Again, I'm very sorry for not giving you any time to review on the last chapter. I just had to get this up so as not to keep you in suspense any longer. Thank you to Gryffindor's Newsie who did review my last chapter! Three dozens frosted Newsie cookies for you! Cookies for all of you who review! Enjoy this chappy!

Chapter Twenty-Three

Jake stood shaking from anger and hate. His feelings burned at he frozen couple. He knew who he boy was, after all, hadn't he rendered Skittery unconscious that day in the alleyway? Now, this dirty bloke had the audacity to come onto Jake's yacht, steal Jake's girl, and ruin Jake's wedding! Jake would NOT stand for it! Not at all!

"Aurora, come here now…" The calm sound of his voice was a surprise seeing as it was all he could do not to attack this unorthodox Romeo.

Skittery's arm went out to push Rory behind him. He wouldn't lose here again, not to the likes of this guy. "She ain't yers. She belongs heah wit me. You want her? Ya gotta take ere ovah me dead body!"

A confident smirk made Jake's handsome features disappear and were replaced by some cynical, lust crazy madman. "That, my dear fellow, can be arranged seeing as I have a gun, and you…do not." His eyes gleamed with a cold shine as he waved the weapon at the very pale couple. "Now whose go the winning hand?" His laugh echoed cold and cruel throughout the foyer.

Skittery stiffened and moved in front of Tripper, shielding here from the shaking barrel. If the gun was to go off by accident, he didn't want anything to happen to her. The gun shook from anger and nervousness. The guy was obviously new to ever holding a gun or even threatening someone with that kind of power.

"Easy now…Ya don't want ta do anytin' youse gonna regret latah." Skittery's voice was low and calm as he tried to get them all out of this fix.

"No, I won't be doing anything I'll regret because you will no longer be a force to be reckoned with. Then I will get Aurora for my very own." Tripper leaned against Skittery's back and gave a shudder at Jake's words.

"Skittery," her voice was soft and quiet, "I could never live with the thought that I was responsible for your death. I-I'll go with him…" Tears filled her eyes again as she felt him turn to face her and pull her into his arms.

"No, I'd rathah die den live witout youse." He tilted her face up to look at him.

"Get your filthy hands off her!"

The next few seconds seemed to last forever. Jake watched as Skittery bent his head down to kiss Aurora. At that moment, he knew he had lost. Aurora would never be his. A blind fury took over his senses. All he saw in his mind was that Skittery lying in a pool of blood while Aurora knelt weeping beside his corpse before Jake dragged her away.

Tripper watched as the revolver rose and came level with Skittery's back. Time stood still with Tripper as its only observer. She watched in horror as Jake grinned evilly at them before his finger slowly squeezed the trigger.

"Nooooo!"

BANG!

"Rory!"

"Trippah!"

Skittery watched in horror from the floor where she had shoved him out of the way. Screams from the girls filled the air as the shot was fired. The bullet hit Rory's chest and instantly soaked her clothes with crimson blood. Yells came from Jake as several of the boys wrestled with him for control of the gun. Skitts didn't even notice as he ran over and caught Tripper in his arms as the strength slowly left her legs. Tears filled his eyes as they slid slowly to the floor.

Skittery tried to speak but could only stare at Rory's wound in sick horror. The blood seemed to be pouring out of her like a fountain. He knew in the back of his fuzzy brain that he had to stop the blood if she was ever going to live. With shaking hands, he ripped his jacket's arms off and pressed hard on the wound. His eyes didn't leave her face as her eyes stared at him in confused pain. The life seemed to be draining out of her as time went n. Her face was quickly becoming a ghostly white as she lay there gasping for breath against the pain.

She lifted a hand to touch Skittery's face as her eyelids fluttered, fighting for consciousness and her pale lips moved as she tried to speak.

"Don't Rory. Save yer strength…" Tears ran down his cheeks unchecked as his hand lifted to covers hers.

A small smile lifted the corners of her mouth slightly as she slowly faded from consciousness. Several sobs shook his frame as he fought to be brave for her. As her eyes closed, Skittery leaned down and placed his forehead against hers.

"Rory, Rory, please—please don't leave me. Don't leave me agin…" He whispered against her hair,

"I love you."