The memory of that look stayed with Teela all night and into the next day. She could tell that like her, Adam wanted to fix their relationship somehow. They had even tried to talk last night, but every time they had started towards each other, someone else had interrupted.

Teela sighed internally as Adora laughed at yet another of Marlena's tales of Adam and Cringer's youth. Adora had asked her to join the two of them this morning for some tea; the princess had wanted to hear some stories of things she had missed growing up on Eternia.

"Adam always loved to paint," Marlena said, shaking her head, "but he really took it too far that time."

Shaking off her melancholy thoughts, Teela chimed in, deciding the queen should know the truth. "Your story is not entirely accurate, Your Majesty. I was there as well." Her cheeks flushed a slight red. Perhaps this wasn't the best idea…

Marlena's eyes widened. "Really? So the ah, new artwork on the old masterpieces was not only a result of Adam and Cringer playing with the paints?"

"Adam took the blame because he didn't want me to get in trouble," Teela admitted, a soft, abashed smile touching her lips. "We were actually dueling with the paint brushes, which scared Cringer, who then knocked into the magic paints Orko had flying in the air." The other two giggled in delight.

"Oh, how sweet," Adora said with a mischievous grin. "He was protecting you even then." She propped her chin in her hands. "So tell me, why do you two insist you're only friends when you're both so clearly in love with each other?" Her eyes danced.

Teela glanced at Marlena in dismay, her automatic protest dying on her lips as the queen's face lit up. "Yes, Teela, when will you two finally admit it?" she demanded eagerly.

"There's nothing between us," Teela protested weakly. "We're just close because we grew up together, like brother and sister."

"You're not children anymore, my dear," Marlena said, an amused smile on her face. She reached out and clasped one of Teela's hands. "I always knew you were meant for each other. That's why I was so pleased you were going to Grayskull with him. I had hoped you would start to see each other in a new light. And I think you have, haven't you?"

"I don't-I don't know what you're talking…" Teela's words slipped away as she felt the warm glow in her chest that had formed when they first started telling stories of Adam's younger years. That glow grew when she thought of the man he was today—not He-Man, but the man inside, who was the person she had always believed Adam to be under that fun-loving façade he had put on. She began to think over the times they had shared, how she felt when she was with him, and the truth began to seep its way into her mind.

It wasn't just a physical attraction. Deep down, she had known that for some time, and she needed to stop lying to herself about it.

"You're right," Teela admitted slowly, her eyes going wide. "I do love him." She took a breath as Marlena and Adora grinned at each other in delight. She was in love with an obstinate man who would do anything to protect her—even lie to her, if that's what he believed it would take. Teela's eyes narrowed. Did that include lying about his feelings for her? Was it possible that he did love her, but didn't want to tell her?

"So what's stopping you two?" Marlena asked, her eyes sparkling.

"I'm not sure he feels the same way," Teela answered, looking down at her lap. She was surprised to see that at some point, she had grabbed the crocheted arm covering to the chair in which she was sitting, and she was rubbing it between her fingers. "He pretty much said he thinks of me only as a sister." But if her feelings ran deeper that she had realized, perhaps the same was true of his feelings. Teela smoothed out the covering as she reflected on that idea.

"A sister?" Marlena echoed, dismay teasing her face.

"Those looks you two have been sharing are anything but platonic," Adora observed, her tone a bit dry.

Marlena leaned forward intently. "Let me tell you something about the men in my family, Teela. They are the most loyal, loving people I have had the pleasure of knowing either here or on Earth. They are also two of the most stubborn people in the universe."

"Tell me something I don't know," Teela said dryly. She flushed as the queen tilted her head at her slightly, one eyebrow raised. "I'm sorry, Your Majesty."

"No, my dear, you are quite right," the queen answered. "But my point is that even if Adam does love you—and I think he does-it will take time for him to realize it. Be patient, my dear."

Teela sighed. "I'll try." But patience had never been a strength of hers.

He-Man's head swam from his conversation with Duncan and the Sorceress a few days earlier. For some reason, the words were echoing in his mind today, as if that look he and Teela had shared had somehow opened some sort of floodgate. Perhaps we were wrong. You do not have to follow the same path.

Adam had rarely spoken of it, but he had long thought he might never have a family, even before becoming He-Man permanently. The danger of being the royal family was one thing; but the risk of being He-Man added to the danger to both himself and his family. He had known it would not remain a secret forever. He had been surprised each night when he went to bed having made it through another day without someone learning the truth. Almost as surprised as he was that he had lived through another day.

His footsteps took him slowly towards the palace as he reflected on all he had been told versus all he had believed. He knew in his heart that he was a protector. He could not in good conscience willingly put a child at risk. And he was not infallible. If he were to marry and have children, there would be a day when they would be kidnapped or killed. Or he would be killed, and they would be left fatherless. Those were risks and worries every parent experienced, but few led a life like his. Adam shook his head. The risks were just too great.

"He-Man!"

Adam jerked to a stop and looked up. He had come to a sharp turn in the path as he was lost in thought, and Teela was now before him, less than a foot away. Her hair was pulled back in a loose ponytail at the nape of her neck, her long red tresses falling down her back. She looked so young and innocent, and at the same time, so troubled and determined, He-Man wanted to reach out to her. He kept his hands at his side with some difficulty.

"Hi, Teela," he answered uncomfortably, recalling the negative feelings that had sliced through him at the sight of her with one of the nobles the night before. He wasn't a jealous person by nature, but he was relatively sure that jealousy was what he had felt when he saw and heard her laughing with the auburn-haired politician. He didn't understand it. He had nothing to feel jealous about. "On your way to see your—er, the Sorceress?"

"Actually, I was coming to see you," she said almost shyly, dropping her gaze. He-Man blinked hard; this wasn't the Teela he knew. "I thought we needed to talk."

Oh boy. He knew that tone, not from her, but from other women he'd dealt with before. His heart hit the ground. Stupid, stupid, stupid. He had ruined their friendship. "Teela," He-Man said in a gentle voice. "I-"

"I know what you're going to say," she interrupted, and it was suddenly the old Teela before him again, spunky and strong. "Let me go first, please."

"But…" He-Man hesitated, then nodded. "All right. I'm listening."

Teela clenched a fist, fighting to keep control. She was tired of emotional waves, tired of feeling as if everyone was conspiring against her, but she didn't want to take it out on Adam. She just wanted to speak her mind. "I care for you very much," she said, looking up and meeting his eyes. "In fact, I…I think I'm in love with you." She could feel her cheeks flush red at that admission, which came out in a rush. He-Man's eyes widened and his nostrils flared; he was surprised and trying not to show it.

He-Man shook his head. "No, you're not," he argued. "Teela, we've been through so much together over the years, and our lives are in such disarray right now…it was just an instinctive reaction to seek comfort in each other the other night."

Teela snorted. "That was your idea of comfort?" she asked in plain disbelief. He-Man's face reddened, to her satisfaction. She took a deep breath and plunged on. "I know you care about me. I also know that regardless of what we might feel for each other, the way you think right now, you will hold part of yourself back. Maybe forever."

He-Man took a breath, his eyes pleading with her to understand. "I can't deny that, Teela, but you're assuming-"

Teela held up a hand. "I know you, Adam. You and I have had enough discussions that I know you would never willingly put another life in danger, and you see relationships with you as dangerous. In fact, if I had to guess, I'd say you'll try not to get married at all."

He-Man's mouth dropped open as if to protest, but no sound came out this time. Teela went on, convinced she was right. "I want that special relationship your parents have, Adam. I don't want someone who is going to hide himself from me because he thinks he's protecting me."

Her words must have shocked him, because a furrow appeared between his eyes as he stared at her. His handsome jaw was slack.

"I don't regret that kiss," she said fiercely, taking a step closer to him, "because it opened my eyes to a lot of things. But I won't settle for second-best. I won't be sheltered from the truth any longer. If I marry, I will have an equal partner. So unless you suddenly wake up one day and decide you want the same thing, let's just pretend that kiss didn't happen, and go back to being best friends and fellow warriors. Okay?"

He-Man looked as if Skeletor had just shown up in a wedding dress and surrendered. His breath was shallow as he stared at her for what seemed like forever. "Teela, you're right about much of it," he finally said, his tone again gentle and his face tender. "And I do care for you, but…not that way. You're like a-a sister to me."

Teela raised her chin, holding back her tears through sheer determination. He had already said as much. She should have known that would be his response. However, until that moment, she hadn't realized how much she wanted him to argue with her, to tell her she was wrong, and that he was ready for a different relationship. She hadn't really prepared herself for the idea that he didn't love her the way she loved him, but she'd be darned if she was going to let him see that. "That's fine, Adam," she said, her voice steady. She held out her hand. "Friends then, right? The way we've always been?"

He hesitated a few seconds, then grasped her hand gently. "Forever, Teela." There was an undertone to his words that told her his feelings ran deeper than he was letting on. But it didn't give her any hope at all.

Marlena and Adora strolled through the gardens, enjoying the bright yellow, purple, and blue flowers that were blooming. "This is all so beautiful," Adora sighed. "Growing up in the Fright Zone, everything was black and sludge. Hordak hated anything pretty. Sometimes I worried he might harm me just to make my face less pretty. Shadow Weaver often told me he talked about it."

Marlena felt sick to her stomach at Adora's words. That monster—how dare he even think such a thing! She swallowed hard, striving to keep her voice steady as she responded to Adora. "It must be quite a shock for you, coming here to a place of such freedom and beauty."

"In many ways it is," Adora admitted. "My life was so regimented there. Not getting up before dawn to do drills each day is so strange. Meal times, meeting times, everything was so strict. I feel a little out of place here."

"We have tried to give you time to adjust, but if being on a schedule would make you feel more comfortable, we can arrange that," Marlena said with a touch of amusement in her voice. She smiled as Adora glanced at her, evidently trying to ascertain whether her mother was serious or not.

"Oh, I think I can learn to enjoy this thing called relaxation if you give me a little more time to practice," Adora joked back, her eyes sparkling. "Adam's a very good teacher."

Marlena laughed out loud. "I'm sure your father would agree to that!"

They walked in a companionable silence, Adora's face growing more serious as the seconds passed. "I think it would help if I could train some," she said tentatively. "Is that acceptable for a princess?"

Marlena reached out to take hold of Adora's hand. She squeezed it lightly and then let go. "Yes, of course it is. And I'm sure Teela will be happy to be a sparring partner for you." She waited a heartbeat, then reminded her daughter gently, "Adora, I too was a stranger here when I arrived, an alien to this world. You can ask me anything. I understand some of what you're going through."

Adora smiled her appreciation. "Did you leave family behind, Mother?" she asked in a troubled voice.

Marlena's heart turned over upon hearing Adora call her "Mother." How many nights had she silently cried herself to sleep, longing to hear her daughter's voice or feel her warm hugs? She sniffed lightly and forced her mind to the present, to the daughter beside her. "Not really," she replied. "My parents had passed away before I came to Eternia. I was an only child, and of course I had not married."

"Do you miss Earth?" Adora asked. Marlena glanced at her. She seemed very uncertain, and her eyes seemed to say that whatever Marlena's answer was, it would mean very much to her.

Marlena drew in a deep breath as she reflected on how to answer Adora. "At first, I missed it very much," she answered slowly. "I had good friends there, and a few cousins I knew fairly well. There were colleagues that I respected and liked very much. I had a job I loved. And the food…" She shook her head with a half-smile. "It was nowhere near as good as the food on Eternia, but at first I got sick every time I ate here. It made me miss Earth's food."

"I've been feeling a little queasy, but I haven't gotten sick," Adora said sympathetically. "That must have been awful."

"It was," Marlena agreed. "But I survived. And I fell in love with your father. Staying here was an easy choice after that. Not that I didn't still miss Earth sometimes, but it was more in a nostalgic way than in a deep, heart-wrenching way."

"Did you feel like you had left things…unfinished…on Earth?" Adora asked. Her hands twisted together until she seemed to force them to stop. Then she dropped one while the other tucked her hair behind her ear.

"Not really," Marlena said thoughtfully. "I was the first female astronaut. That had been my dream, and I achieved it. I would have liked to have gone back to let them know that I did it, that I survived, so I could make sure that other women would not be penalized for my disappearance. But for a long time I had no way back to Earth. By the time I did, everything back on Earth seemed unimportant compared to the love your father and I shared." She raised an eyebrow at Adora, sensing her daughter was struggling with something. "What about you? Do you feel you have unfinished business left on Etheria?"

"I-"

Whatever Adora had been going to say was interrupted by a familiar, nasally-sounding voice. "Well, how perfect. Two for the price of one."

Marlena gasped as she looked in the direction of the voice. "Skeletor! How did you get in here?" she demanded. Next to him stood three of his favorite cronies, Evil-Lyn, Trap Jaw, and Beastman. Adora drew her sword. "Guards!" Marlena shouted.

"You'd be surprised at what my magic can do," Skeletor boasted in reply to her rhetorical question. He and Evil-Lyn raised their hands, and Trap Jaw raised his gun arm, the three of them rapidly taking care of the four guards who had come running at Marlena's call. "You're both coming with us."

"You can have me, but leave my daughter out of this," Marlena said coldly, stepping in front of Adora.

"Mother, no!" Adora exclaimed.

"Run, Adora!" Marlena hissed as the villains were distracted by two more guardsmen. Fisto followed them into the garden, and Marlena relaxed infinitesimally. He would at least buy them a little time for reinforcements to come in. "Find He-Man!"

"Hey bonehead!" Fisto called. "Remember me?"

"Fisto!" Skeletor cried in disgust. "You pathetic weakling!"

"Go!" Marlena commanded.

Going against every instinct she had, which had been ingrained by years of training, Adora ran to the nearest entryway. She glanced behind her to see if she was being followed, and her jaw grew slack. Her mother had gotten hold of a sword and was swinging it at the furry guy who reminded her of an orange Grizzlor, while some handsome bearded man—Fisto, Skeletor had called him-was using his huge metal hand to deflect the magical bolts directed his way.

Adora double-checked around her, feeling just a tad guilty as she held her sword aloft. Her entire family had asked her not to do this, but she didn't know where Adam was, and she wasn't about to leave her mother in danger.

"For the honor of Grayskull!" she called. Once she had completed the transformation, she ran back into the garden, her sword in hand, to find the entire situation had changed. Marlena was slung over the orange Grizzlor's shoulder, unconscious. Fisto was down as well, but Man-at-Arms was now there with Orko.

"Two against four doesn't seem very fair," she observed as she leapt into the middle of the fray. Her entrance caused a pause in the action as the evil warriors observed her, no doubt trying to figure out what kind of a threat she posed. "After all, Duncan, you're easily smarter than all of them even without Orko." Behind her, Orko giggled in delight.

"I don't know who you think you are, woman, but you'll pay for that remark," Skeletor threatened. Duncan fired at him, but the blue-skinned villain merely blocked the shot with his hand.

She-Ra raised an eyebrow, her mind racing. From the few days she had been here, she knew Skeletor and Evil-Lyn by reputation. Both magicians. The other two were unknown factors. "Just put it on He-Man's tab," she suggested, hoping the lame banter would buy her some time. "He's a good friend of mine."

"Oh really?" Evil-Lyn said, sounding delighted. "In that case-" She let loose with a powerful blast of magic that She-Ra blocked with her sword. The force of it reverberated up She-Ra's arms.

Duncan continued to fire at the villains with his blaster. Using his firepower as cover, She-Ra ran for the orange Grizzlor, who had been trying to retreat towards an archway that led into an open area—most likely where Skeletor's gate or a vehicle stood. She grabbed his arm and whirled him around. "I'll take the queen," she said firmly.

The creature-man snarled at her. "Why should I let you have her?"

Before She-Ra could argue, what looked like a huge firework exploded between them. She-Ra felt an intense heat, then the sensation of flying backwards. She stopped in mid-air as if caught by an invisible hand. That might have been good except that almost immediately, she felt a wave of nausea overwhelm her, and her head spun so wildly she had to shut her eyes. "Ah!" she gasped.

He-Man and Teela walked back to the palace at a slow pace, the crunch of the leaves under their feet taunting him about the tense silence. He-Man wondered if she was at as much of a loss of words as he was. He was so aware of her—especially the careful mask she wore to hide her disappointment in their conversation. She had hoped for a different response from him; he knew that. He felt oddly disappointed himself, but couldn't explain why.

Ancients, but he hated this. He had always thought one day she would know the truth when she became the Sorceress, that they would regain their friendship and then some. But this cursed physical attraction—he couldn't help but think that it wasn't supposed to be there. He never felt this way about her as Adam. She certainly had never looked at Adam the way she had at He-Man, especially lately.

He shook his head slightly. He had to stop thinking of Adam as another person. It had been easier to do that before, when he was constantly trying to keep his secret from his parents and Teela. But now that he was stuck as He-Man, sometimes it made him feel as if Adam were dead, or at the very least as if he were schizophrenic.

But all that was beside the point. The point was, if he were Adam—physically, that is-he wouldn't feel so confused, and Teela wouldn't think she was in love with him. And inside, he was still Adam. He frowned, wondering if that made sense. His thoughts were practically tumbling over each other as he tried to sort through things.

They emerged from the woods just in time to see an unfamiliar aircraft land inside the palace walls.

"We weren't expecting any company today, were we?" He-Man asked, his attention immediately transferred to the possible threat.

Teela shook her head, her pace already increasing. "No, we weren't. And that looked a lot like a modified version of Skeletor's Collector."

With a sinking feeling in his stomach, He-Man realized she was right. They broke into a run almost simultaneously. Within three minutes, Teela's com-link was crackling. "All guards to the central gardens! Code three! It's Skeletor!"

"Code three!" Teela gasped as she ran. He-Man felt vaguely guilty as he realized she had been struggling to keep up with him. "He-Man, go! They need you!"

He didn't argue. Code three meant a member of the royal family was in imminent danger. He poured on the speed, cursing the fact that he'd left Battle Cat at Grayskull, praying he wouldn't be too late.