Lotsa) Lyrics: "What's Left Of Me" - Nick Lachey (sorry, I just HAD too xD) (N)

"On A Day Like Today" - Keane (K)

"Chasing Cars" - Snow Patrol (SP)

"You Are the Moon" - The Hush Sound (H)

"Better Together" - Jack Johnson (J)

Chapter 26: Don't

She held him in a tight hug, but he did not return the embrace. His eyes and face were turning red from crying and he felt like he was being eaten up inside. He turned his head and looked at Dia. Her face was buried in his one shoulder. She was crying for some reason. Whether it was pity for Kurt or for her, he did not know.

I've been dying inside, little by little. No where to go, but out of my mind. (N)

He soon left her arms, stood up, and walked away from her, his back towards her. "Isn't it terrible to see a grown man cry?" He asked as his voice became stronger. There were no more tears left to be shed.

I'm half the man I thought I would be. (N)

"Kurt, come back here…" Her voice was still shaky and weak. She was sitting in the same place on the ground.

"Dia…How can you control me like this? Leave now…leave me." His tone was made up of pure melancholy. Then, it got out, "I was so stupid! I shouldn't have told you…"

I want you and I feel you crawling underneath my skin like a hunger, like a burning to find the place I've never been. Now I'm broken and I'm fading. (N)

She got up and raced over to where she could stand in front of him. She gazed up into his chocolate brown eyes and said, "It was my fault, Kurt. Everything is not your fault. You didn't kill them."

He looked down at her and smiled softly. He drew a hand up and wiped away some stubborn tears that clung to her smooth cheeks. Before he was able to bring it back to his side, Dia took it with both hands and brought it up. She rested it on a side of her face and closed her eyes. He did nothing, but watch her. She suddenly smiled. "Idiot, you made me look worse."

This made Kurt snap back to his old self and he blushed. "Dia, may I ask you something?"

Take what's left of the man. Make me whole once again. (N)

She opened her eyes and let go of his hand. "What is it?"

'No, I can't…' Embarrassed, Kurt said, "Ah…Never mind."

The way I feel; I'd really love to tell you, but I could never seem to say the things I needed to. On a day like today no other words could do. (K)

But you can have what's left of me. (N)

The sun started to go down and the sweet warmth of the afternoon left with it. Kurt picked up his gloves that lay on the ground. Dia looked down at her white skirt. There were dirt smudges on it and she tried to wipe them away. It was terribly wrinkled, but she shrugged at this knowing that there was nothing to do about it. Kurt placed his gloves into his bag.

"Kurt, why don't we go and grab a bite to eat at the Bar? I'm starving!" She said as she began to walk down the path.

"Whatever you want, princess." He replied sarcastically. Dia smacked him lightly on the arm jokingly and Kurt just chuckled.

I'll tell you one thing, it's always better when we're together. (J)

They continued to walk hand in hand down to the Bar. They walked into the bar with people raising their eyebrows at the sight of this couple, including Woody and Joe. They took a seat at the table near where Joe was sitting. He was not drinking, but was only sitting there lost in deep thought. And Joe being in deep thought was quite the rare sight indeed.

Kurt got up and told Wallace his and Dia's orders to him. Before sitting back down he caught a good-hearted wink from Woody. "So what does a classy sophisticate like you think of this town?" He said in a sly tone to Dia.

"Why, it's better than a barn!" She exclaimed in a mystical fashion.

"And how may I ask would you know about barns? Did you live in one?" He said, making fun of Dia out of this silly conversation he started.

"Of course! Don't you remember? You were there too!" She took it head-on and even directed it back to Kurt.

'What a witty woman.' He thought as he looked at the green-dressed maiden in front of him.

Wallace placed their meals on the table. They ate silently, sometimes glancing at one another. When they were finished, Kurt reached in his bag for the money. He had barely anything and Dia started to giggle. "I guess I'll pay then."

Kurt turned a shade pink feeling a little badly for not having enough money. Dia paid Wallace the money at the counter. Kurt and Dia were almost out the door until, "Kurt, get over here." Joe called for Kurt from the table he was sitting at.

Kurt walked over to his hunched over brother and said, "Joe, I'm kind of busy right now. Can it wait?"

"They never said goodbye to me, Kurt. I guess that's why I feel that I should not say goodbye to them since they didn't say goodbye to me." Joe turned around and looked up at Kurt. A smile appeared on his warm face, "It's a stupid reason isn't it?"

Kurt curved his lips into a smile as well in response. He walked out the door with Dia knowing that he and his brother's relationship was fixed. The night was slightly chilly as they walked back on the path leading up in front of Woody's home. They stopped right there in front of Woody's home and their hands parted.

Dia looked up at Kurt. "I guess I must be going now. I'll see you tomorrow perhaps." She didn't wait for anything and turned around to start walking again.

Kurt belted out, "Wait!"

Dia stopped in her tracks and waited for what Kurt had to say.

"Don't you want to…look at the garden?" He asked. He didn't want her to leave his sight. He didn't want to lose another person dear to him. He was afraid of what could happen to her.

I don't quite know how to say how I feel. Those three words are said too much, they're not enough. (SP)

She spun around and her face lit up, even in the darkness, "Sure, why not?"

Show me a garden that's bursting into life. (SP)

He led her up the small hill and he pointed out the little yellow flowers that were growing near the shack. "So this is my garden. Not much of a garden or a hobby, huh?"

Dia giggled at this pathetic sight. Kurt almost regretted showing her the flowers at that point. He sat down on the grass and looked up. It was a full moon that night up in the darkened sky.

"What are you doing now?" Dia asked still standing up.

"Looking up at the moon. I always like to look at it." His voice was reflective and soft, almost a whisper. She sat down next to him and stared at the moon as well.

"You know what? You remind me of the moon, Kurt."

"How's that?"

You don't see what you possess, a beauty calm and clear. (H)

"Sometimes you can't see its full beauty and then, at times like this, you can see it shining brighter than anything else in the world." She rested her head on his shoulder and held his hand. They sat like this in silence, wishing for the moment to last forever.

And all of these moments might find a way into my dreams tonight, but I'll know that they'll be gone when the morning light sings and brings new things. (J)

Kurt turned his head slightly to look at Dia. Her eyes were closed and her breathing was deeper. She was fast asleep. 'I can't just wake her.' So he cradled her in his arms and stood up. Her head and legs hung slightly over his arms. He walked over to the shack and opened the door. He kicked his mattress so it lay flat on the floor. He placed his sleeping angel on it. He watched this sweet temptation in front of him rise and fall with each breath. He looked at the crimson lips, yet he did not wish to do anything to her. Nothing. He sprawled out on the floor, still with all his clothes on including his shoes and he soon fell asleep.

We're better together. (J)