…One Month Later…

I awoke as my cheek slammed against the cold hard ground, followed by the rest of my body. I lay there trying to catch the breath, and then I planted my hands flat on the floor, and pushed myself up enough to see over the edge of the bed. Annabelle's leg was lying right where I had been soundly sleeping not ten seconds ago. "The third time tonight." I grumbled sleepily.

As it turned out Bell was not the ideal sleeping companion; she digs her toes into my back, slaps me in the face, and pushes me off the bed. This all usually occurred before two in the morning.

"She's sleeping, it's not her fault." I had to keep reminding myself.

I finally gave up, grabbed my pillow and stumbled into the living room. I avoided the couch; every time I tried to sleep there, I dreamt of him. He had been gone for more than a month now; we had received no news from him, whatsoever.

I missed him terribly, of course, I had the company of Bell and Andrew, but it was not the same as being with Nick.

I thought of the first time I had gone hunting with him; it was a couple weeks after we met. Nick had told me that I would feel better if I went into the forest with him, of course, he was right. After that, he taught me how to use a bow, once I got good enough he allowed me to shoot a small doe. It was an amazing feeling that rushed through my being when he smiled approvingly at me after I shot right through its heart. After that, I did every thing I could to impress him.

I curled up on the hard rocker, and shoved the pillow behind me so the wooden arm of the chair would not dig into my back. I leant my head on my knees and closed my eyes tightly, fighting off unwanted tears. "You said you would be back in a week." I whispered. "Where are you?"

I could not get to sleep until around five in the morning, and only slept for thirty minutes, and then I was jolted awake by a light rapping on the front door. I slowly uncurled my cramped limbs, and then limped to answer the door.

I grabbed the knob and opened it to find a refreshed looking Andrew standing on the porch. I tried to smile at him, but it was unconvincing.

He chortled, and then asked in false innocence, "What happened to you?" I did not answer him.

He smiled and said, "I was wondering… do you know how to cook?" It was my turn to laugh; Mrs. Jackson had gone to look after a sick family last night, and that left Andrew with no breakfast this morning.

"That depends on what you will pay for a good meal." I said teasingly.

"Well, since I have the day off… I could go for a walk with you." He said with a wicked smile.

I laughed, remembering the younger, more mischievous Andrew. Back then when he said he wanted to go for a walk, what he meant to say was that he wanted to lead me into the middle of the forest, then run away; leaving me lost and alone. Usually Nick would come and find me though, so there was never any real danger.

He grinned as he remembered it also, "We all have changed a lot since then, haven't we?"

I nodded, just then his stomach rumbled loudly. "Well, you should come in. I will go get dressed, and then I can make you some breakfast."

"Sounds great." He said as he walked through the door. I walked to my room and as I was closing my door, I saw that he was strolling in the direction of the kitchen.

I slipped into my white shirt and trousers, then quickly French-braided my hair. I realized that Andrew and Bell had never seen me in this outfit before. I had been wearing dresses for that whole month. I looked back at the sleeping Bell, "She looks so comfortable." I thought grudgingly.

I walked into the kitchen, watching for Andrew's reaction to my clothes. Although he did not even notice until we were almost finished eating. He seemed distracted by something.

"Is that Nick's old shirt?" He finally asked with huge eyes.

I smiled, "Yeah, he gave me it awhile after you left. It is easier to move in than those frilly dresses. How did you know it was his?"

He reached over and tugged on the sleeve, then turned it a bit so that I could see the rip in the fabric; it was barely noticeable because of how well it was sewn. "He got caught in a tree one time, and his shirt ripped when he was trying to get unstuck. Mrs. Jackson sewed it up for him."

I laughed, "He realized I needed a change in clothing when Matthew kept yelling at me for tearing my dresses up."

"Well, it suits you." he said as his dimples showed.

His intent gaze made me feel embarrassed. "How about that walk you promised?" I asked.

The walk was quiet… and slightly awkward, until Andrew suddenly asked, "So, what has been going on with Nick lately?" He paused as he saw my confusion, "I mean I'm not going to get to see him for…" He threw a sideways glance at me, "…awhile. What has happened to him since I left?"

I sighed; this could turn into thin ice quickly if I did not watch what I said. It really would not be a good thing to tear up right now.

"Well, he grew about twelve feet taller." I started, "The town girls are all over him because of his good looks." He chortled at this, "His mother and I have finally taught him how to cook something other than burnt rocks. He is still an overly protective big brother to me. He broke his arm last spring…" I paused as I searched for something else that had happened to him that did not involve me.

"How did he break his arm?" He asked curiously.

I grimaced as I realized that even that story involved me. "We were sparing together, he was horsing around. I swung and the sword connected with his left arm, he cried out and fell to the ground. It was really terrifying; I was even more scared than him." I said with a small sad smile.

"You miss him?" He asked, studying my face.

"Of course, Nick is my best friend." I lied; he was much more to me than a best friend was. The recurring pain shot through my stomach, but I was hoping my face did not show anything.

"Oh…" Andrew said with a disappointed expression.

"I wonder if he is okay." I said in a more casual tone.

"I'm sure he is just stationed in a more isolated camp so he hasn't been able to write." He tried to convince me.

I smiled, cheered by this little bit of hope.

"Okay, back up some. You know how to sword fight? What else did you two hide from me?" He said teasingly.

"Oh, just the little facts like; I've killed a two-hundred-eighty pound grizzly with one arrow, I can take Matthew down with little trouble when sparing, I could take you down if I wanted, and I hate the color pink." His jaw dropped slightly.

I waited for the rest of his reaction, but we were interrupted by a voice behind me, "Good morning, Rachel, how are you today?" I turned to see Jonathan striding towards us.

"Jonathan, where have you been hiding these past weeks? I thought you had gone home without saying goodbye." I said with a smile as I hugged him.

"I was just coming to see you-" Andrew suddenly jerked on my arm, removing me from Jonathan, and placing me behind his own back.

"Who are you?" Andrew growled at Jonathan.

Jonathan's eyes narrowed, "I was just about to ask you the same." He said as he took a threatening step forward.

Both of their hands were balled into fists, but they both seemed to be waiting for the other to make the first move.

I was extremely confused, I had never seen either of them act this way before; their muscles were tense, their words were sharp and cutting, and if looks could kill, they would both be lying dead at my feet. They had not even met before, so they could not hate each other yet... could they? Everything was happening so fast, I was getting dizzy just trying to keep up.

"I suggest you leave now, before you get hurt." Andrew said in a low menacing snarl.

I gasped, "Andrew! Jonathan! What is wrong with you two?" They both ignored me, and continued.

"Is that a challenge?" Jonathan spit back with venom in his voice.

Andrew chuckled humorlessly, "Only if you accept it."

I was getting scared, I grabbed Andrew's arm, and started frantically pulling him in the opposite direction. "Were going home."

He did not budge; in fact, they seemed to be getting closer to each other. They both looked ready to kill the other when I screamed, "Stop it, now!" They slowly turned towards me, and both of their eyes softened from hatred into a protectiveness. I was now on the verge of tears, "Andrew, we are leaving. Jonathan, I will see you later." My voice was thick as I said this.

They both sheepishly nodded, and we all continued on our ways.

"What was that?" I said angrily when we were out of earshot of Jonathan.

"It was just a little scrap; I wouldn't have let it get out of hand." Andrew told me exasperatedly.

"In my opinion it was already way out of hand." I said with a sigh.

With a chuckle he hung his arm possessively around my shoulders and said, "At least I won."

I raised a brow at him, "What was it even about?"

He studied me skeptically, "You don't get it, do you?"

I shrugged, "I guess not."

He pulled away from me, "When you do understand, let me know." For a reason I could not place my finger on, his tone and words hurt me.

Ooh, cliff-hanger :D

It's up! It took a long time, but it's up! :)

Thank you all for being patient!

And for the birthday wishes, Ya'll are awesome.