Vilkas' gaze flicked over to Annika. Her expression was distant as she stared at the roaring flames. Her honey-brown hair cascaded loosley across her shoulders and down to her ribcage. Her gaze slid to him and her expressionless face tormented him. He looked away, his chest throbbing painfully. He hated to see her like this; ever since Kodlak's death, the usual snide remarks and insults that made him twinge had vanished, leaving an empty shell. Every time he had to report to her, he had to look straight into those dull, unfeeling eyes.

Everyone had tried to help her. Even Farkas had failed in cheering her up. Farkas. Njada had attempted to challenge her to a fight. Annika just shook her head and kept staring into the flames. Looking at her now, he saw the pain and sorrow cross her face and realized that she was in as much pain as the rest of them. He stood with a sigh, the scrape of his chair on the floor breaking the silence. He snatched up two bottles of ale and pulled up a chair in front of the hearth. Her eyes slid to him again and she acknowledged him.

"Vilkas." Her voice was expressionless.

"Yes, it's me."

He handed her one of the ale bottles and lifted it to her lips. She took the bottle out of his hands, surprising him with the sudden action. She drained the bottle in one gulp and let it shatter on the hearth. For a few moments, she was completely still, then she sighed and put her head in her hands. Vilkas was taken aback. For the past several weeks, she had never gotten this close to showing even a hint of emotion. There was a split second where Vilkas considered comforting her and he reached out his hand.

"Vilkas?" The sorrow in her voice made Vilkas twinge.

"Yes?" The words lingered on his lips.

She looked up at him, her expression wistful as she said,

"I.." She hesitated.

"I...can't do this." Her voice became thick with emotion.

"What?" He sound more concerned than he felt.

"Life." She answered.

"Annika," He whispered.

"Come on." He took her hand.

"What?" She demanded, her feet dragging on the ground.

"We're going...somewhere."

A few minutes later, they were riding down the cobblestone road out of Whiterun. He tried to forget that he was riding behind her, but it was impossible. Her thighs were tossed repeatedly against his backside, making his groin throb. He cursed silently and continued to ride, urging the horse into a sprint.

It only made it worse.

That night, they made a camp a few miles away from Lorieus farm. The tent that he had in his pack was small and they were forced to share it together. He had only brought one large blanket, so they had to share that, too. Sometime during the night, he heard her start to sob. Looking over at her, he saw that she wasn't awake, but the tears were definately real. He recognized that type of crying and a memory came back to him.

"Where were you?!" He growled, anger rising in his chest.

"Doing a job for Kodlak. What happened?" Her voice was panicked, but you couldn't see it on her face.

"Well, that means you weren't here to protect him when the Silverhand attacked."

Without him having to tell her, tears started rolling down her cheeks, shining in the moonlight.

"He's dead now. And it's all your fault." He accused harshly, spitting on the ground in front of her feet.

The tears became more rapid and she pushed past him, air evading her. He followed her back to Jorvaskr, hatred filling the pit of his stomach every time she took a step. She froze in front of Kodlak's limp form, eyes widening and breath stopping abrubtly. Aela stood and put a hand on her shoulder. Annika shook it away and started towards the training yard.

"Where do you think you're going?" He called.

"Wherever I want to." She snapped, turning to face him.

"Aren't you going to stay? Help prepare him for his FUNERAL?!" Vilkas screamed.

"Stop." Her voice was steady, but you could hear the sorrow in her tone.

"Why should I? You caused this, you good for nothing bit-"

"FUS RO-DA!"

A searing pain tore through his chest as he hit the display case. He heard the doors slamming shut, but he was blinded by the pain.

"Vilkas-" Aela started and he saw her form halfway through to the training yard doors.

"Annika!" She called and the doors slammed shut again.

He was surprised they ever put up with each other after that.