"I'm sorry about Elic," said Tierney, sitting on Tausson's bed, watching him pack.

"You're sorry? I'm the one who should be sorry. She was my crew, and she tried to kill you. If Dristo hadn't been woken up by your screams next door and notified Protection, I wouldn't have been able to forgive myself. Thankfully Hoff was in the Medic Lab when Aspri was contacted and thought to call me." He folded his handful of civilian outfits and placed them in his bag, then looked down at her, his face somber. "I'm also sorry that I couldn't help you."

"You stopped Elic from dropping me. And you managed to do what twenty-eight years of effort and thousands of dollars on 'sure-fire cures' couldn't do: I'm not scared of heights anymore. I even went back to the assembly and climbed up the ladder. Not one panic attack. I feel like a new woman."

Her smugness faded as she thought of the other woman who had not been so lucky. "I wish I could have helped Elic. She didn't deserve an end like that."

"There was nothing you could do," Tausson insisted. "You barely made it out of there alive. Thank the Great Metalsmith for Aspri."

Tierney saddened at the thought of the Senior Medic. She and Tausson were being given their freedom, but Aspri and Hoff had to stay on the Irral and hide their relationship. Was there something she could do for them? Should she tell Tausson? Would he have any ideas? No, it was their secret, and it wasn't her place to share it.

Watching Tausson sort through the large collection of artifacts on his shelves, trying to decide which to send back to Relica, and which to distribute among the crew, Tierney asked, "Where'd you get all of those, anyway?"

"Most of these were given to me by species I helped save." He picked up a stone that had been intricately carved into what looked like the head of a flower and said, "The Bizlet."

Setting it back on the shelf, he held up the crystal animals Tierney had admired when she first came to his room. "The Wawamay."

Next he picked up one of the two potted plants. It looked unremarkable -- just a handful of oversized blades of grass, but when he brought it over to Tierney, he said, "Think of something you miss from Earth. Anything."

A whole slew of answers came to her: Indian food, the sun, Saturday morning eggs, Saturday night dancing with her friends, peanut butter... basically any real food. But the more she thought about it, the more focused one particular scene became: the kitchen in her parents' house as it had been almost ever night when she lived at home. Her dad would make dinner -- his homemade pizza was Tierney's favorite -- while she, her mom, and Clementine tried to squeeze in another hand of rummy before it was time to set the table. The image made her heart ache, and she wished she could see her family in person once more before leaving for Lota. She'd said goodbye through the sightscreen, but right then she would have given just about anything for one of her mom's bear hugs.

"Are you okay?" asked Tausson. "I didn't mean to sadden you."

Blinking back her tears, she smiled up at him. "I'm fine. Should I tell you what it is?"

Shaking his head, he pinched the base of one of the blades.

"Smell," he directed, holding it close to her face.

Leaning down, she inhaled. At first she didn't smell anything, but then she caught the unmistakable scent of pizza cooking in the oven. Looking up at Tausson in shock, she took another deep breath and closed her eyes. This time she could smell the citrus laundry detergent that was her mom's scent, and Clem's sharp perfume that she'd worn since she was twelve. Even the chalky smell of the cards was there, and the wood polish of the nearby hutch.

This time Tierney let the tears fall, knowing she would never share that same moment with her family again. But when she looked at Tausson, she smiled.

"That's incredible," she said.

He smiled softly and looked at the plant. "The Jin," he said, and put the pot back on the shelf.

Even though she'd asked him at least a dozen times since he'd decided, Tierney couldn't help but ask once more. "Are you certain you want to give up your life in the Squad? I don't want you to be miserable on Lota and resent me."

Instead of the exasperated reply she'd anticipated, Tausson went towards the door. At first she thought she'd angered him and he needed some space, but instead he reached up and took down the sword that hung there, the same rippled sword he'd used in the blood walk. Pulling it out of its sheath, he lay it flat and held it in both hands.

"This was given to the commander of the Erral by the Quincaña," he said, walking back over to her, "the first planet ever saved by the Relican people."

Tierney gazed in awe at the beautiful sword. If what Tausson said was true, not only was it over a hundred years old, it had been given to his great-grandfather of six generations, the man who had saved the Relicans from themselves by bringing them a message of hope.

"As the first honored descendent of my generation," he continued, "I was gifted with this treasure when I was accepted into the Squad. It has been my honor and responsibility to ensure its safety, and continue the legacy of my ancestors."

Slowly he replaced the sheath, and placed the sword on the pile of artifacts to give away. Tierney made a weak sound of protest, guilty that he had to give up such a piece of history -- both his own, and his people's. Tausson turned back and knelt in front of her, taking her hands in his.

"Now I am tasked with an even greater duty," he said, gazing up at her with those lustrous eyes, "one that I accept with joy and eagerness."

He reached up and cupped her face with one hand. Tierney leaned into it, his touch more than enough to cast out all doubts and guilt.

"Tierney Lorraine Dawson," he began.

How does he know my middle name?

Suddenly she became keenly aware of his position on one knee, and his formal tone. Her body went rigid with astonishment, and her heart quickened as he continued.

"You taught me how to love." His thumb rubbed her hand, and his cheeks went dark.

He's nervous!

Was this real? Was this powerful, beautiful, perfect man nervous because of her? Was he really about to do this?

"I've given up my home, my career, and my people to be with you," he said, "and I'd do it all again a hundred times over if it meant being with you for the rest of my life." He licked his lips and shifted his weight.

"Tierney Lorraine Dawson," he repeated, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a ring of steel, "will you marry me?"

Laughter burst from Tierney's lips. Jubilant, uncontrollable laughter, accompanied by equally unstoppable sobs of joy. Confusion flashed in his eyes, but before he could say anything, she wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him.

"Yes!" she laughed, kissing his forehead, his cheeks, his lips again. "Yes, please, yes!"

He held up the ring and slipped it onto her finger. It was nothing more than a thin band of steel, but to her it was the most beautiful thing in the universe.

"How did you know what to do?" she asked, gazing down at it through misted vision. "And how did you find out my middle name? I hate that name."

Scratching the back of his neck, he smiled guiltily up at her. "I may have contacted your family last night and asked them for some pointers."

"Aren't you resourceful," she teased, kissing him again. "I bet Clem had plenty of good ideas."

His cheeks darkened again. "Plenty," he agreed. "She seemed especially concerned with our first night as husband and wife."

"That little twerp," she laughed. "What's your middle name?"

With a sideways glance at her, he said, "The number of names a Relican has depends on their mother's heritage. Some Relicans go by only one name, others have two, some three. Children of the Gratt Asteroid Mates can have up to seven names." He stood and went back to packing.

"You didn't answer my question," she said with a smirk.

Smiling back at her, he said, "I'm well aware of that."

Tausson finished packing as Tierney lay on the bed, taking turns staring at her ring and her fiancee. When it was finally time to go, she picked up her bags and waited as he took one last look around. She'd packed that morning while he was still in the Medic Lab.

"I wish we could at least say goodbye to Hoff and Aspri," she said, "and Lutari and Inlan."

"Unfortunately I doubt any of them will want to see us, let alone speak to us. We're criminals in their eyes. Hoff especially, now that he's commander, can't afford to be seen with us."

Even though she doubted Hoff and Aspri saw them that way, she knew what he said was probably true for the rest of the crew. She wouldn't be surprised if they all hid in their rooms as she and Tausson passed, anxious to avoid further cultural contamination.

With one last sweep of his room, Tausson put on his pack and opened the door. "Ready?" he asked.

"One thing," said Tierney, leaning in for one last kiss. "How do you say I love you in Relican?"

He paused, considering it. "There isn't really an equitable phrasing in our language, but I guess the closest would be..." He grazed her lips with his. "Na bunhu kas."

"Na bunhu kas," she whispered back, the words rolling on her tongue, and warming her heart.

They stepped into the hall, and for several minutes Tierney's prediction was correct -- they saw no other crew members at all. But then, close to the conveyance chamber, they turned the corner and were frozen in their tracks by the sight of Relicans, standing at attention along the walls of the corridor.

The closest Relican, the bronze who had helped Tierney understand what was happening during the blood walk, called out, "Firka, rida en rimtak almak!"

The drumming of the nubla rumbled from down the hall, though Tierney didn't see Inlan or the instrument. She turned to Tausson, and smiled at his stunned expression. Someone said something else in Relican, causing a chorus of chuckles to rise from the crowd. Whatever had been said, it made Tausson laugh as well. Clearing his throat, he moved down the hall.

"It has been my honor to lead you," he said, making eye contact with every person they passed, "and it is my privilege to remember you. May the Great Metalsmith's forge light your path through all your days. May there always be gems in the sand, and steel in your heart."

He kept repeating those same phrases as they walked, and Tierney realized this must have been what Carterra had said as she left as well. It was nowhere near everyone on the ship -- there were maybe a hundred Squad members in total, but that any of them were there, giving Tausson a commander's goodbye despite him not even being Squad anymore, made Tierney's heart swell with pride.

They came around the final corner, and Tierney saw Inlan playing his drum just outside the conveyance chamber door. Lutari was, of course, standing by his side. At first Tierney was nervous that they would ignore her -- many of those they passed did, their loyalty to Tausson clearly not extending to the alien woman who had corrupted him. But they both smiled when she came into view, meeting her gaze immediately. Tausson was walking slowly, and Tierney wanted to just skip ahead straight to them, but she waited, walking slightly behind him, until they were within arm's reach.

Inlan had softened his playing the closer Tausson came, until it was a barely audible heartbeat. So when Tierney spoke to them, he and Lutari could hear, even though she kept her voice low so as not to detract from Tausson's constant flow of words.

"Thank you for being so kind to me. My time here would have been a lot harder if it weren't for you. I'll miss you guys."

Lutari smiled. "I'll miss you too," she said, and held up her gloved hand.

"Good luck with your next set of twins," Tierney said, and gave her a firm, but quiet, high-five.

To Inlan, Tierney gave a small bow and said, "May the force be with you."

"Break a leg," he said with a grin.

"You know," laughed Tierney, "that's actually pretty close!"

After one last goodbye to them both, she caught up with Tausson just as he said his final recitation and turned into the conveyance chamber. Inside stood Undir, Aspri, and Hoff.

Turning first to the Trajectory Officer, Tausson said, "I am grateful to be leaving the Irral with you to care for her. Thank you for saving my marmas more times than I can count."

The word might not have translated, but the meaning was clear.

"Don't think this gets you out of that bottle of diamond wine you owe me," said Undir, using his translator. Winking at Tierney, he added, "Don't ever let this guy near a set of dross dice -- he's not as lucky as he thinks he is."

"I'll keep that in mind," she said, smiling at Tausson's darkening cheeks.

Next came Aspri. Regaining his formal posture, Tausson extended his fist in the traditional Relican way and said, "It was an honor to share this vessel with you."

"Likewise," said the Senior Medic, just as stiffly.

Tierney stepped up to him. "Thank you, for everything," she said warmly, well aware that it was impossible to say what she was truly thankful for. "I hope that you are able to find as much happiness as --" She was about to say as I am, but thought that might make it too obvious what she was talking about. Instead, she said, "-- as you can endure."

His hard eyes softened ever so slightly, and the corner of his mouth twitched up. "I'm sure I will," he said, with a glance at Hoff by his side.

Tausson had already finished saying goodbye to the newest commander of the Irral, so Tierney moved to take his place in front of Hoff.

"Did you arrange this goodbye for Tausson?" she asked.

With a smile that made the six-feet-plus, heavily muscled Relican look downright boyish, he said, "I may have let the time of our former commander's departure be known to a few select crew members. They took it from there."

"Thank you," she said. "I know it means a lot to Tausson."

With a gentle nod, he said, "It was an honor to share this vessel with you. I wish you peace and many offspring."

Accepting his wish in the spirit it was given, Tierney said, "You've been nothing but kind and supportive since my arrival, and I'm truly thankful to have known you. I hope we meet again someday, and that any happiness you seek finds you tenfold."

She wanted to give him a hug, but settled for a tearful smile, then joined Tausson on the conveyance platform.

"The Glint is ready to accept you," said Hoff, entering the coordinates into his sleeve.

Tierney's stomach flipped and fluttered. This was it. This was the start of her new life with Tausson. Settling on a new planet wouldn't be easy, but with him by her side, she could do anything. She reached for his hand, and he gave it a reassuring squeeze.

"We are ready to be received," said Tausson. "Fair travels, Commander."

"Fair travels," replied Hoff, and pressed the final command.

Tierney turned to Tausson, remembering the first time she'd been on this very platform, and how far she'd come since then.

"Na bunhu kas," she said, as her body slowly disassembled.

His figure had gone misty -- or was that her vision? -- but he still held firmly to her hand. The last thing she heard as the Irral fell away, was Tausson's voice, low, strong, and soothing.

"I love you too."

* * *