Strighton quickly followed Cassie as she fled the dance hall. She was making her way to the outer room where a scenery was painted of balcony view of Ancient Rome. The painting shifted and moved as if it were alive. Plants swayed as if there was a steady breeze, and birds flew in the distant sunset horizon. Cassie came to the railing that over looked this mural of wonder. The 3D depth made it feel as if she was standing on a balcony overlooking this very scene. Again, this was the level of high-technology and masterful artistry of this stupendous future time.

Cassie sobbed lightly in her hands as she rested her body against the marble-like rail. Strighton halted in his steps and watched her with pained glare. He was unkind to her. But, he felt justified in doing so. Yet, to hear her weep was enough to know he acted like an oaf. He cautiously stepped towards her and stood by her side. She knew he was there, but ignored him by turning her back. He gave a low sigh and glanced up at the moving painted picture before him.

“I’m… sorry…” He stated. She continued to wiper away her tears and said nothing. He tried to catch her attention again. “Look, what did you expect when we would see each other? You know what I was feeling then, why did you leave me?”

“I’m not going to get into this now…” She said, lips quivering from sadness. “Please, just… just go… I’m sorry I came.”

“You left me, fifty years ago, on this very spot.”

“Stop!” She glared at him. “Please…”

“I can’t just ignore my feelings.” He said pacing about. “I offered my hand to you in marriage and you outright refused me. You said nothing about why… nothing.” He stressed to her. “Give me a reason… can you at least give me that?”

“Max… I… I can’t.”

“Is it my job? Hm?” He waved about in anger. “I’m out there making peace with the universe? Whole galaxies of humans ready to war with one another over petty crap… was I being too dangerous? Did you disapprove of my methods? Did I embarrass you?”

“No…” She shook her head defiantly. “Stop, I’m begging you…”

“You’re ashamed of me.” He stated. His eyes fixed onto hers as she quickly glanced up at him. “You think I’m a fool for even trying this. That’s it, isn’t it? Wow… I told you everything I wanted to do, what I was trying to accmplish and you… you couldn’t stand it, could you?”

“No, that’s not it,” She glared at him. “That’s not the reason I left you.”

“Oh, so now you admit to leaving me.” He sarcastically inferred. “Well, why couldn’t you give me that message when I tried to contact you over the last decade or two? Huh?”

“I knew it was a mistake to come.” She said, switching her somber attitude to that of sheer annoyance. “You wouldn’t understand. I wanted time to think about it. I needed to get some space before I could wrap my head around committing my life to yours… and here you are, still not giving me a moment to catch my breath.”

“Unbelievable, the gall of you…” He growled, stepping closer in anger. “You’re not the victim in this, I am. I offered, you refused. I loved you, damnit! I still…” He paused in his words. He didn’t want to admit his feelings again, fearing she might use it against him. “I still want us to be… friends, at the very least. You don’t throw away over two hundred years of being with one another to simply let it go. I tried, damn you… I’m still trying…”

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“I know…” She hung her head soberly. “You always do.” She gave deep inhale and turned away. She stared at the view and watched the simulated sunset sink into the intricate brush-worked water lines. “But maybe, it would be best if we don’t see each other anymore. It’s obvious I’m no real friend to you. Breaking your heart will only lead to more moments like that. Our time was brief… and I don’t want to hold you back to another.”

“What other?” Strighton was gobsmacked by that remark. “What are you on about?”

She turned around and glanced over his shoulder. Standing at the archway of the door, was Lilly. Cassie looked at her, then at Strighton, and then back at her again. Lilly made no attempt to look her in the eyes. She simply lowered her head and tried not to get involved. Cassie snorted at the obviousness of the hologen’s embarrassment and gazed back at Strighton.

“You are so clueless sometimes.” She stated. “Even now, you just don’t get it, do you?”

“I have no idea what you’re on about…” He sighed.

“No,” She smirked. “I don’t suppose you do. Goodbye, Max, have a good life…” She walked around him and proceeded out the door. “For however long we have left of it.”

Once she was clear, Lilly finally stepped into the room and stood by his side. Max was utterly stunned by the events. The look of confusion and sorrow came all at once. Lilly consoled him by patting his arm lightly. He thanked her for the sympathy and did his best to hold back the tears. There was doubt in his mind, the feeling that he should have said more or gave her the chance to explain, but—no, it was over. Their relationship had been turbulent from the get-go. Perhaps it was better to end it, here and now, rather than trying to salvage something before the universe’s demise.

“I’m sorry.” Lilly said.

“Don’t be,” He answered back, giving a pained expression. “That was probably for the best anyway. I just wish I knew what she was talking about.”

Lilly shifted her eyes slightly and tried not to infer Cassie’s meaning of whom she’d been trying to tell him. Instead the loyal assistant changed the subject and pointed at the ballroom beyond the archway.

“You know, there’s plenty of other suitable candidates on the dance floor out there. Maybe you could try again with one of those eligible women. I”m sure many would line up for such a catch as you.”

“Thanks, but, no thanks.” He scoffed. “I think I’ve had my fill of complicated romances. Besides, there really isn’t much time left to start anything.” He gave a drawn out sigh and walked with Lilly back towards the ballroom. “But maybe there’s time for at least one more dance, I owe you that much for sticking by my side for all this nonsense.”

Lilly beamed. “Why Lord Strighton, are you willing to dance with your lowly Hologen assistant in front of all those powerful representatives out there?”

Max patted her hand as he looped his arm around hers. “You’re more than that to me, dear Lilly.”

The Hologen woman looked surprised. She thought he was about to say something she didn’t expect, until he grinned and winked.

“You’ve got all the dirt on me. So, I’d better damn well dance with you or find out you’ve spilled everything to the newspapers as a means of revenge.”

Lilly let out a barely audible sigh of relief, and then chortled at his response.

“You really think I’d do that to you? Seriously? Cassie was right, you are one thick-head man.”

“She did not say that…”

“Whatever…” Lilly scoffed at him. “Get me to the dance floor ya numb-skull, before I talk to the press.”

Strighton laughed at that comment and proudly escorted her to the ballroom. The music had changed to something more upbeat and rhythmic, and as soon as they reached the area, they stepped onto the changing, morph-crystal-like section and proceeded to join the crowd in their bizarre dance moves. The music thumped loudly, full of electronic whines, techno-thumping beats, and various vocal chants that kept in time with the melody. This was a party in full swing. And while Max was still thinking about Cassie in the back of his mind, he couldn’t help but get into the groove, and join Lilly having fun on that chaotic shifting dance floor.