A/N: Last chapter. Hope you enjoyed it! Sorry it took longer than intended. Storms, a massive blackout and downed services – not to mention mounting piles of paperwork because of it and my ever-demanding boss! – prevented me from making any progress of any fic that I am currently working on for almost an entire week. Ugh! So frustrating! It's a wonder my migraine hadn't made an appearance yet (and it's one of the things I'd rather do without!), thank the Maker! On a lighter note, I would like to thank everyone who had taken the time to read this and for that alone I am very grateful. I can now happily say that I can look back at this without wincing in shame because I am finally able to finish it. Again, thanks so much for sticking with me throughout! Bear hugs for everyone!

I know I added the timeline pretty late but better late than never, right? :)

Story Timeline: set a few weeks before The Other Guys

"Peace begins by willing to accept the things that needed change, and changing the things that you are not willing to accept." - Anonymous

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world."

"Courage has never been known to be a matter of muscle; it is a matter of the heart. The toughest muscle has been known to tremble before an imaginary fear. It was the heart that set the muscle atrembling."

- quotes from Mahatma Gandhi

I was happy to be reunited with my team again.

How many times have I said that already?

Gut feeling told me that it was Maj. Ferretti's idea to let me sweat a few days or so because, I guess, he had no intention of letting me off the hook that easily. That scene in the briefing room just confirmed it.

I wasn't mad. I was relieved. Utterly. I knew, without doubt, that the major had entertained the thought of having me replaced when Michen told them the reasons of forfeiting the talks with us – because I broke their number one rule. But everything panned out right when it turned out that the kid I rescued was the village leader's grandson – the reason of my disobedience and subsequent "reinstatement" in the team.

I was more than happy that everything turned out all right but it still didn't change the fact that I disobeyed my commanding officer, completely disregarded the chain of command. That alone was enough ground for me to be relieved of duty and, knowing the major who demanded strict obedience from those under his command, he had every right to.

Any which way I look at it, I was and am a total failure. But why did the major let me stay?

"Got a bee in your bonnet, lieutenant?"

I was so deep in thought I had no idea that I was staring at Maj. Ferretti. I blinked.

I headed straight to the commissary after my little adventure at the VIP level and saw the rest of SG-2 there. As soon as I laid my tray on the table, Maj. Ferretti extended his right arm at me, his hand clutching at something small. "They send their regards," he said.

With a frown, I took it.

"It's amber," the major informed me, "back on '586 they call it se-ika legat. Pretty expensive, I was told. They had it made especially for you. A way to show their thanks at saving their kid."

I studied the yellowish-brown translucent resin with interest. It was heavy, about the size of a huge marble. Smooth and cool to the touch. It caught the light of the fluorescent overhead, casting soft golden light on my open palm. And there was something floating suspended at its center. "They had it made?" I repeated, surprised and puzzled at the same time. "But isn't amber supposed to be – "

"A fossilized resin that was exuded by coniferous trees from millions of years ago," Our scientist Dr. Grant answered. "We also thought we heard wrong. We had it checked out, in case there's something other than what's inside of it. It's not synthetic, if that's what you think. It's the real deal and it's not copal."

"Semi-fossilized resin or sub-fossil amber." The words came out of my lips unbidden. My teammates threw bewildered stares my way and I hid my discomfiture behind a lopsided smile. "I read it somewhere. Copal." I kept my being a bookworm a secret from them all this time. I never knew why.

"It was, what one could call, a rush job," Griffith divulged. "What had taken millions of years for Mother Nature to make; these guys at '586 did it in just under three days." He said and stuck out the appropriate number of fingers for emphasis.

"Most of Earth's amber ranges from 30 to 90 million years old," our CO blurted distractedly down the table, busy with his mashed potato. "I wanted it carbon-dated but that would take time and I promised the folks back on the planet that I'd give it to you as soon as we get here." Now it was our turn wearing bewildered looks on our faces as the three of us regarded the major silently. He returned ours with a stare of his own. "Hey, I read, too."

"Kinda makes me think of Jurassic Park, actually." Their 2IC added after a few minutes, looking at the small present with interest.

Our scientist threw him a sidelong glance akin to contempt. I knew what that look meant. They both had a difference in opinion with regards to the book's author, Michael Crichton. More often than not, their discussion would go on for hours if left unchecked. Something was telling me that if I didn't cut in at that precise moment, we were looking at another round of argument ahead.

"So, how's Ayen doing?" I asked hurriedly in order to distract them both.

"For one thing, the kid recovered much faster than you," Grant answered with a hint of humor in his voice. "He was up and running a day before we left, like nothing happened."

Maj. Ferretti leaned forward. "Recognize the thing inside it?"

I squinted my eyes trying to discern the tiny object in the middle.

"A chip of the tree that saved your lives, Edrald. The parents wanted you to have it as a souvenir."

I sat there silently contemplating the little gift in my hand. The voices of my teammates were drowned out by the thoughts racing through my mind. First of all, I was touched by the gesture. I know it's just a splinter of wood but it meant a lot to Ayen's parents and, in turn, meant a lot to me, too.

Other dark and gloomy thoughts followed soon thereafter. I entertained all of them because I knew we nearly lost a lot because of me. I wallowed in self-pity until I was pulled out of it by my commanding officer's voice. I blinked a second time and realized that we two were the only ones left at the table. The others had returned to the counter for a second helping.

"Lieutenant?" A concerned frown appeared on his face when I didn't responded the first time and just continued staring at him.

I mentally shook myself from the spell that was self-inflicted. "I'm sorry, sir. I was just preoccupied."

Maj. Ferretti frowned. "Spill," he prodded gently.

Oh, what the heck! I told myself fiercely. Might as well ask him for my own peace of mind. I once again looked at the counter and saw the others chatting with some of the base personnel. From what I could surmise, they'd be there for a while.

"Why?"

He inclined his head at me slightly, brows arched in puzzlement.

I lowered my eyes and stared at my half-finished plate. "I mean, why have you decided on letting me remain with the team when you could've just as easily removed me from it? Don't think me ungrateful, sir. I am. Very much. But I disobeyed your order and no matter how anyone would look at it, I failed in that aspect. Earth almost lost a valuable supply of trinium, a new ally and I could've gotten both of us killed." That last sentence echoed in my head. I knew that it would haunt me for a while, regardless of the outcome. I sighed combing my hair with my good hand resignedly. "Another CO would gladly take me off their hands after a fiasco like that – "

"Well, there you have it," Major Ferretti softly said, cutting right in the middle when I was just warming up. "Just as you said: I am not another CO."

I looked up, startled. There was not a hint of mockery that I could detect on his visage at all. My CO was dead serious despite the fact that a smile tugged at the corners of his thin mouth.

"I guess, by now, you have a pretty good idea of how I tick, Edrald," he began at which I nodded my head. "I was seriously considering taking you out of SG-2 even though the truth was out. I wasn't that happy with being ignored."

I inwardly flinched at that last sentence. "Then what made you change your mind?" I quickly added, "sir."

"Because I know a good solider when I see one," he said. "It takes a lot of gut to stand up for what you think is right and what to do about it. You disobeyed my command and heck, yeah, I was pissed but you stood your ground when I confronted you. And that, for me, says a lot. There are certain situations that needed immediate action, lieutenant, not to mention, one's presence of mind. We weren't there when it happened. You were. So basically, it was your call to make. And you did fine, by the way" – Maj. Ferretti ended with a grin as he nonchalantly shrugged his shoulders – "but, I guess, you already know that."

I sat there stunned. There was buzzing in my ears. Did I heard right? Am I really having this conversation with Maj. Louis Ferretti?

"But that doesn't mean I am condoning your actions, Edrald. You know that I got no patience with people who blatantly disregard the chain of command on my team. So you still gotta prove to me that I made the right decision on letting you stay."

I nodded my understanding, wholly humbled by it.

"Cockiness I can tolerate as long as it doesn't affect the team. But don't overdo it. Are we clear on this, lieutenant?"

I nodded emphatically. "Yes, sir."

"And, if you'd like to know, the kid's worried about you."

That took me by surprise.

"Yep," Maj. Ferretti answered. "Even got me cornered and pleaded your case to me. I asked Dr. Fraiser if you could travel off world anytime soon. She said she'd give you another week more to be sure. So the least you can do is get well enough to pay the kid a visit. You owe him that much."

My conversation with Dr. Fraiser that morning came back to me and couldn't believe that she was also in on it!

I had another question to ask when I noticed him looking over my shoulder. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a wager to claim," and quickly stood up. "Be right back."

I followed the major with my eyes as he approached Maj. Addison and his team, SG-8 with a hearty greeting. I knew not what they were betting on, but based on Maj. Ferretti's superior smug smile alone, it was enough to suggest that SG-8's leader had lost big time to him.

And that was when I felt rather than saw Jonas Quinn enter the room via the door to my left.

Heads turned at his direction. Noticing his lack of companion, conversation dwindled to a minimum as everyone regarded the Kelownan. And like before, he tried his best to ignore everyone as he purposely strode towards the counter. He turned to face the crowd with his tray of food a short while later and when I thought he was going to leave like the first time five days ago, Jonas Quinn instead snaked his way to the farthest empty table available, almost hugging the wall, and sat with his back to the rest of the room. A leather bound book was lying near his left elbow.

I looked around me, gauging everyone's reactions and didn't like what I saw.

Hatred. Aggression. Even fear. It was like they were at a zoo, ogling at some new exotic animal they knew not what to feel towards it exactly.

Something inside me snapped as I looked down at my tray. I admit to giving into something akin to anger, mingled with the remorse I felt, bubbling up inside me at that very moment which was a rare occurrence on my part. All I knew was that I was tired of being a helpless observer anymore when I could very well do something about it. If I didn't act now, I might never have the chance again. And it would just continue on and on.

I hid my good hand under the table, out of sight, and placed it on my lap as I clenched it spasmodically. I tried my best to make my other hand slack but somehow it got a mind of its own and joined its twin whose knuckles were by now white with barely controlled anger.

I knew it wasn't right. It never was or ever would be.

But would I do anything to stop it?

Dr. Fraiser's words from our very first conversation days before came back to haunt me and, surprisingly, as well as Maj. Ferretti's. I knew what I had to do but I also am very much aware of the risks, if ever I would execute them, involved that would surely affect my future relationship with everyone at the base and, most especially, with SG-2. Being marked as an outcast, I think, was probably what was stopping me from doing the right thing. Fear that I might be discriminated because of it. Fear of rejection.

Fear of how my teammates would react. My commanding officer and Dr. Jackson were friends and I knew how it hurt to lose someone close to you so I really couldn't blame the man if he felt animosity towards the Kelownan at all. He had every right to. But I couldn't say the same to the majority of the people at Stargate Command. It just seemed so unfair.

Having that thought in mind, I turned at Maj. Ferretti's direction only to discover that he was closely looking at me. He probably noticed my taut features and rigid back from across the room. I guess I was completely absorbed at scanning the sea of faces around me to notice it.

I knew I ought to look away but couldn't. There was something in the major's brown eyes that had me fixated. I frowned ever so slightly as I continued staring at him. That look on his face was translated into words in my head.

What are you going to do about it?

My heart skipped a beat. Did he knew? Impossible. I never told anyone except –

"Told him the truth." Dr. Fraiser said that morning along with that mysterious smile on her face.

Could it be? Had Dr. Fraiser told him anything about my wanting to be friends with SG-1's newbie? There was no trace of anger in the major's face that I could see, although, that alone wasn't very reassuring. To me, it looked more like Maj. Ferretti was waiting for my next move before showing his hand.

Follow your heart.

Steeling my nerves, I stood up and gathered my lunch tray and purposely strode towards the solitary figure of Jonas Quinn, the center of all this animosity. I knew the moment I lifted my tray off the table that there was no turning back.

Not one gave me notice as I snaked around tables and chairs until I was standing there right beside him. I felt everyone's gazes bore on my back but ignored all of them as I summoned the most casual voice I could muster.

"This seat taken?"

Instant recognition replaced the surprised look on the man's face as he checked out who dared talk to him amidst all these people in the commissary. A friendly smile blossomed on his lips as he answered, "No. Go ahead."

I let out a breath, relieved that I wasn't shunned away. I sat across the table from him, ignoring the rest of the crowd as I focused my attention solely on the dark-haired man in front of me. "I believe, we weren't properly introduced," I said once I sat down. "Aidan Edrald."

Jonas readily clasped my proffered hand. "Jonas Quinn," he said with a half-hearted smile. "But I guess you already know that."

"Can't say I haven't," I chuckled.

"I saw your team a while ago. SG-2's probably wondering where you've gone…"

I turned to where Jonas was pointing at and glimpsed the encouraging smiles both Grant and Griffith directed at me which was something totally unexpected. A little light turned on in my head – maybe I'm not the only one who thought differently about Jonas Quinn. That was comforting. "Nah, they wouldn't mind." I answered confidently.

His brows rose questioningly after he caught me smiling like crazy. As our eyes met, something connected. I definitely knew, at that very moment, he already considered me a friend. Again, the good doctor was right, Jonas Quinn readily trusted without reservations, which I found a bit unnerving. And speaking of which… "Hey, listen, about the other day – "

Jonas knew what I was talking about. "Nah, forget it."

"No. Let me," I insisted. "My friend, Noel, he's a good guy. He just had a tough day, that's all." I added, "And you'll like him once you get to know him better."

My companion lamely smiled at that. Jonas didn't have to say anything for me to figure out the meaning behind it. Fat chance. "Been friends long?"

"Since boot camp. Whatcha got there?" I asked, nodding my head at the book near his elbow, trying to sound curious.

"The Complete and Unabridged Tales of Hans Christian Andersen." Jonas Quinn handed it over to me. "I found that, along with two other books, at my doorstep a while ago." He watched me flip through the pages. "Although, I find The Little Mermaid a bit disturbing."

"Really?"

Jonas went on to explain. "Well, it's a children's story, right? With the princesses marrying their princes and they live happily ever after before the "The End". The Disney adaptation did just that. But Mr. Andersen changing her into a sea foam? I mean, I know what he's trying to say but I'm sure that the children weren't happy with the outcome."

"My kid sister's one of them disgruntled ones," I agreed as I pointed at the open pages of the book on my hands. "This was her favorite: The Seven Swans. First story our dad ever read to her."

He nodded. "I can tell by the darkened edges of the pages that it's been flipped through more often than the rest. And I bet Donna wanted your father to read it to her every night."

I sat there stunned. "How did you – "

"The way you handled the book and your familiarity with it without checking out the table of contents gave you away. The look in your eyes confirms it. As for the name of your sister, it's on the very first page." The Kelownan revealed. Subconsciously, I think he was demonstrating his hyper-observing abilities on me. "That book's around sixteen years old so I guess your sister's around 16 to 20 – "

"19," I revealed in a low voice, my throat restricting of its own volition. "Donna would've turned nineteen last April." When Jonas continued looking at me, with that unspoken question in his dark green eyes, I knew he was waiting for me to continue. "She and our parents were killed in a plane crash ten years ago."

"I'm sorry to hear that,"

I nodded all too quickly. Not wanting to linger in the past, I quickly changed the topic. "So, did you like the other two?"

Jonas' face lit up like a Christmas tree. "Oh, yeah! Thanks for that. The one written by Cotterell was fascinating. I've read about the Mayan civilization and the Lid of Palenque on the internet but they never discussed it the way he did in the book. The Mayan Transformers were so cool I think I'd like to try and decipher them myself one of these days!"

I blinked, astounded. "You read it already?"

"Just skimmed through the introductory chapter – which was good, by the way. Couldn't wait to read it!" My new-found friend exclaimed excitedly. "What about the other one?"

"Graham Hancock's? Comets, asteroids, our solar system, planetary collisions, imminent death, the old "is there life on Mars?" question and what made that dichotomy line and what "killed" it – not to mention world mythology thrown here and there. A lot about NASA and the Space Program with a dash of a few popular major scientific cover-ups." I enumerated. "It's a very good read through and through. Mr. Hancock was very thorough with his scientific research, although, it's nothing compared to the Stargate Program but very thought-provoking. Comes highly recommended." I could see that he was highly intrigued and couldn't help adding a little. "I bet you already know that the name Cairo is derivative of the Arabic word El-Kahira which is also the same name given to Mars."

"It means "the Red Planet"," Jonas supplied.

I nodded. "Aunt Maddie, one of Mom's younger sisters, became my legal guardian after the crash. She passed on to me her passion for books and encouraged me to start my own collection. Mr. Hancock's work was a present from her three years ago."

"Maddie," Jonas said it like he was experimenting the name on his lips. "I like that name."

I smiled. "It's what I secretly call her," I revealed, "short for Matilde."

"Jonas?" a female voice softly called out.

The two of us looked up in unison. I quickly stood to attention, seeing who it was. My companion followed at a much slower pace.

"Sam."

Major Samantha Carter was standing behind Jonas Quinn. She looked at Jonas for a second before she turned to regard me with a frown. She hadn't said anything but the expression on her face was clear enough. Wary. Complete distrust. Another voice floated towards our little group. This time it was a male voice. A familiar male voice.

"-ng you, Lee I can tolerate because even though he's a scientist, he makes sense." The leader of SG-1, Col. Jack O'Neill appeared from behind his 2IC with Teal'c beside him. He had both hands buried deep in the pockets of his BDU pants. "Sometimes."

He stopped beside the major as soon as he saw Jonas Quinn.

"Oh, there you are," the colonel said, chirpy. "We've – " – his tongue slipped – "They" – pointed at the major and Teal'c – "had been looking for you when you didn't show up at Carter's lab for lunch."

Jonas merely shrugged. "You guys seemed pretty busy I didn't want to impose. But I was going to meet up with you at the briefing room as soon as I'm finished here."

At that point, pairs of blue, brown and black eyes all turned to regard me intently. Jonas had clearly forgotten I was there and made haste with the introductions. I noticed that the noise in the commissary had now returned to normal, no doubt, because the rest of SG-1 was there now.

The colonel studied me from head to foot. "One of Lou's kids, huh?" He huffed. "Well, aren't you a bit far off from your team?"

"I am certain that Major Ferretti would understand, O'Neill." Teal'c said in that low voice of his.

The colonel whipped his head to look at the Jaffa curiously, then turned his attention at me and back again. He looked like he was trying to gage if there was something going on that he didn't know about.

I tentatively smiled my thanks at Teal'c as he subtly bowed his shaved head at me. He must've had an inkling as to why I was there and understood which was something I wasn't expecting at all. Maj. Carter's reaction was something I wasn't expecting, either, for that matter. She continued to regard me like I was the scum of the universe. Of the colonel's reaction, I was completely taken by surprise.

"Well, if that's the case," Col. O'Neill finally said, in a rather flippant way as he looked at the Jaffa on the other side of him, "pull up an extra chair, will ya, T? Seems like there'll be five people eating lunch on this table."

- - - o 0 o - - -

"I am so gonna ask Hammond to rethink his decision," Col. O'Neill said indignantly as he took a seat at the head of our table, placing his tray of food in front of him.

Maj. Carter occupied the chair beside Jonas. "Even if the general grants your request, sir, it still won't make a difference."

"It will," the colonel said pointedly, "for my sanity."

"We will only be on the planet for a small amount of time, O'Neill," Teal'c countered beside me, the low timbre of his voice carried a hint of exasperation for their commanding officer's inherent stubbornness. He handed Jonas and I cups of blue Jell-Os each that this particular team loved so much. I thanked him with another smile. "I do not think they will tax your sanity overly so."

Everyone smiled at that as the colonel threw a scathing glare at the Jaffa who seemed unaffected by it. "I'd rather put up with Lee than any of the on base scientists."

"Jack O'Neill's gonna put up with whom?"

All five of us turned and saw Maj. Ferretti standing before us. My jaw dropped to the floor as I gazed up at him. He even had his tray with him.

"The colonel had some concerns regarding Dr. Felger leading the scientific team we're about to escort in a few weeks, major." It was Jonas Quinn who answered. "He'd rather it be Dr. Lee instead."

"Oh, fun!" My commanding officer gleefully said, very much like a kid about to get his hands on free candy on Halloween. Col. O'Neill waved him to the only empty seat available – on the other end of the table which was to my immediate left. He heartily smiled at Jonas who replied back with a friendly greeting of his own. I was completely taken aback with the major's friendly behavior towards the Kelownan. The guy was full of surprises. So does that mean what I think it means?

I unconsciously held my breath as he turned to look at me. I saw no anger or disapproval in those eyes. What I saw was mischief and – pride?

"But Dr. Lee is one of our on base scientists, sir," Maj. Carter reminded her CO. "I can't see why you object too much about Dr. Felger's team being the ones to go off world with us."

"Lee knows how we work." He replied a bit disgruntled. "At the very least, make him lead the scientific team. We don't know what's gonna go down on the planet exactly so I need someone I can count on to follow orders when I give them."

"Dr. Felger seemed like a nice guy," Jonas said, wanting to be helpful. "I'm sure he'll do fine, colonel."

Col. O'Neill leaned forward on the table to directly address his teammate. "Well, that doesn't necessarily translate that this Fletcher guy can obey orders when given. He's a scientist for godsakes!"

That earned him a reproachful look from his 2IC which hadn't gone unnoticed.

"He's a civilian scientist," the colonel corrected himself.

Jonas Quinn lifted questioning brows at their commanding officer.

"Oh, you know what I mean!" Col. O'Neill told him, clearly annoyed at the looks he was receiving.

Jonas shrugged. "Well, I heard he's somewhat of an adoring fan of SG-1," he revealed. "I heard he had a row with another scientist the other day. Dr. Coombs, I believe. Something about the difference between the Stargate Program and Star Trek."

"Yeah," Maj. Ferretti chuckled. "The guy read all your mission reports and I overheard him say you guys were cool."

"I don't care," their CO slowly hissed softly, dismissing the news without thought. "What about you, lieutenant?" Col. O'Neill suddenly asked. "If given the chance, you rather baby sit nerdies you can tolerate, won't you?"

A blue Jell-O cube quivered on my spoon as it suddenly halted midway to my mouth when I heard I was being addressed to and was once again the center of attention. I found that hard to deal with as I looked at the face of my companions who fell silent obviously waiting for me to respond. My CO directed another mischievous smile at me. Jonas looked encouraging. Maj. Carter's face was inscrutable. Teal'c seemed ready to assist me again just in case and the colonel looked hopeful.

"Well," I cleared my throat, carefully replacing my spoon down my plate, "if it ever were possible to choose who I want to baby sit, then I had to agree with you, sir. Unfortunately," – the triumphant smile that blossomed on the colonel's face suddenly evaporated – "I do not have that privilege."

Maj. Ferretti's face splits into a manic grin. Jonas Quinn chuckled heartily behind his glass of soda. Teal'c resumed eating (most likely he approved of my answer). A smile tugged at the corners of Maj. Carter's lips for the first time as she regarded me with a different, more positive expression on her face: like I passed some sort of ritual or something that made the major accept me right then and there – that I had no hidden agenda on befriending their newest and youngest teammate.

"It is wise to heed Lieutenant Edrald's counsel, O'Neill," Teal'c quietly said amidst the bemused expressions of everyone. "General Hammond may not see it as you do."

The leader of SG-1 finally surrendered, growling low and throwing up his hands in the air in disgruntlement, muttering about birds having the same feathers.

As friendly banter was tossed around our table, I merely sat there and said nothing as I continued watching them, smiling occasionally at Col. O'Neill's snide remarks about Fletcher and everything in general. Jonas readily joined in as the topic switched from work to hockey, Col. O'Neill's favorite sport. I admit to be more of an NFL fan but listened nonetheless. Maj. Carter was waiting for Dr. Fraiser to arrive who promised to have lunch with them that day. I, too, am also looking forward to see the doctor again to thank her. She was, after all, the one who gave me the push I needed in order to accomplish what I set out to do that started five days ago.

It was then that I espied Dr. Fraiser enter the commissary and quickly waved at her. She was smiling broadly when she saw who I was with and quickly headed to the food counter. No doubt, she couldn't wait to join up with us.

- - - o 0 o - - -

I looked around at the six people with me on the table a few moments later. No one could deny the camaraderie these people shared and that a lot of folks at SGC found hard to believe. But there it was and there was no mistaking the fact that Jonas Quinn had friends amidst the general air of hatred aimed at him.

Small in number, yes, but friends nonetheless. And to think that I now also contributed to that number.

Until I thought about Noel Sykes. How was he going to react once he learned of this? I remembered what I told Jonas a while ago about Noel. He's hot-headed and easily influenced, yes, but still a good guy. And he's my friend. I think I would have to trust on our friendship to survive this. Given time, I think Noel would certainly change his perception of the Kelownan once he got to know him better.

"So, this Felger guy," Col. O'Neill cleared his throat, "thinks we're cool, huh?" he asked, trying to sound nonchalant, at which point Maj. Ferretti nodded empathically at him, a smug smile on his face.

The colonel grunted softly as he quirked a brow in thought while the rest of us exchanged knowing looks around the crowded table.

Despite my inevitable disagreement with Noel for days to come once he returned, I was smiling like mad. I was now happy to say that the question that what pestering me for days I could now answer without hesitation or guilt.

Did I do anything to stop it?

I think my answer to that's obvious enough.

THE END