| Chapter 39 "Morning," Ana said, slipping into her chair at the table. "Morning," the guys mumbled, their mouths already full of food. She filled her plate, then settled back, taking a bite, "Everyone sleep OK?" "Yup," A.J. said. She glanced around, noticing that Nick, Brian and Marie hadn't come to breakfast yet. She knew why Brian and Maire weren't there, but Nick's absence concerned her, "Where's Nick?" "Still sleeping I think," Kevin answered, taking a sip of the Celestian version of coffee. It was purple in color, and sweet to the taste. "I don't think he slept well," Kevin continued, "I heard him a few times during the night. Like he was having a nightmare or something." "Oh," she said, taking another bite. "Here he comes," Anthony said, seeing Nick come into the restaurant, followed by Rowland. Nick made his way through the main dining room, everyone leaving their seats to kneel as he passed them. He came into their private room and sat down with a heavy sigh, "Morning." Ana noticed how tired he looked, and wondered what had caused it. She watched as Nick picked as his food, not really eating. The guys noticed it too, exchanging glances with each other. Eventually the glances landed on Kevin, naming him the official spokesperson. He cleared his throat, "Um Nick, is something wrong?" Nick looked up from his plate, seeing everyone staring at him, "No, why?" "You're not eating," Kevin noted, "And you look like hell." Nick half smiled, "I'm OK, just didn't get much sleep last night. The storm kept waking me up." "Is that all?" Howie asked. "Uh huh," Nick said, taking a bite of his food. The guys and Ana exchanged one more glance, knowing that wasn't all, but if Nick didn't want to talk about it there was nothing they could do. Ana looked up as Brian and Marie came into the room. Both had the biggest smiles on their faces she'd ever seen. They were almost glowing with happiness, as Brian pulled Marie's chair out for her, then sat down next to her. "Isn't it a beautiful morning?" Brian asked, grabbing his coffee. "Well, at least someone had a good night," Kevin laughed. Brian grinned even wider, handing Marie the eggs before she even asked for them. When she reached to take them, everyone noticed her ring. "Holy hell, that's gorgeous," A.J. said, grabbing her hand and pulling it over so he could see the ring better. Marie laughed, "Thank you." Nick smiled at them both, "Congratulations guys." "Thanks man," Brian said, "I couldn't have done it without you." Kevin, Howie and A.J. looked at each other with raised eyebrows. "That's an engagement ring?" Kevin asked. Brian nodded, "Yup, Marie and I are engaged," he said with a smile. Howie smiled, "Well congrats! When's the big day?" "We don't know yet," Marie said, as Ana inspected her ring. "You have to tell me everything," she said to her friend. Marie blushed, nodding. "You did the tea ceremony?" Anthony asked. Brian nodded, "Yeah, and it started raining right in the middle of it." Anthony smiled, amazed that Brian had taken the time to learn their ritual. "Oh that had to suck," Nick said. Brian and Marie glanced at one another, then back at their friends, "Naw, we kinda liked it," Brian said. Kevin smiled at his cousin, but he couldn't help but wonder if he was rushing into this. He'd have to get him alone and talk with him. I mean who really meets someone and not even a month later asks them to marry you? Brian looked over at him, seeing that look in his eyes. He knew a lecture was coming as soon as Kevin could get him by himself. He looked back over at Marie, leaning in and kissing her cheek before he continued eating his breakfast. Let Kevin talk, it wouldn't change anything. He loved Marie with every fiber of his being, and not even the mighty Kevin could take that away. The group continued to eat and talk. Brian and Maire's engagement was the hot topic, and Nick listened, glancing at Ana every so often. Brian and Marie's happiness was infectious, but he still felt a tinge of jealousy. Brian was living the life he wanted more than everything. He was so in love, and didn't care who saw it. Nick wanted that. He knew he had to find something in the book to help him soon, or he'd go insane. How he managed to keep his hands off Ana this long he didn't know. Every time he saw her, the only thing going through his mind was to touch her, kiss her, love her. He glanced over again, catching Ana staring at him. He could see the love and longing in her eyes, and knew it matched his own. He was so lost in her stare that he didn't even hear the group that came into the room. "Your highness." Nick looked over, seeing Nathaniel and several guards kneeling before him. "Count Marcave, what brings you here?" he asked. "I'm sorry to intrude my king, but you are needed back at Cystaleia," Nathaniel said. Nick sat up, "Is something wrong with the queen?" "No my king, there is an emergency in the Rothgar system. If we don't intervene the entire system could be at war. I came to escort you back, and brief you on what's happening. Their dignitaries will arrive shortly," Nathaniel said. Nick ran his hand through his hair, images of his dreams from the night before playing through his mind. Ana noticed his hands were shaking, but could do nothing to comfort him. Nick looked at his friends, "Sorry guys. Duty calls. You guys stay as long as you want, then come back when you're ready." "No, we're going with you," Brian said, standing up, "We might can help." Nick glanced at Nathaniel, then back to Brian, "Fine. I don't have time to argue. Get your things and meet us in twenty minutes at the ship." Everyone nodded, hurriedly leaving the table. Nick looked back at Nathaniel, "It's bad isn't it?" The man nodded, "I'm afraid so." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Brian smiled at Ana when she looked over at him. Marie was telling her about his proposal, and it was the tenth time Ana had looked over at him, amazement and tears in her eyes. He glanced back, seeing Nick still talking with Nathaniel. Their mood was serious, and Brian wished there was something he could do to help. Nick already looked stressed and they weren't even back to the palace yet. He looked back up the ship. Howie, A.J., and Anthony were asleep, and Kevin was staring at him. Crap. He sighed, getting up and stretching before making his way over to sit next to his cousin. He plopped down in the seat and looked over, "OK, spill it." Kevin looked at him,."Huh?" Brian laughed, "Cut the crap Kev, I know you wanna say something about Marie and me, so say it." Kevin sighed, and ran his hand through his hair. He'd been thinking since they left about what he wanted to say, what he wanted to ask Brian, but now he couldn't think of anything. "I just ..." he started. "Think it's to soon?" Brian offered. "Yeah, I mean, you've only known her for what? A few weeks?" Kevin said. "So," Brian said, "Time is irrelevant. It's how I feel about her that matters. I love her Kev." "You're sure it's love and not infatuation?" the older man asked. "I'm positive. I've never felt this way about anyone. Not even Courtney," Brian said. Kevin's green eyes got wider, "But you loved Courtney. You guys were so close to getting married." Brian shook his head, "That didn't hold a candle to what I feel with Marie. She's my life Kev. When I'm with her I feel whole, complete. No one's ever done that for me. She's the first thing on my mind when I wake up, and the last thing I think about before I go to sleep. If I had eternity to spend with her, it wouldn't be enough. Please Kev, you're the only family I have here, please take this for what it is and be happy for me." Kevin sighed, looking into his cousin's pleading eyes, "Alright, as long as you're happy, I guess that's all that matters." Brian smiled, pulling him into a hug, "Thanks Kev." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ " ...so that's where it stands," Nathaniel said. Nick closed his eyes and sighed, "All this over a mining claim?" "It's more than just a mining claim. To each world it would make a huge difference in their economy, their standing among the surrounding systems," Nathaniel said. "What am I suppose to do? No matter who I decide gets the claim, the others will always resent it. It won't solve anything," Nick said. Nathaniel shook his head, "We have always been able to come to a peaceful solution. That's why they came to us. They don't want to fight this out. They're looking to you for the answer. Whatever you decide will be followed, be assured of that. They know the consequences if it's not." Nick looked up at the older man, "That's what I'm afraid of. I don't want to drag us into a war that�s not ours to fight. It leaves us vulnerable." Nathaniel cocked his head, staring at Nick, "What are you saying?" Nick shrugged, "Just that the timing is odd don't you think. Just when I start asking about Krystal, this happens. It's just a little coincidental to me. Either that, or I'm just paranoid." Nathaniel laughed, "That may be a good thing in your position. Speaking of, here's the information you asked for," he said, handing Nick a small chip. Nick put it in his pocket and nodded, "Thank you. I know how hard this is for you. You're family is safe?" "Yes, they won't be found," he replied. Nick patted the man on the shoulder, "Good. I need to rest a little before we arrive. Wake me when we land." Nathaniel nodded, leaving Nick to his thoughts, and hopefully some sleep. Chapter 40 |