Author's Note: Sorry for the delay. I had finals, and then I was gone all weekend.

As it turned out, there was no need to test the validity of Luke's most recent promise to Tear. Veronica, despite the encouragement of many of her companions and followers, decided not to press charges for Tear's "unprovoked" attack. However, the decision was not made out of any sort of compassion, or regret for her words. She made a grand show of being "understanding," and claimed her reason for not pressing charges was because she knew that Tear "didn't know any better," because after all, she was "just a soldier, and unable to comprehend the rules of social conduct in more civilized society."

Luke wasn't sure whether to be relieved that Tear would not be arrested, or angry at the obvious affront. Veronica was seeing to that it would be nearly impossible for Tear to be accepted into that section of society. As if her chances hadn't been slim enough already.

Tear tried to convince Luke not to let Veronica's actions get to him, though she knew she was hardly in any place to ask such a thing. Knowing that pointing out the obvious hypocrisy of the request would only hurt her, Luke chose not to and instead promised he would try his best to comply.

It had been several days since the visit to the doctor's, and the revelation that Tear was pregnant. Luke was still trying to figure out how to make his moving plan doable in a way that she would accept. He had spoken to his parents and they were for the idea, provided he found a way to make it work.

The mood in the manor was somewhat conflicted. On one hand, Tear's "unacceptable" behavior at the party cast a negative reflection on House Fabre as a whole. However, Luke made certain that everyone living and working at the manor knew what had really happened that night. His parents, while they did not approve of Tear's actions, were appreciative of her willingness to stand up for their son and understanding of her increased emotional state.

In fact, to Tear's incredible confusion, the Duke had begun to act nicer towards her. She sometimes even got the impression that he didn't dislike her. When she mentioned this to Luke, he came up with the most reasonable explanation; the Duke was glad that she was proving useful in carrying on the family name. He continued to say that, provided everything went well and the baby was born healthy, she would probably be completely accepted into the family, in his father's eyes. Luke was then promptly scolded for even suggesting that something could go wrong with their child.

That night there was scheduled to be another party with most of the same company that had attended the last one. It was a celebration of some sort, but Luke had not bothered to remember the details. Though he was expected to attend, he had no intention of doing so; he would not expose Tear to the kind of scrutiny she would receive if she attended such an event so soon after the last incident. He had other plans for her. Though she was not yet aware of it.

It was mid-afternoon. Tear was peacefully tending flowers in the courtyard when Luke practically ran up to her, grinning mischievously.

"Go get ready. We're leaving soon."

Tear stared at him blankly. "What? We are? I thought it did not begin for another three hours at least."

"We're not going to the party," Luke replied cheerfully.

"We're not?" A note of hope crept into Tear's voice. She really had not been looking forward to the event. "Where are we going then?"

"You'll see," was Luke's cryptic response.

"Luke, you know I'm not particularly fond of surprises." Tear had been taught to prepare ahead of time in any situation. It was unnerving not to know where she was going or what to expect.

"You're no fun," he complained, though he was still smiling. "Fine. We're going to Tataroo Valley."

"Really?" Her eyes lit up at the news. The two of them used to visit the valley frequently, but lately had not the time to make the trip. It had been deemed "their" place, and held many fond memories for both of them. "But how are we going to get there?"

"The Albiore," Luke said happily. "Noelle's waiting for us at the port whenever we're ready. I sent a letter to Sheridan a few days ago asking her to come."

"I had a feeling you were hiding something," Tear replied, finally returning his smile. "Alright, I'll be ready as soon as I can. In the meantime you go down to the port and apologize to Noelle for waiting so long to tell me and making her wait around."

Luke muttered something involving the word "domineering" but did as he was told.

It was night by the time they arrived in Tataroo Valley which, naturally, had been part of the plan. Noelle waited with the Albiore down by the entrance, assuring her two passengers that she had plenty of ways to pass the time and did not mind spending the night there.

The moment Tear laid her eyes on the blooming selenia field she began to forget everything that had been bothering her. The place had a timelessness to it that made her feel like the rest of life had been put on hold, and would wait patiently for her return. She could spend as much time as she wanted in this peacefully little valley and not have to worry about missing out on a thing.

She was sure that was why Luke had brought her here. It was probably part of his plan to "make" her relax. Not that she minded. She never objected to coming to this place.

For a while Tear simply stood at the edge of the field, transfixed by the glowing white flowers that she had not realized she missed so badly. Luke remained a few steps behind, allowing her that time of quiet. He watched her fondly, noting how the moonlight made her glow almost as much as the flowers she so adored. He wondered for the millionth time what he had done right to get a woman like her to fall in love with him.

Luke stepped forward and walked past Tear, who turned her gaze to watch him as he slowly made his way to the center of the field. There he stopped, sat down, then lay back, placing his hands behind his head for support. As soon as he finished settling himself, Tear made her way over to him and sat down beside him.

The rest of the world finally slid away from Tear's mind completely. There was just her, Luke, and the selenias. And at that moment, there was nothing else she wanted.

A few more minutes of silence passed as the two watched the glistening flowers and the clear night sky. As usual, it was Luke who finally broke it.

"Hey Tear, can I ask you something?" His eyes never left the scenery before him.

"Of course," Tear replied simply, also not bothering to turn her gaze.

"I know this is kind of random," Luke said, sounding mildly amused at his own spontaneity, "But, five years ago, where did you think you would be right now?"

"We were still on our journey then, weren't we?" Tear smiled to herself at the memories that accompanied that thought. It was true that many unpleasant experiences had come to pass on what had turned into a journey to save the world, but many good things had occurred as well. Time had dulled the bad memories and amplified the good ones, leaving Tear with a mostly pleasant feeling when she thought back on her time fighting for her life with her friends, provided she did not dwell too long on how it ended.

"Yeah," Luke answered her question simply. By the tone of his voice she guessed that his opinion of the journey was about the same as hers.

"I'm not entirely sure," Tear admitted as she thought back. "I didn't often think about the distant future. I was mostly concerned with what was going on at the time. I suppose I just assumed that, provided the world was still around in five years, I would still be serving the Oracle Knights."

"Is that what you wanted?"

Tear was forced to stop and think again. "I don't think so. I wasn't dreading it or anything, but I wasn't very excited by the notion either. I think I wanted something more but wasn't sure what." Her smile widened as she continued. "I certainly did not imagine I would end up here. Well, maybe in a few daydreams, but I never seriously believed it."

"Daydreams?" Luke sounded intrigued. "About what?"

"You," Tear answered, and as she did so turned her head to look down at him. "Daydreaming is not something I do often, but at the time when I did it was usually about you. I thought I told you about that."

"You did," Luke said, turning to meet her gaze as he spoke and grinning brightly. "I just like hearing you say it."

The woman beside him shook her head at his answer, but it was clear she was not truly upset at him. "Anyway, I thought it was too much to hope that I would be with you like this. And I certainly did not think I would be carrying your child."

Luke paused for a moment before asking uncertainly, "Do you think I'll make a good father?"

Tear chuckled at his apparent distress. "Yes, you will," she answered confidently.

"But I never know what to do around kids. I think I scare them."

"You'll learn," Tear assured him, no less confident in her belief.

"What makes you so sure?"

"Do you want to be a good father?"

"Of course I do," Luke responded, looking somewhat confused by the question.

"I've never seen you fail to learn something that you truly wanted to learn," Tear informed him, her eyes glinting with what he could swear was pride.

Luke went silent, unsure of how to respond to the praise he had been given. He stared up at Tear, and as his eyes traveled over her features he was suddenly struck by an intense desire. He quickly sat up, slightly startling her. Without a word he pulled her close to him, kissing her with the full force of the passion that had overcome him. He found his affection enthusiastically returned as Tear willing succumbed to a similar sense of longing.

It was not long before Tear felt herself gently being pushed back. She allowed herself to fall backwards, landing softly on the bed of flowers beneath her. The fall caused only a momentary break from Luke, who quickly changed positions accordingly.

And there, in the midst of the selenia field, underneath the glow of the full moon, Luke helped Tear relieve her stress in the best way he knew how.

Twice.