Author's note: Wow, I can't believe it has been so long since I posted. I got caught up in schoolwork, (I swear my teachers are trained torturers) and I am extremely sorry for not posting until now and I promise I will start posting at least once a week again.

Loss

It was around midnight when Grace and Cedric finally returned to the cabin. Grace had fallen asleep on the ride back, her head lolling onto Cedric's shoulder. Cedric was completely shocked. He had always seen Grace as being as tough as nails and as stubborn as a goat. Seeing her like this, Cedric couldn't help but wonder what she was really like. He carried her inside, taking care to be quiet so as to not wake her up. Gently, he carried her up to her room, laid her on the bed and pulled the blankets over her. Giving her one last kiss, he left the room.

"So did the two of you get hitched of something?" came a voice from behind Cedric.

Cedric spun around to find everyone on the landing behind him. Carmelita looked as if she was about to burst into laughter while Sly looked as though he had just stolen one of the most priceless jewels in the world.

"What do you mean?" asked Cedric uncomfortably.

"Well the two of you were out all night, so we assumed . . . " started Sly.

"Nah., Cedric isn't that brave. But hey, did the two of you get a room after we left?" asked Hugo.

"You obnoxious little . . . " started Cedric, making a wild sweep at Hugo.

"Easy, Hugo," Julie laughed, "don't insult his new girlfriend's honor."

Cedric breathed deeply, resisting the urge to start blasting fire on the whole lot of them.

After teasing him a bit more, everyone left to go downstairs again, except Sly.

"So how was it really?" Sly asked, suddenly serious.

"You were right," Cedric said, looking at the door to Grace's room, "They are definitely worth it, despite the fact that they drive you crazy."

"Good, now maybe Carmelita will stop pestering me about getting you two together."

"What?" asked Cedric, shocked.

"She has a good eye for emotions, other than her own. She's been telling me since we met Grace that the two of you should be together. Although now I think she'll bug me about Hugo and Julia," Sly grimaced.

"Those two will get together on a cold day in Hell," Cedric laughed. Hugo and Julie? Julie would attach herself to any man who stood still long enough and kept her entertained, but Hugo? He doesn't ever show any kind of emotion that isn't cold or cruel. His actions may speak differently, but. . . .

"You're probably right," Sly agreed, "I'll just have to put up with it."

"Hey Sly, was it the same when you and Carmelita . . . " Cedric trailed off.

Sly looked down, staring off into the past. "No, Carmelita liked shooting at me too much. By the time we could have a civilized conversation, I was locked up in a helicopter over Paris. At least, she thought I was locked up. By our first date, I wasn't supposed to remember who I was. Trust me, you got lucky the woman you fell in love with isn't trying to kill you or lock you up."

"Yeah . . . hey! What do you mean I 'fell in love with'? It was just one date!"

"That's how they all start," Sly laughed as he stood up to leave.

"What does that mean?"called Cedric after him.

That night, Cedric couldn't help think of anything but Grace. The way she'd danced with him, the way she'd looked at him, the way she'd kissed him. He could almost feel her in his arms again. Was Sly right? Is this love?

It was then that Cedric heard something thump downstairs. Odd, he thought, Sly, Carmelita, or Hugo wouldn't have made any noise. Murray or the others would have made much more. Suspicious, Cedric snuck out of his room, grabbing his sword on the way out. Closing his door silently, he snuck down the stairs, careful not to make a sound. It wasn't until he heard the click of an automated rifle that he realized what was going on.

Listening hard, he heard at least two upstairs, four downstairs, and five to ten outside. Carefully, Cedric slipped back upstairs, only to find Hugo looking at him from the darkness. Hugo nodded, showing that he too had heard the intruders. Pointing upstairs, Hugo indicated that he would deal with those two. Nodding his understanding, Cedric slipped into Sly and Carmelita's room. Quickly shaking Sly awake, Cedric indicated the need for silence.

"We're surrounded," Cedric whispered, hoping none of the intruders heard him.

"Police?" asked Sly, suddenly wide awake.

"Police don't sneak in," Cedric said. To himself, he thought, And they don't carry automatic rifles and move around like assassins either.

Sly nodded and woke Carmelita while Cedric went into Grace's room and explained the situation. Grace and Cedric then snuck out onto the landing, meeting Sly and Carmelita. Pointing downstairs, Cedric led the group. Once they were downstairs, they split up. Sly and Carmelita went their separate ways, while Cedric and Grace continued to search together. Hearing a dull thump, Cedric knew that on of the others had taken out one of the attackers. Seeing one of the assassins, Cedric snuck up behind him, whacking him on the back of the head once he got close enough. The assassin fell to the ground, out cold. Slowly but efficiently, the group took out all of the assassins, one by one. It was almost dawn by the time they had finished, and they had thirteen assassins tied to the trees around the house.

Grace smiled as she tied up the last one. "That's it," she said, "When they wake up, they're going to tell me exactly what they were doing he . . . ," she stopped as a crack split the air. Eyes wide, Grace fell forward to the ground. Instinctively, Cedric lashed out at the attacker who had fired, blasting his face with fire. Turning to Grace, he saw blood seep out of the hole the bullet had caused. Holding her, he pressed his hand to the wound, trying to stop the bleeding.

"Hold on Grace. We'll get Bentley. Sly!" he shouted, "Grace's hurt, get Bentley!"

Grace looked up and murmured. Leaning closer to hear, Cedric heard her speak. Her voice was faint, as if she was very far away.

"Sorry...let my guard down."

"No, it's my fault. I wasn't paying attention!"

"No . . . not your fault . . . Cedric," she coughed, "I'm sorry."

It was as if the world was on fire.