The story's Second Anniversary is tomorrow, I've been very busy so I figure I might as well post this now, I really need to focus on my work. And wow, I never thought it would take this long or gain so much attention. Thank you all for your patience and I'm glad you're enjoying my work.

Family Secret (Part 2)

Shress has been wringing her hands as she paced back and forth in Michael's room, worry never ceasing.

She knew, she just knew her mother will do everything in her power to break Shress's union with Michael, and it could be accomplished because of her own hesitation and fear. She knew exactly what her mother is going to say, what she is going to do, however what is troubling Shress the most is what it is her suitor will say.

She closes her eyes as she feels tears threatening to break free. This is all too much for her. She is a Zealot yet here she is breaking down like a weak febble female, but can she truly be blamed? Michael was the first person to ever openly love her, not just for her body like every other male that had come her way, but for all of her. He was the only one who says he likes spending time with her in general and the fact that he is hesitant to mate shows that he isn't engaged in courtship solely for his own pleasure. He even goes as far as to make her happy as well.

He can't understand though how his very presence is a gift. This is exactly what she has been hoping for, what she has been longing for in a partner, in a lover. He sees her not only as the warrior she strives to be, but also her personality as well. He also claims that he likes to talk to her and wishes to know her better is a thrilling enjoyment that she allows herself to feel.

In the past few units she has been having the most emotional day of her life. Feeling nervous, excited yet terrified this morning as her suitor tried to tell her that he loves her. The anger, frustration and mortification when she argued with her parents only for her secret courtship to be revealed, causing her parents to act in ways she had never seen before. Annoyance as everyone is trying to pry into her private life. Now here she is again with fear and forlorn as her only company as she anxiously awaits for Michael's return.

An aspect of her wishes for Michael to finish speaking to her mother so that he can return. Another fears that he would never return, that her secret would keep him away or worse, that he no longer trusts her.

Her mandibles flutters a bit as she tries to desperately think of something else to keep her mind occupied and not to think of the negative.

However attempts are unfruitful when her head snaps up when she hears the familiar hiss of the door and turns just in time to see it open.

For one wild moment she wanted to rush forward and hug the person who she assumed would be Michael, but held back. This proves to be a good idea when she sees it isn't her human suitor.

Entering the room is her mother. This really shocks Shress, Michael isn't present, so why is her mother here unless…does she wish to speak to her? But about what? Her suitor? If she hopes on changing her opinion of him then she will be sadly mistaken.

Yet…her mother looks far from ready to stand in a fight even if it was to be verbal. Her stance is steady, but she seems a little off centered. She is watching her daughter but her eyes seems to be half laden and her shoulders are slacking. When she had entered the room earlier she arrived in what Shress had presumed to be anger and solely focused on accomplishing her goal. Now though…it is as if all of the fight has been taken from her.

This is strange and frightening to Shress all at the same time. For her, her mother has always been her pillar of strength, the one who she often looks to for advice and the only one who she actually wishes to please. Yes she wanted to make her father proud as well, but her mother is more special to her since she practically raised Shress from a youngling to the very adult that she is now.

She was close to being heart broken when her mother had turned away from her, rejecting her. The pain stung her deeply to her very core and were it not for her suitor's presence she may have gone mad or worse.

She wanted to severe her ties to her family, especially now since they deny the one and only male who truly understands her and is not merely pursuing her for her beauty or her statues. Tries as she might though, she just couldn't. Her mother is of her own flesh and blood and she was the one who taught her of duty and had given her a purpose. She may disagree with her mother sometimes, but here when her happiness is concerned…this is one argument that cannot be resolved as quickly or as efficiently as before.

This is all going through her mind when she stiffens upon hearing her mother making a small sound in the back of her throat. It wasn't a cough or a click of disgust, just a mere sound to get her daughter's attention and possibly start the conversation.

However that proves to be more difficult than before. No sooner had Shress locks her eyes with her mother, the older woman looks away and seems to be in deep thought just like her daughter.

Shress couldn't help but smile. Though the tension in the air is great and borders upon the lines of being awkward, it reminds her of her first few encounters with Michael. It was routine if nothing else for them to gaze at their surroundings and briefly make eye contact before looking away. Eventually though they fell into a discussion about their different species. Surely if she and an alien could overcome such social difficulties then so can she and her mother.

This doesn't make her feel any better as she nervously wipes her tongue along the row of teeth within her upper mandibles. Briefly she wonders if she will be yelled at again or be scolded for selecting Michael as a suitor. As pointless as a argument might be they might as well get this over with.

She dips her head down and speaks in ancient Sangheili, "mother?"

Her mother looks up at her offspring with a bit of surprise in her eyes, but remains silent, maybe she isn't here to pick a fight. So what is her purpose then?

"Why is it that you are here? Have you finished speaking with Michael?"

For a while her mother, Mora, is silent until she hesitantly nods her head.

"You have chosen a…rather odd male for a courtship partner daughter," she says quietly as if they are sharing a secret.

Shress couldn't help it as she releases a small chuckle and upon seeing her mother's confused face she elaborates upon it.

"Forgive me mother, but I agree with you," she smiles to herself as she speaks, "he may be the oddest person I have ever met, but he's also the kindest as well."

Mora's mandibles opens as if she is about to speak, but then closes. They shiver slightly as if she is cold, but Shress then realizes that she is actually nervous. Why though, she had made it plain that she didn't like Michael, so why is she hiding it now?

As if sensing her daughter's inner questions, Mora sighs as she looks around the room once more before her eyes lands on the table in the middle of the quarters. She then gestures for her daughter to move the conversation to there, which Shress obliges.

The table hovers up to their hip levels, but as they lower themselves onto the cushions it came up to their mid-chest. Shress has a momentary flashback as she looks down at the furniture. She had a table much like this once, on the Long Night of Solace before it was destroyed. She mainly used it to do the necessary paper work that was required of her when she was the Legion Commander. A chore that she despised more than the Prophets if truth is to be told.

"Your suitor," Shress looks up, taken off guard by her mother's words, "has a way with his speech," Mora looks to the wall as she tries to speak her mind, "he isn't the most…poetic male I've met, but he is blunt and to the point," she admits.

"He has been raised to be a warrior since birth," Shress informs her mother, "he was raised in solitude and was trained under brutal conditions that…I must admit seem outright barbaric to me."

Mora eyes her carefully, "You should speak with caution, your suitor may not like how you are addressing his livelihood."

"I already spoken to him about it," Shress says, "and he told me that some of the proccedures aren't favored by a majority of his people either."

Mora's eyes widens at the news, "He allows you to speak like this?"

Knowing that this is a foreign ideal to her mother, Shress tries her best to elaborate this newfound freedom.

"I cannot express it fully mother but…I feel like I can tell him anything," she sees the disbelief in her mother's eyes so she continues, "we spent so much time together and we talk, much like my other suitors, but unlike them he actually listens to me. He knows of my trials, he knows of my fears and he doesn't reject me for them. Whereas most other males would pretend to pay attention to me before trying to mate, a concept that I did not like in the slightest," she emphasis her point with a snap of her jaws.

Mora is quiet for a while before saying, "Perhaps…but does he not see such words as disrespectful?"

She shakes her head, "If it bothers him then he would tell me, or if he tries to hide the truth I'll find out eventually through the way he acts."

"How he acts?" Mora asks, her wonder never seeming to end, "you can tell how he is feeling just from his actions?"

Shress nods in confirmation, "and so can he with me, like…today I haven't been…myself and he noticed and…and…" here the female looks down sadly at the table, "he's probably been worried about me just as I had worried about him for the past few units…I can't help but feel I had caused him pain."

She feels a prickle of tears threatening to break at the thought of harming the only person who had stayed by her side for so long. She truly has changed, she has never been this emotional in so long, it's as if it's coming out in a flood and she couldn't control it.

She stiffens when she feels it; her mother has placed her hand upon Shress's shoulder. It wasn't hard nor does she dig her talons into the flesh, but it's still a shock nonetheless. They haven't had physical contact since…since…she can't even remember when. Far too long, not long before she had matured perhaps.

Hesitantly, she glances up and finds that Mora has leaned forward and is now looking closely at her daughter. Maintaining a distance, but filling their small space with a closed care and delicacy, their version of expressing emotions with one another.

Shress takes it a step further as she reaches up and closes her fingers around her mothers. Mora is momentarily surprised by this, but she doesn't move, instead she tightens her grasp.

After a few moments of silence Shress releases their clasped hands and raises her head a bit before says, "thank you mother."

Mora could only nod her head. The whole concept of her comforting her warrior daughter is still a new concept to her and it throws her off guard. All she could think of doing is to treat her daughter like a youngling, but with the understanding that she now has the troubles of an adult.

"Shress," Mora says carefully, "I am still…comprehending your…courtship and-"

"Mother," Shress softly interrupts, "I understand that it disgusts you and he isn't the male you imagined me choosing, but I've made my choice."

It surprises Shress when she sees Mora nodding her head.

"I…understand," Mora breathes, "to an extent, this is a…entirely new relationship that I have never encountered or heard of before," Mora is silent for a moment before continuing, "It concerns me when I think about it."

Shress instantly wanted to reassure her mother and defend her suitor's name, but stops for a moment when she finally registered what her mother had said. She was concerned. Why? She is no longer a child, she no longer needed her parents console, she is a grown woman and a warrior at that. And yet…why does she feel relieved that her mother is here with her right now?

Mora continues speaking, unaware of her daughter's thoughts, "I am…confused in what it was that he did to have…entrance you," her mother stumbles, both the words and mental images of her daughter and a demon or human or whatever it is, hugging and snuggling in bed when she came in slightly disturbed her. She is too perplex about it and thus she doesn't see Shress look away briefly as her mandibles quiver in light embarrassment.

"However," Shress instantly swings her head back around upon hearing the word, "he is…respectful I suppose."

"And caring," Shress injects, "resourceful, humble, patient, loving, and-"

Mora however holds up her hand, "I know daughter," here she sighs, "I know."

Shress carefully watches her mother for a while, unsure of what to make of this new development. At some points in the conversation Mora seems to actually approve of Michael before revering back to her previous stance upon their inter-species relationship. Mora, like most women of Sanghelios, are traditional, in fact it's their unspoken responsibility to uphold all their beliefs and sacred laws; Shress can't even begin to imagine how conflicted her mother must be feeling at the moment. The very thought of her people being taken for as fools for untold centuries was a blow to her pride, a Zealot, this could only be as twice as hard on her mother for all that she had been through and witness to in her time. Her being in a relationship with a human probably doesn't help much either.

Because of this Shress supposes this is the basic reason why Mora had such a hard time coming to terms with Michael, she really doesn't know what to think of him. He is a heretic and the Sangheilis are seen as the most revered species in the Covenant besides the Prophets themselves, they are the very face of power in their alien alliance. To be seen associating with another race is looked down upon and to be in a relationship with one…it's downright unthinkable.

Up until now that is, for here Shress is with her human suitor who surely proved his worth time and time again.

Now with all their past customs in tatters, the very pact they had made with the Prophets severed, the Sangheilis must form their own minds and their own ideals. Ideals that no one has ever considered long before the Covenant was formed thousands of years before. Mora has to create her own specifications in what kind of a male is best suited for her daughter.

Shress can only hope that her mother can truly see how much her human companion has influenced her and had helped her to strive onward with life and better adapt to her ever changing new world. Can her mother see the caring man that she sees in the Spartan? Can she help her mother to understand?

"He is intelligible," Shress voices, "in his own ways, all he cares about is the safe guard of his species."

"And he is protected of you as well from the way he speaks of you," Mora's light comment causes Shress's heart to burst with glee. She doesn't know why, but for some reason this comforts her knowing that her suitor still thinks so lovingly of her even when they are apart.

"I…I'm…pleased to hear it," Shress voices, but judging from the odd look on her mother's face she no doubt notices that her daughter was more than please from her previous observation.

Mora is silent as she taps a talon against the top of the table, looking very much deep in thought before she comments, "I suppose…I do not have to worry about him harming you," she looks down at the table top, "you seem to be all that he thinks about."

Again there is another warmth that blossoms within Shress's chest, but her focus is caught by her mother's sudden shift in attitude. She has been uncertain and hesitate since the start, but now she looks sadden, depressed perhaps.

A cycle ago, Shress wouldn't have dared considered this, but after spending so much time with Michael, seeing how the simplest contact can have an effect on people, she doesn't wait. This time she is the one who reaches out and takes hold of her mother's hand again. Mora seems just as startled, but doesn't move as she switches her gaze between Shress and her daughter's hand that is covering hers.

"Mother," Shress says quietly, "you don't have to worry, Michael will care for my well-being."

"B-but how do I know?" Mora suddenly asks in a shaky voice, "how do I know you will be cared for? Provided for? What assurance do I have that he will treat you well?" she then gestures to the door with her free hand, "he had admitted not too long ago that he has nothing, why would you wish to be with a male who can't give you anything?"

"I do not care for glory or wealth," Shress suddenly growls out, "as long as we are together, we shall find a way to persevere."

Mora snarls back, "Love and kindness will only get you so far, you could be starving when you return home."

Shress smiles sadly in light mildness before shaking her head, "We do not have a home yet mother."

Mora's anger however doesn't disappears just as readily, "my point exactly my young, will you two be sleeping in the streets like common beggars?"

Shress's anger returns as she bares her teeth, "I am Zealot mother and he is a Spartan, I doubt that will be the case."

"Perhaps," Mora admits, "but still there is little reassurance that I see here."

Shress then squeezes her mother's hand some more, "then take faith mother, just as you had when I entered the field of battle, Surely I should be able to survive after the war ends…if it ends."

Mora is silent as she turns away from her daughter. However, her hand rights itself up and she intertwine her fingers with her daughter's. She grips her young's digits tightly, whether for support or for reassurance Shress doesn't know, but she is here for her mother even if they do not admit it.

"This is…difficult for me Shress," Mora says silently before turning to look her daughter in the eyes, "it was difficult watching you leave to become a warrior, but I knew you were resilient, I knew you were strong," she breathes deeply before finishing, "now I have to trust a human, an alien, to keep you safe and I don't even know him. All that I know is that he has reaped death upon our people and destruction upon the Covenant."

Shress is quiet. Her parents have never showed her favor for the decisions she had made, but now her mother is telling her of her resilience and her strength. Why is she saying this now? Why not when she was younger? When she was more confused and in more desperate need of help and advice?

As if she could sense her daughter's hostility, Mora grips her hand tightly before continuing to speak, "Daughter, please understand, by our past traditions and laws, we could not support you or the choices that you had made."

Shress is silent, unsure if she is feeling sadness or anger now. Is she petty enough to bring up such old argument that serves no purpose now nor will it help win this argument? But still…

"What has changed?" Shress asks quietly as she looks her mother in the eye, "why are you saying that I'm strong now and not before I left Sanghelios?"

Her mother sighs again as she breaks eye contact, "I did not wish to encourage you."

Now Shress is sure what she is feeling, she is feeling rage and it's all that she can do to keep her fingers from crushing her mother's.

"You didn't believe in me?" she asks in a strained voice, "even when I proved to be the strongest on the training field, when I proved I was just as capable as any other male, you still doubt?" She feels her voice rising with every breath she takes, "even as a child you have always been ashamed of me, whether I was weak or strong it never mattered for you never supported me!"

Mora looks up wearily, "Shress we-"

"You didn't care if I succeeded or not!" Shress finally growls out, "I always knew father was embarrassed by my ambitions and you never approved of me! You didn't care!"

Mora suddenly slams a fist down on the table, momentarily stunning Shress before the older female growls out her own fury.

"I didn't support you because I loved you!"

All the built up emotion, all the tension that had snapped has all but vanished after those words. Love. She read about it, heard about it, seen some of it between courting couples, but no one has ever said it to her before Michael and most certainly not her parents. But her mother did, just now, and it's not the words alone that had silence her, it was the amount of passion behind them. Her mother truly believe in those words.

"I loved you," Mora repeats as she slowly slumps back into her seat, "if you continued on your path…I knew you would either die on the battlefield or leave us and never return," moisture gathers in her eyes, "I just couldn't bare seeing you leave and I responded in the worst way possible." She looks up at Shress, "It was never about not wanting you Shress…it was about never letting you go."

Shress was dumbstruck. All these years…after all these years was she just…misinterpreting her parents? Naturally this is how they're supposed to act, especially when their children are warriors. They cannot be hindered or bothered with the notion of love, can't be allowed to show their soft and delicate sides. Mora however did, probably for the first time in her life.

Was that really the only way she could have expressed her care and love for Shress? That seems almost…childish. Yet Shress can plainly see it, the pain and the worry and even the care that is traveling on her mother's voice.

Shress slowly inhales, unaware that she was barely breathing before she slowly shakes her head in disbelief.

"Mother…" she says silently, "why didn't you…tell me this?" she looks Mora in the eyes, "why force me through the trials? Through the torment? Through the anguish? I thought…I thought I was alone," she bows her head at these words, unsure if she is ashamed or still angry, she's unsure of everything right now if truth is to be told.

Mora stares down at her lap before speaking, "It was the only method that I could think of," she looks up at her daughter, "I barely knew how to show my love to your father, but to you…my own flesh and blood…" she sighs heavily as she glances at the floor again, "I was too sacred to think of life without you. You may not know it but…you do bring me and your father joy."

She did? All this time of their disgruntling and shakes of their heads they claim that they had always been filled with joy? How could they? She saw it, the disgust in their eyes, the disapproval that was radiated the…the…

Slowly, Shress realizes that this was her father, not her mother. Mora may have remained silent and not have particularly looked comfortable whenever Shress talked of her dreams or when she is out on the training fields. Yet she didn't exactly voice her disapproval, she would just take a worried stance and watch. She never said a word, but she watched, she listened and she…respected her privacy perhaps?

Shress wanted to remain angry with her, like she always have but found that she couldn't. And that scared her. She held a bit of hidden anger within her, whenever she visited her parents they are respectful but there was always a sort of tension between them that kept them distant. That has always been how she reacted and treated her parents, now though that anger has lessen. Not entirely, but just enough to be kept in reserve and to be cautious of.

Hesitantly, Shress says, "Why didn't you simply tell me this?"

Mora shakes her head again, "I didn't know how, traditions forbade such attachments," she looks her in the eye, "I understand your doubt, but your father does care for you as well." She squeezes Shress's hand again, "all we ever wanted for you is to be safe and happy." She sighs here, "true a female warrior is against our customs, but the other reason why we did not wish for you to leave is because we didn't wish for anything bad to befall you."

Shress couldn't believe it. How could she believe it? This has all been a strange and rather desperate way for her parents to show their love to her? Surely there must have been a better and less complex way than this, than all the pain and discrimination she was forced through, why couldn't her parents have spared her from that torment?

Mora seems lightly ashamed as she says, "I cannot even begin to imagine what it was that we put you though Shress, but can you find it in your heart to try and forgive me, forgive us, for our mistakes?"

Forgive them? After all the years of hurt and loneliness, why should she? She made to say just that when she pauses as a thought, a stray memory, crosses her mind.

She was in the Spire on Reach, watching as her Legion viciously tore through the human ranks, knowing full well that the fleet is inbound, poised with destroying this world. Just like the countless others that had fallen to them. It wasn't until that moment does she ponder how many men, women and children died, not because they defied the Covenant, but because they only wish to protect their homes.

She doesn't even know how the war began, only that the humans were deemed impure and thus must be silenced per the hierarchs orders. Up until then she had blindly followed their orders and scorched whatever human world she could find.

However when she realized the pain and the suffering she was causing…she wanted it all to end. Forever. When Michael, her friend back then, attacked, she tried to provoke him, believing such an action would be all that is needed for him to finish her, but it wasn't. He bested her, but didn't kill her. Why? Why did he do that? How could he forgive her for the genocide that she had committed?

He didn't condemn her like most people would have. Instead he gave her a chance to right her wrongs and to help her with the path of redemption. He comforted her when she showed remorse and upon seeing that in her eyes, that is when he forgave her and all was made right with the world.

Now here she is, not even a cycle later and her mother is looking at her with the same stare she had given Michael; one of remorse. Mora does regret her decision and is asking for forgiveness. Could she return it? Could she return the amount of affection similar to the one that Michael had given her? If there is one thing her suitor has taught her it is this; everyone who is searching for it deserves redemption.

Shress heaves a heavy sigh before she speaks.

"You made me face many difficulties," Mora seems to sink deeper within herself, "but…I suppose that helped me to become resilient."

Her mother's head whipped up fast and her mandibles spread open in surprise and slight disbelief. However Shress gives a snarl.

"I appreciate all that you have said and have done on my behalf mother…but…"

"Yes daughter?" Mora asks hesitantly.

Shress is silent for a moment before looking her mother in the eye, "I need to hear my father say this to me as well for…I'm still having trouble understanding."

Mora nods and all becomes silent. The two sits together for some time, unsure of what to do now. They had spent enjoyable time together back on Sanghelios when Mora was teaching Shress about being a Keep Mistress, but that was when Shress was a child. As an adult she should either be busying herself with politics or, in her unique case of being a warrior, telling of her past victories, but at the present moment she isn't feeling in the mood. They didn't voice it, but they both knew that was the most expressive talk they have ever had with one another, something their culture didn't teach them about or what would be considered appropriate under the circumstances.

Slowly Mora clears her throat as she releases her hand from her daughters and stands.

"I must return to your father's side before he notices I'm missing," she glances away from Shress, "I do not believe he is…ready to speak with you or your suitor."

Shress nods her head in agreement; the moment that Michael had stepped foot onto her father's ship he has been trying to gut her suitor at every possible moment. This would have been seen as comical to Shress during any other time, but not now since she is dreading what would happen to Michael if he is left alone for too long.

These thoughts causes her limbs to lightly shake as she realizes that she hasn't seen Michael for a while now.

"Mother," she says with a bit of urgency present in her voice, "My sui- the Spartan," she corrects herself quickly, hoping the use of formalities will help her mother to come to better terms with her courtship, "do you know where he is?"

Mora doesn't look disgusted, but the closing of her mandibles and the light twitch in her eye indicates she isn't particularly pleased either.

Nevertheless she bobs her head, "Do not trouble yourself daughter, he has hidden himself and I'll…inform him he can return to you now."

Her voice clearly states that she isn't happy that Shress will be alone with Michael, but then again she isn't objecting like before. This isn't acceptance but it could be seen as a step closer in the direction. This thought alone causes Shress to smile to herself.

She hears the sound of the portal opening, but it doesn't close. Shress turns to see Mora there, frozen halfway across the threshold while her mandibles are moving as if she is speaking to herself. Finally she looks back into the room and into her daughter's eyes.

"Shress," her daughter strains to hear her soft spoken voice as she speaks again, "even though we may not have shown it or when we had discouraged it," Mora swallows before her eyes are filled with tears again, "I have always been proud of you."

Shress feels her mandibles spread open in utter astonishment. Proud? Her mother? Shress has embraced the life and trials of a warrior instead of a Keep Mistress as she was taught to be, yet Mora is proud of her?

There is a whoosh and by that time Shress has shaken herself from her stupor she finds that the door has closed and she is alone again.

She stands and clenches her fists before releasing an aggravated growl of discontent. This is just so confusing! First she wanted to be a warrior and proved she had the prowess and stamina to withstand combat but nobody wanted her to succeed. Then she had to fall for an alien, worst, an alien sorely responsible for the woes and losses of the Covenant, the greatest known civilization before the Forerunners. Now her mother is saying all these years she was left to be lonely was their way of showing their love?

She walks forward a bit before turning on her heels and retraced her steps before repeating the process. When had her life become so complicated? Wasn't there ever a time when she wasn't at a loss of reason or had an idea that would make her an outcast?

She is on the verge of tearing the sheets on the bed to pieces when the door opens again and she turns to find Michael entering.

Almost instantly, Shress's frustration, something that would have taken units to go away, disappears the moment she sees the man she loves. This is one mystery that doesn't bother Shress, in fact she might actually prefer to have it remain a secret if possible.

Upon seeing her, his face brightens as well his eyes seems to brighten while his mouth part in the strange but familiar smile he keeps in reserve just for her. She feels her own mandibles closing in a grin of her own, not exactly the same as Michael's mouth formation, but close to it and he seems to understand the gesture.

They practically gravitate towards the other and wrapped their arms around the other. Ture they were cuddling not too long ago in bed, but for some reason just having him here made things seem better, as odd as their interspecies relationship is, it makes more sense today then most things do.

She rests her head on top of his, savoring the tickling sensation his short fur provides as they brush against her chin. She feels him leaning into their embrace while his hands slowly move up and down, touching her back that isn't covered by her armor. It causes such a sensational it coaxes a purr from her. Her vibration doesn't seem to bother Michael, in fact he seems to place a side of his face against the area where the sound is being produce. The little amount of weigh that was added didn't bother Shress at all, she savored this time with him.

She breathes in his scent and smells the fragments of a forest mixed in with his own musk that causes light shivers to run down her spine. How alien this whole thing is, but she treasures it, this is a pleasure that only she knows about and she intends to keep it to herself.

She has no idea how long they have been standing together, but all too soon he pulls away from her, only to peer at her in the eye. His darken eyes seems to twinkle in a wondrous way and it fills Shress with instant warmth.

"How was your talk with your mother?" he suddenly asks.

She thinks for a moment before answering, "Confusing…but…" she shakes her head again, "confusing."

Michael smiles at her, "Same, but I think I left an impression on her."

"You do have that effect on people," Shress comments as she removes one of her arms and runs a talon down his chest, feeling the harden muscles beneath the garment he is wearing.

The Spartan seems to have trouble focusing as Shress does this, "T-true" he chokes out, "but after a while I think things got better."

She pauses while in the midst of her scratching and looks away from his chest and into his eyes, "did she harm you? Insult you?"

Michael considers his answer before saying, "Nothing I couldn't handle, after the first few minutes things settled down."

Shress nods in approval as she lowers her gaze back down to his chest and slowly begins tracing geometric patterns on his torso with the tip of one of her talons.

"That is good," she comments, "I was afraid she would be too harsh on you, when our customs are being questioned then she defends it. Because of this she is known to be a little…" she pauses as she searches for the right word.

"Zealous?" Six suggests in a serious voice, but the brightness in his eyes reveals his tease.

In response Shress carefully pushes a talon into his skin in a light pinch.

"Yes," she says in annoyance, "zealous."

She is surprised when she he releases a small chuckle. It is only then does she realize how long it has been since she last heard him make that sound. Far too long and from what experience is telling her, she is the only one who is able to get such a reaction from him. This causes her purring to increase.

"It's over though," Michael says as he rests his head under her chin again, "there's nothing to be worried about."

Shress hums in delight as she continues to hold her suitor. This would have been an easy truth to accept. But…she still have to ask.

"Michael?" she asks him.

"Yes Shress?" her human says in turn, moving back again so he is looking at her once more.

"What did my mother speak of?" She questions, "Earlier she was tainted with anger and frustration, but when she came to see me she was…calm."

The Spartan frowns slightly at this as he sinks into deep thought before thoughtfully shrugging his shoulders, "I just told her the truth and…well she didn't believe me, but after a while I think I at least reasoned well with her."

"And if you don't mind me asking," Shress starts again as she leans down a bit until she is eye to eye with her suitor, "but what is this truth you spoke of?"

Michael smiles at her before leaning towards her. Knowing his intention, she moves to meet him as well, uniting her mandibles and pressing her lips against his. The sweet and alien taste excites her and settles her rather preoccupied mind. They stay still for a moment before pulling back and resume grinning at each other.

"The truth is that I love you Shress La'Vdam," he tells her confidently, "and nothing is going to drive me away."

Shress feels the familiar warmth filling her and a joy spreading throughout her body. She feels like the happiest woman in the galaxy and yet…she slowly thought of what happened earlier. She was sure her mother would have told Michael of her condition. Did she not tell him then? She was hoping that her mother did and he still accepted her. However…there really is no way of knowing without her asking.

But what if…what if he rejects me?

She knows he cannot mate, but he did say he will talk to his healers about the issue. What if he can and what if…what if he wishes to have children and she can't…can't…

She is suddenly feeling light headed and short of breath. The idea, the mere thought of bearing children, and not just any children, but the offspring's of the man that she loves…it's impossible but the aspect is still there.

"Hey," Michael says and she feels him grips her tightly in his arms, "Shress are you alright?"

It is then that she realizes that she was slowly drifting out of consciousness and almost lost her footing, only Michael's strength is keeping her up as she is leaning against him. Her mandibles are moving, but no sound escapes her mouth, she didn't know how to respond, what to say. Will Michael understand or would it make him feel weak as well?

"Shress?" She turns at the sound of her name and is gazing into her suitor's eyes.

"What is the matter?" he asks again, "are you feeling ill?"

She brought her mandibles together and lightly grinds her teeth against the other as she thinks. Should she tell him? After all that he has done, all that they have nearly lost and with the war coming to a climax can she tell him? Will it wound him or embarrass him? She takes another short breath. She has to trust him on this.

"Michael," she says hesitantly, "There's…something I must tell you."

His frowns likely, probably not liking how she is phrasing the statement, but she can't honestly tell him that what she is about to say is good.

"I…"she chokes on the word, the word that has scorned her and cursed her since she was a young woman. The thing that she was named and the thing that prevented her from keeping any potential suitors, the one thing that could actually drive her suitor away. Is she really ready to face that one thing, the thing preventing her from happiness?

"Shress?" Michael asks again, concern now lacing his voice, "whatever it is, it's alright, I-"

He is interrupted by a hiss and they reacted too late again as the doors open.

Striding in is the human male that is always with Michael and their Commander, the one she has found arrogant and who she believes to be named Johnson.

He pauses upon seeing them in a light hug before they quickly retreated from the other. The corners of his mouth briefly went up while he makes a grunting noise.

"Am I interrupting something?" he asks them, "should I come back later?"

Shress feels her face heating up and tries not to look at the human as she suddenly finds the wall to their left far more interesting to observe.

"What is it Sergeant?" This causes Shress to turn, her suitor's voice was full of love and care earlier, now though it has faded away. His face has likewise gone slack and reveals nothing of his emotions. The only thing that is ruining his image of being a stoic warrior is his flushing cheeks.

The indicated Sergeant doesn't look the least bit intimidated, however his teasing demeanor drops a bit before answering in a solemn voice.

"We're approaching Earth Spartan," he reports, "the Commander wants you by her side ASAP."

"Earth?" Six asks as his browse furred a bit as he glances at Shress, "already?"

Shress nods to her suitor, "If you have not forgotten, our ships are far faster than yours."

"Time flies when you're sleeping," The Sergeant adds with a smile. Shress would have agreed with the human's assumption, but something is telling her that the human's words have a double meaning.

"Johnson," Michael says in a low voice.

"I get it," Johnson says as he turns around with a wave of his hand, "need time to get yourselves decent, just get your pants on and hurry to the deck," with that the door closes as Johnson walks out.

Shress watches the portal for a moment before turning to her suitor.

"You're still wearing your armored leggings," she says as she gestures to his armored limbs, "Why would he tell you to put them on if you're already wearing them?"

Michael sighs as his face suddenly looks weary and he shakes his head, "Shress…I'll tell you later," he turns his back to her and heads to his side of his bed where the rest of his suit is laying, "let's just get ready."

Quietly acknowledging the command, the female turns back to prepare herself as well. Normally she would be happy and ready to participate in any battle. But this…this is different, she can feel it. There is a sort of atmosphere in the air, an indication that all of their past conflicts will be nothing like the one they will be facing together.

She sighs as she looks over her shoulder and at the man she loves. She watches as he clips on his armor with a focused look in his eye. His bright and loving orbs are long gone and are now replaced with the eyes of a warrior.

No matter what will happen, she shall protect her suitor and keep him safe, even if it costs her life.

She turns away from him and picks up her helmet. She stares into the holes where her eyes will be and sighs to herself.

'When this is all over I will tell him,' she then glances over her shoulder and towards Michael, 'I just hope he will understand.'

Yes, Six knows of Shress's condition but she doesn't know that, I'm saving this conversation for a later part in the story.

I put a lot of effort into this update, but now I need to focus on my finals so it may be a while until I next update. The next chapter may either be really short or really long, depending on how much I can get done I guess, the fluff has ended for now and the story will be heading back into its combat phase.

One more thing; if you're a werewolf fan or fan of wolves in general, MatrixDan wrote a story called "The Wolf of the North," it has action, mystery, friendship and its all just very intriguing from my standing point, easy access for the story can be found via my favorite's account on my profile.