Paladin makes an excellent point. Adia was not one to jump ahead in a relationship, to hear wedding bells or pick out children's names. But she was looking forward to so much with Caspar. All the little moments of affection, and bigger moments, too. "I was going to invite him to take shore leave with me," she confesses. "He had never been to Leonis."

The problem with hope is that as long as Adia has it, she can never get closure. But she appreciates it, anyway. "I've thought of that. I haven't exactly tried contacting him, either, but the stakes are a little higher for me." She starts to swing out of the saddle, then winces, a little sore from having not ridden in so long. "Paladin, do you mind helping me down?"