She grabbed my arm and said, "I was satisfied when I came in here.She grabbed my arm and said, "I was satisfied when I came in here." Her smiled had become a little saddened. "But now I know why you've always treated me differently." I nodded in shame and said, "Carroll, you're so different up here," I said, pointing to my temple, "from what I expected you to be. All the Centaurs were- Hell, all the Tleils were, really, but you, you were the worst. Argumentative, inquisitive. I never got a fair shot with you people; I really thought that the way you were going you were all going to hate me. And if you had, I'd've deserved it. But you, you were on my case all the time. 'What's this', and 'What's that,' and 'Tell me why.'" "Ken... " She settled to the floor so that we were again eye-to- eye. "I love you." "I know," I said, the tears forming in my eyes again. "I know," and I threw my arms around her shoulders and cried helplessly. "Oh, Gods, I know." She held me close as I stood there, crying against her shoulder, and she stroked my long hair. I smiled when I felt that. "You know," I said, "I can never stop. I'll never be able to stop. |