Near

His face darkened at the sound of his real name. He closed his eyes. I know what I must do. If I don't do this, then Sam will die. He opened his eyes, his face relaxed.

Near took Rester's gaze and aimed it at Sam. Her eyes widened and she looked at him pleadingly. His face was devoid of emotion. Garrison and the others stared at him in confusion.

"She means nothing to me. All that matters to me is bringing you to justice, Inclementia. And if getting rid of the hostage myself is the only way to do it, so be it." He stated, cocking the gun.

"Are you insane?" He wasn't sure who yelled it. Maybe all of them.

"No, I am perfectly in my right mind. Did you really think a stupid girl would affect my judgment?" Near asked rhetorically, moving the gun and firing it.

The bullet struck Garrison's head and he collapsed. Near tossed the gun to Rester with disgust.

Sam fell to the floor, stared at Garrison's body, and began to scream.

Sam

She felt his blood splash onto her face. She felt something break. She couldn't stop screaming, her tears blurring her vision. She writhed on the floor spasmodically. The pain was excruciating. She kept her eyes shut.

The shinigami floated back down and scowled. "I wanted to add his name so I would get the rest of my life span!"

Near went over to him and handed the notebook back, glowering at the shinigami. "Please stop dropping your notebook; it's becoming rather cumbersome chasing after the psychos you keep finding."

"They're the most interesting kind of humans, though." The shinigami whined as he disappeared through the wall.

She felt a pair of hands scooping her up and then she was pressed into a warm, soft body. Her seizing stopped and her little fingers gripped his now blood soaked shirt. He murmured something soft and she was lulled by his voice. Her eyes fluttered and she was falling.

Sam

Sam was laying on rock. She opened her eyes and heard a constant beep, irritating her. She was hooked up to various machines and her room smelled like medicine. She took in her surroundings and realized she was in a hospital. She gave a soft whine of annoyance, then tilted her head to the side when she noticed a ball of white curled up in a seat beside her bed. It was Near, his forehead resting on his knee, and his body moving slowly as he breathed. He lifted his head up sleepily before his gray eyes hardened with vigilance. In an instant, he was by her side, peering into her face at an uncomfortable proximity.

"You're awake. Are you alright? How do you feel? Do you feel any pain?" He rambled, staring at her.

"I-I'm fine." Her voice was hoarse and she coughed. Her throat was like sandpaper. "Water."

Near grabbed her a glass of water, holding it for her. "Drink slowly. You've been asleep for nearly two weeks."

She pushed the glass away as she choked in shock. "T-two weeks?"

He nodded and sat on the bed. "The doctor wasn't certain if you would wake up. It certainly was interesting bringing you here. Too many unnecessary questions. So, I hired your own private nurses and doctor."

"What was the extent of my injuries?" She asked softly.

Near looked away from her, pulling out a Rubik's Cube. He fiddled with it, but otherwise didn't attempt to solve it. "Second degree burn on your cheek, scarred. A cut on your other cheek, healed. Cracked rib, healed. Bruises and cuts, superficial or otherwise, healed mostly. Shot to the leg, healed. You were lucky; he missed your femur. Just some muscle damage. It will take you a while to fully be able to walk."

Sam sighed and laid her head back on her pillow. She missed the therapeutic ones Near had bought for her. "...I see. Well, I guess I can count myself lucky. Did you really k-k-"

"Yes. I apologize for what I said. You mean everything to me." He admitted, his cheeks dusted a light pink and he ducked his head as though he were ashamed he confessed such a thing.

Sam's blushed as well, but smiled slightly, and leaned toward him, hugging him. "I'm glad this is all over. But, I'm happy it started. Otherwise, I may have never seen my first friend again."

"Saxon Leroux's long anticipated book of poems, Alive, has finally come out! Critics have described it as dark, creative, and a side of Miss Leroux that the world has never seen before." The hostess addressed the audience excitedly.

They applauded and Sam smiled. She was sitting across from the other woman, a cane resting against her chair.

"Tell us, Saxon, where did the inspiration come from?" She asked, meeting Sam's eyes.

"Well, the whole issue with Inclementia was a huge inspiration. I'm not a very negative person, but with that situation, I was able to scrap the poems together." Sam replied, maintaining eye contact.

"The very last poem has striked up some controversy, in particular the line, 'He waits for me, adorned in white. Hand outstretched.' Speculation is you have found a love interest. Care to give us the truth?"

Sam's smiled widened; she knew that question was coming up. "Yes, I have a boyfriend."

The audience erupted in applause and the hostess bounced in her seat zealously. "Ooh, give us the details!"

"Well, I can't say much, he's very shy, you understand, but we've been together for the past three months, and I happen to be pregnant; two months pregnant." She touched her stomach as she said the last part, smiling gently.

"Congratulations! It has been confirmed; Saxon is pregnant and has a boyfriend! Thank you for joining us!" The hostess and Sam got up to hug before Sam exited the studio.

Her new publisher, Abigail, was waiting for her, jumping up and down. She was tall with black hair and optimistic blue eyes.

"Great job! I know you hate doing interviews, but you did wonderfully!" Abigail gushed, linking arms with her.

While her personality was a stark contrast from Tanya's, Sam was beginning to grow fond of her and she smiled. "Thanks, Abby."

They walked to their car when a black limo stopped in front of them. Abigail paused and frowned, but Sam's smile brightened. "It's alright, Abby; it's for me. I'll see you tomorrow, yeah?"

"Okay. Wait, is this from your mysterious boyfriend? When am I going to meet him? As your publisher, I think I should-"

"Soon. I promise you." Sam smiled reassuringly before getting into the limo.

Near was sitting there, one leg pulled up to his chest, but he set it down as he pulled her toward him, kissing her. She hugged his neck and felt his hand touch her stomach. His eyes were blank, but she saw the hidden uncertainty.

"It's okay. It isn't that bad." She assured him.

He pulled away from her slightly, beginning to twist a curl. "If you say so. I trust your judgment. I refuse diaper duty, by the way."

She laughed and nodded. "Fair enough, I suppose. But, you have to play with him as much as you can. And teach him how to solve a Rubik's Cube in under thirty seconds."

Near scowled. "I detest the Rubik's Cube."

She giggled and nuzzled herself into his arms, resting her head on his chest. Her soft hair tickled his face and he slowly wrapped an arm around her.