Disclaimer: Same as before

Chap. 18

Aria went over to Cain's dorm room and knocked on his door. When no response came, she turned the knob and opened the door. There, Cain was sitting in the dark at his computer terminal. His eyes were blank as he continued to work.

"I heard what happened."

He didn't answer and continued to type. She moved over to him and looked over his shoulder. He was looking at the schematics of The Controller's location.

"You can't be serious. You can't fight The Controller."

"Yes I can."

Aria grabbed his shoulder, "Think about this. The Controller, well for lack of a better word, controls everything. It has considerable power and many who oppose it don't live long."

"Yes I know. I have a friend right now who near death's door because of it."

Aria blinked. She never heard him speak in such a deadly tone. But there was something else. He's holding something back.

"Cain, what is this about? There's more to this than Koemai."

Cain jumped up angrily and faced Aria. He was about to say something when his face suddenly dropped and his anger faded.

"Why did that have to happen? I'm his partner. I should have been able to help him."

Aria stared at him for awhile. Then lifting her hand, she raised it to his cheek.

"What could you have done?" she whispered.

His eyes locked onto hers and he saw what she had done. He realized that he wouldn't have been able to do anything. Even if he wasn't on his current mission, he still wouldn't have been able to do anything. Aria watched his face as it began one of grief. Slowly she moved forward and gave him a tight embrace. He returned the hug and she felt his tears on her shoulder.

"It's okay."

His head slowly came back, grazing her cheek as he did. His face stopped moving and stayed close to hers.

"Thank you."

She looked into his eyes again and was surprised by what she saw. Hurt. Pain. So much pain. He keeps it all in to himself. Until now...

Suddenly without realizing it, her lips made contact with his. Even more stranger was that he didn't resist. In fact, he wrapped his arms around her and deepened the kiss. She found herself trying to keep up with him. He's moving fast. She paced to keep up and put her arms around his neck. Taking it a step further, she let her tongue slide against his mouth. Opening his, he accepted it and his own tongue enter into her mouth. She gave a small moan and began to sink to the floor. He followed and both of them were kneeling on the ground, still locked in their kiss. Cain found that the second she kissed him, he became lost in a whirlwind of emotion. This kiss is better than the last one, was all he could think of right now. His mouth began to drift and attach themselves to her neck. She gave out another moan and he as well. So soft. Delicious. Sheer pleasure began to over-ride his senses as his hands moved to undress her. She let her hands down as he pulled off her shirt. Once done, she then removed his, revealing his bare body. Embracing again, he moved her down to the floor. Her hair spread back like wildfire as he moved close to her, ready to ravage and take her.

"No."

"Huh?"

Cain lifted himself off of her, "I see what you are doing. I won't take advantage of you like this. No matter how I feel."

She arose herself, her gaze never breaking away from his. All she wanted to do was relieve him of the pain she saw in his eyes.

"Please. I want you to. I want to help you, even a little."

"No. It....wouldn't be fair to you."

Aria closed her eyes and opened them again. Cain expected to see anger or tears, but he saw nothing, but compassion.

"I'm sorry."

"I know."

Three hours later...

The Controller's complex was heavily guarded. Only someone highly skilled or highly suicidal would even dare try to fight their way through.

It was unknown which one of these this Raven was.

The machine swooped through the corridors, destroying the various energy beams shooting at it. The machine then reached a hall that lead to an upper level. As it flew up, it encountered more energy beams. Using its energy blade, it quickly slashed them and managed to reach the door on top. The Raven then reached an elevator and stood on it. Every now and again, it would encounter a few probes which were quickly brought down. Then the Raven received a message from Crest.

"We don't know what it is you hope to achieve here."

I wish to end someone's pain

"What can be gained by disrupting the present order?"

I only do this, because I have to.

"I guess it doesn't matter either way.

No. I guess it doesn't.

The elevator finally stopped and a pair of doors opened.

"Go on. Let's see where the future goes on your decision."

My decision. Yes, my decision. To protect the one I love. I love him.

With that, the AC Firewave launched through the doors.