20 minutes later…

Octavius and Jedd were sat in one of Octavius' many sitting rooms on a comfortable sofa in silence. They sat with a huge space between them and Octavius felt as though their kiss in the alleyway had been years ago, not an hour. Jedd was staring at the wall opposite them.

"Penny for your thoughts," Octavius said, breaking the silence. Jedd smiled.

"Cheap skate." Octavius sighed.

"Drink in the pub in your town for your thoughts?" Jedd nodded but his smile faded away. Octavius knew they were both thinking the same thing. If Jedd would live long enough for that.

"I'm scared Octavius," he admitted quietly "I don't want to die." Octavius bit his lip.

"Larry will find a way to save you." Jedd shook his head.

"Not this time," he told the roman sadly. Octavius turned to look Jedd straight in his crystal blue eye and his heart broke. The sharp-witted cowboy had his arms wrapped around his stomach tightly, as if he was holding himself together. The hopeless look in his eyes felt like a stab through the heart with a rusty knife.

"I won't let you die!" Octavius said fiercely "There has to be a way to save you!"

"Yeah? So how are you going to save me?" Jedd asked softly "what if someone stops Larry from getting to Akhmenrah, huh? You can't promise me anything Octavius and you know it!"

"I can promise you my heart!" Jedd sighed.

"I'm going to die Octavius, don't make me feel worse."

"I wish we could swap places," Octavius continued despite Jedd's protest.

"I don't," Jedd interrupted "I'd rather it was me than you. Anyway, I've just noticed you've lost the armour. You're wearing jeans!"

"Yeah…" Octavius replied, startled by the abrupt change in subject "I thought it was best because, well, when you fainted…you cut your cheek on my shoulder."

"Oh…you're a bit obsessed about my safety, aren't you?" Octavius blushed.

"You never seem to care about yourself; I think it's only fitting that-"

"Because you have a major crush on me that you keep me safe," Jedd finished for him cheekily. "That's kind of sweet."

"Shut up," Octavius muttered gruffly. Jedd grinned and shuffled closer to him across the sofa. Octavius rolled his eyes. Here comes the teasing, he thought to himself, I should have known. Instead of teasing him, however, Jedd merely rested his head on Octavius' shoulder and sighed. Octavius could hardly believe his luck.

"You're funny sometimes Octavius," Jedd said quietly "Really funny." Octavius smiled and put his arms around the cowboy gently.

"I know."