TheElevatorofTi

"I understand that you don't need my help," he muttered from his corner. He hadn't heard the fear in her voice because he was too busy concentrating on not blowing up.

"I could use you right not," she called from her spot on the floor. She shuddered again and Darien did hear the fear in her voice this time. He softened. It also surprised him. He didn't understand how a cocky, arrogant, annoying girl like that could be afraid of the dark. It made Darien realize the was a whole other side to this girl he didn't know.

'But I want to,' he thought, sheepishly, as if she could hear him. "Are you okay?" he answered, slightly concerned although not sounding it.

"No, " came her lonely voice from the darkness. She shuddered again.

"What's wrong?" he asked, feeling his way along the floor. He could definitely tell she was scared and it sounded like she need him, even if she hated him.

"Well, I'm afraid of small spaces," she cried, frightened. "Small, dark spaces."

"You mean you're claustrophobic, right?" he asked. He finally touched something warm and realized it was Bunny's shoulder. He soon discovered she was curled in a ball lying on the floor. "Buns, are you really okay?"

"No," she repeated. She pulled out of her ball and wrapped her arms around Darien. To her surprise, he returned the embrace and she blushed, although not seen, because of his warmth. "Thank you," she sighed, starting to feel safety seep through her.

"Why?" he asked, meaning to say 'your welcome'. He couldn't help but ask what was on his mind instead of what he meant to say.

"Why what?" came Bunny's muffled question.

"Well, it's none of my business," he said with interest," but why are you afraid of the dark? You see, I've come to realize fears don't develop out of thin air. They come from somewhere.....or someone..."

Bunny pulled her head up and set it on Darien's shoulder. She sighed before beginning her story. "When I was little, I used to get in trouble a lot. My mother wasn't very good with words or punishing me. So, she used to lock me in the cupboard under the stairs in the basement," she paused, hoping to hear a reaction.

Darien blushed when he realized that Bunny's voice, right next to his ear, was sending shivers up and down his spine. When he didn't respond, she continued. "I remember it being dark, cold, and very lonely. One time when I was nine or eight, somewhere around there, I tripped on the carpet when I was carrying an expensive wine glass full of red wine. When I fell, the glass broke and the wine stained our white carpet. Anyway, I yelled and screamed my apologies, but she didn't hear them because she was too angry. So, I started to-"

"-cry," Darien interrupted. He was processing the story and just happened to say something he was thinking. "Oh, sorry," he muttered, sheepishly. "Please continue."

"It's okay. well, I was crying really hard because I felt horrible and it was dark and cold and dank and I was more scared than usual. So, I cried harder than usual and I remember hyperventilating, then everything went black. I woke up in the hospital a few hours later. I had to use several inhalers for a week, and she never did it again, but after that one time....," Bunny trailed off. "I feel much better now, thank you," she added.

"You welcome," Darien whispered because he was still processing information. " I guess I could move away now. You probably don't want me-"

"No," she interrupted. She wrapped her arms around Darien's waist and pulled herself closer when he tried to move away. He gasped before smiling, still not seen because of the lights, and putting his arm around her shoulders.

Bunny didn't want his scent to leave her. 'Roses and cinnamon,' she thought peacefully. 'Does he know he smells this good? I wonder what his lips taste like?' Bunny felt her face turn an incredible shade of red. She decided to get her mind off *that* subject and the darkness by finding out about Darien. "Darien?"

"Hmm?" came his response. He also felt himself turned a lovely shade of red when his thoughts were interrupted for he was thinking the exact same thing as she was. "Sorry...I was....I was just...just...just...um...I was just...thinking," Darien stuttered.

Bunny started to laugh after hearing the embarrassment in his voice. Her laughter made him turn a brighter shade of red and it also made his insides melt. 'She sure is great company when she's being nice. I wonder....am I in love?' Darien thought shyly.

"Are you afraid of anything and why?" asked Bunny, quizzically.

"Why should I tell you?' Darien countered and smirk.

"Because I told you mine!" she said. "Please?"

"All right. I only have two fears," he began. "The first one I guess is I'm afraid of people hating me. I think I pay a little bit too much attention to what others think of me."

THIS IS IT FOLKS NO MORE SYKE SUCKERS KEEP GOING I WAN'T TO SEE THOSE EYES BLEED FOR WEEKS!!!