Okay! This one I shall try to mix action with romance... so sue me if it doesn't go right...

I AM SOOOO BOOOOOOORED!

heh... wont be sayin that for long...

I GOTS ME A LIFE NOW! YEAH!

LittleMidgett; (stares back) duuuuude... thats just plain creepy...

TobiasHawk13; I shall! And as for what you sent me in your last email... thats fine! Take your time! Love it!

And by the way... YOU'LL LOVE THIS ONE!

SilverTearz; yeaah... a joke... I can take a joke... (falls over)

Ozma914; I can see into your miiiiind! Whoooo! Okay maybe not... buuuuut... I have mystical powers! With one click of my fingers you shall have your desire! WHOO! ROCK ON!

Tiamath; I know... (grins) I'm so proud of myself with her... (dreamy stare)

ONWARDS WE GO!

Oh, and I don't own the songs 'You and Me' by Uniting Nations, OR 'What a feeling' by Global Deejays.

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Amanda

CRUNCH!

(AAAH!)

(Close one there Mandy!)

(No kidding!)

(Lookout, he's throwing another!)

CRAAAAACK!

I turned to see the wall behind us turned to dusk.

(For crying out loud that thing's dangerous!) Jade cried as I turned back to face the creature Visser Three had become. Whatever it was, it had a lot of arms, and could throw very big rocks.

(Dammit! And we were so close!) Rachel snared, baring her grizzly teeth at him.

(I know) Robert mimicked her actions, only he was a polar bear.

(Well, I don't-TOBIAS LOOK OUT!)

Tobias ducked out of the way as the debre Visser was throwing barely missed him. He cirled around, landing on Rachels shoulder.

(You were saying Ithiell?)

(We... we don't have a choice!) Jake said, and tiger and cougar shared a nod, before Jake turned back to the Visser .

(You win this time. But I assure you, we will be back!)

To the rest of us, he said (Everyone, RETREAT!)

(DAMMIT!) Rachel and Robert growled in unison, all of us backing up towards the exit. Robert and I, both polar bears, shrunk to our favorite wolf forms, him black, me white.

It was only so we could get out faster.

(Not so fast... ) The Vissers evil mouth turned into a smirk, and we turned just in time to meet the army the Visser had obviously left for us.

(We don't have time for this! Guys, barrel through them!) Ithiell snapped, and seconds later we were all in the frey, ripping and biting and dodging, sometimes avoiding the fight when we could.

A sudden explosion rocked the underground lab, the aftershocks sending tremors through the earth.

(Ax and Rtaia did it!) Marco cried, even as he slammed two Hork-Bajir heads together, running to catch up with the others. I slid under anothers arm, using the blood-slicked floor to move me along. I skidded around until I got traction again, shooting out the door just behind Rachel and Tobias.

(Which way now!)

(THIS WAY!) Came the cry, and we turned to see Ax and Rtaia shoot past us, going left. We followed.

Underneath my feet, the tremors continued to shake the building, and I fought to keep myself going, knowing if I slowed down, even for an instant, I'd freeze from pure terror.

(Come on Mandy! Pick up the pace!) Jade yelled, turning and getting behind me, pushing me forward. I sped up, seeing she was starting to look exhausted. Cats don't have as much endurance as wolves.

But she, and the others, pushed on. I ran on, keeping sight of Rtaia and Ax as they turned this way and that, leading us out.

Suddenly the tremors got a lot worse, almost violent, and Jake screamed (AX!)

(NEARLY THERE MY PRINCE!)

(We gotta MOVE!)

(IT IS THERE!) Rtaia cried, and we all saw the cave opening, bolting up towards it as fast as we all possibly could.

I shot out beside Jake, skidding to a stop and just trying to get my bearings.

It was night. And we were back where we started. In the woods.

Suddenly the tunnel collapsed, and I could hear the Visser screaming in frustration.

(Okay, everyone here?) Jake asked.

(Let's have a headcount) Ithiell added.

Jake nodded.

(All right)

One by one, we answered.

All of us... except...

(RACHEL!) Tobias cried, landing on the pile of rocks that had just been on the roof of the tunnel, desperately scrambling around, trying to kick them off I supposed.

The rest of us... went still.

(She... she was right behind me!)

(I know) Marco whispered.

(She... she can't be!)

Again, it was like none of us knew what to say.

(Maybe she's still alive! Aren't you going to help me!)

(Jake) Ithiell whispered.

(I... I don't know what to... is... I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO!)

(Let's... try and go back for her) Robert whispered, shifting to polar bear and starting to help Tobias.

In the end... let me just say in the end it was all for nothing. What we found...

Well, what we found was going to change everything.

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"Tobias?"

(No)

"But... you have to eat something or you'll starve to death"

(So then I'll starve. I don't care anymore)

"Tobiaaas" I sighed, rubbing my eyes and leaning back against his tree "You know I'm only trying to help you"

(And I don't want your help)

"TOBIAS YOU NEED SOMEONE! AND IM HERE FOR YOU!" I yelled up at him, and he sighed, taking off into the sky.

Leaving me there.

I collapsed on the ground when he was gone, sobbing.

He thought he was the only one who had lost her. He was wrong.

She was... she and I were becomming good friends. We were... she was everything I'd wanted to be. Strong, couragious... determined...

And now, we were all suffering because of it.

I just wished Tobias could see that he wasn't alone. I didn't want him to think he was alone...

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Three days later, there was a meeting in the barn.

And Tobias... well, he looked worse than ever.

I bit my lip, hardly able to take my eyes off him as Jake started to talk about the current situation. His eyes were red and puffy, and the others didn't look much better. Jade had her arm around Marco, consoling him I guess, and Robert was busying himself by stripping a strand of hay. Ithiell, Ax and Rtaia looked... blank.

"We... we can't give up now. I know we... she was..." He fought back tears, and Cassie took his hand, squeezing it. He squeezed back.

"But we can't give up. Thats not what Rachel would have wanted. We...we have to see this fight through to the end. For her"

"For her" Ithiell agreed, nodding his head.

"Are we all agreed?" Jake asked, and one by one, we nodded.

(Whatever) Tobias muttered, and we turned, spreading his wings and taking off.

"Tobias wait!" Cassie cried, but it was too late.

"I'll get him"

"No, I will" I stopped Robert, already beginning my shift into the wedge-tailed eagle.

When I was done I took off into the afternoon sky after him, watching as he caught a thermal, riding up a few more feet. I followed.

(Tobias!)

(Get lost Amanda!)

That stung, but I wasn't about to give up yet.

(Tobias, I know-)

(You don't know anything!)

(I know more than you bloody think!) I snapped as I flew after him, steadily inching closer to him despite his experience in the air.

I was, after all, the bigger bird.

(No you don't!)

(YES I FUCKING DO! I WATCHED MY MOTHER DIE! I KNOW!)

That seemed to shock him. Good.

He was silent long enough for me to catch up to him, grabbing him easily by a wing and confusing him just long enough for me to stop him flying and catch him completely.

And for once, I didn't care if I'd hurt him or not.

(That's right. I watched my mother die right in front of me. And you know what? It wasn't quick, and she didn't go down in a blaze of glory. It took her years to die, and she went down in pain and suffering) I hissed menacingly as I carried him back to the barn, not caring that he was now bleeding because my talons were going in so deep.

(Amanda, youre... gonna kill me if you keep squeezing)

It all hit me then, and I almost dropped him, instead circling down in a clear patch of woods, dropping him and landing. I shifted back as he morphed human, tears starting to prick my eyelids as soon as I had them.

"I'm sorry... I didn't mean to hurt you"

"No, I'm sorry. I didn't know. I just... it's so hard to... that she's actually..." He balled his handsinto fists, starting toshake a little.

"I... I know. And I can... we can...we can get through this if you just... please, trust me?"

"I do trust you, it's just..."

At that moment I understood, going and placing a hand gently on his shoulder.

"I know. You find it hard to let people in. You're a loner, especially in your hawk form. And Rachel... she was the first person you trusted enough to let into your heart. I understand"

He blinked at me "How... how did you guess all that?"

I smiled "I just do"

"Scary"

I hummed, then said "Just as long as you know I'm here for you when you need someone to talk, I don't mind"

"Um... yeah, okay"

I nodded "Good. See you round hawk boy" With that I shifted back and took off to the barn, intent on telling them he had been too fast for me to catch. A minute laterI heard (Thanks Amanda)

(No problem)

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"Amanda?"

I jumped, turning around to see the human Tobias there. I had been waiting for Jade to show up, but after she called and told me she'd be extremely late, I was about to ask Ithiell to just take us home.

Now, almost two months after we'd lost Rachel, here he was; Tobias, fully dressed, standing in the middle of a crowded mall.

"Tobias? How... how'd you find me?"

"I uh... followed you"

I blinked "Why?"

"Because... because you said..."

"You... want to talk"

He nodded.

"Well... been long enough. I hope you've been eating well enough"

"Enough to survive"

I gave him the eye, then turned and picked up my stuff "So, ready to go?"

"We...we can stay right here if you want"

Now he was really acting strange.

"Tobias, are you feeling all right? You usually hate crowded places"

"Well.. yeah, but... I guess... not anymore"

"Well, okaaay" I sat down again, watching as he sat across from me, still looking so awkward. But... I guess... he was fighting it.

For her.

He would always be fighting for her.

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"Tobias! Look at these flowers!"

(Wow... pretty)

I kneeled down, picking one out of the ground and smelling it. It was the most wonderous smell I could have ever dreamed!

I giggled, spinning around in a circle and dancing around, kicking up my high heel boots and spinning my skirt around.

It was spring, and everything was coming to life here.

How could yoube so sad with all this new life!

"Tobias! Come down here!"

(Um... no, I don't think so)

I looked up at him as he landed on a branch, preening his feathers.

I sighed, putting my hands on my hips and deciding on a good comprimise.

"How about... if I come for a fly with you, right now, you come down here and spend an hour and a half in this beautiful field of flowers?"

He looked at me, his hard gaze locking onto mine for a moment, before looking away into the distance.

(Well, all right. Let's go then)

He waited until I was done, and took off, with me following.

(So, where to first?)

You and me (me.. me.. me...me...me...)

(Well, you heard of the saying the skies the limit? Lets go to the limit) He said, soaring higher and higher, making me have to work to catch up to him. After all, it had been a long time since I'd flown for so long, and so high.

Cause I knew from the start baby

We could make it

We could make it togther

You and me

(Come on Amanda!)

(I'm...) then I giggled (I'm givin it all I've got, capt'n! She cannot fly any higher!)

(Scotty? You actually know that?)

I laughed (I've got two older brothers and a dad who loves the stuff)

He laughed too, and it was the sweetest thing I'd ever heard.

So... human.

If I gave you my loving,

would you take it?

If I opened my heart

would you, turn the key?

Coz I knew from the start baby,

we could make it

we could make it together

you and me!

I stretched my wings, soaring on the thermals, quickly catching up to him.

(Aha!)

(Holy- wow Amanda! That's impressive!)

I did floated a little higher, passing over then under him.

(How's that?)

(Great, but watch this) He folded his wings, going into a dive, then flaring just as he reached the treetops, soaring over them asI gasped.

(Youalmost gave me a heart attack!)

(Impressive though)

(Very)

He soared back up to join me, looking every part of the Red-tail that he was.

But... he wasn't completely...

(What do you say we go back down now?)

(So soon?)

(It's been a long time. I'm guessing about an hour because the suns changed position)

He was silent (Impressive)

(Not really. Just common sense) I said as I tipped my wings, sailing back down to the field, hoping he would join me. I looked behind me, seeing he was following, almost jumping for joy.

If I give you my lo-vin,

would you take it?

If I opened my heart

would you, turn the key

Coz I knew from the start baby,

we could make it

we could make it to together,

you and me

(whoohoo)

(wooooh)

(whoooo)

(yeah!)

I landed gently in the meadow, quickly starting to grow, seeing Tobias land in the tree again when I was almost done.

(Well come on! You promised" I told him, reverting to actual verbal speech as I completed the last of my change.

(Well... all right then) He sailed down, starting to morph. When he was done he looked around awkwardly, then at me.

"Well, what now?" he asked a little nervously.

I smiled, going over and gently taking his hands in mine "Now, we dance and enjoy the day"

"But-"

"It's okay Tobias. You're allowed to feel happy sometime, you know"

"But... Rachel..."

I gently lifted his face with my left hand, forcing him to look into my eyes.

First, when there's nothing

But a slow, growing fear

In a world made of steeel,

made of stooone

"Rachel would have wanted you to be happy. Even if it was just for a small amount of time, okay?"

He looked at me like I was a stranger or something, then slowly nodded, tears brimming his eyes.

"Well, that just wont do, will it?"

He blinked "What?"

"I didn't want you to cry! Come on!" I grabbed both his hands again, yanking him forward and making him cry out.

"Ama-"

"Don't Amanda me! Come on! Dance with me!" I waved his hands everywhere, jumping around and making him moved with me.

And then Igot the most amazing thing I could have ever gotten, which made my heart skip a beat.

He smiled. A genuine smile.

"Amanda, come on,I can't really dance-"

"Nonsense! Everyone can dance! See?" I spun him around awkwardly, earning a small laugh from him.

"Mandy, come on, I'm not even-"

I spun him around to face me, looking in his eyes with such a serious look I think I scared him a little.

I jutted my bottom lip forward, saying in a semi-serious tone "Do I have to become a pro-wrestler and spin you around?"

He burst out laughing, holding his stomach, and I couldn't help but laugh too.

"Now that's the spirit! Come on and lets dance!"

"I feel so stupid in spandex"

"Ah don't worry about it. It's only me here"

His face turned a little red "Uh... yeah, exactly what I said"

"Hey, come on, you know me, I know you, it's all good. Relax Tobias, you're with me. And I will not settle for anything less than a big smile on your face"

He laughed again. God, I think I was loving that laugh more and more.

It made my heart float to places it had never been to before.

"Amanda, you're so...so... I can't even begin to explain it" He said softly, looking at me with those gorgeous eyes of his.

"Don't have to. Just go with the good feeling!" I danced around him some more, and slowly he began to dance with me. It was only simple spins, but at least it was something.

What a feeeling!

Please believe it!

I can have it all

Now I'm dancing for my liiife!

You just come alive

You can dance right through your liiiiiiife!

What a feeling!

"Yeah! Whoohoo! Go Tobias!" I cried as he danced with me, a smile on his face for the first time in a long while.

Especially since he spent all his time asa hawk. Hawks more or less scowl at you.

Get down

take off

turn on

tune in

dont stop...

After what seemed like forever, we both finally collapsed side by side in the wildflowers, out of breath and out of energy.

"Well... that was... different" Tobias huffed from beside me as I stared up at the beautiful sky.

"Fun?"

"Uh... yeah"

"Good" I rolled over onto my stomach, propping myself up on my elbows so I could look down at him. He looked up at me, still wearing a wonderful smile.

I think it was then I knew I was falling for Tobias. Which was probablya bad thing, but right then I didn't care.As long as he was happy, like this, I didn't care.

"We need to do this again sometime"

He just stared up at me "Uh..."

"Come on! Next time when there's a day like this, and we're not fighting brain stealing aliens of course, we should just come here and hang out"

"And dance to the music in our heads?"

I nodded enthusiastically, and he let out a small laugh in a burst.

"Well... maybe"

I just stuck my tongue out at him, kicking my legs back and forth and looking around, even though I couldn't see anything. We were surrounded by some tall flowers.

"Amanda?"

"Hmm?" I looked down at him again.

"Thankyou. I mean it"

I grinned "Anytime"

"I mean... its not normally... it..."

I patted his chest "It's okay, you know I'm always gonna be here for you, no matter what"

I went to move my hand away, but found it was trapped in one of his.

"Amanda, there's just... no describing how wonderful you are, and how much these last... however many months. I didn't think I could, but with you, I feel like I can do anything and still be..." he sighed, and I knew he was having trouble finding the words. After all, he was always the strong, silent type.

But it was his words that got my heart racing. And it sped up when he put my other hand on my cheek, moving it up to my hair and running gentle fingers through my curls.

Seconds later his lips were pressed against mine, making lights explode behind my eyelids.

This was just... unreal!

And yet... sweet...

Suddenly Tobias pulled back all together, looking up at me with absolute fear in his eyes, scrabbling back and up to his feet. I got to my feet as well, watching as he started to demorph.

"Tobias, wait! Where are you going!"

"I... I can't do this! I'm... I'm sorry Amanda. I can't do this to her" he whispered, just before his mouth turned into a beak, and his hawk eyes replaced the dreamy boy ones.

"Tobias!" I cried, watching as he took flight. I ran after him, but I knew it was useless.

He would always love her, even in death.

And I would just have to deal with that.

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Okay, I've decided to put this into two parts!

Next one will be coming up shortly!

Until then... REVIEW PLEAAAASE!