Securities: Keller & Galen

Keller stood beside Iliana at the door, eyes wide and mouth agape. Iliana looked smug and knowing.

"You're what?" Keller asked. Galen smiled his fairytale prince smile and nodded.

"I'm going with you."

For a moment Keller couldn't even move.

"I set it up with Thierry. He thought it was a great idea, especially since Lupe had to bow out."

So now Keller could blink rapidly.

"Um… I can see when I'm not wanted, I'll just give you two a moment alone," Iliana said, half skipping to the door. She shut it tightly as she left, warding off anyone who might desire to enter.

"Keller," he paused. "Keller, are you alright?"

"Pr… pro… processing. Just give me a second." He nodded. She shook her head, hair flying around her. "Okay, I think I've processed it. Galen… Galen?"

Galen was staring at her looking awestruck. "Um… uh… okay." He seemed to regain his senses and smiled at her.

"Why?"

"Huh?"

"Why are you coming?" Keller asked.

Galen motioned over toward the couch. "Sit with me?" she nodded and sat. Galen sat beside her and turned toward her. "I… I heard you talking to Iliana. I was walking by and I heard."

Keller froze. "You… you heard?" he nodded. "Oh goddess!" she cried, twirling away from him and hiding her face in her hands. She didn't move.

"Keller? Keller we have to talk."

"Just leave me to die, I beg of you."

"Keller," he grabbed her arm and jerked her around. Galen did. Gentle, sweet Galen. Keller tried to stay away from him but Galen was using more force than she expected and so instead she ended up with Galen on top of her.

"Oh…"

Galen shivered. "Keller… you don't really believe that do you?"

"I know it."

Galen groaned. "At this rate you'll be the death of me." He dropped his face into the crook of her neck.

Tears started falling down her cheeks.

"But," he stated. "Death would be kinder than a permanent separation from you."

Keller yelped, shoving him off of her and rolling so she landed on her hands and knees on the floor. She didn't pause, instead she shot up and jumped away from the couch.

"NEVER SAY THAT AGAIN!" she shrieked. "YOUWOULD'VE BEEN BETTER OFF IF YOU'D NEVER MET ME!"

Galen followed her. "That's not true, Keller. I love you." He kept his voice steady. He shook his head. "No. Love isn't strong enough… They would need to invent a new word just to explain the way I adore you. With my entire being. Please, Keller. Please?" He reached out to her pleadingly.

She went into his arms without thinking. She started crying even harder. He held her tight like he was afraid she would vanish.

"I'm so…" Keller tilted her head up intending to tell Galen how sorry she was. But Galen's lips stopped her mid-word.

"Keller, oh Keller, you shouldn't be sorry. I should be apologizing to you. I should've taken better care of you."

Keller blinked. "Huh?"

"If I had taken better care of you, you would've known how much I love you and you wouldn't feel like this."

Keller pushed off his chest. "That's not true! You've always taken wonderful care of me!"

Galen brushed a lock of Keller's hair away from her face. She leaned heavily into his palm. "Oh Galen…"

Galen breathed out. "I love you. Forever and ever I adore you."

And Keller kissed him. And that said more than any of her word ever could have.