Groggy and disorientated doesn't begin to define how I feel. I crane my neck side to side, loosening the stiff muscles. I take in my unfamiliar surroundings. I'm in a big bed, wearing only my underwear and bra. A T.V. faces me and on the other side of me is a side table without any clock or phone, just a cup with steam drifting out of it. I peer over at the cup to further inspect its contents and my stomach rumbles from hunger.

"You should really drink something, you must be exhausted."

I look up startled; Lincoln's green eyes stare back at me. They aren't overflowing with warmth but rather seem to be barely containing a storm churning deep within. I reach over and suck down the cups contents, unfortunately it wasn't coffee; it was green tea, but I am in no state to argue. As soon as the contents are downed I feel infinite times better, that is, until I look up again and see Lincoln still staring at me like he wants to bleed a hole through my face. I shrink back at the look of unadulterated anger on his face, "That must have really helped. I'm sure it was draining to jump out of a ten-story window." I opened my mouth to defend myself but was cut off by his no-nonsense lecture. "I'm sure you didn't consider the after-effects of your decision though, I mean, I'm sure you thought there would be no after-effects, what with you jumping out of a ten-story window!" He bit out. I wanted to defend myself. Show him I was still a skilled warrior who thought her plans through. I hated it when Lincoln was disappointed in me, especially when it came to being a warrior. But I couldn't lie. I didn't consider my own life when I jumped out that window. I only considered saving Lincoln, giving him a chance to escape. All of a sudden I felt some of my own rage start to form,

"This. This right here Lincoln is why I told you to stay away. I can't afford to worry about my life." Lincoln growled but I plowed ahead, "I am a ticking bomb Linc. My timer will expire soon and until it does it is my job to take out every obstacle in my way. Eventually I will run out of time and when that time comes I will explode, taking everything I can down with me. I'm going to die Lincoln. I've accepted that and it's time you do too." It would have been a lot more climactic if I had been able to storm out at that point but alas, I had no energy. Lincoln narrowed his eyes at me, causing me to actually want to hide under the blanket.

"Well that was quite the speech Violet." I flinched at the harsh baritone his voice held. "You're forgetting one important fact though, your death will also take out Spence, Steph, Zoe, Griffin, your mom and dad, and me…" his voice lost its conviction as he spoke until his last whispered word. I could feel the wetness on my face and knew I was crying. He was right and I was suddenly bombarded with emotion as I realized my death held meaning to more than just myself. I did something so stupid and pointless that I couldn't name one logical reason why, I just had to do something to protect myself. I ducked under the blankets, letting myself be fooled that it hid the tears pouring down my face. That the blanket was some alternate reality and that when I was done I could resurface and nothing would have changed. I felt the bed dip and knew that someone else was about to join in my alternate universe and transport me back home. Lincoln pulled me up and pressed me close to him. Stroking my hair as I let the tears fall, he didn't say anything, he knew I had gotten the message. After a few minutes of soothing Lincoln held my face in his hands, his thumb chasing away the tears. His eyes held the softness and warmth only he could convey. "I'm sorry I had to say that. But it's true Vi. You mean so much to everyone who loves you." He paused, taking in a deep breath before whispering, "And you mean the world to me." He pressed his cool lips to my forehead. "You have to stop this. You aren't a machine. I'm going to help you fulfill your promise but I won't let you out of this bed if you are going to continue this suicide mission." I raised one eyebrow, focusing only on the part where he said I couldn't leave this bed. He would tie me to this bed? Not such a bad alternative. Lincoln laughed a deep, soul-fulfilling laugh as he realized what my reaction was to. He hugged me closer. "Well that does sound like an enticing offer but you know what I mean." I sighed, mulling what he said over in my head. Not quite coming to a conclusion about how I feel about his threat, no matter how sensual it was. I figured it was pointless to argue anymore since I had no idea what my plan was anyway.

"Okay," I conceded.

"Okay what Vi?"

I frowned at him, shooting him a glare, which only elicited his panty-dropping smile, "Okay, I'll think about it."

His smile dropped, "You're going to have to do a lot more than that if you want any freedom. But I'll take it for now. You're not going anywhere for a while anyway."

Realization hit me, "Where are we by the way?"

Lincoln smiled a bit, "This is my old home. I never sold it after my mom… died. I figured it was safe because no one really knew it was mine." I could tell how sad it made him to be here, but he brought me here nonetheless. I looked around again, taking in the space with a fresh pair of eyes, before another realization caused a blush to spread from my head to my toes. Lincoln's lip twitched, watching my face, "What? Why do you look like you just had a dirty thought? Did you just have a dirty thought?" My blush deepened and I tried to push away from Lincoln. He raised his brow.

"Lincoln, I need clothes."

Lincoln grinned like he just won the lottery, "You don't need clothes. No one else is here."

I rolled my eyes, "yes but you are. Therefore I believe clothes are in order."

Lincoln rolled back; his head resting on his hands, "well too bad," his eyes glinted wickedly. "Because your clothes were wrecked after your fall and it's currently too dangerous to leave this apartment. So… I guess you're going to have to make do with what you have."

My blush deepened, "Lincoln! I need clothes!"

"Why? It's not like I haven't seen it before."

I pushed at his chest, "So not the point."

His grin widened, "Well in my house you aren't allowed to wear clothes. So you're outta luck."

I gave him one last shove before hoisting myself off of the bed and scrambling from the bedroom and into the hall. I'm sure he got an eyeful. I made my way through the hall until I found a bathroom. I shut myself in it and glanced around for anything to wear. I spotted a towel but that would be a pain in the butt to keep secured plus Lincoln could easily pull it off of me. Sighing heavily at my lack of options I resorted to yelling, "Lincoln Wood! If you don't find me something to wear I'm going to flood your bathroom!"

I heard his deep laugh immediately, the one that stirred my soul into action. "Fine! Calm down I'll find you something to wear cranky."

Seconds later there was a knock on the door. I cracked it open just enough for my arm to shoot out, waiting for the clothes. Lincoln, however, had other ideas, he pushed the door open further and let his eyes wander from my head to toe, taking in my mismatched bra and panties before lingering on my chest. I folded my arms over myself, "Lincoln!" I snapped.

He didn't stop looking, appraising me shamelessly. After half a minute of his intense staring I finally reached forward and snatched the shirt in from his hand. It smelled like him, mint with honey and just delicious. It was a maroon jersey and had the word "Woods" on the back and the number 27 on the front. I smirked, "is this your football jersey?"

"Yep. You're lucky too. A bunch of girls would've died if I gave them my jersey."

I rolled me eyes, "I bet." I stared at him, waiting for him to leave so I could put it on.

Lincoln stared back, "Oh I'm sorry are you waiting for me to leave?"

I gave him a no-duh look.

"Well that's too bad cause like I said you aren't leaving my sights." He leaned back against the door frame.

I felt my heart rate accelerate as his eyes began another perusal of my body. I turned around and quickly slunk on the jersey, it ended at my knees, but it would have to do. I turned back around and saw the look of possessiveness mixed with pure love in Lincoln's eyes. Moments when I just wanted to pound my head against the wall for not being able to love him. He leaned forward and slowly pressed his lips to mine, pouring every ounce of his love and compassion for me. I stood stark still as my soul began to stir. Before I was even given a chance to respond Lincoln pulled away and walked out of the bathroom. Leaving me with my swollen lips and memories.