A/N: Disclaimer: Refer back to Chapter 1.

WARNING: OOC, LANGUAGE

Chapter 2: Rapport

Serph walked in the room calmly. He had been stationed at the towers the other night and his shift lasted until 0200 hours. He was still a bit tired from that but he was used to it. It was a routine after all. It was now 0900. He had come directly to the hospital and into her room after he had been discharged for the day.

He stood there, looking at the sleeping figure before him with a happy feeling. She was still within her much needed rest. Serph sat himself slowly and soundlessly on the chair. He had hoped that she would wake up. He couldn't wait to talk to her.

She stirred in her bed. Serph immediately sat up, thinking that his wish had been granted. He wasn't disappointed either. The girl yawned.

"Good morning." he cheerfully said.

The girl, shocked from hearing his voice, rubbed her eyes and focused them on him. Her face softened, "…Is…that you…Serph?"

He pulled his chair close to hers and held her hand, "Yes. It's me."

She frowned; her smile disappearing as quick as it had come. "You said…that…this was…home…but…I was…alone…You left."

"…" he remained quiet and continued to look at her, he smiled, "I'm sorry. I was sent somewhere and…I only got back today. What about you? How are you feeling?"

"…I'm fine." she stated, casting her head down. Serph felt his heart break as he looked at her. Her eyes, gleamed brightly as she first looked at him, but now, her eyes became dull once more, "…don't…" she shook her head, faintly sobbing.

Serph stood and carefully sat on the mattress, putting his arms around her, "Don't what?"

She buried her face in her hands, "Don't…" she whispered again, "don't leave me…"

Serph tightened his hold on her, "I won't."

Giving in to her emotions, she buried her face on his chest, her tears soaking his suit. He held her tighter, nuzzling his face in her hair. "Don't worry…I'm here…"

xxxxx

Ezekiel smiled as he looked at the two through the window at the door. She was already responding to him. This young man would make the process easier and faster. She really trusted him. He was glad. In the midst of their war, filled with tragedy and bloodshed, it provided people with hope to know that in the midst of it all, two hearts had found each other.

xxxxx

Two days had passed since Serph and Argilla's reunion. Ezekiel had not yet asked Serph to uncover her past. He wanted first to secure the rapport between the two. And so, he let them be. And with Serph present, Argilla had gained the confidence to take her medication.

xxxxx

"Serph…?" she asked; her eyes unsure.

"What is it?" he asked gently.

"Um…what are these?" she asked, looking at the small pills in her hands.

Serph smiled and covered her palm with his, giving it a gentle but firm squeeze, "These will help you get better."

She blinked several times, "I…I…better…it will help me…get better?"

He nodded, "Yes."

She nodded slowly, "O-okay…if…you say so…Serph…"

Serph watched with hopeful eyes as the girl took the pill into her lips, swallowing it along with water.

She looked back at Serph with hopeful eyes of her own and leaned over to his shoulder. He put an arm around her and whispered, "You know…when you get better…I want to take you out into town…"

"Town…" she said absentmindedly.

"Yes…I'll show you every part of it…"

"R-really…?"

"Yes. So, I hope that you get better soon…"

"Me too…"

Serph pulled away slightly to get to see her face. She had been quiet for almost two whole minutes and he felt a knot in his stomach. What was wrong?

"Argilla…?" he called out softly.

She said nothing and tightened her hold on him. He held on to her tighter, careful to listen for any and every sound that she may make. There. He had heard it. It was a quiet sob. She was crying.

He slid his hands up and down her back, "Argilla…what's wrong?"

She clutched the fabric of his suit tightly, "Serph…" she sobbed.

His heart raced as he held her; something was wrong.

"What is it?"

"Y-you…you won't leave me, will you?" she asked, her eyes pleading with his. Her tears flowed unceremoniously down her cheeks, her lips slightly quivering.

"Of course not." he deadpanned, his face stern yet gentle.

"M-my…family…said that too…and now…" she sobbed, her voice cracking, "they're gone…Everyone's gone…" She buried her face into his chest again, sobbing uncontrollably.

Serph growled; he hated seeing her like this. What could he do? Nothing much but console her. The rest was up to her. He could only show her the door; but it was she who must walk its path. She had to want to get better. He wanted to know about her past; he wanted to know so that he may help her, in any way, to get over that past that plagued her. He wanted nothing more than to shield her from the rest of the world…

"Ssshhh…don't worry…I'm here…I won't leave you…Never…" he said, soothing her. He kissed the top of her forehead and embraced her tighter.

"Serph…"

xxxxx

He didn't know how long he'd been there. But when he opened his eyes, he found himself on her hospital bed, his arms encircled around her waist, their legs intertwined. He blinked sleepily. He cursed; he fell asleep. He looked at the wall clock and saw that it was half past six in the evening.

He cursed; in an hour, he was to leave on guard duty.

He sighed; he wanted to stay with her forever, but, as of now, that wasn't possible. He carefully, disentangled his limbs from hers and carefully sat on the mattress. He really must give his thanks to Dr. Ezekiel. It was past visiting hours.

He looked at her again. Her face was illuminated by the lampshade in the room. She looked so peaceful. They had been asleep from almost two hours now. He smiled; she had no bad dreams. He just hoped that it would continue to be that way.

He was roused from his thoughts as he heard her moan. His brows furrowed; was she having a dream now?

"Ummm…" she moaned.

Serph blinked; his eyes transfixed on her.

"…Reika…"

'Rieka?' he thought. 'Who was that…?' he wondered, feeling a gentle prick on his heart. 'Was that a boy whom she knew?'

He shook his head of his unnecessary thoughts and focused on her again. She was openly sobbing now. He sucked in a heavy breath and touched her shoulder, "Argilla…"

She writhed on the bed, tossing her head from side to side, "R-eika…no!! No!! REIKA!! Don't!!" She screamed. Serph grasped her shoulders tightly, "Argilla!"

She opened her eyes wide, sitting up, her mouth agape, staring straight at the wall. She was eerily silent and it almost unnerved Serph. Serph made for her shoulders again and as soon as his hand made contact, Argilla turned her head at him, screaming, "G-get away from me! Don't touch me!!"

He held on tighter, "It's me…! It's Serph! Argilla please wake up!"

She struggled against him, screaming and not heeding his voice. She had her eyes shut tight, her hands clawing at his suit, "No, no!!"

Serph growled and pulled the girl against his chest roughly, his arms around her waist and shoulders, holding her in place. His grip on her was like a vice and it subdued her quickly.

"Sssh…" he cooed at her hair, "It's just me…It's Serph…"

She struggled for a bit more, before finding herself out of breath, falling limp in his arms. She was still crying, "S-serph…?"

He felt a wave of relief as she whispered his name. Was she awake now?

"Yes…it's me…I'm here…"

She laughed bitterly, "You're here…"

"Yes…"

Unknown to the two, orderlies were about to come barging in if it weren't for Dr. Ezekiel dismissing them.

"Serph…"

"Argilla…what happened?" he asked slowly, his silver eyes filled with concern and compassion.

Argilla said nothing, "Serph…I…don't want to talk about it…Please understand."

Serph nodded, "I understand."

Argilla panicked as she felt the weight on her bed become lighter. She instantly looked at Serph and saw him standing by her bedside, a sad look in his eyes, "Now, it is I who must ask for your understanding."

Argilla's hand flew to her heart, "Y-you're leaving me?!" she asked, her eyes displaying nothing but fear.

He sighed, "It's not my choice. And I won't be gone for long. I just have to do my job."

"Your job…" she repeated.

"Yes…my duty to the tribe. I have to go…to protect you."

"To protect me…?" she asked.

"Yes." He smiled, "I have to make sure that no one gets in the city and in this hospital. I'll be back soon."

She wanted to make him stay but…she chose not to say anything. Serph neared her once more and embraced her, giving her a kiss on her forehead, "I'll come back. Be good."

She just watched with sad eyes as he disappeared through the door. Something in her wanted to believe him, but she had heard that line before. And the person who said that…didn't come back.

'Serph…I hope you keep your promise.'

xxxxx

It had been another week of continuous medication for Argilla. She had of course resisted the drugs…but because of Serph, she had finally conceded to it. It had been like a whirlwind for Serph. It was a thrilling experience for him; thrilling and meaningful. He had a reason to wake up in the morning. Granted, before, even up to now, he was ready to give his life for the tribe, but now, he had another reason to live; it was her. Seeing her vulnerable only made Serph see how and why he should uphold his values. He was going to protect and cherish her. He smiled at that thought.

Within the week of Argilla taking her anti-psychotic drugs, there was a noticeable difference in her condition. Serph furrowed his eyebrows in concentration as he remembered the first few nights that he shared with her.

She would rouse from her sleep, kicking and screaming. She would see the orderlies, even him, as different people. She didn't recognize him. At first, Dr. Ezekiel had thought it was a para-somnia, albeit, night terrors, but her symptoms proved to be schizophrenia.

Serph could vividly recall that even as she sat there, awake, when he would visit her in the afternoons, he would find her talking to herself and when asked, she would say that she was talking to her friend, "Reika". He remembered frowning at her telling her that there was no one in the room. He didn't want to tell her that she was hallucinating…that would be…tactless of him. He remembered how she would look at him as if he grew two heads, and insisted that her friend was present.

Dr. Ezekiel had said that it was both a schizophrenic symptom and at the same time, a manifestation of a self-defense mechanism to cope with her personal loss. She must have probably lost a very dear friend to her, they deduced.

He also remembered how she failed to recognize him and had mistaken him for one of the attackers in her dreams. She attacked him, but, he quickly restrained her.

Serph hated himself; he was doing everything that he had been instructed to do. He was doing everything that he could to help her…but nothing seemed to be enough. He ran a hand through his hair as he held the sleeping girl in his arms. Yes, he was with her again. He looked at her and smiled; at least, there was some improvement. Her dreams do not bother her as much. But they were still present. Dr. Ezekiel could not stress to him enough his importance in his role for her treatment.

He was the only one she trusted.

He was her last hope for salvation.

Serph looked at Argilla again; she still hadn't mentioned anything about her past. She would often doze or change the subject or become unresponsive and mentally detached when the subject came to that. Serph didn't want to push her and so, he let go. He wanted her to tell him when she was ready.

"Reika" was still occasionally seen by Argilla but this occurrence were becoming less and less. He smiled; she was going to get cured. He just knew it.

Serph brushed a stray lock of her pink hair away from her face. He sighed; she was so beautiful in his eyes.

'What is this…that I'm feeling?' He felt it again; there, at his chest. Before, it had just been a lingering presence, but now, it seemed to him that the feeling had grown and intensified. His thoughts came to a screeching halt as the girl stirred in his arms, muttering something in her sleep. He had heard it.

He blushed beet red. She had uttered his name.

"Serph…" she said it again.

xxxxx

A month had now passed. Argilla was responding well to the medical treatment; she no longer had delusions or hallucinations, but her emotionally cold self still needed a lot of work. With the exception of Serph, she simply didn't want to bother with anyone else.

That was why Serph had insisted that Argilla be taken out of the hospital for at least an hour everyday. She needed to get the feel of the outside world again. The four white walls of the hospital can drive anyone crazy. Ezekiel had been reluctant at first, but then conceded to it in the end.

Within the month, he had taken her within Muladhara. He took her to their training facilities, the barracks, the garage, the recreation facilities, everything. At first, she had been unmotivated; she simply couldn't care any less about it. That was why Serph had her experience it. He had her participate in light exercises to get the feel of it. He had her walk through the barracks and had her inspect every empty room, picking which she liked. He had her eat at the mess hall. She blinked; amused. She had never eaten food like the ones they had at Muladhara. Of course, it was always accompanied by her medication. Serph had her go on their recreational facilities; he had her play whatever games they had.

And, at least, now, Serph could say with confidence that he had helped her. He had seen her smile; that genuine, carefree smile. It was the smile that he had always imagined her having. And now, it was no longer a flight of fancy, but a solid fact.

xxxxx

Another fortnight had passed. Serph had taken Argilla to a secluded spot at the Southern parts of Muladhara, by its outskirts. The two sat side by side by the ledge.

"I like it out here…it's so peaceful." he said dreamily. The girl beside him could only look at him with admiration. She really didn't care about the horizon.

"This is where I come to think. When…I get…lost on the road of life…you know…" He sighed, "Just look at that sunset."

Still unspeaking, she followed his pointing finger's trajectory and there, she witnessed the sun set. She felt her heart soften; it was just like that time…long ago.

'When they were still alive…' she thought. A tear fell on her hand.

Serph's smile faded as he looked at the expressionless girl beside him. Something within him collapsed. She sat there, her face expressionless, and yet…tears cascaded down her face. She was carrying her burden still. He put an arm around her and put her head on his shoulder, "Tell me what's wrong…"

"Serph…" She had always wanted to tell Serph everything. But…at first…she wasn't sure. Sure, she felt the connection between them…but she didn't want it to be another lost cause. She didn't want to waste her time, effort and feelings into pouring her heart out to a person who wasn't going to return to her.

'Just like everyone else in my life…' she thought sadly.

"I…can't…"

"Why not?" he pressed on, hoping that his perseverance would pay off.

She turned sharply at him, "Why do you want to know so badly?! It's none of your fucking business alright?!"

Her outburst had surprised him, but his eyes remained as compassionate as they had always been. He took her hand, "I'm sorry. I wouldn't ask again. But…if you need to…you can tell me anything. I don't want to pry into your business…It's just that…it helps…"

She looked at him with utter confusion. He smiled again, "It helps sometimes to tell other people what you're feeling…That way…you wouldn't have to bare it alone…I just thought that…you could confide in me. That's all."

She felt guilty all of a sudden, but kept quiet.

"I'm sorry that I came on too strong. Maybe it is a bit early."

She still said nothing, staring at the horizon. Serph slowly stood and offered her his hand, "Come on. Let's go home."

She didn't take his hand and stood, walking away without waiting for him. Suddenly she turned, "It's not home."

Serph looked at her, hurt. He didn't want to see her like this. She was on the brink of giving up hope…He wouldn't let her do that.

'No…not while I still live.'

He jogged to catch up to her and walked beside her.

xxxxx