Okay so I didn't really end this installment in a particularly strategic place, so if the 'cliff-hanger' seems kinda stupid, it's because it's not a cliffhanger; it's the place where I got sick of writing.

"No one's supposed to see me like this," Trance said, laying a head on his shoulder.  It was only supposed to be a quick hug, but she liked being held for once.  She was the one that everyone looked to for answers.  They couldn't see that she herself was so uncertain.

"I was beginning to think you were infallible," Rhade replied.  She lifted her head from his shoulder and looked at him.  At first her expression was unreadable and he was afraid he'd hurt her, but soon a small smile began to tug at her lips.  "There's a lot you don't know about me, Telemechus Rhade."  

"There's a lot I'd like to know."  He watched as she looked down, avoiding his eyes.  She was still tangled in his arms, and he was afraid she'd run away if he pressed her, so he quickly added, "I understand.  We all have demons.  My ancestor betrayed my captain."

"No he didn't!" Trance snapped defensively.

"He was shot while trying to kill-"

"No, it didn't happen like that," she interrupted.

Rhade thought about what she'd said about how he was just like Geharis.  Normally he would have flown off the handle at such a comparison, but he had been so focused on comforting her that he'd barely noticed.  Now those feelings threatened to surface.  "What do you know about him?" he demanded, letting go of her and taking a step back.

She wrapped her arms across her chest, shielding herself from the sudden loss of warmth and affection.  "I… I can only say that he was no traitor.  He lost his way for a while, but he did what he thought was right, and in the end he sacrificed everything for the Commonwealth."

She was telling him exactly what he wanted to hear, and yet she was telling him nothing.  "I suppose you can't give me anymore information."

"I've already told you too much.  If I reveal too much it could change this reality and-"

"Right, we've all heard this before," he said, storming out of the med deck.

Trance wandered from plant to plant, caring for each one as if it were the only thing in the room, then moving on to the next.  She knew she had to make sacrifices for the people she loved and for the Commonwealth, but sometimes it was so hard.  It had been several days since the encounter with Telemechus, and she hadn't slept since.  Deep bronze circles darkened her otherwise bright eyes.  She hadn't cried, though.  She almost never cried.  The other night had been a mistake.

Rhade had been in a mood that could have rivaled any of Tyr's.  He'd been all scowls and sarcasm, especially when Trance was present, which only served to cause her more misery.  Harper had commented on 'Nietzschean PMS,' and had a few laughs and a look that could turn fire to ice from both Trance and Rhade. 

Trance was startled when she looked up and saw Rhade watching her from the doorway.  "It was open and I didn't want to interrupt," he explained.

"Oh," she managed, a bit shocked to see him. 

"I don't think I've been in here yet," he continued matter-of-factly.  "They're beautiful."  

"Thank you."

He stepped forward and stood across from her.  "I wanted to talk to you."

"I told you, Rhade, I can't talk about what happened with Geharis.  I'm sorry."

"That's not what I wanted to talk about.  I wanted to apologize.  I've thought about it, and I can't be angry with you for doing what you know is right."

"But you've been so upset."

He answered her by taking her by the shoulders and shifting her over to the left a few steps so there wasn't a plant between them anymore.  Then he bent down and kissed her.  It was a soft, chaste kiss that only lasted a few seconds, but it was enough to make her shiver.