A/N: lalala…ogds this is so boring. I'm supposed to be doing test corrections for bioap, but instead I'm typing up a chapter. Is there something wrong with this picture? Yes. Especially since I'm practically failing the class. Oh well, can't whine. Hmm, dear *Shri, I never knew peole actually read my a/n's. it's something to think about, I'd better be more gaurded. Can't let you peeps know all my little secrets, can't let you peeps know that I like gundam wing. Actually, I'm more of a kenshin fanatic. *goes into starry eye mode. Hmmm, I did a semi c/k fic—since my friend claimed I was in denial over the cleon kel thing NEAL! It should be NEAL! Ahem. Oh, it's under um…twenty-five minutes. I think. Okay, now. Why's this chapter called rewind? Well, because (I'm a plaigerist Sam, so you can shut up) I (ran out of words) WILL YOU SHUT UP?!?! (goes off to bang conscience on the head). It's because a. I like the word, b. I wanted to keep the pos effects of the cliffhanger going and c. cuz someone said I didn't have enough mush. Oh, also d. cuz I felt like it. Am I evil? Yes I am. Man this is getting long
Section: Winter
Chapter 17: Rewind
I can't breathe. Though Faleron. Something must be holding me down. Is this what death is like? Should get it off me. Should open my eyes. Should wake up. Really. I should. But not just yet. Damn. Okay, I'll wake up.
Faleron opened one eye, closed it slowly, and opened the other. Felling woozy, but otherwise fine, he started to sit up. That was when his senses kicked in.
Groaning, Fal leaned back down. This is the reward I get for practically saving a life? He wondered, as that first wave of pain reverberated through him.
He sat up again—slowly. A person was lying on top of him, or rather, on top of his blanket. Scratch that. The HEAD of a person was lying on his blanket. (no, not literally).
Someone. A friend? Keeping watch. Fal mused. Black hair, long. Wearing a…wearing a DRESS? Pause and think.
Fal groaned again. It was Khari. He forgot himself and slapped his forehead.
Khari was having a very strange dream. It involved a mob of gnomes wielding long, thin, steel clubs. Suddenly, she woke up with a start, someone had…yelped?
Stupid. Stupid. Faleron thought. Now you've gone and waked her. And given yourself a headache. Hammers pounded his head to confirm that fact.
Khari looked at him bemusedly, as if trying to figure out who he was. "Fal!" she declared finally. "How are you feeling?"
"Like warhorses are prancing in my head." He answered truthfully.
"You're alright then?" She asked. She was worried. His heart leapt.
"Of course." Then, trying to make her laugh, he added, "I'm a man, you know." He pounded his chest. Another wave of arrows shot through him.
As he sat wheezing, he felt a cool hand on his shoulder. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a dark blue-silver light flowing into him.
As Khari's gift went through him, he stopped gasping, his head stopped spinning, and a few bruises faded.
"You. Are. Very. Very. VERY." Khari said through gritted teeth. "STUPID."
Faleron looked at her sheepishly.
"You not only hurt yourself yesterday." Khari lectured. "But now you pounded yourself on the chest. Tell me, my friend, what re you going to do next? Challenge the Stump to the duel?"
Fal grinned.
"Don't grin at me like that!" Khari snapped. "As you friend and as a concerned citizen of Tortall. I demand you recover immediately."
"are you worried about me?" he asked. Her scowl softened.
"Of course I am. She said. "Me and all the rest of our friends. You gave us quite a scare."
"I should do it more often." He commented. "Since this is the type of treatment I get."
"You…You…" Kharis' calm evaporated. "Kings' Reach…you are just..j..just plain…" She gave up yelling and just sat there, sputtering.
Not sure what he should do, only wanting her to stop squawking, Fal leaned forward and pressed his lips against hers.
Khari shut up.
Blushing furiously, both pulled back, breaking the kiss. Silence ruled for a while.
"Khari…" Fal finally said. "I just wanted to tell you…that…I…ever since…" He stopped, searching for the right words.
"I know." She said, not looking at him. "You…um…talk in your sleep.' She flushed red.
"Then you don't like me." He said. "And me being so gods cursed idiotic. Of course you don't."
"Oh!" She hit him. (That's Khari for you. When in doubt, hit the nearest person). "You ARE an idiot. Of course I like you! I might even…l…well maybe. Only I just figured it now." A pause. "I hope tht means you'll stop stealing my handkerchiefs?"
She could feel his face go red.
"Now." She started. "I hope you feel better because I liked or kiss." She said pointedly.
Faleron smiled. "what makes you think I liked it?" He teased.
Khari whacked him again, grinning. "Don't be an idiot." She retorted. "Just do it again."
He laughed and leaned forward. Truth to tell, he'd been eager for the second one too.
He'd kissed before, but none of those were anything compared to this. A warmth spread through him, any aches left disappeared. Her Gift again.
Khari wondered if first kisses were always like this. A tingling had spread over her, alerting every one of her senses. It was sweet, spine-tingling, warm, tender, and sent shivers up and down her spine.
"Don't they have to breathe eventually?" Owens' voice broke through.
A large, well-aimed pillow cut his sentence off.
"We have something to tell you." Neal said matter-of-factly. "Something you won't believe."
A/n. okay, I lied. This is just a meaningless gap to keep people happy when I work on the next chapter. Bye, and don't kill me. --Kourin.