Frea's clan was large by most standards, a total of sixty Guardians so far and counting. She didn't know everyone personally. Most members stuck to their own groups within the clan, going on missions with the same people but knowing that they could reach out to others as needed. They were like an extended family, the after raid parties they threw were legendary. Often including other clans and more than once some of the Vanguard could be spotted among them. It had been a year since the last gathering, so everyone they contacted was more excited for it than usual.

The huntress made a quick run to her quarters to change into a new set of armor. She thought about putting on civilian clothes instead, but after wearing armor everyday for years, wearing anything else felt too strange to her now. She dusted of her cape after clicking the last buckle into place. It had seen better days thanks to her trample through the Hive nest. The hem was starting to tear where she had made a sling for her arm and holes dotted the gold embroidered design. With a sigh, Frea swung it around over her head and adjusted it to her armor. She'd have to repair the fabric later. Strapping a new knife to her belt she dashed out of her room back toward the hanger.

Being late in the night, the lounge underneath the hanger was free for them to use. It was bursting at the seams by the time everyone who wasn't off on missions arrived. Many of them brought drinks to share, all alcoholic and most likely strong enough to knock down the biggest Titans. Others brought food and games. When the clan partied, they did so to forget their worries for one night. To not think about their duties and to simply unwind after big raids. They were always prepared, no matter how last minute the occasion was.

It was already loud when Frea returned, the jukebox was blasting but most of it was drowned out by hollering voices. She entered the doorway and was immediately greeted by familiar faces.

"Long time!" A Warlock causally waved, a crooked grin set on his face.

"Hey, Maku. It's been awhile," she said and joined the group consisting of the Warlock, two other Hunters, and a Titan.

"It really has been." He took a sip of his drink. "Sounds like your group has gotten into some trouble today."

"Trouble would be putting it lightly." Frea chuckled.

"Speaking of trouble." One of the Hunters, Arille, put a finger to her chin as she stared with a curious twinkle in her eyes. "We've heard some interesting things about you tonight."

"Oh?" Frea frowned. "Like what?"

The Titan nudged Arille. "Those are just rumors. You know you can't trust anything Psyho says."

"Oh come on, Inu. It's not like they were bad rumors." She giggled.

"Okay. Are you guys going to tell me or what?" Frea impatiently rested her hands on her hips.

"It's nothing bad, just that a little something is happening between you and a certain popular Crucible handler." Maku winked. "Never knew you were into Titans, Frea."

The huntress groaned as she rubbed a palm over her brow, hiding the blood rushing to her face. She was going to kill Psyho later.

"Isn't Lord Shaxx super uptight or something? Always making us use his title and preaching about war?" Arille asked.

"Not really. I'm a regular in the Crucible and worked with the guy for years, though I've never seen him give the googly eyes to anyone like he is right now." Smirking, Maku pointed with his chin in the direction behind Frea.

She turned slightly and met Shaxx's gaze from across the room. He was sitting with a group of Guardians playing what looked like a card game. His eyes quickly adverted away when she noticed his stare.

"Here." Maku thrusted a cup filled with a sparkling purple concoction in her direction. "Liquid courage. Go get him, girl."

Hesitantly, she took the drink and gave him a doubtful look. "Don't think I need it, but thanks anyway."

"Do you have any sixes?"

"Go fish."

Frea pushed through the crowd and came up to the group surrounding the table. Playing cards were scattered in piles around empty glasses all over the surface. Shaxx was sitting with half of the Hive nest fireteam and a rather notorious Exo, a set of cards carefully fanned out in his fingers. His helmet was off to the side and a drink was in his free hand.

"How about any twos?" Cayde asked.

"Go fish," Shaxx replied, a look of total seriousness on his face.

"Are you guys...playing Go Fish?" Frea had to put a hand over her mouth to stifle her laugher.

"Sain banned Poker at these parties after he lost his Gjallarhorn in a bet to Cayde." Dex leaned back in his chair.

"Fair and square, mind you." Cayde remarked as he organized the cards in his hand.

"I still think you cheated," Sain grumbled.

The Hunter Vanguard just shrugged as he took a swig from his brightly colored drink. "Can't prove it."

"Why don't you join us, Frea? We've got the room." Psyho reached out and grabbed the huntress by the arm, pulling her down to sit between Dex and Shaxx.

The sitting area was already packed tight and Frea could barely fit between them. Her thighs pressed against both of theirs. She still felt awkward being so close to Dex right now, especially since they hadn't quite made up after the last argument. Out of reflex, she scooted to the side to give the Warlock more space but her knee bumped against Shaxx.

"S-sorry," She whispered when he glanced down at her.

He didn't say anything. Instead he put his glass down and took her hand underneath the table, pulling her closer to him. Frea could feel her face burn hot as he intertwined his fingers around hers, not caring if Dex next to them saw. She took a long sip of the drink Maku gave her in an attempt to burn away her nervousness.

"Cayde, got any aces?" Dex asked, his tone normal. Either he didn't notice the two next to him or was doing a good job of hiding it.

"Ah damn." The Exo tossed over an ace of spades. "That's my favorite."

Dex took the remainder of the cards out of his hand and placed them on the table, all four aces. "I win again."

Cayde threw his hands up in the air. "No way, I call cheating!"

"Can't prove it." The Warlock grinned.

"Touche'. You got some wit, kid. Sure you're not one of my Hunters?"

Dex started to collect all the cards off the table to shuffle them back into a deck. "No, but being around Frea so long has sort of rubbed off on me."

"Hey!" Frea pouted her bottom lip in an exaggerated way. "I feel like I should be offended by that."

A hearty laugher spread around the table.

"This is the first time I've heard you two banter like this all day," Sain remarked.

"Yeah, seriously." Psyho chugged back the rest of her drink and added it to the other empty glasses.

"Don't worry, it'll get better soon." Dex sighed.

Frea wondered what he meant by that and was about to ask, but Shaxx's tight squeeze on her hand made her catch herself.

"Well. I'd hate to ruin the mood but it looks like I have to go. Arcite 99-40 has been buzzing my comms since we landed." The Titan stood up from the table.

"Already? It's so rare to see you cut loose, Shaxx. I'm sure that bot can go without you for a little bit longer," Cayde said.

"Tempting." He grabbed his helmet and placed it under his arm. "However, the Crucible waits for no man. It's been fun."

And just like that he left. Frea watched his back as he disappeared into the crowd toward the exit. Disappointment washed over her, she barely got the chance to say more than two words to him after they got back from the mission. An elbow in her side snapped her attention away.

"Aren't you going to go after him?" Dex asked.

"Wha-" Confusion overcame her disappointment. Dex was the last person she expected to say something like that.

"Don't worry about me, Frea. If you don't go after him now. You'll regret it later," He said kindly. Her jumbling emotions must of showed because he gave her a supportive smile. It was the calm smile he used whenever he knew she was worried. It worked magic on her.

She took a steady breath and hugged him tightly. "I'm sorry, Dex. And thank you."

He chuckled and patted her back. "Don't be. Just make sure he knows that if he ever breaks your heart, a clan of sixty pissed off Guardians will be coming for him."

Frea laughed.

It took longer than she expected to get to the door. While her clan members had automatically moved to the side to let Shaxx through, they didn't quite notice her. She was breathing heavy by the time she stumbled out into the hanger. Now free, she looked up and caught a brief glimpse of a Titan mark hem vanishing around a wall.

"Shaxx!" She called and ran toward it.

Just as she rounded the corner, her vision was obscured by orange and white armor. Shaxx caught her shoulders just before she collided into him, her nose nearly touching the medallion hanging from his furry mantle. His helmet fell from his hands and loudly clattered to the floor in his effort.

The huntress looked up and locked eyes with him, suddenly realizing she didn't know what to say to him now that she got his attention.

"I...uh," she stuttered. Her heart was pounding, but she was sure it wasn't just because of her sprint down the hallway. "I wanted to thank you, for helping out my fireteam."

Shaxx was quiet.

"Without you," Frea continued. "They might have died in there. So thank you." She offered him a small smile, trying to ease the heavy tension growing between them.

"I didn't do it for them," Shaxx finally said.

Her smile slowly melted away. "What do you mean?"

"It was Dex who called me, you know. Right after you fell into the nest." Shaxx let go of her shoulders, his fingertips lightly brushing over her arms as he did so. "I didn't drop everything and rush to the Moon just to give them a hand. Besides, they're a capable bunch, they could have torn through those Hive easily if they weren't so panicked over losing you."

"I know!" Frea looked down, frustrated. "I tried to play the hero and only ended up creating a burden for my team. I screwed up."

"No." Shaxx took her chin in his hand and lifted her face back up. "You sacrificed yourself to save another. I couldn't be more proud."

The huntress's eyes widened slightly, not expecting the compliment. She adverted her eyes from his intense gaze as she gripped her hands together. "You're so damn difficult to read sometimes."

A surprised look crossed his face for a moment. "Yes. I get that a lot." He chuckled and took his hand away.

"Have you lost friends before, Shaxx?"

"Clan members, comrades, friends...yes. I've lost many." He smiled sadly.

Frea had yet to experience losing anyone close you her, she'd been lucky so far. It was part of being a Guardian. Some chose to never build relationships to avoid experiencing the deep sadness of seeing a close friend or lover die. She always thought that spending her near immortal life alone would be far worse than that. The heartbreak would be insufferable, but at least there would be memories to cherish.

"I can't imagine what it's like but..." The huntress nervously tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "I don't even want to think about how it would feel to lose you."

Shaxx was silent again.

She wondered if she said too much, maybe he was uncomfortable with her now. She was too afraid to look at his expression. Feeling the desire to run, she took a step back. "I should probably go, my clan might be wondering where I am."

Just as she turned, his hand slammed on the wall in front of her, effectively blocking her escape. Her breath caught in her throat and ever so slowly her gaze traveled up his arm to meet his eyes. There she found them burning with fire, the look of a predator who just caught its prey. His other hand moved to cup her cheek, bringing her closer, but he stopped just before their lips touched.

"No more games," he whispered. "I want to know how you really feel."

Frea reached up and gripped his hand. "I love you, Shaxx. If I ever lost you, my heart would be crushed-"

She couldn't finish before he was upon her, his lips silencing the rest of her confession.