[Rinrou]

Laurel looked into Nic's eyes for a long moment. As the emotions grew in his eyes, they died in hers. After a long moment she pulled away, "It's fine," she stated quietly, "If it's too much for you... it's okay."

[Kaliko]

As Laurel pulled away, Nic reached out to grab her arm. He hadn't given up yet.

[Rinrou]

Laurel was visibly shocked, she looked back at Nic with wide eyes.

[Kaliko]

He still looked like he was losing, but he hadn't lost quiet yet.

[Rinrou]

Laurel watched Nic continue to fight for a moment before a small smile came out and she reached up, stroking his cheek gently. "Don't try to change all at once," she told him quietly, "I'm not going anywhere."

[Kaliko]

"... I..." Nic muttered. But nothing else came.

[Rinrou]

"Shh..." Laurel whispered, stroking his cheek again, "You've done your best... that's all I can ask for." She leaned forward and kissed his neck softly, "Now rest, I'll stay here." She moved her hand up and ran it through his hair, "Rest."

[Kaliko]

Nic didn't look like he wanted to, but it wasn't long before he lost. "Can't... l-" he whispered as his eyes started to become blank as it became too much for him, and he slowly passed out.

[Rinrou]

Laurel leaned up and kissed him to sleep. Then she caught him before he fell over and gently maneuvered him down onto the pillow. Then she sighed, sitting back a little and watching him.

"You always knew his was this pathetic, didn't you?" she exclaimed to his younger brother, "A little hint would have been helpful. That flickering light didn't tell me much." She reached over and brushed some hair back behind Nic's ear, "He acts so tough but he's such a little boy on the inside. A hurting... child." She grunted, "Talk about a shattered image... How'd I fall for this moron?" she complained to the brother before she laid down beside Nic and hugged him. "We're both nothing more than hurting children I suppose..."

[Kaliko]

The day and night passed. Nic disappeared for a good few hours in the morning, but he had let Laurel know.

In his spare time, Raven was now slowly trying to learn how to be more useful if he ended up in a fight.

Blaze was doing a lot of pacing. She had finally come to a decision and was now working up the nerve to carry it through.

[Rinrou]

Laurel was in an outdoor shooting range with Snow and had invited Raven along. She was getting pretty good, it seemed like her eyes were helping with her aim.

Kale continued to be surrounded by Pepper.

[Kaliko]

Raven was clearly out of his element. At one point he had learned the basics, but he was pretty rusty.

Blaze stayed far away from Pepper, waiting for her to leave.

[Rinrou]

Laurel pretty much ignored Raven. She was completely focused on the gun and target.

Finally Pepper was called away by Wolfe for something and Kale was alone in his room doing some exercises.

[Kaliko]

So Raven tried to keep focused on what he was doing.

Blaze paced outside for awhile before finally knocking on the door.

[Rinrou]

Finally Laurel put down the pistol. "Teach me to use another gun," she practically ordered Snow. Snow blinked before nodding. Laurel seemed to have some driving force behind her as she picked up a larger gun and set about learning it.

Surprisingly, the door opened. Kale stood in the doorway, still looking weak but he was up and walking. He was surprised to see her but it wasn't clear if he was happy or not.

[Kaliko]

Raven didn't say anything, staying focused on his own goals.

Blaze didn't say anything for a long moment.