Hello everybody. A new chapter ready.

Veronica tries to explain Kathy, why Acxa had rejected her help. And she searches for some answers, her girlfriend had denied. I wish all of you a lot of fun with this new chapter.

Comparing Lessons

Veronica took seat on the bed. Kathy had recognized the cloths on her wrists. The woman observed the big scar in the face of the child with sadness but then she nodded at the child.

"Yes, I have hurt myself a bit. But it's not serious. It will heal fast."

The little girl stroke carefully over the cloths. She kept focused on the injury.

"Why Acxa don't want help with nightmares?"

The question touched Veronica. She knew her girlfriend. Her high pride and the high standards, she was putting on herself more than on all others. She must be in deep trouble. And to be worst, without orientation. An unacceptable situation, in the Galra's opinion.

"Because she's used to handle things on her own."

To her surprise Kathy's face changed. The sadness about her rejection was replaced by some sort of relief. But also worries followed.

"But she has 'ou. 'ou nice too."

"Because war had taught her different, too."

Kathy and Veronica turned back the doorway. Jessy was standing in it. The little girl nodded with a sad knowing face, but Veronica's look was surprised.

"May I come in?"

Veronica nodded at the question of the big girl and Jessy entered, took place beside Kathy and started to stroke her head.

"Freyda and Ronan are nice, too. Warm, gentle and caring. They have saved us, but it has took a lot of time until I was ready to accept and believe in this new chance. War has taught us all different."

She faced Veronica's teary eyes.

"We both understand, why she reacts this way."

Veronica also started to rub the knuckles of the kid. Kathy instantly snuggled at Veronicas arm, continuing rubbing carefully her wounded wrists. The eyes of the woman widened in confusion and surprise. Jessy's face seemed to be hurt for a moment, but then a weak smile grew on her lips.

"She loves Ronan and Freyda. Both doing their best to fill in the holes, our losses have left."

Now tears also came to the big girl's eyes.

"But I have never seen Kathy so open and happy before she had met Acxa."

"She knows the melody."

The teary look of Kathy was facing a spot in another time and place at this moment. Veronica couldn't suppress a tearful sob anymore. Instincts took over and she hugged the child. Kathy and Jessy let her do so.

"Acxa has hummed a melody for her in the hangar of the lion. Freyda is always humming the same melody for the kids. It's a Galran lullaby. I'm sure, Acxa doesn't have a clue, but she should be careful. Kathy's scar goes deep and it shows all her loss. I won't let anyone open this scar again."

Kathy turned to the trembling big girl and hugged her as well. She observed Veronica's shocked and sad face.

"She helped healing outchy."

Veronica was pale and teary. So much pain. She was completely sure, that Acxa didn't know, why this child came here in the middle of the night, but she had now. And she saw the determination in Jessy's eyes as well. Kathy's words had told her enough to understand. She didn't need the cruel details to fill in the blanks. Kathy had somehow seen a part of her new found family in the half-Galra. Maybe because Freyda was a Galra as well and had cared for her as well. She was Acxa's partner, so she got credit from the child. And it seemed, that Jessy was willing to give her some credit, too. She saw, that the situation was also hurtful for the girl, but the teenager tried the best to keep a straight face.

Jessy stood up and took Kathy's hand. She was about to leave with the child, when Veronica's trembling voice made her stop.

"Freyda had talked with Acxa in the treatment room in Galran. Acxa doesn't want to tell me, what she had said to her."

Jessy frowned at Veronica.

"Maybe I can. I'm still learning, but I can give it a try."

Veronica noticed the curiosity, the teenager was showing. It seemed, that this was a chance to get more information, Acxa had denied. She tried to remember the words.

"I think it was Fassum voz vocas."

Jessy's eyes widened in shock.

"You mean Fazzum voz vocaz."

Veronicas look got alarmed as well, but she nodded.

"How has she answered?"

Her voice was deeply worried and it was an urgent need for an answer in it. Veronica felt a little panic rising in her.

"Aszivi."

Jessy released a shocked gasp. But she relaxed a bit as well. But Veronica was visibly in panic now. It must be something bad lying within these words.

"What does it mean."

Jessy hesitated. She was struggling with an answer. But it seemed, that she was finding the right words.

"It is an old ritual greeting. The construction is used by messengers, when the owner, who addressed this greeting to another Galra couldn't or shouldn't do it in personal."

She recognized the confused look of the woman.

"Ronan and Freyda talk Galran and they have talked about the culture of them. Freyda is teaching me also. It was my wish to learn more about them. The translation is: Fate is calling. And Acxa had told Freyda, that she had heard the call."

Veronica was about to ask more but Jessy raised her hand.

"Talk with her, seriously. She might have told you, that this is not your business, but it is. Be gentle, be patient, but be relentless."

Veronicas panic was about to take over, but Jessy walked back with Kathy and after a little hesitation she placed a hand on her shoulder.

"You're worried, you should be. But due to all I know, your Amarzzari has given the best answer. She has successfully avoided more trouble for now. She has time now to get prepared." She faced her worried look. "I'll see, what I can do to help."

Veronica recognized, that Jessy also seemed to be worried about him. So she decided to give Jessy some more information.

"Acxa had mentioned, that she is sure, that he knows her, and that he seems to have bad memories. But she seems to have no idea, who he is."

Kathy shared a worried look with Jessy, who frowned at this news. Veronica was sure, that some of her color had faded from her face.

"I'll talk with Ronan or Freyda, you with Acxa."

She wanted to leave, but Veronica has stood up and reached her half way to the door and turned her around. Fear and worries were in her face.

"This is really bad, isn't it? For both Acxa and Ronan?"

Jessy bit her bottom lip, but her eyes were flickering.

"He has saved her life, so I owe him something. If I can help to keep him out of danger..."

Her face felt, as Jessy shook her head. She was struggling with herself and finally got down on her knees to cover Kathy's ears.

"Love, trust and patience. Show this your Amarzzari. And if you think, she is ready to open herself, ask her about Tantalus. It's a suggestion of mine."

Veronica noticed, that Jessy looked like she had betrayed Ronan. Tears were glittering in the corners of her eyes. The woman was sure now, that her suggestion was right. It must have been something really bad, which meant trouble for both. And enough trouble, that Jessy was willing to share an information with her, she normally wouldn't have told her. Maybe she would also talk with Freyda first, before she would ask Acxa. And she would check the files on Atlas. But for now she understood, what it must have cost Jessy to dare this step. So she smiled warm and thankful at her.

"Thank you. And don't worry. I'll do all I can to protect Acxa and your…"

Veronica barely managed to stop talking, before the word 'father' could escape her lips. She wanted to curse herself silently for being so careless and tactless. Jessy eyes filled with tears, but to Veronicas surprise, the girl nodded at her.

"I have never called him so. He couldn't replace my father. No one could. But..."

She stood up and took a deep breath.

"He has become a second one for me. Like Freyda has become a second mother."

Veronica also got wet eyes again, as the teenager wiped away her tears. Kathy was stroking the back of Jessy's hand.

"I have lost my family, but I have found a new one. And I'll fight for them, if necessary."

Veronica understood. She nodded back.

"So do I."

She earned a respectful nod from Jessy as a goodbye and both girls left the quarter.