Where are you at? I want to talk to you about it face-to-face.

[Shows up a few minutes later, with Patches in tow.]

Hey. [Quick wave.]

[Patches barks happily.]

Everything that's happened has been especially rough on Steph. She's been here for a long time, been through a lot, and been through even more in her world. She's been here for over three years, and could really, really use a break from this place.

She's going to go back home to her world to recharge her batteries. I want to go with her, but only if you're okay with it. I know you've been through a lot, too. I don't want you to feel like I'm skipping out on you, you know?

Of course. I left the Barge when I graduated, and came back. One of Steph's good friends left the Barge, decided she wanted to come back, and here she is. I won't be gone for very long because of how differently time works here and back home.

I will. [Smiles at him.] I'm won't be leaving this place permanently until you're able to start your new life back in your world.

[Kon's still feeling raw from his argument with Cass. Even though he got upset with her, some of her words hit home with him. Especially in the guilt department.]

Then I won't go.

She does. I honestly wish more Wardens would consider doing something like this. I know there's a risk that coming back here might be difficult, but look at what happened to Tosh.

How can any Warden expect to help anyone in the long run, if they don't take steps to take care of themselves? I don't think that sends a healthy message either.

[Blinks, looking surprised and impressed. Unlike the dubious smile from earlier, he can tell Cassel means this.]

Okay. I'll be back, and then we'll look into getting you a job. I've got a couple of ideas that I want to share with you, once I get back.

Africa, Paris, and then we're going to spend a night at her mother's place. I've never met her before, so I'm excited about it!

[Small grin.] And a little nervous too.

I am glad Steph gets along with the person I considered to be my mom. Have you ever met Beatrix?

When I first came here, I needed to work a lot on my self-control. Part of her martial arts training included a lot of meditation, and plenty of discipline. She offered to help train me, and the two of us have been close ever since then.

[Chuckles, recognizing the slang.]

After everything that's happened, Steph and I are going to take a quick vacation. We won't be gone for too long, probably only a couple of days Barge time. Would you mind looking after Cassel for me? I want to make sure he's taken care of, and with someone I trust.

I know he's not. [Frowns. Man, lately he's apparently been doing a terrible job at communicating his concern.]

He's gone through a lot lately, I want to make sure he'll be okay. I'm going to talk with him first before I go, make sure he'll be okay with it.

I'll come back. I've left and come back before. When I graduated, I traveled to my world and your world.

Steph needs it, Cass. She's needed it for a long time. When she was in zero...it was torture for her. I have my responsibilities as a Warden, but I also have my responsibilities as a fiance.

Half of the mess came from Wardens not properly taking care of themselves or each other.

[Anger surges through Kon and he switches over to voice, because he doesn't want her to read his body language. Not because he doesn't want her to see his emotions, but because he doesn't want to give away some of the secrets that have been shared with him.

Okay, that's not completely true. He doesn't want her to be able read some of his emotions either. He's so furious with her at the moment because he supported her desire to leave her world and start a new life somewhere else, so she could be happy. Now she's throwing this at him? It's not like the thought hadn't crossed his mind, it was why he wanted to check in with Cass first, he just figured she'd be more supportive.

She'll probably be upset with him for switching to voice, but so be it. He's spent enough time having Harvest and N.O.W.H.E.R.E. poking and prodding at his thoughts and his emotions. Cassn't doesn't have the same malicious intention as Harvest and N.O.W.H.E.R.E., but he's entitled to some privacy.]

Thanks.

[Doesn't respond right away. Instead, he had his face in his hands, trying to control himself. Between Steph being tortured, Kal dying, and everything going to hell, he's not in a very good place emotionally. Which is part of why he wants to go on the vacation; not only for Steph, but for himself.

Draws in a deep breath, thinking of positive, good thoughts and energy while he exhales. Then when he exhales, he thinks about everything that's got him so riled up. Uses the technique several more times, until he finally feels himself more in control. Thank you, Momma Bea, and your meditation and breathing techniques.]

I love you too, Cass. We'll come back. Not only because of our Inmates, but because this place feels like home to me more than anywhere else in the multiverse. This week marks my one year anniversary here. I spent the first three months of my life inside of an incubation tube, a month underground, and then a couple of months on the outside world. I'm not going to abandon my home for a vacation. When I leave, it's going to be because I gave someone else the same chance at life I was given.