A/N: Whew... things are starting to lean toward the more romantic side side now, and I think I'm mostly done with the science... Don't take my scientific info as completely true though, ok? I only took my bio 20, not bio 30 or AP bio . ... and even then, its been... my god, three years now since i took that stuff... O.e time DOES fly by after school...

Anyways, I really do wanna know what you think about this story! I have 4 or 5 people with this story on alert, and I'd love to hear what you have to say. Not that I'm a review whore or anything, I just want to know people's opinions... Hell, send me a pm or something if you like. I try to respond when I can =)

As for the ending of the last chapter, I finished it at... 12:30-is last night i think... and i work today and tomorrow, and have a fucking doctors appointment friday... if that gets moved again, im telling them to go fuck themselves, and that if I wind up in the hospital again, then I wind up in the hospital again... . But hey, that means more time to write =D

Enjoy!

April 30, 2556

My readings weren't...off, but what I found was not what I had hoped. Even then, the prospects of my find still baffle me to a degree. How is it that a plant can survive in a snowy and cold environment? At least on Earth, this kind of thing makes sense. I suppose I should be happy though. All I need to do is collect various dirt samples, replicate the DNA strain of the plant, and see if new sprouts will grow. That's another issue in itself, and I'm afraid that I won't be able to collect the last samples.

The Elites have been very hospitable, and more. They've offered to take me home, and as I've no way back besides that. It has also been stated that I have no choice in the matter. I should ask about going to the old towns and cities here on Harvest before we leave. Four should just about do it, and then I can go on from there. I hope that this request doesn't trouble the Ship Master. I feel slightly unwanted as it is, and I hope to not trouble him and his people any more than I already have.

On another note, and a different topic, the Arbiter has become... closer. I would never have thought that Elites would be so fascinating, and yet, they are. He, too, seems interested in humans, and doesn't mind my presence. This may be because of his past alliance with Sierra-117 during the HC War, but at least one of them welcomes me.

I should meet with the Ship Master and request what I must. I'm sure that they wish to leave soon, and I won't have another opportunity. My Research will be halted, and Harvest will never live in our hands...

All the peices are coming together now...

Dr. Hayden MacMillan

"Ship Master, I know I've troubled you and the Elites, but I must ask one more favour of you!" She pleaded, the Supreme Commander not paying any attention. "It won't take long, I give you my word. Please, you must let me go down to the surface."

"To what end?" He questioned, watching the stars. "I will not lose another one of my Brothers. We may have an alliance with your people, but these are my men, my Elites. And I would see them safely home. Their lives matter more to me than yours ever will, Human."

Hayden sighed, carrying a small pod in her hands. Inside, the ice-encased plant hovered, shimmering with the changing angles of light. "Understandable... Very well." She said, bowing her head and turning around on her heels, brushing past the Arbiter as she left and he entered the bridge.

The Arbiter's gaze followed her, noticing the dark, sullen expression on her face. Somehow, it troubled him, agitated his mind. Below the ornate armour that decorated his body, the veins rippled underneath his skin. "We make for Earth then?"

"We cannot linger any longer, Arbiter. We must return home, and so must she. You know this as well as I do, Brother." The Ship Master answered, telling his pilot to plot a course for the Humans' homeworld.

"Were it so easy, Brother..."

Hayden had set her sprout on the ledge of the windows, watching the stars pass them by as the repulsor engines began to wind up. Her body felt heavy, and her arms cradled her own self once again. Her recovery from the surface seemed to glow in the pale light, her eyes holding the reflection of it. She ran her fingers through her hair and closed her eyes, turning around and leaning against the glass wall. "I did what I could..." She mumbled to herself, thinking about what the outcome would be.

"Please forgive the Ship Master. We did indeed lose our brothers when fighting for the relic. It grieves his heart."

Her head jolted to the left to see the Arbiter standing there in plain sight. "How long have you been there?" Her voice wiggled out, shaky with surprise.

He took two steps towards her. "Long enough to see your sorrow. He means well, I assure you. You still have not given us your name, and I can understand why. But, I would find it a privilege if you would allow me to call you by something other than Human."

He saw a tiny spark of sincerity in his eyes, her hands reached for her frozen plant. "Do you have a name that you can give me, or are you only known as Arbiter to even your people?"

The Arbiter thought for a moment on the matter, bowing his head to her. "My name is Thel 'Vadam, but I ask that you only call me by this when we are in solitude."

Hayden chuckled at the musing statement, thinking for a moment. Perhaps it would be a scar on his reclaimed honour for a Human to call him by his true name instead of the 'honoured' rank. Her eyes met with his once more and a smile crossed her face. "Call me Hayden then, at all times." She spoke, eyes trailing down his chest to where she saw an odd mark beneath his armour.

"The Mark of Shame. It was burned into me when I first became the Arbiter, only to delay my death. I will die as this, nothing more nothing less." He spoke quickly and quietly, taking her by the wrist and pulling her along. "I must show you something. Come."

And so he lead her through halls and corridors of the ship, Sangheili of all rank standing aside and bowing their heads to him as they passed by. She tried to reason with him, attempting to ask where he was taking her, but then they stopped. He had forced her into a small, circular room with a glass dome acting as the ceiling.

"This is the Anduli Nebula. My Ancestors once claimed it was the home of the Gods, and the Prophets deemed it as holy. Neither of these claims were true." He began, his eyes staring up at it without fault. "The Forerunners have built across all systems, and yet, none have ventured into the stars. My people wish and pray upon it for luck, hoping that what we ask will come to us. I bring you here to see this for one reason, and that is so you may place a hope among them." His gaze turned to her, her face and hair illuminated by the light given off and something within him was given a spark. A strange feeling to him, he paid no heed and went back to focusing on what the ship was passing by.

"And what should I hope for?" She asked him, not wanting to offend.

The Arbiter thought for a moment, seeing a light grow in her eyes. "Whatever it is that you seek, something you long dearly for."

The pod she carried grew warm in her hands, and her gaze shifted to it instead. Still glowing, it became to clear to her that it had a minor bio-luminescent property, and a smile crossed her face once more. "Alright then..." She said, closing her eyes and bowing her head, waiting a moment before looking up and back towards the stars. The ship had bypassed the nebula, and the Arbiter himself had bowed to the celestial being. "Thel?"

His head lifted upon his name being called, and her gaze stood solid, capturing his in return. "Did you send a hope?" She nodded to him, and he did the same. "I will take you to your quarters. We will arrive at Earth in three days, human time. You should rest."

"What will you do, Thel?"

He thought for a moment, taking time to consider her words. "I will stand by Rtas' side and do his will, but should you need me, please do not hesitate to ask for me. Please, come."