Chapter Ten

"Van!!"

Storm opened her eyes at the loud screech and sat up, colliding with a figure that loomed above her. She scrambling up and the next thing she knew, she connected with the floor hard, her jaw crunching. She picked herself up with a groan, trying to clear the ringing in her ears. She swayed slightly as she stood up and looked down at Merle.

"Merle, it's so early in the morning; why on Earth are you yelling this loudly?" Storm asked with a yawn.

"You were in Lord Van's bed!!" Merle was practically screeching.

"Eh?" Storm looked at her stupidly. "Far as I remember, Van climbed up on the top bunk when I went to sleep."

"Then what's he doing there?!" Merle demanded as she pointed a finger. "He's right there in your bed!"

Storm looked at her before she looked back to see Van sitting up and rubbing his head with a wince. "Well, he looks more like he just hit his head than shared a bed with me."

"Merle, haven't we talking about knocking?" Van rose. "I was just waking Storm up for breakfast."

"Van, how could…" Merle's words trailed off. "You were waking her up for breakfast?"

"Yes Merle, breakfast." Van affirmed. "We'll be down in a few minutes. Why don't you go and get yourself something to eat?"

"OK," Merle looked a bit reluctant but headed for the door anyways. "I'm coming to get you guys if you don't show up in a few minutes."

Storm yawned again, as she stretched. "Well, that was an interesting wakeup call. Better than an alarm I suppose." She made her way to the door.

"Are you all right? After last night?" Van asked as he looked at her curiously.

"I'm fine." Storm said in a quiet voice. "Part of me wishes it was some horrible dream. But I know it's not, and that I'm going to have to learn to live with them. Just so long as they don't pop out at in appropriate times, I'll be fine."

"I can help you if you like?" Van offered in a quiet voice.

"Help me how?" Storm paused for a moment; she remembered that there had been an unusual amount of feathers in the room; far too many for one person to produce by themselves.

Van didn't say anything as he suddenly fixed his attention on his boots, scuffing them slightly. Storm couldn't stop the perturbed feeling from rising in her chest. Brushing it aside for now she opened the door and walked out into the hallway.

"Let's see about breakfast first. Then I have to go and check on how Glide's doing." She said softly, not looking at him.

They walked down to the mess hall in silence, an awkward silence filling the trip down. Van had just opened the door when it was flung back, the solid metal flinging Storm against the wall to be squashed by the door's weight. She groaned as she pushed back against it, glaring when she saw Merle hugging Van for all she was worth.

"What's the big deal, Merle?!" she snarled as she rubbed her sore nose. "First you screech at me to wake me up and then you attempt to break my nose!"

"Well, that's your fault for not watching where you're going!" she shifted her attention back to Van. "I was starting to wonder where you had disappeared to." She shot Storm a look.

"Fuck man, I don't need this in the morning," Storm muttered to herself as she walked in her face reflecting her black mood.

A space was cleared for her immediately as she plunked herself down and a bowl placed with a spoon in front of her. She didn't say anything as she nodded her head curtly in thanks and ate a big spoonful of the porridge. Her eyes flew open as she repressed the urge to spit it out; the porridge had absolutely no sugar, not even a dollop of honey. She looked around to see some of the crew members with smirks on their faces, a few of them shaking with chuckles. She regarded them before she swallowed, feeling a bit of the black mood lift.

"Yes, Very funny," she said in a dry but amused voice as she rose with her bowl. "If you'll excuse me, I have to hunt for some honey."

Loud laughter followed her out as she walked into the kitchen. She had to admit it, the crew as very much like a family; close knit and always finding way to keep morale up. She chuckled to herself as she found the honey in between the spices, and poured some of it into her bowl, stirring briskly as she made her way back. It was something that she was definitely starting to miss, the company of other people. True, she had Glide, but sometimes, he could be gone for long periods of time, hunting for food. The last time he had done that, she was alone for little over a week. It was starting to become a bit harder for him to find food, in addition to being on the lookout for people who wanted to kill him; energists and dragon skin was an incredibly rare commodity in Gaea.

"Ah, the loner has finally shown up."

Storm looked up to see Gaddes and Allen seated at the table. "Well, I figured it was a free meal."

Gaddes waited until everyone else had finished with their hooting. "You did an excellent job of helping me with the stones. None of these numbskulls seem to know which tool is which." He looked around the table at the men who were now eating with innocent looks on their faces.

"How could you not know the difference?" Storm asked in amazement. "I mean they even look different!"

Gaddes nodded. "Too bad you aren't staying on the ship. I really could use your help."

"I…could come by a bit more often, if you like. Help out around here." Storm volunteered slowly.

"That would be greatly appreciated," Gaddes flashed a smile.

Storm felt her face flush as she started eating again. Maybe she just wasn't that used to attention from males. She looked between Allen and Van quickly before she focused on her food once more. Attention from attractive males to boot. She ate slowly, enjoying her food. But as she went, could feel a sense of worry grow from the inside. She toyed with her food a bit before she wolfed it down and rose easily. She hurried out onto the deck, a brisk wind whipping her hair into her face.

"Glide?" she called out as she slid down the rope, ignoring the burn she got. "Glide, where are you?" she hurried through the brush and to the spot where he had been sleeping for the past few days.

When she got there, all she saw was a trampled down spot, the grass and small shrubs lying flat. She walked around, trying to find something that would assuage her anxiousness that had intensified sharply. When she heard the sound of brush parting behind her, she looked back to see Allen come out.

"You left in a hurry. Is something wrong?"

"Shouldn't you be on the ship?" she said irritably as she continued to look around. "Supervising the repairs?"

"Gaddes can handle that," Allen didn't say anything as he walked closer to her. "Storm-"

"Look, just shut up, all right!" she snapped; the fear was starting to eat away at her rapidly and she didn't know where it was coming from. "I can't find Glide! He's gone!"

"He probably just went off to hunt. Even a dragon needs to eat."

Storm gave Allen dirty look. "Oh, use your brain. Surely you've noticed that he doesn't just up and leave like that. And he doesn't eat so soon after a meal. He ate about a week ago." She started off into the forest.

"Where are you going?" Allen called after her.

"What does it look like? I'm going to find Glide." She shot back.

What she wasn't expecting was for Allen to grasp her arm and stop her. Anger snapped in her eyes, as she looked up into his blue ones. A few moments later she looked away and snatched her arm back, feeling a bit sullen.

"You don't always know what's best for me, Allen." She said, still unable to meet his eyes.

"I realize that. But perhaps you are being a bit rash?" Allen asked gently. "Rushing off so soon after you, yourself, were attacked may not be the best idea. Whoever these people are, they want you for some purpose."

Storm didn't say anything for a moment as she walked to the edge of the matted grass. She finally nodded her head slowly, "All right, you win."

Allen didn't say anything. "Will you at least consider joining for your own safety?"

"I'll think about it." She whispered. "Can I have a moment alone?"

"As you wish." Allen said, his boots crunching against the ground.

She stared down at the grass, realizing that Allen did raise a valid point; even though she found it somewhat hard to admit the fact. Someone was out to get her and her best interest lay with the Crusade; at least she knew she could trust those men to watch out for her. But she was still so loath to join; there were bound to ask questions about; how was she supposed to answer them when she still couldn't remember an answer.

"Gods…" she looked down at her feet before she crouched down. "What is that?"

She looked at the strange blue liquid before she touched her fingers to it. Suspiciously, she sniffed it for a second before she tasted it. A sharp burst of metallic copper filled her mouth with an acridity that left her gasping for breath. She coughed roughly, struggling for breath. It felt like her lungs had been rigidly bound and the air constricted out of them. Her limbs suddenly took on a dead weight that made it almost impossible for her to move.

Then, there was a sharp pain down her side that made her fall to the ground completely. She managed to alleviate some of the pain by somehow curling into the foetal position. Both her sides were now wracked by this pain, and she could feel her insides twisting upon themselves as if someone was repeatedly stabbing her.

"Allen," she croaked out, her voice like a bullfrog's. "Allen!" she managed a bit louder.

Allen stepped back into the clearing and hurried over once he saw her. "Storm, what's wrong?" he crouched beside her, as she lay there, curled up with grimaces of pain etched across her face. "I'm taking you to see the healer."

Storm closed her eyes, not noticing the world suddenly rising up abruptly. The concern in Allen's voice did nothing to ease the abrupt knowledge she knew inside. "Dying…he's dying."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The cold brightness of the steel greeted Tara as she gazed at it pensively from her perch on Cork's forelimb. Ever since yesterday, Cork had been acting up; it seemed like he was almost in desperation to escape from this floating fortress. And when she had woken up yesterday, her necklace was glowing brightly, but it wasn't warm like last time; this time, it was a frigid coldness that worked its way through her entire body.

"Hm," she mused as she flexed her hand muscles; she could still feel it in her, something that had worked its way into her very bones and wouldn't leave at all. "This is not what I need now." she rose and slid down from Cork's forelimb, pacing around anxiously. "Look, I have to go now. You will behave yourself, all right? And stop making those growling noises. They scare the men."

Cork gave a snort as he settled his head down on the floor, his eyes lidded from view. Tara watched him for a few moments before she walked out of the hangar, the sounds of her boot heels against the floor filling the silence of the hallway. She still couldn't explain where the anxious feeling was coming from. She was in no way worried about this duel; she had done fencing before, and would simply have to improvise. Dilandau would not be one to follow rules; he'd more go all out and simply try to injure her. But she was more than ready for anything that twisted commander could throw at her; she had spent most of her waking moments in her room, practicing with her sword.

Her lips curled into a smirk as she approached the doors to the training grounds. There was now a small curl of anticipation moving through her belly that banished away the worry. She gripped the hilt of her sword, glad for the cold sharpness of the Torushinian steel. The doors opened to reveal a large space in the middle of the training grounds, edged by a ring of whispering people. All the talk seemed to die down the moment she stepped in and the doors closed behind her. She walked to the clearing, seeing Dilandau at the opposite end, his sheathed sword being bounced against his shoulder.

"I was starting to think you wouldn't show up." his voice was sweet and mocking.

Tara repressed the angry growl that rose in her throat. "And disappoint you so? How could I; besides, it's time you stopped playing with such...little toys, don't you agree."

Dilandau's eyes narrowed to slits for a second before he swung his sword down from his shoulder. "Or broken toys." his eyes flickered from her face and to her sword.

Tara gave a laugh as she removed her cloak and let it pile on the floor. "As a Dragonslayer, I thought you'd learn that fire burns."

Dilandau's face kept its cocky smirk but his eyes sobered up a bit, a strange gleam in them. Tara brushed it off as she removed her shirt, revealing the close fitting tunic she wore underneath with a short leather jerkin overtop. A sense of satisfaction rose inside her and the men clustered around started to murmur, plainly staring at her. Even Dilandau wasn't lost, though he hid the flash in his eyes as quickly as it had come.

"Well, Dilandau, are you just going to stand there and stare?" she asked in a soft cloying voice. "Or are you here to fight?" her voice hardened as she drew her sword, the steel ringing loudly.

Dilandau didn't say anything as he drew his sword with an echoing ring. Tara hadn't even noticed the sudden hush that had descended over the sparring area. Tara didn't even draw hers yet, but she stepped forward, her hand resting easily on the hilt. Dilandau's sword remained down by his side as he started pacing around her in a circle, eyes flickering over her critically. Tara simply stayed put where she was, her eyes fluttering shut as she took a deep breath to calm herself. Using the mind was as important as using the body; and if she knew Dilandau, he would act first and think later.

The sound of footsteps running towards her made her draw her sword as she whirled around. Steel met steel with a clang and a burst of sparks as Tara blocked Dilandau's downward stroke. She gave him a somewhat arrogant smirk before she broke off and came in with a low overhand blow. Dilandau laughed as he easily blocked it, brining in his free fist. But what he didn't anticipate was Tara's foot coming in for a low sweeping kick. He hit the mat with a loud thud while Tara stepped back.

"How dare you?!" Dilandau spat. "There are rules."

"Oh yes, the rules," Tara gave a contemptuous laugh. "First thing about rules Dilandau; they are meant to be broken. And since you so graciously decided to break them first, all bets are off. Gods know I'd probably bite you…if you weren't so skinny. I'm more likely to bite air than you."

That caused a few chuckles to wash through the crowd before Dilandau stood up, murder in his eyes. He charged at Tara with a yell. She blocked each one of his thrusts and parries, unable to see an opening. 'All right, perhaps goading him wasn't exactly the best idea. But he's bound to screw up some time. I just have to wait for it.' Each one of their blows matched the other in offensive and defensive. When Dilandau made a vicious downwards stroke, she feinted to the right, allowing it to sink into the mat.

"Hm, Dilandau you need to make more of an effort." She called tauntingly after him.

Dilandau jerked his sword out and glared at her. "I'll slit your throat before you know it!"

Tara jumped back as he came at her once more, unrelenting in his attack. She dodged from side to side, making small attacks under his defences. She almost didn't see his foot but she flipped out of the way. But when she landed, Dilandau was on her again, knocking her back down to the ground. He stood over her triumphantly, his sword gleaming before he moved in for the kill. Tara smiled as she moved her sword upwards, driving the razor sharp point towards his neck.

Dilandau's froze when he felt it pressing against his throat, not moving any further. His sword point was still a good four inches away from her unprotected chest. She looked at him with cold victory gleaming in her eyes.

"I'll kill you before you can even touch me." She whispered before pursing her lips together in a mocking kiss. "And just to show you how wrong you were…"

Her foot darted up, knocking the sword out from his hands and across the floor. Dilandau's eyes widened for a second before he moved away, a sullen angry look in his eyes. Tara stood up, dusting some dirt from her clothes. Her eyes didn't leave Dilandau once; she was half expecting him to grab someone else's sword and come at her once more. But he simply stood there, his eyes smouldering with something she couldn't quite place.

She walked over to her cloak and settled it around her shoulders again, fixing the clasp. "Oh, Dilandau, I would appreciate it if you simply left me and my servant alone. It's something of a bother when I need her for something only to find that you're…monopolizing her time."

The sound of Tara's steps were lost in a sea of talk that she largely ignored. Her eyes skimmed over the crowd when she felt someone's eyes on her. She finally spied Folken off in a corner, unnoticed by the soldiers around him. She turned towards him, but the entire ship gave a sudden lurch followed by a dull clanking sound. Tara didn't even notice it, since the motion caught her off guard and she landed face first on the ground.

"Ow!" she stood back up, rubbing her nose. She looked around, seeing the men trying to repress their laughter. She giggled as she shook her head. "Why don't you laugh? It was pretty funny, I'd imagine. But now, if you'll all excuse me, I think I'll go make sure I didn't break anything."

When she walked out of the training area, she was followed by the sound of laughter. She made her way down to the infirmary slowly, rubbing her nose from time to time. At the most it was just sore. But she knew what that lurch had been from; docking. They had finally arrived at Zaibach; and she was starting to wonder just what to do about her meeting with Dornkirk.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The door opened slowly to reveal the inside of the room. The interior was cool and draped in flowing fabrics. The grizzled man looked around carefully before he spied the faint glow from behind cloth. He walked towards the cloth before he knelt, hand going to his chest.

"M'lady."

"Hm? Ah, you're here. I was starting to wonder." The feminine voice was followed by a slight rustling sound. "What news do you have to report to me?"

"All is well, M'lady. Lord Folken is still working on what you asked of him."

"I see. And what does he have to say?"

"She is interesting, somewhat complex, secretive and not to be underestimated with a blade."

"A blade?" her voice was sharp and biting. "What blade?"

"Lady Tara now has a blade of Torushinian steel."

"Hm, that sounds like Anstor's work." Her voice was thoughtful. "Why did she receive a blade?"

"To fight Lord Dilandau, M'lady. I was there to see it."

"And how did she do?"

"Very well, M'lady." The man paused. "She could have killed him before he could kill her."

The lady paused. "I would expect no less. See to it that she sees Dornkirk as soon as possible."

"M'lady." The man inclined his head and walked out.

The woman remained still before she walked out from behind the screening length of drapery. Her snow white wings glowed faintly yellow as she walked over to a dresser and reached into a drawer. She looked at the small square of paper, wistful sadness clouding her eyes. She shook it off after a moment and placed the paper back before she closed the drawer quietly. She walked over to the door, sweeping her cloak off the peg and onto her shoulders as she made her wings disappear. The cold steel always made her chilly.

She hurried down the halls and corridors of the castle, moving deep into the heart of the building. Turning down a dark corridor, she walked down to the lone door at the end, taking a key out of her pocket. The fine whorls and curves gleamed softly in the light as she pushed it into the keyhole and opened the door.

All that was in the room was an object on a pedestal, surrounded by a pool of bright light. She walked up to it, gazing down at it. The book's leather cover glinted with the embossed gold trim. She reached out, touching the cover, feeling the softness of the leather. This tome was one of a kind, not to be found anywhere else in Gaea since the fall of the Draconians. A small smile curved her lips as she let her hand rest against the warm surface. This was all they needed to secure their future.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"Well, you're all right aside from worrying too much it seems."

Storm sighed as she rubbed her head. "So less worrying and more of?"

"Anything else. Allen, make sure she doesn't worry herself sick again. And in less than ten minutes, too; I have to tell you, I've never seen anything like it."

"Thank you, Shali." Allen said in a quiet voice as he leaned against the wall. "Could you give us a moment?"

"Sure. I'm up for duty now anyways." He shrugged but flashed Storm a smile. "Just don't wear yourself down, all right?"

Storm nodded as her face flushed bright red. She didn't say anything as the door closed. She cleared her throat after a few moments, looking out the window. "So…"

Allen moved away from the wall. "So what do you plan to do now?"

"You're just gonna throw a fit if I tell you." Storm muttered as she slid down from her seat and made her way to the door.

"Why are you so insistent on finding the dragon? I'm sure he can take care of himself." Allen's face became a bit puzzled.

"I just have to. Something bad could be happening to him and…" she sighed, rubbing her temple. "Gods, nothing ever goes right for me."

"Storm, just hear me out, all right?"

She nodded, watching him carefully. "I'm listening."

"Your dragon's gone and you don't know where he is. You're vulnerable alone on the ground."

"I don't know…" Storm said slowly.

"Is there a particular reason why you don't want to join?"

"Um…" her word was followed by an awkward silence.

Allen didn't say anything, simply waiting for an answer. Storm frowned for a moment and started for the door.

"I don't need this game of Twenty Questions." She muttered, hand on the doorknob.

"Hm, I see." Allen murmured as he followed behind her. "And if you could join until you found your dragon?"

"I suppose…that would be…all right." Storm paused for a moment. "Until I find Glide again?"

"Until you find Glide again." Allen said, nodding his head. "So that's his name, huh?"

"I've only said it so many times!" Storm bristled slightly. "How could you not hear it?"

"With a crew like this, remembering all the things you hear can be a challenge sometimes. Especially names."

Storm nodded. "Can I ask you something?"

"Yes?"

"What made you do it?"

Allen looked puzzled. "Do what?"

"Pick up a sword." Storm said, her eyes flickering to the length of steel by his side.

A thoughtful look stayed on Allen's face as he contemplated her words. After a few moments of silence, Storm opened the door, murmuring an apology. Why did she always seem to ask the wrong question or do the wrong thing? She shoved her hands in her pockets and walked down the hallway, making for the upper deck. Gaddes was probably there, yelling at someone to get to work.

"Guess I'd better hurry up." She mumbled to herself; why did she feel so miserable?

"Storm?"

She paused for a moment, twisting her head and seeing Allen behind her. "Look, you made it clear that you don't want to answer. I understand."

"Gaddes is in the engine room."

Storm nodded as she turned, heading for the stairs a few feet away. She stopped though when she felt Allen's eyes on her. She remained there for a moment, seeing something strange flicker in the blue depths, his brows furrowed slightly. When Allen took a step forward her heart shot up into her throat, fear making it race like a jackrabbit; what on Earth could she have possibly done now?

"Storm?"

"Yes?" her voice squeaked out.

"Were you on the ship last night?"

"Last night?" she shook her head slowly. "No, no I wasn't…Sir."

Allen didn't say anything before he nodded his head and bowed slightly in goodbye. Storm watched him leave, breathing a huge sigh of relief.She shook her head as she hurried down the stairs and walked along until she heard the sound of machinery working behind a door. Opening it slowly, she looked in to see Gaddes looking critically at something.

"Gaddes?" she called as she walked in.

"Oh, there you are. Feeling better?" he asked.

"Yes, thank you."

"I need you to reach into the hole there. My hands are too big." Gaddes took her hand and inspected it. "You have slender hands and fingers, just the right size."

Storm took her hand back as she tried to fight back the blush that rose to her cheek as she crouched down in front of the hole and stuck her hand in. "There's something loose inside." Her fingers brushed against the object, making it rattle.

"That must be what's causing the lag. Try to tighten it."

Storm grasped the thing, feeling her fingers slip on the grease. Her tongue crept out as she managed to get a steady grasp on the object and screw it back into place. When she drew her hand out it was covered in grease and little bits of metal. Gaddes handed her a old cloth to wipe her hand on.

"That was some good work there. Are you going to be around a bit more?" he asked, looking at her with his hands on his hips.

Storm smiled shyly. "I think it's safe to say yes."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Tara walked down the long stretch of hallway, Folken beside her. A grizzled man was leading them, his beard peppered with white hairs. She glanced over at Folken who had no expression on his face; it seemed as if this was not the first time that he had taken a walk this way. She looked back at their guide, hoping they would be done walking soon enough. When he finally stopped in front of a door, she gave a small sigh of relief. But when the door was opened and only Folken walked in, she glanced at the man before he made a motion to enter the room.

Her steps were slow and cautious as she walked it; the sound of the door closing behind her did nothing to help. She and Aurelia had only just settled into their new quarters when this man had shown up, telling her that her presence was required. Now she found herself in a cavernous room, the only visible place to stand being the platform that Folken was standing on now. Tara walked up and stood beside him.

"Do you know what you're here for?" she murmured under her breath.

He glanced at her. "All I know is that you are here to meet him."

Tara nodded her head as she fell silent once more, looking around in the darkness to try and see whom she had to meet. The sound was so slight that she almost missed it; but it came again as lights turned on, one by one. Tara had been expecting to see a man sitting on a throne; what she saw was a vast rise of metal and the mass of white hair with curls at the pinnacle, that almost obscured the face from her view. The platform beneath them gave a slight motion before it rose into the air easily. She watched as the Emperor's face drew closer and closer. When the platform finally stopped, she could she his face perfectly, the wrinkled skin, the long white hair and the milky-white eyes.

"Mistress Tara," his voice was gravelly and slow with age. "I finally have the pleasure of meeting you."

"The pleasure is mine, Emperor Dornkirk." She said with a slight bow; this was the last thing she had been expecting to see in concern to the ruler of Zaibach.

"You have taken command of a regiment of men?" Dornkirk asked.

"Yes Emperor." She replied. "They are almost done the training and ready for combat."

"We shall see. Folken."

"Yes Emperor?"

"Take her under your wing. Teach her all that you know. Between the two of you, you shall bring Zaibach to its greatness."

"Emperor, perhaps I am not the suitable choice for this. A general perhaps?"

"No, you Folken," Dornkirk restated. "Too many of my generals are bloodthirsty and will teach her the wrong thing. You are not like that; you will show her right and help her to greatness."

"As my Emperor wishes." Folken said with a bow.

"As you wish." Tara said as she inclined her head.

"I heard you have a necklace?" Dornkirk peered at Tara intently.

Tara didn't make a motion, feeling the cool stone against her skin beneath her dress. Ever since Folken had warned her, she had taken care to hide it.

"Well?" Dornkirk's voice tightened with anger. "Answer me!"

"Forgive me Emperor." Tara said. "I did have one, but I lost it when I was captured. I have no idea where it might be now."

"Hm, a pity." Dornkirk mused in a soft voice. "You may take your leave now."

The platform retracted back down to the ground and Folken and Tara stepped off. They didn't say anything or look at one another as they walked out. Waiting just outside the door was a woman with pitch-black hair and a simple white gown, it's train pooled around her feet.

"Lady Aresia." Folken said with a bow.

"Lord Folken, perhaps you can give us a moment?" she asked him with an arched eyebrow.

Folken nodded as he turned and walked in the opposite direction, Tara watched him go, half-tempted to go after him. This woman made her wary for some odd reason; it seemed like she knew something that Tara didn't. She looked back at the woman to see her smiling brightly before she enveloped Tara in a massive hug.

"Eh?" surprised, Tara tried to pull back.

"It feels so good to hold you." Aresia murmured as she stroked Tara's hair.

"What the hell?" she exclaimed as she tried to pry Aresia's arms off of her. "I don't bat for that team lady!"

"You have your father's hair and eyes."

Tara froze. "What?"

"You have Seamus' hair and eyes." Aresia pulled back, tears glimmering in her eyes. "I've dreamed about this moment ever since I left Earth."

"No way. No freaking way!" Tara took an involuntary step back. "How the hell do you know my father's name?!"

Aresia smiled at her. "Because I'm your mother."

~*~