A/N: Thanks for reading, guys. I just wanted to let you all know, that this chapter is where the M rating comes in.

4-Lina

As she makes her way to the bus stop, Lina wipes at her eyes to staunch the flow of tears. But it's easier said than done. She joins the crowd of kids waiting on the street corner, continuing to dab at her cheeks. When the bus screeches to a stop, she feels a light tap on her shoulder. Lina turns to find Jeremy standing behind her.

"Hey," he says.

"Hi," she replies, turning away.

"What's wrong?" Jeremy grabs her shoulder, making her face him. Lina curses herself. She shouldn't have turned around.

"Nothing," she mutters under her breath. The doors to the bus fling open and kids begin to pile in. Lina follows suit; Jeremy is not far behind. She slings herself into a seat that's not her usual, trying to throw Jeremy off. But even when the boy who normally sits in the seat slides in next to Lina, she doesn't get away. Jeremy pulls the boy out, pushing him to the back.

Lina rolls her eyes. She should have known there'd be no peace once he saw her. And there's no way she can mark the crying off as allergies; he's seen her cry before. He knows the way her nose turns several shades of red, and the way her eyes will become even more bloodshot than an average person's. He knows that she gets puffy cheeks when her allergies kick in, but not when she cries. So, this time, Jeremy knows something's wrong.

"You can tell me," he says, "or you can feel my smashing wrath!" He slides in closer to her, inching to the left more and more until her whole body is pressed against the side of the bus like a piece of cheese between bread.

Lina can't help from laughing. "Stop! No!" Jeremy continues to force her into the wall. "Fine! I'll talk!" She clears her throat, and takes in a deep breath as the pressure from Jeremy is removed. Speaking in a hushed tone, she says, "I found my parents' Unwind Order."

Jeremy just sits there, the words not entirely sinking in. He begins to question himself. Did he just hear her say what he thinks she said? "What…?"

It's all she can do to keep the tears at bay. "I'm going to be Unwound, Jeremy."

He sits back, forcing his spine against the smooth blue leather of the seat. His focus is aimed straight ahead. He is unresponsive.

Lina looks at him, waiting for any emotion at all, but there's nothing. "Don't you care?" she asks, a little louder than she would have liked, but hardly anyone looks.

Jeremy turns on her, "Of course I care!" He lowers his voice, "But how do you expect me to react? I just found out that my girlfriend is going to be… Unwound…. That's a lot to take in, Lina."

"I know. How do you think I felt when I found out? I can't die, Jeremy…." Lina pauses, feeling tears in her eyes. "I was so close to eighteen."

"Stop it! It's not over yet. You're still Lina Carlen, seventeen-years-old. We'll figure this out. I'll do some research today. If we have to, I'll run away with you." He cups her chin in his hand, squeezing to add emphasis.

"You would do that?" Lina wipes her eyes.

"Of course. I love you." Jeremy knows what he's just done. He's just broken the law. Because, no matter what happens, he will aid in the escape or prolonged Unwinding of a legal Unwind. And he couldn't care less.

Lina smiles, glad to hear those words. "I love you, too."

5-Lina

The day goes by in a blur. Classes seem like they last for seconds, conversations sound like voices on a tape that's been set to fast-forwards, and people continue on in the same routine with the knowledge that they are safe for another day. Lina feels like an outcast. She knows her life is at stake. Or, if not her life, he combined state.

She waits outside the school steps after the final bell rings, waiting for Jeremy. Clutching her books to her chest, Lina wonders if he'll meet her today or if what he said earlier truly was just a lie. Her worries vanish as she spots Jeremy turning at the bottom of the steps and heading toward her. He wears an excited grin.

"What are you so happy about?" she asks, his arms wrapping around her. He pulls her close to him and kisses her full on the lips. The question stands.

"I just found out a way for you not to be Unwound!" His tone is as enthusiastic as his expression.

"And…?"

Jeremy's face becomes serious. "Wait. I need to ask you something first: Are you willing to do anything to make sure you wont' be Unwound?"

Lina nods.

"And you're positive?"

She nods again.

"Absolutely sure?"

Once more.

"Even if it's way-"

"Just spit it out!" Lina slaps her books against his muscled stomach.

He quotes part of the Bill of Life: " 'An Unwind cannot be Unwound if she is carrying a child.'"

It takes a full moment for the line to click in Lina's mind. Then, she understands. Her mouth falls open. "You would…? But that's such-"

"I told you I would I would do anything for you. I meant it. Even if it means doing this."

"I love you," Lina pulls Jeremy's face to level with hers, pressing her lips to his.

He replies by swinging her round, not breaking the kiss.

6-Lina and Jeremy

The light is dim, the small bedroom just enough space for what needs to be done to be done. Jeremy sits on the bed, his body bare. Lina stands across the room, her body silhouetted against the standing lamp. She drops the blanket around her to reveal her shoulders.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" she asks.

"If it means saving you, yes," Jeremy replies.

Lina lets the blanket fall to the floor. He can vaguely see the outline of her breasts, and the nervous expression on her face. The curves of her body seem seductive in the lamplight. Her hair falls in waves, cascading down her back. Lina walks forward, meeting the edge of the bed.

Jeremy feels the adrenaline shoot through his veins. This is the moment many of his friends have waited for their entire teenage life. If it only it were under different circumstances. But it's not. As Lina climbs on top of him, Jeremy reminds himself this is nothing more than necessity. But it's all he can do to keep from thinking otherwise.

Lina knows what she's doing is strictly against the law. She knows that it's not what she wanted at this age. But it's what she has to do. As it goes on, she must remind herself it's only for survival. Necessity. Necessity. Necessity.

The pain comes and she feels like it will last forever. She wonders why girls look forward to this moment so much. Blood stains the sheets, but she doesn't care. If her parents find out, what does it matter? They'll find out anyway when she tells them she can't go to the Harvest Camp because she's pregnant. It's either sooner or later.

Jeremy clutches the sheets tight when it finishes. His mouth opens slightly and his eyes shut tight. He looks up at Lina and they share the same look. The look that says: What have we done?