Sorry it took a while…Enjoy!

I don't own Black Cat.

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For Train and Mari it was confusing, slightly intriguing, and very tempting to want to find out the cause of this new phenomenon.

It seemed that every time they were around each other for a certain amount of time, and didn't make physical contact, pain would shoot through both their minds until skin touched skin.

Lately they had taken to brief hand touching under the table, or if he was able, Train would trace his fingers over the bare skin of her knees or thighs when she wore shorts. And keeping it hidden so no one else would be worried about it was harder than expected because they were in a house with observant people.

Everything seemed relaxed in their little world of research and reconnaissance until one day. They were all at the table eating lunch discussing a technology held by Bernio's company when the doorbell rang.

"I'll get it!" chimed the ever cheerful Shawna, bouncing from her chair.

A hand slid silently over the denim fabric of Mari's jeans. She wordlessly and calmly slid her hand under the table to join it. Showing no emotion on her face she linked hands with Train.

She figured he was only trying to prevent the pain, but she couldn't help but like their secret connection. She was always wondering if it was wrong to like the slight intimacy between them. There was a connection between them. Something deeper rooted than fate. She wondered if he felt it too.

"Um…Mari?" called the questioning voice of her sister from the front door.

Mari rolled her eyes "What is it?"

Her sister answered hesitantly. "I think you better come here." With a look of confusion she stood and made her way from the eating area to the front door.

She looked out on to the door step where a package had been left.

Written in dark red letters on the package read the cryptic message "Goodbye Mari"

Something clicked in her head and she whirled quickly, pushing her sister in front of her back into the house. "GET AWAY!" she screamed before the package exploded sending shards of glass and wood through the air.

The force had flung them into the house further and Mari coughed as she pulled herself into a sitting position.

Rattled and dazed she sat staring at the floor while everyone ran into the room to see what happened.

Sven rushed to investigate outside, and Crystal tended to Shawna as Train knelt in front of Mari.

Mari looked up at him and reached out both hands to his chest, clinging to his shirt before her eyes went out of focus again. "Mari?" Train asked worried.

"I'm fine what about Mari?" said Shawna from behind him. Crystal and Shawna moved to either side of them looking over Mari. Shawna gasped as she saw her back.

Several large shards of glass had embedded themselves in Mari's back and shoulder blades. "We have to treat her fast." said Sven coming back inside.

Train nodded and tried to remove Mari's hands from his self. She wouldn't respond to anything, physical or verbal. "She's in shock. Take off your shirt." said Crystal looking at Mari's eyes that were half lidded and unfocused.

Train obliged and gently pulled her to her feet by her upper arms before picking her up and carrying her to the bathroom and setting her on the counter.

"Mari?" He asked raising her face to his level, but her eyes didn't see him. "Mari!" He said louder and more desperately. No effect. He shook her gently and when that had no effect he braced himself and slapped her across the face. He steadied her with one arm before being hit himself.

"DON'T HIT MY SISTER!" yelled Shawna pulling her hand back for another blow before it was stopped.

Mari's hand had shot out with lightning speed and caught her sister's wrist before she could lay siege to Train again.

"Get out Shawna." said Mari darkly.

Shawna looking thoroughly shocked, but nodded silently and left the room.

"Sven should treat your wounds…" She shook her head before he could finish.

"No. You should." She said placing her hands in her lap and looking at them noticing she was holding on to his shirt. "Here" she said simply while holding it out to him. He set it aside noticing her blood was staining it.

She sat sideways on the counter while Crystal came in and cut her shirt from the back straight down the middle. Parting it and unhooking the bra that was under it she tried not to give away too much emotion as she saw the damage.

"Um I think…" she started, before Mari cut her off "Don't, Crystal…just leave me be please. Take Sven and Shawna to the other hiding place, I'll meet you there."

Chrystal made a sound of protest and Mari glanced over her bloodied shoulder at her friend, pupils now slits, and teeth sharpened.

Crystal nodded once and did as she was requested. Train set to work removing the shards from her skin and cleaning the wounds.

He was impressed and unnerved at how little a fuss she gave. An occasional hiss escaped through her clenched jaw, but nothing other than that was presented through the ordeal. He could have sworn it caused him more pain than it did her.

He had finished with the last of the wounds and was about to bandage them when she turned to him.

"Mari? I need to bandage you so you will heal." She placed a finger over his lips before pulling it back to her chest and closed her eyes, tilting her head back slightly.

He ran his hands up her arms and tried to turn her to finish his work, but she wouldn't budge.

Her eyes opened again and she smiled. "Don't worry it's done with." She said.

He looked confused and she slid off the counter turning her back to him. He reached out shocked to see all the wounds had healed. "How?"

She frowned "I don't really know myself. It's just an ability I have now."

He cocked his head "Now?"

She looked away 'here it comes' she thought. The interrogation that everyone puts her through when they realize her abilities.

"I have changed a lot since I was younger." She said staring at herself in the mirror.

"What are you a vampire or something?" He joked trying to lift her spirits.

"No, I'm not a vampire, and I don't want to explain it anymore than that." She said as he nodded and put his hands behind his head.

"Ok. If you don't wanna talk that's alright with me." She snapped her gaze back to him surprised, and the familiar pain returned.

He reached out to her bare shoulders hating the wince that crossed her face. The pain slowly faded for both of them and she leaned against his chest "We need to find a way to stop this." He rested his head on hers in silent agreement wrapping his arms around her.

...