Bella leaned back against the wall, wincing as pain shot through her chest.

Tam had saved her life. Sure, he was the one who had put it in danger in the first place, but still... he could've let her die. He didn't.

Vespera knocked on the open door. "How are you feeling?"

Bella raised an eyebrow. Since when did Vespera care how she felt. "Why did he save my life?"

"What?" Vespera took a step into the room.
"Tam, he saved my life." Bella explained. "He could've left me for dead, eliminated a problem, but he let me live. He spared me. Why?"

Vespera seemed to struggle for a moment before finally answering her. "He was probably trying to save his own sanity. He's no use to his cause if he shatters his mind." She spoke with confidence, but her eyes told a different story - one of uncertainty and caution.

Bella stared at the blanket covering the tiny cot that she slept on. "And what about Wylie?"
"What about him?" Vespera asked.

Bella watched her hands, fiddling her fingers. "He seems... familiar."

Vespera scoffed. "That's simple. You've met him before, on previous missions, in former battles. That is all."

Bella nodded and watched Vespera leave.
Once the woman was out of sight, Bella started wringing her hands. She knew Vespera was probably right, but something didn't seem right. The familiarity she felt was more than just that of a passing glance. She felt like she knew him.

Taking a deep breath, Bella pushed all her worries to the back of her mind. Vespera was right. They were foolish questions. Besides, she had a job to do.

A/N
Sorry, this was supposed to be published before "Relations" but I spaced it out. Hope it's not too confusing that I rewinded a little bit.
-Cheshire