A/N: So, this is the longest chapter yet, though not by much... And I'm proud of it. Just a heads up, theirs a bit of alluding to same-sex relationships in this one, but nothing serious or highly sexual.. This fic is rated T for a reason, and will stay that way. Please enjoy, and let me know what you think! Leave a review or PM me!

May 3, 2556, edge of the Sol System

The Ship Master has pulled us out of slip space, and we're not far from Earth. It's a shame to say that I actually think I'm almost home. Despite longing for my own, nice, warm, and very comfy bed, I'll miss the Sangheili. My accommodations on The Shadow of Intent have definitely not been the best I've ever had, and yet, this journey has been the most exciting.

Thel and I were talking last night, exchanging tidbits of information about our respective race and culture. As a race, their religion thrives around the history of the Forerunners, while their politics seem to come from military rank and social structure. Those who wield energy swords, or a blade of any kind, are aristocrats, high ranking members of the society, and are not allowed to marry, yet can mate with whomever they choose. Along with this, it seems that bisexuality is common among them. This does not surprise me in any way whatsoever. They call each other Brother, as a term of respect in honor, but in some cases, also endearment. The Ship Master, Rtas, and Arbiter Thel seem to express this kind of relationship and care for one another. I admire them... Perhaps someday, I'll find who I'm meant to stand beside, no matter what...

However, at the end of this journey, chances are very likely that I'll never see or speak with these Elites ever again. That is, if the Covenant truly has dissolved.

Speaking of the Covenant, if they haven't dissolved, why was their presence at the northern pole of Harvest so strong? Who would be leading them? The High Prophets Truth, Regret, and Mercy have all been killed. Tartarus of the Brutes, though intelligent for his kind, isn't smart enough, and the Jackals and Grunts are both submissive by nature. The logic behind the occurrence just isn't there.

Sigh... I suppose I should stop babbling and get down to business. The plant I extracted still lives, but it is beginning to wilt. The ice surrounding it finished melting three hours ago. I'll need to extract its DNA as soon as possible upon reaching Earth's surface, and my lab, before it dies completely. Even if I don't have the soil samples I need, I can still make some progress as to Harvest's rebirth.

...It's getting late, and I've a meeting with Lord Hood to prepare for upon touchdown. There's no doubt in my mind that a very heated debriefing will end up taking place. And in knowing how he always seems to have a stick up his ass, pardon my saying, I'll most likely be reprimanded for something. Maybe, if I'm lucky enough, Sierra-117 will be present to mock me too, or even Dr. Catherine Halsey, the old bitchy bat. Come to think of it. The only reason I do look forward to returning to Earth IS my warm, comfy bed. If luck was on my side, I would continue to travel with the Sangheili, but that course of action isn't open to me at this time. If only I were so lucky...

Time to face the truth, I suppose...

Dr. Hayden MacMillan

Her eyes ached from watching the stars fly past. Red and bloodshot, she hadn't slept in over 28 hours. Ship Master Rtas 'Vadum had asked her to remain present on the bridge for a duration, and then was accompanied by other Elites to complete various tasks aboard the ship. The Arbiter Thel 'Vadam had begun to distance himself from her, forcing her eyes to wander towards him. He rarely stood near, and hadn't kept a protective hand over her since they had last spoken alone, and it was finally started to get to her.

Annoyed, and finished her tasks aboard the bridge, Hayden retired to her quarters. Earth was only three hours away, and her journey would be over. She would be able to take a warm bath and relax, after a meeting with a furious Lord Hood and other dignitaries. Her mind had come to face the reality that even if she wanted to stay with the Elites, she wouldn't be able to. The fact that Thel had begun distancing himself from her only made such a statement true. He was mated to Rtas, and even if that assumption was wrong, she was Human, not Sangheili.

"Why must my mind torture me like that?" She mumbled to herself, sitting on the bed. "I'm a scientist, and I've got work to do on Earth... I need to stop kidding myself. That's all... Just gotta keep focused, and everything will be back to normal soon enough."

A shiver climbed up her spine and ended at her shoulders. The reality had hit her, but not in the way that she had hoped it would. She had to seek him out. The next three hours would most likely be her last chance.

Thel was restless. Three years had gone by since he'd set foot on the Humans' homeworld. He knew not what to expect, but were he to meet with the Spartan once more, he would request that Rtas allow him to stay for at least one days' time. They had fought side by side, and forged a bond that only Brothers of the Battlefield knew. And a small part of him had to admit that he missed the Spartan's construct. She was very inquisitive for a construct, and her structure entertained his mind.

Then there was Hayden to consider. They had grown close over the past few days, but she had grown too attached. There was no stopping their separation. Even as the Kaidon of the State of Vadam, and a made "Ambassador to Earth," he couldn't linger there for too long. There were always matters that would need his attention at home.

And somehow, he felt as though he would miss her company. His sword wouldn't steel itself against such thoughts. Perhaps even if there was just one last conversation awaiting them, it would ease him.

Hayden had searched the corridors and various halls from the Arbiter, with no luck of finding him so far. And as such, they had just made it past Neptune. Time was indeed running short. He wasn't on the bridge, the dining hall, the hangar bay, or his quarters. Only one room was left for her to search: the combat hall.

She was told that Elites, new and old, would gather there to duel one another, and to sometimes participate in a chain of duels to prove who was strongest and would preserve their honor. Knowing what it was and how they used it wouldn't help her find it though. Thel had only shown her once.

Then, two elites exited a room behind her, both in full combat gear with weapon holstered on their thigh. She hesitated to ask them, and instead ventured inside.

The room was dim and bare, being a large empty space. Surely this wasn't the right room. Looking around, she toyed with her hair and spun around, looking to leave when a noise came from around the obstructed corner. A battle cry of sorts, and then the clash of two energy swords echoed in to her ears. Curious as to their origins, she peeked. The Arbiter and Ship Master had engaged in a duel.

Hayden moved closer, still keeping her distance from the fray. Her eyes followed both of them with vigor. Their movements were swift, despite their hulking appearance. Each dressed with only helmet, chest guard and leg guard, and sword in hand, they lunged at one another, each dodging the others' strikes with zest.

She sat, watching them close. Thel stood a fair bit taller than the Ship Master, but he was slower to a degree. She could hear them speak to each other in their native language, exchanging comments and criticism of their individual strikes.

Rtas' back remained to Hayden, Thel seeing her and her image reflecting in his eyes. "You know, Brother, that we have an observer."

"Let her watch." He mused, moving to strike low. "Perhaps it will entertain her human mind." Thel blocked on the right, side stepping as his blade connected with the shoulder guards of the Ship Master. "And here I thought that you had let your guard down because of her. You have grown too attached, perhaps?"

Thel dwelled on his Brother's words for a moment, disarming himself as an Elite from the Bridge had called him back to his post, stating that they had reached a belt of asteroids, and were needing guidance in bypassing them without damage.

"Seems I am needed elsewhere. We will not be long until your world, Human. I suggest you get ready to make your way home." The Ship Master stated, bowing his head to Thel as he left.

Hayden's mouth opened to speak, but her words were caught in her throat. Her eyes had grown wide, earning her the Arbiter's concern once more.

"Are you well, Hayden?" He asked, observing that she had once again become flustered. "You seem... not like yourself. What bothers you?"

She sighed, bringing her arms around herself. "You've been avoiding me and I've been having trouble sleeping. Am I really the one in the wrong?" Her voice became a whisper. "Maybe I'm asking for too much, but..."

"Speak, please."

Looking up and forcing her eyes to meet hers, they began to water. "I'm not sure if I want to return home. I miss Earth, and her beauty, don't misunderstand me, but... Thel..." She stepped closer to him. "Can we duel? I mean, can you teach me to wield a sword like this? I'll most likely never have an opportunity like this again and..." She froze as he moved closer to her, holding out the hilt of his blade to her.

"Silence. Steel your mind as you would steel your blade. Ignite it." He told her, showing her how. Watching her look at it gave him an odd feeling, and when she was about to activate it, he stopped her. "Turn it around, unless you wish to lose your arm."

Hayden looked at it, and fixed how she was holding it. Looking to him for an approving nod, she activated it and held it firm, feeling the weightlessness. If one wasn't careful, she realized it was very possible for one to injure oneself.

"Now, strike at me in whatever manner you wish. I will not strike at you for the sake of you being defenseless. Begin, now." And so she charged at him, her footsteps clumsy and misplaced. Had the Arbiter not caught her in midfall, her landing would've been a rough one. "Your feet must carry your body, Hayden. Not the other way around. Interpret your opponent's movement, and step to it accordingly."

Once more, she stepped forward, moving in from her left and his right, sweeping the ground and striking high, her blade contacting his. She smiled, and earned a nod of accomplishment. "Better, right? Want me to try again?" Another nod was received, and she stepped back. Her gaze became blank, empty. And then, she moved fast, striking from the left and feinting to the right as she did so, eager to strike from the inside of her arms as she leapt backwards at him, he blocked and dodged, continuing to keep himself vigil as she began to strike recklessly, earning herself a minor wound to her own arm.

"And yet, you say that you have never once used this weapon, but are skilled with it." He noticed the blood staining her clothing as it began to trickle down her arm. "May I?" He asked, holding out his hand to her as he withdrew his sword. She nodded to him, holding the weapon out to her mentor as he took her arm into his hand. Examining it, her eyes watched him closely. "Many Sangheili wish to have such skill as a beginning, but years of discipline are needed. A clumsy error, on your part. To shed one's own blood among my people is a loss of honour." He began to wrap the cut, applying pressure to it. "I will admit, however, that I am impressed, Hayden."

She sighed and felt limp. Her vision was clouded for an unknown reason. "Thel... I'll miss you once we part ways..." She whispered, falling against him. His arms slowly slid around her petite frame, in comparison to his. "Can I sleep, until we touch down? Or can I at least stay near you?"

Thel's gaze paled at the request. I have gotten too close to her... She has become attached... His mind mumbled to him. "I would prefer if you rested."

"Stay near, then... Please."

He watched as her eyes closed. Still holding her, her breath began to linger on his chest. She had already fallen asleep in his arms. "Were it so easy Hayden, then perhaps I would not have to tear myself away from you, either."

A/N: So I hope I didn't make anyone cry... I warned some people that this chapter would be a little touchy feely... I personally am loving how this is turning out, seeing as how I'm literally writing this as my mind flows... leave a review? I'll update soon!