Disclaimer:  I don't own Suikdoen.  Never have, never well.

Author Notes:  Well here I go again with the third chapter.  I hope I'll be able to get this one out within the week.  Judging by the speed of my last two chapters, I think I'll be able to.  I am unbelievably happy at the amount of feedback I have received for the last two chapters.  I was a little bit happier with the positive output of the first chapter, though.  Believe me, It makes my writing much more inspired and much quicker.  This will probably be your favorite chapter for a while because Chris/Hugo scenes will be conspicuously absent.  Just kidding.  The actual plot will probably start by the next chapter.  I hope you all enjoy.

Dreams and Nightmares

Chapter III

Help Me, I'm Lost

By: Luke 'Deathplight'

            Hugo woke up from a very good dream.  He had no idea what it was about.  The Karayan couldn't remember a single aspect of the dream except for one thing.  The dream's atmosphere was incredibly happy.  Based on this, Hugo narrowed it down to one subject matter that the dream was probably about: Chris.  He was driving himself insane over the whole matter.  He sighed.  Oh well.  It didn't matter.  Hugo doubted that Chris felt the same way towards him.

            He sat up in his bed and looked around.  After a small look around the room he finally collected his thoughts and realized that he was in a guest bedroom of Chris' house.  He was glad that the meeting with the council had ended days earlier than his last experience with the council, but now he had less time to spend with Chris.  Hugo still wanted to visit Budehuc Castle.

            After a moment of sorting through all of the random things going on inside his head, he remembered that Chris still had the rest of the week on leave.

Perhaps he should invite Chris to come visit the castle and all of their friends with him.  He didn't really want to ride there, though, because she might insist on checking on things at Brass Castle along the way.  If any of her knights found out that she was traveling with Hugo, he would be forced to pay hell.  Those knights, especially Borus, got extremely jealous at times.

Hugo then thought of Fubar.  He doubted that Chris had ever flown before.  If Hugo asked her if she wanted to fly there with him on Fubar, they would not only save time but they wouldn't have to stop at the Brass Castle.  Of course, they would have to sit very close to each other, but Hugo honestly wasn't very against that fact.  He had decided to finally accept the fact that he was falling for her.  If something happened, it happened.  If it didn't, Hugo was okay with that too.  Fubar would probably be coming to check on Hugo soon.

The young Karayan looked out of the small window to find that it was still dark outside.  Chris would no doubt still be asleep for probably another hour.  He decided to go out and try to find Fubar.  He wanted to spend as little time as possible in this hellish city.

He stood up out of bed and changed into his daytime clothing.  He put on his sandals and walked out of the door to the room.  It was dark in the house, but he had little travel navigating.  Hugo headed out of the door to the house and into the streets of Vinay.  There weren't any lights, but the sun was now just beginning to come out from the horizon.

            Hugo headed to the exit of the city and walked out.  He ventured a little ways from the city before letting out a loud cry.

            "Fubar!" he called out loudly.  He called out again and waited for a response.  Hopefully the griffon had not ventured to far from the city.

After waiting for a moment Hugo heard a loud "Kuee!"  It appeared that Fubar hadn't gone very far after all considering his quick return.

The griffon landed next to Fubar and let out another "Kuee."  This one was softer however.  Hugo stroked Fubar's feathered neck and smiled.

"Do you think you could wait just outside of the city for a while?" Hugo asked the griffon.  "I plan on leaving as quickly as possible.  Hopefully that won't take long."

Fubar apparently understood and didn't object as he walked off to the side of the path and lay down.  Hugo smiled again.  It was amazing how it seemed that Fubar could seem to understand human speech.

Hugo headed back into the city and walked towards Chris' house.  The sun had peeked over the horizon a little more since he had first seen it.  The sky was now ablaze with pinks and oranges.

'I'd really like to see one of these sunrises with Chris,' he thought to himself.  Hugo approached the house and entered.  Once the door had opened he found Chris standing at the bottom of the steps.

"There you are.  I thought you had left without me," she said.

Hugo grinned.  "I wouldn't dream of it.  Wow, you're up really early."

Chris shrugged in response.  "Would you like to watch the sunrise with me?"

Hugo raised an eyebrow.  Well that was interesting.  He had just thought about wanting to see a sunrise with Chris.

"All right sure."  Hugo left the house for the second time this morning, but now Chris accompanied him.

"Let's get out of the city, first," Chris said.  "The buildings tend to block most of it."

Hugo nodded and they walked out of the city.  This of course got Fubar's attention, who had been waiting patiently by the entrance.

"Kueee…" Hugo heard and looked at Fubar.

"Not ready quite yet, Fubar."

"Kuee…" he responded sadly.

Chris just looked on and didn't ask any questions.  Then they turned their attention to the entire reason that they had come outside in the first place.  The trees blocked their view a little, but most of it could be seen.

"Would you like to look at it in the air?" Hugo questioned.

"What?" Chris asked in reply.

"Do you want to have Fubar fly us so we could look at it without any of the trees blocking it?"

"Um… I don't know… Don't you think I'll get sick?"

"I doubt that you would.  I'll have Fubar fly real smooth if you're worried."

'Please!  Just say "yes",' Hugo shouted inside his head.

Chris complied with his silent demands.  "All right… I guess."

Hugo smiled.  "Fubar.  You don't mind an extra passenger do you?"

"Kueee…"

"Good.  Do you think you could just fly us around for a little bit so we can look at the sunset clearly?"

"Kueee…"

Hugo walked over to the griffon, who was now standing, and hopped on.  Chris walked over but just kind of stood there slightly confused.

"How do I get on?" she asked.

Hugo smiled.  He had Fubar bend his knees down lower.  Hugo then picked her up by the waist and sat her in front of him on the griffon.

"Okay, Fubar.  Let's go!"

"Kueee!"

They took off up into the air and Fubar just flew around in little circles.  Chris' attention was directed at the sunset but Hugo's was elsewhere.  Perhaps this had not been such a good idea after all.  The scent of Chris' hair was intoxicating.  All Hugo could think about at that moment was the desire to wrap his arms around her waist.  Fortunately, his will power somehow upheld.  He shook his head and tried to snap back to reality.  After a moment he finally regained his composure.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Hugo heard Chris ask.

"Yeah."  But he added in his head, 'But it's not nearly as beautiful as you.'

"Wh-What?  R-really?"

"Huh?" he asked very confused.

"Y-you said that I was more beautiful than the sunset."

"I said that out loud!" Hugo exclaimed as his eyes widened.  Apparently he hadn't regained all of his composure.  The Karayan then started laughing quietly.

Chris heard this and must have taken it the wrong way.  "So you were just kidding?" she asked sadly.

"No," Hugo said after he had stopped laughing.  "I wasn't kidding at all.  I just can't believe I said that out loud."  Hugo wished to no end that he could see the cute little blush that he knew was on Chris' face right now.

"Well…" he said.  "I guess we should land.  Take us down, Fubar."

"No, wait.  Let's stay up here for a little longer," Chris said.

Hugo raised an eyebrow.  She wanted to stay up here longer with him?  Was she all right?  Maybe she had gotten airsick after all.

"Um… okay… tell me when your ready to land."

Chris surprised Hugo even more by actually leaning back into him.  Hugo just looked around and had absolutely no idea what to do.  For this, he did the only logical thing he could think of.  He just sat there.

After a moment Chris finally spoke.  "I'm ready to go down now."

Hugo nodded and told Fubar to land on the ground.  He did so and the two riders dismounted from the griffon.

Hugo wasn't really sure if it was a good idea to invite Chris to Budehuc with him riding on Fubar, but right now his mind was too lost to even care.

"Chris, I want to go to Budehuc on my little vacation away from Karaya.  Since you have the whole week left, I was wondering if you would like to come with me," he said.

Chris seemed to think about this for a minute.  "All right, sure," she finally said.  "But wouldn't it take a while and we would waste a lot of the trip trying to get there and then having to leave early to get back to the castle."

"Actually, I was thinking about that.  That's the real reason I asked if you wanted to see the sunrise from Fubar's back.  I wanted to know if you would get airsick.  It would take a lot less time to fly there.  Then we could fly back to here the day before you needed to get back."

"Um… all… right," she replied after a time.

Hugo smiled.  Well let's get ready.  Do you mind leaving as soon as possible?" Hugo asked.

Chris shook her head.  "No not at all.  Just let me get my things."

Hugo followed her back to the house.

*~~~*

            There were about a hundred different thoughts and questions going through Chris' mind as she got her a few of her things to head to Budehuc.  Of these questions, a few of them were:

'Why did I ask to see the sunrise with him?  Why did I agree to see it with him from Fubar?  Why did I want to stay up there longer?  Why did I lean back into him?  Why was I upset when he didn't wrap his arms around me?  Why did I choose to go to Budehuc with him?'  Then, one of the most important questions came.  'Am I falling in love with him, or is it just because I heard him say that he's falling for me?'

These questions would probably go unanswered for quite a while.  Then she heard Hugo call from outside the door.

"Are you ready, yet?" he asked.

"Yeah, just a second."  Chris walked out of the door carrying a small duffel bag with some changes of clothes and a few other items.  Her sword hung about her waist.  Hugo had a bag that was even smaller than hers.

"Well, let's go," Hugo said.

They walked out of the city once again, and Fubar stood up and looked at them.

"Hey Fubar, you don't mind flying us to Budehuc Castle do you?" Hugo questioned.

"Kuee…" said Fubar in response.

"Okay great.  We can take a break at about halfway there if you get tired."

"Kuee…"

Hugo got onto Fubar again, and he picked up Chris much the same way he did about a half an hour ago and set her in front of him.  She couldn't help but smile and was very glad that Hugo didn't see it.  Fubar began flying towards Budehuc Castle.

Hugo's bag was hanging off of his shoulder and Chris' bag was set in her lap and she held on to it to keep it from falling.  She wondered if Hugo would mind the Brass Castle being the checkpoint that he had referred to with Fubar, but decided against asking.  The Zexen Knight wanted to check in on things but she very much doubted that Hugo wanted to go back there.  It also probably would not be a good idea because if any of her knights saw them lend on Fubar there would definitely be problems.  They would not care to see the two within five feet from each other, let alone seeing her leaning into Hugo, which was what she was doing now.  That same annoyed feeling was there again from earlier that day.  Why wasn't Hugo wrapping his arms around her?  Chris knew he wanted to.  She did actually know the answer to this.  He was simply being a decent person and not trying to put a wedge between their friendship.  The question she really wanted to know the answer to was, "Why did she care?"  Chris' state of mind and her thoughts were confusing her to no end.  How did she feel about Hugo?  She was going to drive herself insane if she didn't figure it out soon.  Chris was too busy thinking to notice Hugo's arms entwine themselves around her.  She noticed after about two more minutes, but she didn't say anything.

*~~~*

            Hugo was too busy thinking to notice his arms entwining themselves around Chris.  It must have been a subconscious thing because Hugo had no idea.  He was completely immersed with his thoughts, which just happened to be about Chris anyways.  He was going to drive himself insane eventually.  Did he really love her or was it just a crush?  Should he not do anything and be safe or take a chance and risk jeopardizing the relationship that they already had.  It was just too damn confusing for Hugo to take.

            They flew like that for a while until Hugo finally directed his attention to the woman sitting in front of him.  Then he realized that his arms were secured tightly around her.  He would have blushed if he were the blushing type.  Instead he simply removed his arms from around her and let them hand down to his side again.  Hugo could have sworn that Chris let out a sad sigh.  He decided that it must have just been his imagination.

            Fubar, Chris, and Hugo flew for quite a time.  After Hugo was sure that they must have passed the Brass Castle by now, he decided it was time for a break.

            "Fubar, are you ready for a break?" he asked the griffon.

            "Kueee…" Fubar replied.  Apparently he was ready because Fubar landed almost immediately after Hugo had said that.  Hugo and Chris got off of the griffon and stepped onto the ground.  Both of their legs had to get used to the ground first, which was an interesting task.

            After a moment Chris sat down and began rummaging through her pack.

            "Are you hungry?" she asked Hugo.

            "Not really, but thanks anyways," he responded.

            "Are you sure?"

            "Positive."

            Chris took a bit of food out of the bag and began to eat.  Hugo just walked around still trying to get used to the hard earth.  He figured that they were not very far from the castle, so he decided to see if Chris wouldn't mind walking and give Fubar a break from flying.  He knew it was tiring to the poor beast.  Hugo sat down next to her and started a small conversation.

            "Do you mind walking the rest of the way?  I don't think we're very far from the castle and I think that Fubar could use a break," said Hugo

            "Sure, I don't mind," she replied after she had swallowed.

            "So, did you mind the flight?" he questioned her.

            Chris shook her head.  "No not at all.  I was mostly just thinking about things though."

            "Yeah, me too…" Hugo trailed off.  "I've been really confused about stuff lately."

            "Oh?"

            "Don't worry about it.  It's not important."

            Chris sighed.  "Okay."

            Chris finished eating and stood up.

            "Shall we get going?" she asked.

            "Yep," Hugo replied.  "Let's go."

*~~~*

            It was about two hours until dark when Hugo, Chris, and Fubar finally approached the entrance to the castle.  They walked up towards Budehuc and from afar Hugo could see Cecile at her usual post guarding the castle.  He smiled to himself.  As they approached he noticed that she looked much different.  She was a little taller.  Cecile appeared to have matured over the year, too.  Her face looked older and her armor was different now.  It now resembled the type of armor that Chris always wore, intended for a woman.  She still held her lance straight up on alert for any danger that might approach.

            "Hey!  Cecile!" Hugo called out as they approached her.

            "Noble Hugo, Lady Chris!  What are you doing here?"

            "Just stopping by," Chris replied.  Chris walked up to Cecile and hugged her.  Hugo's smile had never vanished from his face.  He looked at the two and then noticed a golden band with a jewel on it placed on the ring finger of her left hand.

            "Cecile, you're… engaged?" Hugo asked.

            Cecile smiled even wider if that was possible.  "Oh, that's right, you didn't hear.  Me and Thomas are engaged!"

            "Oh, I'm so happy for you," said Chris and hugged Cecile even tighter.

            "When's the wedding?" Hugo asked.

            "Two months," replied Cecile.

            "I'll be there," he said.

            "Me too," added Chris.  Chris stepped back from Cecile and Hugo remained in the same spot.

            Hugo then looked down at his right hand.  "I don't think I'll be getting married for a while… If ever," he said.

            Chris looked down at her right hand too.  "Same with me…"

            Cecile asked, "Are you two—"

            "No," said Hugo quietly cutting her off.

            "How did you know what I was going to say?" asked Cecile.

            "Because there was nothing else you could have said then…"

            "Riiiight…" replied Cecile.

            "You're really weird, Hugo," said Chris.

            Hugo smiled again and scratched the back of his head.  "Sorry.  So… how about we go get some rooms.  I hear this place has been pretty busy lately.  I'm kinda hungry too."

            Cecile smiled.  "Yes, there have been a lot of people coming lately.  Apparently the fact the Fire Bringer used this place as their homeland it's brought a lot of tourists, and more people are coming and setting up their businesses."

            "Heh, the Fire Bringer," Hugo said.  "It seems like it was so long ago."

            "I know what you mean," commented Chris.

            "Well, come on Cecile.  Let's head to the castle."

            "But… I have to stay here and guard it," protested Cecile.

            "Don't worry about it," responded Hugo.  "Fubar can guard the castle."

            "Well… all right," she sighed in defeat.  Then she brightened up.  "Let's go!"

            Hugo and Chris chuckled.

            They walked up towards the inn first.  They headed inside to find Sebastian behind the desk.

            "Well hello!" Sebastian said.  "We haven't seen you two in quite some time."

            "It's been far too long," Chris said.

            "They'd like to reserve two rooms for tonight," said Cecile.  "I told them how busy it gets around here lately.  Some people end up having to stay in Iksay Village because there's not enough rooms here."  Cecile smiled proudly at this.

            "Why of course," replied Sebastian.

            "Well, we're gonna go to the castle and see Thomas.  Later Sebastian," Cecile stated once Hugo and Chris had put their bags in their rooms.  She seemed to be rather excited by the visit.

            "See you later, Sebastian," said Hugo as they were quickly rushed out of the inn.  They headed to he main entrance of the castle.

            They entered the castle and walked up the stairs to see Thomas.  The three found him in his room buried in books and paperwork.

            "Thomas," said Cecile.  "We have visitors."

            "Who is it?"  Thomas stood up and kissed Cecile.  Hugo couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy that he couldn't have a relationship like that.  "Oh, Noble Hugo, Lady Chris!  Great of you to visit.  It's been ages."

            "I know," said Hugo.

            "Congratulations on your engagement," said Chris.

            Thomas smiled.  "Oh, Cecile told you?"

            "Actually, it was more of a bit of observation on Hugo's part," said Cecile.

            Thomas then surveyed the seen before him.

            "So, are you two—" began Thomas but was cut off.

            "No," replied Hugo quickly for the second time in ten minutes.

            Chris chuckled a little.  "Cecile was about to ask the same question."

            "I see," said Thomas.  "Forgive me."

            "There's no need for that," Hugo said.  "I must admit it does look kind of suspicious.  I hear from Chris that Louis—"

            "Hugo!" exclaimed Chris and glared at him.  Hugo just laughed in response.

            "I can see why Louis must have pushed his luck as far as he could.  It's so much fun getting you mad."

            Thomas and Cecile looked at each other, and then at Hugo and Chris.  They both had the same odd look on their face.

            "What's that look for?" Hugo asked.

            "Oh, no reason," said Thomas in defense.  "Would you like a tour of the castle?  We've made some revisions."

            "Sure that'd be great," said Chris and Hugo almost at the same time.

            "I guess I'll return to my post.  The new recruits have already finished their training for the day," said Cecile.

            "Oh?" asked Chris.

            "Yes, we've gotten a lot more people wanting to join the castle guard now," replied Cecile.  Chris smiled.

            "I remember used to having to train new knights," Chris commented.  "It wasn't very interesting and I didn't do a good job.  Hopefully you have better luck than I did."

            "Thank you, Lady Chris.  Well, I guess I'd better leave."  Cecile walked out of the room.

            Thomas showed them around the castle noting all the little changes and things of interest.  Hugo hadn't been paying attention to very much of it.  That was one of the reasons that Hugo didn't think he'd be a good chief.  His attention span could only hold out for so long before he got bored.  After what seemed like ages, the tour finally ended.

            "I guess I'm going to go get something to eat," Hugo said to Chris and Thomas.  Hugo had almost forgotten how hungry he had been.

            "I'll join you," said Chris.

            Hugo raised an eyebrow.  "Sure."

            They headed down to the restaurant.  Its menu had increased heavily since the last time that Hugo had been there.  It also appeared that the restaurant had evolved.  A person would no longer order up at the counter but would be waited on at their seats.

            There were a fairly good number of people eating at the restaurant.  Hugo guessed that the town would end up with another restaurant before long.  It seemed that the demand would also go up with the people.

            Hugo and Chris chose a two-person table and sat down across from one another.

            "This whole place has changed a lot hasn't it?" commented Chris.

            "Yes it has.  There was no place for the castle to go but up.  I guess the fact that this place held a huge importance in the war gave it a lot of publicity.  The original residents seem really happy with this.  There are even some housing establishments, too," returned Hugo.

            "I wonder what it would be like to live here," said Chris.

            "I'd like it better here than in Vinay or Brass Castle.  I still think that I'd prefer an open place like Karaya though."

            "I also think I'd like it better here than in Brass Castle or Vinay.  Here the people don't seem to judge me as much as they do in those places," remarked Chris.

            "You should visit Karaya some time.  They definitely wouldn't judge you there."

            "Really?  Even after what I did?"

            "Forgiving and forgetting is kind of what we believe.  I guess that's why I so easily gave up my vow for vengeance."

            "I see…  And what about Luce…?"

"Luce is okay now.  She says that it doesn't hurt to think about Lulu anymore."

            "I guess I could consider visiting there some time," said Chris.

            Hugo smiled.  "You'd better not go back on that."

            Chris smiled in return.  "I won't."

            The waiter then approached and asked them for their orders.

            "Would you like something to drink to start with?" he asked.

            "What do you have?" Hugo asked.

            "We have a variety of drinks that come from the tavern as well as fine wines made right here in Budehuc from our own vineyards," responded the waiter.

            "Uh… I guess I'll have some wine then," said Hugo nonchalantly.

            Chris raised an eyebrow.  "I'll have the same."

            The waiter nodded.  "I'll be right back to bring your drinks and make take your orders."  He then walked away.

            "I didn't know you drank wine," said Chris.

            Hugo shrugged.  "It's okay.  I don't really care for the kinds of drinks they have at the tavern.  I would have asked for just water, but that would make me feel really cheap."

            Chris chuckled a little.  "I see."

            The waiter returned with their drinks and he then took their orders.  He then returned to the building part of the restaurant.

            Hugo and Chris waited didn't have to wait very long for their orders to get to the table.  They ate for the most part in silence.  Every once and a while they would get into a small discussion about one thing or another.  They finished and waited for the waiter to return for the payment.

            He arrived shortly after to see if they needed anything else.  They replied that they didn't and asked for the check.  The waiter left once again and returned with some words scribbled on a small piece of parchment along with the total price.

            "How much is it?" questioned Chris.

            "About 2000 potch," returned Hugo.

            "How much did mine cost?"

            "Don't worry about it.  I'll pay," said Hugo.

            "Heh, nice try Hugo.  I'll pay for mine.  I don't want you to have to pay for me."

            "I insist.  Besides, I've got plenty of funds."

            "Fine, all right," she said and sighed in defeat.

            Hugo paid and left the tip.  The two then stood up and walked out of the restaurant area.  It was just now starting to get dark, and there was still plenty of time before either Chris or Hugo would be tired.

            "Would you like to race on horses?" asked Chris.

            Hugo thought about this for a moment.  The stable had a few Karayan horses.  "Sure.  Why not?"

            They headed to the racetrack and took out two horses.  Chris chose a dark colored horse that the Zexens used while Hugo took out a Karayan horse.  They went out onto the racetrack and stood by the starting line while mounted on their horses.

            "How many laps?" Hugo asked.

            "How about three," Chris replied.

            "All right.  On your marks, get set, go."

            They motioned their horses forward and began galloping around the track.  There weren't very many obstacles out right now, and both Hugo and Chris avoided them for the most part instead of jumping over them.  Chris ended up winning, but Hugo didn't care.  It wasn't as if it was a race of fierce competition or anything.

            Hugo and Chris spent the rest of their time just walking around the castle grounds without really saying or doing anything.  Hugo passed the lake and decided to sit down.  His legs hung over the edge of the ground and Chris did the same and sat right next to him.

            He looked up and saw the beauty of the heavens above.  The stars shown brightly and there was little light to hinder their view from earth.  The moon was out and was just waning from a recent full moon.  All Hugo could think about at that moment was Chris.  He wanted to spend the rest of his life with her.  He also wanted to let her know, straight from him, how much he cared about her.

Hugo's mind was rather fried right at that point and time.  Perhaps this was why he suddenly decided to pour out his heart.  Perhaps it was just because he truly loved Chris and wanted her to know.  Whatever the reason was, that is what came out shortly afterwards.

            "Chris, can I talk to you about something?" he asked.

            "Sure," she responded.

            Hugo took a deep breath and let out a small sigh.  "Chris… I know that you were listening to me talk to myself about you the other night."

            It must have taken Chris a long time to process what he had said.  Hugo had spoken rather quickly after all and the sentence was confusing.

            "Wh-what?  You… knew?"

            "Not until the very end," he said.  "I heard footsteps walking away rather quickly.  I opened the door and looked down that hall and saw you.  You seemed to be rather… distressed."

            "But…"

            "I'm telling you this now because I want to let you know how I feel directly to your face.  I'm falling in love with you Chris Lightfellow,"        Hugo said slowly and clearly.

            Hugo's next action took place with almost blinding speed.  He moved his face right to Chris' and kissed her.  He was just about to pull away when, to his great surprise, she returned the kiss.  She moved closer and dragged the kiss out.  Chris then apparently realized what she was doing.  The Zexen Knight grabbed Hugo by the shoulders and literally pushed Hugo away.

            Hugo braced himself for the blow to his face that he saw in his near future, but it never came.  He looked up to find Chris staring at him.

            "What was that?" she asked slightly stunned.

            "Chris, you know what that was.  I have absolutely no idea how you feel towards me.  For all I know you might hate me right now.  Please, promise me that you'll think about accepting me as the person you want to be with, a person you may want to spend the rest of your life with.  I love you Chris, and if it would ever be possible for you to love me too, promise me you'll tell me.  But if you decide that you can't ever love me, I still want to be your friend."

            "I don't know—"

            "Promise me, Chris.  Promise me that you'll at least think about it," he said.

            The silence that occurred afterwards was perhaps the worst moment of his life.  What if she refused the promise?  What if she decided right then and there that she could never love him?  Would she look for an excuse to get out of this situation?  If she did promise, would she keep it?  Hugo's mind was racing with questions.  The only one who could end his slight panic was Chris.  All he wanted from her now was her promise.  And then it finally came.

            "I promise," Chris said very quietly.  It was almost inaudible, but Hugo heard.  He smiled slightly.

            "Thank you Chris.  Pleasant dreams."  Hugo stood up and walked towards the inn leaving the poor girl… no woman, contemplating her thoughts in confusion.  He prayed that she would return to the inn and not simple fall asleep hanging over the edge of the lake.

            He dreamt of her, again.

*~~~*

            Chris' mind wasn't cooperating with her right now.  All of those questions she had been wondering about Hugo came back in an instant.  The strangest part was that she had found herself returning the kiss.  That proved that at least some part of her wanted to be with him.

            The Zexen captain was just too confused to think anything through straight.  She had promised Hugo that she would think about whether she could consider him a potential life mate.  She decided to try and save the thinking part until later.  She already had a very painful headed.

            Chris returned to the inn and entered her room.  She changed for the night, lay down on the bed, and did her best to fall asleep.  It took her a very long time, but when she did, she dreamt of him.

*~~~*

            There we go.  End of chapter three.  Thank you again for all of the feedback.  Remember to review.  I will hopefully be able to get the next chapter out by next week.  I'm sorry if a few of the characters are OOC, but I think they have to be somewhat to make the story work properly.  Like I said, the main plot will start picking up in the next chapter.  Now that everything is out in the open (for the most part), how will their relationship progress?  I guess you'll just have to wait and see.  I hope the suspense is killing you.  Once again, remember to review.  Happy Writing.

~Dreams are merely occurrences and fantasies that will probably never take place or exist.  Remember that while the chance is slim, it is there.~