A few days later Kiryk noticed that Jennifer had once again withdrawn from the family that was looking after them and had slipped outside into the darkness. Concerned, he too left the warmth of the house and tried to find Jennifer and ensure she was okay. When there was no obvious sign of her he began to walk round the village until he saw her standing at a familiar place, which brought a small smile to his face.

"Are you okay?" Kiryk asked as he approached Jennifer, noticing she was once again staring at the, now worn, piece of paper.

"Yeah, I just needed some air and to think." Jennifer replied attempting a smile. When she didn't go on Kiryk chose not to push her. Instead he said.

"This spot is where we first met."

"You mean where you stunned me and kidnapped me?" Jennifer asked, trying to smile.

"Yes." Kiryk conceded. "My life took a different path from that moment. This planet marked a new beginning to my life."

"Is that your not so subtle way of saying I should stay and make a new life here?"

"Only you can choose the path that's best for you."

"I hate advice like that." Jennifer muttered before asking. "What will you do?"

"As you do."

"Kiryk, I appreciate everything you've done for me, but you don't have to stay with me."

"I know." Kiryk said before asking. "So what stops you staying?"

"If I stay it's as….to stay means accepting my old life really is gone. I know it's stupid but …"

"It's not stupid." Kiryk assured her placing an arm round her shoulder before stating. "There is something else."

"Yes." Jennifer finally confessed, but then didn't explain further prompting Kiryk to ask.

"Do you want to leave?"

"No. I want to stay, but I can't."

"Why?"

"The Wraith could still be after me. If they are, me being here will put the planet at risk."

"How would they find you?" Kiryk asked, reasoning, "if you had a tracker they would have found you by now."

"You found me when you needed a doctor for Celise." Jennifer pointed out. "People talk."

"People talk in front of other people. They tend not to in front of Wraith." Kiryk countered.

"Wraith worshippers are human not Wraith." Jennifer argued before saying, her eyes welling with tears. "I want to stay, but I can't be responsible for any more deaths."

"So you'll live in isolation?"

"You did."

"I thought I had no one." Kiryk countered. "You proved me wrong."

"All the more reason that you should stay here regardless of what I do."

"Even if we stay Celise's place is not with me. I have cost her one family I won't take her from another. Erran and her family have taken her in and treated her as their own. She deserves to be happy and being with Erran's family makes her happy. This is her home now. They are her family."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. Seeing her happy is enough for me. She has a new family and although it does not atone for what I did to her family it helps."

"What happened is not your fault." Jennifer said taking hold of Kiryk's hand.

"Nor is what happened to your people your fault. Yet the guilt still lingers."

"Yes it does." Jennifer sighed. "But thank you for everything you've done. I couldn't have done this without you."

"Yes you could." Kiryk said firmly before adding, "but it's my pleasure."

For a moment the pair of them stared at each other not sure of what to say. Then Kiryk lent down and kissed Jennifer before almost immediately pulling away. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that." He apologised as he tried to step away from Jennifer. He then felt Jennifer snag his hand and tug him towards her.

As much as he wanted her he cared too much to take advantage of her, again. He tried to hold his ground but when he looked at her he felt himself wavering. Instead of seeing the raw fear, lust and desperation that had led to their last intimate encounter this time Jennifer's eyes were calm and controlled. As Jennifer lifted herself on to her toes she raised a hand to Kiryk's face and pulled him towards her. Unable to fight his feelings any longer Kiryk wrapped his arms round Jennifer and tenderly kissed.

"Kiryk!" Celise called as she ran towards them causing the pair to pull apart and Jennifer to redden. "What are you doing out here?" the girl asked as she ran up to Kiryk. "You're missing everything."

"Everything?" Kiryk asked amused.

"Yes everything." Celise replied matter of factly as she took Kiryk's hand. "Come on let's go." She demanded. When Kiryk remained unmoved apart from a quirked eyebrow Celise tugged harder on his arm.

"I think she wants us to follow her." Kiryk commented to Jennifer, whose cheeks still burned red from the passionate kiss they had shared.

"She does seem determined." Jennifer replied as Celise used her free hand to grab Jennifer and attempt to pull her along.

"Well then I guess we better go." Kiryk said relenting and allowing Celise to pull him towards the village. As Celise continued to tug the former runner glanced over at Jennifer who was also being pulled along by the girl. As he looked over he saw Jennifer stealing a glance back at him. The pair smiled at each other and continued to walk towards their new home.

A/N: Thanks for reading and reviewing. Next chapter up on Saturday.