A/N: I cant even apologize enough…so I'm not gonna try. But I am gonna thank cyberdemon, because once again, he has motivated me to get off my lazy butt and do some writing. Actually, I've been having so large personal problems, that's why I haven't been updating…but I'm not gonna bore you with that. So, without further ado…onto the long awaited chapter!

Disclaimer: If I owned Zoids, I'd be rich….

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Van awoke silently as the birds that had nested in the tree began to chirp. Rubbing the sleep out of his eyes, he waited for them to adjust. As he was about to move he realized that something was lying on his chest. When he looked down he saw a mass of blonde hair. He smiled as he rubbed Fiona's back.

It had been a long night for Van. All of the shouts and gunshots had kept both him and Fiona from sleeping. At some point in time Van had managed to lull Fiona to sleep and soon after fallen into a fit-full slumber himself. Looking down, he removed a stray strand of hair from Fiona's pale face. He noticed her eyes were squeezed shut as if she was suffering from a large amount of pain.

Leaning in closer he noticed small tears running down her cheeks. He was about to brush them away when she suddenly sat up and began to scream loudly.

"NO! I WONT ALLOW YOU TO TAKE HIM AWAY!" Fiona screamed as she thrashed around wildly. Van quickly grabbed her and pulled her close.

"Fiona, please, stop, it's alright." Van said to her calmly in hopes that it would stop her nightmare. As suddenly as it had all began, it was quiet once again. Van could feel that she was still crying though, he could feel her tears through his shirt. "Fiona are you alright."

Fiona looked up and Van's face with her cheeks shinning of her freshly cried tears. "It was awful Van….I saw it…all of it…when they…when they…" She began to cry all over again.

Van took a pretty good guess as to what had happened in her nightmare, but questioned her on it anyway. "When they what?"

"When they killed you." Bingo. Van had been right in his guess. Leaning down he gave her a kiss on the forehead.

"Its ok Fiona, no one's going to kill me. I think Darkness has retreated for now, lets go outside for some fresh air. There's a small balcony a little ways up the tree that's hidden from sight." Van said sweetly as he grabbed Fiona's hand, pulling her in the direction of the wood plank stairs.

"Van, I don't know if that's such a good idea." Fiona warned as they approached the stairs. A bad feeling had made itself comfortable in the pit of her stomach.

"Don't worry Fiona, I'll protect you if anything goes wrong. Which I doubt it will." Van said reassuringly as he lifted Fiona onto the first wooden plank. Fiona, trusting Van's word began to climb until she reached the top. Pushing open the small-hinged door she crawled out onto a small balcony. Standing up she realized, just as Van had said that it was completely hidden by the trees huge branches. Noticing this the feeling in her stomach started to disappear.

Fiona looked around in wonder at the tree around her.

"I wouldn't suggest looking down. I think I'd be better for the both of us if you didn't know how high up we are." Van advised as he stood beside her. Wrapping his arms around her waist he pulled her close to him. "See, I told you it'd be safe." He whispered softly into her ear.

"That's why I trusted what you said." Fiona stated as she lay her head on his chest. Even the peaceful moments that they shared such as this were still able to be shattered by passing thoughts. Reaching down, Van placed his hand under Fiona's chin and lifted her face to eye level.

"Fiona, you know that I love you right?" Van asked with a straight face. Fiona became worried.

"Yes Van, and you know I love you very much as well, correct." Fiona replied as she waited for his answer.

"Yes. Then you understand that I'm going to go back to town." Van said as he watched Fiona's face for any signs of emotion.

"Yes, I understand." Her answer was short and quiet. She remembered that Maria was still back in the town, probably taken hostage by now. "But you must promise me you wont leave till darkness, when you wont be spotted. I don't want to take the risk of loosing you. But I know the importance in getting your sister."

Van shook his head in understanding and softly kissed Fiona on the lips. "I love you…and don't forget that…no matter what happens."

Fiona placed a finger on Van's lips. "Nothings going to happen." With that she returned his kiss. And they stayed that way. Kissing as if Van was never coming back.

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Darkness really did love pain…especially when he was inflicting it on other people.

"You know it's a shame to have to cut such a pretty face. Why don't you make it easier on yourself and tell me where they are." Darkness said in a fake sweet voice as he leaned in close to Maria's face.

"Never." Maria said as she spit on his face.

"Then you leave me no choice." He said calmly as he wiped the spit from his face and pulled out a knife. Maria felt the pain as he began to cut slowly down her face.

'Please hurry Van.' She thought as she tried to block out the pain. Suddenly it stopped. Opening her eyes she saw someone running towards them.

"Master." A servant said as he looked at Darkness. "We've found them sir."

"Very good…very very good." Darkness sneered as he laughed manically dropping the knife at Maria's feet and leaving her hanging. "Don't worry dear, I'll be back to deal with you when I'm done finishing off your brother and his girlfriend."

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Fiona was reluctant to let go of Van as the sun began to set. Van leaned in and kissed her lightly on the forehead before he made his way back onto the main level of the small tree house. Fiona was left alone in the dimming light as she leaned against the railing.

It was impossible for anyone to see through these trees, right? That was what Fiona thought. That was until Fiona heard a shot fire and felt pain in her arm. She screamed as she clutched her arm and staggered to the opening. She had to warn Van. But it was too late, by the time she had climbed down with her bad arm and everything Van had already been sedated and was unconscious on the floor.

Fiona cried out and tried to make her way too him, but Darkness stood in her way.

"Come now Fiona, this little game of hide and seek has long expired. Blaire awaits your presence." Darkness said as he offered his hand to her.

Seeing no way out, Fiona reluctantly took his hand and could only remember hearing his horrible laugh before she returned to the familiar word of darkness.

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WHOO! I was on a role! I finished this chapter all in one sitting! I'm so proud of myself….it's a little sucky cause I'm really rusty at writing…because I haven't done it in a long time…obviously! Hopefully…if all goes well…I might even be able to have another chapter up really really soon! If you left me a review I'd be really nice…cause I really like reviews. You people are so good to me. Thank you very much for sticking with me….

Luv Ya'll

Michiko