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Kyle rolled over in his bed. Yes, his bed now. It felt odd when he began sleeping in it again. It had been his bed since childhood, but became hers the instant she stepped into his home, into his life. He never expected to ever care for her the way that he did, hell, he never expected to care for anyone again. He and Liz, when they were dating, had fun together, they contrasted each other nicely, but Tess … she was like him in so many ways. So teasing at the beginning, so driven to get what she wanted. But then it all changed. One day, they shared a smile. Another day, a hug. And then one day he leaned in and kissed her. She had kissed him back. From then on, 'destiny' was forgotten. They changed each other, for the better. But, why did she have to leave?
**
"Kyle?" Tess asked, sojourning in her bedroom after the meeting. "Yeah?" "Do you … I mean, do you think of us as a couple?" Her regarded her carefully. "Do you?" he countered. She twisted her mouth in thought and stared at the ceiling. "All my life, Nasedo drilled it into my head that I was destined to be with Max. He wouldn't even let me date boys because he said it would damage my feelings for Max, and I believed him. I fell in love with a story, with the thought that someday I would find my great love and we'd be together again. But then when we came here, when we found Max, Michael, and Isabel, I know that I felt something, just not love. It was more like being loyal to my former self – when I was his bride." She looked up at Kyle from her position on the bed. "But now," she smiled, "now that you and I are … whatever … I'm kind of glad that I gave up on Max. Because I … I want to be with you." Kyle tried to hide his grin. "Kind of glad?" he asked.
Tess laughed. "I'm really glad," she corrected. Kyle moved to sit next to her and ran his hand over her soft curls. "I do think of us as a couple." He paused. "It's weird to say that out loud." She nodded, agreeing. Kyle licked his lips, taking her hand in his. "And I don't want you to go away," he said more softly. Tess smiled sadly, leaning her head onto his shoulder. "I know, but I have to."
**
"Do what?" Zan asked, "Ava, are you alright?" She licked her lips, shaking her head. "Kyle," she whispered. Zan's eyes narrowed in confusion. "Ava?" he asked slowly, "darling, who's Kyle?" She didn't speak, but held a hand to her chest. Zan pulled her up, resting a hand on the small of her back. "Come," he said worriedly, "you need to lie down." Ava didn't protest as her husband led her from the study and down the corridor to their chambers.
**
"Hey Liz," Kyle greeted, taking a seat at the counter. She looked up from her order pad and smiled. "Kyle, what's up?" He twisted his mouth and rested his chin on his hands. "I'm depressed," he muttered. Liz's smile faded. "You've been thinking about her again, right?" At his nod, Liz closed her eyes briefly and made a move towards the kitchen. "Liz." Kyle reached out and grabbed her wrist. "Why can't you talk about this with me?" he asked, his voice sadder than she had ever it before. She sighed and moved around the counter, sitting on the stool next to his. "Because I don't want to think about it," she answered, "I just …" "Want to pretend like they never existed?" Kyle finished. Liz avoided his eyes. "We will talk about this," Kyle told her sternly, "we all have to get out of the dumps. I mean, think about it. They're probably all having the time of their lives up there on that planet. And, here we are, just barely making it through the days. We have to do something."
Liz smirked. "And what do you suggest?" Kyle swivelled around in his stool. "Well," he began, "do you remember the time we went up to Buckley Point?" Liz fixed him with a hard look. "Kyle …" "Come on!" he laughed, "let's do it again. Tonight. You with me?" Liz tried to hide her smile. "Order up!" came a shout from the kitchen. Sliding off her stool, Liz didn't answer him, but smirked as she walked past him with table five's order. "Oh, you are so with me!" Kyle called.
