He was nervous, he couldn't deny it. Ash Redfern had been waiting for this moment for what seemed like a lifetime. Now that it was about to happen, he didn't know if he could do it. What if he wasn't good enough? He tilted his head and looked at the stars, drawing strength from their ageless beauty. He had to do this. He had to tell her.

His heart thudded violently as he neared her house. His preternatural senses brought the sounds of music to him. Over the music he could hear her voice, singing the words. Did they mean anything to her?

Come up to meet you
Tell you I'm sorry
You don't know how lovely you are
I had to find you
Tell you I need you
Tell you I set you apart

He reflected on their meaning, turning his violet eyes at her bedroom. He needed to see her. Without hesitation Ash sprang forward, easing open the back door. He already knew that there was no one in the house but her. He climbed the stairs quickly, heart beating heavily again. At her door he froze, but then the song drifted towards him again.

Tell me your secrets
And ask me your questions
Oh, let's go back to the start
Running in circles
Coming in tails
Heads are a science apart

They needed this. They needed a new beginning. Steadying his breath, he knocked. There was a pause but then the door swung open, revealing his soulmate. He looked at her wordlessly, not sure of what to do next.

Nobody said it was easy
It's such a shame for us to part
Nobody said it was easy
No one ever said it would be this hard
Oh, take me back to the start

Tentatively he reached out a hand to touch her face and lived it all again. The world was tinged pink and he felt himself begin to tremble. He saw her in his mind, a strong goddess surrounded by starlight. "Too hard," he thought. "It's been too hard." He felt her sorrow as she reached out to comfort him. Slowly, they melted into each others arms.

Tell me you love me
Come back and haunt me
Oh, what a rush to the stars
Running in circles
Chasing tails
Coming back as we are

They drifted in each other minds, easily, without fear. He felt her examine his soul and this time she did not draw back in revulsion. He had given her the time she had wanted but he didn't know if it would be enough. Despite everything, he couldn't change the things he had done.

"I know," her voice whispered. "I don't need you to." Mary-Lynnette stepped back and smiled at him, a smile full of heartbreak. "Let's start again."

Nobody said it was easy
It's such a shame for us to part
Nobody said it was easy
No one ever said it would be so hard
I'm going back to the start

* * * * * * * * * *

All lyrics are taken from "The Scientist" by Coldplay.