She shrugged. "Have you asked Raider? He and the others were trying to contact the Reliance when we split up."
"Noor said they never got the chance," Graydon responded.
"Then your ship was lucky they showed up when they did," Kira said.
"Lucky indeed," Graydon murmured, his eyes narrowed.
Kira leaned forward in bed looking over the two men. "What happened to the Tsavitee who survived?"
"Any we've found, we've executed. We're searching out any survivors," Graydon said.
"The generals?"
He shook his head. "Gone. We haven't found them."
And they weren't likely to. The generals were experts at survival. They were probably halfway to rendezvous with the rest of their forces.
"The admiral on the human ship has offered his assistance," Finn said.
Kira nodded. "I'll find him and brief him, but I doubt we'll remain long."
Graydon went still. "You plan to go with them."
Kira met his gaze, sensing an undercurrent of danger. "That's always been the end goal."
And her deal with Liara made it possible.
"You could stay here," he said.
Her stomach tightened.
He didn't know how tempting his offer was. To feel companionship once more, to delve into the potential between them. It was more than she ever thought she'd have again. She wanted it so badly she was willing to do almost anything to keep it.
That was why she had to go.
If she stayed, how long before she lost herself in him and the rest of the Tuann? How long before she forgot the purpose that had driven her for so long?
She wanted him and the promise he offered more than she wanted almost anything else in her life. Those feelings were what gave her the strength to refuse.
"No," she said. She couldn't bring herself to explain, to tell him there were things only she could do. If she survived, maybe she could return.
She said none of that. He deserved to come first for whoever chose him. He deserved someone whole, not some barely functioning shell who might not survive the next year.
"No," he repeated slowly. He nodded, his expression emotionless.
Finn looked slightly alarmed from his post at the door.
Graydon stood in an abrupt movement.
Kira knew what he would do almost before he did it.
Graydon bent down, his eyes dark spears as they locked on hers. She let the kiss come, knowing it was probably the last and wanting to cling to it, to hold it close so she could remember and cherish the feeling later.
She fell into all that he was, fighting to imprint herself on him as anger and passion rose between them.
His lips left hers, leaving her cold and achingly alone as he straightened, his face once more an expressionless mask.
"I'm leaving," she told him.
