Disclaimer: see part 1

Code of Conduct

Chapter 2

By Random1377

Sagara made his way through the Tuatha de Danaan at a slow, unhurried pace. Being on ambiguous 'station duty,' with a day and a half left before returning to the mainland, he found himself restless and unable to concentrate, so he had left his quarters in search of something to take his mind off of his current concern.

Tessa.

My koibito, he thought with some confusion, glancing up as he found himself in front of the shooting range, no, no shooting today… it won't help.

Usually he found that a half hour or so on the shooting range calmed him… if for no other reason than the sound of gunfire was familiar to him, but today he simply could not refocus.

And Kurz is still watching over Kaname…

He sighed as he continued his aimless walk, mentally closing this topic to further analysis. No, he decided, it would be best not to dwell too much on why the idea of Kurz alone with Kaname upset him – because that would lead him to start pondering when he had started thinking of her as Kaname instead of Chidori-san.

And why.

It is only a matter of convenience; he told himself firmly, nothing more. I must spend a lot of time with Kana- with Chidori-SAN, so-

Sagara blinked and glanced up, distracted from his thoughts as Tessa approached him in the narrow corridor. "Ohayo, Sagara-san," she said, inclining her head politely, "may I have a word with you please?"

"Captain," he bowed, nodding as she gestured him into one of the side halls.

It had only been a week since they had started seeing one another, and in that time, Sagara had found out just how complicated their affair was destined to be. Between her duties and his, and the close, privacy-lacking confines of the sub, getting any time alone was quite an accomplishment. They had been forced to restrain themselves to discrete touches in the halls and three, quickly stolen kisses – all initiated by Tessa.

So far, not a very auspicious beginning.

"You look well," Tessa said softly, looking up and down the hallway for any observers.

"My current assignment isn't very difficult," Sagara pointed out.

"And Miss Chidori is alright?" Tessa asked, unconsciously taking her braid in her right hand and running the end of it over her upper lip.

"She is," Sagara nodded, "and as my report states, Kurz is-"

"Sousuke-kun," Tessa interrupted, "I'd… like to see you alone tonight."

Sagara took a quick look around, finding that no one was within earshot at the moment. "I would like that, Ca- Tessa-chan," he took a breath. It was still hard for him to use her first name. "Where would you like to meet? I don't think either of our quarters would be acceptable."

"No," Tessa agreed, shaking her head ruefully. "You're right, it's too risky." She started chewing on the end of her braid. "But, I would like to see you, Souske-kun. I've been thinking about you a lot lately."

Sagara nodded, frowning a bit as she chewed on her hair. "Perhaps we could arrange to meet in one of the storage rooms?" he suggested. "They are generally unsecured after hours."

"That's so… sordid," Tessa said, blushing faintly. "I think I'd rather have you see me in my quarters. I'm sure I can explain that, if necessary – we'll just have to make sure you have clothes on if anyone comes to the door."

"Yes ma'am."

Tessa tensed. "Please don't call me that, Sousuke."

Sagara nodded. "My apologies."

"I understand," Tessa assured him, "so – my quarters, after you're off duty?"

"Yes ma- Tessa-chan," Sagara cleared his throat awkwardly. "I'll be there."

Tessa nodded, turning to leave. She paused, though, looking back over her shoulder.

"Is something wrong?" Sagara asked.

Tessa shook her head. "I bought you something, Sousuke-kun."

Sagara looked at her empty hands with a puzzled expression.

Tessa smiled, that faint blush appearing on her cheeks once more as she looked around and whispered, "I… can't give it to you here."

Curious, Sagara murmured, "Why not?"

The blush on the girl's cheeks grew exponentially, and she averted her eyes. Taking another quick look around, she bowed her head and breathed, "I umm… I'm wearing it."

Sagara joined her in her blush. "Oh."

They stood in awkward, but not altogether uncomfortable silence, carefully studying their feet for several seconds.

"So!" Tessa said suddenly, clapping her hands sharply. "Umm, tonight. Yeah." She smiled warmly, taking a final look around the empty corridors before stepping closer to Sagara and giving him a fleeting kiss. "I can't wait to see you," she said honestly, hurriedly straightening her skirt and taking a step back. "Good afternoon, Sagara-san."

Sagara nodded bemusedly, straightening his back and giving her a brief salute as another soldier rounded a corner down the hall. "I understand, Captain," he said crisply, "then if there's nothing else."

"Carry on, sergeant," Tessa said, grinning broadly since her back was to the other soldier, "I expect your duties fulfilled to the utmost!" She bit her bottom lip to keep from giggling, and quickly mouthed, 'I love you.'

Sagara's back straightened even more. "Understood."

He bowed and made his way off down the hallway.

"Ahem."

Tessa blinked, finally turning to face the other soldier. "Oh, Marioka-san!" she said, quickly bowing. "I'm… I didn't see you. Gomen."

Marioka saluted. "Please, Captain," he said smoothly, "no need for so much protocol." He waved another apology off and gestured down the hall. "I'm afraid I have some unfortunate news," he said quietly, "it seems that a shipment of nuclear warheads has been hijacked in a small middle-eastern country called Belgestan. The Americans are sending in a small strike force to contain the situation, but…"

Tessa nodded grimly as he trailed off, her feeling of wellbeing vanishing in an instant. "But it would be best if we sent assistance," she concluded. "I understand. Who would you recommend, Marioka-san? Lieutenant Captain Mao is available, as is Lieutenant Kurz."

"If I'm not mistaken," Marioka said softly, "Lieutenant Sagara has had some combat experience in Belgestan, hasn't he?"

Tessa glanced at the man from the corner of her eyes, trying to gauge his expression. He doesn't know, doe he? she thought nervously. No, he couldn't – we're so careful.

Out loud, she said, "I believe you're right, but he is currently assigned to guard Chidori-san."

Marioka nodded. "Indeed," he said lightly, "but I think we can both agree that this particular mission holds a slightly higher priority, correct?"

"Of course," Tessa backpedaled quickly, knowing that if she pushed too much harder there would be no way to conceal her feelings. "I'll notify him immediately."

"I will go with you," Marioka said helpfully, "I have the details on the mission, and it really would be best to arrange his departure immediately."

"R-right," Tessa nodded quickly, "well he just walked that way, so we could probably catch him if we hurried."

"Then let us be off."

"Right…"

I'm sorry, Sousuke, Tessa thought as they started off to find the sergeant. I guess… I'll have to give you your present when you get back.

( 0 0 0 )

Grey Iceman winced in pain. "It's really not that bad," she muttered, sitting on the floor as her associate, Jackson, helped her down.

"Just shut up," the man said gruffly, "you got winged, now let the damn kid take care of you…"

Grey shot a glance at her more seriously wounded fellow soldier, Baptiste. "Him first," she said softly, nodding to the fallen man. "I'm really not that bad."

"Yeah, I know," Jackson snorted, "but you still got lead in you, so sit down and shut up. Me and Andy will set up watch. You get patched up."

"What about Sagara?" Grey asked belatedly. "Should I send him out when he's done?"

"Hell no," Andy replied, ducking into the shanty. "I don't trust that kid watching me while I sleep – we'll handle it."

The fight had been sudden, and furious – catching all of them completely off guard. A stray bullet had somehow found its way into Grey's ribcage, glancing off the bone (she hoped) and making her world ring with pain.

And the only person with anything past a basic knowledge of first aid was the kid – Sagara… the one Grey had secretly been eying since the start of the mission.

"It's just a flesh wound," she grunted, trying to push at the young man's hands as he set the first aid kit to the side and reached for her, his intent obvious. "S-stop it!"

Sagara ignored her, tearing her shirt wide open and slapping her feeble attempts to stop him away. "It'll need to be dressed anyway," he said briskly, "now stop struggling and let me see."

Grey, finding her struggles to be ineffectual, surrendered, putting her hands over her head to keep them out of the way. "Don't try anything funny!" she snapped irritably, flinching as he put his hands on either side of the bullet hole.

"Funny?" Saraga repeated absently, his eyes carefully examining the wound. "Like what?" He looked up into her eyes, pursing his lips slightly as he murmured, "Like touching you inappropriately? I can assure you, Soldier Iceman, my primary concern is the mission."

Grey's lips quirked up into an ironic smile, and she leaned her head back as she replied, "But when the mission's over, you make no guaran– ow! OW! Hey, that hurts!"

"My apologies," Sagara muttered, continuing to dab at the wound with an alcohol-laden cotton ball that Grey was sure he did not have a moment before. "You're right, though – it's not too deep."

In silence, Grey watched him tend to her injury. Maybe Jackson was right, she thought, her eyes tracing the boy's jaw line until she was staring at the X shaped cut on his cheek, I mean… he's… not like – ugly or anything, I just… oh screw it, I don't know…

"You're staring at me," Sagara pointed out flatly, "is there something you want to say, Soldier Iceman?"

"No," Grey whispered, shaking her head and averting her eyes, "I was just wondering what happened to your cheek – sorry for being rude."

"It happened when I was young," Sagara informed her after a brief pause to get another cotton ball.

"You're not young now?" Grey asked softly, suddenly very aware that she was wearing a rather thin bra, and that it was probably fairly clear where her circling thoughts were traveling.

If the young soldier was aware of her more-than-professional interest, he said nothing about it. Leaving her comment about his age untouched, he pulled a swatch of sterile gauze pad from the medical kit and taped it carefully in place. Frowning slightly as she hissed in pain.

Grey's mouth went dry as he rose to his feet, slowly unbuttoning his shirt. You know, she thought, averting her eyes as he reached the bottom button, I don't even know that much about him. He could be a virgin… or a raving sex fiend, and I wouldn't know until he said, 'Take my shirt,' or, 'Take off your bra.'

She grinned suddenly at the absurdity of pondering the sexual experience of a seventeen year old trained killer. "You know," she chuckled, shaking her head and looking back to him, "I was just… just…"

Her voice died.

"Just what?" Sagara asked, shrugging out of his shirt.

"N-nothing," Grey stammered, tearing her eyes away from his chest. His thickly muscled, horribly scarred chest.

My GOD! she thought, horrified as the image of innumerable, crisscrossing white lines and irregular, jagged gouges burned into her thoughts. That's… not normal! NO ONE should look like – especially not at his age, damn it!

"Take my shirt."

She flinched.

"Thank you…"

Sagara pressed his shirt into the woman's blindly searching hand, containing a soft sigh behind his cool façade. He was not stupid. He knew why her mood had changed from light flirtation to fear and disgust. It was always like this whenever someone saw his body.

He was used to it. Only one person so far had not turned away.

"We should be ready by daybreak," he said quietly, turning from her and crouching in the sand to examine their supplies as the woman slipped her arms into his shirtsleeves. "If we wait too much longer, we might miss our chance. Now I'm thinking we can set up the ambush…" he pointed to the map, "here, which will provide us some cover, while still…"

He trailed off as he felt a light, hesitant touch on his back. Fingertips gently brushed at his skin, sending a pleasant shiver down his spine and making him suddenly crave the feel of Tessa's slim body pressing up against his.

"There," Grey whispered, "had a bug on you…"

Sagara said nothing as the woman slowly pulled her hand away.

"After the ambush," he said finally, pointing to the map, "we can take this route. We should make good time." He stood, glancing over at Baptiste for a minute before shaking his head. "We'll have to travel slowly, but if we win, it shouldn't be a problem."

Grey, though part of her insisted that she simply take him in her arms and find out if her earlier thought about him offering his shirt was correct, nodded. "Yes sir." She hesitated for a moment, averting her eyes. "Should we share a bag?" she whispered, gazing out at the sunset through the curtains of the shanty. "To stay warm, I mean."

"Definitely," Sagara nodded, stowing their gear under one of the rocks and unfurling one of the sleeping bags. "You'll want to use the bathroom first – this is not a good place to go stumbling off in the middle of the night to relieve yourself."

"If I didn't know better, I'd think you were joking," Grey said lightly, looking out at the desolate terrain.

"I was, partially," Sagara told her quietly, a small frown appearing on his face as he added, "I'm not good with humor."

Grey relaxed a bit, unaware of how tense she had become. "Well, I know you're not robot, because you got so worked up when we were fighting." She sighed as he stared at the ground. "But I still haven't seen you smile, Sosuke-kun."

Sagara blinked and looked up quickly at the addition to his name, but Grey was already rising to go in search of a secluded place to empty her bladder. Shaking his head, he slipped into the sleeping bag, wondering if there was at least a tee shirt in one of the survival kits so Grey would not have to see his disfigured body. After a few minutes, Grey returned, sliding into the bag and rolling away from him onto her side.

"Night."

"Goodnight."

He closed his eyes, trying to ignore the shifting at his side as the woman slipped his shirt off. Being close to conserve warmth was far more effective, he knew, if there was actual skin to skin contact.

"There," Grey said softly, kicking the shirt down to their feet, "now…"

Sagara's eyes opened again as she rolled over to face him, her bare chest pressing against his.

"What?" Grey whispered teasingly, "you didn't think I was going to sleep in my bra, did you?"

"Yes," Sagara said immediately, "actually I did." He continued to stare up at the ceiling as he elaborated, "All the other female soldiers I've bedded down with did."

"Idiots," Grey observed, "risking hypothermia over something stupid like modesty."

The young man simply grunted, closing his eyes once more as she tentatively put her arms around him.

After a moment, Grey whispered, "Iceman's not my name, you know – well, it IS, but I mean… it's not my maiden name…"

Sagara frowned slightly. "You're married, then," he said slowly.

"Not anymore."

"I see."

Grey sighed, pressing herself a bit closer to the young man as she explained, "We were only together for a few months… but it was like heaven, when we were together. We both did this kind of work, so I thought everything was ok, but…"

When she trailed off, Sagara knew what was expected of him.

"But…?"

"But then one day, he just up and told me he couldn't be with me anymore. He told me that he couldn't stand the idea of me being in danger, and unless I gave up what I was doing and quit being a soldier, he would leave, so… he left, because I told him I wasn't willing to change just for him."

Sagara nodded. "That makes sense," he said evenly, trying not to notice how warm the woman's body was.

"You don't think it was stupid?" Grey asked quietly. "Or I guess what I'm really asking is… you wouldn't give up your way of life if someone you cared for asked you to?"

Thinking of Tessa – and her obligations – Sagara tried to imagine her giving up her command for him. He had not been intimate with her long enough to know for a fact that she would not do it, but he felt that she would probably sooner die than give up the chance to help others.

And would I give it up for her? he thought, knowing he would need to speak soon, I don't know… perhaps, perhaps not. I'm not very good at thinking of the future… I guess that's what makes me so good at obeying orders.

"No," he said finally, "I don't think I would… but I think it would depend on the circumstances."

Grey laughed softly – a decidedly out of place sound in the middle of a tense situation, with enemies all around.

"What a safe answer."

"Mm."

You wouldn't, she thought firmly, pulling back to glance at the young man's profile in the dim light of the Coleman lantern. If we were together, you wouldn't try to change me, and I wouldn't try to change you. Maybe it's crazy to even think it, but you and me? We could really work out. …if things were different.

"Do you… have anyone waiting for you back home, Sagara-san?"

The immediate reply – yes – rose to Sagara's lips, but died unspoken as he realized that even hinting that he might be involved with the captain might lead back to the reality of it. If he told Grey that he was seeing someone, she might mention it to Jackson. If Jackson mentioned it to his superior, Jackson's superior might mention it to Marioka… and Marioka might start paying more attention to the fact that Sagara was spending far more time on base than he should, and far more time in the company in the captain's than any of the other soldiers did.

"No," he said slowly, rolling on to his side and impulsively adding, "most women I know aren't comfortable with the line of work I'm in."

"You have to take the good with the bad, Sagara-san," Grey observed, "that's part of being in a relationship. I would never want to be with someone I couldn't be honest with."

Sagara tensed as he felt a warm, tentative hand rest on his side.

"Sagara-san," Grey's voice was so low that Sagara could hardly hear it.

"Hai?"

Slowly, the woman's hands rested on his back, her body pressing gently against his spine as she brought herself closer to him. "People like us don't… love easily," she said hesitantly. "I'm not really the best person to offer advice on relationships, but if you have the chance to be with someone, I'd recommend taking it – even if it doesn't last long… being with someone for a little while is better than being alone all the time."

Staring into the darkness, Sagara kept his silence. If he were a man of eloquent words or high thoughts, he might have tried to argue that if you never knew love, you could never know loneliness, because you would have no basis for comparison.

As it was, he simply nodded and murmured, "I understand."

"Do you?"

Firmly, Grey pulled on Sagara's shoulder, rolling him over to face her and staring into his questioning eyes for a moment before speaking.

"You don't know me," she said bluntly, "and I don't know you… so you really don't have any reason to do anything I say, or even value my opinion at all. But I like you, Sagara-san. Since we met, I've felt like you're the kind of person I could spend my time with – maybe romantically, maybe not, but I could definitely see myself close to you."

Neutrally, Sagara nodded.

Grey sighed. "I must be tired to be talking to you this way," she mused. "I stand by it, though. One soldier to another, Sousuke-kun," she said seriously, "if you need me, call, and I'll be there."

This, Sagara could understand. It was a straightforward offer of brotherhood – far more clean cut than anything that smacked of affection or sappiness – and it touched on years and years of ingrained training, slipping deftly through Sagara's defenses and hitting a spot that even Tessa had not reached.

"I understand," he said, his voice losing a bit of the ice it normally held. "If you need my help, I am also at your disposal."

Lifting her right hand up out of the blankets, Grey waited for him to take it, giving his hand a firm shake as she stared straight into his eyes.

"Deal."

Rubbing her eyes, the woman rolled onto her stomach, keeping herself close to Sagara as she collected her thoughts.

"You are a difficult man to get close to, Sagara-san," she mused, resting her cheek on his shoulder. "Granted, this is not the most ideal place to start a friendship, but still, I think we do have some common ground to work with." Glancing down, she tapped a small, circular scare on Sagara's upper chest and hummed, "I've got one like this. Would you like to see?"

Sagara nodded, though he was forced to avert his eyes as Grey lifted the sleeping bag back, revealing that her scar was in exactly the same place as his.

"Skirmish in Baghdad," she murmured, her lilting, exotic voice drawing Sagara's eyes back to the wound in question, "twenty-two cal. Still in there."

"Oh?" Sagara murmured. "I thought standard procedure for all military forces was to remove any remaining shrapnel."

Grey smiled, nestling back in at his side and pulling the sleeping bag back up to cover them. "Not when it lodges in the bone and your best surgeon tells you that pulling it out will shatter it, and you have to hustle it halfway across the country to fight someone else's war, and you – literally – can't afford the downtime."

Nodding again, Sagara observed, "You've had quite an eventful life."

Laughing softly, Grey traced a finger along his chest. "Coming from you?" she said dryly, "I think the proper expression is 'I'll take that with a grain of salt.'" She lifted her head suddenly. "You smiled!" she said, grinning broadly. "Not a big one, but you smiled!"

Straight-faced, Sagara replied, "It's your imagination."

"Right," Grey said knowingly, "alright, Sagara… if you say so." Letting her smile go, she closed her eyes. "I enjoy your company, Sagara. Please consider my offer for you to join with us, alright? I would… feel comfortable knowing that it was you watching my back on a mission."

Sagara nodded. "I have other obligations, but I will give it due consideration."

Another smile twitched the corners of Grey's lips, though she kept her eyes closed as she murmured, "Yes, you do that. Goodnight, Sagara-san."

"Goodnight, Grey-san."

In a matter of moments, both were asleep. When she woke in the morning, however, Grey could not remember any of her dreams.

…had she known that they would be the last she would ever have, she may have tried to recollect them a bit more diligently, for they were sweet.

( 0 0 0 )

Many great books have been written on the transient nature of life. Poets and philosophers can talk your ear off for hours and hours on end about how you should cherish life, make each minute count, seize the day, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera. Sagara was never much of a fan of books of that type, and the day he was caught talking philosophy would be the day Kurz quit drinking and swore off of women for life.

Sagara could, however… relate to the poets on the subject of losing a friend.

"Do you have anything to add to your report, Sergeant Sagara?"

It was on the bridge of the Tuatha de Danaan, listening to the solider give his report, that Tessa learned what Hell was.

"No, Captain… I have nothing further."

Hell, she decided as she calmly handed Marioka's clipboard back to him, was not being able to hold your lover when you knew he was in pain. Hell was being forced to speak to him like any other solider, or act as if you did not have any vested interest in comforting him after a disastrous mission. Hell… was looking him in the eyes and saying, "Dismissed," without allowing more than a trace of compassion to color your voice for fear of how others might interpret it and what rumors it might start.

"Thank you, Captain."

Sousuke Tessa thought, her stomach a knot of agony and regret as the young man gave her a formal bow. It's too much. I know this is killing you – please forgive me, Sousuke-kun.

"Captain," Marioka said gently, "you've been on duty for fifteen hours… why don't you take the rest of the evening…?"

"Yes I… I think I might," Tessa said softly, barely keeping herself from leaping to her feet and racing after Sagara. "Will you be alright without me?"

Marioka's lips quirked up slightly. "I managed for seventeen years before I came under your command, ma'am," he said lightly, "I think I'll be alright."

Tessa laughed weakly. "Of course," she said guiltily, "forgive me."

Bowing her farewell, she slipped out of the command room, taking great care to go through the door opposite the one Sagara had gone through. Where are you, koibito? she thought, keeping herself to a fast walk in spite of the desperate urge to tear through the corridors in search of the one she loved.

She found him, ironically, just passing the door to her cabin, his face showing no emotion as he stared down at the floor.

"Sergeant!"

Sagara's head whipped up. "Captain," he said, using her proper title in his shock, "how can I-"

"Would you escort me to my quarters, sergeant?" Tessa cut in, keeping her eyes on his and not risking a look around to see if anyone was nearby. "There's something I want to talk to you about."

"Yes, ma'am."

Moving quickly, Tessa grabbed his hand, hurrying him towards her quarters. As soon as they were through the door, she engaged the lock, throwing herself at Sagara and giving him a long, soulful kiss. "I'm sorry," she whispered, cradling his head in her hands and raining kisses all over his face. "Sousuke-kun, I'm so, so sorry."

"It's… not a problem."

With trembling fingers, Tessa began unbuttoning his shirt, leading him towards the bed as his eyes slowly refocused on her face. That's right, she thought, slipping his shirt off of his shoulders, that's right, Sousuke-kun – forget it all. It's ok…

"Tessa… chan."

Though she had not thought it possible… the second time was more frantic and heated than the first, testing the soundproof seal on her cabin's door as noises she was not even aware she could make were wrung from her ragged throat. Pleasure and pain, tender and rough, sorrow and joy – all met and combined, colliding in Tessa's heart with an almost audible crash and leaving her breathless and sweat-soaked in Sousuke's arms, shuddering as she tried to regain her senses.

"N-no," she panted, tightening her hold on him as he began to rise. "Stay with me a few more minutes, ok? I know you can't stay all night, but don't leave right now… please."

Sagara just nodded, settling back onto the bed and staring at the ceiling as he tried to sort out his feelings.

What he had just done with her… troubled him. It had bordered on brutality, in his eyes, and he was sure that the petite woman was going to be bruised in several places come the morning. So what if she had never asked him to stop. So what if she still held him the same as before they had begun. None of that mattered to him – all that mattered was the last, tremulous whimper she had issued as they had both reached their destination.

It sounded too much like defeat.

With a soft moan, Tessa pressed herself closer to his side, shivering violently as she pulled her covers up over them. "Softer," she whispered, resting her head on his shoulder so she would not have to meet his eyes, "next time… be softer with me, please."

"…hai."

Slowly, Sagara rolled onto his side, facing away from her as she carefully kept her body close to his. What kind of monster am I? he thought, disgusted by his animalistic display. She's so much weaker than I am – why can't I ever remember that?

He froze, going rigid as steel as he felt a soft, hesitant finger running across his back, her gentleness flashing him back rather violently to the shanty… and to Grey.

"How did you get this one?" Tessa whispered, tracing a particularly nasty scar that ran the length of his shoulders.

Continuing to face the wall, Sagara forced himself not to think of the other woman as he replied, "It was in an AS training. The upper actuator in the right arm malfunctioned, causing it to swing at one of my training mates." His eyes grew hazy with the memory. "He assumed the attack was deliberate, and counterattacked, damaging my AS beyond repair before I could retaliate, and injuring me in the process."

Sensing more, Tessa probed, "Was he court-martialed? Damaging an AS and wounding a fellow soldier in training is pretty serious."

There was a long silence before Sagara whispered, "In the troupe I was in, the rules were more basic, and the punishments, more severe." He closed his eyes. "There was no court-martial."

"…oh."

Sagara said nothing as the woman slowly pulled her hand away, but he felt his muscles tensing involuntarily as soft, warm lips touched his skin.

"I'm sorry I brought it up," Tessa said quietly, finding and kissing an unblemished patch of skin, "I won't ask you about painful things when we're together, ok? I want your memories of us to be happy ones."

No, Sagara thought immediately, then we'll never be truly honest with each other! You have to take the good with the bad – that's what Grey-san said. In spite of this thought, Sagara found himself nodding, cursing himself for being weak when it came to the slender girl's wellbeing. And is that so wrong? he wondered as Tessa slipped her arms around him and pressed herself against his back. To want to keep someone you care for from being hurt… that's noble, isn't it?

Weariness stole over him as he felt Tessa's breathing growing slower and more even… and as consciousness faded, his only wish was that his last train of thought truly had been noble, rather than the justification it really was.

To be concluded…

Author's notes: I had a very lengthy note written here for why it took over two years to get this chapter out… but I erased it. Chapter 3 will be out as soon as I can get the time and drive to make it better than just your average fare. Hopefully, it will be worth the wait.

Pre-read was by LeperMessiah, who is largely responsible for making sure it wasn't three years between chapters. Thanks man.