Auron did not find anything to kill on the airship but they did need to land to make a small adjustment. He took the opportunity to find some unsuspecting fiends to take his anger out on.

He wasn't just angry with Moira. He was sickened at his behaviour. He couldn't fathom where it came from.

"Why does she need to know?" he thought as he dispatched a bite bug. "I only know her past because she wears her heart and hurts on her sleeve. The connection between us showed it all to me before I was ready for it. I'm perfectly content not to know all her secrets. Why can't she see that I ask the same?"

As if in reply, his mind showed him a few of the choicest humiliations Moira had gone through. He then understood that the connection showed him these so he could understand her awkwardness. Her fear. Her occasional self loathing that would push her into demanding an explanation of his past actions. Just so she could compare his experience with someone else to her. He understood all at once where she was coming from.

It didn't matter at all to Moira that he was experienced. Just as it didn't matter to him that she wasn't, or that what little experience she had in the bedroom was so unsatisfying. It was just something else he could do for her to make her happy. He'd burn the world down for her if she asked. He remembered their lovemaking that morning and realized all at once how much it cost her to take charge the way she did; he also realized what it meant to her that he had taken over when her bravado ran out. He knew what he needed to do.

He gathered his things and went back into the airship. The adjustments were made and they were off flying again. Cid came over the loudspeaker to say that they would be at the Omega Ruins by the next afternoon.

Auron returned to their room to find it empty. Completely empty. All of Moira's things were gone. She had left him. The only thing she left behind was the sapphire necklace he had bought her. He held it in his palm imagining he could still feel the warmth of her skin.

He left the room and went to look for her. He didn't need to look long as he heard her talking to Rikku a few doors down.

"It's for the best. He can go back to concentrating on being the Legendary Guardian and I can go back to finding a way home."

"I thought you had planned on staying here in Spira," Rikku said quietly. She didn't agree for a moment with Moira's actions but she could only say it s many times. It was falling on deaf ears.

"I can't stay here. But if I can't find my way back then I'll find some small island somewhere and live out my days alone."

"Defeatist much?" Rikku asked bluntly. "Just because you've decided to throw away a legendary love doesn't mean you need to become a hermit."

"Not defeatist. Just a realist. Auron and I are no good for each other and this whole situation has made me realize that. I'll be fine."

"Well all I know is that you aren't acting like yourself and I'm going to get to the bottom of it." Rikku stormed out of the room and Auron looked into the open door.

"You moved all your things," he said quietly trying to ignore the fact that Moira flinched at the sound of his voice.

"Yes. We are no good for each other. It's for the best if we weren't alone together."

"I don't agree."

"Agree to disagree then."

"Moira, my love," Auron said softly.

"Don't call me that." Moira spat. Her own bitterness made her sick. For the first time since she got to Spira she fervently wished that she and Auron had never become close.

"I call you that because it's true. You are my love and always will be."

"Do you always attack those you love?"

"I," Auron still couldn't find the words to explain what had happened to him. "It was like it wasn't me. I'm so sorry to have frightened you but you must believe me, I would never seek to hurt you Moira. My love."

Moira glared at him. She couldn't reconcile the man she had fallen for so completely with the dark terrible creature that confronted her earlier.

"I told you not to call me that. Just saying the words doesn't make them true."

"But they are the truth. Moira, you have given me back a purpose!" Auron exclaimed.

"Bullshit."

"What?"

"Oh, don't you have that phrase in Spira?"

"No."

"Well then, let me explain it another way. I don't believe a single fucking word out of your duplicitous mouth! I gave you purpose? Seriously? If you had no purpose, then why are you an unsent? Why aren't you living it up on the Farplane or wherever you go when you're dead?"

She paced as she spoke, months of insecurities flooding to the surface.

"I meant that you gave me a reason to stay after my quest is complete," Auron said softly. He took a step towards her and she dodged him. If he touched her, she'd lose her resolve.

"I love you, Moira."

"No. You don't love me. No one ever has or ever will. That's my fate and I accepted it long ago. What we've had up until now has been fun but it's over. There is no happily ever after. There is no riding off into the sunset. We aren't fated to be together and no flowery speeches will change that." The bitter voice in her head was in complete control.

"Moira please. I cannot imagine my life without you. I'll stay by your side until the end of my days."

"Men don't love me. Ever. No matter how I feel about them, the feelings are never returned. Oh sure, some may play along for a while, some send the wrong signals but in the end, no man has ever loved me."

"Moira," Auron whispered. "Please. Believe me, I love you!"

Moira turned to him and for a fleeting moment, Auron thought that he had gotten through to her. That she heard the vast meaning in his simple statement.

"Pretty words only. You can and will do better than me. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm rather tired and I want to be ready for the ruins tomorrow." Moira shut the door in his face.

The door burst open. Auron, enraged stood glaring at the woman he loved. The darkness was threatening to take over again.

"I've never hit a woman and I don't plan on starting now but you need to get your head out of your ass Moira! You're throwing everything away over a small argument! This is a mistake!"

"I've heard quite enough about your mistakes for one day Auron! Leave now before you get hurt!" As she spoke, the now familiar black mist began to swirl around her clenched fists.

Auron backed out of the doorway.

"I'll come back when you've calmed down," he muttered and strode down the hallway.