Disclaimer:         just encase you're not aware; it's in the first part.

Rating:               P

Chapter Six: Goodbyes

Will woke up, Deanna lay exactly the same as when she had fallen a sleep. Smoothly he crawled out the bed, making sure he wouldn't wake her. He dressed and prepared breakfast. Standing in the doorpost he looked at her for while, she was so beautiful. He could look at her for hours.

Doctor Crusher is heading for your quarters Commander Riker. Gently he kissed Deanna without waking her, than he quickly he walked to his quarters to intercept Beverly. He hoped he would be back before Deanna awakened.

"Beverly." Startled she turned around.

"Oh, Will. I was just looking for you. Mind if I come in?" He hadn't been in his quarters for over days Beverly would notice that immediately.

"Uhmm, well us quite a mess, maybe we could talk in Ten-Forward?" Wonderingly she looked at him.

"Of course." They walked to Ten-Forward.

"About what do you want to talk?"

"How was your Bridge Watch?" Wry he looked at her.

"Fine."

"Have you made up yet?" He didn't respond.

"Will, she's leaving in just days."

"I'm aware of that." Beverly couldn't believe it; how could he act so cold? Roughly Will stood up.

"If you'll excuse me." Angrily he left. Beverly gave up, if they acted like three year olds there was nothing she could do about it.

------------------------------------------------------------------

Will re-entered Deanna's quarters, fortunately she was still a sleep. He decided to clean up a bit and erased some of the flowers from the night before. Half an hour he spent just by watching her. Slowly she woke up. Twisting round, not willing to wake up, she tried to snuggle against him. When she realized he wasn't there she startled.

"Will? Will!" He walked towards her and sat down on the edge on the bed.

"Ssst. I'm here." She sighed of relief and fell back on her pillow. He bend over her and kissed her good morning. Deanna put her arms around his neck and passionately kissed him.

"Slept well I assume?" With a smile she said

"Like a baby."

"You look rested."

"How long have I slept?"

"Hmm, about 12 hours?" Deanna jumped up.

"12 hours!" He hold her back.

"You deserved it. I've made you some breakfast." "Oh, thank you. I guess I'd better get dressed than." Already she stood with one foot on the floor.

"Ho, ho; it's breakfast on bed." Quickly she crawled back under the sheets.

"Hmm, being spoiled, I like that." Again he kissed her, than got up to get her breakfast.

-------------------------------------------------------------

"What do you have to do today?" All the croissants were gone, the last bit of it she had just swallowed.

"I have a meeting with the Captain about the new crewmembers who'll arrive next week. And I have the Bridge Watch." Sadly she caressed his face.

"What do you have to do?"

"O, study and practise the language and doing some exercises. I've completed the personnel files yesterday, you can give them to my successor." Up set he looked at her; she sensed his anger and sadness.

"There is no successor, no one can replace you." She took his hands and fold them in hers.

"Will promise me you'll be nice to my successor. It's not his or her fault." Muttering he agreed. She knew he wouldn't accept the new counselor right away, it could take months before he would.

"When do you have to leave?"

"I have to be at the Captain's Ready Room in thirty minutes.

"When and where will I see you again?"

"As soon as possible, I'll find you." She smiled.

"Let's take a walk on the Holodeck." Quickly he finished his breakfast and joined her. They decided to walk along the beaches of K'Tar; Betazed's largest ocean. Deanna wore a long white beach dress, the material danced on the wind. They walked side by side, enjoying their surroundings and each other. When twenty minutes had past the computer gave them a sign.

"I have to go." She nodded and gave him a kiss.

"I'll see you later." He walked out, every few steps looking over his shoulder. When he left she started another program to practise the language; she had to be able to talk and write it perfectly, she even had to talk with a native accent. She also worked on her behaviour and attitude. 43 hours was all she had to perfectionize it.

---------------------------------------------------------------

"Number One, about the new ship's counselor." Will stiffened.

"Starfleet Command has send a list of counselors who want to work onboard the Enterprise." Will tried not to show his anger; he didn't want a new counselor, he wanted Deanna.

"I've decided to wait a few weeks or even months before selecting someone." Surprised and relieved Will looked up. Jean-Luc raised an eyebrow.

"Unless you object Number One?"

"No Sir, not at all." Jean-Luc hadn't expected any other reaction from his First Officer.

"That would be all Number One." Will was ready to stand up, but waited for a second.

"Oh, your Bridge Watch has been shortened to 4 hours." Will wondered why but was wise enough not to ask.

"And Will, do consider Beverly's advice." Wry they looked at each other than both laughed.

"Was that all Captain?"

"That was all Commander." His Senior Staff knew him through and through. 'I've become predictable in my old age.'

Commander Riker took command and spent the next hours bringing his crew reports up to date.

----------------------------------------------------------------

Deanna looked at her hologram, wondering if she ever could get used to those looks. She mastered the language almost perfectly now and knew that her mistakes would be supported by her back ground story. She had sensed that Will didn't like the fact that she didn't gave him some information. But as much as she wanted to, she couldn't, it would only endanger him and the ship. She wished she could take something with her that reminded her of him.

Picard to Counselor Troi. Surprised she tapped her CommBadge.

"Yes Captain?"

The Captain of the Decoy just informed us they'll arrive 14 hours earlier." Deanna's gaze grew fixed.

"14 hours!"

I'm afraid so Counselor. She closed her eyes; this couldn't be true. 14 hours less?!

"Thank you Sir." Crushed she sat down. 14 hours? She pulled herself together and fought her tears. She decided to use the next hours to complete her training. Will's watch would be over in 3 hours. If she would be finished by then she would be free for her remaining time onboard.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Will was restless, he wanted to be with Deanna instead of wasting his time on the Bridge. Fortunately his watch was almost over.

"Ah, Geordi." He stood up, ready to leave.

"Hello Commander Riker. I believe it's my turn now." Will smiled grateful.

"It certainly is. Good luck Commander LaForge." In a hurry he took off.

"Hello Data."

"Geordi."

"What are our instructions?"

"Just keeping her on track."

"Just that?" Data nodded confirming.

"Well, that's a piece of cake." Data turned around and looked up to him.

"Cake?" Geordi laughed and tapped his friend on his shoulder.

"An ancient expression Data, centuries old." He walked to the Captain's Chair and sat down.

"Accessing...oh, I see. 'A piece of cake' an expression to indicate something is considered very easy, dating from the..."

-------------------------------------------------------------------

"Computer, locate Counselor Deanna Troi."

Counselor Troi is on Holodeck 4. On that Holodeck Deanna was aware he was coming. She had almost finished her tasks.

~Will, I'm almost done here. Go to my quarters, I'll see you there.~

"If you say so." He mumbled. Surprised looked the other in the turbolift around. No one had said something.

"Computer, deck 8."

Deanna erased the Holodeck program and ordered the computer to block all investigations aimed at retrieving the program. The admiral had given her a code that could even overwrite Captain Picard's orders. After making sure she had left no traces of her mission she hurried back to her quarters. On her way she became painfully aware that she had overdone her exercises; her shoulder and back ere sore. Finally she was in her quarters, Will took her in his arms and hugged her. She felt safe in his arms, as if nothing and no one could hurt her. She sensed his love, his concern and his fears. As much as she wanted to, she couldn't take away his fears, she couldn't even take away her own frights. Will felt she was in pain.

"What's hurting you?"

"O, that." Nervous she laughed.

"I was a bit too enthusiastic about doing my exercises."

"Well than we'd better do something about it." Mischievously he looked her in the eyes.

"Here, lay down."

"What are you up to?"

"Trust me." She didn't trust him but knew he had no malevolent or ill will and thus she lay down on the bed.

"Turn around." Laying on her stomach now she fold her hands under her head. Will sat down beside her and started to massage her neck and shoulders. It felt terrific and it even worked, Deanna felt the pain slip away.

"You're really good at this, it feels fantastic."

"Thank you. Is the pain gone yet?" It was, but she wanted him to continue.

"No, not entirely." She still had to tell him the Decoy would arrive earlier.

"Will, there's something I have to..." He pushed her hair out of her neck and kissed her at the sensitive spot just below her ear.

"Don't talk Imzadi."

"But..." He kissed her again, she wanted to turn around but he continued the massage. Softly she moaned with pleasure. He opened her uniform and made her roll over. Deanna sat up and kissed him, heated and long. Naturally he kissed back, only shorter and wilder. Their tongues worked at an incredible speed. In the mean time he undressed her, pushed her uniform down. She stood up and stepped out her uniform. Sensually she bend towards him and wildly kissed him. Roughly he pushed her back on the back. She smiled from pleasure when he caressed her body. He undressed himself too and lay down next to her. They kissed and caressed each other until they could hardly breath. When he licked her ear she shivered and softly bit in his shoulder. The tingling feeling that she felt made her groan loudly, Will sighed deeply and rolled over.

"I love you Imzadi, more than I thought was possible." He lay on his side next to her, still caressing her. She turned her head and gently kissed him.

"I know Imzadi, I know." Deanna watched him falling a sleep: she couldn't sleep; there was too much to think about. Thinking of a way to take his fears away she realized she might be able to ease his mind through his dreams. It was totally against her principles to invade his mind but she didn't know what else to do.

~Picard to Riker. He lifted his head up and tapped his CommBadge.

"Riker here."

Number One will you come to Transporter Room 3 immediately. He wanted to ask why but the urge in the Captain's voice made that he didn't.

"On my way Sir." On his way he increased his speed every few meters, eventually he ran through the corridors. He could not explain his sudden haste.

"What's going on Captain?" Captain Picard turned towards him, he had a big grin on his face.

"Will, we're beaming someone up whom I think you'd want to see." The Transporter fired up and the silhouette of a woman became visible. He recognized her before she had fully materialized.

"Will, don't. You have to wait until she has fully materialized." Captain Picard held him back, preventing he would run towards her. Once she was fully materialized he let him go. He ran up to Deanna and took her in his arms.

"You made it! You're back!"

"Of course I am, I promised you." Together they walked out the room.~ Deanna retreated herself  from his dream. This little escapade made great demands on her concentration and abilities; she just hoped it had helped.

Sickbay to Counselor Troi. Quickly she stepped out the bed and walked to another room because she didn't want to wake Will.

"Yes Doctor?"

Deanna, I have the results of the scans.

"I'll be right there." She glanced at him one more time before she headed off to Sickbay.

---------------------------------------------------------

"There you are, have a seat." Beverly pointed at the chair in front of her.

"Beverly, I'm afraid I don't have a lot of time."

"I see. Alright than, the scan results show that you are in perfect health." Deanna smiled and nodded.

"You just had an increased psilo-synine level. It's nothing big but I do want to run another scan." She couldn't let her do that.

"That's no use Bev, during my preparations for the mission I used my abilities a lot. If you could just send the reports to my quarters." Beverly was surprised, she sensed that.

"Of course."

"Thank you. I have to go now." In a hurry Deanna walked out.

----------------------------------------------------------

In her quarters Deanna crawled back in bed, intending to get a few hours of sleep. She was restless in her sleep; continuously twisted and turned. Suddenly she woke up with a start; her sudden movements awakened Will too.

"Deanna, what's wrong?" She turned her head and glanced at him, he could see fear and disgust in her eyes. He up righted himself and grabbed her shoulders.

"Deanna?"

"It's, it's nothing. Just a bad dream, that's all." Slowly she let herself fall back on the bed.

"About what?"

"It doesn't matter." Piercingly he looked her full in the face. 

"I want to know." She sighed and looked at him.

"About you."

"Me?"

"Yes, I dreamt I was returning from the mission. I was welcomed by you and the new ship's counselor. I ran towards you and wanted to kiss you, but you pushed me away...Next you introduced me to the new counselor, you're wife." With teary eyes she looked at him. For a while he didn't know what to say. He took her in his arms and held her tightly.

"I love you Deanna and I'll wait for you. You have to believe in that."

"I do." Quietly she sobbed. After a while she realized she had to tell him about her early departure.

"Will, about my departure..."

"I don't want to talk about that; it's more than a day away." She took his head between his hands, her sad and remorseful look scared him.

"It's 14 hours earlier."

"What!?! No, that can't be! Tell me it isn't true!"

"I'm...sorry." Defeated he rested his head on her shoulder.

"I don't want you to go Deanna." She caressed him; trying to comfort him.

"I don't want to go either, but I must." She kissed him and stood up.

"I have to go now."

"Why, where are you going?"

"I have something to take care off. I'll be back in about an hour." Deanna left, leaving Will alone with his thoughts, concerns and fears.

------------------------------------------------------------

"Hello Captain." Surprised Jean-Luc looked up.

"Counselor. I hadn't expect seeing you here."

"Sir, could I use your Ready Room to establish a ComLink with my mother?" She had to laugh when she became aware of his inner reaction.

"Of course Counselor."

"Thank you Sir."

--------------------------------------------------------------

In his Ready Room she prepared herself for facing her mother. She did some Betazoid relaxing exercises and hid part of her thoughts and feelings before she initiated the ComLink.

"Hello mother."

Little One! Deanna closed her eyes; if only her mother would stop calling her that. Lwaxana sensed her daughter's dismay.

And, have you found a husband yet?

"Mother!" Lwaxana held up her hands in front of her and sighed deeply.

You haven't. Well, not to worry, we'll think of something. Deanna rolled her eyes.

"How's my little brother doing?"

"Oh, he's very handsome and he's growing fast. Aww, unlike he can be very naughty. I'm sure he won't become as dull as you." Indignant she looked at her mother.

"Mother, I have to talk to you..."

You know what he did last night? He...

"Mother please, listen." Sensing Deanna was dead serious she shut up.

"I'm leaving the Enterprise today."

You have shore leave, how wonderful. You will visit us, won't you.

"Will you let me finish. I have a new assignment."

But than I won't see that handsome captain of you anymore.

"Mother please." Lwaxana sensed her daughter's sadness and fears.

Little One, why are you so scared?

"I'm going on a secret mission. I can't contact you until it's over." She tried to read her thoughts, Deanna knew.

What are you not telling me? Searching she looked at her.

"The chance...that I'll survive is only..." Her mother widened her eyes, Deanna felt her anger.

You're not going. Lwaxana's reaction was resolute.

"Mother, I..."

I'll contact the one in charge personally. How dare they! Sending a member of Betazed's most prominent family on such an insane, dangerous mission! I will not let that happen.

"Mother, I want to do this, I have to." Lwaxana sat back in her chair and looked her daughter full in the face.

Deanna, you don't want to do this, I feel that. The water stood in her eyes.

"I have to do it. I must." For the first time in Deanna's life Lwaxana didn't know what to say to her.

"Can I talk to my brother?" Confused Lwaxana looked at her.

Oh yes, I'll call him. A little boy came running towards her, he was young enough to be her son. He had dark, curly hair and bright blue eyes.

"Hello there." Deanna waved at him.

Hello. Shy he waved back.

"You're becoming a handsome big boy." He laughed and walked to the screen, with his tiny hand he touched it.

You're pretty, pretty face. Both women smiled.

"Well thank you sir." Deanna laid her hand on the monitor as well. Suddenly she saw herself as a little girl. The view was a bit vague, as in a dream.

///"I have to go Little One."

"No, don't go daddy, don't go." The girl put her little hand on the screen, on the other side her father did the same.

"I love you Deanna. I'll see you soon Little Princess."

"I love you too daddy." When the monitor went black she put her face against the screen hoping she could see him on the other side. It was the last time she had talked to him, the next day her father had died.\\\

Please don't cry. The boy tried to wipe his sisters tears away on the screen. Through her tears Deanna smiled at him.

~Go and play, my Warrior.~ When Deanna looked at her mother she knew she had seen her memory.

I don't want to loose you too Little One. A mother should not outlive her children. They talked and reminisced about Deanna's youth until it was time to say goodbye.

"Take good care of my little brother."

Always Little One, always...Deanna take care of yourself.

"I will, I will." Both mother and daughter laid their hand on their screen; saying goodbye to each other and to the ones they had lost.

-------------------------------------------------------

"How did it go?" With a sigh she plumped down besides him.

"Better than I had expected actually."

"How did she take it?"

"Well, I guess. She tried to stop me but settled eventually." Will tried to fathom her thoughts.

"Did you see your brother?" His mixed emotions made her smile.

"Yes, he's growing very fast. He looks like..." She stopped and snuggled closer against him.

"He reminds you of Ian, doesn't he." For a moment she looked at him.

"Yes, he does." After a few minutes she continued.

"I used to think the memory of him would fade away, but it hasn't." They were both quiet for some time, consumed in their thoughts and sorrows.

"How long do we have left?" A question he was almost afraid to ask and one she was afraid to answer.

"I'm not sure, 14 hours or something like that."

"Do you have things to take care off?"

"No, do you?"

"Nope." Naughty she glanced at him.

"In that case, I'm yours." A smile appeared on his face.

"Let's go."

"Where to?!! Suddenly she lost his support because he stood up. As a result she fell off the couch, Will caught her just in time.

"Next time, give me a warning sign." He laughed and pulled her along.

--------------------------------------------------------

"Computer: lock doors."

"Will, what are we doing here?"

"Making you a gorgeous dress." Amazed she followed him.

"A dress? For what?"

"Stand still." She was about to take another step.

"Stand still." He ordered her again. Still confused she did what he said. Enthusiastically he started to create her dress, docile she let him. His sometimes clumsy actions made her laugh.

"Deanna stand still, will you? How can I work like this?" His words only made her laugh even harder.

"I'm sorry, but it's just..." The indignant look on his face made the tears roll over her face.

"What!?" He was insulted; she sensed that.

"Will, how can I possibly walk in this thing?" As an expert he walked around her, inspecting her dress. His hand stroke over his beard.

"Yes, I can see you're point." Deanna couldn't stop laughing. At least this showed how often he designed dresses.

"I'll fix it. Computer: scissors." Abruptly Deanna stopped laughing.

"Scissors?"

"Hold very still."

"Oh, I will." She didn't trust him with scissors, not this close to her body.

"Don't worry, I won't hurt you."

"Not intentionally." Insulted he looked at her. He place the scissors at the end of her skirt and cut his way to the top, creating a high split.

"There, now you can walk."

"Thanks. Are you almost done now?"

"Almost." He made the dress a bit tighter and longer.

"Okay, I'm done. Computer: show us a mirror. 2 meters in high, 1 meter wide, wooden frame." The mirror appeared a few meters in front of Deanna.

"Well, what do you think of it?" With open mouth she stared at her reflection. Than she turned around.

"Will, it's beautiful." He sensed her sincerity and her surprise. She laid her arms around his neck and kissed him.

"Come on, let's dance."

"Dance?" The day was full of surprises.

"Yes, for old time's sake." The computer played the song they both knew so well and slowly they danced on the rhythm of the music. After a while they stopped and laid down on the field. They looked at the clouds and tried to see images in them. For hours they talked about the future and reminisced about their years onboard the Enterprises; all the things they'd been gone through. Sometimes a memory would bring them to tears, sometime a memory made them laugh out loud. When the hour of her departure approached she became restless and nervous.

"Ssst. Don't worry, you'll make it."

"I don't want to say goodbye to you. I don't want to loose you again." He stroke her over her hair.

"We'll see each other again, I know we will." Not able to restrain her emotions anymore she had a crying-fit. Gently he fidgeted her; feeling his strong arms around her solaced her and soothed her crying.

Bridge to Counselor Troi. Frightened she looked up.

"Yes Captain?" Encouraging Will squeezed her in her hand. We're almost ready to transport you. Could you come to Transport Room 1? Deanna swallowed her tears and looked at her intended, Will nodded at her.

"I'll be there in a few moments. Troi out."

---------------------------------------------------------

"She'll be there soon." He confirmed.

"Alright, I'll call the others." She replied.

---------------------------------------------------------

"It's almost time." With the palm of her hand she caressed his face.

"I know." They hugged each other for the last time and said goodbye with a long kiss.

"Remember me."

"Every day." She glanced at him, burned his face in her memory.

"Computer: exit." Her voice was shaky, Will swallowed his tears. Deanna kissed her finger and laid it on his mouth.

"I love you Imzadi." She turned around and ran to the doors; her dress waving behind her.

"I love you too Imzadi! I always will." He added whispering. She heard him but didn't look back and kept running; hoping the pain in her heart would be bearable. When she stepped out her dress changed into her uniform and the doors closed.

Will stood in the middle of the Holodeck, staring at the doors. It seemed unreal, he expected her to walk back in any moment, but he knew she wouldn't.

---------------------------------------------------------

Outside the Holodeck Deanna caught her breath and wiped her tears away. She started to walk to the Transporter Room, it was weird to think this could be the last time she'd walk through the corridors of the Enterprise. She knew every inch of the ship and could find her way to the main sections with closed eyes if necessary. Deanna knew the entire Senior Staff would be there to say her goodbye. Before she entered she took a deep breath and looked around one more time.

"Counselor." And indeed everyone was there. To her surprise they had decorated the Transporter Room, there were flowers, lights, paper chains and in front of the transport platform there hung a huge board saying 'Good luck Deanna, may you return safe and sound'

"You shouldn't have done all this." It was a wonderful gesture, it took a bit of her pain away and she was grateful for that. Her friends were nervous and sad and frankly she hadn't expected them to feel otherwise. Jean-Luc stepped forward.

"Deanna, you have helped this crew on every hour of the day, regardless whether you were off duty or ill."

"You have saved the Enterprise exactly 27 times." Data added, she smiled at him, not having a clue whether he was right or not. Beverly stepped forward as well.

"We're very grateful for that, but we never really thanked you." They felt guilty about that, she looked at each of them.

"But you have, simply by being my friends and by needing me." Tears welled up in the women's eyes.

"I've had a wonderful 14 years here; I will cherish those." She hugged everyone goodbye, Beverly as last.

"Take good care of those guys."

"I will, good luck Deanna. Stay alive will you? I'm not sure how long I can keep control of 4 men." They wiped their tears away and laughed nervously.

"What is it Bev, you're a bit angry."

"I wasn't able to get a hold on Will. The computer refused to give me his location thus I left several messages in his quarters but he hasn't shown up."

"Well than say him goodbye from me, will you?" Beverly was surprised by her mild voice. It seemed  she didn't mind.

"Of course." Deanna stepped on the platform and nodded at the Transporter Chief, he nodded back and held his hand above the console, ready to beam her off board.

"Hold it." His abrupt order gave them a fright.

"Deanna, I'm not fond of letting you go, this ship won't be the same without you. And I hope you'll decide to join us again when you have returned." She was flattered by his words.

"If you give me permission, I'd be honoured to beam you off board."

"I'm honoured Captain." The chief stepped back and Jean-Luc took his place behind the console. Unexpected the doors opened.

"Deanna wait!" Will came rushing in, with  a few steps he stood right before her nose.

"Hello Will." He took her hands and laid them on his chest.

"I'm sorry for the way I've been treating you."

"You're not the only one who is to be blamed for that."

"I got you something." He unfold his hand, she turned around and he hung the necklace on her neck. The thin chainlet was made of silver, the pendant was coral-blue, from what she good she the Milky way had been engraved in it.

~It symbolises my love for you. It's fiery, the complexity of it, the amount and how long it'll last.~ She looked at him, unable to express her gratitude and sadness, but knowing he sensed her feelings.

Decoy to Enterprise, we are ready for departure. Frightened the crew looked at each other.

"Enterprise here, we'll beam our Counselor on board in a few moments."

Acknowledged. Suddenly, to the surprise of very much everyone, Will kissed Deanna.

"I'll miss you Deanna, come back soon."

"I'll miss you too. I'll miss all of you." She said, glancing at the others.

"Counselor."

"Yes I'm ready Captain." Will stepped down, she held on to his hand for as long as she could.

"Good luck." They all said when Captain Picard fired up the transporter.

Will watched her fading away, her body became transparent and eventually she disappeared. Yet he was aware of her, her presence, not far away. It wouldn't last long, he knew. Soon she'd close her mind for him, afraid to endanger him.

----------------------------------------------------------

Deanna looked around her, the room where she was know was a lot smaller and darker than the previous. She walked to the window and looked out at the Enterprise. She had seen the pain on his face but more than that she had felt it and was still very much aware of it.

"Commander." The voice didn't frighten her; she had been aware of the presence, she had just ignored it; unwilling to let go of her memory of him.

----------------------------------------------------------

Still he was in the Transporter Room. The others had left, each to return to their duty, each with pain in their hearts. Yet all their pain put together didn't even come close to his. And still he was aware of her, of her love, her insecurity, her fears and her pain.

~Hang on Deanna, hang on.~

-----------------------------------------------------------

"Commander." Admiral Necheyev stepped out of the darkness.

"If you'll follow me." It was time for the last goodbye, she had to ban him from her thoughts, from her heart.

~Live Imzadi.~ Those two words said all that could be said. They captured everything they were and everything they feared; everything and their souls together. He felt her closing her mind, he wanted to stop her, but he didn't, knowing it would cause her nothing but pain.

Her mind was closed, they were still together, yet separated and very alone. Each carrying part of the other's soul.

~D~

Still with me?