Frea's boots barely touched the floor of the hanger bay before her vision was blocked by wide shoulders, arms wrapped around her back and she was lifted into a firm bear hug.

"Dex," she gasped. "I can't breathe."

"Ah. Sorry." He gently put her back down. "I missed you and got a little excited."

The huntress stretched and rubbed her back. "I think you've been spending too much time with Psyho. Normally her hugs are the ones I have to avoid," she complained.

He chuckled. Whatever mood he was in before when he called seemed to have vanished, or maybe Frea just imagined it? She sensed something was off. Dex looked like he was about to say something more but his gaze traveled to a figure behind her. Instantly his face took a less cheery look.

"Am I interrupting?" Shaxx stepped up to stand next to the huntress, a little closer than usual.

"No...Sir." Dex forcibly straightened himself, his movements stiff in front of the Titan. "Pardon my rudeness earlier. I've been stuck on Saturn all week and it's been a bit...stressful." Despite him apologizing, Frea could see the challenging look in the stare he gave Shaxx. The Titan however, didn't seem to care or even notice as he clasped his hands behind his back.

"Noted." Shaxx went to walk around Dex but stopped next to him, making the Warlock flinch. "I want a full report on what you two find out about the Hive nest," he commanded.

"Yes, of course." Dex nodded.

"Good." Shaxx then turned and headed for the plaza, not looking back at either of them.

Frea took a deep breath, realizing she had been holding it that entire time. The growing tension was like a weight on her heart. It was not a pleasant feeling.

"What a stuck up ass," Dex grumbled as he watched the Titan disappear into the crowded hallway.

"I think you trained with him long enough to know that isn't true." She rubbed her temple, easing the headache forming there.

Dex snorted. "Still...I feel better saying it anyway."

"So, what's this about the mission from Commander Zavala?" Frea desperately changed the subject, taking a seat atop a nearby supply crate.

"That's right." Dex moved his attention away from the hallway. "The Commander is giving it to us since we were originally with Lord Shaxx. Looks like scouts located some peculiar Ascendant Hive off Anchor of Light."

"Hive on the Moon? How is that unusual?" She asked.

"This group wasn't anywhere near the main nest apparently. The Guardians that saw them tried to get close but were attacked and barely made it back in one piece." He leaned against the crate and pressed a knuckle to his lip in thought. "The report is rather odd, like these Hive are just doing their own thing."

"We already know these Hive aren't normal." Frea sighed. "I don't like that we're not bringing Shaxx with us, he knows all the details to this mission."

Dex threw her a look. "We don't need him. Besides he isn't supposed to lead from the front."

"A good leader is at the front of their troops, not behind."

A heavy silence passed between them as they stared at each other. Something fiery was brimming behind Dex eyes and Frea was growing concerned that she was overstepping her bounds.

"What's he to you anyway?" Dex suddenly asked, catching the huntress off guard.

"W-what do you mean?"

The Warlock hovered over her, close enough to make her feel uncomfortable. "You know you're a terrible liar."

Frea placed a hand on his shoulder and roughly pushed him out of her personal space. "I don't know what you're talking about, Dex."

"That morning before I left...you were all red." His eyes widened as the realization hit him. "Something happened between you two, didn't it?"

"Enough!" The huntress shouted as she leapt up from the crate. Exhaustion was making her patience run low. "I hate it when you pry into my life like that, stop it."

Surprise flashed across Dex's face for just a moment, but it was quickly gone, vanished behind anger. "I'm only worried about you, Frea." His voice came out as a harsh whisper.

"Worried for me or worried that the girl you've been crushing on for years is getting swept away from you?" She snapped. As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she regretted them. She already knew Dex wasn't the kind of person to trouble himself just because he had feelings for someone, he cared for all the clan, her raging emotions were getting the best of her.

The Warlock looked away from her, even shadowed she could see the pain in his expression.

"I'm sor-" She started.

"We're going to the Moon tomorrow afternoon. I'll leave without you if you're late." He cut her off and briskly walked past her, his coat tails flapping behind him.

Frea wanted to cry as she watched Dex leave. She was an idiot for saying such a thing to one of the best people she knew. He didn't deserve it. This wasn't the first time they butted heads, being together for so long it was natural to have occasional arguments, but this one was by far the worst. She took a long breathe to steady herself and force down the tears. This will have to be fixed tomorrow, especially before the mission, or it will become a deadly distraction. The huntress slowly made her way toward the hallway into the plaza, ready to get back to her quarters and pass out for the remainder of the evening. Just as she reached the entrance she was greeted by the sight of orange armor. She glanced up to meet the gaze of the Titan before her.

"Why are you still here?" She asked, flustered.

"I stayed to listen to the new information on the mission and well..." Shaxx rubbed his neck.

"And instead you got to hear that shit show. Great," Frea grumbled and moved to walk past him, he caught her arm to stop her. She peered down at her feet in defeat, not bothering to look back.

"Are you okay?" He asked, concern deepening his tone.

"Not really."

She could feel his grip tighten but they both jumped when voices echoed down the hallway. Another group of Guardians were coming into the hanger.

"You look exhausted. Let me help you to your room," he whispered.

Frea finally turned back to him. "Alright."

The sun had just dipped below the horizon as they crossed the plaza toward the Guardians' living quarters. Even though the Tower was still occupied with crowds of people, Shaxx kept a steadying hand on Frea's back. Everyone was too busy to notice them together anyway.

Soon they made it to the elevator tucked away behind all the food shops and weapon stores. The Titan reached up and pressed the call button. After a pause, the door silently slid open to reveal no one else waiting inside. He led her into the small space and tapped her floor, the elevator shuttered to life as it began to travel downward into the depths of the Tower. It was even darker in the elevator car and Frea started to drift off, her eyelids growing heavy from exhaustion. She leaned over and rested her head against Shaxx's arm. It was surprisingly cozy even with their clashing armor.

Her mind was fuzzy when the elevator finally dinged. She suddenly felt weightless and the smell of pine enveloped her nose. The huntress forced her eyes open to find herself in Shaxx's arms.

"I can...walk on my own," she mumbled.

"Like hell you can." His voice was so close, just over her head.

Once they reached the room, Frea's Ghost materialized. "Let me get that for you, Sir," it jittered and shined a thin beam of light on the door panel. The door clicked and slid open into the pitch black room inside. The Titan stepped into the dark as the Ghost fluttered to a small lantern sitting on top of a work table. It tapped at the glass and the lamp turned on, casting dim shadows across the room.

"Thanks," Shaxx said.

The Ghost gave a short nod then vanished, leaving the two of them alone again. Shaxx took a moment to study the room. It was remarkably well kept aside from the desk cluttered with guns and a alarmingly large collection of knives hung up on the wall. He noticed a helmet sitting in a corner, a charred bullet hole shot right through the forehead, an awful death. He returned his attention back to the small huntress in his arms. Her breathing was a steady tune and her face relaxed in a comfortable sleep. The tips of her eyes were colored red from restrained tears.

When her and the Warlock started arguing, it took all his self control to not interfere. She was strong and she didn't need the protection he wanted to give her. So instead he resigned to be the shoulder for her to lean on. As long as she wanted him, he'd be there for her.

"Frea," he whispered her name, calling her out of sleep.

She stirred slightly and slowly opened her eyes. The expression she gave him was tenderly sweet, he had to swallow down the fire igniting in his stomach.

"You shouldn't sleep in full armor." He continued.

Frea blinked up at him as she got her bearings and then glanced down at her gloved hands. "R-right."

Shaxx bent down and carefully placed the huntress on her feet. She gripped his shoulder as his hands ran over her armor, unbuckling all the clasps and locks holding it in place. One by one each piece was tossed to the floor, the last part to go was her brilliant white cape. Even half asleep Frea was acutely aware of whenever his fingers skimmed her body. He didn't intend to tease her this time, but that didn't stop her heart from skipping a beat anyway.

At last she was down to her undersuit. She reached up and pulled off the tight upper potion of the suit. She was feeling hot, most likely thanks to Shaxx, and she wanted to be in her sleeveless shirt right away. A sigh of relief escaped Frea when the cool air touched her exposed shoulders. A prickling sensation crawled down her neck and she looked up to see Shaxx staring down at her. He straightened when she noticed him.

"I should get going. Be sure to get some sleep." He hurriedly turned toward the doorway but Frea caught his hand.

"Stay," she whispered, she could feel him stiffen in her grasp.

"Frea..." He began but caught himself when she walked closer. Her slender fingers crept to the edges of his helmet and pulled it off.

The huntress wasn't prepared to see what awaited her underneath. His eyes burned bright with a fierce desire and his face look strained, as if he was holding himself back. She touched his cheek, savoring the warmth of his skin. Frea lifted to the tips of her toes but she still couldn't reach his height, so instead she planted a light kiss on his jawbone. The stubble there tickling at her lips.

As if a switch was flipped, Shaxx wrapped his arms around her waist and raised her up to him. His mouth overtook her own in a rough kiss. He was hungry for her and showed it as he backed her against the wall, pressing his weight against her body. She replied in turn as she coiled her legs around his hips and her hands tangled in his hair.

"Shaxx," she whispered between the kisses, struggling to breath during the aggressive onslaught.

"Shhh," he growled.

His lips traveled down to her neck to nip at the delicate skin there. Frea squirmed at the feeling, but she didn't dislike it. She could feel his hand inch under the hem of her shirt, his armor cold against her back, his touch making her mad with ecstasy. Shaxx's lips returned to hers, their hot tongues intertwining. His wandering fingers brushed against a sensitive spot on her side, forcing a feverish moan to escape her throat.

Suddenly, he broke away from her and peered into her eyes.

"What is it?" She asked.

Shaxx tenderly ran his thumb over her wet lips. "We shouldn't do this, not tonight."

A wave of disappoint and confusion washed over Frea. "Are you..." She paused, unsure if she even wanted to ask. "Not interested anymore?"

"Hardly." Shaxx leaned in and brought his lips to her ear. "I've yearned for you for far longer than you can imagine." His voice was laced with passion and his breath hot on her skin.

"Then why?" She struggled to keep the fire building inside her at bay.

He met her eyes, the desire in his gaze still burning bright, he was determined to hold himself back. "Are you really in a good mindset for this right now?"

Frea bit her lip. She really wasn't, her mind was a mess and her emotions a disaster. Shaxx was right in front of her and she could barely focus on him.

"No, I'm not." She rubbed her tired eyes with a sigh and looked back up at him. "I'm sorry."

He gave her a weary smile. "No apologies needed."

They reluctantly untangled themselves and he carried her over to the bed, tucking her beneath the blanket. He lightly ran his hand over her hair and pressed a small kiss to her temple.

"Be careful tomorrow. It you need anything, don't hesitate to call me," he whispered.

"I will," she hazily replied, the comfort of her bed was already luring her back to sleep.

Shaxx lifted himself away from the bed and grabbed his helmet. He flicked off the lantern and stopped at the doorway, the light from the hall shadowing his large figure. "Goodnight, Frea."