Responses to Reviews:

Jillessa Heronstairs: I know, the dreaded cliff-hanger strikes again! The Roleplay is quite addictive, I know exactly what you mean. Fitting in study, writing, and everything else can get difficult. And thank you so much, I'm very honoured you will always have time to read my story :)

Sapphire131: I'm so glad you loved it! Hopefully this chapter turns out well too.

Midnightstone1118: Thank you! Sorry, I can't help but have the cliff-hangers ;)

xroannax: Thank you so much! I'm hoping to develop the love triangle more when they arrive at the Clave, since they will have more time then. Well, emphasis on the "hope," I will definitely try my best. I love the love triangles too!

Guest: Thank you! Hopefully you still have some nails left, and I haven't taken too long! ;)

yoitsyourstruly: Haha, I understand, I would love to hug Jem too! Hopefully the action works out. Yay, it's great to have a Jessa shipper, it would be very sad if all of my readers shipped one ship, but luckily, I think I have a bit of both now :) Mortmain should definitely watch out for you if you ever get a dog! I have two dogs, and my mum is the opposite, she doesn't like cats, so I've never had one of them. You do have bad luck with animals! That's very sad. I definitely don't mind your rambling, I think you get the award for my longest review so far :) Thank you so much for your kind words! I have read The Selection series, and really enjoyed it! Which guy do you like better?

Jem felt his heart beat painfully, as the six guards dismounted and approached them. He yelled at Tessa to get back, and he noticed Will pass her an anelace, which was like a short sword.

While Tessa ran towards the horses, and safety, Will and Jem stood back to back, which was their most effective fighting position. They always had each other's back. Both of them held their broadswords in front of them, ready for the guard's attack. Fighting went against every fibre of Jem's being, but he needed to do it to protect those he loved.

The guards approached them, and surrounded them in a circle. Will and Jem turned slowly, assessing their attackers, knowing they had to stay in constant motion. Being tuned to Will's movements and rhythm, Jem knew exactly when he was about to strike. They both knew when they were so outnumbered, that they needed to take the initiative. Attack first was the best strategy.

Will yelled a battle cry, and they both thrust forward with their swords at two different targets. Jem's opponent blocked his thrust to the stomach, with the flat of his blade, but Jem didn't give him time to recover, following with a jab to his sword arm. Jem felt his sword meet flesh, and the guard cried out, dropping his sword. Quick as a snake, Jem punched the guard in the nose, with his left fist. Blood gushed out, and the guard lurched backwards from the impact, hitting his head on a rock, rendering him unconscious.

Jem couldn't bring himself to kill the man, so he left him as an obstacle for the other guards to avoid. Without having to turn his head, Jem knew Will had dispatched his opponent, as he heard a man's pained cry cut short.

Sizing Will up to be the hardest opponent, two guards ran at Will, while the other ran at Jem. He didn't have time to wonder where the last guard had disappeared to, as he scrambled to block the man's strike. His opponent had aimed for his right, sword arm, but then at the last second, changed direction to aim at his left arm, an unusual move which Jem hadn't anticipated. The sword bit into his arm, and it burned. In spite of the pain, he maintained his grip on his sword in his right hand. He knew there would be a follow up attack soon after, and that he would heal quicker than other men. Jem scrutinised his opponent, feeling concerned at the man's brute size. He was larger and musclier than Jem, making him feel like a child in comparison.

Instead of the follow-up attack Jem was expecting, his opponent moved forward and rammed into Jem, his sword against Jem's, trying to knock him off balance, to the ground. Jem was knocked backwards, nearly colliding with Will, but he managed to roll to the side, to avoid bowling Will over with him. His breath was knocked from him, and his arm ached as he hit the ground. He yelled at Will to watch his back, then focused on the man, who was coming for him quicker than he could get up.

Before he could move, the man pounced on him, and they rolled around, both trying to gain purchase. Due to his sheer size and strength, the guard ended up on top of Jem, pinning him to the ground. Jem's sword lay a few feet away, just out of reach. The guard pulled out a jagged dagger, holding it to Jem's neck. Jem closed his eyes, waiting for the pain, but was surprised when the man didn't kill him. Of course, the King wants me alive, Jem thought suddenly.

Without warning, Jem kneed the man in the groin, and Jem felt him relax his hold on the dagger. While the guard was distracted, Jem managed to reach down and grab his own concealed knife out of his boot. He poked it into a pressure point on the man's wrist, and watched as the guard involuntarily dropped the dagger, his eyes opening in pain. Grabbing the guard's only working hand, Jem bent his fingers back until one cracked as it was dislocated. Being a healer meant he knew how to cause injuries with more than just a sword. He hated to use his knowledge to harm another, but he would if he had to. Using all his remaining strength, he then rolled the man onto the ground beside him, finally freeing himself. The guard, bleeding from one wrist and in agony from his other distorted hand, sat up, cradling his hands to his body. Jem quickly picked up his sword, and struck the guard on his temple with the pommel end of his sword, which caused him to crumple to the ground, unconscious.

Leaving his opponent there, and inwardly hoping the man wouldn't die from the loss of blood, Jem looked around at the chaos in front of him, feeling sick. Will was still in the midst of fighting a guard, but Jem also saw the last guard approaching Tessa, over near the horses. Jem only had a split second to decide who to help, and he rushed over to Tessa once he made up his mind. He thought Will could handle his opponent on his own.

Running over to her, Jem could see he would be too late to help her. Tessa seemed to be standing still in concentration as the guard raised his sword. Jem realised she was changing into Will, in order to fight better, and stronger. Luckily, she was still wearing men's riding clothes, so that wouldn't be a problem. As if sensing her vulnerability, Chester moved around and kicked the guard, sending him sprawling on the ground. However, as the man fell, he cut the horse's leg with his sword. Jem desperately hoped Chester was alright.

This gave Tessa time to finish changing form, and Jem saw Will, holding a short sword, standing over the guard. Tessa, as Will, drove her anelace down to stab the guard, but she hesitated, giving the guard time to parry and jump back up. As the guard thrust towards her, Tessa used speed and sheer luck to avoid his strikes, trying to hold him off when he got too close by swiping with her anelace. While she didn't know the correct footwork or technique, the double-edged blade was still deadly, so the guard circled her cautiously. Jem was glad Will had given her a weapon longer than a knife, since a shorter weapon would have done her no good at this range.

He finally reached her, and together, they drove the guard back. "I've got this," Jem told her. He had been fighting for a lot longer than her, and he didn't want her to get hurt, trying to help him.

Tessa retreated as he thrust his sword multiple times at the guard, the sound of steel ringing on steel echoing in his ear. Each thrust his opponent blocked, and Jem practically growled in frustration. He was already feeling bad enough, and he really didn't need a drawn out fight right now. He kicked the guard in the stomach, and the guard grunted as he lost his breath. He then dispatched him by sweeping his legs out from under him, and hitting him similar to the last guard, on the head. At least Jem knew he would wake up alright – just a bit bruised and battered.

Breathing hard, Jem surveyed his surroundings. Tessa was changing back into herself, and Will was making his way over to them.

Will reached him and stood beside him, clapping him on the back. "Nice fight," he said.

Jem nodded, "At least we all survived. We were lucky this time."

Will widened his eyes in mock surprise. "Luck? I think that was pure skill."

Jem rolled his eyes, knowing very well that the tide could turn in a battle at any time. He looked at Tessa and Will, checking for any obvious injuries. Will had a nasty scratch above his eye, which seemed to be annoying him, as he impatiently wiped the blood away from his face. Tessa seemed fine, but he thought he should check.

"Are you alright?" He asked her. "Any injuries?"

She shook her head, still obviously in shock.

He turned to Will. Will merely grunted and shook his head. "Only this scratch, but it isn't that bad. I'll be fine."

"You will not be fine. It looks nasty, and you can't see properly with all that blood running into your eye," Jem chastised him, annoyed that Will never wanted help.

He stepped towards Will, intending to heal it, but Will stepped back and said, "It's fine, Jem. Save your strength."

Jem shook his head stubbornly, he knew why Will didn't want his help, he was just looking out for him after all, but he didn't care. He continued towards Will, and lay his hand on his head before he could protest again. Will's skin stitched itself together nicely, and Jem ignored the sudden burst of pain on his own forehead.

"We really should get away from here as soon as possible, before reinforcements are sent," Will said, and Jem could hear the worry evident in his tone. They were definitely not up to fighting anyone else; certainly not in this pitiful and exhausted condition.

All in agreement, they quickly packed up their belongings, and Will restrained the guards who were still breathing, but unconscious, with a rope, in case they woke up too early. Jem couldn't help but approach the guards laying on the ground, wanting to check if they were alright. He noticed that Will had killed two out of three of the men he'd fought. Jem tried to force down the sick feeling in his body, which threatened to overwhelm him. He crouched down beside a guard who was still breathing, and reached out, on instinct, to see if he could heal his injuries.

Before he could, Will grabbed his arm. "Do you have a death wish? Leave them be. They were the ones who decided to work for the king, so they deserve what they get."

Jem sighed sadly. "What if some of them were forced into it? You know the king is always trying to grow his precious army."

Will's eyes glinted dangerously. "I will physically restrain you if I have to. You will not heal them."

Jem, too tired and worried to fight, walked away, towards the horses. He tried to blot the images of the injured men out of his mind. Unfortunately for him, war and healing seemed to go side by side, an inescapable reality.

Tessa was stroking Chester's back, her face frowning in worry. The horse was laying down on the ground, with his leg bleeding heavily, obviously distressed and in pain.

She looked up when Jem approached. "He's injured badly. I don't know if he'll be able to walk, let alone carry us."

Jem sucked in a breath, worried for his loyal horse. Chester had stuck up for Tessa, and Jem couldn't bear to think of him being injured. Also, he didn't know how they would get to the Clave with only one horse.

Will strode towards Chester, clutching his sword tightly, his knuckles white. Jem knew what he was going to do, and rushed in front of him, "No Will! Please don't."

Will looked at him, expressionless. It was when his face was blank that Jem knew Will was cutting off his emotions, and hiding them from the world. "The horse is not going to be able to walk again. He's useless, and," Will's eyes softened slightly, "We can't leave him here in pain. We have to put him down. You both don't have to watch. I can do it."

Jem saw Tessa bury her head in her hands, out of the corner of his eyes. However, he had an idea – sure, it was a crazy one, but he couldn't let Will do this, without trying every option first.

He held a hand out before Will could advance. "Wait, I have an idea. I could try healing him."

Will let out an impatient huff. "Heal a horse? Are you out of your mind?"

Jem's heart beat quickened in hope and determination. Despite the events of the previous day, maybe, just maybe, he could do it. He'd only ever tried healing humans with his 'gift', but would animals be any different?

Before Will could stop him, he ran towards Chester, holding his hands out in a placating gesture, and muttered soothing words, hoping the horse wouldn't kick him. Chester, however, merely trained one eye on him, breathing in short puffs. Jem inched towards the injured leg slowly, and sighed in relief when he reached him safely.

He laid his hands on the injured leg, turning them red with blood. He could see the torn tendon in the leg. He knew instinctively, from its position, that this tendon was important for the stability and movement of the horse's lower leg. The injury pulsed under his hands, and he felt the power within himself. He believed he could do it. He urged his healing power to transfer into Chester's leg, watching as the torn ligament started to knit itself back together.

He could feel his energy draining, and he struggled to hold on. This was one of the worst injuries he had tried to heal, and he knew he needed more strength.

"Will, help!" he called out, without really thinking it through. Will ran over, standing close, but was obviously unsure of what to do.

"Lend me your strength," Jem said, as he clutched Will's arm with one of his hands. While power poured out of Jem into the horse from one arm, he took power from Will, bathing in it, and replenishing himself with the other. He let out a surprised cry, feeling more powerful than ever before. When he looked back at Will, he could see Will's wide eyes, staring back at him. Will could obviously feel it too. Jem had never known he could do such things, and he felt on top of the world, unstoppable even.

His emotions sobered as his leg started to ache, and he came near to finishing. When the horse's leg was healed, he dropped Will's arm, not wanting to take more energy than was needed, and the pain of his own leg suddenly hit him. His leg wobbled and collapsed beneath him, making him fall to the ground before Will could react.

Tessa rushed over to see if he was alright, and Will looked down at him in concern. He waved them both away, "I'm fine." He winced slightly as he tried to move his leg. This injury was obviously going to take a while to heal. Chester on the other hand, stood up, narrowly missing stomping on Jem.

"Wow Jem, this is amazing! You can heal people and animals! What next?" Tessa exclaimed in excitement as she examined Chester's leg, moving it round at different angles. "His leg is perfectly fine."

Jem smiled, but inwardly wished he could do more… like heal Thomas. However, he knew he had to make the most of what he had been given. Looking at Will, he knew they were thinking the same thing – that he should keep the fact that he could take energy from others a secret. It just made him even more of a target.

Will looked around, agitatedly. "We really need to get going. You can't walk?" He asked Jem.

Jem tested his leg again and shook his head, it hurt to move, let alone stand on. Will hoisted him up, by grabbing him under the arms. He and Tessa both struggled to support Jem's weight and get him onto the horse. After a few tries, Tessa climbed onto the horse, and tried to pull him up, while Will supported and lifted Jem. Eventually they managed to hoist him up, and he was able to adjust his legs into the proper riding position. He'd never felt so hopeless and exhausted.

Jem thanked them both, and assured them he was alright, before they started off again. Each bump on the path, or jerk of the horse, made his leg, and arm, feel worse, and he fought to stay awake. He noticed Tessa looking back at him worriedly, before he fell asleep, the exhaustion and pain finally catching up with him.

Jem woke up when he felt the horse jerk to a stop. He realised, with great embarrassment, that his head was resting on Tessa's back, and she was holding his arms around her tightly with one hand, to ensure he wouldn't fall off. When he lifted his head up, she looked back at him.

"Sorry I fell asleep on you," Jem said, feeling his face heat up.

She smiled back, "It's fine, I don't mind at all."

He smiled back, appreciatively, before he suddenly noticed his surroundings, finding them very familiar. Could it be…

Will turned in the saddle to look at them, his eyes alight with a renewed vigour. "We're home."

A/N: So there you have the next chapter.

Hopefully my action scenes were alright, writing action has never been my strength, but I feel happy with how this turned out.

Also, I wanted to add that I have written a one-shot called "Modern Medicine," which is a modern day story about Will taking Jem to the emergency department at a hospital. It's sort of sad, but we need a variety of stories, right? Please check it out if you're interested :)

~ SilverJem5