A/N: So This chapter has kind of a...distant context throughout it. I hope you guys don't mind. I personally like how I wrote it, especially the ending. Hope you guys do too. Lemme know what you think and review? Next chappie should be up in 3-5 days. No guarantees though!

Hayden combed her fingers through her hair, scratching her scalp gently. The Shadow of Intent had begun its flight, passing through the Epsilon Indi system. Escorted by two smaller cruisers, the Assault Carrier's staff bustled about. She felt restless, her chest rising and falling with heavy breaths. The plant she excavated rested on a small table, sitting still, while she sat down on what would be a bed to the Sangheili. It wasn't comfortable in the least, but she was thankful for being able to lay down. Back aching terribly, she stretched her limbs out and sighed, feeling that her neck was stiff. The past four days had finally started to take their toll on her. Hayden had officially grown tired of so much excitement.

The Arbiter's words to her upon leaving her in the room troubled her mind. Shocked at the thoughts, she realized that she felt...off. Being away from him troubled her to a degree; perhaps it was her feeling of personal security. The Elites had a certain frightening appeal to them, and she knew she wasn't well liked aboard the ship, despite Ship Master 'Vadum's order. The Arbiter was different though. His presence offered her a certain security that she hadn't felt in a long time.

Two knocks on the doorway brought her out of her trance, her eyes blinking a few times. "Enter." She called, the door phasing open and re-sealing behind her visitor. "Did you forget something?"

The Elite shook his head, taking two steps closer to her. "The Ship Master would request your presence on the bridge as we continue our journey to your home world. I hope this does not trouble you."

"Arbiter..." She whispered, an unknown smile crossing her face. "What's the occasion?"

He bowed his head to her with a fist over the left of his chest. "Even I do not know what he calls you for." As his words left his mouth, Hayden became a little flustered, and seeing this look on her face made his heart grow with concern. "Are you well? Your skin is becoming pale."

She shook her head, hiding the slight confusion her face showed. "I'm fine, Ar...Thel. Thank you."

May 1, 2556, Earth, Sol System

"Sir, the UNSC stalwart-class frigate Howling Winter was destroyed three days ago, along with its crew. We have received no beacons from the Doctor or any of her men. The last transmission was seven hours before we lost contact. From what we can tell, they were engaged by enemy forces." A female marine spoke, holding her data files in hand. "What do you suggest we do?"

Lord Hood's expression grew annoyed, disgruntled Marines standing at attention behind him. His initial judgement of the Doctor's mission proved truer than he had wished. "Dr. MacMillan has a bio tracer. Can you find the signal?"

"No sir. Her vitals went blank after the frigate was destroyed."

He thought for a moment. Scratching his chin with his right hand, his left resting against his back, a heavy sigh escaped his lungs. "We'll wait a few days, then send a team to investigate Harvest. If they are dead, they deserve a proper burial. Inform the Chief of what's happened. Send him a message. He and I have business to discuss."

The woman nodded to him, forwarding his command to another of lower rank than her. She thought nothing of the scientist, or of Harvest, but Lord Hood's word was the law. Harvest could be left to rot, and nothing would happen either way. And yet, the Chief was being brought into the matter. What has this military come to... She asked herself, ashamed of her work.

May 1, 2556, Epsilon-Indi Epsilon-Eridani system border

We are closer to Earth... Harvest is a fair ways behind us now, and we will pass by Reach soon, may the souls of those who died rest in peace. Unlike Harvest, Reach was completely glassed. No life was spared when the Covenant occupied it. It makes me think... Earth once was close to facing the same fate. How we escaped it... Why we were the ones to live...

My mind is rambling again. I really must learn to control it. It's unbecoming of a professional such as myself. And besides, I've got important research to do once we touch down at the surface and everyone is done questioning me about everything that's happened. I don't believe that the Elites will stay long... They've got their own matters to attend to, and I'm sure that they have research of their own to do revolving around the Cartographer that they activated.

Concerning the Elites, Ship Master 'Vadum has had me attend the bridge for some time during each day. The reason as to why, I'm still unsure. Thel stays closer now, and again, I don't know why. Something appears to be troubling his mind. He's a tough one to get alone, and as such, I've made myself another challenge that I must accept. I intend to discover what he thinks, what troubles him.

However, I don't mind being surrounded by the Elites as much as I believed I would. Perhaps one day, our kinds may inhabit the same planet. We're not as different as many people think. Sure, the religious aspect and militant, along with the architectual aspects each have their differences, but we both have emotions, we eat, we sleep, we learn, and we fight. It just makes me wonder what would've happened and how things would've been between our races if the Prophets and Covenant had never risen up and started oppressing various races and star systems.

It's the second day here, by my time, of this journey... I long to be home... Soon, I suppose. Soon.

Dr. Hayden MacMillan

Leaning against a navigator's console, Hayden let out a sigh. "Ship Master, why exactly is it that you want me here? I know your people aren't fond of me, but throwing me at them almost seems like an insult."

Rtas chuckled, speaking in his native tongue to two of his pilots. "I simply want you to see something you will most likely never see again. It serves as a remind to us of how crazed the Prophets lies were. Someday, you and your people must face that reality, just as you are now."

She crossed her arms after pulling all of her hair over her left shoulder. A quick scoff was all it took to furrow her brow. "I do remember. I always will. I lost friends in the war, I saw our colonies obliterated... It serves as more of a painful reminder and a horrible memory than of a new reality." Her eyes trailed downwards. "I never again want to be drenched in the blood of another that was once called friend to us..."

He turned his head away, the shine of his armour changing angles. "Perhaps I have misunderstood your perspective. Would you care to tell me your story?"

Her eyes darted to his form, mouth opening a crack but no sound echoing through the room. Her body felt numb at the request, until a warm hand squeezed her shoulder. "Arbiter..." She whispered.

"We only wish to know so that we may understand." His voice called out to her, low as ever.

His touch soothed her nerves, her muscles relaxing beneath his grasp. "Is it really so important, Ship Master? I mean...why would you want to know about that?" Rtas stayed silent at the question, prompting her to begin. "Fine... I was on Reach early 2552, before the Covenant began their occupation. I was studying under Dr. Halsey, reading her notes from various military projects and such. When first word reached us of their presence, I was shipped back to Earth, as part of the reserve forces within the UNSC. I wasn't a true soldier, but I knew how to use a gun and how to act on the battlefield. I've killed and taken lives...

"I was shipped off of Reach in the middle of August, just before the total occupation took place, and sent back to Earth, where I was told we would be safe from Covenant forces, even if it was only for a little while. There, I continued collecting data and observing the progress of the SPARTAN II's and III's, and reading over former terraforming files. An odd combination, I know, but it's what I learned; what was necessary for me to learn.

"And then, as the Covenant discovered Earth, attempting to what they had with our former colonies, I had picked up a gun once more, and defended my research. And now here I am, still collecting data and testing my hypothesis' concerning Harvest and its rebirth. I've killed, and I know I'll kill again." She stopped, taking a quick breath, her hair swinging over her shoulder. "And I guess that's my story, Ship Master."

Rtas and the Arbiter remained silent, taking in the details of her affair. She was indeed a well-informed person, even though a small pang of guilt flowed through both of their bodies.

"Ship Master, Arbiter, I'll be in my quarters." She said, turning on her heels and heading for the door. "What's done is done. Things are better now. I hold nothing against your people, you know."

Laying back down on the bed-like construct, arms resting on her torso, Hayden closed her eyes and exhaled heavily. She was exhausted, despite having slept a great deal on the ship. Another day and a half, and then she would be back home, able to sleep in her own bed, take nice hot showers, and continue with her research.

Tension was growing once more between her and the Elites. But they were the ones who asked; she was just following the order. She could see how stiff they were throughout the re-telling, and it made her heart heavy. "I have no right being here..." She mumbled.

"And yet you are trapped here, should you view it that way. There is no denying that fact, Hayden." She sat up, looking around her room to see a shimmer, the Arbiter revealing himself. "We have both lost dear friends. Rtas is wrong to take offense to the past events that have transpired. Please know that I carry no hate within me."

Thel's words relaxed her, and she let her head fall with a small smile. "What exactly am I to you, Thel?" She asked, still smiling to him. She allowed her legs to hang over the edge of the bed. "Do I hold some kind of importance to you?"

"Why do you ask this?" He questioned, perplexed at the fact.

"Because you always check up on me, you've told me that if I need anything to let you know, and here you are, coming to make me feel better about making you feel like shit. Pardon my assumptions, but it seems as though I've made an impression upon you, and in only 4 days time, to boot." She paused, brushing her hair back. "Thel... why be so kind to me?"

"I do so because I must. You are not my enemy, Hayden. You have given me no reason to think otherwise, and as Humans are weaker than us Sangheili, you must be protected. That is why I remain close to you."

The odd spark reignited itself within her chest, and her face began to fluster. His voice truly was soothing, and in that instant, she wanted to press her body against his and hold him. It didn't make sense. How could she feel some kind of attraction to a Sangheili, to someone of a different race?

"Thel... thank you."