Disclaimer: I don't own Eragon or anything associated with the Inheritance Cycle.

Claimer: I, SussieKitten, own this plot and the story. Borrow or steal my plot, my original characters (Aksel) or story and I will report you. I also own my version of Saphira/Thorn's human appearances.

Warnings: Slash/Shōnen-ai – meaning mild guy x guy action. Slash/Yaoi – meaning guy x guy action. Swearing or strong language. Femslash/Shōjo-ai – meaning mild girl x girl action.

A/N Hello, and welcome to the ninth part of Black Mist. We here at SussieKitten's fanfics thank you for remaining seated and we ask you all to once again buckle up, keep your elbows inside the cart during the entire ride and to hopefully enjoy the update. You should proceed by reading the rest of this note before reading the chapter. Thank you in advance.

A huge thanks to everyone who reads, reviews and otherwise express their like of this story. A special thanks to dragonrider713 who has helped me tremendously with this story.

I'm afraid I have bad news now, however. Those who have read my profile know that my net hasn't been very reliable lately. It's working right now, but I don't know if it will tomorrow. I can check my mail on the family computer, but that's it. So, until the Internet problem has been fixed permanently, I'll be taking a break from reading, reviewing, uploading and replying. This means that I won't update any fics until the problem has been fixed as well. I'm sorry. Hopefully I'll be back soon.


BLACK MIST

Part Nine; Trialled

(11.37 AM – Friday 7th of November. Inside Carvahall General Hospital in Carvahall, Alagaësia.)

Eragon was numb. He didn't know what to feel, but had a feeling he should be panicking, crying, screaming; anything. But strangely enough he felt nothing, nothing but the dull throbbing of his heart.

Ajihad had taken one look at the officer that had given him the news before dragging Eragon into a police car and driven them to the hospital. A few minutes later Nasuada, Thorn and Saphira had arrived. Nasuada had told him that Arya and Vanir had gotten hurt while trying to capture the Ra'zac, but that they would be there shortly.

Saphira sat beside him in the waiting room. Eragon had heard her call someone a few minutes ago, but he didn't know who. Maybe Aksel? The blond wasn't there after all.

Ajihad had been speaking to various doctors and nurses ever since they had gotten there. Eragon hadn't paid too much attention to him, being too caught up in his own hollow world.

"Any news?" Nasuada asked half-hysterically.

Eragon blinked drowsily and looked up. Ajihad stood before them with a grave look on his face, his skin paler than what could be considered normal.

"They don't know how much longer he'll be in surgery; apparently it doesn't look good." Ajihad said gravely.

Nasuada let out a small sob. Thorn was instantly by her side and hugged her. Eragon looked at them and noticed the tenseness in Thorn's shoulders. The redhead was worried as well.

"He was shot three times, once in his left side and twice in the back. The bullets in his back are the most concerning ones." Ajihad said in a hoarse voice. "The first bullet slipped right past his vital organs thankfully. But the other two ventured a little too closely to his heart."

Nasuada's sobs got even louder. Saphira tightened her hold around Eragon's arm and sniffled. Eragon reached out and hugged her. She clutched onto him in return.

"They..." The Captain trailed off.

"Yes?" Thorn said huskily.

"They don't know if he'll make it."

Nasuada started to sob for real. Even Saphira started to shed tears. Thorn clenched his jaw and Eragon saw a tear leak from his eye.

"That, that stubborn asshole!" Nasuada sobbed. "I told him not to go alone, and he, he still went!"

"It's not your fault." Thorn murmured softly.

"Damn well it is!" She shrieked. "If I could have convinced him somehow..."

"You couldn't have." Thorn said sternly. "Murtagh is the epitome of stubbornness."

Nasuada hid her face in his chest and sobbed.

"Eragon, are you alright?" Ajihad asked gruffly.

Eragon looked up and blinked. He opened his mouth, but no words came to his mind. He sighed instead.

"I... I don't know." He murmured softly.

Saphira hugged him tighter. She opened her mouth to speak, but the arrival of another figure interrupted her.

"Bloody hell and shit, I just heard what happened!" Aksel said and panted, clearly having run over there. "Is it true?"

Eragon just nodded.

"The fucking moron." Aksel sighed. "Always have to do stuff himself, doesn't he?"

Nasuada sobbed in answer.

"Well, he'll make it out of this, no worries." The blond said and sat down beside Saphira.

"He might not." Ajihad said then, his lips stretched thin as he stood before them.

"Wha? Oh fuck, please be kidding!" Aksel piped up.

Ajihad shook his head morosely.

Aksel ruffled two hands through his hair and swore loudly. The old couple on the bench further down glared at him in disapproval.

"Sorry, too busy praying that we don't lose a friend over here to care." Aksel told them dryly.

The woman sniffed and looked away.

"Fuck, do Arya and Vanir know?" Aksel asked with a frown.

"They're still getting patched up." Ajihad said and shook his head.

"I'll go." Aksel said and stood up stiffly. "I ought to go and visit mah boyfriend anyway."

Eragon watched him go, still feeling numb and empty inside. He sighed.

"And yo, someone should snap 'Agon out of the shock he's in!" Aksel called out as he walked away.

Several people stared after him in shock, but Aksel simply moved along. Eragon felt himself being shaken, but he just blinked in answer. There was only a void inside of him, a void sucking him dry of any and all emotions.

Saphira tried to get him to talk, but he had nothing to say. She tried to get him to look at her, but he didn't want to move.

A few minutes later someone crouched down before him and cupped his chin. Eragon allowed their eyes to meet.

"Eragon, are you alright?"

Eragon didn't know how he could have mistaken Murtagh for being Baldor. Baldor had much shorter hair and it fell into his eyes, unlike Murtagh's. Baldor's face was softer and his eyes were gray, for fucks sake.

"Eragon?" Baldor called softly.

Saphira got out of her seat, and Baldor took it with a small nod of gratitude. Eragon felt her sit down on his other side. Baldor never let go of his chin, always making sure their eyes stayed locked.

Eragon couldn't stop the meeting with 'Baldor' from playing inside his mind. And as he let his mind drift, he remembered when he had met Ajihad later. Blood, there had been blood on the ground. Eragon's eyes widened. Murtagh had gotten shot when he had been with him. He had watched Murtagh get shot! Not once, not twice, but three times!! Three times Murtagh had taken a bullet for him, not counting the last time that seemed so long ago, and now Murtagh could be dying.

Something inside Eragon broke. A choked sob left his lips and the tears built in his eyes. Baldor was instantly there, pulling him into his embrace and lap. Eragon clutched onto him, desperate for anything to keep him anchored to the reality. Even if he wanted to forget that reality, he knew he couldn't.

And so Eragon broke down and cried.

::BLACK MIST::

(02.18 PM – Friday 7th of November. Inside Carvahall General Hospital in Carvahall, Alagaësia.)

Saphira had been unable to take her eyes away from Eragon ever since he had started to cry. His tears had finally stopped and he had fallen asleep. He now rested across the bench with his head in Baldor's lap. Eragon would occasionally let out a soft sob or start to shake, and Baldor would try his best to calm him down.

Nasuada had calmed down herself once Arya had finally arrived. The two girls had talked quietly together before falling silent. Nasuada however would occasionally shed a tear. Arya simply looked tired, and even though the nasty cut to her side made her look even more tired, Saphira could see that it was the sadness that was truly bringing her down.

Aksel and Vanir hadn't stuck around, mostly because someone on the team had to watch the Ra'zac get interrogated. Ajihad had left as well, though he had let them know he would be back. If something happened, then the doctors were to talk to Thorn. And Saphira could see that that responsibility was putting a heavy load on Thorn's shoulders. She had tried the best she could to help him cope, but Thorn was pretty much lost in his own world.

Saphira walked back to the group with Nasuada by her side. They had been down to the hospital cafeteria and had brought something to eat and drink. It wasn't likely that anyone had an appetite, but it was better to be safe than sorry.

The blond sighed sadly as they approached the group. Nasuada sent her an understanding look and took the bags out of her hands. Saphira nodded in gratitude and walked over to Eragon. The brunet was still sleeping, but looked just as heartbroken asleep as he had done awake.

"How is he?" She asked Baldor quietly.

"He hasn't cried out for nearly a half hour." Baldor replied. "I hope that's a good sign."

Saphira nodded absentmindedly. She walked over to Thorn and gently put a hand on his shoulder. He looked up but barely acknowledged her. She bit her lip and sat down. Nasuada, who was passing around the food and drink, gave her a cup of hot tea. She took it and murmured her thanks.

"Um, Saphira, could I talk to you for a second?"

Saphira looked up. Baldor stood before her. She sharply looked over to Eragon. Baldor's jacket was supporting his head, but he was still asleep. She looked back up and nodded. Baldor gestured for her to follow and she stood up.

"What is it, Baldor?" Saphira asked softly.

All around them people were buzzing back and forth. Doctors were saving lives, families were visiting patients, people were getting checked out and children ran around before their mothers could catch them.

"It's about Eragon." Baldor confessed.

Saphira looked up sharply. She tightened her hold around the cardboard cup and nodded for him to continue.

"He really loved Morann didn't he?" The older man asked in a near whisper.

Saphira bit her lip. Had Eragon told?

"Yeah, Eragon told me." Baldor sighed. "He popped up once and I made the connections."

"Oh." Saphira murmured. "Well..."

"You don't have to sugar coat anything." Baldor said with a half-smile. "I saw as well as you how Eragon broke down earlier."

The blue eyed girl sighed. She looked away before finding the courage to answer.

"He did." She paused. "But that's not what you want to ask me."

Baldor let out a bitter laugh.

"No. He still loves him, doesn't he?"

Saphira bit her lip. Eragon hadn't told her that he still did, but it was quite obvious.

"It's a safe bet to make." Saphira replied finally.

Baldor ran a hand through his hair and let out another sigh. Saphira couldn't help but to feel sorry for him. If it hadn't been for Murtagh, she had a sneaking feeling that Eragon would never have given Baldor a chance. Then again, if it hadn't been for Murtagh, Eragon wouldn't have needed to give Baldor a chance in the first place.

"Eragon really knows how to draw people in, huh?" The dark haired man mused out loud.

"He always has." Saphira agreed and took a small sip out of the cup.

"I don't see how anyone could have turned him away." Baldor said coldly.

Saphira frowned. Baldor met her gaze, and she suddenly realised he expected her to comment.

"Murtagh isn't just anyone. Eragon knows what Murtagh's going through, and that's why he didn't want to push him. But at the same time, Eragon doesn't want to give up on him." Saphira bit her lip, a little uncertain about what exactly she was saying.

"But Eragon knows Morann loves him, right?"

Saphira looked up in shock.

"Hey, you don't jump out in front of bullets for just anyone." Baldor said and let out a half-laugh.

"How'd you -?"

"My brother told me. He was a part of the team that shadowed Eragon. He actually saw what happened, though he didn't think Morann had gotten shot until they were told to capture the Ra'zac and he saw the blood." Baldor shuddered.

Saphira shuddered as well.

"But Eragon does know?" Baldor asked quietly, almost dejectedly.

"He knows." Saphira whispered. "But I don't see how anything can be the same after all of this. Eragon's pissed at Murtagh; Murtagh still has his head far up his ass..."

Baldor chuckled slightly.

"Ah, I'm sorry. It's just a very accurate description of Morann." He said and grinned sheepishly.

Saphira smiled in reply.

"Why did you want to know, Baldor?" She asked when he fell silent.

"Every guy wants to know if the relationship he's in has a fighting chance." Baldor said almost nonchalantly. "Oh, don't look at me like that! I won't break up with the kid now. Just... soon, very soon."

Saphira's frown softened. She gave him a sad smile.

"Oh, don't feel bad for me." Baldor said and grinned. "I'm just glad I caught on so early. If I had fallen for the kid first..."

Saphira mirrored his wince. That would indeed have been awkward.

"We should probably get back." She commented and looked back at the rest of the group.

Eragon still hadn't woken up.

"Yeah." Baldor agreed. "Listen, thanks for telling me this. And if there's anything you can do, then get those two morons together, yeah?"

"... Are you calling Eragon a moron?" Saphira found herself asking.

"Well, he can be a bit thick-headed sometimes." Baldor said and winked.

Saphira laughed softly. She didn't comment; merely let a smile grace her lips. They walked back to the others in a slow tempo. They were just within earshot when Baldor leaned down and whispered something in her ear.

"Don't forget what I said. Those two need each other."

Saphira shot him a look. He stepped away and inched toward Eragon's sleeping form.

"If they both make it out of this, I'll see what I can do." She promised.

Baldor nodded and sat down, slowly lifting Eragon's head back into his lap. The brunet let out a quiet murmur, and Saphira breathed out in relief when it wasn't from discomfort or pain.

She rubbed her eyes tiredly and sat down beside Thorn. The redhead slid an arm around her and she leaned against him.

"What did you two talk about?" He asked softly.

"If Murtagh gets out of this alive, I don't care what he says, I'm going to kick some sense into him." She told him bluntly.

Thorn looked down at her with a raised eyebrow.

"What kind of sense? I've already vouched for 'never leave us again' and Nasuada has taken 'come to us next time'."

"I'm going to make him see that if he's willing to jump in front of bullets for Eragon, then he can bloody well give a relationship a chance." Saphira said and buried her face into his neck.

Thorn chuckled.

"I hope you succeed." He said and tightened his hold around her slightly.

Saphira sighed. She hoped she would too.

::BLACK MIST::

(02.45 PM – Friday 7th of November. Inside Carvahall General Hospital in Carvahall, Alagaësia.)

Eragon woke up slowly. His head was pounding and the sounds around him seemed muted. He knew he had fallen asleep in Baldor's arms and was surprised to feel plastic beneath him. He pushed himself up sluggishly and looked around himself.

"Ah, Eragon!"

Eragon winced when the cry went straight to his head. He pushed Saphira away gently, trying his best not to choke in her embrace.

"I don't feel so good." He murmured.

Saphira looked at him with worried eyes. He rubbed his eyes tiredly and then started to massage his temples.

"I'm just tired, Saph." Eragon assured her.

"If you say so." She murmured. "I'm sure I can find some painkillers if you need any."

"That's fine." Eragon said and sent her a tired smile. "Any news?"

"You sure you're feeling up for that?" Saphira asked worriedly.

Eragon just nodded. Saphira sighed and nodded in the direction of the doors leading to the patient rooms and operation rooms.

"Thorn's talking to the doctor right now." She said softly. "We haven't heard anything new yet. Ajihad's still stuck at the station."

Eragon redirected his gaze in the direction she had pointed. He saw Thorn talking to two doctors, one in a robe and another in clothes that suggested he had just gotten out of surgery. Eragon felt his heart speed up, and not in a good way. He was unable to see Thorn's face, as he had his back to them, and the doctors had blank masks on.

"How long's he been over there?" Eragon croaked.

"Two minutes max." Saphira sighed.

"You're up."

Eragon blinked and looked up and into Baldor's eyes. The other had a sombre look on face.

"How long have I been out?" Eragon asked him.

"Almost two hours." Baldor replied and sat down in the seat he had previously been sleeping in.

Eragon folded his hands together and clutched them so tightly it hurt. He ignored the worried gazes from either side of him and looked back at Thorn. The redhead was gesturing slightly with his hands, though he didn't look as tense as Eragon remembered from earlier.

One of the doctors nodded and gave Thorn a slip of paper. Thorn nodded before turning around. Saphira was instantly at her feet and rushing to meet him. He looped an arm around her and they walked back together.

"Well?" Nasuada asked quietly.

Eragon looked over to see her clutching Arya's hand almost painfully tight. Arya didn't seem to mind, as her grip seemed to be equally tight.

"He lost a lot of blood." Thorn started gruffly. "He thought it would be a good idea to walk away from the scene, the idiot. But he pulled through."

Nasuada sobbed in relief. Eragon felt a rush of feelings flow through him, though he couldn't identify them before they were gone. A lone tear slid down his cheek.

"They had to start him once, though, but there were no other complications." Thorn said and shifted. "He's still out from the surgery, though the doctors reckon he'll wake up later tonight."

Eragon closed his eyes and sent out a small prayer of thanks. Beside him Baldor laid a hand on his shoulder.

"They gave me his room number, but I don't think that we should all hang around there right now. For one; he's out cold, and they don't allow more than three people inside at once." Thorn sighed. "I'm staying."

"We can come back later." Arya said and pulled Nasuada to her feet. "I think we've had enough excitement for now."

Nasuada opened her mouth to protest, but a quick look from Arya shut her up.

"I have no real business staying here; I can go." Baldor said and shrugged.

Eragon turned to look at him. Baldor sent him an understanding look as he stood up.

"I... I think I need to go home and rest." Eragon spoke quietly. "I think I'll just faint if I go in there right now."

"I don't want you to be alone right now, Eragon." Saphira spoke worriedly.

"I can stay with Murtagh alone, Saph. You take care of Eragon." Thorn said and let go.

"You don't have to -"

"Eragon." Thorn interrupted. "You need someone right now."

The brunet sighed and looked away. Saphira padded over to him and gave him a small hug.

"Are you sure you'll be alright on your own?" Nasuada asked quietly.

"Yeah, it's just Murtagh." Thorn laughed. "And he's out cold. I promise not to strangle him until he wakes up. You can always come back later."

Nasuada closed her mouth and nodded.

Eragon watched Thorn leave as Saphira and Baldor led him out of the hospital. Beside him he could hear Nasuada and Arya talking quietly, but their words didn't register to him. He saw Thorn walk around the corner leading to the staircases and disappear.

::BLACK MIST::

(06.53 PM – Friday 7th of November. Inside Carvahall General Hospital in Carvahall, Alagaësia.)

Murtagh knew the instant he woke up that he had survived, because he was sure that dying or being dead couldn't possibly hurt this much.

He allowed his eyes to remain closed as he tried to take in his current state. His back and left side hurt like hell, and his chest ached a little. They had needed to restart him? Well, that was a first.

Without moving he tried to get a feeling of how many tubes were planted into him. It never failed after all. Whenever he got stuck at the hospital they would shove a needle in him. The back of his left hand was itching; that was needle number one. Something seemed to have been stuck into the inside of his right elbow as well. Murtagh betted that that tube provided him with whatever blood he had lost. There was something that tickled his nose. Murtagh shuddered mentally. He hated the small tube that they always put there, even if it did provide him with oxygen.

He allowed his hearing to stretch out. Yup, there was the heart monitor. There wasn't any talking inside the room, but he wasn't willing to bet that he was alone. He was however wondering who was going to yell at him first.

A slight shifting told him what he already knew; there was someone else inside the room. Murtagh sighed mentally and allowed his hand to twitch.

"Murtagh?"

Ah, Thorn. Of course it was Thorn.

"Mornin'." Murtagh croaked and opened his eyes.

"More like evening." Thorn said and sat down in the chair beside his bed. "It's close to seven."

Murtagh let out a sound of surprise. Time sure had flown by.

"How do you feel?" Thorn asked.

"Like crap." The hazel eyed man told him bluntly. "I got shot, people have rummaged around in me and they had to recharge me. How would you have felt?"

Thorn snorted.

"You worried a lot of people today." Thorn told him darkly. "If it hadn't been for the fact that you're strapped to that bed, I would have kicked your ass already."

Murtagh sighed. He felt tempted to push himself up, but he had a feeling that the stitches on his back might rip up if he did so. And if there was one thing that really hurt, then it was ripping up stitches. So he remained lying down.

"What'd I do now?" Murtagh croaked with a smirk.

Really, he needed to do something about his voice. It sounded like crap.

"Nasuada was nearly torn apart from worrying over you, Aksel actually acted his age, Arya and Vanir acted like ghosts, the Captain looked like a ghost, Saphira was more or less torn between feeling worried for you and Eragon, and Eragon..." Thorn trailed off purposely.

Murtagh sent him a glare.

"Eragon broke down. Damn you, Murtagh! Why do you always have to hurt that kid so?" The redhead asked coldly.

"I don't intentionally hurt him!" Murtagh protested loudly, not caring that his throat started to hurt. "Fuck you!"

Thorn sighed.

"What you did was low. You made Eragon think you were someone else, just so he wouldn't get shot? You could have just pulled him into safety, and no one would have needed to get hurt!"

Murtagh scowled and looked away. He knew Thorn wouldn't understand.

"The Ra'zac are damn good assassins. If the bullets hadn't hit me, then who knows who! Those bullets wouldn't have stopped moving until they hit something." Murtagh said coldly, his eyes glaring at the window on the other side of the room.

"But why did they only fire three bullets then, if they're such good assassins?" Thorn drawled.

"If you go back to the crime scene, you'll find at least one bullet lodged in one of the trees, one in the statue, and one in the arch above the doorway." Murtagh said emotionlessly. "Six bullets. That's one magazine. They didn't get a chance to reload before they noticed Eragon's tails coming after them. Besides, by then I had already gotten Eragon inside."

Thorn fell silent.

"You are impossible, you know that?" Thorn said in a low growl.

Murtagh smirked in answer.

They fell into a comfortable silence. A nurse came in during that time to check on him. She informed him in a chipper voice that the doctor would be there soon to check up on him. Murtagh didn't bother to answer. If he had gotten a choice, he would have been out of the hospital already. He knew where he had gotten shot, which organs that almost had been hit, that they had needed to bring him back, etcetera etcetera. He just wanted to go home. However, he had a feeling that he was going to stay put for at least a week.

"You were really lucky, you know." Thorn commented quietly. "Two bullets nearly pierced your heart and the veins surrounding it."

"I know." Murtagh said tiredly.

"The other one nearly nicked your lung." Thorn said firmly. "If that had happened, then the doctors told me they might not have been able to save you. You had already lost a lot of blood when they got you here. The fuck were you thinking, running off like that!? You could have gotten to the hospital a lot faster if you had stuck around, you moron!"

"If I had, the Ra'zac might have finished me off." Murtagh explained dryly.

Thorn just growled in answer.

"You've been given a second chance. I suggest you think real hard over what you want to do with it." Thorn said before getting up.

"What now?" Murtagh asked and coughed.

He really needed to get something for his throat.

"I'm calling the others to let them know that you're up."

Murtagh sighed and turned his head to look at the window again. The blinds were shut, but he could imagine that there wasn't a lot to see outside of it anyway.

He didn't really listen in to what Thorn said as he spoke on the phone. All Murtagh knew was that he wasn't nearly done getting himself yelled at. Thorn wasn't even finished. And then there was Nasuada, Arya and Ajihad. Murtagh really wasn't looking forward to those talks.

For a moment Murtagh entertained the idea of Eragon yelling at him. He quickly pushed the thought away however. Eragon was too busy with his boyfriend to yell at him. Sure, the brunet had, as Thorn called it, broken down when he had been admitted, but so had his other friends. Murtagh wouldn't allow himself to think that Eragon felt anything towards him anymore.

"Alright, I'll see you." Thorn said and ended the call.

Murtagh sighed and turned his head to face the other. Thorn sat down and rubbed his hands tiredly over his face.

"Nas and Arya will be here in fifteen minutes." Thorn said, his voice slightly muffled by his hands.

Murtagh grunted in answer. Oh yeah, he really wasn't looking forward to that meeting.

::BLACK MIST::

(07.24 PM – Friday 7th of November. Inside Eragon and Saphira's shared apartment in Carvahall, Alagaësia.)

Eragon stared out at the rain outside. He sighed and pulled his knees tighter against him.

They had come back from the hospital some time ago, though since then the time seemed to have been on fast-forward. Before Eragon knew it, Baldor had dropped them off, he and Saphira had eaten something akin to dinner, and he had been sitting in the same spot for hours. Saphira sat beside him, though with a book in her hands. How she could concentrate at all was beyond him.

His eyes followed a raindrop that hit the glass and slowly slid down, crashing with already existing water-trails, until it connected with the rim of water on the window ledge. Eragon sighed.

Saphira jumped as the phone rang. She put down her book and walked over to the phone and picked it up.

"Saphira speaking."

Eragon shifted and leaned more properly against the back of the couch as he directed his gaze once again to the window.

"When?" Saphira asked behind him.

Two girls ran on the other side of the street, holding bags over their heads and skidded around the corner.

"Do you want us to -?" Saphira paused. "Okay. I'll let him know. I'll call you later."

Eragon squinted when he saw a cat run across the street, just barely missing being hit by a car. He shuddered slightly.

"That was Thorn." Saphira said as she sat back down. "Murtagh's awake. He's going to make full recovery."

"Oh. Okay."

He could feel Saphira narrow her eyes at him. Eragon blinked and looked at her for the first time in hours.

"That wasn't a vague reaction at all." She drawled before softening her voice. "Eragon?"

"It's great that he's gonna be okay, of course." Eragon said softly. "But, you know... what else do you want me to say?"

"Don't you want to visit him?"

Eragon just sighed. He wasn't sure if that was a good idea, and let his face say that for him.

"Oh, Eragon." Saphira frowned. "Are you afraid he doesn't want to see you? You know he wouldn't have -"

"There are a lot of things he wouldn't have done if it hadn't been for me." Eragon interrupted.

"You say that like it's a bad thing." Saphira said and pushed a strand of hair away from his eyes.

"He wouldn't have gotten shot for the fourth time if it wasn't for me." Eragon croaked. "He wouldn't have nearly died if it wasn't for me."

"Oh, Eragon." Saphira reached out and pulled him into a warm hug. "You can't think like that."

Eragon slowly returned the hug, his eyes dropping shut as he let out a shuddering breath.

"I think I liked you better when you were mad at him." Saphira said jokingly.

Eragon let out a soft snort.

"I still am." He replied. "I bet that he'll run off again after he's released."

Saphira pulled back and scowled at him slightly.

"Don't say things like that. You know as well as I do that Ajihad won't let him leave this time." She said firmly.

"He didn't ask for a permission slip the last time either." The brunet said dryly.

"He doesn't have a reason to leave anymore. I talked to Nasuada; I know why he stayed for so long. If he knows what's best for him, he'll stay." Saphira said and pursed her lips.

Eragon sat back and crossed his arms over his chest.

"Why did he stay there?"

Saphira smiled sadly.

"Ask him. If he doesn't tell you, I will." She promised. "... Do you still not want to see him?"

Eragon bit his lip and looked away.

"Not now. Maybe later." He murmured finally.

"That's all I needed to hear." The blue eyed girl said and Eragon could imagine the soft smile on her face.

Eragon looked sharply at the door when someone suddenly knocked on it.

"Huh." Saphira murmured. "I'll get it."

He watched her walk over to the door, unlock it and pull it open. His eyes widened when he recognized their visitor.

"Hey, do you think I could talk to Eragon?" Baldor asked softly.

"Sure. You're not going to -?" Saphira trailed off.

Baldor just smiled sadly.

Eragon raised a hand when Baldor looked up and saw him. The older man grinned and walked inside.

"I'll just be in my room." Saphira said and didn't meet Eragon's gaze before slipping away.

He looked up at Baldor with a frown. What did Saphira know?

"How are you feeling?"

Eragon licked his lips as Baldor sat down.

"I'm not sure. A little better I think. I mean, he's going to be okay." Eragon said and bit his lip.

He wasn't exactly sure of what he was saying anymore.

"I... I, um, came here to talk to you about something." The dark haired man said and sighed.

Eragon blinked. Baldor looked nervous. Hadn't he said something about being able to hide it when he was nervous?

"I..." Baldor ran a hand through his hair and cleared his throat. "I don't think we should see each other anymore."

Eragon blinked in shock.

"What?" He asked.

"Heh." Baldor said and leaned a little away. "I know we've only been going out for a day, even though I've been trying to get you to date me for nearly three weeks, but I think it's best to quit while we're ahead."

"Why?"

"Because you like someone else, Eragon." Baldor said with that sad smile of his. "And if there's even a slight chance of you two being able to work things out, then I think you should."

"But..." Eragon trailed off. "What?"

"Eragon, Morann likes you. And I know you like him. So I've given Saphira my permission to kick some sense into him until he agrees to be with you." The grey eyed male said and winked.

"But why?" Eragon asked quietly.

"Because while I may like you, I don't love you. But someone does. So I think you should nag him until he caves. Really, that guy deserves a break from what I've heard." Baldor grinned slightly.

"He doesn't want to, though." Eragon said and looked away.

"I don't know. I think you just need to make him realise that if he's willing to take a shot for you, then dating you shouldn't be such a hazard risk. In fact, I've heard that dating is a lot less dangerous. But, you know, that could just be a rumour." Baldor whispered and wiggled his eyebrows.

Eragon let out a soft laugh.

"But I am serious, you know." Baldor said with a tired sigh. "If there was anyone to lose someone to, then I could do a hell of a lot worse than Morann."

"So, after chasing me for two weeks, you're breaking up with me?" The brunet asked, not sure if he was actually hearing right.

"Yeah." Baldor said and pursed his lips. "I must be nuts, I know, but that's life."

Eragon shook his head amusedly. Baldor winked and stood up.

"I'll be seeing you, Eragon."

"Yeah, see you." Eragon murmured as he watched Baldor walk across of the room and out of the door.

He turned his gaze to Saphira's door and looked at her pointedly when she stepped out, a sheepish smile on her face.

"You knew." He said accusingly.

"Baldor told me he was planning to break up with you." She said and sat down where Baldor had just been sitting.

"That has got to be the shortest relationship in history." Eragon drawled.

Saphira let out a small giggle.

"I guess you could say that." She agreed.

Eragon sent her a mock-glare. Saphira just winked in answer.

They spent the rest of the evening watching TV in silence. And even though she didn't say it, Eragon knew she was happy to see him at least a little bit more animated.

::BLACK MIST::

(10.57 AM – Saturday 15th of November. Inside Murtagh's apartment in Carvahall, Alagaësia.)

Murtagh hissed in pain as he gently changed his shirt. He slowly lowered the t-shirt over his head and down the rest of his torso. It hurt, but at least the pain meds took away most of the pain.

Like he had predicted, the hospital had kept him for there for a week. He had tried to get released the day before, but the doctor had shaken his head and told him that he could leave in the morning. Bloody doctors. What did they know anyway?

He sat down on the couch and gently lay down with a cushion supporting his back. He couldn't lean back without feeling a slight stab of pain, and besides, keeping himself in an upright position where he had to keep a pillow lodged in-between his shoulder blades hurt after a while. He had tried that experiment before. Because thanks to the shot in his side, he couldn't slouch until it healed.

Murtagh grumbled under his breath and crossed his left arm over his chest. The right one lay comfortably next to the back of the couch. It hurt too much to move it, thanks to the two holes in his back. He closed his eyes and allowed the week's happenings to play in his mind.


(06.17 AM – Saturday 8th of November. Start Flashback)

Murtagh had fallen asleep before Nasuada and Arya had come to visit him. But when he woke up he found that they had come back. Or maybe they had stayed, he wasn't sure. At least, they were there when he opened his eyes.

"Murtagh Morann, you are in some deep shit." Arya hissed angrily.

Murtagh flinched. If he was lucky, he got snapped at by Arya enough to cover for Nasuada's part. He really didn't feel like getting yelled at by three people on a Saturday morning.

"First you take off without letting any of us know where you're going." Arya began as she continued to glare down at him. "Then you don't call any of us, and when you do, you tell Nas that she can't tell us!"

"Something she clearly did, anyway." Murtagh mumbled under his breath.

"And then, then you go off and plan this grand scheme where you nearly die!!" Arya hollered. "What the hell were you thinking?!"

"I was thinking that I could get the bastards that wanted to kill Rider behind bars before they succeeded. Because believe me, they would have succeeded."

The green eyed woman glared down at him in anger. Nasuada stood by her side, not holding her back but not telling her to go on either. Thorn merely sat in his chair and watched the scene unfold in silence.

"Ever heard of asking for help?" Arya said icily.

"I would have if I thought it would have helped." Murtagh told her calmly. "But it would have just made it worse, and then we would have had to wait for the Ra'zac to strike again. I made the choice that would capture them the quickest and with the smallest number of possible causalities."

"You were willing to sacrifice yourself!" Arya hissed. "What the fuck were you thinking??"

Nasuada reached out and grabbed her hand. Murtagh blinked in surprise. It was the first time he had heard her use that word in a while.

"I was thinking that my life was worth less than Eragon's." He said quietly.

Arya clenched her jaw. Nasuada sighed and looked at him sadly. She quietly shook her head and looked to want to say something, but kept silent.

"Don't you dare to think that again." Arya said darkly. "You wouldn't just have hurt us if you had died, you would have hurt Eragon as well! How did you think he would have felt, knowing that you died because of him?"

Murtagh looked away and gritted his teeth. He'd rather not think about that.

"I don't see how we can even begin to forgive you." The green eyed female said, practically growling as she did so. "But right now we're too glad to have you back, so I can't see how we can't do it either."

Murtagh looked back with a small frown on his face. Arya's eyes were twinkling with tears, but her face remained as calm and collected as always.

"You'll have to answer to your actions later, when you're not as beaten up." She said with a slight smirk. "And it will take some time before we will learn to trust you again. But everyone has their reasons, even moronic bastards."

Murtagh snorted.

"And just what do you think my reasons were?" He asked.

"First you wanted to get away to think." Arya said and her gaze slowly softened. "A lot was going through your mind, we all understand that. And then you wanted to protect Eragon. Well, now you've done both. Are you going to stay this time?"

Murtagh let out a loud sigh.

"Sure, fine, whatever."

Arya rolled her eyes. Nasuada let out a soft laugh and Murtagh heard Thorn scoff from the other side of the bed.

"I haven't even started to yell at you." Thorn told him darkly. "I'll wait for my time, however. Can't ruin Arya's nice little speech, now can I?"

Arya just sent him a glare. Murtagh closed his eyes and smirked.

(End Flashback)


Murtagh sighed, still not opening his eyes. Thorn's speech had been far more laced with curses, promises to get beaten to hell and back, and betrayed words. But Murtagh understood Thorn's feelings. They had never been apart ever since they had met as teenagers. He had broken that trust by leaving without as much as saying goodbye. He deserved every ounce of distrust, probably for much longer than he was going to get it.


(11.19 AM – Monday 10th of November. Start Flashback)

"So, that's all that has happened while I've been gone?" Murtagh drawled.

Aksel nodded eagerly. He and Vanir had come to visit, and to his surprise, Saphira had tagged along. She had simply told him that it was good to see him up and about, and she wished him a speedy recovery. Thorn had then walked her out, probably spending a little time talking to her as well.

"I still can't imagine you two together without flinching." Murtagh stated dryly. "I didn't even think you had a libido, Therr."

Vanir sneered at him.

"Play nice." Aksel told his boyfriend sharply.

To Murtagh's surprise, Vanir rolled his eyes and turned to stare out of the window.

"Wow. Someone sure is whipped." Murtagh said amusedly.

Vanir answered by flipping him off. Murtagh laughed.

"How about you then, Tag?" Aksel asked and grinned evilly. "What'cha been up to?"

"Oh, you know; getting drunk, mulling over life's unsolvable mysteries, stalking evil sons of bitches... same old same old." Murtagh said sarcastically.

"I thought you didn't drink." The blond commented with a crocked eyebrow.

"Do now." Murtagh said with a smirk.

"Thorn will kill you when he hears." Vanir piped up.

"Damn right, I will." Thorn growled angrily.

Murtagh held in a groan. When had he returned?

"Ah, we should probably leave then." Aksel said and jumped out of his seat. "Come on, Van."

"What did you just call me?" Vanir seethed, though he followed Aksel out of the door.

Aksel laughed loudly and Murtagh watched Vanir growl and pounce. He sighed when Thorn slammed the door shut, all the while glaring down at him.

"Alright, fine, get it out. Yell at me, curse me, kick me if you want; just get it over with."

Thorn snarled and stalked over to stand by his side. Murtagh pushed himself up slightly and ignored the pain he got from doing so. Damned if he was going to lie down and get yelled at again.

"You're drinking again?" Thorn asked him dangerously.

"Only a little. It's not like I'm smoking too." Murtagh said and lifted an eyebrow.

And really, he hadn't. Not since the trial anyway.

"You swore you'd never drink again." Thorn stated darkly.

"I had to go to bars to hear about the Ra'zac. If I didn't drink, it would look suspicious!" Murtagh hissed in his defence.

"Then you should have just called us and pulled back!" The redhead roared. "You are not starting to drink again, not on my watch!"

"Whatever Thorn. Thanks to me having a few drinks, I saved Rider's life! I think that wipes the slate clean, don't you?!" Murtagh yelled back.

Thorn snorted.

"I don't care. You left us." Thorn stressed darkly. "You left us when you could just as well have gone through all of this at home. You left Eragon when he needed you, you left us when we needed you and you made sure to hurt us all while doing it too. I don't care who you fucking saved, how you fucking saved them, or if you even got something out of this little bloody trip of yours. You should have told us."

"You're right; I should have." Murtagh admitted; his voice low and cold as he spoke. "But if I had, you would have just held me back. I needed some time alone, Thorn. My life was in disarray and I was falling apart. All it took was a few weeks away to gain some perspective. Isn't that worth at least a little to you?"

Thorn eyes narrowed, but he didn't comment.

"I admit that I should have called you guys to let you know I was still alive, but if I had I would have given in and come back. You know I would have. And that would have defeated the whole purpose." Murtagh paused. "I almost came back when Rider called. Oh, you didn't know? Yes, he did call. Do you know how much that hurt? Do you know how much it hurt to hear from Arya that he was falling for someone else? Do you?"

Thorn just sneered.

"I didn't think so." Murtagh said coldly.

"Fine." Thorn said after a few moments of tense silence. "Fine, so it was necessary for you to go missing for a while. But no matter how much you hurt, you hurt us right back."

"I know."

Another tense silence built up and stayed with them until Thorn finally got ready to leave.

"When you're well again, I'm kicking your ass until you're back here again." Thorn told him darkly before leaving.

Murtagh sighed and looked away. He didn't doubt that for once second. And he welcomed it. He deserved some good kicking, and there was no one better at doing that than Thorn.

(End Flashback)


Murtagh scowled. He had told Thorn the truth. His trip, which had morphed into an undercover operation midway through, had given him a chance to see everything in perspective.

He realised that he had been acting like a fool. Somehow he had allowed the thought of Eragon nearly dying get to his head and had used that as a subconscious reason not to be with him. There was no doubt that he should have acted differently. He shouldn't have forced Eragon out of his life and expected everything to be okay. He should have let Eragon down, perhaps a little more gently, but he should have still been the brunet's friend. For while it had hurt to leave his friends, the thought of abandoning Eragon had hurt the most, no matter how unwilling he had been to admit it at the time.

Whatever reason he had found he had used as a reason to push Eragon away. Galbatorix, his past with the Forsworn, his unwillingness to open up, his beliefs that everyone around him died or would eventually die because of him, the attempt at Eragon's life, Murtagh himself even! Murtagh sighed.

Nasuada had been right about one thing; it had taken three attempts at Eragon's life to make him admit his feelings, but that would probably not have been enough. It had taken a near death experience on his own behalf for him to see the light, so to speak. Murtagh smirked.

But it didn't change anything. Eragon had a boyfriend, and if that wasn't enough, then Murtagh wasn't ready to let someone get that close. Not now, maybe not ever. He loved Eragon, and perhaps he loved him even too much. He was again glad that Eragon hadn't visited him during his time at the hospital. He wasn't sure what he would have said to the brunet then.

Murtagh licked his lips. He remembered when he had last seen Eragon. Had he always been that beautiful? He probably had; Murtagh had just pushed everything about him into the darkest corners of his mind, even that. And that was where those thoughts were going to stay. Nothing could make him pursue Eragon. Eragon deserved so much better than him, like he had told Eragon so long ago. Nothing could make him see that; no amount of ass-kicking from Thorn, glares from Arya, arguing with Nasuada, talks with Ajihad... nothing.

The hazel eyed man sat up and took a look at the table in front of him. Ajihad had driven him home, welcoming him back and promising to talk to him later when Murtagh wasn't as beaten up. Murtagh had been surprised when Ajihad had given him a few files and asked him to take a little look at them, though he wasn't expected or even allowed back at the station before he was fully healed.

Murtagh reached out and pulled the file on top to him. He opened it and sighed. Then he got to work. A small smile entered his lips as he reached out for a pen. He lifted his left leg and rested the file against his upturned thigh. As he started to write, he couldn't help but to think that it felt good to be back.


A/N And so Murtagh continued to angst in silence while Eragon gave up on Murtagh and got back together with Baldor. Baldor and Eragon adopted lots of kids and lived happily ever after, while Murtagh died years later from getting shot at a job. The end!

I am of course kidding! You don't think I'd end it here, did you? Now, this was supposed to be the end. The minute I sat down and started to write this chapter that was what I believed. But when I typed the last scene with Murtagh, I knew I couldn't leave it there. That's how the last two chapters of this fic were born.

But what do you know, Murtagh's actually back. Oh my, I must be sick! :checks self: Nope, just regularly insane. Because I have to say, I missed him just as much as you did.

Also, if you didn't notice something mind boggling right there in the last scene, I urge you go to and read it again. It involves Murtagh, a certain brunet and a certain L word that guys cannot speak without gagging. No offense to guys, of course! I know a guy that loves to say it, can even say it with a straight face, but that's an entirely different issue.

For those who perhaps were confused in the last chapter, when Murtagh was shot and such, I urge you to go back and read the scene where Murtagh tricks Eragon into believing he's Baldor. If you read closely enough, you'll notice that he bumps into Eragon (shot number one), he flinches and stumbles (shot number two) and he slouches to one side (shot number three). I wanted to be a little sneaky about it, and I'm happy that I managed to do it. Hehe. I hope you're a little less confused now.

Again, I'm sorry that I won't be able to post the fics and update the stories I promised I was going to. This problem caught me completely by surprise. I'm just glad I was able to tell you so that I wouldn't go completely MIA.

I am able to read any reviews and messages you send me, but I won't be able to reply right away.

Until we meet again, my dear friends. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Police Speak:

Tails – police agents that are shadowing a target; which could be either a victim or a perpetrator

Start him – a way of saying that they had to restart his heart