Okay a much longer chapter this time so enjoy! I also replaced the last chappie w/ one that was all nicely spellchecked. No plot changes though.

"Hello! Anyone here?" Onua shouted coming through the door.

"Onua, how are you?" Daine said as she came out of her room to give the older woman a hug.

"I'm good. Where's Numair?"

"He went out he said he be back early though since you were coming."

"Where did he go?"

"He had a date." Daine said rolling her eyes. "Come on you must be hungry. I'll warm up some pasta."

"Thanks but what was with the eye roll?"

"Ugh, nothing. It's nothing." Onua just stared at Daine.

"I don't know! Something about it just bothers me. It's this woman from the school. Varice."

"Jealousy? You have to admit, he is rather attractive."

"No! We're just friends. I really don't even know why it bothers me."

"How does he seem to feel about her?"

"Ugh, that I can't seem to figure out. They used to go out about two years ago but they broke up right after I moved in. After that he didn't really seem to care about her at all. At school sometimes it seemed like he disliked her. They're back together now though so who knows? She's pretty though. Blonde, curvy." She said putting a plate of pasta in front of Onua.

"You think it might be a physical thing then?"

"It might be. He always seems to be getting home late. It's not really my business anyway."

"Why don't you just tell him it bothers you?"

"Oh yeah, just say 'hey Numair, could you not have sex with people anymore? That would be great. Thanks.' Yeah, that would go over great."

"Well you don't have to put it quite like that." She said laughing. "Blonde and curvy you said? That does sound like jus his type."

"Why do you always think I'm jealous anyway?"

"Jealous of what?" Asked Numair coming through the door.

"Is that any of your business?" Onua retorted going over and hugging the tall man.

"Well it is if you are corrupting my young friend here."

"You forget I knew her before you really did. Any corruption has already taken place and you are too late."

"That would explain a lot."

"Hey!" Daine hit Numair in the shoulder playfully.

"And how are you?"

"I'm good. Still studying for exams." She made a face.

"Are you still studying with that guy?"

"Not tomorrow. He has plans with his girlfriend."

"He has a girlfriend?" Numair asked quite cheerily and Onua gave him a strange look.

"Yeah. I think they might be engaged actually. Oh! I'm supposed to call Miri. I'll be back in a while." With that she turned and strode down the hall.

"What was that?" Onua said turning to Numair.

"What was what? Is that you pasta? You should eat it before it gets cold."

"Asking about who she was studying with."

"Nothing, just curious. You know of you're not going to eat it I will."

"Stop trying to change the subject. Would you have asked if it had been a girl she was studying with? And yes I'm going to eat it." She sat down sticking the fork into the pasta.

"What is it exactly that you want to know Onua?" He said sighing.

"How do you feel about Daine? I can ever figure you out with her."

"Can we please not talk about this Onua? I think that it's better to just leave it where it is."

"Numair, you've known me forever. You can tell me if-"

"I'm back. What did I miss?" Daine said going to the fridge and looking through it. Onua watched the expression that came over Numair's face when he looked at the young woman. It seemed almost pained.

"Oh, um, nothing. Just teasing Numair as usual. So, seen any good movies recently?"

Numair just turned around and faced the counter.

"I hate exams!" Daine shouted coming out of her room. "They are horrible horrible things and shouldn't exist! Is Numair home yet?" She asked Onua.

"Not yet. He just called and said he'd be home in a few minutes. He's picking up Chinese."

"Yum. That means I get a study break."

"Why does Chinese food mean you get a study break?"

"Because...in...China...They don't...have exams at this time?" She looked at Onua Hopefully.

"How could you possible justify that? Do you even know if that's true?"

"No but it might be."

"I've been meaning to ask, how has Numair been doing since Rebecca left?"

"Oh god, Rebecca, I had completely forgotten about her. It's been a while. He's doing good. I think he's over her, or as over her as he'll ever get. I mean I'm sure it will always hurt but he's doing good."

"That's good. Now how are you doing with your...problem?"

"God, I don't even know. I know I can't live like this forever but I don't know how it will ever stop."

She spent the next few minutes going on about everything that had happened since Onua had last been updated, ending with the letter she had recently received.

"Are you sure the letter was referring to Numair."

"No, but what else could it be about?"

"I don't know but, I mean, If these flowers are being left outside your window couldn't you get the police to watch the house? They could catch someone."

"If we get the police involved the fact that I'm living here will be revealed. We can't risk it. Especially not now, I'm so close to graduating."

"I guess you're right."

Just then Numair came through the door with a bad of Chinese food.

"Your provider had returned."

"Wow, running through a Chinese restaurant on the way home. We are so lucky we have you Numair." Diane said sarcastically as Numair made a face at her.

As they sat eating dinner Onua decided to have some fun with Numair.

"So Numair, I hear you have a new girlfriend. Anything serious?" Onua asked as Daine through her a look.

"Not particularly." He said looking suspiciously at the look in her eye.

"Well we really should know anyway. What are her intentions with you?" Daine snorted into her lo mein as Numair through the woman a look that could kill.

"You can't be serious."

"Oh I definitely am. You know I think we should meet her too. What do you think Daine?"

"Leave me out of this."

"No. Absolutely not and her intentions are none of your business."

"Fine, fine. By the way that's an interesting shade of lipstick on your collar." Onua said taking a sip of her drink as Numair choked and Daine looked at him sharply.

"Excuse me." He said hurriedly and walked/sprinted to his room.

"Onua! What are you doing?!"

"Just having some fun." She said reaching over to his bag and pulling out his cell phone. "Do you know what the password for his phone is?"

"He actually put a password on his phone!?" Daine asked staring at Onua.

"Never mind, I think I know what it is." She said looking at Daine.

"Aha! I was right!" Onua exclaimed when the phone came to life.

"Onua, there was nothing there." Numair growled as he sat back down."

"No but apparently there was a chance from the way you reacted and from this message she left on your phone. Wow, she is creative isn't she? Can she really bend like that?"

"What?! How did you get on my phone? And WHAT message?" He grabbed the phone and again glared at Onua when he realized that she hadn't even listened to his messages. Onua just grinned at him as Daine laughed.

"I hate you. Don't expect to get invited back anytime soon."

"Oh, I'm hurt Numair I really am." He just glared at her again.

"Anyway, Daine, what are your plans after school?"

"Oh god, I don't even know. Look for a job obviously. An actual job, not the ones I'm doing now. I guess I'll figure my way from there."

"I was just asking because I have an opening for a job on my ranch. I know you probably wouldn't want it forever but until you find something you really want to do you're welcome there. You would be working with animals and in the outdoors. Maybe giving riding lessons."

"Really? That would be great!"

"We'll talk more about it later but once you finish school you can move down there with me. I have some rooms."

"Yeah. I definitely want to know more about that. Thank you!" Daine said smiling.

"So she would be leaving right after school is out?" Numair said looking at Onua.

"Whenever she wants to come down but around then probably."

Daine and Onua continued to talk but Numair was quiet through the rest of dinner.

"What's wrong?" Onua asked Numair after Daine had gone to bed. "You haven't been talking."

"Why did you offer her that job?" He said harshly, looking at her.

"What do you mean? She's a good worker and I thought I would help her out."

"But- I mean- did you have to ask her to leave so soon?"

"Numair, I told her she could come whenever she wants and she hasn't even taken the job. She said she would think about it."

"But you said right after school. And Daine would want to go as soon as possible so that you had her when you needed her. If she takes the job she'll leave then. I mean, how does she know she doesn't want to stay in the city? Here she would be in a good place to look for jobs."

"You mean you don't want her to leave the city? Or you don't want her to leave you?"

"No, this isn't about me! I just- I just-" He looked away.

"Nothing's decided yet and if you want to know one of the reasons se has been hesitant about is the fact that she would have to leave here. She's happy here, she just doesn't know if you want her to stay after she graduates. If you want her to stay just tell her."

"I told you this isn't about me."

"Right. I'm going to go to bed." She stood up and patted him on the shoulder. "By the way Numair, Nice password on your cell phone."

Daine relaxed against the wall of her shower letting the hot water run over her body. Exam time was stressing her out and she didn't even want to think about the letter. Numair and Onua had gone out to dinner with some of their friends. She and Numair had the same friends in common from what she could tell. Now she had another thing to consider since Onua's job proposal. On the one hand it sounded like a great job and she already knew that she enjoyed working for Onua. On the other hand she didn't want to leave here. She didn't want to leave Numair. Would they still see each other if she moved out? What would she do if they didn't see each other anymore? She couldn't even imagine living like that anymore. She couldn't bear losing him. Although maybe it would be better for him if she left. He could move on with his life and wouldn't be so secretive or hide things from his friends. Maybe he would fall in love with Varice. She shivered at that thought. It shouldn't be Varice who gets to stay with him. Suddenly she had a flash of what it would be like for her to be in Varice's place. What if it was her he went out with? Her he stayed out late with? Her who left lipstick stains on his collar? Daine shook her head and turned the water of. She was being silly.

Stepping out of the shower she went to the sink and splashed cold water on her face. Turning to grab a towel she saw the tattoo of the lily on her back in the mirror. Thoughtfully she ran a finger over it before wrapping a towel around herself and going to her room.

"We're back!" Numair called to Daine as he and Onua came in.

"Alanna and George seem happy. I'm glad Jon and Alanna are friends now too." Onua was saying to Numair.

"You'll be coming to Jon's wedding right?" He asked her.

"I wouldn't miss it."

"You two have fun?" Daine asked them, trying not to blush when she looked at Numair remembering her thoughts about him in the shower.

"Yeah, it's always good to catch up with old friends. That's the only reason why I miss living up here. Who knows? Maybe in a couple years I'll come back."

"That would be good. I don't see enough of you now." Said Numair smiling. "You know you don't have to leave tomorrow."

"Yes I do. I have work to do at home. I need to get back."

"Oh, well, I have to go to work but I will be back in a bit. If you're up we'll talk more okay?" Daine said going to the door.

"That sounds good. I'll see you then?"

After she left Numair spoke.

"Has she said anything about taking the job?"

"No, I told her to hold off on telling me until after she graduates." Numair looked at her.

"Why?"

"Why do you think Numair?"

"Look I don't want to cause trouble. I just want her to be happy, and safe. There is still the issue of Ozorne."

"I know, But-" She cut off looking away.

"But what?" He looked at her.

"Nothing, It's nothing." She said trying to smile.

"Onua, tell me. If this has to do with Ozorne I have to know."

"Don't take this the wrong way but, well, have you ever thought that maybe she would be safer away from you?"

"What?" He sounded like he was getting angry.

"Look Numair, you must have thought it. I mean with what that note said-"

"What note?" He suddenly turned from angry to concerned. Onua quickly went over what Daine had told her.

"She didn't tell you?"

"No."

"She probably just didn't want you to worry."

"I can't believe that I could somehow be responsible for this." He said putting his head in his hands.

"You don't have any way of knowing that Numair. She could be dead now if it weren't for you."

"And what is she ends up dead because of me? She should take the job. She should go live with you. If she has to she should stop having contact with me. If that's what it takes to keep her safe then that is what she should do."

"It's not your choice Numair."

"It is if it keeps her alive."

"No it's not and Numair I swear if you do something on purpose to make her leave or to make her hate you to 'keep her safe' then you have no idea how much I will hurt you. She wouldn't be able to take it, and neither would you." Onua got up and walked out of the room leaving Numair to his thoughts.

"Come back soon." Daine said hugging Onua.

"I'll be back in a few weeks for the wedding. We can talk more then okay?"

"Sounds good."

"Are you sure you can't stay longer?" Numair asked.

"Yes I'm sure." Lowering her voice she continued. "Remember what I said Numair. You'll regret it."

"I'll do what I think is right." He said in a low voice before returning to normal volume. "Are you sure you don't want us to go to the bus stop with you?"

"Yes, I've got it covered. I'm a big girl now remember?"

He grinned and scooped her into a hug. She took that moment to whisper into his ear.

"Listen Numair, you love her, and to drive her away would destroy you. You need her, don't drive her out of your life."

With that she pulled away and left after saying goodbye to Daine again.

"Numair? Are you all right?"

"What?"

"You spaced out. Are you all right?"

"Yeah I'm fine. What about you? How are things with you?"

"They're fine." She smiled at him a little confused at his behavior.

"Good, that's good." He said looking at her. Before he could stop himself he reached hi hand out and brushed some hair from her cheek letting his hand linger a bit too long before bringing it down to her shoulder. Daine was looking at him so he smiled.

"Sorry, apparently I'm all spacey today." He quickly leaned down and kissed her on the cheek before he pulled away and walked from the room.