Hey guys, glad to see you're all enjoying the story! I know I've been taking a while to update. I apologize, but I've been taking the time to get ahead of my readers. I just finished typing chapter 10!

Chapter 4

After a half hour or so of resting, I decided to try getting up again. By now my ankle had healed, or at least it didn't hurt as badly. My headache was now a dull throbbing.

It was obvious I was in a suite for a room, since I've never been in a hotel room with a separate bedroom. And it was fairly large, too. Connected to the bedroom I was in was a bathroom. I checked myself in the mirror. My red-brown hair was caked with blood, and my face was dirty as well. My dress was ripped and tattered, and I realized it would be no good anymore. It was a shame, really. That was my only dress I could use for work, and I really didn't want to use what little money we had to get a new one. I guess I'll just borrow from Trisha.

Shutting the door, I turned on the shower and took off my clothes. The warm water was relaxing against my skin. I washed away the dirt and blood on my body, and then stepped out, turning off the water.

After a moment of drying off, there was a hesitant knock on the door. I wrapped the towel around myself and opened the door slightly. Larten stood there, handing me a folded up pair of jeans and a red blouse.

I smiled at him as he handed me the clothes. "Thanks."

He grinned sheepishly. "You are welcome." I shut the door and quickly put them on. I stepped out in front of him.

He blushed. "You look…rather nice."

I grinned. "Thanks. I especially like the blouse. It fits perfectly." I tugged a little on the end.

He smiled wistfully. "It once belonged to my wife. But it is yours now. I should probably take you home." Larten started to turn away.

"Wait, how long are you staying in the city?" I asked.

"Well, not long since Glalda escaped. Why?" He asked.

"Why? You've saved my life, healed my injuries, and given me new clothes, that's why. I need to repay you four in some way. Maybe dinner or something? It's the least I can do."

Larten laughed. "The least you could do would be a simple 'thank you'."

"C'mon, that's too simple! Dinner. Tomorrow night. Eight o'clock. Please?" I begged with puppy dog eyes. Larten didn't dare to look me in the eyes.

"I…I do not…oh, fine. You may come by tomorrow, and we will go out to eat. But right now, I should take you home." He sighed.

"Wait, can I meet the others first?" I asked. He sighed angrily.

"Alright, alright. Wait here." He said as he went to fetch the others. I giggled. He thought only they could get on his last nerve!

He came back, followed by three others. The green haired man came up to me, shaking my hand. "I'm Vancha March."

The brown haired one gave a small bow. "Gavner Purl." He said cheerily.

The old man nodded at my direction. "Seba Nile."

I nodded. "Well, hello. I'm Maria Daniels, as you may already know. I wanted to thank you all for saving me, and to show my appreciation, I would like to take all four of you to dinner tomorrow night, if you don't mind." I smiled.

"Well, Gavner and I will have plans, unfortunately. Although, I am sure Larten and Vancha would be happy to accompany you." Seba said.

"What?" Vancha asked. "I'm going? I thought Maria was Larten's girl, not mine." He said. Larten and I glanced at each other and blushed. Gavner gave him a smack on the back of his head.

"Well," I began. "I have a friend, and I'm sure she could come as your date, Vancha. It might be fun." I described Trisha for him.

Vancha pondered a moment, and then remembered Trisha, and how he liked her last night. "Alright, I'll come, but don't expect me to be looking all nice and stuff."

"Fair enough." I shrugged. Larten gave Vancha a quick glare and walked briskly to the elevator, as he went to take me home.

Larten's POV

She was sweet, yet feisty. She was calm, yet overly hyper. She was polite, yet a bit annoying. She surprised and confused me, yet I actually enjoyed the feeling, along with her company. My mind was spinning by the time we left the hotel room. And yet, there was something that attracted me to her. There was something that made her different from other women. I had no idea what it was, but it made me curious. Perhaps it was her blue eyes, and they way they always stared back into mine. Whatever it was, I knew I would find out, sooner or later.

Meh. Not one of my best chapters. But it kind of pushes the relationship to be a bit stronger between Larten and Maria, and it sets up for the next few unforgettable chapters. Thanks for reading! Review please!