She awoke to light pounding on her door. The courtesy desk had shut off her alarm because of her loss. There was no reason to get her up at the same time as all the other contenders. Blinking a few times, still dressed as she had been the night before, she stretched and got out of bed.

Julia's feet dragged across the carpet until she reached her door. Opening it slowly, her eyes scanned upwards until they met Hwoarang's.

"You're alive." She furrowed her brows at his comment. "I've been knocking for five minutes. I thought you were dead." There was flatness behind his voice which hinted that he may have been serious about his assumptions, but the military calm glazed it over to nothing more than something to say.

"Sorry." She apologized, seeming a bit distant as she put her hand to her forehead. He glanced over her shoulders and arms noting her bruises that he had left.

"You ok?"

"I think so." When Julia opened her eyes, he noticed how glassy and reflective they were. Taking her chin into his hand, he looked into her brown eyes, tilting her head back for better lighting.

"You're coming with me." He spoke sternly, leaving no room for protest.

"I'm fine." He looked down at her left hand which held the door knob so tightly that her knuckles had turned white, as she leaned against the door for support.

"You can't stand up on your own."
"I'll be fine. I just need to sleep."

"Your eyes are glassed over."

"I can take care of myself." She moved his hand from her chin. Her tine was harsh.

"Fine." He spoke in monotone. Turning to leave, Hwoarang sighed.

"Wait-" He turned and faced Julia, giving her a questioning look. He almost seemed annoyed, but it was just a misreading of his numb facial expression. "Never mind."

"Are you coming?"

"You'll be late." Hwoarang smirked.

"I'm already late."

"I have to get dressed." She began making excuses.

"I have time." Julia sighed, feeling an endless argument coming on if she didn't just give in. She stepped back and out of the door way so that he could come in while she readied herself. Hwoarang sat in the leather arm chair beside the bed, watching as she riffled though her duffle bag, leaning against the bed for support. When she went into the bathroom, he closed his eyes and exhaled.

-o-

"Just stay here." She attempted not to show her disapproval of his commands as he looked her directly in her eyes. Julia pulled her legs onto the couch in the small, private dressing room they'd found unlocked in the large arena. "You need to rest." She scanned his face upwards until she reached his hair and smirked at the co.lor. His face showed no emotional retort, figuring she was only laughing at his request. "I'll be back." Julia rested her elbow on the arm rest, her face against her palm.

Hwoarang side stepped a punch and landed one of his own in the ribcage of Lee who stumbled back only momentarily before dealing a sharp blow to the side of Hwoarang's head. Hwoarang squeezed his eyes shut. The match was bordering on twenty minutes from the will of Hwoarang himself. He refused to give up. The match was all or nothing in terms of tournament advancement. At the rate of things, Hwoarang couldn't afford another hit.

His head spun briefly, giving Lee a chance to knock him down with a menacing kick to the midsection. Hwoarang was sent over backwards, slamming his head violently into the mat. The match was over before Hwoarang reopened his eyes.

As Hwoarang made his way back to the dressing room, he moved his hand across his forehead. His ears rang a bit, and his eye sight moved in and out of focus as a head ache pulsed within his skull. Julia awaited his return, sitting with her knees against her chest. Hwoarang walked though the doorway and grabbed the wooded frame, pausing.

"Hwoarang?" She squinted as he tipped forward, but he heard nothing of what she said. When he moved further towards falling over, she rushed towards him. As soon as Julia reached him, he fell unconscious for the second time of the evening.

-o-

He opened his eyes to a loud beeping located right of his head, and complete darkness. Hwoarang sat up, looking to his right. Julia slept with her head tipped back against the wooden and leather chair. Her long brown and black hair hung back and behind her shoulders, with one foot propped against the metal railing on the bed.

He slowly began pulling off the cords connected to him.

"Julia." He spoke softly. With the heart monitor detached from his skin, the machine began to sound crazily. She snapped out of sleep and looked directly into his eyes.

"Are you alright?" He smirked pulling the last sticker from his muscled chest. "Why are you taking those off?" She seemed somewhat panicked.

"This happens all the time. They cant do anything for me. Its useless for me to be here." Still attempting to shake off her slumber, she shook her head in confusion as he got out of the bed and began redressing.

"They're not gonna let you just walk out of here."

"I'd like to see them try and stop me." Once fully clothed, Hwoarang took her by the hand, pulling her from the chair and towards the doorway.

"But-" She was stopped by a finger to her lips as she tried to speak. She sighed and followed him through the empty halls avoiding the looks from tire nurses until they reached the exit. The MTH was only a few blocks down.