A/N: Okay lemme just say, I have never tried romance before *glares at friend who made me write it* You're making me blush.

Gilan/OC and Gilan/Jenny. Oh yeah, and if you really think about it Gilan might be a little old for Jenny, but I have no idea. Let's just say Will's 20, cuz he graduated, Halt's old, and Gilan is around 25. That cool? Cool.

Onwards...

Disclaimer for the whole story: I do not own Ranger's Apprentice. It belongs to John Flanagan. The OC and a few future characters, however, are mine.

"But what if the birds were talking to each other?" Gilan insisted. "What do you think they would be talking about then?"

Blaze just shook her mane in irritation. Who cares?

Gilan chuckled a little, not at all concerned for his sanity in talking to his horse about other talking animals. These long trips got lonely sometimes.

Gil was on his way home after a long two weeks of tracking some particularly slippery bandits. Not slippery enough, however, for his perfectly honed Ranger skills. He had scared them a bit, then tied them up with a lead rope held in his hand. After a humiliating few hours for the bandits, Gilan had dropped them off in the dungeons of the nearby Tauger fief. The Baron could deliver their punishment.

Gilan was quite looking forward to returning to his fief. But maybe he would stop by Redmont. Will and Halt had just come back from Arrida, and perhaps he would see Jenny again...Gil grinned as he thought fondly of the cheerful young chef. He missed their dance lessons together...

Gilan was pulled out of his musings as a shudder ran through Blaze under him. Gilan patted her neck reassuringly, though he was instantly alert to his surroundings, calmly scanning the trees under his cowl.

Blaze tossed her head a little towards the right. Gilan hesitated, then swung down from the saddle and started forward to where Blaze had indicated. Although Blaze hadn't been very warning, Gilan still drew his sword. His bow wouldn't be much help at close quarters if it was an enemy, and he felt more comfortable with his childhood weapon.

He was only a few paces into the undergrowth when he heard a grunt and then a sharp gasp. Walking faster Gilan stopped when he reached the edge of a small clearing. Propped up against a tree across the clearing was a girl. Gilan immediately stepped forward when he saw that she was bleeding from a wound, an broken arrow shaft protruding from her upper arm.

Gilan winced at the painful location, and the girl's head shot up suddenly. Her eyes, previously clouded with pain, became slightly frightened at she struggled to her feet.

Gil stepped forward to help, but she tensed, her eyes wary. "Hey," Gilan said carefully, sheathing his sword. "I'm not going to hurt you."

The girl said nothing, though it may have been because she was about to pass out from the pain. Gilan moved towards her again, and this time she just stood there watching him until Gil was next to her.

"I have a medicine kit in my saddlebag," the Ranger told her, making sure not to startle the girl more as he put a hand on her uninjured shoulder. She just nodded, before falling unconscious into Gilan's arms.

Gil laid her down gently, surprised at how light she was. Kneeling on the ground beside her, he put his fingers in his mouth to whistle sharply. Instantly, Blaze trotted into the clearing, and Gilan quickly undid one of the packs and pulled out the first aid kit that every Ranger was required to carry. He pulled out his knife to cut the sleeve in the way of the wound.

Blaze lay down on her side and Gilan realized what the horse was doing. He rested the girl against the mare, patting his horse's neck in thanks. He then rummaged around a little before pulling out bandages and a healing salve.

Gilan set to work pulling out the arrow. It seemed that she had tried to pull it out herself, but thankfully none of the pieces had splintered her skin. The wound wasn't too deep, though since it had pierced the fleshy part of the girl's arm it was no doubt painful. Gil carefully eased the arrowhead out, glad that the girl was unconscious.

The cut started to bleed, and Gilan quickly staunched the flow as best he could, applying the salve with the other hand. He bound the wound, wrapping bandages along her arm and around the top of the girl's shoulder.

He sat back, nodding once. She should probably be taken to a healer just in case, although the healing salve was meant to protect the wound from infection. Gilan went over anything else he needed to do, and wondered whether he should take her to a healer now or wait until she woke up.

His decision was made, however, when the girl's eyes fluttered open with a small groan. He watched calmly as she took in her surroundings groggily, frowning at the warm equestrian body underneath her. Her head turned towards the Ranger, who grinned slightly at her.

The girl immediately tried to sit up and scrabble for a knife hanging on her belt. She stopped with a hiss as her shoulder wound reopened a little and blood soaked through the bandages.

Gilan clucked his tongue at her in mock frustration. "I just bound that." She said nothing still, watching him with clear suspicion. Gilan moved forward to inspect the wound again, ignoring her tense and unwelcome demeanor.

"It's not bleeding too badly. You'll be fine, but I'll take you to a healer to be sure." His tone, although almost casual, left no room for argument. He pulled back and studied her, noticing her look for the first time.

She was obviously tired and travel weary. Under her almost hostile attitude was a frightened girl, a young woman actually, who had been through a lot. Gilan took in the tangled brown hair and dully alert brown eyes and his gaze softened, though he didn't show any pity. It was clear that she didn't want any.

"What's your name?" he asked abruptly, and the girl's eyes narrowed. Whether or not she knew he was a Ranger, she didn't trust him.

"Why did you help me?" she countered, her voice slightly scratchy as though she hadn't a drink in awhile. Gilan reached for his water canteen and waited until she hesitantly took it before speaking.

"I couldn't just leave you here. What kind of Ranger would I be?" Gilan gave his trademark grin in hopes of lightening her up. "I'm Gilan. Will you tell me your name now?"

The girl said nothing for a moment, then her answer came out, as all her responses did, reluctantly. "Abigail."

Gilan's grin stayed in place. "Abigail," he repeated. "And what brings you to this abandoned neck of the woods, shot by an arrow no less?"

"Why do you care?" she snapped, still apprehensive.

Gilan raised his hands in surrender. "Alright, you don't have to tell me." Yet, he added silently to himself, then continued aloud, "But I do still have to take you to a healer, and I assume you have nowhere to go?" He took her silence as confirmation. "Then we can figure out where you're supposed to be from there."

Abigail stayed silence for a few more moments. She really didn't have any other option, and Gilan knew it. Finally she nodded her acceptance, and the Ranger's grin grew wider. "Great, we can leave now. Do you have any belongings?" Abigail shook her head, and Gilan didn't falter because of her lack of words towards him. Blaze rose onto all four legs, and Gil held out a hand for Abigail. She ignored it, struggling by herself.

Gilan just shrugged; he was used to people being wary around Rangers. She couldn't refuse his help, however, when getting onto Blaze's back. Gilan mounted first before stretching out his hand for Abigail. She grasped it with her uninjured left arm and was hoisted up behind him.

She held the back of his cloak gingerly for balance, her right arm tucked close to her body. Gilan lightly dug his heels into Blaze's side and turned her back towards the path. Conjuring a mental map, Gilan concluded that by nightfall they could reach the nearest fief, back the way he had come: Tauger.

The sun was setting by the time the two riders reached the fief, and though she didn't show it Gilan could tell that Abigail's shoulder was giving her trouble. They asked a few late wanderers and found themselves in front of a small cottage that was the healer's. Gilan slid off of Blaze and saw Abigail's quickly disguised expression of discomfort.

"Are you alright?" Gilan asked in concern.

"Fine," she waved his worry off and almost fell off Blaze trying to get down. Gilan caught her and righted her on her feet, grinning. To his surprise, she glared at him and moved away. He dropped Blazes reins, knowing the horse would not stray. Staying a safe distance from Abigail in case she stumbled, Gilan led the way to the door, their shadows long in the setting sun.

An old woman answered the door, her eyes slightly squinted up at the two figures. Gilan, as was his nature, grinned at her. "Hullo!" he said cheerfully. "My friend here has gotten herself shot by and arrow. I've dressed the wound but we would like you to take a look at it too if you don't mind."

The old woman glared for a moment before snapping, "Getting shot by an arrow is nothing to look so happy at young man!"

Gilan blinked in surprise. "Er, no of course not," he amended, trying to look grievous. The healer grunted and ushered them inside.

"Sit here," she ordered and Abigail sat gratefully, allowing the healer to gently peel off the bandages. She studied the wound for a moment, Gilan standing off to side, before turning to the Ranger. "She'll have to stay the night so I can look at her. You can pick her up in the morning Ranger."

"Er, alright," Gilan replied, not really knowing what else to say. "Is there an inn nearby?"

The healer gave him curt directions, and despite her dismissive manner Gilan politely bid her a good night. He turned and grinned at Abigail before he left. She nodded back, which Gil decided was progress.

Gilan rented a room at an inn close by the healer's cottage. He fell asleep on an itchy straw mattress that night, determined to find out more about the strange girl in the woods.

There you go. Not much, but hopefully the next chapters will be more interesting and longer than this.

And now would be the time to credit FadeDestiny for bugging me to death about Gil as my obsession-character, and then plotting this whole story with me.

I really do like the idea, I just wish I didn't feel so awkward planning a romance fic. Which is why I have a totally awesome plot that will draw away from my awkward love writing! ^_^

Well, pretty please review! I really want to know what you all think of this! Reviews are equal to chocolate in my world. Chocolate I tell you!

-Dodo