n to get out of the water. Suddenly, all I could think about was getting back on the ship and getting back in spa

es fixed on Valen's. When I reach him, I place my hands on either side of his head, keepi

I can't, Nova," he says, his voice n

es as if I can see down into his soul. "This isn't you. This is

hake. "I don't know if we can beat this, Nova," he says, his voice quivering. "It's like there's a voice in my head, screaming over and ov

't real, Valen, but I kn

that moment, I feel the door

. It's dark and lonely, and this tun

ing to

ing to

ing to

going to skin me alive and make me

age, savage

right spot. The

et back to

l away from Valen, breakin

ven as my entire body trembles.

ng three steps away from Valen

ith fearful plea

e calm and even. "It isn't real right now. I'm go

g. I see the fear and the memories beginning to fa

va,

his hands in mine. "I will. Because I cannot live with the alternative. So if it takes me the rest of m

hoon of emotion ripping

who promised to take care of him. It's a part of h

to believe. He

rms, crushing me to him tightly,

trip my uniform off and hang it in the washroom and wrap myself in a bed sheet. While Valen does the same, I return to the Command

ankful that it is warmest there. It gets the

Valen stands there, looking out the window at the brilli

ime physically together, I have n

mself very physically strong and healthy. But it is

arring that laces o

from his waist, all the way up his stoma

ss his back, and I remember seeing visions

risscross over his arms, his