Bath was a large place, certainly compared to the homely Uppercross. Everywhere Nyssa looked, there were enormous promenades and buildings in the neoclassical style that seemed to be so fashionable. Well, the promenades were no-doubt empty at the moment. Heavy rain was beating against the windows of the house that Nyssa's family were staying in.

Nyssa shivered, pulling her shawl around her shoulders, and headed downstairs. She entered the lounge to find her father and Elisabeth on roman-style couches. Elisabeth looked most at ease as she lounged, but their father was not. He was sat upright, engrossed in correspondence. Penelope Shepherd was staring out of the window at the rain.

A couple of footmen, both looking rather bored, were also stood nearby. Nyssa could not say that she blamed them for their mood.

'Oh, Nyssa my dear,' said Tremas, looking up from the letter he was perusing. 'I was just thinking how lovely it is to have you with us again.'

'Thank you, father,' Nyssa replied, quietly.

'I believe we have an engagement this afternoon with our cousin's family,' Elisabeth said, before Tremas could continue to speak with Nyssa. 'He is a fine gentlemen, the young Mr Elliot; don't you agree, father?'

'I personally found him rather lacking in feeling,' Tremas said, frowning. 'Besides, the marriage between cousins is something I find unbecoming. It is already frowned upon by everyone outside of our class, and I agree, quite frankly.'

Elisabeth frowned, as if this hadn't been the answer she had been hoping for. Nyssa did not smile, but she was glad of her fathers response. Her cousins family had been somewhat estranged from them for years, due to a variety of different scandals from the cousin himself. All she had heard about the young Mr Elliott, the son of the cousin, was that he was intelligent and shrewd. Not exactly negative qualities to have, but Nyssa was most glad that she would not have to meet him.

'Elisabeth says that he has paid visits to her almost every week,' Nyssa said, as she and Lady Russell slowly walked through the crowd of the postal exchange. It was now the afternoon, and the weather had improved. 'I am most glad that I have not been there to welcome him.'

'His mother, the widower of your fathers cousin, now desires reconciliation,' Lady Russell replied. 'As for the high esteem in which the young Mr Elliott holds your family, it is only natural that he should see the importance of blood and connection at this time in his life.'

Nyssa frowned.

'A cousin, though? I share my fathers distaste for such a practice. I do not care for what Elisabeth might say to the man's cordiality; it is a peculiar practice indeed. I am lucky that I am a spinster and therefore at no great possibility of being married.'

'But to wed as gracious a man as he…'

'A man who is still my flesh-and-blood relation,' Nyssa continued. 'It is a dying practice, borne out of financial urgency for the gentry of a bygone era. It has no place today. No matter how much the relation in question may have manners, and correct opinions, and wide knowledge of the world today.'

At this point, Lady Russell was met by some friends of hers from the local debating society. Nyssa stood by awkwardly to the side while they exchanged pleasantries. However, as she was doing so, she happened to look over to the other side of the postal exchange, where an older couple had appeared through the doors.

It was the Admiral and Lady Croft.

'Nyssa!' exclaimed Lady Croft, happily. 'My dear girl!'

Nyssa, mouth in a wide smile, hurried over and was duly embraced by Lady Croft. The Admiral shook Nyssa's hand warmly.

'How are you both?' Nyssa exclaimed. 'It is most delightful to see you in Bath!'

'Well, we are here to improve my husbands health,' Lady Croft replied. 'His legs do not seem to agree with dry land.'

'Oh, Admiral; you must come and have some of the local water,' Nyssa said.

Nyssa found one arm hooked under Lady's Crofts, and the other under the Admiral. She smiled, as they headed across the floor. She had missed this since she had arrived in Bath; they were such a sweet couple to be around.

'You remember my sister-in-law Tegan?'

'I… yes,' Nyssa said, slowly, in response to the Admiral's query. She could see a smile appear on Lady Croft's face that was rather too knowing for Nyssa's liking.

'Well, as you may recall, we were expecting her to propose to Louisa Musgrove,' said the Admiral. 'But now things appear to have taken a different turn.'

'How… how so?'

'Well,' Lady Croft exclaimed. 'She's taken up with Captain Benwick!'

Nyssa's mouth dropped open slightly in astonishment.

'I… confess I am amazed,' she said, slowly. 'Captain Benwick?

'Yes!' chuckled the Admiral. 'Had it corresponded to us both in a letter by Tegan herself. Apparently, Benwick and Louisa grew close while she was recovering in Lyme. They are engaged to be wed as of last week.'

Nyssa blinked quickly, her brain having seemed to have momentarily halted.

'I… I imagine she will have to learn to love Byron and Scott.'

'She already has,' replied the Admiral, smiling.

'Oh, yes!' exclaimed Nyssa, happily. 'Oh, I'm so pleased! They fell in love over poetry!'

'Of course,' said Lady Croft. 'So… Tegan is… free, you may say.'

Nyssa swallowed.

'And…' she said, slowly. 'Is she bitter?'

'On the contrary, her letter was most sanguine; you wouldn't have thought, from her way of writing, that she'd ever thought of marrying the young lady. Tegan will have to begin, all over again, with… somebody else.'

Nyssa did not dare look Lady Croft and the Admiral in the eye. That tone of voice, as well as the smiles on both their faces, were far too knowing for her liking.

Although Elisabeth disdained her for doing so, Nyssa had arranged to meet an old friend from her childhood the next morning. Mrs Smith was only a few years older than Nyssa herself; she had married young but her husband had sadly passed away only a few years prior. Mrs Smith was also suffering from a malady which had reduced her physical strength greatly; she could no longer walk any decent distance, and was often bedridden during the winter months.

The rooms in Bath which she rented were not especially grand, but they were warm and as comfortable as could be expected given the financial situation.

'Are you sure you are not melancholy?' Nyssa said, as she sat down in the chair across from Mrs Smith. Nurse Rook, who took care of Mrs Smith, was busying herself with the fire, which was needed in rooms as cold as these.

'With you here, come to visit?' replied Mrs Smith, smiling. 'Of course not!'

The two women smiled at each other.

'Can you… walk at all?'

'Well, no. But I will not allow sickness to ruin my spirits.'

Nyssa looked around the room. It was not shabby, but the walls and furniture had clearly seen better days.

'Did your husband leave you any money?'

'Very little, I'm afraid. His financial affairs did… utterly collapse. And it is all spent on Nurse Rooke.'

Nurse Rooke turned and smiled at Mrs Smith. The two of them both gave a great laugh.

'Who…' Mrs Smith continued, still chuckling, '…aside from carrying me into the hot bath, delivers me my one source of consolation; delicious gossipfrom the world outside.'

Nyssa chuckled.

'So, you are a spy, Nurse Rooke?'

The nurse chuckled in return.

'I… keep my ears open, that's all.'

'And what,' Mrs Smith asked. 'Have you heard of my friend here, then?'

'Well, I know her cousin, Mr Elliott, thinks terribly highly of Elisabeth.'

The two women collapsed into peals of giggles. Nyssa rolled her eyes.

'However did you know that?'

'I tend to Colonel Wallace's wife, who is… indisposed at the moment with a baby. And she says that Colonel Wallace said that Mr Elliott said-'

'Oh, please, enough!' Nyssa exclaimed, feeling a blush rise to her cheeks. 'Are there no secrets in Bath?'

'None at all,' Mrs Smith said, taking a sip from her mug and smiling. 'Your sisters interest in Mr Elliott is quite the popular piece of speculation in recent weeks. Although I will be surprised if he continues to find Elisabeth so charming, given that you yourself are in the house now as well-'

'And now I must hear this from you too, not just from Lady Russell!' Nyssa said, groaning. 'It is not enough that he is my own cousin?'

'Oh, you know I jest,' Mrs Smith said. 'I know you better than most, Nyssa. Your cheeks are of a far rosier complexion than they have been for many a year. Almost… seven years, at a guess.'

Nyssa suddenly found a far more pronounced heat rising in her face.

'What… whatever do you mean?'

'Well…' Mrs Smith replied, casting Nyssa a knowing look. 'Elisabeth may be intrigued by Mr Elliott, but you have never been one for men at all, have you? And certainly not anyone who has not earned their own living, yes?'

'I… I do not follow.'

Mrs Smith placed her saucer down on her lap.

'Nurse Rooke works in many homes around Bath. One such is for Admiral Croft, as she has been helping him with his legs. And Lady Croft has made it known that her sister is on home shores.'

Nyssa's heart seemed to rapidly stutter against her chest.

'What say you, my dear?' Mrs Smith said, giving Nyssa a slower, even more knowing look. 'The young Captain Jovanka seemed to have stayed in your heart, despite the passing of the years.'

Nyssa felt her hands tremble against her saucer.

'I… I do not know what you mean,' she said, slowly. 'Captain Jovanka is not… we are not…'

'Really?' Mrs Smith said. 'And here was me noticing that, as soon as her name is spoken, your face lights up. I have not seen you so happy in many months and years.'

Nyssa said nothing and took a sip from her cup. Surely… surely she could not be… could not be…

That afternoon, Elisabeth and Miss Shepherd had planned to go for a walk through the fashionable parts of the city. However, Lord Tremas had suggested that Nyssa accompany them and, faced with Miss Shepherd's ready agreement, Elisabeth had yielded. Nyssa would not have gone out of her way to go out walking with Elisabeth, but Miss Shepherd was a sweet young woman who was kind and affectionate to Nyssa. There was worse company to spend an afternoon with.

However, the British climate had developed other ideas, and a heavy rainstorm had descended upon Bath. Thinking quickly, Nyssa had bustled Elisabeth and Miss Shepherd into a nearby tea shop. A runner had then been sent out to request a carriage, although Elisabeth had only specified seats for herself and Miss Shepherd. Nyssa let out a small sigh, resigning herself to a walk back through the rain.

The three women sat around a high table, with Nyssa sat near the nearby window. She looked out into the street, watching the comings and goings of passing pedestrians. Self-serious businessmen, society ladies, a few young children, office boys and-

Captain Tegan Jovanka.

Nyssa felt her stomach drop down to somewhere near her knees. Her start was perceptible only to herself, but she instantly felt that she was the greatest simpleton in the world, the most… unaccountable and absurd! For a few moments, she could see nothing before her; it was all confusion. She was lost.

'Miss… Miss Traken?'

Nyssa came back to the present, and turned. Penelope Shepherd was looking at her in concern.

'Miss Traken, are you unwell?'

'I…' Nyssa said, climbing to her feet. 'I think I ought to get some water, please excuse me…'

Nyssa ungainly hurried a few paces towards the counter, hearing the shop bell ring as the door opened.

'I… Nyssa?'

Her body turning before she could stop herself, Nyssa came face to face with Captain Jovanka, who had come to stand barely a foot away and was removing her hat.

'H-hello,' Nyssa said, blinking. 'Good morning, Captain Jovanka.'

'Miss Traken…' the Captain replied, slowly. There was a slight pause as they both registered the change to more formal language. 'Good morning.'

'I… I see that you have come to Bath,' Nyssa continued. 'And do you like it?'

The Captain stared at Nyssa for a moment.

'B-Bath? Well… I haven't seen it yet,' the Captain replied, taking off her gloves. 'I have only just arrived, you see.'

There was another long silence, as both women seemed unable to think of anything to say.

'Captain Jovanka!'

Both Nyssa and the Captain startled. Elisabeth and Miss Shepherd had walked over from the window seat.

'How do you both do?' said the Captain, awkwardly.

'Wet and cold,' Elisabeth replied. 'Dratted rain ruined our walk.'

'We were leaving,' Nyssa said. 'I believe my sister wishes to ride in a cab with Miss Shepherd.'

'Yes,' Elisabeth said, waspily. 'I will not have Miss Shepherd get a chill from this atrocious weather.'

Miss Shepherd gave Nyssa one last unsure glance, but Nyssa nodded encouragingly to her. Miss Shepherd then curtsied to both Nyssa and the Captain, and followed Elisabeth out of the tea house.

The Captain turned back to Nyssa.

'And… you will walk? In the rain?'

Nyssa's breath caught in her throat. The sheer concern in the Captain's voice threatened to completely overwhelm her.

'I-It isn't far,' she stammered, blinking quickly. 'I am used to it.'

'Nys, you shouldn't have to be.'

Nyssa stared at the Captain, who seemed slightly shocked at the emotion attached to the words which had left her mouth. And the nickname…

Nyssa had not heard that nickname in a very long time. And to have heard it now, at this time, when her mind was already lost in the swirl of emotions and confused thoughts…

Oh, dear.

The Captain pulled the umbrella from under her arm, and handed it to Nyssa.

'But… you will be soaked?'

'Your home is not far, you say?' Captain Jovanka asked. 'Then perhaps I may… walk you to your front door?'

'I… I couldn't possibly force you to-'

'There would be no force needed,' -the taller woman's eyes were fixed on Nyssa's, earnest and kind- 'Truly.'

Nyssa found herself quite unable to object any further, and nodded.

The two of them left the tea house through the door, and out into the street outside. Captain Jovanka left first, and quickly unfurled the umbrella, placing it above their heads. Nyssa felt her heartrate increase dramatically as the distance between them shrank to barely an inch apart.

They set off along the street, in the direction of the house where Nyssa's family was staying during their time in the city.

The rain poured down around the edges of the umbrella. Nyssa was immensely aware of how close her shoulder was to the Captain's arm, and she could have sworn that she could hear her own heartbeat in her ears.

Her nostrils seemed to fill with the scent of the Captain, and Nyssa found herself pulled, against her own volition, into memories of years prior; of slow walks in the countryside, of long summer days spent together and…

Heat rose in Nyssa's face and she quickly pulled herself back to the present. It did not do to dwell on such things, certainly not in such a place as this.

'Miss Traken?'

Nyssa startled. They had arrived front of the house Nyssa was staying in with her family. Already, she could see through the windows that Elisabeth was ordering the servants to help Miss Musgrove out of her wet cloak.

The two women headed up the path and came to a stop in front of the large front door.

'I… I cannot thank you enough, Captain,' Nyssa stammered.

'You have no need to; it was my pleasure,' Captain Jovanka replied. 'I… I am glad that you were able to get home safely through the rain.'

Nyssa was suddenly aware that the Captain was still stood barely a few inches from her. She could practically count the freckles on the taller woman's face. And spot the few strands of hair that was peeking out from underneath the Captains hat. And her slightly chapped lips.

Oh.

Captain Jovanka swallowed, seemed to go through a short internal battle of wills, before nodding her head at Nyssa in a sort of bow. She headed down the path, before turning into the road and out of sight.

Nyssa clutched her wrap around her, and headed inside, her mind scrambling to make sense of what had just happened.

Nyssa was not in the habit of attending balls, but this was different. It was the next day; this ball was being held by her fathers cousin (a dowager of some description), and Sir Tremas had recommended that Nyssa attend with himself, Elisabeth and Miss Shepherd. It was lucky that Nyssa had a gown to wear for such an occasion. Granted, it was not especially fashionable but she did not look exceptionally out of place.

Nyssa was waiting with the others, expecting to have something of a quiet evening, when-

'Miss Traken?'

Nyssa's eyes snapped around.

Captain Jovanka was stood nearby, wearing her best Naval attire. Once again, Nyssa found herself momentarily unable to speak. For a moment, she could only stare numbly at the Captain, her mind feverishly trying to make her mouth move. The moment seemed to drag on for an eternity, with all the embarrassment that came with it.

'How… how do you do, Captain?'

'Well. Thank you, Miss Traken.'

If the Captain had noticed Nyssa's shock, she did not indicate so.

'Have you… come for the concert?'

'No,' replied the Captain, grinning slightly. 'I have come for a lecture on navigation; am I in the wrong place?'

Nyssa covered her mouth with her hand as a chuckle burst forth. She felt her face blush. The Captain smiled, seeming to enjoy the effect her words had, and the tension between them promptly evaporated.

'Miss Traken, I trust that the rain from the other day did not affect you?'

'I…' Nyssa started, memories of the walk under the umbrella now bursting fully-formed into her mind. 'No. I… I was quite well.'

'That is good. I have hardly seen you since that awful day at Lyme. You must have suffered from the shock; the more so for it not… overpowering you at the time.'

'I… do not think I was in danger from suffering from not being overpowered, thank you, Captain.'

The Captain gave a chuckle.

'When you had the presence of mind to send Captain Benwick for a surgeon, I… I imagine you had little idea of the consequences.'

Nyssa smiled.

'No, I had none. But I hope it will be a happy match for them both.'

'Indeed. I wish them luck as well. They have no difficulties to contend with at home. No… opposition. No delays.'

There was a heavy silence between them.

'And… and yet,' the Captain continued. 'Louisa Musgrove is a very amiable, sweet tempered girl. And not unintelligent. But.. I was surprised that such a match happened between her and Benwick so quickly. Someone in Benwick's situation… lonely, with a broken heart...'

Nyssa felt her eyes widen and the hair on the back of her neck stand up. The world around them seemed to fade to a vague blur. From the tone of the Captain's voice, it did not seem as if she was talking about Louisa and Benwick anymore.

'I mean…' the Captain said. 'Phoebe Harville was a wonderful woman and… Benwick was devoted to her.'

She paused. Nyssa found herself unable to tear her eyes away. Her heart beat frantically against her chest at a rate that it had not in years.

'A person does not recover from such a devotion to such a woman,' the Captain said, slowly. 'They ought not. They do not.'

Nyssa froze, her breath catching in her throat. Each fraction of each moment stretching out as if the two women were travelling through time at a slower pace than all around them. That was certainly how Nyssa felt, as her eyes widened and her heart beat painfully against her chest. Her mouth seemed to hang open slightly, and she found herself unable to speak, so overcome with the multitude of thoughts flowing through her mind.

Eventually, possibly an eternity later, she swallowed and spoke.

'D-did… did you stay long at Lyme?'

Captain Jovanka took a moment to respond, and Nyssa was startled to see that the taller woman's face was flushed slightly.

'A fortnight, until we were sure of Louisa's recovery. The countryside is very fine round there; I walked and rode a great deal.'

'I… I should like to see it again.'

'But surely, the stress… too painful-'

'But… when the pain is over…' Nyssa said, slowly. 'I have travelled so little that every fresh place is of interest to me. One day I would very much like to see it again.'

Captain Jovanka stared at her, blinking quickly. She seemed unable to speak, as if overcome by what Nyssa had just spoken.

'It was my doing,' the Captain said, heavily. 'Solely mine. Louisa would not have been obstinate, if I had not been weak.'

Nyssa suddenly felt as if her whole world had shook, and her mouth opened slightly, as if the breath had been knocked out of her. What... did that mean… did the Captain…

A meteorite could have crashed into the room at that moment, and Nyssa would not have noticed. All she could focus on was the face of the Captain, flushed and earnest, looking at her with her eyes boring deep into Nyssa's.

'Nyssa…' breathed Captain Jovanka, slowly. 'I… I have never-'

At that moment, the world around them suddenly came back into focus as the crowd began to bow and curtsey. Nyssa and the Captain both startled.

The dowager had arrived.

The Captain quickly turned, performing the mix of bow and curtsey that was expected now of women serving in the military. Limbs working automatically, Nyssa dropped into a curtsey.

The dowager passed them all, nodding slowly to each person.

The crowd followed her through into the next room. Nyssa slowly rose from her curtsey, her heart beating frantically in her ears.

The ball began with a concert by a string quartet and an accompanying singer. Nyssa was unsure of the song, as she was not up-to-date with the latest fashionable music. She was hoping that it would take her minds off of things. But she was sadly mistaken; she could also feel the back of her neck flush and her mind continued to race. She could have sworn that she could feel the gaze of Captain Jovanka on her. The Captain had been seated a few rows behind them, and Nyssa was acutely aware that her heartrate did not seem to calm down, no matter how much time seemed to extend since their last conversation.

Nyssa would have liked nothing more than to demand exactly what Captain Jovanka had been trying to say before the dowager had arrived. But… she was scared. What did it all mean? Could the Captain really mean what Nyssa thought -hoped- she had meant? Was Nyssa simply misunderstanding? But… oh, what if she wasn't? The thought of what it could signify send shivers through Nyssa's very being. Could she be that brave? She had never been one to storm headlong into situations without knowing the exact parameters they entailed. Too timid, too shy, too… easily persuaded not to. Oh, but if only… if only…

As one song finished, there was general applause. The musicians and singer then went off for a short break, and the crowd got up from their seats. Nyssa followed her father and sister across the room, through the crowds of people. However, as she did so, she overheard a conversation between two lords of some rank.

'The new Navy people…' exclaimed one lord. 'Little more than farm labourers, flushed with wealth obtained abroad. Really, what is the once fine tradition of the Navy come to, having the lower classes reach such ranks…'

The other lord nodded.

'Exactly, Frederick; utterly disgraceful. I'd throw the scruffs out on their necks if I had it my way. No standing whatsoever; just a bunch of jumped-up serfs.'

Nyssa felt her stomach boil in irritation. Wrestling with this sudden change in temperament, she was dimly aware that her family had disappeared into the crowd in front of her. Nyssa clutched her hands together, trying to get a bearing on where her family had gone.

'Rather!' continued the first lord. 'Serfs indeed; what is the world coming to? Are we supposed to just accept the advancement of the lower classes into our spheres of influence? Look, here's another one now-'

Captain Jovanka strode past Nyssa towards the exit in the opposite direction, her face a mask. But Nyssa could see the tell-tale signs; the small crinkle around the eyes, the constriction of the throat and her widening eyes.

Pain. Frustration. Hurt.

Nyssa saw red. A storm of hot anger coursed through her veins, burning through any element of caution in her countenance. And her body responded to the power of that anger. Without thinking, she found herself storming up to the lord who had spoken.

'I must disagree with you; most ardently, in fact!'

Nyssa was vaguely aware that her face was turning red, but she did not care.

'The people of the Navy are of such upstanding character, as all they possess is what they have gained from their own skill and merit,' Nyssa exclaimed. 'How dare you criticise them, when all you have done is inherit your wealth through a chance of birth? You have contributed nothing except the continuing existence of your family line! Captain Jovanka is worth a hundred -no, a thousand- of your kind!'

Nyssa turned and walked out of the hall, hearing stunned whisperings from behind her. No doubt rumours were already spreading regarding her conduct, but she found she did not care. She was already a spinster, unlikely to ever receive a marriage proposal, so it was not as if her behaviour this evening would have much of a negative effect on her standing.

'Nyssa?'

Nyssa's heart seemed to stutter, as she turned to find Captain Jovanka stood nearby the door she had just exited through.

'C-Captain Jovanka,' she exclaimed, feeling her cheeks flush once again. 'I am sorry, did I disturb you?'

The Captain did not answer, but instead stared at her for a moment, her own brown eyes fixed on Nyssa.

'Do… do you really believe that? About myself and those of my standing?'

Oh. Oh, dear.

Captain Jovanka's voice was as gentle as silk, and as tender as the setting sun. Nyssa found herself unable to form words, instead scarcely able to open and close her mouth in silent shock.

'I…' she eventually stammered, her face now burning red with embarrassment and confusion. 'I have behaved most inappropriately. Please, forgive me, I should leave-'

She turned to go, but Captain Jovanka reached out a hand to grab softly onto her arm.

Nyssa's eyes widened, as gooseflesh shot up along her arm. She had not felt like that in a very, very long time. Certainly not in seven years.

'Please do not go,' the taller woman murmured. 'I… I must speak with you.'

'Why… why are you being so kind?' Nyssa whispered. 'My position should be none of your concern, given my low standing. I am a spinster, a burden to all those around me-'

'You are the best of those around you, Nyssa.'

'There you are, doing it again!' Nyssa said, feeling tears blossom from her eyes as she turned to look at the auburn-haired woman. 'Always being kind, treating me so much better than I ever deserve from you. And… and, oh, you must surely hate me for how I treated you. So why do you continue to be so kind, Tegan?'

The first name had slipped out before Nyssa could stop herself. And now, her heart proclaimed, the Captain could no longer be "the Captain" in Nyssa's mind. Tegan… it had always been Tegan, hadn't it? Try as she might, Nyssa could no longer bare to keep that distance between them. She was a coward; she had used the title as a way of keeping her memories of Tegan Jovanka stored away deep inside. But the lock had become broken with time, and the memories could no longer be forgotten so easily.

Tegan took a small step towards Nyssa, and clasped their two sets of hands together softly. Nyssa scarcely felt able to breathe. She could practically hear Tegan's heartrate now.

'I… I was angry, yes,' Tegan replied, her voice soft as silk. She gently reached up with one hand and wiped the tears from Nyssa's ears. 'But… oh, Nyssa, how could you ever think I could hate you? I… I never could.'

'You… you do not?'

'Of course I don't!' Tegan exclaimed. 'Rabbits! I'd be a bloody idiot if I did!-'

'Nyssa!'

Both Tegan and Nyssa startled.

Elisabeth had hurried out of the nearest door, her face serious.

'Honestly, why have you wondered off here? Come with me, father is busy speaking to his cousin and I do not care to stand around by myself.'

And, with that, she took Nyssa by the arm and pulled her away, back into the main hall. Nyssa looked quickly over her shoulder at Tegan, her breathing heavy and her pulse rating.

Tegan stared after her, mouth slightly agape. There was a second where their eyes met, before the door shut between them.

Dun-dun-dun! XD My apologies for the cliche, but if it ain't broke...

Thanks you for reading; I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and my apologies for the delay with this one (IRL stuff has gotten pretty hectic lately). If you liked the chapter, please leave a review and (if you wish to subscribe to the fic) please follow the fic. Alternatively, you can asked to be added to the Tumblr tag list.

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