Darlea
***

>He smiled, then reached across the table and took her hand.  He felt the
jolt of surprise at his touch, followed by the heat he had so often felt in
her at his touch.  "Darlea, I know you and I can't go back to way it was
before Salinda, but... but I would like to make friendship stronger, so
that... next time you or I get... involved with someone else, it doesn't
destroy friendship."

>"Oh, Almiron, it won't."

>He shook his head.  "It almost did this time.  If Salinda had stayed, how
long would it have been before friendship died entirely?  Friendship must
be stronger, less... physical, so there is something there to sustain
relationship. Or... or... you and I need to become mate."

Her eyes widened, "M .. mates?" She didn't know what exactly she had
expected, but this certainly was not it.

He looked at her intently, "I do not want to lose you again."

She nodded, not quite knowing what to think. They'd barely acknowledged
each other during the time he was mated to Salinda. She felt that it was
mostly her own fault. At first, she had been barely able to see them
together without bursting into foolish tears. At the time she was sure she
was being selfish in her feelings, and had gone out of her way to avoid
both of them, not wanting to be a hindrance in their life together, simply
because she wasn't dealing with it very well. 

And later, as she gotten used to it, and come to accept them as a couple,
she'd still avoided him, as it just seemed to make things easier. Though
she'd never stopped missing him. 

"Almiron .. I .."

"It's not a decision we have to make now." he said quietly.

"I know," she nodded. "I spent the time while you and Salinda were mated,
trying to get used to being without you, because I thought it was for the
best. And it was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. Harder even
then trying to convince myself that you and Salinda should become mates."
She looked up at him, suddenly feeling guilty, "You know I never would have
done that had I known what would happen. I mean, I can't imagine not being
happy to have a baby. If it had been me, I never .." she paused shaking the
thoughts from her mind. Salinda, and what she'd done were not at issue now.

"I'm sorry," she said, "I know you don't want to talk about her." She
smiled lightly, changing the subject, "Honestly, Almiron, there's more to
our friendship then .. I mean .." her brow furrowed, "There is .. isn't
there?"

He smiled warmly, "I think so."

She melted in his dark eyes and clasp his hand tighter, laying her free
hand over their hands. "I love to see you smile. You really should do it
more often." Reluctantly she pulled both her eyes and then her hands free
from his grasp, turning her attention back to the meal before her.

She knew she hadn't answered his question .. if indeed any question had
even been asked. But he had caught her off guard and she really didn't know
what to think. 

***

The two had continued dinner and then cleaned up afterward, chatting about
anything other then what was on both of their minds.

"Do you want to sit for while?" Almiron asked.

Darlea nodded and moved over to his couch, sitting on one end while he took
the other. "Thank you for dinner. It was excellent," she said.

"I'm glad you came."

Taking a deep breath, Darlea said, "I know we have to decide what our
relationship is going to be. I guess it was pretty foolish of me to think
we didn't have to, and that nothing would ever change." She smiled lightly,
"Obviously it did. But I'm still dealing with all the changes .. as I'm
sure you are too."

He nodded. 

"I'm just glad to be with you again," she sat looking at him. It would be
so easy to just fall into his arms, in fact, she found herself aching to,
but she held back. "But perhaps it would be best if I left."

"Maybe it would be."

Neither moved, sitting simply looking at each other.

<Makayla, meet me on the ledge.> Darlea figured she had to start somewhere,
even if her body didn't want to let her go.

<No, please. Can't we stay?>

<Not this time, deary.>

Makayla reluctantly rose from her spot beside Darshan and moved toward the
ledge. The movement from the dragon gave Darlea a push to stand. Almiron
stood with her. She moved closer to him and kissed him lightly on the lips
then turned quickly and moved to where Makayla waiting dismally on the ledge.

"Darlea," he called. She turned to look at him, "I don't want you to go."

"I don't want to." As their eyes searched out the others, they knew that
for now, she couldn't stay. Darlea climbed up on Makayla's back. She turned
and looked at him, giving a slight wave, which Almiron returned.

<Go, Makayla .. home.>

<I'll never understand you, Darlea-pet. He wants you to stay. You want to
stay. I want to stay. And yet you force us to go.>

Makayla continued to grumbled as she launched herself into the chilly night
air, bound for their small apartment.

Regards,
Darlea & Makayla

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Kristen Gant
(AKA: Darlea & Makayla,  Waylene & Aura, Meena & Vonn, 
Kalewyn & Sabbith, Saul & Fayloth)
http://homepage.interaccess.com/~sgant/Kris/kris.htm