Read and Review.I seemed to have lost some reviewers. Perhaps my story line is failing. Tell me if you think it needs to be reviewed.please!!!! R&R!!! I think that Lera and Stu shipping...maybe! I just love Joel though!!! I dunno.

You guys forget that I base my next chapter of the reviews you give me. I try desperately to get you to post what you don't want to happen so I can make it happen..LOL just kidding.

Sorry it's so short, but I havent had time.. I have this terribly long project on to Kill a mocking bird, due next Monday.u.u more soon, I swear.longer chappies coming up!!!

Odd. I have no reviews for chappie seven or ten.prolly cause I added seven and eight at the same time, ditto with ten and eleven. *sad*

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Lera blinked as she rolled over. She felt different some how. She sat up. Her back hurt from days.or weeks? Laying down in the hospital bed. She stretched her arm muscles and stood, walking over to the window. The summer sun peeked up at her, winking from over the hill scattered horizon. Lera stared at it for a moment, paused by the beauty of it before she realised that her eyes were stinging and she had to move away.

She wore a simple, white doctor's night gown that brushed irritatingly against her knees as she walked to the door. Peeking into the wooden floored hallways of the hospital wing, Lera crept away, making as little sound as possible. She was nearly out of the wing completely when Duke Baird stepped in her way.

"Where do you think your going Missy?" He asked, his hands planted firmly on his hips. Lera grinned innocently up at him and tried to edge around him.

"I promise I wont over do myself. I'll be good and only participate in academics." She held her hand up in oath. She felt humiliated that all these people thought she was weak because of what happened. She would get revenge.

Duke Baird sighed, obviously uncomfortable talking to her after 'the incident.'

Lera smiled awkwardly at him and skipped away, heading for her room. She wound around the familiar hallways, which were emptied for morning classes, and made her way to her dorm. She hadn't been to it in so long. Rounding the final bend in the labyrinth of hallways, Lera stopped short.

There was a collection of flowers and cards and such sitting outside of her room from all of her friends. Stepping over the presents, Lera dragged them each into her room and locked it behind her. She stared in wonder at the gifts, blinking back tears.

Not having anything better to do, Lera began un wrapping the gifts. They were mostly practical things like a brush for the horse she didn't yet own from David, and a new crop from Carlyn with a gold plated handle.

Lera didn't know what to do, she just placed the present s on her bed and cried. She liked to think that these people didn't hate her. But she knew better. They did hate her. She was weak. Not like them. She didn't fit in. She placed the flowers on assorted shelves all over her room and grabbed her sword, walking out to the practice court. She didn't care what she had told the Duke. She meant to get back in shape. Prove her worth.

Lera let herself into the indoor fencing court practise ring, closing the door after her. She walked to the center of the room and took her fighting stance. She bounced up and down in the position, gaining her core balance. Her leg muscles hurt from the few minutes of holding a low horse stance before she began stretching her legs. She hopped around the ring, stretching her legs in between fake jabs and parries.

Lera lost track of time as she went of her spins and blocks with an invisible opponent. She could feel the heat of the sun seeping through the roof and she knew it must be lunch from the gnawing hunger in her belly. She continued practising, feeling the exaustion deep within her center. Her legs and arms hurt. Her shoulder hurt from holding her sword in her good and bad arm for too long. She rolled them backwards and forwards a few time trying to loosen them up.

Suddenly Joel burst into the court, bringing with his a slight draft of cool air. Lera rubbed her shoulder length hair from her face and pulled it over her shoulders, nodding a greeting to Joel as she continued her ducking.

"Lera!" Joel called to her, startled and worried. Lera ignored him and began blocking faster than ever.

"Lera! Lera Stop!" Joel called, his voice filled with alarm. Lera didn't hear him run over. Abruptly his fingers were around her forearm.

"Stop it, your going to kill yourself." He commanded, shaking her by the shoulders.

Lera tried to jerk herself from his grasp. "Let go!" She screamed at him, trying to fight away from him. He refused to let go. She shook her self, clawing at his arms, tears rolling down her cheeks unwontedly "Let me go!" She shrieked, frantically.

Joel pulled her to him, hard. He wrapped his arms around her, hugging her as if she were struggling away from life itself.

"Lera."He whispered, over and over again, soothing her. She fought for a while longer before giving up in his arms. She pressed her face against his chest, her shoulders quivering and tears spilling from her eyes.

"I'm so sorry." Joel whispered in her ear. Holding onto her tightly. Lera hand her arms around his neck, she felt safe. She nuzzled into his shoulder. "Hm?" She asked quietly, calming down a little bit, her shoulder still shaking.

"For this." Her stopped talking.

Lera pulled away, looking at him cautiously, like a deer caught in headlights. "What?" She asked finally.

"For touching you." He said quietly.

Lera couldn't help it, she pulled his face to hers and pressed her lips against his. Loving the sensation of his soft skin against hers.