She stared at the ceiling, watching the shadows dance from the withering candles and the droplets that buffeted the window. She cursed herself, unable to keep from revisiting her foolishness in her head. She gripped the edge of the comforter tightly every time the moment he pushed her away unfolded in her memory, repeating, relentless. One moment, one second of impulsiveness, and she had turned her haven into another prison as she found herself both terrified and expectant for the morning to come.

She pressed her fingers to the side of her face warily, padding the area of her bruise, feeling nothing. She sighed. At the very least, one good thing had come of this debacle.

Sindel almost sank back into her lament, ceasing upon hearing a strange knocking. She froze, listening for the source, now lost amongst the incessant patter of the rain on the window. Quickly she attempted to replicate it in her mind, trying to discern cues of its direction. She strained to hear it again beneath the howl of the wind.

Without warning a terrifying clap of thunder exploded outside, startling her upright as she feared the worst, heart racing. Like a child expended of energy after a tantrum, a small lull followed the explosion. She attempted to take advantage of the silence, listening attentively.

A minute passed. Then another.

Thump.

Sindel paused. Without a doubt the noise had come from outside the room, down to the right end of the hallway. The bone-chilling image of Shao Kahn flashed before her eyes again, provoking another lump in her throat.

No, she thought. He would make his presence known by now. Subtlety he reserves for his henchmen.

She speculated for a moment, ruminating on the possibility of a Tarkatan, or even Reiko. Still she sat rooted in place, until she heard the voice from earlier echo in her mind.

Courage does not mean acting without fear. It means persevering even when you are afraid.

Sindel reflected on his words, kneading the edge of the comforter, torn between what action to take. If one of Kahn's informants was here, were to find her harbored in the thunder god's refuge, there was no telling what would happen if it got back to the emperor.

She thought of Kitana.

She yanked back the sheet.

Standing up, the queen went to step forward before catching herself, hovering but a few inches above the straw floor. She floated silently to the screen, cracking the panel open just enough to peek through the crevice. Sindel observed the empty hallway, sweeping from left to right in case her ears had misled her. No sign of intruders.

She fought the urge to exhale in relief, still attentive to any disturbance. She focused on the stretch of the hallway on her right, scanning the screens for any sign of unusual activity. Nothing seemed out of place.

Forgetting her attempt at remaining silent, Sindel sighed. Slowly she began to close the door until she heard a sharp scratch. She put her eye to the opening again, looking back to the hall and noticing a soft glow behind one panel, the furthermost on the opposite end.

Sindel held her breath, cautiously pushing the screen further aside, taking agonizingly long with her task as she attempted to complete it without a sound. With enough clearance she floated through, levitating down the length of the hallway, wary of signs of a possible ambush.

She approached the screen, hesitant to pull it back just yet. She stopped to listen, hearing nothing but the muffled, steady pounding of rain against the temple walls. Preparing herself for the possibility of an attack, she placed a hand on the frame, her resolve cementing as she inched it opened soundlessly.
Immediately she put her better eye to the opening, looking into the room and inspecting it as best she could with her limited scope of vision; it was not drastically different from her own, save for the complete lack of furniture. At the opposite end sat a figure unfamiliar to Sindel, who suppressed the gasp that threatened to escape her as she leaned back from the screen, fearing the room's occupant would turn around at any given moment.

She waited a second, but unable to fight her curiosity, she dipped forward, pausing to take in the stranger's appearance; long hair, loosely kempt, and simple robes. Color was lost to her in the dim light that cast the silhouette from behind.

She strained, struggling to identify the shape from where she levitated, her memory failing her. Anticipatorily strands of her hair stood on end, lifting higher as the empress plotted her first strike.

"If I awoke you, I apologize," came the familiarly low voice from within the room. Sindel jumped back, her hair falling flat.

"…Raiden?" she called out softly, nudging the door open a small amount as she cautiously put her face closer to the frame. The figure kneeled to the opposite wall, sparse candles barely illuminating his outline as he appeared to meditate in isolation.

"You should be resting," came the retort as the stranger turned his head, revealing to Sindel his familiar profile – the soft hook of his nose, the prominent lips, the hazy glow from his eyes – confirming his identity. She struggled for words.

"I… I just…" she stammered, her hand slipping down on the wooden frame as she faltered.

He blinked, seemingly giving her an opportunity to finish. Evidently her time ran out; the glow from his eyes faded, signaling the return of his attention to the candles.

"There is no one here but you and I," he stated simply. "You are safe. Go to bed. Unless there is something else you require."

She bit her lip, dejected at his dismissal.

"I wanted…" she started, choosing her words carefully, hope dwindling as he appeared to ignore her.

"…I wanted to say that I am sorry."

She floated all the way down to the floor silently, leaning against the edge of the frame, eyes downcast.

"I was not thinking straight," she continued, staring at her hand in her lap. "But that is no excuse for how I acted. I just… I was so thankful… for an ally, a friendly face…"

Her hand balled into a fist, digging her pointed nails into her palm.

"But I erred in expressing my gratitude," she went on. She rested her head against the casing.

"I know it may seem a pathetic excuse, but know that I am sincere. Please."

Sindel closed her exhaustion-riddled eyes, ignoring the blotches of color that danced behind her eyelids. Still no response.

"If you no longer wish to speak to me, I would understand."

She rested for a moment longer, not anticipating a response, simply too tired to exert the energy necessary to take herself back to her quarter. Besides, was that not what he wanted? For her to rest? She came dangerously close to dozing right then and there, until the light beyond her eyes appeared to cease.

"Do you honestly believe that?"

Sindel snapped back, unprepared for the closeness of his voice. She looked up to find the deity towering in front of her, blocking the candle light and looking down on his guest with a stern expression. She struggled for words.

"I… I just… from your…" she sputtered, desperately searching for what she hoped he wanted to hear. Even in the shadows, however, she watched the light of his eyes soften.

"You believe I would turn my back on you for such a transgression?" he asked her.

Raiden crouched down on one knee before her, making visible to her the strands of silver hair that hung in his face, loose from their haphazard topknot. She stared, dumbstruck.

"What kind of ally would that make me?" he asked of the empress, who was unprepared for the warm smirk that graced his expression. Again she found herself at a loss; despite herself, a smile tugged at the corner of her own lips, a small huff of relief escaping from them. But her respite was brief.

"…You are under no obligation to accept my apology," she murmured, deflecting her gaze downward in respect. "I simply wished to explain myself. In the hopes that… at the very least… you would understand."

She glanced upwards to observe his reaction. His smile faltered, softening the lines around his eyes. An involuntary shudder mildly shook the queen's shoulders as the chill of the hallway began to permeate her clothing. He did not address her confession, but stood up, extending a silent hand to her.

Sindel looked up at him, unable to read his expression, but feeling the knot in her stomach loosen. Tentatively she trusted her instinct, taking his hand and rising from where she sat, following where he guided her until he stopped in front of the half-ring of candles. He motioned for her to be seated and took his place beside her as she took advantage of the heat, comforted by the glow. In her temporary distraction she didn't anticipate the heavy fabric that came down on her shoulders; she looked to Raiden, watching as he adjusted the haori that he no longer donned himself. She said nothing, leaving him to finish and waiting until he sat back, directing his attention back to the flickering lights.

Sindel tugged the hems of the covering closer together, huddling in the warmth of the dense cloth, unsure of what to say; unsure if – despite his hospitality – her attempt to apologize had been in vain.

"I understand it is a difficult situation."

She snapped up at the sound of his voice, listening intently. Still he continued to avoid her eyes.

"But even so, there are… boundaries. Things that are not appropriate."

She shrunk, casting her eyes downward as the lump in her throat returned. She drew her lips into a fine line as she anticipated his lecture.

"However," he continued, prompting her to lift her eyes halfway, respectfully avoiding looking directly at him the best she could. "Perhaps I could have taken greater care in my manner of declining your advances."

He turned to her, provoking a small flinch of surprise.

"I accept your apology," he said. "And I hope you will do the same in return for me."

Sindel blinked.

"…Thank you," she finally replied, feeling heat rising in her cheeks, whether from the candles or her own uncertainty, she could not discern, but she paid it no mind. "And there is no need for you to apologize. I crossed a line; I am willing to admit to that."

She returned his gaze, caught off-guard by his expression as he appeared to examine her fixedly. A moment passed before he looked away, appearing pensive.

"I hope you understand why there are such barriers set in place," he commented. Sindel nodded feebly, pulling the edges of the robe more tightly around her.

"The dynamic between gods and mortals can certainly be disastrous if unmonitored," she responded. "I remember hearing of the Elder Gods' displeasure when they first heard of Argus and Delia…"

"That is true," he interrupted her. "But I meant between you and me."

She looked to him, confused.

"I…?"

"I enforce these boundaries because I value our relationship, Sindel," he explained. "As it is."

Her eyes widened as she felt the blush from earlier return, spreading to her neck and chest. She prayed that her flushed complexion wasn't visible in the dim light as she struggled to decipher her own reaction.

"…I understand," she mumbled softly, folding her hands in her lap. She silently thanked the Elder Gods that her companion had not the gift of telepathy and could not hear the conflict that raged in her head as she sat wordlessly.

A long moment of silence passed between the both of them. Still she could not discern his reaction to her answer, and again the knot of nervousness began to grow in her stomach before he spoke again.

"Whatever it is I can do to help," he said as he turned his gaze directly to her, "never hesitate to ask."

Sindel's breath caught at the firmness of his tone, the resolution of his offer. She blinked, withholding her response for a moment as she looked into his eyes, blazing with tenacity. She struggled to form her words, but all that came was a small huff through her nose.

She leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder, prepared for a reaction. As she expected, she could feel the tension return briefly. She waited.
Without a word the stiffness disappeared. Sindel closed her eyes, letting the warmth of the candles permeate the cloth and her robes. The rain outside carried on, masking the silence and passage of time until he spoke again.

"You may stay if you wish," Sindel heard him offer. She shot up, wide-eyed at her friend's proposal. Before she could respond he met her eyes again, his countenance stony.

"Sheeva's offer was generous, but it may be insufficient," he continued. "As long as Shao Kahn's claim to power is threatened, he remains a danger to others. We can retrieve Kitana. You two can hide amongst the refugees."

She felt her jaw drop, a storm of emotions rivaling the tempest outside brewing within her as she struggled to sort through her thoughts.

"At your word," he went on, reading the conflict written plain as day in her expression, "I will do it."

Sindel stared at him, torn. It only seemed logical; what kind of fool would she be to not take him up on his proposition? She clutched the fabric at her knee, breaking his gaze as she looked to the floor.

"…No."

She glanced at him, seeing the baffled reaction that crossed his face.

"If I run, it will only put others in danger," she explained. "Sheeva, the workers at the palace, the citizenry… even you. You would be Shao Kahn's prime suspect. And he would stop at nothing to reclaim what is his."

"He cannot enter Earthrealm on a whim…"

"He will find a way."

There was a pause. Sindel sighed.

"I cannot continue playing victim to my cowardice, Raiden," she said.

"This is not cowardice," Raiden retorted, a clap of thunder booming outside as he spoke. "This is simply an opportunity to regroup, form a strategy…"

"No, it isn't."

"It can be! You can stay here…"

"No."

"I will retrieve Kitana…"

"No, Jerrod!"

At her outburst both were shocked into silence. She watched his expression falter, his eyes flicker down and his lips press into a firm line. The sound of her own voice echoed in her head until her error dawned on her. Shame took vicious hold of Sindel, exacerbating her blush and prompting her to cover her mouth with her hand as she suddenly recognized the source of her nagging sense of familiarity. But just her mouth was not enough; plagued by embarrassment, the queen buried her face in her hands, suppressing the violent gasps that threatened to rack her body. She forced herself to be still, hoping that a few seconds of restraint would be enough for the urges to pass. The silence between them was almost palpable.

"…I am sorry I cannot be that for you," she heard him say flatly. Temporarily drawn out of her stupor, Sindel peeked back to him and saw his expression, a mixture of pity and regret. Her heart sank. But it was done. She could not take it back now.

"It isn't you," she replied dejectedly, slowing dropping her hands from her face. There was another pause as the two refrained from looking directly at each other.

"If there is any other way I can help," Raiden interjected softly, breaking the silence. "I will."

She turned slightly to him, seeing that he had directed his attention back to the candles, some of which had begun to self-extinguish, leaving the others withering, soon to be next. Sindel sighed softly, almost inaudibly. If only she knew how to take him up on his offer; but time was running out. Tomorrow she would be back at the palace, back to living like a possession. Shao Kahn's property. The thought was more than she could bear.

She looked at Raiden, observing the tendrils that hung in his face, the space his robe revealed of his chest and the bandaging of his sarashi on his abdomen. The thought entered her mind before she could fight it; but, after a moment of reflection, she decided to follow through, reasoning that this was her last opportunity to exercise her will before morning.

"…perhaps you can," she murmured, shifting position and leaning closer to her companion. Raiden looked at her, waiting on her request.

"You can be my last stand."

She placed a hand on his cheek, turning his head towards her and watching his expression turn wary, no doubt incensed at what he must have believed was stubbornness on her part. He tugged back.

"We discussed this," he said to her, his voice carrying an undercurrent of warning.

"I know," she replied. "Last time was an act of impulsiveness. This time I have my reasons."

She caught his eyes, seeing the disappointment they harbored.

"Please," she implored him softly, brushing a strand away from his cheek. "This is all I ask."

He studied her, appearing hesitant. She heard him blow a soft huff of air through his nose, closing his eyes briefly. When they reopened, she noted the dimming of their light, the resignation that they signaled. She gulped, hoping that he would understand eventually that she had no other choice; that this was her chance to take something back for herself.

She felt a hand rest on her back, his expression neutral. Slowly she leaned forward, pressing her lips against his own, bracing herself for a reaction, for his sudden withdrawal as he changed his mind, standing by his statement from earlier. She received no signal from him; proceeding cautiously, she wrapped her other arm around his shoulder, keeping their lips locked as she dropped her hand near his collar, bit by bit sliding it underneath his robe.

She slowly moved her hand over his shoulder beneath the fabric, tracing her fingers along its broad slope, using the other one to push back his hair, grabbing a handful of silver locks as she leaned into the kiss, feeling the heat rising to her cheeks. She pulled up, her hand sliding up his neck to caress his jaw, tracing the edge with the tip of her fingernail before she lifted her mouth from his, swallowing for air as she studied his reaction.

She found him staring blankly back at her, unaffected. Sindel's shoulders sunk, discouraged at his complete indifference. She lowered herself back to the ground, touching her forehead to his and keeping her eyes downcast, her arms encircled around his shoulders. She contemplated giving up; after all, what would it have accomplished?

She sighed, waiting for her head to clear, hearing her pulse pound in her ears. She didn't anticipate his hand on her back moving up to her shoulder, nor the small squeeze he gave it, rubbing it in consolation. Looking up, Sindel caught the sympathetic regard Raiden gave her, his expression tired but compassionate.

She lifted her head back up, registering mild surprise at his switch in tone. Did he mean anything by it? Was this all he expected?

Nervously, Sindel brought her lips to his again, daunted by his mixed signals. Like before he did not stop her, but still he remained passive. She broke away again, less than a centimeter separating them as her resolve cemented. She pressed against him, pushing his opposite shoulder back as she shifted from her position, sliding into his lap; she sank into him, dropping her hand onto his chest and sliding it down, rubbing over the bandages, feeling for the muscle underneath as her other cradled the back of his neck, giving her leverage to deepen their kiss, her breathing growing shallower as she fumbled, trying to decide where to go first.

She sensed him tug back a bit; not enough to separate them, but enough that she took his hint and pulled back, watching for his response. He appeared to observe her, his brow furrowed as he noted the blush that spilled across the queen's countenance.

Sindel panted, letting her hands drop, resting her head in the crevice of his neck and shoulder.

"Are you absolutely sure this is what you want?" she heard him ask, his voice low, sounding doubtful. Sindel sighed.

"All I am sure of," she started, nuzzling into his collar, "is that I can only imagine Shao Kahn's reaction if he were to see this."

Despite herself, a half-hearted chuckle escaped her at her dark little joke. She closed her eyes, content to rest on his shoulder until she felt him tense up. She jerked back, caught by surprise as his other arm wound around her waist. She looked back at him, thrown off-guard at the sight of his eyes, blazing brilliantly like she had never seen before. Before she could ask him what was wrong he pulled her in, his lips crashing against hers unexpectedly.

Sindel flinched, unprepared for his turnaround. Her arms were pinned against his chest as his own tightened around her abdomen, pulling her deeper into their impromptu kiss. She struggled, finally wriggling her arms out from his grasp to lock them around his neck, more than enthusiastic to reciprocate his gesture.

So eager was she that she leaned in whole-heartedly, attempting only to indulge in the scent of his skin, the roughness of his kiss, unintentionally pushing him on his back in the process. They collided on the floor, temporarily snapped out of their fervor by the sudden impact. As they broke away Sindel panted, feeling her heart pounding against her ribcage. She blinked, pausing to observe the deity's reaction, only to find him doing the same.

She huffed, falling back onto him without another word, sealing the gap between them again. She cradled his jaw, unable to stop the noise that escaped her as his hands slid up to her shoulders, pushing off both his coat and her robe to her elbows. She pulled up, still straddling his waist between her generous thighs, huffing as she looked back down to him, her hands on his chest, his own under-robe falling off of one shoulder. Still she noted a lack of substantial reaction on his end, or at least from what she could read. Calmly, deliberately, his hands slipped under her robes, sliding down her waist until they rested at her hips.

Sindel shuddered, pulse pounding, arms weak; she trembled as she leaned back down, aiming for his lips but missing as he ducked his head aside, settling into the crevice of her neck, planting his lips below her jaw. She was powerless to stifle her gasp, feeling her muscles go limp as she settled on top of him. He slinked his arms back around her waist, rubbing his hands along her back as another whimper left her, then another.

Finally one settled on the square of her back; Raiden stopped, prompting her to pull back up to see what was wrong.

"…Why did you…?" she started before she saw small sparks travel down his forearms, evoking the jittery buzz she had felt when he healed her, the soft tingling that simmered beneath the surface. The hair on her own arms stood on end as she reveled in the sensation.

"Relax," he told her. Her eyes widened as she attempted to decipher his insinuation. Nervously she nodded.

She felt his fingertips press against the small of her back, unprepared for the surge of static that diffused from the base of her spine, the warm chill that shot up through her vertebrae, spreading through to the tips of her extremities. A moan escaped from her lips as she shut her eyes, indulging in the experience, arching her back before collapsing on top of him.

With what little was left of her energy she wrapped her arms back around his neck, snuggling into his collarbone, her breathing ragged. It took a second for her to register the stroke of his fingers through her hair, his other arm draped loosely around her waist. She let out a contented sigh, turning her head to plant her lips on his neck. He lay still.

As her strength returned she slowly placed more kisses along his shoulder, tracing the line up to the back of his skull with the tip of her nail. Without warning he grabbed her wrist, lightly bringing it back around his neck. She looked at him, nonplussed.

"What is it?" she asked him. He brushed a long strand away before answering, tucking it behind her ear.

"Nothing," he replied. "Just imagining Shao Kahn flinging his spittle at the thought of his queen in Earthrealm."

She huffed humorously, leaning back in for another kiss. He blocked her, looking down when she stared at him perplexedly.

"…There is no convincing you to stay for your safety, is there?"

Sindel's eyes softened. She shook her head.

"I need to deal with him myself, Raiden," she said, resting her chin on his chest. "I tire of others fighting my battles for me."

Raiden's brow furrowed. He sat up, pulling her with him.

"Who said anything about fighting?"

Her expression relaxed, marked by a note of resignation.

"There is no way he will pardon me for my absence, Raiden," she explained forlornly.

"But he does not know…?"

"He was suspicious of Sheeva before this whole ordeal, Raiden," she replied. "Her secrecy will no doubt be just one of many transgressions he will hold against her."

"Then how do you propose to aid her?"

She looked down.

"…Sacrifices must be made."

She looked up, watching his eyes light up with indignation.

"No," he urged her. She shook her head.

"I must."

"You cannot return to Shao Kahn," Raiden began to plead with her. "He will kill you."

"And what is the alternative?" she asked of him. "Spending the rest of my days under his control?"

She placed her hand over his own.

"There are fates worse than death, Raiden."

She watched his eyes widen as her implication dawned.

"Sindel, please…"

"If I don't do it, he will, Raiden," she explained to the deity as he continued to shake his head. "I cannot give him that satisfaction."

Raiden glanced down, visibly disturbed by her words. She lifted his chin, forced him to look at her.

"You have already done more than enough for me," she thanked him. "Now let me do this for others. While we still have the upper hand."

She dipped forward, planting a small kiss on his cheek. She sat back, watching his eyes soften in acquiescence.

"There is no convincing you otherwise?"

She shook her head.

"No."

Raiden sighed deeply, looking back at her for a long moment.

"Then come," he ordered her, pulling her robes back up over her shoulders, taking her hand in his. "If we are to return tomorrow, you will need your rest. This is hardly the best place for you to get it."

He stood halfway up, helping her off of her feet and steadying her as she stood. She looked up at him.

"If I may?" she asked politely. He raised an eyebrow.

"Yes?"

"When we return to my quarter, will you dignify me with your company for the night?"

He blinked, his lips parting as he began to formulate his objection. But he saw the tired look in her eyes, the resolution that hid within. He pursed his lips.

"If it is your final request as my guest… so be it."

"Thank you," she replied, gathering her robes. She continued to look in his softly glowing eyes.

"And when you do," she added, catching his attention again. She tugged at the hem of his robe.

"Will you help me make my truly final stand?"

He sighed, leaning forward, planting a small kiss in the middle of her forehead, smoothing back her hair as he stood back up before placing his hand on her cheek.

"What happens, happens," he answered her kindly.

He looped his arm through hers, walking her over and opening the panel, following her through as he shut it behind them.