I'm beginning to think this story is cursed, or at least the computer is. I'm sorry with all the problems with this and hope to finally have it all fixed. Hope is good. And yeah, I agree about breaking up scenes, it's been bugging me, I'll figure something out.

Ch 5

And one day you'll find

Forever

A friend who's soul

Is True..........

Jade walked through the forest with Starfire, with his injured ribs, he couldn't go the way he usually did and she certainly wouldn't have been able to follow if he had, though the scouts followed them from the branches and scouted ahead, they would have plenty of warning if anything dangerous came near, and with three mages, they would be able to handle most things.

"What is it" she asked Starfire.

"What" he looked over to her in question.

"The Vale, I've heard of them, but the stories vary so wildly"

He grinned, he could imagine. "Nothing so wild as I think you've heard, no wild orgies, though the parties can be fun when we have them".

"Oh" she said.

He laughed "You almost sound disapointed" he teased her.

She shook her head quickly "No, I don't want to do that with anyone else", she stopped in shock as she realised what she had said. The silence fell between them and her face burned, she couldn't believe she said that, the longer he was quiet the more sure she was that he wasn't interested and she wasn't sure whether that made her heart break or relieved her.

"I'd like that" he finally said.

She glanced at him from under her hair "What" she asked softly, she was going to make him say it, she didn't know men well and she wanted to know.

Starfire had been shocked, waves of glee and terror ran through him, what if she took it back, he didn't dare say anything at first, but finally he couldn't just let her stand there without out knowing what he thought, he had answered her. She looked confused at his answer, poor baby, he thought, he couldn't help it.

He walked slowly towards the spot she had stopped and gently pushed her hair from her face. She stared at him with wide eyes, and he felt the waves of terror and joy coming from her. It matched his own feelings. He leaned down and kissed her gently on her forehead then he steped back and said "Only when you're ready, you decide".

Jade closed her mouth as he backed up, she didn't understand. Since that night she had watched men, warrily, like you would watch something that could harm you if you let it. She had learned to keep them back, and not collect their interest, how to avoid them. And still she had watched.

The few times she had gathered interest from a man, she had to resort to scaring them off with magic. Something she had the feeling wouldn't work with Starfire, he was a mage himself. But, for the first time she didn't want him to go, just the thought of it tore her to shreds, but still, a part of her still held the walls of protection and she didn't know how to go past them.

He felt her inner struggle, and sighed. It would take time, but he could be patient. She was more important. And now there was hope.

Sundance watched the two from where he was following them, he had dropped back to watch and give them a little privacy. He believed Starfire about the lifebond, he would certainly recognise one if anyone could. All the signs were there.

He frowned, but what was wrong with the girl, he could see her struggle as she held herself back from Starfire. And Starfire let her, he had never held back from something he wanted in his life, he must know something they didn't. He shook his head, he would talk to Starfire later, when he could get him alone.

The Vale was beautiful, and Jade stayed near Starfire as she stared as each new wonder revealed itself. "how do you find your way" she asked as they made yet another turn in the path towards his Ekele.

"I know the paths" he said shugging. He looked over at her frown and laughed "Don't worry, you'll learn, and If you get lost there is always a Heratasi to guide you, they love to help".

"Oh" she said wonder in her voice, people like the founder of her school, she couldn't wait to meet them.

He laughed again "Just tell them about you mageschool's founder and you'll have friends for life". He frowned slightly as another thought came to him, he wondered how to warn her without making her run for the hills. "Jade" he said softly.

"Yes" she said looking up from some particularly large flowers, she frowned at the look on his face. "What's wrong" she asked.

"I have to warn you, they are terrible matchmaker's. Once they find out about how we feel for each other, I'm afraid they will be planning a campaign to get us together" he paused, waiting for her response.

She laughed and he relaxed "I think we might just need that help" she said ruefully. "You know I want to be with you don't you" she asked wistfully.

He nodded and took her hand leading her down the path to his Ekele. Once there, she looked up the ladder. "What's this" she asked.

"My ekele, it's where I live when I'm not on patrol with the scouts" he said, waiting for her reaction.

She looked at him and nodded, waiting for him to go on.

"I'd like it if you stayed here" he said.

"In the guest room" she asked.

He shook his head "No, I'd like you to sleep with me, Like we did in the forest, nothing you don't want to do" he added quickly at the surprise on her face.

Jade thought about it while he waited, it appealed to her and she was tired of being alone, without him. And if something happened, well, she kind of hoped it would. "Alright" she said softly and smiled back at his large grin.

While she was in a nearby bathing pool, Starfire was getting the sleeping room ready for two. He looked up surprised to see Sundance leaning against the doorway watching him with a thoughtful look on his face.

Once he saw he had Starfire's attention, Sundance walked in the room looking at his preparations "A little premature don't you think" he asked.

"Small steps, that's how I'm taking it" he said looking down at the cushion in his hand.

"What's the matter with the girl" Sundance asked.

Starfire dropped the cushion and sat looking up at Sundance "Sit brother, this may take awhile".

"It's not as bad as that is it" he teased Starfire.

Starfire looked glum "I think it might be, She was raped, her first and only time and her gift awakened then, she killed the man" he said flatly.

"Damn" Sundance swore softly.

Starfire looked up at that "Exactly" He stared off into space for a moment, then a slight smile hovered on his lips banishing his glum expression. "She's coming" he said.

"Then I'll be going, she'll be more comfortable without a stranger being here" he said, walking to the door. He turned and looked back at Starfire "You might want to take her to the king stag to get our language, she'll feel better if she can understand us" he said before leaving.

Starfire was still sitting on the cushions when she entered, wearing one of the robes the Heratasi always left by the pools.