Well, finally, it has happened. Invictus has gone LIVE!

I know! Shocking huh? I thought it was never going to happen, too!

So, those who have read my work before are going to be going: WTF? Didn't she post this before? You biatch! You tricked us!

Well, yes, I did. Thank you for noticing. Those who have actually read my profile or been on the Thane thread of the BSN within the last month will know that I retroactively decided to make this tale the prologue of Invictus. And I know that if I don't post it again, in Invictus, new readers won't read it. So since the emotions of the tale would suffer without it, I am reposting Unfulfilled Desires. I will keep it as a one-shot post for those who have favourited it, but those who haven't read it yet, don't worry. It hasn't been changed one bit.

So thanks to everyone who read, reviewed, favourited and author alerted me. You guys mean the world to me! *HUGZ*

I promise, I'll have Chapter One up as soon as I finish the final edit. Gotta make sure it makes sense for you all, don't I? ;)

Oh, and anything that isn't in English will have been translated in Google Translate. Let's see how funny it end us, shall we?

Hugz and Kizzes

Sharlene.

Prologue - Uopfyldte Ønsker - Unfulfilled Desires

Drinks in hand, separated by strangers, their eyes meet across the room. Friends and enemies, politicians and trial: all immediately forgotten in captive gazes. One step, then another, two meet under golden light.

He bows, she curtsies. He holds out his green-scaled hand. She stares at it, her heart beats faster. She is afraid, unsure, but she takes it still.

Gently, he pulls her into his arms. His hand is warm and strong on her back. Her hand: light and fleeting on his shoulder. His fingers tighten on her hand, and warm tingles spread over her skin. Safe and sound, her nerves ease. She relaxes into his hold.

The music starts, soft and sweet. He moves; she follows. Lightly he swirls her over the floor. Her skirts flair, she stumbles. She ducks her head, embarrassed. Softly he comforts her, nuzzling the light blond hair piled high on her head.

She raises her eyes from his chest. Big, beautiful black eyes meet her green. Her heart stops. Her fingers flex on his shoulder. She moves closer, his arm tightens across her back. Breast to chest, they move again, stronger together than they are alone. Staring into each other's eyes, their souls are no longer their own.

He smiles. She smiles back. Time stops for them both. The music: it's just for them. The floor: it is empty. The world exists, but just for those two.

In their minds there is no longer any fear, no longer any hate, no more stress and no more pain. There is only love, only happiness, only the peace that can only found in each other's arms. They move together; two beings now one.

The music stops, the room is quiet. They part, smiles soft and peaceful. He lifts her face to his, kisses her softly. He raises her hand to his lips, firmly places another on her palm. Reluctantly, he releases her, and steps back into the crowd she forgot was there.

One blink and he is gone. The light fades to black, and she wakes, alone, lying in her empty bed; his body has long since gone cold. She curls in a ball; one lonely tear streaks down her face. Finally she sleeps, arms wrapped around her stomach the way his used to be.

Cold and uncaring, the stars surrounding her ship sparkle still.