>*You are an incredible person, and I love you.* He smiled. She was taking
>this very well. Especially considering how confused he was over the whole
>thing. Even though life in the warren was so much better then his life
>before .. it sure was so much more complicated. But at least he had
>Kattibrie to go through it with him.

Kattibrie hugged him tightly, not wanting to let go. She loved him so much,
she didn't know what she'd do without him being there. They stayed in each
other's arms for several minutes before Kitty reluctantly released him,
remembering she promised to go see Tera.

*I love you! I'm going home to get cleaned up, then I'll see Tera.* she
explained to Kay. She kissed him on the lips one last time before leaving
the dining hall.

***

** Kattibrie's queenrider apartment **

Kitty went to her queenrider apartment, knowing she'd have to get used to
the place because soon she'd be spending a lot of time there, once Shandra
laid her eggs.

She regarded her reflection in the mirror critically as she washed her
face, noting that the scar on her cheek had faded to a thin white line.
Barely noticeable, but it was still a scar.

She thought of Kay and Danielle. Danielle had a perfect complexion,
unmarred by any scars or defects. She shook her head as if trying to shake
away the doubts.

<You are as bad as Kalewyn!> Calishandra scoffed.

<What do you mean?> Kattibrie asked, confused.

<You think of your scar the way Kay thinks of his ears,> Calishandra
replied, smug in her understanding of the situation.

***

<Shandra, where is Sundee's rider?> Kitty queried as she checked the straps
on the silver queen's saddle before mounting up.

<She's at her apartment. I'll let Sundee know we are on our way.>
Calishandra replied.

<Thank you, my heart.>

They landed by the blond rider's apartment and Kattibrie cautiously walked
to the door as Calishandra made herself comfortable on the ledge with
Sundellath.

"Come in, Kitty, but be quiet. Danielle and Treb are sleeping," Tera said
in greeting.

Kattibrie nodded and entered the living room, taking a seat when Tera
gestured for her to do so. She clasped her hands nervously in her lap, her
eyes shifting from Tera's face to the floor and back again.

"I... I want to apologize... I hope you don't hate me." Kattibrie began
nervously."

"Why would I hate you?" Tera asked.

"Because of what happened with Danielle. She just... she has some kind of
hold on Kay, and sometimes that scares me," Kattibrie confessed, her
sapphire blue eyes glistening with tears and her lip trembling.

"Kay loves you."

"I know. And I love him," Kattibrie found herself signing as she spoke, it
was almost becoming second nature. "But..." she continued, her hand going
to her scarred cheek, "Danielle's hurt Kay so bad and somehow he can't stay
mad at her. I wish I could be that generous, but..." she shook her head
sadly. 

"I hope you don't think less of me for that," she continued, "I tried to
befriend her when Kay was in jail, but she pulled away from me so I guess
she hates me." Kattibrie shrugged. "Kay would like us to all be friends.
I'd like that, too, but I don't know if it's possible. I'm willing to try,
though."

*******

NRPG: Tag Barb! Not sure how Tera would respond, so I'll leave it here for
you to handle.

Kat, I figured that Tera would probably put Danielle to bed. But you can
decide if she's really asleep or not, and if she hears any of the
conversation. Might be fun to have her listening in. ;)






                \=/,         _-===-_-====-_-===-_-==========-_-====-_
                |  @___oo   (    Submitted by:                        )
      /\  /\   / (___,,,}_--=    Jacqueline "Morgan" Allgood          )
     ) /^\) ^\/ _)        =__                                          )
     )   /^\/   _)          (_                                         )
     )   _ /  / _)            (      Danika/Kalindeth of Daere        )
 /\  )/\/ ||  | )_)            (_    Xanthia/Maxima of Whiteriver     )
<  >      |(,,) )__)             (   Kattibrie/Calishandra of Telnor )
 ||      /    \)___)\             (_ Yasmine/Starlin of Marrid       )
 | \____(      )___) )___           -==-_____-=====-_____-=====-___==
  \______(_______;;; __;;;