Timourous {Ky and Nolan}

[*]

I've lost all muscle control it seems the moment the dark edges around my eyes start to take over everything. My mind settling into nothing but complete blackness as I stare up, and feel my eyes blink, but no sight. There is nothing I can do at this moment except feel the cold seeping into my body from where I am laying. Did I fall? Did I get caught? My mind drifts in an out of consciousness, hearing words and voices that I don't recognize. Then there's this overwhelming sense of security as my body is lifted up and I give in to the darkness for only a little while.

My body moves in waves, it seems, as I come out of this dreamlike state. I finally look up, blurry vision being my only friend. The shape of face that's above me is the man I was just sitting with. Even though I can't see clearly, I can see the stubble on his face from worry. Is he worried about Brody? Is that what this is all about? Did something happen to him?

I groan lightly as I feel my body being laid down. Where am I?

"Kyanite. Miss Ruzze. Can you hear me?" A gentle, but stern voice calls out to me and I understand the words, but I just can't get my vocal chords to make the words, so they have to just suffice with anything I give him. I push out a light moan as I tilt my head to the side. Someone is holding my legs, refusing to let me be my own person and I move slightly to pull my feet away from being held, but there is no strength to really do anything. So, I stop.

"She's awake. I'll be back. She might have low blood sugar." Then that nice voice is gone. At least, I can fully hear her now, instead of that muffled tone. What I don't understand is why she's even here? Blood sugar? Why is that important?

Blinking a few times, my vision returns to full force, seeing everything around me and my brows furrow. Then he's there. Brody's dad is sitting by me, concern written all over his face, but why? Did something happen to Brody?

"Hey, Welcome back. How're you doing?"

"Huh?" I manage out, shaking slightly from a chill. Instantly, I place a hand to my head and start to look around, realizing that it wasn't all a dream about being moved. This really happened. Exactly, what happened though?

"How did I get back to my room?" The question comes out plainly. Again, my eyes scan the room to notice Matthew and I feel instant remorse for what I did. "I'm sorry..." I whisper out and roll my head to the side away from Matthew. The burning sensation in my throat threatens to tear me down and bring forth the tears, but I keep them hidden back.

"What happened?" I question.

((Will edit colors later))

[Jack Lexington]

Once I come to my senses I'm absolutely dumbstruck because the last thing i remember the doctor said Kyanite was fine, so was the baby. Now she's got to be carried into her room.

I freeze near the door because I remember vividly that she doesn't want me near her. With great worries I watch Nolan take care of her when it should be me carrying my pregnant girlfriend not a stranger.

I catch a look he's giving me but can't interpret what it means? Has he put two and two together? Does he know she's my girl friend?

I bit my lip and wrinkle my brow while the nurse hurries away.

Ky still seems disoriented but at some stage looks around the room and our eyes connect. She mutters something that I can't makeout. It could be anything from 'I want you here' to 'Get out'. Her look seems confused.

"How did I get back to my room?" She asks Nolan so I take one step into the room and ask him. "Did she pass out?"

I wish I could simply go over and take her hand but what she said before keeps me from it.I might even be too close right now.But I'm not going to leave. At least I want to know what's happening to my baby, if she doesn't want my affection.

"I'm not going to get in your way-just want to know if the baby is fine." I explain assuming Nolan has figured most of it out already.

She won't believe it but I actually care for our baby girl.

[Artemis]

If Nolan had any doubts about his hunch that Matthew and Kyanite were together, watching him hover first at the doorway and then at her bedside, eyes trained on Nolan in a way he was all too familiar with... He didn't have them anymore. The better question was, then, not just where the hell he'd gone and gotten himself roughed up into such a state, but why he wasn't at Kyanite's bedside.

"How did I get back to my room?" She asked, still sounding dazed looking between Matthew and Nolan.

Matthew scooted a step closer. If he thought he could hide his concern from Nolan, he was sorely mistaken.

"Did she pass out?"

Nolan didn't let go of Kyanite's hand, smoothing her hair back comfortingly as her eyes started to glass over with tears again, mumbling some apology that didn't make any sense as she turned away from Matthew.

"I'm sorry..."

"Don't be." Nolan replied, looking pointedly at Matthew and motioning with his head for him to take the seat on the other side of Kyanite's sickbed. "Nurse said you just had a fainting spell is all, apparently it's not unusual during pregnancy."

Thankfully, McKenna's had been as uncomplicated as could be; no fainting spells, no bizarre food cravings, and minimal morning sickness... and certainly no trauma like this poor girl had been through entirely too recently.

"I'm not going to get in your way-- just want to know if the baby is fine."

He raised an eyebrow at Matthew's attempt at seeming indifferent; granted, Nolan wore his heart on his sleeve more than a lot of men, but there wouldn't be a damn thing that would keep him from his wife's bedside if anything had happened to her, pregnant or not. He wasn't about to call Matthew out in front of the mother of his child, but his expression probably screamed what he was thinking.

'Don't you want to know if she's fine too?'

The nurse finally came back, armed with a blanket and what he could only guess was some kind of fruit juice, tucking Kyanite snugly in and telling her to drink what was offered to her, saying something about her blood sugar crashing.

"Are you two going to stay with her?"

Nolan didn't give Matthew the chance to protest.

"We are. We'll call for you if anything changes."

c44462 - Kyanite Ruze
1979e6 - Matthew Dunham
bb7d00 - Nolan O'Rourke
5d84ba - Nurse NPC

[Jack Lexington]

"Nurse said you just had a fainting spell is all, apparently it's not unusual during pregnancy."
Brody's father says it to Kyanite , not me but I can hear his words as well. His voice is so gentle with a bit of rasp. He's really cut out to be a father. The kind that neither me or Kyanite ever had, the lovig gentle one.
I doubt that I can ever be like him but I will try. For now I have a hard time overcoming myself and simply come closer to hold her hand like he does.

So to faint while pregnant is not unusual? I can't believe it. I mean to black out from a kick in the head sure....but because of a baby?
"Really? Why?"

When I claim that I won't get in the way, just want to know how the baby is, Nolan turns his head towards me with a raise brow that can only mean two things. 'Really? You jerk, what about the girl?' Or 'Why do you care so much about the baby?'
Needless to say I become uncomfortable under his watchful eye, which increases the throbbing behind my temple that's been steadily becoming worse since I woke up from my unplanned beauty sleep.
My eyes roam away from him and to the brunette on the bed who has proceeded to turn her back on me.
I rub my head to make it go away but my temple is extremely sensitive so I let my hand drop.

A nure comes back with some juice and a warm blanket to wrap her up. She doesn't seem overly concerned.
"Is the baby okay?" I ask her instead of Kyanite and she gives me a smile.
"It was just a short black out. That shouldn't have harmed the baby. We'll check but most likely yes."
She passes me with a friendly smile and asks.
"Are you two going to stay with her?"

As I take a deep breath to answer Nolan does for both of us.

"We are. We'll call for you if anything changes."

I guess there's some need to explain here. He can't know what's been going on between us or what our relationship is so I simply state what he needs to know.
"I can't. Sir, I don't think Kyanite wants me around. She told me so earlier."

It's the hurtful truth but it's also a way to rub it in her face. Despite her bad situation I'm a little angry she's kicked me out of what was a very important moment in my life.

All I want is for her to take those words back but with Nolan in the room I can't even admit that I'm the baby's father....or father to be. Right now I surely don't behave like one.

My gaze wanders over to her fragile looking body wrapped in a warm brown blanket like a sheet that protects her. I so want to go over there and stroke her back, hold her close and be the comfort she obviously needs now. But I feel like she's much rather have Brody's dad be that person for her now. So I swallow the lump that's beginning to form and retreat backwards.
"I'll wait outside."

[*]

"Did she pass out?" I hear Matthew asking among other things going on. I"m still trying to get my bearings back and realize what really happened, but in all honesty, I can't remember a thing. That's the scariest thing... I don't remember what happened. I don't remember how I got to my room. I don't remember the nurse helping me? Wasn't I just walking back to my room with Brody's dad? I turn my head away from Matthew, embarrassed to be in this situation where I'm completely clueless as to what happened, then have him here staring at me. Why did he come back at all after he walked out on me? Didn't he realize I never wanted him to disappear? How scared I've been by myself in this place? All the hospital protocols and I had no one to guide me?

"Nurse said you just had a fainting spell is all, apparently it's not unusual during pregnancy." He speaks with such calm and a gentle tone. He reminds me of my brother. He's a sweet man, and I"m not sure why he's here at my bedside rather then Brody's. I don't dare ask, because I'm not sure if Matthew will walk out on me again.

"I'm not going to get in your way -- just want to know if the baby is fine." The baby? Suddenly, he don't give a shit about me and instead wants to know only about the baby? The baby that he joked about changing the gender in front of the doctor. The baby girl that I'm scared he'll never love because she is a girl? The saltwater pools at my eyes. Why is he making this so complicated?

I vaguely hear Matthew asking the nurse something as she walks out, but I can't hear it. Not with my pulse pounding in my ears. Instead, I just watch his stature and see him look after the woman leaving the room only to return a few minutes later with a warm blanket and something to drink.

With the heat the blanket is giving me, it seems to put me into a calmer state. My body no longer feels icy and rigid, though the drink goes untouched. I don't want to leave the fabrics and lose the heat.

"I can't. Sir, I don't think Kyanite wants me around. She told me so earlier." I feel my head shaking first. It might have come out that way verbally, but inside, I didn't want him to leave. That look on his face and the way he said it though is like a slap in the face; one I'm not prepared to take at all. Instead, I just let the tears cascade down my cheek, keeping quiet in the presence of someone I do not know. The only comfort I'm recieving is from this stranger, whose name I dont' even know. His hand in mine is the only think to keep me from breaking down. His thumb that rubs slightly against the top of my hand.

"I'll wait outside." Those words shock me. He's leaving again. I knew he would, but why? Does he really hate me now? Is he that presumptuous that he is holding a grudge against me? What is there to do to keep him from walking out of my life? Out of our baby's life?

"Matthew... don't go. Please? I don't want to be alone. I'm sorry... I'm really sorry." I look past Nolan and straight toward the guy with his back toward me; halfway through the door and without asking if it's even okay that he wait outside. It was a statement and I made a request. I move to show my need to sit up in the bed, but get only so far before my muscles feel like they are being strained and I just let my body succumb to the weakness and lay back down. This time, I look to Brody's dad and plead with him, with my eyes, to make sure he don't leave.

[Artemis]

"I'm not going to get in your way -- just want to know if the baby is fine."

Nolan's eyes rested heavily on Matthew for a good, long minute at his remark. He didn't have anything more solid than a hunch to go on, but if he was right, the fact that he didn't seem concerned for the mother-to-be of the baby he was worried about angered him immeasurably. Granted, a fainting spell was apparently no reason for alarm, but now was not the time for Matthew to be putting on a stoic face and pretend he wasn't worried (that is, if there was any he was trying to hide).

Kyanite, in stark contrast, look like she'd been slapped in the face as more tears started to slide down her cheeks, still regaining color from the episode in the hall; Nolan didn't let go of her hand for a moment, brushing the tears away with the back of his fingers.

There was a lot of context he was missing, Nolan knew, but having this poor, pregnant girl bearing a heavy load of guilt on her shoulders cling to him like he was the first person who had ever shown her kindness spoke volumes.

"I'll wait outside."

Kyanite started to sit up, still pale but suddenly alarmed at the prospect of Matthew leaving; Nolan's hand rested on her shoulder, gently pushing her back to lay down.

"You're still pale, take it easy." He said soothingly, though it didn't stop Kyanite from looking frantically at the man retreating from the room.

"Matthew... don't go. Please? I don't want to be alone. I'm sorry... I'm really sorry."

She turned to Nolan, expression desperate and saying only one thing.

Please, do something!

"Matthew. It should probably be you sitting with Kyanite." Nolan's expression remained gentle, for Kyanite's benefit, but his words and tone indicated that he wasn't about to take 'no' for an answer. "It sounds like you two have some things to talk about anyway; I don't imagine you want me sitting in on that."

He turned towards Matthew, looking at him expectantly.

c44462 - Kyanite Ruze
1979e6 - Matthew Dunham
bb7d00 - Nolan O'Rourke
5d84ba - Nurse NPC

[Jack Lexington]

Those few steps to the door are really hard.They feel like I'm going up a steep hill because it seems like I'm getting shoed out again when really I'm worried about my girl friend and wish I could be holding her hand.

Halfway to the door I hear her words. "Matthew... don't go. Please? I don't want to be alone. I'm sorry... I'm really sorry."
They sound like sobs and make me stop in my tracks. She just apologized to me. I swallow and drop my head for a second. If only Nolan wasn't in the room. I wish me and Ky could sort this out but he's being so good to her.

Slowly I turn just to see her to try and sit up but fail. Instantly I feel guilty.
"Matthew. It should probably be you sitting with Kyanite." Nolan's voice breaks the silence that has briefly fallen but when I catch his brief but sour look I know he's got a lot more to say to me than he actually does in her presence.
"It sounds like you two have some things to talk about anyway; I don't imagine you want me sitting in on that."
He's absolutely right about that.

"Yeah." I sigh heavily and when he passes me without any further words I give him a nod.
"Thank you for helping, sir." My voice is low and reveals just how bad I feel for walking out when she ask me to and then going on my fighting rampage to get my emotions out.

For a moment I look over to Ky, who has tears streaking her face and then give him another nod before slowly walking back to her bedside.
"You're right."

I'm not sure if he's still in the room because my focus is on Kyanite.
I look down at her with a serious expression because I'm not sure how to start or what to say.So after long moment I take her hand but remain standing.

"What happened?" I ask barely audible because I don't want my first words to be another accusation.

"I should have waited outside. Where did you go?" I can only assume Brody since Nolan was the one to bring her back. "Are you okay now?"

Her tears that keep rolling and killing me. I wish I could wipe them away and make it better. I should have stayed despite her demands. At least outside her door.
But how do I say that I fucked up again because she hurt me?

How did I ever become so vulnerable? So weak?

[*]

I'm begging you, Matthew; don't leave. Don't walk out on me after I've apologized to you. After I made a mistake of asking you to leave once, don't do it again without me being the one to say it. I don't want to be embarrassed in front of Brody's dad if you keep walking out that door.

Stay. Even if you hate me; stay.

"Matthew. It should probably be you sitting with Kyanite. It sounds like you two have some things to talk abot anyway; I don't imagine you want me sitting in on that." Nolan does exactly what I wanted him to. He is my second voice toward Matthew, telling him that it should be him sitting with me instead. Which is right. This man sitting beside me, rubbing his thumb against my hand and kept me from hitting the ground is nothing but an angel in the right place at the right time.

Then he gets up. His hand leaves my own, making me grip the blanket that the nurse had brought. I don't understand, but I'm nervous? Timid and afraid of what's fixing to happen between me and Matthew. That's when I get a look at his face and see the blood, but I dare not ask. What happened to him while I was forced to lay here in bed? I watch as the man passes Matthew and slowly exits through the door and Matthew comes to my bedside. He don't sit. He just stands there, but his hand slips into my hand and I relax under his touch. It's not much, but I feel a wave of calm wash over me.

"What happened?" My eyes move to him and then down. Then flash back up to him. I feel like he is going to badger me for what he had to see. I can tell he never knew I was gone. Did he think I wouldn't go try to find Brody? It was bad judgement on my part to go without an escort, but who did I have?

"I should have waited outside. Where did you go? Are you okay now?" Questions arise from him and all I can do is shrug my shoulders for a moment before I use the blanket to wipe away the tears and compose myself a little in front of Matthew.

'I went to see Brody... I had to. I couldn't stand not knowing. Jeran wouldn't let me up, but he had to go take care of Brooklyn. So, I just had the opportunity." I shrug once again and turn on my side toward Matthew, not letting go of his hand at all. Instead, my fingers almost tighten around his grip, afraid he might just leave me if he knows I'm fine and without that man in here to keep him in the room, would he stay or go this time?

"Forgive me... for earlier. I never wanted you to go. I didn't think you'd just leave... I was hurt by what you said. I promise, I'll never do that to you again. I'm sorry..." I just wait now. I don't know what he'll do. I can't read his thoughts or his expressions right.

[Jack Lexington]

There's so much tension in the room , you could almost cut it with a knife. Many words have been spoken, that shouldn't have and some weren't that needed to be said. I'm on edge when I come closer and sit down but when I touch her hand I feel that connection again between us that makes it's way through my body like a warm summer breeze.

All the anger and resentment I felt when I went out looking for trouble seems pointless now. It breaks my heart to see her wipe the tears away with the blanket but at least she keeps holding on to my hand.
Then Kyanite explains what she did. On the contrary to me she actually went and saw Brody. What an ass was I to not sit in front of her or better his room and wait whether he'd be okay. Instead I up and left giving in to my need to run away. Just great.
I smile a little at her when she explains that she used the opportunity when her brother was gone.
"How is Brody?" I ask truly worried what she might say. Maybe she passed out because Brody is dead.
Suddenly I feel like I can't breathe. Did I really abandon my friend when he was battling for his life?
I gasp audibly. "Did he make it?"
I could slap myself for leaving when I did. Overcome by remorse I confess. "I waited over there for a while but then I walked away. I'm an asshole, I know."
With her it's easy to be true about myself. Only in her presence do I actually refelct on my actions.


"Forgive me... for earlier. I never wanted you to go. I didn't think you'd just leave... I was hurt by what you said. I promise, I'll never do that to you again. I'm sorry..." She tears my throughts away from my former mentor as my gaze flickers to her.
Is she being serious? She never wanted me to walk away. In question I wrinkle my brow and shake my head just to flinch at the fast motion, that increases my headache. "How am I supposed to know that?" I never understood girls and probably never will.
"You said go, so I went."

For a moment I almost glare at her. If she hadn't said what she did, she wouldn't have hurt me, I wouldn't have gone and picked a fight, I would have stayed by her side and gone to Brody with her.
"You need to start saying what you mean, Ky."

then I think about what I said. Maybe I should do the same thing. I rub her hand.
"It was just a joke. You know I've just recently started to like girls. It was just a way of processing the news but you should know me enough by now to see that I love you BOTH to bits. All I've done so far was for both of you. Why didn't you see that?" I'm referring to the academy and the whipping. I hope she knows now.

Even though I'm still a little angry I run my hand over her head and tell her. "I just want to be with both of you...girls."

[*]

"How is Brody?"

That's a question that I'd rather not answer just because of how serious it is. He wasn't awake at all. He was dead to the world; asleep in his bed brought on by the doctors to keep him healing. I truely still don't even know if he'll wake up when they wean him off the medicine and I don't know what his father is going to do.

"Did he make it?"

Slowly, I nod because he is alive, but only just. How do I tell Matthew that though? How will he react to the news about the man who shoved me aside to take a bullet meant for myself? Without him there, I might have been dead. Without Vy, I would have been dead as well. "He's... in a coma." I choke back a sob to have actually said that aloud in front of Matthew. I know the fate of my savior and I don't like it one bit. It was heartbreaking to see him like that with the tubes all over his body. The machines keeping him alive. Even more heartbreaking to see that both his parents care about him so much that they never left his side for one moment. I envy that about him. I also want that for this little baby that Matthew and I have made. Two parents that will do everything to keep her safe.

Though, the apology I bring up seems to hit a nerve with Matthew. He shakes his head and stops suddenly with nothing but wrinkled brows. "How am I supposed to know that? You said go, so I went."

"I didn't think you'd just leave me? Honestly. You've done so much fighting to protect me that you think I didn't want you to fight to stay with me? You gave up so fast... you didn't even try to stay." I whisper out when he mentions that I need to start saying what I mean instead of what I actually say out of anger.

"It was just a joke. You know I've just recently started to like girls. It was just a way to processing the news but you should know me enough by now to see that I love you BOTH to bits. All I've done so far was for both of you. Why didn't you see that?"

"I do see it. I see it every time I look at you. I feel it, too." I tell him. I was hurt by what he had said. It was mostly embarrassment in front of the doctor that had caused most of the anger to well up in front of me. His history with girls has never been perfect and I was afraid that this relationship was going to start on the wrong foot, and it did, in my eyes. Though, actions speak louder than words. He came back...

"I just want to be with both of you...girls." I can't help but crack a smile and this time, a set of more cheerful tears seems to come to a head and I cover my face with the blanket cause I don't want him think I'm crying out of despair. To hear him say that he wants both of us makes my heart feel lighter. I pull his hand toward me a moment later, uncovering my head and begging for more contact than just his hand. I wonder if he'll do it though? Is he still going to hold a grudge?

"Do you remember the name we talked about... if it was a girl?" I ask him. I remember because I liked it. It's sad we won't get to pick the boys name out, but I want to let Matthew know that he's the one who picked out her name. "Mira... right?"

[Jack Lexington]

"I do see it. I see it every time I look at you. I feel it, too." Kyanite tells me with glassy eyes. Then why on earth would she kick me out when I finally get to see my baby on screen? I bit back every damn word of that accusation because she's trying to mend things, not make them worse.

When I tell her that I just want to be with both of them I can see tears forming in her eyes again. Happy ones this time, hopefully. But I am a little worried that I said the wrong thing again.
"Don't cry, Kyanite. I've never seen you this emotional. Calm down." What she's doing to herelf can't be good for her or the baby. Obviously she fainted because of too much strain.
"Just take it a little easier."

I can see she's srtuggling but gets her mind on something good.
"Do you remember the name we talked about... if it was a girl?"
I nod although my head is way to sore to remember the dozen names we've been toying with. "Mira... right?"
Yeah, that sounds right.
"Yep, Mira. I remember." I briefly pull my hand from hers to rub my sore forehead.
"Is that what you want to call her...no more sprout?" I smile a little at the thought that our baby might be getting named now.

Then, without warning I sit down on her bedside, pull her up and put my arms around her in her blanket.
For a while I just sit and hold her. I've noticed she's stopped crying but the juice sits there untouched. I make a mental note to ask her to drink it later. For now I just want to hold her.

Then I whisper in her ear.
"Please don't kick me out again, even if I make bad jokes. I didn't mean it. I already love her. It's crazy...I mean...after all that happened today I saw her on that screen-even her heart. It seems like the worst and most amazing thing have happened within a matter of two hours or so."
I'm pretty sure she can tell that I'm not proud about killings Jins. It seemed like the only option but I'm second guessing it now. To see that little heart beat,that might not be there, if I hadn't done it confirms my actions though.

My left hand rest on her back drawing circles to sooth her when I place a kiss on her cheek. "May I?"

This must be the first time I've ever asked permission.

[*]

"Don't cry, Kyanite. I've never seen you this emotional. Calm down. Just take it a little easier."

So much easier said then done. He was there. He saw what I went through... or did he? Did he see the bullet holes through the door to Brooklyn and my baby's room? The items that the bullet destroyed? The blood on the walls? The blood that covered me when he walked into the house? The class from the shattered portrait on the wall of my brother and I with our mom? The house is in ruins...and he tells me that I just need to calm down? If only it were that easy. If only it truely could just be forgotten I wouldn't be this emotional. Add in the fact that I'm pregnant don't help none. It only makes this worse it seems.

So, to offset his request, I do bring up the names to make something good out of this reunion between us. Little Mira, as he named her already, is going to be the name that we will give this little girl. I'm hoping that since he got to pick the name, it'll hold more of a significance for him then anything else. This is his little girl. His little baby that he will teach. She won't be like the ones that he grew up with. She will be different. She'll only know how to love him.

"Yep. Mira. I remember." He sais and I see him rub his forehead. Was he hurt or something? What happened to him in the long hours of his absence? "Is that what you want to call her... no more sprout?"

"Oh no. Sprout will just be her nickname. I've gotten so used to calling her Sprout. You can call her Mira though. Let her know you named her?" I nod to him, almost flashing him a small grin when he suddenly sits down on the bed and his arms go to pull me up and into his everlasting embrace. His arms circle around my body and I nestle my nose into his neck. My arms move slightly around the blanket and rest them around his waist to partake upon the hug and comfort. It seems like everything is going to be okay again. I just don't understand why we end up fighting sometimes. It always ends with one, or both, of us upset. Making up though seems to be inevitable. We always come back to each other somehow.

"Please don't kick me out again, even if I make bad jokes. I didn't mean it. I already love her. It's crazy... i mean... after all that happened today I saw her on that screen-even her heart. It seems like the worst and most amazing thing have happened within a matter of two hours or so."

So, I hurt him just as much as his jokes hurt me when I pushed him out of the room? I didn't even really think about it at that moment, only my own emotional turmoil and thoughts that never got expressed. I pushed him away before I knew what I did. I let my anger get the best of me and I deserved it. He didn't though...

"I'm sorry I pushed you away." I whisper out as we hold on to each other. My mind seems to be nothing but a fog after what happened earlier. Still trying to get a grip of how I suddenly went under and ended up back in my room. The view of my baby on screen replaying in my head. His fingers moving across my back making me relax into his touch and fully lean in to him for support. I feel his lips on my cheek then something I never thought I'd hear from him.

"You may..." I grin and I turn my head just slightly as I look up to him and slowly let my nose brush up against his. My lips graze his slightly, but a moment later, I press them to his and make time stop. I don't want to go beyond this moment. I don't want to go back. I don't want to go forward. I just want this moment to last and last. "You have my permission for the rest of our lives..." I tell him and once again, my lips press up against his in a soft manner.

[Jack Lexington]

"Oh no. Sprout will just be her nickname. I've gotten so used to calling her Sprout. You can call her Mira though. Let her know you named her?"
Is that what I did? I actually named our baby? The smile that’s creeping up on my lips must be spreading from one ear to the other when I ask. “Really? That sounds nice.”

Finally we can unite in a hug and feel close again. It’s all that I wanted after fighting Jins, fearing for everybody’s lifes, pulling a trigger….I just want the calmness of that hug.
It feels much better than all the punches I threw out of anger and desperation…and definetly much better than a roundhouse in the temple.

"I'm sorry I pushed you away." She whispers in my ear. Wow, I was wrong. I should have not just let her push me out of the room. It really looks like she actually didn’t want me to leave. But how was I supposed to know?
“Yeah, just don’t do it again.”
Maybe not the best words but I had to let her know she hurt me.
She doesn’t seem to mind because when I gently rub her back and ask her permission to kiss her she allows me to. I catch that brief look she’s giving me: Those beautiful dark eyes, that seem so deep and sorrowful, yet loving.
Like always shelets her nose touch mine before her lips part and she actually kisses me.

I close my eyes and give in to this much needed reunion of our lips. Mine feel a bit sore but her kiss is so gentle and pleasant.

I deepen our kiss cocking my head to the side and let my good hand slide under her hair.
"You have my permission for the rest of our lives..." She says and makes me laugh.
“Good.” I have no clever answer to this poetic remark.
“Unless we fight?” I question because it’s something we’ve just done like many times before. We fight and reunite.
“It’s almost worth it.” I grin a little cheekily before I run my thumb along her soft skin on her cheek.

“Are you okay now?” I can only assume what made her pass out. Maybe the events of the day, maybe the pain of seeing Brody, maybe physical strain.
“What happened? Did you have any pain…or just pass out? Do I have to be worried?”
I look into her eyes willing her not to downplay things.

After all there are twolifes to worry about now. Two that seemed valuable enough for Brody to throw himself in harms way.
“I just hope he’s going topull through.” I close my eyes for a second and lean my forehead against hers.

[*]

"Yeah, just don't do it again." He asks, letting his words whisper in my ear as we embrace one another. I give him a gentle nod, telling him that I won't. I've learned my lesson, angered or not, because he takes things too literal. We have to find another way to talk or communicate. More than ever, I need to think before speaking because the next time, he might not come back and I don't think that I can handle that. Little Mira needs her daddy. She deserves both parents and I don't want to be the reason why she don't.

Ever so swiftly, we move ahead in our lives to something more pleasant. My lips touch against his, making my entire body feel more relaxed and calm. Almost like his lips seems to suck out the bad vibes and scary thoughts. All the images that I saw are gone and what's left in its wake is just us. We are the only two who seem to matter. The permission I give Matthew makes him laugh and all he states is one simple word; then a phrase.

"Unless we fight... yes. Then the permission has to be granted yet again." I tease him and hear how he says it's actually worth it. Is it really though? To fight and have tears? To feel pain and feel heartache only to come back together later? Why can't we just skip the pain and hurt and keep going with the calm and gentle love? Does there have to be conflict between us?

I close my eyes as his thumb runs across my cheek. I feel the indentation of the scar and I feel like I just want him closer to me.

"Are you okay now? What happened? Did you have any pain..or just pass out? Do I have to be worried?"

The questions he wants to know are of concern. More concern then when he first came in the door only wanting to know about the baby and not me at all. Didn't he realize what happens to me effects the baby, too? If something happens to the baby, it effects me as well? I push those thoughts out of my mind to answer him.

"I'm feeling drained... but I'm good. It was just weird. No pain, but felt incredibly weak all of a sudden. I'm glad that Brody's father was there or I would have hit the floor. He caught me before that could happen. I don't remember anything else though except waking up in here. I don't want you to worry..."

Silence kind of takes over for a moment when he leans his forehead against mine and states the obvious.

"I hope he does, too. I don't think I can handle it if something happens to him. If he don't pull through... his parents love him way too much. He'll be missed by a lot of people." Suddenly it seems to be hitting me again as I say cuddled up to Matthew. "How did he escape? How did he find me again..."

I wrap my arms around Matthew and press my face into his neck. It's only worried words that escape. No tears. No hiccups. Just words. "You saved my life. You and Brody... you both kept me and Sprout alive... I owe you two so much... so much more than I can give."

[Jack Lexington]

I'm really worried about her because lately she's beenhaving a hard time processing what's happening. I find my outlets by getting in useless fights but Kyanite seems to soak it all up and letit eat her from the inside. I've never seen her cry as much. On top of that she fainted a few minutes ago.
I mean,who am I to judge. I got knocked out almost at the same time but at least it had a reason. Maybe I should be worried about myself as well. Other than that splitting headache that's poundng between my ears I'm not impacted I think, so I oush that thought aside.

"I'm feeling drained... but I'm good. It was just weird. No pain, but felt incredibly weak all of a sudden. I'm glad that Brody's father was there or I would have hit the floor. He caught me before that could happen. I don't remember anything else though except waking up in here. I don't want you to worry..."
Thank goodness for Nolan.He's more than a great dad.
"Yeah, I'm glad Nolan caught you. Maybe it was just the events of today. Your mind overwhelmed by it all, you know. Or the pregnancy. The baby is sucking all the juice out of you."
I smile at her and caress her cheek even though I know she's still self concious about her scar. I don't care though and she knows it. If either one of us was worried about scars we wouldn't be together.
I gently place another kiss on her forehead and close my eyes but my own head is starting to spin again so they are quickly reopened.
"Lay down, get some rest. I'll stay right here."

That doesn't happen as suddenly we're on the worst of topics: Brody's survival and Jin's escape.

I fall silent at her words because I don't know what to say. Nolan informed me that Brody was still in surgery when I left. He's alive at least. For now.
"Why did Jins shoot Brody?" It's pretty obvious. Brody probably had a weapon.
I shake my head because I don't even want to know all the details.
But at the mention of Jins escape I become quiet and stoney faced again. I have no idea why or whether it was right or wrong to kill the guy. Vy was right. He escaped once, he might do it again. But the feeling that washes over me when I think about me pulling the trigger makes me feel cold and bad. Like I've become him. I'm the evil person now. So I remain silent.

Her face connects with my neck. Her gentle, soft skin against mine. I barely feel it right now.
"You saved my life. You and Brody... you both kept me and Sprout alive... I owe you two so much... so much more than I can give."
"You should tell him when he wakes up." I quietly say but refuse to comment on her thanks to me.

"I love you, Ky. You don't need to give."
I sigh heavily because the worries and pain are catching up to me. What if she is right and Bordy will die. Nobody can tell us right now. What if Jins claimed the life he always wanted? Would that justify my actions. I stare off into the distance. Good thing Ky's hands are so closely wrap around me.

"Lay down, baby. Put your feet up." I hope she'll listen because I don't want to keep worrying about her and the baby.

I slide out of her touch and onto the chair right next to her bed to lean my back against the back rest and close my eyes for a moment.
"I wish I had a bed. It's been along freaking day. What a day! At least you're save now."
My hand finds hers even without looking.