Wikus awoke suddenly to wan sunlight shining through the thin walls of the tent. He looked over to see Jack splayed out on the couch across from his feet, and Kisa still sleeping next to him, her arm and cheek resting on his shoulder.

He shuffled out from the nest and stepped into the chill morning air, and felt his stomach growl. He looked through their limited supply of food and found a can of beef stew. He pulled out a knife and began working the release, trying to open it, muttering at himself in frustration.

"Would you like some help?"

Wikus jumped and almost hit his head off of one of the roof struts at Darren's comment.

"Sorry if I startled you."

Wikus – who was trying to get used to be called Warren – flung the knife aside in anger before handing the can to the bigger prawn.

"Did you stay there all night?" Wikus/Warren asked, as Darren flexed his claws around the top of the can, popping the lid off with ease. He handed it back, and Warren took it and began eating.

Behind them, someone stirred. Darren looked over as Jack shifted in his sleep.

"Did you sleep well?" they both asked at the same time, and Warren nodded. "More or less."

"I did," Darren said. "This chair is so much more comfortable than the last home I had."

"Where were you before?" Warren inquired.

The big prawn reclined his head on the torn headrest. "I was what you humans might call a pit fighter," he began. "One of the Nigerian gangs 'owned' me, and had me facing off against other gangs' pit fighters for money and sport."

"I remember seeing some of those," Warren said. "Was always interesting to watch your kind beat each other senseless." The look of anger that crossed Darren's expression prompted Warren to add hastily, "Emphasis on was interesting."

Darren nodded approval. "They kept me leashed and caged most of the time, and I slept on a mattress frame with boxes and old books spread across it. Not comfortable at all, especially after fights."

Suddenly thirsty, Warren reached for a bottle of water and drank half of it before offering the rest to Darren, who finished it off.

"Sounds like a rough life," Warren clicked.

"You were human," Darren retorted. "Compared to us, you live in absolute luxury. More than a few of us are angered about that."

"There are humans that live in slums too, you know," Warren said. "They're scattered all over the planet."

"Really? I didn't know that."

Warren finished his breakfast just as Kisa stepped into the light.

"Good morning," both males clicked in unison.

Kisa stepped towards Warren and gave him a hug and peck on the cheek, drawing her tendrils slowly down the side of his head, antennae resting atop his skull. Conflicting emotions warred within him and he drew back just as Darren stood.

"I've got to go," the big prawn announced, and disappeared out the door before anyone could really notice the sudden hurt in his eyes.

"I think he likes you," Warren clicked.

"Of course he does," Kisa clicked back, "That much is apparent. But he's a brute, and has lived a brute's life until I helped him escape. I think the Nigerians who captured me wanted him to pass along his genes or something, I remember overhearing them talking."

Warren's antennae dipped slightly. "That's not fair."

She hugged him again. "No it isn't. But then again, if he likes me, he won't hurt me." Her hands dropped to his hipbone and she pulled them together.

"Kisa," Warren chirped, "Please… let me go."

She released him, a look of concern in her eyes. "What's wrong?"

He took a step back, away from her. "I'm married," he said. "I… I'm sorry, but I just can't… I'm not comfortable with… with being intimate in any way with anyone else. I don't want to get too close to anyone, as…"

She visibly drooped, as if a great weight had settled on her shoulders.

"I don't want to cheat!" he finished. "I still very much love and miss my Tania…"

"Wikus…" she clicked softly. "Excuse me. Warren. I hate to be the one to break this to you, but your human mate is lost to you until you're human again. You might say that it's cheating if a human goes to another human behind their mate's back, but that can scarcely be said of you now, can it?"

"That's beside the point!" Warren shouted in frustration, and Kisa shrank back. "What matters is that I would know that I'd been unfaithful, and it would utterly consume me and destroy what I am, what I believe in!"

"I have to go," Kisa announced, straightening and wrapping a loose piece of cloth across herself before heading for the door, not meeting his gaze. "I'm going to and scrounge for some more supplies. Take care of Jack in the meantime." She shoved the door open and almost ran into Anthony. She swerved out of his way and was gone.

"What did you say to her?" The other prawn asked as he stepped inside.

"Nothing!" Warren clicked in confusion. "She was all over me and I asked her to lay off, as I'll one day be reunited with my wife."

"Oh, you flaming idiot," Anthony scoffed angrily. "Don't you know she has feelings for you?"

"What, you mean like the way Darren has feelings for her?"

Anthony nodded vigorously. "She feels safe around you for the first time since her mentor Ashfoot died."

Warren felt horrible, as if he had just crushed something extremely precious and fragile. He slowly sank to the floor and leaned against the shelf for support.

"Don't worry, she'll still feed and clothe you, she promised Christopher," he said. "But do remember that she didn't have to. Neither did Chris, if he hadn't – if you hadn't – made off with our salvation."

If only I hadn't touched that infernal tube, he thought woefully. I wouldn't be in this mess right now…

The sound of scuffling feet outside made them both stop speaking as they listened intently. There wasa the sound of a body hitting the ground, and a metallic object falling with it. Anthony scampered out and discovered a chocolate-brown prawn – with Eleanor stenciled along the top of her ID – having collapsed from starvation just outside. Beside her lay a machete.

"Hey, Warren, is there any leftover food inside?" Anthony asked.

Warren looked around the shelves. "Just a box of frozen fish," came the reply.

"Bring it out here."

Warren complied, and they slowly fed the starved prawn.

"Why?" Eleanor clicked softly after a few bites.

"Why what?"

"Why are you helping me?"

"Because," Warren answered, "If we don't all hang together, we'll all hang separately."

"Then why is… is… why do others steal from me?" she clicked, her tone weak.

"Not everyone is as enlightened as us," Anthony told her. "Eat."

"Why would anyone steal from you?" Warren inquired. "You've got that big knife."

She tried to reply but was too weak. Warren guessed others stole and victimized her because she didn't try to stand up for herself.

Much like he thought the prawns did, themselves, until recently. He shook his head, antennae waving in the rising sun.

Eleanor finished eating and stood up. "If you need anything, anything at all," he told her, "Come by this way and find one of us. My name is Anthony, and this is – this is Warren."

"Anthony. Warren." She looked at them both in turn, gratitude flickering behind her eyes like a candle, behind the iron mask she kept herself locked up in. She nodded once, then picked up her machete and started walking.

"I have to go to work," Anthony clicked. "If I don't, or miss the shuttle run, I imagine the consequences would be… rather unpleasant."

"Go on, get going," Warren waved dismissively. "I've got our new best friend inside to babysit."

"I'll come back later," Anthony tossed over his shoulder as he broke out into a run and disappeared from view.

With a sigh, Warren turned and made his way back inside the tent he shared with Kisa… at her insistence. Angry thoughts over his entire present state of affairs drove him to slam a fist into the nearest shelf, making the small collection of junk leap and bob around. He noticed Jack stirring and made his way over to him.

"And how are you feeling today?" Warren asked with a hint of sarcasm. "Got what you deserved, maybe?"

"…water…" Jack chirped in a tiny voice.

Stifling an angry remark, Warren dug out another bottle of Kisa's water and gave it to him. Jack peeled off the lid and began taking gulps of the life-restoring liquid. He slowly eased himself to a sitting position.

"What are these?" he asked, pulling a deck of cards out from under the cushion he was lying on.

"That's a deck of cards," Warren said. "Didn't you know that?"

"I'm… I mean, I was… a soldier," Jack clicked, placing one hand on his chest and on the gauze that they had wrapped about his chipped and dented chest plates. "I don't think about much else. But I don't think I'm much use to anybody now."

Warren folded his arms across his chest. "From your reputation," he growled, "I'd expect to be able to take you out of the military, but not the military out of you. You have the look and build of a killer."

Jack pulled out the deck of cards from the box, and began looking at each card in turn. "I know. What do these symbols mean?"

"They're used in games humans play," Warren replied.

Jack looked up. "How do you know?"

Warren leaned forward and their eyes were inches apart. "Because," he said softly, "I used to be one."

Recognition lit up the black prawn's features. "You're that hybrid we saved?"

Warren chuckled and pointed at his prawn appendages. "Who's the hybrid?"

"Wow. I've never heard of one of you disgusting humans going through the Change. I didn't think it was possible."

"Watch yourself," Warren shot back. "You may know who I am, but I'm also sure the authorities would like to get their hands on you, from what you're guilty of."

"I'm trying to leave that life behind," Jack said forlornly. "It's done me more harm than good for the last time."

"I don't believe that for an instant, but as I've been placed in charge of you for the time being, we should get you cleaned up."

Several hours later, Jack had been cleaned up and fresh bandages applied to his wounds; his face had at least stopped bleeding during the night, but working the dried blood off had been quite a challenge. It was during this time that Warren learned that while prawns were, in fact, functionally bi-gendered, the majority tended to swing in one direction or another.

Just like Kisa had told him last night. That he had none of the other side's' plumbing' would make him more noticeable.

When Kisa returned, a bundle of supplies in an old laundry basket under one arm and what looked like a broken stereo under the other, they were talking about Christopher, with Jack describing the Seven Queens' probable reaction and end-result.

"…do you really think they would invade?" Warren was asking.

"I don't see why they wouldn't," the black prawn replied. "They'll show up and demand those responsible. Failure for the human governments to act would have them drown the human species under an army of Poleepkwa troops, assuming they simply didn't just destroy all cities from orbit."

The door opened, and Kisa struggled inside with her heavy load.

"Hi," Warren said, trying to put as much joy as he could into the simple word. He rose to help her, catching the stereo as it slipped and fell.

"Where did you find this thing?" he asked, looking it over.

"MNU wouldn't let me take much of my belongings when we were evicted," she chirped, not meeting his gaze. "I want to listen to the news again. Can you… help me fix it?"

"I'd be more than happy to," he replied, setting it down on the ground and helping her unpack what she'd acquired; a few cans of food, soup, some fish, and more first aid equipment, including disinfectant gel.

"What was that about destroying human cities from orbit?" she asked.

"I was…" Jack coughed, "telling Warren what I think will probably be the Seven Queens' reaction when they hear of our plight on this world."

"They won't just destroy humans out of hand," Kisa mused. "They'll demand that those responsible face justice."

"I can understand that, but where does it end?" Warren said excitedly, mandibles clacking. "MNU was contracted on by the government, at the insistence of the people, when your people began rioting and causing mayhem throughout the city."

Kisa looked angry, Jack… remorseful.

"Oh, I know now that it was only a few individuals," he continued, before Kisa could hiss an angry retort. "But you gotta admit, you all kind of look alike, aside from… plate coloration. So what will they do? Blow up the entire fookin' city?"

They had no answer.

"One way or another," Kisa noted, "We will all find out in three years."

It was late evening when Anthony and Darren arrived; Warren had spent the entire evening tinkering with the radio and teaching the light and dark prawns how to play cards. They were in the middle of a hand of crazy eights, with the Grasslander up to his elbows in the radio's innards when they came in and sat down.

"…that should do it," Warren muttered, and replaced the back panel, screwing it into place and plugging it in. To his relief, there was no popping, fizzling, or other sounds fried electronics made. Raising the antenna, he turned on the radio, and was surprisingly relieved to hear static come out of the speakers.

"You did it!" Kisa gurgled contentedly.

"That I did," Warren clicked, playing with the knob, trying to find a radio station in range. After a few moments, the unit picked up some local dance band, and Warren worked to find the exact spot with best reception.

…No I don't know how I got here, but I know I'm missing you
And I know the day is coming when I'll be back inside your arms
but as much as I believe it that day seems so far…

Warren recoiled as if struck as recognition – and the import of the lyrics – registered. He sniffed sadly, fighting back tears.

Kisa and Jack must have sensed the sudden change in his mood when he didn't move, for she came over and draped an arm over his shoulder.

"What is it?" she clicked softly.

So I kiss the sky goodbye, and pretend I'm by your side

And in this dark I'll feel your light

I was loved, I am loved, I'll be loved… I'll kiss the sky…

"This is Kiss the Sky," he clicked as the chorus played. "We danced to this at my wedding, me and Tania…"

"It was very emotional for you, wasn't it," she said, stroking his head.

Anthony and Darren were ignoring them… mostly. They were listening to Jack as he explained the rules of crazy eights.

Warren nodded once.

"Dance to it," Kisa told him, and he looked into her eyes. "I've seen and heard of dancing, but have never actually seen it myself."

"I'm not putting on a fookin' show for you," he growled more savagely than he intended, grasping her hand when she pulled it away…

Tania was washing dishes with the radio playing when Kiss the Sky began to play. A wave of emotion hit her, and she felt herself beginning to well up, but fought the tears back down. She turned out the main light, plunging the kitchen into semi-darkness, lit only by the light above the sink, and recalled their wedding night.

It was so clear in her mind… the swaying lights, the semi-darkness, and the music. The dance floor was mostly empty, and he pulled her close. There were no worries, no fears, no secrets and no hiding from their shared passion.

She looked into his eyes and forgot that he was gone…

Everytime the wind blows, I hear it call your name
and even in the darkness I can see your face.
Every second brings my freedom much closer into view.
So the ocean will not hold me… and I'll be one with you.

She found herself slowly spinning, swaying to the rhythm. Lost in Wikus' arms, she buried her face in his chest and swam, swam in the energy of the crowd, savoring the moment so it would last forever…

…in a shack in District 10, Wikus/Warren was openly weeping now, eyes closed, as he swayed in time to the music, ignoring the others as his mind brought his wedding night back with crystal clarity. He remembered how she had cuddled up to him even as they danced, swaying slowly, letting nothing interfere with the moment, inscribing it into their memories so it would last a thousand years.

So I kiss the sky goodbye, and pretend I'm by your side

And in this dark I'll feel your light

I'll be loved, I'll be loved, I'll be loved… I'll kiss the sky…

He pictured himself walking up his driveway and her seeing him coming, throwing open the front door and tackling him with delight, tears of joy streaming down her angelic face. He pictured Piet, the backstabbing bastard that he was, shaking his hand, grateful that the whole unpleasant ordeal was over with, and welcoming him back into his life without any doubts or fears at all.

Kisa stood back and watched Warren move. She found herself trying to emulate him, hips bobbing to the beat.

So that is dancing, she thought. I'd like to try it. But will he let me…? Deciding the worst that could happen is he'd push her away, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him. To her surprise, he reciprocated, pulling her close, and he purred contentedly.

I kiss the sky goodbye, and pretend I'm by your side

And in this dark I'll feel the light

I'll be loved, I'll be loved, I'll be loved… I'll kiss the sky…

He pressed her close, as if so engrossed by the moment he had completely forgotten where he was. Which was fine to her, for she was finally being held in his arms, and there were no qualms, no second thoughts on his features at all as he wept for the life he had lost.

She stifled a purr of her own, not wanting to interrupt his dream, the rhythm of the moment, and his hands dropped to her hips. She allowed him to guide her motions, and they began grinding just as the song began to wind itself to a close. When it ended, he was trembling as if in pain. She pulled him even closer, and sensed more than smelled the hormones that were coursing though him.

Kisa was suddenly fearful – yet at the same time, wasn't at all afraid, wanting nothing more than to see Warren happy. If he was becoming… aroused… then that would please her, and in more than a few ways.

Being what they were, that was no small task. To see the bliss intermixed with such powerful grief awed her…

The song came to an end, and Tania found herself sobbing. Yet she couldn't shake the feeling that, somewhere out there, her Wikus was out there, yearning to be reunited with her, having just heard the same song, felt the same feelings, thought the same thoughts…

Oh, Wikus… I love you…

Shaking her head as if the action would clear it of what was passing through it; she blew her nose, wiped her eyes and returned to her housework…

"Thank you," Warren clicked softly to Kisa as the announcer came on, announcing the last several songs that had played.

"Are you okay?" Anthony clicked; the two turned around and saw the other three staring at them.

Warren and Kisa looked at each other.

"I'm going for a walk," Warren chirped, "Before the sun goes down."

"I'll come with you-" Kisa said.

"No," he said sternly. "I need to be alone for a little bit, figure a few things out." Her expression fell slightly, but perked back up when he told her he wouldn't be going far. Without another word, he ducked out the door and vanished.

She sighed, turning and rejoining the others at the rickety table they were playing cards on.

"So what's the suit?" she clicked, and they resumed playing…