Just a warning-- this is my first fan fic. I have no idea how good or bad this will be. I don't know if I will continue this or not. Comment and tell me if you think this is worth continuing. I welcome constructive criticism, but don't be too harsh please. Thanks!

This is basically my version of how the Casts will continue the series in Burned. I DO NOT OWN THE ANYTHING! THIS ALL BELONGS TO P.C. AND KRISTIN CAST, NOT ME. This is not the real version of burned. I am 99.99999% sure that this will not be like the real Burned.

**This takes place right after Zoey blanks out at the end of Tempted.**

I rapidly blinked away the blurriness that clouded Heath's face. I sighed in relief as the nightmare ended. Everything was okay. I breathed in the warm sunlight.

Sunlight. Sunlight bothered me. Except it hadn't in my dream. Oh, no! No, no, no, NO! This couldn't be happening. Heath couldn't be dead, I couldn't be in the Otherworld. But it did happen and there was nothing I could do about it now.

"Zo? Babe, are you okay? How many fingers am I holding up?" Heath asked worriedly while he held up two fingers.

I struggled to catch my breath in rasping gasps, "You're holding up two fingers. I'm okay." I lied about being okay, I was definitely not okay.

Heath pulled me into his lap and wrapped his arms around me. I relaxed into his embrace. "Zo, why are you in the Otherworld with me? Did you die, too? You can't be dead, Zo. You have to stop Kalona. He's evil, he's been lying to you. He doesn't want to choose good. He just wants to use your powers. I overheard him and Nerferet talking. That's why he… you know."

I fought sobs at the mention of Heath's death. I hated myself for letting that happen. Why couldn't I have run faster or thrown spirit sooner? How could I have been so stupid? I felt defeated. Nyx was probably regretting choosing me right now. I was a waste.

Heath gave me a light nudge, causing me to snap out of my mind-babble. "I don't think I'm dead. I have no idea why I'm here in the Otherworld. I know that Kalona is evil, I just wish I had realized it sooner. I'm so sorry Heath, this is all my fault."

Nyx suddenly appeared before us. "Zoey, I do not regret choosing you. You have done well, when I chose you, I knew you would make some mistakes, but I also knew that those mistakes would only teach you lessons that would end up making you more fit for your destiny." Before I could reply, Nyx turned to Heath, "As for you, young Heath. You have done very well as Zoey's consort. You took your job very seriously and helped Zoey along her journey. And for that, I thank you." Then Nyx turned back to me, "You must go back to your friends. They need you. It will be challenging, but you must push through the Otherworld and get back to your friends." Nyx disappeared as quickly as she had appeared.

"She's right, this wasn't your fault. You need to go complete your destiny, or however you want to put it. I love you, Zo." Heath said as he began to fade away.

"I love you, too, Heath." Before I could say anything else, I was alone in the darkness.

I took a deep breath. I had to find my way back. I tried to fight my way through the darkness that surrounded me. Searching for anything I could find to grasp onto. I heard the faint sound of voices. I pulled myself towards that.

Nyx was right, it was hard, really hard. Finally, the voices were right next to me. I slowly became aware of my body. I opened my eyes to see a shaggy, sandy brown head leaning over me, sobbing.

"Don't cry," I said, although it came out more like a weak murmur.

Stark lifted his head from my body, and looked towards me. "Z-Zoey?" Hope filled his eyes.

"Of course it's me," I mumbled.

Stark's face suddenly became overjoyed. He picked me up into his lap and squeezed me tight. I squeezed back, with all the strength I had left.

Everyone else quickly crowded around me, squishing me in a huge group hug. While everyone finally pulled away and told me how scared they were and how I wasn't allowed to ever scare them like that again, Stark's face seemed to lose some of it's joy. I was the only person that noticed, but it was completely obvious to me.

"Stark, I'm really tired, could you take me somewhere that I could get some sleep?" I asked, hoping to get some alone time with him.

Stark quickly nodded, "Of course." Jack was the first person to hug me goodbye, trailed by Damien. The Twins quickly gave me hugs, too. Then, Aphrodite and Darius. Finally Stevie Ray, "Ya'll stay safe, will ya?"

Stark carried me away from the others. As soon as I was sure we were out of hearing range, I asked, "What's wrong?"

Stark looked at me in disbelief. "You're kidding right? You have to hate me right now. That was all my fault. I should have been there for you, and I wasn't. I'm so sorry, I have failed you as a warrior. I promise it will never happen again."

"Your fault? That's crazy. This whole thing was my fault, not yours! Don't you dare blame yourself for this!"

"Calm down, you're already tired enough as it is. I do think it's my fault. This is definitely not your fault. You might think differently, but that's the truth and you can't change it."

"It is not the truth. Think whatever you want, but the real truth is that this was all my fault." I argued stubbornly.

"Okay, we both have our own opinions. Now, chill out." Stark said, without his usually cockiness. I missed his cockiness. Strangely enough, that was one of the thing I loved most about Stark.

When we got back to the dorms, I asked, "Do you think you could stay with me, I know I flung Kalona into the river, but I still want you with me?"

He smiled slightly, "I'd love to."

As we laid down in the small bed, I turned to face Stark, "I don't blame you for any of this, so you have nothing to be sorry for." Before he could argue with me, I kissed him gently on the lips. He kissed me back, although he kissed me lightly as though I could break at any second. I kissed him harder, letting him know that I wasn't as fragile as he thought I was. He began to kiss me with more passion. After who knows how long, he pulled away.

"We need to stop before I do something we'll both regret." He said with some of his cockiness back.

It suddenly dawned on me how tired I really was. I quickly fell asleep with head resting against his chest and his arms around me.

Okay so like I said, this is my first fan fic. And I have no idea if this is any good or not, so let me know if you want me to continue!!!

Thanks 8^D