How days fly by when someone that takes your breath away is in it every day. There was never a restless day for Matthew when it came to her and now the fact that she knew what was to come of her being a capital, he was more than ready to sink more into life with her. A small shudder and sigh roused him from his comfortable spot in her bed, moving his head to see the sleeping woman next to him. Oh, how he could get used to this. Seeing the halo of her hair surround her pillow, her face so peaceful as she rested her arms underneath the plush object, it was damn near killer to him. Not that he would complain dying at the sight of her. She had really filled his world with more than he could have ever thought.

He admired her. So many ways he did so; from her unwavering attitude to her keen mind, her sharp tongue to those deep soulful blue eyes, her sweet cherub lips to her soft creamy white skin, yes she was a voluptuous beauty that ravaged his world. And he couldn't thank the stars enough for bringing her to him. The comforting scent of sage came to him as a gentle tickle caressed his cheek. Closing his eyes, he found himself in the vast mountainous area of Ishpatina Ridge, the cool breeze crawling up his spine as his mother came up to him. The smile he was ready to give her faltered as he saw the sadness in her eyes, worry roared in his head as she finally stood before him.

"Hello, my son."

" Un-ni-tsi, what's wrong?"

She gave a heavy sigh, "There is a lot to come for you and your brother. This Genesis is becoming more out of control than any of the nations see."

"How bad?"

"Bad enough for me to worry about my children and grandchild. It seems that they have things that not many are aware. You need to be cautious Matthew, they have spies everywhere that you cannot see nor detect right away. You must be cunning like the puma on the hunt."

Matthew sighed, he knew the group was getting bigger and harder to handle each day that passed, but for his mother to worry, made him even more so.

"Plus I have seen the Gravepost close to her grandfather."

Now that he was not ready to hear. Those posts only meant one thing when an Ancient could see them, and it was something he wasn't looking forward to. The gentle touch of his mother's hand brought him back to her, her eyes full of mourning and pain.

"Do not hurt yourself so soon. I think you know yourself that it is coming faster than believed. Right now you need to focus on Marissa, there is a part of her that is still unsure of this process and what is to come. It would be best to continue speaking with her."

"Don't worry." he assured her, "I'll do the best that I can for her."

She smiled. That smile that filled his heart with such a warmth that not even the harsh winters could freeze. It was that smile he missed most from her. Days when he felt ill, or alone, or scared, she was there to give him that smile as she spoke so softly to him that even the wind matched her tone.

"I know you will Matthew, it's why I don't worry." she said to him, placing a kiss to his head, "Now go on before the dawn fades to noon."

"Migwetch, ut-ni-tsi." he kissed her cheek, "Gi-zah-gin."

"As do I, neegoosis."

Before he could do anything else, his mind whirled around the lands just to find himself in Marissa's bed. He threw a hand over his face, trying to ignore the damning light and spin that ravaged his head. How was he going to do this? He was barely stable when his mother faded, how the hell was he going to help another out like...no he did it before, he just tried to push those painful days out of his head. He still could hear Alfred sobbing to him on the phone that he found Liberty and it was true that Amber had died. It killed him watching Alfred fall apart, helping him out as much as possible yet it was nearly killing him as well. He loved Amber dearly, she was the sister he never had and still was.

Shaking the thought, he pushed the known meeting in Austria forth, coming up faster each day. He was hoping that the meeting would help her understand more of the Capital term and what would happen. Not that she didn't ask questions to him or Amber. She was constantly trying to figure things out for herself and what he was with Alfred, he even noticed her speaking with his mother, which oddly shocked him. Well, not shocked, awed more of the term.

"What did Adsila have to say?" a groggy voice came to him.

Glancing over, he saw those bright eyes smiling at him as her hair splayed all over her side.

"You listening in on my conversation?"

"If I could hear it I wouldn't have asked."

"True you got me there." he said rolling to his side, fully facing her. "Nothing bad, just speaking about Genesis to me. That and she's glad to have you around. How did you know anyway?"

"There's only one reason for the room to smell like fresh sage, and I know ya don't go burning for the hell of it."

Matthew laughed at her, forgetting that his mother's scent would linger in the air after talking with any of them. He could almost hear his mother telling him to smile and take it easy for her, having her guide him to her heart than having him place himself in it.

"Deep in thought again, ya are."

"I'm always thinking."

"That's dangerous." she giggled.

"Dangerous? How is that dangerous?"

"The quiet Canadian plotting something deep and dark, maybe."

Matthew smiled at her, "Come on now when does dark and deep come from me?"

"True, it never does. Yer too innocent for any of that." she poked his side, making him jump, "Oh, are ya ticklish too?"

"Don't you even-"

Before he had a chance to speak, her fingers graced his sides. Her teasing giggles filled the air as he tried to evade her touch, yet with one move, he got her back.

"Alright, you asked for it." he said, grabbing her one arm and pinning her to the mattress.

With a flurry of sheets, playful laughter, and pleads for mercy, Matthew had Marissa below him as he repeated the tease she gave to him, listening to her squeal in happiness. He wasn't letting up on her, not after that little game. He continued right to the point it seemed like she was barely breathing, only then did he calm down his onslaught.

Holding both her hands above her head, he looked down at the woman, staring into her deep blue eyes. There was something so awing about her, so deep and soulful that he didn't want to ever let her go. She looked up at him, giving that sweet smile she knew got to his heart every time she gave it, only this time, she gave her bottom lip a little bite.

Something in him sparked, deep within him that suddenly roared up his spine, he felt the heat rush to his cheeks but his body reacted faster than his mind. In an instant, he claimed them, those cherub lips of hers. There was no hesitation or worry in his mind as he heard her gasp below him, there was nothing but him and her. Only when he pulled away did he realize what he had done. Fear swelled in his belly as he felt himself grow hot in embarrassment. The hell, he was never that brash or open, to anyone, let alone a woman. H was the polar opposite of Alfred; while Al was the loud and wild-type, he was shy and quiet, the wallflower of the family so to say. So where in the hell did that ounce of bravery come from?

But all was silenced as he felt her hand clasp the back of his head and pull him down to her, feeling those plush, soft lips once more against his own. The spark was back and ready for more as they kissed, his body and soul were nearly screaming at him to continue, to keep going on the path she was okaying for him, yet his mind made him pause, wondering if it was the right thing to do. Letting go of her other hand he had forgotten he was holding, it wrapped around his body, pulling him down to her as she tried to deepen the moment with him. His mind was a whirl of worry, all they shared so far was gentle touches and sweet cheek kisses, never this deep and passionate before, yet his body reacted to her touch, in more ways than one. As her arm pulled him closer, he gave in, settling his body against her own, feeling her legs press against his waist as her chest lifted against his. A small moan left her throat, nearly making him lose all resolve and control over her, yet he held back.

She was perfect, almost like a goddess below him, meant for him to worship and adore, and by damn he was going to worship her. He could hear how some of her workers called her fat or heavy, how he wanted to give them hell for ever saying such things. She was perfect below him, fit him in ways that most could never imagine. She truly was heaven.

A strange ringing came to his ears, making him pause in their play, "Marissa, what's that?"

A frustrated groan came from her as she listened for the sound, only for worry and fear cover her face, "My God."

Sitting up, Matthew tried to ask what was going on but she was gone out her bedroom door without a word. Following behind, he heard the alarm like sound getting louder as he came to the open door, and then it hit him. Bolting in, he watched as Marissa tried to help her grandfather catch his failing breath, far worse than he had seen his times there. His skin looked ashen as his lips help a strange tint to them, something he knew too well of years of life.

"Marissa?"

"It's alright Mattie, not the first time, nor last." she said, almost a self-mantra she had taught herself.

"Marissa listen-"

"He just got the hose caught and the battery of the machine died too. Simple things."

"Marissa, please, listen and look-"

"He's fine Matthew, really. I know-"

"Marissa!" he shouted.

Wide, worried eyes glanced at him, small tears pulling at the sides. He quickly walked over as his fingers dialed the numbers, "Stop, I know you are trying to help him. But this is out of your hands."

"Mattie I know what I'm-"

"I know you do." he replied as he heard Walter wheeze, "But this is really out of your hands."

"Please Matt." he heard her voice break, "I can...I can...Jesus, call them."

Matthew tried. Tried so hard to help Walt out with Marissa. To gain him proper breath, to get him more oxygen as the medics arrived, to do anything for him. They were just shit lucky to hear the machine go off and call it in. Yet was killed him with it, was her. All the way to the hospital, he could hear her mutter under her breath that she failed. She wasn't good enough to help him like she wanted. It took everything he had just to get her to look at him as they made out the papers and more, waiting for results from the doctors as they worked on him. Yet the news the doctor gave, made his mother's words to him, more of a nightmare than before.

"What do ya mean, misdiagnosed?"

"I believe, Miss Dunaid, that he was misdiagnosed with Pulmonary Fibrosis. I believe it is something much stronger and harsher."

"And what, bloody hell, would that be?" her voice raised up, making him hang onto her shoulders.

"I'm running diagnostics as we speak but I looked at his past files and the companies he once worked for in the nations, and these companies have been hit in the past and currently in lawsuits of asbestos. If my hunch is correct, I believe its mesothelioma."

"But ya aren't certain."

"It's why I'm running-"

"But you are not certain, correct?"

"Correct."

"Then it may not be-"

"Miss Dunaid, I know he is your only family left, and that you take care of him and more, but with how this turned so suddenly, I have more than a hunch that what I am telling you is true. Bad enough his oxygen level is so low, plus his sugar spiking like it did, there are just too many factors that we cannot overlook-"

"Yer wrong."

"I'm not."

"And if ya are?"

"Marissa please." Matthew tried to reason with her, just to have his hand brushed away.

"Well?"

"Marissa, I'm not." the doctor gave a stern look. "As I said, I know he is family and you care for him, I'm honestly glad to see that, however, it is out of your hands now."

"You can't just-"

The doctor silenced her with the raise of her hand as another came to her, file in hand. This what not how Matthew thought things would go for them. He had hoped there was more time to prepare and understand what was at hand, that there was more than what he saw before him, yet as damning as the world was, it wasn't looking that good as the woman before them gave a heavy sigh.

"Right, as of now if you'd like we can contact the places of business and conduct a better research and gratify a lawsuit and get things started before-"

"What the bloody hell, ya haven't said a damn thing about him." Marissa shouted, "What do they say?"

"I told you I know what I'm talking about."

"What in the fucking hell do they say?"

"Marissa?" Matthew wasn't sure whether to hold onto her or press for answers like her.

"It's mesothelioma. A better term, asbestos cancer." the woman said, "It's not uncommon for it to go unnoticed or properly diagnosed since it can mimic many other things, like the Pulmonary in your case. But right now we need to get things started for you to ensure you gain what is rightfully yours in this case."

He could feel Marissa shaking under his hand, "Yer telling me, that it's cancer, just like that. No bigger test or scans or anything?"

"Marissa, he's not my first. I have seen this before and everything I see is pointing to it and the tests I have given are the ones we used for the highest advances of the issue."

"What does-"

Matthew silenced her, trying his best to keep her calm before all holy hell broke loose, "How advanced is it?"

"It's nearing four."

With a nod of his head, he fully understood what they were really trying to prepare Marissa for. He heard Marissa argue with the woman more, the denial he knew would come with her, yet he, himself, knew it was inevitable. Walter was too old, had lived his years ahead of so many others that some of the treatments would never be a real option for him. In truth, only one was there for him.

"I hate to barge in on you, Dr. Shaffer, but I got these results as well." another doctor came over, "It seems there are a lot of spikes with medicine and such in his tests. Is there a chance he would forget to take things?"

"Are ya daff? He has a memory of an elephant. Forget things, why on...no. No. Absolutely not."

"I'm just asking to see if-"

"Yea, and you can shove that thought up yer-"

"Marissa." his arms wrapped around her, pulling her away before she could continue, "They are just doing their jobs. They're not insinuating anything, just trying to cover all the basics."

"Ya know damn right well what they're-"

"I am aware Marissa but please listen to me. If anyone, let it be me. It's something that is done here, I know in America they do the same. They just want to make sure everything is ok for him and getting him the right treatment he needs. Let them work on this alright?"

Finally, she relaxed under his grip, eyes sinking to the floor in thought as something came to his mind, "Hey look, why don't you help them out a bit more and go back to the apartment to get his medicines and everything he uses to help him breathe and regulate his health?"

Marissa gave a small nod, "Yea I can do that. Just don't let them do anything else until I get back ok? I mean it, Matthew, I trust ya with him."

"I won't Marissa." he replied, kissing her quickly as he saw her off.

Once out of sight, he knew what was going to happen, "You realize we could access that here right?"

He turned back to the doctors, "Would you like to actually speak about Walt's issues or fight with her?"

"She gave you clearance to speak and be on his behalf on the statements, so we can discuss this." the first doctor said, "And it seems you have a better idea of what is to come."

"It's not the fact of knowing what is to come, just accepting it and having her understand it."

"She's going to go through the stages-"

"Of grief and more, yes I know. We're looking at denial now." Matthew cut her off as he rubbed the back of his head, "So please tell me, do you think..."

He couldn't finish. He only read about the disease and listened to Marissa explain her grandmother with it, but with her grandfather's lungs and health with that, adding that on would just shorten him even quicker.

A gentle hand laid on his shoulder, "The scans are being looked at now. The tests are all that we can base off of as of now but when it is clear, we will speak more directly to Marissa. But I am afraid that his conditions are above her own comprehension and capability to care for him."

His heart sank, he knew what that meant, and to Marissa, it was going to be even harder, "I'm going to ask a stupid question but-"

"Treatment and care here are was will keep him going, but as of now, a Hospice worker can speak with both of them and yourself. You seem to be just as attached to him as her. It would be better for all of you to be together during this time." the woman said to him, "And it isn't a stupid question, just normal for the ones we love."

Nodding his head, he glanced at the room he knew he was in as the doctors gave him the ok to go in. Slowly, he dragged himself into the white, suffocating room. Seeing the vibrant man prone as machines helped him back to health, well what health was left for him.

The more he stood there, the more daunting the very idea became. Losing Walter was going to be almost as painful as his mother, and he wasn't going to only hold himself up, but her as well.

"Oh Walt, what do I do?"

She flew back there, praying she could give them those meds and more, to help prove that he wasn't as bad as they were saying. That it wasn't mesothelioma or...no she wouldn't even think that one. She knew he was in good hands, Matthew was there and he wouldn't let anything happen to him while she was gone. She tried to calm down, tried to blink the tears away that fought to spill yet as the sign came to view, they finally broke. Barely throwing the car into park, she flew into the building, mentally thinking where each bottle was, each piece of equipment and more. Yet before she could touch the door, she was yanked back into her neighbors home.

"What on Earth Mr. Filbee?" she demanded as the man's hand clasped over her mouth.

"Shush sweetie." he hushed at her, "There's someone in your apartment. They're looking for something."

Someone was in her apartment? "What are ya talking about, there's no one there. Matthew is at the hospital with my granda, and I'm here before ya. Who on-"

"Shush child." she heard his wife say, "They went barging in after you left. They muttered something about a capital being there. Do you have something big or your grandfather dealing with the government? Your boyfriend maybe?"

Marissa felt her blood freeze in her veins, they were looking for a capital, they were looking for her. Shaking her head she pulled out her phone, praying he would answer.

"Williams."

"Mattie."

"Marissa?" she heard Matthew reply, "Maple what's wrong?"

"There's someone in the apartment." she told him as she moved to another room, dropping her voice, "According to my neighbors where I'm at, the people inside are looking for a capital. Do you think-"

"Stay right where you are, don't move for anything unless they come to the door. They do that, get out as fast as you can. Out a window or anything. I'm on my way."

She was greeted with silence, unsure of what to think or do. Making her way back to the door, she was nearly pushed over by Mrs. Filbee.

"We need to leave."

"What? Why?" she asked.

"They're at the door, demanding to know who is all here." the woman replied, "They say they're government but Marcus thinks otherwise and is trying to hold them off. We can make it out the bedroom window. Thank god we're close to the ground."

Without hesitation, Marissa fled to their bedroom, lifting the window up as the door came flying open in the other room.

"Go!" the woman shouted.

Jumping down, Marissa landed on her feet, trying to scramble out of the area before they caught her, yet it was too late. A set of arms wrapped around her, pulling her away from the apartments.

"Let me go!" she shouted, praying someone heard her, "I said let go!"

"Quiet." they hissed at her.

Marissa fought and screamed as she tried to get away from him, doing whatever she could to be free from him, until a low growl caught their attention. Only then did he let go of her, just for her to see an animal attacking him, pawing and ripping at his limbs with sharp teeth and claws, just for white fur to surround him.

"Kuma!" she heard someone yell, "Reste!"

Before she could register anything, someone picked her up and pulled her to the cars. Panic came to her, making her wheel around, trying to escape the person that had her until those glittery purples came to view.

"Mattie?"

Without hesitation, he pulled her to him, looking around as the man screamed in pain from the animal.

"Kuma, rentre à la maison!" Matthew shouted as he placed her in the car, "Are you hurt?"

"No." she squeaked out.

Before she could think, he was next to her, speeding away from the scene as the animal ran away from them as well, sirens wailing in the distance with the rushing of her heart in her ears. What the hell just happened?

"Mattie-"

"Are you sure you're ok?"

"Yes, positive. Shook up but fine. Who were they?"

She was answered with silence, "Matthew?"

"Genesis."

The terrorist group that he and Alfred were dealing with, but why were they-

"They must've figured out you were a capital. It's why they were in there. Sad to say, maybe your grandfather having the morning he did, was a saving grace for us."

"But why?"

"I wish I knew. But as of now, you can't go back to the apartment. You'll be staying with me, I can't have them get you."

"But my granda, Matthew. He needs-"

Matthew gave a heavy sigh, "Marissa. Look, his condition is worse than we thought. I'm not saying the doctors are wrong but seeing what he was hooked up to, I know you couldn't do that. Even Juliet would have troubles and she's the best nurse, well, doctor I've ever known. And you know how old I am. I don't want to do it either, believe me. I was practically begging for forgiveness in the room before you called. I feel like I failed him. But it is best for him to be around nurses and doctors twenty-four seven. It's just out of our hands. I'm sorry."

Out of her hands? He wasn't that bad, it wasn't possible. But thinking about what just happened and his moments of barely breathing, maybe it was for the best that he was away from it all. Bad enough he was there as it is. Looking out the window, all she could do was pray. Pray that there was still a chance for him to get better and live a life worth living once more.