"Sebastian, don't kill him!" I called out through the pain.

He glanced at me. "He tried to kill you."

"I'm not sure about that. He could've been just as scared of me as I was of him. Don't give him a reason to believe the rumors. Please. Let him go."

Sebastian glanced from me to the man he had pinned against the wall of the cave and back again. Reluctantly, he released the man, who fell to the floor.

He sat up, breathing heavily. "You aren't going to kill me?"

I shook my head. "Not unless you decide you're going to kill me. My butler's job is to protect me, and if that means killing someone who is trying to kill me, than that's what he does." I groaned in pain as the wound in my side began to burn again.

Sebastian immediately forgot about the man at his feet and came over to me. He gently took my hand and moved it away from the wound, trying to examine it through the hole in my dress.

The bullet had went straight through me, somehow dodging any bones or vital organs. I was bleeding pretty bad from my stomach and back, but there was nothing we could do about it here, and I couldn't leave the cave.

"I'll go get help."

I glanced up at the man, who was now standing on the opposite side of the cave, backing away toward the exit.

"Sebastian..." I whispered through pain.

The next thing I knew, Sebastian had apprehended the man.

"Please," I said to him. "Please, don't tell anyone I'm here. I haven't killed anyone, so why can't you people just leave me alone?"

The man was silent. I had wanted an answer, but apparently wouldn't be getting one. I sighed, and clutched my side again as another wave of pain washed over me.

The man gave me a worried stare. I just watched him.

"Alright."

"Really?" I asked, hope filling me.

"Yes. I believe you. You don't seem like the type to hurt people. I'll tell everyone that I've searched this area, and that there was no sign of you."

"Thank you," I cried, relieved.

Sebastian released the man.

He smiled. "James."

"What?"

"I know your name. I thought it was only fair that you know mine. Maybe our paths will cross again someday."

I smiled at him. "Yeah. Maybe."

He waved to me before leaving, and a moment later, I heard a gun go off. There were shouts about them seeing someone. He was trying to pull everyone away from here.

Sebastian was back by my side an instant later. "I'll go find something to stop the bleeding."

"Sebastian, don't leave me alone again," I said weakly.

"You are losing blood quickly. I must go find something to stop it. I will only be gone a moment."

"Sebas-" I tried, but it was too late. He was already gone.

I lay on the cold stone ground, waiting for Sebastian to return. He would be back any second, knowing him. I felt tired and dizzy, and was about to go to sleep when Sebastian finally arrived. He was holding several things, including bandages, a bucket of water, a cloth, and a new dress, along with a hair tie so I could tame my hair.

He slowly approached me and set everything into neat little piles. He then knelt beside me, glancing up at me for permission before tearing my ruined dress so he could see the damage. He cleaned and bandaged my wounds, then helped me stand before leaving so I could change into the simple, plain black dress he had brought me. I tied my hair up into a ponytail, then called him back into the cave.

He helped me sit, and I leaned against the wall of the cave. Sebastian handed me a bottle of water, which I assumed he'd brought back from his little trip and I just hadn't noticed. I took a couple of sips, but saved the rest, because I assumed we'd be training again.

I lay back down on the hard ground by the fire, exhausted. I wanted nothing more than to sleep, but the stone beneath me was making it somewhat difficult. But I wasn't going to complain aloud. Not when I was still alive after everything that had happened so far. Surely I could survive without a mattress for now.

My side was also still hurting like crazy, making it hard to sleep. I turned onto my right side, facing away from the fire, trying to find some way to get comfortable. Finally, I found a position that wasn't unbearable, and closed my eyes.

I was close to sleep when I felt something gently cover me. It covered from my knees to my shoulders, and it only took me a moment to realize that it was Sebastian's suit jacket.

I smiled to myself, then fell into a restful sleep.

*

When I awoke the next morning, the first thing I noticed was Sebastian's jacket still lying over me. The next thing I noticed was the pain in my side returning.

I sat up, clutching my left side with my right hand. Sebastian was tending the fire, which was what I assumed he'd been doing all night. He looked weird without his jacket. He was just sitting there with black pants and a white dress shirt. And white didn't suit him very well.

He glanced over at me and smiled. I glanced away, tossing him his jacket, which he put back on immediately.

"How did you sleep?" he asked.

"Better than I had expected," I answered honestly.

"Good," he glanced from my eyes to my hand that was holding the wound on my left side. "Is it hurting worse than last night?"

I shook my head. "No, I'm just not used to dealing with pain like this. It feels better."

"Good," he said, standing. "We should get to training."

I was startled for a second, but then I understood. Nodding, I stood, fighting against the protests of my side. I released the hold I had on the wound and grabbed my swords. I wasn't sure how much I was going to be able to manage, but that was probably why Sebastian wanted me to train now. There was no doubt that my side would still be hurting when we went to find the others, and I had to learn how to ignore it and keep going.

I readied myself, then ran at Sebastian, giving it everything I had. 

(Merry Christmas!)