Thomas smiled as he saw Storm smell the rose he gave her. He felt the kiss to his left cheek, and then saw her head down to the bench at the far side of the garden. He got up and slowly walked over to the bench and then sat close beside her. "I'll be your friend, and more, as long as you want me around Storm.  My father always taught me to treat others with honesty, descency, dignity, honor and respect, but kick ass when I need to as well." He smiled as he looked up in the sky, and saw the stars on the clear night in the garden.  His left hand took Storm's right hand and held it softly, "The medicine man told me the stars are markers for those who lived before us, and that all of us have a star up there to mark the fact we lived on this earth."