Would you look at that, another update. And so soon too. Enjoy.

The fight would begin as soon as either decided to make the first move. Jade didn't want to be the one to do it, preferring for her enemy to make that mistake. But the hybrid stalking her was impatient and wanted her to do the same so that they merely circled each other carefully, the unhappy jeers of the impatient crowd above them demanding that they fight.

"Come on and attack already! What are you, brain dead?" the hybrid sneered, stalking closer. Jade backed away, following the curve of the pit and keeping him in her sights. He faked a run at her and she snarled instinctively, feeling the way she naturally reacted to him flare up. It swelled and pushed at her to kill but she held strong, standing her guard. It didn't pay to be hasty.

"You're a pretty one. I've never seen one like you. Kinda like, you're more there than the others," he observed with a taunting air and knowing grin. Jade growled and faked a lunge. He reacted by doing the same. She evaded and then lunged for real, but he swiftly dodged her own attempt to attack and smacked her aside. She skid through the dirt but found her footing quickly to charge at him. She leaped over his swinging fist to flip over him, landing and then swiping out with her foot to ground him. As soon as he was down she pounced, but was kicked off a moment later before she could do any damage. She knew she shouldn't fight with too much thought so that she could remain seemingly incapable, but if she attacked wildly she was sure to lose. She needed tactics. He already had an advantage over her and she couldn't afford to give him more. They both advanced, and this time, blows were dealt. Jade caught him across the face and cracked a rib but he hit her so hard she was seeing double and couldn't recover in time to defend herself from his tearing nails. They dragged across her stomach to her hip. She cried out and fell to the dirt, having trouble getting back up.

The last of her blood supply was draining and it was only a matter of time before it sapped all her energy with it. She pushed herself forward with some difficulty and tackled him to the ground where they wrestled. Jade put all her strength in keeping him defenseless on his back, her fangs finally finding his throat in the scuffle. He roared angrily when she tore into his flesh. She tried getting a better grip so that she could tear his throat out, but his blood was getting to her and she was losing focus. He seemed to realize it, because as soon as he sensed a laps in power from her he threw her off. She skid through the dirt but stopped herself on all fours, looking up just in time to see him charging at her. She threw herself to the side then jumped up to claw at the back of his heel. He screamed and fell to one knee, no longer able to stand. He forced himself up but fell back into the dirt, staying down and breathing heavily. The announcer said something over the yelling and screaming of the crowd. She looked around for any danger and saw the door on her opponent's side open once again. She gasped when it was Tori who strode into the arena. She froze when she saw Jade. They stared at each other a moment before Tori ran towards her.

For a split second, Jade thought she was attacking and crouched defensively, but when the hybrid reached her, she was wrapped in a strong but loving grip. Tori buried her nose in Jade's shoulder and Jade allowed herself to relax in her hold. She wrapped her arms around Tori's slim waist, enjoying the moment and blocking everything else out, until the crowd grew louder and the announcer seemed outraged. Tori pulled back and so did Jade, both sensing the wild disturbance their actions had caused. Tori whimpered, the command to kill grating on her ears. She stepped away from Jade to block her from the men who had come out to force them to fight. Tori snarled at them, a warning to stay back. When they didn't listen she attacked, tossing them aside and scattering them. As soon as she was busy holding their captors back, the furious hybrid Jade faced set his sights on her. He refused to lose to a vampire. He charged, limping slightly on his damaged foot, and tackled her to the ground. She managed a bite to his arm but he retaliated with a bite to the delicate slope of her neck where it met her shoulder.

She cried out at the crushing jaws, struggling to get free. She dug her nails in his chest and tore through flesh until he released her, rearing back in pain. She kicked him off then rolled over so that she could push herself to her feet, but he caught her by the ankle and yanked. She fell flat on her stomach and he took advantage. He clasped his hands together and stood over her to drive them down forcefully on her back. She hit the ground hard, hearing something crack with the force. She lashed out at his leg and he lost balance for a moment. She then pushed up just enough to throw herself at his legs, tripping him. He fell on his stomach and she jumped on his back, her own sharp nails digging into his shoulder and under his jaw, sinking into soft flesh. She began to tear into him when he let out a roar and clawed her off his back. He threw her at the solid metal wall encasing the pit where she slid down to lay dazed on the ground. She looked up just in time to be kicked in the face. Her blood dotted the dirt as she struggled to get up.

"Not happening," he chuckled in amusement, slamming her back against the wall again. He yanked her up and then his fist rained down on her over and over, the last strike falling with uncurled fingers so that his nails cut across her face. She hit the ground again, barely conscious. The crowd cheered and began a chant. Jade knew without needing to understand that they wanted her dead. She tried to crawl away but she was kicked in the side, instantly making her curl up. The hybrid dragged her off the ground with a hand on her neck pressing right under her jaw. He allowed her to stand, albeit unsteadily, and then bared his teeth to tear into her shoulder once more, teeth scraping bone. The brutal attack pulled a pain filled snarl from her, instincts kicking in once more to fight him off. She cut into his arm multiple times and tried kicking at him but it was no use. She was beginning to black out. She was losing strength. Her body became limp in his grasp until he let her go to crumple to the ground. He pumped his fist and the crowd went wild, then he looked down with a sneer at the defenseless vampire at his feet.

"Tough luck," he stated, then raised a fist, ready to crush her skull. He froze, and so did everyone else, when a loud and fully enraged roar echoed off the walls. Tori stood there panting like a bull ready to charge. The guards laid fatally injured around her. She stopped caring about preserving their life some time ago. The need to protect Jade was too great. She had seen the way Garett disabled her and the wolf within her was not pleased. She growled a challenge and advanced towards the other hybrid, intent on killing him.

"Garett!" she spat, her small frame appearing strong despite her size.

"I always wondered how you managed to win all the time. It looks like the puppy has some bite after all. You wanna play with the big boys now?" he taunted snidely. Tori's eyes flashed gold and she bared sharp teeth. There wasn't a doubt in her mind that she was going to kill him for hurting Jade. There would be no mercy this time; no other alternative. She stood face to face with him, ready for anything. Garett slid his foot under Jade's mangled form and kicked her away, smirking when the action incited Tori's fury, stoking the ever growing flames blazing in her eyes. She hadn't felt this enraged since the first time she met Jade, but this time, her mind was clear enough to put the rage to good use. She never let it get this bad, but right now, she was calling on anything her hybrid strength could give her because she wanted to let it all out on the one who beat her mate to an inch of her life. For the first time ever, she didn't have to win the fight with a kill, but she was going to. She wanted to.

"What's got you all riled up, huh?" Garett questioned tauntingly, unconcerned. She would make him regret underestimating her.

"You hurt her," Tori growled low, beginning to advance on him slowly.

"Isn't that the point? What? Are you mad I took down the best vamp? You can finish her off if you want," he replied with a shrug.

"No. You hurt my mate. I'm going to make sure you pay," Tori threatened. His eyes widened and he looked from the vampire to Tori and back again before laughing.

"You're joking, right?" he said with another laugh. When Tori remained stoic, he began laughing again.

"That's rich! A vampire and a wolf, together? Now you're just making stuff up," he continued. The creases lining Tori's face deepened, and suddenly, he fell quiet. Being a hybrid himself, he knew about the feelings associated with having a mate and how it affected the instincts that their animal side gave them. He leveled a whole town full of vampires when his own mate was killed. That was when he let himself get caught. He held so much anger and needed an outlet. Now that he was serious, he prepared for a fight. It was inevitable. He saw more of their handlers behind the younger hybrid arguing among themselves, pushing each other to be the one to break them up. Tori wondered why it even mattered. The crowd was just as excited to see this fight as any other. They seemed to realize this and stood by to watch instead. Tori locked eyes with Garett whose muscles bunched, ready to spring. She anticipated it, so that when he did lunge, she effortlessly side-stepped then leaped forward to land a gash across his stomach. He faltered but dodged her next attack to smack her aside.

"I remember promising to kill you, and I don't say things lightly," he growled, crouching down on all fours a bit unsteadily before leaping at her again. She rolled out of the way just in time. They parried and evaded, struck with claws and snapped with jaws. The walls of the pit dented from being thrown at them and the dirt ground was worn with grooves where they skid over it. Garett was a bloody mess while Tori only sustained a few cuts to her side, arm, and leg along with some bruises. He growled and launched at her but she ducked under his reaching hands to plunge her nails deep into his unprotected stomach. She dragged her fingers through flesh and watched as he hit the ground hard, struggling to get up as his blood ran thick down his front. She stalked around him, eyes never leaving his beaten form.

"How about I kill you?" she questioned, voice rough. He suddenly jumped from the ground to attempt an attack but she caught him by the wrist, twisted it around to snap his arm, and then yanked him closer so that her teeth could finish the job Jade started, tearing out his throat in one fluid motion. She dropped his body to the ground and howled her triumph, the need pulsing through her body and giving her a second wind. She walked over to Jade, crouching down to pick her up carefully like she might break. She twitched as soon as they came in contact with each other. Tori hoped it was a sign that she wasn't dead. She turned to run out when she was ordered to stay where she was. She spun around and stepped back when her captures brandished weapons at her. They told her to come quietly or be killed so she ran in the opposite direction. She burst through the door and skid to a halt when she almost ran over a teenaged human girl in her haste to escape.

"I saw what happened. I can help you. This way," she gestured, running down a side hall. Tori moved to go the other way, but at the sound of the human's voice calling to her, Jade stirred. Tori looked down at her then ran after the waiting human. She was led through many halls and then down into a network of tunnels. They came to a room that the girl unlocked. Tori ran in and she followed, locking it behind them.

"Who are you and why did you help us?" Tori demanded as soon as the door was closed.

"I befriended Jade. I brought her more blood than was allowed and even agreed to give her more so that she could escape. I'm guessing that's what she had in mind anyway. She didn't have to lie to me. I could see right through her," the girl explained, reaching out to touch Jade's shoulder. Tori frowned at the gentle contact, fighting the urge to move Jade out of her reach. She didn't want anyone she didn't know touching Jade with such familiarity. But now wasn't the time to get possessive. She needed the human's help.

"We only have so much time before they find us. Here, give her this," the girl continued, revealing a hidden away pack of blood.

"I smuggled it not too long ago and planned to give it to her after the fight," she explained. Tori set Jade on the nearby bed and then took the pack from the girl. Just as she did in the past, she bit into it to draw some out then leaned in to pass it into Jade's mouth. She jerked into motion with a snarl and bit Tori's lip. She pulled back, her tongue running over the bite, then quickly brought the bag to Jade's lips. She snatched it from Tori and shoved her away, greedily draining it. When she finished she tossed it aside with a shudder that wracked her whole body. Her wounds were slowly healing but she was bleeding again. It wasn't enough to speed up the process in time. Tori whined and cupped Jade's face in her hands.

"I need…more," Jade gasped, her cold hand gripping Tori by the wrist.

"Let me," the human girl announced, stepping forward. Tori released Jade to hold her back.

"No, she'll kill you. Or worse, you could be infected and turn," the hybrid warned her.

"I know," she replied, gently removing Tori's hand and stepping past her.

"What's your name?" Tori asked, needing to know.

"Sofia," she replied, looking back at the hybrid. Tori smiled, grateful.

"Thank you," she said, tone sincere. Sofia nodded with a smile and then sat down on the edge of the bed close to Jade who sat hunched over. She was shuddering with pain and hunger. Tori leaned on the door, watching but also keeping an ear out for anyone coming. The human reached out and held Jade's face in her hands, marveling at the cold and warm contrast. She hadn't ever been this close to a vampire, and now that she was, it was to offer her life.

"N-no…" Jade groaned, knowing what Sofia was attempting to do.

"You have to. You have someone who loves you and doesn't want you to go," she replied, stroking Jade's cheek. The vampire turned so that her nose brushed her warm palm, smelling the blood racing just under the surface.

"I told you…" Jade began, but her voice faded with weakness. Sofia caught her before she could fall over. Jade rested her head on her shoulder, almost moaning at the warmth of blood close enough to take.

"I know. But you'll have to just this once," she responded, leaning closer. Jade fell silent a moment and Tori whined, wringing her hands.

"Come on, Jade," she whispered, needing her lover to pull through despite being unhappy that someone would have to die to make it possible.

"Please," Sofia whispered in her ear. Jade sighed, her heart heavy, but complied. She gripped at the human's upper arm with her right hand and brushed along her neck with the left before tilting her head. Their eyes met, apologetic but thankful black and white meeting forgiving brown. Jade moved too quickly for the human to register at first, but then sharp teeth tore into her neck. She whimpered and grasped at Jade's shirt, fingers tight. Jade groaned at the blood running over her tongue, enamored with the taste. Her jaws clamped down harder and widened the wound so that she could swallow mouthfuls at a time, her grip on the human tightening.

Tori watched as Jade's health improved while the human's life waned. Her hands fell from Jade's shirt and her body went slack but Jade kept drinking, determined to take everything she had to offer. Tori saw the last breaths leave her and then moments later Jade pulled away. She looked dazed at first and then clarity came to her. She glanced down at the human who died for her and got up to set her on the bed with care. She couldn't turn away until Tori's warm hand rested on her shoulder. They faced each other for the second time in months before Tori gripped Jade in a tight hug. Jade returned it, burying her face in Tori's shoulder this time. It felt less rushed and more comforting now that they weren't in the middle of a battle for their lives. They stayed that way a moment longer, enjoying the feeling of being together again, then reluctantly parted.

"We should go," Tori advised. Jade nodded but turned away.

"Hold on," she replied, moving to pick up the matchbox she spotted on the dresser. She held it up so Tori could see. She nodded and stood back while Jade lit three matches and threw them on the bed. Both agreed that Sofia should move on, sparing her from the possibility of turning. As the flames grew, Tori broke the door handle so that they could leave. They ran down the hall but skid to a stop when they were finally found. They prepared for a fight but sudden gunfire and cursing behind the group of men caused all of them to turn around. Both Tori and Jade took advantage of the distraction to bulldoze their way through. They came out the other side to see Beck and Andre taking cover behind some boxes, firing occasionally when they could. They were happy and relieved to see each other but a reunion would have to wait.

"Let's go!" Tori yelled, running past them without stopping. Together, they fought their way through to the back door the guys had taken to sneak in. Tori blocked the door with two dumpsters stacked on top of each other before joining the others in a sprint back to safety. Wherever that was. They were deep in the jungle by the time the girls allowed the guys to slow down and rest. They bent over on their hands and knees, panting heavily.

"To think…we were staging a rescue…and you girls were already…on your way out," Andre commented, words forced through deep breaths. Jade paced back and forth, watching for anyone who could have followed, so Tori smiled and nodded.

"Yeah, but we couldn't have fought through all that without you guys," she told him.

"Thanks, but we both know that you would have been able to get out on your own," Beck spoke up.

"No, we had help. We couldn't have done it without her," Jade mumbled, eyes on the flaming building burning bright against the night sky. Tori took her by the hand and Jade looked to her.

"Gratitude isn't enough for what she did," the hybrid agreed. Andre and Beck looked from one mourning face to the other, confused.

"We'll explain when we get back to the boat," Jade told them, walking deeper into the jungle. She hadn't let go of Tori's hand so she trailed along after her. They had to stop when they realized that the guys hadn't moved. They looked back at them to see that they were nervous.

"What happened?" Jade questioned them.

"We, uh, we had to pay a lot to get into one of the fight clubs and spring you guys," Andre mentioned.

"What supplies did you give away?" Tori asked next. Andre looked at Beck.

"Barely any supplies," he answered.

"Then what?" Jade inquired, losing patience.

"Just the boat," Beck responded.

"What?!" Jade exclaimed, moving to grab at him, but Tori yanked her back in time.

"We couldn't get in any other way! It was for you guys!" Andre burst out regretfully. Jade growled but calmed down, understanding the situation. It helped that Tori's thumb was soothing where it graced the back of her hand.

"It's fine. You're right. Where are we camped out then?" Jade carried on, if a little terse.

"Right here by the river," Beck answered, pointing ahead and then leading the way. They fell into step with him. Tori pulled Andre into a hug and thanked the guys for coming back for them, regardless what it cost. Jade only nodded along with what Tori said.

"Any shelter from the sun?" she inquired.

"The trees block some of it out but I'm sure we can make something for you if needed," Andre answered. It would have to do. Jade nodded and Tori moved closer to her, giving her hand a squeeze. The battle worn pair followed along tiredly, barely able to keep up. Jade's body was still in the process of healing as was Tori's. The difference was, Tori needed to eat soon in order to gain more energy to heal. She didn't hesitate to catch an animal on the way, suddenly darting away to tackle the creature. Jade, Andre, and Beck waited for her, not needing to follow. The hybrid returned with more blood smeared on her body, her mouth and chin covered. Tori wiped at her face, cleaning her hands off on her torn bottoms, while she trudged back over to them. Jade licked her thumb and jokingly wiped a splatter of blood off her cheekbone with a smile.

"Feel better?" she asked. Tori nodded and Jade took her by the hand before turning away. They continued on until both vampire and hybrid sensed the smells of camp, seeing it a moment later when then came out of the dense foliage. Sikowitz sat by a fire surrounded by large stones to keep it contained. The last of their supplies were packed away in a bag sitting next to him. He looked up when they approached and stood.

"Great Ghandi, what did they do to you?" he questioned, eyeing their bloody and ragged appearance. Jade only brushed past him, aiming for the flowing river behind him. Tori jogged after her. Andre and Beck exchanged a look with Sikowitz before taking a seat to fill him in. When the two reached the river Jade didn't hesitate to plunge into the cool water. Tori trotted in next, getting waist deep when Jade disappeared under the surface. She came back up a moment later, brushing her hair back. In the bright starry sky above, the moon shone down on them, highlighting the water running off the vampire's pale skin. Tori admired her unmistakable beauty with a small smile then dived underwater so that she could wash off too. When she came back out she had drifted a little so that when she looked around it was to see Jade closer to the opposite side of the bank leading back to camp. She waded over to stand by her, the water rushing by at waist level. Jade's eyes were downcast, her hand idly playing with the water. Tori rested a hand on the small of her back, feeling no tension in her muscles, then slid her hand around her middle so that she was hugging her from behind. She dropped a kiss to Jade's neck then nuzzled at her jaw.

"I was so scared," Tori mumbled, her voice cracking.

"I was too," Jade admitted, turning her head towards the hybrid. Neither had to say what they were scared of because they both knew that it wasn't death. It was the possibility of losing one another, surviving while the other perished. But here they stood, reunited once again. Tori shifted and so did Jade, accommodating to the new position that would allow their lips to meet. Jade threw herself into the warm feeling racing through her, calming her. She had been on edge so long it felt freeing to finally be able to relax fully. Tori cupped her face in her hands, groaning when Jade deepened the kiss. Jade brushed back damp hazelnut locks so that her cool hand could trace over her face, starting at her cheekbone but traveling lazily over her jaw and neck. She wrapped her arms around Tori's neck and the hybrid pulled her closer around the middle so that they were flush together. When they finally pulled away they stared into each other's eyes. Jade rested her forehead on Tori's and their eyes closed, content. The Dome could wait. For now they were safe, and that was all they cared about at the moment.