It was a cloudy grim day for Claire to be toiling away at her fields. Even though the colder air had become ever more present as the days progressed, she still sweated as if summer had never left. This was problematic for the blonde for two reasons. One, she had to purchase some work gloves due to the recent temperature changes. And – correlating with the first reason – two, because of being forced to wear gloves, sweat drenched her hands on a regular basis. It sucked, but she knew her hands would thank her later down the road.

Claire surveyed her fields, leaning against her barn for bit of a breather. Her crops for the season swayed whenever the cool breeze blew. She reflected how much she had improved since spring. She grew more crops than before, thanks to getting rid of the large rocks and stumps. And even though she still did not understand why one needed to 'upgrade' their tools, those upgraded tools especially her watering can proved extremely helpful. Somehow with her improved watering can she was able to water way more at once than simply one by one. It confused her, but she went with it just like anything else she had encountered.

Perhaps Mineral Town could do without technological advancements in helping with farming. Silly thought, the blonde thought, of course improving methods for farming with the latest technological advancements would be beneficial. She sighed, pushing those thoughts away but not before thinking that one day she would try harder to convince Mayor Thomas on the matter.

Her thoughts then wandered to her animals. She smiled as she watched her cow, sheep, and horse grazing in the fenced off area. Akira even barked now and then at them as if she were telling them some important information. She had thought about getting more cows and sheep and even inquiring about getting ducks like her cousin had. But in the back of her mind, a feeling of hesitation always surfaced. She had no idea why considering her animals were all happy and well looked after. She made sure of that.

Like always though any time she drifted off in her thoughts, someone had to interrupt them. This time though, it was someone she least expected. "Greetings, Claire. It is good to see you are not pushing yourself."

As her eyes fixated on her visitor in a heavier white lab coat, Claire cursed underneath her breath. She stumbled somewhat, trying to stand up straight. She ultimately succeeded but knew her recovery was not a graceful one. "Trent..." she awkwardly started, "What an unusual, unexpected surprise."

"Hardy asked me to check up on you sometime since your episode in the valley."

"Oh..." the farmer trailed, refusing to keep eye contact with him. "Well, I feel fine."

"That may be. But I wouldn't be doing my job if I simply take your word for it."

"And in order for you to do so, we're going to have to go to the clinic..."

"To be thorough, yes."

Claire took a deep breath, "Okay. Fine. Let's get this over with." She took her gloves off, sticking them in her overall pockets. She felt around in her pockets then realized she had left her phone in her house. "Just one thing: I need to grab something in my house and drop off my rucksack. I don't really want to drag it with me. It won't take long."

"Alright."

The two of them headed to her house. Trent waited outside while she went in, threw her rucksack on her couch, and grabbed her phone from her coffee table. "It is going to be one of those days..." she muttered to herself. Noticing her cat Minnie sleeping on one of her couches, she patted her ever wishing she could do the same thing. She took a deep breath then joined the doctor outside.

All morning Gray laboured away while his grandfather looked over the books, supervising now and then. Minus the hammering, it was quiet for the pair both with work and the customer flow. It was times like this where Gray really enjoyed his work. But this particular instance had Gray thinking much more during his work than previously.

The subject of his thoughts was Claire, or more specifically, her words. It had been a couple weeks since the two of them spent some time outside of their schedules – since the time she told him to tell his grandfather about his side projects he had accomplished. He tried taking her suggestion on telling Saibara what he had made in his spare time; but every time he had determined that 'this will be the day,' he ended up chickening out. He knew what the blonde had told him made sense. And even though her encouragement helped him in being more determined to impress his grandfather, he still was unsure.

The young blacksmith wiped the sweat off his brow, deciding to take off his jacket due to the heat. He hanged his beige jacket, aware of his grandfather's glance, and went back to work. "You should probably take off your hat too if the heat is getting to you."

"It's alright, sir. I'm fine," Gray momentarily took his hat off, ran his hand through his lightly coloured hair, then placed it back on its rightful place, backwards.

"I'll never understand that boy's obsession with that hat..." Saibara mumbled to himself, thinking Gray did not hear.

The young man did but ignored his grandfather's remarks, as he decided to open the front window of the shop. The shop grew quiet from conversation once more while he continued working.

Time progressed and so did Gray with the piece Saibara had assigned to him. He admired it, some pride swelling up, but immediately concluded his grandfather would find some fault in it. That was usually what would happen after Gray had completed a task. Determined, he continued to work on it like a potter carefully sculpting clay, that is, until out of the corner of his eye he caught a sight which bewildered him.

He nearly smashed his own fingers as he saw two people walk by the blacksmith – two people whom he had least expected to even be walking together anywhere. He cursed underneath his breath for being so stupid in allowing himself to be careless with the tool he had been using. Or so he thought nobody heard him cursing. The blonde of the two glanced at the window, locking eyes with Gray.

Gray knew not what to think. He knew Claire had an uneasiness about the doctor, though he never found out the exact reason. So why was she walking with him? Business? Or...? He pushed that train of thought to the side. He just knew that would never happen. But why was he so bothered with the slight possibility of it? Or for that matter, why was he so bothered by a simple walk two people were taking?

He watched them until the two were out of his purview. He took a deep breath then continued with his project. His grandfather, however, had witnessed his demeanour and decided to speak up, "Gray, my boy, could I get you to organize the shop and help me with the inventory today instead of working on that piece?"

Gray stopped working, "Sure, but you did say-"

"I know what I said before."

With a bit of confusion running in his head, Gray obeyed his grandfather.

As Trent and Claire walked into the Clinic, the familiar stench of a typical doctor's office crept into the blonde's senses. It was one smell which she had always hated and could never figure out why every doctor's office smelt all the same. She had guessed it was due to some disinfectant that was used. But did they all use the same type or something? It was uncanny.

She glanced around the cold lobby as she followed the doctor, noticing briefly a busy Elli behind a desk and a sitting area. The doctor led her into a room which she guessed was his office-sort-of area, given how there were bookshelves filled with books as well as an office chair and table. The room puzzled her due to the large size and it leading to another room which they both entered. In that particular room was a bed, table and chair, much like many patient rooms.

This clinic is definitely not like anything I've seen in the city, that's for sure, she thought to herself as she sat on the bed. During the whole trek to the Clinic none of the two had spoken to each other. Thinking that she should say at least something, especially considering what she did on the Fireworks Festival, Claire sparked a conversation, "Look, I don't know if you want to talk about... summer."

The doctor looked at her, no emotions appearing on his face. He just held his clipboard.

"I just want to say that I'm sorry..." Claire inhaled, "I'm sorry that I just left you at the beach with my brother and Ann for that matter. I'm sorry for not saying this earlier. It's just-"

"No explanations are necessary. I get it," the black-haired man interrupted. "It gave me a lot to think about, I must admit."

"I still should have made more of an effort to make amends for my curtness."

"I appreciate the sentiment but again, it's fine. Been studying much more anyways."

Claire sighed to herself, still feeling awful about what she did to the doctor. He seemed okay through his words, but her gut told her that she had hurt him. It was hard to tell, given his mannerisms; then again, it was hard generally to get any sort of read from him. "I just want to be extra clear on something. It's not you; it's me," Claire used the cliche, cringing as she did. "I know you said no explanations are necessary so I'll just say this: you seem like a great guy from what I hear from other people in town and especially Elli. That is one reason why I didn't wanted to say no. It's just, again, like I said, it's me: I am uneasy about doctors..."

"Claire, it's alright, really. Besides, I thought you wanted to get this over with," the doctor lightly joked which surprised the farmer.

Who knew he had some decent humour in him.

I had no idea.

It was a basic examination from taking of the blonde's temperature to making sure her reflexes were alright. She felt a bit more comfortable than before as it progressed, but that was not saying much. Wishing she could leave at that minute, she looked out of the nearby window while the doctor drew some blood with a needle. He wanted to proceed with a blood test before letting her go her merry way.

"I shouldn't be too long. Sit tight. You'll be able to leave as soon as I know everything is okay."

"Sure," she responded. Trent left, leaving Claire by herself with her thoughts.

She surveyed her room, her stomach twisting from the vibes of the room. Doctors were bad enough for the blonde, but being in a patient's room by herself? That was way worse for her. For some reason, she had always imagined being murdered in a patient room. And the room smelling like death did not help matters. The minute she thought back to that made-up scenario, her imagination did the rest.

A tap on the nearby window jolted the farmer, scaring her half to death. She quickly looked over and, to her surprise and annoyance, saw the young blacksmith. Of course... He motioned to her to open the window. She did. "What the hell are you doing here, Gray?" she quickly composed herself, one hand on her hips.

"Could ask you the same thing."

"You first."

"Fine. I came to check to see if everything was alright. Now your turn."

"Hardy wanted Trent to do a follow-up. What, do you think I would be here by choice?"

Gray shrugged, "I don't know what to think." He paused briefly then continued, "Need someone to break you out?"

"You do know that you wouldn't be technically breaking me out since I had to open the window to even speak to you."

"Do you?" he repeated.

Claire glanced back at the door, anticipating on it opening any minute. When it did not, she replied, "Fine. I think I've had my fill of being here for a long while anyways." She reached for his outstretched hand for balance then jumped out of the window.

"See? Broke you out." he winked at her.

"Shut up."

The two of them looked around, not knowing where to go next. "Now what?" Claire inquired.

"For starters, we close the window here," Gray remarked as he slid the window as best he could shut, "cause I do not want to be accused of letting some animal in. Then, I was thinking we should head north – that's if you do not want anyone in town to find you for awhile. Not many people head up there."

A tapping noise soon came from the window, much to the pair's surprise. Before Claire could say anything, Gray snatched her hand quickly leading her up north. They ran for awhile, which Claire did not mind – anything to get away from that clinic – then Claire teared her hand away, abruptly stopping to catch her breath. Gray stopped soon afterwards.

"Thanks," the blonde wheezed out, "I think."

"Everything is okay, right?" Gray asked, regaining more his breath than the blonde did.

"I was only waiting for a blood test result. Everything else was fine, so logic dictates that was fine too," Claire continued bent over, still trying to regain her breath. She half-smiled at the slight reference to the Vulcan kind. "At least it seems logical to me – boy do I hate running."

"Yeah, I see. You're gonna be okay?"

"I'll live," the farmer stood up, squinting at her companion. "You know, we're going to have to explain ourselves when we go back to town."

"I know. That's later's problem."

Claire surveyed her surroundings. The coppers and yellows of the leaves glistened in what little there was for sun. Trees were all the blonde could see albeit not nearly as much as she had seen near Mother's Hill. There were patches of smaller plants also showing their fall colours scattered throughout. She wondered whether anyone even ventured this far from town.

Then she realized something: they were north of Mineral Town, the specific direction Sephia had mentioned to Claire on that fateful summer afternoon. The green-haired goddess had told her later on that it was not an urgent matter where she would have to drop her farm duties and immediately go investigate up north. By the woman's standards it was not realistic, considering the green-haired woman respected the life of a farmer. "But if the opportunity arises..." Sephia's words rang through Claire's head.

"Hey, Gray?"

"Yeah?" he replied as the two of them aimlessly wandered.

"How far north has anyone from town been?"

Gray shrugged his shoulders, "Honestly, I don't know. I know Basil has been known to explore these parts. But I don't know how far."

"I see," the blonde contemplated. "Here's a thought: let's see what is up further north!"

"Okay," Gray kicked a rock, sending it flying ahead of them till it stumbled on a tree, "But I don't see the point to it."

"At the very least it will be a direction to walk to for a bit."

"I'm not saying no to it..."

"But?"

"Trees are trees."

Claire scrunched her nose, We shall see.

The two of them continued their journey up north, sometimes in silence and sometimes in conversation. In silence, Claire furthered her thoughts on the mystery surrounding the north. Like why was a highly intelligent being not able to see the north, given how she could anywhere else? Was there some natural interference? Some monument? Or was it deliberate? Whatever it was it pricked the farmer's thoughts, a lot more than anticipated.

Then, of course, her thoughts circled around the never-ending saga that was her personal life. During those specific thoughts, she glanced occasionally at her companion expecting answers to any questions she had to just magically materialize. Not Trent, like she had expected to ponder again concerning her attempt at an apology for ditching then ghosting him. No, apparently the achievement of her ghosting him in real life in a small town instead of over text or something barely had any room in her head. No, it was Gray yet a-freaking-gain.

This particular time? Why? Why did he come by the Clinic? The logical side of her reasoned that regardless of Trent's insistence that he would have swung by her place after his session with his grandfather. But the side that overthought things beyond reason? That side told her that it was more than just 'routine.' Why else would he first had cursed underneath his breath when she was waking with the doctor then as soon as he could, head to the Clinic? Or offer to 'break her out' (even though he technically did not)? Or, in not so many words, sweep her away from town and venture further north?

Her eyes now fixated on the blacksmith's hat. He still wore it the same way he did earlier when she caught his attention walking by the blacksmith. She mischievously grinned to herself, thinking that a bit of fun needed to be injected into their trek. Just as soon as she plucked his hat off his head, she ran. And ran fast. He immediately gave chase.

Claire ran as fast as her legs could carry her. But every inch, ever feet that she ran, she quickly started realizing how foolish her little prank was. Here was her, a girl who hated running, pushing her limits for running and all for a bit of a tease. Either she was going to slow down or her companion was going to catch up. Both scenarios had one outcome: he was definitely going to catch her.

Gray grabbed her, drawing her closer to him. He thought the prize was within his grasp, but the blonde twisted and turned protecting the hat at all costs. "You know I'm going to get my hat back, right?"

"You don't have it yet, Gray," the blonde teased, "so don't get cocky."

Thinking that his longer arms would reach, he grabbed her from behind trying desperately to rescue his hat. "Then I'm going to hold you like this till I get it back," he continued holding her from behind.

Claire blushed ferociously at the closeness to his body, ever thankful he could not see her face. The once annoying smokey metal smell intoxicated all her senses. His embrace was the only thing holding her up, but even that sent tingles down her spine. Through the sensory overload, she somehow managed to still prevent the young blacksmith from grabbing his prized possession.

As she focused more on her surroundings though, she looked forward. Forgetting for just a moment the feelings inside of her, she spoke up, "Gray?"

"I'm not letting-"

"Shut up and look in front of us," Claire raised his chin from off her shoulder.

He released his embrace as she unconsciously passed him his hat back. Both of them stared at what they saw. "Sooo, not more trees," the blacksmith finally spoke.

"Definitely not more trees..."

The two of them saw from a distance a fenced off section with a large bland looking building in the middle. A few forest green tents littered the lot giving Claire the impression that this was some sort of operation, perhaps even military. Her eyes then followed what she assumed was a dirt road. An idea smacked her on the face.

"Claaaiiire, we do not need to go down there."

"Well, I'm going to. I... I have to know," Claire straightened her overalls then marched towards the general direction of the complex. "I mean, honestly, you of all people should know I will not be able to let this go."

She expected a response, but none came.

"And just by the looks of it, I'm going to have to guess it is a black site. For what? Rassilon only knows."

Again, she heard no response.

She whirled around to investigate why the blacksmith was suddenly quiet and to her shock did not see him within her surroundings. "Gray, this is not funny," she called out, her eyes darting from tree to tree. Something inside of her told her that yelling was not be a smart idea.

Before she could formulate her next move, she felt a black cool bag being thrown onto her head.

Of course.

She then felt a bit dizzy, everything getting darker and hazier to the point of blacking out.

Yeah, you could say that this is one of my main reason for writing this story. Probably took too long to get to it *thinks* but that is okay. I like Graire a lot so yeah. Super excited to start writing the next chappy. And I really hope this entertains ya'll. This is SO not your typical Harvest Moon story. ;)