"at least stay for Isa's sake! Or your Abuelos! Think of them. Please." Gabe begged as Elena headed back out of the palace nearly as quickly as she had returned. She had been in Vallestrella learning all that she could about using her magical scepter in order to defeat the evil sorceress Shuriki. She had quickly stopped in to update her family on the situation and declare that she was ready to head out take care of Shuriki once and for all. Her family was anxious about Elena's plan but there was no stopping her. Gabe, her royal guard and one of her closest friends was equally against Elena going out alone.

"And you?" Elena asked, knowing Gabe's attempts at keeping her protected had much to do with how he truly felt about her.

Gabe hesitated for a minute, averting his eyes from Elena's as he thought about how he should respond. 'Would it even make a difference?' thought. Probably not, he decided.

"Yeah... And me." Gabe replied, "I mean, Isa and your Abuelos first but yeah. I don't know what I'd do if anything happened to you. You know that. Just think about everyone you're leaving behind Elena. Please" Gabe begged.

"Gabe, I'm doing this for everyone. For all of Avalor. And for my Mami and Papi." She argued and the thought of her parents and what Shuriki had done to them lit a furious fire inside of her, as it always did. Her temper began to rise.

"You don't understand!" She snapped at Gabe, "You couldn't understand, you have your parents still. You don't know what it's like to lose someone you love so much!" Elena immediately felt a pang of guilt. She shouldn't be taking her anger out on him, she needed to be taking it all out on Shuriki. She hung her head a moment to try to collect herself. She was letting her emotions get the best of her.

"You're right." Gabe replied calmly. "I don't understand what it's like to lose someone I love... and... I don't want to have to find out Elena."

Elena's eyes shot up to meet Gabe's, seeing the pure love in his pleading eyes. She stared into them, reading every thought and feeling he was experiencing. She understood his fears. Completely.

"You have to trust me." She said softly, as her eyes remained locked on him, now begging him. She wished she could ease his fears, but it just wasn't something that she could do.

"I do trust you." I trust that you're strong and determined and capable but you have to trust me when I tell you that it's too dangerous. It's not just Shuriki that you'll be up against. It's Fiero and now Victor and Carla have magic as well."

"I trust you Gabe! I really do. I trust you more than anyone and I take everything you say to heart. EVERYTHING! But I have to do this." Elena persistently explained.

Gabe sighed heavily knowing that there was nothing more he could do or say. There was no changing her mind. Giving her his "OK" but certainly not his blessing, he simply nodded and met her eyes, a weak grin on his worried face.

Elena turned to leave but then paused. She couldn't leave without saying goodbye. She walked back to Gabe and stood before him, both of their hearts were pounding. Elena took a deep breath and then clasped her hands behind Gabe's neck and pulled him in for a kiss. Gabe instinctively took her in his arms in return, melting into her touch and affections. Long held in emotions rushed over them, overwhelming each to the near point of tears. They were filled with desire, fear, hope... but mostly love. When their lips parted they hung on to one another with a feeling of weightlessness. Their eyes fluttered closed as they breathed in the scent of the love that lingered in the air. They swayed to the whisper of their breathlessness and the rhythm of their beating hearts. If never they found themselves in each other's arms again, at least they had gotten their moment.

And just like, Elena was gone.