A/N Thank you lavender-wishes for all your funny comments!!

I closed my eyes and prepared for the searing pain.

Suddenly I heard the sound of metal on metal, then an oof, and finally a thump.  I slowly opened my eyes.  There, in all his "goody two shoes" glory, was James, a sword in hand.  

"Lily!" he exclaimed when he saw my open eyes.  

I closed them again, even though I knew he had obviously already seen that I was awake.  

"You're bleeding!" James cried, sounding much closer.  "We need to get you to a doctor!"

"I'm fine," I mumbled.  I was used to getting hurt.  I always just wrapped it tightly, cleaned it when I got home, and threw away the bloody clothes.  Step-mother never suspected a thing.

"No!" he insisted, annoyingly.  

I tried to get up to show him I definitely didn't need a doctor, but a wave of dizziness threw me back.  I groaned, feeling my consciousness slowly start to fade.  

No.

I couldn't pass out.

Then Mr. Perfect would take me to the doctor and the questions would never end.  Step-mother might end up getting involved.  And I did not want that.

He tried to pick me up, but I swatted his hands away.

"Leave me alone. I'm used to it," I added before I could stop myself. "I mean...I'm used to treating my own scratches and bruises, mind you."

"This isn't just a scratch!" he insisted. "From the looks of it, it's really deep. You need to get to a doctor. You've already lost enough blood!" He sounded desperate now.  Like he actually cared if I lived or died.  And maybe he did.

But I still don't trust nobles.  So, I still don't trust him.

"I can take care of myself," I said, trying to rise again.  The pain and dizziness made me nearly pass out.  I tried to hold myself together, but I was still too weak to fight James as he picked me up.  

I felt myself drifting as he ran with me in his arms.  I forced the weakness out of my mind and kept my eyes open, watching the trees flashing by.  But soon, I was too tired, and I had lost to much blood.  

I passed out.

*waiting music brought to you by SiSi*

The pain in my shoulder started to pull me out of my unconsciousness.  

But I wanted to stay there.  Forever in the dark.  But the pain was persistent.  My eyes fluttered open and I almost jumped in surprise.  James was standing over me, a worried look in his eyes.

"You're awake!" he exclaimed.  My vision cleared and I could see a doctor behind him.  Someone was holding my hand.  I looked over and realized it was James.  I didn't pull away.

"Where am I?" I mumbled.

"I brought you to the closest doctor. The one at the school. Thank goodness he was still here," James replied.

I tried to get up but the doctor stoped me. "You lost a lot of blood. You need to stay in bed until I say so."

"But I have to get home!" I cried, even though I didn't really want to go home.  But I needed an excuse to get out of there.

"I already contacted your mother--" The doctor began.

"Step-mother," I corrected.

"You are going to have to stay here for the night," he finished.

"What!?" I cried.  Stay here?  All night?

"You aren't in any shape to go anywhere," James said gently. "And, it's only one night."

I realized there was nothing I could do to get out of it so I replied, "Okay."

"Good," the doctor said. "If you need anything, I'll be in the next room." He patted her gently on the leg and left the room.  James rose to leave as well. 

"Wait!" I exclaimed before I could stop myself.  What was I thinking?  Apparently I wasn't because when he turned I said, "Please don't go." Something about his presence, and the warm feeling of his hand in mine made me miss my father.  I didn't want to be alone like I had been since his death.  

"You...want me to stay?" he asked hesitantly.

I nodded slightly.  He came back to the cot I was laying on and sat down next to me, intertwining our fingers together.  I clung to his hand like a life force.  Ignoring the pain in my shoulder.  And for once, I actually trusted someone.  

I trusted...James.  An annoying "goody two shoes" noble.  

I gave him a weak smile.  He smiled in return.  Then, I closed my eyes, and let the pain fall away.

A/N Okay, I know what you are all thinking (actually I don't, but just in case you are). Why did I chose gold for the chapter picture? Well, I believe that trust is something golden that you can only earn. (Okay, I know that's sappy and the truth is...I couldn't find a picture for this chapter.) *waits for the viewers to start laughing at me* *joins in the laughter* 

Ciao!

-SiSi