Shiloh sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Innocence doesn't last very long out here. It's hard."

She nodded. "It..it is." Thoughts rapidly streamed through her mind as she spoke, unrelated to the topic.

"Owen will bring some cheer to this place," Shiloh remarked.

"He will.", she murmured. "Shiloh, I...want to try something. But..on my own will this time." She gently wrapped her arms around him in a loose embrace.

Shiloh's breath caught in his throat, not having been expecting it but he smiled and remained still, letting Ru'a decide how far she wanted to go.

She rested for a moment, her chin resting on his shoulder, and finally drew back, a gentle look on her features.

He smiled at her, not saying anything because he wasn't really sure what to say, didn't want to push her.

"I...I'm sorry, about before.."

"You don't have to be," He said softly.

"You...didn't know. I thought...I thought you did, and...I was still upset about Owen."

Shiloh looked into her eyes. "There's no reason to be upset about, don't worry about any of it. All of that is in the past now, we've just got to move forward."

She nodded. "...Move forward."

He nodded. "That's all we can do."

"...Shiloh...I...I want to know if you think we'll make it.", she murmured, for once meeting his eyes, "If we won't....if you think we won't....please tell me now."

Shiloh didn't turn away, he took a step closer and placed both hands on her shoulders. "I think we can make it," he said, "In fact, I believe it with all my heart."

"I....think you're right.", she murmured quietly, closing her eyes for a long moment.

"I'm sure I'm right," Shiloh whispered, not taking his eyes off of her.

She was quiet, still resting her chin on his shoulder. Lewis, watching from afar, smiled.

Slowly, Shiloh wrapped his arms loosely around her, not wanting to scare her away but not wanting to stand like a stick either. He was happy to have her in his arms.

Ru'a didn't flinch, but didn't approach any further than she already had. The line she drew was very clear, and she refused to overstep it.

Shiloh didn't try to get any closer, he knew that she would let him know when she was ready and until then he wanted to keep her trust.

She smiled gently. "I...I love you, Shiloh."

"I love you too," he whispered.

"Did Saida...is he okay with..?"

Shiloh nodded. "I talked to him, he's fine with it."

Her eyes brightened. "Saida is a good man.", she murmured, "For as long as I have known him, he...He's been a good leader to us."

"He's a wonderful man," Shiloh agreed, "I'm glad that I know him."

"We all are.", she said softly, "We all are."

Shiloh nodded but didn't say anything else at that moment, just remained in the same position he was in, not moving.

"Shiloh, your family...Is there any way I could meet them?", she asked.

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