<< If you want I can make him disappear without anyone noticing..>> Tom whispered into A-01’s ear as he held her close. Lying together in the wide- open bed at her room, she began to unfold every insecurity in the warmth of his arms.


<< Don’t be absurd.. It just bothers me that he keeps insisting.. Especially, in front of everyone at the Council! >> A-01 replied.


Tom cleared his throat, coughing lightly. He’d made up his mind, too. It was a shared thought, something they’d both agreed on from the start, but now the time had come to act on it.


<< You know I despise Griff. Even his name irritates me. Griff.. I mean, what kind of name is that ? Just hearing it, you know you’re about to meet the most obnoxious human- or alien- on the planet! >> he teased, his heart lifting as her laughter filled the room like cheerful bells. << But (!) aside from that, I think it really is time for me to go back..>>


Her eyes rested on him, not sad but searching. She didn’t answer, knowing this was the next right step, especially after what had happened in the bathroom. A small smile at the corner of her lips was her silent agreement to his words. She lowered her head and nestled it back onto his chest. Tom tightened his hold on her.


They were like a small flame trapped in the abyss of Antarctica. That was the two of them.. and they would keep burning until every last trace of ice in their prison melted away.