Squirrelflight had avoided Brambleclaw long enough – or was the other way around? It seemed to her that the ThunderClan deputy went out of his way to avoid talking to her ever since Hollyleaf had revealed her secret at the Gathering. But it had been moons now, more moons than she cared to count since she's fallen asleep next to him in the warrior's den or shared some fresh-kill with him next to their favorite rock – the one that he swore got the warmest just for her. She needed this to end, already. She needed him. And she liked to think he needed her!

She was never one short for words. But all the things she had on her tongue to say ended up swallowed up and she became tongue-tied once she got closer. His eyes didn't meet hers. He kept talking to Thornclaw about his patrol along the ShadowClan border. She waited patiently, trying to throw the words back up, readying herself for the argument.

"I'll send one more patrol today," he told Thornclaw. "We need to make sure they realize that that land is ours now."

Thornclaw nodded and padded away with a sideways glance at Squirrelflight. She ignored him. She was only here to talk to Brambleclaw.

"You can lead the patrol," Brambleclaw told her in his "deputy voice." "Take three other warriors and an apprentice."

Use a dismissive tone all you want! I'm going to talk about this already! She took a deep breath. "Actually, Brambleclaw," she mewed, trying to keep her voice from shaking, "I would like a word with you."

"What about?"

"I think you know."

"Forget it, Squirrelflight," he nearly growled. He finally turned his head to at least look at Squirrelflight. "We've been through this. You lied to me. I can't trust you."

"So everything we went through suddenly means nothing?" she asked, her voice desperate. StarClan, give me the right words! "What if you were in my situation, Brambleclaw?"

"I would have trusted that I could have told you!" he mewed, lashing his tail.

"Don't lie to me! You would have done the same thing!" she insisted, taking a step closer. "What if you were in my place and Tawnypelt was in my sister's place?" she asked calmly. "You love Tawnypelt, but you also love your mate who happens to be deputy! Suddenly telling them isn't an option because your sister is so scared what the Clan might do to her and her kits if they find out."

Brambleclaw stayed silent. It was impossible for Squirrelflight to tell what he was thinking. I hope some of this is getting through his thick head!

"Please, Brambleclaw, just think about it that way," she whispered, letting out a shaky breath. "Then you'd understand."

"I do understand," he whispered back, but he looked away from her.

"I don't think you do." She shook her pelt, straightening up. "Put yourself in my paws for a moment. I still love you, Brambleclaw. And you loved Jayfeather, Lionblaze, and Hollyleaf like they were your own kits. You were a wonderful father." She turned to walk away. "I'm sorry for lying…and I'm sorry I can't give you kits."

Brambleclaw didn't stop her as she walked away. He only watched quietly as Squirrelflight's ginger pelt vanished into the darkness of the warrior's den…alone.