When I'm With You

DOOM Fangirl: "Alright, the last chapter was pointless to the story, and really just randomly made to make you laugh. Now, we'll get on with the story! Takes place…Hmm…We'll say in July."

Disclaimer: "I only own Marie and this story.

Usually, when Marie came home from her morning jog, Alister was in the kitchen with coffee.

But, when she got home, his bike was gone.

That's weird, she thought, as she went inside.

When Raphael came downstairs, the green-eyed girl asked him if the redhead had said anything about having something to do that day.

"Oh, shit," the man muttered.

"What's wrong?" she asked, looking confused.

Raphael sighed and said, "How much do you know about Alister's past?"

"Huh? Um…The war, his brother, the action figure…Uh…That's about it."

"Then I guess I can tell you; eight-years-ago today is when Mikey died."

Marie's hand went to her mouth.

"He can't be alone, then!" she said.

"I think he'd WANT to be alone, right now," the blond told her.

"No! I won't let him be alone! Not on a sad day like this!" She grabbed her helmet, and started for the door.

"Marie, you don't even know where he is," Raphael pointed out.

"I have a pretty good idea, though. Wake Valon up for me, okay?" And she was out the door.

A little while later…

Alister sat on the ledge beneath the cliff, looking at the mangled Dyno-Dude action figure that was his only memento of his beloved brother, crying uncontrollably.

"Alister!" he heard someone call out.

He turned to see Marie riding toward him on her bike.

He quickly attempted to wipe his tears away, only to have them replaced with more.

She was at his side in a flash and she took him in her arms.

Usually, the redhead would have been humiliated by this, but he didn't really care at the moment; he just cried into her shirt, hoping she didn't mind.

She didn't-she just whispered, "It's okay, it's okay. Let it out."

He did. He started wailing about how it was all his fault, and that if he hadn't told Mikey to get in the tank, he'd still be alive.

"It's not your fault, Alister," she told him softly.

"Yes, it IS!" he wailed loudly.

Then, she did something that surprised him greatly: she kissed his tears.

All the new ones that fell were gently taken away by her lips, until he was no longer crying.

His chest still heaved, but he no longer cried.

"Don't be by yourself at times like this, okay?" she asked.

He nodded and sniffed.

She handed him a handkerchief, which he blew his nose in.

"Sorry, Marie," he whispered.

"For what?"

"Acting like a baby."

She pressed her lips to his forehead, and said, "Don't be silly; you have every right to cry today."

He looked up, and blushed when he realized that he'd cried so hard, he'd made her white tank-top completely see-through.

"Are you getting a fever?" she asked, misreading the reason his face had turned red.

"N-no," he stuttered.

"You sure?"

"Yeah." He smiled slightly before saying, "You know…it's been awhile since I've felt like anyone cared this much about me."

"What about Valon and Raphael?"

"Well, we were brought together through tragedy, and that's really all that's kept us together. But…I met YOU…because I got OUT of my old life. And we're together here right now…because…you care about me…Right?"

"I do care about you," she told him. "More than anyone," she added quietly.

"What about the others?"

"I DO care about them…I care about them very much, but…YOU are special to me."

He looked away from her, feeling a little awkward.

"When I'm with you, Alister," she continued, "I feel warm inside, and I want to hold you, and…do this."

She pressed her lips against his.

His gray eyes widened, then he kissed her back.

When they broke apart, he said, "Um…Marie?"

"Yeah?"

"Does this make us, um…" he trailed off.

"Make us what?"

"A couple?" he asked, before ducking his head, as cheeks burned.

She turned pink and said, "Yeah. I guess it kinda DOES…Unless you don't WANT it to…"

"I do…"

"Then yes."

They smiled at each other.

DOOM Fangirl: "I think I'm ending this story now. If anyone wants me to make a sequel, tell me in a review or private message, and I'll gladly do so. I hope everyone who read this was able to get some enjoyment out of it. Bye! =)