It has taken us three months to find a planet suitable for the Pard to dwell on. We have stopped on so many, met so many other people. We quickly learned how to trade, and we traded labor for goods. After leaving our last trade planet we'd come across this new planet. It was actually perfect for them. We have now been in orbit around the planet for several days while Riddick's people run every test imaginable. I knew what he feared. How was it possible to find a planet so perfect for my people, and so quickly after we started looking? So now they ran their tests, and we waited for permission to go down to the planet.

I was walking the halls, restless and bored, alone in my thoughts. Occasionally I would hear a giggle and I knew they came from either Venya or Jedzia, both bonded with their mates, and both newly wed to the men they were meant for. For the past two weeks the two had been whispering and conspiring, over what I have no idea, but they are full of sunshine and smiles and there is not more a sister could ask for.

My walks are slower these days, as my belly has extended to hold our sons. I can no longer see my feet when I look down, but I see my belly, and I know that what grows inside is a spark of Riddick and me. Riddick. It always comes back to Riddick. For the past week my love had not been behaving as I had become used to. He has been cold and distant. He rarely speaks to me unless I speak first. At first I thought it was because he was so concerned with keeping things going with Vaako changing, my kidnapping and beginning to look for a new home for the Pard. Yet even after we came across the planet we now orbit there's been no change. Thinking of him must have guided my steps, and I find that I've ended up in the command center.

Riddick and Toal look up as soon as I enter the room. "Have you found out anything else about the planet?" I ask.

"It doesn't appear to have any people, indigenous or transplanted, however we really won't know that until we go down there. The air saturations are perfect. There looks to be three to four different seasons, and plenty of material to build with as well as a set of cave systems," Toal shared.

"I see. Does this mean we will be able to go down to the planet?"

Riddick shrugged. "I don't see why not. Let's land the flag ship. We'll check it out, see out the Pard feels about it." He begins moving towards the door not even speaking to me.

"Riddick?" I call out.

He raises one eye brow at me.

"I wish to speak with you."

He simply nodded.

We walk silently, and he moves more quickly than I do, but we end up where I was heading which was my viewing room. He has moved to stand at the front, staring off into the stars.

"Is this how we are to be? Separate? Why do you no longer speak to me, Riddick? Why do you shut me out, my love?"

"When we leave this planet, I will be going with the Necromongers. You will remain with the Pard."

I suddenly felt very sick. "What?"

"You heard me, Eve. You and your children have no right to be on this ship with Necromongers. It's no place for you. Your place is with the Pard. My place is not. These people need me to lead them. I killed their last leader, so that means I'm their leader."

"What about what you said? What about finding our own destiny?"

"I know my destiny, Eve. It doesn't include just one woman. I wasn't made for just one woman."

And then it hit me, all of those fears I had when he had first found me in the cells. When I found out who I was. When I found out what I was. When he promised he wasn't like other humans. I felt a smile cross my lips now. I had certainly been the fool. I had believed in him; I had believed in us. And now he thought to drop me off on this planet with my kind and forget I exist. No, I don't think so. He would not have to see my face, or the children I carry, but he would not dictate where I went.

Finally I nodded, "I understand. I too believe I have a destiny."

Before either of us could continue the conversation, if either of us were going to, Venya came to the door. "Evya, would you come with me, I have a surprise for you."

I didn't have the heart to tell my sister that I'd already had quite the surprise, instead I just followed her, and pasted a smile on my face as they threw me a surprise party where they gave me gifts for my unborn children. I let the tears fall, being the only one to realize they were for much much more than gratitude.

Riddick sleeps, not from exhaustion from any form of love making. No, his exhaustion is from avoiding me. I have memorized the coordinates for the new planet the Pard will be dwelling on, but I will not be making this my home. I had told no one of my plans, but Vaako, he could see… that does not surprise me. He is very observant. I have promised him I will take good care of myself. I have promised I will visit. I am not the same naïve girl who met the Necromongers not so long ago. I have matured.

I have spent the last two days putting all of the items for my children on board the small ship which used to belong to some mercenary. It is stocked with all I will need, including food and money. Now Sereath and I will board it and make our departure. I will go to a planet and give birth to my children. I will find a planet where I and my children can have both a life and a future. I do not know what has happened to change my Riddick, but… he is human, and I fear that is the only weakness I can come up with. I pray that Venya does not find that weakness in Vaako.

He does not stir as I slip out of bed. Nor does he stir as Sereath and I exit the room. There is one person I must speak with if I am going to be able to leave. I find him at command.

He turns to look at me and there is something akin to sadness in his eyes. "You are leaving."

"I am."

"Not to join the Pard."

"No."

"I can not explain his behavior."

"Neither can I. But neither will I allow him to make the choice of where to put me when he is done playing with me. I am not some toy."

Toal stepped forward clasping my hand and arm in respect. "You are a true warrior; a true leader."

"I thank you my friend. I will miss you, Toal. Perhaps, one day, our paths might cross again."

"If I find this change in him is unnatural…"

"I know… I know you would fix all. As would any member of my family. Now I must think of myself and my family," I emphasized the word as I caressed my belly. "Please do not alert him for as long as is possible."

Toal simply nodded once.

I turned, moving down the steps and to my ship. Sereath was already on her perch. For a moment I simply sat at the console, eyes closed remembering his love for me. And then I let it go. I flipped the switch and pushed in the coordinates I'd been plotting since I began doing my homework. "Goodbye, my Riddick," I whispered, the babes in my belly tumbling as if saying their own goodbyes. "May you find the happiness you lack now." And then we were gone.

The pain of being separated from Riddick was fierce. I felt as though my heart and body might rip apart. In the end, it was the children in my womb who saved me. Perhaps it was because they shared a part of Riddick, I don't really know, but I do know the pain eased after the first day, as I concentrated on the hearts beating within my womb.

I didn't travel very far from the Pard. The trip would take two weeks either way. The planet I chose wasn't huge or industrial; the towns were small, with both small and large farms. The people were friendly and welcomed a widowed, pregnant woman with open arms. I purchased a small cottage on the outskirts of the town Prosper, with land to plant my own vegetables on. I used more of my funds to purchase a cow for milking, and several chickens, as the land came with a small shed I could use as a barn and a small chicken coop. My last purchase before putting the rest of my funds into hiding was a small comm unit which I could use to contact New Haven, the new Pard home.

I made friends with the neighbors, and began settling in, preparing for my babes.

Months have passed and though I could have been happier, I cannot say I have lacked happiness. I have friends, and my family comes to visit me often. Vaako and Venya have moved to Prosper, and live nearby. She told me yesterday she thinks she is with child. That thought, that possibility, it brought more happiness to my heart.

My hair has grown, as has my belly. The black curls tumble down my back to my bottom, and more often than not I keep it pulled back with leather thongs. I have become quite the gardener, and trade my extras for my other needs. Venya and I have also taken to teaching the children of Prosper. We are teaching them reading, writing and arithmetic. Things I had not learned in my youth, but had learned when with the Necromongers. I'm not sure if the townspeople knew we were different, but I could sense that they were not all humans, so I suppose it didn't really matter.

The night is when I hurt the most. It is when I am alone. It is when I feel the ache, deep inside; telling me my mate is gone. Sometimes there is a feeling of panic and fear that my mate has passed, and I have to assure myself that this hasn't happened. If it had, Toal would have come. So, while I miss the quiet man, I think I am glad he has not made an appearance in my new life.

My family is coming within the week. My children will be born soon, and my father, brother and Jedzia wish to be here with me and Venya.

"Good Morn, Evaine," Shenoba called out to me as she headed for the wooded area out past my land. Shenoba was a lovely woman who made candles and healing salts and salves. I traded with her often, giving her many of the herbs I had begun to grow.

"Good Morn, Shenoba. How are you this day?" I asked, stopping the thoughts that had been filling my head.

"Oh, it is a blessed day, Evaine, a blessed day. My brother, gone for these past ten years has returned today. Tanak has grown strong while away at training. Better still it looks as if our market season will be prosperous. Ships are already coming and landing at the main ports. The guests will make their way through each village and hopefully we shall all sell our wares!"

I laughed at her enthusiasm. "Well I am convinced that all of your wares should sell immediately," I told her. She just laughed and continued on.

Venya and I would have a stall at the market. We were selling hand-woven baskets, fresh vegetables, herbs and water-skins that Vaako had made. Sighing, I headed into my cottage to wash my face before Venya arrived.

Our stall was doing very well. We'd sold out of Vaako's water-skins quickly, and the hand-woven baskets were a big hit as well. I had just finished a sale when a large hand landed softly on my shoulder.

I turned to find Asche standing behind me and smiling. Asche was a widower, and Venya and I taught his children. He isn't a large man, but perhaps he's a bit larger than I am. He is kind and thoughtful, and I believe he is in love with me. It pains me that I can not return this love.

"Hello, Asche," I greeted him. "How are you this day? And Daven and Shinny?"

"I'm fine, Evaine. As for my ruffians, they're running around here somewhere. I'm more worried about you," his voice was gentle. "You're due any day now. Should you be standing this much?"

I couldn't help but smile widely at him. "I am fine, Asche. A bit tired, but fine. The twins will not be making their appearance this day."

Suddenly there was a raucous coming towards us, and Asche put himself in front of me, as if to defend me. I admit this warmed my heart towards him. He cradled my hand within his own, as if to make a getaway and take me with him if necessary. We waited and suddenly I wasn't sure I could breathe. The black armor. The expressionless faces. The burnt holes on either side of their necks. Necromongers had come to Prosper and they were in front of me. My legs wobbled, and Asche automatically sensed it, pulling a chair forward with his booted foot and easing me into it.

"Is there something I can help you folks with?" he asked them, as if he was running the stall.

They were silent and slid to the side to let two figures pass. I did not let my eyes focus past Toal. I could not, would not do that to myself after all this time. Toal's eyes found my own, but I could not read what his spoke of.

"Is this your booth?" the all too familiar growl asked.

Asche stuck his chin in the air. "I'm assisting my very good friend."

"Are these all you have left for vegetables? Or do we need to move on to the next village?"

I wanted to snarl, I wanted to sneer. I wanted to tell him yes, this was it, move along… but a small part of me… well, I thought, no, I'll sell it all to him… After I raise the price to twice what it cost before. Anger and spite raged within me. Oh, I knew that nothing I did would hurt him. He'd thrown me aside after all, but, the temptation and desire was there all the same.

Asche had moved over to me, bending to one knee and bracing himself. "Evaine, the visitors would like to know if there are more vegetables. Should I send them along to Antebellum?"

Looking into his blue eyes I knew he wanted me to send them away. He knew this was no ordinary visitor. How could he not? "No, I have more." I sucked in a breath, took Asche's hand and used his strength to stand. I moved forward and finally looked at Riddick. He looked wretched. "You can pay for and take what's here now, but you'll have to come back tomorrow for the rest."

"Why can't we get them now?" he asked.

"They're at my home. Once I get there I'm not coming back out. And I don't allow visitors to the market to my home," I told him simply.

Childish giggling interrupted anything he was going to say as Daven and Shinny wound around the Necros and into the stall, Shinny automatically clinging to my legs. She was an impressionable child, in love with any female who gave her time. She pressed her ear to my belly and was silent. Then she leaned back. "They's sayin's they wanna come sees me soon."

I smiled down at the child. "Not too soon." Then I turned my attention back to Riddick, smile still in place. "If you don't want to wait, Antebellum is sure to have a wide variety of vegetables."

"Not as good as our Miss Eve," Daven said loyally.

"Are we gonna play this game," Riddick asked me.

"This is no game, Riddick. This is my life. You will get back on your ship, today or tomorrow, and leave, and this will still be my life."

"We have things to discuss."

"We have nothing to discuss."

"There are reasons…"

"No," I cut him off. "I will not listen to anything more. Reasons, whatever reasons you might have had… are nothing to me. Are you buying these items?"

"Eve…"

"Are you. Buying these. Items?"

This time he didn't speak, he simply nodded, and Asche bagged everything for the Necros. I looked to Toal. "It was good seeing you well, my friend. Asche, will you walk me home?"

"Of course, Evaine. You look exhausted. I told you that you were doing too much."

That evening I sat in my favorite chair in front of the hearth, rocking back and forth slowly. There was a soft knocking at my door, and I knew it was Vaako. "Enter," I called out.

He did so, brushing off his boots on the mat next to the door before moving into the room and taking a seat on the chair across from my own. "Eve?"

I met his worried gaze, smiling tiredly. "I am fine, Vaako, no worries."

"It cannot have been easy seeing him again. Not after all this time and not after how he treated you last."

"I felt as if my heart could possibly explode," I whispered.

"Why did you not send them on their way to Antebellum?"

"I'm selling them the entire stock for double what I charge everyone else."

Now we both sat in silence for several moments. "Will you listen to him?"

"There is nothing to hear," I tell him, but my heart lurches painfully.

"May I speak openly?"

"Of course you can! You are my brother and my friend!"

"I believe you should let him speak. I believe you should listen to what he has to say. If he tries to force you to do something against your will, you will have our help standing beside you, but perhaps he will be able to explain why his feelings changed?"

And there was the problem. That thought had run through my mind several times since seeing him. Perhaps I could find out why he no longer loved me. Was it worth sitting with him? Listening to his voice? Was it worth knowing that, just to watch him turn and walk away again? "I will consider it," I whispered. And this was as far as I could go. I could not make promises.

When the morning came my heart still lay heavy in my chest, but my children spun busily in my womb. It was almost as if they knew he was near and the thought that they might made my whole body ache with sadness. This is how I knew I would listen to his words. I could not turn him away without hearing him, not with his children lying beneath my heart. Vaako and Venya came to my cottage early to help package the vegetables for the Necromongers. With the money I would make we would travel to Antebellum to purchase any extras needed for the Pard. The Pard were growing their own for the most part, but there were still some items they had need to buy.

Soon we were ready and we began our short trek to my market stall.

There was what appeared to be a standoff at my stall. Riddick stood, toe to toe with Asche, Shenoba's brother Tanak holding Asche back while Toal stood stoically behind Riddick.

"What is happening?" I asked as we reached them.

"This man," spit Asche, "this man tries to be too familiar with you! He says he is your husband."

And now I could only sigh. His pain was my fault. I never thought to see Riddick again, so I'd said I was widowed. Now the lie would come to light, and while I did not care that I was caught in an untruth, I did care that it would hurt my friend. "He is my husband, Asche," I stated simply, my eyes never leaving his. "He no longer wanted me, our paths were no longer meant to travel together… it was easier to pass as a widowed woman than as a woman who lived in purgatory."

Asche moved to me, placing his hands on either side of my face, and staring down into my eyes. "No wonder," he murmured quietly. "No wonder even after all this time your heart has not healed. If you were simply widowed your heart could have healed and let go, but with your husband still living, not releasing you fully…"

"For my kind, Asche, once mated…"

His eyes closed, but then he nodded, "And now so much is clear."

"If my heart had been free to love, it would have found yours," I told him, believing it completely. "If ever my heart is free to love…"

"I must go," he told me. "I promised Shinny and Daven that we would go swimming today."

"That sounds like fun." I smiled widely. I still had not been able to really swim since coming to Prosper. I did soak my legs on occasion though.

"Perhaps I will see you tomorrow?" his voice was full of hope.

It was easy to give him a smile, "I am sure of it."

Riddick was still silent as Asche moved away, but Vaako and Venya both called out their goodbyes. Then Vaako turned to Riddick and Toal. "It is good to see you again. It has been too long," he told the men.

Venya and I had begun to set up the stall. The men were speaking but I was not paying attention to any of them. Honestly I wanted this over with. I was tired, and I ached. My emotions were scattered and if I were to hear Riddick's words, then I wanted to hear them quickly and then have him leave just as quickly. Finally, I turned and looked at the one man I hadn't yet spoken to. "Tanak, Shenoba had told me you'd grown in your strength but I do believe you've grown four inches in height as well!"

Even though he'd been gone training to be a warrior, he'd made several very short trips home in the time I'd been living in Prosper. He blushed a deep red at my words, before speaking. "I would say it was in something they were feeding me, but not everyone grew so tall," he sounded surprised.

"You do your father proud," I told him, swallowing the lump in my throat. Their father had passed away a month past. He had been my first friend in Prosper, Kane Mana. I'd bought my land from him and he'd told me that even though my father was close, he would keep watch in my father's absence.

"And look at you! Your belly seems about to burst with your young!"

I ran my hands over my stomach and laughed. "Yes, I have often thought they might actually do that!"

"I must go, I promised Shenoba I would help her gather her ingredients."

"Go, give her my love."

I realized everyone behind me was silent as the tall youth ran off so I turned to face them. Venya was held in Vaako's loose embrace, Toal stood comfortably and relaxed and Riddick leaned back against my stall watching me from goggled eyes. I don't know why, but in that one moment of strange silence I realized someone was missing. "And where is Aereon?" I asked, I hadn't seen the Elemental the day before either.

Both Riddick and Toal grimaced. Riddick sneered before he answered, "She's gone."

"The Air Elemental is no longer with us," Toal answered more fully.

That struck me as strange. The woman had always seemed to know her place. She had always had plans for the Necromongers. She had always had plans for Rid… and I think that is when it struck me, and I do mean it struck me. I felt as if I'd been slapped in the face. I didn't need to hear Riddick's words to know the crux of what had happened. Aereon… the Elemental had done something to take my love from me. I hadn't even known that was possible… that an Elemental had that type of power. I felt as if my world had become a vacuum, everything was being sucked from it, including oxygen and I started to see black around the edges of my vision. I drew in a deep breath of air and let it out shakily. I had to get out of there. I had to get to somewhere private immediately.

"I need to go home," I stated with a calm I did not feel. "I will return later and I will hear what you wish to say," I directed towards Riddick. I began walking slowly. I really don't have many speeds which I can move at. I was fortunate enough that the tears did not start to fall until I hit the tree-line. I had felt so many different feelings for Aereon as the time passed. At first I'd felt such gratitude, she had been the one to tell me what I was, who my people were. But I also remembered after Paditia had been destroyed, and right before I'd been kidnapped. She'd been angry at the time I spent with Riddick. She'd thought he should be doing more important things.

Sobs began to rack my body as I realized everything the Elemental had ended up taking away from me. I fell to my knees, hitting hard, a jolt going through my belly and the twins. It hurt, but it just made me cry harder. My hands clawed at the ground, just grasping for anything to hold onto. Arms came around me, pulling me into an embrace I hadn't felt in far too long. He tucked my head under his chin and just held on to me.

"I'm sorry… so sorry… I'm so sorry I was so weak…" he whispered. "They have this thing, we didn't know about it, Air Elementals have this thing, I shouldn't have been so weak…"

I couldn't stop crying, nor could I stop my hands from clutching at his shirt holding him close. "I want to go home…"

"Okay, okay, I'll carry you there," he soothed. "Your knees are bleeding," he was still babbling, it let me know he was as unprepared as I was. Still, he lifted me easily and began to walk towards my cottage. I should have known he would have already known where it was. Once he got me into the cottage and seated in one of the chairs in my sunny kitchen he began looking around for first aid supplies.

"They're under the last cabinet," I told him, pointing to said cabinet.

He was gentle as he doctored my knees, and it was only a few moments before he began to speak. "Three weeks ago I had a strange dream. It was of Furya, and a woman, one of the leaders of Furya. I've seen her before. She told me I'd been led from my path, and it was time I learned of the deceptions I was being led under. I woke up and it was as if a cloud had been lifted. Turns out Air Elementals can bend the air; since words carry on the air it effects your beliefs, and emotions. Fuck, I don't know how it works exactly. Bitch was basically brainwashing me and I never knew it. Never saw it."

I sat silently, Riddick kneeling between my knees; he pressed soft kisses to both bandaged appendages.

"We dumped her on some planet, pissed her off, and turned around heading back for New Haven. All I could think was that I had to find you. And I didn't know how. I didn't know how to find you, or if you'd even forgive me… you've always forgiven me everything, but this… this is something I couldn't count on."

He was right. I'd always forgiven him everything, but then he'd done the same for me. Would I hold this against him? It wasn't like he could control this? Hell, not even Toal had known Elementals had that capability. Before I could consider anything else I felt an intense pain in my lower abdomen, and bent over with a moan. Looking down, we both see that my water had broken. Our babies were coming.