“But you said you wanted a warrior-"

"I was wrong!" she snapped at him, rare anger in her voice. "I was confused then... I didn't understand what my instincts were telling me,

I thought it was just the desperation from the past seasons of not mating."

She calmed, her voice softening.

“Yet just as my mother said, a part of me knew you were who I wanted, from the moment I laid eyes on you. Your past is pitiable, yet how you managed to grow despite those circumstances... it shows a valiant spirit as powerful and admirable as any warrior. That spirit showed me my own heart and helped it grow. For that alone I can truly say I love you."

Carter felt overwhelmed by her uncharacteristically emotional words, unsure of what to say. "Taki..."

"You are..." her breath suddenly grew ragged, “much too hard on yourself, too ignorant of your own worth. It really is quite annoying..."

"Taki?" He took her hand in concern, moved her into the Light and was shocked at what he saw.

She was covered in blood.

Much of it was not her own but it was clear she had been cut and stabbed a number of times. An older, partially healed but particularly nasty stab, the stitches having broken from her exertions, oozed blood from her upper chest.

“These wounds..."

“I didn't manage to surprise them all..." she winced, a clear sign she was hiding much more pain. She began collapsing into his arms and he lowered her gently to the floor.

“Don't talk, I'LL get you some help, I know where to find some medical supplies." He hoped they hadn't been moved since he was Last here.

She grabbed his hand, her grip the weakest he had ever felt from her.

"No..." she whispered, her voice suddenly lonely and forlorn, “don't go... don't Leave me all alone again...”

He gently removed her hand from his and caressed her face, wanting to at least seem strong for her.

“I have to. It's my turn to help you. I promise I'll be right back." He turned to Leave the room, leaving Taki staring after him.

Opening the torture room's door, he glanced up to see that sure enough

Taki had created a hole in the ceiling there to make her way to the roof. There was no time to be impressed with her plan though, he had to move.

Carter tried to ignore the grisly scenes that seemed to present around every corner. Body after motionless body lay where they had fallen, many in various states of dismemberment. In places the floor was slick with blood. He was glad he had not been fed since his capture, as the sights would have surely made him vomit otherwise. Even if they deserved it, the slaughter filled him with guilt.