The updated version of this story starts at chapter 16, so go there if you'd rather read that instead of this version!

I know I said I'd already posted my last SoN story, but I've been working on this a few days and figured I wanted to post it. I asked my sister, but she said no. anyway, hope you enjoy it!

Mrs. Brisby awoke early the next morning. The sky was still dark, but the rain had long since stopped. She looked around the quiet room to find her children asleep, Mr. Ages slumped in one corner; she could hear the shrew snoring in the other room. She sighed, feeling refreshed, grabbing her cape and wrapping it around her shoulders. The red jewel of the Stone glittered as it tumbled to her bed, and she gazed at it with fear in her eyes. She remembered every detail of what happened, until she'd passed out, and didn't think she would be able to handle that type of power. She looked up, hearing the faint sounds being blown to her on the wind, knowing the rats would still be clearing their home to try and trick the humans from NIMH. She wondered if Justin would be there.

One way to find out, she figured, and headed into the twilight. The air was cool, the sky clear, but almost every detail was lost to shadow. The moon was new, and the only light was a small glow coming from the farm house, or rather the large bush that sat in front of it. She headed quickly towards it, careful to stay under cover, only to have a large form block her path. She was about to cry out, when a firm hand clasped onto hers.

"Mrs. Brisby," he whispered. He brought her to her feet, then to a spot hidden from the bush by long grasses. Surprisingly, the light was also better. She was able to clearly see the grin on his face, the small pack that rested over his shoulders. "I was just coming to see you."

"So was I," she said in response, and giggled. But then her smile faded. "I was afraid you would leave before I woke up."

He tilted her chin back with his hand, so she could see the glitter in his eyes. "I asked Ages to send for me when you awoke," he told her, and seemed to move closer. "I would have waited."

She smiled, then suddenly threw her arms around him. He was quick to return the gesture, holding her tightly against him. "I'm going to miss you," she whispered.

He smiled, running a hand through the fur of her cheek. "We're only a short flight away."

Their gazes met then, unable to part. She didn't know how she felt about him. She wasn't in love, that she was certain of, but why did she enjoy being in his arms, the soft, tender feeling when his lips touched hers? She sighed, tightening her grip on his shoulders, allowing her eyes to slowly fall shut. It had to be infatuation, she figured, and knew it was best to get rid of the feelings now, before something more drastic happened, something that found them bound by marriage.

"I have to leave soon," he whispered, and slowly pulled his mouth from hers. Mrs. Brisby felt her head drop to his chest; her hands tighten on the cloth that covered it.

"Oh please no," she hissed. She could feel her body shiver. "Please, Justin…don't leave…I…" she trailed off. She shouldn't say that. It wasn't true, it couldn't be, but then why was she acting this way? "I'm frightened."

He smiled, running a hand through her soft hair. "You'll be okay," he whispered to her. He pulled away, holding her shoulders as he knelt before her, looking her in the face. "Nothing can hurt you," he said.

"I'm frightened for you," she blurted, hiding her eyes. Tears had suddenly begun to slide down her cheeks. He reached up, but she suddenly pushed him away, running back to her house. Resting on the ground before him was the slumbering Stone. He let his claws graze its surface, slipping it into a pouch at his belt. He rose from his crouch, watching the spot where she'd vanished, then turned and slowly began to walk away. He'd gone barely three feet when there was a sharp blow to the back of his head. He fell, and through his fading vision saw her, slumped over the shoulder of an enormous creature, a small wound leaking blood.

"Mrs.…Brisby," he managed, then slumped into unconsciousness.