It was completely dark in the cells. I could feel Dex moving to my left. It had been a long time since we had been alone together, and I could feel tension hanging in the air.

“Dex, I said, my voice breaking the silence, “I am sorry.” It felt good to finally say those words, but I was also afraid of how Dex would react. I had left him alone for almost two years, thinking I was dead. I knew that it was unforgivable, but I held my breath and waited for his answer.

“You left,” came his voice just barely above a whisper, “you left me alone when I was in so much pain.” I shut my eyes, trying not to let my tears fall. I knew I had left him alone, but it was for the good of our team, for the good of the world.

“I never wanted to hurt you,” I whispered, wishing I could see his face, “I had to leave; it was an order from the Commander.” I could hear him take in a shaky breath. He had to be crying, but since I could not see him, I was not sure how to help.

Reaching my hand out into the darkness that surrounded me, I searched for his hand, but I was having no luck. Every direction I turned, I was met with empty space. Then I felt his hand reaching out to me. I grasped hold of it and held it as if it was the only thing that could keep me afloat in this storm I called my life.

“Dex,” I said, “let me tell you the real reason I left.” Even though I could not see him, I could feel his eyes upon me. I took this and his silence as my signal to continue.

“They messed with my head with my mind. They wanted to make me a weapon, but whatever they did to take my fear away. Well, it also to my ability to feel anything.” I paused, waiting for Dex to say anything to tell me it was okay that he understood, but when he said nothing, I sighed and continued.

“I knew I loved you, but I couldn’t feel that love anymore. I was just an empty shell of the person I used to be. So when the Commander came to me with her plan of taking my death. I... well, I took it because I thought it would be easier on you on everybody.” Dex withdrew his hand from mine, and my stomach sank.

“You could have let us know. I missed you every day. I thought I would never see you again. I was losing my mind because of you! Then you show up again and act as though nothing has happened!” My chest ached at his words. I had just been trying to protect those that I loved, but instead, I had ended up hurting them far worse than if I had just stayed.

“Please, Dex. If you give me a second chance, I promise I will make it up to you. I am better now. There is no one messing around in my head. I can love you the way you want me to.” I waited for his answer. In the dark, without being able to see his face, I wasn’t sure what he was thinking. I just had to hope he would take me back.

“I think,” he said, pausing for a moment, “we can try again, but it’s going to take time.” My heart lept at his words. I knew we would not be able to go back to as we had been before, but at least I had him back.

I scrambled forward, reaching out, trying to find him in the darkness. My hands collided with his shoulders, and I pulled him into a hug. He was reluctantly first, but soon he hugged me back. Pulling away from him, I let my hands find his face and pull him into a kiss. It was sweet and soft, and everything I had been missing for two years. With a sigh, I pulled back from him.

“Let’s find a way out of here. And when we get out, I promise that I will never leave your side again.” I squeezed his hand in mine.

“Okay,” he said, squeezing my hand, “ let’s get out of here.”