Hello readers, thanks so much for reading up to here! I'm very grateful you stuck it out! So I was on holiday for the past week so to make up for the lack of uploads, I'll upload more chapters soon so get ready, the story continues.

The Soldier frowned watching Bane and Eclypsa together. He would be lying if he said that he didn't feel a twinge of jealousy. James was used to having Eclypsa all to himself. For the past month and a half, he had gotten used to having Eclypsa to himself and although he didn't say much, it was nice to hear her talk to him and spend the quiet evenings with her and the sky. He knew her pretty well now. Her favorite fruit were apples, her favorite color was blue. She hated being confined to the hospital and missed her freedom and independence. Eclypsa hated being at Bane's beck and call but she still had half a dozen patients still convalescing.

Bane put a hand on Eclypsa's face and James saw her body get taut in alarm and something in him to take a couple of strides forward with his wicked 10 in combat knife in his hands until-

SLAP! The sound of a small hand striking a face rang through the tranquil night. "Don't touch me," Eclypsa seethed, "Never touch me!" Eclypsa leapt to her feet and streaked towards her apartment.

Bane slowly stood and addressed James, "No man is to touch her. She is mine alone." Then he stomped off. James stood for a second considering what Bane said and sat down heavily, grinding his teeth at Bane's blatant claim on Eclypsa. No wonder she held him in such animosity, he treated her like a prize and James knew she had so much more to offer than arm candy.

James sat alone for a while then the scent of spices and flowers drifted to him. Eclypsa sat down heavily and leaned her body against his and rested her head against his shoulder. He tensed and she immediately moved away.

"No don't move, I mean if you're comfortable. I was just surprised you were even going to sit near me. I'm sorry!"

"Don't apologize!" Eclypsa smiles at him and James' heart skipped a beat. They were in brand new territory now. They have never touched except for during physical exams. Now she was sitting next to him in a man's dress shirt. After missions, he would wait until she finished with the other men and then get treated in the privacy of their place. After seeing his wounds and knowing that it wasn't his blood splattered over his body, James was surprised that she never really feared him. He would see mild disapproval in her eyes but never the fear and disgust many had.

Eclypsa picked up a rock, reached back and threw it as far as she could in frustration. After that night, Bane would occasionally join them on the roof and that, without fail, always put Eclypsa in a black mood.

"I hate him. I HATE him. I HATE HIM!" Her voice rose with each sentence.

"Why?"

Eclypsa's eyebrows rose. "Why?! Because he plans to cull half of the human race because of their lack of fitness. The superior human?! We are not animals that can be manipulated to breed for some favorable traits. A long time ago, the US did try something similar, the practice is called eugenics and it failed."

"How?" He asked. "Humans are weak. Maybe it is better to weed out the bad genes."

Her eyes flashed. "It failed because people fell in love. And you can't control love, it sweeps in like an unexpected rain. Even if you prepare, somehow you still get wet." James didn't have an answer to that. He felt her shiver and was grateful she changed the subject.

"Weather's changing. Winter is coming." He nodded in agreement and shrugged off his vest and gave it to her. Eclypsa slipped it on and said, "I'm so tired of wearing these clothes. Every day I'm wearing the same communal scrubs. Not that there's anyone to share with, but I really miss wearing clothes that fit!" James looked at her, then looked away.

"What?" She demanded.

"Nothing. Women." He said in mock disgust then smiled as she shoved him with her side.