The Demon Inside.
By; Dark Cyrin

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Huzzah! I made it an entire story without killing anyone! Okay, the poor Dragon Fighter splattered across Rath in Chapter 4 doesn't count . . . well, not to me anyway.

This last chapter is dedicated to those of you out there who adore happy endings.
This is for you!

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Thatz jumped when he felt a cool cloth touch his forehead. He opened his eyes as wide as his pounding head would allow, only to find Rune staring back at him with worried eyes.

"Hello Thatz . . ." The elf ran the cloth down the side of the ex- thief's face, "Sorry you have to wake up to my presence . . . Rath was looking forward to talking to you, but I made him go lay down for a moment." The elf smiled, "He looked like he was going to scream if you didn't wake up . . ."

The Earth Knight grinned slightly. "It's okay," he stated softly, remembering what had happened, "I'll see him later . . . I'm sure."

Rune smiled and placed the cloth back in the water bowl on the bedside table. "Is there anything I can get you? Food? Medicine? Rath perhaps?" Thatz blushed slightly at the last suggestion, thankful that the room was very dimly lit. "All three sound good actually. . ."

The elfin Knight nodded, taking the bowl in his arms and standing. "All three it is." He began walking to the door, but stopped just shy of opening it. "Thatz?"

"Hmm?"

"Thank you for protecting Rath from Bierrez . . . I really appreciate it . . ." With that said the Water Knight strode out the door and shut it softly behind him.

Thatz raised an eyebrow at the comment, but realized quickly what it pertained to. 'Rath and Lykouleon probably made up an excuse to hide this mess from Rune and the others . . .' he sighed inwardly, 'I don't blame them.'

He shuddered involuntarily, remembering the look in Rath's eyes when the demon had been in control. 'Rath . . .' The ex-thief laid his head back and closed his eyes, a sigh escaping his lips. 'I wonder if he'll be alright?'

The sound of the door opening made him glace to the figure standing there. The earth Knight heard the red head whisper 'Thank you' to someone and shut the door quietly. He turned around to find Thatz staring at him.

"Hello Rath." Thatz gave him his trademark grin, watching the tension fade from the other Knight's face.

"Nice to see that you're awake." The young Knight walked over to the bedside, a tray of food in his hands. "Hungry?"

Thatz laughed, "That's a stupid question, when am I not?" With a pained groan he pushed himself up and leaned back against the headboard, covers falling to his waist. "Damn. Feels like I was run over by Nadil's army," Thatz chuckled to himself, "or at least a good half of it . . ."

The earth Knight watched Rath set the tray on the bedside table and sit on the edge of the bed. "I'm really sorry about all this . . . I should have better control." He handed Thatz a small pill and a glass of water.

"I told you it's okay . . . we all try to kill our friends at some point in our lives."

Rath gave him a look that said 'really now?' and Thatz laughed. "What's this?" he asked.

Rath smiled slightly, "Medicine for your wounds, from Lady Raseleane. She said that she hopes this makes you feel better."

Thatz glanced up at the young grinning Knight and raised an eyebrow. "She's smart, funny, good looking by royalty's standards, and has mastered every herb imaginable. Hard to believe she only married one guy."

"Y'know," Rath looked over at him, "If you weren't wounded, Rune would have ran in here and strangled you for saying that . . ."

Thatz popped the pill in his mouth and quickly drank the water, not caring to see if the medicine had any taste whatsoever. "Yeah," he put his hands in his lap, and pulled the comforter at his waist closer, "That elf has the best hearing I've ever seen."

" . . . and the worst temper." Rath finished.

"I couldn't agree more."

The room fell silent and Thatz glanced over at Rath. The young fire Knight was idly playing with his gloves and staring at the stone floor like it held the very secrets of the universe.

" . . . do you remember anything . . . ?" Thatz asked curiously.

Rath's gaze shot up to the earth Knight, a slight blush on his cheeks. "N, no . . . not really . . ." he let out a shaky sigh, "I only remember bits and pieces . . . only when I was in some sort of control of myself . . . the rest is a blur . . ."

"Ahh . . ." Thatz nodded, as if understanding.

The room went silent once again before Rath spoke up.

" . . . Thatz . . . ?"

"Hmm . . . ?" the ex-theif completely ignored the food on the bedside table, deciding that he wasn't that hungry anyway.

" . . . did you . . . did you really mean, what you said . . . " Rath's ruby eyes had a hopeful look in them, " . . . about me . . . ?"

"That I love you?" Thatz asked nonchalantly. He smiled when Rath nodded shyly. "Of course I meant it." He raised and eyebrow, "If I didn't love you why would I have risked my life to find out what was wrong with you."

Rath stared at him in almost disbelief, "But what if I can't stop myself next time . . . " He grabbed Thatz's good hand and held it close to him, "I might come after you next time . . . I have to know . . . would you be willing to stop me . . . for good . . . if I intended to take your life, and you knew that it would make me miserable? Could you do that . . . ?"

"I . . . don't know . . ." Thatz squeezed the fire Knight's hand, "I can't answer that completely . . . but if it was your wish, then maybe . . . " He moved forward and wrapped his arm around the younger Knight, pulling him close, "Just, try not to give me that option . . . okay . . . ?"

He felt Rath relax and lean into him, nodding in agreement. The two sat like that for several minutes in silence. Neither wanting to move.

"Thatz . . . ?" Rath mumbled into his good shoulder.

"Yeah?"

"Thank you . . ."

Thatz just smiled and held the Knight closer, "Your welcome."

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Woo! Done . . . finally!

What'd ja' think? Everyone's entitled to their opinions . . . except for flamers. Heh heh heh . . .

*** Some of my other stories are better, you should check those out too while your at it . . . just a suggestion . . .