A/N: It's getting closer to the end! Please be patient and read/review, as always! I thank all the people that took the time out of their busy lives to read my story, and more thanks for those that reviewed!

Despite Briseis' reassurances, naturally Helen was still suspicious. After all, the girl's excuses were flimsy at best and did not sound very convincing at all. Now all she had to do was to investigate a bit on her own, and hopefully discover what she was really up to. Helen knew that Briseis had an impossible stubborn streak in her and a wild side, even though she did not know the girl for very long. She had no intentions of reporting their confrontation to Andromache. It would only worry her. And God knows that the woman already had too much to think about. She would just quietly observe Briseis, and if the situation took a turn for the worse, she would tell Andromache. But not yet.

Maybe Briseis was telling the truth after all. Maybe Helen was just been a bit paranoid, but she thought it was better to be careful. She would watch her, and make sure especially that she did not make any more midnight plunders. The weather did not permit it anyway. It was growing increasingly wet and cool. There were more occasions of frozen rain than of snow, and Helen wished it was snow, as the cold rain drenched everything and then froze over it, putting everyone in terrible moods.

Tonight, however, was clear, if not cold. Helen had been up for sometime now, listening to the quiet snores of Astyanax. The child was growing stronger everyday, not to mention cuter. Helen loved the dear boy. The thought made her lay a hand on her stomach. Soon, she thought, soon you would have a little one of your own.

Helen closed her eyes. Sweet thoughts were running through her mind. Like whether or not her baby-to-be was a girl or boy, and what she'd do in each case. And what clothes she would make her. She imagined her growing up, dark-haired like Paris but light-skinned like herself. Perhaps she would have blue eyes. She seemed to think of the baby as a she more than a he these days. Yes, she would like a daughter, she decided sleepily. A smile spread across her face. She laid her other hand protectively over her other hand, resting on her stomach.

A noise startled her. Her eyes flew open. Groggily she raised up a hand and tiredly rubbed her eyes. Then she remembered that she was watching Briseis. She must be going out again! Sure enough, a few seconds later the door creaked shut.

Quietly Helen sat up and crept out of bed. She slipped on her shoes and tip-toed to the front door. Then peeking out of a creak that she had carefully eased open, she spotted a hooded figure hurrying away from the cabins, in the direction of the dense forest.

That was it then. She was right, the girl was up to something. But what? She hesitated. She didn't want to follow her cousin, however much she wanted to. Unlike Briseis, Helen did not do much work out doors and did not know the area well. Briseis had always been the one to get water, gather firewood, and had every chance to explore the deeper woods. But Helen didn't. She was afraid of what came alive in this forest at night. Of all the hidden dangers lurking in the shadows. What if she was to fall down?

She would not pursue Briseis, she finally decided. Maybe next time. She would just have to wait and see.

Briseis broke into a run as soon as she thought she was far enough from the cabins. She wasn't aware of the eyes upon her back. Not aware of he friend's discovery and concern. She was more bothered with something else. Her decision.

She'd thought about it until she couldn't bear to think about it anymore. Until it was all that she could think about. However she decided, it would tear her apart. However much she weighed the pros and cons, it would hurt. Another week's gone by. She finally threw all reasons aside and made her decision.

Now all she had to do was to tell him.

She slowed as she approached their special spot. Slightly out of breath, she lifted a hand and pressed it to her head, wiping away the fine mist that was forming on her forehead. The night was cold, yet the pounding of her heart kept her circulation up enough that she could not feel it.

A branch snapped nearby. She raised her head, startled. Then she saw him.

Achilles, as usual, was walking in those huge, confident steps of his. Yet every step was measured, cautious, with the alertness of a mountain lion. She smiled, yes, that described him very well.

Suddenly she couldn't help herself and launched herself at him. She missed him so, in these past weeks.

Achilles caught her in a tight embrace, crushing her against his body. She smelled fresh, and looked beautiful, as always. So beautiful, that his heart ached just to see her face. What if she didn't love him enough to go with him? He did ask a lot of her, which was true. But he couldn't help but be selfish when it came to her. He didn't know what he'd do if she said no.

Gently, he pulled away just slightly so he could look down on her face. Her arms were around his neck, her head leaned back, her eyes closed, an expression of absolute bliss on her face. Just knowing that he was the source of that look gave him more happiness than anything. It was a look that he couldn't resist. Slowly, he inched his face downwards until their lips met.

He intended for the kiss to be gentle, and comforting. But the moment his lips landed on hers, her arms tightened around him and her hands found themselves caressing his spine, running through his hair. She pressed closer to him, impossibly close. She couldn't get close enough to him. He angled his head as she opened her mouth beneath his and teased his lips with her tongue.

He groaned. His hands wandered as he sucked on the tip of her tongue.

The kiss was hot, hungry and frantic, something neither of them expected. Then Briseis drew away, just for a fleeting moment.

"I say yes," she whispered breathlessly, as one of his hands snaked up her side and brushed against her breast.

Before he had time to absorb what she had just said, her lips were back on his. And he couldn't possibly think about anything with her so close. It was as if the sensible part of his brain was paralyzed when her hands were running up and down her back. All he could think about was how good she smelled, felt, and looked.

"What?" he whispered at her lips when they parted finally for air.

"I want to come with you." Her words somehow slipped into his brain, and clicked.

"Really?" He smiled slightly, his eyes sincere.

"Yes." She closed her eyes again and allowed herself to drown in his presence.

"Briseis?" He leaned in and nibbled lightly on her lips. She sighed in satisfaction.

"Hmm?"

"I love you." He touched her hair, soft and silky, letting the curls slip between his hands.

Briseis pulled away, surprised. It was the first time that he had said those words aloud to her. She knew that he loved her, and she him, but she had never heard those words spoken out loud before. Not to her. He way he said it, whispered it actually, like it was a treasure, something that he wanted to remember forever. Wanted her to remember.

His eyes looked deeply in hers, searching. Those eyes. Those beautiful eyes. Whoever said that eyes were windows to the soul knew what he was talking about. Looking into Achilles' eyes right then, she could see right into his heart. Read his thoughts. Remember all that they've been through, together and apart. And she knew then that her decision had been right. She was destined to meet him, love him, and be with him. A Greek and a Trojan, a rather unlikely alliance, especially now. But who said Achilles was like everyone else? Who said she was?

Achilles' eyes were still holding hers. She breathed out, her warm breath turning white and foggy in the cold air. Then reaching up to touch his face, she whispered back.

"Love you too."

Never truer words were spoken.