[Red Lion]

Alissa smiled and hugged him tightly, "I'll still miss you so much!"

[uncledaddy]

"I will miss you, as well," he answered, returning her hug. "Be sure to tell me everything that happens."

[Red Lion]

Alissa nodded, "I should go to bed early tonight, the carriage will be here before dawn, will you come and say goodbye to me?" she asked.

[uncledaddy]

"Of course I will," said Randy, "and I will be here to greet you when you return."

[Red Lion]

Alissa kissed his cheek, "Thank you, and goodnight," she said.

.....

The next morning she went to find Randy to say goodbye to him, looking very sad and forlorn.

[uncledaddy]

Randy didn't seem much happier, though he attempted to give her a smile for encouragement. "It will only be one short year," he said, just as much for himself as for her. He was rather concerned about the sort of treatment Alissa would receive at the school, and reminded himself that he was there to study her way of living, not grow attached and interfere with it.

[Red Lion]

Alissa nodded, she wasn't looking forward to a year away from her friends, especially Randy, whom she'd become deeply attached to. Realizing it was her last opportunity to act on her feelings for him she took his face in her hands and kissed his lips, "I love you, goodbye," she said as she turned and rushed to the carriage before he could say anything to her.

[uncledaddy]

Randy stood, stunned, as he tried to place the exact meaning behind the gesture. Among his own kind, it could have been nothing at all, as kisses on the lips were a common expression of affection shared rather freely. Humans, however, tended to have a different system. He hadn't had a chance to scan her thoughts and emotions, being caught off guard, thus the full implications of what she'd said and done eluded him.

[Red Lion]

"Och, I think the lass is in love wi' ye," came the rough voice of Errol from behind him.

[uncledaddy]

Randy frowned. "In love...?"

[Red Lion]

"Aye, she's the right age ta ha' her first love, seems she's picked ye," said Errol, "But Ah say better ye than a Winston!"

[uncledaddy]

Randy couldn't bring himself to disagree with that. After all, nearly anything was better than a Winston. Still, what could possibly come of it? "Do you believe it will pass before she returns?" he questioned.

[Red Lion]

"Who's ta say? She may love ye e'en more," said Errol.

[uncledaddy]

"Oh, dear... I am unsure of the appropriate emotional response," said Randy as he continued to gaze in the direction that the carriage had gone.

[Red Lion]

"Just go wi' yar heart lad. 't ain't somethin' ye should ower think," replied Errol.

[uncledaddy]

Randy gave a nod, though at the moment even his heart wasn't telling him much of use. "Well, whatever comes of it, I do love her dearly," he sighed.