A/N: So here's the big chapter...Enjoy...Might need tissues...just a warning...maybe not...but still...it's sad...

Regret and New Life

As I have mentioned before, I have never felt regret for taking a life prematurely. I have been surprised numerous times when I find that a life is waiting for me and even looking for me, but never regret. That is, until a certain young soul found his way into my arms. I was indeed on Himmel Street the night of the bombings, and I had the opportunity to say hello to the Müller's and whispered in Tommy's deaf ear. I moved my way over to the Steiner's where I kissed Mrs. Steiner on the cheek, played in the young one's dreams, and even eased Kurt's worries. He did make his father proud, that I was sure of. I even paid a quick visit to the Hubermann's and was convinced Rosa swore at me in her sleep.

Eventually as morning came, it was my time to head to the next town. However, I had missed a soul. No, not missed, he simply wasn't ready. When I went over, helpers were pulling him out. That was when I saw her for the first time in a while; the book thief that is. She popped her head up from the ashes with big wide eyes, disbelief covering her face. She had no idea what had happened. She didn't know where her parents were, and she had spotted her best friend being pulled out of the rubble.

"Rudy!" she yelled as she struggled to make her way over to him. I watched just beside Rudy as she gently shook his shoulder. He was still alive, but barely holding on.

"I-I need to…tell you something," he dreadfully struggled to say. But he couldn't bring himself to finish the deed.

"Rudy, nein, nein Rudy no please!" Liesel begged as tears started rolling down her face. It was these emotions that make me realize what kind of job I have. "Please, wake up! I love you…" she bent down and kissed his pale ashen lips. "I love you, you hear me Saukerl!" She went on like this for a little while, I just stood now holding the soul of the lemon colored haired boy in my arms. It wasn't right; he just gave up. Had he tried, he would have actually been able to escape my clutches. Just like many before him; he isn't the first to have just given up. However, he was the youngest I had witnessed, and I could not let him do this to himself.

Regret makes many people do the things they thought they didn't want to do in the first place, or vice versa. It's a silly emotion to feel, mainly because it's so unwanted. You should be able to do things and not feel guilty after doing it, no matter what it is. It tears at your heart until you right your wrongs. This is what was happening to me. By now the book thief had been taken away to a cot to rest and wait for her new guardian to pick her up. Now was the time to right this specific wrong. I had never done this before, and I doubt I will ever be able to do it again, but this is too big of a wrong to just ignore. Rudy Steiner had a life to live, a job to do, and a kiss to get. I made my way over to where the pale skinny boy lay and gently placed his soul back to its rightful owner.

*Whispered words to the pale boy*

"You deserve a life Rudy Steiner, you gave up when you should've fought. Take this new life, and do wonders with it, always fight, never give up."

When I finished my hushed statement, his body accepted his soul again. He took a big deep breath, and his bright blue eyes opened wide in shock. He lay for a moment to recollect his breathing before sitting up. It didn't take long until someone jogged over to him to ask if he was all right, but the boy saw that he couldn't quiet form words.

"It's alright, don't speak," the man said. "I'll get you some water. Do you think you can stand up?" He tried to help Rudy stand but saw that he couldn't, and with that he carried him over to a cot. "I'll inform the mayor that there is another survivor." The man said to another as he placed Rudy down next to someone. The girl's back was turned toward him, but all he had to do was look at her hair to find out who it was.

"Liesel…" he mumbled in a raspy voice. The girl turned around slowly with tear stained eyes, which soon filled with the most joy she had ever felt in her life.

"Rudy!" she screamed as she tackled him in a fierce hug. "How…are you alright…Rudy!" the poor girl was in hysterics over the fact that her best friend survived. "I thought you had died in my arms!" Rudy very weakly pushed her back slightly so he could breathe before answering.

"I thought I did too. It was strange; I heard a voice tell me to keep fighting, to never give up. And then I woke up gasping for air."

"You don't remember anything that happened before that?" he shook his head as she dropped hers to hide her blush. "Gut." When Liesel looked back up at him, she saw him differently. He had changed. He seemed more reserved than before. "Are you sure you're alright?" Rudy nodded in her direction, dazed and confused. Liesel didn't want to push it, so she took his hand and gently rubbed it in hers. It didn't take very long after that for a black car to pull up slowly by their little cot and a woman with a white puff of hair to come out.

"Oh thank heavens you're alright!" Ilsa Hermann cried out as she approached Liesel. "I prayed for your safety once I found out what happened." Liesel ran up to her and was engulfed in her hug; Rudy watched from the cot.

"Are you taking us home?" Liesel asked with excitement. Of course she wouldn't forget her best friend she just got him back. "They told me to wait here for someone to take us somewhere." She was rushing her words because she had two familiar faces now.

"Yes, yes calm down young one, let's get your friend and go home." Liesel walked over to Rudy and held her hand out. He just stared at it before moving his glance up to her eyes.

"You want me…to go with you?"

"Rudy, I'm not letting you go again." He gave a slight smile and took her hand to follow her to the waiting car. Things were going to change yet again for the two thieves, but at least they were still together. For now.

A/N: Not so bad right? I have more for this chapter, but I didn't want to make it too too long so I'll add more to that and post it as a little Thanksgiving surprise...(not that it will relate anything to Thanksgiving...) But yeah. I'm going in a slightly different plot line I had originally planned so bear with me and don't be afraid to correct me on anything or say "this plot makes no sense whatsoever..." I'm open to anything and everything haha

Speaking of...I wanted to say a big thanks to the Random Reviewer who left the nice review! Yeah I was a little iffy with how to bring Rosa across but I'm glad she didn't seem so out of character. Thanks so much for saying you could picture this story being written by Zusak! That made me really happy to read haha

I also wanted to thank anyone who's following the story! I'm glad people are liking it so far!