This is Prompt No. 89-Shade

In the short time between the moon's setting and the sun's rising, Mitchie's eyelids slowly opened, taking a moment to adjust before they focused on the girl sitting next to her. They shut again moments later as a searing pain shot straight from her arm to her eyes, causing a white light to flash in front of her, blurring her vision. She let out a gasp and barely succeeded in not arching off the bed.

Quickly, the girl was out of her chair, her hands reaching out to steady Mitchie. "Easy," she whispered, her voice soothing. "Just lay back. The pain will go away if you stay still."

Mitchie did as she was told, trying not to whimper as the pain once again coursed through her as she sank back onto the pillows. "Where am I?" she asked, her voice rusty from disuse. Her eyes flittered around the small room, taking in the hominess of it before she turned back to the young woman in front of her.

"You're underground," Caitlyn explained, "in a safe house." She gazed at Mitchie curiously. "Do you remember anything?"

Mitchie thought for a moment. "Yes," she said slowly. Images began to run through her mind at a rapid pace, causing her to grip the sheets tightly in her fists without realizing that she was doing so. Caitlyn noticed the action and reached over to gently hold Mitchie's hand, giving a comforting squeeze occasionally until the memories stopped. Mitchie turned back to Caitlyn and nodded. "I remember everything."

Caitlyn nodded and squeezed Mitchie's hand again. "I'm Caitlyn Grey, by the way."

Almost immediately, Mitchie's face fell. "Oh," she said weakly, forcing herself to be polite. "So nice to meet you."

Caitlyn noticed the change in tone and thought for a moment on what she had said, finding the problem to be in her wording. "Oh!" she exclaimed, and then began to laugh. "No, no, no," she said, shaking her head. "I'm not Shane's wife. I'm Shane's sister-in-law. I'm married to his brother, Nate."

Mitchie blushed a deep shade of red. "I'm sorry," she said. "I didn't realize-" she trailed off, blushing a deeper shade of red.

"That's an interesting shade," Caitlyn mused, making Mitchie blush even further.

Mitchie, seized by a sudden thought, shot up into a sitting position and cried, "Where's Shane? Is he hurt?"

Caitlyn watched, startled, as Mitchie seemed to not feel the pain from her sudden movements. Mitchie's eyes were wide open in fear as she scanned Caitlyn's face for any sign of an answer, whether good or bad. She found nothing, only concern for herself. Caitlyn finally overcame her shock and answered, "He's fine. He's been here the whole time, but he had to go and get some rest. Don't worry, he'll be here in a few minutes."

Satisfied, Mitchie sank back onto the pillows and that was when Caitlyn saw her face change from relieved to pained. "Why did he do it?" she rasped out from clenched teeth as she struggled to keep the pain under control.

Caitlyn frowned. "Do what?" she asked.

"Why did he shoot me?"

The voice sounded so young, so innocent, that Caitlyn was startled for a moment. For the first time, she saw the young woman behind the mask, the young woman that had questions without answers. "I think you should ask him," she responded. Realizing that her answer sounded rather mysterious, Caitlyn smiled at Mitchie and said, "He'd want to tell you himself."

Mitchie nodded, her curiosity peaked even more. Her eyes started to drift closed before they popped open once again and she asked, "What happened to Andy?"

Caitlyn had heard about the mission and had known that Mitchie had tried to save the soldier, so she was able to say, "I'm so sorry, but Mitchie, he died."

For a moment, all was still, as though the world couldn't quite believe what Caitlyn had said. Then, Mitchie's eyes began to get moist, and the tears began to fall down her cheeks even as she struggled to keep them in. "I should've done more," she whispered. "I could've saved him."

Caitlyn leaned on the edge of the bed, holding Mitchie close as the girl sobbed. "You can't save everyone," she responded, rubbing circles over Mitchie's back. "You've done so much," she continued, "I don't see how you could've done any more than you already have." She smiled at Mitchie as she raised her hand to dry the tears on Mitchie's cheeks. "I think you're very brave."

Mitchie smiled up at her new friend. "Really?" she asked hesitantly.

Caitlyn nodded. "Really."

She smiled and stood, gently easing Mitchie back onto her pillows. "You should get some rest," she cautioned.

"What about-" Mitchie began.

"I'll go find Shane as soon as I leave and let him know that you're awake." Caitlyn smiled. "He's anxious to see you."

Mitchie smiled and leaned her head back against the pillow. "I've been waiting to see him," she mused out loud. "It feels like forever since I've seen him."

Caitlyn smiled. "He feels the same way," she assured Mitchie. "Would you like some pain medication?" she asked. "That jolt from the bed you took must not have felt very good."

Mitchie shook her head vigorously. "No, I'm alright," she said. "That'll take too long."

Caitlyn realized that Mitchie thought that she would get the medication before she went to find Shane and had to smile once again. These two would be married before long, Caitlyn was sure. "If you do want some," she offered, trying not to smirk, "I'll go and get Shane and then get the medicine."

She headed toward the door, waiting for Mitchie to stop her. It didn't take long. "It did kind of hurt," Mitchie admitted just as Caitlyn opened the door.

Caitlyn turned and smiled at the young woman in the bed. "I thought so."

A/N: Please review and tell me how happy you are that she's awake! :D