A/N: For Warnings and Disclaimer, please redirect to the PROLOGUE

Chapter 1: Worry and Confessions

He woke up at the slight feeling of something being amiss. As the leader of the Embryon, Serph knew that these feelings were not to be taken lightly. And so, he exited his quarters and hurriedly checked on his comrades. He did not need to enter their rooms to know if they were in there for his instincts would tell him. As he stopped at Argilla's room, he quickly realized that she was not there. Serph grabbed the door handle and stepped in. The air in the room had grown cold; too cold. Her bed was still made insinuating that she had not slept in it.

With his graceful feet, he quietly and stealthily tracked her. When he spotted her in the rooftop, it was as if he was being guided. His heart hung with worry as he took in her slump posture; very unbecoming of Argilla. Despite his worry about his comrade, he also couldn't help but notice how beautiful she looked as the moon's ray reflected on her face and exposed neck and arms.

Argilla sat by the ledge of the rooftop, wearing her nightgown and her robe. Argilla's apparel or the lack thereof was not hidden to Serph; her nightgown, which was baby blue, was contrasted well with her black robe. Her billowing gown exposed her creamy legs, the robe that she wore hung loosely on her shoulders, baring them to him unknowingly. The straps of her nightgown, exposed from her loose robe emphasized the skin on her neck and collarbone. Serph felt lightheaded for an unknown reason. He knew that it had most probably had to do with his silent admiration for Argilla but he quickly dismissed the feeling and walked slowly towards her.

As he neared her, without her notice, he heard her slight sobbing and whimpering. What was wrong? Was she hurt? His thoughts hung with worry as he felt his comrade's anxiety.

'Comrade? Comrade…Argilla is more to me than a comrade…she is family…she is…' he thought absentmindedly.

The more steps he took, each bringing him closer to her, the more the sounds of her sobbing became audibly clear. Her robe, once hung loosely on her shoulders had now completely abandoned its station and had bore her shoulders. Serph reached out for her.

Argilla stiffened as she felt warms hands on her bare shoulders, "Serph! What are you doing up? I thought you were asleep." She quickly wiped her tears away and faced him, 'Oh gods…' she thought as she took in his handsome and innocent face. His eyes were filled of concern and empathy. 'Why do you torture me like this?' she asked painfully.

She felt blood rush to her head as he let go of her shoulders and grabbed her hands in his, carefully squeezing them. She knew this gesture. Serph would often hold her hands and squeeze them as a sign of support and concern. He always knew how to act around her and how to make her feel at ease. 'I suppose…that was one of the many reasons why I fell in love with him…'

"I'm fine Serph…I just wanted to look at the moon…you know, star gazing."

Serph's eyes seemed unconvinced as moved closer to her, taking the vacant space alongside her on the rooftop's ledge, their bodies only being inches apart and looked intently into her eyes, 'She's hiding something…Why won't she tell me what's wrong…?'

Serph wrapped an arm around her shoulder and gently pulled her to him as if he was protecting her; protecting her from the chilly breeze that stung his skin, but unknowingly to him, she did not even feel. Argilla's body tensed as it involuntarily gave in to source of wanted warmth. She could feel herself drifting ever closer to him, feeling lost in his silver eyes.

Serph saw her eyes as he looked at them. They were filled with so much strife, sadness and loneliness. He knew this because, he too felt those feelings. He wanted nothing more than to banish those feelings from this woman he held. He wanted nothing but to protect her and make her happy. 'Argilla…'

No sooner as Argilla felt a single tear roll down her cheek had she felt his warm hand wiping it away.

"Serph…I…wanted to tell you…" she trailed off, herself unsure of what to do. Her mind screamed for tension release and her heart screamed for closure and salvation. She had to tell him. It was driving her mad. Because of these bottled up feelings, she could no longer focus on her job; she could feel herself fading away. His eyes shone with expectancy and he urged her to continue. Arigilla could feel a large lump on her throat build up as she could no longer find the words to say. He saw this and smiled a reassuring smile as if telling her that everything was going to be alright. She sighed and whispered, "I'm sorry Serph…but I love you…" a tear once again trailed her cheek. "I didn't want you to hate me for it…that's why I hid it from you…" she quickly cast her eyes down, "I know I sound stupid but I just had to tell you…I can't take it anymore…"

His silence, no matter how used to it she was, unnerved her. This was it, the final blow that was going to strike her down; his rejection and disgust. But Argilla wouldn't let him have the end of it. She would sooner leave than see his rejection. As soon as the thought came to mind, Argilla rose to her feet and started to walk away. Serph's mind froze. She loved him. She had said it. And what was he supposed to do now? He always had feelings for her but always suppressed them and convinced himself that it was sisterly love. But as he looked into her eyes tonight, he knew that he was mistaken.

As soon as she took the first step, he stood up and grabbed her wrist. Argilla's heart stopped as she felt his grip. She turned to face him, annoyed, "Look! I know what you're going to say and I don't want to hear it! I know Serph…okay? Please…I don't want to get hurt anymore than I already am…"

She broke down in tears. 'She thinks I'm rejecting her…' he thought sadly. He suddenly got off the ledge and stood right in front her, neither breaking eye contact nor his grip on her wrist. He then quickly and gently gathered her in his arms and stroked her back and hair. Argilla gave in and leaned down on him for support. "Just let me go Serph…please, I don't need this right now…"

Serph ignored her pleas and tilted her chin up in order for her to meet his gaze. Argilla was stunned as she gazed in his eyes. Serph slowly leaned down on her and closed his eyes. A second later, their lips met in a chaste kiss. Argilla's eyes went wide. Serph pulled back slowly and locked his eyes with hers once again. He could see doubt in them. He smiled for her his genuine smile and held her hand pulling it close to his face before kissing it. Argilla's cheeks were tinged pink as he did so, 'What is he doing?' she thought worriedly. 'This is Serph; he would never hurt me…'

Serph leaned in again and kissed her. She did not object this time. She felt his tongue lick her bottom lip asking for permission to which she complied. She parted her mouth slowly and as she did, Serph invaded her mouth with his tongue. Their lips danced together and the intensity of their kiss was heightened. All the feelings of loneliness and longing were poured into it. His hand stroked her back as he pulled her closer to him while his other hand positioned itself on the back of her neck. Argilla clung to him as if her life depended on it. But, as soon as it came, it soon had left. She felt Serph pull away and she opened her eyes to see endless silver. She was surprised with her own actions, "Serph…I…I'm sorry…I didn't mean to-" he shook his head and smiled again. When she didn't understand, he closed the space between them and embraced her tight.

Argilla felt tears again, but this time, they were of happiness as she realized that Serph had loved her too. But a doubt also came to mind, "But…what about her…what about Sera…?" her words came out choked as she heard what his answer might be. It was possible; after all, that Serph had simply forgotten about Sera and was just caught up in the moment. However, her fears were laid to rest as he smiled and shook his head no.

"Serph…?"

Serph hardly ever talked but when he did, it was very straightforward and concise. "I love you…Argilla."

The four words which he spoke were the words that Argilla never thought that she could ever hear him utter. She was overwhelmed with happiness and lunged herself at him, burying her face in his shirt, taking in his masculine scent. Serph smiled and gently stroked her head.

When they looked at each other's eyes again, he carried her and proceeded down the staircase. Argilla did not want to question him and so kept quiet. As she saw the door to her room, she couldn't help but smile. Serph really was a gentleman. He set her down just before the threshold of her room and looked intently in her eyes. She smiled at him and said, "Goodnight Serph…thank you for making me feel a lot better…I…meant what I said you know…?"

He nodded in agreement.

"Good…" she smiled again and held the doorknob, "Goodnight…Serph."

Serph quickly closed the space between them and kissed her again. The kiss was intense and filled with passion as their tongues fought for dominance. Serph came out to be the victor as he heard Argilla whimper in their kiss. He then embraced her again and placed a chaste kiss on her head. And smiling one last time, he turned and headed for his room.

Argilla had no nightmares that night.