"Not while there's hope I can go back someday," she admitted. "It wouldn't be fair to him, and while Norse women are more independent that a lot of other cultures, it's still...different."

And having a family? That would be like giving up, setting down permanent roots. The only person she'd ever thought about doing that with had been Gabe, really. After Todd had been relocated, she hadn't really let a lot of people into her life in that way. "I know nobody would really complain if I spent time with any of those nice young warriors, even had sex with them, as long as I made a decision before any children were born, but there's no easy way to prevent having kids if you're doing the deed. Not in this century. And we both know I could be as susceptible to some of the diseases as young children if you aren't there, same as they would be in my time."