Kerrigan wasn't sure when she had woken up but she had stayed in bed beside Nova and was propped up on one elbow, using her free hand to stroke Nova's hair.

Kerrigan took a breath and then she felt it. A presence. It was on her leviathan and stood out from the background presence of the Zerg. It didn't belong here.

She angrily looked to the source of it as it entered her chamber. "Zeratul," she said slyly and narrowed her eyes.

Kerrigan felt rage bubble up within her and she shot up and dashed towards Zeratul as fast her legs would carry her. She balled a fist and threw it into his chest then raised her leg and violently launched him into the air. Before he handed she took hold of him with her telekinesis and threw him across the room.

Nova woke up both hearing the noise and sensing Kerrigan's anger in her sleep. She remained in the bed as she watched her lover fight; admiring her skill and the way she made it all seem so beautiful.

Kerrigan launched herself into the air and brought herself down upon the Protoss before striking him again and hurling him across the floor. She slowly walked to his body as the adrenalin in her body decreased, wondering why the warrior didn't fight back. She grabbed his chest plate and angrily asked, "What do you want?"

Zeratul remained silent.

Kerrigan looked at him for a moment and her anger took over. She clenched her fist tighter and launched it forward. But before she could make contact he pushed his hand into her face.

"Believe," he commanded and mentally showed Kerrigan Zerus.

Nova saw it too as she looked into Kerrigan's mind. A beautiful green world inhabited by primal Zerg.

"They fight. They kill. They evolve. Just as you must. If you survive," he removed his hand and allowed her a moment to think.

Kerrigan said nothing. She frowned at his words and thought over what she had just seen.

"If she survives?" Nova interjected, concerned for her girlfriend.

"You will see," Zeratul said coldly as though he was speaking to neither of them yet both of them at the same time.

"We're going to Zerus," Kerrigan said coldly as she stood and headed for the bridge of the leviathan to make the necessary arrangements to take them there.

Nova frowned at Kerrigan as she left.

The journey to Zerus was short and Zeratul had followed in his ship. Nova was frustrated with Kerrigan as she was keeping her out of her thoughts and avoiding conversation. Nova could understand if Kerrigan was busy but she knew it was because of Zeratul and what he had shown her.

"I'm going down to the surface," Kerrigan stated as she walked past Nova.

"Is that all?" Nova asked as Kerrigan went by. "Not even goodbye kiss?" she asked sarcastically but deep down she meant it.

Kerrigan turned to face her, irritated by Nova's attitude.

Nova picked up on Kerrigan's annoyance. It was the first thing she'd felt from the older woman since Zeratul had shown her Zerus. "You're annoyed with me?" she asked in disbelief. "I should be mad at you," Nova threw back at her.

"I don't need this now," Kerrigan said as she shook her head and began to turn.

Nova grabbed her upper arm to prevent her from turning away anymore. "Sweetheart, don't keep me out," she said sympathetically. "You've just lost someone you loved and now you are letting Zeratul of all people advise you and lead you to random planets."

"I'm not here because of Zeratul," she defended herself. "We need to destroy Mengsk, and that's why I'm here."

"Then I'm coming with you," Nova told her straight.

"I'd prefer you didn't," she said dryly. She didn't need Nova showering her in concern while she tried to recruit a planet full of powerful primal Zerg who had never even been under her control when she was at her most powerful point as the Queen of Blades.

Nova stared at her angrily.

"You'll be safer here," Kerrigan added to soften her words.

"And who will watch your back?" Nova asked knowing she'd be alone on that planet. "I'm coming with you whether you like it or not," she added before Kerrigan could answer her question.

"No, you're not," she interjected.

Nova frowned.

"Mengsk didn't abandon you to a horrific violent lonely death. He didn't spend most of your adult life using you, lying to you and then reward your loyalty with betrayal. He didn't hunt you down and he didn't kill the man you loved," she said frankly.

"He did use me. He used me to go after innocent people like you and Raynor," she felt a pang of guilt as she remembered capturing Kerrigan and being ordered to kill anyone who got in her way.

"A fact you didn't seem too cut up about at the time," Kerrigan surmised.

Nova closed her eyes for a moment to let her emotions settle. "I got to know you and realised how wrong it all was," she explained.

"If you hadn't captured me, me and Jim would have still been together. I wouldn't have let Mengsk get him and he wouldn't have been killed," she stated it bluntly.

"You are blaming me for Raynor's death?" it stung Nova to hear her lover blame her for something she had no control over.

Kerrigan felt Nova's pain but she pushed it away; it was nothing compared to what she was feeling. A few moments passed between the two women where they didn't speak; merely staring at each other and feeling anger towards the other. It was Kerrigan who broke the standoff. "I'm going."

"Well, I'm going, too," Nova said coldly.

Kerrigan was about to tell her no again but realised her grief was affecting her decisions – she couldn't blame Nova for Jim's death in the absence of the real culprit; Mengsk. Maybe having someone to watch her back and be a voice of reason in her head couldn't hurt. "Don't expect me to save you if a Zerg makes you its new chew toy," Kerrigan added flatly.

Nova wasn't sure if that was her attempt at humour or not. "Well, I'm in the market for a new Zerg lover so don't assume it's mauling me and not trying to mate with me," she added with a smile.

Kerrigan frowned at Nova's comment, hoping she hadn't ruined things between them. "I don't blame you," she added. "I'm sorry for being…" she wanted to finish with 'a bitch' or 'an idiot' or 'insensitive' or 'distant' or any one of the terrible things she'd been to Nova, but she instead opted for a simple, "me".

Nova shook her head and cupped Kerrigan's face. "I love you for being you. You are dealing with a million and one things right now," Nova surveyed. "I just wish you'd realise I'm here to help you get through them. "

Kerrigan forced a smile.

"I'm coming with you to Zerus," Nova told her adamantly.

"Thank you," Kerrigan turned her face to kiss Nova's hand.

Nova smiled and let her hand fall from Kerrigan's face down to her shoulder then down her arm to her hand. She gripped her hand tightly and mentally promised them both she'd never let go.

"Let's go," Kerrigan said strongly as she dragged Nova towards the bay.

The two women arrived on the planet of Zerus. They were greeted by a brilliant shining sun that was partly obscured by the large trees around them.

"It's beautiful," Nova remarked. "We could have some fun here."

Kerrigan rolled her eyes at her. "You are always thinking about sex," she surmised with a smile; it wasn't a criticism as much as it was a compliment.

"Who's the one who is always thinking about sex?" Nova asked innocently. "I was thinking we could have a nice picnic or a stroll."

"It is rather romantic, isn't it?" Kerrigan smiled as she turned to Nova and put her hands on her hips and brought her body towards her.

"I'd say so," Nova replied as she placed her hands on Kerrigan's arms and leant in to kiss her passionately.

Kerrigan was hoping they could get a quickie in before Zeratul arrived but she felt his presence approach them. She didn't want to pull away from Nova just yet and decided she would allow the Dark Templar to watch her kiss her girlfriend; she wondered how he'd react to Terran homosexuality – but then she realised she didn't care. She pulled away from Nova and smiled at her before reluctantly and slowly removing her hands from Nova's hips and turning to face Zeratul.

"The power of Zerus called you here," Zeratul didn't waste time with greetings or reactions.

"My need to see Mengsk dead called me here," Kerrigan shot back at him. "These Zerg will help me destroy Korhal," she mused.

Zeratul realised she misunderstood. "You must let Zerus remake you, Kerrigan."

"Remake her?" Nova interjected. "That's what you meant about her surviving?" she felt a cold chill spread through her body at the thought of Kerrigan being reinfested.

Kerrigan merely listened.

"The final war nears and there is little time," Zeratul ignored the blonde Terran's interruption. He understood her role as Kerrigan's mate, even if he wasn't aware of the finer points of the mating. He hadn't realised that copulation was possible between Terran females (he would put that aside until he could further research it – this was not the time nor place).

"I don't have to do a damned thing," Kerrigan replied stubbornly. "I will not be a pawn in your prophecies."

"But you will do anything to have your revenge," he teased her.

"Anything," she stated adamantly.

"Except that," Nova stated for her.

Kerrigan shot a look to her to tell her to be quiet. It wasn't that she didn't respect Nova's opinion, and it wasn't that she necessarily disagreed with her opinion, but this was between her and Zeratul. Outbursts like these were exactly why she hadn't wanted her here. She stared back at Zeratul and thought about his words.

Zeratul stared into Kerrigan's eyes and thought he saw an understanding there. He knew he was getting through to her despite her mate's interruptions. "Then that is enough," Zeratul knew he was getting to Kerrigan.

"No, it's not," Nova shouted at Zeratul. She turned to Kerrigan and frowned. "Don't let him talk you into anything," she stated. "You don't need to be remade in order to get to Mengsk."

"Go back to the leviathan," Kerrigan requested without looking at her.

"No, I'm staying with you," Nova stated adamantly. "I know you are considering it and there is no way in hell I'm letting you do it."

Kerrigan turned to her and stared at her seriously. "I need to communicate with the Zerg here. I don't want to worry about protecting you if something goes wrong."

Nova was annoyed again that Kerrigan was pushing her away. Again.

Kerrigan smiled, "I promise I won't reinfest myself while you are gone." She took Nova's hand in hers. "I have to find out more about this place. More about the primal Zerg and the power they have."

Nova stared at her in an attempt to see if she was lying. She trusted Kerrigan with her heart and her life; but could her drive for revenge cause her to lie and take the power and opportunity to kill Mengsk? She'd rather doubt Kerrigan's trust now than have it abused later when Kerrigan reinfests herself and everything would be lost for them.

"I promise," Kerrigan added. She squeezed her hand and kissed her lips softly.

Nova wasn't entirely happy but she realised she'd have to trust Kerrigan wouldn't do it. "I love you," she whispered softly, not willing to get too emotionally gooey in front of a Protoss.

"I love you, too," Kerrigan smiled and released her grip on Nova's hand.

Nova glared as Zeratul before she unhooked her hand from Kerrigan's and left. She wasn't happy but believed Kerrigan was telling her the truth. For now.

Thank you to everyone who voted in the poll about infesting Nova. Nova's fate will become clearer in the next chapter ;)