I have been changed for good
He smiled softly to her as she pulled his guns out of their holsters, handing them carefully. Spreading them out on the table before her, she closed her eyes, murmuring softly as she felt the magic roll through her and into his weapons. She prayed in the back of her mind as she allowed the spell to form and release. She prayed that this time, it would be different. That the weapons would keep him safe…keep him alive.
I'm limited
Just look at me - I'm limited
And just look at you
You can do all I couldn't do, Glinda
So now it's up to you
For both of us - now it's up to you...
He smiled his thanks to her as she reseated the weapons, letting her hand stray on his shoulder. She was nervous, and she knew it showed through the smile, “C’mon…can we go talk for a minute?” He looked at her curiously but nodded, moving with her away from the group.
She inhaled deeply, leaning up to his him softly, before speaking quietly, “I just...before we go into this, I wanted to tell you something. Before I met you, I had given up...I think the only reason I even got out of bed in the morning was Dawn. The first time I met you, though..." she grins and shakes her head, tears starting to form, "Every relationship I have ever had in the past has been filled with regrets. I have no regrets with you, Lycka. If something happens...if I don't make it out of this...I want you to know that you have been the best thing that has ever happened to me. And if I don't make it...take care of Dawn? She loves you too, almost as much as I do. So...anyway...thank you. For being here, and for being my world"
I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you...
She kissed him again with a soft smile, tears forming at the corners of her eyes, “I love you.”
He pulled her close, holding her tightly against him and brushing the tears from her eyes. "I've never been much of one for words, and am even less now since you said that. I'm deeply touched by it. You are the best thing that's ever come out of my life, and I'd go through all the terrible portions and pain of it again just to make sure that I got to you. It's my solemn promise that I will take care of Dawn. However you're going to survive for two reasons…
”One - I am NOT having that talk with Dawn about what happened. Two - We spun you up enough that nothing will happen…” She felt the magic coalesce around them as he spoke, another Forge Godsend to keep her safe.
He smiled down at her, kissing her forehead softly with a grin, “You can't destroy true love Liv. You can only delay it for a little while." He pondered for a moment, grinning, “Wait, that was the Princess Bride…”
Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good
She knew things weren’t looking good when she felt the first strike against her side. They always targeted the Medic, and the loss of Atlas had opened up a hole. Maxx was big, but they had higher ground and a clear view.
She saw Drakan in front of her, trying to help shield the barrage of magical attacks. As she crumpled to the ground, the only thought she had was, ‘I’m glad I had him with me…’
It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend...
She could hear his screaming from a distance. He didn’t know if she was alive or dead, but he was hell-bent on revenge either way. Through the haze of pain and the desire to pass out, she was warmed to know that he cared enough to do that. He would kill for her…or die for her. Without ever asking for anything in exchange.
Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a skybird
In a distant wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
She awoke in the hospital ward, looking at the people bustling all around her. She struggled to sit up, feeling a wave of terror wash over her. For a moment, her wounds were nothing as she grabbed someone, looking up at them, “Lycka? Where is he? Is he ok?”
The medic looked at her and smiled a little, gently pushing her back into the bed, “He’s fine. Don’t get up…”
It took her a moment to realize that she was wounded more then she’d ever been wounded before. And that this shit was going to last for a long time. She caught a glimpse of bright green hat and forced herself to relax, lying back on the pillows for a moment.
Because I knew you
He was alive, nothing else mattered. She would have traded her own soul, or a quarter of the people in this room, just to ensure that he made it through safely. She watched him work, tirelessly, her heart going out to him.
I have been changed for good
She struggled out of her bed, slowly making her way around the hospital. She knew, rationally, she shouldn’t be up and about - hell, she was lucky to be alive. But she needed to see the people she cared about, and she needed to stay busy to keep her mind off things. She stays away from him as long as she can, keeping half an eye on the green hat as she worked.
She waited for a lull in his work, moving up to him with tears in her eyes. She needed to touch him, to know that he was really ok and not just an apparition.
He smiled to her, embracing her tightly and brushing the tears from her eyes. “Hon, believe me I'm fine. Just a few cuts and bruises.”
The smile fades slightly and he looks down at her seriously, holding her tightly, “But hon, as cold as this sounds, I can't stay with you right now. You'll live. There are others here who need my help more than you do right now. I've seen enough death today, I'm going to do everything I can to try and stop more of it.”
And just to clear the air
I ask forgiveness
For the things I've done you blame me for
He smiles softly, kissing her lightly, “I told you we’d be fine. I love you, Olivia.”
She nods to him, smiling softly, “I know. Do what you gotta do. I'm not much good right now, other then being a cheerer upper. I just wanted to make sure you were ok...come find me when you can, ok?”
She threw herself into her own work, her eyes straying over the body of her fallen friend.
But then, I guess we know
There's blame to share
It was several hours before he found her again, stumbling out of the hospital in a near exhausted state. She struggled to sit up, looking at him with concern. He was covered in blood and sweat, and she recognized that look in his eyes. A haunted look that she wanted to kiss away, make him forget the horror he’d seen and inflicted today. She knew there was something bothering him, but she knew he needed time.
He looked at her, and she knew how much pain he was in, “Hon... I don't know if you're in any shape to do this, but I'm exhausted. There's just so much left to do. Any way to can try and use some life magic to keep me awake?”
She looked him up and down, the concern evident in her face. She nodded once to him, biting her lower lip before giving him a soft smile, “Yeah, we can get something for you... But, in exchange, you sit for 20 minutes and eat something...ok? The more magic, the worse the crash will be.”
And none of it seems to matter anymore
He smirked at her, the first real smile she’d seen since she’d woken up, “I suppose that you're not going to let this go are you? Ok, I'll sit and rest for 20 minutes, but I'm not hungry. Will drinking something work instead?”
She laughed softly, wincing just a bit at the pain that shoots through her broken ribs as she does so. She nods, smiling softly, “No, I’m not. And drinking something will be just fine, my love.” She smiles, pulling out a bottle of water and a flavored drink package, handing it to him even as he started to nod off.
She pulled him closer, wincing as she arranged him so he could rest her head in his lap. Gently stroking her hair, she watched as he slept, once again counting her blessings that he had made it through the day alive. Unharmed, even.
Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
She shifted just slightly when his time was up, sending him bolt upright, his eyes wide and worried, “Oh no! Did I fall asleep? How could I be so careless!?”
She chuckled lightly and shook her head, “Oh no, honey...it was only 20 minutes...you needed the nap. It’s ok, there is still plenty to do…but…I think maybe I need to rest. It’s starting to get to me.”
Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a bird in the wood
He examined her eyes for a moment and nodded, his voice soft, “Yes, you should sleep. You need to rest and get better…otherwise who is going to con me into doing my Yoga?”
She grins, giggling softly, “I think Dawn would carry on valiantly in my stead. But yeah…sleep…and drugs. I think that’s what the doctor ordered.
Who can say if I've been
Changed for the better?
I do believe I have been
Changed for the better
He smiled down at her, kissing her forehead and murmuring softly, “I love you.” Before wrapping his green jacket around her shoulder, letting her lean on him as they limp back towards the hospital. He helped her get settled into her bed, giving her one last glance before rushing off to help the hospital staff.
And because I knew you...
She awoke from her nap on fire, the pain all through her body. As she looked up, he was there, ready to help her home.
Because I knew you...
As they stepped through the portal, back to the ranch, she was filled with a sense of perfection. She knew in her heart it wouldn’t always be this way, they would have problems and eventually, one of them would die. But she knew that just being here with him, and just knowing him had made her a better person. Had helped her become the type of person she had always wanted to be.
Because I knew you...
I have been changed for good...