Author's Note: I feel really bad…every time I get busy, this is the story that stops getting updated first. Well, I think it's finally starting to come to an end (there still will probably be at least three more chapter after this one, though). Ok, I'm going to stop rambling now…

Thank you Pascy, Nezy, and Aerrow4eva so much for reviewing and for being so patient. You're awesome!

Disclaimer: I don't own the Storm Hawks.

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The next day, the rain came. It pattered down softly, like a cleansing mist, but the Dark Ace knew from the color of the sky and the ominous thunder in the distance that worse was to come. Both silently packed up their tent and hiked towards one of the multiple rocky mountains, looking for a cave to shelter.

The Cyclonians were in luck, as they slipped into a thin crevice in the side of a cliff right before the sky burst and sheets of rain poured down. Lightning crackled and thunder rumbled, and they couldn't see three feet in front of the cave. Cyclonis shivered involuntarily.

Instantly, Dark Ace wrapped his arm around her shoulders. She pressed into his lean chest, craving his warmth. "Come on," he whispered in her ear. "Let's go. There will be shelter deeper in this cave. It'll be warmer."

"I like it here," Cyclonis replied. "I like just watching the rain. Can we just stay for awhile?" She was shivering, and for a moment he considered refusing, but she seemed so vulnerable and pleading. He pulled her onto his lap, wrapping his arms around her, a human blanket.

After a couple minutes, Dark Ace realized Cyclonis shaking. He drew her in closer, to feel wetness on her cheeks. It was the wetness of tears.

"Cy? What's wrong?" he whispered.

She broke down completely, sobbing in his arms. "It's this whole…stupid…thing, this trying to reach Perfect Attunement," she cried.

"Don't get upset at yourself, I mean, we knew it wouldn't be instantaneous," he said soothingly. "It just needs a bit more time to work."

She let out a laugh, a mad cackle, and she was utterly in hysterics, giggling and crying at the same time. The laughter faded, but the tears did not. "It's not that it's not working. It is working. It's working too well. I'm falling in love, and I don't want to be, and it's too late. I can't stop. I can't go back. And as soon as we get this Perfect Attunement and defeat the Storm Hawks, then what? We just go back to the way things were? This was such a stupid idea! I wish I had never thought of it! I wish that we had both just been killed in the last battle!" She buried her head in his chest, crying even harder on his shoulder, clutching him for comfort.

The Dark Ace was silent for a minute, pondering all that she said. Finally he replied, "Forget about it." She stared at him in confusion. "Forget about reaching Perfect Attunement, or fighting the Storm Hawks. It doesn't really matter, not that much."

Her eyes were wide with amazement. "You would give up defeating Aerrow for me?"

"I would give up anything if it made you happy."

She smiled weakly. "But what else is there to do, besides defeat the Storm Hawks?"

"We're in a new land. We'll have a skimmer, some crystals, supplies, and each other. That's all we really need. We can make a peaceful life for ourselves here."

Cyclonis laughed, tears still streaming down her face. "The Dark Ace, ready to become some peasant farmer for the rest of his life because it would make me happy? You know, servitude only goes so far. Why?"

She looked into his eyes, to find tears much like her own gathering there. "Isn't it obvious?" he whispered. "I love you too."

They kissed, softly, sweetly, while the rain pattered lightly outside. Then, he gently wiped the tears from her cheeks and picked her up. "Let's explore this cave," he said. "I thought I saw some light inside, and it's getting chilly in here." She wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her head on his shoulder. He stood, carrying her deeper into the earth.

The crevice was getting smaller and smaller, until suddenly, they stepped into a wide-open space. There was a silent black pool in the center, and a single hole in the ceiling that water dripped through. Lightning flashed, and the entire cave glittered with brightness. The walls were all made of crystal, and it reflected the light a thousand times.

Cyclonis fumbled in her pocket for an illumination crystal, then she raised the softly glowing stone. This had a different affect; as the lighting made the crystals glitter almost painfully, the warm, gentle light caused them all to echo it in a similar glow.

Dark Ace and Cyclonis were surrounded by light.

It was a warm, soft, deeply penetrating brightness. It was beautiful.

Dark Ace pulled her towards him for another kiss.

They were in love, they had admitted it to each other and were none the worse. It was beautiful.

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Sorry it was so short. I hope you liked it! Please review.