her…" Concern flickered in Andie’s eyes, and she instinctively moved to check the hallways. "What am I supposed to say?" Haze asked, softer this time. "Hey, Meteor, you wanna hear something funny about your sister? Yeah, and while we’re at it, you wanna hear something funny about De?"

"That’s a start," Andie hissed, glaring at him. "Why don’t you tell him how Lisbeth couldn’t take care of the baby she was left with, and almost killed herself, or maybe tell him that you’re sleeping with.." The door swung open, and Meteor flew in.

"Now, you listen, missy," he started, just before Andie slid into a chair, and cupped her head in her hands. "You okay?" he asked, suddenly the concerned brother.

Scowling, Andie slammed her fist into the table, saying, "Ask him!" She jabbed a finger at Haze, and finished, "He knows everything!" Without another word, she stormed past her brother and out the door of the shuttle.

Instantly, Meteor turned to stare at Haze. Before he could open his mouth, a small voice behind him made him turn. "Daddy, where And-e going?" Haze scooped the three year old into his arms and allowed her to drop a sloppy kiss on his cheek.

"She’s going to check on some stuff, baby," Haze replied. "Do you want to go out and play?" Deanna nodded, and tightened her arms around Haze’s neck. Haze swung her to another hip, saying, "You can hang with Daddy while he rehearses." Meteor nodded, and started out of the shuttle.

* * *

The crowd below them screamed and moved in unison. Andie leaned against a post to the side of the stage, with the nights backstage guests. A dozen girls stood around, squealing delightedly. But Andie’s gaze turned to a young man standing beside one girl, who couldn’t tear her eyes from the hallway where the band would emerge.

Before Andie could escape the girls, the young man had moved to her side. "You look positively thrilled to be here," he said, sarcastically. She nodded, halfheartedly. "Not my idea of our one year anniversary," he indicated the girl he had been standing next to. "Watching my girlfriend swoon over some band guys in tight pants…" he trailed off. "What’re you doing here?"

Cracking a smile, Andie replied, "Andie Sky," he reached to shake her hand. "Meteor Orion’s sister." His jaw dropped, and he moved to apologize. "No, don’t," Andie said, holding up her hand, "I don’t care what you say."

At that moment that band came jogging through the crowd. Meteor burst through the girls, several of them crying now. Haze followed him out, and Andie watched as he grabbed his guitar. Meteor made the usual introductions, then the ever familiar cords struck up.

Andie settled down, waiting for the costume change, when she’d leap to her feet and rush to help Haze. But the first set seemed to last forever, and Andie soon found herself tapping her toes to the beat. The girls behind her were screaming, and crying, and for the first time, Andie didn’t notice. She found herself caught up in the movement of Haze’s fingers across the guitar strings, his eyes as he focused solely on the music.

In that moment, Andie didn’t see the screaming fans, didn’t see the glaring lights, didn’t even see her brother, singing his soul into the mike. She didn’t even see Haze, just Chase Morgan, with his acoustic, singing soft ballads, only for her.

It wasn’t until the band came flying toward her that she snapped out of her reverie. As he crossed the threshold to the wings Haze yanked his shirt over his head and tossed it to her. Catching it skillfully, she handed him a towel, then tossed him another shirt. Turning to help Fox and Nix, she felt a hand on her shoulder. Ever so softly, Haze whispered, "Meet me right after the concert, in the shuttle." Andie nodded sharply, and continued helping Fox and Nix.

* * *

Following the beginning of the final set, Andie began to excuse herself from the various people around her. The band had started up the final song by the time she'd gotten out of the building.

Moments after she’d gotten into the shuttle, she heard the crowd’s applause and screams as the band ran off. What seemed like only seconds passed before the door flung open. Instantly, she was swept up as Haze kissed her passionately. Her arms flew around his neck, and she grasped him tightly. Haze held her close, kissing her repeatedly, as he leaned her against the wall.

"When’re you gonna tell him?" Andie questioned, pushing him far enough away to look at his eyes. He shrugged, and backed off. "You need to tell him, Haze," Andie whispered. "I’m keeping this quiet for De, but you’ve gotta tell him."

By this time, Haze was sitting down, and a good thing too, because the door opened and the band filtered in.

"Tell me what?" Meteor asked, cocking an eyebrow.

Andie glanced between he and Haze, the plopped down next to him. "What a great show that was…" Haze replied, reaching for a cup of hot chocolate. Meteor eyed his best friend skeptically, but didn’t say a word.

"I’m going to bed," Andie muttered, retreating into the back of the shuttle. Her room was the only one with a locking mechanism, which she was often thankful for.

* * *

Late into the night, Andie felt the familiar warm body slip between the sheets. Haze’s arms came around her and she snuggled up to him. "I’m sorry," he whispered, kissing her forehead. "I have to wait for the right time." Andie nodded, pressing her hands against his chest.

"It’s fine," Andie whispered back. "You know what I was thinking as I watched those girls trying to touch you as you ran through?" Haze’s hands explored her back as he kissed her forehead. "I was thinking ‘he’s mine, and I don’t care who knows, or doesn’t, as long as he does.’"

Haze reached up and touched her peaches and cream skin. His hands were cold against her warm body as they moved gently across her flesh. His lips danced across her neck, tracing her jaw line and finding her lips. Sliding into his arms, she sighed. It didn’t matter if Meteor knew or not, not at that moment.

* * *

The following morning, Andie awoke to a lonely bed, and a warm pillow. Out in the living room area of the shuttle, Meteor lay across the couch, ice on his forehead, and cucumber slices on his eyes. Andie sighed inwardly, sometimes her brother was more of a chick then her.

Meteor removed one cucumber slice from his lid and stared at her. "I wanna talk to you," he said. She nodded, and moved to sit down. But he continued, "Alone." He sat up, plucking the slices from his face and laying them on a plate. He didn’t catch Haze’s worried glance to Andie. But Andie did, and she shot him a calming look.

The brother and sister left the room, going into Meteor’s bedroom. Andie sat on the bed and crossed her legs. "What’s up?" she questioned, innocently.

But Meteor wasn’t buying it. "Who is it?" he demanded, staring at her. Andie’s eyes widened in astonishment. "I know he’s on the tour, but for the life of me I can’t figure it out."

"I can’t tell you," Andie whispered, staring at the ground. Meteor slammed his fist into the door, making her jump. "Ryan," she whispered, her voice shaking. He was fuming, his face was scarlet, and his fists were clenched in rage.

For a few moments, he paced the floor like a caged animal, trying to calm himself. Finally, he spoke through gritted teeth. "Damn it, Andromeda!" She didn’t back up as he intended, but held her ground. "Now you listen to me," Meteor screamed, pounding his fist against the wall. He reached for her, snatching her from the bed . Without realizing it, she screamed in horror.

Suddenly, the door flung open, and Haze was there, then Nix, Fox, Rain and Chief in the back.

"Meteor!" Nix exclaimed, as he and Fox seized Meteor’s arms. Andie fell to the bed, sobbing, and grabbing at the pillows, shielding herself from her brother. Haze reached for her, trying his hardest to calm her.

When he got Andie in his arms, Haze spun towards Meteor and shouted, "What the hell’s wrong with you!" Andie stood behind him, sobbing quietly. "Dude," Haze continued as Fox and Nix set him on the bed. "Don’t come near her again today. Cool off, you and I’ll talk."

Chief stepped forward and took Andie’s arm. Andie shot a glance at Haze, but Haze wasn’t looking at her. She allowed Chief to lead her out, still shaking miserably.

* * *

Almost two hours later, the shuttle pulled into the next stop on the tour, the Galileo System. Only then did Haze and Meteor emerge from the bedroom. Meteor blew right past his sister, not saying a word. Haze just nodded hastily and followed him out.

Left alone in the shuttle, Andie occupied herself with Deanna. He may never find out, but De was Meteor’s daughter. Lisbeth, Meteor’s girlfriend, had called Haze, asking for help. He’d taken Deanna without a second thought, telling Meteor she was his own. If it was up to Haze, he would never tell Meteor.

When Deanna was finally put to bed, Andie made her way out to watch the concert. Nansi gave her a half smile and moved to talk to her. "You okay?" Nansi questioned, softly. When Andie nodded, she continued, "He’s been raising the dead all day. I don’t know what’s happened between the two of you, but he’s pissed at the world…"

Normally, Andie would have commented, but she was already feeling sick to her stomach. Without a word, she went and sought out a seat.

* * *

When the band jogged past her into the stage, Meteor glanced to her, his eyes puffy and his face set, but he didn’t breathe a word. Haze, on the other hand, slowed, and seemed to hesitate, but Chief gave him a shove.

As the band struck up the opening song, Nansi’s eyes snapped up from her clipboard, and Andie noticed it too. As opposed to the normal opener "Star Night", it was "Suddenly". But the fans were screaming even louder as he and Haze sang the rock song.

The final "And suddenly, I love you…" died out, and Nansi still hadn’t drawn her startled eyes from the stage. Andie could almost see her praying that they wouldn’t screw her over. But onstage, Meteor seemed calm and collected.

He had begun speaking, breathing deeply. "’Ello, mates," he started casually. Girls erupted into screams, deafening Andie momentarily. "This may seen a bit unorthodox, but earlier today I had a bit of a tiff with someone I love dearly, and I may have hurt her more then I realized at the time," Meteor continued, glancing to the wings, he caught Andie’s eyes. "Andie, come here, love," he said, reaching his hand out to her.

Nansi whimpered, her hand clasped over the ear insert. Her eyes darted to Andie, who shrugged and got to her feet.

"Everyone," Meteor said, as she stepped into the bright lights of the stage, "Andromeda Sky." She reached him, and slipped her hand into his, questioning him with her eyes, "My little sister," he finished, leaning to kiss her forehead.

Sweat had already beaded on his forehead, and his breath came harder. Allowing her gaze to flit over her brother’s shoulder to Haze, who shrugged quickly. But Meteor caught the lightning quick glance, and smiled. He turned to glance over his shoulder and beckoned for Haze to come forward. Obediently, Haze hung his guitar and stepped forward.

"This afternoon," Meteor began, one hand in Andie’s, the other resting on Haze’s shoulder, "My best friend, Haze Morgan, told me something that I wasn’t quite ready to accept." Andie’s eyes flicked to Haze’s, and she held her breath. "But after a day of thought, and quite a bit of throwing and screaming, I have decided to accept this lovely bit of news." Meteor glanced to Andie, and said, "You’re my little girl, you always will be, no matter how old you are and who you may be with. I kept you out of the spotlight, praying that no one would come along and steal you away… But I was wrong. You deserve this life, Andie, and you deserve all that you can be given…" With that, Meteor Orion backed up, allowing Haze to gaze down at Andie without interference.

Staring up at him, Andie felt the thousands of eyes upon them. Within a second, Haze dropped down on one knee, and Andie lost all attachment to the stage. "Andromeda, I have loved you for so long, and I prayed that you would feel the same for me…" he said, smiling up at her. Andie forgot to breathe as he said the next words, "I want you to be with me forever, Andie, for always. Will you?"

Startled, she gasped in a healthy amount of air, then exhaled to form a single word, "Yes…" Meteor sighed in relief as the whole of the amphitheater cheered. Haze grabbed her and swung her around, kissing her soundly. Andie pulled away to see Meteor grinning broadly. "Thank you, " she whispered to him.

Kissing her forehead, Meteor turned to the fans and yelled, "How about finishing this concert!" The crowd erupted. "What about it, Haze?" One more kiss and Haze nodded, letting go of Andie, who turned to leave the stage. "Wait a sec," Meteor said, pulling her to a stop. Shutting off his mike, he whispered, "You wanna sing?"

Surprised, Andie turned to glance at him. They only sang together on the shuttle, he said he didn’t want her to be a songstress. "Come on," Haze whispered, "Let’s hear it…"

Grinning, Andie took the mike from her brother, who retreated to the bass guitar, leaving Haze and Andie to sing lead vocals. The first notes formed, leaving Andie calm and serene. She wasn’t standing on a stage in front of thousands of people, she was in the living room of the shuttle with Chase Morgan. Together, Haze and Andie sang Andie’s own "Raise My Eyes And See You There". Just the two of them, singing the hell out of the ballad.