Tivan's headache was gone again, much to his relief, and he rolled over and curled around his slave, her back against his stomach as he tucked his knees behind hers and began kissing her ear. She let out a soft sigh and opened her eyes, wrapping her arms around her master's and leaning back into him. He kissed her neck and rose from the bed to bathe and dress, and Hanni started to leave to do the same, but he caught her attention and said, "Wear something nice today." She gave him a questioning glance, but said nothing and complied, the two meeting each other in the main hall within minutes. As Hanni walked down the stairs, Tivan watched her carefully. Her hair was unbound and lay against her shoulders and back and the tiny, multi-colored gems on the silky, dark blue gown she wore made it look like the night sky as it rippled about her elegantly. He took in the way her dress moved with her body, her demure smile, her black curls bouncing against her back and the way the blue lights of his collection looked in her eyes. He admitted to himself that he would miss it all terribly. He held out a hand for hers and she took it, giving him a cautious look and suspicious smile before doing so.

"Really," he said, pretending to be offended, "You act as though I've been cruel to you."

"Would it be out of line for me to point out..."

"Yes," he said, though kept his smile and raised her hand to his lips, kissing it softly as he looked in her eyes. "Let's not spoil it," he murmured.

"Spoil what?" she asked, tilting her head.

"You'll see," he said cryptically, and when she tried to insist, he held up a hand and offered only a small explanation. "We're going to play hooky today."

"You're shutting down the museum?" Hanni was genuinely surprised.

"No more questions," he said, leading her up a different, seldom-used flight of stairs and into an elevator to which only he had the key, some of his more aware exhibits watching them with interest.

"I haven't been up here," she said as the doors closed and the lift launched upwards.

"I know," was all he said.

She shrugged and waited until, after what seemed like a very long time, the elevator stopped and the doors opened to a large, round room with a glass domed ceiling. As Hanni stepped in and looked up, she noticed the heart-stopping view of the stars and outer space through which Knowhere floated. Even the green industrial haze that perpetually surrounded the city and celestial's head was oddly beautiful.

"Oh, master," she whispered.

"Taneleer," he corrected quietly. Hanni looked back doubtfully, but he kissed her hand tenderly and she beamed.

He led her over to a plush set of chairs beside a small table upon which two glasses and a dusty bottle sat, the only illumination in the room coming from the glow of the city reflecting off of the smoggy clouds outside. Hanni suddenly felt her master's – Taneleer's – hands rubbing her shoulders softly, his kiss against the back of her head, his fingers rising to graze her throat gently before he broke away and poured two glasses of deep red wine. He sat down and rose his glass to her, she clicked hers against it shyly and took a sip. Immediately the taste of the cherry wine sent her into a heady spin, reminding her of the smell of Taneleer, the taste of his tongue against hers, the brush of his fingers... She blushed and looked down into her glass, curious as to what the special occasion was.

Do I really need to rationalize this? she thought. No, she decided with a smile. Taneleer must have had the same thought because he grinned widely and took a sip from his glass. They drank slowly and talked for hours, Hanni desperately interested in some of the quirkier collection pieces she had noticed while she was cleaning, Tivan curious about her former home.

"What is it like there?" he asked.

Hanni described her planet as a lush world made mostly of water and a few islands, some of them large enough to host tall cities, but most just rural and close-knit. It wasn't quite considered back-water, but the population was low enough that their home was largely ignored by traders, save for those in want of fish and hot-climate fruits.

"I thought I could smell the sea on you," he said.

"It's been almost two years," she replied. "I can hardly remember the scent, myself."

"Honestly, I'm surprised I remember it at all," he chuckled with a small sip of wine.

"How long has it been since you've been to one?" she asked.

Tivan paused for a moment, licking his lips in thought.

"It's hard to keep track of the days here sometimes," he admitted. "It must be a few years, at least."

"Maybe some day you can see my old home," she said.

"Would you escort me about like some trophy?" he laughed.

"It would only be fair," she giggled back, running her long fingers up the arm of his shirt and letting it rest on his shoulder. He glanced at her hand, considering, then took it in his own and stood, lifting her from her chair. She embraced him gently and he began to sway with her, one hand holding hers and the other placed upon her lower back. Hanni placed her head on his chest, listening for his heartbeat, sighing in delight and satisfaction. He traced a line from her forehead to her shoulders with his lips and kissed the small the dip where her neck met her collarbone. He straightened slowly and she laid against him again, breathing his cherry scent deeply and running her fingers across his rich velvet vest and fur cloak, wishing the day would never end.

"Hanni," he whispered in her ear as they swayed to non-existent music.

"Yes, Taneleer?" His name felt foreign and soothing on her tongue at the same time, and she savored the taste as she had the wine, velvety and comforting.

"Are you still afraid of me?" he asked.

"No," she laughed softly.

"Then I have a gift for you," he said, pulling away.

She watched him in confusion as he walked back to a desk hidden in the shadows and returned with a small white box. He handed it to her and gestured for her to open it. She complied, gasping when she saw what lay within. A thin, beautiful, and finely-wrought necklace of black gold was inside, tipped with a drooping black diamond that glittered and glistened. Tivan reached inside and brought it out carefully, stepping behind her and wrapping it about her neck gently and clasping it. Hanni placed a hand upon it as if in disbelief, turning back to her master and making a motion to remove it.

"Don't insult me," he said sternly, placing his hand over hers upon the jewel. He leaned forward and kissed her deeply and she felt as she had once when she went swimming as a girl, sinking like a stone in a warm, calm sea. Their kiss deepened and she wrapped her arms about him, her heart aching with the wonderful feeling. When they broke apart slightly he ran his fingers down her cheeks and body, resting them upon her hips as they began swaying in place again.

"I don't ever want to leave," she sighed.

"I love you too," he whispered.

She pulled back a little to look into his eyes. They were dark and grim as always, but Hanni saw no dishonesty there.

"I love you," she said, burrowing against him again.

Taneleer placed his face against the side of hers, breathing her scent in deeply, trying to brand the smell of her into his memory forever. Someday you will not be here, he thought sadly. But I'll enjoy this while I can.