Schoolwork's been tight, but I managed to squeeze this in between studying for physics and french.

"So you're saying that this man jumped on you out of nowhere and saved you?" Nutty asked as she brushed aside her bread crumbs.

Yelena nodded warily. "Look, I know it sounds strange but -"

"That's so heroic!" Nutty broke in, her face lit up.

"Pfft. Please. The man probably thought I was another damsel in distress. And you know I hate being treated like I'm weak just because I'm a woman." Yelena looked down at her dinner, which she had barely picked at. For some reason, she had felt a strong sense of melancholy after the incident had occured. She supposed that she was expected to feel elated, and filled with an enthusiasm for life after she was nearly speared with a scythe, but she could feel nothing of the sort. She had a growing suspicion that it was all due to the man with the blue eyes.

Nutty on the other hand, noticed her cousin's new descent into sadness. "Come on, Yelena, let's get going! It's almost time to see them." She stood up, frowning as her cousin copied her movements, but with far less enthusiasm. Obviously Walnut had picked on her far too much and that day's events probably brought back memories of the teasings Walnut would always give her.

Hopefully, seeing the man that Nutty knew Yelena had fallen in love with (even though Yelena didn't know it herself), was going to cheer her up and bring back her appetite.

"Sir, it's just around that corner," Janco said nervously. He was sweating profusely from worrying about the encounter. What if it wasn't her? What if it was just some random woman? Valek would have his head for that, dragging him out on busy local streets after dinner for "important official business".

On the other hand...he would be able to see his dear Nutty again. The girl whose words made him happy just by looking at them. The girl who helped him write his songs. The girl he had written a song for.

Valek sighed wearily. He hadn't gotten much sleep the night before, probably because thoughts about the mysterious Yelena had ensured he would not be able to doze off. In the months after he had stopped writing, he had devoted himself to more training, more spying, more everything. He had thrown himself in and immersed himself in his job, hoping that the physical and mental exertion would divert his thoughts.

But nothing could fill that part of him that felt empty without her words. Empty without her stories that made him both laugh and smile in sympathy. The way she would know exactly how he felt and why.

In fact, just thinking about her again was making him have a massive headache.

"You're getting thirty more laps to run tommorrow if this isn't something good," he growled, taking out his anger.

Janco sighed in relief. Sure, thirty laps wasn't anything to be ecstatic about, but at least he wasn't going to be butchered into little pieces and fed to snow cats. "Yes sir."

When the two rounded the corner, the Unity Fountain sprung into sight. Made of one piece of marble that had to be transported from the Emeral Mountains, it was carved into spheres within spheres and was truly a work of art and beauty. As Janco squinted in anticipation, he saw a slim form emerge from behind the fountain and stop suddenly as she saw him.

"Janco!" Without warning, a slim, petite woman nearly barreled him over with a hug.

He smiled crookedly. After all, he was quite irresistable. And modest too. "Nutty?" Tilting her face up, he smiled down after her, taking in her warm tinted skin and long dark hair. No doubt about it, she was the most beautiful sight he had ever seen.

"If you brought me here just to witness a meeting between you and your sweetheart," Valek's dry voice interjected," I'm afraid that there's more than thirty laps waiting for you tomorrow."

Nutty stumbled out of his arms and turned around. "But...but, that's impossible. She was right behind me. Yelena!"

Yelena heard Nutty cry out her name, but she didn't move from the niche she had hidden herself behind the fountain. When Nutty had finally dragged her to this place, she had been told that her correspondent would be here. And seeing the look of pity that lingered in Nutty's eyes was too much to bear. He had broken it off for a reason and there was no way she was going to let herself be hurt again.

Through the thin veil of water , she could make out the blurry forms of Nutty, a tall thing Ixian soldier and another man that moved like a panther. At the sound of her name, the man stiffened suddenly and Yelena could almost feel his sharp gaze fall on her. He began walking to the fountain with a deliberateness that reminded Yelena of a mouse being stalked by a cat. A snow cat.

It couldn't be him. It just couldn't be, Yelena thought as she moved to the left, always keeping him from seeing her. Why would be come to Sitia, after he had refused to write to her? After he had subjected her to sleepless nights where she had just lain awake, her heart heavy. It wouldn't matter to her anyhow, if it was truly him, Yelena told herself. He had deserted her and he hadn't wanted her. She wasn't going to start begging for him, if that was what he wanted.

He made a sudden swerved and he would almost be able to see her through the water. Yelena moved to the right again, struck again by the irony. Yes, it was like he was hunting her. Playing with his prey before destroying any hope she had.

But that last swerve of his was a trick. As soon as she had moved more to the left, he darted back around and caught her. And Yelena's eyes blurred with tears as strong arms came around her.

Janco and Nutty finally met! :)