(A/N: About time... I've written this in one night, so expect errors. I decided I'm just going to wait on correcting 'Part 13' and go back and fix all the little things when I'm totally done with the fic. I have gotten to read the reviews, but only through my e-mail. I haven't been able to get anything down, but I will respond! Thank you all for reviewing! Plus a bonus thanks to Master of Reality (;^^ hope I got it right...) Who reviewed 'Tear Falling Rains' as well! (Zelda fans, go read it now! Sorry, that was a total pitch... ;^^) Anyway, I will get specifics, later, but I do remember your names and you are all loved by me for reviewing! Especially the ones that keep coming back! (ie: Vyctori, Sora, Bob 'n' Cat, Nintendo Gamer, and the others whose names are on the tip of my tongue!) I think I know how to get around the school block, so I'll keep you all updated.

A little forewarning, extreme GUSH, SWEETNESS, AND SAP! MAY BE LIFE-THREATENING TO DIABETICS!! BRUSH YOUR TEETH AFTER READING!!! Okay, I don't usually do the lovey-dovey fics, but this one did turn out pretty well. Like I said, there's nothing even PG13 in here, just a mild PG. After all, this fic is PG13 for violence as you saw from the battle scene! ^_~ Well, I'll cut the crap and get to the fic! Enjoy! ^_~)

Part Fifteen:

Bitter Herbs and Complications

Menardi stood at the window of the Inn at Bilbin, staring outside toward the entrance. She jumped slightly as Felix put a hand on her shoulder.

"Are you alright?" he asked softly.

She shrugged rubbing her bare arms. "Fine... just worried."

"We've only spent one night, Menardi," Felix murmured. "And we got in late yesterday as it was." He smiled tiredly. "They'll be here soon."

Menardi took in a deep breath through her nose, her chest slowly rising then falling again as she let it out. "I just can't help but think that something horrible has happened to him."

"You mean them?" Felix corrected gently.

Menardi flushed a little. "That's what I meant, yes. I thought I said that."

Felix looked at her for a long moment, then turned his face away from her, walking across the room and sitting in a wooden armchair across the room. He pulled the green velvet pillow out from where it had been in the chair, supporting his back, hugging it to his chest and staring at the floor. "I'm scared for them, too."

Menardi looked over at Felix, raising a blonde eyebrow lightly. "I thought you men didn't get scared," she teased lightly.

Felix smiled and adjusted his grip on the pillow so it sat under his nose, covering most of his face. "No... It's just..." He sighed, standing up and tossing the pillow back on the chair. He crossed to the window, looking down at the gateway into the city. "Saturos... He's like an older brother to me, like a father and a mentor." He set a hand against the glass. "If anything were to happen to him..."

Menardi sighed, nodding her head slowly and setting her hand on top of his. "I know, Felix... I know."

* * *

"Menardi," Kraden sighed as the young Proxinian woman stared out the window as she had for five hours straight now. The sun had begun to set and the light was quickly fading from the land. He was beginning to lose hope. He crossed over to where Menardi sat in a chair, one elbow leaning against the window pane, staring blankly out the window. Her chest slowly rose and fell again as she let out the breath of air she'd taken in, softly, hardly wanting to breath.

Kraden sat down on the edge of the bed next to the window, looking at Menardi, hoping she'd look back at him, but she didn't. She still stared at the entrance with that same hope that any moment he would come back. The old man sighed. "Menardi, go downstairs and get yourself some dinner. This isn't healthy."

Menardi hardly twitched as he spoke, eyes unmoved. "I'm waiting for them to come back," she said, lips hardly moving. She'd said it so many times now, she no longer believed she was waiting for anyone.

Kraden sighed, scratching the beard under his chin thoughtfully. "Looking out the window won't help them get here any sooner."

"I know," Menardi whispered.

Kraden watched her, waiting to see if she'd say anymore. When she didn't, he quietly said, "Menardi... what if they don't come back?"

Menardi stood from her seat with force enough to topple her chair. It clattered against the wooden floor as she rounded on Kraden, eyes glimmering with hate. "Don't you say that," she hissed with great restraint.

Kraden didn't flinch at her explosion. He seemed very calm, very reserved. "That thought hadn't crossed your mind?"

Menardi glared at him for a long moment, eyes filled with fire. She turned back to the window, leaning her forehead against the glass and looking back to where she had been earlier. "You know nothing, old man."

Kraden looked at her, lips working into a small, thin line. "Don't I?"

Menardi looked at him, her cheek pressed against the cool window. "They will come back."

Kraden shook his head. "That's what my mother told me shortly before Lord Babi enlisted my services."

"What?" Menardi asked, a little irritated that the elder was beginning to spout wisdom again.

Kraden's clear blue eyes grew hazy. "My father was a merchant. He left one year to trade to a city North of us." Kraden stared at his hands as he let out a bitter scoff. "He was only supposed to be gone two weeks. After five weeks my mother was still telling me that he would come back soon..." Kraden shook his head. "I already knew what had happened."

Menardi watched as the old man stood, folding his hands in the ample sleeves of his elegant cloak, standing beside her and looking out the window. He continued, "My mother died shortly after of a mild illness. She refused to see a doctor because she was... waiting for my father. I lived with my aunt for a short time, and then Lord Babi summoned for me..." He looked at the ground. "My mother never for a moment really believed he'd come back home. I believe it is because of that belief she died."

"I don't think Saturos is dead," Menardi whispered, tears clouding her eyes, washing away the anger that had been there.

Kraden nodded slowly. "But you must be prepared to accept whatever may happen. Even if it is not this time... there will one day come a time when Saturos will not come back. You mustn't simply give up as my mother did."

"I won't Kraden," Menardi whispered shakily.

Kraden's lips twitched into a grin. "Then will you come and get some dinner with us?"

Menardi looked away from the window at the elderly man standing beside her. She smiled tiredly. "Why not?

* * *

Menardi sat at the small round table, biting into a potato in the stew, chewing into for a long time, savoring the taste of salt and thyme. She looked at Felix across the table, the boy simply thrusting his spoon at his dinner, creating mild splashes while never once lifting it to his mouth.

"Felix," Menardi said, swallowing another mouthful. "You need to eat."

"I will," he said.

Menardi watched him for another few moments. He still did not make the motion to eat. She sighed. "Felix, we're all anxious, but Kraden is right. We need to keep going."

Felix looked up. "Keep going?" he echoed. "You mean we're leaving?"

Menardi didn't look up as she shoveled a carrot into her mouth. "Tomorrow morning."

"But what about Saturos?" Felix asked, bristling slightly.

Menardi glanced up through her eyelashes. "Saturos would want us to keep going."

Felix's fist tightened around the spoon. He watched Menardi casually take a few more bites then slammed it down on the table, jostling their cups of water. Jenna's toppled over, spilling onto her lap, causing her to gasp and jump up. "Felix!"

Menardi pulled off her cloak, using it as a towel to dry off the table while Jenna dabbed at her soaked skirt with the other end. She looked around, embarrassed as the eyes of those in the inn began to zone in on them. She glared at Felix who was looking back at her with angry cherry-brown eyes. "Felix," she began warily.

"We're not leaving without Saturos," he said, voice tense.

"We don't have much choice," she replied curtly, sitting back down.

Felix crumpled the napkin on his lap, tossing it on the table. "Saturos said for us to meet him here," he said, a little louder than before.

"Saturos and Alex will catch up," Menardi growled. "We need to keep moving."

"Why?" Felix demanded. "Alex is the one with the layouts for the Lighthouses."

"And I am the one with the stars," Menardi said, wiping her mouth with her napkin, finished with dinner. "And I say we're leaving tomorrow."

"We can't!" Felix shouted, standing angrily.

"Felix," Jenna said, trying to tug her brother's arm and get him to sit again, but Felix pulled violently away.

"What if they come in tomorrow?" Felix demanded.

"And what if they don't?" Menardi snapped, her eyes taking the defiance out of Felix instantly. "Do we wait here forever, Felix? Wait for Isaac and his friends to show up?"

Felix stared at her, trying not to look like he recognized her point, but his face had softened a bit. He slowly sat as she continued.

"We don't have much choice," she said softly, trying to keep outside ears from their conversation. She waited until the inn returned to it's normal buzz of activity before speaking. "Do I fear for Saturos and Alex? Of course. Do I hope nothing has happened? Of course. But I also recognize that if something has happened, I don't want it to be in vain. We need to finish lighting those beacons before all of Prox is dead, too."

Felix sighed, poking at his stew. "I know," he muttered.

"Then stop arguing," Menardi said softly. "We'll just have to keep going. If they catch up with us, wonderful. If they don't, then we'll just have to keep going."

"They'll come," Felix said, not as sure as before.

Menardi looked at him sadly. "I know, Felix... I know."

* * *

"This room up to the right, gentlemen."

"Watch his head..."

"Do you wish me to send for the healer, sirs?"

"No, he will be fine."

"This room here, sirs. Enjoy your rest. Are you sure you wish for no-"

"I am certain. Thank you."

Menardi blinked open her eyes as voices from behind the door softly came. She looked out her window. The moon was still high in the sky, and the hour was late. She sat up, her loose, white tunic rustling. She glanced over at Jenna, still sound asleep. She turned from her bed, pulling on a pair of men's breaches she wore beneath her skirt while they traveled. She wore the skirt merely for tradition's sake, rather than for comfort. If she were to choose her clothing according to comfort, she would wear men's clothes and armor.

She walked over to the door, slowly opening it with a long, drawn out squeak, trying not to wake Jenna. She quickly stepped out of her room, closing the door before the dim candlelight could invade. She walked down the hall to another room, hearing the quiet voice of men speaking.

"Easy now."

The other gasped in pain. "Careful with my arm," he hissed.

"I'm trying... Just sit slowly."

"They do have a doctor?"

"Yes, they do."

"Did you send for them?"

"Saturos, just lay back and try not to-"

Menardi burst into the room, flinging to door in and staring at the bed, hardly lit by a weakly burning lantern on the nightstand. A quiet curse came from behind the door as she stood by the bedside, slowly bending to one knee. "Saturos?" she asked softly. "Is it really?"

Saturos's face hardly gave visible note of her presence but his eyes had a strange light about them as he quietly murmured, "Menardi? Wh-what are you doing he-"

"Don't speak," Menardi said gently as she pressed a hand to his dry lips, looking him over and taking in his wounds, though he still wore his armor. "Where is Alex?"

Saturos looked over her shoulder, Menardi turning to see Alex rubbing his forehead, glowering at her, a little upset. Menardi blushed as she realized that he had been standing behind the door as she'd thrown it open.

Alex sighed, shutting his eyes as he continued to lightly rub his head. "I'm going to go get some ice."

Menardi moved enough for him to squeeze past and leave the room, shutting the door behind him. The room was tiny and cramped, not even enough room for her to pull a chair beside the bed and still be able to open the door. She looked at Saturos worriedly. "What happened?" she asked, running a hand over his armlets, metal torn and skin below cut open wide.

"Why are you still here?" Saturos asked softly, lying his head back against the pillow, shutting his eyes weakly. "You should be gone..."

"We were waiting for you."

Saturos coughed lightly as she began unclasping his breastplate, battered horrible and in need of repair. "Why would you do something as foolish as that," he breathed.

Menardi looked at him, a little hurt. "Because I was worried that something might have happened."

Saturos weakly shook his head. "You shouldn't worry so much about me."

"Hush," Menardi said as she slipped off the armor, only to reveal the stained tunic beneath. "Why, these wounds aren't even dressed!" Menardi gasped.

Saturos's face had no emotion. He looked as though asleep as he replied, "Alex and I were rushing."

"I would have rather you stopped somewhere and dressed these," she said, reaching for the pauldrons on his shoulders next. "You could have been infected."

"You shouldn't be here," Saturos said quietly, weaker still, Menardi stared at him, hurt.

"I want to be here," she said shortly.

The door opened again and Alex hurried in, balancing a bowl and a jug of water with a rag and a bit of ice in his arms. He set the bowl and jug on the nightstand, dumping the rags in front of Menardi on the bed, keeping one to wrap the chunk of ice in. "Here, start washing him up. Is Kraden still here?"

"Yes, he's in the room right across the hall," Menardi said, pouring water into the dish. "Why?"

"He should be familiar with the plants of this area," Alex said, holding the ice to his forehead. "I need him to heal me make a couple of salves, something to speed up the healing."

Alex quickly whisked out of the room as Menardi finished pulling off Saturos's armor and set it on the floor. She took a rag and dipped it into the water, tightening her hand into a fist and letting the water drop from her knuckles on the floor. She began to wipe his forehead, covered in dirt and blood. Long, tarnished pieces of his silvery hair stuck to his face in wounds, Menardi gently washing them free and pushing them away from his face.

Saturos weakly opened his eyes, watching Menardi as she wrung out the cloth again, bringing it clean to his face to wipe at the jagged wound on his forehead. He blinked slowly, then weakly asked, "Why did you wait for us?"

Menardi glance at his eyes as he spoke, feeling her chest tighten. She swallowed a gulp of air as perspiration broke out on the back of her neck. She licked her suddenly dry lips. "We're partners aren't we?" she said softly, tenderly cleaning blood from his mouth. She looked at him again. "We have to stick together, don't we?"

Saturos tried to smile, but it was more of a grimace. "Thank you."

Alex and Kraden came back in, Kraden adjusting his spectacles as Alex pushed the door all the way back, trying to squeeze them all into the room. "Goodness gracious!" Kraden gasped, still in his nightdress. "What happened?"

"I told him this would happen," Alex said quietly. "Told him the lighthouses would weaken his power. He didn't listen."

"I thought I could still win," Saturos said softly.

Alex shook his head, lowering the ice to feel him bump and then pressing it back again. "We underestimated this Isaac. He's grown strong."

"It was just the lighthouse," Saturos said as Menardi wiped his neck.

"Lighthouse alone, or no," Kraden said, breaking in before this became an argument. "Those are more than a couple of scratches, Alex. Let me grab my robe, Alex, and we'll go and gather some herbs along the town wall. I should be able to recognize a few." He patted Menardi's shoulder gently. "You're doing a splendid job, just keep it up, my dear." He motioned to Alex who quickly followed him, setting the ice upon the nightstand and following Kraden out of the room. Menardi sighed and set the towel on the edge of the bowl, beginning to help Saturos with his shirt. He let in a tight hiss as she began to help his arms from the tunic.

"I'm being as gentle as I can," Menardi quietly assured him, taking extra care as she pulled it off over his head. She looked at the huge wound drawn in a solid line across his sculpted chest, dragged across his belly. "Oh, Saturos..."

"I'll be fine," he said, still breathing more quickly from the rise of pain.

Menardi blinked away tears as she took the cloth again, wrung out the water and began to clean off his chest. She tenderly began to follow the scar, tracing the distinct curve of his muscles, down his abdomen where the scar began to disappear. She pressed the cloth to another wound on his side, Saturos's hand suddenly coming up and grabbing her tightly. She looked at him, a little startled. His hands were rough and calloused, cold, but their grip was sure and firm.

She took in a light breath. "Does that hurt?"

Saturos's hand slowly loosened. "Only a little." It fell back to his side as Menardi began again to clean his skin, rinsing the rag again. He rolled his head to the side, staring at her for a long while. He just stared at her with tired red eyes.

"Why did you really wait for us?"

Menardi looked at Saturos, lifting the rag from his pale silver skin. "What?"

"There has to be another reason," he murmured, his eyes softening.

Menardi looked at him. He didn't really think there was another reason... he just wanted another reason. She couldn't tear her gaze from his. Her felt her chest rise and fall several times. "I think there is another reason, too."

Saturos's eyes seemed to have life in them again. He didn't say anything as she looked at him. She felt her heart swell in her chest as it climbed up her throat, beating the back of her tongue. She took in a shaky breath, looking at Saturos. "I think..." She looked at Saturos, her grip on the cloth faltering. "I think things have become more complicated than they were before."

Saturos looked at her, lips hardly moving. "I think so, too."

Menardi felt herself flushing, trying to push down her heart again, to resist whatever was causing her chest to swell as it had. She stroked the cloth down Saturos's side, his hand rising up and falling upon her forearm, pulling her nearer. Saturos did not rise up to her, but she began to bend to him, drawn by some force to strong for her to resist. She simply shut her eyes as her lips reached his.

He kissed her with an eased and practiced movement as though he had done it many times before although he never had. She felt his other hand fall against the small of her back, steadying her. Any pact, any promise they had made earlier never to feel this way for each other was broken. Menardi didn't mind. Suddenly all her thoughts became a blur. Her memories of the Lighthouse beacons vanished, thoughts of home disappeared, and whatever quest there had been before had never existed.

Saturos's chest rose and fell in steady breaths, her hand pressed to his near where his ribs met his abdomen. He held her there, not willing to let go, wanting to keep her there forever, holding to her as though by simply doing so he could. He pressed his hand to her back, pressing them together, as though she would float away were he to release her, but he would not.

He deepened the kiss, hoping to keep her there for longer, beckoning her to stay upon his lips. Menardi felt his hand slid under the back of her shirt, suddenly gasping, a sudden surge she'd never felt before pulsing through her. She stroked his side with her fingertips, ready to let whatever would happen, happen, but voices were on the stairs. Menardi held the kiss as long as she could, Saturos's touch becoming more urgent, then she slowly slipped her mouth from his, bodies pulling away from each other.

Saturos's hand fell from her skin just as the door opened, Kraden and Alex hurrying in, various herbs in their hands. Kraden held his mortar and pedestal in one hand, ready to grind the herbs into something they could rub into Saturos's wounds or feed him through his mouth.

"Alright, Alex, you take this and mix it with these," Kraden said, thrusting a handful of grassy weeds at the Mercury Adept he tried to squeeze past Menardi and nearly tripped, catching himself on the back of the chair. "Menardi, my dear, there isn't room enough for al of us, I'll have to asked you to leave." The old man barely moved around to the end of the bed, beginning to take off Saturos's boots, wounds still lacing down his legs from being dragged to safety through the wilderness. He dropped the boot, looking at Menardi who did not meet his gaze. "Don't worry, dear, We'll take good care of your partner.

Menardi turned her head so her long, blonde hair covered her face. Secretly, she was blushing terribly. Her eyes met Saturos's, exchanging something more than a glance. Her heart slid down her throat again, her chest feeling so large that it might at any moment burst. She put her hand on Saturos's, looking at him. "Are you alright?"

He smiled weakly at her. "I am now," he said softly. When she paused again, he whispered, "I'll be fine."

Menardi slowly let her hand slide from his, standing and moving past Alex, closing the door behind her.

"What was that all about?" Alex asked, looking at Saturos's, whose breathing had returned to normal.

The Proxinian sighed. "Nothing. She was just very worried about us, that's all."

"I was hurrying the fastest I could," Alex said, a little irritated.

Saturos looked at Alex. "I never said you weren't."

Alex slowly shook his head. "If I hadn't used so much power on warping us to the platform, I could have healed you," he said, looking a little ashamed.

Saturos smiled slightly. "If you hadn't used the warp, we might both have been dead."

Alex looked at Saturos, stopping in his mashing the herbs together in the tiny bowl. "If I were stronger, I could have done both..." He looked down into the bowl. If I were stronger you wouldn't even be injured, he thought to himself.

Kraden dropped the other boot on the floor, motioning to Alex with his free hand. "Is it well-mixed?" he asked.

Alex looked at the greenish paste. "Well enough."

"Feed it to him," Kraden said, walking over and picking up the bowl of water Menardi had been using.

Alex looked at the mixture again, then back at Kraden. "Are you sure that would be wise?"

Kraden looked over Alex's shoulder. "Oh, it always looks like that."

"What is it?" asked Saturos worriedly.

Kraden pushed his glasses back over the bridge of his nose, looking at the mixture. "Oh, it will taste like hell, but it should sedate you long enough for us to stitch up some of these deeper wounds and use the stinging salves." And then the old man hurried out of the room. Alex looked at the medicine dubiously, but then sighed and used the flat end of the pedestal to offer it to Saturos.

Saturos looked from the horrible looking mixture back at Alex. "You're kidding, right?"

Alex sighed, looking at it then back at Saturos. "It's not that bad."

"Then why don't you eat it?" Saturos asked.

"I have to be conscious to help Kraden," Alex growled, glaring at Saturos. "Now eat it."

Saturos looked at the medicine, opening his mouth warily, but not leaning forward to take it. Alex finally just shoved the pedestal into his mouth, withdrawing it quickly as Saturos's mouth retracted from surprise. Saturos felt his stomach turn as though he'd eaten a piece of bad meat. The medicine was bitter and spicily hot. Some of his taste buds twitched as though the taste was sour, but overall, it was simply awful. Saturos let out a soft gagging sound as Alex set it down on the nightstand.

"Really, now," Alex said, rolling his eyes. "Was that so bad?"

Saturos still couldn't answer. He'd lost control of his mouth and tongue, still stinging with the putrid acidic taste of the medicine. Alex took his silence as a no, and offered him another bit. Saturos shied away, weakly putting up a hand in resistance, but Alex shoved it in his mouth again. Saturos tried to spit it out this time, but Alex caught him before hand and shut his jaw with one hand. Saturos finally swallowed in some vague hope the taste would go away, but it didn't. His eyes watered as Kraden came back in with fresh water and towels.

"Did he eat it?" he asked Alex as he tossed a rag in the water.

"You might say that," Alex said, smiling slightly at the face his friend was making. Saturos couldn't believe Alex was actually deriving some sort of sick pleasure from this! He suddenly felt his eyes growing heavy, closing them as though to simply making himself relax, but he was growing tired.

"He should be out any moment now," Kraden said, though Saturos couldn't see him. He still had that bitter taste in his mouth as he drifted off to sleep.

* * *

The next morning, Saturos awoke, feeling strangely better. He sat up, his strength returned to him, and his wounds entering the paling stage of healing scabs. He gently touched his chest, his legs, finding some stitches. He felt his face, trailed the scar that ran across his eye with his finger. He would have to compliment Kraden for his work. Except for one thing.

That bitter taste was still in his mouth.

He pulled on a fresh pair of pants and tossed on an unstained tunic, looking around his room for his armor, not finding any. He walked out of the room, down the hall and down the stairs where everyone sat around the table, eating breakfast and talking. Felix was the first to spot him, standing from his seat and walking over to Saturos.

Saturos beamed down at his young friend. "Good morning, Felix."

"Sleep well?" Felix asked as though nothing had passed between them.

Saturos shrugged. "Well enough." He looked out the large window, slowly stepping down the stairs. "What time is it?"

"Late morning," Alex said, sipping at a cup of tea. "Time to move out, if you're ready."

"I'm ready," Saturos assured him. "I'm just wondering where my armor is."

"We took it into the blacksmith," Felix said. "He should have it done by now."

"We'd best get ready to move out," Alex said as he stood, setting the cup back on the table, leaving the dregs at the bottom. "I'll gather our things."

"I've got the supplies," Felix volunteered, standing. Jenna sat by Menardi, across from Kraden, eating her food quickly. Saturos leaned against the wall, looking at Menardi who glanced up, blushing slightly, then took a sip of her tea. Kraden looked at Menardi then back to Saturos.

"And Jenna and I will get... something."

"Huh?" Jenna asked as Kraden stood, giving her a look to say that she needed to come whether she wanted to or not. Jenna groaned, pushing away from the table, stomping toward the stairs. "Aw, man..."

Saturos watched as they went upstairs, listening until the door closed behind them. He walked downstairs, taking a seat across from Menardi. She looked up, pushing a mug toward him.

"It's still warm," she said over the rim of her own mug of tea before she took a drink. She smiled. "It might wash away that taste."

Saturos chuckled slightly, lifting the drink and taking a long sip. He stared at the dark, purple liquid in the china blue cup. He looked back up at Menardi, then stared into the violet tea again. "So... about last night..."

Menardi slowly nodded. "Yes, last night..."

Saturos looked up at her, lowering his cup. "Things are more complicated now, aren't they?"

Menardi's finger traced the rim of the mug, her eyes darting up to his. "What do you think about it? These complications?"

Saturos looked at the table, suddenly very nervous. "I apologize if you think I was out of line, or if there are any regrets... I mean, we already said we wouldn't do this, and now we-"

"I don't have any regrets," Menardi said quietly.

Saturos was taken aback. "You don't?"

She shook her head slowly. "I think..." She paused, staring at her drink, finally murmuring, "I am enjoying these complications...."

Saturos smiled slightly, putting his hand out across the table, taking her hand. "I'm glad."

She held his hand, looking at him lovingly. "But we can't let the others know."

Saturos made a face. "That definitely complicates things."

"If you can survive a battle with your psynergy weakened and four Adepts fighting against you, you can fight your hormones," Menardi laughed, her eyes bright again.

Saturos couldn't help but laugh as well. Their laughter faded and he stared at their hands, looking at them, hoping this was not a dream. He looked back up at her. "I'm glad."

Menardi smiled. "Me too."

They quickly broke away as Alex opened the door, looking down the stairs. "Saturos, can you come help me with something?"

"Sure," Saturos said, beginning to stand, he looked at Menardi once more, she looking away and drinking her tea again.

(A/N: wow... talk about gushy. I don't think I've ever written anything so gushy yet! ^_^ Well, I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did writing it. R&R, and I will respond to the reviews next time. I think I've found a way around the block. **smiles evilly** Hehehe... Enjoy! ^_~)