She finally succumbed.

"Saiai. Wake up."

"Hmmm?" Windsong blinked her eyes open. She was snuggled against Kenji on a plane.

"We've landed, Song. Time to get up."

"Bugger." Kenji chuckled. Song sat up, stretched and stood. Planes were not comfortable to sleep in. Kenji collected their backpacks and cheerfully nudged her through the tunnel and into the terminal. Song yawned as a young man put a lei around her neck. "Huh?" She blinked a few times. "Where are we?"

"Hawaii." Kenji took her arm. Song peered at him. He was also sporting a lei. "It's five am, local time."

"And they're passing out leis at this hour?"

"It's tradition." Kenji grinned, apparently enjoying her jet lag-induced confusion.

"Why are we here?"

"To meet your parents. They're flying in tomorrow morning. Today is just for us."

"Good. Take me to bed." Kenji blushed slightly at the knowing chuckles. Song blinked. She was doing that a lot.

"You can sleep as much as you like when we get to the hotel. Come on, saiai. I need your help getting the luggage."

"All right." Song grumbled a little as they found the pickup station, claimed their bags and headed out of the terminal. The sun was just peeking over the ocean. The couple found a taxi and rode to their hotel. Song fell asleep in the cab and had to be prodded awake again. Kenji endured her fatigue with a smile and a shrug. Once they got into their hotel room, Song literally dived into the bed.

"Aaahhh. Horizontal is good." Kenji laughed as she promptly fell asleep.

"My poor saiai. What will you say when I ask you?"

It is done.

Song opened her eyes. Riane sat beside her on the bed. She was...fading. Song pushed herself up.

'Riane? Are you leaving?'

'Yes. I feel the pull of the Other Side. Lexx has been warned and I am content.'

'Thank you. For everything.'

'Thank you, Wind Song. You gave me hope. It's something I had forgotten. Farewell, my friend.'

'Farewell.'

Riane faded into empty space. Song looked at the bedspread, then gently brushed her fingers against it. Hope. Such a simple emotion, yet so very powerful. The simple things. Song grinned at the thought, stood up and prepared for bed. Tomorrow she flew back to Japan and her love. What would follow, only Kenji knew. Kenji. She shivered.

Twilight. Witching time, as my mother would say. I understand that better now. When I was little, I'd look out my window and see if I could spy shadows flying across the moon, or lights dancing in our back yard. I saw the lights more often.

Now, it's still a magic time, but magical in a different way. And because it is, I'm going to attempt the contact. I've settled my affairs, protected my honor and hopefully will save my academic and professional life. Dr. Takasoma understood, as did the Drs. Reid. They were disappointed, but respected my stand. I won't be blacklisted. Dr. Takasoma even went so far as to purchase my plane tickets and inform Kenji of my arrival time. He's a wonderful man. I'm going to miss him.

It's time.

'Are you ready, Wind Song?'

'Yes.' Windsong closed her notebook and tucked it into her backpack. Smiling at Riane, she lay back on her hotel bed and closed her eyes.

'Lexx.' Windsong reached out, picturing Lexx in her head. She felt something shift, then a door appeared in her mind. "Shira Lexx" was on a black nameplate hanging on a bent nail. The door itself was a mottled red with a black handle. Windsong took a deep breath and knocked on the door.

My Darling Windsong,

Just the thought of your name makes me smile. I hope everything is going well with you and Dr. Takasoma. It must be exciting, going back to your homeland after such a long time. I hope you have time to visit your parents. Please send them my regards. I liked them very much.

The labs are running smoothly, as are the classes. There are all the usual new student questions, as well as some complaints about Dr. Takasoma's absence. I have been the target of some teasing, mostly good natured, and a few flirtations. I nod and walk away. As pretty as some of the women are, none could sway my heart. It is you I dream about at night and long for in the early morning hours. I did not think this seperation would be so hard. It's only been a week, yet my eyes hunger for your face. I miss you.

I received a call from my mother yesterday. It did not go well. I understand their feelings, but it hurts, knowing how bigoted they are. They do not seem to grasp the concept of love the same way I do. I informed my mother my heart and my mind are firmly set on you. She threatened to disown me, again.

I am thinking, perhaps it is time to do as we discussed. When your project is finished, I will meet you at the airport. If you wish it, I will have tickets ready to go. Send word through Dr. Takasoma. He has been most helpful.

Take care of yourself, saiai. Dream of me tonight.

Love,
Kenji

'Ahh. Coffee. My best friend.' Song cradled the cup in her hands. A five star establishment meant coffee being served in fine china, cloth napkins and a discreet menu with insane prices. Riane hovered by the buffet, intrigued by the strange foods. Song took the opportunity to order, eschewing the buffet for a la carte. In for a penny, in for a pound, and if she was going to be blacklisted, she might as well enjoy the time left. *sip*

'Riane.'

'Yes?' Riane hurried over to Song, anticipation roiling.

'How exactly do I proceed?'

'You're going to do it?'

'It's a matter of personal honor now.' Takasoma would understand that.

'Thank you, Wind Song.' Riane gave an odd sort of bow, a gesture of deep respect. Song returned the gesture in her mind, not wanting to be seen bowing to nothing. Riane's eyes widened and suddenly she was there. In Song's mind. She looked much like she did in the dream, except the jumpsuit was red and black. 'You did it! You have already succeeded!'
Song blinked a few times, wondering at having a weird sort of double vision. She could see the ghost sitting across the table and internally as well, kind of off to the side. She focused more on the internal Riane. A background of red, gold and blue swirled around them. Her colors.

'Is this...what it's like?'

'Yes. You're distracted from the outside world right now.'

'Would shifting my focus break the connection?'

'No, but it will be diminished. Those with well-connected relays can carry on verbal and relay communication at the same time.'

'I see.' The scent of Eggs Benedict caught Song's attention. She nodded to the waiter, put down her coffee cup and started eating. 'Ok, I think I have the hang of this.'

'You're doing very well.' Riane smiled. It was a pretty smile.

'So, how do I extend outward?'

'You need to focus on who you want to speak with.' Another figure appeared beside Riane. He also had blue skin and pointy ears, but with darker hair and a strong build. His eyes were yellow and they looked...sad. Something shadowed around his back. 'This is Shira Lexx. I think he rolled up during the fight, but I'm not sure. I wasn't really participating. He might look different.' Song studied the young man, her hands on auto-pilot as she ate. He was...handsome. Amazement towards his helper. Song summoned the impressions from the battleground. Lexx's face changed slightly, his eyes taking on a gleam of hope and... Song turned away.

'Thank you. I have what I need to focus.' Riane let the image of Lexx vanish, confused. Song concentrated on eating, fighting to keep her emotions under control. That look. She knew it all too well.

'I'm sorry, Wind Song. I didn't mean to upset you.' Riane approached Song, hands extended slightly. Song forced a smile and turned back to Riane.

'Old wound, Riane. Nothing more. I'll be all right. I don't know when I'll have time to contact Lexx. I have work to do today. Would it be all right if I practice on you?'

'Of course.' Someone cleared his throat.

Windsong was walking through a park. She had to meet someone, but couldn't find them. Children's laughter echoed through the air. Was it by the fountain or by the stand of trees? She couldn't remember. The fountain. It was the logical choice. Too many stands of trees in this park. She walked over to the fountain and sat on the edge. Mottled koi chased each other around the basin. Odd. Weren't koi supposed to live in a pond?

"It's a dream, silly. Just enjoy the fish." She reminded herself.

"Wind Song."

"Yes?" She turned to the voice. Someone was walking towards her. A blue-skinned, white-haired female, with pointy ears, dressed in a dark brown jumpsuit came around the fountain. Windsong frowned.

"Riane?"

"Yes."

"What the...how the hell did you get into my dream?"

"You called me."

"No, I didn't."

"Yes, you did."

Windsong frowned. Arguing in dreams was arguing with yourself. There was no point. Unless...

"Riane, are you...really here? In my mind?"

"I can if you want me to be."

"NO." Windsong shook her head. "I'm here to think, not to listen to you harp at me. Shoo."

"Shoo?"

"Leave. Go away. Remove yourself from my dream this instant." Riane faded away, a look of intense disappointment on her face. Song leaned back slightly and tipped her face up to the sun. Illumination. Song stood up, raised her arms and lifted off the ground. She flew towards the sun, seeking her answers.

Much better.

"We broke camp quickly. Everyone was quiet on the drive back. There's an air of great expectancy hanging over us. The Drs. Reid said something about nanites when I walked past them. Nanotechnology. Now that would be freaky.

Riane came with me. I'm not sure how comfortable I am with her. She really wants me to warn Lexx. I don't know if I'll be able to. Telepathic communication? Is it _really_ that easy? And what about the nondisclosure agreements? I can't tell ANYONE outside the agency about what I've seen and done. How do I get around that?"

Windsong frowned at her notebook. For the second time in two days, she'd written in a different language.

"You are already involved, Wind Song." Riane's transparent hands brushed over the page. "This is Rishan. You are writing in my native language. How you learned it, I do not know."

"Probably from my contact with you, Riane. Stranger things have happened to me when a ghost is involved." Song closed the notebook and walked over to the window of her hotel room. The agency had put all out of town personnel in a five star establishment. Must be nice to have that much clout.

"You are worried about breaking a promise?"

"It's more than a promise, Riane." Song stared out at the city lights. "It's an unbreakable, solemn oath. I violate it, I can be charged as a criminal and incarcerated. The company can make me disappear, never to be seen by my family or friends again. It would be similar to what happened to you when you were captured. No freedom. No place to go. A cell of bars and concrete. I wouldn't have the quiet of stasis."

"Would you be killed?"

"Not physically. My current life would be over. I wouldn't be allowed to continue my studies. I'd be watched the rest of my life, unable to participate in the duties of my society. I'd be lucky to get a job at all." Song turned back towards the ghost. Riane was kneeling on the bed, frowning. "Do you understand the consequences of what you're asking me?"

"If so few humans know of telepathy, how will you be caught?"

"Dr. Takasoma could catch me. He knows about my gift. It was one of the reasons he agreed to let me work with him. This is even presuming I can extend my ability to the living."

"You must try." Song sighed. The dead could be so obsessed. Riane was adamant Song do whatever she could to reach Lexx and warn him about the human scientists.

"I have to think about this, Riane. If I get through to Lexx, I have to be extremely careful about what I say and how I say it. There can be no chance for misunderstanding. We've been lucky. The agency doesn't have feeds tied to their employees. Or equipment hidden to listen in."

"But you aren't using your voice. We're talking through my relay and your ability."

"And that's the only thing that's keeping my neck out of the noose." Song headed for the bathroom. "I'm going to clean up, then I'm going to bed. Feel free to explore. There aren't any other sensitives in this building, nobody should detect you." And I need some time alone. Never was good at weighing these kinds of moral issues. Damn you and your game, Lexx. I hope to the gods you finish quickly and get the heck out of here. I could not live with myself if you were captured. By either side.

Song looked at herself in the ornate bathroom mirror. Well, guess that answers that question, doesn't it? She asked her eyes. You're going to do it and pray no one figures out you were the tip-off. No one deserves the life of a lab rat or a game piece. She closed her eyes, braced her hands on the marble counter and sighed deeply. Administrative work might not be so bad...

"You've been a slave?"

"Many years ago. I danced for others entertainment. It was a means to an end, but I ended up enslaved to that end."

"How did you get out?"

"I walked away. I wasn't bonded physically, I bonded myself emotionally. It took me a long time to get beyond what I had done."

"You are lucky."

"Yes, I am. I am also glad you are free."

"How can you hear me? I thought all humans were incapable of this."

"I'm a mutant." Windsong grinned at the spectral figure floating nearby. She had pointy ears, long hair and was cast in a gray-blue color. Not the normal ghost. "Some humans have this ability. It varies in type and strength. I can't talk to the living like this. Only the dead."

"You don't have a relay?"

"Relay? You mean, like a transmitter?"

"Yes. It's a chip implanted in the brain. All sentient game pieces have it. So do a lot of other species."

"Fascinating. No, my ability is all natural. I don't mind. Sometimes the dead are more interesting then the living." The ghost of Riane shook her head.

"I don't know how long I have here, but I could teach you how to talk to the living. Ones with a relay."

"You are concerned about someone. Is it the one you fought here?"

"Yes. He's somewhere on this planet and he's in great danger."

"More than our scientists looking for him?" Riane's empty eyes went wide and she rushed Windsong, forgetting her spectral state. She passed right through the sitting human. Windsong shivered violently at the contact and the emotions behind it. "I'll take that for a yes." Riane's frustration and fear danced over Windsong's skin, tangible traces of emotional extremes. "He's still trapped in the game."

"His name is Lexx. He doesn't know about your people. He must be warned and you're the only one who can reach him."

"Through the relay?"

"Yes. I will show you how."