A/N: Told you i'd update soon! Please read, enjoy, and review!

Chapter 10.

Breathless

The sun was high in the sky by the time I made it back to camp. I couldn't get the thought of that blonde woman out of my mind. She knew. But had she told anyone? I guess only time would tell. I tried not to think about it as I slid down from the horse and looked around. Cale was nowhere to be seen, but Logan was still resting. I tied up the horse and took out the pouch. Then I hurried over to Logan, kneeling at his side as I tried to catch my breath.

"Logan. Logan? Logan wake up!" I panted.

His eyes finally opened. "What?" he said softly, disoriented.

"I got some bandages. Now hold still—"

Logan looked confused, but before he could say anything I had already pulled the blanket off his chest, revealing the wound, and opened the bottle, which smelled strongly of alcohol. He watched me through tired eyes.

"Where did you—" He sharply sucked in air through his teeth as I took the sponge from inside the bottle and dabbed it on his injury. I soaked the sponge again and wiped the sore and all around it, Logan wincing all the while.

Once I was done thoroughly cleaning his injury, I closed the bottle and took out the bandages, dropping the pills into my hand. Then I placed the gauze on his shoulder and taped it securely, no longer having to apply pressure since it had finally stopped bleeding. Logan just lay there without speaking, his eyes closed. When I was done, I put the pills in his hand.

"Take these." I helped him into a sitting position and handed him his canteen. He took the pills without complaint, and closed his eyes again as he lay back down.

"Thank you, Kendra." Logan's words were soft, but I still heard them.

"You're welcome," I answered, though I knew he was only half-awake. I decided to let him sleep. As I began to reach for the blanket to cover him up, he raised his hand and took my hand in his. He rested his hand on his chest, stroking my fingers. I could feel his steady heartbeat.

I watched as he fell back asleep, treasuring the peaceful look on his face. I smiled. I had done it.

"Kendra?"

I looked up to see Cale coming through the trees, carrying a string with three fish on the end. I slipped my hand out of Logan's grip and stood up as Cale came near. "Where did you—" but he stopped mid-question, comprehension dawning. He saw the bandage on Logan's shoulder, and, to my surprise, he wasn't angry. "Thank you."

I was shocked at his words. I didn't know what I expected, but it wasn't that.

"I'm glad you made it back safely," he said. If anything could have shocked me more than him thanking me, it was saying those words.

He looked back at Logan. I stared at Cale, feeling his intense relief, and I knew why he wasn't mad at my disobedience. I had taken one of their horses and gone to town without his permission. I'd risked their safety as well as mine by doing it, but I had helped Logan, therefore forgiveness was required.

"I'm going to bathe," I said finally. Cale didn't seem to notice I'd said anything but set down his fish and moved to check the horses. I took Logan's canteen and filled it up in the river. The next thing I did was to remove the bandage from my hand. I laid it on the rock next to Logan's clean shirt and then removed my shoes, dress and undergarments and waded out into the sunny river. The water wasn't nearly as cold in the midday. I held my breath and submerged myself, scrubbing the dirt out of my hair. My skin welcomed the water joyously. I didn't have any soap, but the cool current soothed my scrapes and bruises. Once I was done, I returned to land, wringing the water out of my hair. I patted myself dry with my underdress before shaking it out and putting it back on. Then I pulled on my dress and shoes and took a seat in the grass, raking my fingers through my short hair. I picked up the pouch with the alcohol in it and cleaned my own cut, wincing at the burning sensation. Then I replaced the gauze around my hand. I sighed at the glory of being clean—I had never appreciated at bath more. I took a few minutes to relax. Then I grabbed Logan's shirt and returned to the clearing to see him awake, watching Cale build a fire. The fish lay next to it, now cleaned and gutted.

Cale looked up and Logan followed his gaze. Logan smiled when he saw me, and I was glad to see him no longer in pain, but as he sat up, his smiled faded. He looked at his shoulder and gave a start when he saw the gauze wrapped around it.

"What's this?" He stared at his bandaged shoulder and then at my bandaged hand. He looked to Cale. "Where did you get it?"

Cale shook his head, his eyes not leaving the growing fire. "Not me," he said.

Logan's shocked expression turned to me.

I set down his shirt and canteen and knelt next to him. I knew this was coming. Logan had been in too much pain and half-asleep to register what I'd done. Now he knew, and I wasn't sure how he'd take it. "I went back to town," I told him. "You needed—"

"What?" Logan's voice had risen loudly, horror filling his eyes, but he turned back to Cale. "Cale, you—"

"She snuck off while we were sleeping," he said calmly. "Took a horse. Got back pretty fast, actually."

Logan's gaze was back on me. "You went back there by yourself? Are you insane?"

"Calm down Logan," I answered, trying to keep my own voice calm. "I went straight to the apothecary and came right back."

Logan glared at me. "You should never wander off by yourself. Something could have happened to you!"

"But nothing did!" As the words left my mouth I reluctantly thought of the grundgy man outside the apothecary. Now I knew what he had meant by 'worse things.' I didn't like that he was right. "Can't you just be happy you're okay?"

"Can't you just do as you're told?"

I stood up defensively. "Well sorry if I didn't want to see you die! I had to do something."

"No you didn't!" Logan's mouth was set in an angry line, his face had turned red with anger. "Cale would have taken care of it."

"It would have been too late!" I yelled. "I knew you two couldn't go back to Dubia, and the next town is thirty miles away! I had no choice."

Logan huffed. "Well, that was a foolish assumption."

His words hurt, but I covered it up with anger. "That's how you thank the person who saved you?"

"I didn't ask you to save me!"

"Oh, that's right, because you're to stubborn to ask for favors!"

"I am not—"

"I've had enough." I turned around and stalked off toward the river, angry tears stinging my eyes.

I stood at the top of the bank, looking out over the water, but not really seeing it. Blinking away tears, I stared up at the surrounding trees, waiting for my face to dry. A few minutes later, I heard leaves crunching behind me, and since I couldn't feel any hint of emotion, I knew it must be Logan. He walked slowly, and stopped a few feet away. I wiped my cheeks but remained silent. I was too angry to talk. I thought by doing something nice for Logan it would return the favor for him saving me, but he was just as angry as ever. It seemed no matter how hard I tried, I could never do anything right. How had I gotten myself into this mess?

"Kendra, I'm sorry."

I sighed. "No I'm sorry, Logan. I promise I'll never try to help you again." I crossed my arms, staring angrily at the river.

"That's not what I meant." His voice was quiet behind me. I couldn't tell if he was still mad or not. I wished I could see his face, but I couldn't look at him yet. I was too mad.

"It doesn't matter. Just forget it," I said sharply.

"Gosh Kendra," I heard him heave a sigh of annoyance. "You are the most... frustrating person I've ever met.

"Back at you."

I heard him shuffle his feet in the leaves. Then his footsteps moved toward me.

"Go away," I said, not wanting to argue with him again, but I could hear him keep coming.

I felt his hand on my shoulder and sighed in frustration. "I said—"

But as I turned around to face him, I was shocked to see tears in his eyes. His hazel gaze bore into me, reaching down into my very soul. "Logan—"

Then his lips were on mine, shutting me up significantly. My anger melted away instantly, and so did my legs. He held me in his arms as he kissed me softly, and I clung to him with the remainder of my strength.

Logan pulled away. "I'm sorry for what I said. I was senseless, and scared. When I saw that man strangling you it frightened me more than I thought possible. I didn't want to feel that way again." He paused, shaking his head. "Kendra, If I had lost you... I mean... I don't know what I—"

"Apology accepted." I reached behind his head and pulled myself closer to him. Having thrown myself into the kiss a little too eagerly, I somehow managed to knock him backwards, bringing me down with him. A pile of leaves broke our fall, but neither of us really noticed that we were on the ground. All I felt was his breath on my skin and the light brush of his fingers against my bruised face. Once my racing heart threatened to burst from my chest, I rolled over onto the ground next to him, catching my breath. As we lay there next to each other, I looked over at Logan and blushed. His deep gaze pierced me and I felt completely exposed.

I couldn't help but smile. "I'm glad you're okay. Sorry I yelled."

He chuckled. "Apology accepted."