"Are the camera lights too bright for you?"

"Ah, no they're fine." Kazuya answered a bit uncomfortably. "Do we really have to do this here though? Couldn't I at least have my school uniform on?"

"Oh no, this is a perfect setting. It emphasizes the cost of your heroism. It will also help the audience to see your human side."

As opposed to my inhuman side? Kazuya wondered.

"You'll have to forgive Kazuya." Elizabeth said in a warm friendly tone. "He's a very private person and not used to this sort of attention. He would never seek out recognition."

"Oh quite, he's a humble sort then? Well the public always likes their heroes with a little bit of humility."

"I am not a hero." Kazuya said quietly.

"You see? He doesn't want credit no matter how deserving he is of it." Elizabeth was already sitting at his bedside. She took hold of his hand and was the very image of a supportive wife.

The reporter smiled. "Well the people of Yokohama and the world have decided that he is one. Both of you are heroes."

Kazuya wanted to squirm.

He hadn't asked for this and didn't want it. The Principal though had asked him to participate as it would help the Academy's image as well as that of the Genetics program. He'd agreed as it seemed to be another part of his duty.

The way Elizabeth was sitting so close and holding his hand made him uncomfortable. She was gorgeous and after what they'd been through he deeply respected her and liked her a bit. Being physically close to Elizabeth was fine. What bothered him was the setting. How people were going to see them and the assumptions people would make.

He didn't let go of her hand though or make any sort of objection. He wasn't going to embarrass Elizabeth of the Academy.

The cameraman signaled to the reporter that he was ready.

"Let's go ahead and get started. This isn't live so don't worry if you make a mistake or stumble over something. We'll edit everything and make it perfect before its broadcast. Please try to be as natural as possible and look at me as you speak not at the camera."

The reporter paused and then began the interview.

"This is Diana Knowles of the BBC International News. I am reporting today from the famed West Genetics Academy of Japan. Here with me are the renowned 'Invincible Couple' who single handedly defeated an S-Class NOVA as it approached the city of Yokohama; Pandora Elizabeth Mayberry and Limiter Kazuya Aoi. Thank you both for agreeing to this interview."

The camera showed Kazuya sitting up in a hospital bed wearing a lime greed hospital gown. Sitting on the bed beside him in her school uniform with her legs neatly crossed was Elizabeth. He looked pale and unwell and she looked to be supportive and filled with concern for him. The image was exactly what one would expect from a loving couple who had faced death together.

"I am happy to do it," Kazuya said cautiously. He was still uncomfortable and trying hard not to star at the camera of wonder how many millions were going to see this.

"It's our pleasure." Elizabeth spoke easily.

"Right now we are at the Academy's medical facilities where Mr. Aoi has been recovering since that battle. Kazuya, may I call you Kazuya?"

"Of course."

"How is your condition? The entire world saw you collapse immediately after the S class was defeated. I am sure you have been in the thoughts of prayers of people all over the world."

I have? He'd always been alone since his sister's death. It was very odd to think of so many strangers suddenly caring about what happened to him. "I am just fine. In fact I'll be getting discharged from the hospital later today."

"That's wonderful. I am sure I speak on behalf of my entire audience when I say we are very happy to hear that."

"Thank you." He mumbled

Elizabeth took him off guard by planting a small kiss on his cheek and placing her head on his shoulder. "I can't tell you how relieved I was when he opened his eyes and I knew he was going to be okay. I don't know what I would do without him."

"You're a member of the famous Mayberry family from Lancaster. Could you tell me why you chose to attend West Genetics rather than one of the UK Academies?"

"Well as you know the Japanese academies have a special reputation for producing some of the top Pandoras and Limiters. Students come here from all over the world. I decided to attend in the hopes of becoming one of the world's strongest Pandoras. I believe you can only become the best by working with the best."

At this point she gave Kazuya's hand a noticeable squeeze and looked at him adoringly.

"One of the great Pandoras to come from this academy would of course be Kazuha Aoi, the hero of the Eighth Incursion and the older sister of Kazuya Aoi. Kazuya, what sort of impact did your sister and her sacrifice have on you and your decision to become a Limiter?"

It destroyed my life and filled me with a hatred that I still don't know how to deal with. It poisoned me and consumed me until I'm not even sure who I am any more. "My sister was the bravest and strongest person I ever knew. I can honestly say that everything I have done since her death was because of her. Who I am now is because of Kazuha."

Diana nodded sympathetically. She could hear the ache in his voice as he talked about her and knew her audience would empathize. "How long have you and Elizabeth been together?"

The question was directed at Kazuya but Elizabeth jumped in to answer.

"Actually, we only became a pair the night of the Incursion."

"Really?" Diana said in surprise.

"During the first battle our group was involved in I was blessed to be able to save Kazuya's life. Tragically my Limiter was killed during that same action. When Kazuya found out he offered to become my Limiter and protect me. He hadn't found a partner yet. I was naturally shocked, but I accepted. Looking back at it now it seemed like destiny."

Kazuya glanced at her. She had neglected to even mention Andre's name. What she'd said was technically true but far from accurate.

"That's quite romantic," Diana said cheerfully. "Kazuya, what caused you to ask her to be your Pandora in that moment?"

"She saved my life and I felt I was in her debt." Kazuya replied a bit stiffly.

"You wouldn't say it was love?" Diana asked

No it wasn't love. He couldn't say it that bluntly though; he owed it to Elizabeth not to humiliate her. "It's possible it was love." He lied.

"For me it was definitely love." Elizabeth sighed.

I thought it was because I was a more talented Limiter than Andre. There hadn't been any mention of love.

"I have to say your story is like something out of a fairy tale." Diana gushed, letting her British reserve evaporate. "The two of you are an inspiration."

"Thank you, that is very kind of you to say." Elizabeth said.

The interview lasted for about another two hours. Elizabeth did most of the talking for them with Kazuya giving the occasional short terse reply. She held his hand and sat snuggled up to him the entire time. The longer it went on the more uncomfortable Kazuya became. Elizabeth meanwhile was in her element.

At last, mercifully, it ended. As the camera shut off Diana Knowles got up and offered them both her hand. "Thank you again for agreeing to give me this interview. This will be broadcast not only through the BBC but through all of our affiliate and associate networks."

"So everyone in England will see this?" Kazuya asked.

"England?" Diana chuckled. "Everyone in the English speaking world will see this. Not just Britain and Scotland but Ireland, the US, Canada, South Africa, India, and Australia. I also understand that Japan and other non-English speaking countries have asked to broadcast it as well. It wouldn't surprise me if most of the world sees this."

"Most of the world?" Kazuya asked weakly.

"No need to be worried." Diana promised. "Everyone will understand you are recovering, and the two of you came across as very caring. Once everything is edited down to one hour it will be just fine."

Elizabeth planted another quick kiss on Kazuya's cheek and then slid off the bed. "Do you think I could have a short word with you about that?"

"Certainly."

Elizabeth glanced at him and saw his worried expression. "Could we possibly talk somewhere else? I think Kazuya needs his rest." She leaned back down and kissed him again, this time on his lips.

No matter how unsure he was of her Kazuya could not deny that she knew just how to kiss. Her lips were seductively soft and enjoyed it.

"I will see you later Kazuya-kun," she whispered in his ear. "Get some rest; we will celebrate your recovery. I have a lot of things in mind."

Her words sent a shiver down his spine. By the time he could recover his thoughts he was alone in the hospital room.

XXX

It was early evening when he was at last discharged from the hospital. He put on his school uniform and fled before Elizabeth could return.

Things were getting kind of confusing for him where girls were concerned.

A couple days ago he had been pretty much attacked by Rana in his hospital bed. She had literally thrown herself at him. He had managed to hold onto his virtue… barely. He had convinced Rana that he was not ready for that and she had settled for kissing him and lying in bed with him for a while.

Thinking about that made him blush.

Rana was seriously cute and she was innocent in a way none of the girls he'd met were. Under different circumstances he thought he could have fallen for her.

Elizabeth on the other hand had an innate sensuality that was very appealing on a physical level. Her kisses and the way she rubbed herself against him was always arousing. His issues with her had nothing to do with attraction. The problem was that there was always a sense of manipulation to everything she did. Everything was deliberate and thought out and for some purpose. No matter how warm her kisses he knew that on some level he was just a tool to her. An extremely valuable tool, but just a tool all the same.

As a fellow soldier he could respect that. Everyone was dispensable and it was understood that you might have to be sacrificed. On the battlefield that sort of attitude was fine. In a girlfriend though it left him dissatisfied.

The girl he was thinking about was the one he was going to see now. The one he thought of when he thought about love.

XXX

He waited outside the Detention Center. He had asked and been told she was not yet released. When she finally came out he was there waiting for her.

"Kazuya." Satellizer called to him.

"Stella."

She ran into his arms.

He caught her and held her tight as they kissed. They had never done this outside in public before. It was evening and there was no one about but it was still was first. They were both private people uncomfortable with open displays like this. Satellizer in particular had an issue with it, but she didn't care now. She'd spent a week worrying that he might hate her and not want anything more to do with her. She'd been told he was in critical condition and that he might die. Stella had been forced to really think what it might be like to lose him.

Seeing him waiting for her she hadn't been able to contain her feelings. She just wanted to be with him, to feel his arms around her and to know that he still cared. She was kissing him and he was kissing her and she didn't care what anyone thought. Being with Kazuya like this was all she wanted.

After they finished kissing she pressed her face into his neck with a shudder. "I'm sorry," she breathed.

"Sorry for what?" Kazuya asked. He was holding her tightly. He didn't want to ever let her go.

"I'm sorry for hitting you Kazuya, and for attacking that boy even if he did touch me. Please, please don't hate me for that."

"I could never hate you Stella."

"Really?" She looked up into his eyes.

"Really."

He began kissing her again and her lips seemed to melt into his. To Kazuya it was obvious that she was the one. There were no doubts when he was with her. This felt completely totally right.

"Stella," he breathed between kisses. "How much do you know about what happened?"

"They told me you almost died." She answered. "They wouldn't tell me anything more. Are you really okay now? Have you recovered?"

"I'm fine," he assured her. "So they didn't tell you anything else about what's happened?"

"No, but as long as you're all right that's the important thing."

He wondered if she would still feel that way when he told her everything that had happened between him and Elizabeth. "There are a lot of things I need to tell you. Can we go back to my room?"

"Sure, I want to hear all about what happened."

Walking arm in arm they headed back to the dorms.

XXX

From a nearby roof top Elizabeth watch the emotional reunion and watched as they went off together.

Silent and unseen she followed.