Disclaimer: I don't own the Immortal or any of its characters!

So here it is! Sorry I took so long! I had a mix of writers block and school time distraction. Stupid homework! Oh well! I finally got the time so I here it is! Hope you enjoy!

Why?

Why had he not been there? Why had he not noticed his only daughter sneak away? Why hadn't heard the lack of playful laughter in their small house?

Raphael sighed. He had been too busy enjoying the few quiet moments he got with Mikiko that he hadn't noticed her… hadn't been able to protect her. If Goodwin hadn't been there… well… he didn't even want to think about how much he could have lost that day.

And now his friend lay dying because of his recklessness. Because he hadn't been being the father he should have been. He knew the arguments his wife would give if she heard him talking this way. It wasn't anyone's fault. It was just an accident. He can't be everywhere and no one can blame him for wanting a few moments alone with his wife. When you have a four year old those moments come in short supply.

It didn't matter though. It was still partly his fault, no matter what anyone said.

Raphael looked down at his sleeping friend. He had relieved Mikiko of her watch after Yashiro had given him the finally remedy. All they could do now was wait, and as she had been diligently caring for him almost all day they both decided she needed a break. Besides, Raphael needed the time to think.

He had been fairly surprised by Goodwin's recent heroics. It's not that he thought Goodwin was selfish, even though he could be, or even a bad person. It's just that he had basically always thought of him as a coward. Goodwin was well aware of this fact and made little attempts to hide his nature. Fear was something Goodwin was never any skilled at hiding anyways. Heck! If he had a motto it would probably be something like, "Why would god give us legs for running away if he didn't want us to use them?" It just goes to show just how little he truly knew about his young friend.

But at least he knew one thing, something that he had not been completely sure about before. It was that when push came to shove, he could count on him. That is one of the few things you can never really tell about someone until you been through a life a death type situation with them. Your closest friend could run away and leave you stranded in the middle of a fight, right when you need their help, and the man who cut in line in front of you at the market could end up being the one person to go back save your life.

Raphael shook his head. Still, it just seemed so out of character, Goodwin, doing something brave. Not that he wasn't appreciative. Everyone must have their moment he supposed. And that moment had saved his daughter's life, so had no right to complain. He simply just surprised.

Then again, part of him wasn't. He knew Goodwin was a good person, despite his obvious flaws, like his obnoxiousness, his smart ass, ill timed remarks, and his cowardliness. The fact that he tried to rob him when they met didn't make for a great first impression. But he had a good heart. He was kind and caring and quick learner. He had a surprisingly good bedside manner and from the training Yashiro was giving him, he could tell he would become a great healer some day. He could be very cynical at times but at others very compassionate. He would obviously never be a great warrior, but, with the proper guidance, he could become a great man some day.

Raphael looked down at Goodwin. "You better pull through this kid. We're not ready to lose you yet."

Suddenly, Goodwin stirred, his eyes half opening.

"Goodwin?"

Goodwin mumbled something faintly that Raphael couldn't quite decipher. He leaned in closer. "What was that? What did you say?"

Goodwin's voice was barely above a whisper. "I said…" Goodwin cleared his throat. "I said don't call me kid."

Raphael's face broke into grin feeling Goodwin's forehead then ruffling his hair. Smart ass remarks were a definite sign of improvement as was his fever which was, to his relief, finally starting to break.

"You had us worried there for a bit."

"Who? Me?" Goodwin asked smirking weakly. "I was just doing it so Yashiro wouldn't send me out hunting for any more herbs in the snow."

"Anything to avoid work, huh?"

"You know me…"

"Yeah… and I'm glad I do." Raphael said sighing and taking on a more serious tone. "I know you claimed we were even after all of this but still… thank you. You didn't have to-"

"Yes I did." Goodwin interrupted. "Raphael, I love Kiyomi like a little sister and I couldn't live with myself knowing I could have done something and didn't. I'd never let anything happen to her Raeph. Not if I could prevent it. Always know that."

"I do now," Raphael said getting up.

"Oh, and Raeph…"

"Yes?"

"You're welcome…"

With that Raphael smiled and nodded, turning off into the kitchen to go get Yashiro.

Goodwin, now alone, gave one final sigh, closing his eyes to go back to sleep. During the fever he had had a bad dream. He had been dreaming of him searching for home and now, he was happy to find that when he woke up… he was there. For the first time in his life he had finally found his home.

The End

Aww! I so corny! I know! But endings are hard! Give me a break! I may rewrite it later. Maybe not! Depends if I find some good inspiration! I like it still!

ANYways! That's the end of this story! Hope you enjoyed it! I definitely plan to write some more Immortal stories! Got lots of ideas that have been waiting to touch paper (or lap top if you want to be technical). For any of you other immortal fans, I hope this inspires you to write your own Immortal fan fics! I'm sure you people have way more ideas of your own than little old moi! Certainly no shame in giving it a try! Not exactly a lot to compare it to.

Please review! Whether good or bad, fantastic or flaming, I don't care! I just want honesty. I actually like it when people criticize my work! Helps me improve!

Thanks!