Dawn was a thin yellow on the horizon.

He'd never seen the ocean before today.

It was vaster 'rawer' than he'd pictured. His skin stretched in the salt saturated air.

"Put that down." Exasperation from below his too highly aimed gun. "It's me."

All Tess, despite the change.

"You alright Torn?"

He reversed it instead of answering. "I should be asking you...I didn't turn into a Precursor."

"It's a little overwhelming." She confessed.

"You wish for the right reasons?" 'You love him?' Unspoken--not bitter or incredulous.

No hesitance in her eyes though.

He nodded firmly. "Just making sure."