Authors Note: Thanks to my beta for proofing this.

Disclaimer: Halo, Sangheili, Rtas, Thel/Arbiter and other canon characters belong to Bungie Studios/343 Industries. However, Original Characters, like Zeno, belong to me.

Chapter 10: Mistake

Zeno spent the majority of the morning contacting the appropriate human officials to inform them of his plan and to get their approval. Most sounded eager to stick it to someone like Ruro, while a couple were just shrugged their shoulders like it wasn't a big deal. Zeno found himself not terribly bothered if they cared or not, just so long as they approved of the transfer on their end. Now it was a matter of getting the needed paperwork started and to do that, he needed to contact Rtas, as Zeno did not have the authority to start the process himself.

Thankfully, it was daytime when Zeno put in his call to Sanghelios and Rtas was home. After explaining the situation, Rtas was understandably peeved about Ruro's actions. It turned out that Rtas did a bit of checking and it was discovered that the Second Master did not even bother informing their military leadership of Sani's desertion. The theory that Ruro wanted to resolve this without any of his superiors find out was proving to be correct, which in turn would make this plan more likely to work. The only snag was keeping the Second Master from actually reading the documents before signing them. Zeno hoped he would be able to 'convince' the Second Master that reading the material would not be needed.

Either way, it would be a few days for Rtas to finish things on his end, so Zeno had no choice but to wait. A wait that proved to be a bit testing, due to Sani wanting to be close a lot more all of a sudden, which made his decision to cut back on the affection with him that much harder. At first, Zeno assumed this desire to be close to him was out of nervousness of the upcoming event, but as time went on, Zeno realized Sani's actions were more out of genuine affection for him. It was proving to be a big problem, one that Zeno was not sure how to solve without breaking the man's heart. He did not want to have a repeat of what he did to Henun.

One day after his ambassador duties were done, instead of heading home immediately he stopped by the observation deck to try to figure out a solution. A part of him wanted to just let things go as they may, to see what happens. Another part of him though knew exactly what would happen, however, and the risk to Sani's life would increase and Zeno knew he would not always be able to protect him. No, he knew it would be best for both of them if the relationship never got off the ground, but how to break it to Sani?

"I was wondering why there was a black haze in here," a familiar voice said. Zeno turned to see his friend Luke approaching him. "What has got you thinking so hard?"

"Trying to figure out how to prevent a relationship from going any further," Zeno said quietly.

"Oh? Know a couple of a folks that you feel are not a good match? Didn't know you were the matchmaking type. Who are they?"

"You are looking at one…and the other…I know you heard about the stowaway over a week ago…."

"Ah yes, the Sangheili you took under your arm personally. Sani, his name is, isn't it?"

"Aye."

"So what makes you two so incompatible?"

"It is not so much that we are incompatible, but that it would be better off if we did not get intimate."

"Why not? It's the stigma of the semo thing isn't it?"

"No, I am past caring what other Sangheili think about my sexual orientation. Though I do suspect the High Council is just looking for an excuse to be rid of me: getting into a relationship with another male is just asking them to use that against me."

"I have heard rumblings of discontent about you from that area…," Luke admitted. "But there is more to this isn't there?"

Zeno sighed heavily. "I could not save Miko…and he had more combat experience then I did at the time. I know I cannot protect Sani from everything…."

"Zeno, of course you cannot protect him from everything: that is being unrealistic. It is a risk everyone who falls in love takes. As you obviously already know, the ones you love will not be with you forever, but the time you had with them is what makes that love worth it. Besides, so long as you are here, as the Ambassador of Sanghelios, you will have folks like me watching your back, and Sani's, should you opt to allow it to happen."

"So you think I should just let things run their course…."

"I'll be honest with you, Zeno: I may not see you as often as I used to, but ever since Sani arrived on the Cairo I've never seen you happier. I may not know much about your past, but I do know that if anyone deserves a chance at being happy, it is you."

"But at what cost?"

"Isn't love worth any cost?"

Zeno found himself honestly unable to answer that.

Couple of days later

Sani was a nervous bundle of energy: that morning, Sesai informed them that the documentation required for the transfer had been completed on Rtas end. He worried about whether or not Ruro would figure out the trick before things were finished and about Zeno, whom had been rather distant lately. At first Sani assumed it was just due to the upcoming conversation with Second Master Ruro, but he couldn't be thinking about that every free moment could he? He remembered what Henun said, that Zeno had demons to defeat: could that be it?

Maybe once I am truly free, I can see about helping him with these 'demons', he thought.

"Sani, it is time." He heard Zeno call to him from the living room.

"Alright," he called back before stepping out. Not surprisingly, Zeno was in his full ambassador armor get up. He caught a strange look on Zeno's face when he looked at him: it looked like a mix of longing and…regret? Sani didn't have the chance to inquire about it though, as Zeno was already walking out the front door, forcing Sani to job to catch up to him.

"Where are we going? Your office?" he asked.

"Main security office," Zeno replied simply.

"Oh," Sani figured it out quickly. "To help make this look legitimate, right?" Zeno only nodded in confirmation. This was definitely not like him. "Zeno, is something wrong?"

"No."

"Are you sure? You are usually not like this…."

"Sani, please, this is not the time."

Sani sighed, taking the hint. Yes, something was definitely bothering him and this time he was unwilling to talk about it. Perhaps he just wants to keep his focus on the task at hand, he thought. Yes, that has to be it.

He hoped that was it.

They arrived at the security station a few minutes later. To both their surprise, Joran and Henun where there. "What are you two doing here?" Zeno asked.

"I want to see the look on that bastards face when this is over," Henun said with a smile.

"And I must admit I am curious as well," Joran muttered.

"This will not be a problem will it?"

"Should not be, so long as you stay out of line of sight," Zeno said. Sani watched as Zeno walked over to a security official and whispered something to him. The man nodded and approached him.

"May I see your hands please?" the officer said.

Sani, a little confused, held them out, only to be shocked when the man put a pair of cuffs on him. "Wha-wha-wha…," he stammered, his eyes wide and shock and confusing running through his head. Looking around, he saw the two hashin looked equally confused, though after a moment Henun seemed to understand and whispered something to Joran, whom nodded. "What is going on?" Sani demanded.

"Quiet," Zeno said, his tone firm. "I have a call to make."

He was led into another room, tears tickling his eyes. What was going on? Is he really going to turn him over to Ruro despite his promise? Has he been wrong about Zeno all along? No, this has to be a ruse to help trick the Second Master! he told himself. By the spirits, please let that be so!

Sani listened as Zeno gave Sesai the appropriate call information. As they waited to see if there would be a response, Sani looked at Zeno. However, the ambassador did not even look at him, his attention completely focused on the holo projector in front of him. After a moment, the communication's officer that was on duty answered, to whom Zeno gave his identity and requested to speak to Ruro. A moment more, Second Master Ruro himself appeared.

-Ambassador Zeno, to what do I owe annoyance of this call?- the visage of the second master said.

"Now, now, Second Master," Zeno chided. "Is that anyway to address an important government official?"

The second master snorted. –The High Council could have done much better than to give the likes of you the position of ambassador. I pray there is some official reason you are bothering me?-

"As a matter of fact, yes. I have someone I believe belongs to you." Sani felt Zeno grab his arm and pulled him into range of the transmitter. "He was found stowing away onboard one of the cargo ships."

The Second Master visibly scowled. –Ah, so that is where that little coward ran to. I have big plans for him when I get my claws on his hide.- Sani could not help but gulp and try to shrink away a bit, but Zeno held him firm. –Are you able to send him my way, or will I be forced to wait until my ship arrives there in over three months time?-

"I can make the needed arrangements after the required documentation I am having the station AI send you at this moment is signed and returned."

-Documentation?- Ruro raised an eye ridge. –Why do I need to fill out paperwork for a troop that is assigned to my ship?-

"The humans love their paperwork, Second Master. They like to keep track of every transaction, especially when it comes to the transfer of important assets. Helps to pinpoint accountability should something go wrong."

-Humph, I suppose that makes some sense. Wait…if this is supposed to be from the humans, why do these forms look just like our….-

"The station AI, Sesai is very considerate, Second Master," Zeno said quickly. "She coverts the forms into our official documentation and back again for ease of reading for both parties."

-Humans and their damn AI….- Ruro grumbled as his holographic form started typing on an unseen console.

As he watched, Sani saw the slightest of smirks on Zeno's face. Relief immediately rushed though him: this was all part of the ruse. He then reminded himself that he was supposed to look depressed and frightened and did his best to fake it from that point on.

-There, it is done. When will I have him?-

"Sesai, when the documents have been returned, you know what to do."

"Affirmative, Ambassador." Sesai's voice responded.

"There are a couple more folks this documentation has to go through before I can begin to work on that," Zeno said, returning his attention to Ruro. "If you can wait a few moments, I will send you a copy of the finished paperwork."

-Why bother keeping me on for that?- Ruro asked.

"I like making sure such things arrived at their proper destination," Zeno said simply.

-Humph, whatever.-

"Ah yes, there is one more thing I wanted to talk to you about while we wait."

Ruro was looking increasingly annoyed. -And that is?-

"Since it is no longer needed, you may as well take that bounty of the kid's head."

-How did you….-

"A pair of hashin arrived shortly after Sani was apprehended. Seeing he is already in custody, they cannot claim the bounty. It would be a shame to have more of them show up looking for someone they can no longer claim when there are more dangerous Marks to see to."

-An astute point.- Sani watched as Ruro did more work on a console. –There, I have requested the bounty be removed.-

"And what luck, document has finished making its rounds. Sesai if you would please, send him a copy."

"Of course, Ambassador."

"Please let me know when you receive it, Second Master."

Ruro simply grunted in response, looking too eager to finally end this conversation. After a moment, he nodded in confirmation. It was that point, Zeno developed a wide grin on his face. "Thank you, Second Master. Sani will be much happier here." He then looked at the officer whom had been patiently waiting this whole time. "Officer?"

-What?- Ruro looked on confused as the officer walked over and took the cuffs off. –What are you doing! Why are you…- Everyone watched Ruro apparently started reading the documentation he just signed fully. His face went from confusion to shock and from shock to anger over the course of a couple of minutes. –You…you LIED to me!-

"Actually I did not," Zeno said smugly. "If you recall our conversation, I never actually said where Sani was being transferred to. If your memory is not what it is used to be, I can have Sesai send you the audio records. Besides, should not any individual that is in a position of power take care to read everything before he signs it?"

-You had no authorization to do this!- Ruro snarled. –Just wait until I inform you commander…the High Council!-

"Oh now you see, here is where it gets a bit sticky…for you."

-What are you talking about?-

"First off, I authorized this through Shipmaster Rtas, whom is also your superior, whom you did not inform about Sani's disappearance, let alone his superior or anyone else above you. You chose to go over their heads and hired hashin on your own: have you forgotten our own procedures for such things, Ruro? Therefore, as far as they are concerned, Sani never left the Shadow of Intent under the circumstances he did."

Ruro looked a bit disturbed, but quickly regained his composer. –And just how will you explain his sudden appearance over there when this ship is three months away?-

"One, Rtas has been wanting to transfer him somewhere for some time, so he had some paperwork already started. Two, if you would notice, the transfer date is set to 'immediate'. I feel both of those should answer your question."

Ruro just stood there for a few long moments, glaring daggers at Zeno. –You will pay for this, ambassador, I promise you.- The connection then cut off abruptly.

"Threatening me now? Boy is he working on his rap sheet," Zeno snickered.

"The look on his face was priceless," Henun said. "I had to fight to keep from laughing. Joran cracked a smile too."

"I did not…," the elder hashin muttered.

"Yes you did, do not lie."

"Alright…just a little…."

"You had me worried for a while there, Zeno," Sani said. "Especially when those cuffs were put on me…."

"Sorry about that. I hope you understood why I did that," Zeno said, slightly sheepishly.

"I did, after a while. What now though? Surely Ruro will protest this with the Council and the Shadow of Intent is still going to be here in three months time: Runi will no doubt try to get me back himself then."

"By then, your training should be advanced to the point where you can fight him off if needed. Regardless, you are free."

Free. It was such a nice word, but Sani knew better to considering himself free just yet. "I will not be truly free until I face Runi," he pointed out. "And win against him."

"That time will come, faster than you think. In the mean time, you need to continue your training and figure out what you want to do now that you are officially part of the crew here."

"I am sure we will figure out something." Sani then embraced him, though he wished Zeno wasn't wearing his armor. "Thank you, again, for everything."

It bothered him a bit when he noticed Zeno acted almost repulsed by the embrace….

Several days later….

Zeno was starting to get frustrated. Not only was the newest reoccurring nightmare getting worse, but Sani wasn't getting the hint that he needed to move on. Granted, he hadn't outright told him to move out, as he didn't want to risk him taking it badly, but at the rate this was going….

Worse, Sani was trying to be more and more affectionate toward him and it was getting harder and harder to resist the feelings building up within. He was starting to wish Henun hadn't left the same day they got Ruro to sign the transfer paperwork. Then again, he already knew what Henun would say: to let the relationship happen. No matter how much he tried to rationalize that getting into a relationship was a bad idea, these feelings persisted and the longer Sani stayed, they got stronger. It was starting to make him very grumpy and he feared he may snap at Sani without meaning to.

Then, one day, things just fell apart completely.

Zeno was looking through a list of available rooms on the station, trying to figure out how to get Sani to leave without hurting him when Sani came into the room and nuzzled him. "Sani…please!" Zeno said abruptly, a bit harsher than he wanted.

Sani immediately jumped back, looking a bit surprised and hurt by the outburst. "What is wrong, Zeno?" he asked. "Ambassador duties frustrating you?"

"I am frustrated, but not about my job."

"What is bothering you then?"

Zeno sighed heavily, taking a moment to find, hopefully, the right words. "Do you remember what I said when we first met? Specifically about where you would be staying?"

It took a moment for Sani to answer as he thought it over. "I remember you mentioning you did not have any VIPs coming over for a while to your knowledge and that I could stay for the time being."

"'For the time being'," Zeno echoed, empathizing the phrase. "I also mentioned you would be in my personal care until things are sorted out."

"What are you trying to say?" From the look on Sani's face, he knew exactly what he was saying. Zeno had a bad feeling Sani wasn't going to take this well at all, but knew he had to persist.

"Your record is clean now, there are no hashin after your head and Ruro no longer has any authority over you. Thus there is no need for you to continue staying here."

"But I want to stay here," Sani protested.

"You cannot."

"Why?"

Zeno rubbed the back of his neck, again trying to find the right words. "It is for your own good…."

"My own good?" There was an edge to Sani's voice now.

"Yes. You cannot remain dependent on me," Zeno said, saying the first thing that came to mind. "Now that things are sorted out, you no longer need my protection: you can start the new life you wanted. I can cover your rent until you become financially independent…."

"But I want that life to be with you." Sani put his hand on his shoulder, his voice soft with a hint of sadness to it, his eyes showing a hint of tears

Zeno turned his head away as he closed his own eyes and brushed his hand off. "I am sorry, but I cannot allow that…."

"Why not?" There was that edge to Sani's voice again.

"I…I just can't…." There was a tense silence, Zeno afraid to look at Sani, but knew he should. When he did, he wished he hadn't: there was so much hurt in Sani's eyes. "I…I am sorry…," he started to say. "But it really is for the…argh!" Pain erupted on his face as Sani slapped him. When he refocused on him, he saw not just hurt, but anger in those yellow-green eyes.

"You selfish, insensitive, cold-hearted asshole!" Sani snapped at him before storming toward his room. "You want me to leave? Then I'll leave!" Zeno watched in numb, shocked silence as Sani gathered up his belongings, stuffed them into an empty trash bag and stomped toward the door, hot angry tears in his eyes. "Farewell, ambassador." Sani snarled as he opened the front door, and then slammed it shut behind him.

Zeno started at the door, tears starting to stream down his face as a pain greater than he had ever felt before erupted in his chest. He just learned the hard way, that death is not necessarily the most painful way to lose someone you love. Zeno knew now, not only that both Henun and Luke had been right, but that he just made a terrible, terrible mistake….

A/N: Those that want to bitchslap Zeno, the line starts here *points*