\n Alan's eyes snapped open as the sound of thunder rolled through the room. His eyes shifted about quickly as he took in where he was, and he started to relax. Home, his quarters on Terra, his escape from the insanity that was war.

\n He heard the soft susurrus of Sinana's breathing next to him starting to change as he shifted slowly onto his side, his arm slipping out from under her shoulders. He remained still until she slipped back into dreams before he crept out of bed and moved to the large picture window and looked out of it. Lightning flashed, illuminating the forest beyond, sporadic sheets of rain forming a wet veil here and there like a tattered shroud.

\n Breathing deep of the rain soaked night air; he turned back to the room. Though somewhat spartan, this room was definitely his home. On the walls hung pictures of some of his units and friends, many now gone. Certificates for awards for valor and injury also decorated here and there. The dresser crouched against the wall, holding two picture frames as well as the various odds and ends that usually wound up in his pockets. The frame on the left held a picture of a red haired human female, the one on the right of a white haired Va'atar... both were smiling almost the same smile.

\n Stepping back towards the bed, Alan stumbled over one of Sinana's toeless 'boots'. A wry soft chuckle came from his throat as he surveyed the scattered red and black uniforms on the floor. Shaking his head he tried to slip back in without disturbing the female he had come to care for, only to hear her voice whispering to him. "What took you so long?"