I might not be a culinary expert, but the burgers weren't really that great. I don't know where Carlos learned to cook, but he doesn't know how to properly spice a meat. Trapper's were fine, I guess, but Carlos really needs to learn. It was like he was already trying to kill me!

But ill-tasting burgers are not what I truly remember about that night. If it was just that, I might not in the situation I'm in. If it wasn't for talking to Scheris that night, I might have never ended up in this situation. Thinking back, I guess it really does boil down to my feelings for that angel.

I had stepped outside after chatting with the rest of the rebellion. I didn't really say all that much to anyone. What we talked about, honestly, I don't remember. The only person who I really opened up to was Liam. I don't know why, but there is something about him that just makes you want to trust him. It's a really disconcerting thought, the power that resides in such an ability.

The stars... I remember how they glittered in the night's deep sky. They glowed with such a brilliant fire, it almost seemed like destiny that I should meet her under such beautiful circumstances.

She was resting against the side of the grassy knoll outside of the hanger. Her gaze lie amongst the stars, her blue eyes shining brighter than any star. A faint smile was painted on her stunning face. It was like I had stepped out of the nightmare and into the dream of a god.

I held my tongue as I approached. It was the picture of ultimate beauty and I did wish to ruin it. Instead, I plopped down in the shaggy grass next to her. For two minutes, we didn't say anything. No words were uttered between us. Scheris just watched the stars and I watched her.

“Dylan,” she finally spoke, “what are you going to do once the war is over?”

The war? The end? To be honest, I didn't, and still don't, believe that there will ever be an end to this oppression. We can fight all we want, but without the support of others, we will never achieve victory. But this topic seemed important to her, so I tried to figure the best way to say it.

“Will there ever be an end?” Yeah, that's me. I'm Mr. Tact and Tasteful.

The look of surprise and hurt that overtook the smile shredded my insides. I instantaneously regretted saying anything to her.

“Then why are we fighting? What's the point of our struggling if it will never end?” I can see her biting back the tears. “Why do you fight?”

“Why do you?” I asked.

“I want to bring freedom back to the people!” she said between tears, repeating the Triple Diamond's motto. I didn't believe her; she was using that to shield the truth from me. If I was ever going to love her, I would have to discover the truth, and so I continued.

“Scheris, I want to know,” I whispered. “I want to know why you really fight.”

“Dylan...”

“I know it's not my place to ask, but I want to know,” I said. “I want to... know about you.”

In the distance I can hear the others still talking amongst themselves, annoying crickets buzzing, and Scheris's tears falling. How had I managed to alienate the once person who seemed to like me?

Yet Scheris smiled and brushed the tears away. “Sure, I trust you. I fight because...” She fell silent.

“Because...?”

Her beautiful gaze shifted from me to the sky again. “I want to raise a family.”

“Isn't that a little illogical? What happens if you die?” All she does is continue staring at the sky. “You could still raise a family under our current tyrant.”

“How could I do that to a child?” she asked. “If my suffering can prevent their's, why shouldn't I?”

“A family, huh?” I muttered, mulling over her reason in my mind. I'd like to have a family someday myself. Maybe... Maybe we could have a family... together.

The brief falling of tears has ended and the small smile is back on her face. “I told you why I fight, so you have to tell me your reason.”

Should I tell her the truth? A single glimpse into her sparkling gems told me everything. “I wanted to find the place where I belonged. I wanted to find a place where I could find who I am.”

I just know she was going to breakdown and laugh at me. I know I sounded absolutely pathetic with that answer. A giggle emerges from her lips and I know that I just lost face.

“That's so cute!” she squeals. Even in the darkness I can see the faint traces of red in her face. “Hey, Dylan?”

“Yeah?”

The redness grew from faint to a bright pink. “Tomorrow I'm heading into town with Trapper and Sanada...Would you like to come along?”

Go with Sanada? That sounded like a wonderful way to spend a day, but if I got to spend it with the beautiful Scheris, then I suppose I could tolerate his presence. She sat there in the grass, picking a blade of grass as she waited for my response. Was this love?

“Sure.”

Scheris bounced to her feet with a smile from ear to ear. “Meet me in front of the hanger at 8:00! We have to get some groceries, but afterwards we can get some lunch at Perkins and then go to a movie! I heard that Spikson II has come out and-”

I don't remember exactly what she ranted about. All I can remember is the happiness in her eyes and the look of pure hatred in Sanada's green eyes.

Tanya showed me my room, with this wicked grin on her face. The entire time she was leading me to my room she kept dropping less-than-polite remarks about myself and Scheris. I don't feel like repeating them at the moment. That's all I'll say.