:D

I got like... twenty reviews last chapter. -high fives- I love you all so much. I'm sorry for the late update. I wanna try to update earlier at night, but my computer is RETARDED. I wanna burn it right now, I'm so pissed. So I wrote a long chapter again for you guys:)

I'm very pleased:) Ya'll are so kind:) Now to write an intensified action sequence!

~NumberSixteen

They veered around a corner to see that a group of guards were headed their way, all of which were weilding guns. Skye hauled her large gun off the ground and lodged it in the crook of her arm. She didn't hesitate to pull the trigger. The sonic blast boomed through the tunnel, wiping out the guards. The kick back of the gun wasn't much but it made Skye stumble a bit. She slung the gun back on her shoulder to where it was easy to access when she needed to fire it. Lucas had her hand again and they were running. They charged out of the cave entrance to see the soldiers outsider were reaching for their guns. Skye whipped the gun to her fingertips again and fired at the closest set of guards. She stumbled but caught herself and whirled to fire at another set of guards.

Meanwhile, Lucas had ran to the closest rover. Skye was backing up toward it as Lucas frantically tried to get it going. By the time the machine had started, Skye was at the vehicle. Lucas was getting into the driver seat himself when Skye jumped inside. She slammed the door and tossed the gun on the floor. Lucas threw the rover in gear and pressed his foot to the gas. They lurched forward as a particularly large blast slammed into the car, causing it to tip slightly. Skye screamed as she felt the car tipping further over. Lucas grumbled before veering the wheels to the left and they were on all four wheels again. He smashed his foot to the pedal and they were off again. Sonic guns fired at them but not a single other landed on them. Skye looked around frantically as they fled, making sure they were completely gone.

"They're gone, Lucas." Skye said finally to signal that he could slow down, but he refused to lessen his pressure on the gas pedal any time soon.

"No, we're getting far away from there. They'll be looking for us through the night. Mira will expect to find us on foot and abandon the rover." Lucas spat through clenched teeth.

"Are we?" Skye asked.

"Are we what?" Lucas said, his mind focused ahead of him.

"Going to leave the rover?" Skye asked irritably.

Lucas shook his head. "Of course not. Did you not listen to what I said?"

Skye just looked at him. She hated feeling confused about something that seemed so simple to him.

He rolled his eyes at her. "We aren't abandoning the rover because that is what Mira will expect us to do. She won't set a very far perimeter until tomorrow. She thinks she knows me, but she doesn't."

Skye nodded, understanding starting to fill her mind. "So where are we headed then?"

Lucas didn't look at her, a smile played softly on his lips. "I lived out here for five years. I know where to go if I don't want anyone to find me."

Skye just turned and looked out the window, a smile tugging on her lips as well.

The sunset was nearly at it's end. It was the time when there were long shadows that covered everything and the sky was a dark red, threatening to go black. They were in a remote area with jagged rocks and limited foliage. But the hideout didn't need the forest to hide it. Tall sheer cliffs bordering each side exept the one they came from concealed them perfectly from any predators or people looking for them.

"How'd you find this place?" Skye asked, her expression in awe.

Lucas shrugged as he hauled in firewood from the thin strip of forest they'd recently emerged from. "I don't remember."

Skye shook her head as she crouched down by the small little pit where their fire would soon be. She watched him as he piled the logs perfectly and had a small blaze on the kindling in no time. As the night continued to fall, the fire seemed to grow homier and warmer. Skye almost envied herself. It was a perfect night with a perfect fire and the perfect hideout. And all of this was set with the perfect person. She let her eyes trail over to Lucas. He was relaxed but alert, not letting the fire get too big in case the smoke gave them away. He was sitting only a few feet away from her. She could touch him if she wanted to. Her eyes were glazed over as they looked at him, deep in thought.

He'd saved her life. Saved her from being tortured more, saved her from having to endure pain for him, saved her from being scared and alone. But he'd also saved Terra Nova. Without him or her, the sixers could never take it back. He'd saved what she loved. He really had listened to her.

There was a dull throb in her lip and she reached up to touch it. It'd begun to bleed once more and she cursed under her breath. It wasn't until she thought about her cheek did it hurt just as badly, if not worse. Lucas's eyes went over to her as she sucked in a breath to help herself endure the pain to an extent.

Suddenly he slid over to her. His hand went to her cheek, "How is that cheek of yours?"

Skye shook her head, brushing his hand away. She stood and walked to stand with her back to the fire. She folded her arms quietly. She sucked in the cool night air, shivering as the chills began to set in. She brought a hand to her face to touch her bruised cheek. Her cold fingers felt good on the pained skin. She shivered again from a cold rush of air that flowed over her bare legs.

Suddenly, a pair of arms were around her waist, pulling her back. She tripped over her feet and stumbled backward. She let out a yelp as she felt the arms surrounding her and pulling her close. Warm breath on her neck and stubble tickling her face, it nearly made her heart stop when she felt her back pressed against his chest. She let out a breath as she felt him snuggle her close.

"Bucket..." He murmered in a low voice.

She didn't answer as she felt his lips descent and kiss her bare shoulder. She'd lost her jacket at the badlands and now she only had her tank tops and shorts. She shuddered under his touch but she didn't move away. She felt his lips hover over her skin, a smile playing on his lips. She let out a shaky breath.

"W-What are you doing?" She whispered.

"Tell me and I'll stop." He murmered back at her, his lips pressing onto her neck gently again. One arm was wrapped tightly around her waist, pulling her closer. His other hand was up at her face, tenderly sweeping hair away from her neck as he butterfly kissed it as he traveled up her neck.

"L-Lu-" She started to protest but the words caught in her throat as his lips reached a tender spot and she gasped instead. She wanted to speak up, to stop it, to stop the pleasureful kisses. She wanted to speak so badly and hold her dignity but she couldn't. She just couldn't speak. Her eyes fluttered close as she relaxed herself in his grasp. She knew he was grinning in triumph as she gave in. He had saved her after all. He had proven he cared for her. He'd given everything up for her. Revenge on his father, revenge on Terra Nova, and he'd given up on the money and success in 2149. He'd caved in too. He'd caved for her. Her heart skipped at the thought and she sighed happily.

"Turn and face me, Bucket." He whispered into her neck. She didn't budge from her spot in front of him. "Skye..." He pressed forward, her name rolling off his tongue in a deep voice. It almost sounded seductive.

Skye turned slowly to him. His face was only a few inches from hers. His hand went to her bruised cheek and he brushed his thumb over her cheek, his eyes concerned. "I'm so sorry..." He whispered.

Skye's breath caught in her throat. "W-what?"

"I'm sorry I made you endure Mira and that... that torture..." He swallowed thickly. "It's my fault you are here. I'm so sorry Skye. I'll take you back to Terra Nova where you'll be safe. I can't risk you getting any more hurt."

Skye's heart sunk. "Take me... back?"

Lucas nodded, tearing himself away from her and turning to the fire. A somber look crossed his eyes. Skye looked down and swallowed, processing what he'd just told her. She felt her heart rise again. Going back to Terra Nova... To the Commander... To early morning chess games... To fresh fruit always in the market... To a warm bed to sleep in... To being the Maid of Honor at Maddy Shannon's wedding... Back to Josh.

She felt her heart contract, but not in a good way. It almost seemed like betrayal. And she suddenly didn't want to go back. She didn't want to go back and have to face it all. She suddenly looked up at Lucas's back. "No."

He turned his head to look over at her. "What?"

"No." She repeated stronger now, taking a bold step forward. "I don't want to go back."

He'd turned all the way around to face her at this point, his eyes searching her strong, determined, and truthful ones.

"I never want to go back. Not ever. As much as I miss every bit of it, I would miss you more." She put her hand to his cheek, she was only inches from him now. "I would always miss you more, Lucas."

"Really?" His voice wavering and his eyes were soft as his hand went to her face, much like how hers had gone to his.

She bit her lip and nodded as tears threatened her eyes. "Always."

Lucas's lips were suddenly crashing down on hers and she wasted no time in kissing him back. Her hands went around his neck, willing him to come closer and he happily obliged by gently pressing his tongue through her teeth. She pressed back, deepening the kiss. His hands went to her waist and he yanked her into his chest. The kissing became more frantic, she could almost see the sparks flying around them. His hands played with the hem of her shirt as hers went to his top buttons. She yanked the buttons open and pressed her hands to his chest, feeling his muscular and lean form. She gasped as his hands slipped under her shirt and trailed down her spine.

His lips left hers so they could suck air into their lungs and he breathlessly whispered to her. "Skye, you are the most beautiful thing I have ever seen."

She smiled at him, her eyes sparkling at him in the moonlight and firelight. "And," He continued. "I think I'm in love with you. I have been since I first laid eyes upon you."

Skye felt on top of the world. Everything seemed like a blur after that point. One thing led to another after their lips met again in a hungry fashion, and in the warmth of the fire and moon, passion beat out the cold. Skye didn't regret anything about that night. Nothing.

:D My fingers are DYING. O.O haha sooo... what'd you think? I was going to take the story to a higher rating, but I'm not good at writing that sort of thing... So I don't really want to disappoint you guys:) But I hope that this suffices for it:) haha You are all amazing.

Leave ol' NumberSixteen a nice review, mmkay? I would love to hear what you all think, okay?:D

~NumberSixteen