chapter 23: strength

My dream was strange. All I could hear was voices. It took awhile for me to realize it wasn't a dream. I just couldn't open my eyes.

"Would you calm down?! She's not dead!" Kale's voice came out right above me.

"This does look pretty bad. I've never seen anything like it..." Jason spoke.

"Emily knew exactly what she was doing--" Anya was interrupted.

"She's not moving at all! How do you know she's not dead?!" It sounded like Kevin's voice? It was full of panic.

"Are you—What is wrong with you? What is wrong with him?" Kale sounded very irritated. "Why are you even in here?" He growled.

"I'm surprised you're not more worried about--" Kevin stopped talking when there was a loud popping sound. Then there was a thud in the distance. I heard a sigh and someone left. There was a long moment of silence and Kale finally spoke.

"How is this any different from what Ulrich did to her?" I could hear Kale's frown.

"Whatever is in her claws, it's very similiar to poison or venom. It seems that she might be the only one that has it in her." Jason explained.

"How do we stop it from spreading?" Kale sounded helpless once again.

"We have to find Shane." Anya said quietly.

"I'm not leaving her. Will you guys--"

"Kale, her mouth." Jacob interrupted him. I couldn't open my eyes or even move or talk for that matter but strangely I managed to smile as he said this.

"We'll be quick." Jason chuckled.

I listened the best I could, hearing Jason leave, followed by Anya and then William and Jacob. I couldn't smile for long. It was gone by the time they left.

"Poison." He muttered to himself. "Then why didn't she come after me?"

And now I was frowning. He stopped talking abruptly.

"Can you hear me, sweetheart?"

My lips twitched.

"I don't know what to do, Jamie. If it spreads, and I lose you..."

I frowned again. He stopped talking.

"Sorry." He breathed.

"Sorry about him." Anabelle's voice was in the room now. "He's really not good with seeing people hurt. Even if he doesn't like them. He's a lover, not a fighter."

"What do you mean he doesn't like her? Everyone likes Jamie."

"My fault." She seemed to apologize. He sighed. There was sudden movement.

"You're not going to try anything, are you?!" He spit out. She laughed slightly.

"Don't worry. I've got my eyes on...someone else. And besides, I've taken a liking to her. All this Jamie worship makes sense." She teased. I frowned. Jamie worship. I did not like that at all.

"Oh!" She gasped. "Can she hear me?" She asked, lowering her voice, not that it helped. He laughed.

"I don't think she liked your last comment."

I sighed which surprised me and made my whole body jump. That's when I could feel the position of my body. I was laying on my stomache, with my face turned toward them. There was nothing on my back, just a blanket covering my lower half. His hand was quickly on my arm. I could feel his touch which also surprised me.

"If you worry about her everytime she moves you'll never be able to just relax and love her. You react so quickly, it's almost like you think you're going to lose her."

"Natural reflex." He shrugged. I knew this because I felt it. "I can't help it."

"She's one of us now Kale."

"And just look at her. She still managed to get hurt." He sighed. I frowned.

"I don't think she liked that." She snickered.

"I'll hear about it later." He sounded amused. "You know I love you, Jamie." I felt the bed move slightly. He sat beside me. "I'm surprised Roy's allowing this."

"He's allowing it, but it doesn't mean he likes it." She said conversationally.

"Believe me, I'd rather be anywhere else. I just don't want to move her."

"You two should learn to get along."

"Are you feeling OK?" He suddenly asked. She laughed.

"I've learned alot from William. It's better to have more friends then enemies."

"Ah, so that's what this new you is about."

"What does that mean?" I could hear her frown now.

"William did to you what Jamie did to me; changed everything, turned our world upside down and inside out, and gave life and love a whole new meaning. He's obviously good for you."

"Obviously." She murmured. "Please don't tell him. I want to do it when we leave again."

"It's not my place to tell him but you should make sure he loves you back. You're kind of creepy when it's one sided."

"Shut up." She muttered. "I know." She agreed.

"Finally..." He stood abruptly.

"I didn't do much damage. Jamie broke her arm and bit her. Ivan and Zane swooped in and took her away." Shane's voice was distant then grew louder until he was finally in the tent with us. He gasped.

"This isn't good at all. We have to be fast." He spoke quickly. "It might already be too late..."

"What?!" Too many voices spoke at once but I could still make out Kale's.

"This is going to look terrible, but I have to do it. You might not be able to watch, Kale." I heard him move toward me. "I'm sorry." He said quietly, not only to me but to everyone else too.

Then there was a sharp pain in my back. I gasped. He had just rested his hand on it. There was a strange pulse, I knew he had changed forms. The pain was sharper, burning and I screamed.

"Shane!" I whimpered. A moment past and he spoke.

"I know. I'm sorry! So, so sorry!"

The pain was so bad that it made me able to move, speak and open my eyes. All I managed to see was the black walls of the tent. I searched for his face but the pain made my vision blurry. My eyes shut again. There was a ripping noise. Did he just make it bigger and deeper?

"Kale..." I groaned now.

"I'm here." He sounded in just as much pain as I was in.

"Take her hand." Shane sounded miserable too.

There was another ripping sound as Kale gripped my hand. I bit my pillow, trying my best to muffle another scream. I was in so much pain that I didn't even realize Shane was talking to me in his form.

"I'm going to take the venom out. I'm changing forms again."

Again? So he had been in his human form? I was much too confused and in too much pain to understand. I felt too clearly the wetness on my back and a stinging feeling. Kale's hands were stroking my hair. Then the side of my face.

"Just a little longer." He comforted me. "I'm tired of this!" He hissed at Shane who obviously couldn't respond, or that's what I thought.

The pain became too much that I jerked myself out from under him, rolling away. Kale grabbed me, spinning me back on my stomache. I squirmed in his grip. All I wanted to do was get away from the pain. Shane growled in frustration.

"That's not going to work." Kale spoke. I heard something snap.

"I had to try." Anya sighed.

I assumed she tried to inject me with something but my skin broke the needle. Shane came back again, so did the stinging. Finally, the pain consumed everything. I stopped squirming and once again blacked out.

~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~

The next time I opened my eyes everything was much calmer, so much quieter. I was still on my stomach but now I could move. I wasn't in pain. I reached my arm around, trying to feel my back but my hand touched something else. It was smooth, warm and silky. I turned my head. Kale was beside me on his stomach, his arm around me, his eyes closed. He must have been in a deep dream.

I let out a sigh and pressed my face into the pillow. He moved or more like twitched. I looked at him again. His eyes opened, then widened. He spun on his back and sat up. I did the same, realizing I still had nothing on.

"That was bad?" I asked quietly, drawing my knees to my chest, still covered by the blanket at my waist.

"Terrible. Almost as bad as when you were turned."

I winced and he pulled me into his arms.

"They disappeared again." He sighed. "But I know they'll be back." I nodded. He kissed my forehead. "Until then, let's get some clothes on you." He jumped out of the bed, grabbed a pile of clothes on the other side of the tent. "I would have done it when Shane was finished but I didn't dare move you, just in case."

"How does it look?" I asked, reaching for the satin fabric.

"Incredible as always." He grinned. I rolled my eyes at him and pulled the gown over my head. He sat down in front of me. "It's like it never happened. Your back is as smooth as it was before." His hand fell into mine.

"How long was I out this time?"

"Not long. I didn't even have time to go beat anyone up." He frowned teasingly.

"What? Now what happened?"

He winkled his nose. "Even though you were squirming because you were in pain, alot of them couldn't stop staring when you flipped on your back." He shook his head. I subconsciously crossed my arms across my chest. I let out an annoyed growl. "You could help me." He shrugged.

"Will do." I spoke, jumping up. He was quickly behind me.

I didn't get a chance to glower at any of them, as soon as I walked out of the tent Shane was in front of me.

"You're OK!" He flung his arms around me. Jake pushed his way between us.

"Don't scare us like that ever again!" He scolded.

I glared up at him but he ignored me, pulling me into his arms. I pulled myself away from him and took a couple steps back until I backed into Kale.

"I think he's still mad." Shane pointed out as he looked at Kale. Jacob looked at him now too.

"Definitely." Jake nodded.

"She doesn't look too happy either." William added.

"Your fault." Shane and Jake blamed me in unison.

I rolled my eyes at them, feeling Kale tense. They knew exactly why we were mad but it was like they weren't even ashamed of themselves. I finally got my chance to glower at them and then I started to bicker but they argued back.

"We were just worried about you!"

"If Kale would have been quicker--"

Kale moved me out of the way and lunged forward. It still fascinated me that he was so strong. Stronger then even both of them combined. I don't know who else was in the room with us but it was only Shane and Jake that Kale cared about. William came over, putting his arm around me. I looked away from Kale's wailing.

"You'd better feed. Your eyes can't be that color just from anger."

I nodded in agreement. I managed to get Kale's attention. He reluctantly threw both of them to the side, following me out of the canyon.

"Where's Roy's clan?" I asked as we left.

"They went after Emily's pack, kind of thirsty." He shrugged. I understood what he meant but didn't say anything.

~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#

It didn't take long to quench what we could of our thirst. But neither of us wanted to go back anytime soon. We climbed a tall, dusted red rock. Like a miniture mountain. It reminded me of the Ruins that I hardly spent five minutes in. When we got to the top, it leveled out, becoming flat. We did this out of fun.

We didn't need to, but we both sat down on the ledge. Our feet hung off the sides. Looking down, we were inhumanly far up. He held my hand tightly. We were both quiet for only a moment. Our eyes were once again there abnormally-normal bright colors. His blue, mine green. We had more of our fill of blood.

"Why don't you like Roy's clan?" I asked, resting against him as he put his arm around me. That curiousity had been in my head for awhile now.

"It's not the clan, it's him." Then with a small laugh he added; "And Kevin." He rolled his eyes.

"But why?" I continued to ask. He sighed.

"Roy turned me. He tried to control me, but I wouldn't have that. I'm kind of stubborn, like you." He flashed me a smile as I stared at him in disbelief. He continued. "I was also too old to be told what to do. He left me even though I was a newborn. I had no idea how to deal with what I had become. I was alone, completely confused and constantly thirsty.

When I ran into him nearly 15 years later, he introduced me to Kevin. Kevin was turned much younger then when I was so he was easy to control. Roy created his own little monster. He asked me to join them, but I refused, already having plans to become Zero. Kevin still follows him around like a puppy."

"But I thought Dante turned you..."

"I guess I can see why you'd think that. Dante found me, and taught me everything I know." He said quietly. I had to look away from him. Was Dante a father figure to him? Why didn't I see it before?

"Do you miss him?"

"No." He said instantly. "Honestly, we weren't that close."

The silence that followed wasn't uncomfortable. There was so much to be seen from up here. The way the moon hit the white of the desert and the red of the distant mountains. The red of the distant mountains. Very far off, almost a dot to the human eyes I could vaguely see the Ruins and the clan just to the East. I could hear voices, but I chose to ignore them.

"How old were you?" I asked now. How did I never think to ask before?

"Twenty two. Just shy of my twenty third birthday. I was much older then you." His eyebrows pulled together as if a thought just accured to him. "You handled it much better then I did."

I shrugged.

"I think love has alot to do with it. I didn't get turned by some random vampire, I got turned by you."

"Well, I guess I'll give you that one. Roy turned me for all the wrong reasons because he thought I would make one hell of a vampire." He quoted Dante and it was as if everything fell into place.

I knew with 100% certainty that the reason why he protected me from Dante from turning me was because he truly loved me but there was another reason. He did it because it was as if he were re-living himself being turned. I squeezed his hand.

"Why didn't you tell me any of this?"

"I guess I never really thought about it." I must have given him a strange look. He sighed. "I didn't want to bother you with my past. I don't want you to worry about it, and I know you would."

I probably would. I would always wonder if he was alright, even after so many years.

"Kevin, on the other hand, was only seventeen." He changed the subject.

"Speaking of Kevin, what's with him and Anabelle?" I changed the subject on him now. He snorted, trying to hold back a laugh. I looked at him curiously.

"They met a few years after I turned her. He fell hard. Roy's not the only one he obeys like a pathetic dog. She was never interested, but you know Anabelle, she loves attention. They're so similiar, it scares the hell out of me. She shot him down so many times that he agreed to be her best friend."

"Were you jealous?" I teased.

He let his laugh go. It echoed loud but incredibly musically out into the desert and canyon.

"Relieved is more like it." Then his eyes met mine. "I've never been jealous in my life." He spoke too seriously. I raised my eyebrow at him. He smiled. "Of course, with the one and only exception."

I was always an exception. I rolled my eyes, kissing him quickly on the lips then pulled back. He grabbed the back of my head, coming toward me.

"Wait."

I tried not to laugh but he kissed my neck so I couldn't help it. I tried to push him away but he resisted and didn't want to wait. Since he felt that way, he was alot stronger then me so he didn't even budge. He was like a rock and I felt human.

"One more question." I pleaded.

He sighed, pressing his face into my neck. At least it wasn't his lips anymore. I could somewhat think now.

"OK go. Make it quick, I'm not sure how much longer I can keep myself from attacking you."

I smiled but tried to ignore his statement.

"Well, how exactly did Roy's clan get a diet of...werewolves?" I asked.

He growled with an annoyed undertone, lifting his head. I smiled at him innocently. It was obviously a question that was answered with a long story. I don't think he appreciated that.

"Give me the short version." I suggested. He shut his eyes.

"Roy's significant other was killed by a werewolf. His best friend was killed by a shapshifter. He sees no difference between the two species. So when he went for revenge as soon as he tasted their blood, any other type of blood tasted disgusting to him. He managed to find others who hated wolves and he converted them to "mut blood" as he calls it. I'm surprised he's allowing Shane and the packs in his canyon." He spoke so quickly it might have been hard to catch anything he said, but of course my ears caught everything. His eyes snapped open. He was smiling but the way he smiled, it was obvious he was up to something.

"Satisfied?" He asked.

I nodded but couldn't say anything. He was quick to leap on top of me. His lips crushed mine as if he'd been waiting to do this for awhile now. As usual, he would have killed me if I were still human. I wasn't sure if I'd ever get used to this.

The top of our small mountain was broken to pieces by the time we were done. We had been up there for hours. I stood up, shaking the red dust from my entire body. Surprisingly, he didn't destroy my white satin gown. I was glad considering I actually liked it because it was one of the most comfortable pieces of clothing. I threw the gown back on and laughed when Kale finally stood up beside me. His white skin was tinted red, so was his dark tossled hair. After I laughed at him, I helped him wipe away the dust.

"I wouldn't be laughing bed head." He teased. I ran my fingers through my hair then pouted at him. He laughed.

"You're adorable even with your bed head, Jamie."

"Yeah, well, you're adorable even when...even when..." I couldn't think of anything that even came close to being a back handed comment like his. "I don't know." I finally gave up frustrated. He grinned. "I'll think of something...Kalsaban!"

He let out a groan and I knew I already got him back for calling me a bed head.

"Love you." I batted my eyes at him. He sighed.

"How am I supposed to be angry with you when you're flirting with me?"

"So we're even?" I asked. He nodded.

"Even. And, I love you too."

"I know." I flashed a smile at him now.

He grabbed my arm and kissed my forehead.

"Wanna race?" I was full of sudden adrenaline. I needed to run.

"If I beat you, I get something in return." He pulled back, looking down at me.

"Name it."

"You." He grinned again.

"Kale, you already have--"

"I mean, more of you. More of what we just did."

Now I understood. "You're on!"

I spun around. Like an insane person, I jumped off of the little mountain we were on. Strangely, but not so strangely, I landed with grace. He was quickly behind me as I sped off toward the clan. He was fast, but I was pretty sure I was faster. And I was right. He was only half a second too slow. I turned to him with a satisfied grin.

"Ahh! I was looking forward to winning." He pouted.

"Now I can claim my prize."

"What's that?" He raised his perfectly porportioned eyebrow.

"You could guess." I shrugged. His smile stretched handsomely across his face.

"I'll probably just be wrong..." He sighed. He wanted me to say it. I sighed now rolling my eyes.

"You."

"You want me?" He gasped. I couldn't help but laugh.

"Satisfied?" I grinned.

"Just about..." He swooped me off my feet, going into the nearest empty tent.

Everyone else was already in their tents as the sun was just about to rise and no one came to greet us when we came back into the canyon but we didn't want any distractions at the moment anyways. It really didn't take long to get interrupted though.

"They're back!" Jake informed just outside our tent.

He wasn't talking about us or Roy's clan, they were already back before us. Me and Kale were quick to get up and out. Both of us were tense. We came out behind Roy's clan, a few of Kale's clan-members and only half of Jason's pack. We pushed past the crowd that stood protectively in front of our tent. It was a surprise to see only Milo and Dane growling in front of all of us. Shane and Jake were quick to follow behind us.

"Where's Emily?" Shane hissed. Both of them snarled.

"We scared her and her brothers off." Kevin said amused from behind us.

"Because you mauled Lucas!" Dane snapped. There were only amused laughs behind us now.

"Unlike them we don't run until we've had our revenge." Milo growled, his eyes wild as he glared at Kale. Dane was looking at me the exact same way. Kale ignored Milo.

"Touch her and I promise you'll regret it."

"Well then, I guess I'll have to kill you first!"

I lost my control first. I found myself lunging at Dane. It felt like I smacked into a wall but that wall was him. I didn't realize I had hit him so hard until he landed across the canyon against the wall made of the dusty red rocks. The whole wall seemed to collapse as the rubble caved in on top of him.

Milo came toward me, fuming. Before Kale could react, which was very shocking, Shane leapt into the air. He formed right before he came crashing down on him. Dane burst out of the fallen rocks and came charging toward me again. In the middle of his stride, he changed forms. Kale pulled me hard behind him. Milo suddenly whimpered, without hesitation he took off out of the canyon. Shane didn't follow. He spun around toward us. Dane seemed to hesitate before finally following his companion.

"What was that about?" Jake asked confused.

Everyone shrugged, turning there attention to the big leathery werewolf in front of us for answers. He sighed, disappeared behind the tents but was quick to return.

"I've always been stronger then all of them. In my true form I can do permanent damage to anyone, even those of my kind, especially if it isn't treated right away. I broke his arm, which if compared to Jamie breaking Emily's arm, it's a thousand times worse. Despite what they say, neither of them would ever be alone with this many packs and clans." He explained.

"Let me guess, they'll be back." I sighed.

"Most likely." Shane nodded.

"Don't worry. Unless all of us get taken by surprise, we'll know of there return long before they get here." Roy assured me of what I already knew. The point was that they would be back, and this still wasn't over....

~#~##~#~##~~#~#~#~~#~#~#~#~#

It took longer then I was expecting to run into them again. Three weeks in fact. At this point we had other things on our minds. Me and Kale were desperate to be alone once again, there were too many of the others always around, too many in our earshot. But without even discussing it, neither of us wanted to leave our friends at the risk of Milo and Dane showing up again with more werewolves.

Anabelle was distracted by her feelings for William. Shane and Jacob weren't really even trying to move on so I was also distracted by them. They also refused to apologize for taking advantage of me when I was in pain. Kevin was distracted by Anabelle and seemed to have a worried expression constantly on his face. He must have known about her feelings for William.

Jason's pack and Shane were slowly becoming uncomfortable as Roy and his clan started to become irritated with there stay, though they didn't say anything due to Anya's sudden illness. The clan seemed to have hearts afterall.

It surprised me that shapeshifters could get sick. Jason was a mess, he never left her side. She was almost as pale as me. She was throwing up non-stop. She told us not to worry and it was just a temporary flu. Something that apparently wasn't unusual for this time of year. Jason promised us she wasn't just acting tough and she was telling the truth.

In the heat of all this is when they reappeared. Shockingly, it was only the two of them again. We were on our half destroyed mountain (due to us) when we both tensed in unison.

"And here I thought they gave up." Kale sighed.

We jumped up, taking off toward the clan. For some reason they were quicker then usual. They got to us before we made it back into the canyon. They were already in their forms. They weren't going to just chat this time. They attacked almost instantly. Kale tried to protect me but they weren't having that. I had no problems protecting myself though. I was faster then Dane who was obviously the one that came right after me. He may have been 1000 times stonger then me but I dodged every single one of his attacks.

It was almost like a stupid game at first until I saw Milo's mouth clamp hard on Kale's shoulder, ripping through the hard marble of his skin. Kale gasped. I turned, distracted by this. Dane came in with a hard swipe of his arm and hit me with such force into the floor of the desert that I was suddenly laying in a crater. Sand and rocks exploded out in different directions.

There's no doubt in my mind I would have hit the mountains at the horizon if he would have hit me just like that into the air. My eyes saw Kale cringing into the dirt. The gash was deep but it wasn't purple like the werewolves usually leave behind on us. It was completely black and seemed to be growing.

"What did you do?!" I hissed, grabbing Dane's arm as he just tried to hit me again, which would have pushed me further into the ground, creating a larger crater.

I heard it snap beneath my grasp. I flung him away from me. I took off toward Milo with great speed but he turned to me, catching me. It was like someone impossibly catching a bullet at close range and it didn't even hurt them in the least bit. I was that bullet.

I was thrown onto the ground right next to Kale, creating a small crater. Kale growled. Then it sounded as if his breath caught. I looked at him, but couldn't for very long. Something caught my hair, jerking me away from him.

I was being dragged across the desert toward a bend. I took hold of his large leg, even in the position I was in, but he kicked me in the face. He continued to drag me by the hair as I squirmed. Then he stopped abruptly. I looked up and he was gone. My arms were grabbed. I was pulled to my feet. He looked me over for a momet. He brushed his hands across my face then laughed bitterly.

"I keep forgetting you're not human anymore." Then Jake shoved me out of the way. Dane lunged at him but instantly changed his mind. He was after me, not Jacob. He grunted at Jake, then proceeded after me again.

"No!" Jacob shouted.

With a sudden realization, by really catching his scent, I gasped. It was Milo, not Dane. I became suddenly furious when my mind finally connected Kale's injuries with Milo's fangs.

"No!" Jacob shouted again, but this time at me.

It took me one step to get to him. I was so filled with anger it blinded me. All I could see was Kale's strange wound and the look of pain on his face. Real pain that made him unable to move. There was a struggle, followed by a tearing sound. I stumbled backwards. Blood was dripping from my chin.

"Holy shi--" Jake began to breath out. I was shaking all over, staring down at what I had blindly done. I shook my head.

"Jacob..." I interrupted him. "Jacob did I--" I couldn't even bring myself to say anthing else.

"He's unconscious, that's all. Our bites hurt them in the most horrible ways. But only a werewolf could kill their own kind."

I felt relieved but also somewhat disappointed. There was suddenly a strange howl. Dane was quick to pick up his packmate.

"I'll do it again if you come back! Leave us alone!" I snapped at him. His big eyes narrowed then he limped off, flinging Milo over his shoulder as his other arm hung lifeless at his side.

Jake grabbed my arm. I glared after Dane as he dragged me behind him. When we got to Kale, I could only focus on him. Shane was leaning down next to him already. Somehow having shorts on. Kale's eyes were open. Shane had him on his back.

The wound had gotten much bigger and deeper. I looked from his eyes to the gash, then left my eyes on his. They had slowly glazed over. Now they were turning red, looking like little crimson stones. His eyes didn't close, but I knew he couldn't see any of us.

"Is this what happened to me?" I fought back a cry. Shane nodded.

"Milo's venom is in his teeth. It seems to be alot stronger and faster then Emily's. I'm sorry you have to see this..."

He rested his hand on the gash. Kale's pupils diolated. He screamed between his clenched teeth, his fists clenched tightly, his eyes squeezed shut. I watched as Shane's arm was the only body part that quickly changed forms. He cut the gash open so it was even bigger. His arm was quick to go back to normal. I had no idea he could only form one part of his body like that.

He did this a few times. Each time he tore into the wound. It started to go form black to a dark purple. Then suddenly, he transformed completely. Kale's whole body was tense. Strange noises, almost screams came from his throat. He never opened his mouth and let go. I grabbed his clenched fist with both hands as Shane lowered his snout into the gash. I had to look away now. Kale's fists in my hands opened, taking hold of my hand tightly.

"Jamie..." He groaned in obvious pain.

"Kale..." My voice broke.

Shane pressed deeper into his shoulder. Kale gasped, then cringed. I swallowed hard.

"You're doing alot better then I did." I told him softly, running my free hand across his forehead. It was so much warmer then what was normal for us. It almost felt like I was touching Shane's forehead.

"Kiss me." He pleaded. "Kiss me. Kiss me!" His words quickened. I could tell he was trying to cover up a scream as his words got louder.

I leaned down and met his lips with mine as gently as I could but knew he could still feel it. I felt his mouth vibrate as a cry came out, smothered by our kiss. He pulled on my hand pretty hard, making me completely crush his lips. My eyes opened for a split second.

Shane's teeth penetrated his shoulder one last time. Kale's body went suddenly limp. I pulled back. His hand still clung to mine. Jake's hand was on top of my head in comfort. Shane formed again, naked as always but we paid no attention to it.

"It's out. It didn't spread. I got it." Shane gasped as Jake ripped off his shirt and began to clean off Kale's wound.

"Are you okay, Shane?" I asked, seeing an exhausted look on his face.

"Fine. It just takes energy to form one part like that. I have to make sure I'm still somewhat human when I begin to heal someone that way or I'll just end up doing more damage to them." He glanced down at Kale, seeming satisfied he stood. My attention was back on Kale. "I'll be back." He formed quickly and took off.

I watched as the black faded more until it was a light purple. Jake wiped away all the dirt and rocks.

"Can we move him? Will it hurt him?" I asked in a hushed voice, afraid to disturb him. Finally he looked peaceful and relaxed. Jake nodded.

"Well we can't just leave him out in the desert." He whispered back just as quietly.

Shane came back, clothed. He agreed that it wouldn't hurt him at all and even offered to carry him back.

~#~#~#~#

"Will you be OK in here?" Shane asked as I sat down next to Kale's still body.

"No problem." I spoke almost absent mindedly as I stared at the finally somewhat healing gash.

"Are you sure?" Jacob was frowning, his voice gave him away. I looked at them now.

"I'll be fine. Go keep Jason company. I'm sure he needs it." I suggested.

They both smiled.

"If you need anything, we're in ears reach." Shane reminded me.

"Thanks captain obvious." I rolled my eyes at them, then shooed them out of tent.