*Stuck?*

Dalanth strained against the doorway, <I'm afraid so.>

H'nry shook his head slowly, *You have no idea how embarrasing this is,
do you?*

<It's not like you're the one who's stuck.  I may have to spend the rest
of my life wedged in this doorway.  My only purpose will be to greet
people as they enter the Med Center.  'Good morning.  How are you
today?  It must be sunny because my tail is hot and the birds are
singing.'> Dalanth's tone dripped with sarcasm.

*People won't be able to get in at this end of the building because
you're in the doorway,* H'nry pointed out.

Abbien walked down the hall toward them carrying an armload of
supplies,  "Is he stuck?" she asked H'nry.

"Yes, and I'm thinking of leaving him like this."

Dalanth grumbled warningly.

"It's ok, I'll get him free," she replied.  *Dalanth, you were very
brave.*

<Thank you Abbien.>

She began to rub some lotion all over his skin, and she had H'nry help. 
When they were done, Dalanth as as slipery as a greased pig.

*See if you can get out now,* Abbien suggested.

Dalanth pushed backwards against the smooth floor of the Med Center and
slowly backed out of the door with an audible pop.

"Thanks, Abbien," H'nry said with a smile.

"It was my pleasure, and besides, who wants to use the back door every
day," she laughed,  "On a more serious note, we need your help with some
surgery."

"I'm not a healer," H'nry stated the obvious.

"Don't worry, you won't be doing any cutting."

***
Dalanth was sleeping when Rimanda landed on his ledge.  He opened his
eyes long enough to yawn.  As soon as Retala dismounted she walked over
to curl up next to the bandaged dragon.

Retala looked him over and then walked over to the door and knocked. 
H'nry didn't answer.  She turned the knob and entered.  The apartment
was dimly lit, and H'nry was sleeping on the couch. 

She walked over and shook him lightly.  He started and open his eyes. 
It took a moment for him to focus on her.

"What happened to you two?" she asked.

"Oh, the usual.  Dalanth flamed a wraith and got stuck in the doorway of
the Med Center in teh process.  I helped the healer from Marrid with
surgery that consisted of removing a wraith from L'sein's gut.  Just a
typical day at the warren," H'nry sighed, "How'd your day go?"

"Um, fine.  Would you mind going through that a little slower?" Retala
asked as she settled on the sofa next to him.

H'nry launched into a recounting of the events of the day.  He began
with the death of Laya's baby.  He got up to make a pot of tea while
telling her about the wraith in the med center.  He served the tea while
discussing their surgery on L'sein.  They finished their tea while he
told her about the mating flight.

"Kay must have been devestated," Retala said.

"He seems to have held up ok.  I think he knows that Kattibrie loves him
in a way that Danielle couldn't.  I think they'll be fine."

"I'm glad, I really like Kay."

"So how'd your day go?" H'nry asked.

"I presented my argument to Chrystalla.  She said she'd consider it and
make a decision.  She really needs to know what happened here today.  It
might make a difference."

"You can make another trip tomorrow.  Tonight I need you here."

"I can't think of any other place I'd prefer to be."

***
Later that evening, they lay together in the soft light of the moon when
Retala made a disturbing observation.

"Did Lakoda say how the wraiths got inside Ryan and L'sein?"

"Not to me.  She may have told R'chien or Sarrine."

"I'm worried there might be others at the warren," Retala said.

"Great, surgery is not one of my stronger talents."

***
[The following morning - lakeside]

They stood on the lake shore in groups of two or more.  The common
denominator between them all was contact.  Contact with one another.

H'nry and Retala stood near Kay and Kattibrie.  Retala squeezed H'nry's
hand tightly, and he pulled her in close.  Tears rolled down her cheeks.

"We'll never even have the chance they had," she whispered.

"Tis better to have loved and lost," H'nry said.

"Than to never have loved at all," Retala replied.  She sniffed loudly,
"Lets got home."

NRPG:
Sorry for the long silence.  For some reason my Telnor inspiration is
relatively low.  

Sarah: It's been a while.  If you're out there, feel free to post
something for Nia and H'nry.

Kris: If Kay wants to talk, H'nry's willing.

Tony: H'nry and L'vand still have to find the root cause.  It should be
hard.

		Respectfully submitted,
		H'nry - Dalanth
		Telnor Warren
		Alton Reich
-- 
			Alton & Elizabeth Reich
			  alton.reich@snet.net
"Ani l'dodi, v'dodi li - I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine"
--The Song of Songs