Chapter 10- "Temporary Goodbye"

I stand with the showers scolding water rushing over my skin. No matter how much I scrub, the feel of the thickened and dried blood just wouldn't go away. I had all but rubbed away my top layer of skin the hour I spent in there.

Once I could no longer stand the heat of it and the suffocating steam though, I stumbled out onto the cold tile floor, a shivering running up my spine. I dried myself and got dressed in a rush to hide from the surrounding cold.

They were comfortable things, the cotton un-clinging against my form. I picked up my blood covered clothes carefully, wrapping them in the towel as I slipped into my main room again.

Caleb was unconscious, lying on the bed. There was thick bandaging wrapped around his abdomen, he bore no shirt, only clean pants Fray had given him. I look to Fray then, who was working on the blood stain in the rug.

He noticed the towel and nodded to a bag, that held both his bloodied clothes and Caleb's. I walked to it forcing it inside before I tied it closed. I crumpled to the floor next to it and the carpet had never felt so comfortable to me before. My eyes become heavy and I wished to sleep, but I can't- not until I know for sure Caleb is cured.

It was well around three in the morning now. We had spent hours in here- me mostly pacing franticly- but now that we had gotten Caleb together we had to clean up the evidence. The blood I had trailed through the hall to get Fray was already cleaned, but the room needed more work.

Fray promised me that no one would know. He stole things… supplies for Caleb. Pain medicine and the bandages, the stitches he put in. I wondered where he learned how to do that, but it wasn't the time for questions.

My eyelids dropped slightly and I sat up straighter, shaking my head clear.

"You should sleep Keera, you have training tomorrow." Fray murmurs and I looked to him, biting my lip.

I didn't want to go; I didn't want to leave this room. It was easier going into the Games without having Caleb in my arms reach, and tearing myself away was going to take too much effort. "Can't I-"

"No." Fray commands, sternly. "The boy will be fine; I will take him out of here as soon as he wakes. I will hide him in my house." I smile at this, and I open my mouth the thank him, but he continues on. "But once he is better, he will leave. I don't want to know who did this, or who he is. You got me, no details. But you will go through with this, with the Games Keera, you volunteered."

I drop my eyes.

I did, I know I did. I volunteered for this; I knew I could endanger him. But I hadn't known... I had thought he was strong enough to get away… but I didn't think Blake would throw him to the dogs- so to speak. I couldn't cower liked a child, not after it was my decision.

The others could pout at the unfairness, but I could not. I made the sacrifice for Aven and I have to keep it.

I took a few deep breaths, and slowly I slid back into the wall behind me, closing my eyes. "I'll try to sleep." I say, knowing he will know it is my word of agreement.

I do mange to drift off sometime later, when Fray has finished cleaning and took the bag of clothes. He turned the light off and promised me that it will be him- not Pippa- who will wake me tomorrow… or well today.

I was just falling into a deeper sleep when a dream morphed in my mind; it had been me with Jack, cradling him. But then something shifted, the whole scene, my whole view of things.

I was standing frozen in the spot and I couldn't do anything, then Sirius was there. Staring at me and he reached forward gently taking Jack from me.

I opened my mouth to shout, but nothing came out.

Then someone laughed behind me and I felt arms wrap around my waist. Lips press against my neck, trailing down to my shoulder and then he drew against the length of my back. I caught a glimpse of Blake out of the corner of my eye and I felt like vomiting.

Sirius suddenly looked up at me, from having been coddling Jack, and he looked alarmed. I heard screaming and it sounded- it sounded like Eric's… but no I- I

I gasp, a jolt running up my body and causing me to jump back against the wall. My head snapping painfully against it.

I lift a hand to rub my throbbing scalp, but then I hear another half-groan, half- scream and I looked to the bed. Caleb is awake, trying to move and I'm scuttling across the room in seconds.

"Shh- Shh- its okay, you're fine. No one knows." I tell him, hovering around the bed. My hands lowered to his trashing face, so I can turn it up to mine. "Caleb. Look at me."

He groans and then his eyes open slightly. He looks confused and tired; I slouched on the side of the bed one of my hands stroking through his hair my other having grabbed the other one of his, holding it tightly.

"The man..?" He croaks and I hush him again, running my fingers over his forehead.

"He fixed you, you'll be fine. He's going to keep you hidden until you are able to do it yourself. In the morning he'll get you out of here." I tell him.

He's groggy and I'm not sure if he will remember this, but I want to comfort him.

But even in this state he is too smart for his own good.

"You mean while you go off to your death." He says and I sigh.

"I have to, Caleb. I vol-"

"I saw." He whispers, before I finish, and his eyes open a little wider. There is less pain in them now and I can breathe easier with just that. "You did it for Aven, I understand."

I nod silently, my throat was tight. He always understood. Always. Even when it wasn't me.

Like with his brother, I could tell last night he held nothing against Blake for tripping him. To Caleb that was just his brother trying to protect himself, and he allowed it. Even when the Peacekeepers laughed with joy, whipping him repeatedly like a slab of meat. He still understood, he still believed better of them… that they could change.

He reaches up suddenly, with his free hand, and he wipes away the tears that fell from my eyes.

"Don't cry." He says and I smile slightly, a sob escaping my lips and then his arms wraps around me. He pulls me down across the bed, tucking me against his chest.

I'm careful not to prod his stomach as he tucks my head into the crook of his neck. And this time it's him murmuring comforting words. He continues to cradle me and rock me within his arms as I start to get lost in my tears.

This is the first time anyone has done this for me. I have only comforted those who sobbed. I have only let myself cry to myself late at night, alone. And it is a nice change.

His hand runs up and down along my back, and I feel as if I would never be able to tear myself away from him. The thought made me cry all over again and he continued to hold me even then.

Once I was in control, I pulled back a little to look him in the face and he looked back at me, the smolder firmly back into place within his eyes. I had feared last night it would never be back, but to see it again made me melt against his form.

He opens his mouth and I prepare myself to hide from whatever he says, just knowing it will bring a blush to my face.

"Just being here with you one night… was worth the stabbing." He whispered and of course, of course, my face is on fire as I press closer to his chest, hiding from those eyes of his.

He pinches my arm lightly, not enough to hurt and he adds. "Won't you let me look at you?"

"No." I murmur, and he laughs lightly sending a vibration through my body and making my heart leap.

"Why not?" He asks, a slight pout in his voice.

I pinch his own arm back now, muttering. "Because you never shut up."

He seemed to consider this for a minute before ducking closer and saying. "If you're kissing me, I can't say anything."

He sounded quite proud of that thought and I snuck a small glance up at his face. He was grinning hopefully down at me and I was about to say no, because I just know he will manage another thing that will make me blush, but he suddenly whispers. "After all… I am weak, sick- you know. You should pity me, I'm in pain."

I roll my eyes, at his dramatics and then slowly move up, pressing my lips to his firmly. But I pull back all too soon, giving him a stern look. "I'm supposed to be sleeping."

He frowns, but then he sees the falseness in my eyes, he knows I've just said it so I can claim that I had in fact mentioned it and he grins, swooping down to my lips once more.

And a little later- okay a lot later- we actually did get some sleep, or like practically none.

Fray came in, looking very disapproving of my new sleeping spot and he ordered me to go to breakfast, distract Pippa and Sirius, while he snuck Caleb out.

I get up to go, but when Fray has his back turned I stand on my toes kissing Caleb one last time, whispering. "I'm going to win this; I'm going to come back for you."

He smiles, though it doesn't reach his eyes, but there is no way to know if it's the cut that discomforts him or my words that he doesn't believe. All I know is when he is walking out the door he ducks to my ears saying. "Not if I come to find you first."

I smile sadly, recognizing my own words and then he is walking away, and I have to watch. It's not as painful as the thought of him dying, but it is still hard.

I think what made it the easier was the belief I now had. That this was only a temporary goodbye. Because I meant what I said to him, I was going to win this game, even if it meant killing.

A/N: REALLY SHORT. I'm sorry, but this is where I needed to cut it. I hoped you enjoyed the sweet little scene though. Makes me sad reading this! v.v Thanks for reading, please review? Thanks. -Taryn(: