James and the other hunters searched everywhere for Lillian and Sarah, but there was no sign and James was trying not to panic.
They had set up a camp in the southern area of the Coral Highlands, not far from where Lillian and Sarah had fallen. They searched for hours, one group of four staying behind at the camp while the others searched the highlands. Just as they were beginning to lose hope, James and the others had returned to camp to find Lillian and Sarah safe and sound.
"You're OK!" one of the hunters called.
Lillian and Sarah stood, seeing James and the others returning from their search. Sarah ran to greet the other hunters while James went straight to Lillian.
"You're alright..." He said as he pulled her into his arms and held her.
A bit surprised, Lillian smiled and wrapped her arms around him- returning his hug. "I'm alright..."
"I was so worried... we searched for hours, but..."
Lillian chuckled at that. "You really shouldn't worry so much, James."
As they embraced, Sarah and the other hunters watched with smiles. Everyone else but them seemed to know that they had feelings for each other.
James stepped back, looking down at her. "What happened?"
"Ritsuko took care of us after her friend found us in the vale and brought us to the research base for safety."
"Ritsuko? The Third Fleet Master?"
Lillian nodded. "We filled her in on what's been happening since the Fifth Fleet arrived and she suggested that we mount an expedition into the Coral Highlands while we search for Zorah Magdaros' trail."
"That's not a bad idea."
"I told her we would report back in to her when we find something."
"Hey, come one everyone! Dinner's ready!" Sarah called, waving everyone over to the eating area.
Lillian and James rejoined the others for a meal, Lillian and Sarah telling everyone what Ritsuko was like- many having only heard of her. James sat listening with the other for a while before excusing himself. He went to stand at the edge of the camp, leaning against the coral wall. After awhile, Lillian came up next to him and put a hand on his arm.
"You OK?"
James looked down at her, nodding. "Yeah." Thinking a moment, he stood up straight and gestured out towards the highlands. "Feel like going for a walk?"
Lillian smiled at that and nodded. "Sure."
One of the hunters nudged Sarah and pointed towards where James and Lillian were making their way down the ledge to the ground below. She smiled, hoping they'd finally do something.
James helped Lillian down the rest of the way once he touched ground. "Are you alright?" he asked, seeing she was struggling a bit.
Lillian nodded. "Just sore. Some of my wounds reopened from the fall." She chuckled when she saw his expression. "Don't worry, the Third patched me back up."
"Let's take it easy then, alright?"
Lillian nodded and they started just walking around the area just below their camp. She never really paid attention to much of the scenery, having been too concerned with finding James and the others.
"I'm sorry." James said after they were silent for a while.
"For what?"
"For being overprotective." He glanced over at her, rubbing his neck as they came to a stop. "After what happened with Zorah Magdaros and that black monster, I felt guilty for not protecting you."
"Scaring you guys that night I went to the training arena probably didn't help either..." Lillian sighed. She clutched one arm and looked away, nervously. "I'm sorry I've worried you so much lately, James, but..."
"What?"
"I'm not the only hunter that needs you. There are others that you have to look after more than me. I'm not that special."
"Lily, you can't really think that." James stepped closer to her, lifting her chin up towards him. "Lily, please look at me?"
Lillian slowly met his gaze.
"Lily, you're special to me. I want to protect you, to stand by you. But only if you'll let me."
"James..." Lillian searched his eyes, that same look he had that night in the roost after she had first woken up in the infirmary. 'What is that look?'
"Come on, let's get back to camp. You need to rest."
Lillian sighed, following after him. 'What is that look and why does it make me feel like this?'
Later that night, Lillian woke with a start after yet another nightmare. The fear was just as intense as it was every other time the nightmares came and she couldn't shake it. She went to sit by the fire and stared into the flames, wincing a bit at the pain.
"Lily?"
Lillian looked up to see James joining her. "Hey."
"Can't sleep again?"
Lillian nodded. "The nightmares just won't go away." She looked back out over the highlands, the flying meduso dancing like stars throughout the highlands.
"When did they start?"
"The night you found me in the training arena."
"Is that why you went there?"
Lillian nodded. "The fear I'm left with when I wake is so intense it makes me feel weak. I went to the training arena because it was the only way I could think of to fight against the fear of seeing that monster's face, reliving what happened that day."
"Lily..." James sat next to her, offering her his arm.
Lillian scooted closer, settling in against him as he wrapped his arm around her. "I just have to get stronger, keep training, prepare myself as best I can until we have to face that monster again."
"I'll help you, whatever you need. You know that."
Lillian smiled at that. "I know."