Chapter 37

Following his discussion with Ram-Man, Adam continued his trek after Teela. Finding himself in front of her bedroom's door, he knocked softly hoping she would once again grant him entrance. His hopes were short lived as she didn't open the door nor respond to him calling her name out several times. Adam figured that she must have already climbed into bed and was asleep, was ignoring him, or didn't return directly to her rooms. Knowing his bodyguard very well, he figured she probably went on another patrol before turning in to bed.

Turning around to return to the ballroom, Adam was shocked to see someone had followed him.

"Frosta, what are you doing here?", he asked her.

"Hello, Adam." "I overheard your conversation with Ram-Man and decided to follow you in case you were on your way to see He-Man", she stated confidently. "I wish to see him."

Touching the princess slightly on the arm he addressed her, "Frosta, He-Man is not available right now." "If you want I can give him your message", he offered surprised that the Rebel would go to these lengths to find his alter ego.

"I can give it to him myself, Your Highness", she responded. As she pointed to Teela's door she asked, "I didn't know you were meeting with the Captain privately?", "Casta will be so upset", she continued as she shook her head.

"Teela and I are friends from childhood, Your Majesty." "She seemed upset after talking with you and I wanted to make sure she was alright", he noted with a slight chill to his voice. He also wondered at Frosta's words about the Queen of Mystacore's feelings. He was aware of Castaspella's crush on him, but he had on numerous occasions informed her that he was not interested in her romantically. He was under the impression that Casta understood where there relationship stood.

"I wouldn't call the Captain's emotion as upset, Adam." "She was more infuriated if you ask me my opinion", Frosta elucidated.

"Care to clarify?", he asked.

"I asked her to deliver a message to He-Man, if she saw him." "I want him to come to my rooms tonight." "It was obvious from her reaction to my request that she has feelings for him." "However, I'm confused." "I saw the two of you dancing earlier, it seems like the Captain also has feelings for you." "It's almost as if she wants both of you." "Tell me something Adam, has she slept with both of you?" "Do you guys have threesomes?", she asked as she placed an open palm on his wide chest caressing him through his clothes.

Offended by her affront and implications, Adam dropped his voice responding "Watch yourself Frosta." "The relationship Teela and I, or He-Man and Teela have is special and private." "We owe no one an explanation of our feelings or actions, do you understand me?", he commanded as he removed her hand from his chest.

Realizing that she overstepped her boundaries, Frosta quickly apologized, curtsied to the Prince and turned to walk away from him.

Adam stood there shaking his head for several moments before following her back into the ballroom. This was the story of his life. The woman he wanted was once again ignoring him, whereas those he didn't fancy kept throwing themselves at him.

Teela awoke the next morning later than usual. Looking at her timepiece, she realized that the Masters must already be finishing with their breakfast. Quickly jumping out of bed, she showered before donning a flowing flowery-patterned white skirt with a matching off-shoulder crew-neck top that reached her midriff leaving her rib-cage exposed. Ileena had insisted that Teela buy this feminine ensemble, as it was truly beautiful. After the personal oath she made last night that Lady Damani and other's of her ilk would no longer intimidate her, Teela wore the outfit with confidence.

Practically running to the dining room where she knew the Masters were having their breakfast, Teela burst through the doors out of breath.

"I'm sorry I'm late", she greeted them.

"Captain Teela, we thought you changed your mind", the Avionian winged-leader addressed her.

"Good morning, Stratos." "It's just Teela, okay." Turning to face the rest of the Masters she made her excuse "I overslept, I'm so sorry." "I haven't changed my mind." "What I have to say is difficult; however, Ram-Man was right, I do owe all of you an explanation."

Walking toward the table, the Masters each stood demonstrating their courtly manners to her. Teela was shocked. Never before had they stood when she approached a dining table. While she served as a member of their team, each of these men treated her like one of the 'guys' not like a 'lady'. Giving them each a small smile, she waited until someone reached out to pull her chair out for her.

Ram-Man who was nearest to her and requested this meeting was the one to do it. After Teela had sat down, they each followed suit, looking expectantly at her. Turning around to address a palace servant Teela asked for some orange juice and an order of a Western Omelet as she was famished. As she waited for her order, she kept her eyes downcast forming in her head the words she would shortly utter.

The Masters sat quietly staring at their former Captain. Each harbored their own opinion of what caused Teela's resignation. They each knew that she was hurt after He-Man pulled her out of the Goblin Gate's rubble; however, they were also aware that didn't constitute a serious enough reason for her to abandon them. Teela had been hurt on numerous other occasions and she never let her injuries stand in the way of her duty.

Looking at her, they were perplexed at her outer appearance. They noted that Teela had changed dramatically in the months she was gone. It wasn't only her short hair. Her entire demeanor had changed. She was wearing 'girl' clothing to meet with them, something she never did before. Inwardly, they all acknowledged her great beauty.

Her order being placed in front of her, Teela thanked the servant and asked that the room be cleared. Due to Teela's previous standing as Captain of the Royal Guard, the servants complied with her request. Once alone, Teela took a sip from her beverage wetting her palate before addressing her ex-comrades. "Last night, Ram-Man pointed out, that you all deserve to know the reason for my resignation, which I cannot share with you." "However, I am willing to inform you why I cannot serve as Captain of the Royal Guard, anymore." Teela decided it was imperative that she not reveal her affair with He-Man or his true identity.

Her words capturing their attention, all men directed their gaze to her.

"Teela, the King told us you were traumatized, is that true?", Mekaneck asked.

Looking at her friend, Teela smiled shyly at him remembering her words to the King. "Yes Mek, but not in the way you think."

"What wassssss it then?", asked Buzz-Off his large wings buzzing loudly indicating his concern.

Addressing those present, she stated "I cannot reveal the actual reason for my resignation." "Please don't ask me to." "All I can tell you, is that it wasn't anything Skeletor did to me." Rather it's something that I did."

"Something you did?", asked Stratos confused by her responses. In all this time, he was under the impression that her resignation was directly related to the events of the Goblin Gate.

Nodding she clarified, "Yes, it's due to the consequences of my actions." "There is no way I can have my position reinstated."

"Teela, are you alright?" "Did he hurt you badly?", Ram-Man asked unable to believe that Skeletor wasn't at fault.

"Rammy, I told you, I'm fine." "I guess there is no other way to say this, but directly." "I don't want any of you to sacrifice yourselves on my behalf and attempt to go after Skeletor, he is not to blame for what happened." "I am."

"We understand you are not blaming Skeletor, but your words are not explaining why you are refusing to take up your position again", Stratos said voicing his continued confusion.

"That's right Teela, what happened?", Ram-Man interjected.

Raising her head, Teela looked out blankly in front of her before answering.

"Promise me you'll keep this a secret." Once each of the men agreed to protect her secret, Teela continued "No one knows yet." "I can't have my position reinstated because, I'm pregnant."