Disclaimer: I don't own. L.J. Smith does. *Sighs*

On with the story...

Chapter 10

QPOV

"I think that's enough," Galen nodded approvingly at the seven piles of paper, stacked high and neatly next to each other.

"Sure, it's enough. My hand's covered in blisters!" Quinn held up his hand. "But then again, I guess you have it worst than me."

It was true, Galen's hand was red and slightly swollen, but he probably felt that it was worth it. Anything for Keller, right?

"I sure hope it works."

"Me too, wouldn't want to give my hand up for nothing, would I?" Quinn laughed suddenly, "it's a good idea. It'll work."

Knock, knock.

"Come in."

"Hey, Galen, have you seen Quinn?" Rashel asked, before seeing Quinn, sprawled over the bed, still holding his limp hand up.

"Where were you?" Rashel demanded. "I haven't seen you in forever!"

"I thought you were too busy with Timmy," Quinn muttered darkly.

"What?" Rashel snapped.

"I said," Quinn snapped back, and Galen was surprised. Quinn has never – never – talked back to Rashel before. Never. "I thought you were too busy with Timmy."

"Well, I was! Was! What, I can't spend time with both of you?" Rashel was on the verge of tears now.

Oh, crap.

"I'm not sure, Rashel," Quinn closed his eyes. "Can you?"

"What are you talking about, Quinn?"

"I guess what I'm trying to say is..." he sighed, opening his eyes and noticing that Galen was looking rather uncomfortable. "...you don't spend any time with me anymore. It's always 'Timmy' this or 'Timmy' that. You don't even notice I'm gone until nearly a week's up.

"What? Nothing to say?" Quinn laughed his old laugh. The Mad Hatter one. He could tell Rashel didn't like it.

"You know, I wanted to give this to you," Quinn laughed even harder, throwing a tiny velvet box to her. "Just..." his laughter faltered, and he whispered, "just go play with Timmy or something."

Now Rashel was really crying, tears streaming down her face steadily.

"I'm sorry, Quinn." And then she turned and ran.

"I'm so damn screwed," Quinn muttered while Galen patted his arm understandingly.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have made you stay. Or I should've insisted on making you go back, at least."

"No, it's not your fault. She was already with Timmy when I came. I guess...I just wanted to feel...wanted, ya' know?"

RPOV

Rashel had never been one for crying.

But here she was, bawling her eyes out in her – their – room...door firmly looked, of course. Not that it really mattered. The place was full of damned Night People.

She had never really understood how her sister felt before. She could sympathize, but never really understand...

...until now.

She looked down at her hand – or rather, the tiny box in her hand – or rather, the ring inside the box.

It was beautiful, of course. An emerald – the exact colour of her eyes – carved into the shape of a heart, and a tinier heart-shaped onyx set inside the emerald. The slim band was made of white gold.

She cried even harder.

QPOV

"You should get some sleep, Galen," Quinn said tiredly. "Tomorrow's gonna be an important day for you."

"Yeah, but – " Galen started.

"No, sleep. Now."

"Very well," Galen hesitated. "Try to get her back, Quinn. She deserves that."

If only Galen knew how much he wanted to.

"Goodnight, Galen."

"Sleep well."

Quinn doubted that, so he just laid on the couch and stared at the ceiling.

Did Rashel want him back...after what he did?

He'd never know if he never tried.

So with that, he stood up and walked to his room.

Locked. Figures.

Quinn rolled his eyes and turned the knob harder and wrenched it away.

"Rashel?" Quinn asked cautiously.

A tiny sobbing sound from the bed answered him, "go away."

"Rashel, I want the ring back."

The tiny box flew to him with a little more force than needed. "Now leave."

"Rashel, look up." His voice was commanding, it had authority over it. Rashel actually looked up.

And his heart clenched. She looked kinda like...Keller...in Blaise's store. Actually, she looked exactly like Keller.

Quinn took a deep breath and knelt down, holding her hand. She tried to pull her hand away.

Quinn took another deep breath.

"Marry me."

Rashel shot him a wry look. One that screamed 'really'?

He tried again.

"Marry me...please."

"Do I have a say in it?" Rashel asked, still sobbing, but visibly happier.

"You were going to say yes anyway," Quinn said.

"I suppose." Rashel sighed and Quinn placed the ring on the fourth finger of her left hand.

He stared at it for a while, and then he whispered, "thank you."

R + R, please! The story is ending soon...for real this time. So please, R + R.