A/N: Okay, I haven't been able to write lately because I've had way too much homework. I've had this chapter for a while, but haven't been able to upload because I've been grounded from fanfic for about four months. I hope that you enjoy it... Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters. they belong to Tamora Peirce Chapter 2 Daine awoke to find the usual menagerie of animals spread over her bedcovers. As she did every morning, she spoke to each one, paying special attention to the dragon baby Kit. It wasn't until she had finished talking to a family of cats that she realized that she wasn't the only person in the room. Someone had silently walked into the room as Daine had been speaking to the animals. The boots were what had caught her attention, fine leather cut to hold up well in battle, and they were followed by chain mail that had recently been scrubbed clean. Then she saw the shield that was leaning against the chair, red with a lioness rearing across the metal circle. "Alanna!" she cried, almost jumping up to hug her friend. Then she smiled, remembering that her friends on the blankets wouldn't like to be swept onto the floor if she tore off the bed coverings to race toward Alanna. She decided to lean against the headboard instead. "I've missed you so much. Where have you been? How is George? How is Pirate's Swoop?" Alanna stood up and gently smoothed the covers that the sixteen year old had rumpled in her attempt to get up. "I missed you as well. I stopped by Pirate's Swoop on my way over here and everything there is fine. I heard that you have had a lot happen to you in these past few months. It looks as if you have acquired some new friends as well. Some of them are standing outside waiting to see you." She smiled at the young woman who smiled back. "And Numair?" Daine had to ask how he was doing. She had to know before she could do anything else, including rest, or see any visitors. A frown crossed Alanna's lips. " He's getting better. He just won't stay in the infirmary bed long enough to let that wound of his heal properly. " Then she smiled," He keeps trying to get up to see a certain sixteen year old wild mage, a student of his. The doctors are having a lot of trouble keeping him from going to visit her." She winked and turned to look at the doorway. Standing by the door was a tall man with unruly shoulder-length black hair. One of his legs was bandaged, and both Daine and Alanna could see that he was trying to keep his weight off of it. His arms were crossed as he leaned against the wall, trying to stay in the shadows until the conversation was done. Alanna's words had brought a smile to his face, and his eyes were glittering. "Numair!" Daine cried. Forgetting the animals scattered on the bedspread, again, she tore down her covers and jumped out of bed. She started to run toward him, but suddenly became very dizzy. Alanna caught as she fell to the floor. Numair rushed over to help Alanna gently place her back into bed. "I think that I'm going to leave you now so that you can rest and get your strength up." The knight excused herself and left the small room. On her way out, she gave the mage a glance, warning him not to stay too long. "Magelet," he whispered," You know that you're not well enough to get out of bed yet." " I couldn't help it... I wanted to see you, again. I wanted to make sure that you were okay. How is your leg? Alanna told me that you are getting in trouble with the...." She broke off as Numair's head came down and his lips touched her lips. They kissed with fervor, with the passion after being apart for so long, with the love that was deep within them. They kissed deeply, each kiss lasting longer than the one before. She stroked his back, ran her fingers through his hair, held him, wanting to be sure that he was okay and that he loved her. He held her tightly, unaware of the tears that streamed down his face. He realized that he could never stop loving her and that nothing would ever change that, even if she ever thought that he was too old. Hoping that she felt the same way, he kissed her with more passion, teasing her lips with soft gentle pulls. He broke off suddenly and tried to get a good look in her eyes. "You're crying!" they both said at the same time. They laughed through their tears and looked at each other again. One saw a young lady, full of promise, of hope, and of love. The other saw a man, full of kindness, of dreams, and of love. They knew that they loved each other at that moment. Daine lifted her mouth up and very softly kissed his forehead. She pulled away and he brought her back and put her head against his chest. Then they sat together, rocking back and forth, with Numair crying into Daine's hair and with Daine crying into Numair's chest. Neither knew why the other cried, but they got comfort from each other, and held one another for the rest of the night.

A/N: Sorry that this isn't a better chapter, but this is the only thing that I had written and that I could upload on such short notice. Anyway, if you enjoyed it, write a review and let me know! Lady Cythera