A chill breeze kissed Syn's face and arms and she shivered. She took a deep breath. The morning air was crisp and full of wonderful fragrances. The ground beneath her was soft and cool. Was she on a bed again? No. It was grass. She recognized the smell but the blades felt like velvet beneath her. The few patches of grass on Varan were nothing like this. The blades there were coarse and hard, but she knew this was grass. She opened her eyes and sat up. Above her towered the rising mountain peak. The summit was shrouded somewhere above the clouds. She was on a large grassy outcropping overlooking the tree-filled valley far below. Across the valley she saw the twin peak just as impressive as the one above her.

She spotted Piccolo standing at the edge of the cliff, watching the sunrise to the east. It was morning already? What time did they arrive at the crash site? She watched the alien Piccolo. He stood, unmoving, his back to her. The breezed tugged at his white cloak. He was a remarkably powerful creature. His stance, every muscle, every movement of his body commanded a respect, but his eyes...endless black pools always searching for something more than...more than what? His eyes were how she knew he didn't trust her. Perhaps even now he contemplated leaving her on this mountain. He turned to face her, possibly sensing her stare.

"I think I fell down..." she managed, furrowing her brow.

She suddenly realized she had no idea what happened. To her surprise, the creature smiled.

"A tranquilizer. I tried to stop it. They apparently had no intentions in killing you."

She knew he wanted an explanation. She got away with telling him half-truths before but she saw that he did not trust them.

"They want me back. They have a loc on my pod now so they will return. I wanted to destroy it before they could. The droids were probably sent shortly after my take off, to make sure I made my destination."

All true she thought.

"Why so much trouble over a petty thief?" Piccolo was calling her bluff. "What was your crime?"

"I rebelled against a powerful decision...I killed a man."

The pale host's face flashed in her mind.

"Did he deserve death?"

"...No"

She turned from him. There was a pause.

"Why do they want you back?"

She heard Piccolo take a step toward her.

"Why do you ask me these questions?" Syn stared at the gentle swaying of the grass at her feet. "My trouble is not your concern. You can leave me here on this cliff and go on with your life. I would bear you no malice. I would welcome death."

How true that was, she thought.

"I...could not do that." Piccolo said. His voice remained even, impossible to read. "Though you continue to lie, there is undeniably a heavy weight on your shoulders. I sense you are honorable...and that there is something great at stake here."

He took another step forward. She turned and faced him once more. His deep pools searched her own eyes.

"You are an intriguing creature." He said.

She lowered her head and stepped back.

"It must be left at that."

She couldn't allow her hearts to be clouded by any feelings. It could only lead to unnecessary pain. They stood in silence possibly trying to discern each other's thoughts. The chill wind made her shiver once more and she began to cough. She covered her mouth and braced herself against Piccolo's arm. The fit subsided and she looked at her hand. Blue blood spattered the green flesh.

"Are you alright?"

Piccolo's deep voice reached her.

"Of course." she smiled. "Perhaps this cold air is too much for a cold blooded lizard like me."

"Perhaps." he agreed, removing his cloak and draping it over her shoulders." I will take you back to West City."

* * *

The flight returning to Bulma's was silent. Syn remained wrapped in Piccolo's cloak, but he felt the occasional convulsion as the woman shivered in the cool morning air. When they arrived, Bulma was setting breakfast out for Vegeta and Krillin. Piccolo walked in the back door followed by Syn.

"You're back! I was beginning to get worried."

Bulma rushed to their side, looking them both up and down. She had become much fussier after Trunks was born. She was more like a mother.

"We ran into trouble."

Piccolo moved on by Bulma and sat down in the next room. He could hear Syn telling Bulma and Krillin her story. She left out many of the details she had revealed to him. She was keeping distant. He knew that. She did not want to put any of them in the danger she must be in. He had worked that out on the fly home. He leaned back in the chair and closed his eyes. The only thing he could do was wait.

The rest of the week seemed uneventful. Bulma had insisted Syn stay with them. After many futile arguments, she was left with no choice but to stay. Piccolo resolved to stay nearby, sure that her enemies would return. He spent this time observing her. She was learning about the ways and people of Earth. Bulma took an honest liking to her and the rest of the gang also accepted her easily. They trusted her because Piccolo accepted her.

For the most part, Syn avoided Piccolo and regarded him warily when they were in the same room. It was as if she thought he knew some deep dark secret and would expose her to the world. He noticed that she would on occasion become feint from coughing spells. She claimed it was adjusting to this rich air. That was a lie like everything else that came from her mouth.