The afternoon following her injury and her unsuccessful discussion with D'Argo, Rainne joined Crais on Talyn permanently. When they disembarked from the transport pod Talyn began to talk. Rainne could tell from the tone that Talyn seemed pleased that she had rejoined them.

"Yes Talyn, she is joining our crew. It will no longer be just the two of us. Now follow the course I planned."

"Where are we going?" Rainne asked, intrigued. She turned to face him in the corridor, Crais could see the smoldering beginning in her eyes, he watched the green deepen, the flash of grey. Rainne put her hand on his chest. "Tell me."

"It is a surprise. Now let's place your things in our chamber." He took the duffel from her and grabbed her hand, pulling her down the corridor.

"Our chamber?" Rainne said breathlessly, suddenly realizing the implications of sharing quarters with him.

"Yes." He replied continuing. They stopped at the door to the room. "This is now your chamber as well as mine." The door opened. The lights were dim and the room was slightly warmer than usual. "I hope it is to your liking."

"It is perfect Bialar." She replied as she walked in. Crais placed her duffle on the table.

He removed his gloves and disconnected the Hand of Friendship before grasping her gently, pulling her tight to his chest. "C'Thha," he whispered as he nuzzled her neck and nibbled her ear. Rainne closed her eyes. She had wanted to be with him alone, no interruptions, no fears, just him.

"Beloved." She replied, unfastening his jacket. He shrugged out of it. He was wearing a sleeveless shirt underneath. He drew her into a passionate kiss, holding her face in his hands, Rainne pulled her outer shirt off and threw it to the floor. Crais pulled the strap of her tank down and kissed her shoulder.

Rainne reached up and pulled the leather thong from his thick black hair. It fell in waves around his face and caressed her bare skin as he kissed his way back up to her lips. Crais kissed her greedily, ensnaring her lips in his own, Rainne opened her mouth and their tongues entangled, she felt tremors of pleasure wash through her body. Rainne was uncertain of what to do next. She had never been kissed that way before, she was sure she would have remembered it. Crais stopped long enough to draw her toward the bed.

He pulled the tank top over Rainne's head and then removed his own shirt. She stood there half nude in front of him, unsure of what was going to happen, but unafraid. Crais pushed her backward onto the bed and crawled over her. He straddled her legs, cautiously avoiding her damaged ankle, as he caressed her upper body. Rainne closed her eyes and let the feelings flow over her. She shuddered as he kissed her repeatedly. Soon he pulled her into the sitting position, up against his chest. His skin was rough against her own.

Crais again captured Rainne's mouth in his. She responded and began to caress his back as she wrapped her arms around him slowly. Crais sensed her apprehension, he stopped kissing her and lay down next to her on the bed. He rolled, pulling her over him so she was lying on his chest.

"Rainne." He said, his voice husky with emotion. "Are you uncomfortable?"

"A little. This is all new to me." She paused nervously tracing the pattern of his goatee with her finger. "This will be my first experience."

"We can stop." he whispered. "If you feel you are not ready."

"No. Teach me."

"As you wish." He smiled and caressed her cheek. Crais grabbed Rainne's hand and gently placed it on his chest, "now touch me, wherever you wish." She moved her hand over his skin, it was soft and cool, though she could see the beads of sweat forming on his forehead. He shuddered when she drew her hand across his nipple. Rainne traced his scars lightly with the tips of her fingers. His breathing got deeper and shallower. She wanted to caress more of him but she was hesitant. Rainne nibbled on his collar bone. Rainne could see Crais gripping the sheets. She was unsure why.

Crais closed his eyes, he had never felt so much for one female. He had his share of recreation partners while on the command carrier. As Captain he had the women flocking to him. But this was so different, Rainne chose him for him, she never knew him as "Captain" Crais. Only Bialar Crais. Crais forced back the tears, never one to show great emotion. Years of Peacekeeper training had broken him of most. Even in this highly charged situation with her kissing each of the scars on his chest and rubbing her small body against his. When Rainne paused at the waistline of his pants, Crais grabbed her tight to his chest and rolled her onto her back, straddling her again. He kissed her, wanting to savor every inch of her. He knew he could not contain himself much longer, he wanted her so bad he could taste it.

Crais stopped long enough to kick off his boots and remove his trousers. Rainne wiggled out of what was left of her clothing. Soon they were both lying on the bed naked. Rainne was quivering in anticipation.

Crais nuzzled her neck, he was trying to be gentle, she had said it was her first time, he wanted it to be enjoyable, but he was unsure how much longer he could hold out. Rainne arched her back and pressed her body against his. She wrapped her legs around his hips, drawing him in fully. Crais rolled to his back, he wanted to see her fully as he made love to her. Rainne closed her eyes enjoying all the new sensations.

Crais began quickening his pace. He held off as long as he could before Rainne felt his whole body tense. Rainne cried out quietly and fell forward onto his chest. Crais stroked her back. Rainne slid off beside him and pressed herself against his side.

"C'thha," he said quietly, rolling to face her. Rainne looked up at him.

"Beloved." She replied, pushing the hair from his face. "Thank you."

"It was my pleasure." He smiled, taking one of her hands and gently nibbling her knuckles. "Truly."

Rainne pressed herself closer and closed her eyes. Soon Crais could tell by her deep and even breathing that she was fast asleep, curled in his embrace. Crais wiped away the solitary tear that escaped his fierce emotional control. He never knew he could ever be so content yet frightened of what the future held. What if someone was looking for her? Would she stay or would she go if Dorian were to arrive to collect her? Would he fight to keep her with him? Did he deserve all that he now had? He extricated himself from the bed and covered her with the blanket. He pulled his pants back on and grabbed the leather band to crudely tie his hair back from his face. He went to the table to watch Rainne sleep.

Crais sat and watched, he closed his eyes, reconnecting the Hand of Friendship he could hear Talyn calling to him.

Yes Talyn, she is fine. She is resting. Rainne is now forever part of us.

Crais watched Rainne for an arn, marveling at how peaceful she looked. He wanted to wake her and make love to her again but he knew she was tired. He knew that the nightmare in one form or another woke her almost every evening. Rainne began to stir, Crais saw a frown cross her face. Crais quickly crossed to the bed, he pulled Rainne up into the seated position and began to stroke her face with his hand.

"Rainne, wake up."

She opened her eyes.

"Beloved?"

"I was concerned that the dream was plaguing you again."

She smiled at him. "You have been watching me sleep?" she asked, amazed at how different he seemed when they were truly alone. He seemed to drop the "Captain" part he played so well around others, he was more himself, the person he was becoming as he spent more time away from the Peacekeepers.

"I have."

"Did you not want to rest too?" She questioned gazing into his eyes.

"Not yet. Perhaps in another arn?"

"And you were going to do what in that arn?" Rainne asked. Crais saw the green in her eyes deepen and turn smoky. She leaned closer and bit his bottom lip gently, letting her hand graze his chest before it landed in his lap. She knew she was tempting him. She had enjoyed being with him and wanted more. His breathing was getting shallow. Rainne kissed his chin, then his collarbone. She stopped and looked up at him. "You did not answer me."

Crais said nothing, he gruffly pushed her back onto the pillows, before getting up to strip off again. Rainne watched as he stepped out of his pants, casually tossing them across the room before rejoining her on the bed. Without uttering a word Crais demonstrated to Rainne what his plan for the next arn was.

~~~

Rainne awoke wrapped in the blanket, Crais was lying on his stomach next to her softy snoring. She felt rested for the first time in weeks. Rainne softly pushed Crais' hair away from the hand of friendship. She watched the small lights blinking on it. Tenderly she kissed his shoulder. He moved but did not awaken. Rainne stood up, grabbing her shirt and pants, she pulled them on quickly before hobbling out into the corridor. Talyn flashed the lights. She smiled and placed one hand on the wall.

"Good Morning Talyn," she said quietly.

Talyn whistled at her, and began flashing the lights in the corridor, he seemed to be trying to lead her. Rainne followed the lights, still touching the wall. When she reached the door to command she stopped. Talyn opened the door.

"I am not supposed to enter command alone." She replied to the young leviathan.

Talyn beckoned her, flashing his lights and humming softly. Rainne stepped into Command, staying near the door. Talyn continued. Rainne moved toward the Neural Cluster. As she reached the edge she could feel Talyn in her mind.

Rainne, join with me.

"I requested that you do not come in here alone." Crais said as he grabbed her arm. Rainne turned to look at him.

"Sorry. I want to remember, but I am afraid."

"Perhaps later we will try, now come out of Command."