Ch. 13: He Won't Hurt Me

"I say she goes."

"I say she doesn't."

"Who even asked you, Xavier?"

"Who asked you, Constant?"

"You asked my opinion!"

"Why are you two arguing," the General and Constant both looked up to see Tristan looking at them. He seemed tired almost sickly but he hid it away as Abby turned around from the stove while Aaron sat down. A silence went over them as Tristan walked into the kitchen, taking a seat with Abby handing him some tea. "Where's Gabby," he inquired.

"She's still in bed," Abby answered. Her eyes darted to her husband who looked back at her.

Tristan noticed this but sipped his tea. He took a deep breath in after sipping then asked, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," everyone answered.

He sighed and looked at Aaron. His friend looked down, trying to avoid his gaze but Tristan had him in grip, "Talk Aaron."

Aaron winced, "Well you see, Abby is in need of material for clothing for Luka…"

"Right, so she can head to town," Tristan shrugged as he sipped his tea again.

"There's another part," Aaron admitted. Tristan looked back at him with a raised eyebrow as Aaron continued, "Gabby is missing home. Maybe you can let go with Abby…"

"What?"

"Just for the day, Tris," Aaron assured him but he watched as Tristan stood up. His face confused slightly trying to piece everything. "It would just be for the day."

"Did she put you to this," Tristan interrogated harshly.

Abby shook her head, "Of course not. She loves it here and she doesn't want to hurt you but you know she wants to go. Tristan, you can't keep her locked here forever even if you love her." Tristan looked down, "She told you she missed home, and maybe a day in town won't hurt."

Tristan pressed his lips together; he looked up at everyone before sighing. He then simply stood up and walked out.

Gabriella awoke to the sound of a knock at her door. She opened her eyes slowly before she stretched and sat up. "Come in," she allowed. The door slowly opened with Tristan poking his head slightly in, "Come in silly." He entered revealing to have his normal assortment of roses; she smiled at them as he sat down on her bedside, handing them to her. She took them and smiled before noticing a confused look on Tristan's face. "What's wrong," she asked.

Tristan looked down, "Abby needs to go into town and I was going to ask you if you wish to go also?"

"Back to town," she repeated. Tristan nodded before she lunged at him, hugging him tightly. "Yes," she immediately answered. She pulled back seeing Tristan with a sad look in his eyes, she touched his cheek, "You are coming, right?"

"I can't," he told her.

"How come? You did last time."

"I just can't, Gabby. You won't be back until nightfall. The Castle is going to prevent me from leaving," Tristan lied slightly.

Gabriella nodded, "I understand." With this answer, Tristan stood up and kissed her forehead before walking toward the door. "Tristan," he turned to see her smiling at him, "Thank you."

B&B

Ever since her best friend left, Lucille was sad. She learned from Gabriella's father that she was traded to a monster for gold. Lucille feared the worse, thinking that this monster would hurt her, use her even. All she could do was weep for her that is until now.

Lucille was staring down at the roses Gabriella always admired. She sighed until she heard her name being call, "Lu!" She looked up at the sound of her name to see two women riding into the town. One of the riders got off her horse and walked closer with Lucille's line of sight.

Lucille walked closer and realized it was Gabriella. "Gabby," they both ran to each other and embraced. Lucille pulled away looking at her friend, "Are you okay? Did the monster hurt you? How did you escape?"

Gabriella looked back at her friend, wiping her tears away, "Lu, there's a lot I need to explain."

After watching Gabriella leave, Tristan wandered around the Castle. He was trying to distract himself from the awful feeling he felt but he didn't know what to do. So he decided that staying in the living room with Aaron and Luka would do some good as he took a seat.

Aaron looked at his friend, "Are you all right?"

Tristan nodded giving a light smile, "I'm just tired, that's all."

"Tristan," Aaron stood up approaching his friend, "you're sweating."

"I am," Tristan groggily wondered. His eyes suddenly felt heavy but he stood up before he stumbled over with Aaron catching him immediately. Aaron laid his friend down, looking at him seeing him shiver harshly and groaning in pain. He watched as Tristan's hands changed back into claws then back to hands.

"Oh god."

After her initial shock, Gabriella slowly began explain her father's trade and how Tristan treated her to her best friend. Lucille could see her best friend was smitten with this person but it was also confusing. This very same man kidnapped her.

"So the whole thing about a monster," Lucille wondered.

Gabriella shook her head, "He's not a monster. He's very sweet and kind."

"Gabby, this is the same man who kidnapped you," Lucille argued.

"My father traded me in. Lu, he's different from anyone I ever known. He's not like other men."

"Gabby, don't do anything ridiculous. I don't want you hurt like last time."

"He won't hurt me and I'm not sure of my feeling toward him," Gabriella argued.

Lucille looked at her friend and sighed. They both sat down at the fountain as Gabriella noticed Abby returning with the fabric. Lucille watched as Gabriella stood up, talked with Abby before Abby nodded, walking to the horses. Gabriella walked back to her as she inquired, "Must you go back? You can escape now. You have people here who love you."

Gabriella sighed and shook her head. "He trusts me and the people I live with are so wonderful to me. Lu, you are the only person who loves me here," Gabriella explained, "and you don't judge me."

"What about your father?"

"He traded me in. There's nothing else to say."

Gabriella began to stand up before Lucille took her hand, "So you leave me behind? Your best friend since childhood for a man you barely know?"

"Lu…"

"Fine, go," Lucille released her friend's hand, "I don't care. Be happy with him."

"Lucille, you don't understand," Gabriella tried to stop but it was too late, Lucille stormed off. Gabriella felt tears built up but she felt two hands on her shoulder and she turned to see Abby, "I can't leave Tristan."

Abby gave a soft smile before hugging her softly, "Let's go home, Gabby." Gabriella nodded and smiled slightly before walking back to the horses.

The two arrived back to see the Castle's sky darker than usual and the place was more morbid. Suddenly they heard a loud yell of agony echoing, Abby and Gabriella gave concern looks before they both got off the horses and ran to the Castle. Abby burst through the door to see Luka meeting us. Abby crouched down to her son, "Luka, what's happening?"

Luka looked scared as he replied terrified, "Tristan got really sick and collapsed. Now he keeps changing back and forth crying in pain and moaning many things. It's scary Mama." Before Abby could react, Gabriella quickly ran up the staircase.

She never felt her heart pound so hard, her face with a worried and terrified look. She then heard another yell before she reached Tristan's room, quickly entering to see Aaron stepping away from the black wolf. He looked up at Gabriella with anxiety on his face, "Get out now."

"Tristan," Gabriella said softly. The wolf turned and Gabriella immediately saw that the eyes were not blue but yellow. The wolf growled at her before it leaped over the bed, tackling Gabriella. She looked up in fear as the wolf's teeth showed and the claws showed, sinking a bit into her skin, she cringed in pain but kept her eyes locked on the wolf's. "Tristan," she said softly, "I know you are there. You are not this." The wolf shook his head as she continued, "Come back to me, Tristan."

Slowly the wolf's eyes changed back to Tristan's normal eye color. They looked down at the scene and immediately backed away, realizing its actions. The wolf suddenly shifted back to Tristan, who looked frantic as he gazed down at his hands, which had some blood. He looked up at Gabriella to see her arm scratched slightly and bleeding.

Tristan's face grew pale as he looked at Aaron. "Get out," he ordered.

"Tris…"

"I said get out," he yelled.

Gabriella looked at Tristan who refused to look at her. He closed the door immediately at her face causing her to knock on it continuously, "Tristan! Open up please!"

"Gabby it's no use," Aaron told her gently touching her shoulder but she continued to knock on the door until he whispered, "Gabby, let's handle your arm please."

Gabriella felt a heavy pain in her heart as she turned around, feeling Aaron leading her down the staircase. She felt the tears build up in her eyes before she heard a loud agonizing roar before she let out a harsh sob herself.

Bum bum bum…uh oh spaghetti o's. You know the drill my friends: Review, PM etc. Love you guys for your awesome and terrific support!