Emma leaned back in the chair of the training room watching as the younger of the Blackthorns stood in line waiting to show off their dagger throwing skills.

Christina was out showing Diego all of the hidden treasures L.A. had to offer. Emma had been looking for Julian all morning, but she wasn't sure what she would even say when they did cross each other.

Julian had taken the news about her, and Mark surprisingly well. He mumbled something about being happy for them, and left. That was two days ago, and ever since he's been avoiding everyone. He has only come out to attend to the various responsibilities, and to make sure everything was alright. Other than that he has been locked in his studio. He was not interested in seeing Mark anywhere close to Emma, and he didn't think he would be able to handle it.

Julian opened the door to his studio, and took in the sunlight of the open room. He walked down the stairs to the training room to see how everything was going. Ty, and Livvy were discussing what the best stance was, and which daggers they believed were the most aerodynamic. Dru looked at her brother, and sister with clear boredom. This was the last place she wanted to be. When Julian walked in his eyes scanned the room for her. His eyes fell upon golden locks, and his heart started to tug as though there were a string wrapped around it.

Quickly, he scanned the room looking to make sure everyone was accounted for. Tavvy looked up, and started to run towards his big brother. Emma was so beautiful. She was the kind of beautiful that people got lost in. Each and every day he found something new to be amazed by. The way she put her hair up with ease, and the way her hands, the hands made to kill were also the hands that would brush Tavvy's curls out of his face. Emma looked up as Tavvy started running, and saw Julian standing there. She was admiring the way his shirt clung to his sides, and the way, and the way his eye lit up when he saw his family. Suddenly she didn't know how to move, or how to even keep balance. Her chair went crashing backwards taking her with it. In two long strides Julian was at her side doing everything humanly possible to not make eye contact with her. He grabbed her arm lightly yet reassuringly, and helped her up on two feet.

The heat from Julian's grasp sent flutters through Emma's body, and she could feel the heat start to rise to her cheeks. Everyone was staring at her, and Livvy looked at the two of them with her mouth slightly agape. Emma quickly gave a short smile as to try, and redeem some of the embarrassment she had gone through just moments ago. It wasn't the reason she was blushing though. "You have to be more careful." Julian said with seriousness in his tone, but a slight smile. Emma locked eyes with Julian, and for a moment she forgot all the wickedness she has seen the last few days. She forgot it was forbidden to love your parabatai, and she forgot that she was dating Mark, and she forgot that she wasn't supposed to feel the way she did. It took everything Emma had to look away, and when she did she left the room, and made her way down the long hallway. Her footsteps echoed with each stride. "Wa-wait. Emma. Talk to me please." She heard Julian say as she left. She needed to get out of here, and get away from all of this. She almost made it to the door of her room before she felt a grasp on her shoulder. Without having to ask she knew who was behind her. The smell of cloves, and paint filled the hall, and she leaned back hoping to just catch even a little bit of his warmth.

"Em, talk to me please" Emma wanted to turn around, and throw her arms around Julian, and run her hands through his curls pulling him into her but, that would only cause more hurt. That's the last thing she would ever want for her parabatai for her Julian. "There's nothing to say, Jules." Suddenly, strong arms were on her shoulders, and she was turned around, and her back made contact with the cool stone wall, and she was face to face with both her biggest fear, and her greatest desire.

"Why are you doing this? Of all of the people you could date, Mark?" She suddenly became aware of the pain that was hidden behind those sea green-blue Blackthorn eyes. She saw the pain that she had caused, and it ripped through her like a bullet. "Jules-" she couldn't finish her thought because his lips found hers, and his hands made their way to back of her head as they tangled into her long golden hair. She couldn't catch her breath, but she just wanted this last embrace, and after that she would be able to fix this mess she got them in. "Julian" She broke away from him as they both were trying to catch their breath. "I'm with Mark, and that's something you have to accept." Those gentle eyes that had seen terrible things suddenly mirrored every emotion he was feeling, and for the first time she saw a different person. "I'll never be okay with this. I'm never going to give up on you." With a shake of his head he snapped out of the spell he was under, and he pushed himself off of the wall he was leaning against, and took off the hall.

Julian walked into the training room as if nothing had happened. "Hand me those daggers, Ty"

Emma was leaning against the wall. She was fighting her instinct to go, and fix things with Jules. She wanted her best friend back. She went searching for Mark because he was the only one who understood what she needed right now.

Emma knocked sternly on Marks door, and walked inside. The room was empty, but the opened window gave her all of the information she needed to find Mark. She climbed out on the roof, and saw his eyes scanning the night sky. He too was missing something that had once been an important part of him. Without words needing to be exchanged he lightly tapped the shingled roof next to him, and smiled slightly. Emma sat down next to him, and buried her head into his shoulder, their hair blended into the color of the morning sun, and she closed her eyes no longer afraid to let go, and they silently sat on the roof, and watched the sun disappear,