Briana continued to sob, the look in S'broghs eyes forever imprinted in
her mind. She slowly became aware of the soft stroking in her hair.

Her tears slowed as she felt the caring in that simple touch. She looked
up at the man with her, her eyes wide and wondering as her mind tried to
comprehend that caring. The hand withdrew, and somehow, she missed its
comforting touch.

She starred into his eyes, eyes full of concern.

> 	"I will not leave you until you ask me," he said softly.
> 
> 	"Why are you doing this?" she asked.
> 
> 	R'mar shook his head.  "Because you need me."
> 
> 	"But I'm--" she choked and stopped to regain her composure.  "I'm
> ugly now.  Wynn kicked me out of the Wing.  I'm ugly and useless and...
> and..."  She squeezed her eyes shut against the memory of S'brogh's
> horrified face as he looked at her.

She felt his hand grasp her shoulder hard...too hard, she gasped. he
immediately loosened his grip but it still throbbed.
 
>"You are beautiful and graceful," he
> said fiercely.  "I will love you through everything.  Forever."

Love? She looked at him with her eyes wide. Had she heard him right? How
could anyone love her? She was ugly and useless. Wynn didn't want her in
the wing, she had tried to kill her best friend, and she was scarred.
Noone could love her.

"You can't" she said simply "Noone can love me. You pity me."

R'mar shook his head. "There is nothing to pity."

( I love you, Briana) Star's soft voice sounded in her head.

She dropped her gaze from his, unable to look at him anymore. She was
empty. She couldn't feel anything right now except bitterness and
depression. She felt him withdraw from her slightly.

"No! Please don't leave me!" There was terror in her voice.

His arms enfolded her again. "I told you I would never leave you unless
you ask me to." he said simply.

Briana felt safe in his arms and she knew Star was safe there too.

"Thank you" she said softly. "I am afraid of what I might do if....if I am
alone."

It was hard to admit that she needed him.

She continued softly "I have been alone since my father died. He was the
only one I have ever had in my life. My mother died when I was a baby."

R'mar held her and listened. "I was always the center of attention in our
acrobatic team. From the time I was little until he died, veryone went on
and on about how beautiful of a daughter he had. He was so proud of that."
Her eyes grew soft as she remembered the happy times with her father.
"When he decided to go out into the wastes in search of his dream to join
with a dragon it about broke my heart. He was all I had."

Her voice caught as she remembered. "After he died, I was found and
brought back here. I found a new start here, a chance at a second
family...and Star."

Her mind reached for Star who seemed quiet and content.

"I thought I had everything...then I met S'brogh". Again her face
contorted in pain as she remembered the look in his eyes. "I thought he
truly loved me....but he loved me for what he thought I was...a beautiful
face. Now that I am no longer beautiful he can't even stand to look at
me!" Her voice rose in her anguish and R'mar's arms tightened around her.

"Now, I have lost everything...in one swoop...a wraith swoop." her voice
was bitter. "What do I have left to live for?"

She was overcome by a wave of sadness and hurt. "Star..." she whispered.

(I am sorry, my darling)

(I know you don't mean it, Briana)

Briana looked up at R'mar who had been so quiet throughout this. "Thank
you for listening."

"I will always be here for you" he said softly.

"Just hold me tonight, please" she said as she looked at him. "Keep me
safe from the ghosts and the pain. Just hold me...."

His arms tightened around her as she lost herself in his embrace. Her
breath became softer and softer and finally, she slept.....

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

NRPG: It took FOREVER to make Briana talk to me! Hope this is alright.

Would you believe I am now caught up everywhere??? Whew..... :)


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                      Kat Robertson: catwoman@indy.net

                       http://www.indy.net/~catwoman