AN: Hi everyone, I know it has been quite some time now since I've updated, but I have been really busy. So here is a short chapter...next one will hopefully be a bit longer.

xxx

Chapter 9

It has been 3 weeks since Rory came to North Carolina and in all that time he had only seen her three times. His grandfather was still trying to get his father to sign the documents, that would allow him to spend the weekends with her, but that was not as easy as it sounded. Rory had been by every Saturday during visiting hours and they had enjoyed their time together, talking about everything and nothing at all, but everytime she had to leave he could see how sad she became. They had talked about her mothers murder and he was glad that she seemed to be dealing with it.

During the week they would talked over the phone every evening for an hour or longer and in that short time, the two had become extremely close.

It was Thursday afternoon, Tristan and his unit where on the training grounds, doing push-ups and working out. As he was doing is 20th push-up he heard his name being called and looked up. Seeing General Hamilton gesture for him to come he stood and walked over.

He saluted 'Sir?'

'Cadet Dugrey, we just received a call from the hospital. They told us that Miss Danes has been admitted and you are her emergency contact.'

'Is she alright? What happened?' Tristan asked in a rush. His heart was beating, as if it was trying to escape his body. This could not be happening, he had just gotten her back and now something was wrong.

'They didn't say exactly what happened, only that she collapsed in school.'

'Can I see her?' he knew he would go see her, even if it meant disobeying his superiors and breaking the rules. There was nothing that would stop him. He had made her a promise, that he would be there for her and he sure as hell was going to keep it.

'You are only allowed to leave school grounds on the weekends. If you want to see her now, you will need the consent from one of your parents. I'm sorry.'

General Hamilton had seen Tristan with Rory and knew that the younger man would do anything to get to her, so he was sorry that he couldn't just grant him the visit, but even he had to follow the rules.

'Can I make a phone call?'

'Of course, why don't you follow me.'

Together they walked to the Generals House, where Tristan immediately dialed his mothers number.

'Dugray'

'Hey Mom, it's me.'

'Tristan! It's so good to hear from you, how are you?'

'I'm fine mom. Listen...I need a huge favour.'

'Please tell me you haven't gotten into any trouble.'

'No, no. Nothing like that. I need your permission to leave school ground, to visit a friend of mine in the hospital and I need you to not tell dad. Can you do that?' he kept his fingers crossed and when he heard her response he visibly relaxed.

'Of course.'

'I'll give you General Hamilton. Thank you Mom, that means a lot to me. I love you.'

'I love you too Tristan. Take care.'

The General took the phone and after a few minutes of talking he hung up.

'Alright, you are allowed to go to the hospital, but you have to be back by 9 p.m. Your mother said it would be ok for you to visit your friend in the hospital, for as long as he's there. Understood?'

Tristan was surprised to see a small smile grace the mans face as he told him this.

'Yes, Sir. Thank you.'

'And Cadet....please tell Miss Danes, that I hope she recovers soon.'

After saluting the blond made his way towards the unit quarters, to get his wallet and phone. On his way out he ran into Lucas, but since he was in such a hurry he hardly acknowledged him.

'Hey man, what's up? Where you going?' Lucas was worried when he saw how pale his friend was. He knew there were only a couple of things that could put such a look on Tristans face.

'Rory....she's in the hospital. They called and said that she collapsed in school. I really have to go now, I'll talk to you later.' and with that he was gone.

His cab was already waiting for him outside the perimeter and within 10 minutes he reached the hospital.

Like a madman he ran towards the nurse station, to require where Rory was.

'Excuse me! Can you please tell me where I can find Leigh Danes?' it felt like forever before he got a reply, when in reality it was only a second. But he was just so worried.

'Are you family?'

'No. She doesn't have any family left and I'm her emergency contact. So can you please tell me where I can find her, before I have to go and look for myself.'

'Ähm...of course. One second.... Leigh Danes is in Room 312 on the second floor.'

Instead of waiting for the elevator, he ran up the stairs and only slowed down when he saw her room. Carefully he opened the door and was a bit surprised to see Finn sitting beside the bed. His heart dropped when he saw her lying there. She looked so small in that big bed. Her eyes were closed and she was deathly pale. There were wires and tubes everywhere. Slowly he made his way over to her bedside.

'The doctor said the reason she collapsed was, because she hasn't been eating or sleeping enough. When I told them about her mother they said, that it was probably just too much stress for her body. They gave her something, so she could sleep. She should be sleeping for the rest of the day. I'm sorry Tristan, I should have seen that something wasn't right or that she wasn't sleeping enough.'

Tristan looked at the other male and saw just how sorry he was.

'It's not your fault Finn. Leigh here can be very stubborn and if she doesn't want you to know something she can hide it like no other. I should've also noticed something was wrong, but I thought she was dealing and that with time everything would be ok. Seems like I was wrong.' he felt as if he had failed her. He hadn't been able to help her and now she was lying in a hospital bed.

The blond took a seat on the chair beside the bed and took her hand in his. Finn decided it was time for him to leave the room and get himself some coffee, so that Tristan could have a few minutes alone with Rory.

When he sensed that they were alone he let his guard down completely. With one hand he brushed some of the loose strands of hair out of her face.

'God Mare.....I was so scared when they told me you where in the hospital. I'm sorry I didn't realize that you weren't ok and that I couldn't help you. Why didn't you tell me? Maybe I could've done something to prevent this. .....Please be ok! I just got you back and I don't want to loose you again. I want to spend the rest of my life with you....I know this is probably freaking you out, but I know that you are the one for me. I love you Mare!'

Only then did he notice the tears that were running down his face. The last time he'd cried was when his grandmother had died. His father always told him, that he was a man and therefore he shouldn't cry, because it was a sign of weakness. But right here and now he could care less if he appeared weak or not. He kissed the top of her head and just watched her chest rise and fall as if he expected it to stop any time.

---

It was half past eight and Tristan knew he had to get going or he would be late. Finn had promised to stay with her in chase she woke and he wasn't there. Reluctantly he stood up and with a kiss on the forehead and the promise to return the next day he made his way back to the Academy.