Chapter XXV Three Little Words

Hayden awoke to the feeling of someone's breath on his neck. Turning, he realized it was Aria. She had fallen asleep on him after he had and stayed that way for the remainder of the night. The next thing he saw was a pair of red boots, tapping in front of him. As he looked up he saw a sullen faced Cara dressed in red leather.

"Are we being attacked General?" he tried to joke. He received a narrow-eyed glare from the woman.

"We are not. But if you don't get up right now, the Mother Confessor will see this little…debacle and then you shall not be so lucky." The Mord'Sith was obviously against any sort of relationship between the two but Hayden could not figure out why. Why were the women of the group so hostile towards him? Hayden noticed that Cara had not raised her voice at him, keeping it at a dull whisper. He guessed that it was to keep Aria from awakening. The thought made him think: if the Mord'Sith cares this deeply for Aria and Aria obviously cares for her despite all that happened, doesn't that mean he should be nice to her as well? Hayden felt Aria tighten her grip on the front of his shirt. Looking at her, he saw that her eyes were shut tightly and her legs twitched as if she were running from something. Or someone. Someone like Cara. Dismissing any thoughts of accepting the Mord'Sith, he called after her.

"What exactly is your problem?" he tried to steady his voice. Cara stopped and slowly turned her head, as if she couldn't believe someone like him could speak to her in that way. "Ever since I found Aria, you've been a sulking shadow, constantly watching over her as if I would hurt her. In case you've forgotten, I'm not the one who kidnapped and tortured her."

"You're right. You just let her suffer while you grew up in a normal village with a normal life and a normal family. You abandoned her just as much as Kahlan and I did." Cara did everything in her power not to scream the last sentence at the child throwing a tantrum. As she began to turn away, she saw Hayden gently moving Aria off of him and approach her. She turned to face the boy.

"How dare you?" he came a little bit too close for Cara's comfort. "I would have done anything to get her back. Anything!"

"Except go looking for her, of course." Cara spat back. "Do not think you are blameless in this, boy. Your presence in her life is only hurting her in ways you cannot begin to imagine. You'd be doing us all a favor if you left and never thought of her again."

"The only one I see hurting her is you!" Hayden face reddened. "It's because of you she wakes up hyperventilating every night! It's you that caused the nightmares she has! You're the reason I can't even hug my best friend without her flinching away from me!"

"Has it ever occurred to you that she flinches away because she doesn't want to be touched by you?" Cara knew it was a lie. Aria flinched when everyone touched her and least of all when it was Hayden. She saw the boy place a hand on the hilt of his sword and couldn't hold back a chuckle. "Do it. Give me an excuse." His grip tightened, turning his knuckles snow white.

"You're lucky she cares for you, Mord'Sith." He growled. Cara took a step closer.

"Foolish child. You're the one who's lucky." Cara placed a finger on his chest. Hayden slapped it away, causing the woman in red to smirk. Hayden knew that in a fair fight, Cara would destroy him but the rage he was feeling towards this woman might have been enough to kill her. "Threaten me again and I personally guarantee that you will never have the chance to proclaim your feelings towards my sister. Not in this life or the next." With that, Cara strode towards the camp. Hayden turned, hoping Aria was still asleep so as not to have heard the encounter. She was and he knelt by her side and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Samaria. Wake up." He nudged her. The girl's eyes shot open and took in the scene. After deciding it wasn't a threat, she turned to him.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"Why does something have to be wrong?"

"You only call me that when you're angry or sad." She deduced. Hayden smiled. She knew him too well.

"Everything's fine. I didn't even have a nightmare. Did you?"

"No and I'm glad you didn't either." She smiled at him as she stood and collected her pack. Hoisting it on her shoulders she made her way towards the campsite and the rest of the group. Hayden hesitated, knowing that Cara would have told the others what had happened and how he had almost attacked her. "You coming?" Aria's voice caught his attention and he picked up his own pack and followed.

When the two neared the area where the others had slept, they heard whispers coming from the three; non-decipherable but existent nonetheless. They walked in and Aria greeted them with a cheerful 'good morning.' Hayden smiled at Kahlan and Richard and was surprised when the woman smiled back. He ignored Cara's gaze completely but he did notice how the Mord'Sith glared at the couple that greeted him. Hayden smirked as the woman realized she was outnumbered. Richard and Kahlan had accepted him, why couldn't she?

"Sleep well?" she heard Kahlan ask Aria. The girl nodded, smiled, and went to help Cara pack the remainder of their belongings. The Mother Confessor strode over to where Hayden was sitting and sat next to him.

"I heard you and Cara had a bit of an … encounter." She didn't bother to ask. Hayden nodded as he sharpened his sword. "Listen Hayden," The use of his name surprised him. "I know what she can be like, but she's only trying to protect Aria."

"From me?" he scoffed.

"From everyone." Kahlan sighed. "She knows what she did was wrong and she-"

"Blames me for not coming to save Aria." He finished for her, not caring that he was interrupting the Mother Confessor. As he saw Kahlan shake her head, he continued. "She told me herself, Kahlan. She said I should have went looking for her and saved her from the temple. That it's my fault I can't even hug her." Hayden looked away.

"She's just hurt. You need to understand something about Mord'Sith if you're going to be staying with us. Cara and Aria…they're both proud and stubborn as anyone I've ever met. Cara would rather wear a dress than admit she's wrong. And Aria… Aria just doesn't know when to back down. She never did, I'm sure you know that better than I do."

"Wasn't it just a few days ago when you treated me almost the same as the Mord'Sith?"

"She has a name, Hayden." Kahlan's voice grew firmer. "There was a reason I didn't want you around Aria and now that I realized the … lack of reason for it, I changed. Unfortunately, Cara cannot understand it and it cannot be explained to her." Kahlan was referring to the secret only she, Richard and Zedd were aware of: if a man falls in love with a Confessor before he knows what she is, they're love is permitted and her touch cannot harm him. Kahlan ached to tell the two who were so obviously in love, but if she did, the magic would shatter and her touch would turn deadly. "I'm sorry I cannot explain further but you need to know that Cara is just Cara. You should have seen how she treated Richard when they first met."

"How was that?" Hayden asked.

"She took him into the future, threw rocks at him, and tossed him around like a ragdoll." Kahlan acted as if that were normal behavior.

"And now they're like this?" Hayden motioned to the scene in front of them. Richard was tossing fallen acorns at Cara's head and snickering when she would look up and curse the tress. Kahlan chuckled.

"And now they're like this." she confirmed. "Richard saved them Hayden. In every way humanly and inhumanly possible, he saved them all. Cara knows that and treats him like the royalty he is. They're almost like brother and sister at times." Kahlan observed more of the scene that swelled her heart. Besides the fact that Cara was practically fuming now that she had caught Richard, it really showed how far the Mord'Sith has come since the day they had met her. "Please, just give her a chance. All she needs is time."

"Alright. But I don't want her sleeping anywhere near me." Both of them smiled.

She heard the water running well before she saw it. The campsite had been merely a mile to two away from a beautiful waterfall and Aria simply couldn't resist its call. She didn't like to think about hygiene, considering that before she was found she had gone over two weeks without any sort of cleansing, but now was the time to change that. She brought along a towel, a brush for her hair, and a brand new change of clothes. The thought of being completely clean excited her as she began to remove her new dress. Sitting in her undergarments, the washed the red dress and placed it in the sun so it would dry by the time she had finished. Cara and Kahlan had gone to the separate streams that branched out of the waterfall and Richard and Hayden would take their turns after the women had finished. Aria put her hand out, testing the water that fell from the rocks above and realized it was nearly freezing. No problem, she thought. Cold water would wake her up. She immersed herself completely in the waterfall and closed her eyes at the sensation. She could almost feel the dirt and sweat streaming away from her and she smiled. She reached over a grabbed the brush and began combing her almost waist-length hair. As she did, Aria tried to remember what she had been taught about a Confessor's hair. It was important, she knew that and she also knew that the no one's hair could be longer than the Mother Confessor's. Aria thought of Kahlan's hair and realized that hers was nearly the same length. Perhaps she should cut it. Yes, she would cut it to show her respect for Kahlan's position. As she decided, Aria heard a rustle from the bushes behind her. She spun, cursing herself as she realized that her knives were far from her reach.

Hayden had made a decision. After discussing the events of the previous night with Richard, he had convinced himself that it was better to tell Aria the truth rather than hide his feelings for her. Richard told him that everyone saw it, it was so painful obvious and it baffled him that Aria had not seen it yet. Hayden knew that this would either destroy or complete his life but he was prepared to take the chance. He was prepared to take any chance if it meant being with Samaria Stone. He waited a while, counting down the minutes until Aria would have finished her shower at the waterfall, and started to make his way down the river. What he saw surprised him beyond words. Aria was standing, completely naked, in the waterfall combing her hair. Hayden knew he should turn away, but a part of him couldn't move. She was so beautiful, so perfect, like a Good Spirit. It was a wonder he did not die at the sight of her. He tripped over himself, startling her as he saw her spin, reacting as if he were a gar.

"Hayden!" she yelped. "I thought you were something…else." He turned away but noticed that she had made no attempt to cover herself.

"I'm so sorry! I didn't think-"

"Oh yes, that much, I understood." She joked. "Calm down, Hayden. We used to shower together until we were six. It's nothing you haven't seen before." She laughed at his embarrassment. He sat on the floor, back to her regardless.

"Things have…changed, Aria." He heard her burst into laughter.

"Well I'd certainly hope so." she continued to bait him. Hayden couldn't help but laugh at her explicit remark.

"What do you think you're doing?!" he looked up at saw a soaking Cara stomping towards him, with a towel wrapped around herself, golden hair falling to her waist. "What are you doing here?!" Hayden nearly smacked himself in the face in an attempt to cover his eyes. He opened his mouth to speak but no words had formed.

"Cara, relax. We were just talking." Aria's voice sounded closer but he refused to remove his hands from his eyes.

"Talking? Aria you were bathing." Cara exclaimed.

"Yes, I know. He wasn't looking, right Hayden?" Hayden nodded frantically. "See? Don't worry dear sister, my virtue isn't going anywhere. Yours however seems to be a bit questionable." Aria motioned to Cara's body which was only covered in a towel.

"Very funny." Cara glared. As she walked past Hayden, hands still attached to his face, she said, "If I ever catch you gawking at her again, I'll make sure you never get to use that thing dangling between your legs. Understood?" Cara left before Aria could yell at her for being so crude.

"She's just being protective." Aria said. "You look ridiculous." Hayden was practically sprawled on the forest floor, both hands glued to his face, his mouth agape. "You can open your eyes, you know." Hayden did and immediately shut them as he saw Aria standing in her towel. She laughed.

"Maybe I should just come back later." Hayden went to leave and stopped when he felt Aria's hand on his shoulder.

"You don't have to." She said softly. "I'll just get changed over there." She pointed behind a stack of rocks. "And you can go wash. It's your turn anyway."

"Uh, yea okay." Hayden kept his eyes trained on the ground as the two walked towards the waterfall. To the right of the water, he saw Aria's clothes spread out on the hot rocks, drying. The red dress caught his eye again and he couldn't help but notice its resemblance to Kahlan's. Aria picked up her comb and began fishing out the knots in her hair. The sun hit her just right and Hayden saw the hints of red in her beautiful locks. He remembered her when they were younger, a flaming redhead, and thought that this could be a completely different person. Except for the eyes; they were his Aria's. He had never before seen anyone with features that complimented one another so perfectly. Her grayish-green eyes brought out her flawless pale skin and her skin only enhanced the shine in her hair. That's without taking into account the rest of her.

"What are you looking at?" Aria chuckled as she continued to comb through her hair. Hayden realized he must have staring for at least a full two minutes.

"You." He said bluntly.

"Why?"

"Because you're beautiful." Hayden felt no shame in telling the girl the truth. "Always have been." He saw Aria's cheeks redden at the words and smirked. The blush only heightened her looks. Satisfied at the reaction, Hayden turned the corner and started removing his clothes. Once he did, he stepped into the water much like Aria had done. As he washed his hair and dove in and out of the little pool, he realized Aria had been watching him. Coming up for air, he saw her sitting at the edge, her feet dangling into the stream. "Do you remember when we used to go swimming?"

"Not really." Aria admitted. Hayden's hurt sunk a little. "Sorry."

"Don't be, it's alright." Hayden took the girls hand in his own. "We can make new memories." She smiled down at him.

"Yes, I suppose we could." Her smiled saddened.

"What is it?" he asked.

"Nothing." She pulled away from his grasp and started to walk away. Hayden hopped out of the water, wrapped a towel around his waist, and went after her.

"Tell me." Aria looked at the ground beside him. "I know you're hiding something Aria! You're all hiding something and you think I'm too stupid to figure it out!" Hayden realized that he was yelling. "Please, all I want is to help you." Aria's eyes shot up to his and he saw tears brimming on their edges. He never wanted to make her cry.

"You can't help me Hayden."

"Yes I can, if you only let me." He took her by the shoulders and shook her a little. "Please, I-" He stopped.

"You what?" she asked. Hayden shook his head. This wasn't how this was supposed to go. "What Hayden?"

"I just don't want you to hurt anymore." He couldn't tell her now.

"That is not what you were about to say." Aria pressed.

"Aria, I just want you to be happy."

"Spirits be damned, Hayden! Tell me what you were about to say!" Deep in her core Aria knew the words that were about to leave the boys lips but nothing could have prepared her for them.

"I love you Aria!" Hayden nearly screamed. "I've loved you since the moment I saw you and I can't hide it from you anymore!" Aria's worst fear has been realized.

"Don't- don't say that." Aria whispered.

"Why Aria?! Why can't I say it?! I'll tell everyone, I don't care. I LOVE SAMARIA STONE!" he shouted to the sky. Aria nearly toppled him over while trying to cover his mouth.

"Stop it Hayden! Please stop!" her hand clasped over his mouth and he finally stopped screaming the dreaded words. Aria sat on the ground and brought her knees to her chest. Every part of her threatened to crack, her very foundation trembled as she heard the words echoing in her mind. She felt a warm hand wrap around her shoulders and tuck her close. "Please, don't."

"Don't what? Hold you or love you?" Hayden asked.

"Both!" Aria shot up, away from the boy. "You can't love me, alright?! You just can't. You should leave. Leave me and never think of me again!"

"Aria, what are you saying?! I would rather die than-"

"NO! Do not speak of death and love as if you know what they really mean! You can't love me Hayden." She repeated, mostly to herself.

"Why?" his voice cracked. Hayden felt as if his heart had been used as an anvil. "Why, Aria?"

"Because I love you too." She said to the ground.

"What did you say?" There was no way he had heard correctly. Hayden approached her. "What did you say?"

"Because I love you too!" she shouted angrily. "And that just can't happen." Now he was extremely confused. First he was rejected, then accepted, and now pushed away.

"What? Why?" Hayden cupped her face, wishing that the tears would stop marring her beauty.

"Because I- I just can't." Her body shook as the sobs overtook her. Hayden drew her close and held her to this bare chest. "I can't Hayden, I can't love you." She repeated over and over again each time sending daggers to his heart. As he held the sobbing girl, he realized that he too had started to cry.

"Please, Aria. Please, just tell me." He begged. "What's happening? Why are you saying these things?" He rocked the girl back and forth trying to soothe her so she could reply. The merely shook her head against him.

"You'll hate me." She managed to croak out. "You'll hate me!"

"Aria, I could never, ever hate any part of you. I love you." Her knees buckled at the sound of the words again. The two knelt on the forest floor together as Hayden tried with all his might to stop the violent sobs that threatened to consume the woman he loved. "Please, I'll do anything. Just tell me." Something about what he had just said caused her to stop and look up at him. The light reflected off her wet eyes and Hayden could almost see his reflection in them.

"Anything?" she asked. "Anything I say?"

"Well, yes." He replied, a little worried of the pending request. "Just tell me what's wrong."

"Hayden, there's something I haven't told you. I wasn't allowed to tell you at first, now I just-"

"Didn't want to." He finished for her. She nodded.

"You need to understand that I didn't choose this. If I could change what I am, I would." Tears threatened with their presence again. He held her face in his hands, urging her to continue.

"What do you mean?"

"Hayden I-"she took a breath. "I'm a Confessor."

And with those three words, Hayden's entire world came crashing down around him.

I know, I know. BOOM. I do believe this is the longest chapter & it was so easy to write lol. Cara, as usual threatening to maime our little boy... nothing unusual there:) What do we think? Inquiring minds wish to knowwww