A.N: This story is a tribute to all those who lost their lives in the Aurora shooting.

We were watching a movie she had chosen. We just wanted to spend some time together and not think about anything else… About midpoint of the movie, she's curled up in my arms, we're enjoying each other.

"I love you" I whispered in her ear, she giggled

"I love you too" She replied

Just as an explosion appears onscreen, the emergency exit doors slammed open and a masked man came out, shooting. It took us some time to realize what really was happening: he was slaughtering the viewers. He wasn't aiming for anybody in particular; he was just causing chaos. A bullet hit my left arm and possibly broke it. Although I was lucky in barely being injured, my love was not.

She had been shot in the gut and shoulder; she was bleeding out. The man left as fast as he came, which was a relief since I could get her help. I painfully picked her up bridal style. My arm hurt, but I couldn't care less; she was dying, I wasn't. With a surge of adrenaline, I got her to the front of the theatre as medics and policemen started arriving. I handed her over so they could help her. They immediately rushed off to the hospital.

Another medic came to check up on me; I told him to help those who really needed help. The bullet didn't seem to have hit any major artery and my arm would heal fine. They needed all hands on deck. However, he insisted on helping me. After some regular check-ups for concussion and/or trauma, he disinfected my wound and bandaged it, telling me to go to the hospital to get it properly fixed.

I ran to my car and drove. I drove and drove. At least 60 over the limit, but I didn't care. I have to see her, she has to be fine, she has to… I kept telling this to myself. I made it to the hospital in record time. I went to the lady at the desk and asked to see my girlfriend, the dearest person in my life.

"I have to see Zatanna, Zatara"

The lady checked her records, looked up and told me "They just finished surgery, room 158"

I quickly nodded and ran to the room. I got a few glares and some "no running in the hospital!" but I wasn't listening. The halls blurred as I sped up to reach said room. I stopped, panting at the door. I straightened up and opened the door to see a doctor over her bed.

"…be strong" I missed the first part of the sentence

Zatanna looked like hell. The look on her face went from terrified to relief and slight joy when she saw me. I quickly made my way to the bed and the doctor left.

"A-are you okay?" I asked hesitantly

"Yeah…" She said, her voice weak and really high pitched. She started crying "No. Dick, I'm going to die"

Whatever blood left in my face was quickly drained as I received the dreadful news. I grabbed her hands and planted a kiss on her lips. I hugged her, as we both cried. "You can't. I NEED you" I whispered, pleading

She shook her head and sighed. She hugged my tighter and looked at me "I-it's not my choice, Dick."

We held onto each other, thinking, hoping it would keep her alive, and yet knowing it was futile. Finally, she stopped sobbing and looked at me in the eyes. This was the Zatanna I knew: Proud, defiant, nice, joyful and beautiful.

"I love you Richard, Greyson" She said softly

"I love you too, Zatanna Zatara" I replied

We kissed. And we held on. Then, I held on. I had to. Holding on was all I had left now. She'd have wanted me to hold on. So I will. For her.

A.N: May we remember those who lost their lives, and not the one who took them. I live in Canada, so I had no one related that was at the Aurora. But I know who I would feel if I would have lost someone there. So for you, victims of the shooting, I dedicate this piece. May you rest in peace.