The moment they were safe, Connor dropped to his knees, attempting to collect himself. Dawn too rested and made sure that the folder was still safely tucked in her sweater. Eventually, Connor rose to his feet and glared at her, angry with not only her, but for his own weaknesses as well.

"Why did you do that Dawn?" He demanded, still shaky on his own legs, but regaining some strength by the moment.

"Do what?" She blinked in confusion. "You mean save your life?"

"You could have been caught too Dawn!" He said, his voice hard and unforgiving. "You should have run when I told you to."

"And leave you there to die? I don't think so Connor!"

"I promised to protect you!" He said angrily, furious at the fact that she had been forced to protect him in the end.

"And I told you that I am capable of handling it!" Dawn shot back, unable to believe he could be so stubborn. "You could at least thank me for saving your life! Is this how they do things in Quartoth? Every person for themselves? Is that how you and Holtz survived?"

"Holtz and I took care of each other!" Connor exclaimed angrily. "You don't know a thing about it!"

"I know that you're afraid here." Dawn said with a sigh. "Afraid of this world, afraid of this life. Fighting was such a normal thing in Quartoth for you wasn't it?"

"It was," Connor nodded, also calming down slightly. "As it is now, you are the only person in this world that I want to keep safe. And if that means giving my own life to do it, well then it's easy. It's not really worth all that much to begin with."

"Don't say that!" Dawn burst out fiercely. "Your life is worth so much Connor, why can't you see that? Why can't you realize your potential, realize how wonderful you are? I want to be around you all the time and I don't even know why! All I do know is that the way I feel when I'm around you is amazing! Like I can do anything, you know?"

"I know," Connor said softly, mesmerized by her movements, her voice, every word she spoke. How could someone who had known him for so little time have so much faith in him? "I feel like that whenever you're around me. I'm sorry I acted the way I did Dawn, but...the thought of something happening to you, it just..."

Words suddenly failed him as their eyes met once more. Without even realizing what he was doing, he had pulled her close and in one swift movement, taken her lips in his and was kissing her with everything he felt inside.

It was amazing. Every nerve, every emotion, every part of him suddenly came alive. He had never kissed a girl before, never even felt the inclination on a conscious level and yet somehow with Dawn, he didn't need to think. It was as if his heart automatically knew what to do, even if his mind didn't.

Dawn was shocked at first at the impulsiveness of the kiss, then soon felt herself relaxing and melting into Connor's embrace, heat surging through every part of her as she did so. She had been thinking about this ever since she had first seen him. Even though she was aware that things might be moving too fast, that they didn't know each other all that well, the kiss felt too right to end.

But end it did however, when Connor pulled roughly away, fear in his eyes at the realization of what just happened.

"Dawn, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to..."

"Connor it's OK!" She exclaimed, trying to reassure him that his advance had not been unwanted.

"No, I shouldn't have done...I mean, I wasn't thinking." He took a deep breath and ran a hand through his hair in a gesture very much like his father's. They have their mannerisms, Dawn thought, whether they realize it or not.

"Connor, I wanted to kiss you." She told him with a small smile. "I've been thinking about that ever since I met you!"
"You did?" He echoed in surprise. "You have?"

"Yes." She replied with a slight laugh. "You can't tell when a girl likes you?"

"I've never had a girl like me." He said defensively. Dawn laughed again and then tentatively reached for his hand, which he offered freely, albeit slightly nervously.

"Well you have one now Connor." She told him honestly. "I like you."

Connor blinked and felt emotion surge within him. He wanted to say a million things to her, wanted to ask her a million questions but at that moment he could do neither. All he could to was squeeze her hand, smile and begin to walk as he said one simple word in response.

"Thank you."