Following the Relay Outpost event, Noble Team were given a spare day at base to relax a bit. They had a long day so deserved it, at least is what Shade had been quite long for her and Nick. They were being transported back to base when Nick pulled out the device again. Shade remembered something she wanted to ask. ''What did that Elitr say to you?'' They were flying with Carter and Jun again, both not understanding the question, but not questioning her.

''I'd rather not explain with a live audience.'' Nick replied. ''Not to say I need to murder your two accomplices.'' he added, just in case either took it the wrong way. ''It's just...personal.'' Carter couldn't argue with that. The rest of the way was silent. Not much could be said, really. Every now and then Shade would move her hand to her chest. No-one questioned it.

Eventually, they arrived back where Shade first met Noble and Nick. It was gonna a hard job not calling him Tavu from here on out. Everyone headed inside and more specifically, to sleep. It was late after all. Night was fast approaching. But that didn't stop the two close soldiers from staying up. Unfortunately for their privacy, they were in a room with Emile. Probably the worst choice considering Nick's earlier threat to kill the man should he repeat a certain phrase. And because Shade stayed up, Emile stayed up. There was simply no way around it. He would just have to br forced to keep his mouth shut about what Nick was going to explain to Shade. ''Skull face, don't tell anyone about what you hear from me.'' Nick hissed at him.

''As long as I get to listen to the love part of you two.'' Emile replied. Shade's helmet was off at this point, so she couldn't hide her blush at it. It even made Nick blush a bit. ''Heh. You know you're getting good at poking fun at love when you make a big guy blush.'' Emile added, actually sounding pretty pleased.

Nick growled lowly. Emile was right, he felt himself blush. He thought admitting it would just hurt his remaining pride. He looked at Shade and she turned to lock eyes with him. In his mind, Nick could just see Emile saying ''Now kiss.'' but he was glad to not hear it actually said. ''You want to know about the reset, correct?'' he guessed. Shade nodded her confirmation. ''It is difficult to explain, but you and I are connected in spirit. If one of us dies, time reverses to a point when we were both alive. While we may remember it happening, others do not.'' he explained as best he could. Shade understood it for the most part. What she didn't understand was why them. Emile, however, was completely dumbstruck. ''Must be too confusing for skull face to understand. Perfect.'' Emile actually agreed with him for once.

''Can we move on to that device you have?'' Emile asked, hoping to get something easier to know. Nick gave him a questioning look. ''If you're wondering how I know, I sneaked a peek at you looking at it. Same deal on the way back here.'' he added.

''Very well, Demon.'' Nick replied. Before he could start explaining anything, however, Emile interrupted.

''Can you not call me Demon? My name is Emile. Hell, even skull face works better then Demon.'' Emile groaned. Nick grumbled to himself.

''So be it, Emile.'' Nick responded. ''I haven't yet looked at the contents of this, but I know it is some sort of technology for communication.'' he explained.

''Sounds like the Covenant version of letters.'' Shade said. ''Considering it's delivery by hand, it seems close.''

''Perhaps. I wonder what is on it...'' Emile agreed.

Nick activated it and watched as a female Sangheili, unarmored, appeared in hologram.

''A hologram? Covenant have just gotta one-up us, huh?'' Emile remarked, though a short growl from Nick made him silent.

The holographic female started talking, and Nick translated. ''Why did you have to flee to Reach, Tavu? Surely you must have known that I was with child. Are you just being foolish, running from your own mistakes, your own heresy?'' Here she pauses to growl to herself. ''I have requested this message be taken to you, and all in hopes you will come back to me. I am lucky as it is to be left alone, despite bearing one of ours. Someday, I hope it makes it into your head that I miss you. Please. Consider your options carefully. When you make your choice, send word back here to me. Remember that, despite all of this, I still love you.'' The hologram faded and the room grew silent. Not even Emile had anything to say.

After a moment of silence, Nick picked up the device and put it away. ''Hey, Tavu. You know, I may have said some stuff about you and Six, but...I'm genuinely sorry you had this message about you leaving your mate while she was pregnant. How could you have known?'' For once, Emile wasn't trying to mess with anyone. He really was being sincere.

''Thank you for what little comfort you can offer, but... You're not exactly correct.'' Nick said with a sigh. ''I did know about the child. And I am ashamed for leaving her with it unborn.'' Shade moved to put an arm around Nick. She had moved next to him, resting her head on his shoulder. ''Shade... I...I don't know how I am supposed to get my message returned to her. There's no way she alone could have convinced anyone to ignore all my wrongdoings.''

''You really think she couldn't have in any way? Come on. She's a woman. Women can be convincing and strong. Just look at me. Not to say men aren't, kinda of the same level there.'' Shade said.

''Were it so easy... I may believe you, but they don't.'' Nick replied, softly playing with her hair. It wasn't too long, but black.

''You two.'' Emile said, catching their attention. ''Don't stay up too late. Never know when next mission comes in. I'll be going to sleep, just don't leave camp right now. Even Spartans need rest. And I'm sure Elites do too.'' With that, Emile went over to his bed and lay on it, going to sleep with all his armor on, which didn't seem comfortable at all. Nick and Shade sat there for a while, his hand gently running through her hair. After a while, Shade stopped moving. Nick looked at her face and could tell that she had fallen asleep. He spent a few moments thinking about his mate and unborn child back on his home world. Would they be alright without him? He looked at Shade once more. Her helmet was nearby. He made sure it was in reach and pulled it a bit closer. He took off his own helmet and set it down next to hers. Gently, making sure not to wake her, he moved himself and Shade so he was leaning against a wall and brought the helmets with him. Smiling to himself, Nick ran his hands through her hair a few more times before he too closed his eyes and slept.