Catz: Let's do this.

Courtney's POV

I stared down into the waters, dropping to my hands and knees to see better. I still could hardly see through the layers of waters and the tears in my eyes. BEN couldn't die! He just couldn't! He had become a friend to me; more than a friend.

If he dies I swear I am going to kill him.

The waters glowed blue, the blue swelling, growing. Suddenly it shot toward the surface, and the entire water hole glowed an electric hue. I could feel a slight warmth on my face as sparks danced on the surface of the still water, the ripples from BEN falling in now faded.

I stared as the blue brightened, dancing through the waters, and watched it dull, wane, and fade to nothing. The waters returned to the dark color of deep water, and the warmth left my face.

I stared intensely into the waters, my chest tightening, feeling my heart in my throat, feeling it beat in my chest.

Waiting for him to surface.

All I saw was my own reflection staring fretfully into the depths.

Cracks broke over the mirror; ripples marring the surface. A head, an arm, two feet. A hand grasping the grass as he pulled himself onto land from the edge of the waters.

I felt my throat seize up, and stood up so fast I nearly fell into the water. I ran down the ridge, to the shore where he lay, drenched and out-of-breath, trying to stand up on unsteady legs. He got halfway up, fell down, and tried again. I reached him as he caught himself from falling once again and finally stood; trembling, but standing.

He grinned at me, water running from his brown hair into his eyes. His face was different, and his ears rounded. He was an inch or two shorter, and Danny's clothes, heavy with water, were practically falling off him. He didn't look like Link anymore. He didn't look like BEN anymore. I squinted, trying to see if this was even the same person.

I stared into those eyes as he pulled his palm over them to clear the water from them. Those same blue eyes that sassed me, belittled me, trusted me, smiled at me.

Those same blue eyes.

I threw my arms around his neck, not caring if I got wet, feeling the warmth from his human body where my skin touched his. He staggered, still not steady even without me unbalancing him, catching himself before falling.

I pulled back and kissed him full on the mouth. I didn't care that he was dripping, didn't care that my clothes were getting wet, didn't care about the chill I felt where the wet cloth clung to my skin. He was alive.

And I loved him.

And that's all that seemed to matter.

I walked down my street with the brown-haired boy, our hands interlocked, swinging between us. I had ended up having enough money for the several bus rides back up to Indiana from Thompson's Corners.

Down the street in front of my house stood Danny, Evan and Tim, talking in a circle, looking worried. Danny looked over his shoulder and saw me, shouting out, "Courtney!" running toward me. Evan and Tim started after him.

"Courtney! Are you alright? Do you know why the house's window is smashed? Why is Jake in jail? What's going on here?" Danny asked me, gripping my shoulders, looking into my eyes with concern and confusion. He looked over at the boy by my side. "Who's this?"

I smiled, squeezing the hand holding mine.

"Danny, Tim, Evan," I addressed them. "I want to introduce you to someone."

I grinned at the boy holding my hand before turning back to them.

"This is Ben."

Catz: And that's a wrap.

I want to thank every single one of you for sticking with me through the whole thing. You are awesome, and you guy's kept me going when I wanted to abandon this story. You guys are my fuel and fire, and every one of you is a rock star.

It's been a hell of a ride, and I'm so happy to have been able to share it with all of you. Thank you sincerely and endlessly for reading.

Until later, Skittles.

Until later.