Just a little Maxerica fluff this chapter! It might also answer a few questions! If you still have questions, PM me or put it in a review. (PMing is easier so I can answer you personally).

Anyway I'm sorry for the long wait on the last chapter!

And thank you, winterprincess, Melody, UnicornLover12, Who cares, istillliveinadojo, atiyaturrehman64, Dl9571, lilythemermaid for the great reviews! Keep it up! Reviews make the chapters come faster!

Kiera Cass owns The Selection!

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

MAXON'S POV

After they released my wrists, I twisted them around. There are marks and bruises where the cuffs were. My arms are also sore from pulling at the chains, trying uselessly to get to America. I dared not go against their orders against their orders and waited for the door to click shut. I, as gently as I could, removed the blindfold so it didn't rub against the bruises now sporting her face. Her face was pale and her eyelids were slowly closing. I untied her as quickly as I could. But I could tell her body was slowly going lack.

"America! No! Stay with me! Stay with me, darling. Please!" I begged. I picked her up, but she was limp in my arms. I carried her two steps to the bed pad on the floor. Blood was slowly soaking into the now limp gold dress. I ripped up the bottom hem of her dress and made a makeshift bandage. I mostly focused on her arm, which was a deep cut that was bleeding down her arm. The cloth was quickly soaked red. It wouldn't stop bleeding! I would have to go onto the other cuts and change that later. I put a tiny cloth around her finger. Who ironic. There would be a scare there… that will be covered by the ring I gave her.

Just as I finished, the door opened. I turned around to face the door and made sure my body blocked her from view.

A group of men walked into the room. I relaxed. They wore the Illea military uniform.

"She's unconscious from blood loss I'm fine. She got the blunt of it. Get her out of here!" A soldier picked her up. "Be careful!" I snapped.

"Are you sure you're okay, sire?"

"Yes." I snapped.

*In the Palace infirmary*

They forced me away from her the second we arrived at the Palace. So I sat outside her door as nurses and doctors came in and out. I simply sat there, helpless, as my knee shook up and down nervously.

Then all the nurses and doctors walked out. Everyone walked away except one doctor and one nurse.

"We're done everything we could." He said sadly. My face fell and I collapsed onto the seat. "We've done everything we could." He repeated, "And she'll be fine." He added brightly. That was sick joke. A cruel sick joke. "She's suffered from some blood loss and there will be scars, but she'll be fine. She's unconscious from the painkillers we've given her. But she should wake up soon. A nurse will be stationed outside the door if either of you need anything." He walked away and I walked through the door.

She was lying in her bed. I made sure she was placed in the Princess Suite, where she belongs. The blue comforter was pulled halfway up and she wore a hospital gown under it. She had a plastic tube around her face by her nose and I noticed a needle going from her arm to a few bags on those hangers by her bed.

I sat on the chair next to her bed and held her lifeless hand.

"I love you, ya know." I knew she couldn't hear me. But I had to say it. "And don't you dare ever scare me like that again! I can't live without you! I love you so much. I love your laugh and your sense of humor. I love your family. I love your little sister like she's my own and your older sister and younger brother. And believe it or not, your older brother. I think you're amazing. I can't even imagine living without you. I love you. Come back to me, America. I love you." I kissed her on the forehead. Her hand fluttered a tad in mine. Her eyes slowly opened. And, of course, the first thing she does is try to rip off the plastic tube from her nose. I took her hand softly.

"No," I said patiently and softly. I knew she was a little dazed and confused. Probably with all the meds the doctor gave her. "Leave that there, darling." I said softly. Like she didn't even hear me, she tried the needle in her arm. I stopped her again. "Mer, stop. It's okay." I reassured her. Her lip quivered and tears started to form… My poor girl! She's probably so scared and confused!

"Maxon." She whispered. I could tell her throat was dry and sore just by the way she talked. But by the way she said my name, I knew she was trying to ask or tell me something.

"Yeah, darling?" I asked.

"Water," She answered in a whisper. Oh.

"Can I get some water over here for her?" I asked the nurse outside the door. A few seconds later, she walked in with a cup in her hand. She handed it to America and walked out. But her arms were weak and shook by simply holding a paper cup. I took it gently from her hands before it spilt all over. I put it gently to her lips and she drank it all. When she finished it, I set it on the side table. I could tell she was trying to talk, so I waited patiently. Finally she spoke.

"What happened?"

"How much do you remember?"

"After they tor- after they hurt me, I passed out. Then I woke up here." She said in a small voice.

"Well, you've been out for a little less than a day. A little after you passed out, they rescued us. They brought you straight here and have been working on you for about an hour. This is the first time I've seen you since they rescued us… America, you really scared me! I thought I was going to lose you!"

"I love you."

"I love you, too." I kissed her gently on the lips, as if she were an antique china doll that could shatter at any second now.

I could tell she was slowly becoming more and more awake and aware.

"Maxon?"

"Hmm?"

"Where are we?"

"In your room." I said like it was obvious.

"This isn't my room." She pointed out softly.
"It is now. This is the Princess Suite. Don't you remember me showing it to you?" I asked. Realization crossed her face. She smiled. There was a small silence, each to our own thoughts. Until she spoke again.

"When can I get up and walk around?"

"When the doctor says so." I said sternly but softly. She yawned. "You're probably tired. You go to bed."

"But I'm not tired!" She lied like a little child. If she were standing she would've stomped her foot.

"Too bad," I said jokingly.

"Lay down with me?" she offered. I sighed playfully in fake defeat and climbed in. I threw the covers over us. She cuddled into my side the best she could with her injuries and was soon fast asleep.

Hey! Me again! Sorry for the short chapter but I wanted to update soon to make up for the long wait. I've been having computer problems a little so you might have to bare with me sometimes.

Anyways I hope you've been liking this story!

Thanks for reading!

~C.A.M.3