Shane's war...

Shane got up early the next morning and went outside. Winter would be ending soon. He walked out the door and met his sister in the hall.

"Come on, it is time for you to meet her. One person at a time, what our uncle couldn't do with her mother...I will do with her, but it takes time so don't scare her okay?" she just laughed.

"Oh please, save the monolog for when you 'take over the world' I can handle this." she pushed the door open leaving him open mouthed.

"Sapphire! I have someone I want you to meet." she came out of her room rubbing her eyes.

"Are you freaking serious, do you have any concept of time?" she grumbled slapping him away when he went to touch her. "It is too early for this."

"Enough...now this is my sister...Flair." he said with a smile.

"Hi, would you like coffee? I am sure you are tired too getting up this early." she led the way into the kitchen. "You must be out of your mind bringing someone over this early have you seen the way I look? I don't know if you think anything through sometimes." he just smiled at her.

"You look fine Sapph, I promise." he touched his lips to her shoulders. She blew cold wind at him.

"You think you are so cute don't you? Get off of me, you woke me up." she was half smiling half frowning but she didn't let him see her face. Flair watched intently.

"I think I am very cute thank you very much." she made a snowball and threw it at him.

"I think you need to cool off you hot head." she was smiling now.

"Hot head, who you callin' a hot head. We have company and you wanna start this?" he said.

"Why not, she needs to know how bad of a boyfriend you are." he pushed him playfully away. "So Flair, I have heard nothing about you except that you live and breathe. Do you take your coffee black, or what?" she asked pouring three cups. Flair took her cup and sipped on it.

"You don't mind if I steal my brother away for a moment do you?"

"Please do, some quiet would be great." a wicked smile was on her face as she passed him and sat in front of the fire perfectly content. Shane took his sister outside.

"What?"

"Are you kidding me?! You are too attached! What if father decides to kill her?! What are you going to do?" Shane smiled.

"He won't, he didn't kill her mother, what makes you think he will kill her? He is willing letting me do this, he knows it is for the best." his words were so confident.

"She is so happy but empty, what did you do? I can see it in her eyes."

"I had to take some of her memories of her mother and brother away from her in order to keep her from going back. Ashton is planning something, he is going to try to save her, not that she needs saving, she is the same as before just easier to control." A crash came from inside the apartment. They ran inside to see Ashton over her. He had her pinned down.

"Don't just stand there you idiot, do something!" Flair shouted at Shane.

"Wait, watch her." he said calmly. Sapphire did not fight him. She was starring at him intently. He released her wrists and grabbed his throat gasping for air. Shane watched carefully. She let him go right before he was passed out.

"Shane, if you don't mind..."

"Not at all." he took his brother by the clothes and threw him out. Sapphire looked exhausted from the process. "That was new, how are you feeling?" she held her head and tried to stand finding her body felt like a ton.

"Take me to bed, I want to sleep." he picked her up and before he even got her there she was out.

"I told you to watch. She is learning. Ashton locked her away for two months trying to hide her. He hits something in her that makes her flip out and do things I have never seen before." Flair's eyes flashed.

"Which means she could kill you...stay on her good side."

meeting...

Sapphire stood outside on the balcony looking at pictures of her mother. It was freezing outside yet she still wore shorts, tank top, and flip flops. The tears were in the corners ready to fall. She had managed to get past Shane and get some alone time. With a sigh she put her head down and looked at the next picture of her brother.

"I miss you guys so much." hands fell on her shoudlers.

"You are freezing...why don't you come inside?" he hands squeezed her shoulders.

"I am fine Shane." she said cooly.

"Don't lie to me."

"Just leave me alone for a while, I need my space." he backed off.

"Talk to me Sapphire, I want to help you." she turned around slowly.

"Giving me space will help me more than you know." she walked back to the balcony edge. He stepped closer to her. she turned around eyes and with a wave of her hand sent him into the wall. "Leave me alone!" he had a shocked look on his face but inside he was smiling. She was gaining the control of her element faster than he thought.

"Fine...I was just trying to help." she ran up to him and hugged him.

"I am so sorry! I did not hurt you did I?"

"No, but I will give you your space." he had taken the pictures when she hugged him. He released her and walked into the house throwing the pictures in the fire before she knew what had happened.

"SHANE!" she screamed. He ran outside to her on her knees in the snow.

"What?! What happened?!" she was crying now.

"My pictures, I just had them."

"No you didn't." he said looking into her eyes making them glow. She stood looking at him.

"Why am I crying?" and it was over and she held his hand. He felt so cold, so heartless for making her forget, but she had to. He had no other way of keeping her mind on him and who he was, she couldn't remember her mother. Shane was having a war within himself.

Lies...

Brian walked back and forth in his office for a while after his son's phone call. His green eyes searched around for a while just ticking off the minutes.

"Bring Ruth in here." his deep voice commanded. His orders were carried out and the woman was thrown on the floor. "Hello my darling, how are you today." she spit at him. Her hands were tied behind her back.

"You snake! You will never get away with this!" she yelled.

"Tisk tisk my dear, i thought you better faith in me than that, since you will not become my brother's wife, I have something to show you. One of your own, in love with my son. She is betraying her people." he showed her pictures of Shane and Sapphire.

"He enslaved her?"

"Oh no, she just trusted the wrong man. He was protecting her from his enemy, his younger brother, when he gave her part of his power. He has asked to keep her as his own, and he is even refusing to bring her here now so that the bond between them will grow strong enough she will not fight back when we strip her of her good ways and let her as one of us. She, the most powerful of your kind, not even knowing it, because mommy died." he mocked.

"No! I will marry him if you release her!She is a young one who is being prayed upon! Please leave her be!" she cried.

"Too late, my son is quite fond of her, I know he is getting emotionally attached, but all the better, the harder he will fight to keep her." he took her by the throat. "You are too late in saving your people Ruth."

"Not her! Please, i beg of you my master, my lord, my anything, let her be!" Brian just laughed in her face.

"My wife please." she came in moments later.

"You called me my love?"

"Yes dear, have you seen the lovely lady our son plans to make out daughter-in-law?" she observed the pictures.

"She is quite beautiful. Is he sure about her?" she asked. Ruth just stood there watching them in silence.

"Oh yes my dear, this is the one he has been searching for." she smiled at her husbands words.

"Wonderful!" Ruth was taken by the arms.

"NO!" she scream. "Not Sapphire!"

"Silence!"

"Not my daughter!" and the door was shut.

rebellion.....

Sapphire sat on the edge of the couch away from Shane. She was testing her boundaries with him. Somehow, she felt connected to him, but wanted to fight his control over her. Her eyes were focused on the fire, drawing power from it somehow. What was wrong with her.

"Why do you sit away from me?" he questioned. Her eyes cut at him.

"Maybe because I don't like you." the words dripped like poison from her lips. Shane just smiled at her. Welcome to phase two, rebellion. She huffed crossing her arms.

"Don't look at me that way." the glare was making him uncomfortable, but he didn't budge.

"I will look at you how I wish to look at you." she got up poured her hot chocolate on his head.

"Look at me now!" she yelled. He kept his eyes on hers as he stood, a good head higher than her. She acted as though she were taller than he.

"I am looking at you." his voice was calm and then the fist came at him. With a swift hand he caught her wrist and held it firm without hurting her.

"Let me go." she jerked but did not free herself.

"I will let you go when I choose to." the calmer his voice the more furious she became. Sapphire smiled sweetly at him using what she knew was a weakness every man she knew had.

"Then never choose to let me go Shane." he knew what she was doing yet he held her fast. She wanted to test him...so be it.

"I'm not going to Sapphire." he was letting her think she was getting to him. She hugged him and was brewing an attack in her mind.

"You are not happy with me Shane."

"I am very happy with you." he let her arm go. She went to hit him but he pushed her away and slapped her.

"If you EVER use your body for that again...you will be sorry! That is low and uncalled for. DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?!" she looked scared of him then he realized he had hit her. He went to walk toward her.

"Yes Shane." she dropped to her knees showing her regret by bowing her head at him. Her eyes were burning with tears but she did not show them to him, it would mean full defeat.

deceit...

Shane held Sapphire's hand to comfort her. She seemed upset about something but he could not tell. Maybe the transfer would take some time to set it.

"Shane?"

"Yeah..." he responded.

"Why are you holding me?" she pulled away and got up from the couch turning off the movie. Her irritation dissolved as she walked around a bit.

"Because I love you." he came to her and hugged her.

"Stop." she pushed him away and walked into her room shutting the door behind her. A confused Shane just stood there. He pulled out his cell phone and called his father.

"Hey."

"Do you have her?" the deep voice asked.

"Yes, but I want to give it some time to adjust before letting her into our world. It might make her uncomfortable enough to cause a back fire. I have a question."

"What do you need?" he responded.

"I want to keep her, as mine, I don't want to lock her away." there was silence for a while.

"I will inspect her and see how well you have her under control, if she is anything like her mother she will fight."

"She will only fight those she does not trust, and I have gained that." a smile was in his voice.

"Shane...who are you talking to?" a sweet feminine voice came from behind him.

"Just a friend hun, you feeling any better?" he motioned her to come to him.

"I feel a little weird, my eyes are different than before." her arms were around him.

"That is supposed to happen." he kissed her forehead. "Give me a while, I will talk to you later." he hung up the phone and put full attention on her. Why did your mother have to fight so much to keep you away from us? It would have helped us all and you would not have to go through this. "Come on, let's start a fire, make some smore's, drink some cocoa." the smile she gave was softening his heart and he couldn't stop it, he was too far into the game to stop now. But Ashton, he was planning a rescue, but would she go after he had given her the power of his blood line? Shane hoped not, but the deceit he had produced was unpredictable.

The fight

Ashton went to Sapphire's apartment. He viewed through the window to see another man hugging her and smiling at her. His eyes glowed red with anger. He pushed the window open. Shane pulled her behind him.

"Ashton!?" she exclaimed.

"What are you doing?! You let him into your house!?" Shane played his upper hand as aston said this.

"This is the Ashton you were telling me about? This is my brother!" Sapphire was in shock.

"You let him near you!? Were you asking for a death wish Sapphire?!" Ashton went on.

"Sapphire, look at me." she did and her eyes started glowing. He gave an evil smile as her eyes change from a white glow to an orange. Ashton ran toward them only for her to attack him throwing solid ice at him as fast as she could.

"What did you do to her?!" Ashton's voice was loud and worried as he deminished everything she threw.

"You can't take her from me Ashton. I always have to clean up your mess! Father has been searching for you while I have been searching for her. You demand! Now, you have failed in saving her. She will soon be one of us."

"Stop this! She will never agree!" the younger brother retorted.

"She already has. Enough my dear. Come." She stopped the attack on command and went into his arms.

"Yes Shane." her eyes were no longer the calm blue they had been when the glow ceased. An amber hue replaced them.

"Let my brother be...he is weak and could never compare to you." he was chalking it up, feeding her trust in him, her admiration. He could ask her anything and she would do it for him.

"Sapphire...Sapphire I know you are still in there." she waved her hand blowing a blizzard like force at him and pushing him back.

"Silence fool!" she yelled. Shane put his hands on her waist and kissed the top of her head.

"Good girl." she smiled up at him with this. Ashton went out the way he came in. Defeat hurt in more than just one way.

silence...

Sapphire cooked in silence and didn't even look at Shane. How could she? Her mind was running at full speed and he was just interupting her thoughts.

"Sapphire...please!" he tried to approach, but she turned away from him. He felt something strange...hurt. A few more tries and he was getting frustrated. "What did I do?!" he asked loudly. A heavy sigh came from her as she set her hands on the counter. With a surprising change she spun around and pushed him back.

"I trusted you!"

"I have never dishonored your trust!" her eyes were glowing with a strange emotion at his remark.

"You have done worse! You have used it for your good! At least Ashton never used it against me!" she walked away from him with clentched fists. Shane watched carefully at her movements before using all force he had kept inside.

"I bet he never gained it in the first place! I bet he just thought he could winn you over! You are better than that Sapphire and if he had no trust to at all, then I am farther than he ever will be! I wasn't using you trust, I thought...I don't know, that you liked me." his words were true. She stopped and put her head down.

"I know." her voice was low.

"Then let me in, let me take care of you and help you when you have questions." He was loosing sight of his plan, but this seemed so much more important right now. Ashton had missed out on something, and Shane was going to to bigger, as usual, and fix it, but not for Ashton this time...for Sapphire.

"I...I don't know how." she said forgetting Ashton for now, and feeling Shane's hands in hers.

"I'll teach you." he whispered turning her around. "Everything you want to know." she smiled hugging him. The silence was over, but something felt different.

Too close?

Shane was snowed into the apartment for the remainder of the winter. He had stayed too long and now, there was no way back to Charleston. One evening he was pacing back and forth by the window thinking about how he was to keep himself clear from emotions for three months.

"Shane?" she questioned putting a hand on his arm. He did not realize he had stopped pacing until then.

"Uh...yeah?"

"Are you ok?" she asked looking up at him. He focused in on her eyes. The longer he stood there the lighter they got.

"Y...yeah, i am ok." he tried to tear his gaze away but something kept him there, she didn't even know what she was doing. When she blinked her doe like eyes the focus broke and she walked away.

"Here...drink this." she gave him a cup of hot apple cider.

"I hate apple cider." she said nothing, but the hurt in her eyes made him drink the hot liquid anyways. The taste was aweful, but that look, it was worse than drinking the cider.

"You don't have to drink it, I just thought it would help you feel better." he voice was barely heard, but so loud at the same time.

"No, it is helping. I need to relax and it is helping." he hugged her surprised she hugged him in return.

"You liar." she took the drink away and took it into the kitchen. He followed her taking her hands.

"I am a liar?" he asked pulling her away from her dishes. She smiled nodding.

"Yes you are. You have told me nothing of yourself and expect me to let you close." she pulled away back away from him.

"I control fire and water. I am twenty-two, I have a twin, my dad is extreamly powerful and wealthy, and I am stuck here all winter." he walked toward her.

"Not enough. You know who i am, my father, who is bound to return. Everything..." she backed away again with a smile before opening the door to the apartment hallway.

"Come on Sapph, don't make me chase you, I am tired." he grumbled playfully taking a few steps closer. She bolted out the door and down the hall with him behind her. Her feet swiftly went down the stairs and out into the snow. He caught her by the waist.

"No!" she squealed laughing.

"What you gonna do now?" he was smiling while trying to catch his breath. She turned around too quick to meet his eyes and met his lips instead. She gasped and pulled away.

"Umm..." she wiped her mouth and looked away from him.

"What was that for?" he asked reaching out to her.

"I...I didn't..." he caught her moving arm and pulled her into one he meant to give her. He knew who was watching and he knew it would make the subject furious. When he pulled back he cheeks were firey red.

"You didn't mean to? Well i did." she just stood there stareing at him like a deer in headlights.

unexpected knock

Sapphire and Shane had just finished their run in the park when her door bell rang. She laughed at him trying to suck in breaths. "Didn't think i could run that long did ya now?" when she opened the door all air left her.

"Hey Sapphire." the familiar deep voice rang out. She backed up.

"What are you doing here?" the words were choked out. Shane observed who entered the apartment.

"Is this your boyfriend?" the man asked.

"Yes!" she slid her hand in Shane's. "Happy as can be." Shane went to protest but she squeezed his hand and jabbed his foot with her heel.

"So you guys live together?" Sapphire wished the man would never have come.

"Yes, don't we honey?" she smiled out.

"Yeah doll, yeah." he let out not wanting her to step on him again.

"Your mother would be dissappointed in you." her father said to her. Shane put two and two together.

"She keeps me far away from her sir, just until I can get a house, then we can get married. My last apartment flooded in the last rain." Sapphire's fear was evident, he could feel it from the power struggle she had with herself.

"Trust me, it is like walking into an igloo to get to me Daniel." a smile on her lips and a laugh in Shane's throat.

"Like walking into a block of ice for sure." they were trying not to laugh at what they knew.

"You guys aren't very close to be together then." Daniel said ignoring his daughter's calling of his name.

"Oh we are close. Speaking of close, I have to go to work. I hope you don't mind me leaving you alone with my father hun. Love you." she kissed his cheek. "Thank you." she whispered before walking out the door. Just to wait for her dad to leave. He did leave finally and she went back into her home. Shane was tapping his fingers on the arm of the chair.

"What in the heck was that?!" he asked loudly standing abruptly.

"I'm sorry..." he raised his hand to rake his fingers through his hair, but she flinched and squinted her eyes shut ready for a blow.

"Oh..." he dropped his mission and was truly concerned. "...he beat you didn't he?" he pulled her into his arms and felt strange things inside of him. Her tears came slowly.

"I didn't mean to use you. I knew he would not mess with me if you were with me." she wrapped her arms around him feeling secure and safe. Little did she know he was anything but safe for her.

Games a dozen

Shane was sleeping on the couch when she wandered into the kitchen. with a yawn she poured a glass of juice and sipped it half asleep. Before she could react hands were on her shoulders. She gasped with wide eyes.

"Good morning Ice Princess."

"Oh please, that is so corny." she smiled shrugging him off.

"Okay okay okay, so, i have to restock your fridge." she laughed at his remark.

"No, it is okay, i don't mind." her voice was honest. "How did you sleep?" she asked.

"Good, but my shoulders are stiff." she saw his 'discomfort'. She pouted.

"Do you need a massage?" at his nod she took out pain medication. "Too bad, take an Alieve."

So that is how you work is it? Two can play that game, but maybe i should let you have your fun. As he thought she walked away. Her face was stern and had changed from playful to irritated. "I was just teasing. I know you aren't that kind of girl Sapphire. You look like you have had a hard few weeks." he said with a genuinely concerned voice.

"You have no idea."

"You wanna go for a run, that always helps me." she looked up at him with dark blue eyes.

"I am not about to go for a run with you." her voice was tight and defensive.

"I am not going to hurt you..." as soon as he said it she went into a flashback.

"I am not going to hurt you Sapphire, I am just trying to help you." Ashton said taking her hand and patting it gently. She jerked away with anger.

"I can't do it!" she stormed off and her followed.

"Okay, then don't! If you want to disappoint everything your mother stood for then so be it!" he yelled. She slapped him as hard as she could and he just held her close to comfort the blow he had given her.

"I don't think you will hurt me Shane, I am afraid I will hurt you!" she pulled her knees up to her chest.

"I know you are scared, but power can be controlled, but only if you let it do what it will, just guide it. Come on, a run will help. Please...trust me." I will guide you, guide you to the man who killed your mother. He thought to himself not yet voicing his purpous.

snake with blue eyes

"You are welcome to come in. It is about to snow and i don't want you stuck out there." Shane looked at his hands.

"I don't want to intrude on you" she took his jacket and pulled him in.

"Oh stop it...after the two month i have had i would enjoy some company." a smile spread across her face and a look of desperation glimmered in her eyes.

"Two months?" he asked. So he had you locked away all this time? Well my dear girl, you were missing out on the world. a smile came to his face. "Nevermind my question. Thank you for letting me in your home."

"Oh it is my pleasure. You make yourself at home, do you drink?" she asked pulling herself to sit up on her kitchen counter.

"I do, but do you really want me to stay here? I mean, I can get a hotel." she shook her head.

"Oh no you don't! Here, there are...drinks...in the fridge, help yourself." she dissappeared into the dark hall. He heard the water to a bath running. She must have really been comfortable with Ashton, enough just to leave him there. He was soon on the couch drinking a beer and sitting on the couch with two empty bottles already beside him.

"Sapphire?" he asked wandering into the hall. He ran into something hard. a few choice words and he grunted. When he reached out his hand he felt a cold wall between him and her. That little devil, she is smarter than I thought.

"Keep yourself on that side and we will have nothing to worry over." she flipped the light on to reveal the ice wall, her with white eyes behind it. A smile came to her face as she turned and went into her room. A deep silent laugh can from him. So you think this will keep me out? Okay, we will play your little game my dear.

taming fire

Ashton tossed and turned all night. He was so confused and angry with himself and her. With a heavy sigh he got up and went into the kitchen. The day played in his head over and over again.

"What did I do?" he spoke to his counter. Heavy hands ran through his hair. A glance toward the hall and there lay her diary. He trudged to it and opened it. By the time he reached day 21 he was sitting in the hall with his back against the wall.

Day 22
I don't understand him! He is so dumb sometimes it drives me insane! Don't get me wrong, he is smart, but he can act so dumb! I am getting stronger, but he is asking too much from me! Do this, do that, you are this, you will be this...I am so tired of the games. I can't believe it, but I think he is kinda...attractive. I love his will to help and to be the man of the house if you will, but I hate his attitude! You will never beat me! Well, we will just see about that!

Sapphire

Ashton went out to find her and apologize for everything he has done to her. He didn't know he was pushing her too hard.



Sapphire sat at the gym. She had hidden in the rafters until it closed, but now she pushed out all the strength she had but kept going until she was sick. A sinking feeling came from her chest when she saw the shadow appear.

"I told you to..." When she turned a tall man with tan skin and clear blue eyes met her.

"Hi."

"Hi..."

"Oh, my name is Shane." She noted his form and knew if he were to attack she would loose.

"Sapphire." Her heart was pounding.

"You are nervous...I will not hurt you, we are a lot alike. I can tell by your eyes." He approached her and stopped a few centimeters from her.

"Okay."

"You are in front of the dumbells, can you please move?" Releif flooded her. They talked for a long while and he even walked her home. She had no idea of the dangers.

relsihed anger

Ashton tried to go into Sapphire's room but the door was locked. He heard her crying inside.

"Sapphire..." A loud bang hit the door and the heel of a stiletto point was through the door.

"I hate you!" She screamed.

"Sapph...please!" He opened the door and she was throwing darts at his picture. She tore the picture off the wall, froze it, then smashed it. He watched her anger at everything he owned. His furnishings were destroyed.

"I hate you!" Her hands pounded his chest. "You are worthless, dirty, idiotic! I HATE YOU!" She pounded fists into his chest.

"I love you." He said before feeling her hand come against his face. He took her wrists gently.

"I can't stand you!"

"I love you." He repeated.

"You killed my mother." She fought.

"I love you."

"Stop saying that!" Her anger was being shifted.

"I LOVE YOU!"

"NO YOU DON'T!" She screamed.

"I LOVE YOU!" He put his lips to hers trying to get her to understand. She jerked away and walked past him. With a high head she grabbed her coat he had gotten her and took the door knob into her hand clenching her teeth at the jolts of electricity and jerked the door open.

"Burn you devil!" She was walking away. Ashton was stunned at her will to hate him.

"Don't, please don't go!" A glance back at his pleading face almost made her turn around.

"I will never be your wife!" She stopped and turned to meet him.

"Okay, I will leave be."

" That isn't good enough! Go away!" She ran as fast as she could to a house to call a cab.

fight of your life

Sapphire was up early making breakfast for the both of them. When the plates were done and on the table she went into his room. She wanted to give an apology for her stupidity. One look at his face sent her heart racing in a strange beat. He looked so peaceful.

"Ashton...Ashton..." She coaxed gently reaching her hand out to touch his arm. Before she knew it he was holding her against a wall with those terrifying red eyes. Her breaths were short and sharp.

"What are you doing!?" He said in a raspy, deep voice.

"I...I...I was just..." She stammered.

"I asked you a question!" His voice boomed as he pulled her away then hit her back into the wall.

"I was going to say sorry! Ashton...stop this! You are not acting yourself!" She only knew one thing to do to stop him from hurting her but she waited.

"You do not care for me! You mock me and..." Her lips were on his sending a pulse through his body. He pulled away from her normal again.

"Sapphire? What are you doing in here? Shouldn't you be sleeping." Her fear evaporated.
"Breakfast is ready." She rubbed her shoulders as best she could. Ashton knew something was wrong with her when she wouldn't unwrap herself from her beach towel and get in the pool. With a gentle hand he touched her face softly to judge her eyes.

"Let me look." He said.

"No!"

"Yes Sapphire." He pulled the towel away and looked at her back.

"Please! Just leave me alone." She pleaded.

"Who did this? No one else has been here. What happened?" His question dug into her skin.

"You happened! You attacked me!" She slapped him. After that she showed every technique he had taught her in an attack at him. The fight went on but she lost with one good blow to her strength.

"You have learned a lot, but one thing you can never do is defeat me! I will have you as my wife soon, if by force then so be it!" Her glowing eyes dimmed to her sapphire ones as his glowed brighter then all diminished as fast as it had started and he left her, on her back and defeated. Angry, foul words spilled out of her mouth like poison.

Progress? Maybe...

Ashton paced back and forth. His patience was wearing thin as he watched Sapphire sit in the chair swing her leg back and forth like a pendulum ticking away at the minutes they had left.

"Please, try and focus!" His voice boomed in the yard.

"Why? You will never train or tame me, so what is the point in all of this? You have hopes for a wife that I cannot and will not be! Tell me Ashton...what is it you want from me?!" She stood throwing ice at him is frustration. He jumped out of the way watching it shatter the tree it hit.

"That. That is what I wanted from you." With a calm voice he answered her. She was tired and drained. How long would it take for her to realize he only wanted the best for her? Evidently the month he had her did nothing. She hated him more and more every day for the feelings he brought to her. The feelings of rage, loneliness, excitement, fear, hope, stupidity, and everything she had pushed down.

"I QUIT!" She went to storm away back into the house.

"No! You can't!" He ran in front of her.

"Watch me! This is your game...not mine!" She yelled pushing him as hard as she could.

"This is not a game! I am not playing around with a brat like you for no reason anyways! You have a destiny to fulfill!" He returned taking her wrists and squeezing them to stop her from hurting him.

"Who's destiny Ashton?! I lost my family! I have only one destiny and that is to go down to the grave with the rest of them!" She jerked and jerked but lost. Finally her head hung low in defeat. "I can never be what you see! I cannot be who you desire!" She fought tears. Ashton took her into his arms and held her.

"I only want you to be who you are Sapphire, no more no less." He felt her begin to sob.

"I miss them! I miss the so much!" Her voice was muffled in his shirt.