Broken

.20.

"Do you remember that day I was sick and I stayed home with you? I was probably eight years old and you took me to see the Old Ruins." I watched as she tilted her head, her hands slowing in her task. "I sat tucked into a blanket as we sat on the edge of one of the blast zones. You told me about Old Earth." I watched as recognition filled her face and she nodded.

"I remember. I told you about the bombs and the vaults. You were oddly morbid for a child. You actually enjoyed the story when many children would have hide in their blanket. You didn't hide, you actually seemed to look out further across the Old Ruins." Her smile was nostalgic and I remembered that day clearly.

"And then I threw up." I gave a laugh as I remembered that particular day.

"Yes, then you threw up." She chuckled and I smiled at the memory. I hadn't been feeling well but for a moment as my mum had held me as we looked over the ruins of Old Earth I had felt peaceful and fine. That was until reality crashed through and I had thrown up everywhere.

"It was fun while it lasted." I gave a wistful sigh and glanced out my window to where I could see the skeletal frames of the Old Ruins. "I still love going out there." I hadn't been out there in weeks and I knew I didn't have the time to go before Rhex and I had to leave. It made me rather sombre at the thought. I liked the peace that the ruins brought me.

"You liked the history the place had. Your father used to tell you that every place you visit has a history and if you sit long enough it will tell you stories." She zipped up my suitcase and I turned to my jewellery box, my mother's heirloom ruby necklace sat on top and I lifted it up. "That always looked so beautiful on you, Liv." I could see her in the mirror behind me and I turned around, holding it out for her.

"You keep it, mum. Save it for your grandchildren." I handed it to her before pulling out my pendant from my shirt. "I don't need anything but this." She reached out and lifted it off my chest.

"Do you know what it says?" She set it back down and smiled at me, her eyes questioning.

"Never easy." I grasped the warm medallion in my hand with a smile.

"And yours was?" She tilted her head and I chuckled. She should have remembered it, Ami'la was the one who told her.

"Love is." I shook my head at the saying before meeting her gaze again.

"Love is never easy. The Source had a sense of humour when it helped create those medallions." She laughed softly at that and I had to agree with her statement. The power at be had one hell of a sense of humour. I joined in with her laughter.

"Are you two quite done? I thought a pack of hyenas had taken up residence in my daughter's room." My dad's voice was amused and I watched as my mum grabbed a pillow from the bed and throwing it at him. It seemed I had come by that habit naturally.

"Just finished packing her up." My mum's eyes went teary and I resisted the urge to do that same. I would see her again. My dad came into the room and grabbed the suitcase before kissing my mum on the cheek with a soft smile.

He pulled the suitcase off the bed and gave an exaggerated oof. "What did you pack in here? Bricks?" I gave him a blank look as I nodded.

"Emotionally deadened ones." I was surprised at how well I kept my voice deadpanned but I couldn't help but burst into laughter as my dad snorted loudly in amusement.

"I knew I raised you right." He winked at me before carrying my suitcase out the door. My mum left with him and I looked around my room, feeling sad that I wouldn't be coming back for a long time. Even after Rhex was done with his training I wasn't sure if we could go back and visit.

"Liviya! The car is going to leave if you don't hurry." My mum's voice entered my room from the front entrance way and I smiled.

"I'm coming!" I took another look at the room committing it to my memory before leaving. I made my way to the front door where my mum wrapped me in a tight hug.

"I'm going to miss you, baby girl. The second you can get a chance to come see us you do it, okay?" She let me go before cupping my face in her hands and kissing my forehead. "I love you and you stay safe." She let me go, her eyes watering. I fought against the tears but it was a losing battle.

"I love you more, mum." I was pulled into a strong hug and wrapped my arms around my dad, trying not to cry into his neck.

"Don't forget about me. I love you the most, my little potato." He let me go and handed me my suitcase. "Now go before we tie you up and lock you in the basement so you can never leave." He kissed my cheek and gave me a push towards the door.

I gave a teary smile that I didn't really mean as I left my childhood home once more. I watched as my dad wrapped my mum in his arms before I turned around. I moved towards the car and towards Rhex. He said nothing as he took my suitcase from me before putting it into the trunk of the car.

I got into the car and rubbed at my eyes, trying not to cry. I was only vaguely aware when Rhex got in beside me but I became fully aware when he wrapped his arms around me and kissed my cheek. "It will be okay, Liv. You are not going away forever." His lips lingered on my skin as he kissed my cheek again and I leaned into him.

"I'm sorry. Tears seem to be this function my body does." I threw up my hands in disgust while the tears continued to leak from my eyes.

He chuckled, the sound vibrating through his chest. "Do not apologize, Liv. It is a difficult time, letting go of family is hard." His words were comforting but I shook my head.

"I'm twenty-five years old and it's not like I'm never going to see them again. The tears are pointless." I made a frustrated sound in the back of my throat as I wiped at the tears again. I gave a frustrated chuckle at the futility of my actions as the car drove us back to the Ministry building. I grimaced as I remembered what lay ahead. "Rhex, can you knock me unconscious before we get on the shuttle again?" I looked up at him with hopeful eyes and he gave me a crooked smile while shaking his head. I let out a huff of irritation.

"Can't even trust my soulmate to knock me around when I need him to. What use is he?" I nearly regretted the words as soon as they left my mouth because the small space in the car seemed to heat up considerably.

"I can think of a few uses I would be good for." His voice was slightly husky and I I leaned away from him with wide eyes.

"No. I can't believe I am actually saying that but no." I wiped at my face. "I'm a mess right now and you do not get to use all that sexual intensity you have, on me right now." He laughed, it was a rich sound that I couldn't help but smile at. I had never heard him actually laugh before and it was almost like a treat for me.

"You are beautiful no matter what you look like, Liv." His words were sweet but I scowled at him, narrowing my eyes.

"You're only saying that because you have to." I bit my lip to prevent a smile from crossing my face at his expression.

He slowly raised an eyebrow at me. "A mate must do what a mate must do, Liv." His words made me chuckle and I sighed after my chuckles had subsided. I was going to miss this. We were just getting to know each other and he was going to leave.

"I'm going to miss you." I looked at him and he nodded before pulling me into his side. Two days and then I would be all alone on a ship where I wasn't exactly wanted. I allowed myself to relax in his embrace knowing it would be one of the last ones I ever got from him for four months.