Saying Goodbye

Writers: Ames, Suzee
Date Posted: 21st April 2015

Characters: T'nom, Pierka
Description: Apologies for things that just didn't work out.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 12, day 8 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: Meledei, Z'ku

T'nom

Pierka

Meledei wasn't the only one he'd been avoiding. T'nom had needed time
to clear his mind and find his own place after the tumultuous events
of a few months ago. Now, however, he felt he at least owed her the
courtesy of a visit.

He'd waited until he found her _without_ Z'ku around.

Taking a deep breath to steady himself, he walked up to her as the
others she'd been with headed off.

"Hey, Pierka, can we talk a moment?"

She recognized the voice before she turned around so she had the time
to adjust her face from surprise to welcome. "Of course," she said and
nodded. "I was just going to go down to the lake and wash Liddith,"
she said. "But she can wait a little bit."

}:No I can't, I itch.:{

**Yes you can,** she shot back. **go soak and I'll be right there.**
She felt the green pouting but didn't change her expression.

He gave her a somewhat rueful smile, "Thanks. I don't want to be a
bother and all, but I think it was time for a talk." He paused, took a
breath and prepared himself to let go of the past and move forward
with his life.

"Let's sit," he indicated a nice spot on the edge of the pool. Once
they were both settled he started with the obvious.

"I'm sorry I've been avoiding you. Life got complicated and I just
needed some time to process and sort things out for myself," he
glanced her way to see how she was taking his apology.

She wasn't sure that was as much an apology as an excuse but she
decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. "I know how difficult it
is when your dreams come crashing down."

Her words gave him pause, "I don't know if my dreams came crashing
down, but more reality made things clear in a way I wasn't expecting.
In truth, my dreams weren't crushed, but fulfilled in Kazom. He's part
of me, my family, and I thank you for that. More than you know." T'nom
paused for a moment, "I have regrets of course, and you being hurt is
one of the biggest. I'm sorry for that."

"I know," she said looking down at her hands. "But thank you for
saying it." There were so many things they could have had if things
had just worked out in their favor but they hadn't and she'd found
something more, something different with Z'ku. "I know you didn't do
it on purpose." She looked him in the eyes. It didn't make it hurt any
less of course, but she'd always remember he'd apologized.

T'nom felt a weight lift from his shoulders. He'd wanted to hear
Pierka accept his apology. He, too, wished for things that couldn't be
anymore. But one thing he had learned from all this is that you make
choices and you live with the consequences, be they good or bad.

"Thank you Pierka, for always being so understanding," It was such a
different reaction than he had received from Meledei it felt like a
breath of fresh air.

Swallowing a bit around the lump he felt he added, "I'm really happy
you and Z'ku are happy. I know I haven't been around much," he looked
away, rather unhappy with himself. "I've been a bit selfish, but I
needed time to figure things out for myself." He hoped he was making
sense, he rather felt like he was rambling.

"Just promise me you'll be a real father to Kazom and I am content,"
she replied softly. Of course she was sad that their promising times
together had come to such an end but she was also happy with her
current situation. "I hear you'll be leaving here."

Word traveled fast in the Weyr.

He nodded, "I am, but I _do_ promise I will be there for Kazom no
matter what." He paused and added, "And for you if you would ever need
anything from me."

"Thank you," she nodded. It was a constant concern to her that her
child grow up without his parents. "And if anything ever happens to
me, promise you'll make sure he knows how much I love him."

Her words actually caught him off guard and he looked at her sharply.
Then realizing the meaning behind them he nodded. Reality was that one
or both of them might not see their son grow up, "I would tell him his
mother was one of the best greenriders that ever flew Thread and I
would mean it. Promise me the same Pierka. I may not be _here_ on a
daily basis anymore, but I love Kazom with all my being. Make sure if
something happens he knows he was the brightest moment in my life and
I love him more than life itself." He had to take a moment and swallow
past the lump that had formed in his throat at the turn the
conversation had taken.

She nodded her agreement. "I will," she said softly. Then she looked
at him more closely. "Are you going to be alright?"

He shrugged, "I think so. For awhile there, I allowed myself to wallow
a bit in my mistakes, but this move will give me a chance to shake off
some of that and start fresh. If that makes sense."

He looked away for a moment and then turned back to her, his face
taking on a more somber, reflective look. "I wish things could have
worked out different for us, but one thing I'm learning is how to live
with the mistakes we make. You'll always have a special place in my
heart Pierka. I hope, maybe someday, we can actually be friends
again." He knew time could heal wounds, and he could only hope it
would heal what happened between them.

"I know," she said with a soft forgiving smile. "So do I. But we can't
go back," she shrugged. Too much water was under the bridge. Too many
things had happened to them both to make any sort of relationship
possible for them. Besides that she'd found what she had missed all
these turns. She couldn't really be mad at T'nom for giving her what
she'd always wanted, even if he hadn't included himself.

Last updated on the April 29th 2015

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Saying Goodbye