This is for Wolf lover 27 thank you for your continued support! And thanks for your suggestion. This is during the 5th book when Bracken is talking to Kendra on the beach! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Fablehaven

Chapter 2: Afraid to trust

Bracken sat in the passenger seat of the SUV, they were driving to the spot where Patton's map led. Bracken reflected back to the conversation with the blix. She had some nerve! But as much as Bracken wanted to be angry and blame her, he still felt guilty. He had lied about what he felt and his words had obviously cut deeply into Kendra. They were lies, all of them. Words that slipped from his mouth. He hadn't thought about what they meant or who they would hurt until after he said them. He hadn't considered that everyone would be watching them. All that has mattered at that moment was getting that blix off his case. His mother had said once that his flaw was that he said things without thinking. He ran his mouth. She had said that he could kill more people with his words, than all the demons in Zzyxx. At the time he hadn't understood what she meant but now, reflecting on the look of hurt on Kendra's face, he did. He may not physically kill them, but his words could leave fatal wounds that would never heal. The car came to a stop and Bracken exited. He noticed Kendra sitting by herself close to the shore line, the waves gently caressing her bare feet. He stood for a moment admiring how beautiful she was in the moonlight. Gathering his courage he decided it was time to make it right. To let her know how he truly felt.

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Kendra sat down near the shore and took off her shoes, letting her bare feet feel the waves. She thought about all their adventures. From that first mid summer's eve to now. Becoming fairykind, stopping the shadow plague, Lena, Navarog. Kendra shivered remembering the last one. Her heart ached, she felt unworthy. She knew that she was being silly and naive but Bracken had been the first person to break down the walls she had built up. The first person she had trusted since Navarog. Maybe she had given her trust to easily. It was her own fault after all. Kendra knew she shouldn't ,but she sometimes wondered how much better off they would be if she had been the one to touch the rock to the tree, during the shadow plague. She had never told anyone she felt like this. She knew Warren noticed a difference despite her efforts to hide it. Through her dark thoughts she almost missed the fact that someone had sat down beside her. Expecting it to be Seth or Warren, she was surprised to see Bracken. At the moment, he was the last person she wanted to talk to. She wanted to sit here by herself and think. She was afraid that she would start to cry. Looking into his eyes made a flood of memories rush through her. Threatening to pull her further into the deep darkness she was sinking back to reality she realized that Bracken was talking.

"I'm sorry about Vanessa earlier," he said . " She was trying to lash out at me for embarrassing her. "

He sounded sincere and she wanted to believe him. But why was he apologizing for Vanessa? She understood he was trying to bridge a gap but she wanted to build up her walls and never let them down. Instead of voicing these thoughts she said,

" Don't worry, I get it. " Expecting the conversation to end she was slightly annoyed when Bracken continued. Her annoyance quickly turned to surprise at his words.

" Vanessa wasn't wrong. "

Kendra's head snapped up to meet his gaze. It took all of her not to hope. He's probably just trying to make you feel better. Your so weak you need someone else to crawl too. She told herself. That was probably the case why would he like her anyway.

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Bracken was worried by Kendra's reaction. He continued, hoping to get a better one.

" I should never have said those things. They weren't true. I got so caught up in not giving her the satisfaction of being right that I didn't realize what I was saying. But none of it is true, I really do like you Kendra. A lot. I understand if you don't feel the same way -"

" No! It's not that. I like you too, but I - I..." Kendra said trailing off.

" You what?" He asked confused. Why would she be acting this way of she likes him?

" I want to trust you, I want to let you in my heart, but I'm afraid to trust again. " she answered ,her voice quiet and unsteady. Like she was fighting back tears. At her words Bracken 's heart broke for her. He saw the distant, disturbed look in her beautiful, green eyes and instantly wanted to pulverize whoever has caused her this much pain. Pushing down his anger for the time being he put a hand on he shoulder.

" Kendra, I don't know what happened, or who hurt you. But I promised , with every ounce of my being, that I will never hurt you. I know that sounds cliche right now. I promise I will wait, and when we survive this, I will do everything in my power to help you learn to trust again. " Kendra still hadn't looked at him ,but he could tell his words had hit home. Her next words shocked him, and his anger for whomever had hurt her returned.

" Why? Why would you like me? I'm just a worthless, useless-"

"Stop! You are none of those things! " he put his fingers under her chin and guided her face to look at him. " You are the nicest most beautiful girl I have ever met. You're far from useless, your resourceful, quick on feet, smart. I don't know why you think these things but please believe me. " when he finished the tears in Kendra's eyes spilled over and traces down her gorgeous face. For a moment he was afraid he had done something, but Kendra threw her arms around him in a hug. He hugged her back tightly.

" that is the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me. " she said quietly.

" Then people in the mortal world must be blind. " He relied slightly surprised

Kendra pulled back and wiped her eyes on the backs of her hands.

" Thank you. " she said.

" Any time Kendra. Now maybe part of the trust issue is because we don't know a lot about each other. How about I ask you a question and you ask me one? "

"Okay, you go first." She answered

" Alright, ummm. Oh I got one, what is your favorite vacation memory. "

" I have never technically been on a vacation. "

"Are you serious?'

" Yes, my parents think vacation time is better without me and Seth. "

" Well then. Alright well in May not have known your brother long, but I am slightly surprised he hasn't snuck off to go with them. " He said jokingly. Kendra broke out laughing

" You sure have Seth down pat! " she said between laughs. Bracken joined her. He decided that her laugh was the most beautiful sound in the world. He promised himself right there sitting on a beach, that he would strive to help her and make her laugh , for as long as they both lived.

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As Kendra laughed for the first time in a long time she realized that while she wasn't ok, she sure was a lot better. Maybe things would be better in the end.

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Vanessa looked over as she heard Kendra laugh. It had been way too long since she had heard that. Maybe the Unicorn wasn't so bad after all.

I hope this was decent! It turned out different than even I expected it to. Please review and give me suggestions for further chapters. also remember that this was a dark time for Kendra. She had been betrayed by a lot of people and felt a lot of is going to need a little time to trust people fully. I may express this further in the future if people want it.