Nuada was nowhere to be seen when she awoke. "What if he's had his way with me and that's it? What if..."

The door opened and he appeared. Seeing she was clutching the sheets to her he realized what must have been going through her mind.

"You thought I had left you, that I had had my wicked way with you and then lost interest because you are not what you think I want?"

She bit her lip. He settled in front of her on the bed and pulled her to him, kissing her gently.

"I could never do that to you."

He sighed and stroked her cheek, and ran his fingers through the ends of her hair. Looking at him she knew something was wrong, but was surprised when he explained what it was that pained him so.

"Madigan was outside. I heard him coming and did not wish him to see you this way yet."

"You are ashamed to be found in my bed while I look this way?" Kalli questioned sadly.

"Not at all. I just did not wish to surprise him with the real you. I do want my people to know who you truly are. I intend to call them together so that we can show them."

"Then what troubles you?"

"You are to return to the Bureau. Nuala and Abraham will collect you not long from now."

"What? But the treaty meeting isn't for another two weeks."

He looked away and replied, "They need you to go back so they can be sure what they have to offer is acceptable to me. Since you now know my thoughts on this matter better even than Nuala..."

Kalli was touched, he really didn't want her to leave. She tucked aside his hair and brushed his cheek. He turned to face her again but didn't look at her, not wanting her to think him weak.

"It's not a sign of weakness," she said, "to care for someone. To trust someone, to let them in, takes a lot of strength for people like you and me. We've both experienced pain and hurt, but don't we deserve a chance to find someone?"

Gazing into her catlike eyes he realized she would never see his emotions as a weakness, more a strength. He gave a sad smile, and she put her arms around his waist and rested her head against his chest. After a while Nuada decided he should leave her to dress and pack her belongings.

"Come and find me on the terrace when you are finished," he said, kissing her gently.

When she joined him later she was once again in her human guise. She was pleasantly surprised to find him wearing blue, not black.

"Thinking of turning over a new leaf?"

He turned to her, replying, "Perhaps and what is this."

"I'm not sure I understand."

"You are human again."

"Until you call your people together to revel who and what I am I will appear in this form."

"Then you must promise me that until then when we are in the privacy of a bed chamber you will be yourself."

"I promise."

She walked over to him and the two of them sat down together on the stone bench overlooking the vast cavern's valley. He placed his arm around her and she curled up, hands around his waist, resting against him.

He would never have thought it before, but the peace he felt when they were enveloped in each other's arms was something he now couldn't be without. That fire, that passion for her was still there, but the sense of peace she instilled in him was what he never wanted to lose. They were as one, and the thought of her having to leave disturbed him.

"Let me come to you."

Kalli looked up to him, not understanding what he meant.

"When you dream, allow me to come to you. Let me be with you there, even if we cannot truly be together."

She nodded, and was about to go to kiss him when Madigan arrived with Nuala and Abe, who stood a little bewildered but happy at the scene before them. Kalli sighed and, letting go of him, stood up. Nuala ran straight over to Nuada and hugged him. Such a warm greeting between the two siblings was something neither Abe nor Kalli had seen before.

"What?" Nuada said, as his sister beamed at him.

"You have fallen for her."

"Perhaps. What if I have?" he replied indignantly.

She laughed, "I have not seen you like this, even before the bitterness took hold." She looked over to Kalli. "And she has fallen for you. Of all the people in all the worlds you have found love with a human."

The irony wasn't lost on him. But still, she fit in so well in Tuatha Dé Danann, she belonged there just as much as she did in the human world, perhaps more so. Nuala picked up on his thoughts.

"You do not wish her to leave."

She needed no reply, she knew what his heart felt. She also knew he'd find some way to be with her, that he would find her in their dreams.

"So, you and Prince Nuada?" said Abe in mock-surprise.

"As if you didn't half-expect it! I mean, it was pretty unlikely we wouldn't get together, with the prophecy and past."

"Ah, yes. Still, in a way we have to be grateful it didn't work for you the first time so that you were able to come to save them now. I know you don't want to leave Kalli, but if there's not enough in the treaty to allay Nuada then Manning needs to know. There are still a few contacts that aren't sure yet, there may still be time to bring them to a decision."

"I know. I just worry he might...relapse, shall we say. He's only now around but there's a fragility, almost, to him at the moment. This really isn't the best time for me to leave."

"That is why Nuala will be returning, for tonight at least, if not tomorrow also."

Nuala and Abe went into the throne room to say good-bye leaving Nuada and Kalli alone for a few minutes to say good-bye.

"Remember your promise to me. Let me see you."

"Of course, I will."

Abe then called through the doorway that it was time to go. As they parted Nuada held onto the tips of Kalli's fingers for as long as he could while she walked away from him. Nuala came to him then, not even she could bring him the comfort he needed. He sat in silence with Nuala for hours.