She's come to the conclusion that he is the world's biggest ass.

He's arrogant and cocky and really, sometimes somewhat unpleasant, but she can't help herself fall (just like that damned satellite) more and more in love with him. Sure, his pictures (mugshots) are handsome (his record, not nearly as much) and she knows that she's just a silly girl that's in love with Carswell Thorne, but she can't help it.

She loves feeling so light when he's near. As she's deliriously trudging through the ridiculously hot desert, she doesn't even realize that she's telling him these things; he isn't supposed to know how she thinks of him as her hero. He isn't supposed to know that they were going to have a romance that tops all romances. He isn't supposed to know how she thinks of him kissing her; it wasn't supposed to happen this way.

And maybe, deep down, she knows that she deserves so much better than him, an internationally wanted fugitive of the law. But, just like that space ship of his, he's stolen her heart and she's surprisingly okay with that.

He tells her that when she is dying he'll give her a kiss that she'll never forget, and she wants to die at this moment just so she knows what his incredibly chapped (but yet somewhat attractive) lips feel like against her delicate pink ones. He urges her to trudge on until dusk; he can't carry on without her help.

So, they continue to march up and down that endless dunes half carrying half dragging each other until they are unable to walk anymore. When dusk approaches, they pitch a makeshift camp with the supplies they were able to salvage from her destroyed satellite. They talk quietly for a while then bid each other good night. He lies down and falls right into a deep sleep. She has too many rebellious thoughts running through her head to even attempt to sleep, so she watches him; he looks so calm and tranquil. After a while, when she's sure that he won't be woken up if she accidently disturbs his slumber, she gently strokes his face.

It's blemished and sunburnt but she doesn't mind; he's even better looking when he's sleeping. He doesn't look like a wanted criminal, he looks like a person, a tired, beautiful person and she finds herself crying though there are no tears running down her cheeks. God, she thinks, why must he see me as a mere child?

She imagines that they are both adventurers, like on one of her net shows. She pretends that he lost his sight in some sort of battle and is depending on her, the cute sidekick, to help him and keep watch over him. She calms down enough to stop her dry sobs and shaking. She sings him her lullaby, her gorgeous lunar lull, and feels herself becoming drowsy and her own voice pulls her towards sleep.

She wakes up and is amazed by the sunrise, her first real earthen sunrise that reaches over the peaks of the mountains that are ages away from where they are. He is still asleep and she doesn't have the heart to wake him; he needs all the rest he can get. She knows that he won't be too pleased with her for letting him sleep in. (Plus, she likes watching him sleep.)

So she finds herself thinking that she doesn't like reality and she supposes which is why she likes pretending to be someone she's not – she's not an explorer. She's not an actress. She isn't anyone else but herself; she is shy, she is quiet, and she is often flustered when having a conversation with Carswell Thorne.

He is wrong about her, she is strong; maybe not physically but in mental and emotional strength, she was impeccable. And with the right attitude, she will be able to get herself and him out of this godforsaken desert. She will do whatever it takes to get him out of the desert because she blamed herself for this mess that they are entangled in, and she owes it to him to fix it. If only she hadn't been so stupid and reckless, then she wouldn't have been on that satellite in the first place.

Although, when she thinks about it, she would have ever been able to see earth in the flesh if she hadn't been so naïve at the age of nine. And maybe a little part of her is grateful for her childlike innocence.

So much has happened to her in the past twenty-four hours that she doesn't really even care where she is right now. She is free of her prison and it feels wonderful (although she can do without the harsh sun and burning sand) She hears him rustling on top of his scratchy tarp thing and quickly turns back to him, the smile still evident on her face. He grunts as he tries to sit up. She rushes over to help him and he rubs his eyes.

"Good morning, Carswell." She greets cheerily.

"Morning, Sweetheart."

"C'mon! Let's get moving!"

"Goodness, Cress, what's got you all excited today?"

"It just feels like something good is going to happen." She whispers and she notices that the edges of his lips began to curve up into a smile and she can't help herself but smile back.

"Could you help me up?" he asks her as he struggles to search around for his makeshift cane.

"Oh, yeah. Sorry." They pack up and set off into the endless unknowns of the brutal desert. She knows that they are in a terrible situation with little chance of survival but she feels like something is going to go her way; something life changing and wonderful.

But little does she know that it's going to begin with her getting heat sickness and becoming so hot that she can barely move without aching. She knows not what her future holds, but she does know that she is in love with Carswell Thorne and he knows it (though he may not have believed her) and it's the most wonderful feeling in the world. (What a shame that feeling isn't going to last).


AN: Hello Lovelies! It is I, bleuboxes, trying out writing for The Lunar Chronicles with my favorite pairing from the series- Cress/Thorne.

They are so cute I can't even like sadhus idfoa a oifh;a df I can't even rn. (Typical Fangirl)

Please let me know what you all think, because I really enjoy writing for these two,

(Holy crap, Welcome to the Black Parade just came on and I am not emotionally prepared…. )

Anyway, I really like witting with these two lovely characters and I most likely will write more with them!

Please review, and favorite!

And if y'all are into Doctor who (especially the 11/Clara Oswald pairing) you should all go check out my 9 other Doctor Who stories because judging from the lovely response on them, people seem to enjoy them!

Thank you all so much for reading!