It was a quiet day. Since the battle ended, Atmos fell into a new grace. This was how the world was now, and how it should be, and yet. . . I can't help but feel board. Gale went quiet about a year ago, all our knights of Gale hung up our armor and settled down, returning to our families and homes. But for me, nothing was the same. Papa felt he shouldn't burden me as he got old. . . well, older. He took the role of a diplomat and when to Terra Atmosia on behalf of Gale and has remained there for many months. And when he left, silence. . . an incredible boring amount of boredom. I sat by the house, cleaning some parts from my Sky Ride and watching the grass sway in the breeze.

. . . Its too quiet, isn't it Dove?

Yes, it is Dove.

I stared at the last piece in my hand, I finished cleaning it and I placed it back onto my ride. After a while, I just walked out and fell onto the grass.

. . . I miss it. . .

I know.

. . . I'm loosing my mind. . .

Duh, ha-ha. . .

'Ha-ha-ha!' I laughed, yelling into the wind, 'I miss it though. . . all of it. . . the good, the bad. . . the- wait. . .'

I looked up into the sky to see a single speck, glistening far from view.

'Do you. . . see that?' I asked myself.

Yeah. . .

I ran up to the house and grabbed a spy glass from beside the door. I looked for the speck to see it was a Sky Ride, a Cyclonian switchblade, it was heading right for Gale. I ran down to the battlements and I climbed onto the catapult. I lined up the shot and readied to fire. I looked through the spyglass again, the pilot was in view: full helmet, shiny armor and a large blade on her back.

Ok. . . warning shot. . .

I tossed a stone into the bucket, I lined the shot off to the side and pulled the lever. . . and nothing happened. The mechanism jolted with me on it, before it completely fractured and the catapults arm flew off at the target. I was thrown off onto the grass behind it, the flyer came down and landed.

'That was. . . entertaining.' She called out, after a while I opened my eyes to see her standing over me.

'. . . Who. . . ?' I asked, she got onto her knees and bent over, face to face.

'Well, I thought it would be obvious?' she pulled off the mask, and I blushed seeing who it was, 'Hello, sweet Dove.'

'. . . Starling!' I yelped, she laughed as she wipped some dirt off my face.

'Ouch, you may need some ice. . .' she commented.

She held the ice in place for a moment, I took it from her and she took went into the kitchen. I wasn't couldn't see all of what she was doing, she seemed to be grabbing plates and going through our fridge. After a moment she set out a plate with some cheese and crackers, another with some tea cakes on it.

'I put the kettle on, I hope you can forgive me for making myself at home. . .' she began, as she took her seat, 'how's it feel?'

'It hurts.' I answered.

'Well, you tried to pick a fight with me, if you actually hit me then you would have got off far worse.' I laughed at that response, 'well, at least you can still laugh.'

'Well, I have you to thank for that.' After I realized what is said, could feel my cheeks reddening.

'. . . Yeah.' She said before she went off and got the kettle.

. . . she looks good. . .

Not now!

Tell her!

'Shut it. . .' I mumbled.

'What was that?' she asked.

'N-nothing!' I stammered.

She came around with a tea pot, two mugs and set them on the table. She moved a cup towards me and poured some tea for me. I put down the ice and took the mug in both hands, I raised it and took a sip. At first, I couldn't taste it, but it was. . . honestly foul. . . it tasted like tea but something. . . was horribly wrong. . .

'I. . . sorry, I don't normally. . . brew. . .' I could only think I was making the weirdest faces.

'Its. . . ok. . .' I said, as I placed the mug down.

'. . . Alright.' She continued, 'I heard some reports, apparently you haven't left Terra Gale in weeks, the other members of your squadron, they say you've been. . . waiting for something.'

'. . . I guess. . .' I responded, I felt like I was about to puke.

'They are worried. . . I'm worried. . .' I looked into her eyes, I could see she was afraid.

'I. . . don't. . .' oh no,'Did. . . you use the leaves in the red tin. . . or the purple?'

'There wasn't much in the red, so I used. . . both.' Oh no, oh no. . .

'That. . . wasn't tea-!' I fell from my chair to the floor.

I was dreaming that Gale was no longer a Terra, it was a part of a whole piece, like a nation. Like the wasteland, there were no borders or cliffs dividing everything. Everything was connected. Grass grew all over, lush and flourishing. . . trees-no, a forest in the distance. A river running through the land. . . a beautiful blue. . . and she next to it. It stood in the grass looking from the distance, her purple hair blowing in the wind, along with the skirt of her beautiful dress. It was beautiful. . . but I could tell it was a lie, this didn't suit her. . . armor, and weapons. . . that was. . . that is my Starling. I will always lover her for it. . . The grass in my hand was soft, I could feel it was. . . warm. . .

I opened my eyes, I woke in my own bed. I looked down to see Starling's head on my lap, she was asleep, and she seemed so peaceful. When I saw her stirring, I pretended to be asleep.

'Don't bother, I know your awake.' She said, I felt her get off and I opened my eyes again.

'Didn't want to wake you.' I told her.

'How can I sleep when your sick.' She said, 'what was in that tin?'

'Bogatan Viper Weed, Papa used it as rat poison.' I told her.

'I poisoned you!' she shrieked.

'Calm down!' I said as I put my hand on her shoulder, 'I feel fine. . . I can't taste my tongue but I'm fine.'

'. . . Good.' She said, she leaned onto my lap, 'I'm so sorry.'

'I'm fine, and I forgive you.' I said as I rubbed her head, 'how long have I been in bed?'

'. . . Days. . .' she said, quietly.

'You've been here with me?' I asked, all she did was nod, 'What are you doing here?'

'I ah-came to check on you.' She said.

'Yeah, I don't buy it. Spill.' I said as I played with her hair, but she pulled away.

'Just. . . wait here.' She said, before she left the room.

What is it? What did you come back for Starling?

I think it's more of a "who" she came for.

Quiet you.

Why should I? this is fun!

'Dove.' I looked up to see her standing in the doorway, arms behind her back, 'close your eyes.'

'Star, don't act like it's my birthday-' I began.

'Dove, please.' She chimed, smiling.

I gave in, I closed my eyes and waited, I could feel her sitting at the foot of the bed.

'Hold out your hands.' I did as told, 'I Starling, formerly of the Interceptors, have been named the leader of the Storm Hawks Splinter Cell: Storm Interceptors.'

I felt something in my hands, heavy like two metal bars.

'As the new leader of this cell, I formally invite you, Dove, to join our ranks.' I opened my eyes, stunned, 'I want you to be. . . with me in this.'

Her Nun-chucks were in my hand, I wrapped my hands around both of them.

'you know, it will be a few days till your feeling better, and. . . I really don't want to leave you. So. . .' she creeped up close to me, a few inches from my face, 'Lets. . . talk about it. Maybe I can sway you.'

I could feel I was blushing. . . I smiled, so much it hurt.

'I'm a bit cold in this bed. . . care to join me?' I mused.

SCANDALOUS!

This Story was in two pieces, one was written weeks ago when I wanted to conclude this story line. I wanted to bring back a PiperxCyclonis but I couldn't manage to do it in a way I felt it flowed right. This to me is a satisfactory ending. But sadly this is one of the last endings I'm writing. I will however touch up this story and kinda remaster the previous editions, I hope for the best. -Ender out.