AUTHORS NOTE: I decided to redo this chapter a little since I found the file laying around--I never did finish this story; yet another thing to add to my TO-DO list. I'm actually considering rewriting this whole thing. What do you guys think--if anyone still reads this story that is.

Finally, it was dinner time and Sasami offered to help Joanna cook, to which the tall woman was thankful.

"Ah hav' ta admit, Ah never cooked for dis many people befor'!" Jo said with a laugh as she walked into the kitchen. Sasami just smiled and followed the hostess into the kitchen.

Washu and Mihoshi sat in the living room laughing and smiling as Tamko did a little dance she learned in school for them. Tenchi watched the scene with a small smile, but then he looked at Ryoko, who was talking quite easily with Ayeka. It seemed now that Ryoko wasn't a threat and was so... nice, Ayeka didn't have that much of a problem with her.

It was almost scary.

Tenchi walked up to the two and cleared his throat, Ayeka smiled and spoke, but he didn't hear her, he was too busy looking at Ryoko.

"Ayeka, can you go help Sasami and Joanna?" Tenchi asked Ayeka, "They could probably use the help." Ayeka's smile lessened, but she nodded.

"Yes, of course." Ayeka said and then headed off to the kitchen, looking over her shoulder every now and then to the two.

"Ryoko, do you mind if we take a walk?" Tenchi asked in a soft voice.

"Oh, not at all," Ryoko said, although she seemed a little nervous.

Tenchi and Ryoko walked on the small path behind the house into the woods. It was still pretty light out thanks to the full moon, but it felt colder then it had in ages. Ryoko shivered slightly and he pulled off his coat and draped it around her shoulders. Ryoko smiled in thanks and held it tightly about her body.

"What did you want to talk to me about?" Ryoko asked after a moment or so of silence.

“Oh, well,” Tenchi hadn't really thought of what he wanted to speak to Ryoko about, he had just wanted to take a walk with her alone. But as they walked, a thought crossed his mind. “Are you happy?”

Ryoko looked at him, her gaze showing how she was confused at the question, “Yes, I'm happy.”

“You never feel like, I don't know, something is missing?” Tenchi stuffed his hands into his pants pockets. He turned his eyes to the ground for a moment before looking back up at Ryoko. Ryoko was looking right at him.

“I never said that.” Ryoko said softly. She turned back to the path and started to walk once more, bidding Tenchi to follow her. “It's not that I feel like my family isn't enough, it's just, sometimes I get this little whole in my heart. But, ever since I met you, and everyone it seems to have gone away. I suppose a part of me just missed my old family.” Ryoko smiled at him, and he felt an urge, an urge he had to fight with all his might not to act on.

“Don’t you ever want your memories back?”

“I...” Ryoko suddenly started to feel uncomfortable being all alone with this man, but that soon went away when she noticed the sad look in his eye. “I don't really, Tenchi.”

“How come?” asked Tenchi in a soft voice. Ryoko knew that look, she wasn’t sure how but she knew it, and she knew that this wasn’t going to be easy on the poor boy’s heart.

“Come, sit down with me.” Ryoko said and motioned over to a spot in a small clearing under the stars. Tenchi nodded slowly as they sat down on an old wooden bench that had come with the property Ryoko and Jo had bought. She wanted to clear out any confusion between herself and Tenchi.

“Let me tell you something. I had a chance to, a long time ago, gain back my memories. It was an experimental surgery with a very high success rate. I chose not to though.”

“Were you afraid?” asked Tenchi, being drawn in by Ryoko’s sparkling golden eyes.

“Yes, a bit, but that wasn’t the reason. I knew no matter what my past held that I had found something wonderful, and I didn’t want to risk loosing it all.” Ryoko smiled and put a hand on Tenchi’s leg. “Tenchi, you’re a very nice man, and any girl would be so incredibly lucky to have you. I don’t know how you felt about me in the past or how you think you feel about me now, and I don’t know how I might have felt back then, but I don’t now. Do you understand? I love Joanna, and we’re married and have a beautiful daughter. I’m happy here.” Ryoko’s words were slow and meaningful as if to make sure that they made their point clear.

Tenchi was silent for a long time, and Ryoko felt a little bad for having to put him down, but knew it was the right thing for her to do. Finally, after what felt like hours, he looked up to her and held her hand. “Ryoko I want your happiness more than anything. I want to be the cause of that happiness.”

“Tenchi…”

“Wait, just… wait. I know that you think you love this Joanna, and… although I think you don’t really love her how you used to love me, I just want you happy.” Tenchi held her hand lovingly, hoping that some kind of spark would flame in his old friend, but she looked straight at him with slight sadness and contentment.

“Thank you, Tenchi. That’s all I can ask for you to believe at this point, but I do hope one day you’ll accept Joanna and I as the couple we are.” Ryoko stood and smiled down at him sadly, “Why don’t we head back to the house?”