Hymn

by Joon and Poe

COMPLETE! Part 1:Fated Storms Arc. A Tale of Love, Loyalty and Friendship. AU, Yaoi. Duo's life is never the same after it is touched by death, mystery and romance. He finds within himself and his comrades courage to face demons real and inside each soul.

2. A Dream Within a Dream

part two: a dream within a dream

What are you doing little one?

Duo turned away from a tall marble statue of the Virgin Mary as the deep calm voice of Father Maxwell invaded his silence.

I wanted to know why he took them, Duo said plainly as he turned back to the statue. He was much younger, his braid was shorter and he had about him a soft sort of innocence. A purity only children possess.



My mom and dad.

Father Maxwell sighed and sat beside the young american boy. He glanced up at the statue which had transfixed the usually rambunctious boy with a sad little smile.

Do you know who that is little one?

Sister Helen?

Father Maxwell could not help but laugh as the small Duo confused the statue to be one of the nun who helped Father Maxwell look after him. he said as he regained his composure. That is Mary, the mother of Jesus.

The mother of God? he asked curiously.

In a way, yes. Father Maxwell then turned his attention to the painted walls and stained glass windows of the vast cathedral. If you don't mind me asking, why did you pick this particular statue?

Duo blinked and rubbed at one of his big violet eyes. I dunno, he said with a shrug. She looked like she'd know.

Father Maxwell smiled. He took the cross from around his neck and handed it to Duo. Do you want me to teach you a prayer little one?

Less than a day later- he was dead.

~ooO*Ooo~

What were you dreaming about? Relena's curious indigo eyes peered into him from across the branch of the tree he sat in. You fell asleep.

I didn't know I could do that, Duo said with a confused look on his face. I'm already asleep.

It doesn't always have to make sense, Relena said with a soft laugh. anything is possible here I suppose.

Duo laughed and jumped from the tree in a cat-like manner. What do you wanna do now ojosan? He tapped his foot, waiting impatiently for Relena to find something for them to do.

You're about to wake up. Maybe next time.

~ooO*Ooo~

His eyes crept open slowly, lingering on a vision of Relena's smile- even if it was not real it brought him volumes of comfort and hope. He rubbed at one of his big violet eyes with the back of his hand, dusting the sleep from the corners of his mind. After yawning loudly he rolled onto his back and stared for some time at nothing at all. It was getting harder to tell whether he was awake or asleep. Having fallen into a dream of his past while dreaming of Relena and her sun dappled lake left him somewhat confused. How could he dream when he already was? Perhaps he had not been dreaming at all.

He groaned softly and willed his body into a sitting position. Thin strands of pale light rested on the panes of the stained windows. He looked at his watch- six AM. He could not remember the last time he had slept soundly without waking at some insane hour. It was really starting to piss him off.

~ooO*Ooo~

This doesn't feel right, said Quatre as he ran a hesitant hand through his golden hair. We should be doing something to aid in the search for whoever did this.

Trowa's eyes communicated a comfort and understanding words could not. He pulled the small blond into his arms, breathing in the scents so uniquely his.

I feel so helpless.

Trowa remained silent as he hugged his koi tightly and buried his face in the sun-colored locks of his beautiful hair. You're not helpless. We have done everything we could, he leaned to kiss Quatre's forehead softly. all we can do now is hope, and wait for justice to be served.

Quatre giggled quietly. You sound like Wufei.

Trowa smiled and leaned to capture Quatre's lips in a tender kiss.

~ooO*Ooo~

Duo shoved several black shirts into a small suitcase of the same color, followed by pants, a hair brush and a few other essential items. There shuttle did not depart for several more hours, but Duo knew he was already behind in his chores. The other three pilots had packed what little they had and loaded it into the small rented car in the pre-dawn hours. Duo of course, had spent much time trying to go back to sleep- cursing everything in site when he could not, and promptly hiding under the covers when the light outside told him it was too late now.

His stomach growled loudly, reminding him he had not so much as snacked in almost two days. Grief was a funny thing. It seemed to affect everyone differently. Quatre and Trowa seemed more dependent on each other, Heero went into soldier mode, and Duo. . . Duo was a wreak. Even with Relena's nightly visitations and comforting words- from Quatre at least, Duo just wanted to crawl under a rock and stay there forever. His jokes became few, and far apart. His smile seemed faded and painful though he plastered it to his lips whenever he thought someone might be watching him. He found himself dreading the flight back to the Earth. Relena's death continued to be surreal in his eyes. He could still see her and speak to her when he wanted to. Going back to the Sanc Kingdom, attending her funeral- it would make it all real and unchangeable. It made it final. He did not want that.

He was torn from his fears and tortured thoughts by Quatre's voice calling him from the kitchen. Duo felt the full force of his hunger and decided he should have something to eat before his mind convinced his stomach he was too sick to have anything. He silently slipped from the room and walked slowly towards the sound of Quatre's voice.

I made some rice, said Trowa as Duo's shadow crept across the black and white tiled floor. and there's some left over stir fry in the fridge.

Rice is fine, Duo replied with a forced smile.

Trowa nodded and handed him the steaming bowl. Duo thanked him and cautiously began to eat his lunch. Mostly he just stared into his bowl- rice had never seemed so fascinating before.

Where's Heero? he asked after far too many minutes of a far too still silence settled upon the small kitchen. He had noticed the absence of the soldier upon entering the room but had thought it best not to draw any attention to himself as his rice remained almost completely untouched.

Quatre shrugged, but Trowa nodded towards stairs. Duo replied with a nod of his own and left the table along with his uneaten food.

~ooO*Ooo~

Pain. Anger. Sorrow. Anguish. Hurt. Agony. Frustration. Sadness. Regret. He felt so many things, though his eyes never changed. He cried silently- without tears. Could one even call it crying? He could want to cry or could feel he was crying, but that was all it was. Empty. Cold. Motionless. He could not explain why he cared so much. He should not care- should he? A soldier had no room for compassion or tears. So why? Why did he feel this way?

((In Joy and wo-))

Penny for your thoughts?

He snapped around, nearly tumbling from the ledge of the small balcony where he sat. He noticed Duo looked more than slightly amused at catching him off guard like this though he didn't stop to gloat and giggle. It's nothing, he said coldly, fixing Duo with his best Omae o Korosu' glare.

Duo knew he was lying. He also knew pressing the question would either earn him a black eye or a free flying lesson off the balcony, neither of which he really needed at this point in time. He contented himself with watching the wind dance through Heero's hair and the soft light of the afternoon play across his smooth skin. He was so beautiful. Angelic.

We should be going soon.

Duo nodded shallowly and turned back to the inner warmth of the house.





Heero looked out into the colony. Never mind.

~ooO*Ooo~

I already know my prayers. The little Duo turned the cross Father Maxwell had handed him over and over in his hands. It was silver, close to three inches long and delicately carved. It was beautiful- breathtaking. He turned to hand it back, but Father Maxwell shook his head.

It is yours now little one, he said with a warm smile. will you treasure it always?

The young Duo nodded, at a very rare loss for words. He fastened the small clamp of the chain behind his neck without lifting his eyes from the hallow silver hanging now around his thin neck.

Do you know of a man named Edgar Allan Poe?

Is he a priest too?

Father Maxwell answered with a chuckle. he was a famous poet long ago on the Earth. After saying this, he pulled a small tattered book from within his coat.

Is he the guy who wrote about that bird? Duo asked, crinkling his nose slightly. It wasn't scary, he said with an air of dignified bravery though Father Maxwell noted the squeamish flinch as he affirmed Duo's suspicions.

That's not a prayer, said Duo hotly.

Father Maxwell chuckled again. You are right little one. The Raven' is a magnificent piece of work though not in fact a prayer.

Duo stared at him with abundant confusion in his large dark eyes.

He wrote many other poems and stories, Father Maxwell continued, there is one far smaller and quite unknown. . .

~ooO*Ooo~

Relena did not come to him then. She knew it would only hurt him now. He needed some time alone in his mind. She sat in a high branch of one of the Sakura trees along the shore of the warm fragrant lake, simply staring into the calm twirling waters while the setting sun embraced her through the tree's rosy blossoms.

~ooO*Ooo~

So ashen. So still- The Sanc Kingdom was a melancholy place now. The streets were empty. Even the sun seemed to shy away from the once jovial kingdom. There was no laughter- no smiles on the faces of the people. They looked as lifeless as the pilots felt as their shuttle docked at Sanc's spaceport. The excruciatingly long flight had passed in such a silence Duo feared he had gone deaf. He had fallen into a light sleep during the flight. Memories of a childhood so short and long ago still swayed through his clouded mind- but no Relena. For the first time since her death she had not come to him with words of comfort and wisdom. He did not know how he could get through this without her.

Pagan met the four at the port and drove his silent black clad passengers to the Cathedral in which Relena's service was to be held. Never before had something so wondrous seemed so wrong. The tall beauty of this holy place was lost on all those who stood within its painted walls. Smiling cherubs lined the walls with a graceful sweep of infant wings. They should not be smiling, Duo thought to himself. The Dove of Peace had been torn from the crystalline skies. Her wings were broken and that light in her eyes faded. The angels should not be smiling on a day like this.

Wufei was seated in a back pew, as to not draw attention to himself. Despite the tragic death of this Dove, there was still a battle to be had, and he was still a Gundam pilot. He stood as he caught sight of the other pilots, nodding sympathetically to Duo. Wufei was sometimes too observant and clever. The pain and sorrow hiding behind Duo's eyes was sadly not hidden well enough- Wufei picked up the scent immediately. Duo was hurting, and no one else seemed to care.

This was it. It was *real* now. There was nothing he could do. He could not change the past, and he would never see her again. Death was forever.

All of you are here today to remember Relena Derlain Peacecraft, The tear filled voice of Lucrezia Noin sounded through the vast marbled walls of the weeping cathedral. a life ended much too soon by the ugliness of war.

Noin continued to speak of politics and Relena's fine achievements, drawing sorrow from the crowd and her own dark eyes.

This isn't how Relena wanted to be remembered! a voice inside of Duo screamed. She was kindness and light. She was just a girl for Christ's sake! She never wanted any of this!' He could feel the anger and hurt swelling within him. None of these bubbling politicians knew Relena. Not for what she truly was. A frightened, timid little girl hiding behind this false pretense they groomed her for. Princess of Sanc, Vice-Foreign minister, the Dove of Peace- Queen of the World. She just wanted to be a girl. She wanted to eat ice cream and play in the wildflowers, go shopping and have real friends. Not the countless nobles who glomped onto her at banquets and balls, those faceless, nameless people who saw her only for her position and not the breathing, bleeding human being she was.

He wanted to march to the front of the glorious church and curse them all, to tell them who Relena really was. What she believed, what she loved, what she wanted out of this poor shackling life. Everything she did, everything she sacrificed- it was for the Earth and Space, for the people she loved. None of this was for her or her own world position and greed, nothing ever hurt as long as it was for the good of her people- of all people. Duo was disgusted to see them sob over her this way. He could not believe how they disgraced her memory with thoughts of unfinished speeches and the job, not the girl. He wanted to cry. But he did not have the luxury of such an indulgence.

Heero found himself stealing glances at the braided pilot beside him. He seemed to be waging some fierce internal battle and losing drastically. His body shook so softly no eye but that of the Perfect Soldier could detect the tremble of the other. It hurt him to see Duo this way, without a smile, even when he did not mean it that smile brightened the darkest of nights and healed the deepest of wounds. In his heart he knew he cared, cared that Duo was hurting, but his mind would not let him trust his own heart. In the heart was love, compassion, and weakness. And so the soldier fought his own battle- wanting nothing more than to gather Duo into his arms and whisper away his pain- but knowing he never could. He could only be what he was. When faced with two demons, you choose the one you know. He knew the fight, the blood, the glory. A soldier's life. That was all he could be. Nothing more. No matter how much it hurt inside.

To Heero, the remainder of the day passed quickly, almost too quickly. A blur of crying eyes and swish of dark clouds found him in his rented room, pouring over some meaningless mission report or another and wishing just to sleep. Nothing seemed to make much sense these past days. In all his training, all his battles, nothing prepared him for anything like this. Lives were taken on the battlefield where men were made and broken. Not like this. So cowardly. Relena had probably not even had time to react. Bang, bang and she was lying in a pool of her own blood. She never regained consciousness. In all the hours she lied motionless in the hospital bed with soulless machines breathing for her and beating her heart, she never opened her eyes. She never got to say good bye. No one did.

((in good and ill-))

He had almost forgotten how beautiful a sunset was. And the stars- the moon, one could not adore them like this from the colonies. The Earth made them seem almost magical. Every night, as the sun crept below the horizon these shimmering bantam dancers whirled into the darkened skies to lift the veils of who we truly were.

They seemed to go on forever. But nothing was forever- nothing but death. Shinigami had claimed another. Duo cursed himself for taking on this role, this name of he who had taken so many of his loved ones- and now, Relena. Everything he ever loved, everything he touched died. He was Shinigami. He was death himself, and with his immortal touch, had extinguished the life of another undeserving soul.

How long could he continue this way? Battle. Death. Blood. Forgiveness? How much longer would he be able to live with himself? How many fathers and sons, mothers and daughters would he have to kill? How many more families would he destroy? Is that how he lost his family? Had they died valiantly in some desolate field of broken promises? He wanted to know the truth. With all of his heart he wanted just to know. He did not even know his real name. He did not know who he was. Was he the frightened street rat Father Maxwell had taken into his kind embrace? Was he the pilot of a killing machine? The God of Death? When you have been pretending for so long, how do you know which one is your mask? How do you find your heart after burring it under so many smiles?

~ooO*Ooo~

Please, come and stay with us. The small blond had pleading eyes no one could refuse. Those big indigo orbs were so innocent and pure.

I don't know, Quatre. I don't wanna impose er,

Don't be ridiculous! Quatre shouted, somewhat flustered.

Well, when you put it that way, Duo said sarcastically, placing a hand behind his head and laughing quietly. I'd love to stay with you.

Quatre chirped with abundant enthusiasm. That just leaves Heero- but Quatre was cut short by the quick shake of Trowa's head. he continued with a slight pout. Heero wont be coming then? At this Trowa nodded, and Duo wore his own faint pout.

Duo said with a labored smile. I'll just get my bag. With that, he bounded down the halls of the lavish hotel they had been boarding in and to the door of his own room. He rummaged through his deep pockets in search of the illusive key, and after swearing and deciding pocketless spandex might make things easier, their little game of hide and seek was ended and Duo let himself into his room.

Packing was a quick task since he had brought very little with him. Within minutes he had filled his bag and turned to leave the lavish room.

Knock, knock.

Duo jumped slightly, realizing the knock came not from the door to his room, but of that connecting his room to Heero's. Anxiously, he dropped his bag and opened the thin door.

Hey, Heero.

Heero did not offer a greeting, instead he looked past Duo, seeing his bag packed and ready to go.

You're leaving?

Duo paused, picking up on a the note of disappointment in Heero's voice. Quatre invited me to stay at his place for a while.

Heero looked at his feet, finding them suddenly fascinating.

Why'd you decide to stay behind? Duo asked quietly.

I have a mission, Heero said, not raising his eyes from the azure-colored carpet. He wished the peace of the world might do without him for once. He wanted to go with the others to Quatre's estate and dream away a day without war and death and destruction. A day to dream away with Duo. Guess this is good bye then.

No, not good bye said Duo with a small sincere smile. just see ya round.

See you around, Duo.

Duo nodded once before Heero drew his door shut, severing himself from that little smile no one else ever knew.

~ooO*Ooo~

You're no fun today, Relena pouted, crossing her arms over her chest. what's wrong? She raised a honey eyebrow curiously.

Nothin' ojosan, said Duo with a smile and a shrug. But Relena was not convinced. She knew him better than that.

You can't fool me that easily, she said, jabbing an accusing finger at him. Something's wrong and you wont be able to hide it very long. I know how you are. Satisfied with her miniscule victory over the frustrated Duo she lowered her hands to her hips, waiting patiently for him to spill the beans.

And what exactly is that supposed to mean? Duo scoffed. You know' how I am huh? Duo crossed his own arms and stared her down, utterly refusing to speak another word.

Are you still mad at me? Relena asked suddenly. I said I was sorry Duo, I thought you wanted some time to yourself.

Duo just turned away from her, remaining oddly silent.

I didn't mean to upset you, you know that. I just didn't want to confuse you either. Relena sighed deeply, taking a moment to gather her thoughts before continuing. I know this has been hard on you. Just tell me if you want me to leave.

Hearing this, Duo spun around, grabbing her harshly by the shoulders winning a small gasp from the princess.

he asked, sarcasm dripping from the word. Relena, I don't think I'd hold onto my sanity long if you left now. Not like this. Slowly, he loosened his grip on her slender shoulders, casting her a slight smile in apology and the subject was instantly dropped.

How are things at Quatre's? she asked shyly into the unsettling silence.

Duo chirped happily. Good food, fancy parties, and someone else cleans up after you. Why didn't ya ever tell me how fun this rich living stuff was?

With wealth and power comes responsibility, she said, sounding like a crinkled old noble. She then wrinkled her nose at her own words and opted to climb into a low branch of the majestic Sakura tree. It is pretty nice though. She leaned her back against the trunk of the wise old tree and motioned for Duo to sit beside her. He quickly obliged, hopping into the tree like some mystical fae creature.

What was it like?



Duo flushed slightly and began playing with the end of his braid. Umm, well. . . Dying I guess. Did it hurt?

Relena smiled softly, wondering how long Duo had been contemplating whether or not to ask this question. Judging by his sudden discomfort and the way he was fidgeting it had been some time, perhaps from the begging. Could she blame him? Death was the last mystery men had. Sure they had their theories and assumptions, but no one really knew, unless of course they had experienced it first hand.

Only at first, she said sadly, drawing another deep breath. It's like dreaming, you're not sure what is real and what you are simply wanting to believe. It's not like I though it would be. No booming voice, no bright light. It's almost like being wrapped in a big warm blanket. You just sort of, fall asleep.

At this point, Duo had stopped moving completely. He stared at her through his unruly bangs, clinging to every word she spoke.

Why do you ask?

I. . . well, Duo went back to playing with his braid. I just, umm. . . I've killed so many people, and well. . .

Relena began to understand. You did what you had to Duo. You fight to give the people back their smiles. You're doing the right thing.

How do you know that? Duo shouted, his hands balling themselves into fierce tight fists. How do you know this is the right path?

I. . . Duo,

~ooO*Ooo~

He woke in a tangle of sweaty sheets and knotted hair. He was breathing hard, feeling as though he had been running for his life. The right thing. What was it? Which path led to peace, and which led to more war and decay? He said he was fighting to return the smiles to the faces of the people, but the people did not want their smiles back. They thrived on destruction and battle. They were not human anymore. They were no better than animals. They had become soulless and blood thirsty. Why should he fight for them? Why risk his own life- his sanity, for those who sought nothing more than to destroy themselves along with the Earth and space? Heero. That was why he fought. Why he continued to torture himself this way. Heero knew nothing but war. He killed, he destroyed, he completed his mission. Duo envied him. He was like a machine. All the death, all the sorrow- nothing penetrated his armour. He was the perfect soldier. Heero fought for peace, but when the fight was over, what became of the soldiers with nothing but blood to live for?

That was why, why he fought beside him- why he fought at all, he wanted to be like Heero- yet, shuddered at the thought. Emotions were not needed in wars. But after the war? Perhaps if Heero could teach Duo to fight, Duo could teach Heero how to feel when the fire and death was over.

~ooO*Ooo~

How is he?

Quatre hid his surprise with a small smile. he said, noting the concern in those prussian eyes. He started eating again. Instead of leaving with an empty stomach he has emptied the kitchen.

Heero almost laughed. That sounded like Duo, no kitchen was safe with Shinigami on the loose.

He misses you.



He misses you, he said again, searching Heero's eyes for any sign of comprehension. Do you want to talk to him?

I shouldn't be much longer here, he said, changing the subject quickly. I'll meet up with the rest of you by the end of the week.

All right, Quatre said, deciding it best not to start an argument with the soldier now. I'll have a room prepared.

Heero nodded once and severed the connection, his face swiftly disappearing from the video link on the phone.

~ooO*Ooo~

Heero stared at the blank screen for several minutes, Quatre's words chasing themselves in circles in his mind. *He misses me?* He felt the night lurking in the corners of his room, bleeding darkness across the blank walls. He mechanically switched on the lamp beside him. The dim false light spilled across the papers lying on the desk in front of him. World mourns its lost Queen. read the headline of a local paper. Sanc seeks new ruler. It seems the people had not forgotten the death of their Dove. Relena had not been buried more than a fortnight when Sanc's government began searching the skies for a soul to fill her delicate shoes.

Duo missed him. Heero's thoughts quickly fled the Sanc Kingdom only to dwell on the one thought that seemed to matter now. Duo. He allowed his imagination to indulge in a dream of his braided angel lying in a sun drenched patch of grass. His lidded eyes closed languidly, masking that radiant violet from all the world. He imagined himself lying beside him, watching him slumber, breathing heavily the lily scented air. He dreamt of a world without wars and death, of a world where he and Duo could finally be together and at peace. Peace. The word was frightening and cherished all at once. When the fighting disappeared, and Heero Yuy was nothing but a used and broken soldier, when he was useless and alone, would Duo want him? Where do all the soldiers go when they are no longer needed? Those bred for the battle, those who knew nothing but death- where did they belong when the blood was gone? Where did he belong?

~ooO*Ooo~

Check mate. Trowa stared across the chess board at the downcast eyes of his companion. He raised a chestnut eyebrow quizzically. It was not often Trowa won a strategical game against the small blond pilot. Quatre was the brains of the operation. He had saved their skins in countless battles with his cat-like reflexes and vast tactical knowledge.

Quatre jumped slightly, his disoriented eyes meeting Trowa's with a tiny shock. A thin smile swept through Trowa's eyes as an embarrassed blush rose in Quatre's cheeks.

Trowa lowered his arched brow but silently voiced his concern once more.

I'm all right, said Quatre with a ghost of his bright smile, but Trowa was not convinced. His eyes traced over the face of his koi, searching his eyes for any whisper of what might be on his mind. Quatre offered another weak smile, catching those jade eyes with his own. I'm all right, he repeated softly. Just a little tired.

Trowa nodded and rose to his feet, offering a strong hand which was gratefully accepted and given a reassuring squeeze.

~ooO*Ooo~

What's do you miss the most?

About being alive?

Duo's head bobbed up and down sheepishly.

I don't know, Relena bit her bottom lip lightly, ruffling her memory for the fondest of remembrances. the sun I suppose. As she spoke, she tilted her face to the radiant light smiling down upon them.

Is that why it's never night here?

A small smile crossed her rose hued lips as that magnificent warm light washed over her pale skin, hugging the corners of those upturned lips and nestling sweetly among her honey eyelashes. This truly was heaven. The sun and the pink sakura blossoms caught in the autumn breeze while the cool translucent waters lapped against the golden sands of the shore. This was her heaven, where the sun never set, and the moon never sang its lost lament of broken hearts and slain loves.

I love the sun, she said with her eyes still hidden beneath her fluttering lashes. What do you love Duo? What are you going to miss the most?

~ooO*Ooo~

The sun rose and set, illuminating and abandoning the fleshy petals of each morning glory replacing its cascading warmth with night's embrace, curling the indigo flowers back into the familiar and protective holds of there own swaying fingertips.

((Mother of God, be with me still!))

*What do you love?* Duo lie in the wind kissed grass, watching the new born clouds dance by. *What do you love?* He closed his eyes, reaching into himself, seeking desperately the answer to her question. How do you know what you love? Describing love was like trying to make the blind understand the beauty of a sunset. How do you know when you are in love? Love was like a willow, eternally changing and growing and weeping. Love was loss and sacrifice. Love was life and death. So how do you know? Was it like pain? Is it an unmistakable sensation? Duo shook his head, trying to clear his mind of the jumble of half finished thoughts bouncing around inside like drugged bunnies. *What do you love?*

~ooO*Ooo~

You know you're beautiful when you get that devious light in your eyes.

A fierce chill ran down her spine, nipping at her alabaster skin as white teeth closed bewitchingly over the artery on the side of her neck, trailing bantam kisses and bites along her shivering nape. Pausing only long enough to whisper soft alluring secrets into her glowing hair, the owner of the quiet seductive voice curled a thin hand against the ivory neck before it.

I'm always beautiful, said the girl with the golden tresses, wearing a grin that did not touch her eyes.

Aa, koneko- that is why I adore you. The quiet voice fought through the air, waltzing on daggers and piercing beneath the flesh and warping itself around the heart strings of the girl with the devious eyes, infecting the fluttering psyche within. What treasures have you found me?

Be patient, said the girl with another dark grin.

Patience koneko? said the voice, letting breath and smile be felt against the neck of the girl in its grasp. you torment me, curiosity killed the cat you know.

I know.

Soulless laughter escaped the throat of the quiet one.

It is not time yet. Soon, very soon. She traced the soft pads of her fingers over the tender hand encircling her arched neck.