A/N: I'm such a horrible person XD

I couldn't resist, you guys were so funny. I loved reading those reviews. Though I was a teensy bit disappointed that only two people (thanks, Lana & MountainAir) noticed that the story was marked "complete." Ehh, I don't blame you, I never look at that either, but I was hoping...

Anyways, here is the next chapter! Not as much fluff as I wanted but I'm sure that'll come later.


"…Catnip…"

The girl's there at his side with a glass of water the moment he speaks. She puts the cup to his lips and he drinks thirstily. The white bandages on his forehead form a pristine crown edged with black hair.

When the cup is empty she refills it, but he's had enough, turning his face away slightly. He looks up at her and there is such love in his eyes that her heart skips a beat, and she very nearly cries.

"Hey, hey," he rasps as her face pinches up to prevent the tears. "What brought this on? I'm fine…" Even as he speaks, they both know it's a lie, and his wince proves it.

She cups his face in her hand, hesitating. "You nearly died," she says finally. "Mother says your heart stopped." Each knows that the other is thinking of the patients the healer couldn't save, who died and never regained a pulse. "I don't know how she brought you back."

He reaches up to take her hand, holding it to his lips, dry with fever but cool from the water. "I couldn't leave you. You know that."

She nods. "I know." Her agreement is so quiet, like a breath of wind. "You're a hero, you know. All those men in the mines – you saved their lives."

His eyes darken, his expression clouds over, remembering. "My arm," he says slowly, warily.

She looks away, saying nothing. Her eyes are bright with tears, unusual for her, and that's what marks the seriousness of the situation.

"What happened?" He already knows, deep inside, but dreads to hear it said. He is delaying the inevitable. They both know it.

In answer, she peels back the blanket on the right side, revealing more bandages. But these are different. They do not cover an arm. Instead, they cover the truncated stump of what was once a working limb, what is now deadweight. The girl watches his face, which is carefully neutral as he surveys the injury. She knows him too well, though, to miss the flash of panic and fear in his eyes.

"I…" He hesitates, breathing deeply. "I won't be able to hunt." He looks up at her now, searching her face. "How will my family survive? Rory's not ready." It kills him to admit this glaring weakness.

"What are you talking about?" A small, breathy laugh escapes the girl, but there's no humor in it. "I'll hunt for both of us. I'll take care of them."

"Catnip." He holds her gaze. "That is the worst idea I've ever heard." His tone is simply matter-of-fact.

"I'll help."

Both look to the door, where the boy's younger brother – sixteen years old – stands listening. He moves forward shakily until he stands beside the girl. "I can handle it. You've taught me how to shoot." Despite his brave words, his voice shakes slightly. It's as the boy said: he is not ready.

"No way." Both of them speak at the same time. The girl continues, "It's dangerous out there."

"You've been hunting since you were twelve," the younger counters. "I'm four years older than that. You can't stop me."

"Give us a minute," the boy says, and his brother vanishes. He looks at the girl. "He's got a point, you know."

"I know he can handle it," she says in a very, very quiet voice. "I just don't know if you can."

"What's that supposed to mean? How could I not be able to handle sitting at home all the time?" It would be funny, how obviously false his cheery tone is, if the pain behind it weren't so palpable. "I can't wait."

"You know it," the girl reminds him. "You're like Ripper now. What will you do?"

"I will not end up selling alcohol," the boy says determinedly. His eyes betray his uncertainty.

"No," the girl says softly. "Never." She sees his desperation, knows he fears the same as her, that he is too crippled to be anything but a liability. "We'll work something out. I promise."


A/N: Would you guys be terribly upset if I started adding in names here and there? Let me know in a review, please.