The rain began to lightly thrum all around them as it pelted the leaves of the tree under which they sheltered. The occasional drop of moisture would find its way through the leaves and onto their heads as the light spattering of showers intensified. It had begun as a soft whispering in the air. The day had been quite beautiful under the bright blue sky. But Aegnor had noticed how the clouds had taken shape, growing taller, darker, faster. They had started back but it was too late and now all that was left was to seek shelter. But the tree would not do. The wind had picked up, not to a full summer gale that is common this time of the year, but enough to cool the air to a chill. Andreth shivered slightly next to him. He had taken his cloak and set it around her shoulders, but that was damp now and would do little for her. He placed his arms around her and pulled her close in an effort to share his warmth and offer some protection from the wind. Or at least that is what he told himself. She moved in willingly, her hand at his breast as her temple rested against his chest. How good she felt against him this way, so close. He could smell the light scent of ginger lilies from her hair and skin. He could hear her heart as it fluttered a rapid rhythm in her chest. He looked down just as her gaze moved up to meet his and thought that his own heart may clench in his chest. Her eyes were bright and hopeful, her lips slightly parted. How he longed to fill the space between.

"Yavanna tits, will you just shut me out already."

Aegnor looked up to see Carnistir sitting on a low branch on the tree, one leg dangling as his arm rested on the other, a look of complete disgust on his face.

Aegnor glared up at him as the world began to blur …

The wind howled as it bit and tore at his skin. White whipped around him as the cold attempted to squeeze everything to death. The snow was piling up in drifts as it blinded him with ice white dust. He walked bent over against the cold and tried to protect his eyes with his arm. Every so often a random silhouette of a figure hunched over, trudging in the snow would loom into his vision and then vanish, swallowed in white. Suddenly the ground rumbled as air spilt with a deafening crack that rolled and grumbled to silence. Figures began to come together finding each other in the storm for support. They could not stop. If they stopped they would not start again. So many had already been lost that way. Unable to move or becoming mad with despair as they stripped away their coverings and then wandered blindly into the snow as their loved ones wailed helplessly behind them. He had to keep moving. He had to keep his people moving. Aegnor had just turned to the figure next to him and took a small child from the mother's arm so she could move quickly when the earth roared again, this time accompanied by the sound of screams. Aegnor turned to tell the mother to run but she was gone. It was then that he noticed that all of the huddled figures that had been there only seconds earlier were now gone. The sounds of his people screaming floated on the wind.

"Well this is thoroughly depressing. I'd rather go back to the tree, thank you."

Carnistir stood at the edge of the ice, looking down into the abyss. The child in Aegnor's arms began to cry as the world blurred …

"Are you leaving already my lord?"

Aegnor paused for only a moment from setting his packs on the saddle. He did not need to turn to know whose voice called to him now. It haunted his every step.

"Yes," he said as he finished fastening the buckles to the pack. "There is business I must attend too."

"I see," the voice replied softly from behind him. "Perhaps I could prepare something for you, something to eat to take with you. If you would –"

"No," he interrupted a bit more brusquely than intended. "No," he said again, his tone gentler, "do not trouble yourself for I have no time to spare." He backed his horse from the stall and began to lead it out when she stopped him once more. Just a hand, hesitantly placed upon his arm. He stopped but did not look at her where she stood beside him.

"My lord I … why must … I do not understand why you must, I mean, it is just that I thought … have I done something to offend you?"

He did look at her now. Her hair hung loose about her shoulders and fell in waves down her back. She did not look at him, instead keeping her eyes on the hand that was now on his arm. He placed his hand over hers.

"No my lady. You have never done nor could ever do anything to offend me. That would be impossible."

She did look at him now. Her eyes were wet and her cheeks flushed. Aegnor felt his breath leave him.

"Then why," she stopped and struggled for a moment, unable to find the words. "Here." She thrust a piece of parchment at him. "This is for you. I hope you will read it, while on the trip back."

Aegnor looked at the parchment in her clenched fist. He did not need to read it to know what it said. But he would not shame her this way. He placed his hand over hers and gently pushed it away.

"I am sorry my lady. I cannot accept this. It would not be proper."

Aegnor removed her other hand from his arm and moved past her. Andreth flinched as if she had been struck.

He pretended he could not hear the sound of her weeping as he walked away.

"Oh for fuck's Aegnor," Carnistir's voice groused from somewhere around him as the world began to blur …

He was laying on the shores of Alquelondë, the sun warming his skin as his brothers laughed … as the world blurred …

"Push –"

He spurred his mount forward as the monster before them began to breathe fire … the world blurred …

"Me –"

He drove his sword home, breaking the goblins ribs as he twisted he blade and the creature spat black blood …

"OUT!"

Aegnor released the sword he had embedded in the goblin's chest and spun around with a snarl, grabbing Carnistir by the throat and slamming him against the wall. The world began to blur …

He sat behind a desk covered in parchments. Tallies of trade through the Blue Mountains with the naugrim. What greedy little bastards they are. Still, a profitable annoyance. There was also correspondence from Himring that needed answers. Maedhros wanted them all to meet at Himring for some urgent meeting. Good luck getting Curufinwë to come when called. And where ever he was Tyelkormo was certain to be close behind. Maedhros really should make an effort to put them both on a leash. They will tarnish the family name. He chuckled at that. He leaned forward to grab his goblet of wine when it happened. It was as if his being, his fea, had been pulled like a bow string, becoming more and more taut, till it could no longer take the stress and finally popped. His heart pounded an irregular beat, sputtering as it struggled to maintain a rhythm. He fell back in his seat and clutched at his chest, gasping for breath. He tried to stand, only to collapse back down against his desk. His vision was fuzzy as he sank to the floor, eventually dropping to his knees.

Something was terribly wrong. He struggled to gather his wits but it was as if something had … as if he had … been torn, ripped, no burned away and now all that was left was some strange hollowness, an emptiness in his being. Everything was suddenly off kilter. He could not focus, he could not think. The sense of loss made him want to weep.

His eyes went wide as the realization struck him, deadlier that any sword.

"She's gone," he rasped, struggling for the words, "oh Father of All help me, she's gone …"

Sobs wracked his body as the world began to blur …

The link snapped between them and Aegnor collapsed back against his chair as Carnistir did the same in his. They sat across from each other in Aegnor's living room, glowering at each other.

The entire night went this way.

And well into the morning.

It had been sometime since Aegnor had been this exhausted. The last time that could even remotely come close was when they had made the crossing. He closed his eyes to that memory. There was nothing about it worth remembering. And once remembered, there was nothing that did not the dull pain. It was the way with all painful memories of the past since his reawakening. When he was child, he had been told stories of when someone was reawakened in Aman, how all the pain of their past was washed away and their sins forgiven. While the memories would still remain, their penance has been paid and they could live again without remorse.

It had not been that way for Aegnor.

And after last night, he realized it was not that way for Carnistir either.

Perhaps it was because they did not reawaken in Aman, but instead were allowed to return to Arda. And it was not as if he had awoke in the gardens of Nienna, to be nursed once more into life, surrounded by family and loved ones rejoicing in your presence. Instead, it was as if he had just stumbled into being, one moment a shapeless formless wisp fea that pathetically made to run for the light, only to suddenly finding himself physically running and then falling on to the hard ground. He stumbled, as naked as a babe, trying to remember what it was to be a sentient being once more. It had been a humbling experience.

Much like the last several hours.

They did not stop till Aegnor had worked out how to apply what he had learned to the bond. Once that had been accomplished, they had sat in silence across from each other, both seeming to retreat somewhere within. Details were learned tonight. At times, intimate details that both would had preferred never been known. Respite was needed now. Neither of them closed their eyes as they began the restful wanderings their kind could do, walking the endless roads of waking dreams within their minds. It was late afternoon when Carnistir stood up with a sigh. He raked his fingers through long dark hair before walking over to Aegnor's refrigerator and helping himself to a beverage. He slammed back the amber in one smooth motion and set the empty bottle on the counter while simultaneously opening fridge to grab a second one.

He drank the second bottle at a more moderate pace as he gathered his things.

"Well I am never doing that again," he said as he pulled on his coat.

Aegnor rubbed at his eyes before running a hand through his hair and around to rub at the back of his neck. "Agreed," he muttered in response.

Carnistir finished off the second beer and set the empty bottle on the counter next to the first one. "I will call you soon. I would like to find the information we need, hopefully in the next couple of days. I will need to go out into a more rural area though. Somewhere with water. If you have suggestions, they will be welcome."

Aegnor stood up slowly as he tried to process Carnistir's words in what remained of his muddled senses. "I may know of a place," he replied a bit dully while rubbing at his neck.

"Good, good," Carnistir said absently as he walked towards the elevator, grabbing his helmet and keys on the way.

For a moment Aegnor was almost sad to see him go. In all of Aegnor's longs years after his return, he had never had anyone who could ever even begin to attempt to understand. Nor had ever found anyone of the Eldar. It was not that Aegnor assumed he was the only one who had returned, he just simply did not wish to think about the possibility of anyone else being out there. Perhaps it was simply so he would not get his hopes up or perhaps it was due to the fact he felt he should suffer alone. He did not know. But what he did know was that he had spent the last several hours reliving memories long gone. Once Carnistir left, he would be alone with the remnants of that pain he had spent centuries pushing away.

"Carnistir …" Aegnor hesitated as Carnistir stopped at the elevator and turned slightly to look over his shoulder. Dark patches were visible under his eyes as he cocked an eyebrow at Aegnor. The light within those eyes, that normally shone hot with the fire of life, seemed … not dull, but subdued. "Thank you."

Carnistir stared at Aegnor for a moment, face unreadable. The elevator pinged as the doors slid open.

"Don't mention it," he finally said as he stepped into the elevator. "Seriously, do not ever mention it. Ever again."

The elevator doors slid shut.

Andrea stepped off of the train and headed up the stairs to the street. It had been a difficult night for her last night. The dreams that seemed as if they had finally subsided, had come back last night. It was almost as if they were making up for lost time with how relentless they were. When she was not running in one she was crying in another. There was fire all around or was it water? Was she burning or drowning? It was hard to tell now. The dreams had taken on that fuzzy half-forgotten memory that dreams often become upon waking, but there still remained a lingering emotional residue. Even attempting to fall asleep had become a sort of endurance trial as her mind seemed to race with a thousand thoughts. And just when she had finally resigned herself to remaining awake, she drifted off, only waking till the alarm squawked loudly in her ear. As if her head had flipped a switch, the steady stream of images from her unconscious simply stopped.

She was still tired though. Tired enough that she decided to stay at her apartment tonight. Tired enough that she kept feeling as if she had forgotten something all throughout the day. A nagging feeling like she was missing something or left something behind she should not have. It was annoying to say the least, and she kept having to check her bags just to make sure. She had been so exhausted that she had hardly even thought of Agner today, the desire to be around him twenty-four-seven having finally been dulled due to lack of sleep. It was not a negative thing though. Andrea did not want to lose herself in someone else. It was important that she maintain some independence, some reminders that she is capable on her own. She would get some work done tonight, maybe even call up Hayley to set up a workout time. She had to think of herself as well.

As she rounded the sidewalk a sound caught her attention. She walked along the side of the building to where the dumpsters sat to see two cats, one black and the other white with their backs arched and hair raised. Their low guttural growls would suddenly raise to almost earsplitting screams before dropping back down again. As she came closer Andrea realized that it was the scrawny little black cat with the nick in it's' ear that sat in the window, and it was not doing well. The white one, who did not look scrawny in the least, had it backed into a corner, hunched over in a protective crouch. And upon an even closer inspection Andrea could see why. Between the two cats was a tiny little kitten, its eyes barely even open. Behind the black cat were four more little babies, their mewling drowned out by the screeching of the other two. It seemed to Andrea that they were fighting over the kittens, and indeed every time the black one made a move towards the kitten in the middle the white one would rear up, its growls becoming more piercing, forcing the black one back.

Andrea was not certain which cat the kittens belonged too. What she was certain of though, was that she did not like the white one. Not one bit. It was bigger, obviously stronger and, as far as Andrea was concerned, a bully.

"Hey!" she shouted, clapping her hands loudly as she approached. "Hey! Go on! Get out of here, go on!"

Two sets of eyes turned towards Andrea, completely unimpressed, and looked at her as if irritated by her very existence. The white one blinked at her slowly as it leveled vivid green eyes on her. A deep set emerald green that seemed unnaturally bright. The stare was shrewd and unflinching. A penetrating gaze that left Andrea feeling as if she were naked and exposed. She did not like that feeling. Almost without thinking Andrea reached down and grabbed an empty can from the ground and threw it at the white cat. The cat never even flinched as the can hit the ground next to it. It watched the can as it bounced and rolled under the dumpster before returning that cold malevolent gaze back on her.

Don't be ridiculous, she thought, it's a goddamn cat. Just walk up and scare it off.

And yet Andrea just stood there, unwilling or unable to accept the dare that was in those green eyes. It was the cat that broke the gaze and walked unconcernedly over to the kitten, picked it up by the scruff of it's neck and sauntered off. Andrea finally blinked.

Did I just lose a stare down with a cat?

With a shake of her head she turned back to where the kittens were only to find the black cat was now gone as well. Her kittens were still there, three squirming and mewling little balls of fur, but no momma.

"Nice," she muttered as she squatted down in front of the kittens. Now what.

She could leave them here. Surely the momma cat would be back for her babies. Unless the momma cat was the white one. In which case Andrea was not sure if she wanted to leave the babies for her. Now that's just spiteful, she thought with a sigh. But what if the mother did not come back. What if they were simply abandoned? It was supposed to get cold tonight. What if the mother never returned and they froze to death? Or worse, what if there were rats? If the cold did not finish the little fuzzies off then the rats were certain too.

"I can't believe I am doing this," she groaned as she pulled her hat off her head and bundled the three little kittens in it.

Kate had practically squealed with delight upon seeing the kittens and after a quick Google search, ran out to the corner store to buy baby formula and eye droppers to feed them with. She now sat on the floor of Andrea's room, cradling one of the kittens, a little grey one, as it ate greedily from the dropper. Andrea sat cross legged on her bed feeding one kitten while the other slept on her lap.

"Oh look at the hungry little furbabies," Kate cooed. "Just look at that little tummy get fat. You so hungry, aren't you? Aren't you? Yes you are, you are. Precious little Sheba."

"Sheba?"

"Yes Sheba, that is her name," Kate said matter-of-factly as she set the dropper down and wiped at the kitten's face with a towel. "Her name is Sheba because she is a little queen."

"Ah," replied Andrea. "And what if Sheba turns out to be a boy?"

"Can still be a queen," Kate shrugged. "I've named the other two."

"Oh really."

"Yup. The one you're holding is Pharoh," Kate set down the rag and held the newly christened Sheba's nose up to hers, "because every queen needs her king, isn't that right? And the one in your lap is Ralph."

"Ralph?"

"Well yeah, I mean look at him."

Andrea looked down at her lap at the little black and white kitten. He lay on his back, his legs splayed out in four different directions into the air. Andrea smiled. "Yeah ok."

"So the mom just abandoned them?"

"I guess," Andrea shrugged. "I don't know. I just didn't see another cat around so …"

"What about the white cat?"

Andrea shook her head. "I don't think that one is the mom."

"But you said it took off with one."

"I know but …" Andrea thought about how the white cat had stared at her. "I don't know why I just don't think it was."

"Poor sweet abandoned little baby," Kate cooed to the newly dubbed Sheba. "Too bad they can't stay here."

"What?" Andrea said with a bemused look. "Why not?"

"Hello, because of the deposit. I think it is like 200 per pet and the litter. I don't want to change it."

"You just spent the last hour buying food and feeding and baby talking all over them," Andrea said incredulously.

"I do the same thing for Gabe and you don't see him moving in do you?" Kate replied dismissively. "Besides, it's not like I don't like animals. It's that I don't like owning animals, or being responsible for animals, or cleaning up after animals, or paying for animals."

"Ok, ok, I get it. So now what."

"We take them to a shelter?"

Andrea grimaced. "That seems so mean."

Oh please. Just look at these little babies. There is no way they are not going to be adopted. That is not going to be a problem. What is going to be a problem though, is where they are going to stay tonight. Gabe's allergic.

Sounds like to me Gabe is the one with the problem then.

Andrea please. I know you don't like him but please, just do this for me? Come on, you've got your perfect guy. Let me have my, semi-ok, sometime plaything guy. Hey maybe Agner could watch them.

I don't know …

Just till tomorrow, when we can take them to the shelter. Surely he would for one night.

Andrea looked down at the sleeping balls of fluff in her lap. She had not planned on seeing him tonight but upon hearing his name, that familiar warm sensation ran through her and she felt a gentle tug of need from within. I guess I miss him after all, she thought as she scratched Ralph under the chin. Ralph simply yawned and stretched out a tiny paw. She had to admit, it felt good to lay next to him at night. It was comforting in a way she had not felt since she was little. She did miss him. And for a moment she was almost overwhelmed with the sudden need to see him, to feel the warmth of him. A longing for him to come to her upon realizing that part of the world has not moved since his absence.

"I'm sure if you ask him he'll say yes."

I have to ask him first.

As if on cue, Andrea's phone began to chirp in her bag. Kate rummaged through the bag and upon pulling it out, she smiled widely. "Make sure you ask him if his ears are burning."

Andrea made a face at Kate as she took the phone to see Agner's name lit up across the screen. She pressed accept and put the phone to her ear. "I was just thinking about you."

"Fortunate timing then," Agner replied.

"I have heard it is everything," Andrea laughed. "I'm glad you called, I kind of need your help with something."

"Is anything wrong?"

"No,no," she reassured, "just need a favor."

"This is fortunate timing then. I also have a favor to ask of you."

"Perfect! Wait, what do need from me?"

"I'll tell you when I get upstairs."

"Upstairs?"

"I happened to be over on this end of the city and thought I would stop by … I hope that was all right …"

"Yes, yes of course. Of course it is."

"I just need you to buzz me in."

"Yes, ok! I am getting the door right now," Andrea jumped up causing the two sleeping kittens to tumble out of her lap.

"Hey!" exclaimed Kate.

"Oh sorry! Sorry!" Andrea gently picked up the kittens and gave them to an indignant Kate who began to make cooing noises as she glared at Andrea. Andrea paid her no mind as she ran to the living room and hit the buzzer for the door. "There. Are you in?"

"I will be up in a moment," answered Agner.

"Great, see you in a few. Bye." Andrea ended the call and looked around at the random things strewn about the apartment. "Shit." She immediately began to run around the apartment, gathering up the pieces of clothing and papers that were laying out. "Shit!" she cursed again as she took a bundle of clothes and looked around frantically for somewhere to stash them before settling on throwing them in Kate's room and shutting the door. "Shit! I mean really? Would it kill you to put a few things away every once and awhile." Andrea grabbed a pile of papers and stacked them together in a make-shift pile and then stuffed them under the sofa. "I mean, you don't have to pick up everything, just somethings you know?" She then grabbed the empty glasses that were scattered across the tables and tossed them in to the sink. "I know that I'm not the neatest person in the world either, you know? I just think we should start to try picking up a little more, you know, in case of company or something. Right?"

Kate said nothing as she stood leaning against the entrance to Andrea's room and nuzzled a kitten with her cheek as she watched Andrea run the apartment with an amused little smile on her face.

Andrea had stopped her flurry for a moment to survey the room when there was a light tapping on the door. An invisible line was suddenly tugging at her core.

She opened the door and did not even hesitate before embracing him, wrapping her arms around his neck. For a moment she stood there, taking in the heat of him. He smelled like sage and sun warmed spices fresh from the earth. She buried her nose in the crook of his throat and inhaled deeply, wanting to taste him on the back of her tongue. She felt his hands move around her waist to the small of her back and she turned her face up to his. As his lips parted hers she wondered how she could have ever stayed away from him for any amount of time. What had been the purpose? What was the point? Tongues flicked past teeth and she felt herself becoming heady, every touch intoxicating to her. He pulled his lips reluctantly from hers and Andrea thought she heard a low growl from somewhere. Had that been her?

"Hello," Agner's voice whispered low and throaty. Andrea felt her face begin to burn beneath his gaze. "Perhaps we should go inside?"

She blinked, and suddenly her world swung back into focus again. The glare of the bright florescent lights in the hallway was blinding. Andrea was grateful no one was around. Her face grew even hotter.

"Yeah," she laughed embarrassedly. What is wrong with me, she thought. It's only been a day! Andrea quickly dropped her arms back to her sides only to have Agner grab her hand and lace his fingers with hers, causing her embarrassment to subside somewhat.

They entered the apartment and Andrea closed the door behind them. Once the door was shut, Agner gently pulled Andrea to him once more and smiled down at her.

"So what brings you to this part of town?" she asked with a grin of her own.

"I was not aware I needed a reason," he replied.

"You don't," Andrea laughed, "I was just curious. You're a bit far from your stomping ground."

"I stomp where you stomp," he said as he leaned in, "for as long as you allow me."

Agner's lips met hers and she felt the familiar dizziness take over. Her longing for him came at her in waves and she could feel herself drowning.

"Ew yuck!"

Agner looked up while Andrea looked over her shoulder with a scowl as Kate strolled into the room.

"Why Mr. Aeluin," Kate exclaimed in mock surprise, "what a pleasant surprise. Whatever are you doing here?"

Andrea rolled her eyes but Agner smiled. "I am sorry to disturb you Ms. Macey. I hope you do not mind my intrusion to your space."

"Oh by all means, intrude away." Kate grinned as she sat down on the sofa. "And just Kate please, I think we can move on to a first name basis now."

"I could not agree more," Agner chuckled.

Andrea gave little groan and pulled herself from Agner's arms reluctantly. "Are you thirsty? Can I get you something," Andrea called over her shoulder as she walked around the counter and into the kitchen area. Agner shook his head as he followed her and leaned against the counter.

"No, thank you. I was hoping that you might join me for dinner though."

"Oh? You came all the way over here to ask me to dinner?"

"I just so happened to be in this area and thought I would stop by. Not that I wouldn't come all the way over here to ask you of course."

"Of course," Andrea laughed. "I guess dinner wouldn't be a bad idea."

"Good." Agner said pleased. He turned around to look at Kate. "You are welcome to join us if you like …"

"Oh, I think I'll pass this time," Kate answered from the sofa. "I have plans anyway."

Andrea walked from behind the counter and began to gather her things, shooting Kate a dirty look from the corner of her eye. "So, were you down here for work?"

"Ah no, not exactly."

Andrea gave him a curious look. "Not exactly?"

"No," Agner sighed, "although one might argue it was arduous. I was meeting Cirian."

"Your cousin?"

"Cousin?" Kate squeaked from the sofa. "You have a cousin? Here in the city? Is he going to dinner too? Because I might be free after all."

"Really Kate," Andrea said flatly, "really?"

Agner smiled. "No Kate, he will not be going to dinner too."

"Oh … yeah I'm busy."

Andrea walked over to where Kate sat and snatched her jacket from underneath her roommate with an abrupt yank and a disapproving look. Kate blinked innocently.

"Ok, I'm ready if you are," Andrea called out slipping on her coat.

"Wait," Kate suddenly exclaimed, "wait, wait! Just a minute." She jumped up from the sofa and ran into the other room, returning shortly with a box in her hands. She handed the box to Andrea. "You almost forgot this."

"It couldn't wait till after dinner?" Andrea asked.

Agner walked up behind her and looked curiously at the box. "What's this?"

"Ah yeah this. This is the favor I was going to ask you." Andrea opened the box.

Agner looked very confused. "Kittens?"

"Yeah, I found them around the side of the building. They were abandoned, at least I think they were and I need to find them a home. But we can't keep them here because of the deposit and allergies –"

Agner looked at Andrea. "Abandoned?"

"Yes. I think their mom is this black cat who used to hang out in the widow all the time but now we haven't seen her in a while so –"

"A cat in the window," Agner interrupted.

"Yeah. A little black one. She just showed up one day and started hanging out in the window."

"When."

"Um, I'm not sure. Last week maybe? Anyway, the kittens. We can't keep them here, the deposit is too much. I want to take them to a no-kill shelter but I'm not sure where one is in the city. I just need a couple of days to find one and I was hoping they could stay at your place till I do. I will get everything they need and clean up so you don't have too, I promise. You won't even notice they are there. So can they stay? With you? Agner?"

When Agner did not answer she looked up to see him staring intently down at the box. His face was void of expression but Andrea could not help but think he was troubled. No, she was certain he was troubled. Maybe he did not like cats. Maybe he saw this as an imposition. Perhaps he thought she was trying to dump them on him. Had she over stepped?

"Hey, don't worry about it," she said hastily. "They should be fine here for the night. We can keep them in my room where they won't bother anybody."

Andrea turned to take the box to her room when Agner stopped her. "No," he said. "It is all right. It will be fine. I don't mind."

"No, I shouldn't have asked. Taking in animals can be a pain. I found them, I will take care of them. Really, it is not a big deal."

"Andrea, I am happy to look after them … on one condition. That you will stay with me while I do. Agreed?"

Andrea felt her concern slowly ebb from her body as she smiled. "If you wanted me to stay at your place, all you had to do was ask."

"I thought I just did," he replied.

"You guys aren't going to start making out again are you," Kate groaned in the back ground. "How about I just pack your bag for you."

Andrea let out a slow controlled sigh. "Just give me a second ok?"

"I will take the cargo downstairs and bring the car around." Agner brushed a quick kiss across her cheek before taking the box from her hands and leaving the apartment.

She watched him go. She realized in that moment that she hated watching him leave. It was as if she had been filled and did not realize it until he was gone and the absence rushed back in. It was silly of course. Andrea had always prided herself on her ability to be alone. In truth she had liked being on her own better than anything else. But now, things were different. She was different. Andrea found she could not give up on love. Not this time. Not with him. From their first kiss she had felt something melt inside her that hurt in the most exquisite way. All longing and dreams and sweet anguish. All the secrets that slept within her had come awake. Everything was transformed now, enchanted. Everything made sense, when she was with him.

This was not what she had intended tonight. She had intended to stay away, but for what? Why did she wish to ride that tension between longing and aloneness any longer? No, this was not what she intended, but she did not care. She was going to give all of herself this time, wholly and completely. It was worth it. Being with him was right no matter the risk.

Agner waited outside his car in front of Andrea's building. His eyes scanned the streets as he opened himself to the sounds of the city. He was being paranoid. He had to be. It was just a coincidence that some stray cat had wandered to Andrea's window. There were stray cats all over the city, this one is no different. His eyes darted to the dark corners of the building. Nothing could escape his sight, not the sight of the Eldar. And yet Agner felt as if he were missing something.