Cayde stroked Wren's hair. She tried to open her eyes but dirt and blood prevented it. Crimson trickled from her lips and she tried to speak his name.

"No," he replied, his tone hollow. "She's my Hunter."

Rorick's fists tightened in the dirt, pressing into the earth.

Cayde holstered the Ace and took up the Better Devils.

"Cayde?" Wren whimpered.

"Shhh," he eased. "Close your eyes and sleep. Thata girl. Keep em closed." He stroked her hair and she cried and struggled to catch breath. "There ya go… sleep. It's all a bad dream."

He put the muzzle to her head and shut his eyes tight but the sound echoed, reverberating through his head like shockwaves following an explosion. Every time they tapered off, it started again but before he could open his eyes dozens of hands wrapped around him, smothering him.

They clutched at his throat and face, ripped at his torso and arms. Clawed fingers tore at his plating and some wound into his mouth, grabbing his jaw mechanisms and snatching his head back. Long fingers entwined him and pulled him from Wren's lifeless body, blood pooling under her.

"How dare you!" Ikora shouted but he couldn't see her.

"Ikora!" he choked.

"You did this!"

Cayde struggled against the hands that pinned him on his back. Sisre walked up beside him, eyes solid black, inky tears streaking her cheeks.

"I thought you loved her," Sisre cried. "How could you?"

"What a piece of shit," Franz said, crossing his arms as he loomed over Cayde.

"This never would have happened if I was there." Beorn stepped closer, cradling Wren in his arms. "How could you?"

"How could you?" Rorick repeated.

Their voices rose, repeating the same question over and over while the arms tightened around him, crushing him to the earth, filling his mouth to stifle his cries. He didn't want this! He didn't want any of this and Wren, she deserved more! Vines burst through the clawed hands and pushed between his plating, into his inner machinations, wrapping around wires, forcing their way deep into his body.

He struggled and thrashed, his mind no longer to form coherent thought as the vines destroyed him from the inside. His fingertips felt the blade at his side and he was able to pull it from its sheath as Wren's cold eyes turned to him.

"Cayde!" she yelled. "Wake up!"

His eyes snapped open with the force in which he used to free his arms from the vines which gave way easily, as if they let him escape. His gaze refocused, a flash of silver against blue flesh, pale in the light of the storm that raged outside. A line of red blossomed along the edge of his blade, and he came to the realization of pinning Wren to the floor, sheets and blankets entangling them tightly. One hand crushed her wrist to the floor while the other pressed his dagger against her throat.

Her breath came in short gasps and her eyes were wide in the lightning that lit the room with harsh flashes.

"No," he whispered, releasing her.

Wren scrambled back from under him, kicking against the floor until she hit the French doors leading to the courtyard. Her hand wrapped around her throat where blood colored her skin crimson.

"No… I…" he tossed the blade away, crawling toward her on his hands and knees but she was shaking uncontrollably, and she flinched when he reached for her.

Blood dripped from the blade of the dagger onto the floor and Cayde's heart twisted in his chest. Without thinking he fled into the night, disappearing into the storms and shadows.

The door of the apartment swung on its hinges, rain pouring in on the foyer floor. Wren pulled her hand away from her throat clenching her fist when she saw the blood. The sting of the cut was still distant, but it was growing. Her wrist throbbed where he'd grabbed her, already swelling, bruises darkening the skin.

What the hell just happened?

He'd woken her up trashing in bed, muttering and struggling. It scared her but nothing like what had happened when she tried to wake him up. Adrenaline coursed through her and her entire body was stiff and shaky.

"Kiran I…" she remembered he was gone and shivered. She'd have to handle this alone.

Wren forced herself to her feet, using the door to brace herself. She had a decision to make. Follow him, find him, bring him home, or leave. Possibly for good. She didn't know what was going on with him but whatever it was, she didn't know how to handle.

The red scarf on his side of the bed made up her mind for her. She snatched it off the table, slipped on her flats and grabbed their cloaks before rushing out into the rain. Cayde's cloak was rolled up and held close to her body as she pulled her own closed and started looking for him. In this weather, maybe he didn't go far.

The courtyard area was almost empty, the shops closed for the night. A few Guardians ran through the rain to their homes but when Wren tried to call out for Cayde, her voice was lost to the storm. She tried his office first but he wasn't there. The room was a mess with paperwork, stacks of books and maps, shelves full of random junk. She had to move on

Wind battered her when she tried to get to her den. Rain stung her bare legs and her cloak whipped around her ankles. It was a long shot that he'd go there, having no real connection to the place, but she had to try. When she saw the den abandoned, she knew she'd have to go down into the City. But to where? He'd run out in just some sleep pants and nothing else. Where could he have gone?

This was much harder without Kiran. Her teeth chattered and she hugged his cloak tighter, making the decision to head down into the City. Maybe he was in a den or holed up in some Hunter hang out. She realized she didn't know anything about him. Not the places he liked to be, the friends who might help him, safe places he might take refuge in. He'd kept so much of himself hidden without even trying and she… she never even asked.

Wren turned her back on the den and hurried down into the City, calling for him in the streets, in the alleys, asking about him in every bar she came across. She wound through the City for hours. Den to den, bar to bar. Ramen shops and late night mech dealers until she was soaked through, shivering from cold, feet aching.

She sat down on a bench outside of a bar, hood pulled up over her head. She tucked herself around his cloak, allowing herself to stop and process. Her fingers and toes ached with cold and she couldn't stop her teeth from chattering. What was going on with him? He obviously didn't want to be found but the more she poured over their recent encounters the more confused she became. He'd started acting weird after the issue with the Fallen encampment, but what the hell happened? What did she miss? Something had to have happened in the time between the rockslide and when Kiran was able to revive her, but how was it that no one told her?

"Wren?"

She looked up, tears mixing with the rain, to the familiar voice of Franz.

"What the hell are you doing out here?" he scowled, glaring down at her from under the bar's awning.

"It's a l-long s-story but—" her teeth chattered, and she found it difficult to speak.

"Woah, what's on your neck? Did someone cut you?"

Her fingers found the wound and tried to cover it.

"And your wrist? What's going on?" he demanded.

"N-nothing, I'll just go."

"The hell you will. Where's Kiran? Why hasn't he healed you?"

"H-he's gone. An-nother G-ghost took over f-for a bit."

"You don't even have a Ghost right now? What a load of horse shit. Get in the fucking bar." He pointed toward the door. "Stupid fuckin' bullshit," he muttered while she followed him in. He kept his distance from her but she was surprised he was trying to be helpful at all.

Wren kept her head down as he led her into a back corner beside a fireplace. He pulled up a chair and motioned her to sit. He put a hand under her chin and made her look up so he could examine her wound. He grimaced at the sight of it, then demanded she show him her arm.

She couldn't make eye contact with him while he inspected her injuries, afraid that if she did he'd somehow know the truth. Maybe he thought she deserved what was happening. Maybe she did…

"Vira, heal her, then call Cayde and—"

"Not Cayde," Wren interrupted. "Not yet."

Franz set his jaw. "Why not? Don't want your lover boy actin' like a psychopath? I've heard about some of the shit he's gotten up to lately."

Wren could swear there was a hint of satisfaction in his voice but she only curled into Cayde's cloak, wadded up in her lap. Cayde was acting strangely, she couldn't deny it, but knowing that others around the City were noticing it as well? That couldn't mean anything good for him. Would that impede his ability to find a safe place in the City in this weather?

She shook her head. "Just don't call him. Please."

"Hold up. Did Cayde do this to you?"

"No he…" her fists clutched Cayde's cloak, needing something, anything, to ground her. "I mean, yes technically, but he was having a nightmare and I tried to wake him up."

"And that's an excuse? What the fuck is wrong with you?" he crossed his arms and his fingers bit into his own biceps. "Vira, heal her and call Sisre and Rorick. And don't you dare tell me to leave them outta this, too. You're out of options. What are you hiding in there?"

Wren slowly opened her arms to reveal Cayde's cloak, still mostly dry. Franz snatched it out of her hands and made a motion toward her own cloak.

"Get that damn thing off already."

She shuddered as she handed her soaked cloak over and Franz dropped Cayde's over Wren's shoulders. His Ghost hovered over her for a moment and healed her. He dropped to one knee in front of her, taking her jaw once more and inspecting her throat. Tears welled up in Wren's eyes at his touch and for a brief moment she felt his gaze linger on her face.

"Stay here and get warmed up. Sisre and Rorick'll come get you." He stood and began to walk away.

"Franz, wait."

He glared over his shoulder at her.

"Thank you."

"Whatever," he grumbled before disappearing into the crowd.

Wren let her attention wander to the flames as they licked across the logs in the fireplace. Her joints ached, Vira taking the pain from her actual wounds but not easing everything. Definitely not easing the pain in her chest. How could he do what he did and then run off? She couldn't help but feel that this was avoidable if he just opened up and was honest with her. So why couldn't he be?

She pulled her feet up in the chair and wrapped Cayde's cloak tight around her knees for warmth. A waiter stopped by and set a cup of hot soup on the table beside her, likely from Franz. It was strange seeing him like this again. She almost felt he cared but his harsh words and disgusted looks confused her.

The cup sent chills up her arms and stung her fingers with the heat. She realized how her hands had turned an angry purple with the cold. She basked in the warmth of the cup and the fire, knowing Rorick and Sisre would be there soon to get her and her stomach twisted into anxious knots. What would she tell them about how she ended up here? Would Franz cut in and tell them what state he found her in?

Steam warmed her nose and cheeks and when she was finally able to taste a sip she looked down past the cup and noticed something. The hem of Cayde's cloak had a section of fabric stitched on that didn't quite match. Just like her own cloak. She thought before that he'd simply repaired hers but now she was sure that the scrap she'd had with her was one from his cloak.

Her fingertips traced the seam where the fabrics met.

"Wren?"

"Sisre."

"Franz said you were in trouble. What happened? You're soaked to the bone." Sisre brushed a curl from Wren's cheek.

"I don't know where to start," Wren sighed, staring into the fire. "He's been acting so weird—"

"It was Cayde," Franz said, joining them. He crossed his arms. "You shoulda seen her when I found her sitting out there in the rain. Had her fucking throat cut and a bruise around her wrist that went clear to the elbow."

"Cayde hurt you?" Rorick said, shock and disbelief etched on his face.

"It was an accident," Wren insisted. "He was having this horrible nightmare and when I tried to wake him up he…"

Wren clutched the cup of soup, the warm liquid now an unwelcome addition in her belly.

"Where's Kiran?" Sisre asked.

"Ikora sent me on a mission to the find Osiris," Wren replied quietly. "Someone found Sagira's shell and when I tried to wake her, she took over Kiran."

"What does that mean? Will you get Kiran back?"

"I'm told I will. But I'm not sure. Sagira stayed with Ikora so they could plan what's going to happen next but I'm sure I'll have to return to the Infinite Forest and—"

"They sent you into the Forest?" Franz bristled? "I swear, just when I think the Vanguard couldn't do anything dumber. Kinda expected more from Ikora though."

"I thought Zavala was over you now?" Rorick asked.

"What?" Franz asked. "Why the hell would he be over her?"

Rorick glanced between him and Wren. "It's complicated but there were some issues with Cayde not giving Wren missions when he should have been."

"I didn't know you were aware of that," Wren said.

"Of course, I am. Technically you're still part of fireteam Cerulean, even if you keep being redirected into solo missions. I have to be aware of everything that happens with you. At least from the Vanguard's perspective."

"I think we need to back up here," Sisre said. "You're telling me that you tried to wake Cayde up from a nightmare and he attacked you?"

"He didn't mean to. When he realized what he'd done, he ran. That's why I'm out here. I just wanted to find him."

Sisre sighed. "You need to come home with us. You can stay in our guest bedroom for the night and in the morning, we'll figure out what to do next."

"I was informed that we need to meet with the Vanguard first thing in the morning," Rorick said. "I'm sure it's about the Infinite Forest."

"Probably," Wren said. "Cayde… well, when he found out where Ikora sent me he sort of lost his cool with her and Zavala."

"In front of you?"

"No, I was out in the hall. He didn't know I was there. But this is what I'm talking about. He's acting so weird, and I just can't figure out why."

The other three exchanged glances and Wren's hands clutched the cup tight.

"Why do I get the feeling that everyone but me knows what's going on?"

"Wren," Sisre began softly, resting her hand on Wren's shoulder. "When did he start acting strange?"

"After the Fallen encampment."

Sisre looked over her shoulder to Rorick and Franz.

"Do you remember anything about that mission?"

"Yeah, I remember the whole thing. That Hunter was killed and we ran and there was a rock slide. Next thing I know, I'm waking up and we're headed home."

"She really doesn't know shit about what happened," Franz said. "I can't believe that jack ass didn't say anything."

"Would you?" Rorick asked.

Franz bit his cheek and huffed.

"What's going on?" Wren asked.

"This is a conversation for when we're in private," Sisre said. "Let's get you home and dried off and we'll discuss it all. Franz, can you get Vira to put out a message to Sundance and tell Cayde that Wren is safe? I feel like it's more than he deserves to know, but I'm not going to be so petty as to keep that information from him. C'mon Wren. You'll catch cold out here like this."

Sisre guided Wren back to hers and Rorick's apartment in the City, one arm around her shoulders. While it felt nice to be able to lean into her friend and feel that comfort, the silence between the three of them was stifling.

Their place was small and quiet, two bedroom with a couple of bathrooms and a wide open living room and kitchen with tons of plants and big windows. The storm had quieted some but rain still pattered on the massive panes. Sisre brought Wren some dry clothes and ushered her into the bathroom for a hot shower to warm her up.

She could hear them talking to one another in hushed tones and despite wanting to know what was going on, she almost didn't want to get out of the warm water. It would mean having to deal with whatever issue was looming overhead. But wasn't that what she wanted? To understand why Cayde was acting the way he was and have an opportunity to fix things? Because even after what he'd done, she wasn't ready to give up on him.

Sisre and Rorick were sitting on the couch when Wren finally joined them, Sisre's sweater and pants hanging loose on her. She took a seat in a chair opposite them, leaning toward the heat of the fire.

"I'm not sure where to start," Sisre admitted. "I thought Cayde had told you what happened. Or at least Kiran and now I feel terrible that we didn't say anything sooner. To check up on you but…"

"I don't remember so whatever it was, it's not like I was upset about it," Wren reminded.

"Still, I should have checked on you."

"What happened? I need to know."

Sisre sighed, wringing her hands and Rorick took over for her.

"You were pinned in the rockslide," he said. "But it didn't kill you. We had to get you out and leave before the Fallen caught up with us but with your injuries it would have been difficult. So Cayde… he did what he had to do to make sure we could remove you from the situation without causing you more pain or putting the rest of us at risk. It was," he paused, as if the next word out of his mouth made him sick, "necessary."

"I don't…" Wren shook her head and thought back, a flash of something she hadn't remembered before stinging behind her eyes. She pressed her palms into her eyes to ease the ache. Cayde and the others whispering. He soothed her, eased her to close her eyes and— she dropped her hands. "He killed me?"

"He didn't have much choice," Sisre said. "But that didn't mean it was easy on him. Not that I'm condoning what happened to you. He never should have kept this from you. Especially if it's caused him to act this way. It shouldn't have come to this point and frankly, I'm furious that he let it."

"Are you aware of what he did after that?" Rorick asked. "After we returned from the mission?"

Wren shook her head. "All I know is that he went back to the encampment."

"He destroyed it," Sisre said. "He killed every last Fallen and burned the camp to the ground."

"What?"

"He was reprimanded by Zavala, but I heard that the Hunters who were with him were terrified of his actions. They'd not seen him act like that," Rorick said.

"I noticed they were treating him differently, but I wasn't sure why. He almost attacked one at a bar last night when we went out for a drink. One of them tripped and knocked me into the bar and the next thing I know Cayde is about to punch the guy."

"This has gotten out of hand," Sisre said.

"And yet I understand," Rorick replied. "If I had to do that to you?" he squeezed Sisre's hand. "If you woke up and didn't remember what I'd done and looked at me like nothing had happened, I don't think I'd want to tell you and risk changing that."

"Even if it meant slitting my throat in the middle of the night?"

"It wasn't that bad," Wren said. "It was a cut but it wasn't life threatening."

"Look, that's not what I'm saying," Rorick said. "Cayde has this persona he puts out to everyone. He's the jokester. The guy that laughs it off and makes the end of the world seem like any other Tuesday. The Hunters appreciate his ability to get things done but also to shrug off the bad things. Don't you think that creates a person who is comfortable showing how they really feel?"

Sisre took a deep breath and stared at the fire. "I remember one of the first time I saw Wren and Cayde talking. Do you remember that night? On the roof of the Tower? You said he seemed sad, or something like that?"

"I remember."

"I guess I never thought that he wasn't the fun guy deep down."

"I don't condone what he's done, I just think it's something to consider," Rorick said, standing. "I'm going to bed. I suggest the two of you get some sleep too. We have to be with Zavala first thing in the morning."

"Right," Sisre said. "I'll be along in a minute."

Rorick gave her a kiss and left the two of them alone. Wren continued to stare into the flames. She reached up to her neck, feeling her smooth skin where there should have been a wound. Flashes of him laying on top of her came to mind but something about it didn't feel real. Like it was all a bad dream and yet, here she was, in Rorick and Sisre's place.

"Are you alright?" Sisre asked.

"Is it wrong… that I wish he were here? He didn't mean for any of this to happen."

"It's not wrong. I don't know what I'd want if I were in your shoes. I think I would feel the same way about it that you do but I get that it's confusing. Wanting to be with the person that hurt you. But you love him. It's only natural to look to him for comfort."

Tears welled up in Wren's eyes, blurring the flames. "I don't want you to hate him because of this."

"I don't hate him and neither does Rorick. Franz might be a different story but he's still working through some things. He'll get over it. I just don't want this to happen again because he's too closed off from you. I get it, he has a reputation or whatever but if he wants to—" Sisre bit her tongue. "Never mind. Just get some sleep if you can. Something tells me we're going to be on the hunt for Osiris come morning. Maybe Cayde'll be at the briefing. I'll get Sambo to send him another message incase he feels like manning up."

"Sure," Wren muttered. "Where's his cloak?"

"We dried it while you were taking a shower. I put it in the spare room."

"Thanks."

"Get some rest. G'night."

"Night."

Wren stayed in the chair for some time after she heard Rorick and Sisre stop talking. Moving took more energy than she thought she had. Everything was so quiet. So still. Getting up to go to bed was harder than she could imagine, and she knew she'd have to trick herself into it. She closed her eyes and wished that any other memory of him would show itself instead of the same reel over and over. That look in his eye when he was pinning her… it wasn't him.

She forced herself to stand but ended up standing in that spot for several more minutes before heading to bed, wrapping up in Cayde's cloak before collapsing into the cool sheets. Goosebumps rose on her skin and outside the window the moon finally broke free of the clouds. She hoped he was alright out there; wherever he was. Safe and warm and dry. Maybe, just maybe, he was looking at that same moon. The only thing she knew for sure?

He would not sleep.