Chapter One

He locked in her golden-red hair into view. She examined his last victims. Fresh blood, a sure sign of danger. Waiting for a moment for her to run. Waiting for an excuse to not shoot her. Inhale... Exhale... This is what he was put here to do. He came with one job and one job only. Maybe this could be made easier. Maybe he could save her. Lost in thought, the sound of his own finger pulling the trigger brought him back to earth. Shit, he thought. His own breath tickling his lips as it turned to icicles before his own eyes. She dropped immediately, clutching her leg. No, no, no, no, no, he whispered under his breath. Not his Cassie. How could he have hurt his Cassie? She bolted underneath the nearest car and he lost sight of his target. He lowered his gun but stayed hidden. He knew she was armed. He shot her leg. She wouldn't. Loss of blood means death. Before death comes unconsciousness. He'd rescue her once she slipped into unconsciousness.

Earning her trust was imperative. His Cassie. Cassie who searches for her brother until she fails. Cassie who lost her mother to the Fourth Horseman. Cassie who promised to protect her brother. Cassie who keeps her promises. Cassie who was now bleeding out in his arms as he trudged through the snow. He stroked her hair, so familiar in its color. God, she needs a bath. Everyone feels better when they're clean, right? He would take care of her. It was his promise to himself as Cassie promised to her brother. He kicked open the front door of his home, now empty of his family forever. He looked down as the filthy, sleeping face of his damsel in distress and whispered: Welcome home, my Cassie. We're safe here for now.He set her weapons down by the front door.

He'd get to those later. First priority, he had a surgery to perform. To his relief, she was still breathing. He brought her into the kitchen and set her on the counter. Carefully and gently performed the surgery that likely saved Cassiopeia's life. When he finished, he gave her a bath, generously filling it with Val's favorite lilac bubble bath so he wouldn't see more than he needed to. I don't want to do anything she'd have to question if she wakes up. No. When she wakes up. His first physical encounter with a girl since the Awakening and she was unconscious! Not at all pleasing to him. He took the light blue sponge and gently rinsed her wounded leg. He took a shaky breath as he ran the soapy sponge up her arms and across her collarbone. Cleaning behind her neck and ears proved to be easier than the rest of her limbs. He longed to see her eyes and her bright smile. He grabbed one of Val's head. This was the easiest to get on her without having to hurt her leg or see anything that Cassie would feel embarrassed about. He took her into Val's bed. Hopefully she would wake up soon. Hopefully he could see her eyes and smile. Hopefully his amateur surgical skills didn't kill her. Hopefully. He sat back in the chair next to Val's bed and ate a handful of Hershey Kisses as he waited for night. As he waited to get back out and do his job again. Had he failed? Would there be consequences for saving this one constellation? No. He did the right thing. He had company for the first time in weeks. He was content.