Back home again on the base.

Many months more had passed, and word had finally come that Rosha and Jolinar were on the way home from their long and dangerous mission.

Both Martouf and Lantash were very nervous. They were sitting in their room, having been sent there by Zarin. For the third time in a row they had forgotten what they were doing and had allowed the crystal-making machine to run for too long, creating dozens of flawed tunnel crystals. Zarin had chased them out of the room and told them not to come back until they had figured out their relationship with Rosha and Jolinar.

*I fear that will be a long time.* Lantash said.

*At least we will not have to do crystal-duty for some time - it is intensely boring.*

*True, there is that.*

Hearing someone at the door, they both looked up and saw Rosha/Jolinar.

*Wow...they're even more gorgeous than in your memories...* Martouf looked at them with his mouth agape. *To any deity which may exist...please, please, please let them want us...*

*That is my hope as well, dear Martouf...for now, I think it may be better if I take control?*

*Yes, yes, of course.* Martouf's head bowed and Lantash were given control.

Rosha and Jolinar were still standing in the doorway, looking lost and sad. Their mission had been very dangerous, and they had very much looked forward to being with Nemura and Lantash again. While they had been able to smuggle information out from time to time, there had been no safe way of sending a message to them. They had been told of the death of Nemura only yesterday.

"Rosha? Jolinar? It is me, Lantash..." he got up from where he had been sitting on the bed and took a few steps towards them, looking very nervous.

Jolinar walked over to Lantash, slowly looking at him from his shoes to the top of his head, then back to his face. She gently touched his face, letting her fingers trace every curve. "Lantash..."

Lantash closed his eyes briefly and leaned into her caress, then sighed and opened his eyes. "I am so sorry that I could not save Nemura...he was too badly wounded..." he looked very sad.

Jolinar looked as if she was about to cry, then her head dipped and Rosha came fore. "We know you did your best - both of us know. We are very grateful that you survived. For that we thank your new host...I think Aldwin called him Martouf?"

"Yes. Please forgive him for not greeting you, but he is a bit shy and understandably worried about what you might think of him."

Rosha nodded. "We both understand." She put her arms around them, and Lantash reciprocated. For a long time they just stood there, holding each other close. They were mourning Nemura, but they were grateful the three of them were still alive, still had each other.

*Lantash...it is very nice to embrace them...I really do love them very much, just as you said...and I...I would very much like to...*

*Yes, I know. So would I, but we have to give them time...let them decide they want to continue the relationship...I hope...*

"Martouf became your host almost 8 months ago?" Rosha asked. She had decided she wanted to know more about this new - potential - mate.

"Yes, he did. When we first attempted to flee Setona, just after Nephthys conquered that world." *Martouf, I think you should try to talk to them a little bit...*

Not really wanting to, Martouf finally agreed to it after some prodding from Lantash.

"Hello. I am Martouf..." he blushed deeply, and looked down. Lantash quickly took care of the flush, but not before Rosha and Jolinar had noticed.

"Hello, Martouf. I am pleased to meet you. I am Rosha...but you knew that already...don't be afraid of me and Jolinar - we won't harm you!"

Her head bowed as Jolinar took control. She also wished to meet this young man who had saved the life of their mate, by sharing his body with him. "Martouf...I am pleased to meet you. I am Jolinar...tell us a little about yourself. We know nothing about you, save for the fact that you are Setonan. And that you volunteered to be host to Lantash - something we are very grateful for."

"Err...I don't know...there isn't much to tell, really. I am the son of the first secretary of Setona. I have studied the natural sciences for a year at the university. I am 17 - though I will be 18 in about a month," he quickly added.

*17! Jolinar...he is a child...how can we ever hope to continue this relationship with someone so much younger than us...*

*His age is not important...give him some credit. He volunteered as host after his world had just been conquered by Nephthys. He left his family, and his entire former life behind. And he seems to be coping well...besides, compared to me you are all very young, even Lantash...*

They sat there talking for a little while before Lantash again took over. He continued to speak with Rosha and Jolinar for a long time, then they just sat there together, enjoying being close again.