"Avriel?"

He could hear a voice calling him through the darkness, but his eyes felt like they were sewn shut.

"Please come back to me."

He tried, wanting to focus on that beautiful voice, the only light in the endless nothing pressing into him from all sides, but his eyes wouldn't cooperate. He shifted his head to the side, hoping to ease some pressure, but the pain and fear simply returned full force, holding him hostage in his own hellish nightmare.

Somehow one voice still managed to break through the shrieks and screams his poisoned mind created to bombard his senses.

"Please. Just open your eyes. I need you to open your eyes."

He tried, desperately reaching for salvation, but soon the darkness, the nothing claimed him once more.

~~~

Scott was trying to bring up his mood. It wasn't easy.

He tried putting on some music and dancing around while making breakfast, and that worked for a little while. Sarah loved music and she danced and hopped around in circles as Scott moved around the kitchen. Just watching the happy little creature prance and jump about was enough to send him into giggles. He tossed her a piece of bacon which she missed. It landed across her nose, which resulted in even more laughter. It was, of course, only a matter of time before the music & lyrics hit home and he and Sarah were back to their melancholy silence as they ate, missing their other halves just like always.

He was sweeping the floor while Sarah angrily chased the broom when the doorbell rang and interrupted their game. He froze, panic paralyzing him momentarily. Sarah, the naughty little thing, took advantage and the broom was suddenly aflame and Scott was stomping it out. "Sarah! What the hell!?"

She snorted a puff of smoke happily.

"Bad! Bad dragon!"

She didn't seem all that phased by his words and just growl/talked a bit back at him.

He managed to put out the fire without much damage to the floor, the broom however...

Then the doorbell rang again... and again.

"COMING..."

He shoved the broom in the closet and picked up Sarah, hurried her into the bedroom and set her on the bed. "Please, I'm begging you... stay in here and be silent. Just this once please."

Sarah just watched him for a second but then laid down as if she were bored.

The bell went off again and Scott knew exactly who it was before he'd even opened the door.

"Jesus, Scott were you in China or something?"

"Ummm...no. Just... incident in the kitchen."

Kirstie pushed past him and walked inside. "I haven't heard from you in awhile. I was starting to get worried."

"Well, nothing to worry about. I'm fine, really." He tried to stay near the door to hint that this was a bad time, but Kirstie either didn't get the hint or didn't give a damn and she headed for the living room.

"Well maybe if you'd answer the 1500 calls and texts I've sent then I wouldn't be so worried. Scott, you can't live holed up forever."

"And why can't I? Isn't that what artists do?"

"So you're going to find inspiration here in one place with the same scenery and the same walls." She raised an eyebrow.

He let out a sigh. He knew he'd been neglecting his friends, but they knew he was reclusive and weird. It wasn't like any of them knew things had changed. None of them had any idea he had the memories of his lost love back again and now he had this gaping hole inside of him. It wasn't as if they knew he'd gotten just that small taste of what life could have been for him and had it ripped away after mere hours. They had no clue... and to them he was still just the same closed off, slightly weird Scott he'd been for years.

"I know I've been a stranger..."

"Yes you have. I miss your stupid face." She pouted and flopped down on the couch.

"Look, Kirst it's not like I'm avoiding you on purpose... I just... have a lot on my mind."

It was as if on cue that a thump from the bedroom turned both heads.

"What was that?"

"Uumm something must have fallen over. I was ... vacuuming earlier ... and its probably just knocking into something. Roomba ... "

"Oh. how does it work? I've always wanted one of those. Its awfully quiet though."

Thankfully she looked back at him because at that moment Scott felt his eyes widen as he spotted a little golden head coming out of the hallway over Kirstie's shoulder. The pudgey obviously didn't care about his earlier request.

"Really... well..." He tried to keep his eyes on Kirstie so she didn't get suspicious. He could see the little golden blob moving through his peripheral vision towards the kitchen.

"Are... you ok?"

He could hear the faint little click of her claws as they hit the wood flooring of the kitchen.

"What is-"

"I'll go get it and show you. Be back... I'll grab you a drink too." He was up and flying towards the kitchen. He scooped the little pudgey into his arms and set her on the counter. "What the hell. You need to be careful." He whispered. She nudged his jaw with the top of her head and he rolled his eyes as she cuddled up. "I'm not trying to be mean. It's dangerous if she sees you. You understand that right?"

Those bright eyes whose color so perfectly matched his own just stared up at him innocently.

"What am I gonna do with you." He heard shuffling in the living room and grabbed Sarah and quickly put her down in the pantry and closed the door. It latched just as Kirstie appeared around the corner.

"Who are you talking to?"

"Um... myself. Singing. I was singing to myself."

"Ok, weirdo." She went into the fridge and got herself a bottle of water. "So, remember Mitchell? Hot guy you ditched at Avi's opening?"

Scott's heart lurched at the name. "What about him." He said softly.

"He's interested in some of your art."

"Kirst-"

"No, really. Completely innocent, I swear. He saw one I bought from you and kind of fell in love with it. I was wondering if you'd maybe be ok with us stopping by the studio next week some time so he can see what you have to offer."

He didn't know what to say. He hadn't stepped foot in the studio since he'd had Mitch singing his name as their hearts and bodies melded. He wasn't sure he could do it without the memories tearing him apart. "Umm... yeah, sure. Just text me and I'll meet you."

"Now that that's settled.. come get lunch with me."

"I literally just ate breakfast."

"Seriously? It must be nice to be able to sleep until 11 every day."

"Don't judge just because you're jealous."

She laughed and rolled her eyes. "So where's that roomba?"

Wheeeereee did I put that thing!?

"Right. I'll go get it and meet you in the living room." He pushed off of the pantry door he'd been leaning on and put his hands on Kirstie's shoulders to lead her back into the living room.

She was obviously not sure what was up with him, but he could tell she was trying hard to figure it out. He diverted to the bedroom once he saw Kirstie plop back onto the couch. He was searching his closet when he felt Sarah rubbing against his legs.

"Seriously? Don't you understand instructions? Stay here and be quiet!"

He finally found the stupid vacuum and headed back out to Kirstie. They'd spent about 10 minutes talking and discussing the neat little vacuum thing when he heard more loud noises from the bedroom.

Son of a.... SARAH.

"Ok, what was that." She stood up taking a few steps towards the bedroom.

"You.... can't go in there." He ran to the hallway and blocked her way.

"What? Why? It's not like you have a-.... Ohhhh. Oh my GOD! YOU HAVE A MAN IN YOUR BEDROOM!"

He turned about 15000 shades of pink. "Could you BE any louder!"

"I want to meet him!"

"No."

"Whhyyyy. Wait is he naked?"

"Kirstie!"

"Scott, c'mon this is big news!"

"I swear to God."

"Please!? I swear I won't judge you." She seemed ridiculously happy and it made Scott want to roll his eyes at just how desperate she viewed him.

"Look, it's been fun. But... I ... really should get back to... my friend."

"What's his name?!"

"Uuummmm..."

"Seriously you won't even tell me his name."

"Kirstin Taylor!"

She heaved a disappointed sigh. "Fine, but I want details later."

"Gooooo."

As he closed the door behind her he spotted the dragon already lazily draped across the back of the couch.

"I am so done with you."

She only huffed a bit of air through her nose and closed her eyes as she laid her chin out across the back of the cushion.

"Dragons...." He shook his head.

~~~

"Why has he not yet woken?" The distressed fae sat on the ground with Avi's head in her lap. She'd loosed his hair from its tie and was running her fingers through its length while she tried every spell she could to bring him back from the darkness.

"He endured the mist for quite some time before Orion stepped in and killed the mare. I am not sure he will be able to find his way back from it."

"He will." She asserted.

"Oryn-" Mitch began.

"He is strong! I know he will! He will..." The last words were spoken as more of a reassurance to herself as she pushed some hair from his forehead.

"We should leave him." Orion was sat on a nearby log redressing the wound to his leg that he'd received while saving the human. He had instantly regretted that decision.

"NO! I will not abandon him."

"You cannot expect Mitchell to continue to bear him. He is lost, Oryn. All he is doing now is slowing us down. His soul is lost to darkness and madness."

"I refuse to believe that. Go on if you must. I will not leave him to die."

Mitch knew how she was feeling. He'd already watched as the colors of her eyes turned warm, sparkling with yellow and orange undertones no matter her mood. He knew she would never leave him.. not for anything.

"Can you climb?" He turned to Orion.

"Of course I can." The wound was an angry, painful one, but he'd suffered worse.

"If you will join Sora on watch. I will attempt to aid Oryn."

"Folly." He mumbled but carefully made his way over and up into the tree.

Oryn turned her round, rust colored eyes to him. "He will be alright. I just know it. He will come back to me. He has to."

Mitch placed a hand on her shoulder, his heart aching both for her and his own love worlds away.

"Call to him. Call him back. Give him something to grab onto. Be his anchor."

He let himself concentrate, feeling the magic in his fingertips coming to life. He could hear Oryn speaking to the motionless figure in her lap and just prayed it would be enough.

~~~

"Come back to me. Avriel, come back. Please do not let go."

She sounded so far away.

I know that voice. I know her...

"Please do not leave me."

He tried to hold on to it, cling to it. He focused everything on the only beauty in never ending shadow.

"Open your eyes, Avriel. Please.. wake up."

He tried and tried and tried. He wanted nothing more than to do what that voice asked of him,

"Please... please..."

He could hear the fear, the sadness. He knew her. He knew...

"I beg you... open your eyes. Come back to me."

The light was too bright as he opened his eyes. He squinted, but didn't dare close them again. It took him a few moments to make out her features, but once he did a weak smile lifted his lips. "You're so beautiful."

Tears slid down her cheeks, but a relieved smile finally graced that perfect face. He reached up to touch her cheek and she closed her eyes, laughing a bit as she covered his hand with her own.

He inhaled sharply as the pressure in his head began to return, and he struggled to sit up.

Oryn shifted a bit to his side to help him. He could hear her whisper a few words he couldn't quite make out and the pressure began to dissipate once again.

"Hi." His green eyes met hers and she smiled.

"I thought I had lost you to the void."

He pushed a stray piece of silky hair from her face and back behind her ear. He nearly chuckled at the slight gasp as his fingertips grazed the point, but it was lost in his throat as she leaned in to catch his hand with her cheek and nuzzled into it, her eyes closed.

"Oryn..."

His heart thumped so loud in his chest he swore the entire dark forest could hear its rhythm. He felt overwhelmed with want and love for her and knew that leaving her would tear him apart. He didn't know what he was going to do when they finally reached the veil, but he knew it would be the hardest decision he'd ever had to make. How could he ever walk away from her?

He caressed the soft skin of her cheek with his thumb and when she slowly opened her eyes the sight sent shock waves through his entire body.

"Your eyes... they're .. they're gold."

She just smiled sheepishly. "I know, Avriel. I know."