He was brooding.

We'd reached our resting stations and Rafe had gone to return the bike to its place somewhere behind the building.

He'd been quiet the whole trip here. I sighed.

When he strode to me, I cleared my throat.

He looked at me.

"Just say it." I said.

"What?" He asked me.

"Whatever you're thinking. Just say it." I said.

Rafe let out a breath.

"The skin consent between us was not natural," he said.

Of course. This was about the touching.

I rolled my eyes, "You don't have to explain. I won't touch you till you're comfortable." I told him, striding towards the entrance.

He caught up to me and started speaking again, "I-" he started and I plugged my ears.

"I don't care what excuse you're going to give me." I said then started singing lalalalalalal out loud.

He looked at me and shook his head. I dropped my hand.

"I won't touch you," I promised him, "Believe me, I'm not dying to."

I knew we were heading to his floor as soon as we got into the elevator. I wanted to see Ryx anyway.

"You are not giving me the opportunity to explain," he said to me as we stepped out of the elevator together.

"You go right ahead and lie to yourself by rationalising your fears into excuses, but don't spew that bull to me and expect me to fall for it." I said, walking before him to stand in front of his room.

"Lie to myself? What, like you? Do you really look at me like I am your friend?" He asked me, tossing me a dark look over his shoulder as he opened his door.

"Why do you keep asking me that?" I asked, "What makes you think I think if you as anything more?"

The door opened and be stepped inside, but I didn't. I just kneeled down as Rafe entered.

"Ryx, come here, boy." I said, looking at the beautiful dog through Rafe's long legs.

Ryx immediately headed towards me after getting a nod from his master. He stepped out of the room to me, smothering me with his licks.

"Hey, there sweetheart." I said, running my hands under his neck and pressing a kiss to his snout.

I stood up, smiling at his unassuming love, as his tail (and butt) wagged in affection. I pushed him back in the direction of the room and he headed in.

Then he turned and realised I was following. Rafe had already gone in, thinking I would follow.

Not this time, Buster.

The door closed just before Ryx could come back out. I turned and stomped away.

"Don't touch me. I can't get enough of you. Don't fall in love with me. Our touch wasn't natural. I was worrying about you for hours." I growled out.

"Give me mixed signals, why don't you?!" I snapped talking to the air as I stepped into the elevator.

Stabbing my finger in the digit that lead me to my room, I stepped off and got into my room.

I dropped down on my bed and shut my eyes. As soon as my body relaxed into the heat given off by the bed, the throbbing in my arm increased.

I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to block out the pain. I don't know what knocked me out in the end, but the last thing I remembered thinking was: Rafe is an asshole.

-- --

I woke up shivering, my face burning.

I was running a temperature.

The door to my entrance opened and two nurses and Dr. Stevens headed my way.

"You should've stayed in the Health Care Unit," Dr. Stevens said, throwing me a disapproving look that was intermingled with annoyance.

"Who sent you here?" I asked as he took my vitals.

There's only one person who could've known.

He looked at me, but didn't reply, looking at a device in his hand, pressing two fingers to the pulse on my wrist.

He told the nurses to bring me to the Health Care Unit and I rolled my eyes, standing up.

I was hit by a wave of nausea and I sat back down.

Whoa.

Dr. Stevens shook his head at me, "Ms. Hills, leaving the unit today was a bad decision on your part."

"Yeah," I agreed, "It was."

I should've just stayed.

What was the point of me going after him? Why did I go after him? Why did I even care?

I steeled myself, building a wall around my heart. Yeah, he does sweet things like take me to my father, keep an eye on me (as stalker-ish as that sounds) and let me have my way with most things. But it's not worth the hassle. It's not worth the fights, anger and the pain I'm feeling. It's not worth the cruel words he speaks in a fit of anger or worry.

"Ms. Hills?" The nurse called and I looked up.

"Are you ready?" She asked.

"Yeah," I murmured, answering a very different question, one that I was asking myself. "I am ready."

I was back in the Health Care Unit, my fever hadn't reduced, but my pain had. Thank you, medications.

After Dr. Stevens burned my ear off for being ridiculously irresponsible, saying that I had caused the fever because I hadn't taken my meds, he worried that I had somehow infected my wound.

He undressed my wound, muttering under his breath about 'hormone driven teens', I didn't correct him about his misinterpretation of my age.

When I heard a raised voice that I was familiar with, my face whipped up.

"Dad?" I whispered.

My father walked swiftly towards me, almost angrily.

He came to my side, cupped my face and pressed a kiss to my hair. He looked tired, his red coloured hair greying at the temples, wrinkles around his mouth and dark circles under his eyes.

"Sweetheart, what happened?" He asked me, his gaze flicking to the wound.

"I got shot at," I said.

"You got what?" He asked me.

I shrugged, "I'm equally surprised."

My father stared at me for sometime in shock, his hand still on my cheeks, before he frowned.

"You're burning up!" He exclaimed.

"That's her fault," the very helpful doctor said and I threw him a glare.

The Doctor filled my father in about what happened, the shooting, my admission into the Health Care Unit, my vitals and my unceremonious exit this evening.

My father turned angry eyes at me and I cringed.

"I have not brought you up to take irresponsible decisions," he said, sounding angry and disappointed.

I looked down at my lap, feeling like a little girl again. After what felt like hours later, when my father felt that I was appropriately chastened, he finally calmed down enough to talk to me.

He asked me about the shooting and before I could answer, he asked the doctor the same question. Neither of us had an answer to give him.

This then, obviously followed another bout of reprimanding, this time though, the good Doctor bowed his head down right along with me.

By the time my father settled, the doctor had said his shift was over and my fever had dropped.

"I'm okay, dad." I said.

"Who can I gain information about why you were shot?" He asked me.

I snorted.

"Who's the one who called you here?" I muttered in response, already knowing who would've had my father come to see me.

My father's brows furrowed, "I believe it was your District Leader. I received information from my Institution Leader, saying that he had received information from your District Leader that you were wounded. I had to apply for permission to leave and left as soon as it was granted."

I just grunted in response.

"Can I speak to your District Leader?" He asked.

I shrugged, "God knows." I muttered.

"Is there anyway for you to contact him?" He asked and I just looked at my father, unsure how to respond.

"Who are we talking about?" Freesia asked, practically skipping to my bunk with Wolf at her heels.

My father stood up and I introduced the three to each other.

"Dad this is Wolf and Freesia. Freesia, Wolf, this is dad." I examined, waving my hand in introduction.

Wolf held his hand out, "Mr. Hills," he said, holding his hand out to my father, with a good boy smile that Freesia and I raised our eyebrows at.

Freesia then shook hands with my father too.

He then asked them if they knew anyway to reach Rafe and they both gave him weird looks.

"Mr. Hills," Wolf said, looking at him with shock and completely missing my don't-say-anything expression.

"Rafe and Amour are-"

I started fake-coughing, stopping Wolf from saying anymore. When my father looked around for water, I threw Wolf a death glare and a shut-up-right-now look. He immediately clamped his mouth shut and cleared his throat as my father came back with a small container of water.

Gulping down the water, I cleared my throat. Wolf and Freesia immediately changed the subject, asking my father about his work and my father's face lit up.

Soon, the nurse came to ask everyone to leave and my father asked her if there was anyway for him to meet Rafe.

The nurse looked at me like something she didn't understand was going on.

"Sir, I believe your daughter knows-" she started but Wolf patted my father on the shoulder and muttered a few words saying he would help him out.

My father nodded, came to me and kissed my forehead, a sad smile on his face.

"I'll be back the second I'm allowed," he promised and I gave him a teary-eyed good bye with a hug. I breathed in his scent, feeling at home after a long time.

I watched my friends and father head out with a heavy heart. Then I looked at the nurse who turned to leave.

"Excuse me?" I called to just as she was about to leave.

She was human, just like everyone else in this Unit, guess I was in the Human Health Care Unit.

"What were you going to say to my father?" I asked, curiously.

She wrung her hands in front of her nervously, her eyes flitting away from me, as if trying to seek escape.

"Hey? Are you scared of me or something?" I asked her, leaning forward.

"I was just going to say that you know the District Leader well," she said, before adding urgently, "I'm sorry if I've offended you."

Then she took off like her tail was on fire. I was left staring open mouthed at her.

What did she know about me that she was so shaken?

Thunder shook me out of my reverie and I looked out of the walls to the darkened sky beyond. It lighted up for a few seconds, followed by the ground-shaking sound of thunder. My breath hitched in fear and I pressed my hand to my beating heart.

I thought I felt someone behind me so I whipped around, the same time lightening flashed into the room.

Ace stood there with his hands crossed, his face temporarily illuminated by the lightening. I slapped a hand to my mouth to stop my shout from escaping my lips.

"You scared me-" I started but Ace pressed a finger to his lips and I quietened, confused.

He held something out in his palm, a small dark rectangle and he beckoned me to him with his other hand. I stepped to him, my heart beating faster than normal.

He pointed to the communication device that was at his hip and then he pointed at me.

I stared at him for a few seconds before realising what he wanted. He was asking for my communication device.

I took it out of my pocket and handed it to him, throwing him a suspicious look.

He took it from me, walked to my bunk, sat down on it and then pulled my device apart into pieces. My jaw dropped as I watched him place the small dark rectangle he had into a larger square box that he'd pried out from my communication device.

Once he'd inserted it, he put it all back together and handed it to me.

Then, he said, "Sit down."

I took my device and sat down on the edge of my bunk, wide-eyed.

He grabbed a chair from a few feet away and placed it beside my bunk.

He sat down in it, his forearms resting on my bunk.

"I just did you a big favour." He told me.

"Thank you?" I said, unsure what favour he had done for me.

He smirked at me, steepling his hands before him.

"So...what did you put in my device?" I asked him.

He opened his mouth, thought for a few seconds, then closed it.

"I cannot tell you." He said.

Okaaaaay.

"Okay," I said, tucking my hair behind my ears, "Can you tell me what it does?"

He shook his head, no.

I sighed.

"What can you tell me?" I asked.

He thought about it seriously as lightening struck again. My eyes shifted to the walls, trying to see if it was raining yet.

"Want to take a walk?" He asked, amusement glinting in his eyes.

What was he amused about?

"Yes, please." I said, shooting of the bed and walking to the entrance.

I heard Ace chuckle behind me before heading to the entrance to let me out with his bracelet.

I stalked out.

"This is probably going to end badly," he said.

"Perfect," I muttered.

I stalked into the elevator, Ace at my back. We headed straight to the main entrance and I pressed my bracele to the Identity Screen.

"Do not step out," Ace ordered.

"I don't want to come down with another fever, thanks." I said.

Ace nodded as the entrance opened and I watched the rain pour down in sheets. I took a step forward, holding my hand out, trying to catch a few drops on my palm.

Something beeped and I turned to look at Ace. He looked down at a device that was strapped to his hand and looked at me urgently.

"Listen to me," he said and I turned around, walking away from the entrance to come and stand before him, my back to the elevator, "What I did for you, is going to cause a lot of annoyance in Rafe's life."

I smiled. "Thanks," I said.

He shook his head, stepping a little closer.

"I saw something in him today. And saw the same thing in you a few minutes ago. You both are giving up on each other." He said, when I opened my mouth to speak, he put his hand up, "I do not have much time. I estimated twelve minutes, but he is fast, faster than I thought."

I was lost. What was he even saying?

"Do not give up on him, Amour. I have never seen him like this with anyone else before. But I saw him with you, yesterday, and I know I am doing the right thing." He said.

He waited for me to nod, then he pressed a finger to his lips and pointed behind me.

I turned to look, confused when I saw nothing but closed elevators. I turned back around and my eyes widened and I pressed a hand to my mouth.

Ace wasn't here.

He had just...disappeared.

The sound of the elevator had me whipping around, my hands still pressed against my mouth.

When the elevators opened, Rafe walked out, five C'Riel at his back. His eyes found me and he stalked towards me, his expression dark and his eyes darker.

When he came to me, he caught my elbow, his heat searing me even through my long sleeved shirt. He tugged me away from the entrance, his eyes flitting around me.

"Who was here with you?" He asked.

"No one," I said. I watched as he took in my eyes then shifted his gaze to meet the C'Riel behind me.

They dispersed in different directions, heading in search of...whatever Rafe thought he needed to search for.

"I wasn't with anyone," I stressed. I didn't want Ace to get into trouble. Ace had pressed a finger to his lips before leaving. I understood what that meant. Keep quiet.

Rafe's eyes searched mine.

"How did you leave the Health Care Unit?" He asked me.

"How does anyone leave a room here?" I asked, tugging my hand out if his grip.

He let go.

"What are you doing here?" He asked.

"I came to see the rain," I told him.

His eyes searched my face. Dark. Angry. I could see no fire in them.

"You got shot yesterday. The last thing you need to see is the rain." He told me, leaning forward, his eyes glaring into mine.

He was right.

I wrapped my hands around myself, "You're right," I said, looking out at the skies through the walls.

He rubbed his middle finger against his forehead.

"You could have just sent me a message. I would have taken you to see the rain." He said.

Something fluttered in my heart, but I paid it no heed.

"I didn't think you would want the reminder," I whispered, looking down.

He hand came to my face as if to tip my chin up, but stopped himself, dropping his arm.

I looked up on my own, meeting his eyes.

"Reminder of what?" He asked.

I searched his eyes before looking away and murmuring, "Of what happened the last time it rained."

Was it just yesterday?

Before everything got shot to hell.

He didn't say anything for a few seconds.

"Who were you with, Amour?" He asked me again.

"I was alone," I told him again.

He caught both my elbows this time, pulling me closer gently. I was careful not to let sky other part of me touch him.

"Who. Was. With. You?" He asked me, anger flashing in his eyes. Anger...and something else.

Fear?

"Who shot me, Rafe?" I asked, instead.

Rafe dropped his hands and looked away, frustration flickering over his face.

"He escaped." Rafe said.

He was angry at himself, I realised.

I reached out to catch hold of his arm, before I remembered that I had promised him I wouldn't touch him. I dropped my hand.

Rafe looked at me.

"You'll get him. Don't worry," I said.

Rafe considered me seriously, then nodded.

The C'Riel who had dispersed came back. They stood in a semi-circle behind me, a good distance away though.

He looked over my head at each of them. Then his eyes whipped back to me.

"Who are you trying to protect?" He asked me.

I raised my eyebrows, "What are you talking about?" I asked.

He nodded his head at the C'Riel around us and they all got into the elevator and left.

"I will ask you once more," he said, stepping really close and looming over me.

"Who was with you just now?" He asked.

"Rafe, I was alone." I said.

Rafe stared at me, his head slowly shaking.

"You are lying. I know you are."

"What I am, is tired." I said and turned to head to the elevator. I heard his silent footsteps and knew he was following.

We stepped into the elevator, after it reached out floor, in silence and I pressed the digit that would lead us to the Health Care Unit. We were silent till the elevator reached its destination.

Just before leaving, I said, "Thank you,"

He looked at me, tilting his head.

"For calling my father," I said.

"What makes you think-"

I cut off his denial, "I know you keep an eye on me. I know the things you do for me. I don't know why you do them, but I'm grateful. You can't hide from me, Rafe. I can see you even in the dark."

I started to step out, but he called out my name.

"Let us go to my room." He said.

I stared at him.

"Why?" I asked.

Something flashed in his eyes.

"It is safer." He said, finally.

"I don't really think that is a good idea." I said, turning back to walk away.

He caught my wrist, stopping me.

When I turned around, he looked...he looked like he was going through something he could not understand.

He looked a little lost.

It caused a quake in me, that shook the walls I'd created around my heart. My walls didn't fall, but they were cracked.

"Ryx..." His voice lowered, his lashes lifting as he considered me, "He...misses you."

Quakes rattled the walls around my heart again, "I miss him too." I whispered.

Both of us looked at each other, wondering if we were talking about Ryx or not.

"So, come with me." He said, his eyes started to clear. I saw bits of amber creep in.

Not much. Just a few stars in an otherwise dark sky.

I let him pull me closer, but I kept my hands to myself. I stopped myself from stepping close enough to touch him. He noticed, but didn't say anything. Reaching around me to press the digit that lead to his room.

He leaned back, his gaze travelling down to me.

My eyes caught in his. His eyes cleared further, more amber seeping in.

My walls shook further.

Heat spread from my face, down my neck to my fingers as I clenched them. Electricity whipped between us as his gaze focused more on me.

He seemed like he was going to move, when the elevator stopped.

I stepped away, turning and heading to his door.

What was I doing?

------------------------------------------------------------------

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