Sorry this took a little while. I was out of town. This is Oliver and Jack's meeting and he reflects on how his life has turned. I was curious to see where this went and... I got this. Anyway, read on and enjoy.

Disclaimer: I don't own these characters.

For Her

Oliver POV

I took a deep breath and knocked on the door. The Force's maid answered it with a surprised look on her face. I don't blame her.

"Can I help you?" She asked.

"Yes, I'm here to see Jack." I told her.

She nodded and let me in. She motioned to take my jacket, but I kept it on. I wouldn't be staying long.

I went up the stairs and knocked on the door.

"Come in." A tired voice said.

I pushed it open to see Jack Force lying in bed, pale as a sheet, with bloodshot eyes.

Those Silver bloods really did a number on him. But I guess he looked good for someone who survived a dance with the devil.

Saying he looked surprised when he saw me would be an understatement.

"Oliver? What are you doing here?" He croaked.

"I came to-" I started. I didn't really know how to end it. I didn't really know what I was doing here, myself.

I took a deep breath. "To talk, Jack"

He sat up. I could tell it was hard for him though.

"Wow, you look awful." I said before I could stop myself.

He gave me a half smile. "You don't look too great either." He commented.

A truthful statement. I hadn't slept in days, I had cuts from when the glass exploded and bruises from when I fell.

"What did you want to talk about?" Jack said, slightly wary.

"What you did for Schuyler." I started to say. "I-"

I looked at him. He had a grim look on his face. He didn't want to be praised.

"Thank you." I sighed finally.

He nodded. But I knew he didn't do it for me. He still loved Sky. Enough to throw his life on the line to save her.

But somehow that didn't make what I had to do any easier.

"I want you to go with her." I said, looking him in the eye.

If he was surprised he didn't show it. He just stared back levelly.

"You're giving her up?" He asked. He tried to get up, but his wounds wouldn't let him. He sat back with clenched teeth. I guess he didn't want to show weakness.

I nodded. "I can't protect her like you can. When they came for her-" I stopped, trying to repress the awful memories.

"I never felt more helpless in my life." I don't know why I was telling him this. But I guess he was the only one who could understand.

A look of understanding passed over his face. He did get it. But his expression was a look of ancient sadness. It was only then that I really realized how old he was. How much he had seen.

"Where and when is she going?" was his only question.

"Florence and in two days. Will you be healed by then?"

He nodded. "Well enough to move."

"Protect her." I said. It was more of a command. "And keep her safe."

"I will. Always." He said. I never expected anything less.

I turned to leave and just about to close the door when I heard his voice again.

"And thank you." He said as he laid down to rest.

That memory has been playing in my dreams ever since she left. With him. I would toss and turn at night thinking about it. Just like now, lying in bed, and staring at the ceiling.

I know it was the right choice. Really, the only choice. But that didn't make it less painful.

She'll be safe. I told myself over and over. She'll be better off. He'll protect her.

There was a point in my life where I hated Jack Force with everything I had. But I always had a small amount of respect for him.

He had everything. Looks, money, power, and he had her. He was a blue blood in every sense of the word and I hated him for it.

But I knew that he was suffering as much as I was. When we were on the run from the Conclave, he was back in New York with his heart ripped out.

I guess it couldn't have ended any other way. One person would win and the winner would take it all.

But I never expected to give her up. To just let her go.

The fact that I was her familiar would just make me pine for her until I died. I would never truly get over her.

But I can move on. A small voice in the back of my mind whispered. She would have wanted me to.

Here I am talking about her like she died. I mourned her like she had.

But I guess in a sense she did to me.

I sighed. When did the world turn upside down? I asked myself.

I turned over in my bed. My gaze fell on an old picture sticking out of a book. Sky had given it to me years ago.

Inside was the note she gave me with it.

I left it unopened. But from inside it, a photo slipped out.

It was of the two of us. Before all this madness happened. We had our arms around each other and were grinning at the camera.

I put it down and smiled. I could almost hear her laughing.

I knew that there was something good after this. A rainbow after the rain.

I would move on. I promised myself. For me and for her.

How was it? I know the rainbow thing was corny, but I was in that kind of mood.

Review please!

Windy