I wrote a story before, but it wasn't too good, well not in my opinion. I just didn't have any good ideas for it, but just in case I ever want to finish it I won't delete , I'll do better with one-shots, harder to leave unfinished like my usual stories.

The room was silent, but not safe. I drew the curtains, stopping anyone outside seeing our location. It wasn't as secure as we wanted, but it would have to do, it was the best I could find. I never thought I'd have a reason to be this grateful to faker.

For the past few days confusion has reigned, as dead return, yet only the few. G.U.N. wants them. For what, I don't know.

I do know whatever happened cured her though. I wish we had freedom, so I could let her live her dream, yet we are confined here for her own protection. We were so close to her dreams, only for them to be shattered again by the same people.

I finally turn to her, and in some ways, it feels as though I've never seen her before. But at the same time it's not.

She is still wearing the dress she died in, the color of the sky, but it unstained by blood. I watch the fabric move with her breathing for a few moments, half trying to convince myself it's a dream, yet as I look into her eyes I know this is no illusion, though they're glassy, as if she's about to cry, the endless blue still holds the warmth it always has, never judging, accepting me for what I am. The reason I had been so drawn to her, the reason I fell in love with her.

The tears finally came, though they did nothing to raise the room's volume, silently rolling down her cheeks. She slid down the wall into a fetal position, and I took one step closer to embrace her, an action that also calmed my own nerves and I realized just how much I'd longed to hold her again since…

"It'll be okay, Maria," I soothed "I won't let them near you."

I kissed her forehead.

"I know you won't," She whispered back, quiet sobs breaking up her words. I started to run my fingers through her soft blonde hair.

We stayed like that for a while, neither of us wanting to move, neither of us wanting it to end.

Soon there was a knock at the door. We froze. "G.U.N., open up!" came a voice "project shadow, we know you're in there!"

I stood protectively between Maria and the door, my chaos emerald at the ready. They want her they'll have to go through me, and somehow I doubt they stand a chance.