Chapter Nine: Going the Distance.

Okay guys, we are quickly approaching the end of our story, stopping at ten chapters just like the original short. As a bonus, I will be drawing concept art for this story, but only THE FIRST THREE REQUESTS will get to be drawn, so pick a scene and add it to your review for a chance to get that scene drawn by me, the author. ONE CHAPTER LEFT!

Chapter Summary: The saying is finally explained as Wirt finally makes his choice.

Warning: ANGST AND INFINITE EYEROLLS!


Paper-thin lashes blinked away microscopic specs of dust and dirt away from deep brown eyes as they scanned the outside world from the glass pane that separated the two. A deep gulp of air was released heavily against the window, leaving behind a cloudy film and distorting the reflection of those eyes for just a moment before they were rubbed back into existence by a wave of the hand, as if by magic. This quiet action was interrupted suddenly by clearing of a throat. Turning finally back to the inside of the room, the brown eyes searched for the owner of the throat.

"Beatrice?" Wirt addressed the young woman, folding his hands in his lap idly and rubbing the excess moisture from the window onto his pants.

"Wirt." She replied, copying the boy's actions only instead of rubbing her hand, she instead began to pick at a loose thread on the edge of her skirt.

"Did you need something?" He pressed, raising a thin eyebrow up a touch as the room feel silent again.

He hated it. The ever present silence and tension that hung in the air, all resulting from things only the two teens knew about. Sighing a heavy sigh, Wirt slowly pushed himself off of the chair and looked over to her fully now. Beatrice blinked quicker in response, before soon doing the same and facing him.

"You need to go home, Wirt." She said suddenly, causing the boy to wince.

"Why? I-I'm happy here..." Wirt muttered, clutching his fist slowly at his side and bowing his head. "Its nice here, after all."

"Are you really that happy though?" Beatrice asked, frowning softly at the comment. "Are you really?"

"I will be..." Wirt replied offhandedly, turning back to face the window once again, eyeing a small peacock that he could see down in the court yard.

"Do you mean that or are you just saying that to keep us talking?" As always, the red-headed woman seemed to look right passed Wirt's antics and see things for what they were.

"That second one... Actually." He admitted, pressing his hand to the cool glass over the funny bird. "I just don't want to think about how things really are right now..."

"So you don't want to think about how you can't stay here?" She guessed.

"That I'm one step away from being dead or alive." Wirt answered, biting his bottom lip and gently attempting to knock her hand away. "Its a scary thing to think of..."

"Well, think of it this way then; you're one step away to and from your little brother." Beatrice noted, her hand staying locked where it was.

"How is that supposed to help? Gregory is up and living his life again, even with my own existence hanging in the balance..."

"Gregory needs you there with him, Wirt." Beatrice replied, her voice firm as she went to him and put a hand on his shoulder. "I know you don't want to think that its true, but it is."

"I know..." He muttered, rubbing his sore temple now with his still closed fist. "I know that now..."

"Besides, you'll never find a Gregory here." Beatrice sighed, shaking his shoulder a little bit under his hand. "And he'll never find another Wirt to be a big brother."

"Beatrice! I don't need you to keep reminding me." Wirt yelped suddenly, taking a few steps back from her.

"I know, Wirt. I just thought you could use to reminder anyway." She replied, finally taking her hand away and this time wrapping both of her arms around his waist as an awkward hug. "Just keep it in mind."

"Thats what makes this so difficult though." Wirt rolled his eyes, squirming a little in an attempt to leave the hug.

"How?"

"Theres no Gregory in the Unknown, but theres no you in my world either." Wirt admitted, finally breaking free from the hug and walking further away from Beatrice.

"So? Isn't there a Sarah in your world?" Beatrice asked, though a light blush still coated her freckled cheeks as she spoke.

"Sarah isn't you Beatrice." Wirt replied, turning to the red-headed girl as he tone turned serious. "I do like Sarah, but she never almost gave up her mind to a witch so Greg and I could survive our trip home."

"Or helped you save your little brother from becoming a tree." Beatrice added with a soft chuckle, remembering the horrifying event. "Though I really only lead him to you."

"True, but you did convince me to perform for a bunch of frog people, and that was pretty big." Wirt laughed softly this time, "But drumming Gregory's face was all on me."

"I bet he won't let you live it down ever once you get home." Beatrice sighed, thinking of the little boy and what he might say. "But I did do a lot for you two... So maybe you could do something for me to return the favor?"

"What might that be?" Wirt asked, frowning softly at the comment.

"Go back home for me, and when you get back, promise you'll remember this place." Beatrice replied, gesturing around the room they were currently in. "Because when you finally do come back, I want to visit here again with you, okay?"

Wirt went silent, the girl's words stunning him as he looked at her in almost disbelief. Usually poetic things were his thing, but this red-headed, fire tempered girl had just done his thing, her words sounding like they had come out of his own voice. They were corny and overused words, but they were words that he would repeat over and over in his head from now on whenever he needed to remember. With a sudden nod, Wirt went over to the red-head and gently wrapped his arms around her.

"I promise, Beatrice..." He muttered, pressing his cheek to hers and realizing that her cheek had become damp. "For your sake, I will."

"Not even for my sake." Beatrice said, suddenly pushing Wirt away from her in a playful manner and wiping her face. "Do it for yourself."

"Fine... As long as you never forget about the poet and his brother with a tin kettle for a hat." Wirt smiled, taking both of the girl's hands in his.

"Deal."