Amber thought the journey from the farm to the mall would never end. The tension between Pride and Lex was so thick that she could cut it with a knife. She feared the worst every night they made camp as she watched the venomous looks that passed between them. Many times she cornered Lex and made him promise that he would let it be. He agreed but Amber knew the peace would be short lived.
When they arrived at the mall Pride took Salene upstairs to res. He was being very gentle and kind but Amber felt that there was something more to it than that. He had so much pent up anger and there was no telling if it would blow or when or how it would happen. But he was going to explode, it was just a matter of time. Amber hoped it would be later than sooner.
"Amber what do you say?" Lex asked.
"What?" Amber asked dumbly waking from her reverie.
"I asked you if you wanted to check out the mall and see what's left?"
"Yeah, sure."
Amber and Lex headed for the café hoping to find some food. As they came around the corner Lex saw a shadow on the wall.
"Shh." He said pulling Amber against the wall.
The shadow moved across the wall closer to them. Lex waited to take his chance. Finally the moment presented itself. Lex leapt upon the intruder tackling him to the ground. But not to be defeated the intruder pushed Lex off and spun around to face him.
"Jay?" Lex exclaimed.
"Lex, Amber?" Jay said equally as surprised.
Amber ran up to him and paused then he pulled her into a great bear hug. "I've missed you." He whispered.
"I've missed you too." She said looking deep into his eyes.
"When I didn't find you here I was so so afraid that..."
"Don't be afraid." She said gently putting her hand to his lips.
They embraced again tears in both of their eyes.
Pride helped Salene into the bed and covered her. She had slowly regained some of her strength but the pregnancy was wearing on her. Pride pulled a chair to the edge of the bed. Salene tried to take his hand but he pulled away.
"Pride?" She said sitting up on her elbows.
"Hmm"
"You must be exhausted. Come to bed, rest awhile."
"I can't." Pride said shaking his head and turning away.
"Why?"
"You don't need me taking up all the space in the bed, and besides I snore."
"This is about Lex isn't it?" Salene asked bitterly.
"No," Pride lied.
Salene got up from the bed and went to Pride. She tried to put her arms around his shoulders but he pulled away from her.
"Pride?" She said dejectedly.
"This is about Lex." Pride muttered.
"What?"
"I said this is about Lex." Pride said bitterly. "I thought I could get past this but I can't."
"What are you saying?" Salene choked.
"I'm saying I can't get past you and Lex. Every time you touch me I can only see.."
"Lex and I" Salene finished. "Pride, it was one night and were both feeling weak and vulnerable." Salene said tearfully.
"And was I just one night to you?" pride retorted angrily.
"Pride you were....I mean are the only one I want to be with!" Salene exclaimed.
"Were? Are? Which one is it Salene?" He retorted ruefully.
"You are!" Salene cried. "Pride I loved you from the moment I first saw you. We're soulmates you said so yourself!"
"Then why did you betray me?"
"Because Pride, up to a few months ago I thought you were dead." Salene said angrily.
"You know the Technos played tricks on us before. You could have searched for me!"
"Pride how could I know? I saw your body, we buried you."
"Then maybe you should think of me that way!" Pride yelled storming off.
Amber, Jay, and Lex heard the yelling and ran upstairs. They found Salene sitting on the bed she looked weak her complexion was extremely pale. Amber sat down next to her touching her forehead. She frowned. Salene's fever was back up again. Salene was shaking uncontrollably. Lex knelt next to the bed holding her icy cold hand.
"Salene." Amber said looking into her eyes.
Salene stared back at her with lifeless eyes.
"Salene, what is it?" Lex tried. "We heard yelling, are you all right, where's Pride?"
"He's gone." She managed weakly.
"What do you mean?" Amber asked.
Salene broke down into tears. "It's my fault, he was so angry..."
"Shhhh Salene, it's all right. It's not good for you getting upset like this. Think of the baby." Lex soothed pulling her into his arms.
"We'll look for him." Amber offered. "Rest Salene. Please for the baby's sake."
Salene nodded lying down on the bed still sobbing. Lex held her hand gently stroking it as she sobbed into her pillow.
Jay looked on sympathetically as Amber rose and they walked out the doorway.
"Pride?" Jay asked as they walked down the stairs.
"It's a long story that I don't quite understand myself. When we find him you can ask him."
"You have any idea where he is?"
Amber shook her head. "You?"
Jay shook his head. "Maybe one but it's a long shot."
