Chapter 18 – Tobias

I left. It was the only thing to do.

I was literally choking to death, thinking about Rachel's strange predicament. It scared me. Horribly.

I mean, how could I, or anyone, help her when we barely knew what was wrong with her? I mean, one day she was good old Rachel, laughing at danger and yelling out her 'let's do it!' The next moment…

I demorphed when I was out of sight of the mall and its customers and spread my wings, flying up towards the sun. And my meadow.

As soon as I spotted my tree, I spread my wings and landed on the top branch. I instinctively looked through the tall grass to see if there was anything to eat. Even if I had seen something tasty (which I didn't), I didn't feel like hunting.

I felt lost and lonely.

I didn't mean to run out of the mall like that… it just came over me. Sadness, I mean. I wanted to do nothing but help her, but what was I going to do?

Ask the Ellimist?

I pondered that notion. Would it work? Could I do something for the Ellimist, so he could help me?

I would do anything for Rachel. Anything. But, what could I do that would help the Ellimist? It didn't seem possible, but, maybe…

I had said that I loved Rachel. Cassie had heard me. But was it just puppy love, or did I find my soul mate? It was hard to believe that two people as young as we could really 'fall in love'. Even some adults never even get that chance!

Tobias? I heard a voice in my head, breaking my train of thought. I snapped my face toward the bright sun. A large bald eagle flapped its wings and perched next to me.

Hey, I replied, looking back towards the slightly browning grass waving in the breeze, what's up?

The sky.

I chuckled at Rachel's joke and then grew serious, seriously. You were talking to Jake… I waited for her to finish the sentence, but Rachel was silent. I felt my stomach drop, anything bad?

Still Rachel didn't respond. I waited for a minute, and I was about to talk again, when Rachel turned her pure white head towards me.

Why did you run off, Tobias? She asked, sounding hurt. My heart pummeled and I cried tearlessly, my head spinning.

I… it… I choked.

Say it, Tobias!

No!

Yes. You can't hide it forever.

Please… I don't want to be hurt again…

You won't be.

I…R-Rachel, I love you, I paused and continued, breathing heavily, the emotions, they were choking me… I had to go. To think. I said, and cringed. Years of living in fear of my aunt and uncle caught up with me, and made me almost afraid of being loved, or even loving someone. I heard Rachel give a little gasp.

Tobias…I never knew…

I'm sorry --- I said quickly, feeling my heart break once again. Nobody would ever love me…

…If you felt the same way. Rachel interrupted, Tobias… I love you too.

Happiness like no other bubbled up inside me. My heart surged and I laughed joyfully. Rachel laughed along with me, breathing in little gasps as though she was crying in joy. Still laughing in ecstasy, we flapped to the ground.

Anybody who saw us would behold the strange sight of a bald eagle and a red-tailed hawk appearing to embrace, wings wrapped around each other. Slowly, we both melted to human shape, still hugging and crying.

It was the best feeling in the world.

She buried her face onto my shoulder and I wrapped my arms tighter around her. I wasn't sure if I was happy, or sad, or scared, or amazed. My thoughts were jumbled, and I couldn't think clearly. I knew one thing for sure, though.

This wasn't puppy love.

We stood like that for only a minute, but it felt like a millennia. Rachel filled my thoughts. Her hair, her face, just her being Rachel when I needed her most. My head was cloudy and I felt dazed. I loved being this close to her, holding her tight.

Rachel lifted her head and looked at me, her eyes shining with unshed tears.

"I'm sorry," she said, tears streaking down her face. I felt horrible to see her like this. I brushed the tears away, and looked down at her, a concerned expression on my face.

"What do you mean?" I asked. Rachel put her hands on the sides of my face and kissed me passionately, tears still cascading down her face. I was surprised once again, but this time, I kissed back, trying to ease the pain she was in.

When we broke apart, Rachel choked, gasping.

"Tobias, I'm sorry for everything. I'm sorry you're a nothlit, I'm sorry I'm not always there for you… I'm sorry for all the battles, for the disappearance of your parents," she continued, tears flowing steadily from her eyes, "I'm sorry that we can't be a normal couple."

She grabbed my hand and wrung it tightly.

"Tobias, I'm scared. Everybody thinks that I can't be, because I'm Xena, Warrior Princess, but it's not true. I'm scared that the Yeerks will get us; I'm scared for all the people who are already slaves. I'm scared of being afraid," she looked away, "now, I have this weird sickness, and nobody knows what to do. I mean, I wake up one morning, and I don't remember anything I did the night before! I'm scared that I'll forget everything, and everybody. I can't lose you, Tobias. I love you, and I don't know what I'd do without you…"

"We'll figure out how to get you well. Rachel, I promise." I said, thinking of my idea I had earlier. The Ellimist…?

"Yeah." Rachel said, taking a deep breath. She kissed my cheek, "thank you."

I must have had a goofy expression on my face, because Rachel grinned for the first time since she had shown up at my tree.

"Ohh… all your dreams come true, Tobias?" She said, laughing. I blushed and she laid her forehead against mine. She sighed.

"It's okay…" she said, smiling, "mine did."

"Really?" I blurted out, and Rachel laughed happily.

"Yes."

Huh? Good? Sorry I haven't updated in a while… I have four stories that I'm working on right now! *pants* Anyways… I hope u guys like my story, and I'll have the next stuff up asap!

Thanks a bunch!

Cheers **

Tic-Tac ~ :)