"So this is our new home?" Her Ghost asked, its one eye peering all around.
"For now."
Frea stepped out of the jumpship's cargo hold into the what Hawthorne called the Farm. The air smelled so clean here compared to the Last City, the sound of birds and crickets drifted from the surrounding forest. The small cluster of barns bustled with people and the occasional Guardian or two. It was almost peaceful if it wasn't for the desolate look on everyone's face. The effects of the attack reached even here.
"Night is coming in, so I suggest waiting for your little trip until tomorrow. You can take one of the tents we have set up behind the hanger." Hawthorne walked up behind the huntress and placed one of the storage crates she was carrying into a growing pile.
"Thanks for helping us out," Frea said.
"Don't thank me yet. I still rather you didn't go, but I know that sometimes trusting your gut is the best route so...I won't stop you." The woman straightened as she wiped her brow. "You see all these refugees? I haven't lost one yet. Don't go being my first." She gave Frea a quick pat on the back and then walked off in the direction of the large barn.
"She's an interesting character," Ghost commented.
"Hm..." Frea mumbled. "She seems a bit overprotective."
A gentle hand landed on the her shoulder. "Don't worry, she'll grow on you eventually." The huntress turned to meet the gaze of a Warlock Exo, a sad smile spread across his face when they locked eyes. "I'm glad to see you're still alive, Frea," he said.
"Sain!?" Frea returned the smile, practically jumping for joy. "You made it here! Does that mean the rest of the clan...?"
He folded his arms. "I've heard from a few that have made it here to the Farm, but communications are down across the system, it's difficult to say who is still out there and who isn't."
"Ah, I see." Her heart dropped.
With everyone scattered to the winds, trying to gather the entire clan was going to be near impossible. She regretting splitting off from Dex and Psyho at the Tower.
"Frea," Sain spoke up, grabbing her attention. "We're a hardy bunch, I'm sure everyone is out there surviving like they always do, even without their light. Don't count them out just yet."
"Yeah, I know." She sighed. "We've never faced anything like this before, how can I not worry? The Vanguard and our clan are nowhere to be found, I don't even know if Shaxx is-" Her voice caught.
The Warlock's gaze drifted toward the hanger and then moved back to her. Something mischievous seemed to glitter in them. "Why don't you get some rest tonight? You look like you've had a long journey."
Frea's hand cupped over her mouth as she took a long breath, calming herself. "Yeah, good idea."
"Have a good night, my friend. Come talk to me by the docks in the morning, okay?"
"I will," she mumbled.
Not wanting to shed tears in front of the Warlock, Frea whipped around and quickly walked toward the large barn being used as a hanger. She was frustrated and worried, her mind a mess. It felt like she was going to break down any moment. Sleeping it off was her best option for now. It would be a death sentence to go for the Traveler's shard unfocused.
The hanger was eerily quiet as she passed through, most of the lanterns had been snuffed out and everyone retired for the night. Something bright red in the corner of the barn caught Frea's eye and she stopped. The distinct mark of the Crucible decorated the walls of an offshoot room. She carefully stepped over the threshold for a closer look. Weapon parts and pieces of Red Jack frames were scattered all about, waiting for repairs. That wasn't what her gaze settled upon however. Amongst the blood red banners, sat Ana Bray's golden sword. The blade was broken, the orb at the hilt melted by an intense heat, it didn't survive the attack. She had left it with Shaxx after the Hive mission, thinking it would be best to not carry it around so casually, but now it was here. Wrecked maybe, but it still made it to the farm along with the Crucible. That could only mean one thing.
She absentmindedly reached for the sword.
"I wouldn't do that, Guardian. Unless you plan to meet your final death early."
The huntress froze. That voice. There's no mistaking it. She turned slowly, her eyes moving up to meet his. There Shaxx was in front of her, looking no worse than the day she last saw him. His hand was hovering over the pistol strapped to his thigh, but it immediately dropped when her face came into the light. "Frea?" His voice cracked slightly.
"Shaxx," she whispered, the tears she'd been holding back started to spill over.
He stepped forward, taking her face in his hands. His thumbs traced over her wet cheeks. "Is this another vexing dream or are you really here?"
"I'm here." Frea placed her hands over his. "And you're alive. Thank the Traveler."
"That's my line." Shaxx's arms wrapped around her waist to pull her into a tight embrace. "I heard the order Zavala gave you during the attack. When the Traveler's light was gone all I could think about was you, alone on that cursed command ship," he groaned. "I should have made you stay with me, damn it."
The huntress grasped the sides of his helmet and removed it. Seeing his alluring eyes again after so long made her stomach flutter with butterflies. Slowly, her fingertips danced along his jaw, treasuring him like he was made of glass. "I had to make sure everyone had the time to escape. It may have been fruitless in the end, but at least you all were able to get away."
His brow furrowed. "You have a knack for getting out of harrowing situations alive, it seems."
"It's a Hunter thing."
He chuckled and pulled away. "Sorry for the threat earlier. We've been dealing with bandits lately and some Guardians have turned to desperate measures."
"What do you mean?" Frea lifted herself to sit on one of the high tables.
Shaxx moved and relit one of the lamps hanging above the room, it casted a warm glow across the wooden walls. "The rookies, those who haven't had their light for long, now are suddenly without it again. And some of them have started stealing from refugees trying to get here. It's deplorable."
"Are things really that bad?" She frowned.
"Without the Vanguard, the Traveler's light, or any other means to retake the City...we are lost." He leaned against the table next to her. "I don't know what those who have turned to thievery are planning, but we drove them away from the Farm days ago. They might as well be dead by now."
The huntress bit her lip nervously. Considering Hawthorne's reaction, she had a feeling Shaxx wasn't going to take this news she was about to present very well. "I'm planning a trip to the shard tomorrow morning."
"What?!" He spun around so quickly that his Titan mark whipped at her knees. "That shard is in the middle of Fallen territory. I've already lost other Guardians to it. I will not lose you."
"I have to." She returned his intense stare. "The Traveler sent me a vision of that shard when I fell-escaped Ghaul's ship. It's my only lead and I believe it's our best shot to getting our home back."
"But Frea-"
"Shaxx." Frea intertwined her fingers in his furry mantle and pulled him closer, his hips came to a stop between her legs and his face just an inch in front of hers. His eyes widened in surprise. "I made you a promise, didn't I? I will always come back to you," she whispered. "Trust me...please."
"This isn't about trust." He rested his head into the crook of her neck with a long sigh, his hot breath washing over her skin. "For nearly two weeks, I was certain you were gone. How can I just watch you run off to face death again?"
"Because it's better than doing nothing. You once told me a Guardian is more than just their light, our experience isn't what makes us great. I have to at least try."
The Titan looked back up at her with a slightly weary expression. "I suppose if the Traveler did decide to call upon a Guardian to save us all, then I'm not surprised it chose you."
Frea smiled. The confidence he had in her was inspiring, it made her feel like she could take on the world.
Something bright glinted in his eyes and he closed the distance between them, slowly pressing his lips to hers. It started as a gentle kiss, a touch they hadn't been able to share in awhile, but they soon demanded more of each other. His tongue slipped into her mouth and drove her mind into a frenzy. He was getting frighteningly good at that.
"You're permitted to go tomorrow," he whispered against her lips. "But you're not leaving my sight tonight."
Frea woke up to the sound of a rooster crowing to the sunrise. She yawned and rubbed her eyes, careful to not wake the Titan snoozing next to her. They had somehow made it to Shaxx's tent without alerting the entire camp, though a few Guardians gave them curious looks at their passing. They both had their own reputations and seeing them together wasn't too out of the ordinary, but Shaxx absolutely refused to let go of her hand when he led her through the rows of tents. Which probably made for a suspicious sight in the middle of the night.
The huntress sighed and reluctantly started to get up from the thick blankets. That was the best sleep she had in days, being out in the wilderness with nothing but the cold ground as her bed had worn down on her body, but now she felt rejuvenated.
A large hand crept out from underneath the blanket and pulled her back down into them. In his half awakened state, Shaxx hugged her to his body, his hair tickled at her chin as he buried his face against her collarbone. His fingers moved devilishly across her bare back. The warmth of his skin was so inviting, threatening to lull her back to sleep. She missed this feeling of waking up next to him.
"Leaving so soon?" He grumbled.
"I was planning to get an early start."
He hugged her tighter. "One more hour."
Frea lightly laughed and kissed his hair. "One more hour."