Chapter 1

Elicoor II

A green-eyed bluenette casually made her way out of the river and approached her clothing, haphazardly strewn about on the grass. Maria Traydor had finished bathing for the day. Now, she was ready for a peaceful nap. Before she slipped her lavender tunic on, she paused and breathed in the warm summer air. This is much better than a few days ago she thought.

For the last couple of weeks, Maria and the recently dissolved anti-Federation organization Quark traveled to space stations, repairing the damage dealt by the Executioners. At first, their appearance was held in suspicion to those loyal to the Federation but they were not foolish enough to deny assistance. Constant movement from space station to space station drained her physically. Besides the physical toll the reparations took on her, there were constant meetings held, which tired her mentally. She hardly attended the meetings, though, and when she did, she would argue against any ideas to restore the Federation to what it once was. There was no point in going back. It would only cause disunity. No matter, she was done with all of the trouble. Whatever they chose to do, it would have to be for the good of the people. After as much help she could provide was given, Maria bid her farewells. Cliff, Mirage, and Marietta were reluctant to let her go but they understood that they had to. After all, they knew what their leader had been through. Maria, eager to start anew, chose Elicoor II, mainly because she knew the lay of the land and her redheaded friend resided in Aquios, the capital city of the theocracy of Aquaria.

Although Maria gave her farewells to her crew, she never gave them to Fayt and Sophia. They had left with Sophia's parents and Fayt's mother to who knows where. Probably in the next solar system…together. A chill ran down her spine and settled in her heart. She shivered despite the heat of the summer. Don't be stupid, Maria, they're not together. Still…they do spend a lot of time with each other. They're always near each other, even when we were fighting the Executioners. Why did he always have to be there? "Ughh," she said aloud, "stupid Fayt." She opened her eyes and remained silently fuming while she dressed.

She hated the way they stared at each other. She hated how they smiled at each other. But most of all she hated how she couldn't tell Sophia her feelings. She knew that Sophia couldn't return them. She sighed, shoulders drooping. I'd only get rejected. That's it. A wave of pain hit her heart at this sobering thought. It still hurt to know that her love couldn't be returned. Her hope, that someday Sophia could return her feelings, shattered when she witnessed Fayt kneeling in front of Sophia and proclaiming that he was her knight and she, his princess.

"Stupid Fayt," she repeated and proceeded to walk away from the river. Already too upset over Fayt, she decided that it would be impossible to get some rest and headed towards the northern gate of Peterny. She had travelled this route so often since her arrival on Elicoor II that she didn't need to focus on where she was going. Rather, she let her subconscious propel her towards the town. Meanwhile, her thoughts drifted away from Fayt and settled on Sophia. Her feelings for her had never faded or been questioned. She knew without a doubt that she loved Sophia with all the purest love anyone could ever produce for another. Ever since they first met, Maria had become transfixed and awed by her soft brown hair, her gentle azure eyes, and her gentle character. An involuntary blush stung her cheeks but Maria took no notice of it. Oh what I would give to see her again. She sighed. It had become an inevitable and frequent reaction whenever she thought of Sophia. All I can do is wish now.

By the loud shouts and footfalls, Maria discerned that she was inside of Peterny and returned to her thoughts of Sophia. Well seeing her wouldn't be bad. I could ask Cliff where she- "Oof!" Maria had collided into a woman and staggered backwards. She raised her head until the woman came into full view. There in front of her was Sophia. Maria was too stunned to speak. She just stood there gaping and wide-eyed. A deep blush threatened to make her pass out.

"Maria? Is that you?!?," the brunette inquired.

"It is you Maria! I finally found you!!" Sophia ran up to the stunned woman and threw her arms around her. As soon as Sophia made contact, a shock coursed through her veins and made her heart start beating rapidly. Her face turned a ghastly shade of red that was almost purple. Sophia released the embrace when she realized that Maria wasn't hugging her back. The shock from the sudden appearance of her beloved froze her limbs, rendering her immobile. Sophia grasped Maria's shoulders and pushed her back so she could see her face.

"Are you OK, Maria? How come you're not hugging me back?" She pouted.

"Oh…sorry…I d-eh?" Before Maria could finish, Sophia jumped on her again. Maria staggered but she quickly recovered and wrapped her own arms around Sophia.

"I missed you Maria," Sophia murmured and rested her head on Maria's shoulder.

"I-I missed you too, Sophia," Maria whispered back, finally managing to regain her voice, "So much." So much. She finally had Sophia here and in her arms. After weeks of thinking about and aching for nothing but the woman before her, she was here. She gave Sophia's soft body a slight squeeze and leaned her head against Sophia's, trying to reveal an inkling of her love for her. The embrace warmed Maria to the core making her heart melt and turn into a puddle at her feet. Nothing mattered except the woman in her arms. The embrace lasted for a full minute until they loosened their grips on each other.

"Er…how? When…?" She hoped Sophia would understand her question.

Sophia giggled. "I think you're asking how I got here and when."

Maria nodded in assent.

"OK, well I wanted to see you. I searched everywhere for Cliff and even made him take me here. I got here yesterday. I was so tired yesterday that I wasn't able to look for you. So here we are today." She ended her little speech with a giggle, which made Maria blush all the harder and look away, trying to conceal her red face with her hair.

She came for me. To see me!! She stifled an overjoyed giggle and tried to compose herself. I have to be rational. No sense in thinking that it's possible between us.

Sophia's bright blue eyes were full of glee while witnessing Maria have one of her "thinking moments.""So Maria, are you done yet?" At this comment, she gave Maria a coy smile.

"Ahh…," her face turned a deeper shade of red, "yes." Relax.

"Well then, let's go," Sophia stated simply and swiftly grabbed Maria's arm before she could say anything, leading her around Peterny's central market. Maria couldn't fathom where Sophia was leading her. She closed her eyes and allowed herself to be led. She dropped into a haze; overwhelmed by the fact Sophia was holding her hand. Her heart thundered in her chest each time Sophia's arm nudged into hers. Each second increased the tingle that Sophia's hand shot through her heart.

"OK Maria, we're here," Sophia softly said.

Maria opened her eyes and her heart plummeted. An icy chill drained the warmth from her limbs.

Fayt stood there and casually smiled.