Prologue

"There were rules that I had to follow and I did. Well, I did until now of course. The most important rule is that I couldn't tell you who I really was. I was supposed to watch and protect you from a distance, but when I realized that I could interact with you, that I could be near you again and have you know that I was there, well I did what anyone would do. I took every opportunity that I could to be near you. I took you to the hospital. I enrolled in school and I was with you whenever you would allow me to be. When I couldn't be with you as Xandar, I stood in the shadows as me. I couldn't leave you. I've never been able to leave you and that's what's led me here to you now. It's very rare that someone like me can come back and do this. It is the bond that we have which allowed me to be your guardian. My love for you gave me strength which impressed my superiors and allowed me the opportunity to take on this role."

He got down on his knees in front of me and he begged me with his eyes to forgive him; to say something; to do something. So I did just that. I took my hand and in one quick slap across the cheek I forgave him for everything. Tears sprung from my eyes as I pulled him to me. I forgave him for leaving me. I forgave him for being here without me knowing. I forgave him for not telling me who he truly was. I forgave anything and everything. Why? Because this broken man before me owns my heart and my soul.

Once the sting on his cheek registered what happened, tears sprang from his eyes and I watched as he crumbled into me. He cried and as he cried I could feel all of the pain that he had been through; all of the loneliness; all of the suffering. That's when I knew that no matter what, I wouldn't let go of him again.