Bella's health didn't improve over the next few days, and it worried both Jekyll and Hyde more than anything. Her skin was almost the colour of marble, ice to the touch as if snowflakes had settled there, framed by her ebony hair like something out of a fairy tale.

"Come on", Robert had said, sitting beside her. "Not you too". She had opened her eyes at that moment, but her usual emerald coloured eyes had saturated to a darkened grey.

"Still watching over me? I would call you my guardian angel, but for that you'd have to be dead", she lulled quietly. "And I think there's only one of us that's going to end up that way".

"Don't say that", Robert replied. "Never say die".

"That's like your catchphrase. Well, it is until Tenebrae get out of your hair".

"They're trying to isolate me, aren't they? Trying to get rid of any people I could possibly trust". He started to pace for a minute, then sank into a chair, with a hand to his eyes. "And eventually they're going to destroy everything I love".

"Then don't let them. Stop sitting around like some duck waiting to be shot and win".

"How could I ever win when you're..?"

"I'm what?" Bella asked, feeling absolutely physically and mentally drained for the day, even at seven o'clock, which was usually her party time. "What's happened to me?"

"Keres", he said simply, rubbing a hand across his face and collapsing them both in his lap. "She's...pushing me into giving her the ring, by, um... You know".

"You know what", Bella started, leaning back into the headboard with a smile. "If I knew where she was I would burn that minx to ashes for what she's done to us". Robert chuckled.

"Trust me. I would too".

"Look Robert. I know I'm not long for this world, and to be honest I had a pretty good life", Bella smiled, her eyes watering up. "And it was all the more better for meeting you".

"Same here. And my one regret was that I", he sighed. "Didn't waste my time with other people".

"Hey, hey. Don't talk smack about Lily now. I know you loved her".

"Another time I should have listened to Hyde" Robert chuckled. "He's not all that bad, is he?"

"He breaks things and gets you to apologise for it, but, yeah sure". Bella coughed, putting a hand to her mouth and then pulling it away covered in bloody fluid. Not long now. "So, no cure at all? Except for agreeing to Keres's pact?" Robert's smile dropped, and he nodded rather mournfully.

"Then, share one more drink with me", she smiled weakly.

"I will. But not here", Robert replied. "Come with me. We're going to the Empire". Bella nodded, and turned to get out of the bed. She put two feet on the ground, but for some reason couldn't put any weight on them. Slightly worried, she pulled up the green fabric of the dress she was wearing from her arms onto her shoulders, and yelped as a shot of pain ran up her ankle. Trusting herself, she put all her weight on her legs, then toppled over, grabbing onto the side of the bed.

"Bella?" Robert asked, his tone fast and alarmed. "Bella, what's wrong?" She didn't answer, just kept shaking her head.

"I-I can't... My legs".

"Okay, um". He took a moment to ponder the situation, then bundled her into his arms. Quietly she whimpered as a shock of pain hit her. "I'll have to get the car".

:/:

The Empire was pretty much empty, apart from a few men gambling by the bar. They were gruff men, the kind that you wouldn't want to get involved with.

"Out!" Bella shouted, and they soon were out the door, grumbling that they hadn't finished their game. Robert placed her on her feet, but held her up like a delicate china doll attached by a string. "Back to the beginning, eh? What a beautiful way to end with".

"So, how about that drink?" Robert said, and lifted Bella onto a barstool, then ducked behind the bar. "What would the lady like tonight?"

"Strongest thing you've got. It's been a Hell of a day".

"Hell of a day? For a charming girl like you".

"Careful tiger, I've... got someone".

"Really? What's he like?"

"Oh, he gets me into scrapes, I'll give you that. But he's absolutely amazing", Bella chuckled. "And the biggest dork I've ever met".

"Yeah, I'll give you that". He passed over a shot glass with a copper coloured liquid inside with the consistency of syrup.

"The stars are pretty tonight", Bella said, gazing out of the window. "Hey, lift me up. I know the best view in the house".

:/:

Robert leaned on the black painted railing on Bella's balcony. The moon was far in the background of the soaring roofs of the houses, like a silhouette. "It really is beautiful". The moonlight covered everything in a white glow, and Bella leaned next to him. His eyes were watering up slightly, and he rubbed them quickly.

"Smile for me", she requested. "Go on, one last time".

"How could I smile? I've brought this onto you, and now I'm going to lose you. I was only trying to keep you safe".

"Why? Nobody's safe, nobody's ever safe. I never asked for security, I asked for you to just love me unconditionally, and I would do the same. These have been the best years of my life, so just smile for one more God damn time for me, Robert Jekyll".

"I'm sorry".

"Why? Why does everyone think I am so scared? Tomorrow is promised to no one, Robert, and I'm just happy that I got to live some of my yesterdays with you". Reluctantly Robert gave a tiny smile, and Bella smiled back. "There's my sweetie". A tear fell down his cheek, and Bella held her hand to his cheek, rubbing it away.

"No tears, you know how I hate mushy stuff. And remember that I chose this, this is my choice. Not anyone else's, mine". Robert looked into her grey eyes and Bella put her lips to his. He returned it, and he felt a tear fall from her eye onto his cheek.

It must have been only a minute, but it felt like forever. And when he pulled back, he was heartbroken to see her fall into his arms.

:/:

"We should go and see where he is", Maggie said, slightly panicked over her grandson's disappearance. "He's been ages". Before anyone could answer, in the distance they could hear a familiar roar. Of Hyde, no doubt. But this brought the inferred realisation about why he had suddenly come about. And though nobody spoke it, everyone thought it.

Bella was gone.

:/:
"Don't worry my angel", Hyde purred, laying Bella on her bed. "I'll take who did this to you and make them wish they never crossed us"...