My sincere apologies for how long it's taken, but I've had a lot of coursework and exam preparation to do recently. I will try to update a little more frequently but I have my exams coming up - so for a while, you'll have to try and just hold on and I'll update when I can.

A huge thank you to everyone who has read and reviewed so far, I really do appreciate that you take the time to stop and tell me what you think!


Isabel.

I was still crying when I reached the mountain. I had ran to the bus stop, caught the bus and managed to dry my tears to stop people from looking at me so funnily. The moment I stepped off, though, a fresh wave seemed to come over me and I just couldn't stop sobbing.

I'd briskly walked the whole way, only stopping off at my house to grab a bag and fill it with loads of my stuff, leave a note for Mum saying I was going to stay at a friend's for the night and maybe more, and then set off at a brisk pace, tears still streaming down my cheeks.

Why would Matt do that to me? I know he just wants to protect me, but he went more than a step too far. He knows how much Arkarian and I love each other, so why would he accuse him of using me? I caught a sob and rubbed at my sore, wet eyes. The mountain door was open and Arkarian rushed out the minute that I neared. I fell into his arms.

"Isabel, what's the matter?!" His voice soothed me. I buried my face into his chest and let my sobs slow and the tears stop before I pulled away. "It's Matt," I said, grimacing as I said his name. "He found out where I was last night."

His face showed concern. "Show me what happened?" He asked me gently, a hand under my chin tipping my head up to look at him. I nodded and closed my eyes, opening my thoughts and remembering what happened in the classroom and the scene with Matt exactly as it happened. When I opened my eyes again, Arkarian looked furious. He took my hands and pulled me inside – the door shut behind me. Then he let go and stormed down the corridor.

I decided to give him a little time, and wandered slowly after him, my hands shoved deep into my pockets and my steps heavy. When I reached the control room, he was nowhere to be seen, so I made my way into the bathroom and looked into the mirror, dumping my rucksack down by my feet. I looked like absolute crap. How could Arkarian still love me when I look like this? I turned the tap on and splashed some cold water into my face, grabbing one of the soft towels to pat it dry. When I looked up into the mirror again, Arkarian was stood behind me. He wrapped his arms around my waist and kissed the top of my head.

"I couldn't care what you look like, Isabel. I love you for you." I know he meant every word. I turned in his arms and rested my cheek on his chest.

"I can't believe Matt said those things," I sighed, tipping my chin up so that I could look at him. "But I love you, Arkarian, and nothing he says will ever change that. He just doesn't know you like me and Ethan do."

"I think he's just finding it hard to accept that his little sister doesn't need him. That she's happy to settle down and get into a relationship that is going to last a very long time…" He was thinking aloud, and I let him. I liked that he didn't immediately blame and get angry at him for saying those things; he tried to explain the actions. It's just another reason why I love him so much.

"But I'm not going to stop wanting to see you, and stop seeing you, just for his sake." He looked down at me with those gorgeous eyes of his. I nodded and leaned up to kiss his cheek.

He spotted my rucksack and an eyebrow quirked. "Going somewhere?"

"No. I'm not going anywhere." I held him tight. "I've let my Mum know I won't be home for a while. I need you right now."

He took another look at the bag. "Looks like you've stuffed half your belongings in there."

"Maybe I have."

He laughed. "Does this mean you're going to take over my bedroom with your things?"

I nodded, letting go of him and grabbing my bag. He followed me through to the bedroom where I unloaded my stuff onto the bed. I seemed to have managed to fit a lot into the small space.

"Use those drawers." He indicated some across the room. "The top two are mine, but you have the other three. And there are the cupboards there if you need them."

I smiled and started folding my clothes, feeling a heck of a lot calmer and happier than I did half an hour ago.

Arkarian.

She looks a little less upset, now, anyway. I could tell the minute she got close enough that she was absolutely distraught – her thoughts were a complete mess.

It really was quite unfair of Matt – although I kind of understand where he's coming from. We both just want to protect her, and sometimes that seems to be stretching to protecting her from the other. I shook my head and sighed, leaning against the wall and watching as she folds and puts away her clothes. I smile suddenly – that means we've got at least 24 hours where we can be us, and unless something comes up, be undisrupted.

Mind you – with our luck, there'll be a mission or meeting called tonight.

Deciding to make the most of her presence during the day, when I'm usually alone, a made my way over the room and wrapped my arms around her from behind. She relaxed and leaned back against me before she span to kiss me. Our bodies melted together as I held her, our lips locked together.

Someone coughed behind me and I pulled away, spinning around with Isabel in my arms. Ethan was stood looking slightly sheepish. He ran a hand through his hair.

"I thought I'd just check in and made sure Isabel's ok." He said. "Matt's still pretty ferocious right now, but he's calming down. I think he regrets what he said."

Isabel shrugged and pressed her back right up to me. "The fact still stands, Ethan, that he said it. Tell him I'm not coming back until Arkarian's has a full – and meaningful – apology." She paused. "And he must promise that he will stop bothering us. He has to understand that I'm my own person now, and I have my own life." She turned her head to look up at me stood behind her, her eyes shining with love, before she looked back to Ethan. "And only then will I consider returning home."

Ethan nodded. "If it means anything, I don't agree with anything that he said." Then he turned and was gone, obviously not wanting to stay away from school for long. It'd look suspicious if both Isabel and he disappeared on the same day.

Isabel sighed and spun back in my arms. "Now where were we?" I could see the glint of mischievousness in her eyes and dipped down to press my lips against hers, one hand tracing her jaw while the other pressed our bodies together. She reacted immediately, dragging me towards the bed. I picked her up before she could push me down, and laid her gently down. She pulled me up beside her and wrapped her arms around my neck, our lips joining once more in a frenzied kiss. We both needed each other.

I pulled her top over her head, taking a moment to admire her. And to think… I'd have this forever.

She did the same to me, tracing my muscles with her hands. She looked up at me with nothing but love in her gaze, and I know I probably looked the same. No matter what pain could come from love, moments like this made it worth all of that and more. I would endure anything for her without a second thought, and knew that she would do the same for me.

Our lips met again but without the desperation of before. We had time.

Isabel.

He is perfect. Our bodies fit together, move together, so perfectly. It's like he's a part of me. Losing him would be like losing a body part you just can't function without.

Just a couple of years ago I was such an innocent, independent girl. I've grown up, blossomed. And now I realise that sometimes you don't have to be alone, sometimes you don't have to be independent.

We lay together long after, our bodies twined together, our breathing matching. I think I fell into a light sleep, and when I woke, he was still beside me, still holding me. I pulled myself away, telling him I needed to go to the toilet, and grabbed his bath robe from a chair to wrap around me. He stretched out on the bed, the covers over him to his waist, and put his hands behind his head. I felt his eyes watch me leave.

I splashed my face with water and was relieved that I no longer had the red, splotchy appearance of someone who'd been crying. I ran my hands through my hair, thinking about what had happened throughout the day. Remembering what I'd told Chloe, I couldn't help but giggle.

Fabulous was an understatement!

Walking back into the bedroom, I noticed Arkarian hadn't moved from where I'd left him. Actually… he'd fallen asleep! I climbed in beside him, ditching the bath robe as I did so, and cuddled up against his warm, naked body. He opened his eyes sleepily and put his arms around me. "Love you," he said, before closing his eyes. I murmured a response, finding my own eyelids drooping.

I was jerked awake when Arkarian leapt out of bed, throwing on some boxers and a pair of trousers before moving out. He pulled the door to behind him and I gathered up the bed covers around me, but was hesitant to leave the warmth of the bed unless necessary. I could hear the conversation anyway, and was that glad I decided to stay when I heard who had arrived.

Matt.

I had no choice. I had to go up to the chambers – they both had to be told about the meeting later, as much as I would rather avoid them both for a little while. I blew up, I admit that, and said things that were really quite out of order. I just want to protect her!

I called Arkarian in my mind and the door opened a couple of minutes later. Frowning at the opening delay, I made my way through the corridor and into the control room. I was stood around for just a short while before Arkarian joined me. I couldn't help but notice his clothing – or lack thereof – and it made me wonder just what he and…

No. Let's not think like that, definitely not now.

"Carter wants a meeting. He told me to tell you. Here, tonight, eight. He wants as many of the Named here as is possible."

Arkarian frowned. "What's it about?"

"He didn't say." Probably my sister and I's huge argument in the middle of school. And if it's not, I don't doubt he'll find a way to bring it up. Great.

He nodded, which clearly signalled the end of my visit. It seemed he didn't want me here any more than I wanted to be here. I turned and made my way back down the corridor. I stopped and turned suddenly, just as he pushed a door open. He saw me pause and paused too, his vivid eyes searching mine even from the distance.

"I'm sorry." I said, meaning it from the very depths of my soul. He dipped his head. I turned and left, then; he'd forgiven me for my actions. But how long it would take for him – and Isabel – to act normally around me again? It could take weeks. Especially since this was not the first time I had doubted him.

I sighed as I made my way out. Maybe I ought to think about what I say before I say it – then I might not get myself into these complications in the first place.