A/N Everyone ready for a bit of a sappy chapter? After 'Flame's father was revealed Kyrette and I felt a sappy one was needed.

Kyrette- *yawning* :Post this would you? I'm heading for bed. Before I leave though, I have this to say: Cat and I own nothing, it all belongs to Mrs. Lackey. Good night all.:

Cat- Night Kyrette, you've done well, my friend. So sappy chappie coming up.

Chapter 18- A Girl's Gotta Do….

'Flame melted. She had had so few who actually worried about her in her life that she couldn't disappoint or defy even one. She sat back on her bed and flung a forearm over her eyes, bouncing a bit as the mattress gave way beneath her. She sighed heavily and knew she would be giving in. "Firesong, can't you understand that I need to do this?"

She heard him sigh and the rustle of his robes as he settled into his chair once again. "I understand perhaps more than you realize sister dear. I just worry what facing this mage could do to you."

'Flame sighed yet again, not knowing how to answer him. She knew he was right. Yet it was just that reason, that unknown reaction, that she had to face him again. She had to know whether she was strong enough to face him, strong enough to go on. She had to be honest with herself, if she couldn't face this one man, she didn't know how she could continue to live here in Haven among so many people who seemed so much better than her.

Firesong watched his sister struggle with her need to face the past and her desire to stay as far away from this man as she could. He knew she wanted to hide. Could feel it radiating from her like heat. Still, silence reigned as she struggled within herself for the answers she so desperately sought.

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Starfall sat beneath a tree and sipped at the cool water one of the hertasi had brought him. He had read the letter several times over now. In his heart he was glad that he finally knew what had happened to create 'Flame. Now he could finally put it to rest. The past was over and the future was marching on.

He looked at the letter in his hand once more. To have it all over in so few sentences almost felt wrong….

He watched his bondbird circling lazily overhead. He leaned his head back and closed his eyes, absorbing not only the day but all he had learned. It was good to finally let the past go.

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Silverfox walked slowly, the stallion at his side. "It seems the past has been redeemed in one way only to have it return in another." Darkfire kept his silence at the kestra'chern's side. "'Flame's father has been revealed. Yet a mage so responsible for her pain has entered Haven. We all wonder for what purpose."

Silverfox stopped under the cover of some trees, the silent black stallion at his side. He looked back towards the ekele where his love was speaking with his sister. "Will she run?" Silverfox asked the stallion directly. Darkfire shook his head. Silverfox sighed heavily. "If she faces this man, it could damage her mind permanently. If it does, I worry for Firesong as well as her." Darkfire shoved his nose into the man's chest offering silent comfort. Silverfox smiled slightly and scratched the horse's forehead, gratefully accepting the offer.

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In the bedroom, 'Flame was still lying on the bed, an arm over her eyes. She could feel her brother waiting patiently at her side. She was sorry to do this to him but she wasn't the scared little girl she had been when they had first arrived. She wasn't even the same she had been a day ago.

Now she had the explanations she had so desperately sought for most of her life. Her father's name had been revealed to all. She now knew that she had denied herself the vales. Things had been cleared and realigned in so short a time.

Now was the time for her to truly grow up and face what life gave her. That mage was coming into Haven if he wasn't here already. Did he know she had survived? Could he suspect that she was not only alive and healed but here in Haven? Could he know that she recognized him?

'Flame sat up, her decisions made. Her past had to be faced and truly dealt with.

She stood with that new resolve in her heart. Firesong watched her not understanding what she was doing. She had grabbed a pack and was now packing it. "Where are you going?" He asked as she stuffed more clothing into the pack.

"I have to do this Firesong." She said purposely not facing her brother. "I cannot hide forever."

Firesong stood there dumbfounded for a moment. When she closed the pack and went to leave he grabbed her arm. "I just found my sister again and now you will leave me?" He didn't like the desperation he heard in his own voice. Still he had to make her see that this was foolhardy and reckless. It was foolish for her to chase after this mage.

Shadowflame was still weak. Physically maybe nor, but magically and definitely mentally she was too weak for this. He was scared, actually scared, that he could possibly lose her in this. Her coma had been horrible. If anything like that ever happened again…. Firesong honestly didn't believe he could handle it again.

"Please, 'Flame. Let someone else handle this." Firesong let go of her arm since she wasn't struggling to get away.

'Flame heard the fear and desperation in his voice. Those two emotions touched her nerves and reverberated in her soul. She took a deep breath and put down her pack. "Would you have allowed anyone else to handle the Mage Storms? Would you have allowed anyone to take your place?" 'Flame could see his answer in his eyes. She shook her head smiling slightly. "I can see the answer in your eyes, Firesong. You would not allow it. You would tie them up to keep them out of your way. As will I." She added when he was about to protest.

"This is something I have to deal with, by myself. I will be careful. I promise." 'Flame went to grab her pack again, when he stopped her.

She looked at her brother startled. "Promise me you will stay safe."

She smiled slightly. "As safe as I can be, I promise."

Firesong pulled her into a fierce hug. "Silverfox and I will wait here until you return." This time it was he who stopped her protest. "I could not leave, not knowing what was happening to you. We will wait here until you return. Understood?"

'Flame smiled sadly and hugged Firesong fiercely. Without another word she grabbed her bag and left the ekele not looking back.

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Silverfox saw her leave and lost his companion when she appeared. Darkfire trotted up to her, butting her shoulder, as Silverfox watched the two. He could almost see the bond between them. It heartened him to know that she at least had her stallion.

He walked back to the ekele, in much better spirits than when he had left. Firesong was sitting in the bedroom, looking at a small carving of a kyree that she had left behind. "I'm staying until this is over, Silverfox. I can't leave until I know she's alright."

Silverfox nodded and sat down next to his life mate. "I would never ask you to leave your sister, ashke. We will stay for as long as you need to."

He put his arm around Firesong and just held his love. It was a silent night between the two of them.

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Starfall had seen 'Flame leave but had not stopped her. He knew how it felt to have to do something yourself, rather than leaving it to others. He wanted to speak with her, but somehow could not find the courage.

He watched her leave, her eagle in the air behind. :'Flame?: He Sent the thought toward her. He felt her attention turn to him. :I want to apologize. I never meant for your life to be so hard. I just couldn't….:

'Flame's response cut him off. :Starfall, many things have happened in my life, most of which was my fault. Darkwind made me realize that in his letter. There is nothing either of us can do to change the past.: He could feel her mental sigh. :What say you we just go on from here? Now we both know who my father was. That was the biggest problem between the two of us. Now that that is solved, we can be what we really are. We are simply two mages, both Tayledras, nothing more. Can we simply be equals? Mayhap not friends, but equals?:

Starfall quickly agreed. He could treat her as an equal. He felt guilty for all the pain he had caused her. Wishing he could change the past would not make it so. Still he would simply take her advice and go on from where they were.

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A/N- AWWWWWWWWW wasn't that sweet?

I know everyone is thinking that Firesong is taking this pretty calmly. But that's only for now I promise!

Kyrette has been working very hard don't ya think? Yet no one sends scratches for him anymore! He'll go on strike! Then where will we be?

So R&R send scratches for Kyrette even if you don't like it!

See you all next chapter!

~!*Cat*!~