AUTHOR'S NOTE: Now a big event that you've all been waiting for. You are going to love this.
Only two chapters after this(so sad-sniff sniff-).

THAnk-You xx Tunstall Chickxx for betaing my chapters and everyone who has been reading and REVIEWiNG this.

Remember to vote on on the poll on my profile (it has to do with the sequel)

DISCLAIMER: I am still not TP

After an evening spent talking and joking with Kel and Alanna, Tory retired to her room. She crawled in her bed and began to fall asleep. In the middle of the night she woke after hearing a window creak next door in Gemma's room. Tory's eyes went wide then she heard her own window begin to open.

"Gemma!" Tory yelled to wake the girl just as she raised her knees up to stop a man springnig from the window. Tory kicked him into wall and she heard another crash next door.

"Well, you didn't think I was really going to let you live did you?" Carson's black eyes held Tory's as his hair reflected the light coming through the window. "Don't worry, after little Jagged got in with the likes of you I brought in a few more underclassmen. Whip, Pincer, and Rockslide wanted to help so I sent them after your little lover boy and his mother."

"You monster. Can't you just die?" Tory went to go through the door but Carson stepped in front of her short sword raised.

"Not on my watch wench." He raised his sword and Tory freed two of her daggers. She caught his sword between her blades and twisted him out of her way. A crash that sounded like wood breaking came from the hall.

Tory rushed out and saw Gemma up against the wall with wood scattered around her. A youth the same age as her held a whip that he cracked, he swung it and grabbed her wrist but she twisted out and moved to attack. Tory looked down the hall and saw Alan being thrown through his door by the large assassin known as the Rockslide. Tory ran after him knowing Rockslide killed by crushing his victims rib cage.

"Alan!" she yelled running towards him.

He looked up and sprang to his feet "I'm coming" he yelled back.

People were coming out of their rooms to stop the commotion.

"Get them out side now!" Roared Carson grabbing Gemma from behind and shoving her through a window.

Alan and Tory only had time to look up when the Rockslide came charging at them, they had a choice to jump from the window behind them or be shoved through by him.

Tory grabbed Alan and pulled him at the window, "Feet first, fall forward, find the floor and make it fast." She yelled, diving out with Alan behind her.

The fight continued when they hit the ground. They heard Alanna crossing blades with the Pincer as she backed him through a door out in the open. Gemma was on her feet again and Tory saw blood coming off of The Whip's face. She didn't have time to smile though, Carson had come to attack her and The Rockslide charged Alan again.

"Come on you worthless mutt. Give me a real fight." Carson dove at her but she turned out from his path.

She tried keeping an eye on Alan, Gemma, and Alanna, knowing she couldn't be everywhere at once . She tried sinking into her 'Abyss being' but she couldn't. She saw Alan barely dodging Rockslide. Gemma was struggling against The Whip and she had no idea where Alanna was. She was furious but she couldn't empty her mind, ignore her conscious, or sink into emptiness. She was afraid, not for herself, but for Alan and Gemma.

She looked up and saw Alan fall over and The Rockslide was about to crush him. She threw one of her only two daggers that she had on her person at the large youth. The dagger pierced his throat stopping him in his tracks and letting Alan get out of the way. Tory turned back to the Attacking Carson just as his sword swung in in her. She went to block but she couldn't with only a single dagger.

The flat of Carson's sword crashed into the side of her head knocking her out. She fell to the ground and didn't get up. Carson stood towering over her, sword raised, as he flicked a blond hair from his face before putting a macabre grin on.

"No!" Alan yelled. His nightmares were coming to life but this time the air wasn't holding him back. Just before Carson's blade hit Tory, Alan's sword pierced through his chest.

Carson's black eyes went wide as they met Alan's furious green-hazel. Alan shoved him down and turned back to Tory.

She sat up rubbing her head, "Alan" she threw herself into his arms.

"Tory" He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her."He's not dead yet, we should question him."

"What?! No!" Tory ran to stop Carson. He pulled a knife on himself and slit his own throat.

"Mithros!" Alan yelled

"We're supposed to kill ourselves instead of being questioned. Where's Gemma?" Tory turned shaking her head in disgust.

"Right here, Seth took off." Gemma came around a corner followed by Alanna

"The lanky one is dead." Alanna was also mad.

"Now what?" Gemma asked

"Clean up and hide all of this before anyone else wakes up." Alanna said

"Too late." Alan pointed to Kel, Dom, and numerous others coming out of barracks and living quarters.

'What--" Kel began dressed in a night shirt like Gemma, Tory, and Alanna.

"... is going on?" Dom finished he was dressed like Alan in Loose knee-length breeches

"We were attacked, only one got away and he's only fourteen." Alan explained

"Fourteen or not he's a threat, look at Gemma." Tory added

"Tory." Kel looked at her

"Kel please don't--" Alan stepped forward.

"I need her to help me figure out a way to keep these people out Alan. I trust her." Kel left with Tory who began explaining it's virtually impossible to keep them out completely.

"I think it's time we clean this up." Dom and some of his squad moved in to cover the bodies. "Alan, why don't you go back to bed."

They were to leave the next day, Tory was in a hurry she had to get out of here to make sure no more attacks came. She was lying in her bed late that night, when her door opened, she sat up with a dagger in each hand ready to attack.

"It's just me." Alan came in dressed like he just came from his bed in knee-length breeches and nothing else.

"Alan" Tory put her daggers back on the floor by her bed.

"I just need to be with you before you go, Torrianne." Alan came closer. "Tory" he pulled her to her feet and he held her hand in his. "I love you lass."

"Alan I-"

"I'm not done yet. Lady Torrianne Lumbershot of Larstspur, The Abyss, and any other name you may go by, I can't live without you." He dropped to a knee. "I know you've only known me for a little under a year but... will you marry me?" He looked up into her deep brown eyes. "I want to spend my life with you Torrianne."

"Alan I-I- stand up please." She pulled him to his feet again.

"Is that a 'no' then" Alan seemed disappointed

"No." She replied

"I understand." He had a mix of depression and embarrassment on his face

"No Alan. I love you. I will marry you." She grabbed him and pulled him up to her. She slid her lips onto his and after his shock he kissed her back with just as much passion as he could. Heat burned through her body from his hands on her back, his chest pressed against her, and the from everywhere his breath touched. She couldn't part with him without feeling a hole in her heart, her body, her soul.

He felt a huge rush flow through him. Fire burned in his chest, he now knew that she loved him, and he could part with her or he just might fall apart. He knew that if she didn't come back tomorrow he would go through everyman in the Gallan army just to find her even if it meant a death for him.

"Tory don't make me go back to my bed tonight. Thoughts of you getting hurt plague me. Let me stay with you, just so I know you are safe." they finally broke apart, their breath came in gasps.

"Alan"

"Just let me stay here tonight please. I won't try anything, I just want to keep you close." Alan held her tight.

"Don't try anything." Tory gave up.

Tory let him sleep in her bed with her. She stayed in the curve of his body without moving but enjoying the protective warmth that encircled her. She let her thoughts wander to her hopes as she listened to Alan's steady breathing, If I get --when, when I get back I'll marry the man I love. I'll have to make sure Aly is here to be a bride maid, and Leena, Kary, and Gemma too.Fall colors would look nice with white. I could have the ceremony at the big courtyard back at Larstspur so my father could come. Then a crack of thunder brought her from her happy thoughts. Who am I kidding? I need a miracle to get back. She didn't realize tears began to stream down her cheeks from the thought of hurting Alan.

She moved closer resting her head on his chest but his grip tightened even in his sleep. Then she knew that there was no way she could get in to take out the sentries before they warned the army with Alan and the rest nearby. She had to go in alone and trust that they would listen to a note. She waited a little longer before reluctanly pulling out of his grip. She gave him one soft kiss on the lips hoping he wouldn't wake. Tory took a piece of parchment from her desk and scribbled across it. She changed from her night shirt to knee-length breeches and a sleeveless shirt. Tory hooked the clasp on cloak and gave one more look at Alan before slipping out the window. She didn't take a mount, that would be to noticable, so she jogged across the forest floor holding her cloak over her head to keep off the frigid rain, the entire time holding back tears. I'm sorry Alan. I hope I come back. I want to spend a much longer life with you.

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