"Chidori," he opened his eyes.

"Sousuke, are you okay," Mao asked, her face laced with concern.

He sat up slowly, "Where is she?"

Kurz looked him in the eyes, "She was taken man. We're gonna get her back Sousuke."

"Taken by who," he growled.

"We," Mao hesitated for a moment, "we don't know yet."

"Don't know," he shouted, "How can we not know? We have to find her."

He tried to get out of bed but stopped, grabbing his side. He'd really been hurt by all the men that had come after them. Or was it only a few men. Why couldn't he remember? He didn't even see their faces. It made him feel sick. She was out there with who knows and he couldn't do a damn thing about it at the moment. He punched the bed causing Mao and Kurz to jump. She was dead. He felt it, she was dead.

"Let me go you creeps," she yelled, fighting against the roped that held her.

She looked around. She didn't recognize anything, not that she had expected to. Sousuke wasn't with her. She lowered her head. He was dead. That had to be why he hadn't tried to save her when she screamed for him. She felt tears well up in her eyes. He was gone. He wasn't coming to save her.

"What's wrong little girl," a man asked, "Sad you're boyfriend is dead. Serves him right for what he did to my beautiful machine. Oh right, you're a Whispered."

He lifted her head, examining her, "Don't touch me," she pulled her face away.

"Now now Kaname," her jaw clenched, "Don't be hostile with him. Gates, stop touching the girl."

"Leonard," she growled, "Why have you taken me?"

He laughed, "Because I love you of course. Besides, did you really think I'd let you stay with that war crazed fool? Honestly, I cant believe Tessa even let him near you."

Her eyes saddened again, "Is he…"

"Dead," he offered, "One can only hope."

"You bastard," she whispered, "How could you ever think I'd love someone like you?"

He laughed again, "You will learn, I'm sure."

She looked down. He wanted to kill Sousuke. He couldn't. Sousuke was her friend. She l…liked him. Leonard couldn't kill him. Sousuke couldn't die. He was Sousuke. She sniffed, feeling the tears coming again. He promised he wouldn't do this. He promised he wouldn't abandon her again. But he did. He left her alone again. And with him no less. The man who'd stolen a kiss from her. This vile…wait. The other man, Bates, said Sousuke broke his machine. The AS, that red one that Sousuke talked about on the phone with Mithril. She was going to die. This guy was insane. She felt something hit her face. Her head jerked sideways. She looked back up at Leonard.

"Now," he ordered in a firm voice, "you will stop thinking about that imbecile."

She spit the blood out of her mouth, "No. I hate you Leonard."

He smirked, "Is that so? Well then, men take care of her. In a nonsexual way of course. That way she's a mess when her precious Sagara comes for her. Oh and Kaname," he looked straight at her as he stood, "you will ignore Sagara or I will kill him. I don't care what you have to say to break his little soldier heart but you'd better…or I will."

"CHIDORI," he screamed as soon as AL landed.

"Sir, target is not yet found," AL responded.

"Well keep looking damn it," Sousuke demanded.

"Affirmative," AL went back to work, "Target, Kaname Chidori found. Badly wounded."

Sousuke turned to see her laying on the ground. She looked like she was covered in blood. He quickly climbed out of AL, running over to her. She flinched as she heard the footsteps. No more, she wanted no more. Maybe they were coming to kill her, to leave just her body for Sousuke to find. Maybe she'd survive long enough to feel him holding her. That would be heaven. Then he'd lean down and…

"Chidori, please be alright," he pulled her into his arms.

"Sousuke," she breathed.

He lifted her up, "We're gonna get you out of here Chidori."

She looked up at him with unfocused eyes, "Sousuke."

He walked over to AL, "AL, do I have room for one more?"

"Yes sir, she will fit," AL responded.

Once inside AL, Sousuke ripped his shirt, wetting it with a water bottle. He placed Chidori on his lap, pushing her hair out of her face. He cleaned off her face. She flinched as he did so. He apologized and continued as gently as he could. She looked up at him, her left cheek pressed against his shoulder. He told her to hold on to him as best as she could. She did so and they were on the move. He was attacked by Gates as soon as he left the hide out. He stopped as the AS unit blocked him. He didn't want a fight when Chidori was with him and injured. He turned as another seat appeared behind his. He nodded and quickly moved Chidori. He strapped her in, making sure her head stayed in place. He kissed her lips lightly before sitting back in his chair. He blushed a bit as he gave orders.

"Sagara you piece of shit," Gates cackled, "This time you die."

"Not this time," Sousuke growled, "I have someone with me that I need to protect."

"Oh you mean the bitch that took a beating," Gates laughed.

Sousuke charged at him, "DON'T TALK ABOUT HER LIKE THAT!"

"Sousuke do not engage," Mao's voice came on the command system, "I repeat, do no engage. She needs help. She'll die of you do."

He stopped dead in his tracks. He turned in the other direction, heading for the ship. There was an explosion behind him. He pushed harder to make it, thinking about the girl in AL with him. He couldn't get her hurt anymore then what she already was. He leapt into the sky, landing on the ship. Once inside he took Chidori to the Med Lab. He placed her on the bed then was told to leave the room. She woke up to another unfamiliar setting. She began to panic.

"Calm down Chidori," his voice penetrated her mind, "You're safe now. I promise."

"Sousuke," she questioned.

He touched the side of her face, "Yes, I'm here. You're safe, I'm sorry I wasn't there to save you."

"It's okay," she assumed him, "I'm so glad you're alive. I thought you were dead."

She sat up and before they both could think she pressed her lips against his. To her surprise he didn't pull away. Her wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into his lap. She wrapped her arms around his neck as the kiss deepened. She smiled as they pulled away.

He pulled her head into his shoulder, "I was so afraid I was too late."

She felt him hold her tighter, but still treating her as something fragile. At the door Kurz and Mao smirked. They nodded as they looked at each other.

"It's about time," Mao sighed.

"Yeah," Kurz agreed, "Now maybe the kid can get laid."

Mao rolled her eyes and laughed as she pulled Kurz away from the Med Lab. Chidori snuggled into Sousuke, feeling his fingers running through her hair. She closed her eyes, remembering what Leonard said. She pulled him to his feet, asking him to take her to his room. He held his breath for a moment but did as she asked. Once inside she closed the door. She was surprised when he pushed her against the wall, kissing all over her face and neck.

"Make love to me Sousuke," she whispered.

He looked at her, "What?"

She moved away from him, removing her hospital gown, "Make love to me," she repeated as she stood there naked.

He didn't need to be asked more then twice. He allowed her to take off his clothes and gently laid her down on his bed. He placed himself on top of her, using his arms to hold him up. She nodded, encouraging him to keep going. He felt her whole body stiffen as he entered. She gripped his shoulder and hair, tears rolling down her cheeks. He moved slowly, trying to make sure he wasn't hurting her too much. After a while she began to enjoy it.

"Sousuke," she moaned, "Oh, Sousuke. Sousuke."

He picked up pace, "Chidori, I'm gonna…"

She felt him release, causing her to wrap her legs tighter around his waist. When he pulled out he kissed her forehead, pulling her into him. She traced the scars on his chest as he ran his fingers through her hair again. She kissed his cheek as he fell asleep. She felt the sadness welling up in her chest. This would be the first and last time she made love to Sousuke. Her eyes filled with tears as she felt his left hand take her right, his other hand gripping her shoulder.

"That was perfect," he sighed happily.

"Yes," she sniffled, "It was."

"Chidori," he paused, "I-I love you."

"I love you too," her voice was broken up.

She cried as soon as she knew he was asleep. In the morning she'd have to break his heart to save his life. She knew sleeping with him was probably a bad idea but she had to. She couldn't get Sousuke out of her life without being with him at least once.

"I love you," she whispered before kissing his cheek, "Please forgive me."