"Chrystain don't do this." Heather said her voice cracking. He ran his hand down her face, the bruising from her close call already fading. His wavering resolve strengthened.

"I have to. I can't keep you safe with me."

"I take care of myself."

He gestured towards the bruise.

"Obviously." he said sarcastically.

"They have no call attacking you like that. Someone needed to do something." She defended her actions hotly.

"That's just it, Heather. It won't do any good. There'll be a next time and a next time. You can't scare all of them." She gave a watery smile at his loving rebuke.

"I can try." she offered. He shook his head.

"It's not your fight."

"I'm making it my fight."

"Please baby. Let me do this one honorable thing."

"No. This honorable thing takes you away from me. You're everything to me, Chrystain. Don't leave. I can protect you. My family..."

"You expect me to hide behind your family? I can't, Heather. I just can't. I have to take this on myself."

"But I love you." she whispered her voice wavering, laced with pain. He closed his eyes, jaw clenched. This wasn't fair. Not to her. She deserved better than him. Deserved someone who could live up to all those expectations she kept at the back of her mind. Damn the fates for saddling her with him.

"I love you, too. It's why I have to go."

She reached up and kissed him feverishly. Flames danced in the air around them, giving away her agitation. He groaned into her mouth as her fire surrounded him in its loving warmth. He was so cold without her. She was the only warm welcome he'd ever received.

"One last time? Please? Don't make me spend tonight alone if this is all I'm going to have." Her hot hands ran down his chest, tugging his T-shirt out of his pants.

His breath was already ragged and panting just at the brush of her hands on skin. He struggled to keep his head clear, failing miserably.

"You'll let me go then?" he asked head back as her hands went to the waistband of his pants. He couldn't deny her now and she knew it. She swallowed hard as her hands hesitated.

"For now." He heard the defeat and the hope in her voice and felt it rip at his heart. His hands slid deep into her hair, bringing her up for his hard kiss.

She tasted his hunger, his passion, and his fear. Most of all, she tasted his love. As he laid her on the bed with infinite care, she vowed to never give up on him. He was her mate. He had a purpose here. She knew he did. No matter what anyone said.

Tears stung his eyes as he read her thoughts. She was amazing. He wanted her to let him go completely. To forget she was ever with him. At the same time he knew she never would. It was why he had to walk away.

He kissed her desperately, determined to store up enough memories in one night to last eternity. The flames rose higher as he moved down her neck. They'd known each other for what seemed like forever. He knew every spot to caress, every nerve to excite.

He couldn't imagine not ever doing it again so he did it again and again. Driving her up time and again even after she was sobbing his name. This night would hold them both for eternity. It would. It had to. The familiar fire rose high as they lost themselves in the night.

Late the next day, he stirred. She was wrapped around him tightly as if she was afraid he'd leave her sleeping. It would be easier if he did.

And cowardly. She deserved to hear him say goodbye.

He laid his head back down on the pillow as denial rose inside him unexpectedly.

He didn't want to do this. Wasn't sure that he could. She was the only person to ever fully believe in him. The first person to love him unconditionally. She snuggled closer and his arms tightened around her. How was he going to survive without her?

"I can't do this. I can't. It's not right. She's mine. Only mine. It isn't supposed to be like this. Its not fair." Tears slid down his face as he buried his face in her hair. Sobs shook his strong shoulders, waking her up. She wrapped her arms around him and held him. Didn't say anything just held him.

"I love you, Heather." he got out. She pet his hair as her own tears welled up.

"I love you too. I always will." she thought not trusting her voice.

"I want to stay. I'd love to stay and just live with you. You get hurt with me. You know why I'm doing this right? Tell me I'm not doing this for nothing. Tell me you understand." The tone was pleading, begging for reassurance.

"I understand. I just don't like it." She realized then how hard this was for him.

He was killing himself over this. He had to find his own peace before he could accept hers. She swallowed back her pain. He pushed himself up to look at her. Her green eyes were filled with a pain filled understanding.

"If you ever need me..." he began. She put her fingers to his mouth. He kissed her hand and lowered it.

"I'll be alright."

"I need to go." he said softly. "Otherwise I'll be here all night again." She smiled crookedly, trying to hide her tears.

"I wouldn't object." She said with a feeble attempt at teasing.

He hesitated and seen the brief hope in her eyes. Drawing it out was hurting her more. He stood and pulled on his pants. He bent down and kissed her tenderly one last time.

"Watch me in the ring?" It was out before he could stop it. "Heather..."

"Yes." she interrupted. "I'll watch you."

"Good bye." he said, going to the door. Her lower lip trembled as she attempted to smile.

"Bye. Wait!" she scrambled off the bed and slid something around his wrist. He reached down and touched the braided hair band. She was telling him she wouldn't give up. Chrystain swallowed back the pain tearing at his throat and went down the hallway with long strides. He heard the sob and the sound of the door closing. He was passing by the living room and paused uncertain. The room full of laughing people had gone silent. Rain spoke his voice full of scorn.

"Still here, Chrystain? I heard you almost got my sister killed." He started to keep talking but was silenced by a look from Michael and an elbow from his wife.

"Chrystain?" he said quietly. The pain radiating from both him and Heather was overwhelming him. Being an empath sucked sometimes. Alright most of the time. "I'll walk you out." he got up and followed him out. A few minutes later he came back in and sat down.

"Rain, you should really watch what you say." he declared flatly. Everybody looked at him curiously. "You guys finally got what you wanted. He left Heather alone for good." Rain shot to his feet outraged.

"Why did he do that? He couldn't take her family ragging him?" he said heatedly, guilt seeping in. If he had been the cause of his sister's heartbreak he'd never forgive himself.

"No. Because he almost got your sister killed yesterday." Michael repeated sarcastically. Leigh closed her eyes and sat back. Typical male. "He can't protect her so he's cutting her loose. Satisfied? It was killing him to do that. Amy, I think you had better go check on Heather." She was already half way down the hall followed by Delilah. Rain shook his head.

"I knew he'd hurt her."

Michael rounded on him heatedly and Luke caught him.

"Take a walk, Michael. Let the emotion go." Tala said softly. Michael shook off Luke and stalked out the door.

**

Chrystain appeared outside Mic's house and pounded on the door. Before his hand hit it more than once, Mic was opening the door.

"Man, what do you want? I just woke up." He said sleepily. His hazel eyes focused on Chrystain and seen the pale face, shivering skin, and pain filled eyes. "Come on in."

"Did you hear what happened?" Chrystain asked raggedly. Mic nodded yawning sleepily.

"Yeah, I heard what those centaurs did. Reaper is still steaming about it..." Noting the look on Chrystain's face, Mic's eyes became concerned. "Is Heather alright? I heard she was with you." Chrystain nodded.

"They didn't hurt her. This time." Mic relaxed.

"Good. Did she really almost incinerate the leader?" Chrystain nodded again. "That girl has enough firepower to keep the both of you out of trouble."

"She won't have to."

"What do you mean?" Chrystain met his gaze. "You left her?" Mic asked incredulously. He nodded. Understanding, Mic gave him a hard male hug. "Need a place to stay for a while?" he asked.