.

.

.

So much could happen in one day...sometimes it seemed impossible that the sun hadn't risen and set at least three more times. The camp was alive with motion and noise as many awaited the return of the riders. Quinn had seen Mercedes' friend Tina running back and forth between tents all day; Apparently not seeing your boyfriend for 15 days gave one an excess of nervous energy.

Quinn had been warned that there were as many good guys as there were idiots, and that some of them wouldn't hesitate to try and talk their way into someone's breeches. She went to the healer's tent and found it empty of patients, but busy all the same.

Joe saw her puzzled expression. "The riders always have some kind of injuries when they get back." He explained, "If it were serious they would've sent a runner for a healer, and they all have some aid training, but we always double-check any wounds. The last thing we need is someone dying because of a poorly treated wound."

Quinn sat on an un-occupied cot, and toyed with the edge of the blanket. "Do you lose many people?"

His green eyes saddened. "Rule number one of life is that people die. Rule number two is that healer's can't change rule number one."

She nodded. "Do many women die when they give birth?" Her voice softened.

Joe sat down next to her, and placed his hand over her restless one. "I won't lie; It does happen. But when you're young and healthy? There's no reason to think anything bad will happen." He wrapped his hand around hers. "Although most women threaten their child's father when they go into labor. We even had one that threw things at him."

Quinn laughed, and nodded. "I'm sure that if he were here, I would throw things as soon as the pain started as well." She stopped for a moment, and then continued. "Over three months ago, my parents had to go to one of the other Kingdoms for meetings with other Lords... trade agreements, I think. We were there for almost a month. When we arrived, there were a lot of parties to go to, lots of eligible sons of local nobilities looking for a wife. They were all just like my Father." She spat the word out as if it left a bad taste in her mouth. "And part of me knew that if I said yes to one of them I would end up bitter and angry. We stayed at the councilmen's home, and that's when I met him. "

She smiled slightly at the memory. "Tall, tanned, and nothing like a noble. He worked there. He cleaned the fountains and pools for Nobel houses... and apparently had affairs with half the married women in the city. Somehow, he still managed to be charming. I'd never seen a guy without his shirt on before, you know? He was beautiful... not like those boys with a disdain of sweat... More like the men here..." She realized what she'd said and blushed. "Anyways, we ended up alone in the guest wing. I offered him a drink after he'd finished cleaning, and I tried to be sophisticated, so I found a bottle of sweet wine. Then... well, we drank and talked and He made me feel beautiful. Like I mattered. Like I should decide what was going to happen in my future. And I know it was stupid, and I know I should regret it..." She looked up for the first time since she'd began speaking, "But I don't. Somehow, everything that's happened? It feels right. And if they'll let me... I think I might stay here."

.

It was madness, really. There wasn't any other adjective he could think of at the moment. Blaine found himself fetching things and running errands for people most of the day. It started out simply enough: Mira asked him to see if one of the metal-workers had a bridal-piece ready. It was, but the broad-shouldered man asked if Blaine would mind checking with Isabella about a garment his wife had ordered since he would be going that way anyways? Then of course, Isabella asked if he could take a message to someone... thankfully, that someone was Kurt. Now if he could just find him!

He wasn't sure what had possessed him to tell the other boy about what had been the worst night of his life, but somehow it had spilled out before he could stop it... And honestly, he hadn't wanted to. Maybe he should feel weak, or embarrassed for crying, Gods knew he would've caught hell if he'd been seen that way at home. Here though, it was accepted, embraced even. Miriam said that you couldn't love someone until you'd seen them cry... but he didn't want Kurt to fall in love with him... did he?

"Blaine!"

A voice suddenly called out his name, pulling him from his thoughts. He looked up to find a smiling Sam walking towards him. "Hey!" Blaine smiled back.

.

"Dude, where've you been? Wait, you get stuck running errands too?" Sam just rolled his eyes when Blaine nodded. "It's the same every time, y'know?"

.

"No, I don't actually." Blaine ran a hand through his curls that had been running rampant for the last few days. "I have no idea what's 'normal'," He air quoted, "Or that this usually happens."

.

"Oh yeah..." He shrugged, "Forgot about that, it was the same with me." He smiled as they walked. "The riders are a couple hundred strong, and let me tell you, it's one big pain in the backside when they have to go out on a run for a month. Or it's a pain when they get back anyways. Unroll and put up more tents, set up pens for the horses, clothing, medical. It's a mess, but it's normal." He steered Blaine into the food tent. "For now, we eat."

"Wait, I was suppose to find Kurt and..." Blaine protested.

"Tell me what?" A voice interrupted. The shorter boy turned and saw Kurt balancing two trays. "I told Sam to go find you. Things are hectic, but that's no excuse to miss mid-day."

"Oh, well, I was busy and I just... didn't think about it." Blaine sat next to Kurt, and noticed that Sam had suddenly vanished. "I was looking for you, Isabella wants to talk to you."

"Ah, alright." Kurt nodded and bit into a fork-full of some kind of leafy green stuff. "If you can't find me, just ask Mira. She'll know where I am."

"How?" Blaine asked as he ate.

"I... have no idea." Kurt gave him a half-smile. "I find it's best to not question some things, just accept them. If you ask her she just says 'because I know things.' No other explanations." He looked up and resisted the urge to see if Blaine's dark-brown curls were as soft as they looked. "How's your side?"

"Hm? Oh, it's fine, barely hurts at all unless I move weird." He touched the area. "I think I should change the bandage later." He took a chance and asked. "Could you help me with that?"

Kurt almost choked on his salad. 'Like I'd say no?!' "Sure, yeah, no problem." He didn't look at the other boy while fighting the blush that threatened to stain his pale skin pink. "Have they been keeping you away from the heavy lifting?" He changed the subject.

"Well, all I've really been doing is running errands and messages... why?" Blaine frowned. The last thing he wanted was any kind of special treatment.

"Good." Kurt nodded. "Anytime someone has an injury they have light duty. As long as being on your feet won't aggravate the injury. It's not like hoisting tent poles will do you any good." He smiled. "And it's not just you. There are a couple people on light duty." He reassured him.

Isabelle wanted to talk fabric and dyes and weaving. Kurt could talk clothing most of the day, but sadly the riders all wore most of the same thing, in the same colors. One could only do so much with brown and green pants and shirts.

The next day couldn't come fast enough. He'd missed his best friend, and he just couldn't wait to see Blaine's face when he realized the identity of his best friend's lover.

He was deep in his thoughts, almost knocking over Mira as he walked.

"Kurt, I need your help." Her voice was low and serious. "Get someone else and get down to the pens. I have to get medical supplies from the healers."

"What's going on?" He could see the uncertainty in her eyes.

"Barbara's laying on her side... I think she's in labor. It's early, maybe too early." Mira locked eyes with him. "They might be fine, or things could get complicated. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst, right?" He nodded. "Move it!"

A/N: HELLO! ANYONE STILL READING THIS? GUESS WHO MANAGED TO FINALLY GET A NEW COMPUTER?!

Yeah, that would be me. Life lesson: NEVER turn a computer on after it's been rained on... even if you think it's dried. Sometimes you just end up fusing the insides together, and losing four story ideas, three one shot's and two chapters... and a partridge in a pear tree.

My massive absence was not my idea, but I can't post chapters from my phone, and well, I was broke after Comic-con. (Hotel prices are brutal!) However, I did get to meet my beta, the brilliant and talented Mikaracat! (The inspiration for Miriam, not that I've ever told her...)

I'm back now, and I hop to be able to throw Niff at you in the next update!

To the people that reviewed all those months ago!

Lucky333123: I'll do my best!

AngellaCrickett: Thanks! I require fluff on a daily basis along with my drama...

Klainangel: No, I like to think of Kurt as protective, but his little-boy possessive streak should prevent him from trying to pull a season-2-Blaine... HA! No Sebastian in this chapter! (I probably shouldn't brag, he might hijack a chapter from me later in retaliation...)

DustyQOTF: I'd like to think that Blaine is well on his way to staying, even before our Niff intervention, but it'll defiantly will help!

Guest: So SORRY! I HAD NO COMPUTER!

Disclaimer: I own nothing! If I did, Klaine would have been back together at the end of "Shooting Star"... because nothing put's what's important into focus like a near-death scare. (really, anybody else think that Kurt should have been on a plane for Lima that day? I rant, apologies!)