Hello, here is the second-to-last chapter, enjoy.

Disclaimer: Wolf's Rain and its characters are the property of their respective owners. This piece is not for profitable purposes.

Chapter 8: Dissolution

I look at her from across the room, she has been sitting in the same position on the couch for what seems like hours. I frown, knowing of what she is likely thinking. I walk towards her and gently place my hand on her shoulder, which startles her.

As she looks up at me, I say, "Cher, why don't we go out, we could…"

"I'm sorry, Hubb, I need to organize my thoughts so I can start writing my report for Lord Oakum. The other researchers on the team are depending on me."

Before I can see any more, she looks away from me again, and I notice her watching her bird. Unsure what to do next, I move my hand away, and realizing, like so many times recently, that she wants to be alone, I pick up the newspaper off a table and walk to another room.

Noticing the silence at dinner, I wonder if I should try to start a conversation. She submitted her report to Lord Oakum's staff, but still seems preoccupied, and, in those rare instances when we've spoken, it is always about the same thing, Cheza, the life form that she is studying.  The pattern continues and grows that I had noticed as her concentration on having a child began to decrease.  Is it possible that Cher is trying to repress her wish for a child with her work – or even – that she is acting as if though Cheza is her child?

"Hubb?"

Surprised, but happy that she's speaking, I respond, "Yes, Cher?"

"I wanted to let you know that I'll be home less, at least for a short while, we're starting a new round of experiments. I'll have to monitor Cheza closely, so I'll be spending more time in the lab. Sometimes I may have to stay throughout the night."

I freeze in shock, she already keeps extending the time she has been working there, and now she might even be there all night?

"Cher, is that really needed? You've been spending so much time in the lab already."

"It's necessary to be sure that we collect all of the data, it's unknown when Cheza may have a reaction."

As if to signal that the conversation is ended, she looks down at her plate and continues eating.

I look up from the magazine that I am reading and notice Cher's bird. I realize that, since Cher didn't come home last night, it probably hasn't been fed since yesterday morning. I walk to where the food is kept, take some out, walk back, and feed it. After I finish, I turn around and look at the door, wishing that it would open, and that she would walk through, smiling and greeting me. But, of course, that doesn't happen.

Surprising me, I hear the phone ring. Thinking it may be Cher, I move quickly and pick up the receiver.

"Hubb?"

"Cher."

"I can't talk long, but I wanted to ask you if you could feed my bird."

"I realized it might be hungry, so I just did so."

"Thanks so much."

"You're welcome. Cher, are you…"

"I'm sorry, Hubb, I really need to go, good bye."

And, with that, she hangs up. Startled and disappointed, I put down the receiver.

More time passes, and I am worrying more about her. Her quiet spells are longer, and she is so often distracted. I have tried speaking with her about my concerns, but my words never seem to reach her. Now, I stand near the door, straightening my tie and getting ready to leave, and I see her there, with her bird perched on her finger. Her once sparkling blue eyes are now dull and it seems as if her mind is somewhere else. She lifts her arm and the bird flies away. I stop in mid-motion, knowing that I cannot let things go on like this any longer. She steps back inside and closes the glass door behind her. She faces me, but it seems as if she doesn't see me there. No longer caring if I'm late for my shift, I walk towards her and take hold of her hands.

"Cher, I'm worried about you – you don't seem well."

A few seconds pass before she responds, "I'm fine, Hubb, there's no need to worry."

Knowing that that can't be the truth, I embrace her and respond, "No, we both know that's not really the case. You've been working so much lately, I'm sure you're exhausted, and Cher, what about us?"

Hearing no response I say, "I feel like we've grown apart, Cher, and I don't want that. I want to spend time with you, talk with you, laugh with you, like – like we used to. And, Cher, what about our dream, to have a family?  I don't know exactly when things changed, I guess it's been over time."

She moves away from me and looks to the side and then back at me, with a frustrated expression.

"No, this isn't about any of that. The two of us, we're so different that…"

"Cher, please."

She looks sad as she says, "There are so many things that can never change."

Frozen in place, I watch as she approaches the door.

I turn towards her and say in an anxious tone, "Cher, where are you going?"

She stops in mid-motion, looking like she may turn around, but then continues through the door, leaving me in lonely silence.