*--*

The darkness, again, was my home for now. When I awoke, however, this time neither did I move or open my eyes. She was singing again, the girl, and I could feel a cold cloth on my forehead. This girl was . . . intriguing. Distinctly American, like Duo, she did not have an unpleasant voice like him. Rather, she was pleasant to listen to. . . and she was at least attempting to give me medical care. Adept, at the least.

I opened my eyes. I was looking at the ceiling, now. So I was lying down again. The singing stopped, and the girl's face came into my view, upside down.

"How are you feeling?" she asked, her lips moving, but her voice sounding very far away. I didn't answer to this, but nodded. She looked skeptical. "Uh-huh. Well, at least your fever's gone down. I'd tell you to put your shirt back on, but it's pretty ripped up." She disappeared from my vision again, and I struggled to sit up. It hurt a lot, but the girl's hands were suddenly on my shoulders, steadying my ascent. Either her skin was cool, or my skin was exceptionally hot. She came around holding a tattered blue tank top. I assumed it was mine. I didn't even ask.

"Thanks."

*--*

"Thanks."

*That* was unexpected. "Huh?" I answered intelligently. "I mean, what for?"

He glanced up. "For saving me," he said simply.

I shrugged. "You would have done the same thing."

"Don't be so sure," he muttered, again looking down. "I have few close comrades. I can't trust anyone other than myself. I probably would have left you there."

I found *that* heartening. "Well," I said brightly, changing the subject, "I didn't get to introduce myself. My name is Kristen Jones . . . ." I hesitated at this point. I had had this all worked out in my head. "My Master was. . . Master Long's brother," I blurted out. I slapped my hand over my mouth as soon as I said it, tears welling in my eyes. When L-5 had been destroyed, both my and his master had died, along with my best friend, Mei Yuan.

Now it was *his* turn to be surprised.