"Just listen…"

"That's all I ever do, Baralai! All I do is listen to you!"

"Well, it's not like you ever say anything!"

Paine opened her mouth to retaliate, but she stopped. He was right. She never spoke her mind. And, on the rare occasion she actually did, it was it code so no one could understand it, no one but her.

Baralai sighed. "Look, Paine, I love you more than anything in the world, even more that words can describe. I cannot live without you. You're my everything…"

He moved closer to her. She sighed silently, and he put his arms around her waist as she rested her head against his shoulder.

"Paine?"

"Yeah?"

"This would be a good time to actually say something."

"I love you."

He smiled, "I love you too."