Hunk trotted back to the blanket where two backpacks and the remains of lunch sat. He rummaged through his pack and pulled out two towels. He turned back to grin at Geni as he tossed one of them to her, his hazel eyes shining brightly, reflecting his enjoyment of the afternoon.

"Thanks," she said as she began using it to dry her red-gold locks. She had to hide a grin when she caught him watching her with a somewhat dazzled look on his face.

The pilot of the Yellow Lion began to flush when he realized that his date had caught him checking her out. He quickly turned away and started packing up their things.

Geni walked over to the blanket and plopped down. She reached over and plucked an apple out of their lunch box just before he closed it up and put it away. She took a bite, chewing slowly to allow herself the time to figure out exactly what she wanted to say. She looked at the man beside her thoughtfully and swallowed the mouthful of apple.

"Hunk, do you like me?"

The Big Guy felt the flush on his cheeks. "Of course I like you."

She smiled. "Good. I like you, too."

A slightly uncomfortable silence fell between them. Hunk cleared his throat. It was now or never he supposed.

"Geni, there's something I need to talk to you about."

Her smile turned to a look of concern at his serious tone. "Okay, shoot."

"There's no easy way to say this." He sighed, looking up to meet her inquisitive green eyes. "Keith left for Terra this morning."

She looked a little confused. "All right. So? When will he be back?"

There was a momentary hesitation. "He's not planning on returning to Arus. Ever."

Geni looked down, then turned away, attempting to conceal her rampant emotions. Hunk prepared for the explosion he was sure would follow.

"Are you all right?"

She turned back to him, her sad eyes bright with tears. "I didn't even get to say goodbye."

This was not the reaction he'd expected. His heart began to feel strained at the sorrow in her eyes. He reached over and took her tiny hand in his huge one. "If it makes any difference, he said he'd make it up to you."

Geni smiled sadly. "And you can bet I'm gonna make sure of that."

Hunk chuckled. "Come on, let's get going before Lance starts to panic."

She gave a small laugh and began helping him pack things up, but he could tell that her heart remained burdened. They finished packing quickly and began their trek back to the castle.

She checked the time. She'd been ready for over an hour and still had at least twenty minutes to go before she had to leave for the airfield. She thought about getting another espresso, but worried that she'd spill it on the dark purple suit she was wearing, or worse yet, all over the crisp white blouse she wore under the suit jacket.

'Besides, I think I've already had enough caffeine this morning.' She thought, laughing to herself. She certainly didn't need to add to her nervousness with caffeine jitters.

She sighed, considering the source of her nervousness. It had been almost three years since he had left. Oh, they'd exchanged many letters, and a few calls, but she hadn't actually seen him in all those years.

She had been so excited when she'd received the telegram explaining he was coming home and telling her when and where to meet him. Although she still felt a little baffled at the suddenness of it all. She wondered how long he planned to stay. She had so many questions.

A very important one being why he was coming home now. He had built a new life. He had found a new love. Why would he just up and leave it all behind? That wasn't like him at all. There had to be more to it and she intended on finding out what it was.

She stood and crossed the room to stand in front of a large stone fireplace, inspecting her reflection in the mirror that hung above it. She reached in her purse, digging out a compact and lipstick, powdered her nose, reapplied her lipstick and replaced them both in her purse. She looked up again, tucking an errant strand of silky dark red hair behind her ear.

Deciding that it wouldn't hurt to be a little early, she turned to leave, but paused to look at a framed photo that sat on the mantle.

It was a snapshot of four teenagers, two dark-haired boys and two red-haired girls, all smiling happily at the person behind the camera. She smiled nostalgically. She missed all three of them, but she had ached for him. The way he smiled, the sound of his laughter. His kind heart and considerate ways… He had been her first love. He remained her only love. And she knew she would always love him.

Just as she knew, she'd always regret her decision to run from the chapel on what would have been their wedding day.