Hi, wow it's been what, 5 months since I last updated any of my stories. As usually blame homework and exams. Anyway hope you enjoy the last chpt! Aussie Heroine!

_XTHERESAX_

Light pierced my eyelids, making me groan. Stubbornly I rolled towards the source of warmth beside me, not wanting to leave.

"Theresa?" A voice penetrated the warm fog surrounding me and something told me I needed to open my eyes. Huffing in annoyance, I let my eyelids flutter open and was greeted with a pool of swirling colours. As the world came back into focus two things stood out, one was the pain still throbbing from every corner of my body and the second that I was curled up close to Jay. Very close! Blushing, I pushed my self back slightly, suddenly remembering everything from last night. Jay's brown eyes stared blankly back at me, looking slightly hurt as I pushed away. Shaking my head I carefully propped myself up on my elbow to look back at him.

"Hi!" I said, trying to sound cheerful. Jay shook his head grinning back.

"You were asleep for long enough," he teased, reaching out to rub my shoulder. I held my breath and focused on keeping my body relaxed. His warm touch sent shivers down my spine and ignited every nerve in my body. Like I said before, hormones strike at the weirdest times.

"How are you feeling?" Jay asked softly looking worried. I shrugged.

"Like a one hundred handed giant pulverised me," I joked earning a disapproving glare from him.

"Theresa," he said sternly but suddenly froze. With out warning, he pulled me against his chest and held me tight. Normally this would be extremely awkward, but Jay was wearing his leader face.

"What is it?" I hissed, breathing against his neck. His shoulders tensed as he listened.

"Someone's coming," he replied. Wriggling back a bit, I caught the low sounds of two males talking. Feet crunched against the gravelly path outside, sending echoes reverberating around our cave. I couldn't place the sounds but they sounded oddly familiar, and close. Breathing rapidly I look over at Jay.

"So what's the plan?" I asked, falling into the all to familiar role. Jay looked thoughtful for a moment and sighed.

"They're just outside the entrance, until we know more I want you to say down." I was about to protest when he cut me off.

"Just trust me," he murmured pulling me closer. With no other option, I complied. Sure enough the footsteps paused at the entrance and their owners' cast shadows in the morning sun.

"I don't think there're up here Herry, I doubted they would go this far out," muttered an all to familiar voice.

"Come on Archie, let's just look in here. Miss Persephone said she saw Jay and Theresa heading for a cave."

"Whatever," the first voice grunted, his shadow shrugging his shoulders. I couldn't help smiling as Herry's brawn and Archie's purple hair came into view. By now Jay was very tense, like he caught between the choice of being rescued and the torture that was sure to await him if we were found like this. Fortunately I had faith in Atlanta to keep him in line, plus my side was killing me.

"Over here you guys!" I called out, smirking as Jay winced. Herry squinted against the shadow, eyes flying wide when he saw us.

"UMmmmmm," he said shifting his weight from foot to foot awkwardly.

"What is it Herry?" Archie called out until he saw us. His grey eyes narrowed.

"What the . . .?" I felt my stomach twist as I realised the conclusion they'd draw.

"Wait, Archie this isn't what it look like . . ."Jay began stuttered, looking flustered.

"Atlanta, Neil they're in here," Herry called. I cringed as I heard the slapping of feet against the rock as our friends ran up to find us.

"Theresa why did you leave me with them . . . WHAT THE HECK?" Atlanta called as she gaze fell on us. I gave her a weak smile as Neil grinned evilly.

"Well that would explain why they didn't call earlier. How was it?" He laughed while the others just stared. Both Jay and I were red by the time Odie walked in, raising an eyebrow at he sight.

"Could you guys just stop for a sec and let us explain!" Jay cried out and at once everyone fell silent. His back was still to them the so only I could see his shaking. Groaning I looked up to meet their gazes.

"First of all this isn't what any of you are thinking!" I snapped, sending accusing glares Odie and Atlanta's way. Neil stepped forward, cocking his head to the side

"Well then what is it?" he smirked.

"THIS IS BECAUSE I'M BLIND AND SHE'S HURT!" Jay shouted, finally having enough. Silence fell over our friends as they stared at us.

"Jay let go," I murmured, pushing his hand away. Carefully I moved back, whimpering slightly.

"Oh my . . ." Atlanta cursed, running over to me.
"Theresa are you okay?' looking down, I noticed the blood beginning to seep through the makeshift bandages.

"Oh," I squeaked watching as the scarlet liquid spread across my stomach.

"That wasn't there before."

"Theresa?' Jay called out, feeling around for my hand. Odie knelt by Jay, examining his pupils.

"Yep he's blind," he confirmed, shaking his head.
"What happened to you two?' he asked. I looked over at Jay and smiled despite the pain.

"Loooong story," I mused. Jay sat up, looking over in the direction of the others.

"We can catch up later, right now we need to get Theresa to Chiron." He ordered.

"And you," I added, though he was properly right about me needing the centaur more.

"Hey Odie, how long will it take us to get back?" I grimaced as my body throbbed. Odie gave me a sympathetic smile and gestured out side.

"Hermes, has a portal ready just a little way down." Nodding, I began to push myself into a sitting position letting out a sharp gasp as I did.

"Herry, can you carry Theresa?" Jay asked.

"No prob's buddy," Herry murmured, leaning down to lift me. Greatfully, I wound my arm around his neck and held out. Personally I would have preferred it to be Jay, but I don't think either of us was in a state to pull off what we did yesterday going down the cliff. Stiffly, Jay pushed him self to his feet and extended his hand in front of him.

"Archie, sorry but I'm going to need you to guide me," he said.

"Sure," Archie remarked, grabbing Jay's arm and pulling him along. Atlanta hovered beside me as we made our way down to the portal.

"So how did you managed to get from the clearing all the way here with you like this and Jay blind?" she asked, casting her gaze off into the distance. I shook my head and laughed.

"It wasn't easy I'll tell you that much." Atlanta looked over to where Archie was helping Jay and raised an eyebrow.

"He carried you didn't he? From how you guys looked back there it couldn't have been all bad," she added. Blushing, I looked away.

"I guess not."

_XJAYX_

It was a few hours before Chiron would let me walk around. Thankfully my blindness was only temporary, a result from getting smashed in the back of the head or something. I was glad to have me sight back, but it left me feeling weird. Not to mention a new appreciation for my eyes. That was why I was eager to get up and find Theresa; I wanted to see how she was with my own eyes. Mind you, it properly was a good thing I couldn't see last night, or it would have made things a lot more awkward. I sighed, moving to sit on the edge of my seat as I waited for Chiron to let me in to see Theresa. Her condition wasn't life threatening, but her wounds were deep and she had lost a lot of blood. Atlanta and I had both hung back because we were worried about her. Odie thankfully had dragged the others off so things wouldn't be as awkward for us.

Atlanta sat opposite me, shaking her head in disbelief.

"I can't believe you managed to pull off crossing the forest and climbing that cliff like that!" she muttered. I frowned.

"It was hard I'll give you that much, but it was Theresa who made it possible. Well, her sight anyway." Atlanta nodded and looked over at the doors.

"Yeah, but you did good as well, Chiron was pretty impressed with how you treated her wounds." Slumping back against the chair, I tried to hide my blush. At the time I'd pushed the thought aside, but now the memory made me want to melt into the floor. I remembered every touch like I had actually been able to see it. I also remembered her crying out in pain and how it had scared me.

Atlanta sent me a reassuring smile, as Chiron came out.

"Sorry about the wait, I thought it would be good to let her get a few hours sleep," the old centaur noted. I focused my gaze on his steel grey eyes.

"Will she be okay?" I asked, trying to sound calmer than I felt. The centaur waved his hand and sighed.

"Theresa will be fine. Odie will be enough to take care of those wounds if they should re open. They were deep but not to severe so give them a week or so." Chiron paused, looking from me to Atlanta.

"The main thing will be her ankle, that giant really did a number on it. It will be 4-5 weeks at best before she will be up and about on it again."

I winced at the thought, thinking of Cronus. Well at least I'd have an excuse to keep her off the front line for a bit, and maybe test out using her psychic powers.

"Jay," Atlanta called frowning as I zoned out into strategy mode. I gave her a sheepish grin and redirected my attention back to Chiron.

"As I was saying, she'll be fine," he concluded, gesturing towards the door. I glanced over at Atlanta and nodded. As eager as I was to see Theresa, I properly should get back and check on the guys. (Make sure no one had died if Neil chucked a tantrum etc.). Plus it might be good for Theresa to talk to another girl, particularly after all the awkwardness it has caused. Sending a friendly smile Atlanta's way, I turned around and headed for the door.

An hour or so later I returned to find the school mostly empty. It was afternoon, and the sunlight made for a very lazy mood. As I entered Chiron's study, I noted that Theresa was asleep on one of the couches. Her features were soft and her breathing deep and calm. All traces of pain had left her, which was comforting to see. Carefully I sat down beside her, but as soon as I did her eyes fluttered open. I felt my heart race slightly as she smiled back at me, green eyes still unfocused as she lifted her head off the pillow.

'Hey," she murmured sleepily.

"Hi," I said smiling back. Yawning, Theresa pushed herself into a sitting position, supported by the pillows. I took this opportunity to examine her physically, wincing at what I saw. Bandages adorned various places along her arms and legs. Since she was only where a loose tank top I also caught a glimpse of the bandages wrapped around her lower abdomen. Her left ankle was only strapped, but a thick cast covered her right. Theresa caught me staring and smiled.

"Trust me to make a mess of myself," she laughed and I couldn't help smiling.

"You'll be out of action for a while," I added, focusing on her face. Her expression fell slightly, but she shrugged it off.

"It will be only for a week or two until my wounds and left ankle heal. Once I'm on crutches you wont have to worry," she smirked and I made a metal note to watch out for then. In the mean time though I wasn't going to leave her side. As if she read my mind, Theresa frowned at me, pursing her lips.

"I'm not that fragile you know!" she growled, folding her arms stubbornly over her chest. Chuckling, I leaned closer to her.

"I know that all to well." Seeming satisfied she moved over and gestured for me to sit beside her. Being this close again has both of us feeling awkward. I felt her gaze piercing mine and instead of avoiding it, I looked at her head on. Her eyes searched mine, as if she was assessing if I was okay. After a while she dropped her gaze and sighed.

"Are you okay? Obviously you have your sight back."

"Yes thank goodness," I replied rubbing the back of my neck. We sat there for a while, awkward silence settling over the room. I almost wished we were back in the cave; at least that silence had been peaceful, not thick with tension like it was here. Theresa shifted awkwardly, letting out a sharp gasp as she pulled a little to far.

'"You shouldn't do that!" I blurted out, moving closer to sit by her head. Gently I pushed her back against the pillows much to her annoyance. It took me a minute to realise what I had done. I was sitting close to her now, leaning over. She seemed to realise this to and froze. The world slowed for a moment as we looked at each other and our awkwardness rose to a whole new level. I backed away blushing but Theresa propped herself up on her elbow and glared at me, determination gleaming in her emerald eyes.

"Are you okay after last night?" she asked slowly, not letting go of my gaze. I sat there dumbfounded, trying to understand what she meant.

"You already asked me that?" I stammered wondering what she meant. Theresa groaned and leaned closer to me.

"That's not want I meant and you know it!" she accused, causing me to gulp.

"How do you feel after last night?" she stared at me intently and I knew there was no escaping it. But what was I suppose to say to her? That I've liked her for ages and holding her last night was the best, most amazing, most painful and frightening thing I've ever done? Shaking my head I focused back on her. This was Theresa I was talking to! Suddenly I forgot about being awkward and it was just her and me like last night. Casually I reached across and began playing with a stand of hair that kept falling in her face.

"I don't know Theresa, all I know is that despite everything, I enjoyed being with you last night like that." Her gaze softened as she moved closer still to me. I wrapped my arms around her and held her tight.

"Then how do you feel about me, about us?' she whispered softy. I inhaled sharply; trying to figure out how to tell her I liked her a lot, possible loved her even. Me, I am a leader, a strategist but the best I could come up with was . . .

"Ummm, you tell me first?" I said sheepishly. This earned me a frown as she pursed her lips.

"Fine." She sounded so determined about something. Before I knew it she moved closer still to me, pushing herself higher so her face was level with mine. Leaning forward her lips met mine, soft and sweet. The world seemed to come to a stand still (Aphrodite's doing?) And I froze with it. Theresa was actually kissing me! Which meant . . . Instinct took over and I kissed her back, harder and more forceful than I knew I was capable of. Theresa's eyes flew wide as she pulled back, a cute stunned expression on her face. I merely grinned, keeping my arms tightly around her.

"I guess we feel that same way?" I exclaimed happily. Theresa let out a small giggle and smiled in a way that made my heart melt.

"I guess we do," she murmured, resting her head against my chest. We lay like that for a while, just enjoying being with each other. Unfortunately though, the world didn't like that idea of me spending time with Theresa. My PMR buzzed and reluctantly I flicked on the screen to be greeted by Odie.

"Hey, how are you feeling Theresa?" he asked and she shrugged.

"Alive," she mused. I dragged my mind away from her for a moment to ask Odie the question that had been bugging me for the past 24 hours.

"What happened to the giant?" Odie nodded sympathetically.

"Hermes and Ares managed to trap the giant further north of the clearing. Unfortunately Campe got to him before we did, but needless to say his back where he belongs."

I sighed thankful for the news. No more monsters to go off chasing, at least for a while. Theresa seemed relieved as well.

"That's great Odie. By the way, how long until I can get out of here?" I groaned, wishing she wouldn't be so eager to leave when she was still injured but I knew better than to try and stop Theresa.

"Chiron gave you the all clear a while ago, Herry should be there in an hour or so to pick you up." His brown gaze travelled between the two of us as he smirked.

"See you later." I snapped the PMR shut and glanced down at Theresa.

"A hour to fill?" I teased. She elbowed me in the stomach and laughed.

"You don't mind sticking around then do you?" she gestured down to her ankle.

"Its not exactly like I can go anywhere." It looked like the world didn't mind giving me some time after all. Grinning I leaned down to kiss her again.

"An hour with you? Why wouldn't I?"

Ta-da! Hope you enjoyed the last chpt. I don't know about you, but Jay and Theresa seemed a little OC to me. (Properly the result of me reading to many FMA fics) As usually feel free to review and let me know what you think.

Plz'n'Thnx Luv Aussie Heroine!