"I would not deny it." One shoulder lifted up briefly, "Regardless of its name, it needs a conclusion." Taking a small breath, she leaned back into the couch for comfort, "I have given this a lot of thought, and I think that there may be a deeper misunderstanding than my actions." A brief scratch around her hairline, "You are primarily angry with me because of how my decision will impact our children, yes?"

"Your quality of life and that of our children, yes."

"I feel that every time that you are angry with me, for reasons that are right or not, you feel as though I have not chosen to put our children's lives above myself or you." Her hands folded in her lap, "I know that this is a common thought - to chose your children over everything else. And while I will not say if that is right or wrong, I think this is where the bigger problem lies. My culture is not that way. It is not about choices between your beloved or your children - the family is a unit. And choices have to be made carefully, because most parents are bonded, and what happens to one will affect the other. I know that we are not bonded physically, but I am certain that we are in every other way. And I know that you feel the same in saying that you would not lose me and half of yourself."

Ewan sighed and raked fingers through his hair. "Storm it is not the same. Yes, your people risk themselves, but they are not themselves a risk. It is not the same. You either will accept that we are not living the lives you have seen families live growing up or you will not."

Her eyes stayed steady on him, "And you have to accept that as well. I am not saying these things to tell you that this is the way things should be, but I am trying to show you what influences my decisions. You so easily cast yourself aside, trying to protect myself and the children. I will not accept that. You, and your health, and your happiness, these things matter to me. They are the very most important things. I know how you feel about the span of your existence; you have never stopped reminding me about it all these years. If I had left your heart alone Ewan, then that would have changed things drastically. You would be home much more often than us. Everything that worries me to the core of you would almost be gone."

"Storm, listen to me. You continue to see me as your husband, the father of your children, and I am that. I have to remind you of the short timespan of my life because I am also a weapon. Do you understand? Every time I risk my life to serve my people or the crown I cannot," he felt his voice rising in timbre and lowered it again, "I cannot have it in my head that you are going to take my damage onto yourself. Do you understand at all how that would restrict me? How I could not do my job?"

"I do understand, otherwise I would not have done anything." She felt it too, the need to rise, or the need to shake him. She did neither. "What type of weapon would you be with that heart damage, Ewan?"

"I have others who can tend to those things, Storm. Others who do not harm themselves in the tending. I appreciate you came for me. I do. No one else would have, but you cannot heal me."

Her jaw clenched at the reminder of her search, heartache, and his pain. "I still do not think that I can apologize for my decision. However," she glanced away briefly, "I will give you what you want, and promise to not do it again." It just meant that she would need to find those others that could tend to him. It was a certainty in her soul that she would do whatever it would take.

He could sense the defiance in her, but he had gotten what he needed out of her and there was no point in needling at her hurt and her pride. "Thank you, beloved."

"I want to ask you something in return. It does not require a promise, but I will ask for you to think upon it." She felt like she was able to relax now, the final worry over her relationship tied to this ordeal was over. "I am asking for you to stop reminding me of your Mistress Death and her coming for you. I need you to trust me that if your assumptions are correct, that I will have the strength to deal with it and take care of our family. I cannot have it looming over my head or your head like this."

It was a reaction for his mouth to open and retort, but he caught the words before they left his mouth. What harm would it do to keep such a thing to himself? He was a man of silences, and on this subject he could do so. "Very well." He would keep it from her as she asked.

She wanted to try and dig deeper, to work on changing his own opinion, and knew that it wouldn't work. It was with hope that her visions of a future might influence his. She wanted to reach out and put her hands on his face, but blisters were still mending, and she didn't want to cause him pain. It burned her tongue, to try to explain what he meant to her. Instead she just looked to him, "I love you very much."

"And I you." There was no hesitation. He disagreed with her viewpoint, but that did not lessen his affection.

She had to let the difference go for now, and it may always be that way. But it was a difference she would live with if it meant keeping her other half. So, she stood once more, and leaned over to gently kiss an uninjured portion of his forehead and whisper, "I am so very glad you are home."