Time to have it out

You finally catch up with Dana just outside the cavern's entrance. As you leave the cave, you call out to her, Dana, wait! Please! She halts abruptly and turns to face you, her face impassive. You approach, coming to a stop in front of her. "You're still mad about the clothing thing aren't you?" you ask. Dana explodes, "Of course I am! How could I not be?!" You don't think you're supposed to answer that. She continues heatedly, "I mean sometimes you say these really wonderful, nice things to me, that makes me feel like I'm a real person who is valued and cared for. But other times, you treat me like I'm some pet or object, like I belong to you."

Your immediate response is that she does belong to you; she is yours, and nothing and no one is ever going to change that. Then, you pause for a moment, and let what she said really register. She just used almost the exact same words used to depict her treatment at the hands of her former "companions" to describe the way you treat her; you're making her feel the same way they did. The thought horrifies you.

You struggle between your possessiveness and your shock. How can you be making Dana feel the same way the heroes did? You know you're better than them; you have to be! If you keep treating her like this though, would she return to the heroes? What would you do then? You wouldn't going to **** her to stay, would you? What would happen if Dana got hurt though? How could you forgive yourself? Would it really matter how Dana felt as long as she was safe?

At some point, you make a simple realization. There is only one question that truly matters: which do you value more, your happiness, or Dana's? Put like that, the decision is simple. As uncomfortable as it may be, you are going to have to try harder to reign in your possessive instincts.

Just as Dana is opening her mouth again to demand a response, you finally speak, _I'm sorry Dana. You're right. Sometimes, I don't always treat you the way I should. It's just hard for me to... You pause here trying to find the best way to express yourself. Eventually though, you find the words your looking for. It's hard sometimes to balance my desire to protect and take care of you, with you making sure I treat you with respect you deserve. I will try harder to do so in the future._ Dana is somewhat taken aback by your apology. Apparently, she had been expecting you to fight to the bitter end in defense of your actions; not entirely unwarranted on her part.

When she speaks, Dana is a bit more subdued. "I don't need protecting," she says gently. You have to clamp down on the urge to deny that ridiculous assertion. You may... possibly...be right, you reply, each word **** to leave your mouth. Despite you equivocation, Dana just nods quietly in reply, aware of the concession you're making. The two of you stand awkwardly there for a second, before Dana rushes forward to hug you. Though somewhat surprised, you wrap your arms around her, savoring the feeling of her warm body against you. "I'm sorry too," she says, head buried against your chest. For what? you ask, looking down at her puzzled . You feel her give a shrug. "I don't know. I just hate it when we fight." Strange, she seems to do it so often; you wisely decide not to mention this. I do too, you say simply.

The two of you stand like for a while. Eventually, you nudge Dana slightly, and she looks up at you. Would you mind if I carried you in my arms back to the Lair, so you don't step on any stones? Dana just stares at you blinking. At last, she lifts her chin and says, her voice filled with feigned snobbery, "Very well, I shall deign to accept your generous offer." You playfully scoop her up, causing her to shriek and laugh. Together, the two of you head back, Dana curled up happily in your arms.