Hello again everyone! Sorry if I don't update as regular as usual. I'm coming down with a bit of a cold that refuses to go away - no matter how much tea and water I drink. But you guys inspire me. I have to admit, I struggled with this chapter a bit. The beginning is a bit rough, but it gets better. Now for responses...
Marina Ka-Fai: Mick really does have nasty reactions. Honestly, I've never like him in HOA. He kind of annoys me :P. Thanks for the review!
jisela: They do? Aww, thanks! I get that feeling whenever I see Jerome in HOA. Sigh. Thank you so much! You are amazing as well, and your writing is fantastic!
Happy New Year to you lovelies! 3

"Okay Jerome," Doctor Max said, "I will let you use your other arm, but you have to be careful." Jerome nodded eagerly as Samantha removed the sling and let his arm carefully drop.

"That means nothing extreme Jerome," I said, grinning at him.

"I won't Dad," Jerome said, then faced Doctor Max. "Does this mean I can go back to the house soon?" He asked, putting back on his shirt.

"Soon," Doctor Max nodded. "We'll just monitor you for a few more days then you can return to school." Jerome chuckled and slowly stood up with Samantha's help. He grabbed the crutches that were leaning against a chair and placed them under his arms.

"Slowly Jerome," Samantha said, opening the door. Jerome slowly swung his way out of the door, Samantha and I following. Before I left the room, I shook Doctor Max's hand and smiled.

"Thank you," I said, "For everything," Doctor Max nodded happily, a smile slowly spreading across his face.

"Look after him John," He replied, firmly shaking my hand back. I nodded my head and walked down the hallway, slowly following Samantha and Jerome.

By the time we reached Jerome's room, he was sweating and looked exhausted. Samantha and I helped him into the bed and I arranged the blankets around him. Jerome leaned heavily against the pillows, relaxing his sore muscles. "Get some rest son," I said. Jerome nodded and closed his eyes. Soon his breathing became regular and he was asleep. I turned to Samantha and held out my hand. "Thank you for everything," I said. Samantha took my hand and shook it, then surprised me by pulling me into a loose embrace. She pulled back, looking embarrassed.

"I'm sorry, it's just that…" she trailed off, glancing at Jerome.

"What?" I asked. Samantha shook her head and sighed.

"It's nothing. Your welcome, Mr. Clarke. I did my best, and I hope he recovers fully," she said. Her voice sounded stiff, as if she was hiding something. I shook the thought off and left the room silently as Samantha checked over Jerome.

PAGE BREAK

I sat on my bed, deep in thought. Every part of me wanted to tell Jerome about Mick and our… kiss, but something deep in my heart kept me from it. I didn't want to hurt Jerome. He was already fragile, and his emotions had already shone through in the past two weeks.

I loved Jerome, and had since the day Mick and I separated. But now I felt something different, something less of love towards him. The nurse – Samantha – had feelings for Jerome. I could tell it by the way she looked at Jerome and cared for him. Her excitement over teaching him to walk was tremendous.

"Mara? Are you okay?" a voice asked from the doorway. I turned and saw Joy standing under the door frame. "You missed supper. Is everything all right?"

"I guess so," I answered, trying to cover up my feelings. Joy sat next to me and shook her head.

"There's something going on. Since Mick visited, you've been acting weird. You've been avoiding him during the day and sit in your room thinking at night." Joy said.

Have I really been avoiding him that much that everyone is noticing? I asked myself. I looked Joy straight in the eyes. In a burst of breath, I told her about Mick and my kiss together, and the way I felt afterwards. Joy patted my back in small, circular motions.

"Are you going to tell Jerome?" She asked.

PAGE BREAK

Once again, I found myself sitting alone in dark room. I was seated on a hard metal chair that felt cold against me. I shuddered, and looked at my surroundings. I tried to peer through the darkness, but it was black and thick, like fog or ink.

"Ah, welcome Jerome," a male voice said. I turned to the source to see Rufus stepping into the small amount of light around me. He held a bloodstained rod in his hand and had a sneer across his face. "So we meet again," His voice was cold and blank, as if he had no emotion or feelings.

I shrunk back against the metal chair in fear as he stepped forward. Rufus laughed and slowly raised the rod. "No! Wait!" A voice called out from a corner of the room. Rufus slowly lowered the rod as another figure stepped into the small pool of light. The figure was small, with hair almost as dark as the blackness around us and piercing green eyes. "Leave him alone!" She shouted.

"Samantha," Rufus said deeply, chuckling. "So glad that you could join us! Now you can watch this boy – this fool – die!" He shouted. Samantha tried to run towards me but thick ropes of pure darkness surrounded her, holding her back. She struggled against the bonds only in vain. Rufus laughed, his voice echoing around my head. He stepped forward, the rod raised. As it lowered, I felt a searing pain in my head. Stars filled my vision and I heard Samantha cry out. I slumped off the chair, hitting the cement hard.

"So, it takes more than a blow to the head to kill a Clarke," Rufus said. I saw him reach into his pocket and pull out a gun. He quickly cocked it and pointed it at my head.

"Let him go!" Samantha yelled in anger, pulling harder against her restraints. Rufus laughed again and shook his head, no mercy in his pale eyes.

"No, I want you to see him die," He put his finger on the trigger. I looked at Samantha, who had tears streaming down her face. "Once your gone Jerome, it'll be her turn to join you," Rufus said, smirking.

"Please…" I managed to say. But I was too late. Rufus placed the gun an inch away from my temple and fired. I heard a gunshot and a scream then felt pain. I then fell into a whirling void of darkness and torture.

"Jerome!" I heard a voice say. My eyes snapped open and fell upon Samantha's worried face. She sighed and helped me sit up.

"I had another dream," I said, choking out a sob.

"I know Jerome, but it's alright. I'm here now, no one can hurt you." Samantha reassured as she massaged my shoulders.

"It was terrifying Samantha," I sobbed, leaning into her. Samantha placed her chin on my head and allowed me to cry. She didn't seem to mind that I was getting her purple scrubs wet for the second time this week. Once my eyes were dry and the dream had almost escaped me, I leaned back and stared at the ceiling. "I'm a mess," I said.

"No you are not Jerome," Samantha said. "It's just side effects of what you went through." I nodded and grabbed her hands. They felt warm in my cold grip. I looked deeply into Samantha's beautiful green eyes and leaned closer. I slowly pulled her face closer to mine, expecting resistance. But Samantha willingly leaned forward and placed her lips upon mine.

Fireworks flew behind my closed eyelids and our lips met. I could feel her hand on my back and could smell her soft hair. After a moment, we both pulled apart. Samantha looked down at the floor, embarrassed.

"I shouldn't have," she said, shaking her head.

"I can't deny my feelings for you Samantha. Ever since we've met I've felt attracted to you, and I really like you." I said. Samantha lifted her gaze and met mine.

"I've felt the same way," she said quietly. I grinned and pulled her close once again, tightly embracing her.

Thanks for sticking with me to chapter 10! Haha, I guess it is a new year! Please Review, it always inspires me! Thanks again! Until next time!