Disclaimer: I don't own anything, expect the plot.

Summary:  When on his travels Briar is given a choice, turn back to his thieving ways or loose the only one he has ever truly loved. When he turns down the offer he will do anything in his power to protect those whom he loves.

The Threat of a Love

Ch. 4

Sandry lay in bed late that night. Wide awake. Earlier that evening when the messenger had arrived with the letter form her uncle, she had spun into a state of emotional turmoil. She didn't eat any dinner, just poked at the food on her plate. The thought of her upcoming birthday placed a burden upon her shoulders. At the ripe age of sixteen, nobles presented their daughters to society to be wed. Now, that her sixteenth birthday was ahead of her, she began to think. Her father was no longer here to present her, not that she wanted to be presented, but still the thought plagued her. Tears began to well up in Sandry's eyes as she thought of her parents last days and of her days in the cellar, before Nikos arrival. Quickly brushing away the fugitive tears, Sandry got up and decided to head to the kitchen.

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He was running. Where he was running, he didn't know. His feet carried him along the familiar streets. Turning a sharp corner, he was in a dark alley, dimly lit by burning oil lamps, in front of him stood 2 figures. A young boy not older than 15, dressed in a tattered pair of breeches and was topless, and a girl, who was blind-folded and gagged. The young boy held a knife to her throat. It was at that moment that another figure stepped out of the shadow. He was better dressed than his companion, but signs of poverty swam all around him. When he spoke, his voice rang clear through the silence.

"Have you chosen Roach? Remember what stands at stake" He raised a dirty hand, and snapped his unwashed fingers. The boy holding the knife applied a small amount of pressure, arousing a cry from his captive and causing blood to trickle down her throat.

Briar sat up with a gasp. Had he ever had a dream that felt so… real? He knew those streets; they were his home for the first 10 years of his life, before he arrived at Discipline. Briar also knew those boys, they were known as Scorpio and Cricket. Those two had been Briars best friends, previous to the girls. But now, their memories haunted him, he had always felt guilty about just leaving them for a better life, but it wasn't like he had much of a choice. It was Discipline or the docks, and on the streets the rule had always been, Fend for your-self, and that's just what Briar had done.

 Putting a strong effort forth Briar tried to get back to his slumber, but it didn't come. The mid-summers heat and thoughts of the dream kept him awake, and after a few moments of tossing and turning Briar clambered out of bed, stumbling through the darkness of his room. As he made his way out of the door, he caught his knee on the corner of his dresser.

Swearing to himself he grabbed his knee in pain, he managed to make it to the kitchen with out any further accidents. Limping over to the water tap, he filled himself up a glass of water and gulped it down. Sitting down at the table, he let his head drop making a light thumping sound against the wood.

Lost in his own thoughts, Briar didn't even know of Sandrys presence, until she placed a dainty hand on his shoulder. He jumped up shocked,

"Sandry, What in the name of the gods are you doing?" Sandry let out a tiny giggle,

"I couldn't sleep… I came down to get a cup of tea, and there you were." Briar shook his head, and sat back down.

"Yes. Here I am" Sandry looked at Briar skeptically for a moment, and then took a seat to his left.

"Is everything o.k. Briar?" she asked.

"Yes, everything is fine, I… I just had a bad dream, that's all; I came to get a glass of water and to calm my nerves."

"What did you dream about?" She asked sympathetically, her blue eyes staring at Briar intently. Briar closed his eyes and he saw the two boys, and then the image of the girl flashed thought his head, as the blood slowly trickled down her throat. He shook his head

"Um… it was… well… all the plants…. All my plants they died" he lied. Sandry look at him for a moment, the corner of her lips dipped down in a noticeable frown.

"Briar, can I ask you something?" She asked quietly. Briar said nothing, but merely nodded and continued to run his tanned finger along the rim of his glass. "Why do you keep lying to us? Tris, Daja and myself I mean." Sandry paused, but not long enough for Briar to get a word in edgewise.

"You won't tell us anything anymore! We all know something happened while you were on your travels, but for some reason, you seem to think its best kept a secret."

"Sandry I-"Briar tried but Sandry refused to let him talk.

"And now Briar," She continued, totally ignoring Briars attempts to talk. "You lie about your dream! And don't you even try and tell me it was no lie, I've known you for six years Briar, you and Tris and Daja are like my family! Why wont you tell us what's going on?" she paused for a moment to wipe away tears that had escaped her eyes.

"Sandry, wait" Briar started once again, but was interrupted by Sandry's ramblings.

"What is it you're not telling us? Did you meet someone? Is that is Briar, are you in love?"

Briar grabbed Sandrys shoulder and shook her, trying to stop her from continuing, but she didn't.

"Are you as aimed of being in love? Briar, its nothing to be ashamed of! Love is a wonderful thing."

"Sandry, Stop!" Briar whispered a little louder than he should have, but Sandry still continued talking.

"I don't get it anymore! Is it that you don't like us anymore Briar? Is it-?"

Briar knew he had to silence Sandry if he wanted to get a word in, but nothing came to mind. Then, almost as if it were impulse, Briar placed his lips firmly against Sandry's and kissed her.            

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Lark and Rosethorn stood watching their students; Larks hand firmly placed on Rosethorns shoulder to keep her from doing anything drastic. They watched as Sandry began to cry, but continued to yell in a hushed tone at Briar, they watched as Briar tried to explain. They watched as Sandry continued, bluntly ignoring Briar and they watched at Briar leaned in and placed his lips on Sandry. Lark let out a small gasp and caught Rosethorns eye for a moment, warning her to stay where she was. She turned back just in time, to watch Sandry run out of the cottage.

Hello all!! So what did you think? I want to apologize for the chapter being so short, but I wanted to get this chapter up, before school start because once school start, I wont have much time to write! Anyway, I'm loving all the reviews and loving the fact that you all are loving the story!! PLEASE continue to R&R I really want to know what you all think!!

Thanks!

Hells Angel!