(A/N) I know that last chapter was really short, but midterms are consuming my life! I hope I at least did some justice for you guys. Also I do believe a celebration is in order. In two chapters, we will be celebrating twenty five official chapters of ASOS!

To commemorate the occasion, I will post a pre chapter spilling all of the secrets behind the story and exclusive behind the scenes production insight. The next day, I will post the 25th chapter. So be ready and don't be afraid to ask questions that I can answer in that special.

Anyway, let's see what Romeo's up to!

The moon glittered above my head. A chill was clinging to my bones as if I had been stuffed into a freezer for hours on end. In truth, I had burrowed myself in a snow drift for the remainder of the daytime to wait for night to come around. Never in my life had I been so cold, but it was worth all the trouble. I had gotten plenty of rest and time to think about my escape.

Men walked by my hiding spot, but the snow storm had made my presence unnoticed to passers bys. I also took a risk and left my snowdrift around sunset to gather even more infomation. It was risky, but I had found some useful clues to making a clean getaway.

Unfortunately, I was able to pick up on the fact that people knew I was missing. The good news was they went searching for me in the woods soon after they had discovered my absence. As far as I knew, the last patrol had declared me long gone. While some were unconvinced, I still had some breathing room to work with.

I peaked out from the wall I was hiding behind to scope out my target. The gate.

From observation and careful intel gathering, the guards on duty should be relieved for the night and no new men would take their place. That meant I could make it out the front gate and make a run for it back towards the town. I knew my directions, so following the stars back to my shelter shouldn't be too hard. I would get Wendy, leave our hideout, and both of us could leave these nutjobs behind before things get ugly.

It left us one step towards getting to Fairy Tail.

Movement from the gate caught my attention, breaking me from my plans. The guards were leaving their posts and were heading in the direction of one of the many buildings. They took their time, all the while making conversation. Even though I wasn't close to them, the storm from this afternoon had cleared to the point of a dead silent night.

"Did ya' hear the boss's kid, Macbeth, was caught beating Cobra?" Cobra, the man with the snake eyes and calm attitude? He didn't seem like the type to take a punch from anyone, let alone fight at all unless provoked.

"Yeah, I heard it was really bad. Why did the kid do it?"

A sigh echoed into my alleyway as the two passed my. I kept to the shadows and listened intently. "Macbeth was playing mind games on Kianna and frightened the poor thing. Cobra told him to step off and spit in his face."

"That redhead has guts of steel I tell ya, with a sharp tongue as well. Was Macbeth punished?"

"What do you think? Of course the prissy boy wasn't! He never does..."

Their voices drifted into the air, growing more and more distant with every step they took away from me. The sound of a door opening and closing made me snap into action. The news of Cobra was the last thing I wanted to have on my mind, but it followed me as I made a sprint for the gate. I felt bad for the man, I really did, but I had to focus on my own priorities right now.

I could only wish the best for the man who saved Wendy's life, and indirectly my sanity.

I reached the gate with the speed of a scared Jackrabbit. From the looks of it, there was no barbed wire on top of the main entrance gate and the climb didn't look too perilous for me. It was nothing new to me.

Digging my foot into the chain work, I made my ascent. The action was almost nostalgic to the first leg of our journey. It reminded me of when Wendy and I made our great escape from Raven Tail on the rooftops. I could still feel the wind brushing past my face and the thrill of the leaps and bounds we took together. It was the climb up that really scared me.

In no time, I reached the top of the fence. I swung my legs over until I sat directly at the peak of the metal that caged me in. I pushed off the top and landed in the snow below, rolling to take in more of the shock from jumping probably eight feet down. The fresh powder helped the fall as well, making the impact softer.

As soon as my feet touched the ground, I ran like hell. My heart was pounding with my new found freedom. All the fear from my inhospitable stay left my system almost in waves as the snow crunched beneath my feet. The trek took me uphill where I could get a better vantage of not only the camp, but also some of the surrounding forest. Tree trunks rushed past me and air whipped in my ears with the sound of the force of a great elephant.

I was almost up the hill now. It wouldn't be long until I would reach the crest and be able to make a good lay of the land with my own eyes. The crescent moon provided a low light for my path ahead. It wasn't much, but it was good enough.

Before I could think twice, I was now at the very top of the hill. The land laid out below my vision with prue majesty. You couldn't even tell that just about seven and a half years ago, a great tragedy had taken place near here. It was just so peaceful, so still, and beautiful. I took a deep breath and let the night air fill my lungs with sweet and fresh breathing room.

Somewhere down there, Wendy was hopefully waiting for me.

Click

No..no, no, no! This wasn't supposed to happen! I had planned for hours. I thought through everything clearly. Everything that could go wrong I came up with a solution for just in case I had needed to get myself out of a hold in a pinch was all for nothing. I was only armed with a handgun with limited ammunition and a knife, so how could I stand against someone who more than likely out gunned me and had me already in their crosshairs.

The camp ran on fear, that much I knew from my short stay. If someone had the chance to save their own hid and get in the Zero's good graces, then they would take it. How could I blame them for wanting to be safe. It's a kill or be killed world, and I was the latter. I just had to accept defeat and give up.

My only regret was Wendy being left alone. Sure, she now had medicine to use and could hold her own, but she might be lonely. We both came from nothing, broken and beaten from this new reality that was our life. All we wanted was a family and home to call our own, and somehow we found it in each other. We finally had something more in our lives.

Now, I would never get to tell her how I really feel. I will be dead by morning anyway. It was best if I just realized that now. She had the map, Rose, some guns, and the papers from the lab. Wendy is a survivor, she'll be just fine.

I raised my arms above my head and bowed my head. "I surrender.."

There was a pause in the air that clung to the world like a blanket. Nothing moved for what felt like hours. It made me worry a little too much. What did this person want me to do, turn around, hold still, or what?

Before I could make the first move, the sound of a gun being uncock and dropped made me tense up in a heartbeat. Feet crunched across the snow, making me even more anxious. What was going on right now? Was I being let go?

A smaller body crashed into my back, making me stumble forward. Someone pressed their face between my shoulder blades. Two skinny arms hidden in an oversized jacket reached around my midsection in a hug. Above all the sound of a tiny voice whispered in the wind. The one voice I wanted to hear.

"Romeo, thank god you're okay..."

Night had pulled the forest into a deep cycle of rest and stillness. Owls hooted and an occasional wolf or wild dog sang to the stars. Some rabbits would hop by now and again, but other than that, not a lot happened. The camp below had fires lit throughout the complex to light the way for it's residents.

Rose whined from under the tree I used to spy on the shelter. I silently watched the entrance of the camp with all the patience I had in reserve. The guards have been at their post for the past three hours by my count. Judging by instinct, it was about midnight right now. It wouldn't be long now before I would make my move and rescue Romeo.

A bird landed on the branch that I was perched on, shaking the thin end part. It darted it's head from side to side. The little thing must be scouting for nightly predators. Though I hadn't lived in the wild my entire life, I could relate in a way to the bird. The way it had to always watch it's back for the bigger guy and constant flight to stay alive was almost parallel to my current life. It was almost sad really.

The bird spread it's wings after confirming its safety and glided higher into the tree. It came to rest on a branch about four feet above my head. It ruffled its feathers and pulled its wings in. The black animal gave a whistle and a similar looking bird flew in to rest beside the first. Both huddled closer together and closed their eyes.

Whatever the relationship, a certain pang fell on my heart. It reminded me of the past few months, but I couldn't pinpoint a reason for the sudden feeling in my chest. Was it because of the new found companionship? Was it because of the new pain I felt whenever I tried to find the right words to speak to Romeo with? Or was it the depression of not being able to help him these past weeks?

Whatever the reason, it seemed to give me renewed purpose in my mission.

I went back to the gate to find that the two guards were leaving. Their heads were turned as if they were talking to one another about something. Any moment now, I would descend the hill side and climb over the fence to get my best friend back. The thought of climbing the pretty tall gate made my side burn from strain already. I knew that this rescue was going to be tough in my condition, but I couldn't stay at camp and do nothing while Romeo might be hurt or worse.

For good measure, I waited a good minute before I slid from my branch to Rose's back. The horse stood still as I climbed from her back to the ground. The snow made a soft under foot after the blizzard from earlier. Making my way down the hill wouldn't be as taxing now if I used the fresh powder to slide on instead of hike. It would also make things faster now that I think about.

As soon as I reached the edge of the drop to reach the gate, I spotted something on the fence. Someone was climbing over the top of the gate. Whoever they were, why wouldn't they just open the exit up? If they were a member of the camp, couldn't they come and go as they pleased? Perhaps it was a curfew that was set in place.

Nonetheless, the person reached the top of the gate and jumped off. I just caught the person running into the tree line, their direction heading straight for me! If they found out I was here, they could alert someone in the camp. Romeo and I would both be toast!

I quickly stashed Rose in some bushes and hide in some myself. I would wait until he reached the top of the hill. When he isn't looking, I'll jump out and intimidate him by threatening to shoot him. Once he's been stopped in his tracks, I'll come up behind him and knock him out. It was a solid plan. If all else fails, I'll push him off the hill and hope the trees, rocks, and bushes take care of the dirty work for me.

The person reached the top of the hill. From where I was crouched, their features were hidden in shadows and darkness. There wasn't much I could make out except that I was right to believe the person was a male. He turned around with his back facing me to look at the camp. That was my golden opportunity to take him down. I took a silent breath and stepped out with Kurogane in my hands. It was now or never.

I raised the gun and stepped closer to the person. The pain in my side was starting to increase with the stress I was going through. I would have to deal with this intruder before the pain was too much to bear. The night obscuring me from making a better view made things worse as well. It just had to be a crescent moon tonight. That was my luck, though.

My hand was steady as I cocked the gun I held. The person went slack, freezing at the sound I had made. I knew I had him in my sights. I made my advance across the outcrop towards my target with ease. The pain was becoming more of a dull ache, but still present enough. I really hoped this guy didn't fight back out of fear. It made the need to finish this as fast as possible more urgent.

I poised myself to strike him with the butt of the Glock into the side of his head. Before I could, he raised his hands slowly above his head. I stopped my advance forward and waited until his arms were fully raised. What was he doing? Was he giving up so easily. And just when I was about to do anything more, he spoke.

"I surrender..."

No...it couldn't beleive my ears. It wasn't possible, was it? There was no way he was here. He was standing in front of me the whole time. If I had gotten any closer I would've hurt him. And yet, now that I was closer to him, the unmistakable jacket he always wore, disheveled black hair, and height made things clear in an instant.

I uncocked Kurogane and dropped it in a single breath. I rushed forward and buried my face in his back. Even his scent was the exact same. The smell of campfires and cotton woods in July engulfed my senses. Heat had begun to spread on my cheeks and tears fell slowly down my cheeks. It was him, it was a dream.

My arms went around his waist and I rested my ear against his back. I closed my eyes and let a smile overtake my face. The tears practically froze to my face, but I didn't care anymore. All that mattered was right here, nothing could hurt us, and fear was far away.

"Romeo, thank god you're okay..."