**Please wake up, Sandry,** thought Briar. He had brought her into the manor, and of course, many people were quite surprised to see a fa Toren lying limp in his arms. The manors healers quickly applied their magic into Sandry, but said that it was up to her to wake up after they had done their best. Her face had lost its entire colour and her breathing was very irregular. Briar was ready to dive in and save her, just like he did for Rosethorn, if the time came to that.

Daja, Tris and Briar were stuck to her bedside all through the night. River came in a few times to see how Sandry was doing and comfort Tris. Lark, Niko, Frostpine and Rosethorn had left a few minutes earlier, against their will, to attend a mandatory meeting about something to do with why they were going to Hajra. None of the children cared to question why they were going.

Tris's eyes were red and blotchy from crying, and Daja's eyes were sad and droopy. Briar was concentrating on Sandry, holding her hand tight.

After what seemed like a very long night, and a very long morning, Sandry seemed to be getting better. The colour in her cheeks was coming back and she was breathing regularly.

By evening the next day, all three children were asleep. Sandry woke up slowly, studying the roof above her. She twitched her arm, and cringed. It was sore all over. She sat up as slowly as she could, so she wouldn't wake the three sleeping bodies all around her. Wait, her hand was stuck. She looked to see where it was. Sandry blushed; Briar was squeezing her hand. Thankful that no one saw her blush, she squeezed back, and he woke up with a start.

"Sandry?" he said in a hoarse whisper. She nodded. "Sandry!" he yelled, waking up the other two. Daja and Tris both jumped on to Sandry, giving her a hug. Briar jumped in after a second, giving her a hug around her shoulders.

"How do you feel?" asked Daja.

"I'm okay," Sandry croaked back, "I'm just starved out of my mind. Is there anything to eat?"

Lark and Rosethorn came running in from the hallway. Lark collapsed into the doorframe when she saw Sandry sitting up. Rosethorn grinned and scolded her, jokingly, "It's about time you woke up, young lady."

Sandry grinned back. "but I was having a nice nap."

"Well, we're glad you finally woke up." Said Lark.

Sandry looked at everyone in turn, thinking of her nightmare in the wild flowers, "So am I."

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Tris looked at Sandry, now feeling good enough to start on the road again. They had stayed there for much longer than planned, to Tris's glee, and now the party had to move on.

:~ Why so glum coppercurls?~: Briar asked.

:~ Oh, we leave tomorrow, I don't think I'll see… never mind,~: Tris stopped, not wanting to continue on about her major crush on River, since she had a major crush on Briar before that.

:~ ooooo, your love life too girly for the likes of me then?~: Tri could feel Briar smiling at this comment he made, so Tris retorted with.

:~ Oh *nothing* is too girly for you, Briar,~:

:~ harrumph,~: was all Briar said in reply, and Tris giggled.

"What's so funny, Tris?" asked a familiar voice from behind.

She turned to see River standing behind her. "Oh, nothing, never mind," she replied, turning a little red. "I leave tomorrow, you know that right?" she asked, sadly.

River's face turned sad, "Yes, I was told. Tris-"

Tris's face lit up a little, "Yes?"

"Tris, I-I'll miss, you. A lot." River pulled her away from the crowd. "I mean, I will really, really miss you." He looked into her eyes.

"I, I will too, River." She looked away. "I don't want to leave you."

"Then don't. Stay with me, here. I'm sure it will be all right with Mother and Father. I could, I can…."

"River, you know I can't leave like that. I- I've known Briar and Sandry and Daja forever. They're like, no they *are* my family. I don't want to leave you, but I can't stay."

He lifted her chin, their eyes met. The hunger and passion waiting to escape from both of them, rushed into their minds, creeping into their whole body. Their lips got closer and closer and when they met, it was like fireworks. The longer they held on, the slower time was, nothing in the world, could change the way they felt right then.

When they finally broke, Tris, too embarrassed to say anything, and too shocked to move, just smiled. River smiled back. Sandry turned the corner.

"Hey, you guys!" She looked at both their faces, "I think I'll leave you two alone." She walked back around the corner, grinning.

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**Hey, I wrote a lot for you kidz, or at least it seemed like that for me, so APPRECIATE IT!! Yay! Anyways, more will be up soon. I promise, but for now, REVIEW!! Yay thanx for reading my story!! Briar and Daja will be in the next chapter…. ~CJ~ **