"Great. First there are poison arrows, and now poison axes? They can't just give us a break, can they?" Hector growled as Priscilla galloped off toward another fallen comrade.

"Maybe you should learn how to dodge things better," Lyn smirked at him as she ducked an incoming poison arrow.

"Do we have to go over this again? It's hard to move around in this armor!" he huffed.

"That's just an excuse so you don't have to admit that you're not very good at avoiding things! Heck, without that armor, you'd probably be dead by now!"

"That's not true!"

"Is so, and you know it!" she shouted as she jumped up and met her blade with an ax of the enemy. Hector quickly ran forward and swung his ax around. Lyn jumped back as his ax made its way into the enemy's guts. He let out a gurgled shriek before falling onto his back, poison ax falling out of his cold hands.

"Hah! What do you think of that?"

"I didn't need your help," Lyn scoffed.

"Hah! You just don't want to admit that you needed my help!" he grinned and pointed at her. She scowled.

"That's not true! I really didn't need your help! I could've handled that Cavalier on my own."

Hector only smirked and raised an eyebrow. Lyn's eyebrows furrowed and she let out an annoyed huff.

"It's because I'm a woman, isn't it?" she snapped suddenly. "You think less of me simply because I'm a woman!"

"Wha-no, I didn't-"

"This is the last straw!" she said and pointed her sword at him. "I challenge you to a duel, Hector!"

He gaped at her in disbelief and quickly put his hands up, backing away. "Hey, wait a second-"

"Now is not the time, you two," Eliwood said from behind them. He sounded surprisingly relaxed and content. "You two can go spar later. We must battle the enemy right now."

"Oh, my apologies," Lyn said and ducked an arrow as she faced Eliwood. "You look so calm," she commented at the eased lord.

"Yes, Ninian's dance has rejuvenated me so," he smiled. "Thank you," he added, looking back at Ninian over his shoulder.

"Not a problem, Lord Eliwood," she said quietly and smiled shyly.

Hector raised an eyebrow. "What kind of dances do you do? Surely only men will feel rejuvenated."

"Hector!" Lyn gasped, slapping his arm. Ninian's pale cheeks tinged pink and Eliwood's did as well.

"Ninian does a sacred dance that makes you feel refreshed-not the kind of dancing you're thinking of!" Eliwood managed to say, cheeks still pink. Hector smirked at him.

"And what kind of dancing were you thinking of, Eliwood?"

His cheeks went as red as hair and when he opened his mouth to respond, a burst of bright light flashed in front of them. Shielding their eyes, they quickly saw an enemy monk holding a Shine. Without another word, they dashed off.

"Get down here and fight me, ye coward!" Dart shouted angrily at the enemy Pegasus knight fighting Florina. He shook his empty fist in the air and lifted the hand that held the torch. "C'mon now, don't attack the little lady!"

He was unsure of what to do; he was the only one accompanying Florina, seeing as how they had gone to a shop to purchase a few healing staffs. He had a hand ax to throw up into the sky but there was the chance of hitting Florina. So, instead, he was trying to aggravate the enemy into flying down to him.

And after a few more cuss words, it seemed to do the trick.

He dodged the javelin that was thrown at him and watched the Pegasus descend. The other one quickly followed and they both landed on the ground, one after another. He blew out the torch so he could fight without having to carry it and wouldn't have the possibility of burning himself. He ran forward and raised his ax only to have a wing smack into his face. He spluttered and spit out the feathers that made their way into his mouth.

"Florina?" he shouted as he dodged a thrust from a lance.

"I-I can't see!" she squeaked quietly from somewhere behind. Aha. So the Pegasus he was battling now was surely the enemy, not his comrade. Then, he might as well get this over with.

He jumped up swiftly and sliced his ax through…thin air. It wasn't the crunching sound he expected. Instead, a little yelp came from behind and he quickly turned back around, squinting through the darkness and cursing himself for blowing out the torch. Grabbing the fallen torch and lighting it up with a quick brush against the ground, he ran toward the yelps. He was now able to see the two Pegasus knights battling and watched Florina fall off her Pegasus.

Without a thought, he flung his hand ax forth and right into the enemy's back. There was a shriek as she fell off and her Pegasus let out an alarmed noise, flapping its wings and flying off. Dart walked over to the dead enemy and pulled his ax out-it was gleaming red. He turned around and spotted the fallen Florina. He rushed over to her and bent down to her level.

"Ye alright, lass?" he asked and she looked up at him with wide blue-gray eyes. Her right hand was over her left arm and bright red blood was oozing out from the gapes in between her fingers. "Ooh…ye got a vulnery? Otherwise we'll have to hurry and fine of 'em healers."

She nodded mutely and pointed shakily at a bag strapped on Huey. Dart got up and started to rummage through the bag when Huey let out an alarmed neigh and raised her front legs, flapping her wings. Dart let out a yelp and, once again, got flapped in the face with a wing.

"Huey!" Florina squeaked in alarm. "It's alright, he won't hurt you!"

Her master's words seemed to calm her down; Huey got back down on all four legs and folded her wings back in place. Dart scowled and slowly walked toward the Pegasus, pausing for a moment or two, thinking that he would get attacked. Florina giggled quietly when she saw him do this. He glanced back at her, pursing his lips.

"What? I'm afraid it's gonna attack me again!"

"S-she w-won't."

Trusting her word, he walked straight up the calmed Pegasus and rummaged through the bag strapped on it. He drew out a nearly empty vulnery. He returned to her and then looked at her unsurely.

"Err…can you use it on yourself, or…?"

"I-I c-can do it," she squeaked. Her voice reminded him of a frightened mouse. He handed her the vulnery and she pressed it against her open wound. It disappeared within moments and she held up the bloody and now empty vulnery.

"That takes care o' that," he grinned. "Now 'ow about we get some new vulneries while we get those healing staffs?"

"Look, a ballista!" Wil grinned as he dashed up to the large device. Rebecca followed, looking slightly amused.

"And how do you plan on using that when we can barely see anything?"

He paused and frowned like a sad puppy, making her giggle. "Well, you don't know if you don't try, right?" he said, suddenly brightening up. She raised her eyebrows and her eyes widened as she watched Wil's hand go for the lever.

"Wait-"

The oversized arrow flung through the air and into the dark of the night. Rebecca raised her torch and looked around frantically. There was a shriek from up ahead.

"The enemy's gotten a hold of the ballista!" They heard the familiar voice of Guy shout. The two archers glanced over at each other. Wil slowly stepped away from the ballista and chuckled meekly.

"Oops."

"Good thing we noticed that arrow, huh?" Legault said casually as he stared at the arrow lying in front of Guy's feet. "It could've really done some damage."

"No kidding. Should we go check if the enemies have possession of the ballista?"

Legault shrugged. "I don't know; you can if you want. I, for one, am going to see if any of these guys have any gold on them…" He glanced around, his eyes of experience easily able to see through the dark of the night. "Behind!" he shouted and Guy immediately ducked, hearing something clang off iron. He quickly glanced up to see Legault flying through the air, daggers twirling, lips curled in a smirk. The Sacaen quickly got back up and turned around to see Legault groping through the dead enemy's pockets. He frowned and let the body fall to the ground.

"Nothing," he said with a sad shake of his head.

Guy sighed and shook his head as well. "You thieves really need to learn how to respect the dead."

He raised an eyebrow, grinning slightly. "Why would I respect those that don't deserve it?"

"Whether or not they deserve it, I don't appreciate how you all go through their pockets looking for gold. If they're alive, sure, go ahead. But dead? That's just disrespectful."

"I would've offered my condolences if he had any gold," he smirked in response. Guy rolled his eyes and mumbled something underneath his breath. "Yes, well I don't honor the dead as much as you Sacaens do."

"Clearly not."

"Ouch."

Guy didn't respond and started to walk off in search of more enemies. Legault followed him.

"What, so you don't like thieves?"

"Not really."

"That's not nice to judge a person based on their occupation," he teased, waggling a finger at him.

Guy chuckled. "My apologies. I simply have not had the...best of times with Matthew, the other thief in our army."

"Ah, the blonde one? I know him," Legault said, looking slightly amused. "Not the friendliest fellow around, is he?"

Guy furrowed his eyebrows and opened his mouth to answer but Legault abruptly froze. Confused, Guy started a "What?" but Legault turned around and threw a dagger. A yelp followed and there was the sound of a thud. He bounded toward the sound, disappearing into the black of the night. He returned with a grin and to see an impressed Guy.

"How did you do that?"

"Do what?" he smirked all too knowingly, twirling his bloodied dagger.

"Do that-attack him without even looking at him! How did you even know there was an enemy coming?"

"I heard him," he stated simply, grinning.

"B-but then you threw your dagger without even being able to see him...!" he said in disbelief.

"Oh, I could see him. What, you couldn't?" he teased and Guy scowled.

"No, of course not! I have fairly well eyes, but not as well as those of a thief."

"Oh, it's alright," he said and patted this shoulder sympathetically. Guy pushed his hand away and started to walk off, quickly followed by Legault. "Aw, why the long face?"

Guy grumbled something inaudibly. Then, louder, he said, "Can we just keep on moving? The middle of a battle is no time for idle chit chat."

"Oh, you don't like talking to me? That hurts, it really does," he said and feigned hurt, putting a hand to his chest.

Guy looked annoyed but changed the subject. "You said you knew Matthew..."

"Yeah, just met him, if that's what you're asking."

"Oh. All right."

Legault tilted his head. "That's it?"

"Huh?"

"It sounded as if you were going to go off with a lot of questions."

"Oh, no. I just thought you knew Matthew earlier on and that maybe he forced you along to join up in our army. It wouldn't be a surprise," he added with a scowl.

He laughed. "Why would he do that? He didn't seem too happy to have me as a new member."

Guy's eyebrows knotted. "Why not?"

Legault raised an eyebrow. "Have you not heard?"

"Heard what?"

"I'm an ex Fang member."

"Oh. That makes sense as to why Matthew wasn't so friendly to you," Guy said and Legault chuckled. "What's so funny?"

"Nothing," he said, though he still smiled. Guy frowned. "Anyways, now that we've gotten all that settled, do you want to go in the arena and take a few swings?"

"Arena?"

"Yeah, there's one up further ahead," he said and gestured to it. Guy turned around, squinting through the dark.

"Do you think the lords will mind if we go…?"

"Nah, I doubt they will," Legault said breezily. "They're too busy in the front lines."

"Then let's go!" Guy said excitedly, "I need to continue improving my skills!" he said and ran off.

Legault chuckled and ran after him. "Strange boy."

"She looks quite a bit like our darling Florina, doesn't she?" Sain said to Kent as he pointed to the flying Pegasus knight flying above them. "Both of them are so beautiful…" he sighed wistfully and his companion rolled his eyes.

"We're in the mist of a battle, you lout! There is no time to be daydreaming."

"Oh come now, Kent, no need to be so harsh. Even you cannot deny the beauty each of the sisters hold. Or any of the lovely ladies in our army, might I add."

"I don't lounge around thinking about how beautiful the ladies in our army are, unlike some supposed knights," he snapped. "I spend my free time thinking how to protect the lords and others."

"Protecting Lady Lyndis, you mean?" he smirked.

"Of course," Kent replied, cheeks tinging pink, "she is my liege, after all."

"And a very beautiful liege at that."

"Sain!"

"What?" he asked innocently, causing Kent to scowl.

"Cut that nonsense out already! Lady Lyndis is my liege and nothing else."

"But-"

"This discussion is over."

Sain pursed his lips but paused, eyebrows furrowing slightly in concentration. "Did you hear that?"

Kent paused as well, listening intently. They heard a yelp not much further ahead. "Yes! Let's hurry!" he said and tugged on the reigns of his horse, as did Sain, and the two Cavaliers dashed off.

When they reached the source of the sound they found Priscilla standing, hanging onto her horse, as a myrmidon in front of her was raising his sword. Kent quickly rode toward him and swung his sword but the myrmidon was too quick for him. He turned around, met his blade with Kent's, and they started to battle.

"I've got your back, Kent!" Sain said heroically and galloped forward on his horse, raising his lance. The myrmidon jumped and sliced his sword toward Kent's arm but didn't have a chance to contact it with his skin; Sain's lance went right through his chest. Sain attempted to get the lance out but it happened to get stuck. "Euh, it won't come out!" he said and made a face, jumping off his horse and continued his attempts to get the lance out.

"Lady Priscilla, are you hurt?" Kent asked as he rode toward her. She had been looking at Sain, who was still trying to get his lance out of the dead enemy's chest, and hadn't heard Kent. "Lady Priscilla, are you alright? Can you hear me?"

"Oh, I'm sorry," she said as she looked up at him. Blood was smeared across her cheek and splatters of blood covered her dress. "Yes?"

"Princess Priscilla, you're injured!" Sain cried out as he ran up to her. He had abandoned his lance. "My poor precious flower!"

She gave him a small smile. "I'm fine."

"No, you're not! I, as your servant of love, shall help you!"

"Servant of love?" she asked, seeming amused.

"I shall mend you back to full health, no matter how long it'll take me! I'll even give you my heart...wait, I believe you already have it," he said, smiling dashingly.

She blushed slightly. "Sain!"

"Lady Priscilla, you're obviously gravely injured. We don't have time to waste. Come, we'll get you to Serra," Kent said, giving Sain an annoyed look.

"Is something wrong?" Fiora asked as she landed on the ground by the three. She held up her torch and glanced at them curiously. Her eyes widened at the sight of Priscilla. "Oh my! What happened?" she asked worriedly. Kent was struck at the resemblance she held to Florina at the expression she held. Each had the same soft, caring look, though Fiora's face was more serious and businesslike.

"It's not as bad as it looks," Priscilla reassured, glancing down at herself.

"No matter, we don't want your wounds to get infected," Fiora said. "Come, get on my Pegasus-it'll be faster than riding by horse."

"Good idea," Kent said and nodded. "Can you walk?" he questioned Priscilla. She started to walk but lost her balance and stumbled. Sain gently caught her.

"It's nice to know that you're falling for me," he whispered flirtatiously in her ear. She blushed and playfully slapped his arm. "Feisty, are we?"

"Do we really have time for this, Sir Sain?" Fiora said, sounding and looking annoyed. "Please just bring her over here."

"I agree," Kent nodded.

"At least someone here is a proper knight," she said, looking at Kent approvingly.

"I apologize for my companion," he said, shooting Sain a glare as he walked Priscilla over to Fiora. "He has not yet grown out of his habits."

"Hmm. Well, I'll be off," she said as Sain placed a giggling Priscilla behind Fiora on her Pegasus. "C'mon, Makar," she said and pulled on her Pegasus's reigns. She flew up and disappeared into the night.

"Well," Sain said after a moment, "she's nothing like her sister."

"Watch out, Lord Eliwood!" Dorcas shouted and said redhead turned around to see a hand ax flying toward him. His eyes widened and he ducked right in time to have the ax skim over his head, cutting off a few pieces of his vibrant hair.

"Thank you, Dorcas," Eliwood shouted back. "You really just saved my neck-literally."

The ax man nodded in response and turned, ducking an arrow. Eliwood quickly whipped around, his blue cape flying. A large man emerged, holding on a bow and arrow.

"…Black Fang?" Eliwood murmured.

"I come with an invitation from my master, Lord Nergal," the man said in his deep voice. "Return the children to me, he says. Seems silly to deliver that message…After all, I can take them myself and go!" he said, raising his bow threateningly.

"Over my dead body!" Eliwood roared as he ran forth, slashing his sword toward the enemy. He quickly dodged it and punched the lord in his face. He yelped and fell back, wiping the blood off his mouth with the back of his hand. The man jumped back and released his arrow from his bow. Eliwood quickly dodged it but lost his balance, falling down to the ground. Before he could get back up the man shot at him again, this time hitting him in his arm.

Eliwood yelped and put his hand to his arm, the arrow sticking out. The man smirked and aimed his arrow for the lord's neck.

He wasn't able to shoot; Dorcas jumped forth and attempted to slice him in half. He jumped back and Dorcas quickly steadied himself. He started to swing his ax toward him but each attack missed. Unable to attack without being a short distance away, the foe stomped on Dorcas's foot and jumped back. He quickly raised his bow, arrow already in place, and shot. Dorcas dodged the attack and was about to strike when an arrow embedded itself into the enemy's skin.

He shrieked and pulled the arrow out of his arm, twirling around to see who had shot him. Rebecca stood a few yards away from him, lowering her bow, eyes wide. He quickly put his arrow in place and raised his bow. He let the arrow fly through the air and Rebecca yelped, covering her face with her hands. In a blur of red Rebecca was gone and the arrow clanged against the ground. The foe had no more time to think; Dorcas plunged his ax into his back, instantly killing him. Dorcas turned around and went over the Eliwood to see if he was alright.

"Thank you," Rebecca breathed, looking at her savior with wide eyes. He let go of her roughly and glared.

"You need to be more careful," he snapped. "Why didn't you at least try to run?"

"I…I suppose I was too scared," she admitted. "I don't know what would've happened if you hadn't come."

"You'd be dead, that's for sure," he said coldly. Her face fell a bit but it quickly lifted back up in her usual smile.

"I suppose I have a lot more to learn, Sir Raven."

"That's an understatement."

She frowned and was about to continue if it weren't for the shout of her name from behind. She turned to see Wil and Jasmine running toward her, Wil waving an arm at her. They stopped in front of them, Jasmine breathing hard, Wil's usually happy face clouded with worry.

"Are you alright, Rebecca?" he asked, looking at her up and down for any injuries. "I turned around and you weren't there!"

"Yes, I'm fine," she said reassuringly, "Sir Raven saved me."

Jasmine raised an eyebrow at this. "Really?" she said skeptically and Raven scowled at her. Rebecca nodded enthusiastically.

"Yes-he was my hero!"

Wil and Jasmine each raised an eyebrow at this, though he laughed heartily, and Jasmine folded her bandaged arms across her chest.

"Raven? A hero? Hah!"

"Technically he can promote to one, right?" Wil asked and she giggled, nodding.

"Yes, that's the only time he can be considered a 'hero'. This reminds me, you could probably use that Hero Crest sometime soon…"

"I wouldn't have needed to be a 'hero' if you,"he said and looked at Rebecca, "hadn't run off like you should've."

She frowned. "I'm sorry."

"You have no reason to apologize, Rebecca," Jasmine told her, keeping her narrowed eyes on Raven. "This guy's just a jerk."

Wil put a hand to his mouth, hiding his smile. Rebecca and Raven raised their eyebrows, though Rebecca was simply surprised while Raven looked angry.

"Funny how you're going around calling me a jerk when I've saved your life-and hers," he huffed, jabbing his thumb at Rebecca.

"If it was funny, I'd be laughing."

Rebecca giggled at that, earning a glare from Raven.

"Well I don't see you go around saving lives, tactician," he snapped. "Rather, following your directions, you're probably bringing us one step closer to our doom!"

She scowled. "If that's the case, why do you bother following my instructions?"

"I can fight," he put simply. "I can fight my way through any hell-bound instructions you've given me and kill all the enemies in my path."

"That's violent."

"We live in a violent world, do we not?"

"It's all a matter of perspective."

He sighed in irritation and paused. "Don't we still have a battle to finish?" he questioned. The others bristled, having forgotten about that; they had gotten too caught up their conversation to notice.

"It seems like it's over to me," Wil said, moving over to get a view of what was ahead. They looked over to see the rest of their army chatting to one another or checking one another's injuries. Eliwood and Hector ran passed the four, Hector shouting after the laughing redhead.

"At least Lord Eliwood seems happier," Rebecca smiled, watching the two turn and run around some more.

"Yeah…but he still has a long way to go," Jasmine said quietly and the two archers nodded sympathetically.

"Excuse me, Lord Eliwood?" Marcus said as he approached him. Eliwood stopped swatting Hector away and turned to face him. "Can I have a moment, please?"

"Of course, Marcus," he said and walked over to him, leaving Hector to roam around. "Is there something you need?"

"It's about Lord Elbert," he started and Eliwood's smile tightened. "I sent a messenger to tell Lady Eleanora of the news."

"…I see," he murmured.

"I thought she should know as soon as possible. The Marquess's last moments were…so very noble," he said, his voice cracking slightly at the end. He quickly cleared his throat and Eliwood looked at the ground, not responding.

"Lord Eliwood! Commander Marcus!" a feminine shout came from behind. They both turned to see a blue haired woman walking toward them. She was beautiful, with penetrating blue eyes and had a jeweled band around her forehead. She wore the outfit of a knight, but wore a split dress instead of a shirt underneath her armor. She was fairly tall as well, no more than a few inches shorter than Marcus.

"Is…is that you, Isadora?" Marcus gasped.

"I've finally found you," she smiled. "I'm glad you're well."

"Isadora, what are you doing here?" Eliwood asked, surprised. His tone suddenly took a lowly turn. "Don't tell me something's happened to Mother…"

"No, Lady Eleanora is well. Do not worry," she reassured. "When word of Lord Elbert's death reached her yesterday, she said not a word…she merely gave her full attention to the messenger. Then she commanded I deliver this sword to Lord Eliwood and remain at his side." She handed him a Rapier, which he took and examined.

"But…the castle's defenses will be shorthanded," he said after a moment.

"Please understand your mother's feelings. Lord Elbert is not coming home." Her expression changed; it went from purposeful to hurt. She quickly shook her head and straightened up. "All she wants now is for your safety. 'Obey your father's final wish.' This was the message she entrusted me with, and I have delivered it."

"…I see. Thank you, Isadora. It will be an honor to have you join our army."

"The honor is mine, milord," she said and bowed deeply.

Eliwood chuckled and said, "Please, Isadora, there is no need for that."

She straightened back up and gave him a small smile. "You haven't changed a bit, Lord Eliwood."

"I can't let a silly thing like war affect me, can I?" he responded with a half-hearted smile.

"Yet after everything you've gone through, here you are, with your head held up high. Though this may not be my place to say...I think your father would be very proud of you."

He was quiet for a long moment, smile slipping off, making his face seem hollow and lifeless. "Thank you," he murmured finally.

"It is the truth. Right, Commander Marcus?"

"I couldn't have put it better myself. Keep staying strong, Lord Eliwood." He gently put a hand on his shoulder. "There are those that have and always will be there for you. Myself included."

"As will I," Isadora spoke up. "I will always be by your side, milord."

"Thank you," he beamed, looking at his loyal Paladins. "And you shall forever have my trust."

"Oh, hey Jasmine," Hector said, glancing up at her as he watched her descend from the stairs. He was sitting at a table, only one dim light illuminating the empty lobby, hunched over a map. He was armor less but still wore his clothes from earlier in the night, his shirt clinging to his chest from the sweat. "What? You can't sleep?"

"I should be asking you that," she smiled softly as she reached the end of the stairs and started to walk toward him. She wore a nightgown and a green cloak that she wrapped around herself. "After all, you've been the one that was fighting."

"The rest of the army fought too; it's not like I was the only one who fought."

"But you're the only who's awake."

"You're awake," he pointed out.

"But I didn't actually physically fight in the battle," she said as she took a seat across from him.

"That doesn't mean that you shouldn't get your sleep. You have to rest while you can."

"As should you."

"Bah, quit nagging me. You're sounding more like Lyn as the days pass."

"Thank you!" she grinned and he rolled his eyes.

"That wasn't supposed to be a compliment."

"I took it as one."

"Did you come down here to bother me?"

"No."

"Then what do you want?"

"It's just…well," she said tentatively, "I was wondering if Eliwood was okay."

"You don't need to worry, he's holding up. I think he's finally starting to lighten up. That reminds me, you're not having the greatest run of luck either. I'll wager you never thought things would turn into such a terrible mess, did you?" he grinned and she chuckled, shaking her head.

"I had no idea anything even close to this would happen. I really had no idea what I was getting myself into when I first met Lyn."

"If it gets to be too much, you can leave at any time," he said and her eyebrows jutted up at once. "You're a reliable and dependable tactician, but…You're not our servant, you know? If you think our task impossible, you should get out."

She let out an indignant huff, folding her arms across her chest. "I've managed to come all this way-I'm not giving up. I've given up way too many things in my life, and this is something I refuse to give up on."

"I must admit that's reassuring. I'm not very good at battle orders myself."

"Oh trust me, I've noticed."

He growled lowly. "You're starting to show more and more attitude each day, tactician."

She giggled. "I must admit that I'm more comfortable around you than I first was."

"Oh, I've taken note of that. You were so quiet and cautious when I first met you."

"And you were so loud and rude when I first met you...wait, you haven't changed at all!" she said. He scowled and she laughed. "I'm just joking."

"For some reason I feel as if you weren't joking."

"I was just kidding! I mean it! Sometimes, rather often actually, I wish I was a bit more like you."

He raised an eyebrow. "Me? You're joking, right?"

She shook her head. "I'm serious. You can always stand up for what you believe in and say whatever you want, no matter how many people say you're rude and obnoxious."

"Now you're just insulting me."

She giggled before continuing. "And I agree that you can be a bit of a jerk but…I appreciate your bluntness. Actually, I...envy it. I envy you."

"I never thought I'd hear somebody say that," he said in shock. "But, Jas-do you mind if I call you that?" She shook her head. "If you have something to say, just go out and say it. Don't care what others think. That's how I've survived."

"It's easier said than done."

"Not really," he said and shrugged. "If you're right, say so. They'll know to listen next time."

She stared at him for a long moment before saying, "I never knew you had a soft side."

He furrowed his eyebrows and scowled. "Hey! I can be nice too!"

"I didn't know that until know," she grinned and his scowl deepened.

"Why you little-!" he stood up and attempted to grab her but she laughed and ducked his arms. She quickly ran up the stairs but paused near the top. She glanced back at Hector over the handrail and he raised an eyebrow questioningly.

"You know, Hector, aside from your rude comments, you're not too bad."

He immediately scowled. "That seems like more of an insult than a compliment."

She only grinned in response.

It feels nice to finally complete this chapter. I've wanted Jasmine and Hector to have a little heart-to-heart conversation for a while now, so I'm happy that i did that. I'm going to try coupling up some more people-I sort of did in this chapter. (Nudge nudge wink wink) I won't tell you who's going to be paired with who...you'll just have to find that out yourselves!

Also, I've just wanted to thank everyone for their reviews so far. Reviews always make me more motivated. So, thanks! Until next time!