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| "DAMN IT, This isn't working," growled Lafem, "Hurry up and get that thing over here." Maritas and Doffy came into view with a makeshift stretcher. Heather felt herself drifting off, her eyes trying to close. Kai13 was shaking her shoulder. Heather looked up at him, trying hard to stay awake like he was telling her. "Heather come on, stay with me. Heather...." he choked up, tears spilling down his cheeks, "I love you." Then all was darkness. Heather awoke to the controlled chaos of the infirmary. People were rushing around, some shouting, others carrying things, a few leaning over her. There was dgre, and lafem, angelmay also. And Moviemaker??? What in the world was she doing dressed as a doctor and wearing the name tag "Will Makebetter"???? Her pain soaked mind bearly understood the things being said. "Do you have it?""No, that.... *thing* ran off with it." "DAMN, we might have been able to reattach it." "The bleeding's stopped." "Good, start stitching her up." "What about Kai13?" "Tell him I'm sorry, but he'll have to wait." Heather slipped back into unconsciousness. ~~~~~ It was quiet this time. The lights had been dimmed. Heather opened her eyes slowly. She was laying in a bed, covered in crisp white sheets. The curtains had been drawn, giving her some privacy. She could hear people moving around beyond them. "About time you wake up." Heather turned her head weakly towards the voice. VisionAri stood up from the chair she had been sitting on and walked over. "Welcome back." she smiled down at her. Heather opened her mouth. "Don't try to speak, save your strength." She brushed a strand of hair from Heather's face, "There's someone waiting to see you." VisionAri walked over to the curtain, pulled it aside and nodded to someone. Kai13 stepped inside and moved quickly to her side. Heather had never seen a more wonderful sight. He leaned over her, his hand brushing her cheek. His face was a mask of worry and tears shone in his eyes. "Heather, I..." Kai13 suddenly pulled her upright and crushed her to him. He said nothing for a few minutes, just held her to him. Heather, too weak to return his embrace, pressed her face into his chest. It felt so good, to be in his arms again, to feel like nothing else mattered, to feel so safe. Kai13 loosened his grip just enough to rain kisses along her forehead, across her nose and cheeks. He cupped her face between his hands, looking deep into her eyes. "I thought I'd lost you." Heather smiled weakly, "You can't get rid of me that easy." Kai13 smiled back, "As if I'd want to." He tenderly kissed her, sending shivers running the length of her aching body. Leaning back, he looked at her again and growled, "Don't you EVER do something so stupid again. I'm never letting you out of my sight again, you hear me, *never*." Heather smiled up at him, "Yes sir." Kai13 glanced down at her right arm, suddenly uneasy. "Heather, uh..." "I know." "There was nothing they could do. That thing ran off with it and..." "It's ok." "OK?" Kai13 looked down at Heather shocked, "It's not OK, your arm is... is." For the first time Heather looked down at her right arm. Or rather, what was left of it.Everything from just above her elbow down was gone. They had arrived in time to save her life, but not her arm, which had been carried off by the thing. Heather looked back up at Kai13, "It'll be ok, trust me." Kai13 pulled her against him again, stroking her hair. They stayed that way for what seemed like forever. Later, Kai13 watched over Heather as she slept, never leaving her side. Heather leaned back in her seat, feeling like she had been talking forever. It felt like a great weight had been lifted from her chest. It had taken several long sessions, but now it was out, the whole story. "This is only the beginning, isn't it." Revo looked up, "Yes. There are deep wounds that will take a long time to heal. Some of them may never heal completely." Heather nodded, closing her eyes briefly. "Is it true? What they said about...? Revo hesitated. Heather opened her eyes and looked over at her. "Yes, it'll grow back. I don't know how long, I've never lost a limb before. But eventually, I will have my arm back." Heather self-consciously rubbed the bandaged end of her arm. They talked for several more minutes before revo walked Heather to the door. Outside they found SamuriaKai, TechnoKai and YeozaaKai standing around Kai13,talking. Kai13 quickly walked over to Heather, slipping an arm around her. After saying good-bye to revo and his brothers, he steered Heather off down the hallway. Several hours later, Kai13 stood near the window in his and Heather's bedroom, the moon light playing across his troubled face. He looked over his shoulder, Heather slept peacefully for the first time in almost a week. He looked back out the window, past the battlements, to the forest. He clenched his |
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