Diana listened to Trey tell his story & as she looked thru the pictures 
of Trey & his children. Darrin & her had talked of a family, but decided 
to wait just another year or so...thinking they had all the time in the 
world. now.....

As Trey talked about what had happened she started to understand why thi 
man had had some compassion for Malk, or M'cos as Trey called him. She 
never could have any for him because of what had happened but she at 
least did not have the intense hatred that she once had had. As Trey 
talked about how is insanity had progressed, she looked at the man she 
had just recently met & had a hard time believeing that this man could 
have done the things he said he had done, especially to hurt one of his 
children. She could see the love in his eyes when he talked about his 
children  & the hurt that appeared at the thought that he probably would 
never see them again. She felt a lot of the bitterness that she had felt 
fall away, at least she didn't have to live with the thought that she had 
caused  her situation, even though his had happened thru no control of 
his own.

They ate for a few moments, Diana very surprised that the food was so 
good. This man was a better cook than she was. She was about to say so 
when he said "At leats you are lucky enough to have something external to 
blame things on like Malk Bromitz. All I have is myself to blame. You are 
fortunate in that respect." He looked up at her.

She thought for a moment. "I have learned though that Malk is not really 
the cause of my problems & grief. Darrin & I chose to be comabt riders 
after we joined with our dragons. Both of us knew it was dangerous & 
Darrin died doing what he would have wanted to do, protecting his home."
She paused "& as for you blaming yourself, you are not at fault, your 
illness was.  From looking at these pictures I can tell you are the type 
of man who would never hurt Ophelia or your children intentionally. Maybe 
one day your family will forgive you & take you back."

"He looked at her, sadness in his eyes. "I doubt it. I hurt them very badly"

"well to me, part of love is forgiveness" Diana said.

They both continued to eat, each of them lost in thoughts of their own.

"Btw, this chicken is great. To be honest, I am surprised. Darrin was 
never much of a cook." Diana said

"Thanks" Trey said "I enjoy it, although it is much more enjoyable when  
you have someone other than yourself to cook for"

"Well, invite me over anytime if this is an example!" Diana grinned.

Impulsively she got up & went to his side of the table & took one of his 
hands in hers. "If you ever need to talk or just need a friend to be 
with, I am here. We are a lot alike & I hope I can help you as you have 
helped me. Diana paused "I don't mean to be presumptuos but I would like 
to be your friend" She looked at him to see what his reaction was.

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

NRPG: Lyn: back to you! *grin*


 
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  ---(((----(((--------- Briana & Starleana of Keldarra
   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~   Diana & Zena of Marrid
    ~  Kat Harris  ~     Karina of Amber
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   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~   http://www.indy.net/~catwoman