A.N: Thanks once again for the reviews.

Some notes about this chapter: I have finally got around to some real Kraine stuff...I realised that this was turning out more adventure/plot than Kratos and Raine relationship work, so I hope this will get that side of this fic back on track a little.

Warning: some very very vague references to sexual desire. I doubt anyone's going to be offended, but you know, I have to say it to be on the safe side.

And aren't you impressed by the update speed, btw? 7 days!

Anyway, I'll let you get on with the story now...enjoy!

Distance

Raine slumped against the stone wall her cot was lined up against, letting her head fall back and bang quietly against the grey concrete as she turned her gaze to the ceiling.

The day had gone by as slowly as usual, dragging on and on, filled with the monotonous task of documenting mana signatures and trying to decipher some kind of pattern within them. Everything was the same as the day before and the day before that…and the day before that. Nothing had changed.

Except…the information about the project was slowly coming together. Even today they had found out some extremely disturbing information about the project…namely the power source of the tracking device. That soft blue-purple light that spilled out from the machine they worked next to…was mana, half-elven mana.

It had only just occurred to Raine that it belonged to a person, but then, she had never really noticed it before having been too busy, her thoughts preoccupied with the bigger picture. The fact that it was a half-elf powering this project – involuntarily no doubt- did little to allay her curiosity about it though, nor did it answer why it felt so familiar. It was obviously a person she knew but still…the memory of him or her was stuffed at the back of her mind and refused to be dug out.

Groaning she slid down underneath the thin covers of the bed, curling herself into a ball in an attempt to keep some semblance of warmth around her in the frigid night air. Concrete proved to be a lousy insulator and she wasn't the only one suffering from the cold.

In the cell opposite, the two half-elves inside shivered, teeth chattering loudly, coughs and sneezes echoing around the room. However, Raine was the only person on their own in the room. At least they all had someone to curl up next to to keep warm if they needed to. She would've given anything in that moment to have someone curled up next to her at that moment, warming her, cuddling her, gentle hands stroking her hair, a soft deep voice soothing her, telling her that everything would be OK, that she was safe and that nothing could harm her ever again….

--

…The weight next to her shifted, changing its balance causing her to roll into a firmly muscled body, long-fingered calloused hands pulling her closer, one burying in her hair, guiding her to rest her head in the crook of his neck.

She snuggled in closer to his body, breathing in his scent, something powerful, yet gentle, intoxicating and soothing…like sugar and spice.

"I'll always be here…always next to you." The voice was deep and low, hushed, soothing her with its honeyed tones whispering words of love. His other hand grasped hers gently, guiding it to a strongly muscled chest to lie over his heart.

She could feel its rhythmic beat through the thin layer of skin and she pressed her hand against it more firmly, wanting to feel its security.

Unseen by her, he smiled gently and lowered his head to kiss her hair, his own dark auburn strands contrasting sharply with pure silver.

--

She bolted upright, startled by the dream's content and revelations.

Kratos.

Her heart beat almost painfully as the name flitted through her mind, his face brushing her minds eye. The idea of intense garnet eyes on her made her shudder and she reached up to brush her hair back from her face, leaning back against the pillows as she thought of him.

It had been 10 days since they had been kidnapped, and the longing to see her friends again was starting to set in…and none moreso than the ancient seraph.

A day hadn't passed since his return from Derris-Kharlan that she hadn't seen him and now ten days seemed an awful long time to go without his presence. At one point she had been seeing more of the ex-mercenary than her brother.

She pulled herself further up in the bed, wrapping the blankets more closely around her chest as she stared across the room, the cold suddenly forgotten as she remembered the first time she ever saw him.

She had thought him brash and arrogant. Her first impression of him was of someone with more muscle than mind, more strength than common sense and an irritatingly condescending streak, despite his supposed idiocy.

He had quickly seen to it that she saw he was anything but though, roughly telling her on the first day of their journey, when Colette was asleep of course, that she was not to assume that he was going to defer to her and that he would not tolerate being treated as an idiot by her.

'If you're going to assume that you can outwit me and manipulate me through superior intelligence, then I would advise you to go back to your village now. I will not tolerate that attitude despite my role here as a simple shield for the Chosen, understand?'

She had only been able to nod in response as he leant forwards to tend to the fire 'I won't fall for your beauty either.' He had commented and the words had taken her by surprise to such a degree that she started at them.

After that she had quickly grown to respect him, his intelligence, knowledge and experience saving their lives more than once.

She recalled that once she had got to know him, he wasn't nearly as bad as he seemed to be. He was harsh, but fair, patient and intelligent and though he didn't smile or laugh often, she got the sense that there was something holding him back from letting himself grow to like them, that he had kept his distance for a reason.

His looks had also proved to be a major factor though too and though Raine wasn't a shallow woman who was only attracted to men based on his appearance, there was no denying that she found him pleasing to look at. His looks complemented his demeanour perfectly, he was an unusual specimen, but alluring, strong and sharp with an underlying hint of softness.

Authority and power were the first words that would've sprung to her mind to describe him back then…his voice too. So wonderfully masculine, deep, low and soothing….like black velvet.

Of course, then he had betrayed them and her feelings towards him had changed to festering resentment, border lining on hatred for what he had put them through for his precious boss and former friend.

Then he had rejoined them, saved their lives and helped them save the world.

He had put her through a rollercoaster of emotion over the years she had known him, invoked feelings that every other man she had met had failed to do…and she was sure he knew it. He was well aware of the effect he had on people…

But over the past few years, her feelings on him had changed drastically, turning from friendship to…well, something more. He had moved to Sybak and taken on his teaching role a few months after he had returned from Derris-Kharlan…and she had been so relieved to see him. He had offered her an already familiar company, intelligent conversation, equality and of course, a wonderful view. It was a well-discussed topic among the academy's veteran students that Professor Sage really liked Professor Aurion and that despite her race; Professor Aurion probably liked Professor Sage back.

Some students had even gone so far as to place bets on who would make the first move…and more importantly, when.

Raine sighed at the thoughts, rubbing a hand through her tangled hair, working the knots loose.

Even if she and Kratos did like each other in that way…neither of them would act upon it…it had already been 5 years. She was far too scared of him rejecting her to make a move and Kratos…he was a real old-fashioned gentlemen sometimes. That was, he was letting the lady go first…that rule didn't really apply to dating and relationships, she had told him once in a late night discussion of such subjects, but that was a piece of information that he seemed perfectly content to tune out.

It wasn't as if Anna was even holding him back anymore…Kratos had stated many times that he had moved on from her death…it was merely that fact that he had killed her that made the difference. So with all these reasons, it didn't really make much sense that they weren't yet a couple…they were attracted to each other, well matched…and the race issue didn't bother either of them, whether it was what other people thought or their own ideas.

She turned on her side suddenly, trying to dispel the thoughts as if the movement would aid her. Needless to say, it didn't and she spent the next half an hour tossing and turning restlessly, trying to find a comfortable position that would allow her to drift into sleep.

There wasn't one and even if there had have been, her overactive mind wasn't about to let her get away that easily.

Admitting defeat to her mind and its desires, coupled with that of her heart, she slid beneath the covers, wrapping her arms around herself in a cheap, empty mockery of him, letting her mind drift back to thoughts of the angel and lull her into sleep.

--

It was early morning, or at least, Raine assumed it was for she was being woken by a guard a harsh gruff voice waking her, bringing her back to reality.

God she wished that dreams could come true. If that were the case, she and Kratos would be…she flushed at the realisation exactly what her dream had been about, hoping she hadn't let slip what she was dreaming about to all the other women in the room.

She had, it seemed, for a couple of the other women were giving her knowing looks, smiling and nodding at her, a few making comments about her dream's partner, how he must be very skilled when it came to the ways of love.

Grumbling to herself about her imagination she threw off the thin covers, instantly recoiling when cold air hit the bare skin of her arms, banishing the little warmth she had held a few moments ago.

"Hey Raine!"

The voice was way too loud for her liking, especially for this time of morning, but she was slowly becoming accustomed to it. Siofra was just being friendly anyway, and it was better than the alternative.

"Siofra, good morning." She replied standing up and stretching.

"It was, by the sounds of it," the pink haired elf commented, smiling wickedly. Raine rolled her eyes. "So who is he?"

"Sorry?"

"The mysterious, sensual dream man."

"Just…a man I know."

"Ohh! So he's real,"

"Well yes," Raine commented a little haughtily, walking out of the cell to join her friend.

"We get to shower this morning by the way, but I'll warn you now…the water's usual cold…although it sounds like that's just what you need."

The silver haired elf passed the younger girl a look of displeasure.

"I'm only kidding, Raine, relax."

"It's embarrassing enough as it is."

"What? The fact that you have an interest in a guy is embarrassing?"

"No but…"

"I hear ya, say no more, say no more," Siofra made a vague waving motion with her hand "Just one more thing…"

"Yes?"

"The man you were dreaming of…was it this Kratos guy you mentioned before?"

Raine shifted uncomfortably as she walked and Siofra bounced in excitement. "I knew it! Ha! I knew you were more than just friends…or at least, you want to be."

Scowling, Raine lifted her nose to the air and strutted past Siofra, taking a left once she was past the doorway.

"Showers are to the right!" Siofra called, grinning when a second later, a still high-nosed Raine strutted off the other way.

--

The morning had all been a bit hazy if she was honest, Raine thought as she and Genis took a break from their work.

The younger half-elf was staring solemnly at the large tank containing the mana of the half-elf that was powering the project. Raine herself was in a similar state, chewing thoughtfully on her lower lip…although she would bet her thought train this morning was a bit different from Genis'. Well, she hoped it was, otherwise she was going to have to have a chat with him.

"Raine…"

"Hmm?"

"…the half-elf powering the project…"

"what about it?"

"D'you think he or she is actually in that tank?"

"…I don't know, Genis…they're definitely connected to it all the time…"

"This is so cruel."

"I know."

"We have to do something! We can't just sit back and watch them do this!" The young man jumped to his feet and turned to look at her, bent forwards slightly, fists clenched.

"Genis, I understand what you're saying and how you feel but…there's not much we can do about it right now. We have to wait until we have a definite plan formed."

"And by that point he or she might be dead!"

"Genis think….how long have we been here?"

"Uh…this is the 11th day I think."

"And feel how much mana is being emitted from him or her."

"Yeah but…"

"The Saloth'sarians are keeping the subject in good enough condition that they'll survive for a good while. Long enough to power the project which they don't know how long will take…"

"But…"

"It's a terrible quality of life but at least they can still be rescued."

"We should be doing something to help."

"There's nothing that can be done for now.

"That's not true…"

"Don't even think about putting yourself in danger Genis Sage." Raine stood up to look her brother in the eye, her tone low and warning despite the fact that she had to look up to reach his gaze now.

"Raine, if we complete this project we'll be betraying our entire race to death! We can't do that!"

"I won't allow you to put yourself in harm's way." She grabbed her brother by the upper arms, staring him solidly in the eye.

"Fine." He answered, wrenching away from her grasp and turning to find a seat distanced away from her a little.

Not entirely happy that her brother had given up on the idea of self-sacrifice for now she studied him for a few minutes before she turned back to start working. For all her words, if Genis believed he should do it, he would regardless of her opinions. With age, the boy had gained his own sense of self and confidence.

She just hoped that his emotions weren't blinding him to common sense and leading him down a path of self-demise. She sighed and opened the door to the lab, walking inside.

Outside, Genis sat on the deskand kicked his legs, watching his sister work.

So there you have it, another chapter done. Hope it was long enough and that it appeased some of the Krainey longing stuff...also that my grammar was a bit better in this chapter. I think somone pointed it out that it was a bit off last chapter...but then again that could've been my other fic...I don't know anymore it's all a bit of a blur nowadays.

So, on to what I was actually intending to say before I started rambling - Certain elements of this chapter (as well as a Kraine fic that someone else wrote) ha inspired me to write a reflective Kraine piece. It doesn't tie in with this other than being some more in-depth reflections of what Raine thinks about Kratos. It'll probably be up in a few days to a week, if you're interested. Then again, if you're subsrcibed to my work, you'll be notified anyway. It'll probably be titled 'Black Velvet' or something along those lines if you want to keep and eye out for it.

If I don't update again before X-mas...Merry Christmas to you all!!

And now that I've blathered you to death...please push the review button.