After walking a league, Zedd, Richard and Kahlan found a clearing. Unfortunately it would only be a few hours before the sun would come up,

and once it did they would have to start moving again. On top of that they still hadn't had dinner. In fact none of them, except Zedd, hadn't

had food for about two days. It would take a while before all the life that once graced the woods of the Midlands would be full of life again.

"Kahlan please say you backed the little bit of food we caught" said Zedd, after they bean to set up camp again.

"Yes Zed, I did." Kahlan says in a sleepy tone.

"Great! We can eat and hopefully have a good night's sleep" Zedd says with enthusiasm.

**************

Richard was watching guard for the night. He wanted to make sure that Zedd, expecially Kahlan got some sleep. Things weren't looking good

and they still had yet to get to Aydindril. Hopefully he could keep his hands of of her and his eyes. Looking at her led to the touching.

Touching lend to the wanting and the deep set ache that always seem to linger on the surface. The ache led to Kahlan feeling guilty. Nothing'

is ever easy!

Richard gets pulled out of his reverie by a noise behind him. He has his hand ready on the hilt of his sword when he hears

" Easy my boy. It's just me. Came to relieve you of your duties" said Zedd.

" Sorry. You don't have to, the sun will be up in a little while."

"I know my boy but even the Seeker is human. He needs his sleep. Now go, we will have to start moving in a little while."

"Okay"

Richard headed back to the camp, knowing that he needed sleep but not wanting to. When he came to the camp he realized that Kahlan was

still awake. He could tell by the way her body was angled. She never slept on her back, it left her too vulnerable to prey.

" Hey" said Richard, while watching Kahlan's face. Kahlan opened her eyes.

"Hey"

" You can't sleep?"

"Nope. I'm trying to but sleep won't come"

" You need to try, we have a long journey ahead of us" said Richard as he walked towards Kahlan. Kahlan quickly sat up and asked

"What are you doing?"

"I'm sitting next to you" said Richard, noticing the look of panic in Kahlan's eyes.

"Richard, I don't think that such a-"

"Kahlan"

"Richard"

"I'll keep my hands to myself, promise"

Kahlan had a skeptical look on her face. It seemed like trying to stay away from Richard was going to be harder than she thought. They sat in comfortable silence for awhile until Richard said

"I'm sorry"

"For what?" Kahlan asked, with a confused look on her face.

"For, you know" Richard trying to tell Kahlan without saying the exact words.

"...."

"Huh, for kissing you"

"Oh, don't apologize, I kissed you remember?" Said Kahlan, the guilt doubling.

"Yeah I do" said Richard, looking at Kahlan and feeling the ache beginning to spread again. Kahlan must of felt it too, because within a split second she got up and went to the other side of the camp fire.

"Kahlan, wait-"

"No, Richard I can't." Kahlan said, with tears shining in her eyes.

"Every time we get close to each other, something happens and I can't keep my hands off you. First I send you to the future and now you're at risk of being confessed because I can't keep my hands to myself."

"Kahlan, it wasn't your fault that I got sent to the future and I can't exactly keep my hands to myself either."

"But-"

"Kahlan, don't ever feel guilty for wanting me, for loving me. I would never blame you if we were to find ourselves in a position where I got confessed. Never fear your love for me. Never fear me. Never doubt the love I have for you. And don't worry about us. I make sure that no matter what, things between us won't go too far.

" Huh, I love you" Kahlan says, feeling her panic and worry dissappear. She has never doubted anything the Seeker says, so she'll take his word for it.

"I know. Come here, you need to go to sleep."

Underneath the stars, Kahlan and Richard slept. Even though things would get hard, they could get through it. Even if that meant keeping some distance between them or none at all.