Ten

"Dash… I don't want you doing anything that could end up putting you in danger," Helen said, stroking her son's soft, blonde hair as if he were still a young child. She looked at him with uneasiness in her eyes.

"I know, Mom," he replied with a sigh. "I promise that I will be careful. I just… I feel like this needs to be done. I really do. I want to help her."

"She means a lot to you, doesn't she?" she asked, even though she already knew the answer.

Dash nodded sadly. "She really does. And I know she shouldn't, considering everything that she put us through, but I can't shake these feelings. I can tell that she's hurting and I just want to make her feel alright again. I want… I want her to be happy. Even if she isn't happy with me, I just want to know that she is happy."

"And you think that what you are doing is going to bring that happiness to her?" Helen inquired.

"I hope so," Dash said quietly. "If it doesn't… I don't know what else I could do. But I can't just give up on her. I have to at least try…"

"I'm proud of you, Dash. I really am." Helen smiled at him, trying to cover up the worry she was feeling. "You've grown into such an incredible young man. I hope Kyler appreciates your efforts."

"Thanks, Mom," Dash said with a boyish grin.

"Have you told your father about what you are doing, yet?"

"Hell no!" Dash exclaimed. "I know exactly how he would react to that kind of news and it would not be good at all. I'm not looking to be told that I can't go through with these plans. He can find out later."

"He's not going to be happy that you're keeping this from him," Helen replied sternly.

"He's not going to be happy even if I do tell him," Dash argued. "But he can't stop me from doing this. I've already made up my mind."

Helen sighed. "Alright then, I trust you, Dash. Please be careful. Are you sure you don't want to take the car?"

"Nah, I need the exercise anyway." He kissed his mother's cheek and smiled at her. "I love you, Mom."

"I love you too Dash. Come home soon."

Dash got off of the couch and picked up his backpack off the floor. He slung it over his shoulders and then gave his mother a reassuring thumbs up. He couldn't tell if he was trying to settle her nerves, or his own. When he walked out of the house, he inhaled deeply, filling his lungs with sweet, crisp morning air. Then he began running. The load of his backpack put a painful pressure on his back, but he did his best to ignore it by setting his mind on his destination.

It had been a week since his visit with Rick Dicker. Since then, he had been making phone calls and creating plans that would hopefully bring peace to Kyler, or at least make her pain a little duller. Thinking about the young woman made Dash's chest hurt. He was still suffering from her betrayal and he honestly wasn't sure if he was ready to face her again. However, he was putting his own discomfort aside in order to bring her happiness again.

He couldn't help but laugh at himself. He never used to be this way. He was always so egotistical and self-concerned. What was it about Kyler that made him want to help her? He never would have thought he would ever be acting so selflessly towards a woman he had only known for about a month. It was a strangely satisfying feeling. He continued to grin all the way to the airport. Dash made his way to a small hanger that was reserved for military business. Standing outside the hanger was a tall man in a pilot's uniform. When Dash approached, the man smiled at him.

"I guess it's safe to assume that you're Dashiell Parr?" he said.

"That's right," Dash replied. "Are you my pilot for today?"

The man nodded. "My name is Topher Pauley. I'm happy to be at your service today." Topher stuck out his hand, which Dash grabbed and shook enthusiastically.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Dash said politely. "I can't thank you enough for your help. It means a lot."

"It's no trouble at all," Topher assured the young man. "The island isn't very far away anyway."

"Still, I really do appreciate it."

Topher grinned. "Well, let's get on the jet so we can get you to where you need to be!"

The two men boarded a private jet the Rick Dicker had set up for Dash. The jet would be at Dash's service whenever he needed it for up to a week. Dash had guaranteed the old man that he wouldn't need it for that long, but Rick had insisted. The jet was small, but cozy. Dash made himself comfortable while Topher prepared for flight. Once they were up in the air, Dash found himself to be a lot more exhausted than he had thought and tried to fall asleep. However, he was kept awake by thoughts of Kyler.

He had no idea how she would react to seeing him again and hearing about the plans he had made for the two of them. Hell, he didn't even know if Kyler was still on the island. He certainly hoped she was. He didn't exactly plan on going on a hunt for her. Although, if he needed to, he would search the entire world for her. He wasn't going to be able to rest until he saw this plan through until the end. He was determined to bring peace to Kyler's tortured soul, or at least attempt to. Dash closed his eyes, wishing for the millionth time that sleep would overtake him.

I'm coming Kyler. I'm coming to help you. I'm sorry for everything that's happened. I truly am… So sorry…

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Mew Painappuru