The engine of the all-terrain vehicle rumbled furiously. It had been over four hours since I jumped in the car, ending our mission. Over three hours since we've left the landship of Volsinii. Two hours since we entered an ill looking forest that provided our escape with cover.

  -Cassiel, let me stop and tend to you.

  -A little more.

  -A little more won't make any difference, please.

  -... Alright.

  She halted the car, and we got out. I sat on the open trunk of the vehicle while Provence pulled out a trauma bag, preparing to tend to me. Her meepoo diligently following her out and having set itself into a patrol pattern around our vehicle. Its sensors were sophisticated enough that I knew I could remain at ease.

  -Right shoulder.

  -How bad?

  -Still hurts.

  -''Hmm.'' She hummed. Obviously not wishing to give voice to her thoughts. She probably was thinking what I was. Bone must have been hit or grazed if the pain persisted even now, even for me.

  I undressed my upper body for her, and she wasted no time in inspecting and disinfecting the wound. Finding it feasible she injected me with a painkiller before she went to work extracting the troublesome bullet. It didn't take long, though the blood pouring out of me was generous.

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  Nevertheless, she expertly sewed and bandaged me right up. Giving me an extra injection of antibiotics to prevent any infection. Not that any infection would last long against my gift. But it was her care that mattered, and which always touched me. I had put on a fresh shirt before Provence spoke again.

  -I bought a few calzones this morning, want one?

  I was feeling so out of it that her words barely registered. As if an echo had just reached me from afar. His words were haunting me at that moment, trying to sow doubt... fear. And a question I had long been postponing came back to me.

  I grabbed my lupa. Surprising her as I pulled her close.

  -Provence...

  -What is it Cassiel!?

  I didn't answer at first, just looking at her beautiful visage. Feeling the warmth of her body that thrilled and intoxicated me with a desire to love her, to live for her. A warmth that accepted someone so antithetical to her to the point of willingly bearing our child. I looked at my lupa and I could not phantom losing her, even to the passing of time.

  I feared time stretching insurmountably for me to the horrible imagination that this moment would pass in an instant by one hundred years, and that she would be gone. A memory.

  -''I never wanted to live forever. I never really believed I would live this long, Provence.'' I spoke my thoughts freely.

  -I don't have grand ambitions. I just want to live enough to be with you.

  -''Cassiel, what had gotten you so worried?'' She asked sincerely with an air of genuine care.

  -I do not know the full extent of my gift. But I know it gives longevity, and possibly even immortality.

  -I do not want to live so long to see you gone. To live until my soul withers into one of those... things. Neither do I wish that fate for you.

  -''Cassiel.'' Provence spoke softly as she grasped my face with both her palms. ''Ease your thoughts.'' She said before she continued.

  -I never thought I would have a long life given my profession. I never thought I would have children. But we are here, now, in the present. And that's the most important thing.

  -Let's live long, fulfilling lives together, and see our child grow strong. Then, we can grow old together, and find a peaceful passing.

  -You have a special charm to alleviate me my lupa. Heh, I believe you will age beautifully like fine wine when the time will come.

  -''It will probably be because the gift you gave me.'' She said smiling.

  -I'd like to believe it will be because of your wonderful soul.

  She must have liked that answer. For she came closer, kissing my lips passionately.

  -Hungry my mate~?

  -Yes, I'll have one of those calzones.