...

Sage kissed him softly and wrapped her arms around him. ?You?re so sweet, Ty?? she said with a smile. Ty laughed. ?Well I don?t think anyone?s ever described me as sweet.? He said as stared at her with this look of amusement on his face. ?It?s true you know. You have this side of you that makes me see how much you really care? and I guess the fact that you don?t show that side of you freely to others, kind of makes it special in a way?? ?What do you mean by special?? he said sounding confused. ?The fact that I only see this side of you, lets me know how much you trust me? and knowing that you trust me? it?s probably the best feeling I could ever ask for. To know that I mean something to you, makes me smile.? She said looking up at him. He smiled and kissed her again and she laid her head on his shoulder. She smiled a little when she saw how dark it was outside. She had grown very found of the night ever since she had met Ty? ?Will we always be together Ty?? she asked as she leant against him. He held her tighter and stared into the darkness. ?I don?t know?? he said. She was silent for a while and finally smiled. ?Somehow, that doesn?t even matter anymore when I?m with you? it?s not an issue? I just enjoy being with you now. And I?m grateful for the time we do have together?? she said softly. He kissed her softly on the top of her head as they waited for Mayhony and Syn to catch up with them.

"I knew you'd warm up to him." she said as they walked toward the clearing they were in, leaving Syn and Mayhony for a while. "Warm up? Let's just say that he's the kind of guy I wouldn't shoot because I hate his guts. More along the lines of pure amusement." he said smiling at her. Sage laughed. "Well, I'm sure that's probably the nicest thing you've said about anyone." Ty stopped and looked at her. He smiled. "I think I've said nicer." She laughed again. "To me, yes. To others, well, you're the kind of guy people will probably fear, even if they 'think' you can tolerate them." She saw something at the corner of her eye and smiled. She walked over to a dead body and picked up a gun. "Never thought I'd see this again." she said looking back over at Ty. She had her old gun again. Her smile faded and she looked back at her guns. "They probably destroyed everything in your house if they found this Ty..." she said glancing back at Ty. She still partly blamed herself for everything that had happened still. No matter how hard she tried to forget about it, she knew all these things were happening because of her. But instead of drowning herself in her guilt... she was able to look at it a little more positively. She vowed not to let anyone die because of her stupid mistakes.

Suddenly, they heard something in the distance. Ty slipped into the shadows as Mayhony and Sage got out of the way. Syn was alone in the middle of the field. "Damn me and my slow reflexes. This doesn't look so good." he said looking around. Three bullets came his way. As he dodged the bullets more people came pouring into the clearing. Mayhony threw a dagger into one of the attackers throats as he came behind Syn. Syn pulled out his guns as four more assassins came his way. Sage looked at Ty who was no longer standing there. She cursed under her breath as she began shooting every single one around her. Syn smiled as he took them down one by one. Three came behind him and he heard three split second shots come from behind. He turned around and smiled when he saw Ty. "You do care!" he said in a sarcastic tone. "Don't make me shoot you, Syn..." Ty said.

Sage got up and went outside. She looked at Ty and she could see the blood coming through his shirt. He noticed her expression and looked down. ?Damn.? He said. ?Ty, it?s alright?? ?No, now this shirt is dirty as well?? he said. Sage laughed. He was still worrying about things not being perfect. ?What?s so funny?? he growled. She looked at him and tried to remove the smile that formed across her face. ?Nothing, nothing at all.? She said looking ahead. ?Liar.? He said smiling a little. She smiled as she looked over at Syn. He was holding his head in pain. ?Mayhony, why did we have to go right [i]now[/i] for training?? ?Because we?re a day away from the raid.? She said walking. He held his head and whimpered. ?You just had to give me a hangover, didn?t you.? ?Hey, I didn?t force those bottles down your throat you know.? She said smiling. ?No, but you might as well have, they were just staring me in the face. Somebody had to drink them. Ty over there has to be dead sober all the time.? He said looking behind his shoulder. Ty stared at him, he smiled a little, but Sage knew that smile wasn?t something many people wanted to see. When he smiled like that, you knew he was thinking of the pain he could cause the person. And she could tell he was seconds away from causing him more pain. She smiled. She wanted to shoot him too. Just for kicks of course. ?You should show a little restraint then as far as liquor is concerned.? Mayhony said shaking her head. ?Oh come now, that?s like supplying an entire band with guns and saying ?shame on you? for using them.? ?Maybe, but now you?re just complaining, and no one likes a complainer.? She said smiling wickedly at him. Sage shook her head, She knew it would a long training session.

lol, well I guess it may be confusing to those who've never felt it. :) But it's alright, I never actually expected anyone to understand anyway. Over dramatizing... well, lol, I guess you just have to feel it to understand it. :)

Not being able to see? to hear the person? to know EXACTLY what is going through their mind? is very hard. In a way, a long distance relationship is doomed to fail even before it begins? but try having a long distance relationship, when you know those around you at home would not approve. It?s like a knife being thrown into your side, and each day, someone turns the knife just a little more. You try to convince yourself the feelings you have are not real, because you?ve never seen the person? you try to convince yourself that life would be a lot easier if you don?t let your heart get involved. But the heart has a mind of its own. It likes to creep up on situations like these, and make things impossible to live through. While on the one hand, you have that person to talk to? you have the person who makes your life worth living? the person who lets you be the person you want to be? the person you really are inside? this person understands everything about you, and still can?t find it in himself to judge you for any of it? But on the other hand? you are dangling from the tops of a cliff, and the only thing you have to hold on to is a tiny piece of thread. That thread can break, destroying your life, at any given moment. And you wait for that day? and you fear it with all your heart. You wish things would turn out for the better? you hope to God that you will get to actually meet the person you love? but in the end, it?s all false hopes? and all you can do is live in the moment, and hope that you will never have to leave. The thought of losing that special person kills you a little each day. The pain is immense? While the pain is sharper than anything, you find that you cannot let the fear rule your life? that you have to be there for that person? you realize then how much you actually love that person. And you can?t imagine your life without him. Do I think it will work out? well that doesn?t even matter anymore. All I do know? is that I want to be with this person more than anything. And while it breaks my heart that we may never be anything more than this? I can?t find it in myself to let him go. And so I know? that I will forever be longing for something I can't have. But I can?t give up.

She opened the door and stared at him ?Are you crazy?? she said as she rushed over to him. He looked at her as she went over and took the knife from his hand. ?I can do it Sage?? ?Shut up and focus on healing.? She said softly as she smiled. ?You can?t do everything on your own you know. You?ll have to have help sooner or later.? She said as she finished. He winced in pain, but it was fading away. ?Ty don?t ever do that again.? ?Do what?? he said as he put a clean shirt on. ?Leave me hanging like that. If you?re going to go into danger, it?s with me by your side.? ?Sage?? ?I?m the reason they are here in the first place, and I?ll be damned before they take your life.? She said as tears formed in her eyes. ?I?m not going anywhere, Sage?? ?Like hell you aren?t!!! I?m not going to allow anything to happen to you!!? ?Stop it Sage? we both know you can?t control what they do.? ?I don?t want to live without you. And I won?t. I swear to you here and now Ty? I will kill myself if they get to you? I won?t allow myself to live anymore.? ?Don?t say things like that?? ?I won?t Ty? so make a deal with fate because I will die one way or another if you leave me.? ?Just trust me? trust me enough to know I won?t allow the bad to happen.? He said as he looked into her eyes. She loved him? and she always lost herself in his eyes? tears streamed down her face as she looked at him. She was tired of being afraid? she knew she broke down. After all that time, she thought she was getting better? she thought she was progressing. But it seemed as if she had taken one giant leap backwards. She put her head down as the tears fell to the floor. He lifted her chin and looked at her. ?You?re not alone anymore. I?m here for you?? She couldn?t help but smile. For some reason, the fear was leaving her? it was as if his words had taken a hold of her heart, and kept the fear from engulfing her anymore. She could feel the trust she had in him growing inside her as it brushed all her fears away. She kissed him gently and wrapped her arms around his neck. She loved him, and she could feel his love for her make her strong again. ?Do you know how much you really help me?? she said as she looked at him, tears still falling from her eyes. He wiped her tears away and held her tight. ?Only you have allowed me to love? to feel loved, to want to live, to feel strong? those things seemed impossible, but you?ve made it possible for me to feel it all. I love you for that.? she said. He smiled a little and held her close to him. She didn?t want to be anywhere else at that moment. She would have given anything in the world to stay that way forever with him. He made her happy just being in his arms, being around him? but it was his words, his comfort, his love that made her live each day. And she was thankful for every bit of love he showed her.

lol, sure why not :) And yes, Fred Gallagher did Warmth. It's the new series he's working on :) This pic goes great if you have XP and put it on the Olive Green Setting. Looks real sharp. Thanks for the compliment, and it's yours for the taking ;)

Just made it today. :)

?Damn it!!? Sage said loudly. Mayhony came over and helped him to the couch. ?What happened?? Mayhony asked as she helped steady Hyo. ?I was attacked? by some other band, they appeared to be in the Ninja garb?? he said out of breath. He winced at the pain he felt in his shoulder. Sage looked over at Ty who was standing at the front door. ?Stay here and look after him.? He said quickly before he ran out of the house. ?Damn him?? Sage said under her breath. She didn?t want him going out there alone. ?Help me bring him to his room. Don?t worry Hyo, we?re leaving two days from now. Think you?ll be okay by then?? Mayhony asked helping him up. He looked at the damage to his shoulder. ?Yeah, I?m sure I?ll be fine.? ?How many were there?? Sage asked thinking about Ty. ?There were four on me; I was able to kill three of them, but one is still out there.? He said walking to his room. Sage looked behind her, she wanted to go out there, but she knew Hyo needed help too. She just wished she wouldn?t regret it. Mayhony looked at her and knew she was worried about Ty. ?I?ll be fine Mayhony, I?ll just need some time to recover.? ?You got a couple days?? she said looking concerned. ?That will be enough.? He said as he closed his eyes and leaned back and rested. Sage looked at Mayhony to see if there wasn?t anything else she needed her to do. Mayhony smiled as she looked at Sage. ?Get going, I?m sure Ty?s fine.? She said as she got up. Sage nodded and got up quickly. She went outside and saw no one in sight. Her heart was racing as she ran toward the clearing and heard footsteps behind her.

Sage leaned her head on Ty?s shoulder. She was tired. She laughed at Xero as he came into the room. She looked up at Ty and he smiled down at her. She felt perfect when she was with him. But she waited for the day it would all end. She knew it would come someday. Good things never lasted long for her. Never? Senkai walked in and fixed himself a cup of coffee. ?Where have you been?? Mayhony asked. ?Thinking?? he said as he got his cup. He sat down next to Syn. Syn looked up, and appeared to be completely drunk like Xero who was now passed out on the floor. ?Don?t steal my other bottle, Hear?? he said as he looked at Ty accusingly. ?It looks as if we have a drunkard who can?t seem to keep the alcohol down around here.? He said, slurring through all this words. Mayhony back handed his head. ?Keep it down Syn, you?re making me look bad.? She said. He put his other arm on the table as he began mumbling to himself. Senkai shook his head. ?Don?t worry, we know you?re not the reason he?s an absolute drunk.? Mayhony looked at Sage and smiled. ?Maybe I am. Here Syn, have another.? She said as she grabbed him a bottle and set it down to the other one he was drinking from. ?Mayhony, I think I?m drinking too much. I?m seeing double of the same bottle.? He said looking at the one she just set down. ?Nonsense, you?re fine.? She said laughing at him.

Sage sat next to Mayhony and smiled. ?So how does the plan go? Is he wasted?? she said jokingly. ?Can?t tell. The way Syn acts, you?d think he?s wasted every minute of the day.? She said. Sage laughed. ?What about you?? Mayhony said taking a sip of her drink. Sage laughed again as she sat back. ?I could have told you that it wouldn?t have worked out on my end. Ty isn?t one for alcohol. He?s the straight black cup of coffee guy.? ?No fun.? Mayhony said as she smiled again. ?How are you feeling?? Sage asked. Mayhony put her drink down. ?A lot better, and now that we gained a few points on the grid, things are starting to look up.? ?What about the raid?? ?Very soon? just have some final things to work out, and then we should be set.? ?I wanted to apologize to you, Mayhony?? Sage started. ?I don?t think it was fair of me not to be honest and up front with you when I first got here.? ?No? I can?t say it was. But I guess you had your reasons.? She said. ?I didn?t mean to put you or the mission at harm.? ?Me? I got that dagger in my back from some poor bastard at home. Nothing to do with you. But the way things are working out with the Orion Belt, I wouldn?t be surprised if all of this is somehow linked together. But don?t go blaming yourself anymore, Sage. It does no good to point fingers. The fact it, you?re an asset to this team, and I?d be a fool to think you wouldn?t be good for this band. And like I?ve told you before, I?m no fool.? ?No need to tell me a second time, your actions speak loud and clear in my book.? She said as she smiled. They got up and walked into the kitchen. ?DAMN IT!!!? Syn yelled. ?I KNOW I brought two bottles in here. Who DRANK MY OTHER ONE????? Ty rolled his eyes and smiled. ?You?re an imbecile.? He said. Mayhony smiled, ?Yes, but he?s my imbecile.? She said as she brought him another bottle. ?Here, you left it on the shelf.? She said with a smile. ?Damn, I thought I brought it in here with Ty and me.? He said as he opened it up and drank the bottle down. Sage laughed and got herself a cup of coffee as well.

?You know, I knew for a fact you wouldn?t be the type to get wasted.? She laughed as she looked at his cup of black coffee. Ty never drank alcohol. ?Is that a bad thing?? She smiled, ?I wouldn?t want an idiot on my hands, Ty.? ?I?m not an idiot, Sage.? ?Well that goes without saying.? She said as he went back to drinking his coffee. Sage noticed how uncomfortable Ty was. She smiled a little. She didn?t want to make him uncomfortable. ?We?re going for a walk; I hope you guys won?t mind.? ?No problem, just watch your backs. You don?t know how many more assassins are watching this place.? Mayhony said. The last thing she wanted was for something more to happen to her band. Sage smiled as she got up. ?Thanks for the concern, it really is appreciated.? Ty got up and washed his coffee cup out. She smiled a little, she would give anything to see him leave a mess. Anywhere? She walked out first as he followed, closing the door lightly. He leaned against the fence post outside and looked down. ?I?m sorry?? he said quietly. She went up behind him and placed her hand on his shoulder. ?You don?t have anything to be sorry about, Ty...? ?I don?t think it?s fair though? for you. I know you enjoy talking with everyone? I just don?t find it enjoyable.? ?Believe it or not Ty, I?m not fully comfortable with it all either. I feel just as out of place as you do. I?m not use to talking with people and, well, without feeling like I have to constantly watch my back. When I was infiltrating Gervine?s band, I was constantly watching my back? in your band, I only felt safe around you? but now, it?s as if I really belong here, and it still is hard for me to get use to.? ?Do you trust them?? he said looking down. She smiled as she turned him around. ?With my life.? He looked at her and felt confused. ?Are you sure you can count on them?? She looked down. ?I?m the biggest threat to this band, Ty. And yet, Mayhony still wants me around. That says a lot right there, don?t you think?? ?Well what about Senkai? He seems to know a lot about the belt that?s after you. Too much if you ask me.? ?I think so. He apologized you know. For the way he?s acted with you and me. I guess he was just trying to see if he could trust us. Kind of the way we?re treating them, don?t you think? He looked up and sighed. ?I guess we have no choice then. We have to trust them. They don?t give us any reason to distrust them, do they?? She laughed. ?I guess not. But that?s not a bad thing you know.? ?I know? I guess I?m just trying to find excuses.? She laughed again as she slid her arms under his jacket and wrapped them around his waist. ?I?m not expecting anything from you, Ty. I don?t want you to change. I love you just the way you are. Even if you aren?t very conversational. Because that?s who I fell in love with. Don?t ever change.?

Ty leaned against the wall as Mayhony passed. He stared at her and she stopped. ?Ty, you need to believe me when I say I want Sage a part of this group as much as I want everyone else as well. I would never make her choose between you or the Crystal.? He stared and a small smile formed on his face. ?I knew that already, but I think it would probably sink in more if she heard it from you.? Mayhony smiled. ?Well good. Because I already did.? She walked downstairs and Ty went into the room. Sage was up and equipping her guns. She looked at Ty and smiled. ?These aren?t my guns, but their grips are starting to grow on me.? She said fixing herself in the mirror. ?I take it everything is fine now?? he said leaning against the door frame with his arms folded. ?Yeah? I really think it is.? She said looking at him. A look of relief covered her face and she finally seemed alright. He knew she was still struggling with the fear she had buried deep inside herself, but she was slowly gaining control over that now. She walked over to him and kissed him lightly. ?Thank you? for being here for me.? She said. ?Where else would I be?? he said stroking her cheek. She smiled and took his hand. ?Downstairs. I know conversing isn?t one of your strong suits, but I?m sure you can manage a little small talk.? ?You know I hate large groups?? he said following her as she pulled him along. ?I know, but it looks like you belong to one.? And she turned to look at him. ?And I think for once this one can be trusted. You don?t need to open up entirely, Ty. Keep the option open though. They aren?t like your last band. I think you realize that too.? ?That doesn?t change the fact that I hate large groups, Sage.? She laughed. ?Then don?t talk. Just be there with me.? She said smiling as they came downstairs.

Sage went to her room and just laid on her bed. She thought about what Mayhony had said about the band being a family? she smiled. It had been a long time since she heard those words. She had never been a part of a family before, and the thought of belonging to one made her laugh. Ty had been her only family all her life. And now she had an entire family to belong to. Her mind was reviewing all of the training grounds Mayhony had showed to them. It had been a long time since she had her mind on nothing but her job. It was finally clear. She was able to focus on the job without fear or worrying. But in her heart, she knew her priorities had changed. She knew that if it would come down to it, her job would be the last on her list. Ty came first in her life? and she knew that that would endanger the mission. But a part of her also knew that holding that Zeal Crystal, knowing she lost Ty over it, would eventually kill her inside. Her mind circled back to what Mayhony said before she left with Ty the week before. About how the mission came first, and that she was expected to feel the same or she would need to stay back. And then finding out that the entire Orion?s Belt was after her was enough to put things to a stand still. She wondered what she should do. Was she endangering the mission? She closed her eyes. She wasn?t sure what to do. Just then, a knock was heard at the door. She walked over and opened it. She saw Ty and smiled. ?Can I do something for you sir?? He smiled as he kissed her. She pulled him in and laughed. ?Get in here.? She said as she closed the door. ?What?s on your mind?? she said turning around as she grabbed a blanket and put it over her. She sat on the chair and he was still standing. ?I just wanted to see you. How are you feeling?? he said looking at her. ?A lot better actually. I can?t say I remember feeling so good.? She said not really looking at him. He stared at her and shook his head as he sat down in front of her on the corner of her bed. ?What?? she said looking confused. ?Nothing, I just thought we were past this that?s all.? He said folding his arms across his chest. ?What?s really going on?? he said. She looked at him and realized what she was doing. She was falling back into her old routine? completely. That was the last thing she ever wanted. She didn?t want to push him away anymore. ?I?m confused Ty? I?m trying to get better? I?m trying to stop worrying? but in order for me to stop worrying, I have to become the person I was? the person that shut you out. I don?t want to shut you out anymore? but I can?t focus on my job and worry about my own life at the same time.? He just looked at her and then looked down. ?Would you rather that we never happened?? he said quietly. She looked at him and smiled. ?No? that?s why I decided to tell Mayhony to go without me, Ty. You mean more to me than any Zeal Crystal, and well? if I have to decide which comes first in my life, then you would win in a heartbeat. I can?t do what she asks me to. I can?t honestly say that I am for the job 100 percent. What do I do? Do I leave, or do I stay even though I know I can?t give my attention fully to the job? I?m going to be worrying about you the entire time.? ?Ever thought that she may feel the same?? She looked at him puzzled. ?What do you mean?? ?It?s no mystery she?s in love with Syn; do you think she?s really going to choose a shiny rock over him?? Sage smiled. ?I can?t see her doing that if what they have is as real as what we have.? She said as she looked at him. ?But that doesn?t make things okay? I still wonder if I can do this job the way I was suppose to?? ?You remember what she said? about family? We all work together and look out for one another. I don?t see how any of us wouldn?t help the other if they were in trouble.? ?But I don?t want to choose, Ty? I won?t?? she said looking down. ?I love you? I don?t want to choose between you or the band.?

?Syn! Over here? I think I?ve got something?? Sage stood up and decided the man was good as dead anyway. She walked away and left the man who was bleeding to death. ?What?s going on?? she said as she looked at Senkai. He showed her some corpses with an Orion?s Belt symbol on their arms. She looked up and Senkai stared at her. ?What are they here for???? she said as she looked at Syn. ?Most likely to stop Mayhony?s raid?? he said as he looked at Senkai. He still stared at Sage. ?Damn, so we have Assassins after me, and Oriko?s men after the rest of us. Just great.? She knelt down at the body to examine it and pulled out a recorder, similar to the one?s Gervine?s men held. She looked at it and read the messages left on the pad. She froze as she stared at the message. Senkai knew she would have found out sooner or later? whether he would explain it or not to her, he wasn?t sure. She dropped it there and grabbed her guns and stormed out of the room. ?Damn, what was that about?? Syn said looking at Senkai. ?Read the file, Syn.? Syn read the file. Senkai looked at him and Syn?s face went pale. ?She?s being tracked by Orion?s Belt??? ?Looks to be that way, doesn?t it?? ?But why?? ?I?m sure Sage is wondering the same thing?? he walked out of the room. Sage was inside her room cleaning up all of the shattered glass from the windows and glass wear. She tried to get the order out of her mind. She needed to stay focus? [i]Focused on WHAT????[/i] she asked herself. She held a piece of glass in her hand and stared at it. She was tired of questioning herself. A part of her wanted to go back to the way things used to be, where she was in danger without so much as a second thought. She closed her eyes as she clutched the piece of glass, which pierced her skin. She didn?t feel the pain? she only felt the confusion that swelled within her. She looked at her hand, and the blood trickled from her hand. She sat there looking at the blood. Her face became emotionless as she let the piece of glass fall. She was an assassin, through and through? her heart was as cold as an assassin? it [i][b]was[/b][/i] as cold? but she smiled. She finally realized what she had been forgetting all this time. Something Ty most likely had already figured out? To be afraid of death, doesn?t make her weak. If anything, it gave her more strength... She became more determined? more focused? she wouldn?t allow anyone to kill her. Because now she wanted to live. She stood up and saw Senkai staring at her. ?You knew all this time? didn?t you?? she said looking at him. He just continued staring. She looked down at her blood stained hand and smiled. Senkai thought she might have gone over the edge at that moment. She looked up at him and her face softened. ?I think I?ve found my focus again, Senkai? I want to live? and I?m not going to allow anyone to take that chance from me.? She said. Her face looked tired, but she was full of determination. Senkai stared for a moment and then nodded his head and left. She clutched the dagger. She was an assassin. Her first and foremost ambition was survival. And no one would stand in her way. OOC: Be back from my trip in a week. ^_^

Sage looked up and stared at Senkai. She loaded her guns as she went upstairs. For some reason, it felt natural for her to go and check out whatever was going on? even if it was dangerous. She knew she was taking her first steps in trying to get back into her normal routine. With her back to the stair wall, she glanced over and saw three assassins. They were definitely Gervine?s men this time. She turned around and looked up as she shuddered. She looked down at her guns and closed her eyes. She needed to focus. Only then would she be able to overcome whatever fear she held deep inside her heart. She heard small footsteps about a yard away from where she stood. She turned around quickly and took all three out within seconds. But there were 5 more? she hadn?t even heard them coming. ?Damn?? she said as she aimed and fired. But they were quicker this time. They moved out and scattered around the upstairs. Her heart raced? she didn?t want something to go wrong? she wished this wasn?t happening? ?Damn it all? I need to FOCUS!!? she said. Syn and Senkai had gone up as well and suddenly she head an assailant. ?GET DOWN SYN!!? she yelled. Syn ducked and a dagger embedded itself into the wall. He looked up and then at Sage. ?Oh CRAP!? was all he could manage to say. ?They?re everywhere.. I saw 5 of them after I took out the first three. Two are downstairs. The others are searching the complex up here.? ?Who are they?? ?Definitely Gervine?s men. No question about it?? she said her eyes darkened as she looked at the dagger in the wall. She stared at it and pulled it out. She put it in her belt. She would keep it as a reminder. She wouldn?t allow them to take her life. She would mutilate them before they had the chance to mutilate her? she would not become the hunted

She looked over at Senkai and he just leaned against the wall. She sat on the chair in the kitchen and just stared at her hands. Things like this had not affected her before. That was because she wasn?t afraid of losing her life back then. She didn?t have anything to live for? but now she had everything to live for. Taking risks wasn?t something she wanted now. And now, it looked as if it may prove harder to avoid taking risks. She wasn?t like Mayhony. She wasn?t like any of them. She had become an assassin because she had nothing to live for. Ty had found her and helped her when she was a starving child. She smiled when she remembered that night. She had just finished scrounging in the garbage when she had noticed him. She was around 7 years of age. He had been watching her. She remembered going up to him as a child and asking for money. But what she got was something she hadn?t expected. At age 8, he was already a skilled shot. He shot her in the leg and she cried in pain. She thought he was going to kill her that night. But instead of losing her life, she had gained her only friend. He had brought her back to his gang and claimed that she had gotten in a fight and was injured. They helped her, and she eventually became a part of their gang. Sage knelt down and touched her leg again. He had shot her the night before. She remembered his cold expression as he wrapped her leg. It was so much like the first day they met? as if all those years of knowing each other had been destroyed. But she later had found that their friendship had only been forgotten? not lost. She looked up at Senkai again and he was still staring at her. ?What is it?? she said quietly. The pain still visible in her eyes. ?I?m trying to figure you out.? He said. She looked at him and stared. All of a sudden a crack was heard and she jumped. ?Sorry about that! This broom seems to have a mind of it?s own?? Syn called. She stood up and paced the floor, she was on edge, and it was starting to take it?s toll on her. ?Calm down will you.? He said looking at her. ?I?m trying!!? she snapped. She stared at the window and her hand went to her gun. She watched outside? hoping to spot Ty coming back. She needed to figure out what was going on with her. She knew that she was scared? how does he do it? How is he able to take his feelings, his emotions? his fears and make them secondary to what was really important?? She looked out and suddenly sensed someone out there. She knew it wasn?t Ty? she walked to the door, and glanced behind her. Senkai was nowhere in sight. She knew something was up then. She walked outside and waited. She looked to the side of her and suddenly a dark figure ran at her, She lifted her gun within a split second a shot several bullets toward her assailant. The man had a guard over his face and he wore completely black. ?Damn? what are you? Some sort of Ninja???? she said as she brought her guns closer to her. The man pulled out a pair of daggers and threw them at her. She moved out of the way, barely in time. She looked at him and he had out another pair and threw them at her again. She rolled out of the way and shot the man in the arm. But he didn?t flinch. She got on one knee and aimed, but her attacker had jumped behind her. She turned around and his blade grazed her back, slitting the shirt she wore. She looked up, and he was jumping all over the place. She wasn?t able to get proper aim. She moved when he attacked and realized that guns would do her no good in this fight. She put them back in her holster and waited for each attack as it came. The man didn?t seem to be losing a bit of energy in this fight. She grew impatient and started running up the tree. She climbed it, knowing her assailant would eventually follow her. As he jumped up behind her, she surprised him by kicking herself downwards, and brought the man to his knees. She pulled out her gun and aimed it at the man?s head. He knelt there, breathing heavily. But she knew he wasn?t giving up. She knew his type. They could have a hundred barrels staring them down, and they still wouldn?t give up hope. She pulled out her other gun and was about to shoot when the man jumped up and almost in lodged the dagger into her back, when she heard him cry out as he fell to the floor. She looked and saw Senkai over him with blood on his hands. ?I thought you may have needed some help.? He said with a smile. She looked at him, half shocked that he helped her, and half relieved she wasn?t dead. ?Thanks, but damn, what took you so long?? ?I don?t know. Call it a test.? He said as he turned around and headed back toward the house. `

OOC:??? Change up? I think Drizzt Do?urden posted without knowing Duo posted? so? I?m going to go with Duo?s post up top? if Duo wants me to change, I will? just don?t know which of the posts is the right one? :wow: Sage glared at Mayhony? she couldn?t understand what in the hell her problem was? she was about to say something to her when Ty spoke up. ?Mayhony, I?ll be right there. Just give me a second.? He said as he stared at Sage? he knew she was trying for the group? he knew she was trying to get it together. He squeezed her hand and she just looked down. ?You have to go? the job is what is important right now.? She said. She was too busy thinking about everything that had happened to them to be bothered with Mayhony anymore. ?Are you going to be okay?? he said as he looked at her. ?I guess I?ll have to be? Mayhony doesn?t leave me any choice?? she said with a tinge of bitterness to her voice. Ty looked in back of him and noticed Mayhony talking to Syn. He turned his attention back to Sage and tried to smile. ?I?ll be back before you know it?? She nodded and fought the tears. ?I?ll be better by then.? She said forcing a smile. He kissed her softly. She hugged him. She didn?t want him to leave? but she knew he was going to need to leave. She kept trying to tell herself the job at hand was what was important. But things had gotten complicated. ?You have every right to be afraid, Sage?" he whispered softly in her ear. "Just remember that I won?t allow anything to happen to you. I?ll make sure you?re taken care of.? She nodded as she let him go. He smiled at her and turned around to a waiting Mayhony. He glanced over at Senkai and Senkai just stared at him, as if Ty was making a big mistake in trusting Sage. He looked at Senkai and frowned. ?Take care of her?? he said as he looked back at Mayhony. ?Let?s go.? ?About time.? She said. ?Knock off the attitude with me, Mayhony. I don?t need your flack. I?m here to help you gain those points.? he growled. She stared at him and then Sage. ?Fine, let?s go.?

Sage heard the gun shots and ran. When she got there, she saw Syn and Ty outside. Syn was examining the dead body as Sage walked over to Ty. ?Don?t know yet...? he said as if he read her mind. She looked over and saw this one looked different then the other Assassins that were sent after her. She looked at Syn... ?Mind if I look?? ?Help yourself to the dead man.? He said as he backed up and smiled at Ty. Ty just stared him down as if he was promising to kill him. Syn smiled weakly and backed away. ?He?s definitely from Nicholas?? she said as she looked at Ty. ?He was one of Nicholas? top gun men.? ?And his friends leave him in a second? Damn, tough break.? Syn said. Sage looked back at the body as she took the man?s handkerchief and wiped the blood from her hands. ?Dammit?? she said as she stared. ?I shouldn?t stay. I?m putting the raid in danger.? ?The raid apparently is already in danger.? She looked at Syn. ?What do you mean?? ?Mahony said something about there not being enough time. She actually wanted to go yesterday, but she?s not in any condition to go anywhere.? Sage looked up and heard a noise. She stood up slowly and stared at Ty. Ty nodded and Syn just guessed that something was up. She turned around quickly and shot at the bushes. 2 men fell in a heap of blood. ?Looks as if I?m patrolling the area tonight.? She said as she walked over to the bodies. ?You?re not out here alone, Sage.? Said Ty as he stared at her. She looked back and smiled a little. Syn looked at the both of them and laughed. ?Nope, I had my heart set on using my guns. Besides, someone has to watch the two of you. Don?t want you guys getting side tracked or anything.? Ty was about to shoot him in the leg, but Sage put a hand on his gun. Ty looked at her and she could tell he was about to go mad. "Syn, we're going for a walk. Can you take care of this section?" "Fine, I'll take good care of this area. Just take care of yourselves." he was about to put in another side comment, but decided against it when he saw how pissed off Ty looked. Ty walked with Sage, and when they were out of sight, Sage took his hand. "He's just trying to be friendly Ty." "Well he has a rude way of showing it." "That's just the way he is. Don't let people get the better of you." "I'm not. I just felt like shooting him, that?s all." She laughed and kissed him lightly. She stared into his eyes, and kissed him again, with more passion. She broke away and smiled as he held her. She rested her head on his shoulder, and he ran his hand through her hair. She sensed someone behind them and pulled out one of Ty's guns from his holster and shot out at the distance. They heard a cry and she ran over to the man. He had been shot in the chest, but he had not died yet. "Damn you!!" she said as she was about to shoot him again and finish the job. "You and your boss can go to HELL!!!" she almost pulled the trigger when Ty came up right behind her and put the gun down. She shot at the ground and the man under her cringed in pain. She looked at Ty and Ty stared at her. She stared at him for a while as the man cursed at them. He knelt down at the body and looked at the man. "Damn you bastard, DAMN YOU AND YOUR-" Ty in a split second had his other gun out and pushed the barrel to the man's head. "You were saying?" He laughed, "Pull the trigger, I can give a -" "Don't tempt me. You're not a personal Assassin of his, are you?" "What's it to you?" he snarled. "Why give your life for someone you aren't even loyal to?" "My allegiences are my problem." "You're right, it is your problem. And you're about to die over them." "What do you want?" he said evenly through the pain. "I want to know where he is, and how you keep in contact with him." "Why would I tell you any of this?" the man spat out. "Because I'm going to kill you if you don't." Ty said calmly, but eerily. Sage just watched, but couldn't help but feel a haunting chill creep over her as she watched Ty's interrogation. It was even scaring her.. "Damn ... you ...." Ty pushed the barrel harder into his skull. "Do you think I'm making empty threats here??" he screamed. The man stared at the gun and froze. "Nicholas is in Trennor. I keep in contact with him through my recorder." Ty stared at him, his gaze not faltering for a second. "If we finish the job, our recorder is sent to the hit man put in charge of the operation. This is where he sends the tape to Nicholas Gervine. Gervine looks at the tape and has it analyzed. If it passes, we are paid through the hit men." "What is this tape suppose to entail?" The man took a breath and closed his eyes. "A dead victim..." "How would that prove anything?? I could fake my death for anyone." Ty stared at the man. He knew what he was getting at. He had seen jobs like this be done by others... He took another deep breath. "By Mutilation... Each assassin is given a dagger in which we are to completely dispose of her on tape." Sage froze as she stared at the man. She had never heard of such tactics. Her stomach turned. She had never felt so cold. She lifted her gun again as if to shoot the man, but Ty knew what she was planning. Within a second, he was up. She tried to shoot herself but he pulled the gun out of her hand. She stood there still in fear, not moving. The man on the floor started laughing. "What do you expect, Girl? You rid the world of one Gangster, and you get another in his place." Ty looked at her and she shook with fear... he looked back at the man who was laughing hysterically at her pain. She shuddered with each taunt. Without looking, Ty grabbed his gun and silenced the man with a few rounds into the man's head. She jumped with each bullet. He held her in his arms and tried to comfort her. But she wouldn't stop shaking...

Sage looked behind her and cursed under her breath. ?What?? Ty said stopping. He knew they had to get going. ?My gun? I left it in your room?? ?Sage? we don?t have time.? ?Damn? I know, I know?? she said as she picked up the pace and ran. They saw four more figures coming out of the other side of the alley. He stopped her and watched as the men inched their way forward. Ty pulled out his gun and waited for the right time to shoot. If he shot one, the others would be aware of their location, and call more of them their way. He waited until he had all of them in range and made four split second shots, each one falling to their death. Sage ran over to them as Ty tried to stop her. ?We need to keep moving, Sage..? he said sounding slightly annoyed. ?It?s alright, they won?t be needing these anymore.? She said as she grabbed two of their guns and plenty of bullets. She cocked the gun and loaded it as they ran. She wished she grabbed their holsters as well, but she didn?t think she would have had anytime. Several bullets rang through the air as Ty pushed Sage against the Alley wall. He looked around them and knew where each and every attacker was within seconds. ?Three behind this wall, and two above.? ?Five? that?s not good?? ?I?d say they have at least a 2 to l advantage." He said as he looked down at her. She smiled. ?Well that?s? not so bad when you look at it that way.? She said. The men closed in on them quickly. Ty looked at Sage, and Sage understood his plan. Within a blink of an eye, Ty shot the two from the rooftops as Sage knelt down under him and shot the three coming from behind. She listened for a while to hear if anyone else was coming. ?I think we?re clear for the moment.? She watched him as he reloaded his gun. ?What now?? he said noticing her smile. ?Nothing? I just think you look pretty good with a gun at your side.? She said. He laughed a little and pulled her in for a kiss. She smiled as she broke away and laughed. ?Anymore of this, and we won?t be getting anywhere soon.? She said as she grabbed what holsters she could find. When she was ready, she nodded as he looked up past the wall. ?We?re going to need a plan, Sage? if we keep running to Mayhony?s, they?ll follow us and be able to contact Nicholas, and the hideout will definitely be given away.? ?Alright? so what do we do? Wait until they forget, and hope they don?t leave for the raid without us?? ?The Zeal Crystal is the last thing on my mind Sage. It should be the last thing on your mind as well. You need to be more concerned about your life right now.? ?I know? I know.? She spotted two coming up from behind Ty and from the side. She looked at him, and his gun was already out. He fired a shot from over his shoulder as Sage got the second one from the side of him. He grabbed her hand and ran the rest of the way to a small garage. He pulled her into the corner and waited. Three more assassins came running in and began searching the garage. Ty looked on as 7 more came in from the rear entrance. He looked at her and her eyes darkened. They were trapped. He refused to believe that he could have possibly fallen for this. He looked around and studied the area. He spotted a parked car with gas leaking from the gas door of the car. He looked at her and pushed her down against the corner. ?Cover your face, Sage?? he said as he looked at her. He wasn?t sure at what damage he may cause. But he knew that this was there best bet of getting out. 5 more came in and they all laughed as they searched for them. ?Come on, Sage, you?re surrounded. There?s no way you and your boyfriend can get out of here alive.? Ty looked down at her and she stared out coldly toward the direction of the voices. There was no more fear in her eyes. He looked up and waited for the perfect time to strike. As he heard footsteps coming, he counted 15 and aimed for the fuel, as he shot at the car fuel door, and the explosion pummled the area, nearly knocking Ty out. He turned around quickly as the explosion started a chain reaction throughout the garage. He covered Sage as the debris flew everywhere around them. The entire garage fell in a heap of rubble. Ty looked up and saw the scattered bodies around the floor along with the debris. He looked down at Sage. ?Are you alright?? he asked. She looked around and nodded. She looked back at him and kissed him passionately. ?I love you, Ty?? He caressed her face with his hand. ?Nothing will happen to you. Not while I?m here.." He said. He lifted her to her feet and they walked out of the wreckage all around them.

When she woke up she saw Ty standing near the window with his guns in his hands. Confused, she sat up to see what was wrong. She looked over at him and saw the puddle of blood on the floor around a dead man. She stared at the corpse in shock. "They know you're here." She looked at Ty and he just kept staring outside the window. She got out of bed and put one of his shirts on as she walked over to his side. She placed a hand on his shoulder and then knelt down over the body. "I already searched him. All he held was the order for your assassination." "I'm sorry Ty..." she said staring at the man. She recognized him. He was one of Nicholas' personal assassins. She stood up and wiped the blood off her hands. Ty just looked at her. He could see the pain in her eyes. For once, he wished he could at least see her in fear. To know that she was scared, would assure him she wouldn't try anything rash. But he knew all she felt was pain. She didn't even think about her own life. She only thought about what her actions do to those around her. And he wished for once she would just think about herself for a change. He walked over to her and kissed her gently. "You didn't do anything wrong, Sage." "He's after me because of my own clumsiness. And now I've brought you in the middle of all this." "Sage, you are my life now. Anything happens to you, and the same happens to me." "But don't you see, Ty? I feel the same way about you... I can't believe I allowed myself to put you in danger." "Sage, we're always in danger." "I'm being tracked, Ty. What am I suppose to do? If I go back to Mayhony, then we're all screwed." she said angrily. "We're not going to allow that to happen." "Ty, how in the world are we suppose to dodge this any longer? He knows where I am at all times." "I'm not going to allow anything to happen to you. No one will take you away from me.. not now, not ever" She looked at him, and she felt a deep sadness in her heart. "Ty, he's going to keep sending assassins until they finish the job." "I'm going to get you out of this. And this is the part where you have to trust me. I won't let anyone hurt you." She looked up at him and tears formed in her eyes... it was so hard for her to be able to trust anyone. But Ty made it possible for her. "I don't want you to pay for my mistakes Ty..." she whispered. "I'm not going to give you that choice." he said staring at her. "Do you trust me, Sage?" Tears fell from her eyes. She nodded silently and gently wrapped her arms around his neck. She kissed him lightly and laid her head on his shoulder as she cried. The tears fell, and she shuddered. She was afraid... never in her life had she ever feared that she could die... but she wanted to live. She wanted to live for him. She wanted to be with him, and he gave her reason to want to live. And to trust him entirely made her feel weak, but undeniably strong at the same time. She wasn't alone anymore.

She laid on his shoulder and carressed his body as she smiled. "No... thank you Ty.. that's all I've ever wanted to hear." she said as they laid there in each others company, enjoying the warmth that surrounded them. Sage smiled to herself. She was truly happy. And for once, everything seemed right in her life...

She whispered his name, and he drove in deeper. Her heart felt as if it would fail her at any point in time. She felt his lips over her, and the excitement overwhelmed her. She looked up at him and he began kissing her neck, She arched up into him with as much force as she possibly could, She wanted him badly. She shook underneath him in fear, and excitement. The feeling was like no other she had ever felt before, And she never wanted to be without him? she loved him too much to lose him now. She trailed her hands down his back. He responded by touching her body even more as he pushed down on her. She ran her fingers through his hair as their bodies moved relentlessly over one another. Sounds of pleasure escaped their lips as their movements became faster than it had even been before. She looked up at him and smiled as his gaze met hers. "I love you Ty... and I always will." she said softly. He smiled and kissed her softly. Tears came to her eyes, she had never been happier in her entire life... and she was grateful she was given the chance to love him the way she had always wanted to.

She laid over him looking down at his eyes. She was lost in them again as her hair cascaded to the side of her face. She felt his body with her hands as she stared into his eyes. She loved everything about him? and it was thrilling to be near him. She smiled as she sat up and looked down at him, she pulled him into a kiss, and she started pushing her body against his so they were closer than what they had ever been before. She rolled him over her and looked at him. He wanted her badly, and she smiled. She arched her back and he went into her. She sighed with passion as their bodies became one. Her emotions ran through her like fire as she pulled him down harder. He pushed down on her, and she took it all in. She smiled at him as he continued pushing. She put her hands on his back as she pulled him closer to her, almost smothering her. She wanted to feel him near to her... nearer than they had ever been before.