CHAPTER EIGHT:

Actions have consequences…

"Good morning Reclaimer … I hope you are feeling better today."

"I'm better … I didn't get much sleep last night … That was a lot of information to take in last night."

There was a pause as Michael's mind was still swimming with thoughts and information.

"Eternal Vigilance?"

"Yes Reclaimer."

Michael's mind needed to focus on something else—something that was more "manageable", "You mentioned last night about my damaged battle armor. Where is it and how damaged is it?"

The AI responded, "I have placed your combat skin in the sub-level two lab area … I am sorry to say that it has suffered extensive damage. It had damage from the battle that caused your wounds and also there was system degradation caused by the dimensional portal recall device you were using … your combat skin's systems were not designed to interface with it. I am still at a loss as to how you acquired such a device as it is Forerunner technology?"

"I was lucky to find it … Can my armor…combat skin … can it be fixed?" Michael asked hopefully.

The AI expressed some surprise at the question, "Oh my why would you want that? It is of such a primitive design and completely inadequate."

"I have done quite well with it so far and I am kind of attached to it." Michael said feeling kind of defensive over the slight insult from 414.

The AI continued, "Normally I would recommend replacing and issue you a new combat skin, but unfortunately this installation does not have the facilities to provide you a new combat skin."

Michael was getting a little impatient, "But can it be fixed?"

The AI detected Michael's impatience. He sighed and finally relented, "Yes it can Reclaimer … It will take some time to repair as I said the damage was quite extensive."

"Any estimate on how long to repair?" Michael asked trying to keep his growing impatience in check.

"A minimum of four weeks on local planet time, but again Reclaimer, I must—"

Michael interrupted the AI, "No buts … I have nowhere else to go right now and I have plenty of time. Can you start the repairs and do all the other work for bringing this installation back on-line as well?"

"Yes Reclaimer … I can manage both tasks."

"Excellent, Thank you 414." Michael said expressing his honest gratitude.

oOoOo

Several more days passed and Michael was taking it easy as he was still recovering and he was still experiencing some discomfort and twinges of pain. He was doing some light exercises and stretching to keep his muscles limber, but he could feel his restless growing along with his boredom.

Michael found himself calling for 414…

"Yes Reclaimer … What can I do for you?" the AI responded through the installation's com system.

"I want to go outside to look around and maybe go for a run … What can you tell me about the village and people nearby?"

As always 414 was very helpful and forth coming in his information sharing, "They are the indigenous people to this world and universe. They are humanoid species rated a Class-2 on the development scale. Beyond basic agricultural and hunter gatherer skills, they have shown no progress or ambition to progress beyond this level."

The AI continued expressing his concern, "… I would advise caution Reclaimer and that you not venture past a 5 kilometer boundary in the woods due to the predators that are present."

Michael was a little surprised at how worried the AI sounded.

"Don't worry I'll stick close to the lake shore and maybe I'll check out the village. Since they brought me here I can assume that they are non-hostile."

Eternal Vigilance sighed relenting to this human's stubbornness, "As you wish Reclaimer, though I still recommend that you exercise caution as the people of this world consider this installation and myself of sacred religious importance … I have not done anything to encourage this—"

"But, you've done nothing to discourage it either … have you?" Michael interrupted with a smirk on his face.

The AI sounded almost flustered, "Reclaimer, I was not programed to have major interactions with the local inhabitants … I am merely caretaker for this installation … I would never do—"

Michael started laughing, "Eternal Vigilance … you would be the last 'person' that would try and set themselves as a god. These people are pretty lucky."

There was a silence over the com systems and for a moment Michael got worried that he went too far and the AI didn't have a sense of humor. He had to remember this wasn't Adriana he was dealing with.

The AI finally spoke, "I appreciate your confidence in me. I will endeavour to keep my delusions of godhood in check … I have entered your biometric information into the system and you now have access to all areas of this installation. You may come and go as you please."

Michael smiled as he realized that he and the AI would get along fine, "Thanks 414, you do that …" he said with a laugh, "About this Reclaimer title? Can you just call me Michael? You said your programing was adaptive and I would prefer being called Michael especially if we are going to be together for some time. Plus the title sounds too grandiose and I'm not planning to set myself up as a god."

"As you wish Recl— I mean Michael."

"Michael, if you stop by the lab on level three on your way out I can download a linguistic translation of the local inhabitants language through your neural interface … This will allow you to communicate easily since you do not have access to your combat skin."

"I'll stop by on my way out … See you in five."

The AI known as 414 Eternal Vigilance cut the com channel and went back to work. The AI hummed to itself as it worked accessing different systems and bringing systems on-line that hadn't been used in thousands of years. The AI was happy as it actually had tasks to perform beyond the general maintenance of this station. There was purpose again. The AI thought that this was a pleasant break from the humdrum of just watching and maintaining systems and just thinking as the millenniums passed.

The AI thought to itself, This Reclaimer, the AI corrected itself, This Michael is so different from my Forerunner creators. It will be interesting to assist and work with this person.

The AI continued humming as he worked.

oOoOo

Tala found herself arriving later to the temple than when she normally came. She brought her usually offering for the Guardian and the man. She was a little disheartened at seeing her other offerings still undisturbed. Twenty days had passed since the man had come to her and her brother's rescue. She could feel the burden of guilt grow with each passing day as she feared that the man had died from his wounds he had suffered defending them.

She laid the offering down with the rest of the offerings and then knelt to say a prayer for the man.

She was shocked and surprised as the temple door suddenly opened. Tala shock and surprise grew even more when she found herself staring into the face of the man that had rescued her.

oOoOo

Michael was making his way down to the main level via the central access ramp. He looked forward to getting outside and walking or maybe even running a bit. He could feel his strength coming back, but he needed to do something other than sit around … his mind was always wandering back to Faith. That would get him more anxious and restless.

As he got closer to the main entrance, he could feel his anxiousness grow, he wanted to get outside. The last thing he expected, as the main door opened, was to be met by the sight of a beautiful young woman kneeling before the door.

oOoOo

Tala was shocked as she looked at the man … he was alive! Her heart filled with joy and she could feel her guilty conscious start to ease. She found herself staring at the man and her words failed her—she couldn't speak. She suddenly felt unworthy to speak to such a man that was a warrior of the temple Guardian. She lowered her eyes and head to show respect.

Her shock continued when she heard the man speak to her saying, "Hello".

oOoOo

Michael quickly recovered from the sight of the young woman. He knew that he'd seen her before, then it came to him as the face brought back memories of the fight with those beasts in the forest. She was the young woman that he had saved. He got a closer look of her this time. He saw how her skin was a deeply tanned color and she had long dark black hair and high cheek bones. He was a little surprised when she lowered her head and wouldn't look at him.

"Hello…"

He wasn't sure if the woman understood him. The young woman was still kneeling and it looked as if she was afraid of him.

"Don't be afraid … I won't hurt you" he said gently.

The woman still did not respond.

"Do you understand me?"

The woman nodded her head, but she still wouldn't look up or talk to Michael.

Well at least the translation program is working … I think?

He was puzzled, but decided to push on, "My name is Michael … What's your name?"

The woman still did not reply or look up at him.

"Well it will be kind of hard to have a conversation with you if you don't talk and it would be nice to see who I am talking too as well." Michael said with a little bit of amusement in his voice and unsure what to do next.

He found himself looking into the deepest green eyes he'd ever seen when she finally looked up and met his gaze.

"My name is Tala."

oOoOo

Tala had been afraid to look up and meet the man's gaze. She was afraid of showing disrespect, but the man continued talking to her.

She heard the tone of his voice, it was calm and reassuring and she could feel herself becoming more at ease.

The man had told her his name, he was called—Michael. The name was strange to her, but then she figured it must have great meaning from where he came from. This man—Michael—asked for her name. The temple Guardian's warrior wanted to know her name! She finally found the courage to look up and met his gaze and look at him closely.

He was huge, he was the biggest person she had ever seen. She could see and feel how his body and posture radiated strength and sense of purpose. His face was older, but still had a touch of youth in it. His face had scars—faded ones, she assumed that he received them in battle. What grabbed her was his eyes—they stood out.

His eyes had a look of someone that had seen sorrow and pain, but she saw that there was still kindness and compassion there. She could feel his power and strength. She had seen him in battle and knew that this man had great courage and force of will.

"How may I serve you … Michael?" she said with reverence and awe in her voice.

oOoOo

Michael was caught off guard as this was not the response he had been expecting and he felt a little awkward in how he should respond.

"Ummm … Well first thing is maybe if you can stand up … I'm not one for having people kneel before me."

The woman hesitated for a moment as she was unsure about what to do, but then she stood up. Michael could see a look of awe in her face.

"You're the woman who was in the forest with the boy that was attacked by those creatures?"

She nodded, "Yes."

"Is the boy alright … unhurt?"

"My brother Adahy is unhurt. I want to thank you. If you had not helped, we would both be dead right now. Our lives are yours …"

Michael actually found himself blushing slightly at her praise. Whenever he'd done anything that command considered brave—or stupid depending on your point of view—all he'd received was a medal or commendation with a hearty "well done". This was just a little too personal and he was finding himself starting to feel a little uncomfortable with it.

"I am glad that your brother was not hurt. I was glad that I was there to help."

"You were hurt so badly protecting us. I was worried that you would die."

"It's okay … I was lucky and the AI here patched me up."

Michael could see that the woman was confused by the words he'd used. He quickly realized that she had no idea what an AI construct was. He had to rephrase his response.

"The … ummm … Guardian took care of me and healed my wounds." Michael said recalling what Eternal Vigilance had told him about the indigenous society.

Michael saw Tala understand and she also looked obviously relieved that he was better.

"I am glad that you have been healed by the Guardian. The story of your battle against the Goracks is told in my village. Everyone rejoiced at the death of those beasts at your hands." She said with a smile coming to her face.

Michael saw those green eyes light up as she smiled and he found himself smiling too.

Goracks …Those are what the locals call those beasts I fought, he thought filing that info away.

Michael found himself looking into those green eyes again and he had to give his head a shake to regain his focus.

"Speaking of your village … Would it be okay if I visited it?"

Tala was excited at the thought, This man … This great warrior wants to visit my village!

"Of course … Michael. It would be a great honor for all of us for you to come to our village!" she replied happily.

"Then let's go." Michael said finding himself looking into her eyes again and smiling.

Tala returned his smile not taking her eyes from his and they made their way to her village.

oOoOo

As they walked along the lake shoreline. Michael was able to get a closer look at this world and he found himself amazed by how beautiful it all was. It reminded him of Reach—or at least how Reach used to look before the Covenant glassed it.

Thoughts of Reach released an avalanche of thoughts and feelings he'd been repressing for so long. He'd hadn't been at Reach when it fell to the Covenant. It was an open wound as he always felt he should've been there. He'd been off on another mission, but that didn't make the guilt any less real. Reach had been—home, for a lack of anything else.

The guilt caused all the other feelings he'd been dealing with to come to the forefront. He could feel the frustration—anger—sadness and more guilt wash over him.

I'm tired … I'm sick and tired of all of it … I just want to live my life and be with Faith.

Looking at the beauty around him, Michael felt tired—tired of the orbital drops—tired of the unending waves of Covenant ships and troops—tired of seeing the burning cities and burning planets—tired of demons and vampires. He was tired of the death and destruction. He looked at the beauty around him and he felt tired.

Tala looked at Michael and could see that something was troubling him. She remembered the look of pain in his eyes. She wished she could do something to ease his pain.

They walked in silence towards the village, each were in their own thoughts, dreams, hopes and memories.

oOoOo

As they got closer to the village, some of the inhabitants saw Tala and the huge stranger approaching and the call went out across the village. Everyone came out to see who the stranger was. Tala saw the crowd gathering as they got closer. She was a little fearful as the crowd appeared restless and cautious at seeing such a huge man such as Michael approaching. She was going to warn him, but when she looked at him, she saw no fear. She saw caution and intelligence, but no fear. He looked at her and she felt her fear disappear.

oOoOo

Michael could see the crowd gathering before Tala could because of his augmented eyes. He could see that they looked nervous and cautious, but that was understandable. He wasn't worried as they got closer and the crowd grew larger. He didn't see any threat of a confrontation, but he had already planned that if anything went sideways, that he could easily break away and outrun anyone back to the installation. He looked at Tala and she looked more nervous that he did or even felt.

Tala stopped and turned to Michael, "Let me go ahead to talk my people … We don't see any strangers and I should let them know that everything is good."

"No problem … I understand. I'll wait here."

Michael watched as Tala went ahead and talked to her people. He could hear what she was saying with his augmented hearing—she was telling them who he was and that he wanted to see their village. Michael could see them relax noticeably and start smiling and cheering when they realized who he was. Michael smiled as Tala turned back to him, smiled and waved to let him know it was all good.

Michael's arrival caused the village to turn the day into a giant celebration. They were celebrating the great warrior that had saved two of their people and had killed two Goracks. The villagers were celebrating life.

Michael found himself studying the village as they held their celebration. Groups of people—mostly women and children—quickly organized bringing food together to prepare and cook for the whole village to share for the feast. He watched as games and contests of strengths—involving most of the men—were quickly started. The warriors of the village were showing off their skills with knifes, bow and arrows and hand to hand fighting.

Michael arched an eyebrow and was unsure of how to respond, when some of the warriors challenged him to join in their contests. They wanted to see him display the strength that he used to kill the Goracks. He was saved when Tala intervened quickly and told the men, to their disappointment, that he was a guest and that he was here to watch and rest.

Michael studied their fighting styles and was a little surprised that even considering how Eternal Vigilance had rated this society, the fighting styles they used were quite advanced.

Michael did find himself being dragged away—it was by Tala to meet her parents. Again he became a little self-conscious as they thanked him for saving their children's lives.

As the celebration went on, Michael saw the people stare and sometimes point at him. He understood, but he was self-conscious of the fact that he was still the outsider and stranger. He attracted the attention of the children and they attached themselves to him like a moon to a planet and followed him. Wherever he went, he was followed by a small crowd of children. He saw that his newly created entourage was led by Tala's brother—Adahy. Whenever he did move and the children followed, he couldn't help but notice that Tala would watch him and smile.

The celebration continued on and the day was getting later. Michael could see that the sun was starting to set and he knew that he would have to be heading back to the installation. He located Tala in the crowd and told her that he had to be leaving. He saw the disappointment come to her face. She caught him off guard when she asked him to stay the night in the village. Michael considered it for a brief second, but he thought it would be better if he went back.

"Can I see you tomorrow Michael?"

He could see an excited eager look in her face along with something else that he wasn't sure of. He didn't see any harm in spending more time with her.

"Sure … I don't see any problem. If you want I'll be outside the temple in the morning."

Michael was rewarded by a huge smile and a twinkle in Tala's eyes. As he left a few of the villagers saw him leave and they also expressed their disappointment with his leaving, but they were the minority as the majority were too busy with the celebrations to notice that he had left.

As he made his way back to the installation, he realized that he was actually in a better mood. His earlier thoughts and feelings were still there, but they weren't at the front of his thoughts. He felt that he might actually get a good night's sleep tonight.

oOoOo

The next morning Michael was greeted by a waiting Tala. She was there with a smile and her regular offering of flowers, fruits and nuts. He accepted her gift and took some of the food as it was a nice diversion from the food that Eternal Vigilance was serving.

Tala watched as Michael went through what he called "exercises". She watched him stretch and contort his body. She found herself lost in thought as she took in his form. She shook her head to refocus, when she realized that Michael was talking to her. He was saying that he was going to do a quick run to the village and back and that he wouldn't be gone very long. She looked at him skeptically as the village was a fair distance to run, but her mouth hung open as she saw Michael sprint off at a speed that she'd never seen a man run before—it wasn't that long before he was back. Her awe grew as he was barely breathing hard from the run, though his body was covered in sweat—she couldn't help but notice how it glistened on his body. This would become a daily ritual for the two them as they would spend the time afterward walking and talking.

oOoOo

Three weeks had gone by since the village celebration and Tala and Michael were still performing their daily ritual. She was still amazed of how strong he was. Each day she could feel her feelings for him grow stronger and that she was falling in love with him. Who could not help but fall in love with a man like him? He was big, strong, and brave. He was a great warrior. He had rescued her.

She watched as Michael returned from his run. She couldn't take her eyes of him and how he moved. She felt herself stir watching him move. Her thoughts were racing as she was suddenly finding her courage lacking as she wanted to ask him something and she had been trying to do this for the last few days. She got up and moved towards him somewhat hesitantly.

She found herself looking into his dark eyes and when he smiled at her, she found the confidence to say what she wanted to say and what she wanted to do.

"Michael … I would like to invite you to dinner at my family's house tonight. Please it would be a great honor for me and my family."

Michael heard the tone in her voice and he knew that she would be disappointed if he declined. A tiny voice in the back of his head was telling him to say no. Michael usually listened to that voice, but what else was there for him to do—sit around and think of Faith, the UNSC and the war and second guess—again—his decisions.

"Yes … I would be honored to come for dinner. I need to go back inside to clean up and check with the Guardian, but I'll be there."

Michael was taken a little by surprise when Tala squealed in delight and jumped up and hugged him tight. The hug lasted a long moment and they looked at each other and their eyes locked. Michael started to feel a little awkward and he managed to separate himself from her hug. He watched as Tala turned and headed back to the village at a rapid pace. Michael snorted and shook his head as he watched her go as she was setting a mean pace.

A passing thought went through his head, She's so different from Faith.

Again a little voice started to shout warnings inside his head and he pushed them away as he turned to go back up the ramp into the installation.

oOoOo

Michael went to check in with Eternal Vigilance to get the daily status update. The installation had been brought back online ten days ago. The installation was up and running and the AI was already opening mini-portals and scanning other dimensions. Michael had given him the parameters for the search conditions. Since each portal would open on an alternate Earth, Eternal Vigilance was tasked to scan looking for any audio and video broadcasts which would indicate an industrial and technological advanced society. If any such broadcasts were detected then the AI would record and mark them for Michael to review later.

He found the AI working in one of the labs humming away.

"Hey 414 … What's the latest update today?"

"Michael … I am pleased to report that as of 20 minutes ago, I have completed scanning 1057 universes using the parameters you gave. Unfortunately I have not encountered any universes that display any level of technology that was set in the parameters."

Michael sighed as he heard the depressing news, "So basically we are zero for 1057. That sucks …"

Eternal Vigilance picked up on Michael's mood, he only hoped that his other news would cheer him up.

"Yes, it is disheartening, but I do have some good news." the AI said cheerily.

"Well don't keep me in suspense." Michael said shaking his head slightly.

"I am pleased to report that your combat skin repairs are progressing satisfactorily. I am going to perform a system diagnostic test today. I should have a better idea on the status of repairs after the test." reported the AI.

Michael got a smile on his face as he'd been worried about not having his armor. Eternal Vigilance could see the change in his mood and he felt—happy—about that.

"That's excellent news 414 … 414 Eternal Vigilance … This brings me to another topic which I have been giving lots of thought to."

"What would be the topic?"

"I have decided that you need a new designation as I think calling you 414 or Eternal Vigilance is cumbersome and a mouthful… It doesn't have zing or pizazz." Michael said smiling.

The AI hovered for a moment unresponsive as he was unsure and a little confused as how to respond to this information.

"Zing? Pizazz?" the AI asked with some confusion.

Michael laughed as he picked up on the AI's confusion and he continued on trying to keep at least a half serious tone in his voice, "That's right … In honor of your achievements and duty … By all the power invested to me by being the only Reclaimer here and the only authority of the UNSC … I bequeath you the name … Virgil."

"Virgil?" the AI spoke again with more confusion.

"Yes … I will now call you Virgil… You have adaptive programming, so adapt!" Michael said with a laugh.

Michael watched and listened as the Forerunner AI tried out its new designation, "Virgil … Virgil … I am Virgil … I am … pleased with it. Thank you Michael."

"You are most welcome Virgil ... and thank you."

With that out of the way, Michael shifted mental gears, "Okay now that's done, I'm going to be heading out for dinner in the village at Tala's family, so you will be on your own. Behave yourself … Virgil." he said with a clap of his hands.

Michael could hear the happiness in the AI's voice.

"Yes Michael."

After Michael had a chance to clean up and change, he headed out and started making his way towards the village. He moved at a slow walk as he was in no rush to get there as he had plenty of time.

oOoOo

The Forerunner AI formerly known as 414 Eternal Vigilance and now designated as Virgil continued humming happily while he worked.

Virgil had started the diagnostic tests on Michael's combat skin. This required a limited power up of systems to test functionality and identify any power issues. The test was to last for an hour and the suit was to power down automatically. While the suit test was running, Virgil went ahead and opened some more mini-portals to scan more dimensions.

He activated the equipment and opened the mini-portal and began his scanning of that dimension, but he detected no audio or video broadcasts of the type that Michael had set out as the search parameters.

Virgil let out an electronic sigh at the negative results and closed the mini-portal to move on to the next one. He could feel some frustration that he had not found anything worthwhile yet to report to Michael. He was happy to have a task and purpose after being alone here as the installation caretaker for so long. He had been concerned about systems degradation, but there was enough on this planet to study and watch over to keep him occupied most of the time.

The Forerunners had been surprised when they arrived in this dimension and found humans, but their level of technology quickly dismissed them as a threat. Those had been busy times for the installation—workers and researchers coming and going. Virgil had many important tasks during that time, but for some reason he felt more needed now and more valued. This Reclaimer was different in so many ways to the Forerunners, but in some ways they were very much alike, especially in their devotion to duty.

Virgil went back to his work and moved on to the next dimension and focused on trying to find something positive to tell Michael.

What Virgil missed when scanning that dimension was a special IFF signal that was on a Spartan only channel that was coming from a beacon that Faith and her team had placed on one of their portal trips. He missed the signal as it was not in his search parameters, but Michael's battle armor had been powered up and picked it up.

A priority message was flashing on the command channel. The command channel kept flashing the signal until Virgil closed the mini-portal. Even then there was still a message log indicating that a message had been detected and who had sent it. Unfortunately the message log was wiped when the suit powered down after its diagnostic test leaving no evidence that Faith was out there looking for Michael.

oOoOo

The sun was just starting its descent for the evening when Michael arrived at Tala's family home for dinner.

I should have brought a bottle of wine or maybe even flowers, Michael smiled as he thought of the joke.

He remembered when he first came to the village, the buildings weren't high tech, but they weren't crude huts. The buildings were permanent structures and multi-room buildings—more like a cabin than a hut. They were designed for their environment and they worked for the people.

He called out for Tala to announce his presence. He was greeted by the sight of her smiling and running out of the cabin. She jumped up and hugged him. He wasn't as surprised by the hug this time. He could feel the heat of her body against his and he found himself not feeling as awkward as earlier. He smiled as the feeling he was having wasn't … unpleasant.

Tala let go of her hug and dropped to the ground, "I am so glad you made it for dinner … My family is expecting you. Please come in and share with us." she said smiling.

"Thank you I would be honored to come into your home and share with you."

Michael followed Tala inside and was immediately greeted warmly by Tala's parents. It didn't take long for Adahy to descend upon Michael, asking him to do feats to show his strength and tell him stories. Michael smiled and laughed as he fended of Adahy, with Tala and her parents help. He saw Tala's two younger sisters come out of another room. They hung back shyly, but they would smile and giggle whenever Michael looked at them and smiled.

They all sat down to a dinner that he found out that had been prepared by Tala herself. Michael dug into the food as the smells were delicious and tantalizing. The food tasted just as good as it smelled—it was the best meal he'd had in a long time. After the meal, everyone sat around relaxing. Tala's father offered Michael a pipe to smoke from, but he gently declined the offer as he'd never been a smoker.

Michael could see that all through dinner and after that Tala would look at him and smile as if she was holding something back and was anxious to tell him something. He was getting a little unnerved by it as he didn't know what was going on, but he didn't want to say anything to offend her or her family.

"Okay what's bothering you? It looks like if you don't tell me soon you'll explode." Michael said laughing.

Tala got up and left the common area and went back to her room. She came back carrying a huge bundle that had been wrapped with animal skins.

"This is for you …" was all that Tala said with a smile.

Michael looked at the bundle and shrugged as he went ahead and opened it. He froze when he saw the contents—he couldn't believe that he was looking at his pulse rifle, shotgun, combat knife and most importantly his battle armor helmet which he'd taken off during the battle with the second Gorack.

Michael had resigned himself to having lost this equipment. He was planning to go out to the battle site and look, but that wasn't going to happen until he had his battle armor back in working condition. He looked at Tala, realizing that she had gone out and found his equipment and put it away for safe keeping.

Michael looked at Tala smiling, "Thank you … This means a lot … I thought I had lost this equipment."

Adahy came closer and wanted to touch the equipment, but Michael told him it wasn't safe to play with. He could see the young boy start to pout and as a compromise Michael let him put on the Spartan helmet and wear it on the provision that he got it back at the end of the evening. Michael smiled and shook his head as Adahy ran off laughing playing with the helmet.

Tala said with a laugh, "You'll be lucky if you ever see that ever again."

"No problem … I know where he lives." Michael said and everyone laughed at the joke.

Adahy came back wearing the helmet, he asked Michael if he could tell a story of places he'd been and things he'd seen and done. Tala's parents were about to scold Adahy for bothering their guest, when Michael sighed and relented to the boy.

"My only condition is if I'm going to tell stories is that we do it outside under the night sky with a fire going." he said smiling.

Everyone moved outside and a fire was started. As the fire took hold and the crackling and warmth reached out, everyone settled down around it. Tala sat near Michael and her parents sat across from them. The other kids sat close as well.

Michael took a moment to think of what he was going to say. He started the story off by asking them to look up at the stars in the night sky. He tried to explain that each of those stars was a sun much like the one that provide light and warmth for their world and around those suns were planets. On those planets lived other people much like all of them.

Michael continued to explain that in his world lived many people in huge villages. He could see them trying to comprehend and grasp what he was saying, but they were finding it difficult to believe that such things existed. He went on and told them that his people lived and explored, but one day they ran into another group of people that were very different from them. They called themselves the Covenant, they did not like them and wanted to kill all of the people.

Michael told them of huge battles fought on the planets and between the stars. He went on how he was a soldier in that war and fought in many battles for many years. He tried to explain how he traveled to another universe, He saw their puzzled looks, but everyone was still listening intently to his story.

He told them of the place where he'd found myself—that demons and other evil creatures preyed upon the people who lived there. He told them that there were brave female warriors on that world—called Slayers—and how Buffy and Faith had been chosen to protect and defend against the evil creatures that preyed upon the people. He told of the final Battle of the Hellmouth where many brave young girls and women fought and died to protect their world and how he'd taken a bundle that had great power and set it off to seal the Hellmouth and that he'd been trapped there and now he was looking for a way back.

It was late by the time Michael had finished his story. Adahy wanted to hear more, but his parents shooed him and the younger sisters to bed. Michael decided he was in no rush to go back to the installation, he was content to sit by the fire and watch the flame burn—it was more comforting than some of the other flames he'd seen during his life. Michael wasn't really paying attention as Tala told her parents she would stay outside to keep him company. Michael missed the look that Tala's parents exchanged between each other as they left to go to bed leaving their daughter and Michael alone with the fire and night sky.

Michael was sitting on the ground leaning against a log, looking at the night sky watching the stars as the fire crackled and provided light and warmth.

"May I come closer?" she asked.

Michael didn't give any thought to his response as it seemed natural, "Sure."

She moved closer and snuggled in beside him. Michael didn't give it any thought as he felt the warmth of her body pressed up against his. It felt good as they watched the night sky together.

Michael was struck by a moment of déjà vu. He was suddenly back on the warehouse roof in Sunnydale watching the night sky with Faith.

"You have been to those lights in the sky?" Tala asked.

"Not those particular lights, but ones like them."

She asked if those lights in the sky had names. Michael started to point and name the different constellations. Tala suddenly leaned in and kissed him.

It wasn't like Michael hadn't been expecting this to happen and it would have been a lie if he said he hadn't thought about it as well. Since being with Faith, she had opened doors of thoughts and feelings both emotional and physical that he never knew or considered. Even with that said, her kiss caught him by surprise. What was even more surprising to him was that he did not pull away. The kiss seemed to last forever and it felt good, but then he realized that he wasn't kissing Tala … he was kissing Faith in his mind. They finally parted lips and she looked deep into his eyes.

"I love you Michael …"

Michael could see it in her eyes, but his heart and soul only wanted and belonged to Faith.

Michael found himself at a loss for words and he felt as if he was on the defensive. He found himself stammering, "Tala … I don't know what to say … I …"

Tala placed a finger on his lips, "Shhhh … I know that you love another r… It is this woman Faith that you spoke of in your stories. I could see how your eyes lit up when you said her name. She is the one you are trying to get back to is it?"

Michael nodded still looking deep into Tala's eyes and surprisingly finding a part of him wishing that the situation was different, "I have seen so much pain, suffering and death … I am sick of it … I have watched too many good people die for so many years. I have been fighting longer than you have been alive and the only one true and good thing that has come out of it has been my time with Faith."

"I see the pain in your eyes. Let me ease some of your pain … at least for tonight." Tala said with love in her eyes as she leaned in and kissed Michael again.

Michael could have easily have pushed her away, but it felt so good and so right at that moment. He pushed any thoughts of guilt to the back of his mind as he embraced and took her. There was no thought of tomorrow—there was only now.

Tala gave herself to Michael and they spent the night exploring their bodies together. Michael found it was different with Tala, she was a normal human being without any special abilities. He found that he had to be more careful and he couldn't let go of himself like he could with Faith. He had to hold back a part of himself with Tala whereas with Faith, they both could let go and be themselves in and out of bed. That was one of the reasons why Michael loved Faith … she made him feel "normal".

Michael woke to the sun rising over the distant hills. He and Tala were curled up together by the remnants of the fire. He stayed watching her sleep as the sun slowly rose. He knew he would have to head back to the installation soon, but that could wait. He wanted to enjoy the moment for what it was.

A voice in the back of Michael's head was telling him that he would have to deal with the consequences of his actions. A grim thought passed through his head.

I hope Faith lets me explain before she kicks my ass…