Summary: Tyr learns something knew about Beka, something he never thought would ever happen.

Disclaimer: I own nothing of ANDROMEDA.

Rating: T+

Pairing: Beka and Tyr

I ALWAYS SAW YOU:

CAPITOL:

THE FORUM

Beka scanned the room, looking at each face of the assembled senators, a few high-ranking male and females, as well as the matriarch, and finally she saw her siblings. With a practiced superiority, she walked through the crowd, noting that each one of them fell to the wayside as she passed them by. Mentally she made a list of names she would have to speak to after the announcement.

Anubis Metallus

Alexander Constantine

Elizabeth Preed

Janus Rasputin

Hera Yu

Beka looked over at Harper and Rommie, seeing if they were ready. Harper, being his usual human self, held up two thumbs, and gave her the cheesiest grin he could. Then, a woman walked by, and he started to drool. 'Typical Harper…' she thought, smirking. However, when she knew the time came, Rommie would make sure the little professor did what he was supposed to.

Tyr threaded his way through the crowd, coming to Beka's side where he belonged. He watched the room as they all watched her. To her credit, she was looking through each and every one of them as if they were beneath notice. That was the right attitude for an Alpha to have. He made sure to make mental notes of all the people who paid too much attention to her. If he had to, he would kill them in such a way that couldn't be traced to either of them.

Beka, ever mindful of the newly formed bone blades, linked her arm with Tyr's. She did that for two reasons. One: she wanted to touch him. Two: she wanted the other females in the room to know he belonged to her. Then behind them, fanfare sounded. Athena was getting ready to make her address to the entire Tigarian pride. There was no turning back now.

Dylan left Rommie and Harper alone in a corner that happened to be close to a data port that young Seamus could use to jack in and take control. He stood next to Beka, with Tyr eyeing him. Dylan let it go, as he did everything else when it came to his first officer and his weapons officer. "You ready for this?"

"I have to be," Beka answered. She left Tyr and Dylan, to go stand out on the balcony where her sister and brother waited. Once more, she was a part of a united Nietzschean family. It was strange to be sure, but it also felt right. When she was living on the Maru, living as Beka Valentine, she had no sense of permanence, no roots. Now she did.

Athena glanced to her left where Cyanne stood. She could take a moment and revel in the fact she was getting everything she wanted. She would retain control, her sister would be married, and soon Cyanne would return to the Andromeda to continue her pointless crusade through the galaxy. "For twenty years a mystery has surrounded our pride. What became of Cyanne Kemair? She survived! Out in the galaxy by herself, no pride, no family; she endured. She was made stronger by her isolation, and by a galaxy bent on her destruction. Today, she stands before her pride as the perfect example of what Drago Museveni envisioned for his people."

The cam-drones centered on Beka. She made sure her face betrayed none of what she was thinking. Her expression was that of a regal pride daughter; an alpha. Now, it was her turn to speak, and to make her counter move that would force her sister to hold true to her word. "What my sister said was true, I survived out there amongst the stars of an unforgiving universe. I was tested, beaten, but never broken! The universe deemed that I should lay down and die, but I refused. I fought back!" Beka took a pause for dramatic effect. "Nietzsche said, 'God is dead'. No, he's just taken on another form, become the embodiment of death, of destruction." Casually, she touched Tyr's arm, and he signaled Harper. Seconds later, every vid screen on the planet, and on the ships in orbit were being shown the Magog world ship.

A collective hush descended over the capitol, and over the assembled pride members in the forum building. After the people had time to let the image sink in, Beka spoke again. "I returned home on the heels of a great threat. No longer can we afford to hide in the shadows and let the other prides perceive us as small and insignificant. Our enemies are not the other prides, or the Than Hegemony, Caulderans, Nightsiders, or any of the other space faring species. It is the Magog coming to feast on us, on our children. We are not food. We are Nietzscheans! We make the monsters fear us!" The crowd down below cheered.

"I know the nightmare coming for us all. I also know there is one man capable of holding the line against the darkness. There has been talk of a renewed Commonwealth, and worlds have already joined. As have the united Sabra-Jaguar pride. Captain Dylan Hunt has pit his will against the galaxy and I've seen it capitulate. I stand with Dylan Hunt! I stand with the Commonwealth!" She waited as the hush retook the crowd below.

Then a scattering call rose up, "Commonwealth!" Over and over it was called out until the assembled mass proclaimed in one voice, "Commonwealth!"

Beka drew her force lance, extending it, and raising it straight up proclaimed, "Restore the Commonwealth!"

Dylan couldn't believe it, but Beka had done it. Behind him he heard the murmuring of the Senators. They agreed with her, and they were ready to sign his charter. He could be hopeful that her plan might actually work.

Athena felt victory turn to ash in her mouth. Then a very human chill of fear slithered up her spine at the sight of that world ship. She stepped in close to her little sister and whispered, "Well played."

"I'm just keeping you honest," Beka replied, offering Athena her hand. They clasped hands and nodded at one another. Then Odysseus placed his hand atop theirs. All three of them were on the same page and that just left Beka's part of the bargain. Tomorrow she would marry Tyr. She was looking forward to that.

Inside the forum, human's flitted about, moving tables, setting out goblets of wine, platters of food, and lighting candles. A banquet was being prepared, it would be lavish and filled with the people Beka needed to speak to, those she needed to convince to side with her. The first up on her list was her father's long-time friend, and most trusted ally; Senator Anubis Metallus. And lucky for her, he was coming right towards her.

Anubis could hardly believe his ears when he heard that little Cyanne Kemair had returned home. Now, he was seeing her, in the flesh, and all grown up. She was the perfect blend of her father and mother. Regal and imposing as Cleopatra had been. Brilliant and deceptive while looking completely innocent as only Ares knew how to be. "My Lady, Cyanne," Metallus greeted, bowing to her in a courtly manner. It was a show of due deference to her station and superior breeding.

"Senator Metallus," Beka returned, a polite smile fixed to her lips. "I was wondering when I would have a chance to talk to you."

"I hear congratulations are in order regarding your marriage tomorrow; to a Kodiak no less." Metallus replied jovially. Then, he leaned in close to her ear and whispered, "How like Isis you already are."

"Yes," Beka nodded. "Curious, isn't it?"

"Hmm… Quite curious," Anubis agreed. "At one time, your father had hoped that you would choose my son, Crixus as your husband. It would have been a great alliance between our two houses."

"I made a better choice," Beka stated, unapologetic for how it sounded. Tyr had proven time and again that he was the worthiest Nietzschean to carry the title of husband and father.

"I can see that," Anubis agreed. Sad to say, but he admired the choice Cyanne had made. The Kodiak was the prime example of Drago's dream for his people. Then Anubis caught sight of Athena watching them, so under the guise of talking about her wedding, he said, "I have a gift you."

"Already? Don't those come after I'm bonded to my soon to be husband?" Beka chuckled. She knew Athena had to be watching them.

"I'll make sure it's waiting at the Stronghold for you upon your return after this tedious, and somewhat boring banquet." Anubis through his head back and laughed. Now that they true Alpha had returned, he had an obligation to make sure she was in power. But seeing that Magog world ship had rattled even him. He was a veteran of many wars, not one to scare easy.

"Before you tire of all the false niceties, you should talk to Captain Hunt," Beka proposed. "He's remarkably Nietzschean in his sense of survival."

"I'll be sure to, though it looks like he has his hands full with Hera and Alexander," Metallus laughed, and then he bowed before returning to the annoying task of mingling with the others.

Beka inclined her head, and watched him walk away. Thankfully she was joined by Tyr, so she didn't have to stand alone. "Even in the early days of Dylan wooing prospective worlds to join his Commonwealth, the parties were tedious. This one is starting to irritate me, seeing as I am the center of attention."

"I've been gaining my fair share of attention today," Tyr replied. "Especially from that individual in the corner," he pointed nonchalantly in front of them.

Beka glanced in the direction Tyr had indicated. It was there she saw Crixus Matellus. The look the man had on his face was that of anger, as if he'd been lathered up into a frenzy. Athena might have done it, but that didn't seem right. Then again, it would be a way for her to get back her for the way Beka painted her into a corner. "You should keep an eye on him. He might try something."

"I'm aware, and I will react accordingly." Tyr promised. Far be it for him to deny a pride the genetic contribution of a potential husband and father, but if the men attacked him, he wouldn't feel too terrible about taking him out of the gene pool.

"I know you will," Beka replied, drawing her fingers down his arm lightly. She needed to touch more of him, to kiss him, and feel the warmth of his body. Except, she was trying to keep those needs in check until tomorrow night; the wedding night. As part of tradition, her family would be required to be close by to ensure that the mating had taken place. Most marriages for noble families were political, and not even the lure of perfection would be enough to ensure the bonding was solidified. For her and Tyr, there would be no reason to assume they wouldn't do the deed.

Tyr took a moment to place his hand on the small of her back, rubbing back and forth slightly to comfort her. He knew the toll this was taking on her. She was playing a long con that had been set in motion by her father. Beka was ruthless enough to finish this game, and she would. He knew that.

Athena kept her eyes on Cyanne and Tyr. She couldn't deny that her sister and the Kodiak made an impressive match. Any children they would have would certainly be beautiful, and brutal. Still, she couldn't let her little sister get away with cornering her, making it so she had no other choice but to sign the charter. One main proponent was Anubis Metallus. If she spoke a few well-placed words into the ear of his son, Crixus, she could start a conflict between him and Tyr. If the Kodiak killed Crixus, then Metallus would be enraged.

Athena moved through the crowd slowly, so she wouldn't arouse the suspicion of her sister, or the others in attendance. She smiled, and chatted idly, until she was finally standing next to Crixus. He was keeping his gaze rooted on the Kodiak as well. "Wouldn't you like to put that Kodiak in his place and show everyone how genetically inferior he is in comparison to a true born Tigarian?"

"How could she choose him over me?" Crixus snarled. The urge to challenge the other man was forefront in his mind. His hands were clenched in fists of rage, demanding that he visit violence upon the Kodiak.

"He's not worthy of her, not like you are." Athena crooned. "That Kodiak wouldn't last five minutes in a fight against you. If you challenge him publicly, everyone will see you are more suitable for Cyanne than that interloper." Just as she'd hoped, Crixus moved away from her, and ran full out at Tyr.

Tyr saw Crixus coming at him, and had enough time to plant his feet to brace for the tackle. Being the stronger, he was able to hold the Tigarian male in place. Tyr brought his elbow down sharply in the center of Crixus' back, and then held him securely in a choke hold.

It was all over in a matter of seconds. Beka drew her force lance, pointing it right at Crixus, "What the hell are you doing?"

Crixus struggled, but the Kodiak held him fast. "You should have chosen me," he spat.

"You?" Beka replied. "You were easily subdued, and I should have chosen you…" she scoffed. "If I was in doubt whether my choice of husband was wrong, you just allayed those non-existent fears." She lowered her weapon, putting it back in the holsters. Then, moving in closer so that only Crixus and Tyr could hear her, "You are genetically inferior to Tyr Anasazi, out of Victoria, by Barbarossa. At least your father has a daughter to carry on his bloodline."

"You bitch!" Crixus snarled.

"Be quiet," Tyr tightened his grip, his eyes on Beka. "Should I kill him?" She made a grand show of thinking about it. That actually amused him.

"It's only fitting," Metallus made his presence known, after the spectacle his son just made of himself. "However, I would consider it a personal favor if you did not." He let his son see his disappointment.

Beka nodded at Metallus, "Of course, he may not be worthy of me, but some low ranking Tigarian woman may find him suitable for breeding."

Tyr growled loudly, pushing the offending male away. He then held out his hand to Beka, waiting for her to accept his touch. She did, and she stepped to his side. When she was close enough, he whispered, "We should leave."

"Thought you'd never ask," Beka replied. And while they were being watched by everyone in the room, she made their escape.

MOUNTAIN STRONGHOLD:

Tyr followed Beka inside, but the moment she tensed, coming to a stop; he did as well. There he saw a woman, the same one from the previous night. And she was holding a box.

Beka relaxed the moment she saw Lorelei standing in the den. "You must be the gift Senator Metallus had for me," she said jovially.

"Yes, well part of it," Lorelei replied. She then motioned to the box she carried. "This is the other part." With a careful watch on the male be her side, she approached her former charge. "I made this for you, for your up coming marriage tomorrow. Every bride should be wed in a beautiful gown that reflect her strong personality."

Beka accepted the box, carrying it over to the long stone table. Pulling off the top, she saw a beautiful cream colored silk gown, with darker cream stripes. The dress was made to look like a tiger's skin, denoting the namesake of her pride. Beka pulled the dress out of the box, and held it up. It was long and was sewn to grace her lean form. "Lorelei… this is…"

"Your father would be proud of the life you've made for yourself, for the husband you're about to take a your own" Lorelei said knowingly.

A/N: I know this latest chapter has been slow to come. My writing batteries have been a little drained. Too many stories rattling around in my head! Haha! Enjoy!