PART 21:

Liana sat in the garden where her and Trip had their picnic. Tears filled her eyes and her hear broke again at the thought of never being with him again. But she knew it was for his own good, she tried yet again to convince herself.

Trip found Liana sitting by the tree, he watched her for several moments before he made his presence known.

He moved closer to he. "Liana," he spoke softly.

Liana stood and wiped the tears from her eyes. "Trip, what are you doing here?"

"I came to find out what's wrong," he clapped his hands behind his back. He long to hold her, but his mind told him she wold not be receptive to the gesture.

"Please, I just need to be alone right now."

"No," Trip said. "I'm not leaving until you tell me what's wrong?"

She looked away from him. "There's nothing wrong," she whispered.

"Liana."

The young woman still refused to look at him.

"Liana, please speak to me."

Liana lifted her head, fresh tears in her eyes. "I can't."

Trip moved closer to her and hugged her. "You can tell me anything."

Liana leaned into his embrace and closed her eyes.

Trip put his hand under her chin and lifted her head towards him. "What's ever wrong, you can tell me. I love you."

He kissed her and she returned his kiss. The feelings of when they fight made love started raising in her body. The fire, the passion, laying with this man on the cool grass near the mouth of the cave. She pulled back suddenly, her eyes wide. The falling rocks, Drak and his threats.

"I can't," she cried. "I can't do this!"

"Liana," Trip said stepping closer to her again.

"No Trip," she backed away from him. "We can't do this anymore."

"But..."

"No," she screamed. "It's for your own good."

And with that she turned and ran away from him.

Trip watched her flee. For my own good, he thought.

He couldn't understand what was going on. Why would she think this way? Then he realized that one person who was against this from the start must have said something to Liana. He stormed off towards the guest quarters to confront that person, rage flowing through his veins.

End of Part 21