Even in his dream, Ted felt the fire. At first he felt nothing, other than the blindingly bright light searing his eyelids, but then his whole body seemed to explode with the pain. And then, just as the pain was about to overwhelm him, he saw her. He felt her skin next to his, and he knew that everything would be alright.
The cycle repeated endlessly in his brain, Andromeda' touch fading as the fire restarted. Until one time, the feeling of her hand on his didn't fade. He opened his eyes, slowly at first, as the bright light brought back painful memories. But gradually his eyes adjusted, and he found Andromeda standing over him.
She let out a gasp as he regained consciousness, and then tears filled her eyes. Without thinking, he reached out to stroke her cheek. That brought the tears out of her eyes, and she squeezed her eyes shut to keep herself from crying. He knew, because he'd seen her do that a dozen times before. But despite her efforts to shut out her emotion, her hand found its way on top of his. He should shake it off, but instead he flipped his hand over and interlocked his fingers with hers.
They stayed locked in that moment until Ted finally asked, "How long have I been out?"
Andromeda opened her eyes, and slowly released his hand, though it looked like it pained her to do so. "A couple days."
"And you've been here the whole time?"
"I tried to be," she sniffed. "But Olivia insisted I get some rest."
Ted tried to smile, but it felt tight, though that may be because his skin hadn't fully healed by the feel of things. And just like that, the painful distance crept back into between him and Andromeda, and this time he couldn't take it.
He sighed. "Andromeda—"
"I'm sorry," she said suddenly, as the tears trickled down from her eyes, but she made no effort to stop them. "For everything I've done, and for everyone I've hurt along the way."
He knew she meant it. He could see the way grief and guilt racked her body. He wanted to take it away from her, but that would lead them right back to where they started. If they wanted any sort of future together, then they had to be something different than they were before.
"No," he said, "I'm sorry. If the roles had been reversed I would have done exactly the same thing." She inhaled, but didn't interrupt, and he added, "but that doesn't make it right."
She exhaled. "I know."
Silence followed their words again. He glanced down, to the hand Andromeda had left on the side of his bed. He wanted to take and press it against his lips, but he resisted. The time wasn't right.
"I don't know…" Andromeda sighed. "I don't know if you can forgive me, or if I can forgive myself… but I do know… I do know we have to do what we can to make this right." He looked up, no matter how painful he knew it would be to look at her, he could feel how important this was.
"We have to find a way to stop this attack," she said, "No matter what it might cost us."
Ted took a deep breath. This was what he had asked for, wasn't it? For them to take responsibility for the actions and to keep anyone else from getting hurt. But if they did this, they would be putting both of their lives on the line, not to mention the life of their unborn child. Could he really do that? Sacrifice his family before it had even begun?
"You realize if we do," he said, "They'll it know was us? Bella won't stop hunting us until either she or us is dead."
Andromeda shuddered, but her voice was clear as she said, "I know."
Fear threatened to overtake Ted. It was one thing to say they needed to do the right thing. It was another to actually take the plunge.
"And Rabastan?" he asked, his voice tight. "You realize what will happen to him if they realize he was the one that told you?"
He saw the tears in her eyes again, but she didn't look away from him as she said, "I do."
Something shifted in Ted as he saw the strength of her conviction. She was truly ready to sacrifice everything she loved, including him, to save their fellow students. Maybe that should hurt. It certainly filled him fear. Whatever they did next might cost them their lives. He might truly lose her forever. Yet, even as the fear and pain threatened to overwhelm him, he felt a warmth spreading through him as he beheld the woman he loved.
And suddenly, he knew what he had to do. They had to make this right. He nodded, and said, "Tell me what you need me to do."
Andromeda breathed out. She didn't look happy persay, but maybe relieved. They'd both been so lost ever since the pregnancy, it was nice to know what direction they were going in, even if they might be going directly off a cliff.