Jim's Lean-To

"Don't cry..." I choked. I lifted my left hand to wipe the tears from his face, wiping my own with my shoulder. I forced a smile, though it was hard. I winced as the bandage was secured around my wrist and bit my lip.

"Demeti, stop," I said firmly. "Don't speak and don't move. Y-you need to conserve your strength

I nodded again sadly. Fine. He didn't say I couldn't mouth anything. 'It hurts' I mouthed. 'Don't worry, I'm fine. Love you.' I smiled gently.

'Don't be', I mouthed. 'That was the bravest thing I've ever seen. Thank you so much. You are braver than you give yourself credit for.' And I really meant it. I hoped he could see it through my eyes. I looked at him carefully, not to make sure he wouldn't be worried, but to make sure I wouldn't. I wondered how this would effect him.

I gritted my teeth in pain as he wrapped my ribs, but didn't make a sound. 'You saved my life! You annihilated Pedro! I could have been long dead if you hadn't helped me! It's my fault anyway; I should've checked the woods before I shot. I should've been paying attention. Maybe...' I thought for a moment and looked away to a small spot in the dirt, face slack. 'Maybe if I was dead, it would save all of this trouble.'

I bit my cheek, ashamed of what slipped out. That wasn't supposed to happen. I lurched forward, ribs on fire, wrist hurting like something else, and hugged Jim as tightly as I could. "I'm sorry." I whispered quietly, trembling myself now.

I nodded slightly. 'The rabbit.' I smiled. 'I still need to make you breakfast.' I sat up on my elbows.

I put my arm around her and laid her down again. "No. You need to rest," I say fretfully

My mouth dropped open and my eyebrows pulled together in consern. 'But-'

"No. No buts. Y-you could've died. You need to rest,"

I huffed, ignoring the sharp pain in my chest, and crossed my arms over my stomach. I looked back up at him with angry eyes and jutted my lip out.

My gaze softened, my lip jutted back in, and I sat up awkwardly. I tenderly crisscrossed my legs and cupped his face in my hands. "No." I said clearly. "Stop it. Just stop it! Cowards never protect. They only run. Did you run away out there? No, you protected my sorry butt from getting turned into Pedro Chow!" Despite the stinging pain and wanting to cry myself, and the way my voice cracked at the end, I wiped the tears away from his face gingerly, as if he would break in my hands. I kept my eyes trained on his. I didn't know if I could ever let him go.

I closed my eyes. "Please." I whispered earnestly,putting all feeling into my words. "Please stop blaming yourself. I can't take it. "

"Please. If you love me." A tear rolled down m right cheek. My ribs were scorching now.

"Demetri stop. You're hurting yourself. Just... Yes. I'll stop blaming myself, just stop,"

I smiled. 'Thank you. Again.' I mouthed. I thought for a little more, trying to figure out what the problem was, what made me feel all empty. My stomach growled. Oh. Duh.

'Be careful.' I mouthed. I kissed him gingerly on the cheek.