Hello there! I've actually challenged myself to write a whole chapter - and just a day after my second oneshot! Dang, I'm on a roll!

All right, so, this is a GrayxSilver story. It started out as a oneshot, but I decided to make it a real story, back and forth. I'm starting with Graystripe's POV; then I might do Silverstream's. IF I get enough reviews ;).

This chapter is on Graystripe and Silverstream's first meeting.

Disclaimer: I do not own Warriors or any of the characters mentioned in the books. No copyright infringement is intended.

Graystripe's POV:
(Chapter 11 of Fire and Ice; page 127)

"Water vole," I muttered through gritted teeth to Fireheart. The bright orange warrior shot a worried glance at the tiny animal, as though he thought the ice might crack just by looking at it. He transferred his green gaze to our apprentices, stern stare lingering on Cinderpaw. Clearly he was afraid that the smoke-gray she-cat would impulsively try to go after the vole. I didn't blame him; Cinderpaw was full of energy, sparkling with enthusiasm in whatever she did. Sometimes I wished Brackenpaw could be more like his sister; the pale brown tomcat was always so serious and thoughtful.

But Cinderpaw and Brackenpaw would have to learn how to catch water voles sometime – and a demonstration from an experienced hunter would definitely help. So I streaked off onto the frozen sheet of ice; it seemed solid enough from my position on the bank, after all.

The moment my paws landed on the ice, I knew I wouldn't catch the animal. My claws were scraping noisily against the ice-coated river, and water voles were much more suited to scampering over water than I was. Plus, the ice might have looked solid from a few fox-lengths away, but it gave way to my weight at once. I screeched in shock as the ice smashed, sending me into the icy water.

For a heartbeat, all I could see was dark, nearly black water as I submerged into the river. StarClan help me, I prayed desperately, I can't breathe…

Then I surfaced. I tried to paddle my way back to Fireheart and the apprentices, but the rapid currents of the frosty river swept me mercilessly along. I thrashed, letting out a yowl of alarm, but the others were too far away to hear. Is this how it ends, drowning in another Clan's territory? I shut my eyes tightly in fear. Oh, StarClan, if you're coming, please take me quickly.

Then I felt teeth on my scruff – and before I knew it, I was slicing through the water. Or, rather, being yanked through the wild waves while my rescuer sliced through the water.

At long last, I felt myself lying on the riverbank again. A wave of vertigo swept through me for a heartbeat, but it passed soon. Around me were several scents, muddled somewhat by the river water. I could still pick up the individual smells though – there was Fireheart, sitting close by, and Cinderpaw and Brackenpaw, who were picking their ways carefully towards us. I hoped they had learned caution from my display of proud stupidity.

And then there was another scent – RiverClan. I drew the scent in more sharply. She-cat, wet, and wary.

"Graystripe!" whispered Fireheart, sounding as though he thought I might be dead.

I coughed. "I'm okay."

From her scent, the RiverClan she-cat was becoming more hostile, now that she had ensured that I hadn't drowned. I turned my head towards her. A chill ran through my fur, one that had nothing to do with the nearly frozen water, as I took in her face. She was slim, slight-framed, with a sleek silver tabby pelt and shimmering blue eyes the color of the sky during greenleaf. And… I flushed, pelt crawling with embarrassment, she was kind of pretty. No, really pretty.

Get a grip, Graystripe! I reminded myself sharply. This is a RiverClan cat. Don't go mooning over her like some idiot. There are plenty of other she-cats, from your Clan. Still, I didn't want to ignore the silver tabby after she'd just saved my life, and I wanted to appease her growing antagonism, so I mewed cautiously, "Thanks."

"You idiot!" she snapped coldly, and I realized with a prickle of alarm that she had flattened her ears as though she were about to pounce. "What are you doing in my territory?"

Keep her friendly, keep her friendly. Right. "Drowning?" I replied wittily in an attempt to calm her down.

It worked. Her ears flicked back, and for a heartbeat I thought I saw reluctant mirth glimmering in the depths of her bright blue eyes. "Can't you drown yourself in your own territory?" she murmured.

Ah – I wasn't the only one with a sense of humor around here. She was funny – for a RiverClan cat. Watch it, Graystripe! Don't go making friends with cats from enemy Clans, warned my conscience. But surely, the rest of me argued in response, surely I could at least be polite to my rescuer. Yes, and talking to her for a few heartbeats wouldn't hurt any cat. Besides, what was wrong with trying to be sociable? "Ah, but who would rescue me there?"

The she-cat blinked, as though she were taken aback. Her eyes searched mine probingly. I heard Cinderpaw's distinctive, hyper meow behind me and Fireheart's deeper, authoritative voice, but I didn't turn my head. Couldn't turn my head. The silver cat's gaze bound me, holding me in place as though roots had sprung from the ground and trapped me. And it… it felt strangely… good.

From what seemed like a far distance off I heard Fireheart say patiently, "Look, Graystripe, we've got to get out of here." His voice broke the pleasant, hypnotic feeling.

"I know," I replied, shaking my head to slice off the last strands of the trance and forcing myself up. Snap out of it, Graystripe. She's just another RiverClan cat; in fact, you might have to meet her in battle someday. I suddenly felt dizzy again and struggled to maintain my composure. "Thanks again," I mumbled to the pretty she-cat. Wait – pretty?

She nodded politely. "Hurry, go now! If my father knew that I'd rescued a ThunderClan intruder he'd shred me for kit bedding."

I saw an opening right there, and I dove for it at once. "Why'd you save me then?"

The RiverClan she-cat ducked her head avoiding my gaze. "Instinct. I couldn't watch any cat drown. Now – " I blinked at the sudden unfriendliness, " – go away!"

Fireheart saved me then, interrupting with his quiet, self-assured meow. I couldn't think of anything to say to her sudden, harsh dismissal, and was extremely relieved when he broke in. "Thanks. I'd have missed this furball if he'd drowned." He prodded me gently before mewing in alarm, "Come on, let's get back to camp. You're freezing!" I felt a surge of mild surprise as I realized that – I was pretty cold. Chilled to the bone, in fact. I had completely forgotten to shake the water off of my fur; not that it would have splashed off, though. Water seeped into my fur and didn't come out.

"Okay, I'm coming!" But I looked back at the silver tabby. The sight of her sky-blue eyes shining made me feel suddenly warm, despite the freezing water that was stubbornly sticking to my pelt. "What's your name? Mine's Graystripe."

The she-cat hesitated. This time, I held her gaze quite firmly, until she dipped her head and murmured, so softly I almost didn't catch it, "Silverstream."

Remember to review so you get to read Silverstream's side of the story! ;]

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