Lilac walks up to the shore of the lake; removing her boots, she sits by the water's edge, letting the water lap over her feet. As Lilac stares out over the lake, Hanna holds back, hesitant; after a few moments, she awkwardly sits herself beside Lilac, hugging her knees, pointedly keeping out of the water.

"Look, I…" Hanna begins, not really sure of what to say; Lilac turns her head slightly, waiting for Hanna to continue. "It's just that…" Hanna continues, still hesitant. "I mean… it can't be easy, being here… with what happened to you…"

"No, it isn't easy," Lilac replies, hoping to put Hanna at ease. "It's an experience no-one should ever go through, to have a part of yourself removed and then be subjected to… that." Hanna notices Lilac reaching for a hair whip without seemingly being aware of doing so. "It's weird to think that it was all over so quickly, the whole Brevon thing; it feels like such a huge part of my life, and yet it was just four days."

"I didn't come out here to listen to your sob story." Hanna's choice of words would normally be spoken with venom, but she speaks softly.

"I know," Lilac replies. "That's why I'm not giving you one."

The pair remain silent for a minute or so. "I never got the chance before," Hanna speaks suddenly, "but… I should really have thanked you for helping me when I went crazy."

Lilac turns to face Hanna directly. "Helping people is what I do," she replies, unsure why Hanna is suddenly being so open with her.

"That and saving planets," Hanna adds; again, the normal venom is completely absent.

"Yeah, I did do that once," Lilac sighs, looking out over the lake again. "I had help though."

"From a couple of kids," Hanna observes. "And one of them wasn't even combat-trained."

"Fate was smiling on us that day," Lilac philosophises.

"Speaking of Fate… I found my parents four weeks ago," Hanna reveals after a few more moments of silence.

"That's great news!" Lilac congratulates. "But if you don't mind me asking, why did Fate remind you of that?"

"Aquila captured my friends and left me tied to a tree alone to die," Hanna explains. "Fate saw to it that I was saved… by my mother. We then went to save my friends, but were captured ourselves; Fate once again intervened when Aquila's lieutenant turned out to be none other than my father."

"Fate works in mysterious ways… Who's Aquila?"

"A very long story. I dread the day he returns."

"I know what you mean; I'm not exactly looking forward to meeting Brevon again." Lilac reaches for a hair whip a second time.

"Aquila's a dragon."

"Hm."

"I always seem to make enemies of dragons."

"I'm not your enemy. Never have been, never will be."

"Thanks; that… actually helps."

"Sorry. I can't help being helpful; I know that's something you don't like about me."

Hanna turns to face Lilac; Lilac is surprised to see Hanna's eyes are moist. "Don't ever apologise for who you are," Hanna demands softly. "I don't like you, and never will; you're an interfering do-gooder and a traitor to the Scarves. However, I respect you for all you have done for this world… and for me. If it wasn't for you, I'd…" Hanna hangs her head, weeping gently.

"The important thing is you're here now," Lilac soothes.

"I don't deserve to be," Hanna sobs.

"That's not for me to judge," Lilac assures.

"Thanks; that's… reassuring." Hanna looks up again, a small smile now present; slowly, she removes her shoes, and extends her feet into the lake. "Funny thing is, if it wasn't for me not liking you, I'd have never have found that Crystal, and never have met my parents."

"Things never turn out the way you expect," Lilac chuckles.

"I've heard bits of your story from Rob" Hanna reveals. "I think I'd like to hear the whole thing."

"Sounds like you have quite a tale to tell yourself," Lilac replies.

In the den, Rob has joined Xander by the window; after watching Lilac and Hanna for a few moments, he backs away.

"They'll be fine," Rob informs Xander. "No need to keep watching them."

"But what if they start fighting?" Xander asks as he too moves from the window.

"If they were going to fight, they'd have already started," Rob assures. "And don't worry about calling them in for dinner; Carol and I will take them some food in a bit." Rob pauses a moment. "Somehow, I feel their conversation will help both of them more than they think."