Chapter eight

Heartbeat

.

.

.

He stared at the inky black around him. He could see his hand in front of his face yet couldn't see a clear shape or form of where he was. It was inhuman. It was…

"I'm dead…"

Eric shook his head, "Not yet but you are a step away."

Gary panicked as he looked for a way to escape the black abyss. When he found none he sunk to his knees and gripped his head while his lungs recovered from his manic search. 'Ann…'

"So your will gave up so easily. Leaving her alone and to fend for herself." Eric stated and shook his head. "I expected there to be some fight in you."

Gary glanced at his past self. "Why are you here?"

"This is your mind, you tell me, boy." Eric replied plainly.

Gary instantly shot to his feet. "I'm not a boy." He huffed hotly.

"Are you? Men fight to the bitter end. Men protect the ones they love. Men keep their word. Boys give up and run at the first taste of hardship." Eric stated firmly. "Are you truly a man?"

Gary stared at Eric. "How can I fight when I do not see an enemy? I can't do anything here."

"You can, you just do not see it yet." Eric replied cryptically

Gary frowned and sat down. His mind ached and he constantly felt as if he was being pulled.

'Please, show me a way out of here.' He begged. Minutes later he felt as if something was wetting his skin. He looked and found nothing that could explain why his chest felt damp.

"Even now she cries…" Eric murmured.

Gary looked up, "She?"

Eric leaned back, his eyes looked up. "Deidra's soul."

'Ann?' Gary felt his chest and he skin felt damp. 'She's crying?'

"It is a crime to allow one with such a noble heart and broken soul to cry." Eric held his head in his hand.

Gary chuckled and rested his back, "She's cried rivers."

"Too many tears for one her age," Eric stated solemnly.

Gary nodded in agreement and felt a grip on his chest. He rubbed the aching spot and looked at the inky black.

"The duty of a champion is a hard one." Eric sat down next to him. The aura about him was much like a best friend or even a father giving advice. "You take up the fights and causes of your liege. Dedicate your life to never having peace so others can live and feel peace. You've already taken up one of her fights. You are her confidant, her protector, and her love. Should you give up, will you be at peace knowing that another holds her tight while she cries? Could you leave her alone to fend for herself, to bloody her pure, pale hands? Hands so fragile without protection you fear to hold them in case they break like glass upon first touch."

.

The pain and pull grew; his pain grew even more at the realization that came with Eric's advice.

'I wouldn't be able to rest. I'm become just like him-forever waiting in dedication to protect her. Never truly resting or moving on even in death. I'd haunt the next owner of this soul far worse than he haunted me.' He felt the dampness grow and he clutched at his chest. At the same moment he felt a crushing pressure. 'I'd be vengeful toward whoever dries her tears in my place.' He imagined Ann's hands covered in blood and he cringed. When the pressure grew he hissed in pain.

"Even now she fights tooth and nail against death for you." Eric commented fondly. The man smiled at him, "You mustn't keep your lady waiting. She can only fight for so long."

Gary nodded in thanks; feeling as if now he knew what he had to do to wake.

Silently he grasped a fragile warmth that he knew was from Ann's hand and closed his eyes as he let the warmth drag him.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Everyone in the room was still; no one dared to move or breathe as all eyes were on Gary- Waiting for him to take his next breath or even to cough.

Ann silently counted the seconds in her mind as she felt for a pulse. As each one passed she grew more panicked. Next to her Dawn covered her mouth as tears sprung to her eyes.

'Breathe, please, damn it Oak, breathe…' Ann felt her tears falling but she gave it no mind as she sprung to action.

While Dawn sunk to her knees and Prof Oak stood frozen in time, Ann breathed into Gary and pushed against his chest. She'd stop, listen, and repeat her movements all while soaking his chest and bandages with her tears.

Preforming CPR had reopened his wounds and smaller cuts and his blood stained her hands after a short time.

"Gary, please!" Ann begged before giving him another breath. 'Don't leave me.' Her heart begged him as her hands pumped his heart.

Dawn sobbed and covered her face with her hand.

.

Everyone else in the house rushed to the small bedroom at hearing the commotion. After seeing the three in tears and how frantic Ann was working, they fell silent. No one dared to enter the threshold or speak up. Tracy fell against the door in disbelief while Brock stood still and Ash punched the doorframe while cursing Team Rocket and Giovanni.

"Please," Ann cried before her arms gave way. She tried to complete another set but her wrists and elbows weren't as strong as before. She fell against his chest and beat against it twice. "You promised me." She chokes on her tears and buried her face in his chest before letting loose a sob.

"Ann," Dawn moved to embrace her friend so the blond wouldn't have her hair stained with her love's blood on top of her hands and cheek. Ann cried harder and gripped the bloody bandage under her hand.

"Gary…" Her voice cracks before a rough cough flung her from his chest. Gary coughed so hard the force flung him forward. All of his limbs shuddered as he leaned back against the pillows heaving and wincing.

.

The trip back to the living hurt more than he expected, but he was back and by the look on everyone's faces- his timing was good.

"Gary,"

Instantly, Gary looked toward where he heard Ann's voice. The young woman looked a mess. Her cheeks were red and raw from tears and blood was smeared over her left cheek. Several strands of her hair were stained by his blood. Her shirt was sweaty and covered in blood. And her hands were covered in blood.

He smiled at her and, despite the pain that came with moving, cupped her cheek: Brushing away as many tears as he could catch and smearing the blood. "Why all the tears, Annalisa?" His voice was raw and faint.

Ann reached up to hold his hand. Tears still fell from her eyes even as she closed them. "You almost broke your promise." She whispered and clung to his hand so tight she felt his pulse.

He chuckled and smiled at her. "I'll never break that promise, so please stop crying."

Ann shook her head slightly and rested her head back on his chest. This time she heard his heartbeat and was comforted. "I'm happy and so are my tears."

.

.

.

Once everything was cleaned, things settled down. With the sun being dark red and the moon being another-lighter- shade of red no one knew if it was still day or if it was night. But since the events to the day were tiring everyone retired to bed.

"Lie down," Gary murmured as he watched Ann dig in the medical kit.

"You need medicine." Ann argued mildly when she looked back at him.

He sighed and tried not to move since moving only caused more pain. When Ann tilted his head to drink the water and take the pills he obliged.

"You better not have given me something that will make me pass out." He half joked.

She smiled and curled up next to him, not daring to rest anything other than a hand over his chest. "Call me selfish, but I rather you be awake even if you're in agony."

He chuckled and rested a hand on top of hers. Her hand caressed the skin of his chest through the bandage. Though it hurt to move, Gary pulled her closer and adjusted himself so her head was resting on his uninjured shoulder.

"It's not selfish." He assured her. Finding an odd sense of peace that came with stroking and fingering her long hair. "Had you almost died, I'd want to listen to your voice for as long as possible before the demand for sleep comes."

She smiled and kissed the skin under her cheek. Her fingers curled slightly, her palm felt his heartbeat and her thumb caressed the bandage. "I doubt that I'll give into sleep." She confessed.

"You look how I feel." Gary teased and rubbed her back. "I never got to ask how you're feeling."

"Relieved, tired, sore- take your pick." She mumbled.

"Then sleep." He continued rubbing her back in small, soothing circles.

Ann moaned in protest at the hypnotic feeling and pushed her upper body up to look down on his face. Her hand moved from his chest to trace his jaw, she frowned and a finger ghosted over a small cut on his cheek. "This'll scar…"

"It doesn't matter." Gary held her hand to his cheek. "According to you I need small reminders to be careful."

"Today has left too many scars and reminders." Ann stated quietly as she looked at the bandage around his torso.

.

He sighed and reached up to cup her cheek. "I'm here; the visual reminders are just proof of that."

"And proof that I almost lost you." Ann glanced up at his eyes. "What were you thinking?"

Gary caressed her cheek, "Protecting you." Ann glared and he grimaced. "You were safer with the others."

"And you went into a vengeful rage." She cut in. "You went out there with the knowledge that you'd most likely die."

Gary sighed and let his hand drop. "As were you," His gaze turned solemn. "You were prepared to face anything and do anything that was asked of you."

"Except have you die in my arms." Coldness seeped into her voice as her gaze sharpened.

"It was only a moment. I told you: as long as it is within my power, I'll return." Gary asserted.

Ann sighed and stood, taking several steps until she was in front of the window. "You are not a pawn so do not speak as such." The red light shimmered in her eyes as she gazed off into the distance.

.

Gary sighed. It wasn't often that Ann's royal blood showed. It was rare for her to use such an even, cold tone. It was even rarer for her to compose herself as a lady of the court. Though she stood five feet away, he felt as if she was a million times that in reality. The only reasons why she would compose herself as such was when situations were dire. Last time he had seen her like this was years ago when he was a guest at the castle during the civil war. He grabbed her from her bed and escaped just before there was an attempt on her life. She had stared both him and the rebel leader in the eye while using such a tone. A tone that left no room for argument or question- Yet he was the only one who dared to counter and side step that tone.

He sighed and closed his eyes. "Answer me this, why does this bother you so much?"

"You shouldn't be damned to have the same fate twice." Ann stated.

Gary opened his eyes a sliver and glanced toward her. "It's every man's fate to die one day."

"And it will not be for the protection of this soul." Ann cut in and looked at his broken form. Despite the thick blankets, she could still see a man who was not yet claimed by death or life. Though awake, she sensed his pain and of how severe his injuries were- Some were injures that he had yet to state he had. "Please, allow me to be selfish just this once. Don't lock me away as your princess in a tower to hide me from those who want me dead. Let me fight by your side in the future."

His gut twisted in guilt when he saw tears in her eyes. "Don't burden me with this."

"Don't burden me with the guilt of knowing that I will be the reason why you will die." She shot back.

"Do you even realize what you're demanding of me?" He questioned. "Thousands of lives depend on you. If you die what will happen to them? For the first time in five hundred years your country is at peace and its people are treated as human beings who have free will and rights. I'd be living with the guilt that I caused their suffering by letting you endanger your life."

"They'd be in your care." She cut in. "Either way, as long as one or both of us lives- they get to keep what they've fought for."

At that moment he wished he could move, for arguing while looking half dead made him feel as if he'd lose. He sighed and took a risk; slowly he pushed himself up onto his elbows.

"I won't live long after you die. You know that, right?" He watched her.

Her eyes closed as she drew a shaky breath. "I know, for the same goes for me." When her eyes opened she gazed at him.

"Come here," He requested. The second she laid back down he held her close. Using his free hand to wipe away her tears as his occupied hand rubbed her back. "No more tears."

She laughed softly as she relaxed against him. Slowly lulled to sleep by his gentle caresses.

.

.

.

.

.

When he woke he instantly regretted it. During his slumber the pain pills had worn off and he could barely feel anything but pain. He gritted his teeth and tried to breathe steady to ride out the pain.

'No wonder I passed out. This freaking hurts.' He felt the sharp pains in his chest and hissed.

"Gary…" Ann murmured sleepily. When she felt his sweat drenched skin and saw his face she shot up and dug in the medical kit for more pain pills. He barely felt her sitting behind his head, her lap replacing his pillow. When the water bottle pressed against his lips he drank and when the pill was pressed he swallowed.

Her hands ran through his hair and gently rubbed his temple. "Breathe," She soothed.

"Sorry," He panted as he tried to wait the pain out until the pill kicked in.

"You shouldn't have to suffer through this alone." She smiled softly and bent to kiss his forehead.

He groaned. "How long until the pain killers kick in?"

"Thirty minutes," She replied.

"Damn it," He hissed as he became very much aware of how bad his abdomen wound felt.

"What hurts worse?" She asked and her free hand went under the blankets.

"Abdomen," He gritted out.

Ann nodded in understanding and her free hand rested over the wound. The white hot burning sensation was replaced by cold. "Better?"

"Much…" He breathed in relief. His other wounds weren't as painful as the one that Ann soothed. He felt Ann continuing to sooth the wound with a cold Aura, vaguely feeling the location of her hand. "What happened to my clothes?"

Ann blinked. "We had to burn them."

Despite his pain he smirked. "Not up for a little needlework your majesty?" He teased lightly.

Ann frowned and poked his uninjured shoulder. "I'll get you new ones, besides- I doubt you would have worn that bloody mess even if I repaired it."

"Only would have to see your frustration." He smirked.

Ann smirked back and continued to stroke his hair. "Who said I would mend it?"

He paused then chuckled. "Figures," He raised his hand over his torso to feel the bandages and the wounds beneath, "You did this?" He wondered as he felt the signs of a stitched wound and a burn. He glanced up at her face to see her calm, solemn expression.

"I did," She replied faintly.

He closed his eyes and relaxed under her touch. "Thank you."

She smiled softly. "Don't mention it," She bent down to kiss him briefly before sliding her hand over his wounds. Using her Sight to see how better or worse they were. "If I made you something light, would you eat it?" She asked while checking.

He noticed how hungry he was but his pain made it less than what it should be. "I can try."

She replaced her lap with a pillow. "I'll be back soon," She promised before disappearing down the hall.

.

Ann glanced over the cabinet's contents before tying her hair back and starting a small breakfast for Gary and a cup of tea for herself.

"How is he?"

She glanced toward the door: seeing Kaz leaning casually against the doorframe.

"Waiting for the pain killers to kick in," She replied and poured an extra cup for her cousin. "You?"

Kaz nodded in thanks and sat down with the cup in hand. "I'll live."

Ann sipped her tea and stirred the oatmeal. "I meant more than your ribs, Kaze."

Kaz sighed. "My expectations were low in the first place. I'm numb," He confessed and stared at the cup. "It's been a very long, bad year. First Lizzie now Ayden…" His throat closed and he squeezed his eyes shut.

Ann gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze. "I'm sorry."

"You shouldn't be-"

"Do you really believe that, cousin?" Ann questioned, "I knew the same information you did about your birth parents and didn't think to have better surveillance and protection over your house. I failed at one duty, not just as a monarch but as family and a friend. Ayden will come home alive. That much I can do."

"How?"

Silently, Ann moved toward the basement's staircase. She walked down several then turned around, prying off the board of one step- pulling a thin metal box from the compartment before sliding the board back into place.

"Don't tell a soul where you got this." Ann instructed before handing him the box. "Lance would all but kill me if he found out."

Kaz stared at the box for a moment before opening it, revealing file after file of information: maps with locations, passwords, hacked information, agents' personal files, and even blueprints of buildings. "This is…"

"Last month I've aided in the capture of several Team Rocket members. That's the copies of what they had on them during the time of their arrest and what they gave during interviews." Ann explained while placing a bowl on the tray and washing the pot.

"Wouldn't Giovanni already know that this information was captured?" Kaz wondered.

Ann smirked. "The agents were replaced with spies, some even agreed to be spies for the Elite to avoid jail time."

"They'd be able to help trace him." Kaz looked back at the files.

Ann nodded. "We can talk more about this later, but keep that hidden for a while."

"I will," He promised then Ann nodded once more before carrying the tray back to the guest room.

.

.

.

.

Gary grimaced as he found himself falling asleep while eating. Had he not been injured he would have enjoyed seeing Ann hand feed him, but he was tired and several times she pinched his hand to jerk him awake to attempt to eat more.

"I shouldn't feel this tired." He sighed.

Ann set the bowl aside and picked up the medical kit before sitting back down. "It's understandable. I doubt anyone wouldn't feel drained after losing as much blood as you did."

"That bad?" He thought aloud while Ann carefully eased the bandages off.

Ann glanced up at his face for a moment before returning her attention to his chest. "The bullet didn't hit your heart or major arteries, but it did nick a few minor arteries."

Gary gapped at her and in return she looked up for another moment.

"Aura does more that kill, wound, see, or sooth." Ann stated bluntly, "I had enough energy left to heal the smaller damage the bullet made before I had to resort to, as you say, medieval methods of healing."

He stared at his chest and saw that the wound was burned shut. He sighed and laid his head back on the pillow. "Let that one scar."

Ann glanced up but then nodded before unrolling the new bandage. She worked in silence for several minutes before looking up. "If you're tired sleep."

"I've slept too much." He moaned.

Ann smiled and tied off the last bandage. "Sleep," She kissed his cheek, "I'll be here when you wake."

He moaned again but closed his eyes.