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24. Blame Me
Later that evening, we are sitting on the couch in Xavier's living room. My legs are pulled close to me. I had grabbed the blanket from the back of the couch, and wrapped it around me. Xavier made me a cup of tea, to help me to relax. I hold the mug in my hands, taking in it's warmth and aroma.
It's been a quiet evening. The events from earlier catching up to us. I stare out into the fire as the dawning realization of what happened begins to settle over me.
"How did they find us?"
"I don't know." Xavier responds, seemingly just as defeated as me.
"I will have Damian look into this, and until we find out how this even happened, I want Jax to stay with you at all times."
Any other time, and I would've easily argued with him. But after today, I just slowly nod. Fear settling in. I begin to wonder what would've happened, if Xavier hadn't caught me trying to sneak out earlier. What would've happened had Xavier not gone with me. Part of me wo
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Rising From the Ashes 25. Confession
Xavier lowers himself onto the bed, and pulls me close to him, as he continues to look into my eyes. He takes a quick breath, then continues."My mother was a casualty of the feud between the Scorpions and the Dragons. She was never involved with anything that had to do with the Scorpions. However, because of my father's status, she was always in danger. The dragons knew how much my mother meant to my father. So they killed her, in hopes of bringing my father down."I looked at him in shock. 'How did I never know about any of this? No one told me his mother had been killed.' I remember back when we were kids, Ryker had told me that Xavier had been in a bad place for months. He never told me why though. As if sensing my question, Xavier turns to look at me. A small sigh escaping his lips."This happened a few months before the fire."I sat up, startled by Xavier's confession. Xavier sits up with me, trying to get an understandin
Rising From the Ashes 26. Te Amo
I wake up the next morning feeling much lighter. Everything in my mind putting me at ease for once. At first I was overwhelmed with Xavier's confession. Though the more he explained, the better I felt. It was as though we connected on another level. Xavier is the only person that I've felt comfortable enough with to divulge my past. I was honoured that Xavier decided to share his past, our past, with me. I feel more connected to my parents now. The cause of their death has plagued me for years. I always blamed myself, always thinking that there was something I could've done, always hating myself for living when they died. Hearing how their deaths had nothing to do with me, removed that burden from me.I turn to see Xavier asleep beside me. I place a gentle kiss on his nose. I shift in his arms, so that I can wrap my arms around him. I can feel him stir, but he doesn't wake up. I shift once more, and lay him on his back, as I straddle him. Much to my delight, he doesn't wake u
Rising From the Ashes 27. Target Practice
I nod my head, finishing my food, then head towards my bedroom. After my shower, I wrap myself in a towel, then head to my closet. Not sure how to dress for Xavier's surprise. To my amazement, there is an outfit laying on the lounge. It's a cute blue plaid top, with a white under shirt, dark ripped blue jeans, and the cutest beige boots. There's a small box on the side, with a note. I read the note.'I had found this years ago, and had always intended on giving it to you. Like you, it survived tragedy and hardship. I hoped that one day, I could see you wearing it.'I carefully open the lid, not sure what to expect. My eyes begin to water when I see it. It's my favourite teddy bear from when I was a child. I can't believe he did this for me. Not only did he risk his life to save me from the fire, but he also found a way to keep me connected to the good parts of my past.I remember when my mom told me about the meaning of that teddy bear. She told me how aft
Rising From the Ashes 28. Guardian Angel
Instinctively, I find my hand reaching up to the necklace Xavier got me earlier. It's as though I can feel her with me. I imagine her at my side, smiling at me."But how is that possible?"I ask, frozen in place."I'm not sure. But I will find out."Xavier comes closer to me, and begins to rub my arm. Quickly relaxing me, and getting my attention back to where it should be- the here and now. I look up at him, and smile. He reaches his one hand upwards, and begins to caress my cheek."I'm curious as to how toned your skills are. I have some ideas that we can run through, if you're up to it?"I find myself smiling back. A new found confidence taking over."You know what? That sounds amazing. For the first time in my life, I don't feel scared, or weak. I feel in control. I'm just as curious as you, to see what I can do."Xavier smiles."Great. Just wait here for a moment, while I
Rising From the Ashes 29. Thank You
He looks up surprised, and smiles at me. Distracted, I look to my left, but not in time. I see Xavier smile, as he takes aim. He fires, but I duck just in time. I run from my spot, and head towards the forest. I take cover behind a tree, as bullets continue to fly in my direction. I run down the ravine, and spin backwards, waiting for Xavier to find me. I watch Xavier come flying through the trees. He notices me, but it's too late. I take aim, and fire at him. Multiple orange spots hitting him at once. He raises his hands in surrender, and I run back from the forest to the range. I stand behind a wooden barricade, listening for any foreign sounds. I can hear the sound of someone scurrying nearby. I silently walk to the side of the barricade, and look to see the source of the sound. I watch as Jax runs towards an old silo, in hopes of getting to higher ground. I quickly release a round of bullets, plastering him in orange paint all over his vest. He mimics being shot, his hands shoot
Rising From the Ashes 30. Getaway
...Later That Week..."Hey, I have an idea."Xavier turns to me, as I continue to graze on the delicious spread that Xavier made for us for breakfast. I glance in his direction, looking up at him quizzically."Hmm.. and what's that?""I want to take you away from here. Away from the city, away from everything that has happened to you. I want you to be able to enjoy yourself."I look at him, the surprise dripping from my mouth from his suggestion."Are you sure? Won't it be an inconvenience to you?"With a brush of his hand, Xavier dismisses my concerns."Not at all, actually starting today, I have a week off, to help you adjust to everything."I look down towards the ground. He says it's not a big deal, but now he is taking time off of work for me."You didn't have to do that." I say to him."You're right I di
Rising From the Ashes 31. Ghosts From the Past
Back at the house, Xavier made us dinner, and it was truly amazing. He could easily be a cook, if he wasn't already so busy with his business. I find my mouth watering whenever Xavier cooks. I know his meals will always be fantastic. Later in the evening, we retreated to the living room. Xavier started a fire in the fireplace, and wrapped me in a blanket. Sitting next to me on the couch, I leaned into him as we spend the night talking. Not once did he pry about my horrible past. Rather instead we talked about things like our hopes, dreams, and ambitions.It was truly relaxing. I had never really taken the time to think about what I had wanted. But soon I found myself drifting off into a dreamland where anything was possible. At one point I begin to feel my eyelids getting heavy. No longer having the strength to fight to keep them open, I let sleep overtake me.I'm transported back to my house. I'm looking out from the backyard. I try to move. I try to urg
Rising From the Ashes 32. Train Me
We head inside awhile later, and head to our rooms to get some much needed rest. As I turn to head to my room, I turn around to look over at Xavier."Major?""Hmm?""Can you stay with me, until I fall asleep?"I ask sheepishly.Xavier simply nods, then heads to my room. He takes his top off, tossing it to the side, as he gets into bed with me. He wraps his arms around me, holding me close to him. I breathe in his familiar smell, and am comforted by his tender embrace. Before I realize it, I've fallen asleep in Xavier's arms.The next morning I wake up comforted by Xavier's embrace. I thought for sure that he would've gone back to his own room, once I had fallen asleep. I didn't anticipate that he would stay the night. Though I'm glad he did.I turn around, so that I'm facing him. I place a quick kiss against his lips, as I snuggle in closer to him. Xavier begins to shift awake.
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