Hey, guys. Here's a new oneshot! It's very short, but enjoy! I apologize for the lame title.

Natara Williams narrowed her eyes, aiming her gun straight ahead. Before her stood one of the Kraken's cultists, holding a gun in their direction.

"Drop the weapon, psycho!" Mal demanded as he stood beside Natara. The suspect shook his head, holding his gun tightly, his finger tightening around the trigger.

"The Kraken will rise!" he chanted. "My one leader..."

Mal scowled angrily. "Because of your one leader, one of our best friends is dead."

The cultist ignored him, pointing the gun threateningly. "The waters shall part..." He lowered his gun slightly. "The Kraken shall rise." With one swift motion, he pulled the trigger, and a deafening gunshot echoed, ringing in their ears. But the soft wet thud that followed was far worse.

Natara was used to hearing gunshots. She heard them every day in her career. But that didn't change the horror she felt as a bullet penetrated her partner's chest.

"Mal!" Natara screamed. The cultist who had shot him fled, barely stopping as Natara fired a bullet into his shoulder. She holstered her piece and dropped to her knees at her partner's side. "Mal..."

He let out a shaky breath and looked up at her. "I'm... f-fine..." he choked as crimson blood soaked his shirt. Natara pressed down on his wound, and he cringed as she applied pressure.

"Just hang on," she pleaded. "You'll be fine, Mal." But his scarlet blood trickled through her fingers, leaving tiny crimson trails on hands. Mal's eyelids fluttered. "No, no. Open your eyes." He did so, forcing an apologetic smile.

"Nat..." he breathed. "I..."

"Shh." Natara smoothed her hand over his forehead. "Save your breath, okay? Just stay with me. Help is coming." But fear was evident in her voice. Mal was already growing weaker, his breaths becoming shallow.

Mal grasped her hand with all the strength he could muster. Natara gently squeezed it, keeping one hand over his bleeding wound. She could hear sirens in the distance. "Hear that? Just a little longer, Mal. Help is almost here." His eyes were nearly closed. "Mal, please keep your eyes open. C'mon... just focus on me. You can do it."

"I..." Mal's voice was barely audible. "Natara... I need you to know..." He forced a deep breath, urging himself to continue. "What I said that day... I meant it."

Natara bit her lip. "Mal, this isn't the end," she whispered, tears pooling in her soft hazel eyes. For a long moment, she gazed into his deep sapphire ones. But somehow she and a feeling that it was time to let it all out. "Mal, I love you, too." She soothingly combed her fingers through his hair. "I really, really do."

Mal smiled slightly, his eyelids fluttering once more. "I am pretty charming..."

Natara laughed softly. "You sure are." She heard the ambulance come to a stop outside. She looked up briefly, then back at him. "Mal, please. You've gotta stay with me!" The color was starting to fade from his skin, and his eyes were barely open. "Mal!"

She let out a choked sob and touched his neck. His pulse was gone. "Mal... no..." A tear ran down her cheek. He was gone... She had waited too long to tell him. And he still didn't know exactly how much she loved him.

Awww... can we say sad? This isn't my best job, but I felt like writing it. Please review!