A/N: Well look here, in the same month! I hope everyone enjoys and I wish you all a happy - and safe - Independence Day!

All three of them flew from her and she stumbled toward the captain who was too quick for his own good. He managed to keep hold of the whip and swung it at her as she charged forward. She mimicked his earlier trick and let it wrap harmlessly around one arm before she yanked at it. Another tug-of-war ensued and Stychus was so much stronger than she was. She was pulled forward too easily and while Percival tussled with the Imperial and Seamus said her name, she threw a punch. The captain wasn't expecting this and she caught him square in the jaw, sending him reeling back with a curse. The whip went slack in his hand and she yanked it away, throwing it toward Seamus.

Stychus recovered in a blink and drew back his hand to return her punch when she tackled him. They fell against the flagstones and rolled into one of the benches. Aine landed on top of him, feeling for a knife in her belt before she remembered that she wasn't even wearing her trusty breastplate; and she threw another punch, drawing a gout of blood from his nose. Stychus grabbed her arms and threw her aside and she couldn't suppress the cry when she landed full on her back. She couldn't move, the pain was so debilitating, and Stychus knelt over her. He had the knife she wanted and he tipped it so the light gleamed on the edge while he grinned nastily at her. She put up her hands and he fisted his own into her hair and bounced her head off the floor. She let out a groan and saw stars which worked in his favor. The bite of the blade pressed against her neck and he leaned close. His breath smelled like lemons and she knew she would never again be able to stand that scent if she lived through this.

"I was hoping to have you to myself for hours, little Bird. You can't begin to imagine the things I could make you say and do, but I guess this will have to suffice," He drew the blade up against her cheek, drawing blood and making her gasp, "And I can make it work."

"You're finished," She whispered and had never felt more done. Her body was broken and bested, but Odahviing was clearly doing his part, considering the screams that came from the closed doors, "You and the Empire. We had a deal, Stychus, Tullius and I. You lousy fool, you have no idea what you've done. If you truly think you can fall back on the protection of the City, you have more than a few surprises coming your way. Tullius and Ulfric agreed to a truce until we dealt with the dragons and argue all you want that we have. I'm guessing this coup came as soon as I disappeared over the horizon, right? And Balgruuf and his family - still alive or you're a damned idiot as well as a fool - will gladly tell the City that you flew in the face of that truce and screwed the Empire over. You are finished, Captain Markos Stychus."

Stychus' handsome face twisted in a rage she hadn't yet seen and she didn't care. She closed her eyes and waited for the blow. Which never came. Instead Stychus stiffened and then his body spasmed and he fell against her. The added weight made her cry out again and she could see the hilt jutting from his back when she tried - ineffectively - to push him from her. The hilt looked so familiar and then she remembered Meara's hand closing around it after it had lodged in her own chest…

Her gasp was wild and desperate and she pushed more firmly at the captain's body. It was no use and Percival was suddenly there. He pulled the knife from the captain's back and rolled him off of her. Aine stayed as she was, trying to summon the strength to sit up, and couldn't manage. She met Percival's gaze and held out one hand. His pale eyes, dark and haunted, flickered and went blank and Aine wasn't sure what to say.

"I can't, please…?"

He helped her upright then and she saw Seamus where she had left him, whiter still, but very much alive. She let out a breath of relief and squeezed Percival's hand.

"Bird-"

"No, thanks, but no, not now."

She struggled onto her feet and Percival only helped after Seamus waved at him.

"What are you doing? You really should-"

"I need to stop Odahviing before he actually does destroy us."

Aine heard the weakness in her voice and Percival didn't let her go. They made their way slowly to the large doors and he had to open them. Odahviing stood on the bridge to Dragonsreach, the edges of the stones rather crushed with his weight, and Aine had to shout at him a few times before he turned his head toward her. He started forward and she pulled from Percival's support just enough so the dragon wouldn't attack.

"Stop, you can stop," Her voice faded as she spoke to him and he cocked his head at her, coming closer and lowering his chin like Paarthurnax did. She felt the sting of loss again and she held up one hand. Waist-level was all she could manage, "You're amazing, Odahviing, but you can stop. It's done… again."

"Krosis, dov, but are you certain?"

"Yes, yes, I'm sure," She smiled at him and felt the blood start again from the knife wound to her cheek, "Go on, we'll manage."

Odahviing hesitated a moment and then inclined his head and spread his wings, flying west where the sky was still dark. The eastern sky, however, was streaked with orange and the faintest shades of pink and Aine let out a breath, struck at its beauty.

"It's over, Perce," She murmured and felt her legs grow weak, "It's finally over."

That brown-black she fought against when first dealing with Stychus was rearing its very ugly head and she let out another sigh. Percival said her last name and she heard a few - more welcome - voices join him as the flagstones rushed up at her. She was just about to hit - and then strong arms caught her and she knew no more.

Someone was caressing her hand and the strokes across the back hurt enough that she blinked her eyes open. She was laying on her stomach and everything was very fuzzy. Fingers stroked across her forehead then, brushing hair from her face, and her eyes finally found his gold-flecked blue.

"Hey, my girl."

"Ralof," She whispered and closed her eyes against the sting in her cut cheek. She nestled her head into the pillow and tightened her fingers around his, "Balgruuf and his family okay?"

"They are indeed. It was your… It was the bastard Stychus and a handful that caused the trouble," Ralof pressed her hand between his palms and she heard the shift of his feet against the base of whatever she was laying on, "The captain had his own entourage here in Whiterun, but it wasn't the force he was expecting. Half of them were so terrified that the dragons would attack Whiterun when you left that they deserted him and his only recourse was to attack you…"

His voice faltered and Aine hissed at the pressure on her hand. He immediately apologized and when Aine's gaze met his again, words failed him a second time. Her heart thudded in her chest and she tipped her head against the pillow, not dropping her eyes from his. He smiled faintly and reached with his free hand to brush her hair again, pressing his palm to that ear and stroking her cheek with his thumb.

"Ralof…"

He leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers. It should have felt awkward; Aine wasn't able to lift her head much from the pillow, but she cared so much for him and he cared for her, and it didn't matter. He pulled back a moment and then tipped his lips to hers again and Aine sighed into his mouth, ignoring the pain and slanting her head a bit so he had better access. The hand against her head wandered down her arm and across her lower back. This kiss promised to deepen, but pain suddenly snapped through her and she hissed, drawing back. Her thoughts flew back to the foyer and Stychus…

Stychus with the knife, cutting her cheek and telling her he had hoped for hours with her; Stychus telling that soldier to end Percival, Stychus whipping Seamus…

Aine started up from the table or bed she was on and Ralof stood just as suddenly.

"Whoa, my girl, what-"

"Seamus," She gasped and ground her teeth at the pain that erupted in her torn back. Ralof pressed his hand to her shoulder and she would have shrugged him away if she could. Instead, she was practically upright before his words got through.

"He's fine, Aine, he's okay. My girl, lay back down. By the gods, you're undoing everything. Please, girl, lay down; Nan's going to kill me," He pushed gently at her shoulders, trying to force her back, "Come on, Aine-"

"I want Seamus and I won't be kept from him. Get off me, Ralof. I don't know who Nan is and I really don't give a damn. I want Seamus," Aine actually got off the table and it was a farther drop than she thought. She staggered and fell against him, too weak to stand and move on her own, and hating the tears in her eyes, "Get out of my way, Ralof, I-"

"Shut up and listen to me, girl. Hady is okay and resting comfortably, are you going to accept this?"

"No, I need to see him."

Something died in Ralof's eyes and he nodded. In the next moment, Aine was cradled in his arms, and though one was pressed against the wounds of her back, she didn't protest. Instead, she tipped her head against his neck and shoulder and touched his cheek as he left her room and started down the hall. Seamus' room was two doors down and Aine exhaled when she saw her old friend. He was laying face-down on a tall bed like hers and his back was swathed with bandages. Ralof deposited her in the tall-legged chair that matched the bed and stepped back to the doorway.

Aine touched Seamus' damp forehead and traced the shape of his brow with one finger. He didn't stir and she took up his hand in both of hers, pressing her lips to his fingers. She rubbed his hand between hers, waiting for any signs of life, but not fully expecting them; and then one eye blinked open. She gasped in surprise and tipped forward, her hands tightening on his. She brushed his hair back again and then stroked her thumb against his forehead. He inhaled slowly and closed his eyes before looking up at her.

"Hey, Anni."

"Hey," She returned, her voice shaking.

Seamus pressed his fingers against hers and his gaze was cloudy and rather dull with exhaustion. He turned his head a little and winced, and Aine stretched her free hand across his cheek.

"You're a silly little fool," He whispered and his eyes suddenly sparkled when she frowned at him, "Come on, little inferno. I can practically hear Blondie's frustrated thoughts."

Ralof snorted at the nickname and Aine glanced over her shoulder at him. The movement caused her to gasp and she felt Seamus' hold tighten. She gingerly turned back to him and smiled.

"I wanted to see for myself that you were okay," She murmured and stroked his cheek again. The fire in the hearth bathed the room in a cozy yellow glow and his pale brown eyes met hers. His lips tipped in a soft smile and Aine's heart swelled with affection and such relief that he was still with her. She lowered her head a bit and dropped her voice to a whisper; not because Ralof was listening, but because she was sure her voice would break and she didn't want it to be that obvious, "I'm sorry, Seamus, I'm so sorry. I should never have included you in all this. It wasn't-"

"Shh, Anni, shh," Seamus' eyes cleared and he squeezed her hand, "My little inferno, you didn't do anything to me. I told you you were stuck with me and everything that came after that is all on me. Don't you dare let that bastard's words get to you. You called him a sadist and bully, and you're absolutely right. He would have said anything to throw you and you shouldn't give him that power. Especially now."

Aine leaned forward, ignoring the pain, and kissed Seamus' cheek. She pressed her head to his and they remained still for a moment. He finally sighed and she pulled back a bit to meet his gaze again.

"You okay?"

"I'm tired and in pain, and I imagine you are, too," He leveled his eyes on her when she opened her mouth to argue, "No use, Aine, I know you better than anyone and you can't hide that from me. Go on, get back to bed."

"Here, girl," Ralof's voice was much closer and he dumped the bedding on the little couch in one corner before scooting it closer to Seamus' bed. He fixed up a nest for her with a quick efficiency that she knew Seamus would mock if he were himself and then turned his attention to her, "Can you stand?"

Aine pressed her free hand to the bed and slowly got to her feet. It hurt, but she leaned against it and nodded to Ralof. He moved the chair and then positioned the couch closer to the bed. Seamus reluctantly let her go and Ralof helped situate her. She sat on the soft cushions, stroking her fingers along the worn wool blanket.

"What's the deal with the tall beds?"

Ralof looked at the bed and tipped a smile at her while he fluffed one of the pillows and pushed the couch even closer to Seamus.

"Nan prefers them, says they're easier to work with."

"I'll have to meet her," She accepted his help to lay back down and he stroked one hand briefly across her hair. She wondered fleetingly how filthy it was right now and she closed her eyes, wanting that caress to continue. Instead he stepped back and looked between them, "Ralof-"

"Get some sleep, you two, you need it."

He gave Aine a last tender look and left the room, pulling the door just to behind him. Seamus' hand reached down and brushed along her arm until he found her fingers and he squeezed them.

"It'll pass, Anni, give him some time to figure this out and it'll pass."

"I…" Aine stopped and instead pressed his fingers to her lips. I don't know if I can let it! "I know, Seamus, thanks. Get some sleep."