She was mesmerized by the dance of the flames against the dark night sky as she sat staring into the campfire. The past few days' events were running through her head as if on repeat. It had started well enough with Richard trying to teach the Minders to fight with her help. It had even been fun, until the rage mixed with magic changed him. When he had raised the sword of truth to her she hadn't even recognized him. She honestly didn't know what would have happened if Cara hadn't been there. Thinking about it scared her, so here she was, attempting to get lost in the flames.

She didn't even notice when he took a seat on the log next to her. She was usually so attuned to him, but she was still so engrossed in her thoughts that it took him speaking for her to realize he was there.

"Kahlan? Are you ok?" Richard asked.

"I don't know" she said, for once not bothering to lie and say she was fine. Because she really wasn't sure if she was ok. She continued to watch the flames, missing the look of guilt that passed over Richard's face.

"I'm so sorry about earlier….with the sword. Kahlan, I don't think I would have been able to hurt you. Even when I'm not myself, I'm still….aware of you. Of how I feel about you. And I never want to hurt you. Please believe me.."

For once he was unable to meet her eyes; they had dropped to the ground. She realized now how much this whole thing scared him too. She knew he would never intentionally hurt her, but this new mix of rage and magic was uncharted territory. Neither of them could be sure of how true his words were. But she wanted to believe they were, and he needed to think she did.

"I do believe you Richard," she replied as he let out a relieved sigh. "I just…I've never seen you like that. Even with the power of Orden, this was just different. You scared me" she admitted.

"I scared me too. Kahlan, I don't know if I'll continue to be able to control the sword of truth, but if I can't, I just won't use it" he said.

"But you need to, you're the Seeker" she protested.

"Then I'll find a way to defeat the Keeper without it. I don't need the sword….but I do need you" he said holding her gaze. "Just promise me you'll take the sword again if I can't control it."

"I promise" she said giving him a slight smile as he reached for her hands clasping them gently between his. After a moment she spoke again. "I'm sorry too."

"What for?" he asked with that adorably confused face he sometimes made.

"I'm sorry that I can't be with you, and that it makes you angry" she confessed. "If it helps, it makes me angry too."

"Kahlan, it's not your fault. Don't ever be sorry for who you are…. that is what I love about you" he said pulling her into his arms. She relaxed in his embrace, letting her head rest against his chest as she breathed in the scent of him.

"If there is a way for us to be together, we'll find it" he said determinedly. "Someday."

She could only nod her head against his chest as she rested contently in his arms. This was something she did believe. Someday.